What do you think of this plan... any ideas?

[legallyblond]

At the encouragement of my DH, I am planing to venture into the world of reuseable nappies for my first baby (due in Sept). I want to use reuseables from birth ideally, but I am not too fussed if I end up with a pack of disposables in the house at any one time for night-time (when I am half awake a 4am and for extra absorbancy) etc. I would only like to use the odd disposable as and when though.

Having looked at at the (somewhat overwhelming!) nappies etc on the market, I was thinking of getting:

1. a few Tots Bots Flexitots size one (plus mostly size 0 and a couple of size 1 wraps) for the first few weeks (or am I expecting too much to think that in the first few weeks I will be happy to wash and use two-parters..?!); THEN

1. a set of 15 or so all-in-ones (one sized) - at the moment I am thinking of Bumgenius V3s. That said, I am prepared to be convinced about Coolababies if they are just as good and the pocket thing isn't a pain (they are half the price of Bumgenius!).

What do you think? I have NO experience of any of this! Are Bumgenius really the best all in ones? Also thinking about Tots Bots all in ones or FuzziBunz...

Also, drying space and time is fairly limited (I have upright dryers only in my flat but I can take them outside if the weather is nice, and I have electric heaters only, so no hanging on radiators)

All advice appreciated!

Also - I should say that money is tight-ish (i.e. I don't want to spend more than, say £200/50 in total) and baby is likely to be on the tall and skinny side (DH and I were both fairly skinny babies and I am 5' 11'', him 6')...

Hello

I'm no expert but my DS (10 weeks) is in disposables.

I love the bumgenius v3 and these are my primary nappies (I have 18) - my baby is also long and skinny and the bumgenius are great - comfy, have never leaked (even with his skinny legs!) and a doddle to wash and dry. We also have no tumble dryer, and radiators aren't on at the moment and they still dry overnight.

I have a couple of fuzzibunz all in ones and they're lovely and cosy, quite absorbent but they are much more of a pain to put on (loads of snappers versus velcro). I tend not to use them as much as a result...I prefer the bumgenius as a result.

I also have a tots bots too parter and a tots bots all in one and an itti bitti all in one. They're lovely and very absorbent but they take much longer to dry - a couple of days versus overnight. But I do use them for over nights, as quite absorbent.

Having said that, I hadn't spotted the Coolababies before I bought the bumgenius so I'd have been tempted by them (and will probably buy them if I need any replacements).

I also kept an eye on the various sites and ended up buying my bumgenius when they were on offer on cheeks and cherries, so saved a good 10%.

On the disposables, I've found the nature care babies suit my long skinny baby. I used more disposables than planned as ended up with an EmCS so couldn't face the washing for the first few weeks. I now keep some on reserve for emergencies (eg always have a few on reserve in my nappy bag as I can only fit 3 washables in there and we can go through more than that on day trips).

OK, ramble over!

Er, my son is in reusables - d'oh! sorry for other typos - one handed typing while BFing and didn't preview!

Also, your budget sounds great. My council provides a voucher of 54 pounds so do check if your council offers anything. Also I went to a nappucino, which was a great way of handling various nappies to see what you like.

Thanks so much Flip. So maybe I don't need the two-parters for the early weeks.. maybe I can just stick to the Bumgenius? I had just jeard that two parters are best for small babies..

Re Bumgenius vs Coolababies - I think Coolababies use poppers like the Fuzzibunz, so maybe less convenient (plus they are pockets rather than all in ones).

Just guessing really!

You're right - coolababies look v like fuzzibunz (which are lovely, I just don't love them like the bumgenuis ). And for that price they're so tempting!

I did't get specific two parters as my DS was big at birth (9lbs) and I knew he would be (growth scan at 34 weeks, plus babies in our family tend to be big at birth) - he's always been long and thin though. I've inherited some of the nappies I mentioned, as a friend got some samples she never used so passed them to me.

One other thing I'm loving is washable wipes - I bought cheeky wipes but they're expensive (upfront, still cheaper in the long run) and it would be very easy to make them yourself using flannels and essential oils. I wash mine at the same time as my nappies (they don't need to be dried) and I'm very happy that my DS hasn't had a babywipe near his bum

Oh - I also meant to ask Flip, do you use / will I need flushable lines with the Bumgenius all in ones? I assumed not, but...

If I were you, I'd get a couple each of Coolababies and BumGenius and try them out before you commit to buying a load of them.

DS uses BumGenius at nursery and I love everything about them, except the price...

We don't use liners in them. And they dry really quicky on an airer.

If you fancy the idea of washable wipes (and I highly recommend it), get a load of 20p white face clothes from Tesco. Then all you need is a bowl of water (or a spray bottle for when you are out and about).

I used BGs with DS from about 6 weeks. Used dispies and had one of each type I was interested in for use in early week and then made decision to go with BGs after really liking them. We're still using them 2 years on, and they are in good nick so that they will do just nicely for DC2 expected in Sept. So although expensive relative to others, I'm getting good use out of the investment. We have 15 of these and wash every 2-3 days and no other nappies - I'm a loyal BG user So that was probably about £225 assuming £15 per nappy (not sure of current price now).

So personally I wouldn't bother with separate two parters at start. Got fewer leaks with BGs early on than with the dispies (my DS was and is a skinny thing like you're expecting.)

I use fleece liners that I got from twinkleontheweb.co.uk. Two reasons: lessened stains on the nappies as I would like to preserve them for resale later if possible (although a good airing in the sunshine to dry generally dealt with the worst of those!) and makes disposing of poo down loo that bit easier as can just hold liner against the flushing water. But could do without I think.

The fleece liners are shaped, whereas disposable paper ones were too big and needed folding, and seemed wasteful so if you want liners, go washable I'd say.

Washable terry type wipes are absolutely brilliant. Clean way better than disposable wipes.

I empty solids down loo, then dry pail the BGs with a few drop of teatree oil. Get a mesh net (also from twinkle website) for your bucket so you don't need to handle the nappies and wipes again and can just throw the whole lot in the wash. The inners come out of the outers in the wash, so no handling needed. If a very pooey load I do a rinse first then wash, otherwise just wash. Use one tablet and teatree in the conditioner compartment. Usually do 2 x 40C washes per week and one at 60C - more at 60C if they are particularly messy, or if DS has been ill etc.

For washable wipes, you don't need anything fancy - mine are the terry liner of an old dressing gown and a bamboo terry cut into squares - no hemming needed and they've done 2 years just fine.

Thanks so so much - this is really helpful! Sometimes its hard to understand the practicalities of how it will all work out... so these posts are great megonthemoon!

I just had DD2 just over 2 weeks ago, shes v tall and skinny so out of stash i had for DD1 im currently using 2 parters on a night and bumgenius v3 through the day. I tried her in a coolababy i had but her legs are still too skinny and it leaks, maybe a a coupke of weeks it will fit. I would recommend bum genius v3 i used these up until potty training with DD1, coolababy are good but will only fit between about 2mths and 1 and half to 2 years. Bumgenius more expensive but last from birth until about 2 and half so a bit longer. Bumgenius are velcro too so if you worried about changing in night half asleep they easier than poppers on the coolababy lol

Very true about not needing anything fancy for the washable wipes - I've also made some of my own using Tesco face cloths (I cut each one into four, so working out at about 5p a wipe!). But I like the Cheeky Wipes system - damp clean wipes scented with lavender in one tupperware container and water with tea tree oil in the mucky wipes container - so I've copied that (we have cheeky wipes in the living room at the main change area and my home made version in the bedroom for night time changes). I wish I'd started using them from day one, as a lot less hassle than cotton wool and water!

I got flushable liners but there's no need to use them when breastfeeding. I'm keeping them on hold until weaning but will probably also invest in the liners mentioned here (wish I'd known about them in advance!).

I hate to flatten your enthusiasm, but unless you're hot off the mark with potty training (aim for 18m-2 years, make sure you introduce a potty early on), with the height you both are, I think it's pretty certain your baby will outgrow the BumGenius as they're not the most generous of one-size nappies height-wise.
You could try the Fuzzi Bunz one size, as they are more generous in the rise and have adjustable elastic rather than poppers down the front - my daughter was long and slim (5ft 2 already and she's not quite 11). We found a lot of things were fine in the rise but too loose at the leg (including disposables! we had to sellotape the legs on those to stop leaks)

DS is 2.7 and chunky (about 2.5 stone at last weigh in!) and the BumGenius still fit him. They are on the small side now but do work.

Thanks Ariela - that's really useful info. I think I need to assume that the baby will be tall, especially as a toodler, and on the skinny side, so its good to hear from someone who has the same sort of baby!

I asked for advice on the Nappy Lady site too... she also said that bumgenius and most other all in ones are not good for tall 1 and a half/2 year olds. She suggested Bambinex Easy Comforts (but maybe becasue they are for sale on Nappy Lady?!). Actually, she suggested two-parters to avoid leaks, but I just can't face them really... I suspect that the simpler and the more like diposables in use the better for me!

It looks like fuzzibunz or bambinex easy comforts will be the best given the tall baby thing (I can't afford to buy a whole set of bumgenius then a whole set of something else for when the baby is older!).

What do people think are easier/better? Any opinions?

I like the look of fuzzibunz BUT they are expensive (although i might call the Cotton Nappy Co and ask if they can do the same deal that they do for 15 bumgenius on fuzzibunz...) and I wonder if the poppers will annoy me. Equally, the bambinex easy comforts look nice BUT there seem to be very few reviews/ places to buy....

Come guide me!!!

Thank you for ALL the advice so far - this has to be one of the best things about Mumsnet!

Used reusables on both DCs.

The problem with one size anything is that they are dreadful on a newborn. I used Sandy's Extra Small at first, Bum Genius sized and then BBH at night...

Oh, and don't bother with fancy inserts. Tescos own brand microfibre cloths are great!

I would be wary of getting too many nappies of one kind up front - the fit really does vary a lot from baby to baby.

Two part nappies are actually easier than aio imo - you don't need to wash the wrap every time and wraps dry ultra fast.

What worked best in the end for my tall skinny ds when he was a toddler was motherease one-size ones. We only had a couple but would always choose them first when they were available. Sandys were great too, but are sized so don't last as long. I wouldn't use me one size from birth even though you can, as they are really enormous on a nb.

We liked poppers best in the end, stayed on the best on a very active toddler.

I have bambinex bamboo and microfibre ones (don't know what easy comforts are, after my shopping time! The bamboo ones are pretty frayed now, but the microfibre survived ds1 just fine and are being used with ds2. They are a lifesaver in winter as they dry really fast.

Sooo....

Maybe back to my original idea of buying some 2-parters for the first few weeks plus a batch of all in ones (I really do want to use all in ones where poss.... I am (a) lazy and (b) a cloth nappy virgin!)

For those of you who use 2 parters at night/for new borns, which will be best for a skinny new born?

I was thinking of tots bots flexi-tots because they are apparently really absorbant, but I have also heard that they suit more chunky-legged babies..?

I really want to buy nappies before the baby arrives, which I know is risky.... but I just want to be all set up...

Keep the invaluable advice coming!

Skinny newborn -- Sandy's Extra Small. From 5lbs - 12 lbs.

But without wishing to discourage you from being all ready, agree that it's best to get a few, but you will need to see what shape and size your baby is. For instance, if the baby is 8lbs, then may go straight into a Size 1.

Also disposables are good for the first week, at least until the, um, sticky stage goes....

If money is tight you can equip yourself with a comprehensive set of terries, nappy nippas and motherease wraps for about £70. Terries are marvellous, last all through the nappy period, dry quickly and are IMO brilliant. If you buy 2nd hand it'd be even cheaper.

I have 30 nappies, 2 motherease rikki wraps for each S,M,L stage and 4 nappy nippas (you only need 1 if you aren't absent minded like me and lose them). You don't need a nappy pail - a bucket will do - or even better one of those boxes that the set of Johnson and Johnson baby toiletries come in (that's what I use) as it closes and has a handle.

I couldn't be bothered to faff around with the branded ones

I would say terries for newborn!very cheap and variety of folds to suit different babies. Especially if your planning to breastfeed (TMI alert as the poo is very runny) The 2 part system is great pre weaning as better for containment.

i would just get some 2nd hand wraps in size small as you wont need them for very long and then just sell them on.

BG are fab and you can always cross the bridge when you come to it if they are outgrown a couple of years down the line.

I would say it may be trial and error involved but there is a market for 2nd hand cloth so dont worry if you need to sell stuff on that doesnt work well

I could chat cloth all day! ask more questions if you like x

Thanks so much!

I still think I am going to get a mixture of BGs and totsbots stretchy bamboozles plus motherease rikki wraps (for nights and explosive poo!!!).... but I'll limit my spending spree for now!

The baby will be going to nursery full-time later on (from about 1 and a half) so it may be that I have to use disposables then anyway... in which case growing out of the bungenius is less of an issue.

Where would I get terries from? (I could use them with the motherease wraps)

I am planning to buy my nappies from here: www.thecottonnappycompany.co.uk as they have been really helpful with advice. Are these terry nappies?: www.thecottonnappycompany.co.uk/www.thecottonnappycompany.co.uk/info.php?p=8&cat=107538
Where is best to buy a few?

I think I got my terries from boots. It doesnt really matter as they are just a square piece if cotton. Unless you want bamboo they are lush but dearer.

lb, these are terries www.boots.com/en/Boots-Terry-Nappies-6-Pack_35238/?CAWELAID=334493593&cm_mmc=Shopping%20Engines-_-Go ogle%20Base-----Boots%20Terry%20Nappies%20%206%20Pack

Any decent nursery should use reusables.

Thanks so much - def going to buy a few terries. Also, I spoke to my Mum and she swears by them!

Is there anywhere I can download a pdf or something showing how to do different folds?