FTM prefold question

KimberlyR1002

After I decided I wanted to go the cloth diaper route, my mother dug out her old prefolds.  From what I can tell (and I'm definitely not sure on this, just guessing) a lot of them are the Gerber ones that everyone hates.  I was thinking of using them in place of inserts but I'm not sure.  My question would be is it worth it to keep them since they're free?  And if it is, should I strip/prep them?  TIA

CLLDLL

If I read that right & you said your mom dug them out & assuming you are older than like 15, then you might have DSQ Gerber prefolds instead of the ones everyone hates for CDing.  The ones they sold back in the day were better quality.  Are they quilted up like this?:

Or are they more like this?:

The first one is of good quality prefolds.  The second, not so much. 

HTH!

KimberlyR1002

CLLDLL said:

If I read that right & you said your mom dug them out & assuming you are older than like 15, then you might have DSQ Gerber prefolds instead of the ones everyone hates for CDing.  The ones they sold back in the day were better quality.  Are they quilted up like this?:

Or are they more like this?:

The first one is of good quality prefolds.  The second, not so much. 

HTH!

Unfortunately, they look like the second picture.  Sad day.  I do remember that they made excellent dust cloths when I was younger, so I guess I'll keep them and figure something out.  It's hard to say no to free stuff!  

mrshudson618

KimberlyR1002 said:

CLLDLL said:

If I read that right & you said your mom dug them out & assuming you are older than like 15, then you might have DSQ Gerber prefolds instead of the ones everyone hates for CDing.  The ones they sold back in the day were better quality.  Are they quilted up like this?:

Or are they more like this?:

The first one is of good quality prefolds.  The second, not so much. 

HTH!

Unfortunately, they look like the second picture.  Sad day.  I do remember that they made excellent dust cloths when I was younger, so I guess I'll keep them and figure something out.  It's hard to say no to free stuff!  

If your mom used them for diapering, then its possible they can't be that bad right? Is there somewhere you can get your hands on a really good quality prefold, like a cloth diaper store, or a friend who CDs? With the two side by side it should be obvious.

Chichigo

You can also use them if you need to use a non-CD safe rash cream.

KimberlyR1002

Chichigo said:

You can also use them if you need to use a non-CD safe rash cream.

Ah, this is true!  Thanks for all the feedback, I think my mom would have been a little hurt if I didn't use them.

Lild09

Wait does that mean any kind that looks like the second one is bad? I have bummis prefolds

mrshudson618

Lild09 said:

Wait does that mean any kind that looks like the second one is bad? I have bummis prefolds

I have bummis prefolds and they are nothing like the Gerbers in that photo. Gerbers are two layers of thin cotton with some padding in the soaker strip. Your bummis are 4x8x4 I am pretty sure, I love them, and they work great.

Lild09

mrshudson618 said:

Lild09 said:

Wait does that mean any kind that looks like the second one is bad? I have bummis prefolds

I have bummis prefolds and they are nothing like the Gerbers in that photo. Gerbers are two layers of thin cotton with some padding in the soaker strip. Your bummis are 4x8x4 I am pretty sure, I love them, and they work great.

Oh thank goodness! That's the kind we went with for newborn diapers plus we have 6 in the size up and then all sorts of other diapers, pockets, fitteds that were given to us second hand!

freezorburn

OP, I say that if the diapers your mother gave you still have any absorbency left to them, then give them a try. Who knows, like many of us you may want to diversify your stash as your LO gets bigger and more mobile. Even then, the diapers from your mother could also work really well as doublers or inserts. I would be really interested to know if and how you end up using them!

The last time she visited, my mother commented on how the GMDs were so different from what she had when I was in diapers -- I think she had prefolds too, just the fabric was thinner and softer, and the GMDs are heavier gauge fabric and sturdier, and more absorbent. You can always double up for more absorbency if you need it. When DS was NB we had to change him at the first sign of any wetness because he was so sensitive, so we ended up laundering a lot of mostly-dry diapers. I actually would not have minded a thinner, less-absorbent diaper at that stage!