Intro and some newb questions

mrsdanielleM2010

Hi everyone! Sorry in advance for the dumb questions, but I just got my dh to agree to cd'ing on a trial basis for our LO. About us - both 30, this is going to be take home baby #1, and he is measuring in the 99th percentile partly due to genes and partly due to me having GD. Due September 13 but likely coming in the two weeks prior to that. I'm expecting him to not be under 10 lbs very long, if at all.

I got dh on board for prefolds since if our little experiment doesn't last they can easily be used for burp cloths and we would need to buy those anyway.

I think we will get GMD prefolds but I'm not sure which size to anticipate? Do you think I could probably start with small, or should I get some newborn to be safe? Also, which of the different GMD prefolds is most absorbent? How many do I need if we will do diaper laundry every other day?

Which covers fit well over these, and how many do I need?

If the prefolds experiment goes well he will be on board for a full AIO or pockets stash for the duration, so I'm feeling a lot of pressure to be as prepared as possible to make sure he stays on board.

Thanks in advance for the help!

joyfultrex

Congrats! You would be able to start with size small, but they will probably be bulky. This bothers some people, but not others and not the baby. I started with smalls on my 5.5lb little guy so it can be done, but I had to fold down the rise. 

I don't think any type of prefold is more absorbent (organic, bleached or unbleached) it's just a personal preference. You would just move up to the bigger size if you need more absorbancy. So small will be more absorbent than newborn.

30-36 changes is a good number for every other day washing. I personally would go with 2 dozen smalls and 6-8 workhorse fitteds in either newborn or small.

mrshudson618

I would go with smalls, because they will last longer, and can fit any size nb folded down, just with extra bulk.

Some people say the organic are a little softer, and that the bleached wear out a little faster from the processing, by nine should be more or less absorbent.

I would look for a cover like a thirsties duo size 1, or the Assunta tiny cover, as if you are right about the size of your baby, nb covers will not last long, especially over a small prefold vs nb. These are adjustable sized covers, but smaller than one-sized covers. They fit larger babies at birth( and smaller ones soon after) and are big enough to easily fit over a bulkier prefold, and fit to 16 lbs or so.
With small prefolds and these covers you could be all set for up to 4-6 months.
I would get 3 dozen prefolds and 6-8 covers.

CLLDLL

I think these ladies have given great advice, so I don't have much more to add.  Other than welcome and congrats!

mrsdanielleM2010

Thank you so much!

joyfultrex said:

I personally would go with 2 dozen smalls and 6-8 workhorse fitteds in either newborn or small.

What would the workhorse fitteds be used for? The overnights I'm guessing?

So between 2-3 dozen small prefolds, probably not bleached, potentially 6-8 workhorse fitteds, and 6-8 thirsties or assunta covers, and that will get us to 3-4 months? That would be amazing and the perfect length of time for me to convince him! Thanks everyone!

mrshudson618

mrsdanielleM2010 said:

Thank you so much!

I personally would go with 2 dozen smalls and 6-8 workhorse fitteds in either newborn or small.

What would the workhorse fitteds be used for? The overnights I'm guessing? So between 2-3 dozen small prefolds, probably not bleached, potentially 6-8 workhorse fitteds, and 6-8 thirsties or assunta covers, and that will get us to 3-4 months? That would be amazing and the perfect length of time for me to convince him! Thanks everyone!

workhorse fitteds aren't really more absorbent for ON, but they are easier to change so are good for changing during the night. Just be warned that if your H is skeptical, he might prefer the fitteds since they are easier, which could get more expensive. 

If that's ok, you might consider getting a handful of other easier types to help win him over too. Kawaii Pure&Nature pockets are a pocket diaper that fit earlier than OS diapers that are popular, but inexpensive. They are great for a skeptic because they are aplix and go on just like a sposie. 

rlb284

My LO was born at 8 lb 2 oz and he gained very quickly in the first couple months.  I started with GMD prefolds and workhorses in small (yellow edge) and Thirsties Size One covers at about 10 days, just because i hadnt tried them earlier, and it was more than fine.  He actually pretty much outgrew yellows by about 6 weeks when we started into one size pockets.  I would definitely start with Small/Yellow if i was anticipating a larger baby. 

Also, i fould that because we started with cloth on our first baby, and i approached it with a "cloth is what we're doing" attitude, my husband never knew anything different.  He's been all on board the whole time.  Good luck!

 

sarenu1

Workhorses are nice, but not a necessity.  I did fine with just prefolds.

The only advise I can give you is make sure you have at least 2 different style covers.  My little guy had tiny hips and my RaRz and Blueberry Mini Coveralls didn't fit him.  I actually needed to use an XS cover for the first 2 weeks.

I know you're LO isn't going to be tiny, but each cover fits a little differently.

conradraging

I would go small unbleached with thirsties Xs or assunta tiny covers!

That's what I would like to buy for my stash except the hubs said no way jose.

mrsdanielleM2010

rlb284 said:

My LO was born at 8 lb 2 oz and he gained very quickly in the first couple months.  I started with GMD prefolds and workhorses in small (yellow edge) and Thirsties Size One covers at about 10 days, just because i hadnt tried them earlier, and it was more than fine.  He actually pretty much outgrew yellows by about 6 weeks when we started into one size pockets.  I would definitely start with Small/Yellow if i was anticipating a larger baby. 

Also, i fould that because we started with cloth on our first baby, and i approached it with a "cloth is what we're doing" attitude, my husband never knew anything different.  He's been all on board the whole time.  Good luck!

In your opinion, they can usually go from the small prefolds straight to AIO's right?

Also, in our families, there is a 50/50 cloth/disposable split, so DH definitely knows and has seen both sides.  He simply doesn't think that we can handle the time and laundry demands of cloth, so kind of unfortunately for me, I have to prove him wrong to win since his preference is an informed one, KWIM?  Luckily, I like a challenge. 

Thanks for your help!

joyfultrex

I would say you can easily go from yellows to OS AIO. my (very little) guy is still wearing yellows and will be 1 next week. We have been in OS from about 4 months on. So while he can still wear his yellows and Thirsties size 1 covers he can also wear any of the AIO I have. Good luck with your challenge.