Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I'm a first-time mom to a 9-week old; I began using a cloth diapering system of OsoCozy unbleached cotton prefolds and primarily Thirsties waterproof covers at around 3 weeks. I had the help and support of friends using the same or similar system. Hopefully this review helps you! I've included links at the bottom of the review for supplies we're using. PROS: 1. Cost-effective. My math suggests that with middle of the road disposable diapers (e.g Up&Up we'd be spending $55 a week in disposables). It's been plenty to have 36 prefolds in the current size and 5-7 waterproof covers. I've found some of each in awesome shape used in online marketplaces. Especially if you get one-size covers, even switching sizes a few times in prefolds will save big bucks over the long term, especially if used with multiple kids. 2. Minimize blowouts of breastfed baby poop! We've had more issues with blowout diapers in disposables. TIP: even if you use a disposable diaper, snap on a waterproof cover on top to contain the mess! The combo of a prefold, especially the jelly roll fold (pictured) with a cover leads to very rare blowouts. If anything has ever gotten out, it's been minimal - no up-the-back poo-plosions! 3. Takes up way less space than all-in-ones (AIO's) or pocket diapers. I have 36 prefolds and 7 covers that fit with a bit of room to spare in a drawer that could BARELY hold 12 pocket diapers. 4. Fast and easy once you get the hang of it. CONS: 1. Must be prepped before use. Initially I skimped on this part, running through a few consecutive wash cycles without drying - we had lots of leaks until I was advised by a friend to go back and try again. Throw these in with your other laundry (wash AND machine dry) for a total of 7-8 wash cycles to fluff these up and bring up to their full absorbency. TIP: have your next size up before your child will fit into them to give you time to prep the next size. 2. A bit of a learning curve. The combination of skimping on the prep step and my own cluelessness lead to lots of pee leaks initially for us. A tutorial photo from a friend made a HUGE difference - I've included on here with the jelly roll fold. Stick with it! My husband and several other supportive people have offered to learn our system to pick up diaper changes too, and they got the hang of it in just a few changes. SUPPLIES YOU'LL NEED 1. 24-36 prefolds in current size. Our daughter is 2 months and still in the newborn size - probably weighs around 11 Lbs now and I think we've got another few weeks yet in this size. Initially I tried her in size 1, they were WAY too big for an 8 Lb 3 week old. 2. 5-7 waterproof covers - we like Thirsties for the double gusseted legs and snap/hook and look options. I also have a one size Rumparooz cover that's good too. 3. Area to change. 4. Wipes. TIP: if you're already doing diaper laundry, go ahead and use a stash of washcloths for wipes. You might even be able to skip the wipe altogether and use the diaper itself to wipe! Often this is what I do. 5. Snappis to hold the prefold together - buying a pack of 5 is PLENTY. 6. System for holding diapers between washes. We have a few different wet bags, and I've found that the largest one from Teamoy is great. Make sure you have a few smaller ones in your diaper bag for changes on-the-go! 7. Effective laundry detergent (go for fragrance free for sensitive skin). 6. OPTIONAL (but recommended) - cloth diaper friendly diaper cream. Our daughter has very sensitive skin and is prone to diaper rash. I've learned that petroleum-based creams should NOT be used with cloth diapers of any kind (most national brands: A&D, Desitin, etc.). If your babe has a rash needing more power, Burt's Bee's max strength zinc oxide diaper rash ointment is petroleum free. I've found that using the Motherlove Diaper Balm between every change has kept her bottom smooth and rash-free. If you're using creams of any kind, ALL of which will be oil-based, you'll want to make sure you're using the full amount of effective detergent in a hot water wash to remove the creams from the diapers to prevent absorbency problems, since water and oil don't mix. HOW TO USE (see photo: jelly roll fold - excellent for breastfed baby poop!) 1. Lay a fresh prefold flat beneath your baby, long side parallel to baby's spine, before removing the dirty diaper (cover or prefold). If the prefold fits long on your baby, fold down the top a bit (under her back) - this will help hold in poop! Line up the top with the narrowest part of baby's waist. 2. Remove the dirty diaper (prefold and cover) and wipe, apply diaper cream. 3. Roll side farthest from you on a diagonal until the bottom edge is rolled to the midpoint, partway up the roll just TOUCHES YOUR BABY'S THIGHS, and the top edge (under baby's hips) lays flat. If the roll doesn't touch baby's thighs you'll have a hard time getting the diaper snug around baby's legs. If you roll too much, cheek will be exposed and make it easier for poop to get out. 4. Pull the rolled far end snugly up between baby's legs. UNROLL the edges to cover your baby's hip flexors (the rolls will still be in place around baby's bottom and groin). I had big problems until I figured this step out. 5. Pull the back flap from the side farthest from you over the top and secure the snappi on that side. Pull the snappi over your baby and secure the back flap over the top on the side closest to you. THEN pull the prefold up between your baby's legs and pull the snappi down to secure between baby's legs. Your goal is to keep the prefold snug around baby's thighs and waist, cheeks covered. 6. Secure a waterproof cover around the prefold so it's comfortably snug around baby's waist and thighs. MAKE SURE the prefold is completely contained inside the cover at both the legs and the waist. Any exposed prefold will cause urine to wick out and leak! WASHING: 1. Breastfed babies not yet on solid food have entirely water-soluble, slightly sweet-smelling, liquidy poop. You do NOT need to scrape this off or spray or soak your diapers to remove this before the wash. Wet AND dirty diapers can go together into the wet bag or other container for holding soiled diapers before washing. When baby is on solids you'll want to use liners OR scrape poop into the toilet OR a diaper sprayer to remove poop before washing. Wash about every other day to prevent odors and to keep your load from getting too big. 2. Put all diapers, covers, washcloths, and your wet bag in the washing machine with the full amount of effective detergent (we use Tide Free & Gentle NOT Free & Clear, which has fewer cleaning agents) for your load size - make sure to use enough water to get your diapers clean! Use a hot water, heavy duty cycle. An extra rinse step at the end can help ensure all detergent is removed and prevent buildup. 3. Dry. Honestly I just throw my prefolds in the dryer - you'll still see poop stains, but an effective wash cycle and detergent removes all odor. Make sure you hang wet bags and covers to dry to keep their waterproof coatings intact. If you're bothered by poop stains, a bit of sun exposure will take care of those in a jiffy. 4. Reuse! LINKS: 1. OsoCozy prefolds newborn size: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003AJHDQW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1 2. Thirsties waterproof covers hook and loop, size 1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K71N3KR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1 3. Thirsties waterproof covers snap, size 1 https://www.amazon.com/Thirsties-Cloth-Diaper-Closure-Birdie/dp/B01M5ILEPW/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/147-6819263-0169924?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01M5ILEPW&pd_rd_r=0e8a1ac8-7475-4940-9ae5-956b437dde45&pd_rd_w=nLUYR&pd_rd_wg=39VtP&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=QDDN4VMN6T08CMKG99X5&refRID=QDDN4VMN6T08CMKG99X5&th=1 4. Rumparooz waterproof diaper cover snap, one size https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CQ9UUK8?colid=1I0LVTC3CPO0Y&coliid=I285L3Z5MO73BZ&ref=br_ADD_TO_CART_title_link 5. Snappis https://www.amazon.com/Original-5-pack-Snappi-Diaper-Fasteners/dp/B004YWKWJO 6. Burt's Bees 40% zinc oxide diaper rash ointment (for treating diaper rash in cloth) https://www.amazon.com/Burts-Bees-Baby-Diaper-Ointment/dp/B01379IL6U/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=25S5TXF763LEF&keywords=burt%27s%2Bbees%2Bdiaper%2Brash%2Bointment&qid=1564147048&s=gateway&sprefix=burt%27s%2Bbees%2Bdiaper%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-2-spons&th=1 7. Motherlove Diaper Balm (at every change) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GLK6K2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 8. Large wet bag (buy 2 so you have one when the other's in the wash). https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M8G1VW1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1 9. 2 small wet bags for the diaper bag. 2 zippered compartments are awesome - 1 for clothes/burp cloths, one for diapers. https://www.amazon.com/ALVABABY-Waterproof-Reusable-Zippered-Swimsuits/dp/B075CYYJCK/ref=pd_rhf_ee_s_vtp_ses_clicks_shared_0_6/147-6819263-0169924?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B075CYYJCK&pd_rd_r=f24c311c-0d0f-4b78-8935-5b8ce5f98837&pd_rd_w=BKlYL&pd_rd_wg=5pL6Y&pf_rd_p=fc133098-0fe0-425e-be82-4e2e411bf8ca&pf_rd_r=MMYV1NBCV8YASMHF9SD8&refRID=MMYV1NBCV8YASMHF9SD8&th=1 10. Tide Free & Gentle detergent https://www.amazon.com/Tide-Gentle-Laundry-Detergent-Packaging/dp/B000Q63IC0/ref=asc_df_B000Q63IC0/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309832782859&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11894736248743253154&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019064&hvtargid=aud-643565131866:pla-568057206656&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=70155173188&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=309832782859&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11894736248743253154&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019064&hvtargid=aud-643565131866:pla-568057206656 11. washcloths https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XCYGWH2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 12. BONUS swim diapers - these have been great. Started using them at 6 weeks! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D6K1J8X?colid=1I0LVTC3CPO0Y&coliid=I1WI3U34T7E5VH&ref=br_ADD_TO_CART_title_link&th=1