2 questions: Tide detergent, and number of diaper covers

punkrockabye

First: Tide moms--Tide Ultra powder regular, correct? Not Tide Ultra powder "free and gentle scent?" I'm going to try different detergents, including Tide.

Second: I've looked at list after list of diaper number recommendations, I've written down how many of each size I have on our registry, and I can't for the life of me figure out what size ranges I need to add or subtract from since the variation in sizes is really messing with my mind. Call it pregnancy brain or math deficiency, I don't know!

We're doing GMD prefolds but trying different brands of covers, hence the different sizings. Thirsties Duo Wrap, Bummis Super Brite, Thirsties Diaper Cover, Blueberry Coveralls. I'm going by sizes listed on Amazon. Please critique my distribution and smack me for being unable to visualize all this?

I don't want to stick to one brand even though that would make picking out a few covers per size range very easy; since I don't know what will work, I want to vary it, but it's made difficult by the fact that different brands have different ranges. bah! I don't mind having a few too many, they'll be used (and they're so dang cute) but I don't want 3 times as many or half as many as I need for any size range. I'm told our shower invitations will be going out tomorrow or Tuesday so I am trying to get this all in order.

4-9 pounds: 4 covers

6-12 pounds: 2 covers

6-18 pounds: 1 cover

8-16 pounds: 4 covers

10-40 pounds: 2 covers 

12-18 pounds: 2 covers

15-30 pounds: 1 cover

18-28 pounds: 1 cover

18-40 pounds: 4 covers 

danigirl7181

Tide: I thought Tide Ultra was not good for diapers. I used the Tide Original, but I can't find it anymore. I'm trying All Free and Clear right now and it seems to be working pretty good. 

 I think you have enough covers (if you plan to wash every other day or so) for the newborn stage and then you will figure out which one's you like. 

GibsonGirl620

1) Tide Ultra is what most of us on the board use (as far as Tide goes). I have heard contradicting things about free n clear detergents. Some say they are better for CDs, but I've also heard they don't clean and rinse out as well as others. I've been using Ultra for a few months now and haven't had any issues.

2) To be honest, it's hard for me to process your list so early in the am. Sorry! It seems like you have plenty. Remember, just bc you register for them, doesn't mean they will all be purchased. You can always buy more as needed once you get into the groove of things. Sorry if that doesn't make sense, lol. 

GL! 

sosoph

tide ultra

Covers: I think you're planning too far ahead.  if you're using pf (which may leak ON but not OUT of the cover) you should have 2 covers per wash day plus an extra. So, register for a variety of 6 or so that go up to 12 lbs (forget all the overlap, and the 4-9lbs unless you're planning on a preemie). See what you like and then buy on  your own for the next sizes. 

momofmanyinthemitten

Since I've been on this board, I've been told Tide Original, not Tide Ultra-the brighteners are bad for the diapers. Free and clear and liquid products are also supposed to be bad.

As for your covers, you are probably set for the nb phase and you probably will need less for the older stages. The only time I wash my covers now is when they start to stink, since LO doesn't have poopsplosions anymore.

gwendolynclare

I use gmd with thirsties and thirsties duo.  You have waaayy more covers than I do, but I tend to be a minimalist.  I would def. drop the 4-9 pound covers.  Even if you do use them, it won't be for very long.  Also, your covers will last longer if you mostly just wash them out in the sink and hang them to dry.  I rarely put my covers in the washing machine - only if they have poop on them.  And when DD was still exclusively bf, I didn't even do it then.  I just rubbed them with a baking soda paste and hot water.  For that reason, I really didn't need more than three covers for any given size.  One drying, one on her, and one in the diaper bag.  

How I worked it, though, was two XS thirsties, two size one duos, two small thirsties, two medium thirsties, and two size two duos.  She's 17 months and still in the medium thirsties and size two duos.  We use the size two duos for her bigger nighttime diaper system, but can button them down and use for daytime if we need to.  GL!

sosoph

kielpinskim:

Since I've been on this board, I've been told Tide Original, not Tide Ultra-the brighteners are bad for the diapers. Free and clear and liquid products are also supposed to be bad.

They don't make original anymore. So, ultra it is. 

boogerbearoriginal

1 - Yes, Tide Ultra Original Scent Powder

2 - You seem to have plenty of covers.

You can probably get away with less of the bigger sizes. Once LO's get older, like around 3m they stop pooping as much and you need less covers.  What we did is we got stuff that would fit up to ~15-18lbs and then bought bigger covers once he was getting close to needing to size up. You can always buy bigger stuff once LO arrives and you know what brands you like.

ETA - another thing to think about, the 4-9lb ones will only fit for a few weeks. LO was 7lb7oz at birth and only wore his one 4-9lbs cover (a bummis NB) for about 3wks. I found the Thirsties XS fit longer and were still less bulky when he was itty bitty.

SaraTF

I'd wait to get any large covers until you know pfs work for you. 

I had 3 xs thirsties, 3 small bummis, and 3  thirsties duo wraps and thought that was a good mix.

punkrockabye

Thanks everyone! I think I might drop a couple smaller ones at least since I don't expect a preemie, but I guess I'm at a slightly higher risk of baby coming early, so I'll have a couple on hand. Prefolds are our only realistic option right now since we're going to rely on air drying; it seems like thicker diapers take much longer to dry and we can't afford a big enough stash to ensure that we have plenty clean and dry while others are hanging up. We're still grabbing a couple pockets and AIOs just to try though, but honestly only 2 or 3.

GibsonGirl620

If you're air drying, have you considered flats?  Not to overwhelm you, but flats will dry much faster than prefolds and still go with covers and snappis/pins.  Just a thought. 

skibunny59

For covers, I really like the Thirsties xsmall for newborn.  I also have two of the Thirsties Duo Wraps and these are OK.  I think you have plenty of covers.  I only have 5 and it's been working out fine for laundry every other day.