Advice on cloth vs disposable nappies

[Chrysanthamum]

I was tempted to use cloth nappies with 2nd son but opted for disposables. I've just discovered that child no 3 is on the way. Would it be wise to switch to cloth nappies now with 11month yr old and then use them twice when baby comes? Is it financially a better option? Also are cloth nappies really hard work?

I much prefer them.

In my job i have used cloth with twins and i found it little extra work, every evening i did a wash of nappies and cloths and clothing and it was sorted.

There are many options out there, try looking on the for sale boards to pick up so nappys to try, i like both 1 and 2 piece systems.

Mothercare have a Smart system which is good in that at home you use the wrap and a cloth pad and when out you can use a throw away pad so no different in ease than using dispi's.

Thanks. Are the Smart systems still better for the environment?

Go for it!!!

DS1 was a clothbum. DS2 started out that way... then we moved when he was around six months old, around the same time as DS1 potty trained and the washing machine wasn't quite there and I couldn't be bothered... So he has been in disposables.

Then we discovered that DS3 was on the way and I rediscovered my nappy addiction.

DS2 has been back in cloth for about four months (he is two-and-a-half). He likes cloth nappies so much I don't think he will EVER be potty trained - he likes choosing them himself.

DS3 will, of course, be in cloth.

I have to say, in the years since DS1 was in nappies, the world of fluff has moved on a lot - there is a huge amount of choice out there and I think it is really fun trying out different nappies. I really would advise you to avoid buying loads of one type unless you are positive it is what you will want to use all the time. I prefer a bit of variety.

Have a look at the second hand boards too The Nappy Site, UK Parents Lounge, Mumsnet's own For Sale/Wanted board, The Used Nappy Company - you can get some real bargains but be aware that you can get some bum deals too.

I am VERY lazy so I am very fond of pocket-type and all-in-one nappies like BumGenius and Itti Bitti D'Lish for day time, though I also use two-parters (nappy plus wrap): Tots Bots Bamboozles, Motherease Sandy's, Ella's House... The ultimate wrap has got to be the Motherease Airflow but it is far from cute.

For nights it's got to be something super absorbent (I like Baby Beehinds birth to potty, and Ella's House Bumhuggers, others don't) plus boosters and a fleecy wrap - Stacinators are brilliant.

Do you use Mothercare Smart nappies, MatNan? They look suspiciously like prefolds to me and prefolds are the work of the Devil (in my humble opinion).

I wouldn't recommend the smart nappy system. I use at present and am having loads of leaks since i moved up from small to medium. The pad is meant to be interchangeabl between small and medium outers but it doesn't fit the medium outer properly hence the leaking. Sorry but hth x

So are cloth nappies durable then? Could I get off with buying 2nd hand ones that would last for 2 nippers?

Thanks for all the advice Swampster. I've looked at some of the sites. What essentials would I need to get started? Baby is nearly one am wondering how sizing works? It seems a tad confusing with inserts, outers, boosters etc, hopefully with some hands on exp. it'll all become clear! []

For descriptions of nappies, I have always found Kittykins to be really good. I also like Twinkle Twinkle. Others swear by advisers like The Nappy Lady (I'm not keen). There are a couple of lovely mumsnetters who sell nappies, Nappyzone and Flamesparrow's Bumfluff - not the best looking websites in the world (sorry, ladies) but you will get great advice. Otherwise there is loads of info on these boards - you just have to do some trawling.

No Swapster, i know you are and also Misdee is and i looked at it, i like the 2 piece systems, but as you say each to their own, i find by compare the full nappies that then need a wrap bulky, especially as current baby i am with is on the chunky side

I'd recommend cloth the savings are considerable, if you are thinking seriously of it then its better to start now and save your cash. I used cloth for 1st 18mths then in a fit of madness switched to disps and just kept a few terries for emergencies, god knows what I was thinking of but i did. Its not very often I need to use a nappy on DS these days so I'm not entirely clued up on whats available but if I have another (heaven forbid) it will be cloth start to finish.

I don't use Mothercare Smart System, MatNan - I don't think the terms Mothercare and Smart go together very well .

Thanks again for all the advice. I've had a look around and there are some v cute nappies out there. New ones are quite pricy though. How many nappies do you need to get by?

It depends on how often you intend to wash but 24 is a good start point (you are bound to buy more once you see what suits you later !) but I'd settle for 24 to start.

AlienSwampMonster that was meant to be SwampsterQuakes but i realised it is VeeBee who is using them and is not to impressed with them, now that she has moved up in size, as to how Misdee is getting on i don't know.

As for the number, try getting 2 of each type you like the look of and note down the pro's & cons when you use them.

Is there a nappy demo person near you?

Maybe start a thread asking?

MatNan, it is all the same Swamp(mon)ster...

Ah it was late in my defence

Is the swamp nice Swampy? Might join you

Never gave to 2 names tho similar a thought that they might be 1 person

OY!!! Its my own work i tell ya! No fancy designers so prices are lower! .

Feel free to email me some constructive criticism!

MatNanPlusSwamp?

There you go, Chrysanthamum - I have lured Nappyzone onto your thread - GRAB her while you can and pick her nappy-brain!

My nappy brain is slowly turning into pringles and after eight mints!

Lovely leopard Stacinator arrived safe and sound today, thanks Nappyz - they really are the Airflows of the fleece world!

ahhhhh good to hear! I will have to order some more in as they seem to be shifting well lately....

has possibilities Swampy

So the Stacinator is in place of a waterproof wrap?