Grew out of the small diaper covers!

Penguin is now over 15 pounds, and able to loosen his too-small diaper cover by kicking his legs at night. Time to *gasp* spend money and order new diaper covers.  Argh. There are a lot of options.  Let's go back to how we got the cloth diapers we use in the first place.

When we first started with cloth diapers, I did the "try cloth for $10"  deal through Jillian's Drawers. I wasn't sure if I was going to keep up with the amount of laundry.  I wasn't the best with getting laundry done when I was single and not taking care of anyone else... let alone a partner, a stepson and a newborn.  But, the deal sounded pretty good.  From the website:

"The best introduction to cloth diapers on the web since 2005!  Now you can try great cloth diapers with your newborn and they will fit and work wonderfully!  Enough for 13 diaper changes before washing!

Step 1: Pay a deposit of $149.69. Order up to 3 months before your due date!
Step 2: Prewash your diapers. Then try them for 21 days after your newborn has arrived!
Step 3: Mail the diapers back to us after using them for 21 days.
Step 4: Receive a refund of $139.69, regardless of whether the diapers are stained or not. This is not a store credit, but an actual refund!"

It was a good way to get used to cloth diapers, without worrying if it would work for us.  I received my package from them 2 months before my due date. I had plenty of time to wash the diapers, and marvel over how a tiny little butt was going to look in those diapers.  Before using them, I totally thought that the BumGenius all in ones were going to be our favorites -- if we decided to stick with cloth at all.   I had also received

the Bummis Diaper kit as a shower gift.   First, we tried disposables. I knew I wanted to use those during the lovely meconium phase. Plus, I had one package of disposables in newborn size, and one package in the next size up. I figured this would be great "training wheels" as we got used to cloth.  But, Penguin got awful diaper rash.  I had read that cloth helps with that, so we switched over sooner rather than later.  As soon as he was done with the meconium, the diaper rash cleared right up with a little bit of Nature Only 100% Natural Diaper Rash Cream 2 oz. and using cloth diapers.  We also noticed that he slept longer at night when wearing the cloth diapers.  

At first, I wasn't too keen on the idea of prefolds -- but as it turned out, we ended up liking these a lot more than the all in ones.  The all in ones are a great idea -- but since we don't have a dryer, and are air drying, they just took too long to dry.  Also, we live in the city, so I need to keep the diaperbag as streamlined as possible. By using the prefolds, I can just pack extras, and they double as burp cloths, bibs, cloths wipes, napkins...you name it.  I was really surprised at how easy it was to just throw the diapers in the wash and have them come out clean without doing anything special.  Granted, I hear that changes once he's not exclusively breastfeeding. But, I'm enjoying this while it lasts.  Right now we get by with 33 bummis cloth prefolds.  (I think 36...but I think three eloped with lost socks in the laundromat.)  We have 2 super whisper wrap bummis covers, and 3 of the brights.  And we have one "one size" cover by Mommy's Touch.

I keep thinking that I want to get those "one size" diaper covers.  It sounds like such a good idea: it fits your child for the duration that they need diapers.  But...trying to figure out which snaps to use in the dark has been an issue for me.  When I need to do a quick bedside change in total darkness at 3am...I can do velcro by feel. The snaps on the Mommy's Touch diaper just seem too complicated when we need the smaller setting.  I feel like there is too much extra cloth.  Still, I'd like to try one or two more "one sizes" before I totally give up on the concept. 

I'd like to still experiment and try out other brands, but this works for us, and money is tight.  For now, we're ordering the next set up of bummis diaper covers.  I just wish they had more prints!

What did you choose to use for your little one's butt?