Terry nappies advice?

[WillbeanChariot]

Hi all,

I've just started using terries on my son, who's just over 8lb. He was in disposables before as he was in hospital for a long time. I'm now using classic (ancient!) cotton terries with popolini? flushable liners, popo polyester wraps and nappy nippas. I'm reasonably happy with them but they are very bulky on him so I've had to retire his smaller clothes. I also found that when I changed him at night after about five hours he was soaked through his clothes to the sheet, even with the wrap.

Any tips to prevent the soaking? I've bought some fleece liners but they are just too bulky in the day, maybe I could use one at night? Also I got one nature baby cotton wrap to try but I think I'm going to exchange it for another polyester for more waterproofing and less bulk. Anyone have a good tip on the best wraps for terry squares?

Finally washing- I am just bunging them in a bucket and planning to wash at 40, pre-rinsing any poo. Anything else I should do?

Thanks in advance ladies. My HV said she would bet we won't last with them and I'd like to meet the challenge...

I would recommend motherease rikki wraps. I've used a combination of terries and motherease nappies and these were the best wraps I came across. Your son may find the fleece liners more comfortable, as they stay drier and are more comfortable against the skin anyway. And they are not really that much more bulky.

Another thing you could try is a booster pad in the middle of the nappy. This will make it more bulky, but it might solve your night problem. You can either buy booster pads (motherease does a snap in one which I either used in their nappies or just lay on top of a folded terry) or you can use a smaller terry folded up.

Hope that helps you.

ditto the rikki wraps, have used them very sucessfully with terries

The ME rikkis are really great, they fit well and we've never had a leak.

As for washing, if the terries you're using are cotton, they can become quite stiff after a while (if you're in a hard water area like London). What really helped keep our nappies nice and soft is using lemon juice as a fabric conditioner (not too much, obviously, but even a bit makes a big difference). Some people use white vinegar for the purpose, but I just prefer the smell of lemon and it works just as well.

Thanks all, I will try the rikki wraps, boosters at night and the lemon juice. Great tips!

My terry squares are on their second child now, I love them

Def try motherease wraps, I adore them. We used the rikki in small and then went on to the airflow ones. You won't get any leaking from a Motherease.

At night I prefer to put my boosters (have some bamboo ones or just pad fold a muslin) between the nappy and the wrap. The reason for this is that having too much boosting inside the nappy can affect the fit around the legs. You can also try just doubling up your nappy at night so lay 2 out one on top of the other and fold as though it were one nappy. Don't worry about it being bulky, he won't mind

I'm probably giving advice on nappies a little prematurely - not had baby yet, but I can tell you what my hours and months of research on the web turned up.

Muslin squares as nappies for a newborn! So for when baby is here I will see wether it works or not - but it is supposed to. I have bamboo boosters (again supposed to be less bulky but good).

Also took advise from www.terrynappies.co.uk/ on wraps. They suggest motherease airflow or rikki. If you are strapped for cash either ebay or www.usednappies.co.uk/ is fab - I got 5 barely used rikki wraps for £18 inc p and p.

The terry's nappies site also has loads of info on folds here.

I've been told I won't last too - but I've also been told I'll never breast feed and won't use my sling much especially not to babywear long term. Bring it on!

Thanks everyone. Very helpful!

Yes, muslins for a new born. OR get smaller terries as they are less bulky (I have 3 different sizes, might even get a fourth size - extra large for DS)

When you said soaked through, was the nappy saturated too, or had it leaked? If nappy saturated, use boosters (specially made ones, or a folded flannel). The most absorbant fabrics for terries or boosters are hemp (but really hard!!) or bamboo. If it was leaking, you need to get a better fit of wrap. I too would recommend Motherease. Get new if your baby has skinny legs. All of mine did, and second hand were always a bit gaping at the legs.

When hanging your nappies out, give them a really hard shake, that softens them (honest, it works!). Or lemon juice/vinegar in softner drawer works and kills germs. I also put in a few drops of lavendar oil as I like the smell and it kills germs.

Try the nappy lady for different nappy folds to see if different folds help you get a better fit.

I'm about to have my 4th and will definately be using terries. I just LOVE them (sad, maybe - but true!). I tried all sorts of systems with DD1, which was fun. But the fast drying, washing cleaner and flexibility of folds is what sold terries to me in the end. Also, I could take a couple of terries and they would fit either child as I have had 2/3 in nappies as various points.

Trickle, I use terries, breastfeed and use a sling - DD is 6 weeks. Ignore those that don't believe you can do it !

Hi to all mothers