Reuseable Nappies

[Userblue]

Is anyone planning to use reuseables - if so what are you getting to start out? Is it worth it or is it going to be lots of extra work?

[lockdownpregnancy]

I'm not going with reusable. The washing alone (amongst all the other baby stuff) would be relentless!
Whilst I get they are good for the environment, it's not good to have your washing machine constantly on the go. That's how I see it anyway, but others rave about them!
I think it's all down to personal choice ❤️

[Fizzy13]

We used reusable and they are fab! Reusable wipes are a no brainer as you are washing constantly with a baby anyway and it really isn't a hassle to throw in the wipes. We bought all second hand totsbots and used them for at least 2 years. There are lots of fb groups that can help you sort out the jargon look up cloth bum mums or the nappy lady.
Its whatever works for your family and home situation. I wouldn't have wanted to used them if I didn't have space to dry them on the line as running a tumble dryer for them is terrible for the environment.

[SlytherQ]

I used reusable nappies for my younger three. You either like them or you don't. No middle ground. They do cause extra washing obviously but you don't run out or have to buy any more when you have enough.
If you get sucked in to the handmade and pretties market they can cost a small fortune and became almost an addiction.

[LoisLittsLover]

I love our reuseables and they were a godsend during the panic buying situations. It's obviously much easier in the summer to get them dry. I always have a pack of disposables as well, and don't beat myself up for using them if we need. I remember reading that just using 1 reusable a day in replacement of a disposable will save about 700 nappies going to landfill and that really stuck with me in terms of doing the best I can but not beating myself up when I use a disposable

[Flora20]

We love them, started at about 8 weeks with our first (now 2.5) and planning to start from newborn with our next. They're easy to use, easy to wash, your washing machine will be on all the time with a baby anyway so might as well go for it! Use cloth wipes too, the disposable ones are rubbish by comparison when you're dealing with poo!

Even with the washing machine being on more they're still far better for the environment, and much cheaper than single use ones 🙂

[BabyDancer]

I'm planning to use reusables! Currently looking into different options. At the moment I think the Little Lambs economy set is my no.1 option as they're well priced and have some cute designs. As others have said, while you use the washing machine more it is still far better for the environment. I'll probably still use disposables when relatives babysit though.

[sar302]

When I was pregnant (a couple of years ago now), our local council's "recycle and waste" department would send you a free reusable nappy starter packs. Might be worth having a look to see if yours do something similar.

[riddles26]

I used them with both my children. I personally don't feel they added to my laundry significantly - as someone above said, your washing machine will be used infinitely more with a baby anyway. I had about 6/7 months of 2 in cloth together and I still didn't find it hard going from a washing perspective.

If you're worried about reusables being high maintenance, my advice would be to get the all-in-one nappies which most closely resemble a disposable. They are put on just like a disposable and then when removing, paper liner with poo goes in bin and nappy in bucket to wash.

The 2 parters do contain more but they are bulkier which makes picking clothing a bit harder (and I didn't want to commit to only buying clothes from certain retailers).

Fb groups are brilliant for getting to know more and working out all the jargon but I would leave them once you have what you need - as someone said, it can get shockingly addictive to try collect attractive prints!

[Userblue]

Thanks for all the advice - looking at some of the Facebook groups now!
Sounds like it’s not as hard work as I was thinking it would be.
Had a look at council schemes - seems mine is one of the only one that doesn’t do vouchers etc

[Hatscats]

I’ve found a local nappy library and group on Facebook, they do hire kits so I might go for that. I’ve filled in the nappy lady questionnaire who recommended little lambs for me. Also will be getting the cheeky wipes set. I think I’ll start with a few and build up, rather than getting a full set before the baby is born.

[Superscientist]

I'm hoping to cloth from birth, I've gone for the muslin and wrap option to reduce the initial outlay whilst I figure it out and see if it is for me. I plan of having disposables as a back up the way I see it even if I do a bit of both it's some improvement.
I did the nappy lady questionnaire and have joined her advice Facebook group which seems to have a wealth of advice and support. I'm also a member of zero waste and zero waste parenting groups which deal with nappy queries too plus other ideas of changes you can make - like reusable wipes etc

[grey12]

Sorry to hijack the thread

Pregnant and wanted to try reusables. Someone told me my council has a scheme of some sort, which is great!

My problem is.... I live with my inlaws and I mentioned in a previous thread they really don't care about environmental stuff. I don't use wipes for my two children (they are actually both a bit allergic) and still my MIL will use them if she is changing their diaper I'm not in a situation to say much about it besides thanks.... it's not a very common thing so I have to let it pass.

Really wished I had more of a choice to at least try the reusables. Don't think I can make it work in this house....

[Espoleta]

We used reusable.
With three kids, a dog, and our workout gear (I work our everyday) the additional washing wasn’t noticeable at all!
Use the nappy lady as recommendations but seek out your local nappy library.
There is nothing better than a kid wearing a pretty reusable nappy in my view!
Also, they tend to potty train that little bit earlier and easier apparently. My daughter was out of nappies at 2 (or just before)

[EithneBlue]

I've been buying reusables on ebay and gumtree. A fraction of the cost and the majority have been in great condition :-) Means I can also afford to get the newborn peenut wraps to go straight from birth. Interestingly my friends who use reusable nappies have all been like 'they are amazing' - the only doubters have been people who used disposables...

[Userblue]

Brill all sounding good - unfortunately nappy library around here closed as well - typical that the council website describes themselves as ‘green’ - not very!
Have filled in the nappy lady questionnaire so will await a response!

[Boringnamechanging]

I'm currently using on dc2 18 months started at 6 weeks (used up disposable nappy stash that dm bought convinced that I would find reusables too hard) dc1 used reusables from when cord dropped off.

Yes you have to wash them I do max 3 washes a week of nappies and wipes. But when I use a disposable (holidays/long days out etc) and dc2 poos I often have to wash the entire outfit and child because poo is everywhere. I have never had a poo leak with reusables and only a couple of wee leaks when I've accidentally left a bit of nappy stuck out of the wrap (plastic pant)

We use little lamb two parts with mother ease airflow wraps (because she can undo the Velcro little lamb wraps) absolutely bomb proof. The bamboo ones do take awhile to dry but the microfibre are really quick drying.

If you're going to do it also do reusable wipe, much better at clean up than disposable. Plus you stick them in the bucket/bag with the nappy and don't have to faff around disposing of the wipes in the bin.

You don't have to do one or the other, you can by disposables and reusables. Have one/two days supply of reusable and then use disposables until they're dry and ready again. I often take a disposable when going out as often I won't need to change baby on a short trip but guaranteed if I don't take a nappy baby will poo and disposables are more compact to carry.

[SunshineCake]

I used reusable and had three in them at once. It was three extra wash loads a week. That's it.

I started off with terry squares and plastic pants, then Motherease shaped nappies and wraps and then tots bots. I used grippers with the squares rather than pins and had thicker nappies lined with pads for night time.

I had two nappy buckets and also used washable wipes for a time.

No extra work, no annoyance at a clean nappy being filled in seconds, it isn't hard to put a wash on. I just roll my eyes at all the extra work when it is just like washing clothes. Dirty nappies in a bucket. Dirty clothes in a basket. Pick up, put in washer, add detergent, soap nuts, turn on. Peg out, fold, put away.

We had disposables for the first couple of weeks as baby was small and then bought maybe six packs over the time of wearing nappies for emergencies when staying away or to leave in the car. I would make up the washable with their cloth liner then paper liner and also had a wipeable bag for dirty nappies.

[SunshineCake]

It is nice to see the nappy lady still going. The only issue I had was my order was sent to number 8 instead of number 18 and they wouldn't give them back.

[zigaziga]

I regret so much not using them with my first. I looked into them and just got overwhelmed with it all and thought it was too difficult.

I did use reusable wipes (cheeky wipes) from 1 years though which I loved and never again bought a single disposable wipe.

Second time around I decided to really go for it and I am so pleased that it was so much easier than expected. I don’t get the whole collecting different prints thing, I don’t find most of them that pretty, but whatever. Really worth trying.

[NotMeNoNo]

It was a while ago but I used the Motherease system, had 2 in nappies at once for at least a year.
My tips are
-Dry pail, it doesn't really smell
-Wash every second day (alternate with the normal wash)
-Get a Sheila maid/ceiling airer
-Ikea flannels make great wipes

Newborns use a lot of nappies but it will settle down into 4/5 per day.
There may come a point when overnight is just too much and you need to fall back on pull ups, don't beat yourself up on this. Or any other aspect of it.

[Userblue]

I already have two boys but never considered them previously. Have a heated drying line already so sounds like that will make things easier, and a sun trap garden for hanging out

[firstimemamma]

We use little lamb reusable nappies. Love them. Only washing every other day but we have an older child. My friend has just started using them with both her children and she has 2 under 2!

We have no issues and I absolutely would recommend using reusables. It's a bit of a faff for the first couple of weeks but once you've got a routine it really is fine.

Honestly the way that disposable nappies are manufactured blows any amount of washing machine use out of the water when it comes to energy use / carbon footprint. I did some research and honestly it really is shocking, so please don't worry at all about the amount of extra washing you'll be doing from an environmental point of view.

Good luck!

[Userblue]

Thanks for all the advice I had on this - did the nappy lady questionairre and was recommended little lamb nappies and wraps so then managed to get some second hand in good condition - can’t wait for little one to be here to try them out!