To all experienced reusable nappy users....

can anyone advise me which cloth nappies to buy? I am due on 2nd August with my first baby and really want to give them a go. Caught a couple of demos at the London Baby Show - Bambino Mio and 'One life'. they both seemed really good but are quite different.

Confused!

buy a couple of each off ebay or netmums and try them. everyone likes different types!

We've got some Bambino Mios, I like the style of them with the pre-fold and wraps as they are not as bulky as some of the others. However the velcro on the wraps is very hard and is quite a thick piece along the waistband iyswim, it just doesn't look very comfortable at all and I think when she sits up it would dig into (imagine how a tight pair of jeans feels on you). We did get ours 5 years ago though with dd1 so they may have changed since then. Instead we use 'Bumpy' wraps which have much softer velcro, again we go them 5 years ago so I can't remember where we got them from. The pre-fold system can be a bit fiddly at first but you soon get the hang of it.

We also have 'Kushies' which oh prefers as they are very easy to put on (very like disposables), but they do leak more, and straight onto the clothes as well, of course this doesn't bother oh as much as I do pretty much all the washing!

This time around I have added some Tots bots Bamboozle stretchies with a Mother-ease wrap to our collection. They are really soft so very comfortable for lo, they are shaped like disposables so oh can manage them easily and leaks are minimal so mummy is happy too.

And just for being indulgent check out wee notions they are expensive but soo cute!

Like TM said try getting one of few different styles so you can see what works for you.

Hi
For containment with a newborn Id say start with a nappy & wrap. Tots Bots or Motherease Sandys nappies combined with a Motherease wrap. They will see you through the first 3 - 4 months (depending on babys size)
If you like the look of pockets then bumGenius are from my experience the best & fool proof.
I still keep a few two parters (nappy & wrap) for the time when DS has a growth spurt etc.
I wouldnt buy a birth to potty kit as you just dont know what will suit your baby best. Nappies are a bit like jeans, some styles fit better than others!
Start with the basics and when your happy with those you can try a few others.
Check with your local council too see if they offer a trial scheme or money back for using real nappies.

I swear by pocket nappies, they are so easy to use!
They have a pocket opening at the back, which is where you put the liners. You can get hemp, cotton, terry or microfibre liners/boosters, and add an extra one for night time to absorb the extra wee. You could even cut up old towels to use in them, saving you some money!
The whole lot just goes in the washing machine, and they dry really quickly. Once mine are washed, I put the inserts inside them ready, so they are ready to be used and put on in the same way as a disposable. xxxxx

we love our bum genius above all others