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Hi Im looking into getting some prefold diapers for use around the house. Im new to this and wanted to know what the best kind are. does it matter if they are 6 layers or 8 layers in the middle. Tell me every thing you know
TIA
Jen |
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Yes, there's definetly a difference. Generally speaking, those with 6 layers in the middle aren't as good a quality. With the only exception being that preemie prefolds are always only 6 layers in the middle. Chinese prefolds (CPFs), Indian prefolds or Diaper Service Quality (DSQ) are what you want to get. Generally speaking it's best to stay away from Gerber prefolds you find at Wal-Mart or the like.
All that said, I've noticed a huge surge in types/brands of prefols available nowadays. Used to be that CPFs or DSQs (with the occasional place that sold Indian prefolds) were just about your only options. Now there are bamboo prefolds, hemp prefolds, all kinds of different sizes etc... Admitedly I don't know much about these, maybe someone else can give some info on those. So maybe if some of these are 6 layers then maybe it's not as big a deal for them. Especially if they're a super absorbent material like bamboo. If they're plain cotton though then I'd have doubts as to how absorbent they are.
Flats also seem to be making a bit of a comeback. They're just a single layer of fabric that must be folded. More complicated perhaps but they're very inexpensive and a cinch to wash/dry.
Snappis are great to use with flats or prefolds. Keeps things snugger than pins or just laying in a velcro wrap. And no poking yourself with the pins.
I think it's fairly normal to get poop on the cover when using prefolds or flats. Seems to be a common issue although apparently different folds can help quite a bit. So it might be worth looking up various folds instead of just the usual tri-fold.
Karen. |
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| This is kind of a side note. I'd always read to stay away from Gerber prefolds, but did you know that Gerber sells several different grades of prefolds? I didn't know that until recently, when I started thinking about decorating some prefolds to give as burp cloths for shower gifts. I had their prefolds as burp cloths and liked them. I checked them out at the store and couldn't figure out why one kind was double the cost, but it's supposed to be DSQ. That's the kind that I had; the cheaper ones I sure wouldn't recommend using, even as burp cloths, quite frankly, as they are thin, and some even have a sort of polyester batting in the center (hello? that doesn't absorb squat). All that to say, I haven't used the Gerber DSQ as diapers, but will definitely vouch for the fact that they are much tighter weave and far sturdier of a diaper than their standard prefolds. I would wonder if their DSQ might be okay, but they just get such a bad rap because of the lower-end ones? |
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Good point. I've also heard about Gerber having different quality prefolds. And for what it's worth, I've known at least one person who had the cheap ones and loved them. Albeit she was an EC person so they were more/less back-ups but still... Do you know if the DSQ ones are widely available? Do they say DSQ on them?
Karen. |
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| They say Diaper Service on them, and are labelled Premium Heavyweight. I've seen them at Target, but not Walmart, and the websites of those stores reflect that, as well. At Target, they are around $11/12 for 6 of them; I don't know if that's a good price or not, but handy if you have a Target around. The fabric is completely different from the cheaper ones, a very, very tight weave. I think the better ones have blue stitching on them. I suspect that if you can get the right ones, they'd be just fine, but otherwise you'll have cruddy ones that aren't even that great for spit up. |
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That seems fairly reasonable. Less expensive than any CPF I've seen but not ridiculously cheaper. For the convenience and saving on shipping they might be worth trying. At worst they'd make good rags and one wouldn't have wasted too much money on them.
Karen. |
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I personally used Bummis Prefolds (Indian Prefolds). They're super thick and I did not like them for that reason. They were cottons. I think for sure you'd want to learn some really good folds because I was always getting poopsies on the covers when my little one pooped. I never had leaks when teamed with the Bummis Super Whisper Wraps. Awesome diaper covers. If I were to do prefolds again, I would probably choose a Bamboo type because Bamboo is not as bulky as cotton and is super soft.
Another option out there are WEEHUGGERS. They're a diaper cover and you can buy Bamboo Inserts for them. Or you can use them with G-Diaper inserts or pocket inserts like Stay-dry Flip. You have to change the cover every 2nd or 3rd time or immediately if soiled, but they're super cute, affordable, and extremely trim. WAY better than an 8 layer prefold. Way, way better. (In my opinion) The covers are about $20-30 CDN, and the inserts are about $10 CDN.
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