Advice on setting up Newborn stash

[kathok]

I am expecting in July and really want to use fitted cloth nappies. This is my first baby so I don't know much about actually using the nappies yet other than that BF babies have explosive poos at first. I have previously only used disposables on the foster child (toddler) we look after occasionally and all my friends use disposables as well.

I am trying to put together a newborn set for my baby (only one size or newborn sizes as yet). I have only been getting one of each so that I can get more once I have picked a favourite workhorse nappy/cover.
This is what I have ordered so far:

AIO's
Rumpster AIO in small
BumGenious AIO in xsmall

Fitted's
Baby Beehind's bamboo one size
Baby Beehind's hemp one size
Tots Bots bamboozles size 1
Ella's house Bumhugger in small for nights
I also have some Baby Beehinds O'night boosters

Covers:
Baby Beehind's PUL wrap in small
Baby Beehind's Wool wrap in small
Bummi's Super Whisper Wrap PUL in NB
Mother-ease Rikki cover in small
Mother-ease Air Flow cover in small

I would love some feedback and advice on anything I am missing and any other good brands that would be useful to add.

Thanks, Kathok

[Anastasia]

Most newborns won't need night nappies (they poo all night so you have to change them throughout the night anyway). Night nappies are only really necessary once they stop pooing through the night (um, about 3-4 months??? Can't remember LOL).

It's good to get some flat nappies or prefolds for around the house, bamboo flats are soft and trim, flannies are useful, muslin is also nice and trim. But the reason it is good to get flats is they are CHEAP and you need a fair few , and most newborns will outgrow newborn size fairly quickly. I still reckon it's good to get some newborn fitteds for outings though.

There are LOTS of brands out there LOL!! Apparently kissaluvs are good for newborns as well (I don't have any though) and there are very cute newborn organic velour nappies made by swaddlebees. You can also get XS bamboo bumgenius nappies. Um there are some cheap newborns available on Ozebaby at the moment (Poppet's Place and Whizz Kidz) so that's an option too!

[lindys]

I agree that some prefolds or flats (bamboo or flanelette) will be an essential to try, along with some Eeenee Snibb's (covers).

I also have the Swaddlebees fitted in newborn that I can't wait to try (along with a Swaddlebees fleece cover).

Because of the whole newborn explosive poo thing, I am not going to have too many AIO's (but would love a tiny Honeyboy and maybe a Bumgenious just to show off in )

Sounds like you have a good range happening so far though!

Good luck
Lindy

ETA- Oh maybe a Growing Greens one size too...you can remove the booster and use it alone in a cover for a newborn, then the nappy itself is used first without and then with the booster. V.clever.

[Pobie]

Oooo - how exciting Setting up!!

You sound like you have abit to start you off there. I also started with some single sized MCN's however found they were a little bulky in the first few weeks. The AIO's that I had were not that good at keeping runny poos in the one place. Fitted nappies with leg frills and a good cover does the trick for BF poos.

Having said that I really loved my flats cause they were just so quick and easy. I didn't bother snibbing them, just popped a cover or wrap straight over the top.

Also, if this bubba is your first (as was my DS) the flats were easy to tell how wet they are if you are planning on BFing. I found when I used different sorts of MCN's I didn't know how wet he really was cause they all had different absorbtion levels. Does that make sense??

I still used my MCN's when I went out to show off and then full time a few weeks down the track but suggest you get some flats for the start.

You can get Bamboo Terry Flats, Normal Cotton Terry Flats, Organic Terry Flats and the classic Flannel Flat. They are cheap and dry within 24 hours (usually).

Flats can also double as chuck rags and when you don't use them anymore for bubba you can use them to clean your house, car, windows . . . anything really

After all that I think that the nappies and covers that you have are all really great - you can not really go wrong with that lot. Some others to add, if you are feeling keen, that are also easy to get are the Swaddlebees AIO and Fitted nappies. The NB ones have a fold down front for the cord and Cute Tooshies Bamboo Velour are really nice too (they are one sized)

[milasmum]

Yep definately some flats . They are so useful, not just as nappies
burp cloth
put down on the change table
use to lay bub down whenchanging in public
discreet feeding
(and my fave) holding against my other flowing boob when feeding DD,lol

DD is 18 months and still find flats great on her there are so many folds so you will always find one that works for you and your bub

[Peach_Bums_Mum]

Ok I gonna go against the grain here - I didnt use any flats with DD - I used them for 3.5 years with DS and was soooo over them by the time DD arrived. And I can safely say I never missed them! I like properly fitted styles, but then its whats you can afford too. Obvioulsy flats, prefolds etc are cheaper and good for stash filling if youve only got a few fitted types.
I did buy some prefolds but never used them as a nappy, just as stuffers for pockets. Alot of people dont like AIO's or pockets for newborns cause they have explosive poos, however I found no difference whether I used a fitted and cover or a pocket - if it leaked out one, it leaked out the other. But it actually didnt leak very often at all - every newborns different.
Any nappy with nice fitting elastic around the leg will work well - which brand will work best depends a bit on the size of your babys leg, so its hard to tell before they are born.
Just try any out that you like that may be suitable and youll soon get to know whats your fav's.
Good Luck

[AliP]

I also bought flats but have never used them as a nappy but they are still used all the time. So I think it's worth buying some and if you don't like them as a nappy then you can use them for all the other uses mentioned

I personally really liked fitteds with PUL covers for a newborn. I didn't start using AIOs until Isabel was about 5 or 6 months old and was going longer between nappy changes.

[kathok]

Girls,
I have added to my stash after your great advice. I realised that some of the nappies I had bought might not fit the bub for the first few weeks ie Tots Bots size 1,Mother-ease covers and Baby Beehind one sizes and covers.

I have now also bought:
3 Whizz Kidz newborn fitteds
1 Whizz kidz newborn fleece cover
6 pack of Baby Greens newborn contours (hope they don't leak too much!)
3 Eenee Nappy Snibbs
2 extra Bummi's NB PUL covers
2 Kissaluvs size 0 fitteds
2 Swaddlebees Newborn Organic Velours
1 BumGenius bamboo in xsmall

Oh, I also found a small Honeyboy that was too gorgeous to NOT buy. Bubs will fit into it sooner or later though probably not at first I'm guessing.

From what I can work out that means I have 6 contours, 8 fitteds, 2 AIO's and at least 7 covers that I'm sure will fit, possible more.

I'm not really interested in trying flats but I would really like to get it to the point where I wash every 2nd day. How many more fitteds and contours do you all think I really need to get me there?

[Peach_Bums_Mum]

I would say all up youll need about 25 in total to wash every other day. BTW Miss D was average size baby 7lb 10oz and I only used small nappys and covers on her - no newborns. If you dont mind a little bulk its fine - and they grow so incredibly fast, it doesnt matter anyway.
Sound like youve got great beginnings to your stash there. Well Done!

[kermi]

I'm working on the idea that a newborn is going to need to be changed at least 12 times a day in the first few months. So I have a mix of fitteds, pockets, flats and covers to that end. I know that I'll have to be flexible, I'm not sure how big bub will be so it's all a learning curve for now.
And considering bub will most likely outgrow the newborn or small sizes in the first few months....if I use more flats then I can lash out more on the mediums that will last for much longer!