How long should a reusable nappy last?

[BubbaShrimpy]

Hi everyone,

I bought reusable nappies 4 years ago when my daughter was born. She has worked her way through stages 1 and 2, and potty trained at 2 years. My son is 16 months and is now wearing the stage 2 nappies, having used the stage 1 again already as well. I guess my stage 2 nappies have been worn for about 2 and a half years between the pair of them. Stage 1 are in pretty poor condition now, but stage 2 are in really really bad shape. The tongues have fallen off, the material has split and torn, and the velcro is not very 'sticky'! I am pregnant with my 3rd child now, and looking to buy a new set. Basically, I loved the make of nappies I bought previously (totsBots Bamboozles) and am looking to buy the new Bamboozle Stretech this time.

Basically, I am presuming that all reusable nappies still have a shelf life, and with all the washing etc, cannot be expected to last forever. Am I wrong? How long would you expect your reusables to 'last' for? Or how long have they lasted for, and what make do you use? I am only asking, as it would be silly to buy the same make again, if they have not lasted as long as they 'should have'.

Thanks in advance!

i bought motherease for dd (now 7) i then loaned them to a friend with twins who then passed them onto another friend, then back to my sister whose 3 dd's have used them. they appear to be indestructible.

That's interesting! Wow - mine don't compare to that at all, and are in shreds. I'm not the worlds most careful person so I wonder how much of it is my fault and how much is the make?! I'll check out Motherease too. They are obviously long lasting, but are they good in other areas too?

Bumpity bump

I use Babybeehinds and they are still in good shape aftervbeing used constantly on two children for the last 4 years. They are one-size nappies, so really have been used a lot. My Motherease wraps are in good nic too.

I don't know about expecting them to last 'forever', but they should definitely last for 2 children IMO.

I think the problem is that velcro loses its stickiness after a while. My popper nappies and wraps are still good, the velcro ones not. The terry squares I have are mostly ok, some look a little ropey but they'd probably do another baby. Not that there'll be another one.

(Reminder to self: find a new home for nappies)

Thanks 2cats and omicron. Hmmmm perhaps mine didn't last as long as they should have. I did bleach them once though, after my husband dyed them all blue. As they're bamboo I fear this was very bad. maybe that was their downfall.

I used Diddy Diapers, stage 2, on my 6 year old, used the same ones on my 4 year old and my 10 month old is now wearing them! They are in great condition, the towelling on the outside is a bit worn down in places but they are still very much usable.

All my tots bots apart from the stretchies have lasted my friends 2 children and both my girls (didnt use them for DS). They are now fraying at the edges and looking a bit 'tired'. The stretchies i cant comment on as they are fairly new (about 6 mths or less).

I have 2 motherease sandys which have lasted my friends 2 and my 2 DDs and still look new! they seem to last very well indeed. IMO tots bots dont last as long as motherease.