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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give up on real nappies now?

26 replies

DizziDoll · 09/02/2015 06:23

DD2 has been wearing real nappies for 20 months. I have always liked not having smelly poo nappies in the bin and liked that dd never had nappy rash. These days though she usually leaks at night and i can't seem to get the smell put of them. I don't really want to give up as I am hoping she'll potty train soon. Then again... It would be so much easier.... Confused

OP posts:
confusedandemployed · 09/02/2015 06:25

I think you're a hero for getting this far. I fully intended to use real nappies but when push came to shove I didn't have the guts Blush

siblingrevelryagain · 09/02/2015 06:31

I used real nappies with one disposable per night. I felt slightly bad but my rationale was that I would do anything for a proper sleep (nothing more annoying than a baby waking because of nappy), and with three children using cloth in the day I'd still saved a hell of a lot going to landfill!

Might be a compromise worth trying if you get on with them in the day?

ANewMein2015 · 09/02/2015 06:33

We gave up and initially I felt guilty but really we never had leaks with disposables and only had nappy rash with the real nappies (disposables wick anything away from the skin). We never could smell nappies either as we put them in a nappy bag in our outside bin (and I did like gettig rid of the inside bin for reusables!!)

I think it's fine to say you've done a fab job at 20months but want to try something different. I'm not even sure why I felt I "failed" when I stopped but I think there's tendancy when using reusables to reassure each other you're found something superior so it feels a big deal to stop!

You could try disposables (or pull ups) at night and carry on with reusables in the day if they are suiting you still.

Please don't see it as "giving up". There's no badge for exclusive reusable use ...

silverstreak · 09/02/2015 06:36

As pp said I think you're awesome for getting this far as well! No real helpful advice based off personal experience from me I'm afraid, except to say I'd heard there is a 20m old 'window' for potty training after which it can take a 4 month+ leap (all hoping to catch this for my little one in the summer as missed the 20m op) so maybe grab the chance now if you think she's ready? Also, can I ask what absorbent liners you used that got you this far?? Gave up on DD due to leaks but am hoping to have another crack with DS.... Good luck with your decision either way! :)

FishWithABicycle · 09/02/2015 06:37

We always used a disposable at night. You could do that and still not give up on reusables generally.

The smell problem isn't something I experienced. For us by that stage the faeces were solid enough that they rarely stained the nappy - we used a flushable liner and everything smelly got flushed away. If you aren't using flushable liners, do. If your dd is making squishy poos that soil and stain the whole nappy you may need to look at her diet - she may need more veg and fibre (I know that's easier said than done!).

The smell should hopefully go if you wash at a higher temperature? Possibly with a stronger detergent? We had to use a very mild detergent due to pfb skin sensitivity, but when clothes got really stained would wash with something powerful then rewash with the mild stuff. Wouldn't do that every time but could do it once to banish smells once you've changed things enough that it's less likely to be a recurring problem.

ANewMein2015 · 09/02/2015 06:40

(Fish the high veg and fibre is what makes them squishy! Certainly neither of mine had solid pops for ages as they were fruit and veg lovers.)

startwig1982 · 09/02/2015 06:44

We use reusables and like a lot of people, we use a disposable at night as I'm too lazy to get up.

BikeRunSki · 09/02/2015 06:49

I also used a disposable at night. I used Bambo bamboo ones (Amazon, NatureBotts online). But pricey, but no smell, no harsh chemicals and massively absorbent.

Could it be that your dc is beginning to grow out of your nappies? DS grew out of his "Birth to potty" nappies at around 20 months.

Original poster
DizziDoll · 09/02/2015 06:51

Ok. Disposables at nights sound like a plan. Dd suffers from constipation as so her poo is either very hard and she is in pain or very soft when she takes medication. I do use a disposable liner but it usually doesn't stay in place.
DH and I both work full-time and we have 2 other dcs (used disposables for them). Nursery is not always great at removing any spills, which doesn't help. Only a few months to go hopefully and then we are nappy free! I know we're supposed to enjoy every moment but stuff that, I really really can't wait!

OP posts:
Original poster
DizziDoll · 09/02/2015 06:56

Oh and we are going on holiday for a week next week and will use disposables then.

OP posts:
Juno213 · 09/02/2015 06:59

If they smell you could try stripping them. Wash as normal and then loads of rinses. Lots of people swear by leaving them in the rain as it's slightly acidic, then a few rinses. And I'm a disposable at night girl. Wish I wasn't but I think its a fair compromise.

KleineDracheKokosnuss · 09/02/2015 09:21

We did real nappies with disposables at night too. In any event, DD is not potty trained, but we still use disposable pull ups at night because they apparently don't become night time trained until they are between 3 and 5. (DD is 2)

BikeRunSki · 09/02/2015 10:49

Definitely disposables for holidays!!!

re: night training - DS and DD both trained night and day, wees and poos at the same time when they were 2.8 and 2.3 respectively. I appreciate that I am very lucky in this respect. At the other extreme, I know a 6 year old who still soaks through pull ups every night. 3-5 is fairly usual, but night training can be sooner or later.

NoMilkNoSugar · 09/02/2015 15:03

We did disposables at night purely because the amount of padding that DS needed, meant he slept with a crooked back. When I switched to full time disposables, it set potty training back a year, as suddenly he couldn't feel he was wet and he was far too comfortable and couldn't be done with the hassle.

Purplepoodle · 09/02/2015 15:24

If your not using all in ones with pul attached then soaking them in a vinegar or bicarb solution works wonders.

Iv been ill so ended up not washing nappies for a week+ so ended up smelly after washing. A good pre wash with vinegar and a load in the conditioner depth works wonders

fishfingerSarnies · 09/02/2015 15:31

Used a disposable at night here too.
Dd was potty trained by around 20 months and I do think it was because of the awareness of being wet from using cloth.

Maryann1975 · 09/02/2015 15:54

Is it possible to get your nappies outside to dry/air? This might help to get the smell out. It's been over two years since we finished with nappies, so I may have become forgetful, but I think that might help. Also a prewash, a hot wash and an extra rinse to check they are properly clean and there is no detergent left in them.

I used cloth with all three of mine and they were all dry around there second birthday, so you might be lucky and be nearly done with the nappies anyway. As with all parenting methods, there are no prizes given out for persevering with something you are finding just doesn't work. If it's not suiting you at the moment, try something else. When your children are about to go to high school (my eldest), No one will ever ask you, 'so dizzi, what kind of nappy did you use on dd2'? I know why you don't want to give up on them, I was the same, but in the great scheme of things, it really doesn't matter.

drspouse · 09/02/2015 16:08

I definitely recommend the strip wash for smelly nappies.
We sometimes use disposables at night with our potty trained 3yo heavy wetter but frankly even the special Dry Nites sometimes leak, even under a wrap.
Little Lamb bamboo fitted nappies are generally OK but not wicking enough for his princess like bum, so we are now trying Wee Notions night nappies.

CrystalHaze · 09/02/2015 16:26

I used cloth nappies right up till youngest was potty trained, but a disposable at night as we could never find a booster/wrap combo that didn't leak or leave red marks on the top of the legs.

So i don't think you need to ditch cloth altogether just because night-time isn't working.

Original poster
DizziDoll · 10/02/2015 00:09

Thanks! Some great tips. Dd is asleep with a disposable on. I feel quite relieved and hope to continue with cloth for awake times.
She has had a few succesful goes on the potty but is less keen now. Hopefully by summer we can crack it.
Dd1 and ds also went without nappies day and night almost straight away. They were really ready though.

OP posts:
ReturnfromtheStars · 10/02/2015 02:21

Biodegradable nappies?

flora717 · 10/02/2015 07:08

Are they one piece reusables? Are you using a booster (At night). It was a while ago now but I would fit the size 1 fluffle into the size 2 as a booster at night.
I used the fleece liners rather than the paper ones for when they were due a big poo.
I definitely agree with as much airing as you can get for the nappies.

MrsMook · 10/02/2015 08:59

DS1 began flooding out at night as he approached toilet training as the bladder releases more in a gush that overwhelms the absorbancy.

I'm a part time user with sposies for nursery. Unfortunately with allergies, we don't get solid stools, and the best way to shift an odour build up is to leavd them on the washing line for a while. I see any nappy saved on landfill as a bonus.

wurlycurly · 10/02/2015 09:36

I am another that used disposables at night. My dd potty trained at 22 months... She wanted to wear pants. I thought there was no way she was ready but she was so you could try that. And be prepared to give up if it isn't working :/

OwlinaTree · 10/02/2015 18:57

I put a small amount of napisan in with the detergent when I wash mine. I use half the recommended dose of both washing powder and napisan. Seems to stop them smelling when drying. Can't wait to be able to dry them on the line again!