about to switch to re-usable nappies...need some advice

[luvaduck]

right this is it - don't know why its taken us so long. we've going to switch to cotton nappies for ds (aged 9 months)

can you tell me

a) which is the best brand??

b) do you honestly think you can do it in a 1 bed flat (moving in 6 months)
how smelly is it? how much storage space do you need?

c)pros and cons of using nappy laundering service?

thanks guys!

a) i use motherease sandys but it all depends on your individual circumstances as to which is the best brand eg how you will dry them etc. i recommend thenappylady.co.uk who will ask you a series of detailed questions and make a no obligation recommendation to you (I HONESTLY have no connection with them other than being a satisfied customer)

b) yes as long as you have a dedicated space for drying them eg an airing cupboard. i do not recommend tumble driers as v un eco friendly! not smelly at all as long as you have a bucket with a tightly fitting lid and dont store them wet just dry. a muslin with tea tree oil on hides smells anyway but i have never found this to be a problem

c) there are none in business in my area now. they are pricey and like any rental you have nothing to show for your payments for eg another baby. but it is meant to be the most eco friendly way of doing it and obv much less labour intensive (which it isnt really esp wiht just one baby)

agree with nowwearefour, another vote for the nappylady = another satisfied customer, they all ahve to have used/areusing real nappies to get the job, we use bumgenius and they are fab

a) depends on numerous factors - drying facilities, preference to two parter system or pocket nappy system, age of baby....

b) doable with a quick drying system - terry square, microfibre nappies or pockets for example.... storage space - a drawer or just a higher ironing pile!

c) pros - dunno as never used one
cons) you dont own your own nappies, you are reliant on a laundering service, have to use what they supply so no choice eg. they may only supply something that doesnt suit, you cant sell on the laundry service nappies.....

There are a couple of mumsnetters inthe small business classified section inc myself who would be happy for you to contact em to give oodles of advice........ FOR FREE! coz we love talking nappies

No smells either and yess bumgenius are fab........

I would strongly recommend buying various 2nd hand nappies to see what suits your ds' size & shape best. The best wraps are motherease air flow or popolini vento (they are practically the same wrap).

I've had 3 in cloth and they've all been best suited to different things but those wraps are the most reliable.

this is great - thanks will have a proper read after dinner

in terms of drying - no tumble dryer or airing cupboard - just a garden...is this a major problem???

avoid bamboo as it takes a donkeys age to dry un;ess your willing to buy ooodles or substitute with some microfibre or quick drying ones...........

OMG didn't realise so many diff factors - a whole new world!
ok will take the plunge
am married to an eco-warrier and HATE the idea of those chemicals next to his skin
will give nappy lady a go

thanks again!!

Check the classifieds on here for people selling 2nd hand ones then you can give different makes a try more cheaply.
Agree that different babies suit different nappies - I virtually had to get all new nappies for ds2 as he was a completely different shape to his brother.

i would think drying is going to be a problem for you with not even an airing cupboard. do speak to nappy lady about that. you might need to get ones you fold yourself eg terries. nappies take 24 hours in airing cupboard. garden on the hottest of days still isnt properly dry and for most uk days i would think these will take ages and ages and ages. you wont want them hanging around inside for days on end.

hmmmmm good point nowwearefour
apparently some are quicker drying than others
damnit

if drying is an issue then just use a prefold system. The wraps dry in minutes and the nappies are thin and flat, so they dry overnight on a maiden.
I was talking to some friends - we all used a million different nappies which all cost lots of money and take years to dry.
We mostly agreed that if starting again we would use Cotton Bottoms; the system is really cheap compared to separate shaped nappies and wraps, the wraps are really good and the nappies dry quickly.
They are not really suitable for night though but I find a good quality terry (NOT the mothercare ones, try Little ewe, I used these in their smaller and larger sizes and they are amazingly absorbent and dry overnight on the maiden) and booster (also all flat) works really well.
The world won't end if you use a couple of disposables for nights rather than switching on a tumble dryer IMO.

Completely agree that it is a good idea to try some secondhand ones before committing to your final 'system'. Although I have bought a few where the PUL (waterproof breathable layer) had degraded and was no longer waterproof.

I have used terry squares and tots bots (both with Motherease wraps) and various pocket nappies. I like the pocket nappies best, especially with microfibre inserts as they dry really quickly. But I know it depends on the shape of your baby. A friend swears by the Motherease all-in-ones.

I have just handed over a variety to my sister who has a 13 month old and she really didn't get on with one type of pocket nappy but the others fitted fine, and the Motherease ones too. Not sure which she's going for in the end but at least she wasn't paying £8 a nappy to try them out!

Helps to have your dh on your side too - I am expecting ds3 next month and dp is still very negative about reusables . I wonder if he'd have been more positive if I'd involved him more in the decision.

Another vote for cotton bottoms here. They wash well and dry relatively quickly. Plus they are cheap so you can also get yourself a few Bumgenius for going out and a nice wool soaker for nights.

bumgenius for going out? what does this mean???

ladies this is soooooo useful thanks
x

Bumgenius are a pocket nappy, they go on just like a disposable and pretty slim so much easier to take out and about and very DH/babysitter/MIL-friendly.