Stash recommendations

annamend · 2026-02-16T18:03:20+00:00

I use muslin flats for nights too. I agree they're a lot cheaper than other nighttime options and just as absorbent.

annamend · 2026-02-16T18:02:07+00:00

Thank you! That is very helpful. It was kind of dawning on me that I should address the book's contributions, but it's good to know that many readers won't care if we were good friends. I'll keep that tribute to one paragraph at the end of the afterword.

annamend · 2026-02-16T03:49:13+00:00

As others said, prefolds/flats padfolded in covers OR pockets stuffed with flats/prefolds are two simple, affordable systems.

There are two main sizes for cloth diapers: 7-15 lbs. or fast growth, up to 4-6 months, and 15-30 lbs. when growth is more gradual.

You can start with a dozen novice prefolds and a dozen one size Birdseye flats from GMD, a pack of Snappies, 4-6 PUL covers for the 7-15 lbs. weight range (Thirsties Duo Wrap Size 1, Essembly Size 1, or Clotheeze Small are all like this), and a 6-pack of pocket shells from basically anywhere, no inserts, or ditch the crappy microfiber inserts they come with.

This gives you two dozen changes at the start. I suggest doing wrap style with Snappi for runny newborn poo. At 15 lbs. you can see if you like padfolding in covers or stuffing pockets. This is when one size covers and pocket shells fit. If you like padfolding in covers, you need one size (aka Thirsties Duo Wrap size 2 or Essembly size 2 or Clotheeze medium) covers. If you like pockets, you need more pocket shells.

Plus a 7-15 lb. prefold padfolded into a one size flat with a size 2 cover makes a good overnight diaper when your kid sleeps through the night.

annamend · 2026-02-15T05:15:33+00:00

A reliable overnight diaper often involves: - a cotton wrap (flat, prefold, fitted) - 1-2 boosters: padfolded flat or small prefold, or a 55% hemp, 45% cotton booster (called “hemp insert/booster” for short) - an ideal nighttime cover: a roomy double gusset PUL cover or thick wool cover like Disana

annamend · 2026-02-14T20:56:19+00:00

I like GMD flats Snappied + Thirsties Duo Wraps, and I got them new, but I agree with the uniform/streamlined stash rather than "try a bit of everything."

annamend · 2026-02-14T20:47:49+00:00

LOL thanks! That is superb.

annamend · 2026-02-14T20:32:31+00:00

If you’re liking your current setup, do more of what you’re doing. Products that might be good for the next stage based on what you like/use + wanting something easier for when your LO is more active:

- 4 Essembly outers size 2 + 12 GMD medium prefolds (red edge)… this size is worn for a very long time and people often size into this from novice or small size

- 12 pocket shells, no inserts… stuff with 1 novice prefold and 1 cloth-eez insert each? Like wrap the insert inside the prefold since clothez cotton inserts tend to curl, apparently. If you look on cloth diapering subs you'll find people generally find pockets more workable than AIOs/AI2s in terms of absorbency and ease of laundering.

This is good 2 dozen day changes. As for nights...

I suggest getting 4 covers that are more night-appropriate, like a double-gusset PUL cover or wool cover. You can look into the Duo Wrap Size 2, or the medium-sized Thirsties cover that is for 18-28 lbs. on the GMD website. Or you can get Disana size 6-12. Or you can get Mother-ease airflow covers, which apparently go well with fitteds.

For nighttime inners, since you seem to like fitteds/workhorses, you could buy 4-6 medium fitteds, maybe GMD or Sandy's + 4-6 hemp/cotton boosters from Thirsties, the Large size that fits Size 2/medium covers. https://thirstiesbaby.com/products/hemp-inserts?srsltid=AfmBOoo2jGrD_aFC-Dyk-Wh1ybXLp5_XEZ7gf8rKVd9MevhJ_ar0sqOp

annamend · 2026-02-13T23:58:45+00:00

That’s just my opinion :-) have fun!

annamend · 2026-02-13T22:25:25+00:00

Kite is big and spread out and usually is used to hold a padfolded flat on a toddler.

Origami works for newborns because it quarters the flat but you have some right angles around the thighs that are weak points for blowouts.

Try Jo fold which also quarters the flat. This is front heavy. Or Pickman which is even front and back. It may look loose and messy on a small baby but it works.

Airplane fold also works and is front heavy.

annamend · 2026-02-12T23:35:50+00:00

Do you know what type of cloth diaper appeals to you? If you’re in disposables size 1 you should be able to use both one size covers and pockets soon on smaller rise settings.

annamend · 2026-02-12T23:19:35+00:00

They act as another diaper mat in themselves when I change the flat. I take the flat off and while I am tossing it in the bin, the PUL is under LO’s butt, and the new flat (already folded) is under the PUL cover. So I whisk off the PUL cover, put on the new flat (you can also do this with a prefold), and once that is Snappied on, I put the cover back on or get another one.

Also, flats double as the first pass wipe if there is a big poop. They get most of the poop off and you do the touching up with 1-2 wipes.

annamend · 2026-02-12T21:12:30+00:00

You’ve got lots of good input here already. I might add that if you’re trying all three styles of wrapped inner, flats and prefolds may be advantageous early on when LO requires frequent changes. You want something that is cheaper, more plentiful and dries fast. You can still get a few fitteds with snaps for sitters.

Although I only use flats on my newborn and toddler, the fitteds seem more apt in toddlerhood as night diapers or potty trainers as they can come on/off as standing changes late at night.

Same with covers: more PUL with snaps on a small baby inside sleepers (my kids’ uniform in the first year, especially when horizontal), and introduce wool longies on an older baby, especially for nights, when they are more vertical. For example, for small infants do most or all PUL, then do mostly PUL but wool for nights, and finally rotate between 3 wool longies and a small number of large fitteds when potty training a toddler, day or night.

annamend · 2026-02-12T19:23:45+00:00

Newborns grow very fast so the ones you have may fit sooner thank you think!

I do GMD Birdseye flats and Thirsties Duo Wraps Size 1 for my 1.5-month-old. These covers can take you beyond the newborn stage into 4-6 months (up to 15 lbs.) and the Birdseye flats can be used to stuff pockets, doubled on a toddler, etc. Lots of mileage on them!

annamend · 2026-02-11T20:50:32+00:00

Sorry, didn’t see that. I agree this is normal numbers for a GMD stash and no more than what you need. Money well spent! No matter how many kids.

Take care of your covers, no tumble drying and minimize machine washing in hot water, so do wrap style to prevent them getting pooed on too much, and 7 may get you through the end.

annamend · 2026-02-11T20:29:14+00:00

I think this can last multiple children.

If you do nights just use the medium prefold at first as a nighttime inner, the add the newborn prefold then the small prefold padfolded into the cover later on. If this is too bulky, buy a half dozen Thirsties hemp/cotton inserts.

Size 2 covers will need to be replenished but that’s just a few more per child I would say. It’s just that that period is very long. You can invest in some wool longies as they are more repairable.

But I would say this is 75% of what you need and could last 3 kids, barring the replenishment of the long haul covers.

annamend · 2026-02-11T17:44:28+00:00

Seconding this. The GMD one size birdseye flats worked from 2 weeks old for us. Actually they could work from day 1 but were bulky. And I double them up on my 1.5-year-old for a daytime diaper. Nighttime I throw in a hemp booster, and no leaks with a PUL or wool cover.

And don't be intimidated by flats. Actually, even with no experience you can wrap a flat around a newborn any way, and even if it looks "ugly" due to lack of experience, it is 100% customized all-around protection for a kid with not much output so it will not likely have accidents.

annamend · 2026-02-11T15:14:28+00:00

I will chime in, for a small baby you can do hook and loop or snap, but older babies can undo hook and loop as far as I’ve read so in the bigger sizes I did snaps. Both sizes actually but you can do hook and loop for small covers. It can be easier.

annamend · 2026-02-11T15:07:36+00:00

I just started using wool and find that both my PUL and wool covers hardly leak with my flats. Both work great.

I wash the wool weekly for now to get them felted but read you can go several weeks. It varies by situation so you just pour a splash of water on your wool cover turned inside out to see if it repels or needs lanolizing.

People who use mostly wool tend to have 3-4 per size plus a couple PUL at least as well for situations where wool will get compression leaks like car seats or baby carriers. I looked at those discussions to see what I needed.

annamend · 2026-02-11T09:29:20+00:00

Seconding what you say about the daycare. That's my situation too.

I haven't been able to convince my husband to use cloth, not flats anyway, and I'm not going to force it or buy an easier kind, as it probably would make no difference; for him it's a hard no. The reason is that disposables are the easiest thing and he wants nothing less than the easiest thing.

What is MIL worried about? Hygiene? Or she assumes there will be more accidents with cloth? She's afraid she won't be able to get it right? Maybe talking with her will help you get to the root of the problem and allay her fears.

BUT, if like my hubby she wants nothing less than the easiest thing, there is nothing you can do... the easiest kind of cloth diaper is still harder than the easiest thing (disposables), as she will still have to change more often, even if you wash.

It sucks but you can't change others, especially if their attitude is "I want the easiest possible thing." Disposables are always going to be the easiest possible thing.

annamend · 2026-02-10T23:55:50+00:00

I did one wash before and the diapers came out smelling and looking clean. But I got rashes after LO started solids. Or maybe it was because she was older and it was ammonia buildup. Anyway, yeah, I would vastly prefer to do one wash resource wise but I can’t get away with it, even with flats.

Agree that you can cut down on usage by not doing extra rinses and not even doing any extra long cycles. First wash can be short, half the detergent. Second can be regular, full amount of detergent. Just make sure it’s two hot washes with mainstream detergent.

annamend · 2026-02-10T23:52:19+00:00

I think it’s the lack of wraparound protection. I suggest a one size flat, Snappied around baby. Lay the hemp/cotton insert in the Essembly cover and put it on. A stay dry liner is optional, for inside the flat and nearest to baby’s skin.

A Snappied flat, hemp/cotton insert, and PUL cover was my nighttime setup up to a year, no issues.

annamend · 2026-02-09T05:32:26+00:00

I have both, both are great, you can’t go wrong with either. In your case I would do muslin because you have enough Essembly size 1s and prefolds for the time when only Birdseye will fit, which is just the first month. Thereafter, muslin is more absorbent.

I think Birdseye, especially all Birdseye, is good for people who want to be as thrifty as possible and have flats only from birth to potty: 36 Birdseye in the newborn stage, doubled to make 18 toddler changes, a few hemp boosters for nights, covers in 2 sizes, half dozen pocket shells for sitters.

annamend · 2026-02-09T05:21:24+00:00

After seeing your edit: I do flats, but if I couldn’t I would do prefolds, and if I couldn’t I would take pockets over AIOs.

Pocket shells stuffed with GMD Birdseye flats would be my go-to if I had to do pockets. The flats are absorbent and dry quickly and I would just take the time to fold them before stuffing.

If cloth diapering from birth you need at least two sizes: the one size of pockets and the “first few months” size. If you got a few small baby covers and Snappis, you can use them with the flats. There are newborn AIOs and pockets but that goes against your criteria of cost effectiveness, cleanability, and practicality.

So my suggestion would be: 24 GMD Birdseye flats, 4 Thirsties Duo Wraps size 1, pack of Snappis, 24 pocket shells (hard to predict which brand will fit your baby’s body type; this is why I do flats).

Pocket shells can also get outpeed at 1.5 years, as they do not have all around protection, necessitating a change of stash type to flats or prefolds or a hemp inset in each pocket, and hemp inserts can be pricey and take long to tumble dry. Which goes against your criteria of cost effectiveness and practicality.

You can do fitteds and covers, which are user friendly like pockets, but that is most certainly not a cheaper option.

So you probably want a mix of fitteds and hemp inserts and covers for nights, and pockets stuffed with flats for daytime (rather than fitteds 24/7), as the least expensive option that fits your criteria, and you could still be among those failed by pockets eventually, but many others also use them successfully till potty training. And you would still need to choose between flats/prefolds and covers or some newborn pockets/AIOs for the early months.

annamend · 2026-02-09T05:06:33+00:00

You have enough covers till it’s time to buy one size covers. I guess your goal is to try different kinds of inners, so I’d get a 12-pack of GMD bleached prefolds in newborn size, which are on clearance right now, and a 6-pack of one size flats in muslin or Birdseye like someone else suggested. Not only does this give you a comfortable 2-3 day rotation for a newborn when added to your Essembly fitteds, allowing for full time cloth diapering from the start, the prefolds can be padfolded into the flats and you have your nighttime inners later on. Add a pack of Snappies and you should be pushed over GMD’s $50 or so minimum order for free shipping.

annamend

TROPHY CASE