Please help convince me...

[JiminyCricket]

OK, I got a 'Cotton Bottoms' starter pack (three wraps, loads of cotton nappies and a roll of bio liners) on Ebay as I've been wanting to try reusables for a while.

Washed them all and then put one on dd (age 14 months) today.

Firstly, difficult to get on her cos she's a wriggle-bottom (but that goes for disposables too). Secondly could hardly get her trousers up over the nappy. Then she kept walking around tugging at it and crying as though it was really uncomfortable. I got the large size and they should be right for her size by weight guide. All this didn't help dh's reluctance (though he does work in the environment field and so would be supportive in principle) We ended up taking it off before it had even been weed on (though it was on for an hour or so). I didn't expect to have been put off before we'd even got to the washing stage. Any tips or advice or words of wisdom to help me pursue using reusables (BTW I'm not after negative comments on reusables, and I know all the good reasons for using them already)? Anyone?

I tried Cotton Bottoms for the first 3 months with DS1 - we have a Laundry Service round here and used that. We didn't get on with them at all and bought some Kushies all-in-ones which are shaped like disposables. I still use Kusheis for DS2 (although the "Classic" which you have to put wraps on) but I (and DH who sounds like yours!) have found them much easier than the Cotton Bottoms. Just an opinion - I'm sure you'll get loads of others! Good luck

I used Bambino Mio nappies with my dd (now 4) and now my ds (now 4 months) Reasons to persuade you?

-Using the same set for the 2nd time so have saved a shitload (ha ha!) of money

-Dd was completely potty trained before the age of two. Reusables were key in this as she felt wet and uncomfortable. Don't you think that there is something creepy about a nappy that is still dry when it is full of wee/poo?

-Obviously clothes are made nowadays to go over thin disposables. Just buy bigger sizes. As more people use reusables surely this will change soon.

-Have travelled all over the world (France, Russia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Malaysia etc) and reusables have cut down on our luggage, costs and general hassle(combined with breastfeeding, it meant that we could 'do' SE Asia with ds when she was 13 months old with no more than a buggy and a rucksack.

-They leak sometimes but so what? Rather that than creepy chemicals on their nether regions.

-Washing is no big deal. Just make sure you buy enough so that you don't have to wash the same ones as soon as they are dirty (my mistake first time around.) I managed just fine, despite the fact that when dd was 7 months old, I returned to work f/t and my husband went abroad to work.

-When you really cant be arsed/it isnt practical use a disposable that is envorenmentally more acceptable. I like Moltex (much better than Tushies) and if you get them m/o then they will be delivered to your do.

-Enjoy the undeniable feeling of smug satisfaction you get from doing something like this. Spend the money saved on something for you, like good wine!!

try a different style?
I bought a selection of about 6 different styles from someone advertising on the Nappy lady site; she had just acquired different kinds over time and wanted to sell them all as one lot. I will keep 2 or 3 I like, otherwise will sell the rest on again.
I suppose a 14 month old can take a little time to get used to anything. Could you try her without trousers for a short time, she might start to think they actually feel rather nicer?

I tried the bambino mio's and found they leaked and didn't have much capacity. I now use totsbots and are great, only occasional leaking with giant poo's. You will find that re usables are bulkier and it will take time to get used to them now your child is 14mths but once she falls on her bum and finds it doesn't hurt as much due to the extra padding she may come around

I tried Tots Bots on DD right from the start but they were huge on her. Got a Bambino Mio trial pack which was better but stillfound myself going back to disposables. My DH did too. Perhaps things would have been different if we'd BOTH made more of an effort. I did buy some wraps and some boosters from Ebay and found that they were better, less bulky. I intend to use them to help with potty training.

Feel guilty about the environment aspect. Read about some Irish disposable brand that you put on a compost heap and the worms turn them into plant food in six weeks.

Hi We use Motherease with dd (10mths) and have found that they are much bulkier than disposables so we have had to buy trousers that are a size bigger but more often than not shes in skirts/pinnies (cos thats what all her doting rellies have bought for her). There are websites that sell trousers to go over reusable nappies. Im sure I saw a mention of one on here but cant find it. Id say tho to go without the trousers for a couple of weeks and see how she gets on. Im sure shell be happier once shes got used to her new nappies, it just takes a while.

PS mines a wriggler too (have to chase her round the room to put her nappy and cover on).

Hi Jiminycricket, I'm not familiar with Cotton Bottoms or and prefold type of reusables. I started using shaped cotton nappies when my ds was 10mo. We currently have mostly Bumbles with the odd Totsbots, Motherease Sandys, and Ella's House Bumhuggers. Must admit though, I fell in love with the Bumbles as they are fleeced lined and keep ds' bottom very dry with no folding or liners to faff about with.

As with the others, I suggest you purchase a couple of other styles to see if you get on with them better. There are loads for sale nearly-new on UKParents or thenappylady websites. Then if you'd like to buy new you know what you're getting before dishing out loads of money (wish I'd trialed second hand ones then bought new as I lost £1+ per hardly used new nappy in the beginning). Thenappylady also gives you excellent free advice on which shape and size of nappy might fit your dd with no obligation to buy from them. What have you got to lose?

One last thing.. I found the first 2 weeks with reusables very hard work (esp after using disposables for 10 months) and it took a bit of time to get used to how wet they are when they come off, the handling of the poo, and organising yourself with the washing. But like with everything, a bit of practice and you're flying. We've just been on holiday and I went back to ActiveFit for the week and hated the large bin bag at the end of it, the smell they created whenever he wee'd and the great big deformed bulk of a nappy when they came off. Couldn't wait to get back to my Bumbles..

I'm on my 3rd baby in cotton bottoms, so it can be done. Don't deny totsbots are great for night, DD couldn't get through night in cotton bottoms. Key to minimising leaks is to make sure that absolutely none of the nappy sticks out of the wrap. I think that I am used to the big bummed look as they have all worn them from birth, stick with it - cotton bottoms have a helpline you could try, don't have the number but it will be on they're website.

Jiminy - given that you've already bought the ones you've got, and you know all the good reasons for using them - I'd suggest deciding that you won't use any disposables for a week, and that if you or dd doesn't like it by the end of the week you'll sell the cloth nappies and go back to disposables. You need to get used to putting them on and she needs to get used to wearing them. It could take a few days.

Oh, and go shopping for the next size up in trousers. You get to go back two sizes when she's potty trained!

When I started using cloth nappies I thought "oh no, what have I done" but it doesn't take long before you're expert. And I offered dd a choice of cloth nappy or disposable occasionally and she usually chose the cloth one.

Pagan, the disposables that biodegrade are called Moltex Oko. I found them as good as Pampers. If you put them in a biodegradable nappy sack and they end up in a bit of the landfill site where they can get some oxygen, they will biodegrade. And the manufacturing process is a bit better for the environment too. But to fully biodegrade in 8 weeks or whatever, you need a wormery the size of a garden shed which is a bit impractical for most gardens! Some councils in Ireland are trialling a scheme where they collect used nappies and put them in a huge council wormery (and I think they charge people to dispose of normal nappies). Lets hope it catches on in the UK.

Here they are.

I'm finding this thread v interesting as I'm expecting my second baby in June 05 and in two minds about which nappies to use. I have used disposables with my ds who is now 2.5 and almost done with nappies, hopefully! However, I have reservations about changing to reusables for the next baby even though I like to be green in every other way I can.

My issues are around washing. We live in a small flat with no tumble drier and limited (indoor) drying space. If I went with reusables I would be scared of drowning in a sea of laundry and constantly having a house full of drying clothes/nappies. I would also, I think, resent the extra work which would mean less time to focus on ds and new baby. The amount of power, water and detergent used are also in my mind.

I have justified to myself and sometimes others my use of disposables by pointing out these issues and balancing my profligate filling of landfill with my not owning a car/ not travelling by plane/ recycling wherever possible/using eco products, but if I'm going to go on to have several babies (who knows?!) I feel that my justifications - to myself more than anything - are going to wear a bit thin...

Thanks JiminyCricket for starting this thread, I would be grateful to hear of anyone's experiences on this one.

Clairemagnolia, I live in a small flat with no outdoor drying space. I do have a tumble drier but try to avoid using it for reasons of cost and environment. I use reusuables for most of the time and haven't regretted my decision. I've only got the 1 baby so don't know what it's like with the 2 lots of washing but why don't you give it a go?
I wash nappies every 2-3 days. I tend to do about 10 washes perweek including nappies. I load the washer and drier before I go to bed so I can do them on economy 7. I tend to hand things out using plastic peg things in the bathroom and bedrooms so they're not staring at me all day. Usually I finish clothes off in the drier for 15 mins (saves ironing) and nappies in the airing cupboard.
I generally use tots bots which are one of the slowest to dry but great for containment.\link{www.thenappylady.co.uk} has a questionaire worth filling out to get tailor made advice for your situation and will suggest a nappy/ies for you.
There is nothing to stop you using them part time either. Just using 1 reusable per day would save 1000 disposables on a landfill in that bab's lifetime.
Ask away if I can help you with any more

I've used shaped reusables (Kooshies- velcro fastening and Motherease - poppers) from birth with ds (now aged 2 years 8 months) and he has always managed to fit his trousers even if it's a slightly tight fit at times (keeps the nappy and wrap nicely in place though).

Shaped washable nappies with a plastic lining are the closest to the convenience of disposables, but with the satisfaction of taking the pooh out (thanks to one-way nappy liners £1.99 for 100) and flushing it down the loo. No smelly bin bags. However he now always has a wrap as well, as the nursery weren't managing too well to stop leaks, but he still gets into his own size of trousers. At night though the only way to stop leaks is overkill of a quadruple folded terry nappy folded inside a popper nappy and all inside plastic pants. Very dry but tight on the legs so only recommended when not moving about.

I look forward to ds being aware of what happens in his nappy and using the potty 'for real' (he sits on it happily doing nothing at the moment) but as prolonging his use of nappies doesn't involve any extra cost now I can wait till he's ready, however long that takes. DH is not particularly pro washable nappies and when ds is in his care he won't use them. I get the washing powder, electricity argument too, but there's always a lot of washing to do anyway so the nappy wash seems a small part of the overall picture, and there's nothing as joyful as a line of sparkling clean nappies on a sunny day!

clothes cut for cloth

they're expanding the range atm!!

I use motherease One size- love em!! also have lots of others as I am a nappy agent for babykind- best place to get good rpice on nappies in the uk!!

I don't make a profit from my 'nappy- evangelism' I just want to make nappies affordable!!!

I have quite a few cute and easy nappies. when on holiday i use stuffables as they are easy on and off and dry quick!!

could talk about nappies forever.......sad!!

me too!! I dont know where you live but I use BORN (Bristol/Bath) - they give a free nappy demo and go through all the various nappies etc.......Also have a website I think.

Thanks fruitful - v interesting site

Go for it. My ds3 is in cottonbottoms and thet have worked for us. I just wish I'd had more encouragement to use them for my previous 2.

I use Bambino Mio and a nappy laundry service. I hire the wraps, and the laundry people gave me a selection to try so I could choose which ones fit best. I say, try out different wraps, there are so many you're bound to find a type which suit you and your baby. clairemagnolia, have you looked for laundry services? you won't need any extra drying space, or to use the tumble dryer much, and I worked out that even hiring the wraps, I spend less on the nappies than I would have on disposables.

I use Cotton Bottoms for my DD (22 months) and have always found that I need to fold the nappy between 1/3 and 1/2 way across on the first fold, so you get a thinner resulting pad. Does this make any sense? I'm struggling for how to describe it here, but instead of folding into exact thirds, make the first fold bigger so there isn't so much width between the legs.

That's v interesting Bramshott, I thought they seemed a bit wide - will try them folded over as you suggest. Kate, actually I do live near Bristol but Born don't cover us as we have a more local service, I didn't bother trying them because it's not the washing that I'm worried about (not yet anyhow!) but it would have been good to get some advice on types to try in retrospect...

I've been using reuseables for a few weeks & I'm happily converted - our main problem was ds's ENORMOUS ass (can't think where he gets it from ). He's a huge baby for his age but still 3 month old shaped IYSWIM, so 6-9 month old trousers are too tight & too long. Big bulky cotton nappies exacerbate it, but thanks to some helpful advice from www.plushpants.com we're now using rainbow totsbots & Imse organic cotton nappies & they're slimmer fitting.

Maybe you could try some different types & see what dd is comfortable with? I found plushpants really helpful in putting together a free trial of various kinds.

Well, some progress..put one on dd for the night, folded over a bit more as bramshott said. She was still tugging at it and getting upset, but tbh i think that's just cos it felt bulkier, the fit seemed ok and I couldn't see that it was rubbing her. She slept fine, in fact the first night we haven't had to go in to her for ages. One nice wet nappy in the morning, one nice dry outer wrap.

Great Jiminy! It just takes a bit of practice and you'll soon find it strange not using them!

Not sure if these folds were designed for Cottom Bottoms or not but have a look here for ideas.

Great to hear that it worked better. I remember being a bit shocked by the bulk when I first used cotton bottoms (haven't ever tried any others - due mainly to apathy!), but soon got used to the big-bottomed look. As you say, some trousers fit better over the pad than others, but I've found a hefty tug sorts most of them!

Karen, that fold is a bit better, thanks.She's worn them every night now this week and all day today, no problems. Dh asked me if I wanted him to ask nursery to start using them (need to buy more for this) Thanks for your tips.