Help! bumGenius 3.0 or 4.0?

[Balthamos]

So, I have decided to use cloth nappies for our next baby and have a couple of questions for the experts out there!

I want to use pockets (they are the only thing that pass the DH test) and so far have a stash of fuzzi buns and am now going to get some bumgenius (which will take me up to 18 nappies overall, which I am hoping is enough for a newborn).

I have been looking online and i can get the 3.0s at a good discount, but I am wondering if that is a false economy since reviews often say that the velcro goes quite quickly and they are quite a bit smaller than the 4.0s.

So ladies, my question is, should i go for the 4.0 with poppers (to avoid the velcro issue) or with the new improved velcro (easier for wriggly toddlers)? Or, should i go for the more economical - but clearly not as good - 3.0s?

Thanking you in advance for your help ladies - i never knew cloth could be so complicated and yet so interesting...i am an addict in the making already and the new baby isn't even out yet!

I'm In the same mind set as you -def want to go down pockets and insert route - but i've also been looking at Flip... or do they count as version 4?

I am a huge fan of bumgenius v3. I bought mine second hand when DD1 was 6 months and I've been using them for almost 2 years with her - she is now potty training but wants nappies for poos and although just before her 2nd birthday I was thinking they might not last til potty training but she had a growth spurt and shot up/got a bit skinnier as she is very active. So at 2y5m they still fit fine.
I have had no problems with the elastic or the velcro tabs and the size for my girls is adequate (she has always been on the 75th percentile so not a wee girl). I also use them on my chunky 5m.
After all the hype about the v4 I was desperate to see one for myself so I ordered a popper one and a velcro one in bubble and sweet. Those colours are rubbish and looks like 'dirty white' so I've sent them back!
I also ordered a flip with a stay dry insert and an organic insert too. I've returned them both as well . They just weren't what I imagined. The organic insert is like a prefold which wasn't explained clearly on the website I used.
I'm going to stick to pockets and will try the new v4 when the new colours and prints are launched but I have no desire to buy new nappies that look as if they have been washed with denim jeans and taken on that dirty grey colour (which is what bubble looks like - I thought it would be light lilac).
There have been a few adjustments to the v4 but that doesn't make the v3 a bad nappy and at the price they are available for right now I'd say go for some v3 as they are a great staple nappy!

IME (have had 2 DC in cloth) 18 nappies really isn't enough for a newborn. YOu need more like 24, they get through +/- 10 nappies a day

I love my v3 BGs but the velco became pretty grotty very quickly, so, I'd go for v4 BGs.

Personally I wouldn't want to use pockets with a newborn, BF poo is sooooo explosive, the double barrier of a nappy + wrap is very handy. If I were you I'd get some second hand size one nappies and (Motherease) wraps and slash out on lovely pockets around the 4-6 month mark. After 4-6 months 16-18 nappies is a good amount.

I've not seen a v4 IRL so listen too SmacsGonePotty. V3 are grand.

Thanks for your help ladies. Ok, i think i will get some v3 for now and then when some more colours come out I'll get the V4. Smacs - the new colours seem to have gone down very badly, so i'll avoid them - although maybe they will be on offer in a few months when the new colours come out due to their universal unpopularity!

Hmm, thanks for the tip on numbers DriventoD - i'll add my stash up to 24 over the coming weeks.

A bit worried about pockets now working with a newborn - I can't see DH using anything else. Do you ladies have any further tips on anything EASY that will contain BF explosions? My first DC had the most blow outs EVER so I could be in the running for that again.

Thanks again!

A fully fleece lined, velcro fastening, fitted nappy would be easiest I think. If you use them with Motherease rikki (velcro closure) wraps then your onto a winner. Motherease really are the best wraps, few would disagree. I've never heard of a fitted nappy they don't work with.

Have a look at Easy Peasy nappies (all models are fully fleece lined) and the Tots Bots FlexiTot. I'm sure there are others but it's a while since I needed to buy new nappies.

TBH unlined, fitted, velcro fastening nappies are really easy too. you just lay a fleece rectangle on them, you can assemble them all at once after washing.

It;s not that popper or nipper closures are difficult, just potentially more intimidating for husbands the uninitiated.