Hi!

Switching to cloth will save you money, yes. 

You can also gradually change over - buy one, use it, buy another, use it, and so on.

This will also allow you to work out the logistics - a nappy bucket, your own washing system and so on.

There is no one 'best' brand - they all suit different shapes and sizes of baby!

A good place for you to start would be to buy some pre-loved cloth nappies, from such places as:

Used Nappies

Buy for Baby

Cloth Bubba

Monkey’s Undies

Dedicated Cloth Nappy forums like Cloth Addicts, Nappycino and so on have lots of threads you could read thru to find the sort of nappy that might best suit your baby's shape.

HAve fun,

Charndra

http://www.mygreennappy.org

There are lots fo brands out there as I'm sure you are finding out - all with different features and options. This is what I looked for when in similar situation (but with 4mth old).... OFSA – One Size Fits All. Basically this means the nappy with have snaps across the front that allows you the shorten / lengthen the rise of the nappy. It also means the nappy can generally be used from about 5kg to toilet training. They generally cost a bit more than sized nappies but you don’t need to buy a new stash as bub grows. Given that your little one is 13mths if you were to go a sized nappy you could probably just go to the large size. Pocket Nappy. Basically you have a cover than consists of a waterproof fabric lined with the fabric that is against their skin. You can then stuff it with the ‘stuffers’ generally made of microfiber or bamboo / hemp that gives the absorbancy. You then pull them apart for washing. The advantage is they dry really quickly. Fabric – make sure you get a stay dry fabric against the skin rather than natural fabric eg bamboo or cotton. While the concept of natural fabric may seem appealing it remains wet so if they have a wet nappy they will have a constant wetness against the skin. I have a few that are bamboo and never use them as my little one ends up with nappy rash even thought the bamboo fabric has natural antibacterial properties – so they say! Stuffer fabric – microfiber is the quickest to absorb, but bamboo and hemp will absorb heaps more moisture so if bub has big wees or you are wanting it to last along time (eg long car trip) add a bamboo or hemp to the pocket. What I’d Avoid Sized – as above re OSFA All in Ones – Take AGES to dry – I’ve got one and it can take from early morning to dusk on a warm dry and even then its sometimes damp. Natural fabrics against the skin 2part systems – these are basically a fabric nappy that you put a waterproof cover over. Some are really nice but with a wriggling child the last thing you need is to try and get effectively 2 nappies on!. What I use / have got Bumgenius – really like them and make most of my nappy collection. Only come with microfiber inserts so I’ve got some bamboo ones that I add for additional absorbancy. The down side is the Velcro (aplix) tabs that little fingers will one day discover make a nice noise when pulled! Rumparooz - similar to BG but with snaps – have got 2 of these are they work well. Happy Heinys – also similar to BG but with snaps. Got a few of these and quite like them. FuzziBunz – got one of their OSFA – is OK but probably wouldn’t get them as first choice. Haute – got one – is OK but don’t really like it Tots Bots Easy Fit – bamboo against the skin and really bad fit for us – hate them! Knickernappies is a new one on the market in the US that is getting rave reviews – never seen it but seems like the BG with snaps =7 BonniBuns some people I know use these with their twins – after using Bumgenius and love them – reckon they are better than BG. Again haven’t seen them but they are made by a mum on the gold coast (aust) and cheaper than a lot of the above mentioned ones that are mainly imported from the US. re how many to get - depends on hwo often you want to wash, and what fabric you get. If microfibre is your choice then it will absob less than a disposable so maybe plan on 6/day... hope this helps and happy cloth nappying....

There are so many options available to you, read some of the great advices on the modern cloth nappies that are on here http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3881/More-cloth-options-How-easy-is-cloth/