To use a cloth wrap over disposable nappy?

[GrannyHasAPast]

My baby has skinny legs and nappies often leak. The nappy lady website suggests using a waterproof wrap over disposable nappies as you would with cloth ones, as an extra barrier. Has anyone tried this? Any suggestions for which wraps to buy?

Before this turns into a cloth vs disposable discussion - I'd love to use cloth nappies and I know they leak less, but it's not possible for us.

I do if we need to use disposables. It has saved so many leaks. I like the motherease Rikki velcro wraps.

Yes of course you can. If you can't get Motherease then try Nature babies they're really reliable and made in UK.
If you have a problem drying all the clothing you're going through - open a window, pop the clothing on an airer and point an electric fan on cold towards the clothing.

Have you tried other brands of disposable nappies to see if one is a better fit? Sellers on eBay often sell a selection of different brands so that you can see which fits best.

Also have you made sure that there is enough of a gap between the bodysuit and/or babygrow and the nappy? If there isn't enough space for the nappy to expand, then it will leak.

Motherease (I preferred the airflow as I don’t like Velcro) but they’re very popular and hard to get hold of now!

Nature babies

Close pop-in (and they now do popper wraps which I much prefer to Velcro)

They were the only brands of wrap I used and I loved them all

Possibly a better option that I find isn’t so well known is to use cloth wraps with disposable inserts, Grovia and Bumgenius both do these. It does mean there’s more chance of poo getting on the wrap when they’re still doing runny poos but it’s more eco-friendly and less bulky than using a wrap over a disposable, wet but not dirty inserts can be composted and the wraps can be washed with general washing rather than in a special wash routine like actual nappies do so not loads of extra washing. Not sure how the cost compares though, will find you some links

Forgot to mention GNappies! They don’t fit over disposables but do have the option of disposable inserts, plus they’re very slim and dead cute. Only downside is they’re not birth-to-potty like Grovia and bumgenius are so you have to buy a few sizes

www.babipur.co.uk/grovia-biosoaker-pads-50pack.html

www.babame.com/flip-disposable-inserts.html

www.gnappies.com/

Depending on the age of your child I would wholeheartedly recommend pull up pants. I don't know what it is, but they fit better all round. Avoid Asda little ones, their sizing it weird. Rascal and friends are brilliant, Pampers are good. Buy a small pack of Pampers pull ups and see how you get on.

Have you thought about a nappy laundry service. They launder and dry and return them. Costs about the same as disposables.

We've done it, with varying degrees of success after a memorable morning where I unzipped the grobag, only to find that the nappy had leaked and DS had had a good wriggle... He was caked in shit from his waist to his toes. And loving it... We tend to find that because disposables sit really high and cloth nappies sit low, it is really difficult to get a good fit so we often still get leaks. I really don't want to preach, but I always mention what our nct course leader said (when people seem open to the idea of cloth nappies): using one cloth nappy a day saves 365 from going to landfill each year.

If its the initial price putting you off check out Alvababy. I spent £100 on nappies and boosters that'll last DD until she's potty trained and they're amazing. If it's the laundry load/ability to dry then using covers on disposables should be absolutely fine.

I don't know if it's different for different types of wraps but when looked into for ds about 3 years ago I was warned against it as the disposable nappies aren't as breathable as cloth nappies so with the tight fitting cover would be uncomfortably warm and airless round the baby's nappy area.

@Rubbinghimsweetly That's true, and I think the nappy lady only advises Airflow wraps for that reason - they're loose fitting and let air circulate

Motherease wraps

Thanks all! I was indeed concerned about the breathability. But the airflow is described as loose fitting around the legs, which I worry would defeat the point as that's where we get leaks. Perhaps I'll try the Rikki and only use it when a poonami would be particularly inconvenient... I've also bought some other brands to try. Would be sad if I had to switch though - we are now using biodegradable kit & kin nappies which makes me feel at least a tiny bit better about all the landfill and the toxins I expose my baby to. But I can't continue parking his bum on a towel all the time!

i found the rikki more reliable, and also closer fitting which I liked.
When you say parking his bum on a towel, do you mean youve been using cloth but had issues?

Airflows are magic, no idea how they work but we never had a leak, even overnight in a totally soaked nappy, despite the loose legs