Prefolds vs flats

**boy wrangler** · 09-01-2009 07:46

I started using terry flats when ds was about 5 or 6 months old ... then progressed to MCNs.

With another bub arriving in a couple of months I've been reading about what's easier with a newborn and lots of people say prefolds or flats for the first little while.

So, what is the difference between a flat and a prefold? I'd still have to fold and prep the prefold for DH, so are they really any easier than flats?

Any advice on cloth nappy-ing a newborn welcome, cause I skipped that bit with DS!

**CrazyCatLady** · 09-01-2009 08:20

I never had prefolds so can't comment on them but I found terry flats way too big and bulky on DD when she was a newborn. They ended up so big and bulky and I could never get the fit right on her little body. and as it was winter I couldn't get any of her clothes on with terries.

we had mainly BBB which worked well but were a bit bulky and fidly with a newborn. we also had 10 bubblebubs bambams in small with a bummis cover which both DH and I LOVED! They were SO good on a newborn and NEVER had any leaks or poosplosions with them. For the next baby (not for a while yet thoug!) I'll be getting 10 more bambams and using them exclusively for the first little while.

I spent ALOT of time on here researching and asking about what was best for a newborn and the bambams and bummis covers just kept coming up trumps.

**NibbleCurlynBub** · 09-01-2009 09:57

Ummm I haven't actually clothed a newborn, though I did use terry flats on DS for a little while.

They were tedious and I brought disposable 'inserts' for extra absorbency. They were pretty useless.

This time around I have some Bamboo fleece prefolds from Booroi.
Prefolds are similar to flats, but have extra stuff sewn into the middle and don't need much folding at all. You fold them into thirds and fan out the top. Easy.

I haven't gotten to try them on bub yet since bubby still has another 2 months to make its appearance, but I have been using them a LOT already inside a prefold as night nappies.

Theyre fantastic.

I haven't tried regular cotton ones, cotton isn't supposed to be quite as absorbent and bamboo is very sustainable and very absorbent so I made that choice for obvious reasons.

I will have 18 of them soon, I did in the beginning order 6 but now that I have been using them a ton I have brought another dozen as there is no way 6 will be enough for night nappies and bubby!

HTH.

Perhaps you might like to look at normal fitteds and combine them with a prefold (as I do for night with my older two). Cloth'd up still have plenty of newborn and small sized nappies left at only $8 each! (closing down sale!)

**boy wrangler** · 09-01-2009 11:13

I've got heaps of BBH fitteds, as well as quite a few OSFM pockets and AIOs for when bub is a bit bigger. Plus about 3 dozen terry flats. Maybe I should just see how I go.

I really didn't mind using the flats, I actually liked them a lot. DH just didn't like the pins, and they're no where near as convenient as an AIO or pocket when we're out and about!

Thanks!

**Mamalicious** · 09-01-2009 13:27

I like prefolds, they do still take some prep but they have wee gusset things once they're folded, they catch the poo so well!

**CrazyCatLady** · 09-01-2009 13:31

I love terry flats too it just didn't work on DD as a newborn. Maybe I wasn't doing the right fold for a newborn. Invest in a couple of snappis instead of pins. They're gold!

pockets and aio's don't tend to fit a newborn too well. lots of leaks. If you have heaps of BBH then you'll be fine. Just make sure to take into account the clothes will have to be bigger to fit a BBh on a newborn bottom. Also the small BBH covers are too big for most newborns. I'd suggest getting a few NB bummis.

Just always remember that if what you have doesn't work you can always order more when bubs arrives. But if you have BBH then the need factor isn't too high. If you don't really want to spend more then I think you'll be fine.

**NibbleCurlynBub** · 09-01-2009 13:35

Yes, do get some snappis.

They are also a lot less dangerous for middle of the night changes as well.

**Sheer Bliss** · 09-01-2009 13:35

After my post the other day on cloth nappying the twinnies....we are going to stock up on pre-folds (thanks NCB

). Esp since they are going to be winter babies, we will get a nice mix of absorbancy with easy drying! I can't imagine how chunky a terry flat would have been on Nick when he was a baby, but a pre-fold should fit well (i practice on DD's baby bjorn doll, as its a bit bigger than he was!

)

IMO, it's less fiddly folding for the pre-fold, and no pins, you just let the cover hold it in place!