Talk to me about reusable nappies

[Seabiscuit1]

I like to think of myself as fairly green so the idea of using hundreds of disposable nappies doesn’t sit well with me at all. I have done some googling and really like the idea of reusable nappies but DP and DM are not keen at all. My baby is not yet born so have no experience either way. Could some more experienced parents share their views please?

[BothersomeCrow]

I was against, thinking I couldn't handle safety pins and tiny baby.
Then SIL gave me a bundle - modern ones stick together with velcro or poppers, look adorable, and add about 1 load of washing a week.
I'd get about 20 second-hand ones and have a go - put used ones in a lidded bucket or dog poo bags, chuck in washing machine. Once on solids then you can add paper liners and chuck poo in the toilet first.
I found mine got rash from disposables but not from washables, and they didn't leak. Ones sold as one-size tend to fit from about 3 months, before that size 1 or small is better.
Knowing you aren't throwing money away when your baby dirties another nappy as soon as it's on, and not having to go down the shop when running low, is great.

[throwcushions]

They are just brilliant. Not really any more difficult to use - you just put them in the wash instead of the bin, the rest is very similar e.g. bow they fasten - and I never get leaks. No poonami, ever! I used the Nappy Lady website. It's excellent. We use Totsbots bamboozle nappies for night time and Easyfit Star for daytime. The Easyfits go on and off like a disposable so your family might find those easier.

[Didntcomeheretofuckspiders]

The nappy lady website has a great consultation form which they then send you suggestions for brands or systems based on your needs. We are definitely doing it for our little one!

[Lazypuppy]

They are brilliant! We are using bambino mio all in ones and they are so easy to use and wash! I love the patterns too.

Baby is 8 weeks old and her nappy rash is gone as well.

Definitely recommend nappy lady website, there's videos showing how to use each brand etc to help you decide.

[Caterina99]

Also it’s not completely all or nothing. You can still use disposables for holidays, trips out, overnight potentially when they get older

[AllotmentJunkie]

I couldn’t be happier with ours - just love it for environmental, health and money reasons. On YouTube naturallythriftymom has a great intro series.

[chequeplease]

I love our choice to use washable nappies! It's surprisingly easy with a washing machine and tumble drier (we didn't have a drier for months either and managed fine!)
Definitely see if there's a nappy library near you. It's worth trying a few brands first. The only ones that worked for us were totsbots bamboozles as the hold so much liquid!! If we'd bought anything less absorbent we'd have struggled.

[Ca55andraMortmain]

We have used them since birth and love them. I think the main thing is to do your research before the baby is born - I know loads of people who don't and assume that it'll be really straightforward and then run into problems when baby arrives and just bail and use disposables because they don't have time to read about how to sort the problem. I'm not saying it's really tricky to use them, it isn't, but there can be issues with fit etc that can seem insurmountable when you're already really tired and stressed with a new baby.

So I would say:

• watch videos about how to fit them (it's not difficult but it is different than a disposable)
  
• get a wet bag rather than a nappy bucket because then you just wash it with the nappies and don't have to clean the bucket.
  
• don't get bogged down in all the 'rules' about washing them. Basically use powder, not liquid and no fabric softener and do a cycle that uses lots of water.
  

-dont use nappies made of minkee - it's super soft but not very absorbent!

If you have any other questions, ask away!

[InDubiousBattle]

As I understand it the environmental impact depends on you washing at a low temperature, with full loads and hanging out to dry rather than using a dryer. When I looked into it for ds we lived in a very small house with no outside space so I decided against using them as there was no convenient place to store a bucket for them and I couldn't have them on radiators/ clothes horses. I don't believe the cheaper argument because some of my friends who used them loved buying the cute patterns and spent a fortune!

They're also bulkier than disposable ones so your change bag is bigger and bulkier (I ended up with 2 under 2 and don't drive so this was quite important to me!)and my friends who used them sometimes struggled to find trousers that would go over them.

[AvoidingDM]

I use Totsbots easyfit star and bamboozle for night time.

I changed when LO was 4mths. I find them easy to use and wash. I prefer hanging them out but winter been using the clothes horse.

I tend to only put one in the change bag and a stash of disposables. For nursery I also use disposables purely for convenience. I'm sure they could do cloth but that involves me having to remember a bundle of them every day.

[AvoidingDM]

I opted for Totsbots because they are made in Glasgow.

[Roomba]

I used them about 80% of the time with both my DC (sometimes just wasn't practical for me, especially when the washing machine broke!). They were brilliant, we used several different kinds for different situations (more absorbent, bulkier ones for night time, for example) and it did involve a bit of trial and error. But then so does using disposables, some brands leak with some babies. Not a problem keeping on top of washing them - dry pailed them and never had issues with smells or anything.

[MerryDeath]

i hate disposable nappies and had the idea to get into reusables but the whirlwind of birth, him coming a bit early and the absolute shock of having a little baby to care for it all got forgotten. now he's a year old and i haven't gotten round to switching/doubt i will now.

[throwcushions]

I believe even if you tumble dry they are still more environmentally friendly if second hand or used for more than one child. Clearly though tumble drying significantly impacts on how environmentally friendly it is to use reusable. We have never tumble dried the nappies. Most manufacturers recommend washing at 40 degrees with a 60 degree once a week. No-one boil washes nappies any more but the environmental impact was assessed on that basis in the most recent report I read, which is frustrating.

They have definitely been cheaper for me. We haven't struggled with clothes either.

[throwcushions]

Oh I highly recommend reusable wipes too.

[Eeeeek2]

Fab, actually less washing than disposable because you never get poonarmi and full outfit changes. Only had wee leaks 1/2 a dozen times (in 18 months) and because the wrap wasn't on quite right. We use little lamb 2 parts in microfibre for day and bamboo for night/car journeys.

[bourbonbiccy]

We bought about 30 reusable ones before our little man arrived. We are going to start using them now his poo has changed to a more manageable colour and consistency. I couldn't have imagined using them to start with as I didn't have faith that they would wash out or contain his poonarmy explosions. I am looking forward to using them as the designs are lovely and they give him more freedom to move as they don't look as chunky. Just hoping we have bought good ones and we dont have any leaks.

[mehhh]

I've used disposable from birth but I wish I would have done more research into these, I hadn't really thought about it as no one really mentioned them to me but had I realised how good they are I would have gone with these

My dd is 8 months now is this too late to use reusable? I feel like the nappy usage is slowing down

[owltrousers]

Can I just ask - my baby is 8 weeks and has dark green pretty liquidy and smelly poops due to his anti reflux milk. I want to use cloth nappies but worry this might stain! Will a liner stop this?

[BothersomeCrow]

owl it might stain, but generally all stains come out eventually, with help of sunshine and/or oxy crystals in the wash. You could use a liner - I used Imse Vimse which would survive about four washes.

I only tumble-dried once in five years of nappies - a rack on a radiator worked well. I admit dc2 had more disposables used especially at night age 2+.

The environmental impact is mainly from nappies being used on multiple babies and not filling landfill. It is easy to get carried away looking at cute patterns but £20 each returned me to bundles of preloved ones, plus the fact that a temp at nursery threw away the only new nappy I ever bought!

Lots of councils do a voucher for some nappies - I bought a few new wraps but the nappies were old - and there may be nappy libraries near you too.

If you have a washing machine at home and any drying space, I would highly recommend.

[throwcushions]

As already mentioned the sun gets out stains brilliantly even at this time of year. Our baby has explosive green weaning nappies and the sun is getting all the stains out.

[Dermymc]

They're great!

No need to worry about disposables filling up landfill. Easy to wash. I'd recommend all in ones as they are more grandparent friendly. I use totsbots and they are velcro which is just like a disposable to put on.

I dry pail, wash every 2-3 days. I use fleece liners which I flush the poo off first (sounds gross but isn't).

[DollyDayScream]

Contact The Nappy Lady, she and her team are excellent.

It really is simple. I loved laundering nappies and I fucking hate laundry.

[INeedNewShoes]

If anyone reading this wants to give reusables a go I'll happily pass on a complete kit (free of charge). Just PM me if interested and I'll send you more details.

[owltrousers]

@INeedNewShoes I've sent you a message.