Prefolds - are they any good?

[SpongeBobControlPants]

DD is 3 months, and I'm currently using disposables, with the intention to move to reusables when she's a bit bigger (I didn't want to buy too many sizes, in order to save money).

I tried the Nappy Lady tailored questionnaire, and was recommended Tots Bots (or similar shaped nappy). However, in the interest of keeping the cost down (false economy, maybe?) I'm wondering about prefolds.

So, I'd be interested to hear of your experiences, good and bad, to help me decide.

TIA

Prefolds are not the best introduction to washable nappies IMHO. I especially found their poo containment isn't very good. I would recommend the shaped nappy - worth spending the extra money on (and you can always resell if you don't get on with them, whereas prefolds don't have a resale value I don't think)

you'll get mixed responses on this one! I honestly think it depends on how discaplined you are. If you buy a load of prefolds, then fall in love with the whole cloth bum thing you will inevitably end up buying more nappies and soon enough the prefolds will be left at the bottom of the pile!

However they work well for some people! I used them initially with the dt's but soon swapped mine for tots!

I am the same as washersaurus - I don't like them for the poo containment side of things.

It might be worth getting some advice elsewhere too - I know that myself, snugglebum nappies and a few others (look in the small business ads section) do personal tailored advice. The Nappy Lady is good, but nearly always recommends Tots Bots - it can be handy to ask around a few places and get more of an idea of what to get.

I used them when ds2 was newborn (cheap and so could have loads of them.) Bought size two shaped nappies and nippered them once he was about 4 months though as they do seem to leak a lot more. True that shaped may be a better investment though as I couldn't sell the prefolds and ended up giving them away where as shaped nappies are worth a fair bit second hand.

Agree with the others...prefolds ok but shaped much better, less leakages, so the prefolds are only used when i havent done the washing quickly enough!!

If you are worried about the cost then i would recommend second hand ones.

Thanks for that so far. I must admit I do find the shaped ones to be far cuter in appearance!

Next question then, where's a good place to try getting second hand ones?

DD is quite slim (so it seems, from looking at other babies out and about) she's just over 11lb at 3 months, so are there particular recommendations for a slimmer baby (in shaped nappies)

Ta again!

Thenappylady has a classifieds section on her site for buying and selling 2nd hand nappies. You could put a wanted post on here and see if anyone has any nappies to clear out . Oh and I think Flame has set up a classifieds section on her site too.

If you choose nippa nappies over velcro/applix ones you will find they are more adjustable to get the fit right.

I like your nickname spongebob!!

I think Flames site is bumfluff nappies, also there is a site called nappy auction which someone posted a link to last week but i cant find it at the moment.

Thanks all so far - very useful stuff.

One other thing - hubby does a fair bit of the nappy changing, and wants us to get aplix (he had a look of horror at the thought of prefolds) but I'm wondering how easy nippas are? Thanks to washersaurus for the hint that nippas make for a snugger fit (is snugger a proper word?!) Hubs doesn't like the idea of a nippa, but I suppose the thing to do is get a trial and give it a go....

Any thoughts on terry squares? I did buy some, and so far they've come in handy as mini towels for DD and used on top of the changing mat so she doesn't get a cold bum! I seem to have gone off the idea of actually using them as nappies - too much like hard work, but I'm willing to be converted!

Hairybaby'smum- took me ages to come up with a nickname that wasn't already taken, and as I do love SpongeBob, inspiration struck!

Nippas give a MUCH neater fit, and it makes even big nappies much more fittable (so anything you buy now can fit until potty training or thereabouts - depending on the make).

My mum, DH and friend have all used nippas with no problems at all - as long as you remember to be forceful with em (they hold it together with tension) then they are perfect.

i second and third that prefolds are not that good for containment. Shaped are far better and some are birth to potty liek wonderoos for example which would see you through but then im talking pocket nappies and not everyone loves them with the passion i do! Still could save you a few peenies.

I have used loads of different types of washables over time

prefolds are my least favourite by far... yes some people swear by them (I HONESTLY dont understand why, but thatsd MY opionion!)

(I also HATE all in one washables as well btw)

IMO a shaped nappy with a wrap over is a much better and leak proof system!... also depends on the nappy, the wrap and the child!

To be blunt when i have my own children im determined to use washables... (i actually PREFER them to disposbales).... BUT even if someone GAVE me prefolds i would not use them. I may keeep them for absolute emegancies or boosting or for use with a pocket nappy.... but i would not use them through choice.
(If i was given them id say thank you and by some shaped nappies and wrap btw!)

found the link for the auction site from another thread.

www.usednappies.co.uk/index.php

Personally i mostly have one life and motherease nappies which are popper fastening rather than velcro and find these great..never had a problem with the fit as it is fairly adjustable.

I have just bought a nippa type nappy and that seems good too...have some velcro ones too and they are fine but prefer the onelife/motherease fit as they are nice and slim on.

I only use prefolds with a couple of tots bots/ minkis for nights/ nurseries; have used them for 2 dds

before weaning they were a bit explosive but there's a lot to be gained by using a nippa with a different fold when baby is v young - I used the angel fold - the nappy lady has it on her website somewhere

like you I wanted to keep the cost down and prefolds have been fine for me. And my tots bots take an age to dry on an airer if I am trying to economise in the winter by not using the tumble dryer - prefolds dry pretty quickly

you can buy prefolds for a song second hand on the nappy lady classifieds making it even cheaper

and they're easy - my dh is fine with them

I don't think it's false economy - they leak sometimes, sure, but not half as much as disposables in my experience

How do prefolds work? As in how do you use them? I don't quite get it. I get and love shaped and I love terry squares (spongebob they are easy and even dp can do them now, not that he got the choice I just didn't buy and shaped in size 2) So what does one to with a prefold?

Ds (now 2.2 and starting to use washable training pants under controlled situations) has a combination of shaped Tots Bots and prefolds. Tots Bots are for nursery and when out and about, but use prefolds much of the rest of the time.

As already indicated, they're not so good at containment, although if you're quick and its not too large a quantity they're OK. The ones we've got you fold down 1/3 and then tuck the sides in to each other a bit like an envelope - you get a rectangular pad that just fits inside the wrap with no fixing.

The advantages are price and quick drying - which means that if you've got a young baby you're not thinking about the number of times you change them a day due to a limited number of nappies because you didn't want to buy too many due to the price. I think that they were probably marginally quicker to fit as you only need to do up the wrap not the nappy as well which was very useful with wriggly ds, although sometimes it took a couple of attempts.

We also use a prefold as a booster at night in addition to shaped bamboo nappy - better than damp bedding due to fleece wrap wicking.

We tried a whole lot of different types of nappy out before buying any - we would not have considered prefolds without doing this, but found that they were easy to use this way.

I love prefolds. They're so versatile! If you nippa them, they do a pretty good job containing the poo and when your DD is doing more solid poos you can just fold them in thirds and put them in the wrap.

I don't like tots bots, I find them too bulky and the aplix irritates my DD.

Ooh, now I'm confused - was definitely going down the shaped route, but now have heard from some prefold fans.....

But how can you nippa a prefold? I can see how it works with a terry square, but for the life of me I can't imagine how to nippa a prefold!

I think the only thing for it is to buy one of several different types and go for it - watch this space for my acquired wisdom in the fullness of time...

BTW, any recommendations for the best wraps for prefolds?

Have discussed this with several (equally as sad nappy addict) friends and everyone agreed that the only wrap to both with is motherease airflow - am very lax on the changing front and have never had one of these leak. IMA - it doesn't matter what nappy you use it's the wrap that stops the leaks. I seem to have one of every type of nappy - I found prefolds OK when tiny but as soon as they start moving you have to be quick to get it one in one piece.

I also use my prefolds just when I've run out of all my others!

spongebob the nappy lady website has some information about different folds and how to nippa them, in the info section or something

I would go looking but I am just popping in and out before taking dd to appt

Check out this website:

www.greenmountaindiapers.com/

It has all the information you could ever hope for on prefolds including pictures.