Help! No idea!

[fl0b0t]

Hello all! I'm still a bit scared of mumsnet, but having got a great community in antenatal clubs, I'm braving the rest of the forums.

I've been very very kindly given 3 types (well 4) of reuseable nappies. I'm hoping to use them where possible but feel a bit blinded by them.

I've got some Motherease all in ones and some Motherease inner & outers, some Kushies all in ones and a couple of big fluffy woolly ones which simply have a picture of a sheep on the label! Baby due in 2 ish weeks... I've stuck them all in the washing machine to see what happens (most the labels are readable ish)...

I just want to know what I need, how to prepare myself for using them- any tips based on the specific brands..... anything anyone can do to help! I don't want to end up just defaulting to disposeables for being "easier"!

Thanks in advance!

We used disposables at first, depending on size of baby vs size of nappies you might find it is impossible to use them until baby is a bit bigger. Esp in the first few weeks, there is so much going on, adding cloth nappies into the mix might put you off before you've even started!

At the moment we are alternating, because I still don't fully trust the cloth nappies (we have bambooty all in ones) to catch poo. I would def suggest experimenting with them when you are not going out, and seeing which you like the best.

Using both works quite well because every cloth nappy I use I figure I have saved 15p or whatever but the washing level isn't too daunting. We will use cloth 100% eventually but we are easing into it!

Hi we used washables from about 2-3 weeks with both dc. We actually found they kept poo in far better than disposables which seems to be most people's experience! We used little lamb bamboo with a waterproof outer and also fuzzi bunz when out and about as they are easier to handle (all in one).

Cheers both! Definitely want to give them a good go so waiting until a couple of weeks sounds like a good plan :)

I'm desperate to use them as I'm astonished by the wastage of disposables but I also appreciate practicalities of using disposables it and about. How long do you find they take to dry once washed? Think we've got about 15 reusables total

hiya, your ones that are fluffy with a sheep on will likely be Little Lambs - these need a wrap, you could use the Motherease wraps you have with them.
The Motherease all in ones are birth to potty, you fold the front down and then do them up, they will be VERY bulky on a little one though.

Some dry faster than others, it will depend on what they are made of. The Motherease (ME) will take a while, bamboo for me can take upto 3 days to dry properly even if been outside, microfibre and pockets are fastest in a couple of hours.
Wraps don't need washing every time, just wipe them dry if wet inside and stick back on again a few times.

We used dispo for the first few days till the cord was off and the meconium stopped. Haven't found it a hassle at all. Five mins to load washer (don't use fabric conditioner) and ten mins to hang out and another 10 mins to assemble (I like them in piles ready stuffed and lined etc to grab but that's just me!)
I have a mix of:

Wraps:
Motherease rikki and airflow - totally amazing!
Little Lambs - good
Cotton Bottoms (preloved and didn't like them, saving for swimming nappy)
Tots Bots - ok but not keen

Nappies:
Junior Joy prefolds -totally underrated and overlooked! need a wrap - really impressed with how much pee these hold! managed 8hrs with one in a ME wrap once by turning it over at nappy change as underneath was still dry
Tots Bots easyfit (all in ones) good
Tots Bots Flexitot - needs wraps with -not available anymore - good
Lollipop microfibre - needs wraps - bloody great and dry in 3 hours inside
Little Lambs microfibre - needs wraps - good
Nature babies Diddy Diapers - need wraps and pins or nappi nippas - bloody great too but slower to dry
Cheapie chinese ebay pockets - great, not leaked once, dry within an hour for the pocket itself and a few hours for the microfibre boosters - can be boosted with extra prefolds, hemp or bamboo booters

Only leaks I have had have been down to user error like not doing them tight enough, or not making sure the wrap was covering the nappy properly and tucked right into leg crease. And one from what I think is a way past it's best secondhand one.

HTH?

remember you'll need a bucket or wet bag for in the house (if bags get a couple for wash and use) and get a wetbag for the changing bag too. I got mine from Pixie Pants on FB.

sorry!

And I didn't buy liners, I chopped up an old fleece blanket, it's like magic, the fleece keeps your baby bone dry!

Wow- really helpful thanks foof! Fleece sounds like a good plan too! Do they not come out like towels without conditioner (i.e scratchy?!)? I put a bunch in the washing machine last night to see how they did (with conditioner) and they are drying well (ok it's summer and our house doesn't have damp problems).
Will see how well the mother ease wraps fit the little lambs- and yes they look V bulky!

I guess we'll see how we get on with the ones we have and then see if we want to branch out to get some more? Where can you get a decent nappy bucket from? And do you soak before washing?

Thanks!!

Also taken a good look here: www.goreal.org.uk/using

You'll need to rewash the ones you did with conditioner on them a few times, sorry!

Conditioner coats the fibres and repels moisture, think what brand new towels are like till they've been washed a few times.

Some terry nappies can get a bit stiff over time but you can tumble them a bit to soften, rub them together, or hang out in a rain shower till dry.

Any wrap can go over any shaped nappy pretty much.

Have you looked at local nappy libraries in your area to hire out some to try?

Any bucket with a lid will do, I use wetbags and don't soak, most manufacturers no longer recommend soaking as it shortens the life of the fabric.

Fab, thanks foof. These ones are not new.... Very second hand :) can give them another wash but hopefully they'll be ok as I only chucked a little in. We dont have a tumble drier so ill have to think about hiw to keep them soft!

All nappies I washed are dry now-hurrah! Not found any local nappy libraries but hoping to make do with what I've got! Dont want to have to put any or much money into this as half the reason we are doing it is cost :)

I've ordered a cheap lidded bin and some disposable liners plus some of that sprinky powder stuff! Hopefully that's a good kit to get me going? Thanks for the advice!

Foof has it covered :o

I would add a couple of big mesh laundry bags. Use as bin liners, then take out and transport to washing machine.

Thanks all! Great ideas- sorry for the slow reply- a baby boy arrived on Monday! :-)

Congratulations

oooh congratulations flob!

www.bambinomioshop.co.uk//miosolo-all-in-one-reusable-nappy-due-to-volume-you-cannot-specify-a-colour-you-will-receive-one-of-the-colours-listed-617-p.asp

Just in time, use code "free" and just pay postage (£4.95)

Fab and thanks! Now meconium is out of the way the plan is to establish feedin properly and then look at nappies! Lots f the ones we have say "2" on them, I assume this is their size? Does this mean not suitable from birth?

Free nappy ordered! Thanks pidjin!!

Yes, if you google the brand you can find out the weight range :)

flob, it depends what you have, sometimes a size 2 can be folded down to fit a smaller baby, like diddy diapers size 2s for instance.

Did I miss a free nappy? ARGH!

It might still be there?

If you decide to get more nappies but don't want to spend a fortune, ask for NapNap Cloth Nappy Gift Vouchers (from reallyecobaby.co.uk) to friends and family for your birthday or Christmas. You can exchange them in lots of shops.
Another way to get nappies for free!

Thanks for the advice all! Had a bit of a dabble with them this week and it's gone well so far. The Kushies were a little bit and leaked around the leg but the mother-ease, little lambs and the new bambino mio were all great. I bought some liner paper- the only thing it doesn't say is which side up to put it?! and how large you need the bit to be. They come in square sheets- I cut them in half so they fit in the nappies....?

Oooh and in addition- I've done my first wash and a few of them have stayed stained with yellow bum-juice!

I didn't soak them as I was told it's not necessary, but I did use some Bio D nappy Fresh but it didn't seem to work?

Kushies aren't meant yto be much good really

How did you wash, whats your routine? I dry pail (well it's a bag) and wash every 2-3 days - I do a cold rinse cycle and spin to get the wee out so they aren't washing sloshing in wee water in main cycle, also stops stains setting in ;)
then i do a 40c or a 60c depending on which I am washingm with a scoop of bold 2 in 1 (the only one with conditioner you can use as it's clay based). Some people rinse after but I don't the machine does plenty rinses.
Paper liners, no idea I chopped an old fleece blanket and made liners from that.

I've since discovered woolly pants too, and highyl recommend them for when baby starts sleeping through :)