Clothing size and cloth nappies

[emsyj]

I'm planning to use cloth nappies (probably BumGenius version 3.0) for my first DC, due in June. I want to buy a few bits of essential clothing now too, and just wondered if I need to be buying bigger sizes to allow for the size of the nappy????

help!

My DD is in Bumgenius V3 and I tend to have her in the next size up in trousers and just roll the legs up. With poppered vests, the bulk of the nappy between the legs can mean that theya re not long enough, even though they fit in the body well. If you get a pack of vest extenders they will help. Otherwise teeny baby is drowning in massive vest just so it is long enough.
I would just buy a few bits and pieces, you'll get loads as gifts probably anyway. You might find that babe needs to be in disposables for awhile anyway because they may not be big enough for the bumgenius and they will just leak.
I know they say from 7 to 35 lbs but there is no way they would have fit my 8lb baby straight away. I would just get a few things in newborn size to start with and see how you go. Goodluck, hope all goes well.

First of all, congratulations! And great job intending to use cloth!

As for your question: unless you a have a really large baby, you should be fine with regular size clothing really. And if you're using an all-in-one nappy, then the big bum is even less of an issue.
We've been in reusable nappies (two part, as it's best when it comes to containment) from day one (that's just over 9 months now) and I haven't had any problems fitting DS into any clothes (even Baby Gap, which is known to be quite slim cut). He's an average size(50th percentile), so we've been using clothes marked for his age.
Though I've heard some people say that when it comes to baby jeans, it's difficult to find a pair that would fit well over cloth nappies. I've always preferred denim dungarees instead, as they're smooth around the waist, so nothing to dig into DS's belly.

And just a thought...I haven't tried bumgenius, but heard the reviews are pretty good. But here's something you may want to keep in mind: until you reach weaning, baby's solids are very far from 'solid', so you may find the all-in-one desing of the bumgenius doesn't contain as well. It may be worth while to get a couple of different kinds of nappies to try and see what works best for your LO.

Odds are that in the first few weeks you'll just want to stick to vests and babygros, these will fit fine around cloth nappies. Otherwise, dungarees are better than jeans, unless waist is very elasticated.

up until about 6 month i found clothes were generally fine in the right size (brand variations excluded) but after that i find pants need to be a size bigger, if not two depending on how roomy a cut they are.

Thanks everyone. We are expecting a little girl (if the sonographer was right yesterday!) so hopefully if we get into difficulties we can buy dresses or something!!!

elk4baby, my mum is buying the nappies for us as a gift and she keeps saying I should get some different ones to try and I can see the sense in that, I just feel totally overwhelmed by the choices and want to make an order and get on with it. I know it's not the wisest move though, any ideas where I could get some sort of trial pack or something for the first few weeks?

On the baby size issue, FIL is really enjoying telling me at every opportunity that his family make BIG babies and it seems to be true - DH and his brother were both close to 10lb and his two cousins (FIL's bro's kids) were both over 11lb!!! My eyes are watering....

Here are a couple of sites that do trials:
Nappy Adventures
Cuddlebabes
Babykind - I've bought a lot of nappies and wraps from them, the service is really good. Plus, they have very thorough descriptions of all the nappies and wraps on their website
hope this helps

emsyj - take heart, my DH is one of 5 and they were all over 10.5 lbs. Like you, this was used as a playful tease but thankfully DD was only 8lb!!

I was a 'normal' weight at birth Mumgenius, so I am still hopeful that she won't be a giant baby... keeping everything crossed (including legs for the time being).

That's brill elk4baby, will take a look at those sites!

Alternatively, see if there is nappy advisor next to you. I contacted Lollipop advisors and was shown a lot of nappies, which help me to decide which nappies to go for.

here is the link

I've been using BG for about 2 weeks now. My DS (7 weeks old) is on 91st centile for weight and height, so it has actually worked out quite well, as he is already on 3-6 month clothing, as 0-3 month clothing was too short, but still fitted around the middle, so it now means his little bottom is in proportion with his length and his clothes fit better
Having said that, I don't think they are that much bigger, certainly not with stretchy clothing

I do trials as well, with a difference, as they are not set trials. You can trial whatever you want, as long as I either stock or can get it, and it's made in Europe! (Can't see the point in importing thousands of miles, just because the exporting country is English speaking, when so many first rate nappies are available on the doorstep, if we'd only look!

I would stock to babygros and sleepsuits for the first month or two - they are so cute - and in summer a vest will do them fine (assuming weather is nice!) Or a cute little dress will go over cloth if have a girl.

I like frugi stuff - they have a sale on atm

Cheeks and cherries do good trial kits - Babybots have coolababy nappies which are cheaper version of BG but I quite liked mine.