Suggested Cloth Nappy Stashes

What I suggest you do first is read up on the different styles of nappies to see what you think you would find most convenient as a style for you.  If cost is a factor, then check out the "Cost of a Stash" page where I give examples of costs of the different systems.

I'd suggest getting one of each nappy style you think you'll like, to try the fit and style, before running out and getting a whole stash.  I don't really recommend buying all of the one type of nappy - especially not to begin with, in case they don't fit well or you decide you don't like the system.

As I'm quite frugal, I'd try and get the cheapest system I could to begin with, as the set up costs of having a baby can be quite high.  But also a system I'd want to use as the child got older.  The more nappies you have the easier it will be to deal with the washing - at least that's what I've found.  When I had only enough to go a few days it was a pain, but when I had enough to last 1 week, I could save all nappy washing to one full load a week - which saves time, and saves money because rather than doing small washes 3 times a week, you do 1 full load a week.

Several nappy makers offer starter packs, so you can buy a pack of nappies cheaper than buying them individually.

A newborn shouldn't really need a huge amount of absorbency, as they tend to do more dirty nappies so need changing regularly.  So, while they are the less appealing of all cloth nappy options, I actually think going your old fashioned flat nappy is probably the best way to go for newborns.  They dry fast and are cheap.  I have a variation on that as my preferred system - below.

You can buy "prefolds" which are a square/rectangle of cotton or hemp that is usually 2-3 layers.  So instead of folding it into origami shapes, you generally fold it into thirds then flare out the back to make a sort of T shape, and put it on.  This way is slightly longer to dry, more expensive but less folding.

I'd suggest getting whoever is organising your baby shower (if you are having one) to organise buying cloth nappies or buying gift vouchers for you to use.  Instead of everyone bringing clothes and bunny rugs, they can all chip in to buy some nappies - that are ultimately going to be more useful and save you money!

I personally prefer pockets, because you can boost them with however much of anything you like... so the one nappy can be good for day or night, they can double as a swim nappy or a nappy cover.... its only one step (unlike fitteds and covers) and if you are desperate you can even take the stuffing out, hang it up to dry and put it back on again (not recommended, but if you've run out of nappies while out like I did once, you might be glad you have that option to get you home at least)... but fitteds and covers seem to be the most popular choice.
 

I'd buy 1-2 metres of hemp jersey (the thinner t-shirt type hemp) and a metre of hemp or bamboo fleece/terry.  I'd cut the jersey up into your standard flat nappy shapes (perhaps a bit smaller) in 2 layers, and overlock the edges.  Or, cut them into T shapes and sew some elastic in the leg area.... or I'd use the more absorbent fleece in just one layer

Then I'd make some almost pad shaped boosters of 2 layers of hemp fleece/terry.  I'd then buy (or make) a couple of small PUL covers  - with gussets if possible (as in leg gussets to keep squidgy poos in).  The hemp flats would be folded to your standard nappy fold of choice (I've always liked the "bat" fold where you have less in the wings and lots in a pad through the middle where it is needed) and use the cover to keep it on.  They will dry really quickly and so will the covers.  As you need more absorbency you can add an extra booster of the fleece/terry hemp.  Then, when the baby is a bit older and doesn't go through as many nappies, I'd buy some pockets and stuff them with the hemp flats and boosters you'd been using as nappies....So you get to reuse the nappies you made as pocket stuffers!  no waste!

Cost:
Starting off, $212.
$20 for the Hemp fleece, $12 for the hemp jersey and then about 3 covers/pockets @ around $20 each ($60), which can see you through several months and then you can buy around 12-20 pockets in larger sizes (About $240-$400), or some of the one size nappies below, spreading the cost out a bit more and increasing your stash.

Cost:

Baby Beehinds System - $674
Using the baby beehinds Full Time nappy pack of 24 fitteds, 6 covers, 6 hemp boosters.

Growing Greens system - $767
1 pack of contours (6 in a pack) @ $47, plus 24 growing Greens Nappies @ $25 each [that appear to come with a contour in them] ($600), Plus 6 covers at an average price of $20 each ($120)