The "no question too stupid" reusable nappy thread

[Hufflepuffin]

I thought it might be nice to have one thread where anyone planning to use reusable nappies can post questions about them. I think most people agree that the amount of information and options out there can be a bit bewildering when you're researching.
I know the whole nappies topic is a bit like this but at least if it's just one thread then the people who love talking about nappies (me ) can keep it 'watched' and always reply!

Also my baby is suffering badly with nappy rash at the moment. Does anyone know if nappy rash is generally better or worse with reusables or no different as that could affect my decision?

Hi, not about nappies but pants. My dd (2y9m) has been dry in day since 2 but still wears a pull up at night. Recently she's been objecting to this and as 9 times out of 10 it's dry in the morning, I think we are ready to ditch it. Id like to get her training pants or something so that a wee wakes her up but doesn't soak through to bed (chances are, she'd be in our bed!!!)
Ive googled but I am confused. Any ideas anyone? TiA

Hmmmm can't really help with that Babylon as DS is only 10mo, but they do say that cloth nappies help with potty training as the baby can feel they're wet, so maybe a cloth training pant would be what you're after. Charlie Banana do them (they may be listed as swim nappies as they serve both purposes).

Heaven glad I could help :) Totsbots bamboozles are are a 'fitted' nappy so they need an additional waterproof layer on the outside. When I bought a pack of new bamboozles there was one Totsbots wrap included (can use multiple nights as long as not pooed on). You should be able to use any make though, in the past we've used them with motherease airflow, little lamb, blueberry coverall and wool wraps.

Also rashes... DS hasn't had nappy rash with either disposables or reusables, but people do claim cloth nappies are better. With cloth nappies you can get pressure marks (like where a sock leaves a mark) and I find that Velcro fastenings tend to turn in and irritate the skin too. But they do let the bum breathe so overall no 'nappy rash' per se, I think is the thinking.

Heaven: bamboozles need a wrap. They are generally good for night time if boosted.

If I were you I would join a Facebook Preloved nappy selling page or two. You should be able to get some bundles of size 1 little lambs for about 2.50 per nappy, including booster and liner. Cotton or bamboo best unless you have nowhere to dry them. Then you need a little lamb or motherease small wrap (or 3) and you're good to go...
If you want new, thenappylady.co.uk does 5 bamboo nappies for £24.99
That's a lot more reasonable than the trial pack! Obviously you will need a wet bag or mesh bag and bucket plus wraps.
I used liners as they keep babies bum drier reducing rash. When fully breast fed it all just went in the wash - poo and all. At weaning, poo got flicked into toilets and bad nappies get flushed (whilst holding on!!)

Thanks

Do any of you know where I might be able to get hold of some repair kits for bum genius nappies? DC3 due in August and I have about 10 bum genius that need the Velcro replaced - the nappy lady webSite has repair kits but out of stock and I'd like to fix them before I need them!

lotsofdots - I tried to repair Bumgenius Freetime Velcro nappies with repair kits from the Nappy aldy - found it almost impossible without a sewing machine, really difficult to get a needle through the nappy and Velcro. Also, you only get replacement Velcro tabs in the kit - not the front Velcro strip so the nappies we replaced the tabs on didn't function much better than previously. In the end we replaced them with popper Bumgenius nappies. I did find some patterns and instructions online for replacing the Velcro with poppers, but I am not handy/crafty like that so didn't give it a go - might be something to bear in mind though!
Babylon - we use Bright bots training pants for our daughter at night - they soak up a little wee but do feel wet (just don't let the wee go through to her clothes).

That's interesting ditzy thanks. It's really just the tabs that have gone rather than the front strip and I have access to a sewing machine so hopeful I can save replacing them!

Lots of dots: there are a few people online who just bought the right width Velcro and cut it to size (also cheaper!) as well as just a line of elastic to do elastics as well. Alternatively change to snaps?! The kits are out of stock everywhere I've looked too... Alternatives are to email the nappy lady / Babi pur / kingdom of fluff to see when they're getting them or even email bumgenius directly in America for help! Good luck x

Hi everyone. Thanks for all the advice I have been given on here. I have just signed up for that cloth nappies trial recommended by bendydick. I'm hoping that one or two nappies in the trial are suitable. It already contained Charlie banana, little lambs and Miosolo which I was interested in trying and the grovia sounds worth a try too. I figure it made sense to do the trial and send them back if I don't like them.

Good idea Heaven! Funnily enough those are all brands that I use (I didn't do that trial). Let us know how it goes!!

I will do. I'm really excited to try the grovia hybrid wrap now they are here. Is that the one you use? How do you get on with it?

I haven't tried that one, we have the Grovia ONEs. Heard really good things about them though. My pen pal uses them exclusively. I wish I could try all the nappies! Maybe I should pick one up on eBay...

I have a feeling it could get addictive.

Today 10:33 Heavenscent86

Hi a few questions here about washable wipes.

Do I need to buy them or can I make my own?
What do i store them in to take out with me?
Do you just use them with water or should I be using them with something else?
Also are they actually worth using or should I stick with disposable wipes?

heaven washable wipes are ace! Much better than disposables especially for dealing with poos. You can easily make your own - I cut up a small thin towel and hemmed the edges or there are lots of places you can buy them. I have predominantly cheeky wipes in addition to my home made ones. I store mine dry in a little box and wet them with just plain water as needed. You can wet in advance but I found they smelt a bit musty. There are also all sorts of potions and oils that you can add but personally I've never found this necessary.

Have to admit I don't use mine out and about due to an irrational fear of running out of them(!) but a friend does and just puts them damp into a small wet bag. HTH.

^^ what she said! Although I tried making some but I only used a terry, not an actual towel, and they're way too thin and took ages to stop fraying. I am not a good sew-er!

Also I find I need about 2 wipes max where I would need around 8 disposables. They're not smooth so grab on to poop and are therefore much more effective at actually wiping it away

I have never felt the need to use anything but water, I just keep a pot by my stack of wipes.

Don't bother hanging them up to dry, they're only going to get wet again (I may have only cottoned onto that after spending months and months diligently hanging them on the airer with the nappies...)

spots I am another huge fan of washable wipes. I bought the kit from Cheeky Wipes, which was fantastic. I thought it seemed expensive at first, but considering that, in nearly 3 years, I have only bought about 5 packets of disposable wipes, I must have saved a fortune. I would let the wipes dry occasionally, to avoid mustiness. I also take cheeky wipes out and about with us in a little wet bag. I agree with pps that they are much more 'grippy' than disposable wipes. My DH was a bit when I first mentioned using them but now he tells everyone to give them a go!

If I get cheeky wipes should i get bamboo velour or cotton?

I wouldn't bother with velour. Cotton terry or bamboo are both great.

Just found this thread and would love some advice!

We have a set of tots bots easyfits and bamboozles that we used for ds1. We did end up using wraps and boosters on the easyfits because of leaks but otherwise no problems.

I've just got the stuff out for ds2 who is 12 weeks and about 15lbs and we are getting lots of wee leaks with the easyfits after about an hour. Night nappies are fine Any ideas why?

I haven't quite figured out where all the leaks are coming from but definitely sometimes at legs and a lot at the front, occasionally up the back and often conpletely sodden! Surely a 3 month old doesn't need boosting??? Or do nappies wear out?

Need to sort this out as the clothes washing will drive me mad otherwise!

Another vote for cotton terry cheeky wipes here! That's what we mostly have. They wash well and do the job. We use the microfibre ones for hands and faces at the table.

cudbywestrangers hmm, not sure. I never got on with easing its and struggled to get a good fit ever but know plenty who have used hen without bother. Are the nappies completely sodden after an hour when you notice the leak? I always think it's surprising how much wee can come from one so small, especially if they feed often. If they are completely wet then you will need to boost them. What version are your nappies as I know the v3s had a poor reputation for absorbancy and almost always need boosting. Not used them personally though.

Otherwise I guess it's down to fit but as you've used cloth before I guess you know what to look for here. Correct rise (ie smallest), are the legs fitting snugly? Sorry I can't offer much more advice than that but hope that is helpful. Good luck!

Apologies for all the typos. Stupid auto correct!