Newborn Cloth Diaper Pre-Review

Newborn cloth diaper sizes compared

"Well, I think we're cloth diapering - for real."  I announced while still thinking I can't believe I'm doing this... 
"I should say so!" Ben responded as he dumped my recently ordered package of 33 - yes, thirty-three! - cloth diapers out on the table.  "...and a little late to just now be deciding!"

Except for a few prefolds, I think we are outfitted for the newborn/small collection of diapers, plus some!  I did the math and for the first three months (my estimate for before our baby could fit into one-size cloth diapers; will vary depending on baby's size) the cost would be the same for buying disposables or a set of cloth diapers.  Of course, with the second baby it will be a savings!  Since I think it would be hard to go from convenience to more work, we're choosing to cloth diaper from the start.

At least, this is my big plan.  I haven't actually successfully cloth diapered yet.  {So maybe you should go read some other mom's blog who has actually done it.}  That's why I'm calling this a PRE-review.  I organized them by size, so here's the line-up and what I think of them so far.

Newborn cloth diaper sizes

All of them are all-in-ones (AIO) unless otherwise noted and they are in this exact order (by size) in the picture above, with the smallest on the right, and listed here from smallest to largest.

Lil' Joey (newborn) - Super tiny and my favorite because they're just so cute!  Umbilical cord snap-down.  My guess is it will fit a 4-7lbs baby and not much bigger than that.  For a preemie or a small baby it is the smallest and least bulky you can get, and I like that. :)  Looks so simple and easy to use!
GroVia (one size) - Snaps up to very small, does have the snaps in the front so it can be made a little bigger.  This seems to be a very popular and well-liked AIO for the newborn stage and I am excited to try this brand out!
Swaddlebees (newborn Simplex) - Slightly larger, has umbilical cord snap-down.  Leg holes seem to be a bit bigger, maybe would fit 6-12lbs?  From looking at their website, their diapers are now all going to be "Blueberry" brand.
FuzziBunz (x-small) - This is a pocket diaper.  Inserts are pretty hard to stuff in; maybe it's because they've never been washed/prepped yet, because they are almost too small to fit your hand in, or it might just be my inexperience.  Waist does not go as small/tight as some of the others.
Thirsties (size one) - Tag says 0-9 months, 6-18lbs.  Has snaps in the front to adjust the size.  Great elastic with overlapping velcro so it can be made pretty small for the waist.
BumGenius (small) - Definitely a bit bigger/bulkier.  Probably only slightly smaller (maybe a bit less bulky though) than the BumGenius one size pocket diapers when they're snapped all the way small.  Has absorbency as an AIO, but it's made like a pocket diaper so you could add inserts for nighttime or heavy wetters.  Overlapping velcro so the waist can be adjusted to be nice and snug.

Newborn cloth diaper covers and others

Modern cloth diapers -  all-in-ones, pocket diapers and covers

Bummis Super Brite (newborn) - 4-9lbs.  Overlapping velcro, umbilical cord dip, leg gussets.  I have a feeling that prefolds + covers are going to be bulkier than tiny AIOs and it's probably especially noticeable for the newborn/small sizes.  This is my favorite choice of brand/style for NB size covers!  Not pictured above; go here to see what they look like.

Prorap (newborn) - 6-10lbs.  Wide, strong velcro, umbilical cord dip, leg gussets.  Just plain white, and that is boring (cheaper though!), so they have less appeal to me, though that has nothing to do with functionality.  They seem a little tall, but otherwise small; once again, bulkier than AIOs.

gDiaper (small) - 8-14lbs.  This is not really a cover, not totally a pocket diaper, but requires an insert (that lays in, in a plastic lining inside of the cloth outer).  They're known as "hybrid" diapers since you can get disposable inserts/liners.  This totally defeats the purpose in my opinion, so if we use it, it will be with a folded prefold or cloth insert.

Thirsties (size one) - 0-9 months, 6-18lbs.  This seems to be the popular name brand of choice for covers; I have both snaps and overlapping velcro.  Front snaps to adjust the size as baby grows.  Leg gussets.

Velcro, snaps and drying time

A lot of newborn size cloth diapers seem to come in snaps.  Not sure why or if that's changing, but for our main set of one-size pocket diapers I am leaning towards velcro.  Though it probably won't last quite as long, it IS easier to put on a wiggly baby and you can size the fit just right.  

One of the big drawbacks of AIOs - besides the price - is the drying time... or so I've heard and read and common sense will tell you if you think about it!  So my plan is to only have AIOs in these newborn/small sizes since the bigger ones would take just about forever to dry!  The reason TO have some of these (vs. only prefolds and since pocket diapers aren't as common for newborns), especially starting off, is for the simplicity and niceness especially for the middle of the night, going out and daddy, grandparents or babysitters to be able to use.  Also I hope the convenience and similar-ness to disposables will make cloth diapering seem more do-able.


So there you have it!  My big, crazy, cloth diapering dream!  Ask me in a year how it's going... then I can give you a real review. :)