Cloth nappies 1st timer - how often to change? Any tips?

[lowrib]

DS is proudly (well I'm proud anyway ) wearing his 1st cloth nappy. (We've just switched over at 6 weeks), and I'd like to make sure I'm doing it right ...?

I know you need to change them more often than disposables, but how often generally?

Do you have any tips for using cloth nappies?

Do I need to do anything differently now we've switched over? e.g.

• I've been using just cotton wool and water
• We don't use a barrier cream as this actually gave him nappy rash! (Apparently because the barrier cream was indeed acting as a barrier, but on the nappy itself, limiting absorbency and so causing nappy rash). This was when we were using disposables - I assume I can use it now?
• I only use wipes if we're out and about.

The nappies we 're using are called Totsbots, and the outside plastic bit (not sure what it's called) is leopard print and looks very cool!

Thanks

at that stage i would say i was using 7-8 a day, most days. you can usually tell when they need changing because they smell of wet cloth.
i didn't use barrier cream - but did use calendula cream if he got a bit rashy, which only happened if i left him a bit onger than nonrmal in a wet nappy (e.g. on long car journeys)

i only used a very mild liquid rice soap when he was very poo-ey, otherwise just dunked his bum in a washung up bowl of warm water.

hth

change a poo whenever it happens, you will smell it and they will sometimes moan about it. DS really complains about poo and wee, DD only used to shout about poo. change wee whenever you can if they are uncomfy, or leave it longer between changes when you get near potty training time, so they feel when they are wet. i only used nappy cream, either calendula, bepanthen or metanium depending on how bad was rash.

use pieces of fleece cut into rectangles to line you nappies, they keep the bottoms drier and any poo peels off fleece easier than olff terry.

well done for changing and good luck. have fun!

I do not change real nappies more often the disposables.. Indeed I might change a bit less frequently.

Tips: you can soak the soilded nappy in a soda solution to prevent staining. lemon juice works also good on stains!

You can try washable wipes as well. I tend to use kitchen tissue with home made solution as disposable wipes and we never had any problem with that.

I have been using cloth for a few weeks now and haven't found that they need changing more often than disposables at all.

I change my dd's every 3 hours unless they poo first, mainly so that i know they are dry (they both power wee!) and secondly i do them both at the same time so i remember!

During the day, I change quite frequently; about every 2 hours, unless DS is taking a nap (not very likely!)

At night, he gets several bamboo/fleece boosters.

Tend not to use cream unless he's sore, and then Weleda Baby Change Cream which has zinc and calendula.

Every 3-4 hours for me.

I would guess your wrap is nature babies

Thanks everyone. Success! So far, so good. I have one happy baby, and I was surprised how dry his skin stays when the nappy is wet. (I'm using a homemade fleece lining + a disposable liner).

Only problem I can see is the much bigger nappy means he's instantly grown out of all his vests but that's OK I get to dress him in some cool new stuff I have some larger clothes which he can wear.

Now I just have to suss the cleaning process. Does anyone have any tips dealing with the dirty nappies? (Today I've rinsed them and put them in a bucket, I'll machine wash a load in the morning.)

Have you got the tablets to pop in the bucket of water that starts the cleaning process off (gets rid of the real nasties lurking while they soak)? You're doing the right thing - soak 'em, wash'em, hang 'em out to dry!

I can't say I had much problem with this - I dry-pail mine, I have a 25L brewing bucket (nice tight lid!) for my nappy bucket, and once that is full it is a full wash load. At your stage, I was doing a load every day so soaking etc. wasn't really necessary.

The liners I used were flushable so that got rid of some of the excess; and then the rest went in the washing machine. I do use napisan in the wash though and if I have excessively soiled stuff now I do a pre-soak in napisan. Kind of doesn't really fit with using Ecover washing powder but it works for us - nappies rarely (if ever) stain. But all mine are homemade and have fleece lining.

Oh no don't bother with soaking - dealing with a load of ganky water for no reason.

No reason to use napisan either, it just eats away at the nappies

Re : the instant growing out of vest problem .

You can get vest extenders - just little rectangles of fabric with poppers either end that fasten onto normal vests . They work a treat .

Just google 'vest extenders' and you'll find loads of websites that sell them.

HTH

poo soup is soooooooo not nice - dry pail is so much nicer and easier . Enjoy and yes flamey i thought nb too lol!