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Cloth Diapering
Runaway22
member
Alva diapers as prefold covers
Runaway22
member
I read on another post (on my BMB, I think) about some people using Alvas as covers for prefolds.
Before I buy a bunch, I wanted to know what you ladies - the experts - think. I'm on a really tight budget, and I'm stuck in that trap of where building the stash is too costly upfront, even though buying sposies over time is more expensive in the long run. CDing is too trendy in my town to get many used at discounted prices 
So, Alva pockets as prefold covers?
Yes? Maybe? No?
I'd make a poll, but TB isn't into that right now... apparently 
ETA: Follow up question -- what's the difference between an Alva AIO and an an Alva AI2? Are they all essentially pockets? K, thanks 
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Alva diapers as prefold covers
I already have some 100% cotton Gerber prefolds (which are not very popular on this board) and some osocozy prefolds, with the intention of just buying a few covers. I've also heard that the inserts in the Alvas really suck, and you're better off buying new/different inserts in addition.
I'm kind of overwhelmed by this CDing thing... and trying so hard not to be as clueless as I feel lol
I agree.
All the Alvas are pockets. Their website just isn't the best since it's been translated to English. For $5/diaper, you wouldn't have to spend too much on a full stash. Just add on some bamboo inserts as doublers and buy some hemp for overnight.
ETA: I didn't cloth diaper my first two. I just started overnight for DD2 when I started buying my stash for DD3. It seemed completely overwhelming at first, but it's really not as difficult as it seems. I'm completely intimidated by prefolds, so I'm sticking to pockets for now. I haven't used Alvas microfiber inserts at all. I layer one bamboo with one hemp overnight.
Charlotte Ella 07.16.10
Emmeline Grace 03.27.13
Very helpful! And thanks especially for the "ETA"
I really like Alva diapers, but I would not use them as covers. They are lined with suede cloth or microfleece (depending on the style) and if you lay a prefold in there and the baby pees you can't wipe it out. I would think that it would get kind of gross after a couple of changes. However if you are using them as pockets they work well. The microfiber inserts that come with them suck but you can buy their bamboo inserts separately for not too much money and those are awesome. I have the 3 layer bamboo inserts and they are so thin and trim and hold a ton. I have heard the 4 layer bamboo microfiber blend inserts are really good also. If you feel comfortable getting with a co-op you can get them for even cheaper than the website. PM me if you want some co-op recs. I'm part of a few.
If you're looking for just a good cheap cover I hear Assunta covers are really good. I have never tried them but they have double gussets and a flap to hold the insert in place. Also, again, if you get with a co-op, they sometimes run covers. I hear Prororo covers are good. They look a lot like Flips.
I love our Alva's as pockets. I wouldn't use them as a cover though.
You could try Econobum (They have them on cottonbabies.com as a "second" for less than 5$) Kawaii covers are also great.
I wouldn't use them as covers either. I would start looking for some sales or used covers. You can generally find some that aren't too expensive.
A lot of people sell their NB prefolds with covers as a lot. Might be a good way to get a nice NB stash. Osocozy size 1 will be huge on an infant. I tri fold them and they fit my 5 month (20 pounder) perfectly. We use thirsties covers which are amazing!
OP - Here is a visual showing the difference between the inside of a diaper cover, versus the inside of an Alva pocket diaper. I hope it makes it clear why Alva is a fine diaper, but it's a pocket, not a cover.
Inside of a plain cover:
Inside of a pocket (like Alva):
In the second photo, you can see that the interior of a pocket diaper has a fabric liner stitched directly to the outer part. So each time this type of diaper is used, it needs to be washed, because some pee or poo will get on the fabric. (Where as true covers can be re-used a few times before washing unless they get a fair bit of poo on them.)
I hope this helps - cloth diapering is really confusing at the beginning.