HELP I am overwhelmed with options.

I decided to wait with cloth diapering till Maya will be 6 months. She is now so I want to buy some and I am overwhelmed with options and sizes. I want to mainly use preefolds with covers and buy 4-6 AIO for outings . I also don't know what is best for nights, I would like to buy 3-4 over night diapers . I want to wash them every other day or every 3 days (I am not sure which one is better) ,Maya use about 5-7 disposables a day. How much preefolds should I buy ? What size ? (she weights 15 lbs. ). Can somebody help me put together the list of the things I will have to buy ?

I can't help with the prefolds and covers but I can tell you what I use and why.  I am also new at this.

 My baby is 2 months old and 14 lbs.

During the day I use mostly Flip covers.  Flip covers are one size and you can use either an insert in them or a prefold.  I have both and prefer the flip stay dry insert.  Flip covers are considered hybrid diapers.  As long as there isnt poo everywhere you can reuse them.  I usually get 2-4 uses out of one cover before I have to change the cover.  I just remove the dirty/wet insert or prefold.  Wipe out the cover. And put a new one in.  My DH totally favors the Flips and we use them when we are out.  We just throw and extra cover and some inserts in the bag.  (we also have some Econobum covers but I really don't like them.  They are sort of like Flips but the quality is cheaper.  It may be good to have a few on hand to use if you are washing your Flips.  I got mine for $5 a piece as seconds on www.cottonbabies.com) 

For naps and at night I use pocket diapers.  I have Fuzzi Bunz, BG 3.0, Kawaii, and Thirsties Duo.  I wanted to try different kinds.  So far I like my sized FB best but I also LOVE the Kawaii diapers.  The Kawaii's are so soft, one size, and only about $10 for the diaper and 2 inserts.  For naps I also double the insert.  You can either put a second insert in, or stuff it with a prefold and insert.  I also bought some Joey Lil Bunz hemp inserts that are really absorbable for overnight.

 I have 4 Bum Genius Elementals, one size, AIO.  They are ok but honestly I dont reach for them often.  They take about 2 hours to dry in the dryer on low and this drives me crazy!

Anyway, my suggestion would be Flips with prefolds/inserts, and pockets.  I wash every other day and have the following:

6 Flip covers (although I could use a few more)

12 chinese prefolds

12 Flip stay dry inserts

8-10 various pocket diapers with Microfiber inserts (Fuzzibunz, Kawaii, BG 3.0 or 4.0, Thirsties)

4 hemp inserts

5 fleece liners (I use these with the Bum Genius Elementals)

4 Bum Genius Elementals AIO

1 large wet bag for home

2 small wet bags (one I keep clean and put all of the clean dipes in when I am out and the other is for the dirty ones while I am out)

You also may want to think about cloth wipes.  I use all the old baby wash cloths I had laying around and make my own solution with water, some baby wash, and a few drops of baby oil. 

I usually order from www.cottonbabies.com because they have free shipping.  I also go to www.kellyscloset.com 

just wanted to add if you do Flips, pockets, or AIO I would get a mix of Aplix (velcro) and snaps.  Flips just came out with Aplix.  Only because sometimes for older folks, especially those with arthritis the snaps can be hard.  So if she ever has anyone older look after her you may want to use aplix.  Also, if you have to change her in the middle of th night, Aplix is much easier in the dark at 3am.

i'm by no means a "pro", but here is what we did/will do and we wash every other day:

prefolds: about 2 dozen  pul covers: appx 6....this should get you through the day pretty well. you can prob use 2-3 covers per day, wipe them out and let them dry after each change ( as long as poo isn't everywhere on them) and reuse.  i just got some covers from thirsties on their outlet site for 7.75/ea...they're seconds but i see nothing wrong with them.  i also have about 15 fleece liners on hand to use with these so baby's bum stays dry.

pockets/aios:  i've used fuzzibunz and swaddlebees side snap and loved them.  at nicki's diapers right now they have drybees regular pockets and fleece pockets for 10.99 each so i got some of those as well as some knickernapies pockets. you can buy the microfiber inserts ($3-4 each) for them but in my experience they get stinky, you can use prefolds as inserts as well and if so you may want to add an extra 1/2 dozen or so to your stash.  also, microfiber towels (found in auto section at walmart or kitchen section hand towels sometimes) folded up can be used as inserts too, for naps/night you'll likely have to find some type of double up system that works for you

for night you can use pockets double stuffed or a wool or fleece cover with a prefold and some type of doubler in it.  i have 2 wool covers a friend made me that i love but they are a bit more maintenance as you have to keep them lanolinized.  i got one fleece pocket drybee that i hope will work well, am thinking i should have gotten more than that.

some sites i really like are: abbyslane.com (sign up for her newsletter and she gives you 5% off code) nicki's diapers, and cloth diaper clearance.  hth helps some!

  I think I will order 2 dozens of medium preefolds (should fit 15 to 30 lbs) and 10 medium covers (most fit 15 to 30 lbs as well ) . I plan to use those on my two kids ( Maya 15 lbs and Kasper 32 lbs) .Casper is skinny and tall tho so I think it will still fit him. Maya use about 6-8 diapers a day and Kasper use about 2-3 diapers(only for nighttime ,nap time and outings). With time I plan to add some one size pocket diapers ( like a dozen of them). For night time I will have to figure something , maybe fitteds with woll covers? Kasper don't pee much at night. Maya does tho. what is best insert that keep pee away?

marking for later. great info.

I second the OS covers like Flip. They will fit both your DD and DS2 so you won't have to buy as many. Also Thirsties makes a DUO WRAP cover in 2 sizes and they both should fit in a Size 2 duo wrap. We have used size 2 thirsties duo wraps (to go over our fitteds at night) and DS2(30lbs) & DS3(16.5lbs) can both wear them. They also have the option of snaps or velcro. Velcro works great at night. I'll soon be trying out a Grovia AIO at night for DS2. Just waiting on the stay dry boosters to get here.