Reusable nappies, I don’t know where to start.

[LittleMG]

I’m looking to possibly use cloth nappies for my first baby, I’ve looked online and there seem to be so many option I don’t know what goes with what. I’ve looked on YouTube too and I still can’t make head no tail of what ‘system’ I should use. I know you have an insert but someone at work told me you can use liners to catch ‘solids’ 🤨 but which ones go together? Basically can mums share with me exactly what they use and how you dispose of it?
Thanks in advance I really don’t want to contribute nappies to landfill.

I used to do cloth nappies. Basically you need absorbency and waterproofing. Some come all in together. Others are separate. My preference was for stuffables. That's a thin nappy with a pocket which you can stuff according to the needs of your baby. Then a waterproof wrapper over the top.

Other good ones were little lamb shaped nappies, with a little lamb cover on.

A fleece lining prevents stains and makes the nappy more comfy.

I used them on my DD and on lots of foster children.

They were great at preventing nappy rash, and obviously a million times better for the planet.

I bought bamboo cloth nappies ( super absorbant and also dry really quickly after washing) Also they stay really soft without fabric conditioner.

I used boosters ( bamboo) at night time when they got older. ( extra layer, basically!)

I also used a fleece liner with a soft biodegradable/flushable "paper" liner on the top.

The "paper" liner used to collect the poop - which could then be flushed down any loo. The fleece liner stopped the pee being in contact with your baby's skin. The bamboo could soak up anything !

Over the top I put a motherease nappy liner. They are poonami and poo explosion proof.

Carry a sealing bag with you to put dirty nappies in. I popped them in the washing machine on a quick wash/rinse with some antibacterial. ( e.g. napisan) I have an eco washing machine - but you could put in a bucket first if you wanted. ( It is only pee not poop, so not completely revolting!)

Then I washed with a nonbio but with no fabric conditioner. I used to make up the nappies for the next day before I went to bed...nappy cover...nappy ...fleece liner...paper liner.

Don't get suckered in by anything else. I have tried the cute fluffy ones...but they don't work!

I use reusables and love them, like you i cant stans thr thought of disposibles sitting in landfill for goodness knows how long.

I'd suggest looking at the nappylady website, there us a questionnaire you can do and ahe will send you personalised recommendatiins about what should work for you. There is also a shop there where you can buy nappies too (and i think hire as well)

Also, see if you have a nappy library close to you, its a really good way to test out different thibgs before buying them.

If youre on facebook there are some fab groups full of people withbloads of experience and advice, 'cloth bum mums- fluffy advice and chat' is a great one. You can also dind lots of nappies for sale in fb groups, lots in excellent condition and a lot cheaper than buying new!

@picklemepopcorn you put it a lot more succinctly than I managed I used a lot of the Little Lamb nappies!

Love mine and they’ve been through my three children! Little lamb sized pockets are the best for day and the two part bamboo for night. I never could get on with one sized nappies as my babies were all long and skinny.

Do you use hoop app?

Today I found a class where a lady for free shows you the different types of cloth nappies, how to put them together and answers any questions. She then let's you have a go at putting them on dolls and having a feel at the different materials.

If you don't mind second hand ones they also rented out ones. It was £50 deposit and £5 a fortnight hire.

This class was in Liverpool but you might find a similar one near you? It was just called cloth nappy session xxx

Thenappylasy.co.uk is a good place to start as the website has lots of information and videos.
You can have an all in one where the waterproof outer and absorbent inner are all sewn together so it is more like a disposable (as in you just put it on without having to prepare it) but generally take longer to dry.
Or you can have a waterproof outer shell over the top of an absorbent inner nappy. This is more flexible as you can use the outer several times before washing and can mix and match inners and shells, plus because it all separates out for washing/drying it tends to dry faster.
You can add inserts (come in a variety of materials such as hemp, cotton, micro fleece) as needed if your child is a heavy wetter/for an overnight nappy.
And the liner (often bamboo) is a tissue like piece which catches the poo so you can easily dispose of it in the loo and the nappy not be too soiled.
I'd suggest getting a couple you like the look of and seeing how they fit/how you like them, then getting more. I've tried TotsBots, Grovia Hybrids, bumgenius elementals and cheapy eBay ones and have been happy with them all at different points/for different things.

Thenappylady questionnaire is really helpful, definitely worth getting advice from there.

We use a range of different kinds - some all in ones (Bambino Mio) which are super easy and quick drying but less absorbent than some of our 2 part ones (e.g. a Totsbots bamboozle + Motherease Rikki cover).

Liners aren't essential, we only use very occasionally when DD has nappy rash cream on.

It also doesn't have to be all or nothing - we use disposables overnight, or when she's sick or we're on holiday. I figure every little helps, and didn't fancy dealing with potential leaks overnight.

Reusables are great!

Check out the Nappy Lady's videos: www.thenappylady.co.uk/help-videos-getting-started.html

Join some Facebook selling groups e.g. "Cheap cloth nappies & accessories" where all nappies are below £5. You can buy a few to test out before investing loads in a stash of one particular type.

I can recommend buying some reusable wipes too. We use Cheeky wipes.

Another vote for the Nappy Lady, also look at the nappy lady buying and selling facebook page, it's a really good place to pick up a range of nappies to try and great prices, and lots of advice.

I have a range of nappies, including sized 2 parters (shaped absorbent nappy and separate waterproof wrap), and birth-to-potty all in ones (AIO). When I started I couldn't wait to move across from the 2 parters into the AIO, but now I prefer the 2 parters after all.

DD is 6 months old, and I mostly use Motherease Sandy's nappies with Airflow wraps. I have had XS, Small and now large in the Sandy's nappies, I think they are great!. They have NEVER leaked urine, and the only poo breeches there have been, was 2 consecutive days a few weeks ago which was my cue to move up the the large size. The airflow wrap is really breathable and considered to be the best wrap on the market because of that. But, they don't look quite as "cute" as some of the other nappies on the market, a bit "granny pant"!.

2 parters are also good in the winter if you are relaint on tumble drying, as too much/ too hot drying of AIO will destroy the waterproof cover, whereas with 2 parters you only need to tumble to absorbent nappy part.

For nighttime I use Motherease Wizard Duo Staydry night, with Little weed hemp boosters...Expensive, but the stay dry nappies do work well at keeping skin dry. Hemp is VERY absorbent (as is bamboo).

I have bought all my nappies second hand, except the 3 night nappies which I was very specific about what I wanted. It is well worth considering second hand, especially if you want to go for a "sized" system rather than birth-to-potty. Things to check/ask if going for second hand is... Are the Elastics still good (avoid/ be very cautious with Bumgenius)? Are the poppers/ velcro in good condition? Are the PUL (waterproof) wraps still leakproof?

We also use cheeky wipes (Terry cotton not microfibre), you will her lots of people say that you can make your own wipes, by cutting up towels/ flannels etc, but I think the cheeky wipe system works really well, which makes life easier. Also worth finding second hand.

Final tip, check on you council website for any cloth nappy schemes, I got a £30 voucher, some areas get as much as £70.

Thank you so much for all replies! I’ve been online and found a lending library place in my area with some great information. It sounds like cloth nappies are even better than I thought so I’m definitely going to try. Thanks again I’ve got a plan now xxx