modern cloth nappies

OK, so I've decided to go cloth for my bubba... but no way am I folding up those monstrous old ones in elaborate shapes and lining them, then covering them with a nasty plastic cover... stuff that! (and full credit to all you mums who survived doing that for your little ones!).

I've been looking on the net at different modern cloth ones, and am trying to decide between 2 brands now - Snazzipants and Fuzzibunz. There's different "systems" you can choose too - Snazzipants do a "one all" nappy - it's got the cloth, absorbent lining, and waterproof outer all in one - works like a disposable but is washable and not full of chemicals. They also make ones that you stuff with inserts that absorb all the wet, and there's some suggestion that the ones requiring inserts might be more leak-proof (ah, but a little more work).

I was wondering, has anyone tried any of these nappies, and how have you found them? They look like a fantastic idea, but just which ones to get is a difficult decision when I look at how many pinga's I'd need to invest (so I want to get the most effective ones and not have to swap kinds after a short while). To get 18 nappies (and inserts if needed, and "doublers" to get extra absorbency for nights) would cost between $580 and $650 depending on the brand. There's different sizes, so that'd be the small, but not newborn size I'd get - and use disposables for the first few weeks.
Any advice from those who have been there, done that?

Okey-dokey... so another question - the ones you'd recommend are their naps with inserts (and the 'cover' attached to the nappy already)?

And thanks for the PM too - (yay my very first PM!!!) I'll think about it - got plenty of time as I'm nearly 17 weeks pregnant now. I'm also a little paranoid about not being prepared with enough stuff for this baby, so will have to try to fight the urge to stock up on a year's worth of naps before it's born, and will try my very best to try out the different trial packages instead!

Andie, you made the point about fuzzis being 'more work' as they come with the pocket and the insert, but in all honesty I think they are less work than the all in ones as they take less drying time. (Well... admittedly once the kid gets to Hannah's age and hides the inserts all over the house it becomes a bit of work trying to find the buggers). But yeah... that's just my opinion (although it is quite uninformed as I have never used an AIO, just going from what I have heard others say.)

Very proud of you for looking into it yourself btw, have felt a bit pushy over the last few months with my cloth rants! (Altho *shock* *horror* I have gone back to using disposables over night as Hannah was just peeing waaaaaaay too much and ending up soaked by midnight.)

i loved using snazzis on xanthe, the fit so well, and i never had a problem with side leakage. If you go with one of those it is really important to get a good cover to go with it, i preferred the super whisper wraps, as they tended to hold it all in one place perfectly.
good luck!

I've spent hours researching all of the cloth options (affordability and absorbency etc) and probably sent Aimee nuts with my millions of questions (Aimee you're a star luv! ). We have definitely decided to go with Fuzzi Bunz as they meet all of our criteria. I found the Nappy Network a fantastic place to get unbiased opinions, we read ALL of the posts and we made our minds up from there (how can so many happy customers be wrong?).
I haven't come across any info about Fuzzis being Teflon coated!??! Why do they do this and what are the pros and cons? I thought Teflon was for non-stick pans? So does that mean “non-stick” poos?

Thanks for the great advice, ladies! I thought I'd narrowed it down to 2 brands, but that was before I discovered the rave about Rosie's naps! Ah now there's 3 to choose from (some of the others look good too, but I guess most of it depends on what your criteria are in the first place).

Thanks for the links, gsmum - that nappy network is pretty informative stuff! No doubt I'll decide on something (maybe even be a little bit sensible and trial 2 or 3 kinds first - the prices of the trial packs is a bit of a put-off though) and one day will be posting my own nappy advice! Cheers, peoples.    

yep - and there are newborn hire kits too so you dont have to commit till you have tried it. it is real nappy week next week and i have posted a link to some nappuccinos on the what week? post. if you can get to one of those you can see the nappies, which is always better than just the pics on the internet. i think too that nappies for newborns and when they are in that runny poo stage have diff criteria that need to be met as opposed to nappies for the older bub and toddler.   

Wow - this whole modern cloth nappies thing is soooo confusing. I read this post last night so thought I would have a wee read around to try and find out more. Am definately considering using these when we have our next baby - never heard of it before but where to start - its all so confusing!!

I think that is the problem Leish. Its almost puts you off trying them, because theres too many to choose from. And if you ask people what they recommend using, you will get a heap of different answers and end up back at square one!

Basically the systems are (and anyone correct if I've got something wrong):
- prefolds/flats and covers
- fitteds and covers
- pockets
- all-in-ones

All have their own pros and cons, like cost, drying time, how fiddly they are etc, etc... And there seem to be heaps of different brands which make the same thing only slightly different. IT all depends on what you are looking for in the nappy what you choose to buy - some people swear by a little of everything, others (like me) like the simplicity of one system...

Good luck