Overwhelmed by all the choices!

Konnersmomma

I want to cd so badly! I feel like my head is going to explode though researching all the brands and trying to figure out how to gets this started.
I want to cd from the beginning, but I'm so confused as to how I should get our "stash" started without knowing what will work best!
I know the basic things I need such as a wet bag, pail and liners. As for the actual diapers and inserts I'm completely overwhelmed.
I've read in other posts to check FAQ and you tube .. I have though and I still am feeling like maybe I can't do this!
Any suggestions on how you started up would be really appreciated!

MommyKristin88

1. Breathe!

2. I went to a local cloth diaper store and was able to practice with all types on a baby doll. That helped me.

3. If not possible to see them advance, at least research the different types, and try to narrow your options. With my daughter, price was important, so I went with prefolds. This time, ease of use for the grandparents and daycare provider is important, so we are trying AIO.

CLLDLL

As PP said, it might be time for you to see some in person.  Is there a store near you?  Or do you have a friend/family member who CDs?

If you want to CD from the start, I would say definitely get at least 12 NB prefolds and 3 NB covers plus a couple snappis.  Nothing holds in NB poo like a snappied prefold.  From there decide if you want to use exclusively prefolds and covers during the NB stage or if you'd like to try some fitteds or AIOs.  Fitteds will hold poo about as well as a prefold but are slightly easier to put on.  They require a cover just like a prefold.  AIOs are the easiest to put on, but babies tend to outgrow the absorbency on these before they outgrow in size.  You probably need a total of 30-36 diaper changes to wash every other day.

As far as other accessories you'll need at first - CD safe detergent, CD safe diaper cream, two large wetbags or two large pail liners and a diaper pail, two medium wetbags (for daycare if you are using a daycare), two small wetbags for the diaper bag, 24-36 cloth wipes, some place to store your CDs, and maybe a diaper drying rack if you plan to air dry & live in a colder climate.

From there it gets really fun.  LO will likely fit into one-size (OS) diapers around 10-12 pounds.   I'd maybe start by buying 1-2 of each type/brand you think you might like either now or once baby is here.  Try those out for a week or so to determine if you really like what you think you do.  Sell anything you don't like and buy more of what you do.  In this stage you want to aim for 18-24 diapers.

GL & happy shopping! 

tmrchi

I understand completely.  Remember it's not an all or nothing decision, and you can always add to your stash as you go, and even resell anything that really doesn't work for you.

My route was to get a little of the best reviewed and now that my baby is here, I'm adding more of what I liked so far.  Plus I have sposies on hand in case I need or want them. 

Danni7535

I did a ton of research at first and then I decided to go with prefolds and covers because they are very affordable and that was our main reason for cloth diapering. From this board, I discovered Green Mountain Diapers website. I read their "new to cloth" page, which outlines what you should buy based on your budget. I then bought 12 newborn prefolds, 24 size small prefolds, 3 snappis, 2 large Planet Wise Hanging Wet Bags, 1 med Pkanet Wise wet bag, 1 small PW wet bag, Grandma El's diaper cream, 48 cloth wipes, spray bottle for water, and 2 xs covers and 4 sm covers.

ForeverEverAfter

Just think about who will be changing the diapers (you, DH, daycare, etc) and what the priority is (price, ease of use, etc). For newborn I had AIOs for DH, fitteds and prefolds. DH was okay with AIOs and fitteds, we both disliked prefolds. I do the laundry so I chose mostly pockets for one-size, along with some fitteds for night (DH won't stuff/unstuff, if he did laundry we'd have fitteds and AIOs). If you aren't set on a type, buy a few different things and try them out! It's not all or nothing, I've had over 15 different diapers so far, mostly because there's no store here so I buy one to check it out then buy more if I like it.

Aurora_Borealis

We were all new to cloth at one time or another, so you're in the right place!

First, they are just diapers. It's not anywhere near as complicated as it seems.

I, too, wanted to use cloth from the start and am glad I did. To do that, you need newborn diapers since even though manufacturers of one size (OS) diapers say their products will fit a newborn, they usually don't.

After lurking here for awhile, I decided I wanted a variety of styles instead of going with all one kind. I ended up with 12 AIOs, 12 fitteds, 12 prefolds and 1 Kawaii P&N for the newborn stage. If I had to do it over again I would have gotten 12 Kawaii Pure & Natural pockets instead of the AIOs...but when DD was born Kawaii was transitioning from the old style to the new style P&N so there were none to be had anywhere. I bought all of the NB diapers used and found good deals on craigslist and ebay.

For post-newborn diapers I bought here and there when I found good deals. I liked everything except the AIOs, so I sold them and bought more of what I liked (pockets and PFs/covers).

Just dive in. If you have questions about a specific brand or style of diaper, don't be shy about asking here.

Konnersmomma

Thanks for all of your help! I think we are going to start with some prefolds and covers. Mostly bc my main reason for cd'ing is to save money and this seems like the most reasonable and I can use the prefolds as inserts later on if needed!