Prefolds - Chinese vs Bamboo vs Hemp vs Terry Cloth

[safarifun]

Hi ladies,

Me again to bother you with more questions about Prefold Nappies... Sorry!

I have heard good reviews about Chinese Prefold Nappies and Indian Prefolds actually (Apparently Chinese last longer - I don't know for sure!)

Now I understand that Bamboo is super thirsty but takes longest to dry, hemp is thirsty too but doesn't take as long to dry and well terry towelling isn't as thirsty...

Just wondering between my babbling whether anyone has any experience with Chinese Prefold Nappies - good or bad? I'd love to hear your comments. I found some on sale and am wondering if they are a bargain or whether I should not go with them.

Thanks to anyone who responds!

[Tricia78]

Can't wait to see advice on this thread, was thinking about posting the same thing earlier today!!

And I know there probably isn't a difference in use, but is any particularly more/less husband friendly??? He's DEAD against cloth, especially if there is folding involved

[MorgsinPerth]

I enquired about Chinese prefolds not long ago and I got told a couple of times they are ok but not that thirsty. So I just decided to use terry flats with bamboo boosters. Bamboo is pretty thirsty and with a decent PUL cover I'm hoping my baby will be somewhat dry. lol

[mum2miya]

I used Chinese prefolds successfully with my son when he was a newbie. With a well fitting cover they were great for the early weeks. You change so often at first that nappies don't need to be super absorbant.
Hemp can go quite hard and crunchy - not suitable for little bottoms but fine for stuffing into pocket nappies.
Bamboo is lovely - there are lots of different bamboo fabrics so check the weight and whether you can snappi the fabric.
HTH

[safarifun]

Thanks for your help ladies, it was great of you to respond.

I have heard good things about Chinese prefolds and as I will be changing frequently (as needed naturally) then they seem to be a good idea. I might just get a few so I have a variety in my stash!

[safarifun]

I used Chinese prefolds successfully with my son when he was a newbie. With a well fitting cover they were great for the early weeks. You change so often at first that nappies don't need to be super absorbant.
Hemp can go quite hard and crunchy - not suitable for little bottoms but fine for stuffing into pocket nappies.
Bamboo is lovely - there are lots of different bamboo fabrics so check the weight and whether you can snappi the fabric.
HTH

Hi there, just wondering... once your son was a little older after the first few weeks, did they still do the job well?

I'm thinking of making some bamboo boosters to put into terry nappies / prefolds so that might be another option too...

[mum2miya]

After the first 8 weeks (as I remember) we moved into fitteds with covers with a few AIO's thrown in too. By then the prefolds were too small anyway

[safarifun]

After the first 8 weeks (as I remember) we moved into fitteds with covers with a few AIO's thrown in too. By then the prefolds were too small anyway

Ohhh, okay... So in a sense, they are not as economical as normal old school flat nappies that can be used much longer???

[jas24]

My littles girl is 10 weeks and over 5kg.I am still using the new born prefolds they are quite stretchy and still JUST fit. But not for more than 2 more weeks I think.

[KristyMum]

We really needed bamboo even early on. We had quite a few flannel/cotton only nappies and they did ok but I always reached for the bamboo. We were also lucky enough that Quinn slept for a few hours at a stretch at night, and sometimes in the day even when little so I did need the bamboo then for that. We had Donna's (previous poster) bamboo prefolds which are stretchy which makes them last longer (ie don't grow out of as quick). I'd also consider using bamboo prefolds as boosters in pocket nappies/night nappies later on, whereas I prob wouldn't do with cotton ones iykwim.

That said, we've done flats for #1 and #2 and managed. So you manage with what you have kinda thing. You could also get cotton prefolds, and then just have some bamboo boosters to lay in (fold in half if necc) and then you can use the boosters later in bigger nappies as well.