CLOTH NAPPIES- ANOTHER VIRGIN NEEDING ADVICE!!

[loopylou49]

Sorry for the essay!!
I have decided to do the switch from disposable nappies to re-usable ones. I have a 3 1/2 year old boy who wets so heavily at night that his pull up explodes. I have an 11 month old daughter and no 3 on the way beginning nov. Really must switch as cost is too high and quite embarassed by no of nappies in rubbish.
HAve researched thoroghly and still undecided. Lady in area who sells nappies suggested bambino mio, bamboozle or sandys. Have had one of each to trial (which isn't nearly enough).So far:
1- Bamboozle is nice. Takes forever to dry. Always seems to feel a bit damp when I know should be dry. Doesn't seem to be absorbant at night as dd wakes up wet clothes and grobag
2- Sandys is great. Not as long to dry. dd dry in morning. Most expensive option I think as I have small babies (6lbs 8oz) and would need to buy xs.
3- Bambino mio seems to be the slimmest fitting one and most absorbant but dh doesn't like them as he thinks they are pre-historic.
4- Son won't wear any of these at night. Likes pull ups

I would like a nappy that is slim fitting and absorbant. Really liked bamboozle but don't understand why wet at night- probably need to boost (but haven't got any to try) or perhaps need to try different wraps (tots bot wrap used). ALso the extent of wetness of this and Sandys makes me think thaT it can't be comfortable for baby. Bambino mio didn't seem as wet. CAN ANYONE OFFER SOME ADVICE WHICH WILL HELP ME CHOOSE AS I AM AM STARTING TO FEEL FUZZY. ALSO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW OF GOOD PULL UP ALTERNATIVE FOR DS.

THANKS FOR READING THIS HUGE ESSAY!!!

Have you tried the nappylady.co.uk? You can fill in a form an dthey send a personalised recommendation to you, for free, with no expectation that you buy...

Also, to save money once you have decided on which ones, look for 2nd hand ones. Ebay doesn't svae you much money tbh, but nappylady classified are good, and of course mumsnet for sale board has nappies too...
I have used motherease onse size and totsbots size 2 for ds since about 1 month old, he is now 12 months and the nappies still work for him ( need next wrap size up though). Nappylady also hires out newborn sized wraps as you need them for only a coupel of months normally - you pay about 30quid and get back 13 when you return them...or soemthing like that...
sorry for typo's in a rush!

how small is your dd? i think i have some medium Motherease wraps still about for sale.

I have had DS in reusable nappies since birth, now 20mths, and used Yummies nappies all along. Very rarely had a leak and usually only if I haven't put them on properly, never had problem at night. Even when travelling I've used them.
They're prefolds, come in 2 sizes and various sizes of wraps and you can also get boosters. If you use flushable liners then baby shouldn't feel the wetness. You do have to remember to change them more frequently than disposables. Wouldn't say they're slim fit but no ones ever said 'ooh hasn't he got a huge nappy on!'
They take about an hour to dry in tumble drier and dry quite quickly on the line. The trick is not to use the last one before you've dried them!

For your eldest, I'd suggest a minki yo-yo or a similar pocket nappy, that way he'll feel dry (they're fleece lined) and all in one piece so easy to get on and off (you have to stuff them before hand but then they are like a disposable).

For your LO and bump, there are LOADS of birth to potty nappies to try (Motherease, Wam-bamboo, Baby Beehinds, Onelife, Bumble, Bamboozle, Harmony, Popolini to name several), although they get some stick for being very bulky at birth, with luck you may only need to buy a stock of them for both day-nappied children and then maybe some newborn nappies for the first month.

Newborn nappies usually have an excellent resale value as the don't get much wear, so you would recoup some money.

Twinkle have a good site calle Choose a Nappy which asks lots of pertinent questions and there are several companies that will hire nappies out for you to try here so that you can get a good idea of whats available.

Mrs W - I would be concerned about the absorbancy of a pocket nappy of any type if her son is a very heavy wetter and overflowing disposables. However Minki Yo-Yos are one of the very few I've not tried (!) so are they particularly absorbant? (If so I must find out more about them!). The concept of a pocket nappy is excellent because, as you say, you can really pretend they're a pull-up, but I just don't know if they'll hold it all in. What do you think?

Emma
www.makesachange.co.uk/
The Organic and Fair Trade Baby Boutique

I just bought two minki yo-yos for DD1 (2.6) as a night nappy and stuff with microfibre. After one night she has been dry with one wee when she stirs at midnight!!! however I would question their ability to cope with heavy wetting - you could stuff them with maybe 5 microfibres but they would be HUGE!!! Anyway worth a try to push towards dry nights?
I too like prefolds in the day but how about trying Fluffles at night as they dry so much quicker and Loopylou will have LOTS of nappies to wash with 2 full timers and a night wetter. I think Bamboozles would mean a house full of drying nappies.
Would also plug fleecy liners which I have just changed to - love em.
HTH.
BTW if you prefer the paper liners to fleece I could post you a few rolls as I inherited loads! I will do this for free if you promise to stick with cloth!!!

Whatever option you go for I would def recommend microfibre cloths for boosting. Just get the cheap type from the supermarket and get a good lot of em. They are very absorbant and most importantly are nearly dry straight from the washer. You need to boost even with a great nappy like a Bamboozle. Use the next size up wrap at night if you need to and you should have no leaks...

Thanks so far everyone.
Think I will def try a pocket for my son. Think I will only maybe need to get 2 or 3. I know I will sound like a real dunce but what exactly do you mean by microsoft fibres from supermarket?

HAve contacted babykind and they are putting together a trial pack for me for daughter- will include:
bamboozles
MEO stay dry
Sandys
Swadlebees- shaped & pocket
Minki standard
Fuzzi Bunz
Wonderoos
Standard Minki
Maigic all
& boosters wraps liners etc.
Cost £23incl postage for 2 weeks which I thought was good. AT least I can have a go at a few. Originally I was going to buy one type of nappy for newborn and daughter but after listening to professionals!! like yourselves have thought that I would perhaps need different types of napppies for daughter and newborn and again different nappies for different occasions for daughter (ie nappy at night can be bulkier for absorbancy and choose more convenient one for daytime).
Thought I would buy some second hand newborn nappies that would do me a couple of months and re-sell them on when used. Seen a good offer on Sandys xs- 6 and wraps for £42.

LAUNDRYLOVER- Thanks for advice- have tried larger wrap and seems to be doing the job. And if you don't mind would love paper liners-
Will def stick to cloth- just need a few weeks of research!!

MISDEE- Thanks for offer of wraps but have tried LARGE ones and they fi=t much better.

MAKESACHANGE- Thanks for advice- got your e-mail. Ordered some fleece liners for overnight. Will wait and see what boosters come in trial pack. Also- might invest in a wham-bamboo and fleece liner.

Also- have found clothes a bit tight now. Read H&M the best place for clothes for babies in cloth- would you all agree??

PS What boosters would you all reccommend??

I use microfibre cloths as boosters generally. They don't add so much bulk. I have the Tesco value ones (they're white) but find that I prefer the ones from Wilkinson's - different colours and a bit bigger and a nicer feel. H&M is definitely the best for not hugely expensive trousers. Tops are no problem - no idea about skirts and dresses, but would have thought they wouldn't be a problem either. The hire package looks like good value but before you make your decision, you might want to spec out the cost of the nappies to buy new in bulk. Magicalls are tricky to find secondhand, ditto swaddlebees velour. If you like pocket nappies, I'd suggest getting a stuffie secondhand. They're not too dear new and easily available secondhand, and are very good I find.

hi, up unitil a few weeks ago i was a cloth nappy virgin too. DS is 8 months and i decided to switch to cloth. he still feeds 2 to 3 times a night so i need a good overnight nappy. i got intouch with the nappy lady and have been trialing tots bots. i got one of each (original, rainbow, fluffles, bamboozle) and i think they are great. i have just ordered some more. i use bamboozle at night with one bamboo booster and a fleece liner and it is fine. i favour the rainbow bots or fluffles during the day, rainbows being slightly slimmer so am sticking with those. i am so glad ive switched as ds seems happier in cloth, more comfy i think and its nice not to have to think about buying nappies. i have also found H&M good for sizing and also tescos.

Hi vnmum,

Great to hear of someone else making the switch successfully!! Want to know- have you become a little obsessed with cloth nappies now? It has only been a week for me and I am obsessed with them. Is this normal??

yes i have to say i have. i keep looking at different wraps on the internet and keep feeling the urge to buy more. defeats the idea of saving money DH now wants a camouflage wrap but ive only managed to find an ellas house bumhugger. i am so glad ive changed and will be using cloth for number 2 when i decide to have another

Entirely normal, LL. My husband dispairs when the postman arrives with yet another squishy package. I'd sworn to myself to stop but now we are thinking about a second child I just buy onesize naapies, so at least I can use them again!

I even have a separate set for my mum cos I'm afraid she'll turn my lovely nappies blue (it has happened)

makesachange, Have you taken out a paid Small Business advert with Mumsnet?

Hello fellow obsessives!!
OK as Corriedale says the microfibre cloths are in the cleaning aisle at Tesco etc. Mine are the bog standard white ones (they do go a bit grey but that are for bums!!) at 97p for 3. They are the size of a flannel so just fold in two to boost any nappy. DD2 has two inside a Fluffle/Bamboozle or Totsbot terry and they go for over 12 hours with at least 2 BIG feeds! Loupy (you can't be LL too) you def need to get some Fluffles....
Oh thanks too Corrie, now I'll have to go to Wilkis for some coloured micro fibres!!! More buying!

If you are buying fleece liners then get some off e-bay (I got some 'funky brights') and it's worth getting a few packs of the fleece wipes too as if you're washing nappies you may as well use these at least when at home. I take some damp ones out in a tupperware and they do for bums and sticky toddler faces too.
My other top tips are to get a two part top and tail bowl so you can have warm water in one side and put the dirty nappy in the other.
Am a big fan of dry pailing as used to use nappysan and it reeks.
A splash of white vinegar in the fabric conditioner tray does wonders!!
BTW my washer is broken so am having 2 days in Moltex to use up a bag we bought for a w/e away but am missing my cloth already.....

Loopy, email me about the paper liners rachel underscore summerscales at yahoo dot com
They are prob good for your middle one with solid poo but fleece better for newborn.
Pass 'em on if you convert fully to the fleecy side!!

1- Bamboo ones do feel cold to the touch, hence probably not feeling dry. My wam-bams are great for night - I booster with a motherofeden booster, or a microfibre cloth, and have no issues. I use a wool wrap.
2- Not tried Sandys
3- Hated bambinos with a passion. Found wambamboos to be slimmer than bamboozles
4- Motherease bedwetter pants - pull up cloth, work for my heavy wetting 3 year old, and can be passed on as the others get bigger. Yes, they are VERY pricey, but we have 3 (where I'm washing lots for the little one anyway), and it is a hell of a lot cheaper than another year or so (or more when DS reaches that age) of several pull ups a night/soggy bed.

(not read whole thread )

MAC - please check about your link to your site.

HI

New to the market is Baby Beehinds one size organic cotton/hemp nappies. These are great and have super absorbancy (due to the hemp in them). They are slimmer than conventional nappies and one size fits all with a little adjusting. They also come with 2 snap in boosters one large for folding (depending on boy or girl) and one small for newborns and additional protection for heavy wetters. I know these are available on Ebay at the moment also at Bebeco, Buy Organics and Green-me.
Hope this helps.

makesachange - I think Soupy is saying that you shouldn't be promoting your business on the talk boards. If you want to advertise, MNet has an area especially for this and you have to pay. HTH.

FLAMESPARROW- why do you prefer wambamboo to bamboozle?