Pre-folds

This is the first image that comes to someone's mind when they hear that I use cloth diapers.  These are the diapers I grew up with, the diapers my Mom tried to talk me into using and that I looked down my nose at, and the diapers that I most LOVE now.  How I wish my daycare would be willing to use them.  Oh well.

What are these things called pre-folds? 

Why Prefold:  These diapers are sewn to naturally fold into thirds

Material: Regular or Organic Cotton (bleached or unbleached) - unbleached is shown

Waterproof:  No. These need a cover.


Format & Use: 
*Multiple layers of cotton
*Additional layers in the middle third for extra absorbancy
*Flat diaper that is folded in thirds to fit inside a waterproof cover

Size: Different sizes are needed as your child grows. 
(Newborn, Infant, Regular, Premium, Toddler)

Price: Generally the least expensive cloth diaper option. Prices go up as you go up in size.  Range is $1.83 to $3 per prefold (sold in dozens or half-dozens).

Other notes: 
*Depending on the waterproof cover you select (more on that later), you might need something to secure these diapers around your child.  You can use a snappi or diaper pins.
*Unbleached option needs to be prepped by washing and drying several times to remove the natural oils. 
*Pre-folds become more absorbant over time, and will shrink and soften up from when you first buy them.

Quantity and Pricing Example:
(Assumptions:  8 lb newborn in diapers until age 2 at 35 pounds, washing every two days)


Prices from http://www.mysweetpickles.com/ - Mpls web-based diaper store!

Your turn: Do you use pre-folds or are you considering them?  What's kept you from using them so far?  Any more info I can help with on these?

Introducing...Bekah's Cloth Bums!

I grew up as a cloth diaper kid - the first diapers I ever changed were with big diaper pins with the yellow ducks on the ends and the white plastic pants.  Before I was pregnant, or even thinking of kids, I wanted to cloth diaper.  Before I knew about the new great cloth diaper formats, I was planning to cloth diaper. My daughter is six months old this week and I can't believe it!  We're six months into cloth diapering and I haven't regretted it ONE minute.  I love love LOVE it. 

When I was searching for the diapers I would use with our daughter, it spent HOURS researching.  If you've started looking down this rabbit hole, you know how overwhelming it can be.  My hope is that I can help you navigate the sea of diaper choices with far less time invested than I did. 

"Bekah's Cloth Bums" is my foray into the cloth diaper world...for YOU. 

Your Turn:  What questions do you really want answers to and what topics would you like covered?