Help for New Users!

snappis need a loop type fabric (think of traditional terry flats) for their little claws to grip onto. You can get bamboo terry, but they are more expensive than cotton.
Cotton just doesn't hold as much liquid as bamboo. Saying that, when they are little you change them so often it's not an issue.
Generally they just sit inside a snug cover I think. So you put them on and then the cover and they don't move much.

I had Maz ones, but I sucked at them, so I'm no real help.

Thanks Kim!

So now I'm thinking I should steer away from cotton... I've looked at some bamboo terry and plain bamboo. I know bamboo takes longer to dry though...I wonder can I get cotton/bamboo mix? I've seen cotton/bamboo boosters and inserts, so that's a possibility...

I have a mixture, but I like bamboo and hemp for absorbency. I think some of my nb nappies that need covers (was given them or bought second hand) were cotton, but not sure. Nbs are not such a big deal. I had microfibre as well. I tended to add a prefold into my other nappies to give them extra absorbency (like for overnight), so not as much just using the prefolds in the cover. But a good cover will hold a prefold just fine. I never used the couple of snappis I had, in fact, I think I passed them on.

Bamboo prefolds are the best in my stash. Because they are separate and folded for use, they don't take too long to dry. Longer than microfibre, but not so long that it's an issue. My slowest nappies to dry (apart from night nappies) are those that are AIOs with extra padding.

Thanks Jen! ;)

I think I'll look at some bamboo prefolds - I know its not such an issue with NB, but I might be glad of the extra absorbency a bit later if this Bub is anything like DS! Is $8-$11 per prefold a good price?

Haven't seen any hemp....

So, I'm about to strip wash my MCN's - some were used for DS, some second hand, some new. I've got a mix of AI2's and AIO's, so I'll pull the covers off and wash those separately where I can. Will the AIO's covers be ok going through the wash a few times? And will the new ones be soft/absorbent enough after a strip wash or should I run them through the wash a few extra times?

I also have some second hand cloth breast pads I was given - a couple seem to have grown mould. Will a strip wash kill it? Any ideas for getting the mould stains out?

Do my wool covers (secondhand) need any special care? Ie do I need to re-lanolise them? How often should I do this? How do I do it and where do I buy lanolin?

Any strip washing tips appreciated ;)

I only strip wash my inserts, not the covers, but have stripped my pocket covers once, and my nn which are aio with added boosters (I think that's the right term). The only reason I don't do my shells is really cause they have embroidery one them...
I also just put new inserts on rinse cycle a few times, but that's about the extent of my prep work, and they seem to work fine.
I have the same problems with a. Few breast pads, so keen to hear about that =)
I also don't know about wool, I know you do do extra stuff to them, but don't own any (yet!) so others would be more help.

Will the AIO's covers be ok going through the wash a few times?
Mine have gone through a tonne of times and I rarely have issues

And will the new ones be soft/absorbent enough after a strip wash or should I run them through the wash a few extra times?
When I get brand new nappies I usually just soak them overnight in cold water and wash as normal.

I also have some second hand cloth breast pads I was given - a couple seem to have grown mould. Will a strip wash kill it? Any ideas for getting the mould stains out?
You could try an oil of cloves soak (a few drops in a bit of water), but even if you get the stains out, the spores are usually there to stay, so I'd probably be hoiking them.

Do my wool covers (secondhand) need any special care? Ie do I need to re-lanolise them? How often should I do this? How do I do it and where do I buy lanolin?
Yes they'd probably best be relanolised. I just used a pea sized blob of lansinoh, but you can get specialised products. Are they hand knits or factory sewn covers?

TT40 and Kim - thanks for the replies. I've got Lansinoh, so will redo my covers - they're just BBH woollen covers I got in a stash from Gumtree. Not sure if I will get a Genesa Forge woollen or a pretty (or two) - gotta work on DH a bit more ;)

Someone else's breast pad mould spores doesn't excite me much....will probably ditch them ;)

Me again... ;)

My GF prefolds have arrived. Dr Seuss strip down the middle for extra cuteness! My Cabbage Patch doll is currently trialling one ;)

Quick qu - bamboo velour can't be used with snappis, right? Looks like it'll snag if I put one on, so not game to try. Does that mean I just use the cover to hold them in place?

I have some that almost feels like teddy bear fabric? Is that what you mean? Then no no snappis and a good snug cover should be fine. Snappis need loopy type fabric like towelling.

Yeah, that's it!

I was also given some second hand minkee type covers. They're pretty thin. What would they be used for? I don't think they're waterproof...is there anything I can do to waterproof them?

If they are single layer minkee then they're probably just to look pretty. If they have a layer of fleece on the inside, then they should hold moisture.
No, nothing you can do really unless you wanted to make a second skin to sew inside them, but that sounds like too much hard work for me, I'd probably just use them as a cover. THey're possibly just to pretty up disposables.