I understand the reasoning behind doing a few washes but I only do one myself before it gets worn.
When I buy a new one I just make sure that it's worn at home and definatley not for a nap the first couple of times JIC it's not as absorbant as it could be.

SungaiKecil I totally get what you're saying about wasting water but I guess if it's only a few nappies then it would be a waste to wash them. If you've lashed out and got a heap then it would be alright.

I *think* that it's not so much the volume of the wee being the problem as much as the absorbant capacity of the fabric being hindered by chemicals that are used in the manufacturing process. Supposedly the wee can run out the side of the nappy before the fabric can absorb it.