Advice on 'real' nappies, please

[lydialemon]

SIL is expecting her first baby in March 05, and has decided that she wants to use some sort of terry nappy. Sadly I can't help her at all with this as I never got round to swapping from disposables. We checked out loads of different types at the Baby Show today, but I think we're now more confused about which are the best than before!!

I'll have a look on the MN reviews, but could I have some help, advice, stories etc to help these novices which ones to invest in?

Thanks all

The Nappy Lady is a brilliant site and very helpful for first timers thenappylady.co.uk/

You can fill in a rather long questionnaire online, providing info about your washing facilities, how many children you have, plan to have, how much money you want to spend, etc and then you get a very detailed letter back with recommendations for your circumstances. You can then buy trial packs, etc and they offer telephone advice about using real nappies for if you have probs - all free if you buy through them. They stock all the main manufacturers of real nappies and are competitively priced.

We have done the questionnaire etc, but are still deciding about what to buy. They have been very helpful and were recommended by friends who have used this service.

Try the nappy lady or twinkle on the web (nappies where we bought ours from. We got plan old boring terries unfolded unshaped - cheap, cheerful, easy to use, quick to dry and really not that difficult to fold even on a wriggly toddler and we don't use pins - just the wraps (plastic pants) to keep them on. We also have fleece liners - a miracle at perventing (well most of the time) nappy rash. We also have a few pre-folded nappies (we have Motherease One Size which were fine - we mainly used them for babysitters).

hope that helps = am sure others will give you better advice!

Blimey! How things have changed! What a load of fuss over a simple thing like nappies!! I've just had a look at the nappylady site and anyone would think it was rocket science. When I had my first baby I bought 3 dozen nappies, a bucket, some liners, pins, plastic pants and nappy sanitiser and just got on with it. We all did! And there was nowhere to change a baby in public either; I had to either go back to the car park and use the front seat or use the floor of the ladies' loo (if there was a loo, which wasn't very likely back then. I remember joining an NCT campaign to pressure Mothercare into having loos in their larger stores - we didn't dare to dream of baby-changing areas as well!) Those were the days! You young mum's have it so easy !

I'm waiting on a trial pack from www.plushpants.com - so I've no idea what the nappies are like yet, or even if we won't bottle it & continue with evil disposables if it all seems too much hassle - but Christine at plushpants has been hugely helpful by email &, again, offers a free trial.

Hi,
Im a nappy agent and i think the best advice is to try a few different types of nappies before deciding what suits you and your baby, everyone has their own favourite type of nappy,
there is an excellent 2nd hand market you can buy a few types before investing in the ones that suit, I'm happy to give more details if needed,
hope that helps !

80sMum, you sound like my mother!!!

Totsbots, totsbots, totsbots and totsbots. I love them, but then again I am a sad nappy bore and have been for all of 4 months!!
Would never go back

We used Bambino Mio prefold nappies, and Prowrap wraps. Really pleased with both - no leaks or nappy rash.
We did try some shaped nappies from Modern Baby and they were not so good.

Look for a nappy laundering service in your area at around £6.00 (council subsidised) a week they do all the dirty work for you. find a supplier I wash my own and it is a bit of a hassel and i dont how I am going to dry them this winter, must get a clothes horse!

Thanks all, you've been very helpful - those sites are great I'll pass it on to my SIL and hopefully she'll be able to make up her mind.

am currently trying out just about every nappy on the market, . Ebay great for buying new (or second hand if you don't mind that) at good prices . I've bought a few brand new ones individually as quite a few sellers offering new nappies and accessories offer free postage. I have no idea which ones I prefer though!!

After researching every available internet site re. nappies and doing loads of sums, I finally purchased a kit from www.littlelamb.co.uk and I am really impressed! The kit comes in 2 sizes, birth to 9 mnths or 9mnths to potty.It consists of 20 terry shaped nappies with strong velcro fastening (they open out for quicker drying), 4 waterproof, breathable outer wraps, 4 boosters for night, 200 biodegradable liners and a large nappy bucket - all for sale at only £99.00!! If you are lucky, the owner also occasionally places a kit for sale on Ebay, so I actually got mine for only £80 inc. P&P!! I have had no probs with mine, even at night and would thoroughly recommend them!! Good Luck!