I want to start using reusables with dd 15 months, will it be OK? any tips.?Thinking of terries or prefolds.

[peachygirl]

Hi, the title say it all really.

Can I do this at thi late stage?
Will prefolds be too fiddly?

I have got a few totsbots (from a mumsnetter) which I just haven't got round to using so have them too.

Any tips/advice appreciated

I don't think it is too late to start at all.

If you don't want to spend too much money on cloth then you could consider second hand nappies - there are lots of places where you can find them.

I'm not sure how you'll get on with prefolds. Some people get on with them well but most find they are no good and leak once the baby is moving about a lot. You can pin them which makes them more reliable apparently. Terry squares are fab once you get used to them but can be a bit bulky.

Totsbots plus a Motherease Wrap would be a good one to try - usually very reliable there are other nappies which are a similar design but cheaper if you find you like that system.

Unless your DD wears a lot of dresses and dungarees I would recommend you go for something relatively thin fitting - I have found it more difficult to find girls trousers that fit over cloth in toddler sizes - they seem to go all trendy and slim fitting after 18 months for some reason .

Pocket Nappies are always worth a try IMO, thin fitting, easy to put on and quick to dry. If you find one that suits your DDs shape you'll be sorted. They can be expensive to buy new so I'd recommend getting some second hand to see if they suit - just make sure they aren't too well used of the elastic around the legs won't work.

bump

If you buy some new, you could get some money back from the council too.

I've just bought some bumgenius from my local nappy lady. They're dead easy to use. They're shaped like disposables.

And you'll get the hang of any nappy once you use it enough.

We like prefolds, I use them on my toddler (just turned 2.) You can pad fold them or do a slightly more complicated fold and secure it with pins or a nappi nippa.

Prefolds and bummis wraps are a good, cheap place to start. It's a bit hard to find really good prefolds here, but cotton bottoms (now sold by tots bots) are ok. Steer clear of Junior Joy or Bambino Mio. This is good value and will get you started, if you decide you don't like the prefolds they make great wiping up cloths and bummis wraps work with a lot of nappies.

www.greenmountaindiapers.com has lots of info on prefolds and pictures of different folds and fasteners. Unfortunately they don't ship to the UK!

I use prefolds too - for my 11 month old. He is very active, on the move & they dont shift about. They are slim fitting, which is important for getting trousers to fit my DS.

Prefolds are very absorbant, more so than shaped nappies that I own too.

I use Thirsties wrap (www.kittykins.co.uk), which has leg gussets & a very good fit. I didnt get on with Bummis cos they leaked round the leg bindings (they dont have any gussets)

I have also used Motherease Rikki - it fits fine & no leaks. I prefer Thirsties cos it fits better.

Best to try out a couple of different wraps til you find one that suits. I have heard that Prorap are good too.

I found prorap good in size small, but now that my DD is on to size medium she's pulling them off (at 5 months old) so I wouldn't recommend them for a toddler. Something with snaps/poppers would be worth paying a little more for. I've just started using a few side-snapping pocket diapers and they're great for outings, etc. I made them myself, and they weren't difficult to sew but finding fabric for them was a PITA.

If you do order something from Green Mountain Diapers, their birdseye flats are fantastic.

Thanks this is great

I think I will get a few on ebay and then see what I think. I will try the tots bots too.

I'm not sure if my council (croydon) do the money back thing, They are certainly not part of the nappies for London scheme. who would I ask??

The bummis look good, but when I look on ebay they have different sizing does the medium go up to 35lbs because lots of the sellers are saying 20lbs

peachy girl if you are intetersted I have 10 motherease one size that I am selling for £25 posted.

Medium bummis go up to 30 lbs, my DD 2yrs is about 24lbs and has lots of growing room in her mediums.

How big is your DD? She probably won't grow much wider before she's out of nappies, mine has in fact slimmed down width-wise and just gotten taller. I expect medium bummis will last us through to potty training.

Hi Thanks for the offer nemo but I'm going to wait a bit before buying.
I discovered croydon is having it's first 'nappuchio' early in june so I'm going to go along and look at the nappies and get some advice there too. I'm quite excited really.
The lady said she would look at my crunchy tots bots too

Nemo, are your nappies still for sale? 12wo ds growing fast and 2yo dd still in her Motherease one-size so in need of some more. lizcitral at tiscali dot co dot uk if they are, thanks.

PEACHYGIRL croydon real nappy project here

Thanks bigbadmouse I was at the nappuchino, which was useful although I do have comments if you are one of the organisers.

aah notice you are in Devon. nevermind

yep I am but I'd still like to hear your comments! .

I do my own down here.

My main comment would be that the nappies on display should be labelled, maybe with a luggage tag or a sticker, to tell people what kind they are and brand. E.g motherease medium all in one, Wonderoos Baby Blue One Size Pocket Nappy etc.
Lots of people were fingering tots bots and I think this is because most people know what they look like. I was looking for a specific type of nappy and it was very confusing to tell which was which.

Hmmmm....good point. Will bear that in mind. A lot of people seem to pick up the MEOS/ Onelife and say 'Oh I know these are supposed to be good' - probably because they have been around a while have a distinct look.