Changing to reusables... should I?

[burstingbug]

My ds is 14 months and has been in disposables since birth.
I am expecting another baby in August and was wondering if it would be a good idea to change to reusables now and use them on both children.
I have no idea where to start. Do I get a birth to potty pack hoping I can manage 1 pack between the 2 lo's or do I need to get specific sizes? Which brands are best, how many reusables will I need etc etc. I know the inital cost is pricey
Or do I keep using the quick and easy disposables which are a long term cost

Hi Burstingbug. I only have one in nappies, so hopefully others with two will post soon, but I would say yes, go for it. But consider something like a Bumble nappy, which is a one-size nappy, so that you can have both children in the same nappy, just with the booster for your ds and without, and folded in, for your little one. I would think that having two sizes would be much more difficult to manage - 2 different types to carry in the changing bag, etc. I use bumbles on my 11-month old and am really happy with them, and my friend uses them on her newborn with equal success.

I have 20 nappies, which is a machineload-full every few days with a few extras for use during the washing/drying cycle. I would probably advise you not to bother getting more than that, at least at first - you will have to wash more often, but you can only fit so many in the machine in one go... You will also need wraps in each size. My personal favourite are Motherease Airflow wraps, because they adjust to most shapes of baby - 3 in each size should do it (one on, one rinsed out and drying, and one emergency for if you have a soiled one and the other is still damp). You don't need liners because the nappies have a built-in liner.

Try \link{http://www.babykind.co.uk\Babykind} for supplies and advice.

BB, where abouts do you live? This week is real nappy week and there are a fair few events going on where you can get to talk to someone about your needs and see nappies in real life. There will also be some coverage in the media on this.

Yes, go for it, you will feel lovely and green.

I did washables from 6 or 7 months until 9, then nursery put a spanner in the works, and have just restarted at 2.3 (he still fits them). I think you can do whatever you like!
I got some big sized Ella's House bumhuggers, made of hemp, vv absorbent (though take ages to dry). I have 12 of them and 4 wraps and it is enough (though we do use a dipsosable at night). They certainly fit at both 6m and 2.3. For the next baby (hypothetical) I'll just get some smaller ones.
Ebay is veeery good for picking up nappies but do your research and don't pay over the odds, I've seen second-hand nappies go for more than you can buy them new (motherease packs etc).
www.kittykins.co.uk is a good site and gives a lot of well-written info.

ok, had a look at the link. Now would it be the poppers or the nippers?
I can see the advantage of the nippers because you have a bit more control on how loose or tight you make the nappy.
How reliable are the nippers or would they ping off?

the nappylady will give you loads of advie...and maybe your council runs a money back scheme- ours will give £51 towards the cost of them too.
good luck

Pruni, off to your link in a mo.
PP i live in south Dorset.

Cool, might see if dh will allow me to try our the incentive trial kit for £30, unless anyone feels i should go straight in and get a 'full set'

Dorset Information

Nappuccinos
Purbeck, Wareham Town Hall, 6 April, 9am-1pm
Christchurch, Burton Day Nursery, 131 Salisbury Road, 24 April, 10am-12pm
East Dorset, Corfe Mullen Village Hall 25 April, 10.30am-12pm
Bournemouth, Boscombe Childrens Information Centre, 26 April, 10am-1pm
Weymouth, Swimming Pool, Knightsdale Road, 28 April, 10.30am-12pm

Contact Laura Snoulton, 01202 495055, [email protected]

Blandford Forum
Real Nappy Week Special Offer, Ragtags, 29 West Street, 24-30 April, 10% discount on all orders and nappies sold.

Contact Alison Falconer, 01258 455707, [email protected]

Poole
Real Nappy Display, Antenatal Clinic, St Mary's Maternity Ward, Poole Hospital, 24-30 April

Purbeck
Real Nappy Display, Westport House, Worgret House, 24-30 April

Hope something is near to you. Kittykins also does a £30 trial pack which look good (Don't know if that's the one you were on about)

Nope, definately get a £30 kit (or similar) to start with.

cool, weymouth, i could pop into town, brill!
I was looking at the £30 starter, just need to sweet talk dh round to finding money for one.
At least we manage to make £16 on disposables last for a month if we're lucky

(I didn't switck until ds was about 15 months burstingbug)

Didn't switch till ds was well over 1. Have been surprised how easy it has been (tho' I still revert to disposables if we're away for any lenghth of time). So what have I learnt in the last 9 months?

Nippas are surprisingly effective and, as yet, have defied fidgety fingers

The Nappy Lady advisor system is great

Fleece lined products are fab in many ways but may upset those with sensitive skin after prolonged use

Some nappies are much lower in the rise than others; if your ds is tall and skinny then be careful what you buy. Totsbots were too low slung on mine and I actually watched a poo sliming its way out of the builder's bum effect!! Bumbles adn Sandy's (which we now have) are much more passion killer style and therefore have better containment.

There is a big second hand market (eg the Classified section of the Nappy Lady website) so you might want to buy a few cheap ones of several types and see which ones you like best before you commit yourself. Or, you can sell on any that you buy but don't get on with (which keeps the budget committee happy )

Some paper liners don't disintegrate when you flush them down the loo. I was advised to soak one in a bowl water and if it hadn't disintegrated after a couple of hours then to use a different brand or not flush them.

Hope that helps. Lecture over

I switched DS at 11 mths and it's well worth it, I've recently started using onelife as well which is birth to potty and fits DS at 2.3 yrs with room to expand (which Motherease couldn't do!).

Now is a good time to experiment with your first child to see how you get on, so I'd get one of each (say some birth to potty and some sized) and see what works. Some of the sized ones like Tots Bots can be used as BTP if they a nippa versions.

Alot of mums find a mixture handy depending on when you use them (EG night-time, travelling in the car and so on). IT's also a good idea just to get a few each month and build up, there are alot of offers on at the moment due to Real Nappy Week so a good time to get started cheaply

burstingbug I'd recommend motherease onesize because you can use those from birth and up to training

you can get second hand nappies from the nappy lady website (classifieds) and you can also sell them on later so it's not as expensive as you'd think

prefolds are dirt cheap and there is always someone trying to offload them. often there are women on the nappy lady website trying to sell off birth to potty packs that they
bought and then couldn't be fagged washing

start looking for bargains now!

if you need any advice about them - you already have my email from today

forgot to say I used prefolds with 2 kids from birth to training and they're great and supercheap

Thanks,
Seems I have chosen my week wisely to get into the reusables!
I'm going to see what the nappy lady has in her used section, also still hoping to get the incentive trial kit from kittykins website.
ds is reasonably tall for his age with chunky legs and belly.

I would say, forget putting ginormous nappies on a diddy baby, either buy some cheap terries or prefolds for the first 6 months, or splash out around £6 new or £4 second hand for a proper small nappy, like a diddy diaper or a bimble.
Then jump to size large at 6 months, which you can put your 14month old in immediately.
You will need more nappies for a littlie, as you know, and half that for a bigger baby. My ds is 17 months and goes through between 5 and 6 nappies a day, compared with 11 a day when he was born.
Have a look at UKParents buy and sell, or Ebay, or Nappy Lady classifieds or Hunnybeez classifieds, you are sure to pick up some major bargains there.
Good luck with it!!!!

My Ds has been in Bumbles since day 10. They give him a big bum but otherwise are fine, nippas pull them in just fine to fit him. He was 8lb 9 at birth to give you some idea of his size.
We go through 6-8 nappies a day , more days its 6 than 8. Hes 6 wks now.