Talk me into using cloth for DS (17 months) please

[suwoo]

I don't actually need much talking into as I want to go for it but I need all the gory details. He is a little dot (9-12 months clothes) and doesn't wet much and generally does 1 poo a day. The main issue is my laziness re washing. I currently do 3 loads all on a Sunday, 1 whites, 1 pinks and 1 darks. I need you to talk me through right from the basics of what to buy and how many and what to do with them when soiled ie buckets and washing machine etc. I feel so guilty when I see my wheely bin full of disposables. I know he is approaching potty training age, but I imagine he will be nearer to 3 (DD was 18 months) but DS can't talk yet so don't imagine will be soon- and will be long enough to make a difference. Thanks.

look on nappylady website
they will put you in touch with local advisor and you can go round and look at the nappies
she'll tell you exactly which ones would be best for you
tbh once I saw all the cute and fluffy nappies I really started to look forward to using them

FWIW - On the news at the weekend it said disposables were going up by 10% because of the oil prices!

Even more reason...

I spoke to the nappy lady when I was pregnant, she said if I was a lazy arse with washing then not to use them. I need more step by step instructions someone please.

Do they dry though, in the Manchester winter?

OK, so a bucket, is that dry pailing (whatever the fuck that is) or with napisan like my mum did in the 70's? And which nappies are the least fuss and how many approx? Bear in mind my kids have shit loads of clothes and DS has about 9 pairs of shoes (just so I don't panic about last minute washing), I truly am a lazy arse!

I don't have a tumble drier and we won't be getting one as nowhere to put it. Sure my mum didn't have one though in the 70's so that must be ok?

OK, so I'm going to look at fluffles on Ebay etc (are they still allowed on Ebay, I remember reading something....) So I have to buy seperate insert things? God, its complicated. So approx how many? I'm thinking 15, is that about right? I really am clueless.

if you want fluffles hurry up! they are being discontinued
we are getting fluffles too they are unbelievably soft and cute and come out of the machine virtually dry
you need some fluffles and some wraps eg Motherease wraps would be good

how many wet / pooey nappies would ds have a day atm?

Fluffles are good but very bulky!
I would also recommend a nappy net in the bucket, i recently started using one in each of my buckets and cant believe how much easier it is to just chuck the net full of nappies in the wash!

What are wraps? F&Z, I use a mooncup because of you, so come on, sell me the cloth! I only change him once in the day, so only 3 nappies in 24 hours unless pooh'd which he does in the morning normally in his overnight nappy.

Bulky scares me! I am very bothered about appearances and DS has a fabulous wardrobe, will it no longer fit him? I am though equally concerned about environmental issues, so will have to buy him new (from Ebay of course) not sure budget will stretch to all that. Come on, I need more of you to talk me into it........

well I would say you would want to be washing about every 3 days before they get really manky
so you would need about 10 nappies (the cotton or fleecy inner bits)
then some wraps - the plastic outer bits that stop the wetness coming through onto their clothes - maybe 4 of those?

if you want to test them why not buy 1 wrap (motherease) and 3 fluffles and try it for a day? you may find you could just bung them in the wash at the end of the day and just keep going for a few days, then you could decide if they are the right ones for you without a big outlay

I have been told that although bulky, they kind of squash down
don't know if is true as have not started to use them yet (baby not arrived)

I use fluffles at night as dd3 looks like a weeble in them! She is petite and usually wears 6-9 months but has to wear 9-12 sleepsuits due to the bulk and she doesn't have boosted.

Oh God, I am being put off by the hugeness thing - keep selling......

su you're going to have to buy him next size up clothes at some point anyway, right? just buy bigger trousers

(am trying to convince self it will be fine as hugeness also scaring me )

aw think how cute they will look with big fat bottoms

True and I do have some bigger jeans put by, he is still wearing some 6 month jeans . Its such a minefield, will also be difficult to persuade DH of the initial outlay, although any sensible person can see the bigger picture. Keep going though everyone, this is a huge step for me.

why not try buying a few first
maybe of one or two different types
or see the nappy lady again and tell her you are not such a lazy bint now