When I make a purchase, I research like crazy, reading tons of reviews, and weighing the 
pros and cons of each product or brand. When I looked into cloth diapers, I approached it the same way. I thought that I could find the “best” diaper and buy a whole stash and be done with it.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t really work that way! A cloth diaper review can point out the details and features of the diaper, but not everyone likes the same features in diapers and different diapers work on different babies. You can read the pros and cons of sized vs one-size diapers, aplix vs snaps and microfiber vs natural fibers, but until you’ve used them, you really won’t know if you prefer pocket diapers over all-in-twos.
I bought a diaper here and there and slowly figured out what I liked. I have a very diverse stash, and I don’t have more than a handful of any one diaper. This comes in very handy since what you like can change over time as your child turns into a streaker and you suddenly prefer snaps over aplix, or when your child’s shape changes as they become a toddler, and certain diapers don’t fit as well.
I took the same approach when building my newborn diaper stash, and figured once we determined what we liked, I’d buy more of that brand/style so I didn’t feel so stressed about washing every day and getting the diapers dried and ready to use again (I am passing my newborn diapers along to my BFF who is expecting twins in May, so I didn’t feel as funny about spending the $ on them) This ended up backfiring on me! I really liked the GroVia newborn AIOs initially because they and the Rumparooz Lil Joeys were the only diapers we had that would fit under my tiny guy’s umbilical cord stump, and I found that the Lil Joeys tended to leak.
However, I really liked the Bumgenius XS/Newborn AIOs for many of the same reasons I like the one-size Bumgenius. They were easy to use, I found that in general I got a better fit with Aplix closure diapers (plus hubby prefers them), they had a stay dry inner, and they were reasonably priced. I could tell it was going to be a while before the one-size diapers would fit, so when my son was 6 days old, I ordered a dozen more of the Bumgenius XS.
When my son’s cord stump fell off, they were great…for a while. Before I knew it, I realized that very few of the newborn diapers were absorbent enough for him, and because of their size, it was tough to add absorbency. Even though I was typically changing every 1.5-2 hours (or sooner) he was soaking through them. I tried a one-size diaper on him just to see and he wet it before I got it closed. When I pulled the newborn insert out, it was nearly soaked! So I know I will have to go straight to the full size inserts when we use one-size diapers.
Unfortunately, he’s still too little for one-size diapers. Even with aplix closures, they gap at the leg, not to mention that they are quite large and a bit bulky too! Prefolds or fitteds and covers work, but they’re not my favorite for ease of use, and my husband would pass them up for a diaper known to leak as long as it was an aplix closure pocket or AIO (LOL.) So this week (ha ha) my favorites on my newborn (not quite 4 weeks old as of my writing) are the Thirsties Duo Diapers and Applecheeks Diapers (both size 1.) They are smaller and less bulky than one-size diapers, but they are much more absorbent than newborn diapers. I only have 1 of each, so I am using them along with prefolds, fitteds and covers to keep him dry at night. Who knows what my favorite will be next week!
I grabbed a total of 12 Bumgenius 4.0s for him during the buy 5 get 1 free and later buy 2 get 1 free sales since my one-size stash isn’t large enough to diaper two, but now I’m worrying about that since he may end up being totally different than my first son!
So my advice to you is to do as I say, not as I do. Not only should you not put all your “eggs” in one “basket” but don’t put too many in there either! 
Consider buying your diapers from a retailer with a 30-day “test drive” policy, a trial package offer, or (in the case of newborn diapers) a rental package so you can try before you commit.
How about you? Is your stash mostly one brand or one style, or is it more diverse? Did your likes change over time?
i agree with maria! i strated out thinking i would make it simple buy sticking to one system.. but then i realized different system works for different babies and different situation. i love having a diverse stash and make my system work using that stash. ex some type for nightime, some for outings etc!
I have all my eggs in the FuzziBunz perfect fit (sized) basket and I love it, I’ve diapered over 20 children with my diapers and I’ve never had a bad fit. They’ve held up well and the few I’ve had issues with the manufacturer replaced. I’ve got a few of my early ones that need new elastic, but that’s the only minor issue I’ve had. I wouldn’t change it for the world. And I’ve tried fitteds with covers, prefolds with covers, all in ones, all in twos, aplix, snaps and safety pins and I love my FuzziBunz.
Maria, I’m in the same boat as you. I was expecting a 7lb baby, not almost 9 lbs. I bought some FB XS diapers (used, which is a great way to test some out), and while they fit great, they already leak because of the output! And, I do have some prefolds and covers, she seems to cry as soon as she pees in it (not that I want to leave her in a pee filled diaper, but I want her to sleep, too).
And, the OS are still a little too big…so I’m off to pick up some smalls!
I didn’t realize these would all fit so differently, and so I bought 30 FuzziBunz OS diapers to start my stash. I wouldn’t have even had other types if I hadn’t gotten some other types free from Kelly’s Closet! Now I have lots of types!
I have heard this from many moms. I am expecting my second boy in June and planning to cloth diaper. I have been overwhelmed by all of the choices so I have started to gather one or two of different kinds of diapers to test them out. I am afraid that I figure out what works best for one stage/size and I’ll have to move on to the next and have to start over again. Do you think this will be the case?
I think if you diversify, you’ll never be left starting all over, sicne you will always ahve diapers that work!
Oops sorry for the typos!
As a first time mom, I’ve been debating this exact issue! Thank you for some well thought out perspective. I’ve done my best to seek out both reviews and opinions of friends who use cloth, but I think you’re right on the mark that I need to test them out and see what works for my babe.
I am happy to have come acrossed this blog. I really want to try cloth diapering as I’ve been interested in it for a few years. I will be a first time mom in August
and I’m overwhelmed by all the different styles of cloth diapers there are. Like you, I also research things like crazy. It’s good to know they all fit so differently. I have no idea where to even start.. I’m sure one size fits all doesn’t really fit all and prevent leakage.. Is there anything specific you can recommend to a new mother?
Hi Marya, sorry I am so late replying to your comment! Congratulations on the new baby!! If you can, start picking up a diaper here and there as your budget allows, to avoid a large expense. I would try to grab one or two of different types so you can see what you like and what works for your baby. Prefolds & covers are great for newborns and are cost effective too. Feel free to follow my blog (http://change-diapers.com) for more help! We love answering questions on my Facebook page too.
Thank you so much for this advice. I’d heard it before, but it was great to read your experience, especially as I’m just starting out CDing and it’s my first baby. I’ve been reading up on different CDs, checking out reviews and asking friends for recommendations. Then if I settle on a specific diaper, I get 3. I figure I can always sell the ones I don’t like, or save them for when we decide to have Baby #2.
I agree from what I have read you should have a varity then maybe stock up on what you know works best for your lil one.