How many covers for newborns?

[MelZ]

Still trying to decide whether to use prefolds or flats

But Im just wondering how many covers I would need?

Is it really hard to do the folding with flats? Is it worth spending the little bit extra on prefolds? (There is a price difference isnt there?)

[KristyMum]

folding flats not hard imo. Have done it with two kiddies, and they were both in nappies at the same time for a bit.

Covers, well I only had two for Zeke in MCN lol, plus one in the nappy bag - I recommend a couple more than that

HTH

[pinkpalace]

i have about 3 wool and 6-9 pul covers for my #2 in small.
I sewed my own prefolds (about 20 of them) to use. do you have a machine? they are easy enough to do

[nappyhappy]

I was told to have 3 per day times the number of days you will wash, allowing a day for drying depending on what the cover is made from.

So if it's PUL 7 is enough as they will dry in the time you are using the 7th. Wool I'd get 2-3 at least but if using wool full time then you would need 2+ for 24 hours (just in case of leaky poo) and allow at least 24 hours to dry. So I'd go for 7 or more

Fleece is faster drying than wool, so again it depends on how frequently you plan to wash and whether you plan to use them full time.

Folding flats are not hard but you can make your own prefolds out of flats by adding a bamboo strip down the centre.

[MelZ]

Does it matter what type of covers I use for a newborn?

I wouldnt mind having a couple of fleece ones!

Is there a pattern anywhere or instructions on how to make prefolds?? If they are easier than flats and easy to make, then that just helped make my decision! My mum could help me make them

[Pobie]

I had 2 PUL covers for DS and made do. I rotated the 2 and used a PVC snib if I got in a bind and had none clean. They dry pretty instantly so I wouldn't worry about too much drying time. I did wash everyday though and used flats.

[KristyMum]

Covers, well I only had two for Zeke in MCN lol, plus one in the nappy bag - I recommend a couple more than that

I ended up with more later on but had just two for about the first 8mths.

[lotusutol]

bear in mind though if you use terry flats you would need a bigger cover than if you were using prefold or flanny flats.

e.g. NB size in a prefold but possibly S size in terry flats.
Unless you cut the terries down to size of course!

With DD1 she fit a small BBeehinds cover in terries from very young.
Intend to use prefolds + NB covers this time round so will add my 2 cents when I get there

HTH

[~Carolyn~]

we had about 2 PUL ones, and about 2 wool ones- but we used MCN so i had the elastic in those. prob wouldnt use wool iwth flats as you might get blowouts more. You prob dont need more than 4 for a NB, then just update when they get bigger.

I only have 2 covers for my older ones as i tend to use pockets/ AIO/ woolies.

[bilbylove]

Originally Posted by MelZ

Does it matter what type of covers I use for a newborn?

I wouldnt mind having a couple of fleece ones!

Is there a pattern anywhere or instructions on how to make prefolds?? If they are easier than flats and easy to make, then that just helped make my decision! My mum could help me make them

We used both fleece (night) and PUL (day) covers with our newborn.

Here's an idea for you, make trifolds instead of prefolds

(prefolds have an extra layers in the middle zone, that's the only difference).

- cut out 30 x 30 cm square of bamboo terry
- cut out 30 x 30 cm square of bamboo fleece
- if you have a sewing machine, sew straight stitch around THREE sides, then turn inside out and do the fourth side so the sewing shows.
- if you have an overlocker, sew around the four sides.
you are done

If making them is too much, i saw some great bamboo trifolds on boorai yesterday, esp the pack of 12 for under $100 Bamboo Fleece/Terry Prefold Nappy - Size 1 - 12pk + BONUS Snappi [BPF-S1-12] - $94.95 : Booroi Essentials Australia, Modern Cloth Nappies, Clothing, Accessories and Gifts for Baby

to use
- fold the item into THREE
- now it looks like a little pad.
- lay that inside the nb cover.
- Lay a microfleece liner on top so baby's bottom stays dry and it's easier at clean up time for you.
- now do up the newborn cover - practise on a teddy bear if you don't have a bub the right size at the mo
It needs to fit snugly, (if you are not doing up the trifold with a snappi). If the cover is not a snug fit THEN you might need to do up the trifold with a snappi.


trifolds, prefolds, foldups - so similar
if you google "using prefolds" "doing up a prefold" there is some amazing stuff online - demos of people doing up a prefold on teddybears, their babies (youtube video), all sorts, i've seen photos giving you a step by step guide on a NZ nappy site too.
Once you see how it's done, and you realise how simple it is, it's a doddle. But it is nice to SEE it first time round.

YouTube - How to Change a Cloth Diaper

bit long but shows you how to put a prefold on a bub

"prefold diaper" will get you quite a few vids on youtube

hth