Prefolds?

[Cricket]

As I started to read about pre-folds, it seems that they are the most economical and the longest lasting, as well as being a true "one-size-fits-all" option, because you fold them to fit your baby. When I was a kid, my mom used flat nappies, and I know how to fold them.
What else should I know about them? Are they a big pain in the butt? Do they leak like crazy? Are they generally not as absorbent? Or does that just depend on what they are made of? Or, does their performance mostly depend on what cover you put with them? Would you recommend getting some pre-folds/flats as well as some fitted nappies?

I imagine I must be driving you crazy with all my questions, but it's a big investment, as I'm sure you know, and I want to get it right! Thanks!

[Pandora]

Prefolds are generall a lot smaller than regular flat nappies, so from my experience owuld not fit on their own for as long as a regular flat would. But then this would depend on the size of your bub. The ones I had were only 11 or 2 inches tall.

I guess you couuld use them in conjunction with pockets (as stuffing) or as booster/doublers in fitteds as well.

[~Raven~]

I am liking prefolds ATM! Wish I had made more of them when I was PG actually.

The longevity of them would depend on what they are made from definitely. There are a lot of them made from cotton and while I'm sure they would be good for a newborn, I don't think they would be absorbant for an older bub.

I made mine from bamboo. Single sided terry for the outside so they snappi, and fleece for the inner and extra middle layer. They got tested in my 2yo's pocket nappies and I was stoked to discover they work brilliantly and better than some boosters I have. So now if I buy pocket nappies for Ruby later I won't need to spend any extra on boosters for them

If you're not the sewing kind, there are lots of bamboo ones out there though

[Arimeh]

I had 4 with DD and I wish I had more!!!!!

They did her for the first 2.5 months I think (trying to remember!!) - but that was only cos she started fitting into others that I had so I didn't bother using the pad fold. IF you just use the pad fold in a cover - then you'll get a longer time outta them if you do that.

Then yeah, if you get the bamboo ones - use them as inserts in pockets - easy peasy

[ll80]

i'm using bamboo prefolds and they are excellent.
the ones i have can be snappi'd fine they are made by haute i think.
no leaks or explosions from some scary poos and i should be able to use them as boosters later on.

[Cricket]

OK, so I'm looking at two different types of pre-folds: Diaper Service Quality, with 8 layers of unbleached cotton ($30 for 12 of the infant size and $40 for 12 of the bigger size) OR Organic Prefolds that are a hemp/french terry cotton blend ($10 a piece for the small, and $13 a piece for the large). I don't think I can link the site that I'm looking at, but you'll find it at parentingbynature and then look in their "prefolds" section.

Is it likely that the organic hemp/french terry ones are worth the extra money? I mean, that's not a small difference! Has anyone used something that sounds like that?

And, if I would get, say, 12 prefolds, and 12 fitted nappies in a small size, along with 8-10 covers, (for birth to 6months) and then get maybe 18 pocket all in ones, or something like that, in the medium/large size, and use the prefolds as inserts, would that likely meet my needs sufficiently?
Is there something that I'm missing?

And, how long do fitted diapers and covers usually last? It seems that I read one minute that they can be used for one child after another, and the savings just grow.... and then the next minute, they say, well you can't expect them to last forever, since they get washed and worn so much. After 6 months you can expect to be replacing some broken snaps, worn elastics, curling velcro, etc. What's the truth, in your experience?