Nappying my Newborn - Prefolds, Fitteds & Covers

Intro:
In my stash of Newborn Nappies, the majority (and the ones that I use the most) are 2 piece systems - prefolds or fitteds with a separate cover. I prefer these for a couple of reasons:

• They're cheap,
• Interchangeable
• More realiable (2 layers of leak protection)
• Good fit / less bulky
• Less to wash when the cover doesn't need changing
• Prefolds can be re-used as boosters in larger nappies

There are also a few cons though:

• They can be fiddly - hard to get both pieces on properly when bub is wriggling
• Disposing of the soggy nappy
 

Features:
Prefolds
I've been using Hemp Babies Little Weeds and the Peapods Bamboo trifold boosters as my prefolds, which I fold into a triangle and put in the cover. (see pictures). I also have some proper cotton prefolds (with the thicker middle third, but find them more bulky and less absorbent)

Hemp Babies Prefold & Weehuggers Cover

To get a nice fit around the legs and create a bit of a poo-pocket, I roll the sides in a bit at the arrows.  Since Cha Cha is still quite small, I can fastened them at the front with a snappi. I like doing it this way because they are trimmer and fit more snugly around the legs, leaving less room for leaks onto the cover, but I often find that as I go to put the cover on, she wriggles and it all comes apart, so I sometimes end up just wrapping it around her and putting the cover on as tight as I can to hold it in place :s

 I've found that already at 8 weeks, I'm needing to boost my Hemp Babies, but the Peapods are still lasting the distance.  I'm boosting them with the bamboo boosters from the small Baby Beehinds Magicalls (All In Ones)  and Pikapu microfibre boosters.

Fitteds:

Geobels

I managed to find some Geobels Fitteds second hand on Used Nappies and I really like them. They are bamboo terry fabric and come with a little booster. The wings are quite long and overlap across the front and I use a snappi to keep them in place and then the front of the nappy folds down over the top, to give a great adjustable fit. They are a little bulkier than a (snappi-ed) prefold and take a bit longer to dry but are very absorbent, rarely leak and aren't as fiddly to put on.

Bum Cheeks make a newborn prefold that I also love - bamboo fleece, with a snap in booster and snap closure - they fit really nicely and hold quite a lot - haven't had any leaks yet.

Thirsties Fab Fitted

While I'm here, let me quickly tell you about the Thirsties Fab Fitteds as well. They're made of microfibre wich and extra layer sewn in the centre and fasten with velcro - I have the small size and they're still a little big for Cha Cha, but I loved them on Lou Lou and almost ditched the rest of my stash and bought a whole set. The thing I love about microfibre on little bubs is that it's so lovey and squishy even when it's wet - not solid like bamboo - it seems so much more comfy :) 
UPDATE:  At 9 weeks they're fitting quite well and I still love them!

I also have a 2 tots Bots but they're still a bit big... more on those later


Covers:

Thirsties X Small (and gussets), Thirsties Size 1, Baby Beehinds, Imse Vimse, Pikapu, Weehuggers

I have so many - all PUL some velcro and some snaps

Thirsties Size XSmall and Size 1 - lovely thin stretchy PUL and soft elastic. Velcro closure. Double Gussets. The Size 1 has sizing snaps and the other doesn't, cute colours and prints.

Baby Beehinds Newborn - PUL sandwiched between 2 layers of polyester to protect the PUL coating (good quality!) and wide leg elastic, Strong velcro closure. Cute colours, prints and minkee! Although this one doesn't have double gussets, the wider ealastic makes a good, comfy fit around the legs.

Imse Vimse Organic Cotton Premmie - PUL with organic cotton outer (the PUL side of the polyester is sandwiched between the layers so the PUL isn't exposed.  Lovely and gentle, with wide wings, elasticised waist and velcro closure.  Great fit right from the beginning. Double Gussets

Pikapu Newborn & Blueberry Mini Coverall - These 2 are very similar, the Blueberry is slightly bigger.  They are the same style as the Thirsties with sizing snaps, but not quite as thin and stretchy -  stretchy PUL, velcro closure, sizing snaps, double gusset.

Weehuggers - snap closure, double gussets, gorgeous prints! This one has an inner flap at the front and back to tuck the prefold into, which keeps it nicely in place, however, if used with a fitted it gets soggy.

Bum Cheeks Newborn - PUL with snap closure. A little bigger leg holes, was too big over my prefolds at 5wks, but fits better now (8wks)  3 snaps on each wing to combat wing droop.

I like and use them all, but prefer the softer , stretchier ones - they seem more comfy. Generally, the thinner the cover the stretchier it is and therefore it's easier to fit and seem more comfy, but if the laminate layer is exposed, it could potentially deteriorate quicker. Although, because these are only used for a few months, that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

I find the velcro is heaps easier to fasten on a small and wriggly bub, but it can sometimes rub on their tummy, which must be unpleasant.

The sizing snaps are handy and make the cover use-able for longer, but add bulk and warp the leg holes a bit.

Double gussets are ingenious and fit so beautifully snug around the legs!  A definite must for keeping in newborn poo-plosions!

Summary:
So, as you can probably tell, I'm having a hard time picking my favourites, I love the trimness of the hemp prefolds with the Imse Vimse cover, but the asorbency and fit of the Geobels with the soft thirsties covers is great for longer periods.

As I mentioned before they can be fiddly, which is annoying especially in the middle of the night, and I've also found it slightly more tricky to dispose of the soggy nappy. I use mainly pockets on my 21mth old, Lou Lou, and when I change her, I just roll them up and fasten the wings together, so I have a nice parcel to put to the side (or on the floor!) while I dress her. But with these, when I re-use the cover, I have a soggy prefold to deal with. I have been hanging a wet bag off the corner of my change table and putting them in there, but an icecream bucket would be another option. Or I could use a clean cover for each change, and then after I take the nappy to the laundry, I could bring the cover back and load it with another prefold, ready for the next change. This would give the cover time to air and would make the next change easier... I like this idea - I'm going to have to try it :)

So they're my thoughts on my collection of prefolds, fitted nappies and covers. Let me know if you have any questions :) Or leave a comment and let me know how you nappy your newborn. Which nappies are your favourites?

Peapods One Size (OSFM) Pocket Cloth Nappy Review

Peapods OSFM (One-Size-Fits-Most) Pocket / AI2 (All-In-Two)

Features:
PUL outer, stay-dry microfleece inner.
Bamboo tri-fold insert topped with microfleece for use as a snap in (All-In-Two) booster
Unique slide on leg elastic for size adjustment with 4 marked sizes.
2 rows of snaps for separate leg and waist adjustment.
Comes in a range of colours, and one print (swirl).
Very reasonably priced!

First Impressions:
At first glance this nappy looks identical to the original Sized Peapods Pocket Nappy, but once you open it up, you see that it's different.  I love the idea of the adjustable leg elastic - it takes away the bulk from the front of the nappy - and along with being able to use it as a pocket or AI2 makes this one of the most customisable nappies I've come across.  I'm just wondering if the slide will move in the wash - I don't want to have to re-adjust it every time.
UPDATE: The slides stay put just fine :)

Design:
So let me explain the design in more detail.  It starts out as a normal pocket nappy with a trifold bamboo booster.  There is an opening in both the front and back to make for easy insertion (pic 1).  The bamboo booster is topped with microfleece (just the top 1/3 when folded) and equipped with snaps so it can also be snapped into place at the front of the nappy for use as an AI2 (pic 3).  When not used as an AI2, a layer of microfleece covers the snaps, so they don't irritate bub (pic 2).
Right near the snaps there is also a slide on the leg elastic which can be pulled up or down to tighten or loosen the leg elastic and at the same time the rise of the nappy.  XS,S,M, L are marked on the elastic so you can easily make both sides the same (pic 4). 

Size/ Fit: 
With 4 size settings, and separate leg and waist adjustment, you should be able to get this nappy to fit most bubs.  I reckon on an older/taller child it might become a little hipster though - it doesn't seem as long in the rise as some of my others.
It fits my 18mth old very nicely on Medium so she's got a bit of growing room yet. She's a little chubby, but there's still plenty of room.


Absorbency:
The tri-fold absorber is 2 thick layers of bamboo - lovely and soft but holds a lot of wee :)

Washing/ Drying Time:
Easy to pull apart and wash.  The covers dry in no time at all and the boosters take a full day in the sun (not that we get a full day of sun that often here :))  I guess that's the bonus about AI2 and pocket systems - you can buy extra boosters and re-use the covers while the others are drying.

Other Comments:
I'm looking forward to seeing how this fits on my newborn - only 6 weeks to go! - I reckon it'll be one of the earlier fitting One-Size nappies.  The quality of material seems good, although I think I personally prefer micro-suede to microfleece as an inner layer - my micro-suede nappies don't seem to have stained as easily, but that might be coincidence :)

UPDATE: I had this nappy on Cha Cha at 5wks and 4kgs. It fit her nicely on the XS setting both around her legs & tummy. The trifold bamboo insert seemed like overkill at that stage, a Peapods night booster would probably have been enough, but the nappy still wasn't too bulky for an OSFM. There was a bit of excess material at the front, but it didn't affect how well it worked. It was nice to be able to make the legs fit exactly right and still be able to snap the tummy to fit right too.

Summary: 
 I really like this nappy so far!   I love how customisable it is and it's very practical for Tassie weather.  The price is also very reasonable! I'd definitely recommend it!

Bumpy Buns Reviews Intro and Index

I've been thinking for a while now, that I'd like to go through all my stock and try out each product to see how it works, so that I can make better recommendations to people who ask. 


So I've decided to go through my shelves, in no specific order, and try out nappies, accessories and products for Mum and write reviews as I go.  I'll also be reviewing a few popular brands that I don't sell (yet) to see how they compare.

It's a good time for me to start actually, as my first daughter is now 18mths, and I have another on the way (Due in December!), so over the months I should be able to try out all the different products in different sizes, including Newborn!
If you're after specific information on Newborn Nappies, here is the link to: Nappying my Newborn - Intro and Index

I'll keep this blog as the introduction and put links up to all the different reviews and products for easy reference.  Clicking on the Title will bring up the review. Clicking on the picture will take you to that product for sale at Bumpy Buns.


If you would like a specific product reviewed, let me know via the comments section and I'll see what I can do :)

The first cab off the rank:  Pikapu OSFM AIO!

Pikapu at Bumpy Buns

• Pikapu One Size (OSFM) All in One (AIO)  

Peapods One Size at Bumpy Buns

•  Peapods One Size (OSFM) Pocket/All in Two (AI2)  

• Newborn Prefolds, Fitteds and Covers
  

Baby Beehinds Magicall

• Baby Beehinds MagicAll All-In-One (AIO)