I used cloth last time & will be again.
I used tots bots bamboozles or cotton fitted toweling nappies. (like the little lamb ones).
Then when she was older (nearly potty trained) I also used Wonderoos and Minkee blueberries which are all-in-one/stuffable nappies.
I loved the blueberries!
Since then though, Tots Bots changed their design and stopped doing the bamboo nappies, so I bought 5 little lamb ones instead... then about a week later Tots Bots announced they'd brought back their bamboo nappies! (Not the bright pretty colours though lol. And they cost more than little lamb so not too upset).
To be honest, I ended up preferring the "all in one" style that don't need a separate cover, but they are more expensive, and I know I kept a few nappy covers and 2 piece nappies, so to keep the cost down I did get the 5 little lamb ones.
I also bought 3 new "all in one" nappies called "Grovia". I haven't tried them before but they looked good, nice colours & good reviews.
I have a bag of nappies, wraps (outer covers) and accessories like fleece liners and cloth wipes etc in my loft, so in a few months I'll get my dad or someone to get them down for me then I can see what I have & wash them and see if I need to add any to them.
Also, my area does a free cloth nappy starter kit which I am hoping to get. Last time I knew about it (when they first started doing the kits about 8yrs ago), you got a nappy bucket, a roll of paper liners, and 3 nappies (one pre-fold, one shaped, and something else) but I'm not sure if the contents have changed since then... we shall see.
Funny thing... when they started doing the free kits I had *just* missed out as DD was 11 months and the kits were only available to mums-to-be or those with babies under 6 months. However they launched them at the Theatre in Bradford and had about 10 babies to model the nappies available and my DD ended up being one of the babies to model them lol.
Generally I prefer the shaped, fitted nappies (the ones that look like disposables in shape and fasten with velcro or press studs), but I am planning on cloth nappying from day 1 so I'm debating getting some cheap pre-folds like Bambino Mio or just some muslin cloths so that the meconium doesn't spoil the more expensive nappies (apparently as it's sticky it can be hard to wash out of some nappies... I used eco disposables with DD until she was a few weeks old though so this will be my first time doing cloth with a newborn).
As for mess, liners etc... Breastmilk poo is runny & mostly yellow (occasionally green lol), but you don't need a liner for it. Fleece liners keep your baby dry so they do not feel uncomfortable, moisture wicks straight through and the fleece stays dry.
Breastmilk poo as it's runny will go in your washer but it completely washes away and is not offensive. Often it stains lighter coloured nappies yellow on the crotch, but if you line dry them facing the sun the sun will bleach it out.
Or if you have white or unbleached nappies you can use nappisan etc.
Make sure you only use a tiny amount of liquid detergent with cloth nappies and make sure they are well rinsed. I tended to wash mine on a 40 or 60 (alternate washes) and then put the washer on again on a quick wash (no detergent) to fully rinse. If you use fabric softener it will limit the absorbancy of the nappies (so best avoided) and if your baby is having a rash or reaction to them make sure they are well rinsed, and consider using a more sensitive/eco washing liquid. Also consider using fleece liners so the baby isn't having a rash due to the wee being against their skin.
Just to add, In summer months I tended to only wash at 40 degrees, then hang to dry in the sun as it's a natural antibacterial.
The 60 washes were mainly in winter/autumn months when the nappies had to dry inside on the airer or radiators.
