Hi everyone, sorry about going AWOL for a bit. Work went to hell in a handbasket and I've had a tough few days, but seems ok now. Lots to catch up on:
cas good news about pain. Have you looked into the Alexander Technique? I've just started a course (about 12 weeks) so can let you know how it goes - may be crap, may be good, dunno, but is supposed to be V good for joint problems/supporting bad joints.
ski excellent re Quinny thing. Yes use the carrycot thing as a moses basket - why not. I did with our travel system with LC.
vag I've been given 2 dates from my 2 scans which are over a week apart and my actual dates are somewhere in the middle. Ignore it but I would advise trying to get the MW to accept the latest date you're given (eg this one which is a week longer than you expected) IF you don't want to be induced at the end if you go over - it gives you another week. If you'd rather not "risk" going over then go with your dates. Does that make sense?
cosmo excellent news re: job. I work 4 days and it's fabulous.
everyone
My fav baby books: The Baby Whisperer by Tracey Hogg I think, and for amusement only, "What to expect when your wife is expanding" - a parody for fathers to be. V funny if you can find a copy.
NCT: was an active member with LC and loved it. Total mix of "give me drugs and cut it out" people to "I going to have this baby in a lavender garden with all my family and friends watching". There may be an idea that it's all home-knitted placentas but in my experience it's just a mix of interesting people.
Labour : Really wasn't that bad. Honestly. I'm not concerned about it this time.
OK - nappies!!
Right, here are some answers:
Firstly, don't get too hung up on the different types and throw in the towel coz it looks too complicated. It's not.
Basically, it's the same as a disposable in that you have an outside waterproof part (the wrap), an absorbant part (the nappy) and a liner. Liners Are Not Optional although there are different types.
The wrap stops wet leaking through the nappy, and also seals the legs and waist.
The nappy absorbs the wet.
The liner keeps the wet away from the baby's skin and creates a barrier between the nappy and the poo, so it's just dropped into the loo (if a paper liner - more later). Paper liners are perfectly eco - it's just like loo paper.
Most washable nappies are like that - in 3 parts (sometimes called 2 part to refer to the wrap and nappy, but a liner is still needed). There are also pocket nappies, all in ones and birth to potty.
pocket nappies are a fabric liner (fleece) stitched to the wrap with a stuffable pocket in the middle that you stuff in a booster (the nappy). They are trimmer than regular washables, but less absorbant as there's less material to absorb stuff, and it's a hassle to stuff them. They're like marmite - and I hate marmite. You can use a paper liner them and any other fleece lined wrap if you want (as I said, more about liners later). Good for nurseries who don't want to learn how to use 3 parts.
all in one nappies are the wrap, nappy and liner all stitched together so it's just like using a disposable. Good for nurseries like pocket nappies. Expensive and in my opinion pointless. Although I do sell them as some people really like them - prob for their nurseries.
birth to potty nappies are usually referring to the absorbant part. Normally the nappy part of a 3 piece nappy is produced in either 2 or sometimes 3 sizes (whereas wraps are about 5 different sizes to fit really snuggly) but to avoid buying 2 sets of nappies there are some which are made with special popper layouts to fold them down to small babies and open out for toddlers. Usually they're fiddly and don't fit tiny babes and bigger kids. Motherease is the best known. Otherwise they're fine - ME is a good brand.
I sell Bambinex nappies which are 2 size, size 1 fits tiny (inc prem) to about 6-9 months and size 2 about 6-9 months to about 3+ years. A similar type is Tots Bots. They're both made in Turkey rather than China, which is better IMO!
With Bambinex/Tots Bots/Motherease type nappies you need the nappies, liners and wraps. ski mentioned colours - get yer colours in the wraps, not the nappies, as the nappy colour is covered by the wrap.
liners paper liners are easiest to use as you just tip it all into the loo, including the liner. You can also use fleece (very dry against the skin) but you need to tip the poo into the loo and newborns, esp BF, tend to have very runny poo so instead you may need to do a rinse cycle first in the machine. Silk bourette is for babies with nappy rash (good in any nappy inc disposable) but needs to be hand washed - ask for more details if you dare.
management is just like a sposie. With a sposie, you take off the nappy, in theory tip poo in the loo (it's a legal requirement!) but almost noone does. Wrap it in some more plastic or a sposie wrap bin, clean the babe with plastic sposie wipes (usually with alcohol on the wipe - very drying), bin that too then pop on another nappy.
With a washable, you take off the nappy, tip the liner into the loo, pop it into the nappy bucket with a lid (more in a mo), wipe the babe with a piece of cloth and water, pop that into the nappy bin to wash with the nappies, then pop on another nappy. No different. No mess.
nappy buckets are an essential. Buy a mesh liner for it and you can lift out the used nappies and pop them into the washing machine without touching them. Don't soak unless really necessary. The lid is tight and keeps ALL smells away - no probs there.
velcro poppers nappinippas
The nappy part needs to be fastened somehow and these are the three main options and each has pros and cons. I'd recommend velco (sometimes referred to as aplix which is a different brand of hook and eye but looks the same but a bit less durable).
Velcro Pros: it's completely adjustable, you can get a perfect fit each time. You can fold back the velcro tab on itself so it doesn't catch and stick to another tab in the wash. It's quick and easy to use esp on a wriggly baby
Cons: will last 2-3 babies but then may need replacing.
poppers Pros: lasts as long as the nappy usually, quick and easy to use.
Cons: Not as adjustable as velcro although generally not really a problem. A bit more fiddly than velcro.
nippas go onto a nappy with neither poppers or velcro and can be used on terries, too. They are a 3 piece hook system which has 2 arms clasping the waist tabs and another towards the crotch to hold it together. Pros: No poppers or velcro to wear out. Completely adjustable. Can be used on a size 2 nappy to make it a size 1 (ask for info). Cons: much more fiddly than either poppers or velcro until you get the knack, then really easy.
nappy styles
Prefolds (eg Bambino Mio) - rectangular piece of absorbant cotton or bamboo fabric. Fold into 3 and use a liner and wrap. Very cheap option. Good for newborns as it is bulky between the legs and keeps the legs in a hip-supporting "frog" position. Once past newborn as useful as a chocolate fireguard as they're not absorbant enough, and you get a huge and uncomfortable pad between the legs. If you must buy, buy newborn only and then use as changing mat liners/burp pads/window cleaning cloths etc.
3 parts (or 2 part or shaped nappies) are cut to the shape of a sposie and fit neatly and comfortable. Highly recommended. Use with a wrap and liner.
all in one wrap, liner and nappy all stiched together. Takes longer to dry than separates and expensive. Also you are essentially buying one wrap per nappy whereas you only need about 5 wraps per size as they're not changed each time the nappy is changed.
pocket pure marmite. If you want to try, just buy one or two and go from there. Liner is stiched to wrap with booster pad stuffed into the pocket these two make.
terries traditional terry squares. Make excellent nappies but are fiddly and shaped nappies give the same or better absorbancy but are already stitched into a nappy shape, so no folding.
OK that's got to be the longest post in MN history. Any questions let me know.