About to order a starter kit of re-usable - can you answer a few questions I have please?

[tostaky]

because it is an investment and also because on here i am assuming that people are unlikely to sell me things I dont need or be biased towards one brand...

Storage of soiled nappies -
Have you got a nappy bucket with a lid, a normal bucket with a lid or a wet bag in the nursery?
Are you using tea tree oil or lavendor oil in your nappy bucket?
Are you using a mesh bag?

Washable wipes -
Do you use them? If not, why not?
How many do you need roughly?

Nappies -
Realistically, how many do I need to start off (a wash every 2 days)? Are 15 enough?
How many boosters do I need? The same number as nappies? Do i need them straight away or can I wait a few months?
Velcro or popper? Isn't it easier to have velcro?
Change nappies every 3-4 hrs?
I quite like bamboo nappies and i have a dryer. Any reasons why i shouldnt go bamboo and cotton/fleece/hemp is better?

Wraps -

• Am I right in thinking that all wraps are roughly similar in terms of preformance so I might as well go for the cutest design?
• Also, do I really need wraps all the time? (apparently good for explosive poos and also because two-parts nappies get soaked through)
• For 15 nappies, how many wraps? 5?

Thank you!!

We have a bucket with a lid, no idea whether it's a proper nappy bucket or not. Clips to hold lid on would be good but don't have them.

Use mesh bag but no oil yet (DD 5wks so poo not too offensive yet).

Washable wipes much better than disposable or cotton wool. Have 30 I think - 20 wasn't enough but think DH uses a lot per change.

No. of nappies depends on age of DC. Think we have around 20 for DD washing every 2-3 days. We don't use boosters yet (too bulky) but do use fleece liners - one for every non-fleece nappy. Velcro easier but small hands can eventually undo. You will know when you need to change! Not sure about bamboo, sorry.

Told Motherease wraps are best but not really noticed difference. Need them or wet nappy = wet clothes. We have 3-4 in each size.

One-handed typing!

Storage of soiled nappies -
Have you got a nappy bucket with a lid, a normal bucket with a lid or a wet bag in the nursery? Nappy bucket in the bathroom with a lid.
Are you using tea tree oil or lavendor oil in your nappy bucket? No.
Are you using a mesh bag? Yes they are a godsend.

Washable wipes -
Do you use them? If not, why not? Yes fantastic, buy or just make your own from cut up towels/fleece/tee-shirts.
How many do you need roughly? 30-40.

Nappies -
Realistically, how many do I need to start off (a wash every 2 days)? Are 15 enough? No at least 24. (if for a newborn)
How many boosters do I need? The same number as nappies? Do i need them straight away or can I wait a few months? Wait a few months (again if for a newborn)
Velcro or popper? Isn't it easier to have velcro? Velcro is more adjustable but can snag things in the wash, For me poppers or even better nippas. Some babies are allergic to velcro and it makes the nappy very stiff across the waist.
Change nappies every 3-4 hrs? 2-4 and after every poo.
I quite like bamboo nappies and i have a dryer. Any reasons why i shouldnt go bamboo and cotton/fleece/hemp is better? Bamboo is the most enviromentally friendly, tumbling your nappies is definatly NOT!, Hemp and bamboo are more absorbant and so slower to dry.

Wraps -

• Am I right in thinking that all wraps are roughly similar in terms of preformance so I might as well go for the cutest design? Definately NOT all the same, I can't advise though unless you tell me what nappies you are considering as some wraps will not work with some nappies.
• Also, do I really need wraps all the time? (apparently good for explosive poos and also because two-parts nappies get soaked through) Yes.
• For 15 nappies, how many wraps? 5? 4-5 maybe less for an older baby, as i said 15 nappies is not enough unless you wash daily.

PS we have DD in disposables overnight still.

Whoa! Lots of questions!

We use Terry squares
Mothercare bucket with lid kept in utility room next to the washing machine
We wet pail with PHP biodegradable nappy soak, but when that runs out, am thinking about the tea tree oil.
We don't use washable wipes, purely because MIL buys us wetwipes when she goes shopping, but if we had to buy them, we would buy some cheap white facecloths - I hear tescos do them for about 25p each.
We've not used boosters, DS1 was out of nappies by 19mths and we used to put an extra terry nappy on him at night when he was about 1yr+. (so you can probably wait a bit yet)
We change nappies about 3hrs sooner if needed, but prob not longer than 3hrs (except at night)
We use kushies wraps and they are great - we need them all the time though, as not using 2part nappies. We have 5, that enough.
We have 18nappies and wash every 2/3days - but come the third day and we need to rush to get them dry (which doesn't take that long with terry squares) because we run so low - so every other day would be better
hope this helps

Storage of soiled nappies -
Have you got a nappy bucket with a lid, a normal bucket with a lid or a wet bag in the nursery? I used to wet soak but dry pail is the way to go. Always use a lid and keep the nappy bucket where it suits you and away from the baby, once they are moving.
Are you using tea tree oil or lavendor oil in your nappy bucket? Tea tree oil fab in the bucket
Are you using a mesh bag? Waste of time ime.

Washable wipes -
Do you use them? If not, why not?
How many do you need roughly?

Nappies -
Realistically, how many do I need to start off (a wash every 2 days)? Are 15 enough?
How many boosters do I need? The same number as nappies? Do i need them straight away or can I wait a few months? I used a booster from the start but you could probably manage without.
Velcro or popper? Isn't it easier to have velcro? I have used both and say both have their place tbh.
Change nappies every 3-4 hrs? I changed every 2 hours but you will soon see how often you need to change,
I quite like bamboo nappies and i have a dryer. Any reasons why i shouldnt go bamboo and cotton/fleece/hemp is better? I wouldn't put bamboo in the dryer. They dry so quickly it isn't worth it imo.

Wraps -

• Am I right in thinking that all wraps are roughly similar in terms of preformance so I might as well go for the cutest design? Not in my experience! Motherease are the best ime and then tots bots.
• Also, do I really need wraps all the time? (apparently good for explosive poos and also because two-parts nappies get soaked through) You definitely need a wrap or the clothes will be sodden. Unless you use fuzzi bunz which need stuffing to make the nappy part and the wrap is part of it.
• For 15 nappies, how many wraps? 5? I used to alternate 2 wraps a day but then soon started a new wrap at each change, they dry very quickly though.

HTH.

I have some nappies for sale if you want to try some out cheaply.

Storage of soiled nappies -
Have you got a nappy bucket with a lid, a normal bucket with a lid or a wet bag in the nursery?
We use a small pedal bin in the kitchen, by the washer to dry pail our nappies (after sluicing if pooey)

Are you using tea tree oil or lavendor oil in your nappy bucket?
Neither, I wash every other day and they're not wiffy.

Are you using a mesh bag?
Only for breast pads, not for nappies.

Washable wipes -
Do you use them? If not, why not?
No, we do have them but I never seem to get round to it.
I use 'Simple' wipes.

Nappies -
Realistically, how many do I need to start off (a wash every 2 days)? Are 15 enough?
For a newborn I bought 20.

How many boosters do I need? The same number as nappies? Do i need them straight away or can I wait a few months?

It depends on which brand you go for, material and whether the child is a heavy wetter. Some have integral boosters, others pads you pop in. I got a mixture because I didn't know what I would find easiest.

Velcro or popper? Isn't it easier to have velcro?
Velcro is easy for the first few months I found, then you'll wish you bought poppers. Once the child is about 18 months+ they will escape velcro nappies with ease.

Change nappies every 3-4 hrs?
Hmm, depends on the baby and whether there's poo. I generally check a nappy at every feed.

I quite like bamboo nappies and i have a dryer. Any reasons why i shouldnt go bamboo and cotton/fleece/hemp is better?
I've used the Bambineo and they are fab! Highly recommended for a slim nappy with separate boosters, BUT they take ages to dry.

Wraps -

• Am I right in thinking that all wraps are roughly similar in terms of preformance so I might as well go for the cutest design?

NO! I would recommend woolly wraps or fleece, but that's my personal choice.

• Also, do I really need wraps all the time? (apparently good for explosive poos and also because two-parts nappies get soaked through) If you want clothes protecting then use a wrap.

If you're worried about slimness, maybe go for an AIO or pocket nappy.

• For 15 nappies, how many wraps? 5?

Fleece/wool lasts 2 nappy changes for us, but he's a heavy wetter. Poo's leak and wraps will have to be changed for those. I bought 8 wraps for 20 nappies and it wasn't enough so I got 3 more fleece wraps.

Can I just big up my pal Flame and recommend her website?
It's Bumfluffnappies.com and she will not sell you anything you don't need, but will help you refine your decision and she has loads of choice to boot

Storage of soiled nappies -
I have 2 in nappies so have 2 large nappy buckets with a mesh in each. To prevent smells i have a sanitary towel stuck in the lid with a few drops of either tea tree or lavender oil on.

Washable wipes -
I have probably about 50 but i am wiping 2 bums one of which is a newborn so changing every 2 hours or so. I keep them in a pampers dispenser upstairs and a tupperware tub in the changing bag.
Nappies -
I have almost 100 nappies so not the person to advise how many you need
I love bamboo as it is so soft, but i also love pockets for my wiggly 13 month old.

Wraps-
I mainly use motherease airflows as they have loads of adjustments and are pretty bombproof!

Storage of soiled nappies -
Nappy pail with lid and mesh bag. Don't use lavender or tea tree oil, but I do use lavender oil on my wipes.

Washable wipes -
Yes - it's so easy. I've got at least 40.

Nappies -
I've got 18 bamboo nappies (my DS is 4 months), three boosters (which are fleece lined) for overnight, and I use fleece liners during the day. I wash every two to three days. I change with each feed during the day.

Bamboo -
There is some suggestion that you shouldn't tumble dry bamboo too much. I dry mine on an airer indoors now its winter and finish them off for 10 minutes in the tumble dryer to keep them fluffy. Now the central heating's on it takes about 24 hours for them to dry this way.

Wraps -
Motherease are generally considered the best. They're the only ones I've used and had no problems. I've got 4 and manage fine with that, but when he goes up to size 2 I'll probably get an extra wrap or two so I've got spare for nursery. You will always need a wrap for a two part nappy.

HTH.

Thank you!