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> While that second bullet above notes the fit is good, I'm a little shocked by how soaked the prefold is when I change him. He's soaked each one through to the cover, which isn't soiled but damp. Is this normal?

Yes: it's totally normal especially with Thirsties covers which have a thinner waterproof lining than the other brand I use, Rumparooz.

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> Can we re-use a cover that's been dampened by urine if we wipe it down and let it dry out?

Yes, but just a head's up--it might stink after a few times of wiping down/drying out :)

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> We change his diaper just about every 2-3 hours, both day and night. Is this too infrequently for cloth? He doesn't fuss over a wet diaper, but I want to be hygienic. With disposables it didn't seem as bad because of their wicked absorption. As a note, our prefolds were only prepped with 2 washes before being used.

I'd wash a few more times to get to maximum absorption. That being said, it's pretty typical to change cloth diapers every 2-3 hours. I still do with my 18 month old girl. If you're concerned about your baby peeing through, you could add a diaper doubler for extra absorption, which is what we started doing around 6 months with both our daughters.

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> Even though we've had no leaks, I did have a question about fit: The covers we have have double gussets, and the inner one is tight along his thigh and seems to fit very well. The outside one, however, is looser. Is this normal for a newborn? Will the outer one eventually be tighter, or are we doing something wrong?

This is totally normal and you're not doing anything wrong. The beauty of the inner gussets is that they are supposed to be tighter to contain the poop so you avoid blowouts. For us, the Thirsties' covers worked well until our babies got mobile (around 7-8 months). After that, the gussets were actually not tight enough because the elastics relaxed and the girls were so wiggly that they needed something tighter, and we started getting a lot of blowouts. We upgraded to those Rumparooz covers I mentioned earlier--they have double gussets too--and were happy with the thicker waterproof layer and thicker elastics.

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Congrats on your baby! If you want to learn more about cloth diapers in general, check out my website: www.learntoclothdiaper.com

Hope it helps!

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Total dissolved solids are different than total or general hardness.

Calgon is a non precipitating softener and borax is a precipitating softener. They work differently but achieve the same the result of not allowing minerals (mostly calcium and magnesium) to bind to the fibers of your diapers where they will then attract bacteria and buildup to the point that diapers won't absorb liquid.

You'll need to retest your water hardness for a number. Test kits can be found a Walmart, pool supply stores, hardware stores, pet stores, and online. You'll need to make sure the kit says it tests for Total Hardness or General Hardness. Testing water directly from the machine is best. If you plan to use hot water to wash, both hot and cold should be tested.
** Avoid the free Whirlpool and Water Boss brand tests as they have been known to give inaccurate results. Also, avoid the electric TDS tests as they do not test Hardness.

If you have a Petsmart nearby they test water samples for free. Canada Home Hardware tests for free, as well.

If you don't want to search for a kit, here's one you can order from Amazon

Tide original powder covers up to 180ppm on its own.

For water hardness 181ppm-250ppm add 1/4 cup borax or a half cap calgon to the prewash and a 1/2 cup borax or a cap of calgon to the main wash.

For water hardness 251ppm and above add 1/2 cup borax or a cap of calgon to both the prewash and the main wash.

Detergent and softener amounts are the same for all machines 2.0 cubic feet capacity and greater.

Happy to look over your routine if you'd like, but those are all the details and guidelines I believe you were looking for. They're starting points and minor tweaks may be necessary but you shouldn't need to strip every couple of months following this.

I didn't get newborn stuff and he literally had nothing when he was born. No disposables - nothing lol. So yay for getting newborn diaps. Just keep in mind that your little one may only wear them for a week or two. Also the meconium can be very tar like so if you are going to cloth diap I recommend getting a liner (http://www.amazon.com/Bumkins-Flushable-Diaper-Liner-Neutral/dp/B002T5Q01C/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1412350362&sr=1-1&keywords=diaper+liner) to put inside so you can toss it and not have it ruin your diapers. It seems like a great deal (it looks like 8 diapers for 50 and are they all bum genius? - great brand - my favorite pocket diap so far) However, you're probably going to need 12 per day. So... you would need to get at least double that and do laundry daily to stay on top of it. Once I finally bought newborn diaps I went the cheaper route and bought 2 imagine covers (http://www.amazon.com/Imagine-Baby-Products-Newborn-Diaper/dp/B00FMHFS7G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412350168&sr=8-1&keywords=imagine+newborn+diaper+cover) and 12 inserts (http://www.amazon.com/Naturally-Natures-Charcoal-Inserts-Reusable/dp/B00KN0TPNA/ref=pd_cp_ba_1) from amazon. I'm still using both the covers and the inserts now at 6 months. The inserts will last a long long time if you find that you like doing the cover system. You can also go the prefold or flat system with covers. I have them but prefer the inserts. Feel free to ask any questions. Good luck mama! and congrats!

We graduated from MF at about the same time. Our favorites are charcoal bamboo like these. They're fluffy (read: a little bulky), but stay soft and are super absorbent.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MJ8K092/ref=mp_s_a_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1500302435&sr=8-5&keywords=charcoal+bamboo+inserts&dpPl=1&dpID=61HWPGB-kUL&ref=plSrch

We also like bamboo, slightly less absorbent but less bulky. Very soft too.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OXTNBIW/ref=mp_s_a_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1500302555&sr=8-4&keywords=bamboo+inserts&dpPl=1&dpID=41NkXg-z%2BcL&ref=plSrch

We double them for a nap diaper, and had to resort to disposables for overnight at some point. Good luck!!

We use sun baby pockets, but I'm sure they're pretty similar. We use charcoal bamboo inserts that are amazing. Little dude was leaking through the white ones (I don't know what they were.. I bought the diapers/inserts secondhand) constantly and these new ones work like a charm: Naturally Natures Cloth Diaper Inserts 5 Layer - insert - Charcoal Bamboo Reusable Liners with Gussets (Pack of 12) (Grey) liner https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MJ8K092/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_f-49ybYNVEW18

These are the ones I use, and cinching them closed I haven't had smell issues. If you're more interested in the dry bag route, I have 0 expertise, lol. Good luck! I'm sure someone on here has better advice for that route. :)

Hi newbie!
Congrats on the new addition! First of all, let me try to put your mind at ease by telling you there is no right or way to cloth diaper.
That said, as most have already stated, you need to run a prerinse cycle on all types of diapers before the full wash. This is to get most of the pee and any residual poop bits out so that it isn't all swishing around in the main wash (i.e. keeping your diapers from getting clean). The good news is that the pre-rinse cycle is usually pretty short. My washer is in the basement too and it never bothers me to do two cycles (pre-rinse and full wash).
Everyone's answer for the BEST inserts is going to be different. It's really a matter of preference. If you want to to start out inexpensively you can just pick up some prefolds and either use them with a snappi or just fold them and lay them into the diaper.

I'd suggest flour sack towels (Link is to the ones I have from Amazon, but my understanding is that you can get them for about a dollar a piece at Walmart) with covers (I like flip covers but I think the brand is less important).

Flats, like flour sack towels, are multi-purpose, cheap, and super fast to dry. My dryer died on me a few months ago and I realized how much easier the single layer flats were to wash and dry. I agree with the last response that probably 20 or so flats and a few covers would be reasonable, but because they are cheap and multipurpose having 40 of them around wouldn't be the worst thing either!

I like bamboo because they feel pretty dry even when wet. That's not what they're advertised for, but it amazes me when I unstuff my pockets that the bamboo insert barely feels damp. Those sucker's hold a lot of pee.

I just recommend buying them from cheaper outlets. My favorite bamboo inserts are [Naturally Natures](https://www.amazon.com/Naturally-Natures-Inserts-Charcoal-Reusable/dp/B00KN0TPNA&ved=0ahUKEwjsm_CJvZHVAhWYw4MKHdl6BiUQFggdMAA&usg=AFQjCNEwUQPYYefLBNRmqYo-NZbt0mJ2uA] from Amazon.

We honestly bought Alva's through Amazon and they have held up better than most of our other diapers. We used pockets and the prints are pretty cute. Our son is now almost 2 and a half and he can still fit into them for night time and naps, though he started to toilet train himself about a month ago. Alva Diapers

Thank you this is very helpful! Here is what I have picked out so far. Could someone tell me if I am even on the right track with these?

Are these pockets or all in ones? or is that the same thing?

These I can use under a cover or as in insert for a pocket one, is that right?

If I got the two sets above and 6 different types of covers, would that be a good start for a newborn?

I would also need wipes, would I need the pins/fasteners for these types?

Thanks!

I put a very thin booster under the flaps which helps a lot.

This was the first that I bought but it’s been unavailable for a long time. Bamboo Booster Doublers

So we tried these gauze doublers and that have worked as well.

Just make sure that you don’t get ones that say inserts as they are extremely bulky. You can also put the doublers on top of the flaps which may help smooth it out a bit.

Check your local Facebook market place for preloved diapers. To get a few used and play around with what you think will work best.

I’m in 7 weeks of cloth diapering my 18 (almost 19) month old. We have pockets (Alva are my fave and fit the best in our stash) — it ranges from China Cheapies , Alvababy and Moma Koala (these are smaller than Alva’s on my 27lbs toddler).

I mostly have microfiber (can’t go against the skin) with only 24 bamboo inserts <I need more!!!>. I’ve recently discovered Flour Sack Towels; check Walmart for them. I’ve been folding them for a boy and then wrapping around a microfiber insert and we’ve been lasting about 3hrs before needing a change.

At night we use Happy Flute Hemp Fitteds with an Alva cover (I purchased Happy Flute covers but they didn’t work for us).

I got the dekor hands free diaper pail on amazon and the 2 pack of cloth diaper pail liners that fit it and it works great, no smells, similar to the diaper genie we used to use with our first born(we did disposables) but has waterproof (either TPU or PUL, i didn't pay attention)liner has a draw string to close up the bag in transport.

Pail: Dekor Classic Hands-Free Diaper Pail, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R5BVLXW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VQ.9ybK16R9YB

And liners: Dekor Cloth Diaper Liners, 2 Count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IZULWCC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_iS.9yb9C4NS8V

We are happy with it and 2 liners is necessary so you have one to use while the other is in the wash with the diapers so I'm glad it came in a 2pack

Did you specifically get the dekor wet bag pail liners? I have these and they fit the pail just fine. They are a bit of a tight fit around but they definitely fit. It comes in a 2 pack so that you always have one even when you’re doing laundry.

https://www.amazon.com/Dekor-Cloth-Diaper-Perfect-Diapers/dp/B00IZULWCC

These were the flour sack towels I bought and still use. I could honestly get by with just these still. They're my main diaper during the day still. And at just over a dollar a towel, the price can't be beat. I'm with your husband, I LOVE learning new diaper folds!

I just bought these and they work great. Way cheaper than any other covers I own.

We use these as inserts and they work great. I don’t even shove them in the pocket. I just fold them up and lay them inside the cover and snap them on.

I got a Bumkins one on amazon and husband installed it. He picked on me for shelling out $40 for it (dunno why its more expensive now on Amazon) but he uses it to clean diapers as much as I do. We have a solid eating 7 month old and a toddler. Toddler has the grossest poops so this thing has been the best.

This is just the one I have. There's a ton of others.


Bumkins Cloth Diaper Sprayer, Chrome https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A65YN8E/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_Nmbnub0KCH17Z

We're like four days into this cloth diapering things and what we did was ask for a bunch of prefolds (I think we have two dozen of size 1 of these) and I bought some NB covers (6) off of Nicki's Diapers (there was a sale so I think I spent like $25 -- much cheaper than what was on Amazon). So, far, so good. We did use disposables for the first week because of meconium and having to use antibiotic cream on his penis. We also registered for a large (for home) and small (for the diaper bag) [wet bags] (http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Wise-Wet-Bag-Medium/dp/B005WWIMGA/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1398382271&sr=1-1&keywords=wet+bag), and a diaper sprayer. You could also ask for cloth wipes (we're not there yet). Also, we received a lot of newborn and size 1 diapers at our showers (we didn't ask for them), so we haven't had to buy anything diaper-wise. We used up most of the NB diapers but haven't touched the three bags of size 1s. It's nice to have the disposables for going places during the day while we're getting used to the cloth.

For the pocket diapers, we are very satisfied with these as inserts. They seem to work much better than the microfiber that comes with the Alvas.

Are these inserts (https://www.amazon.com/Naturally-Natures-Inserts-Charcoal-Reusable/dp/B00KN0TPNA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1K7L3KC8EC1OA&colid=3656L1E79059X) too large to use for a Alva cover with a 8-10lb baby? Do I just fold them over to fit with the diaper set on the smallest buttons?

I have a simple system that works for me and 4 friends so far. You just wash baby’s laundry as usual. All clothes go into the washer and dryer - no lint, pilling, shrinking, special sprayer, etc.

Process:

• Put all dirty clothes in laundry bag - diapers (poop and all), onesies, etc.
  
• Throw entire bag in washer and dryer every 2 days
  
  Shopping list:
  
• 24 OsoCozy Bamboo Prefolds size 1: OsoCozy - Prefolds Unbleached Cloth Diapers, Size 1(7-15lbs), 6 Pack - Soft, Absorbent and Durable 100% Indian Cotton Natural Infant Diapers - Highest Quality & Best-Selling Cloth Diapers Sold Online https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003AJHDQW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hIFUCbFBD5FSK
  
• 6 Thirsties duo wraps size 1 (with snaps not Velcro): Thirsties Package, Snap Duo Wrap, Outdoor Adventure Collection Birdie Size 1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQDASKQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-IFUCbAFEH0VW
  
• 1 washable laundry bag: Planet Wise Reusable Diaper Pail Liner, Summit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076BBGTML/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_eHFUCbQY6C7FD
  
• 24 cloth wipes: GroVia Reusable Cloth Diapering Wipes, 12 Count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003X3R6TO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8EFUCbG7G51TR
  
• Spray Bottle: Empty Amber Glass Spray Bottles with Labels (2 Pack) - 16oz Refillable Container for Essential Oils, Cleaning Products, or Aromatherapy - Durable Black Trigger Sprayer w/Mist and Stream Settings https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G98Y1BA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.JFUCbECR65R1
  
  Notes:
  
• You’ll wash baby’s laundry anyway, but now you’ll wash some diapers with it, too.
  
• Depending on how often you want to do laundry, buy proportionately more stuff. Example: 1 day= 3-4 wraps and 6-12 pre-folds depending on the baby’s habits.
  
• I still use size 1 pre-folds for my 22 pound baby but upgraded to size 2 wraps.
  
• I hang the bag at the changing table so I don’t even use the special diaper trash anymore. Opening the can released a bunch of gross smells but hanging the bag lets the smells air out naturally

Alva's are really easy to stuff with gusseted charcoal bamboo inserts. I have these ones:

https://www.amazon.com/Naturally-Natures-Cloth-Diaper-Inserts/dp/B00MJ8K092/ref=sr_1_6_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1542211708&sr=8-6&keywords=charcoal%2Bbamboo%2Binserts&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DIJ0W30

This is a brand I’ve seen them recommend quite a lot!

I have found of my prefolds, the GMD cloth-eez size Small (yellow edge) and size 1 Osocozy prefolds are a good length trifolded for stuffing pockets. I angel fold my prefolds with a snappi, but still keep some of these smaller ones out for stuffing pockets, at night I also put a GMD small cotton doubler in with it.