Hi Lisa

This happened to my prefolds as well - it is because they sort of felt themselves a bit with the first few washes (it is what makes them absorbent) - that is the puffiness that you describe.

Two methods that have both worked for me is - either putting them in the dryer (if you have one) for a few minutes to fluff them - I do the same with my towels. Or I did once sit on the couch in front of the TV and literally scrunch them all about a bit and that seemed to help as well.

They will soften up again with wear but I understand how it feels going from beautifully soft ones to harder once they are washed a few times.