Are all prefolds created equal?

MrsHo1030

I'm only about 9 weeks pregnant but my husband and I decided that I would buy diapers weekly. Are prefolds like the other diapers, where some brands are better for some things or are they all pretty much the same?

flyer23

The biggest difference is in sizing. Standard Indian and Chinese prefolds are realllllllllllllly long, so you usually have to fold them down to get them to fit right. Not a big deal, but a little bulky, which some people don't like.

Sized prefolds (like GMD, Imagine, etc.) are cut shorter to fit better without folding down

But I have some standard prefolds that I've trimmed down to be the same size as my GMD's, and they work just as well. So it is definitely just the size that is different, not the materials.

momofmanyinthemitten

flyer23:

The biggest difference is in sizing. Standard Indian and Chinese prefolds are realllllllllllllly long, so you usually have to fold them down to get them to fit right. Not a big deal, but a little bulky, which some people don't like.

Sized prefolds (like GMD, Imagine, etc.) are cut shorter to fit better without folding down

But I have some standard prefolds that I've trimmed down to be the same size as my GMD's, and they work just as well. So it is definitely just the size that is different, not the materials.

I disagree. We have two brands of prefolds that are same size and the GMDs are way softer and absorbent.

GBCK

I'd say siZing and maTERIALs vary a LOT.

I have a handful of Bumpkins PFs that I like and a bunch of LIttle lion premiums (longer) that I also like--but it's not just the shape, the LLs quilt up more and are a lot more absorbant, IMO.  (considering they've all been used equally)=--of course I say that knowing LL is going ot of business and not restocking)

MrsHo1030

I was looking at GMD and they have a lot of different sizes. Do you need  to get different sizes? I thought that prefolds grew with you.

kar5162

I prefer the slightly wider fit of GMDS and they are really super soft - nicer than the other brands I've seen. I think I could get by with 2 sizes - yellow will be bulky on a newborn but work unless baby is tiny, red fits lengthwise into a Thirsties Duo 2 or you could go with the slightly bulkier/more absorbant brown. That would be a super cheap/easy stash if you're just looking to do prefolds..

I wouldn't buy weekly though - you'll pay a small premium for not buying in bulk and will also pay a ton more in shipping. Just put some money aside each week and buy it when you have enough.

Blackvelvet

They do adsorb differnt.  my GMD are the best then the little lions the genaric barnd sucked.  AS for size I only had newborn and then some red edge theys till fit my 2 year old (though we are potty training now).

Leinistar

MrsHo1030:

I was looking at GMD and they have a lot of different sizes. Do you need  to get different sizes? I thought that prefolds grew with you.

Unfortunately they dont. I got some Osocozy brand prefolds from amazon and so far I like the quality. We got about a dozen each of the newborn, infant and regular diapers. DS was born too big for the newborn sized diapers at 21 in and 8lbs 15oz. We use those as burp rags/catchall cleaning rags. GMD is a good brand as well but you will need to buy bigger sizes as your LO grows regardless of the brand. You can buy some OS fitted diapers that will grow with you but they are much more expensive so I only use them for overnight and DS's long afternoon nap. Id start with mostly orange edged (you can fold them down to fit smaller babies) since you will use those for sure at some point and if you think your LO will be a smaller baby, you can always get some yellow or white edged.

dosafyre

I still use my prefolds to stuff our pockets and nightdiapers, since they don't hold smell like the microfiber inserts and are much more absorbant. So, we really got our money's worth out of them and they still look great!!! If you go with different brands, just make sure they are at least 4x8x4 for absorbancy.

I got about 24 in the yellow edge GMD size (roughly...they shrunk to about the orange edge size anyways) and 12 in the the size two jumps up (from Osocozy, I think?). Those two covered us from newborn well into the first year and we used 3-6 Thirsties duo covers with them.Just fold as need to make things fit, or lay them in the covers like a liner.

After that, DD was going longer between wettings and she did better with the pockets that help pull the wetness away from her skin (which prefolds don't do unless you insert fleece, etc). 

 

sal32

I bought the red edge GMDs when my younger girl was about 4 months old.  They were large on her then, but definitely usable. They still fit her now and she's 18 months, but she's only about 22 lbs now.  I don't see myself having to buy a bigger size before we potty train, unless she has a huge growth spurt or something.  I have also tried Gerber prefolds, which weren't great, and another kind (can't remember the brand)--the GMDs are definitely best for softness, absorbency, and durability.  Hope that helps!