Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think you don't give this as a present?

124 replies

user1482802649 · 27/12/2016 01:47

I'm honestly not being ungrateful, I really appreciate the thought, but I'm just a bit confused.

Baby boy is 2 weeks old and one of my work colleagues (so it was nice of her to even do this tbh) got him a gift. It was an IKEA type tub with reusable nappies, I was thankful and then she went on to explain how they were her son's. I'm not asking out if nastiest I just don't know if you really gift reusable nappies that have been used by your child, to a friend's child?

Thank you.

OP posts:
EnoughAlreadyLady · 27/12/2016 10:36

There will be poo particles on them

NeedsAsockamnesty · 27/12/2016 10:43

If you really don't want to use them please don't throw them away.

Either the local authority or sure start/spurgons or the WWF in your area (most areas it's one of those three) will have a scheme where they provide either try me packs for anybody to use test them out see if it's for them then return them when they are finished and are ready to buy their own And some of those schemes will involve giving packs to families who are keen but could never afford a £200-£400+ upfront purchase.

Obviously that's if you can't be faffed with selling them, I gave my friend a little lamb start up set with extra nappies in she used them and when she finished with them she sold them on one of the selling sites got about £170 for them, I was really pleased because she's skint.

NoCapes · 27/12/2016 10:53

Eurgh no way would I put someone else's used nappies on my baby!
Just - Eurgh! Envy

lljkk · 27/12/2016 11:18

I used cloth nappies with all of DC. I find it presumptuous.... but sounds like OP is willing to give it a try so maybe not. Best of luck, lots of online clothie communities to talk to.

queenbeeee · 27/12/2016 13:07

I still wouldn't use them. I always sent my children to nursery with a change of clothes in there bag. I would not borrow underwear of anyone. To me that sort of thing is personal like a toothbrush. I don't care if they have been boil washed. It's still something I find disgusting. Each to there own. But that's my opinion

VladmirsPoutine · 27/12/2016 13:15

I wouldn't use them. Another person's nappies. No thanks. To me it's akin to gifting a friend my used underwear with the proviso that I'd washed them. They'd tell me fuck off, rightly so!

Ohyesiam · 27/12/2016 17:31

When I finished with my washable nappies, i sold them for over £100, so i'd say they are a good present.
I know what you mean, with the poo association, but when everyone used cloth nappies, they always got passed on. People generally boil wash them, so they will be clean.

RichardBucket · 28/12/2016 18:06

Rational or not, I wouldn't be able to use them without feeling squicky and I definitely wouldn't give them as a gift unless it was requested.

nocake · 28/12/2016 18:14

It's not rational to be squeamish about using second hand washable nappies. They are designed to come clean when they are washed. That's the whole point of them. If they aren't cleaned properly then after a few uses they stink...And they don't contain "poo particles"!!!

It's an odd but generous gift and I certainly wouldn't be offended by it. If you don't want to use them say thank you and return them or pass them on to someone else.

christinarossetti · 28/12/2016 18:16

She is trying to share the cloth nappy love!

I wouldn't give them as a gift per se, and esp not if the recipient hadn't expressed an interest in using them, but by the time you've finished using them, your boundaries around squeamishness have dramatically changed, and they will seem like a fine gift.

Perola · 28/12/2016 18:19

I would have sold them on one of the many sites for the purpose. They're not gross - but they make extra work if you were planning to use disposables. It is a bit odd with no discussion about whether you wanted them first.

CrowyMcCrowFace · 28/12/2016 18:24

I used reusable nappies on my 3dc (mostly 2nd hand) & then gave them all away. A load went on MN & then the remainder were given to a friend who is involved in a charity for young parents - she saw they went to appreciative recipients.

I'd always check first though. I think it's odd to be squicked out by a well washed nappy, but not everyone is me - & if you just 'ta-dah!' a load of washable nappies on a squicker, a) they'll feel awkward /think you're a twat/both & b) those lovely useful expensive nappies will go to waste.

OP's mate should definitely have asked first.

Onlygingergothinthevillage · 28/12/2016 18:45

I can see how OP is a little perplexed if using cloth hadn't occurred to her before. I disagree that it's somehow 'presumptuous' or imposing her values. Considering how much you need to spend on kit for a first baby and how expensive reusable are I think it's a very generous gesture. Even if you don't like the idea of using them it was a thoughtful gift. Accept them in the spirit they were given. If you aren't going to use them give them back in a few week time & tell her you didn't get on with them & then she could find a better home for them.

JellyWitch · 28/12/2016 18:49

I would be thrilled - even second hand they aren't cheap. If you're happy to give them a go they will save you a fortune over disposables.

TinselTwins · 28/12/2016 19:01

It's not like a bag of used clothes that you might get a £10 for if you're lucky

A whole storage box of reusable nappies could potentially be worth around £200 or possibly even more depending on the brand.

Allthewaves · 28/12/2016 19:01

Most reusables are better pre loved as they have reached max absorbancy

TinselTwins · 28/12/2016 19:02

It's a VERY generous gift. Resuable nappies sell much easier (and hold value) than used baby clothes

OneWithTheForce · 28/12/2016 19:06

if you really gift reusable nappies that have been used by your child, to a friend's child?

That's the whole point of them. They're resuseable. Mine are on their fourth baby now. My DC were the 2nd and 3rd to use them.

Giselaw · 28/12/2016 19:09

"The clue is in the name. They're reusable."

So is any soiled, worn underwear once washed. Just because you stick "reusable" instead of "used" in front doesn't mean it isn't a piece of cloth that was used to absorb wee and shite.

Allthewaves · 28/12/2016 19:14

I didn't really use them much for my 1st but discovered the cloth love for my 2nd and 3rd. Most my nappys are second hand off ebay.

It's an ok gift. She's giving you the option to try, not forcing you. If u don't want to use them just ask her politely if she wants them back or if you could pass them on. There's usually cloth nappy libraries that are always looking to add to their stock

Allthewaves · 28/12/2016 19:17

Most people use a cloth or paper liner with nappies so they rarely get very soiled. I used a two part system so I could boil wash them the hang on the line as sunshine gets rid of germs.

Check out nappylady, loads of good advice if your interested

TinselTwins · 28/12/2016 19:17

Used knickers aren't usually worth hundreds of pounds (unless you find some very specific niche markets maybe)

I think giving something of that high a value counts as a gift.
If I gave someone a bag of hand me down clothes I'ld probably not count it as a gift, and give a gift as well, since I'ld struggle to get a £10 from used baby clothes. But if I gave a whole set of used nappies I don't think I should feel obliged to also give a gift.

mistermagpie · 28/12/2016 19:27

Weird 'gift' if you had never mentioned cloth nappies, although as pp have said they are quite valuable. I wouldn't be squeamish about using them, most of my DSs clothes are second hand and everything gets washed first, but I would feel odd about accepting them unless I was planning on using reusable nappies.

BWatchWatcher · 28/12/2016 19:28

She may have used liners which kept the poo off the nappies.
It's a brilliant present (though I can see why you'd be a bit squeamish), especially if you are planning to have more than 1 child.
It will save you money and keep hundreds of nappies out of landfill where they take decades to decompose.
We used cloth during the day and disposable at night.
Wash them on a hot temperature and give them a go!
Cloth nappied children also toilet train sooner.

TinselTwins · 28/12/2016 19:29

Weird 'gift' if you had never mentioned cloth nappies

Things I never mentioned that I was planning to use but recieved as baby gifts:

  • silver photo frames
  • birth certificate holder, first hair lock/tooth holder
  • booties
and many other things which I never said that I was planning to use, are they weird gifts too?
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.