New to cloth - a few questions

[Alarielle]

I've just started with reuseables. I only have 5 at the moment, so until I get more I'm just using them overnight (cotton tot bots). The nappy leaked a little one night and I soaked the wrap and nappy in a little washing powder for a few hours to remove the poo but the wrap is stained orange. Is there any way to get rid of this or am I doing something wrong?

Also tea tree oil/lavender oil in the wet pail, Where can you get these? I've looked in the supermarkets and cannot find it. What is dry pailing?

Also, I'm currently thinking of using a 2 part system most of the time with a few all in ones thrown in to make it easier when my sister has him (2-3 days a week). Roughly, how many 2 parts and all in ones should I need if I was every 2-3 days? My son is 11 months.

I am looking for nappies which are of a slimmer fit and not too costly which ones should I try?

Sorry for all the questions! Thanks in advance.

Hi Alarielle

Don't worry too much about the staining...you can get rid of it easily by putting it out on the line, or even, on the window sill. The sun (even through cloud) does a magical job.

Tea tree oil and Lavender Oil you can usually buy from the chemist or from specialist independent shops. I buy my lavender from Long Barn and it's fantastic!

If your sister has your LO a couple of times a week, you probably need about 8-12 all-in-ones (say, 4 nappies to cover from 9-6pm) and 16+ 2-parters to cover the other 4 days a week (not including night times)

Slimmer fitting AIOs include: itti bitti SIO and AIO, also Bambooty AIO

HTH

I prefer powder to tea tree or lavender as can go in the machine better to get rid of stains - can also be used on baby clothing. Try BioD, Pure or Mio Fresh. The stains will come out in the sunshine

I would get 12 two parters and 8 all in ones - get some quick drying ones made from fleece or fluffly material to mix with the cotton ones. All in ones - would suggest itti bitti, fuzzi bunz or bumgenius for slimness with reliability. Coolababy are really cheap about £5 each - babybots sells them - have used them and quite like them - similar to Bumgenius but all popper. I haven't tried a bambooty yet - but should - they look gorgeous - ds3 is ready for toilet training though and am banned from buying more

Thanks for the replies! Ordered 2 itti bittis to try, they look gorgeous!

We use Itti Bittis and I have 5 outers (with inserts) and 10 extra inserts. DD is 4.5 months and this is okay but I need to wash the dirty ones every day. DD is in mediums and I use them with the small inserts too.

I only use the Itti Bittis during the day as they don't suit DD at night (she wees loads and I only change her at night when she wakes, so she can be soaked through). I've got 2 Totsbots Bamboozles for night time and supplement with a disposable if needed.

I've got a few different types. Been mainly using tots bots 2 part bamboo. LUV EM!
I've got itti bittis which I think are ok too. For night time at the moment I really like Pop Ins (all in one.) It can last right through the night with not a leak.
There is a really good company (web site = Babykind.)
They do nappy trials. I have just arrange a trial as I need to start thinking about next size & wasn't sure which to go for. They have tailor made a bundal for me made up of about 8 different types/makes & enough for 2 weeks (washing every 2 days.)
It's costing about £32 (& you get a 5% disc on any purchase you make afterwards.)
They were really helpful - worth a try before you buy!

Hiya - Just reading through to make sure all your questions were answered.

Dry pailing your nappies is simply putting your dirty nappies (after solids removed) in to a nappy bucket or large wet bag until you are ready to wash them.

You will find most people do this and nappy manufacturers rarely recommend you to wet pail or soak nappies any more. You can however buy Nappy Sanitiser to add in to the wash as Octo said that does the same job as soaking. Wet pailing can be a messy job and often puts people off.

Itti Bitti are great nappies especially at the age of your child. I hope you enjoy them! I second the other suggestions Fuzzi one size, Coolababy, Bumg's, Little Lamb pockets are great too.

You'll want about 20-22 nappies in total more 2 parts than pockets/ all in ones. Although you might find you like the pockets/ all in ones better for day times and the 2 parts at night. The pockets and all in ones allow for very quick and easy nappy changes that are great for mobile babies andthe 2 parts are great for night time containment as you can boost as much as you like as long as the wrap will cover it.

HTH