Tell it to me straight: can we use pfs exclusively, for real?

Soyager · January 2010

All this time I've been telling DH that it's not worth it to spend $$ on anything other than pfs since nbs seem to grow out of things so quickly. He's on board with learning how to use pfs, and the few things I've been purchasing are for the next size up or larger. (We'll get the nb stuff in one fell swoop once we see how much our parents buy.)

But now I'm freaking out. I'm thinking about middle-of-the-night changes and the learning curve.

On the other hand, neither DH nor I will be working once the baby is born, so it's not like we'll be contending with getting to a job and we can work as a team.

But tell me your honest opinion: what's it really going to be like? Can we handle it? Or should I invest in some KLO's?

Dobie_Mama · January 2010

I'd never changed a diaper before DD was born. We used PFs exclusively for two months. It can be done. Practice on a teddy bear or some other small stuffy thing. Snappi's are the best invention ever. Once you figure out which fold works for you, changes are easy peasy. Even in the dark. I think I had more problems with middle of the night changes once we started using snapping diaps overnight than I ever did with PFs.

papagena · January 2010

Personally, I'd say go ahead and get a few KL0's for night changes. Despite the fact that there are two of you, I'd say it's nice to have a really quick change at 2 am when you've just gotten up to feed. You can definitely do without them, but I think even next time, while we'll probably do mostly pfs, I plan on having a small stash of KL0's for night changes. I'll probably just get them used and pass them along after we're done.

Totally up to you, but that's what I'd do.

tommigirle · January 2010

the way i see it, you make it work with what you have. if all you buy is prefolds, you will likely adjust pretty fast. if you have other diapers, like kl's, you'll eventually develop a preference for one or the other.

fwiw, this board is a lot different than people i've met that cd in real life. almost all of them use pf's exclusively. and don't forget about diaper services, which only offer prefolds. i think if you choose to go the pf route, you'll be fine. there's someone on here (MTOW, maybe?) that uses flats almost exclusively. it certainly is a cheaper option!!!

that said, you might want some doublers once baby starts sleeping through the night.

Soyager · January 2010

tommigirle:
the way i see it, you make it work with what you have. if all you buy is prefolds, you will likely adjust pretty fast. if you have other diapers, like kl's, you'll eventually develop a preference for one or the other.

fwiw, this board is a lot different than people i've met that cd in real life. almost all of them use pf's exclusively. and don't forget about diaper services, which only offer prefolds. i think if you choose to go the pf route, you'll be fine. there's someone on here (MTOW, maybe?) that uses flats almost exclusively. it certainly is a cheaper option!!!
that said, you might want some doublers once baby starts sleeping through the night.

This is sort-of what I was thinking. And Dobie's comment that she hadn't ever changed a diaper before having her LO seems to enforce the idea that it'll work out. I don't think DH has changed a diaper before, but I distinctly remember changing my little bro's diapers (we're 10 years apart)--hence the freak out. I might be the one saying, "Fark this, yo."

Good idea about doublers.

Sam78 · January 2010

we used prefolds exclusively for 6 months; neither DH or I ever changed a cloth diaper before DD was born - its definitely doable!

*speedracer* · January 2010

of course it can be done. that's the only way it was done, for a long time. i don't think it'd hurt to have a few KL0's on hand for those nerve frazzling days.

andrealynn0707 · January 2010

We used prefolds exclusively for the first 8-10 weeks. It can definitely be done.

Here is a little story for you:

When we got home from the hospital DD had a sposie on (we did them in the hospital). We decided to change her diaper straight away. I was all set to get out the laptop, follow along on one of those tutorial things (you know step one, lay the baby on the diaper, etc.) when DH just grabbed her and the diaper and just put it on her, angel wing fold. He had looked them up before, had an idea of how to do it, and just did it. He was so much more confident about it than I was, and it really left an impact on me.

I think sometimes being on these boards makes us WAY over think things. Definitely practice some folds on a teddy bear or doll, but really, just go with the flow. It isn't as hard as we work ourselves up for it to be. And, even if you have trouble with folds, we will be here to give you pointers and suggestions.

andrealynn0707 · January 2010

One other thing- the worst thing that happens if you mess up a fold is that poop gets on the cover. Really, no big deal- it isn't going to harm the baby long term or anything like that.

MrsLeslie030405 · January 2010

We used exclusively prefolds for the first 2 months... TOTALLY do-able!!!

The learning curve took all of 3-4 changes and we were good. Hubby never held a baby before our LO and he did fine with the disposables in the hospital but actually loved the CDs once we switched over when we got home.

I had him practice on a teddy bear (CDs and swaddling) right before she was born so that helped.

Honestly, I hated the KLO's cause the material gets so rough and hard after a few washes. We have 3 of them and never really used them. We have some bumGenius DELUXE Bamboo Fitted and they are sooo much better and softer on her bum and they are on sale still... it's an alternative.

MTOW · January 2010

We had 2 dozen prefolds and 2 dozen fitteds, and we both preferred the prefolds and used them almost exclusively. They're really not that hard, and I think they're perfect for the newborn stage. Just be sure to have plenty of covers.

ETA: Yes, I'm the one who uses flats exclusively. I'll use them for a newborn next time around even though I still have orange and yellow edge prefolds (I didn't get any this time until 3 months). I just prefer them.

Soyager · January 2010

Whew! Thanks for the pep talk, ladies

I needed ya to talk me down.

Poonico · January 2010

You can, and many people love their prefolds.

I hated them for a newborn They didn't contain poo and there is no way I could have standed to use them overnight. I just didn't like them... at all.

peachypear · January 2010

You can DEFINITELY do exclusively prefolds! Get a snappi or two, get on Youtube and watch some videos, and practice on a stuffed animal or something. It will still seems daunting the first couple of times, but it's really not bad once you get the hang of it. The *great* thing about newborns is that they give you lots of practice - you'll be able to change without thinking in no time.

peachypear · January 2010

andrealynn0707:
One other thing- the worst thing that happens if you mess up a fold is that poop gets on the cover. Really, no big deal- it isn't going to harm the baby long term or anything like that.

SO TRUE!!!

MissyOlivePants · January 2010

We've been using PF's (almost) exclusively for 20 months now! In the early days we did have a few Thirsties fitteds, but ever since, we've just stayed with PF's because, well, they're more affordable than anything else (even w/cute Olive Jane covers). Funny thing - we still use the premie & infant sized PF's inside her toddler sized PF's at night as a doubler.

And sadly - I don't remember changing too many night-time diapers. Granted, N slept GREAT at night, just not during the day!

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Tell it to me straight: can we use pfs exclusively, for real?

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