Newborn Adventures

Our newest arrival is almost 4 weeks old.  We put her in her first cloth diaper a few hours before she turned 3 days old (since she finally was done with the nasty tar poop).  Her first cloth was a Bummis Super Lite wrap (in brown) with a Bummis preemie prefold.  It worked well for the short period she was in it.  I used disposables on her later that day because we were going to be out of the house (since we hadn't had enough time to confirm the diaper fit well and wouldn't leak), but she has only been in I think 4 disposables since then - two that day and two for her two doctor's appointment.  The only reasons I use disposables for doctor's appointment is weight checks and mainly because we don't have an hook and loop pockets that fit her yet.

Our stash for her is 12 OsoCozy natural flats, 6 Bummis preemie prefolds, 3 Thirsties Duo size 1 cotton doublers, 1 Bummis Super Lite NB cover, and 4 Thirsties Duo Size 1 wraps.  She was born at just under 7 lbs, and she never lost much weight.  The Bummis cover is definitely a better fit for the legs, but it is too short for the inserts.  And since she needs more than just one of the prefolds, the cover normally doesn't work out great.  But, it is very trim, so I use it when I want cute pictures without a huge rear end.  The Thirsties Duo wraps are hard for me to get a good leg seal with.  We have teh tabs crossed over as much as possible, but the legs are still a little loose.  So, we have pee leaks occasionally.  I have them stuffed with a flat, and luckily we never had poop leaks at least.  I bet as she fills out they will be great though.

I now wish I had bought at least one HH Mini I think.  I love that it is hook and loop and adjustable size.  It seems similar in sizing to the Thirsties Duo, so it might not give us a great leg seal though.  But, it would be something we could use for the doctor's appointment... But at this point, I don't think it is worth buying it.  Before too long she will fit into our FuzziBunz OS and Rumparooz.  Unfortunately, these are both snaps in our stash.  She will probably fit into our TotBots soon though too, and it is hook and loop.

I am loving using cloth on a newborn though.  It is great to not have to take so much garbage out or run to the store for diapers.  With three kids now under 4, those things are huge!

Preparing for a Newborn

I knew that a third child was on the way, so I had been keeping my eyes and ears out for good options for newborns since I really got into cloth diapering.  When we found out we were pregnant at the beginning of the year, my search intensified.  Since I have no issues with prefolds (and now flats) with covers, I knew we would probably go that direction.  It is just cheaper than AIOs and pockets!

I started to be drawn to the Thirsties Duo system.  The idea of having something that will probably fit for almost a year with the size of my children really sounded like a great plan.  The only downside of the covers is there is no umbilical cut out or snap down, so you have to be careful using them before the stump falls off and heals.  But, I am planning on using the covers as a primary diapering system.

The next question was what to put in them.  I ordered one cover and flats when I had to order more detergent (to get me to the free diaper and shipping amount).  I have folded the flat to fit into the cover, and I agree with things I read finally that it can be a little bulky.  I don't think it will be TOO bulky for around the house, but I don't know if all of the cute outfits we have/will get will work great with that combination.  So, now I am taking the suggestion of others and getting another brand.

I plan on buying one or two Bummis Super Brite covers (these do have the umbilical cut out) and one package (of 6) preemie prefolds.  These should give me a trim look when I want it without spending a lot of money.  I don't love the patterns of the Bummis only because we don't know the gender of this baby (we have waited until birth with our other two children too).  I think there are only two without pink in them OR that are all blue...  So, I will probably only buy one of them.

Now, if I wasn't cloth diapering on a budget (it is the only reason my husband is okay with it), I would love to get some GroVia AIOs and FuzziBunz size XS in hook and loop.  There are some cute GroVia prints, but like the Bummis they tend to be fairly gender specific unfortunately.  The FuzziBunz (like all FuzziBunz) are just solid colors, so I would have a few more options there.  But, again the budget is keeping me from buying them anyways.

As a splurge after the ababy is born, I might buy a new GroVia snap shell though.  Those and our FuzziBunz (which I have 4 of now thanks to being a product tester a few times) should fit earlier than other One-Sized options out there.  And, if this one is a boy, I don't think I can resist the GroVia planes shell (that I have been eyeing since it came out since the uncles all love planes).  But, if it is a girl, I don't know what my splurge item will be...  Suggestions?