Accessories for Little Bums

I know we'll face some disbelief when we tell others we're going to attempt to cloth diaper your baby bum.  I won't be unrealistic; I know conceding defeat and running to the sposies is an undeniable possibility, but I'm optimistic that with some of the well-designed cloth diapering systems out there now, we'll be able to do it!

For anyone who's a first-time mom also looking towards cloth diapering, here's what I've uncovered during my research into the subject. Of course, I can't offer advice based on first-hand experience yet (and advice is always going to vary according to child and situation anyway), but in the hopes of helping someone else out there...

The first step for me was to learn what types of systems exist in the modern world, because apparently the cloth diapering landscape has changed much since I was a baby, when the only cloth option was to swathe baby in pinned, white pieces of absorbent cloth (which I now know are referred to as "prefolds" or "flats").  Here's my summary of what I gleaned from the web as options to mix and match:

1) Prefold or flat diapers with a diaper cover: Absorbent cloths that must be folded around baby (much like the days of yore) and either pinned or held in place by an ingenious little thing called a Snappi.  Prefolds have a thicker, more absorbent middle area built in, while flats are the true old-fashioned, single thickness cloth diaper. These must have a diaper cover on top of them in order to be a waterproof system.
Pros: Cheapest cloth diaper option by far!  Diapers will also wash and dry easily due to the fact that they unfold.  Since diaper and cover are separate, one can reuse the cover a certain amount of times before it needs to be washed. 
Cons: Folding them and using the pins or Snappi may have a learning curve and definitely isn't as hassle-free compared to the put-on-and-go of a disposable.

2) Contour diapers with a diaper cover: Very similar to above except instead of doing origami with a cloth around baby, the cloth part is already shaped ("contoured") to fit around baby's legs and waist.  This method still needs pins or a Snappi so the convenience factor is only heightened a little bit, in my opinion.  These also need a diaper cover over them in order to be waterproof. 
Pros: Still pretty cheap system overall.  Similar pros to prefolds/diaper cover system above, with the added convenience of no folding involved. 
Cons: May not contain as well and is not as customizable as prefolds (different folds for prefolds may yield different results, but you don't really have many options with a contour).  Still have the pin/Snappi step.

3) Fitted diapers with a diaper cover: Fitted diapers have the shape of a disposable diaper, but are made out of cloth.  They go on like disposables and fasten with snaps or aplix (velcro-type fasteners) depending on the brand/model, but still need a diaper cover over them to be a waterproof system. 
Pros: Look cute and may have a trimmer fit under clothes than a prefold/cover since the diaper is shaped.  Has elastic around waist/leg bands so holds poop better than a prefold or contour. More convenient: no pins or Snappi needed here! And the diaper is still separate from the diaper cover, so one can reuse the cover a certain amount of times before it needs to be washed.
Cons: Definitely more of an expense prefolds or contours.

4) Pocket diapers: Now we're in the realm of diaper options that don't require a separate diaper cover.  These diapers have a waterproof outer layer so they don't need a cover.  Inside, they have a "pocket" where the user must stuff inserts/doublers/etc. in order to make it absorbent. 
Pros: Convenient because one can pre-stuff the diaper and then it's ready to go.  Absorbency level can be customized by what one decides to put inside the pocket.  No diaper cover needed. Since the absorbent part (insert) and the diaper itself are separate, they may wash and dry faster than the all-in-one option below.  Many are made of stay-dry fabrics that wick moisture to the insert inside the pocket, so baby stays drier.
Cons: Expenses still on an upward trend as this list grows!  One-time use per wash since the "cover" is part of the diaper itself.  Though the diaper cover step is eliminated, stuffing the pocket could be considered an extra step.

5) All-in-one diapers (AIOs): This is really the most convenient option out there.  These do not need a diaper cover nor do they need to be stuffed -- they have a waterproof outer layer built right in, and layers of absorbency already inside, so it has the on-off convenience of a disposable with all the benefits of cloth. 
Pros: Super super convenient. No diaper cover -- one step change like a disposable. May have a trimmer fit under clothes since it's all one piece. Depending on fiber content, they may have a moisture-wicking top inner layer so baby stays drier.
Cons: Could be very expensive to diaper solely with AIOs; to diaper full-time one would need to buy a LOT of these. May take longer to wash and dry since it's all one piece.  One-time use per wash.

6) Hybrids: These systems are unique in that they typically have a specially-designed cover with a myriad of insert options (cloth or even biodegradable disposable inserts).  Some are designed to snap into the special covers and some have inserts that are shaped to fit perfectly into the cover or part of the cover. Pros and cons will vary depending on the system... a lot of them have unique qualities that make them hard to list solid pros/cons for.

This is just the tip of the iceberg -- don't even get me started on the different types of products within each of the above categories, or products that are category crossovers, or the different types of diaper covers out there.  Typically, though, I've found between products within the same category, variations will be the fiber content of the diapers, different types of fasteners, either specifically-sized vs. grow-with-baby (one-size) options, and, of course, appearance.  All of these will affect the costs.

I'll post my choices for the methods I've decided to try and my planned cloth diaper stash for baby later, but for now, here are some sites I currently love to peruse:

http://www.jilliansdrawers.com/
http://www.cottonbabies.com/
http://www.kellyscloset.com/
http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/
http://www.diaperjunction.com/
http://www.loveybums.com/
http://www.sloomb.com/