How did you start?

Cyingling1

I have been doing some research and while I get the impression some diapers are better than others it seems like I keep reading that you have to find what's right for you and your baby. So my question is how did you start out until you found what you liked? I feel like I need to buy quite a few to get started. I am thinking that I want to do OS pockets and maybe some fitted and covers for the first few weeks. Are the "trials" on some of the websites worth it? Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Chichigo

Are you diapering a newborn or an older baby? OS diapers won't fit a newborn.

We started with prefolds/flats and covers during the newborn phase. I planned on doing a diaper trial once LO was big enough for OS diapers (usually around 10-12 lbs), but I started buying a few used diapers instead.

freezorburn

We did the Newborn diaper trial with Jillian's Drawers. The trial helped us figure out that we liked CD in General and prefolds and fitteds in particular. So then we bought mostly prefolds and a few fitteds, and bought a few different pockets and AIOs to try out. Some OS diapers fit DS sooner than others, so that was a factor. We also figured out that we preferred natural fibers, so that became a factor as we filled out our OS stash. Then it became evident that DS was a side sleeper so we then looked at fitteds for ON.

ElleBeeDub

I made the decision to stick with prefolds and covers for nb since he wouldn't be in them for very long. Then I essentially bought a whole OS stash 2nd hand (to keep costs down). As we worked with what we had, we figured out what we liked and what worked for us. I then sold what didn't work and bought what did until I refined my stash to what I wanted.

PipSqueak0313

Budget was a factor for me, so I just jumped in with prefolds and covers for his newborn days and then I got curious about the Best Bottoms AI2 and used those for months 3-11....then I got tired of dealing with microfiber and since the budget wouldn't permit replacing the mf with natural fiber inserts I played around with one of ds's receiving blankets and discovered how easy flats are to use AND wash and I have been using flats with my covers and to stuff the pockets I had picked up along the way. If I could do things over again, the only things I would change is that instead of buying the dozen red edge GMD prefolds, I would have bought a dozen of their flats.....and I wouldn't have bought the Imagine AI2 inserts at all.

nanabanana06

I did a diaper service for a few months with my daughter. We had basic prefolds, snappi's, and covers. My Aunt got me 10 chinese cheapies off Ebay thinking they were covers, they were pockets. I used those for DC when she started at 3 months. I washed every single day with 10 diapers for DC and prefolds from service. I then got my refund check and went to a CD store. There I got prefolds, BG pockets, covers, and hemp inserts. I got rid of my service and was washing my whole stash myself. I experimented from there with things like wool, fitteds, ect. Now on my second kid I have my for sure favorites, but have essentially some of every kind of diaper.

Cyingling1

Thanks everyone! I am expecting so I am trying to start my stash now with hopes of starting cloth right after the hospital. I was a little nervous about trying flats or prefolds but now I am thinking maybe I should get some to try.

lookame3639

I have built a stash based on reveiws I've read and/or heard about. I bought in seconds sales and have done mystery fluff packages from kissedbythemoon.com.

i don't have my little one to cloth right now but am slowly working on building a varied stash until she arrives. Then i can test out what works and what doesnt. I've been working on getting more natural fiber dipes and working on getting bamboo and/or hemp inserts to replace the microfiber inserts for the pockets. As I said it's varied between prefolds, covers, a few fitteds, AIO, and pockets.

ElleBeeDub

I definitely recommend giving flats and prefolds a try. Even if you don't like them snappied on, you can always tri-fold them in a cover or use them to stuff pockets. My DH (who had never before changed a baby's diaper) actually really loved the prefolds and covers when G was tiny because he felt like they were the easiest to get a good fit with.

CLLDLL

We didn't start till DS was around 6 weeks. We went to our local store and got to touch and feel the various types. Based on that and MH's feelings towards wanting to keep it as simple as possible, we chose one type of diaper (AppleCheeks) we thought would work best for us.  We bought enough to wash every day (so around 15 changes).  We filled in any gaps with sposies at first. 

After we got the hang of CD'ing and our wash routine down, we started to add some other brands and types of diapers. That worked well for us. 18 months in, we've tried just about every type of diaper out there & our favorites are actually quite different than what we thought.  We thought we'd use mostly OS pockets.  We actually really love flats/prefolds folded and laid in a cover and AI2s for out an about.  We kept our pockets to send to daycare.  I hated AIOs for a long time, but I'm actually kind of liking them more now that he's not a heavy of a wetter.

Long story short, your needs and preferences will likely change over time.  So get what you think you'll like to start with, but don't be afraid to try something new, especially if you find a smokin' deal. 

Also, I highly recommend tryting flats and prefolds at first.  I know they seem daunting at first, they sure scared me away. But honestly you can get the best fit from them and the absorbency is infinitely customizable.  

mrshudson618

Since cost was a huge factor for us, we decided to used prefold and covers, and wanted to stick with that, so we didn't get a very varied stash for that reason. I got 2 P&Ns and an alva pocket just in case I absolutely hated the prefolds. The only real variety i had was in the brands of covers. Since we were trying to save money, the plan was to stick with prefolds even if we didn't love them, but I still like them better than the pockets or AIOs we have.

If I were to start over today, I would probably do the same thing, but with flats instead of Prefolds.

lookame3639

If you are having difficulties figuring out what you want to try or feel overwhelmed you may want to try a kissed by the moon mystery fluff. I liked it because it was whatever I got i got and i could dip my feet in...If you don't want certain brands you can tell them in the notes section or if there's something you'd be open to trying you can also put that in the notes....just thought I'd throw that out there. I enjoyed it, some people don't but the owner of the store really takes your notes into consideration.

Cyingling1

I was just looking into the kissed by the moon mystery fluff.  Has anyone done the "Loved" ones?  Was your stuff in good condition? 

emmylou78

I read a lot of reviews and blogs.  Amazon reviews are awesome to learn the pros and cons.  I am lazy, and knew I wouldn't be good with selling off if I didn't like something.  So I did the taboo and bought a stash of what seemed to be a well-liked brand.  (BG).  It wouldn't work for everyone.  I've branched out a bit, like prefolds/covers and Kawaii for the NB stage.  I have some other odds and ends.  I just knew that, for me, I wanted a stash when baby came, and I wanted it to be as easy as possible; which translated into one common brand. 

Its what you're comfortable with.  If you're up for trying out lots, a trial would be good for you.  Or if you're savvy with the buy/sell/trade, trying a few of each type/brand might suit you well. 

lookame3639

Cyingling1 said:

I was just looking into the kissed by the moon mystery fluff.  Has anyone done the "Loved" ones?  Was your stuff in good condition? 

I did the loved ones since they were cheaper and i figured I could get the best bang for my buck. The dipes don't have any staining and i got a really awesome fitted in it. I also have gotten fuzzibunz, Charlie banana and a bummis cover with prefold. I really have to say the loved ones aren't all that terrible in condition some were practically brand new, the "worst" condition I got was a VGUC, but like I said no stains, rips, PUL is in really good condition just the aplix on the dipes was worn down but still has a lot of good life left. I would definitely put in the comments section about certain ones you'd like to try or a certain style you'd like to try.

slh6363

I started with just narrowing it down to OS pockets. Then honestly, I did a lot of lurking on here to figure out what people liked. Also posted a few times myself to narrow it down. A lot of people did say to wait til LO is born so you know what will work best. I didn't do that bc Im not the kind of person that does things last minute, I like to have things done way ahead. I went with about 4 different brands and luckily they all work just fine, I don't really prefer one over the other. GL,

littleredfish

Prefolds and covers seemed like a good start loved by the majority of reviews I saw. I also figured that if I didn't like them, they would make good pocket stuffers. So I bought a bunch of those for the newborn stage. 

Then I bought a variety of brands of pockets (all I really managed to gather from my research was that pockets sounded good because they were customizable as far as stuffing materials as baby grows and fast drying) and ended up selling off the ones I didn't like to buy more of ones I did.

Then once my stash was established and I knew what I loved, then I was able to go crazy on prints and such and end up with enough diapers to wash my toddlers dipes once a week if I wanted...not that I do, but I could. I like variety (and I'm addicted)

Brandiewine11

We haven't started officially yet, but I got a variety based on reviews and advice from others. About 3/4 of my NB stash is prefolds/covers or GMD workhorse fitteds. The rest is a mix of other fitteds, pockets and AIO's that got good reviews here and elsewhere. I figured we could try things out during the NB stage and figure out what we like. I've picked up a few BG 4.0's and BBs for when he starts growing out of NB sizes and will add to that stash once he arrives.

huntjul

We decided to CD from birth, but we live in a place that you can't get them (Caribbean) and the cost of shipping them in is ridiculous. So I researched the snot out of it and bought an entire stash before LO was even born--a risky move, I know, but not by choice. As it turns out, it worked out well. We use pockets and AI2s because DH is a stay at home dad, and I was suspicious of his abilities in flats or prefolds, though I hear some dads do great with them. I have added only a diaper or two since she was born, but I had already bought both newborn and OS diapers before she was born.

nalaundi

I wanted to cd to save money. we will be using coin-op laundry so that narrowed my options for me...which I am completely alright with.  we will do all natural fibers and stay clear of microfibers. because most pockets come with said microfiber, we opted for an entire stash (newborn and OS) of a mix of prefolds/flats and fitted diapers with covers. we got 1 or 2 of other styles but those will be for babysitters and family helpers. we also opted for a larger stash that is easily washed and line dried for those lean months when hand washing is the only option. the main stash consists of

36 infant prefolds, 12 newborn prefolds, 14 rededge medium prefolds 24 econobum prefolds, 10 newborn workhorses, 12 cotton flats 12 bamboo flats and a handfull of thinner receiving blankets for newborn flats. 12  newborn covers.. 14 os covers different brands

for the care givers.. 2 Newborn Imagine AIO, 5 handsewed pockets. 2 OS imagine AIO, 1 Alva OS pocket (bamboo), 1 Kawaii OS pocket (bamboo). 

alll my doublers (bamboo fleece and Hemp Fleece) are handsewn. much much cheaper. I think I made 22 of them.

by waiting for sales buying second hand and sewing much of my own I only paid $250 for this entire stash.