Prefold diaper cost savings question?

[Tigerlily01]

I am intrigued by the whole prefold w/cover approach as a cost saver. Has anyone done this all the way through potty training? Even assuming I didn't start using cloth until after the newborn phase, it seems like I'd still end up spending quite a bit on prefolds, since there are so many different sizes. Just as a "for instance," if I used Thirsties covers, I'd need about 4 each of 2 different sized covers. And then 12-24 (or more) prefolds in each of 4 different sizes (assuming Green Mountain brand) over the course of a couple years. Do the prefolds really end up being any cheaper than other types of cloth diapers? Are they worth the hassle to save money, or do they end up being about the same as pockets/fitteds, etc once you buy all the different sizes? I know you'd probably need multiple sizes in the other diaper styles too, but it seems like prefolds have a lot more sizes?? Or is that not the case?

Sorry if that's a stupid question, I don't know anything about this!!

 

[alaskagrown]

Good question..! I switched from disposables to prefolds coincidentally right around when my daughter was 15 pounds, big enough to fit the last and largest size prefold (15-30/35 pounds) so I really only needed to get two dozen of the last size....though I ended up with about 75 of them! I found a MASSIVE tote full of green mountain prefolds and the thrift store, one friend insisted I take her box of prefolds, etc.
Check your local thrift stores!!!

And remember you can turn around and sell your prefolds once your baby outgrows them to recuperate your costs.

Another thing to consider is one-size covers. Econobums go from I think 8-40 pounds or something like that!

 

[Bonnie11]

I understand what you are saying tiger lily!
From my maths calculations it can be cost effective but not if you buy everything brand new in various sizes. There are a number of older threads on here that explain what you will need so have a search. I think to make your money go further as PP said buying second hand will give you a big saving. Plus there are a number of brands that offer a birth to toddling type sizing so they will last you longer rather than just a few months. Regarding brands, I'm sure someone will be along to give you more helpful pointers there. Also factor in washing, you can soak and do them yourself or some councils offer a washing scheme where they collect them from your house. I think it's also worth calling the council as often they have discounted nappy schemes to encourage parents to use cloth nappies. Good luck x

 

[Rachel_C]

You won't need four different sizes, especially if you're not starting from birth. Some systems e.g. Econobums are really just a prefold and a cover and it's one size prefold from birth to potty. You can buy more sizes if you want a trimmer nappy on a smaller baby but there is no need, or if you want to be able to fasten it round an older baby with a nippa rather than pad-folding, but again it's not necessary. You could definitely do it with just two sizes of prefold and probably with just one size. Don't forget you can sell on what your LO has outgrown... I'd like to see you try that with a used disposable .

If you really want to go with brand new GMD and Thirsties (I don't think these are the cheapest options and you can also buy preloved ones), say you got two different sizes, which should be fine, if you got 24 prefolds which should be enough if you're ok washing every other day (and you could probably go three days with an older baby), plus four covers in each size, it would cost:

2 x Small $28/12 [$56]
2 x Large $35/12 (might prefer medium) [$70]
4 x Wraps $12.75 each [$51]
3 Bummis fleece liners $5/5 [$15]

TOTAL = $192

Washing costs = £50/year for detergent, electricity, water, wear and tear on machine = $33-ish

Three years of nappies = $192+(3x33)=$291

I don't think you could buy disposable nappies that are as kind to LO's skin for anywhere close to that. Then you should probably be able to make $100+ back reselling outgrown nappies. If you buy preloved, you can probably lose very little on the cost of the nappies.

 

[Tigerlily01]

Thank you for explaining this! It didn't occur to me that I might be able to skip some of the prefold sizes. I do see them offered used on craigslist pretty often, but they don't seem to be marked down much, so I suppose my savings will be when I resell them. Or maybe since this will be my first, some grandmas will buy me some, lol!

The reason I was leaning towards thirsties covers is because the sides seem to have an extra gusset that some of the one-sized covers don't seem to have. I thought maybe they'd be better at containing everything...do some of the less expensive one-size covers have that feature as well?

Also, I figured at first I'd buy some new prefolds and a new cover or two, just to try it without being swayed by something old and stretched out/not properly cared for...and the if it works for me I can get the rest as seconds or used. Do you think that's a good approach? Is there anything I should look out for when buying used (ie. what can people do to their stuff to ruin it/make it less effective, and will I be able to tell that when I buy it?)?

 

[Rachel_C]

I would buy covers new, I normally do, because as you said the elastic can stretch a bit. There are loads of wraps with double gussets though, many of them one-size so should fit from 4-8 weeks old to toddlerhood. Blueberry Coveralls (OS), Rumparooz (OS), Tweedlebugs (sized but very cheap), Bummis Super Brites (sized), Little Lamb (2 sizes), Thirsties sized (as well as the Duo), Peachy Green Switcheroo (sized)... there are loads more I'm sure. If you keep an eye out preloved, people will often buy something and decide not to use it, or try it once or twice but not like them, so that can be a way to save a few pounds/dollars but still have the benefit of 'new'.

I don't think there is any real benefit in buying cotton prefolds new, in fact you will have to do some work to get them fully absorbent. I would buy them preloved, give them a strip wash and then you will get the best idea of how they work. The only thing you can really do wrong with cotton flats is to wash with too much detergent but a strip wash will sort that out. If you buy new, you will have to wait till they've been washed maybe 10 times to get a true picture of how they work anyway, and they will take a bit of time to shrink to their true size.