I need to pick your brains about using prefolds.

which kind?
cotton or bamboo?

1. what cover do they use for newborn?

depends on the size of your bub
some brands have an XS or NB size
some babies are born big enough to go straight into Smalls

The old fashioned pilchers (available everywhere) i would steer clear of. They sweat heaps, leak, break, are generally awful.

THe new technology for covers uses
PUL
fleece (polar fleece or malden mills fleece)
wool

If you would like to use prefolds on a newborn, there is a type of cover with inbuilt leg gussets, that has been designed for use with prefolds.

brands that make the leg gusset covers, include
- thirsties
- bambino mio
- imse vimse
- bummi brite
- tots bots size 0
These are all PUL covers, but the imse vimse comes in either soft PUL outer, or cotton velour outer with hidden PUL layer.

Some websites you can find these products would be the larger nappy sites e.g
- nurturenappies
- theweewuns
- darlingsdownunder
- babyblossom
- babysoftlandings



2. Are they better than flannies and terries?

it depends what fabric the prefold is made out of

Bamboo is a more absorbent fabric than cotton.

A prefold is smaller than a flat.

I personally found the flats too complicated and gave up on them after a week of trying. Other people find them easy. You don't have to to choose, it's possible to try both, use both, no problems.

if you use flats, they are bulkier, so you will need the bigger size cover.
The bamboo trifolds are really trim.
i found the cotton prefolds really bulky and not as absorbent.

3. Is contour better than prefolds?

once again, i'd suggest you get a few of each, to try for yourself, see what you find the most do-able for you. With the contours, once again, it also comes down to what fabric the contour is made out of.

4.I bought some mcn at baby expo today and do I need liners with them?

Depends what you bought.

a fitted nappy (needs a waterproof cover to make it work) usually needs a liner.

a pocket nappy is usually lined with a staydry fabric e.g suedecloth or microfleece. this is your sewn in liner.

a all in one is usually lined with a staydry fabric e.g suedecloth or microfleece. this is your sewn in liner.

so it all depends what you bought, what is the brand name at least?

Was it the Perth baby expo that was on this weekend? i knew it was coming up, saw it on teh homepage of nurture nappies website.

For a great intro for newbies to the world of MCN, look up the ozclothnappies website (it ends in ORG but no AU) and read their FAQ link - that is a goldmine of info there, to make lots make sense for you.

Nappycino is another great website (that one ends in the COM.AU) to help you understand heaps about MCN and how to use them.

googling "how to fold a prefold"
searching on youtube "prefold diaper"
comes up with lots of results

don't worry, everyone has a gazillion questions when they first start finding out about MCN, it's normal! it's a different world.

hth