Raging. Please, please help me to keep using cloth nappies...

[ThatGhastlyWoman]

Have been using cloth nappies of various sorts since our daughter was born 9 months ago.

We started with flat nappies, and have gradually introduced more 'shaped'-style nappies until we made an investment just before Christmas in a load of BumGeniuses (mainly because my OH found flat nappies difficult to use and prefers using disposables really).

Disaster. The only shaped nappy I currently own which does not leak like the Titanic is a random Totsbots one we got in a bag of samples. It doesn't matter what I do with the Bumgeniuses:
-I have recently stripped them as per instructions
-I use almost no barrier cream, and use a fleece liner at all times in any case
-I have tried them on both the smallest and the medium setting
-I check around the edges every time I put one on, religiously, in case any fleece is poking out

I have had to change my daughter's entire outfit roughly every two hours today. It's actually tipping me over the edge here.

She is very wriggly and active, so flat nappies are much harder to use now she is crawling as she won't stay still! She is quite stocky, I don't know if that might be a factor?

Also, have you actually read the full instructions for Bumgenius care? They are insane. They suggest two full washes every single time. How is that eco? I have been using a 50 degree wash that has a prewash and takes quite a while. I use a small amount (1/4 normal amount) of a non Bio supermarket own brand. I don't use conditioner, even in our normal washes (I use vinegar and a few drops of lavender essential oil for those).

We do have other nappies- the Mothercare 'own brand' ones - but I can't use them on her continuously as they seem to leave red marks on her skin. Also, I mind less about those as they weren't nearly as bloody expensive!

Please tell me if there is something I may be doing wrong, as this is too much like hard work and I am really struggling now: bad enough trying to persevere when my OH isn't keen, without constant leaks!

I have recently had to stop breast feeding as I just wasn't producing enough any more, so this just feels like yet another failure. :(

Which insert(s) are you using? Where abouts is it leaking - waist, legs? Are her vests tight around her bum? That can squeeze the microfibre and make it leak, like wringing a flannel (in which case you can buy vest extenders). Is the nappy dry when you take it off, like it's not absorbing, or is it soaking wet? It could be your fleece liners repelling the wee - you can test by dribbling a bit of water onto one and seeing if it rolls off in beads or soaks in straight away.

Sorry, lots of random thoughts, hope it helps.

Hi curlykate, and thanks for responding. :)

The leaking is worst about the legs. I don't think it's her vests, as I just moved her up to the next size (9-12) - partly because I wanted to avoid that issue. Though maybe I should take another look, since possibly they're cut more for disposable-wearing babies.

I might try a her in one tomorrow again, just to see how wet it gets. And try the droplet test again: have done this in the past, but didn't think to do it today, as they've only been stripped less than a week ago!

Re: the inserts: I am using the larger of the two which comes with them. Do people add more layers?

Thanks again. Will see how we get on tomorrow...

We were on both inserts by the time DD1 was 9 months (although happily using one with DD2). Try using both?

Ooh. You know, you could be onto something. She's a big baby, and my God does she produce, er... waste products. I just stupidly assumed you didn't combine the inserts.

Derp.

Can't offer specific BG advice but I've found pocket/aio nappies do tend to leak around ds2's legs after a couple of hours. We tend to put a ME wrap over the top and no probs. I guess if you'd prefer the simplicity of the AIO then it might not work for you, but we use MEOS most of the time anyway so it made sense to try.

I wouldn't advocate fleece liners in a fleece lined nappy, the double wall of fleece can cause absorption problems and lead to leaks. Try without the additional liner and see how you get on. I had similar issues when using liners with fleece lined nappies.

Some babies are just mammoth wetters and out wee all but the most boosted nappy. You could maybe try some hemp inserts?

Also, maybe the change to formula has had an effect? I don't think it's as thirst quenching as breastmilk, so baby needs more volume to address thirst, so may wee more? I may be talking out of my arse about that though!

Was the totsbots nappy an easyfit? Of all the nappies I used (and there have been lots) easyfits were the best and thirstiest for their relative slimness by far.

Microfibre absorbs quickly but doesn't hold a lot. You need a hemp or bamboo booster underneath to hold in all the wet.

When building DS1's nappies I always thought of sanitary towels - quick dry top sheet and an ultra absorbent core LOL

And re washing, I always did a cold rinse, then a normal 40 degree wash and never really had any build up issues.

Oh, and bloody well done for getting to 9 months with breastfeeding :o I know it's hard having to give up before you and baby are ready (I had to stop at 10 months with my DD as my supply dwindled due to being pregnant again), but you've given her a great start and are in a small percentage of women who BF beyond 6 months and I think you should pat yourself on the back for that :)

And yy to combining the small and large inserts. My DS was on both together by 9-10 months

I used cloth nappies for all 3 of mine, and never washed them twice each time (wet pailed when I only had one in nappies, then dry pailed for 2 or 3, as I'd be washing at least once a day).
I never 'stripped' them, just washed at 60 degrees, and 90 if they were looking grubby. Hung on the line as much as I could (no garden so have to drive to my mum's to hang out!).
I always used PLU wraps over the nappy, which seemed to work ost of the time.
As they get bigger they do wee more. I just used to add more boosters when that happened.

Aw, brilliant, people. Thanks for all the extra things to think about, I reckon with your input I'm going to lick this thing. Well, not lick exactly..!

LackaDAISYcal: can't remember offhand what Totsbots model it is, but will check in the morning (currently in the nappy bucket). Re: the fleece liner- but what about the dreaded poo...? Currently I've been saving my poopy liners to one side and then 'dealing with them' boak before doing a nappy load. Do you scrape the nappy straight away?

COCKadoodledoo: you mean Mother Ease by ME? In which case, a MEOS is a what? Mother Ease One Size? Sorry, I'm a but rubbish at acronyms. :)
Will try putting a wrap over the top if the extra insert isn't doing the trick tomorrow.

Thanks again for all the helpfulness. :)

(Thanks, also. amstillsexy. we x-posted. Another one for boosters, then. Starting to make more sense, now...)

The suedecloth liner on BG is really good at repelling poo stains. And if DD is now on solids/formula her poo will be much more formed, so should just plop off if you stretch the nappy over the toilet.

You know I'm going to have nightmares about 'poo incidents' now, right?

;)

a lot of people seem to have problems with bumgenius.

what are the legs like?
we use various brands and have found that the wraps with "gussets" on the legs are best. make sure there's no gapage and that you can't see any of the cloth underneath and you should be fine.
also, we've found that you have to have it on dead straight.

talking of liners:
i bought a load of terry towelling and overlocked the edges to make boosters.
(folded over into 3s works best)

so maybe you need to think of that?
the fleece liners are only for keeping the wet from the skin, they're not meant to be absorbent.
you need to get some boosters.

from nappy lady
from fill your pants
nappy shed (she's a MNer too)

Thank, nickel!

Have been considering various options. I think I even have some bamboo terry somewhere from an insane attempt to make some of my own nappies- though whether there's enough there to do much I'm not sure. I also have some bamboo terry squares from when she was little that are too small to use now. I guess I could just cut those up and use them. Obvious solution, now I think about it!

Re: the fleece, I did know it doesn't absorb. It's to ensure that the wet wicks away from her skin- I had them for the flat nappies from the beginning, but continued to use them in the pocket nappies to protect the nappy from barrier cream and so I could remove the poo more easily.

Shall check out those links now. Thanks very much!:)

Sorry to not get back sooner - yes, you're right re acronyms. Only I'm scared the feminists will get me if I utter their full titles

My only experience with bumgenius was when one was part of a 2-week "hire 20 different nappies to choose your favourite" hire and I didn't think much of it then. I preferred 2-part nappies as the bumgenius type seemed to be full of design flaws which would lead to leaking. This probably isn't very useful advice as presumably you wouldn't have the budget to change brands, but I've been very happy with a variety of shaped inner nappies (nature babies lovable/thirsties fab fitted/totsbots) and naturebabies wraps.

Nickel - on a totally random front, I just bought some new Totsbots EasyFits, have you seen them? They are all fairytales, When my Chicken Licken and Giant Turnip ones arrived this morning I though of you instantly I'm not a stalker honest!

ooooh, that's pretty cool!

We use bumgenius and have completely given up on the microfibre inserts. We bought little lamb inserts and now they work. www.fill-your-pants.com/inserts-and-boosters/little-lamb-pocket-bamboo-insert.html

Thanks, mummysmellsofsick. I still haven't got around to ordering new inserts (doubling up the microfibre ones that came with and hoping to find time to do some sewing), but I'm going to take a look at those.

I have to say, and I might change my mind, or perhaps would feel differently if my daughter wasn't a great big widdler, but I really reckon they're overrated now...

i had a think about this yesterday when i was changing dd.
she'd been wearing a microfibre nappy, which was really horrible - it was wet, but all on the surface iyswim? - you could really feel the wee, whereas the cotton ones that she wears always feel wet but damp, as if it's been properly absorbed.
it might just be that the fabric doesn't absorb it properly.