Setting up a stash for first baby

Runnergirl78

Hi! I'm 8 weeks pregnant and already thinking about setting up a cloth diaper system. I have several questions and thought this would be the perfect venue to get feedback. Here we go:

1. Newborn rental programs - I plan on having 2 kids. With multiple kids, is it worth just investing in small diapers or is it still easier/cheaper to use a newborn rental program twice?

2. Feedback on my plan:
I would like to CD from the newborn phase (if I have a very, very small baby I'm ok using disposables until we can fit into a diaper meant for 7-8 lbs). Can I get feedback on what I'm thinking of doing for my stash?

Newborn/small stage: prefolds and covers
-prefolds (cotton, hemp, home-sewn from flannel), some home-sewn fitteds
-thirsties duo wrap size 1

-are bummis worth getting?
-are softbums Echo and pods worth getting?
-would econobums be a better choice?
-how many covers will I need? 6? 8?
-will I need doublers? How many?

15 lbs +
-Heiny Lineys system
-Flip

-I like the washable/wipable cover w/ and insert better than an AIO or pocket system. Heiny Lineys look fantastic in terms of versatility - particularly the way you can pre-stuff them to mimic AIOs for sitters, family, etc. And after reading so much good feedback on the flips, I can't imagine not wanting to try them. Plus I know I can stuff both of them with the smaller prefolds.

-again, I still have a hard time figuring out how much I actually need in terms of covers and inserts.

I'm very excited about all of this and thank everyone in advance for their input

Rlambert6002

I'm not an expert as I've only been cd'ing my youngest for a few months (and preparing to cd the little one due in Aug.) but I can tell you what experience I do have and what I know. Currently I am using mostly prefolds and Flip covers as they are what I use at home. Flips cut down on laundry some because as you mentioned they can be wiped and reused. Rarely ever do I use more than 2 covers in a day. If I go out I use Thirsties AIO or Kawaii's (pockets).....to me they are just easier to use when out and about. I like both and they work pretty much the same after you stuff the pocket of course. Kawaii's are relatively inexpensive (anywhere from 7-12 bucks depending on sales and where you buy) one size (8-36 lbs if I remember correctly) and each comes with 2 microfiber inserts. I have used the Kawaiis at night with no problems but generally use prefolds with a wool cover...I have some hemp fitteds ordered that I plan on using at nighttime.

I currently have 4 Flip covers and 16 prefolds and do laundry about every 2 days. (This was what I had initially ordered to get started with my youngest when she was a year old) During that wash I usually put Gracelyne in the Kawaiis or Thirsties as generally all the prefolds aside from a couple are being washed but all the covers are soiled. I plan on ordering more regular prefolds since I know at some point she and the upcoming baby will eventually be in the same size. I will be ordering more covers as well....even though I like Flips I may try something else just to get a feel for what's out there. I had researched Econobums and while I liked the price (I'm super frugal) I read about as many bad reviews as good on them so I decided not to go that route. I would imagine 8 covers for one baby would be plenty plus. I've read that 24 prefolds is an ideal starter for newborns so that is what I will be ordering. I'm not going to buy any doublers as I figure the newborn prefolds can be used as doublers once they go up a size. In addition I will have tons of microfiber inserts (that came with the Kawaiis) to use as doublers. I am still doing research on newborn covers as well. The Kawaiis are one size as are the Thirsties, but in all honesty they would be super bulky on a newborn and I don't think they would fit very well. I'm considering the Proraps as I've read alot of good reviews and they have the notch cutout for the umbilical stump as well as being inexpensive. I've not tried them though so I can't actually recommend them.
Anyway, that's what I know about cd'ing so far. I'm sure there are many other veteran mommas on here who can help you out more! Good luck!

autumnbeck

I think for most people the rental program is the way to go.

Softbums are an excellent system to use from the preemie stage up to potty training. They don't have a wipeable cover so for that I recommend Flip or Bestbottoms.

As far as covers, if you are using prefolds I would have at least 6. You will need 2 dozen diaper changes on hand for a newborn.

I HIGHLY recommend (and really only recommend) Proraps for the newborn stage.

Runnergirl78

Thanks for the replies - two questions for Autumn:

You would recommend a diaper rental program even for someone who planed on using cloth for 2 kids? Why?

What about Heiny Lineys as a system - either for the newborn or the "one-size" stage?

Thanks!
Kelly

Rg1234

I've only been CDing my 11 week old for the past seven weeks, but I found 24 newborn prefolds were barely enough. I was doing laundry every day and a half. I splurged and got an extra dozen when we were due to size up to smalls and it has made a world of difference. My little guy has been going through 14-16 diapers/day this week.

Right now we are using 6 covers (3 econobums, 2 thirsties and 1 thirsties duo.) It seems to be a good number right now. I like the econobum covers, but I'm not a fan of their prefold diapers. Both styles of thirsties fit well, but you might get some staining on the white edges, especially if you BF.

If you can hold out until November, the Black Friday Sales were pretty amazing last year.

Runnergirl78

Rg1234 - thanks for the input, good to know on the number of prefolds you actually go through.

I will BF, don't care about staining - the AZ sun can whiten any stains. I'm due Nov 23, so if I'm of the right mind (or I have my mom or sister shop as a proxy), Black Friday Sales may be really good for building a post-NB stash.

autumnbeck

I usually suggest a newborn cloth diaper rental program because of the overwhelming response I get from women I speak with regularly. I am fortunate to get to work one-on-one with many who are considering cloth. Most can't seem to wrap their mind around paying for cloth diapers that will only be used for a couple of months...even if they plan on having more children. Personally, I wouldn't go with either option because I enjoy buying new diapers for the new baby. I buy newborn diapers then when it is time to size up I sell the nb ones.

Another reason I recommend nb rental programs is uncertainty in what a parent will like or what will work with baby. Purchasing a stash of nb cloth diapers only to discover that your baby is sensitive to the fabric is hugely disappointing. Many rental programs give you a variety and from there you can find a system you will like in the long run.

Hiney Lineys is a unique and cost effective system. It does involve more steps than many parents prefer. But, when we are talking saving money a few extra steps may be worth it. I use my HL cover often.

Runnergirl78

Thanks for all the input!

I think I lucked out in the cloth diaper lottery - my husband is way on board with cloth and when I gave him an estimate for the cost of NB and one sized diapers for one kid his response was: "That's it? Disposables are so much more expensive than that and I expected cloth diapers to cost a lot more." So not that cost isn't an issue, but we understand that cloth diapers are an investment that pay off pretty quickly. As an engineer, he seems completely undaunted by even the extra steps of the HL system.

Penelope

As someone that has come out of the newborn stage recently (my LO is 3 months), I echo what Autumn says and I highly recommend the rentals/trials packages to get a sense of not only what you and DH like but what your LO likes. We started with disposables to get through the meconium and newborns poops and my LO was quite fussy when he transitioned. The trials allowed us to try a few out and see what worked best. I personally wouldn't bother with the nb clothes bc they grow out of them so fast but that's just my opinion.

I use the hybrids - Flips and Grovia's (BTW - look into Grovia's - they are great). My LO pooped a TON until things settled down, maybe six weeks depending on your baby. One day he had a major poop day so we went through the WHOLE trial - like 16-18 diapers. I agree with with others about the number of diaper changes for newborns. In the first few weeks, I was basically changing the cover and the insert after almost every feed bc the poops were so frequently. So for the first little while it wasn't really a "hybrid" system. Now that his system has regularized, it's more of a hybrid system and I can reuse covers.

Good luck!

Yardsyo

I have 8 week old and I bought prefolds and covers (go with prowraps cheap and work great) also like thirsties duo covers. Bought a few kissaluves fitted and 2 lil joyes ( really don't like these they leak all the time). Going with a majority of prefolds makes newborn diapering pretty cheap. Rental programs seemed a little pricy for me especially when I plan to have another.
I have 6 covers and wish I had a few more. PRefolds are good because they can fit skinny like mine or chunky.
I like hemp babies doublets. Helps stretch prefolds for longer if needed and helps now when they are getting a little small but pockets are still a little big.
I have pockets once he is bigger.

BastiansMommy

I used newborn prefolds (3 dozen) and had Bummis and Thirsties covers (6 NB covers worked for me, and the Thirsties Duo Wrap size one was great because my son grew SO fast over the first few weeks that it just grew with us). While its true that they don't wear NB for long, I am really happy I have a NB stash that I will use with future babies. I never even knew there were rental programs, but I'm still happy I bought NB diapers. Its a good feeling knowing I have diapers all ready to go whenever the next baby comes along :)

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