Environmentally Friendly Nappies Vs Disposable?

Obviously you guys don't have water issues! I used cloth nappies for the first 4 months of ds's life and drained our tanks keeping them up to him!!! Switched to disposables and used disposables for dd. Why is it that you think cloth nappies are so much better than disposables? (not that I have any problem with people using cloth nappies, just interested in your views) I have seen an Australian study showing that "damage" to the envirnoment is equal for cloth and disposable nappies with landfill and non-biodegradability being the big issues for disposables and water use and detergents being the big issues for cloth.

MrsDoolittle, I use mostly Totsbots, with some Motherease Allinones for keeping in the nappy bag - they're that bit quicker to change when out and about. They're not as absorbent as the tots (on 22mo dd they last 3 hours with a booster, whereas the tots have lasted 6 hours when I've forgotten to change her!). They're also not as good on breastfed baby poo, which tends to shoot out the back . A two-part nappy system contains that better. But if you want the convenience of an all-in-one nappy they're one of the best I think.

Its worth checking with your local council to see if they do a free nappy trial, where you get to try lots of different sorts for a month. Some of the nappy sellers do trial packs where they lend you an assorted pack for a while too.

I use motherease sandys, they have never leaked, and have fitted ds2 since he was 14 months old (he's 3 now), and there is plenty of room for him to grow and still fit him. I got mine from here , by filling out the questionnaire. They are extremely helpful.

This is a really useful site bloss.
Has anyone used Motherease?
I get the impression which nappy depends on the baby. So we will get started with the trial pack of cotton bottoms, which I have and then see what to get after that. Does that sound like the right idea?

Message withdrawn

Thank you Ladies, I am sure I shall be tapping on here for more advice in the future. But will see how we go!

sure, no problem!

I used cotton bottoms laundry service for DS1 and now have my own set which I wash for DD1 - have worked fine for us. I agree about dry bucket after DS knocked bucket over and dirty nappy water came through ceiling - yum. Let me know if you have any cotton bottoms Q's.

Thanks Tissy! I hope it won't come to that, but will take you up on the offer if needs be!

BTW, would you mind if I contacted you through Contact Another Talker? I just have a query based on something that Mr de Kiewiet said that I would really like to ask you about, if you could face it. I'm not asking for another opinion, or anything like that.

This thread about real nappies had some good info
here

I contacted the nappy lady and they email loads of info and advice about nappies etc.

Highly unlikely that feet will be affected this time, but even if it did happen I bet between us we could figure out a way to make cloth work!

Thank you Tissy. Am really hoping to do cloth nappies this time. Failed with DS1 (bad eczema on legs, wet nappies in contact with skin seemed to cause great discomfort) and with DS2 (as you know, spent lots of first year in plaster casts up to hips, which did not seem compatible with cloth nappies to me).

Still have had 20 week scan now and no sign of talipes this time so fingers crossed!

Hi, MrsDoolittle!

I have no experience of prefolds at all, I'm afraid, I'm a TotsBots fan! I do know people who are quite happy with them, and people who aren't. I think it depends on the shape of your baby TBH. I suggest you get a variety of different nappies to see what suits you before committing to one type.

If you don't get on with prefolds, you can always use them to stuff a pocket-type nappy, and the wrap can be used with other types of nappy as well.

Dinosaur- dry pailing means to throw the nappies into a bucket with no water or soaking solution. It's not as smelly as soaking, actually. We just rinse off the poo in the loo then the nappy goes into the bucket. I occasionally add a few drops of lavender or tea tree oil to sweeten it up! If there are dirty nappies in the bucket, I put the whole lot on for a cold rinse before adding detergent and washing. Wet nappies just get washed without rinsing.(But I do use high water level programme on my machine).

Thanks.

dinosaur, basically, remove poo, bung in bucket.

I usually give them a rinse through the washing machine then wash on either a programme with a pre-wash or a soak. Not had any stains yet.

Demented - what does "dry pail" mean?

(Am interested in finding out more about cloth nappies at the mo, as don't feel can justify using disposables a third time - feel very guilty )

Oh and as Tissy says it's really not a big deal to wash them, I don't have a tumble dryer and haven't found it to be a problem. In the winter I hang the nappies over radiators and in the summer they are blowing on the line (hopefully, if it's not raining). We dry pail which avoids buckets of grotty water needing disposed of which makes life easier, then wash every second/third day.

Hi Tissy,
I am bored waiting to pop with my first baby at the moment.
I have bought a trial box of cotton bottoms from JL. How have you got on with them?
Since I bought them it seems everyone recommends Motherease All-in-ones.

Can't recommend a laundry service but if you decide to wash your own the Nappy Lady has some brilliant advice (she may even be able to recommend a laundry service, not sure), she recommended Tots Bots nappies and Motherease Wraps for us and they have been fantastic.

B*gger!

here

try searching {http://www.uknappyline.org.uk/Default.aspx\here}

A laundry is not the cheapest way to go about it, although as they wash in bulk, it is very environmentally friendly. Why don't you get a trial pack of Cotton Bottoms to see if prefolds suit you before deciding?

It really isn't too much hassle at all to wash and dry yourself, once you get into the routine.

HTH