Which two-part washables? Quick drying...

[LennyW]

I have a few specific questions about reusables before we go out and buy.

We've decided on two-part reusables (shaped + wraps) because apparently they're the "most leak-proof".

1. Which are the quickest/best-drying shaped nappies? We don't have a tumble dryer so will be relying on air-drying. We quite fancy Tots Bots Bamboozles (with popper), is this quick drying or is there something better?

1. Do we need to buy pop-in liners and what should they be made of (fleece/bamboo)?

1. Is the Bummis wrap as good as the Motherease Airflow? Is there another wrap that's as good or better?

1. How many nappies/wraps should we buy for our newborn (9lb8oz; so not tiny)?

1. Do we need a wetbag for when we're out and about and how do you wash it?

anything bamboo will take ages to dry

my top choice would be motherease one size, with stay dry boosters and airflow wraps

trust me, i have had 3 babies and around 15 diff types of nappy and they're the ones i ALWAYS go back to.
i have only recently got a tumble dryer too, so always had them drying on airers

I would recommend Lollipop micros or softees. Both are 2-part, sized nappies and very quick drying. The micro is fine for daytimes but you'd need something more absorbent for overnight. The softee would be great for overnight, but is a little bulky for daytime use for some people.
I would get 15 x micros and 5 x softees with 3 wraps in each size.

You could consider going stright into size 2 micros as they're a very slim fitting nappy and so wouldn't look too daft on a nearly 10lb baby, although the size 1's would definitely give a neater look.

This should take you straight to the micros and softees page (2-part systems page), but sometimes it doesn't work and it takes you straight to the homepage.www.thenappyshed.co.uk/

I would also recommend the lollipop micro or softee - reliable and quick drying.

Anything cotton will take several hours unless it's over a radiator. The quickest drying are microfibre, any brand. But slightly less absorbant so need more frequent changes. And obviously synthetic so not as nice next to baby's bum, especially in summer.

Not sure I would bother with buying the smaller size if your baby is already a good size, just get the one size, will be a bit bulky while he is small, but will last longer in the long run.
I had one of those wet bag things, never used it tbh. If I was going out for a couple of hours, I just used to put wet nappy in a nappy sack, or maybe 2 nappy sacks, then when i got home, take out of nappy sacks and put in the bucket with the others. If I was going on a full days out, I would just used disposable, didn't really fancy dragging wet nappies round the zoo or where ever!!
Another vote for motherease wraps here too.

forgot to add, number of nappies to buy depends on how often you want to wash them and how you intend to dry them. I think I had a set of about 20 tots bots and about 4 motherease wraps, but can't quite remember!!

I'm not a fan of the popper Bamboozles. The new stretchy Bamboozles are lovely and dry more quickly than the original ones, are aplix fastening, birth-to-potty, and feel as though they must be super-comfy for little bums.

Motherease Airflows are very reliable but also very ugly, in my opinion. I have found newer TotsBots and Wee Notions wraps to be just as reliable and much nicer looking.

I beg to differ with thisisyesterday, I found Motherease One Size to be one-size-fits-none and they are, together with One Life, probably they ugliest nappies on the planet. And they don't last very long. I felt guilty when I gave mine away.

I have some Motherease onesize for sale if you are interested? jennifer _ webb @ hotmail.co .uk without the spaces.

Sorry if I wasn't meant to post that, but I saw them recomended above so thought I would offer incase it was a help to you.

Wow, thanks for the advice, everyone. I'm much close to a decision. I think!

... closer...

and?!

Well, octo, I think it's going to depend on what's available second-hand online...

oooh jennypenny is selling lots and I think 4andnotout is also selling some stash on MN and CNT - look out for them.

I would get new wraps unless fleece though as can be a false economy if someone has treated them badly

If you like the Bamboozles, I'd agree with previous poster the new Stretch have a microfibre core so this aids the drying time, and makes it similar to cotton drying speed. The size 2 have poppers down the front so you canr educe the heght as a one size - the popper in booster comes with it so you can add that in as required later (for now it keeps the bulk down)
A slightly quicker drying alternative would be a microfibre nappy such as the Nature Babies MicroDiddy - it's lined with cotton jersey so you have cotton next to the skin, and the second size is a one size so you can fold the front down and use as a birth to potty. It fastens with nippas so you can get a good snug fit.

I'd leave buying any extra boosters until you need them. Some babies do for overnight, some do all the time as a toddler and some are quite light wetters and really don't need them at all. Bamboo is slimmer for similar absorbency as cotton but slower to dry. You could even make your own from cutting up an old towel.

The Bummis wraps are good BUT they can be shallow between waist and thigh above the leg - so do be careful if you buy a nappy that is bulky at the waist (one size!) as you may have trouble getting it to fit under if your baby is chubby (less of an issue if skinny). Another very good wrap is the Nature Babies Classic wrap, they also make a budget Essentials one size wrap too - very reliable and very good value.

If you aim for about 20 nappies and 4 wraps per size this will keep you in enough nappies to allow for drying. A few extra flat nappies (prefolds, terries) and a nappi nippa never come amiss (cheap + quick to dry) to add extra to help you with drying

A wetbag is useful for out and about but equally you could just use an old supermarket carrier bag. I used to just pop the nappies in when dirty tighten the drawstring to keep it all contained, and take them home, then wash the bag and the nappies.

Thanks Ariela and Octo; didn't realise MN had a for sale section, so will definitely check that out, too.

If you can get hold of some second hand totsbots fluffles they're fantastically quick-drying - we didn't have a tumble drier when we got them and they're fleece so almost dry when they come out of the machine. They don't sell them new any more though.

I have some tots bots fluffles

With the almost being dry though - I think it is very common with these sorts of nappy to think they are dry before they are. Because yes they are fleece on the outside so they feel dry, they have microfibre on the inside which will need drying through. Otherwise you will get smells etc and obviously the nappy wont perform well if the inner is already wet.

Oh dear, I think I'm suffering from choice paralysis!

Disagree about the Onelife/motherease ones...I have mostly onelife and some motherease ones (they seem to be basically the same to me though). I have used them through two ds's and they are the best ones ive tried. Fitted a treat and fairly bomb proof leak wise. I dont have a drier either so have always line dried or used an airer in the house and they are quick drying.

Not sure why looks that important as they are under their clothes????????

Wrap wise i found the onelife popper wraps to be the best. I had some very nice totsbots wraps with stars on that looked lovely but leaked terribly through the fabric itself not round the legs so i defo wouldnt recommend them. I also never found velcro wraps to fit as nicely as popper ones...always seemed bulkier once on.

Personally i didnt like the totsbots nappies either, too bulky.

I have just potty trained ds2 so would consider selling (though havent 100% ruled out a no. 3).

I bought a load of Bumgenius Flips. They were on 2-for-1 recently. I bought 8 Flips and 8 inserts.
Remember to check if your council gives incentive vouchers. I got £60 for my 2 kids and with the flips being on offer I've only spent £60 on reusables.

I used motherease sandys in the small size with a thirsties wrap as I liked the leg holes and colours they came in! I think I had 16 and 4 wraps and washed every other day, if I washed in the morning and stuck them in the airing cupboard they were ready the next morning. Fleece liners are good, also had a wetbag for when out.

NappyShedSal: you suggested we could go straight into Lollipop Micro or Softee Size 2; I'm thinking about buying a couple to try, but their website says size 2 is from 16-35lbs... just wanted to double-check that you think they really are not too big for a 10lb bub...? I'm not too worried about them being bulky, but just don't want them to leak. Thanks.

They will be bulky - the Softee will be much bulkier than the micro, but no they really shouldn't leak. You can make the leg holes smaller by the doing the velcro up at a slight angle if necessary. You can also fold down the front if necessary - this is fine while your baby still lies pretty still and predominantly on their back. The key will be to get a good fit on your wrap, and whether you will need a small or medium wrap will very much depend on the shape of your baby. You may need a medium wrap for the softee, but could use a small wrap for the micro. If you order from The Nappy shed make sure you remember to use the MN discount code - MNShed which gives you 10% off.

Love my bumgenius for drying time and very easy and reliable. Have also loved my bamboo (bambinex) for reliability with motherease airflow wraps, but very slow drying. I have however just got some totbots stretchy bamboozles and I am IN LOVE with them!!