Karen's opinions.

I see that many people and businesses claim that one-size diapers will last from birth to potty training. Is that really true? I'm not so sure. I think it is remotely possible, but only in some circumstances. (So be wary of wear-issues if you purchase second hand diapering items.) I think no matter what you purchase, full-time cloth diaper users usually replace their diapers after about a year or so. Sometimes after only 6-8 months of hard use, sometimes up to 2 years or more. It just varies.

I think that most people using cloth diapers full time with 24 or so diapers will wear out their diapers before baby trains. If you own 48 diapers in rotation, they will last twice as long as if you have 24 diapers in rotation because they are used half as much because you have twice as many. So numbers can matter. How long diapers last depends on so many different variables that it is difficult to really even say that (even though I did anyhow. I know I'm out on a limb here, and many will disagree with this, but this has been my experience in diapering my 3 babies and feedback from customers since I began this business in 1998. Also how to define when a diaper is worn out varies also. Some people will say a diaper is worn out when it begins to show wear, others will use it until it is threadbare and say it's fine. Everything varies!)

So if diapers will wear out in less than 2.5 years, does having a one-size diaper make any sense? Yes, it still can make good sense. Especially when you have 2 in diapers. The older baby and the new baby can both fit the same diapers! That's convenient! Also, babies grow so fast that having one-size diapers is great because they fit for a long time without getting outgrown.

Multiple sized diapers vs. one-size diapers:

Multiple sized diapers usually fit better, but that depends on baby's shape also, so that varies. One size diapers can be too big on a young baby and too small on a toddler in some cases. But that varies, too!

One thing is for sure -- it is very hard to pick out what to buy! But using the diapers is easy, so once you buy whatever diapers you end up choosing, they work great and you won't think about it so much. It will become second nature to change the diapers just like when you put on your own socks. They are socks, you put them on, they work and that's it. Likewise, diapers are diapers, you put them on baby, they work, and that's it. Well, not quite. The diapers are really cute, and soft and adorable, too!

The material of the Growing Greens (GG) will probably outlast the simple cotton flannel of the Snug-to-Fit (STF), but the initial cost is higher also.
The Snug-to-Fit will continue to fit a taller, larger, older baby better because it has a taller rise in it's full height position, but the cotton will get thin and softer as it wears away in the wash, and doublers will be needed to boost the absorbency. Both Growing Greens and Snug-to-Fit are very easy to wash cleanly without buildup or residue issues, which is important if you have a low water usage washer or desire to conserve energy. (Low water use washers can wash thicker diapers, but you may need extra hot cycles at least some of the time.) The choice between them really comes down to closure preference. Do you prefer snaps or hook and loop closures?

Have realistic expectations of your diapers and covers. They last well, but not forever. Don't be "wow-ed" by unrealistic claims.

Back to Diapers.

Diapers: Re-Uz'm Elite and Bumkins All-In-Ones, DSQ Prefolds, Infant Fitted Diapers, Snug-to-Fit Supreme One-size fitted diapers, Under the Nile Organic diapers,