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 nappy cream: do I need to use this at every change? I was planning on trying coconut oil, would this cause any problems with cloth?

Nappy cream: depends on the baby. Coconut oil fine with cloth so no harm in using at every feed but my babies haven't needed it.

I have some terry nappies, do these need to be used with wraps for newborns? ( I have some nature babies wraps)

• yes, unless for short periods at home

Can muslins be used in place of terry for the initial stages?

• yes. The jo fold is a popular way to fold them.

Should they need boosting?

• don't know, possibly for night time

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?

• if you go to IKEA, get their cheapest fleece blanket and cut to size. You may get away with bigger liners, just make sure you only ever have a single layer between baby and nappy. You could get away with disposable liners but I find fleece keeps the baby's skin drier.

Nappy cream - only use it if your baby looks a bit red.

Terry squares - yes, fold into shape and hook with a nappy nippa (I was never brave enough to use a safety pin near a baby, nippas are a few pence on the internet), add wrap. Muslins useful for the first 3 months or so in the same way (or if you have an emergency while out... I have used spare vests as a nappy inside a wrap).
Boosters come into their own from about 6 months or later, when they start doing individual weeing rather than general leaking of wee.

Don't bother with liners until they are on solid food. Disposable liners last half a dozen washes or more.

Thank you! That all makes sense and I'm feeling more confident now.

I've also got all in ones and some pocket nappies but thought they might be better saved for experimenting with later, I'm sure I'll be back with more Qs

little lambs shaped nappies or similar - how do you store them, piles of nappy, booster and lines or all made up? In a draw, shelf or...? Any good reusable related tips to try out? Thanks

I keep my nappies in a big 'bin' a nice fabric type one that I got in tkmaxx. I store them in ready to go on the baby state, you don't want to be stuffing booster in mid nappy change!

little lambs shaped nappies or similar - how do you store them, piles of nappy, booster and lines or all made up? In a draw, shelf or...? Any good reusable related tips to try out? Thanks

I've done both at different times! When baby was small and happy to have some nappy free time on the changing mat, I'd make them up as I went so kept outers, nappies, boosters and liners in baskets on the table (we had a very large table as the changing area back then!), with a wriggly toddler everything is made up ready to grab and go! (on a shelf).

I've got a 3 shelf vegetable rack from Argos (metal with wire trays). I keep nappies in the top tray, boosters, liners and wraps in the middle and my spare not-so-great nappies in the bottom. Its on wheels so I can take it anywhere with me.

It also helps as I can tell at a glance if I'm running out and need to get the washing on!

Right DC3 has arrived and is 3 weeks old on thursday. Have been using disposables up to now and we are still going through about 10 a day - this boy does a lot of poos! When did you start using washables with your DC - motivate me to get started please!

I started at 4 weeks but DC was big at work. It's good to do it before you get too settled with disposables but at the same time don't put too much pressure on yourself, if you use a mix for a while there's no shame in that!

At work?! At birth I mean.

My daughter is three and a half and in size 3 little lamb nappies overnight with an extra large mother ease wrap. There are no signs of her becoming dry at night but she keeps on growing! Is there anything we can move into when these get too small?

Lots of dots: we started on day 1 as soon as I got home from the hospital. Little lambs size 1 worked great until she was 17lb or so.

Newtothenet: tj's do junior wraps and large hemp to go in them which are apparently great for bigger kids. Reasonably priced too. Alternatively snuggleblanks are supposed to be good and go all the way to adult sizes!

Thank you! I'll do some research.

I think we started at about 3 weeks with our girls, will see how many nappies we use over the next two days and then hopefully can manage to get started on Monday - don't have enough small sized to keep up with 10 a day!

Lots of dots: you can always half and half whilst he grows into your bigger nappies :)

Hi I've just seen this thread. I have some questions if anybody is still out there and watching?

I was very kindly given a massive bag with a generations worth of nappies. This means that I haven't researched the nappies I'm using and I'm not familiar with the lingo so I'm getting confused!

Anyway we're coping well with pre folds and waterproof outer wraps. I also have a lot of fleece wraps that I'm interested in but I don't see how I'm meant to use them! I think they are the outer bit - is that right? Do they actually stay dry?

My baby is a very small 6 months if that makes a difference and we have no tumble dryer.

Do people love the fleece or is it going to leave me with a soggy mess?

Thanks!

Yes fleece is in place of a wrap. Use it at night. It allows evaporation of the wee so that the nappy can hold more.
I've never tried it but lots of people swear by it!

I've never used fleece but I think it works best if it's the outer layer (so no pyjamas or sleeping bag for example) but I don't know!

How much detergent do you use when washing nappies? I've read somewhere you should only use half of what you'd normally use. I've done it today and all nappies stink, so I'm rewashing them with more powder.

Thank you. Well I tried the fleece and somehow everything stayed dry! I used it with a pre fold and this thing that looks like a Terry sanitary pad, but I'm assuming is some sort of booster. It feels really nice and soft and snuggly, I like it!

Thanks

I use a teacup full and do an extra rinse.

They used to advise half dose, but I think now it's normal amount with extra rinse. I do a wash with an aqua plus setting which seems to be working out ok so far.

I use about 3/4 of the regular amount. I do a pre-rinse with no spin and an extra rinse at the end and still have to do a strip wash every so often by the way.

I have some questions for you all if that's ok.
I'm using little lambs cotton nappies with wraps - I've been putting in a cotton liner and a fleece liner but my DD is always screaming as soon as she's wet. It means I'm changing her sometimes every hour and the outside of the nappy is always soaking. If she naps then sometimes the corners of the wrap is wet too. I've given up using them at night for this reason.
Is it something in doing wrong or is that just what they are like?