Cloth Nappies

[PlumHelper]

Little one is just over two and strongly considering swapping from disposables, are they worth the effort? Do they help with potty training? Advice welcome!

I think that would be quite expensive for potentially a year, maybe less, of use.

I used cloth nappies from birth with both of mine, and I’m sure they were both out of them around the age of 2. The youngest had to carry on wearing them at night for a while but I don’t particularly remember them being in pants much earlier than their peers. It was nearly 30 years ago so the details are a bit hazy!
They do say that feeling wet after peeing in them makes them more aware of what’s going on.
I used traditional terry squares so didn’t have to worry about buying the bigger shaped ones as they got bigger. You get into a routine with washing them.

At just over 2 I would just potty train now! Did both mine at 2yr and 2yr 3 months - took a couple weeks of accidents but then its done and dusted.

Potty train now, I did both mine before 2, and it went fine. I did cloth nappy mine before, but to be honest the first day or two was wee everywhere anyway. The third day it seems to click. Check out Oh Crap

We used cloth nappies (little lamb pocket ones), DS wasn't interested in toilet training until he was 3 (actually he still wasn't interested but we'd had enough!) so cloth nappies didn't particularly help there! DD we ended up moving her to disposable pull ups at about 2 - she was much more interested in using the toilet but liked to pull the nappy up and down herself which she couldn't do with the cloth ones. We used UpAiry pants when training her - they won't hold a full wee but do hold a little leak so we didn't need a full change as often.

Agreed potty training would be easier. I used cloth nappies with my eldest from birth. My 2nd I didn't until he was about 18 months I got them out again, but he hated them as they feel so different to what he was used to. So we didn't use them. I think if they're allredy walking it's tough, because the bulk is very noticeable possibly changes the gait a bit. I did use cloth training pants for some parts of potty training, but that's a whole other topic.

I think disposable nappies are why so many DC are still in nappies at 3. When my DC were tiny they were in Terry nappies most of the time and when they wee they could feel wet so were more motivated to become dry. Most DC were dry at 2 years old or even 18 months. Disposable nappies are so good at sucking up the wee the DC never feels wet when they wee so don't make the connection between having a wee and having a wet nappy

Yes they can help with potty training but that’s not universal as far each child is different. I work in early years and the cloth nappy kids do seem to train earlier, they can feel they are wet unlike disposables. There is also more pressure from parents as they want to stop all the washing.

you can get bundles second hand. I did for my youngest when he was later to train because it’s too big an outlay just for the last few months. Alternatively if you think toilet training is imminent then I’d recommend washable waterproof pants- are they called training pants? They need changing immediately as they will leak if not but if you are planning to potty train it will be easier than nappies.