Which sort?

[Lewis's Mummy]

I've been using disposables since DS was born almost 11 weeks ago, very happy with performance etc, but interested in cloth nappies, although I like the ease of use with disposables. Saw some MCN (I think...)at a market in Qld a few months before he was born, but have never met anyone who used them long term... I don't want to use the flat terry squares, as I like the shape and fit of disposables. The other thing I'm thinking through is the environmental side... in SA we haven't had rain in I don't know how long, so extra washing has a negative impact despite the obvious positive impacts to do with less landfill etc... SO what is it I'm looking for? Is it worth getting something cloth to try? I don't know the difference between the various cloth ones mentioned with their own forums, so posting here...

[Nelle]

Lol, where do I start? If you're in the mood for a bit of research, there's THIS thread for new users where you might pick up a few things, and can ask some questions once you start to think you might be catching on.

With the washing, I do one load every two days, that's not that much water. Especially since there's not the need to soak, many people these days 'dry pail'. I even drypailed with breastfed poo, since it's hardly the kind of poo to roll off into the loo is it. Some people rinse/scrape the b/f poo, but many don't. It's up to you.

If you're concerned about YOUR household water, yep you'll use more than with sposies, though you'll find your bin gets far less full! But, if you're considering 'big picture' water use and environment, the manufacture of each disposable takes quite a bit of water, and about a cup of crude oil. So Sposies are more resource draining in the 'big picture' scenario. (don't ask me for an official source, though I think Oz Cloth Nappies or the Australian Nappy Network have the facts and figures)

What is it you're looking for...? Well. I'll tell you the different types of nappies, that's often the first thing to learn, and then you tell us what appeals to you. I'll probably end up suggesting one or so of each!

Flat/prefold with cover: I know you said you don't want flats, and prefolds are like a smaller thicker version that don't require much folding. However, flats or prefolds are very flexible in their fit, cheapest, and dry the quickest, plus they make good spit/spew/general mess rags.
Fitteds: (confusing name cos many nappies are 'fitted' like sposies) These are shaped nappies that need a cover. Benefits are that they and a cover provide 'two lines of defence' against explodey b/f poo. We've had blowouts in sposies, but not a fitted and cover. Cons are that it's a two step system.
Pockets: shaped nappies that are a waterproof 'shell' or 'pocket' that you stuff inserts into. Kind of like a cover that can be stuffed. Benefits are that they're quick drying, and if you pre-stuff them, easy to use as a sposie. Cons are that they need to be stuffed before use and un-stuffed before washing.
AIO's: All in ones are shaped nappies like sposies. Benefits are that they're easy to use, cons are that they can take longer to dry, depending on what they're made of.
AI2's: Probably more common than true AIO's, where the absorbent part might snap in and out for quicker drying. Some seem more like pockets, others more like AIO's.

So, there's your types. Then there's sized and one sized - sized AIO's/AI2's are very uncommon. One size (you might see OSFM, one size fits most) you will find in fitteds quite a bit (like Baby BeeHinds, Mandy Macs, Cute tooshies for starters) and also in Pockets (BumGenius, Hautes, Greenkids are some examples). Some fitteds like Tots Bots have very large size ranges (size 1 fits nb to...maybe 6mo or more, depending on how fast bub grows, size 2 fits maybe 3mo to, well Riv's 17mo and they still fit), so that's something else to consider.

And the other thing that might be confusing is materials:
Cotton: Terry, flannel - pretty absorbent (depending on how many layers there are), absorbent enough for a newie definitely, and pretty quick drying.
Hemp: More absorbent, great natural fibre, take longer than cotton to dry.
Bamboo: Even more absorbent, also great natural fibre, take longer than hemp to dry.
Microfibre: Very absorbent, but a different kind - will soak up quickly, but not 'hold' moisture like the other materials. Synthetic fibre, very quick drying. Wouldn't put it right against a bub's skin, can draw natural oils/moisture from their bott and cause rash. To give you an idea how it works, if I was stuffing a pocket (so m/f wouldn't be right against bub's skin), the m/f would be closest to bub's bum to soak up the wee quickly, and then I might put hemp/bamboo underneath to store the wee. I found m/f by itself adequate until bub was older though.

PUL: poly urethane laminate? I think? Waterproof like the old PVC covers, but a breathable fabric. Very quick drying and super easy to wash.
Fleece: you know what this is! Breathable and easy to wash and dry. Can get 'compression leaks' like if bub's fitted is really soaked and they've been in a car seat for ages in a fleece cover. Not that common.
Wool: similar to fleece, but a natural fabric - many people love wool! Very breathable. Some covers are machine washable (easy), others need some extra care - which I consider a bit of a pain with a newborn and their poo blowouts.

Microfleece: thin fleece, often used as the staydry inside of a nappy. Also used as liners.
Suedecloth: staydry inner usually. Often in pockets.

There are heaps of other materials, those are the main ones that came to mind though.

So I guess, from all that info... I'd recommend trying something like a fitted and cover, and perhaps a OSFM pocket (I quite like BumGenius). And then if you wanted to try an AIO too, perhaps a Magicall or Monkey Doodlez.

[Lewis's Mummy]

OMG! Well done... I now know a bit more about what each one kind of is... LOL. I'll try some more research between feeds and sleeps. Any wonder I started with sposies! Yes, blow out poo is something I have to consider as he only goes every few days and when he does it's usually in a BIG way! What is dry pailing?
So much to learn...

[Kazbah]

Dry pailing is where you put the nappies into a pail / bucket / whatever (I use a pedal bin with a removable inner) without water / nappisan / etc.

Actually, prolly just like you do your current washing basket!

Only suggestion I have there is to wipe out the pail / bin / whatever daily with a little vinegar to remove any smells.