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!

Can someone remind me of the best way to freshen up my nappies? I have very kindly been given a load of preloved bumgenius and totsbots easy fits to add to my stash for impending DC3, and the microfibres have a bit of an ongoing ammonia smell.

Suggestions please?

You need to strip wash them. Think there instructions on nappy lady website but will try and remember and post later...

Thanks, found the link on the nappy lady website so am on phase 2. Am just doing the microfibres inserts, not sure if I need to do the nappy outers or not...

I'm just need to the website today so not sure how I start a new thread so hope it's ok to ask here.

We are going to Spain next month, my son is 2 and still in nappies. I was planning on taking disposable water nappies but someone suggested the reusable swim nappy - has anyone used the reusable nappies before and are they any good?

I read somewhere they are better for catching "solids" lol - so does this mean they don't hold in pee? Worried incase he pees in the pool

Hi, we used the 'Happy Nappy' system with our little girl. Like you say, they only stop solids going through, but we found them really reliable. You can also get swimming costumes with integral swim nappies which do the same job.

Hope it works dots
We have always used reusable swim nappies but they have never been tested... even the disposable swim ones won't keep wee in though

Worked really well thanks cudby I needed to do 4 rinse cycles to get rid of all the detergent bubbles so think they were definitely needing stripped!

Hi everyone,

Just starting on cloth nappies so will have loads of questions of the next few weeks days.

Wraps - if it's just wee do I just wipe them and not wash? Do I only wash them if there are poo stains?

Thanks, there will be more!

Hell,! I'm really hoping for some advice on cloth please. There is way too much information out there! I have a daughter and she's 8 months old. Where do I begin? Thank you!

Hi carrot puff, if the nappy is only wet, you shouldn't need to change the wrap at each nappy change, as you said.

Luna dott, have you looked at the nappy lady site? She does a no obligation questionnaire and suggests what you would require based on the info you give her about your baby and your laundry habits - she's very helpful. I think the website is www.thenappylady.co.uk

Can anyone shed some light on washing. Had a look at TNL website and she goes a bit OTT I think. Can I just wash them as usual minus fabric softener? Do you really need to pre-rinse them?

I think pre rinsing definitely stops a detergent build up, which stops the nappies smelling of ammonia in the long term, in my experience. However, perhaps not with every wash?

I bung them in on the rinse cycle then the proper wash. No bother apart from remembering to go back to the machine! It is worth washing new nappies a few times before first use to get the absorbancy and I don't change wrap every time

Got a stash of little lambs to use when dc arrives, couple of questions please

• when you say shouldn't need to change wrap everytime - how often to change (obviously if it's got poo on would need changing)
• most of my stash is eBay secondhand, how should I wash these before use? More than once? All look good no major staining or smells.
• when should I start using them, they say from 7lb but when would you advise to start? don't want to be put off them because they aren't working as they don't suit a little tot/ too much to deal with in early days. But also don't want to waste any more money than needed on disposables.

Thanks

I tend to let wraps air out of I'm reusing, I have a hook in the nursery that I sling it over. You don't have to though! I reuse until either there's a leak or I think it's got too wet or smells stale. You'll work it out!

I set a pre-wash on my machine to function as a rinse. Seems to work fine!

I've always washed second hand nappies at 90 degrees once and aired in full sunlight if poss to kill anything nasty. I did a napisan soak on one set that I didn't like the look of.

My baby was 9lbs at birth and definitely too small for birth to potty nappies. The size ones would have fit straight away but they looked so big! It mainly depends on how chunky the babies thighs are, and two part nappies will always be better than pocket or all in ones for poo containment.

The other thing, is once you start using disposable nappies, you will realise they aren't infallible either! It's worth using them for a week or two just so you know they're actually pretty shit at containing poo. (We used naty and the cloth was so much more reliable!)

I ended up starting using reusables after 4 weeks, the day dh went back to work. I think any longer and the change might have felt like hard work! At one month you're still in survival mode so it was easy to change as you're not in habits / routines yet.

This thread is amazing!

I wanted to ask a few questions if that is ok. We are expecting our first later this year and am really keen to get started with reusables from as early as possible. My current plan is to start as soon as baby has passed meconium. I am planning to use Bamboozles size 1 and Little Lambs bamboo size 1 for the first 4-5 months (both preloved). My questions are - will I need a booster with the above nappies for a newborn? If so, can anyone recommend a particular one? Also, can anyone recommend a wrap to use for first few months that won't be too large and will contain well please?

Thanks in advance :)

Hi Riddles.
The little lambs and bamboozles should both come with a removable booster. They are both a great choice of nappy. We used little lambs from birth (7lb 15) until DD was about 17-18lb! She needed the booster from about 8 weeks old.
I would recommend fleece liners to go inside to keep skin dry (but pre weaning breast milk poo can go straight in the washing machine).

Wraps wise, motherease are brilliant (rikki or airflow). Both available easily Preloved and start from xs which is trim.
Size 1 little lamb wraps are also supposed to be brilliant. (Only buy new style though as the original ones have caused scarring in rare cases).

Riddles if you need to buy boosters (because your nappies didn't come with any) then Little Lamb are very good. If your baby is due just before Christmas you could wait until their boxing day sale! You can find them all here – www.littlelambnappies.com/accessories - my friend swears by the triple thickness bamboo ones. Their wraps are lovely too, same double gusset that makes the motherease so good but I found the edges a little softer on diddy skin.

Boosters are the ideal thing to buy preloved as they get more absorbent with age.

Thanks so much for the replies. As I have bought pre-loved nappies, the bamboozles have the booster stitched in. I am just waiting for the Little Lambs to see if it is the same with them. Is an additional booster necessary or did you find the one in the nappy enough? I am really worried that not using enough will cause leaks or discomfort to baby.

How many nappies did you find you needed for the newborn phase? How many wraps would you recommend? We a have 20 nappies in total and am hoping that will be enough with alternate day washing. Don't want to overbuy as want to switch to AIO or pockets after 4-6 months.

20nappies is tight for a newborn.
Your little lambs should have a removable booster, but that may not have been included in the sale. Bamboo boosters will go in pockets though so won't be a waste (especially if you buy size 2)

Bamboo takes ages to dry so you probably want at least 10 more, ideally 20. If you make the extras microfibre you can get away with 10. Or use folded muslins till the poo situation calms down a bit.

Just checked and the Little Lambs included separate boosters in the sale so will have them too - hopefully will receive them in the next couple of days.
Will look into some microfibres to add to the stash so have the quick dry combination. Thanks so much for the advice :)

Riddles: get some Preloved ones on Facebook. They'll be £2.50 each max and you'll get that back when you sell them afterwards... Agree with boosting Muslins as well :)

I'm sure I had fewer than 20 nappies for the first few months and it was fine, though probably did a wash every 1 1/2 days thanks to breast milk leaks, possetting etc.

I second Bumgenius for skinny babies. For chubbier babies Motherease are less fashionable but explosionproof and the wraps held in anything even over nighttime toddler disposables. I recommend FB nappy groups and just getting a bundle of used nappies for a song. Blueberry and IttiBitti are other good brands for chubby bottoms which arent so fashionable now.

This thread is so useful! I have a few Qs if anyone could help?

I have some terry nappies, do these need to be used with wraps for newborns? ( I have some nature babies wraps)
Can muslins be used in place of terry for the initial stages?
Should they need boosting?
I have disposable and reusable fleece liners, the fleece ones look like they would be massive for a tiny one, do I need to find smaller ones?