Is this overkill?

[legallyblond]

I have posted before on reusable nappies - I am totally new to this and you have all been VERY helpful! Thank you!!

My FIL has kindly offered to buy them for us, which is lovely, but means that he wants to buy them now-ish, all in one go, so I can't test run when I have the baby.

Simplicity is the key for me, and I have fairly limited drying space (I have an outside terrace, but can only use upright airers out there).

So, this is what I think I will ask for... is it overkill?

• 12 terry squares + 2 small motherease rikki wraps for very first few weeks;
• 16 bumgenius V3 all in ones (one size) for daily use when baby is 9lb+ ish;
• 4 tots bots stretchies (size 2) + 2 medium motherease rikki wraps for nights when baby is a bit older (10/11lb+ ish?) and needs more absorbancy (4 in case they take a while to dry); and
• fleece liners (necessary?).

Too much?

Not enough?

Not a good plan?

I bet you will get a million different thoughts on this! My 2p worth... The friends I have that have given up on reusables have done so because they bought expensive shaped nappies and found they didn't suit their baby. I would be wary of buying a whole set of Tots Bots or Bumgenius just in case they don't suit. Perhaps FIL could buy you a trial pack of different ones to try?

My DS is in terries, he's over 13lb now and they are still fine for him (and mine are old and threadbare). Fleece liners are definitely a good idea- I use flushable liners in the daytime but fleece liners are softer and keep him dryer at night. I have chopped up some of the oldest nappies to make boosters for extra absorbency at night. Rikki wraps are great, we use those. I have also got a few Popolino wraps which look the same as Motherease to me (someone told me they are just their European name) but they seem to be a pound or two cheaper.

Finally, I have a folding airer that will fit a whole nappy wash on just about, and I have found that terries dry very quickly.

Sorry for rambling on I think I rambled on your other thread too! One of my favourite subjects, how sad am I...

I think you are pretty spot on with your choice. Would have recommended similar. Possibly have a couple more stretchies if the budget will go that far. They are brilliant but they take a while to dry and are better for long naps when a BG may leak if left on a little too long?

Sounds about right to me! You might want more small wraps though. I found that when DS was tiny he needed a new wrap after each poo as it had a tendancy to get everywhere. This was with pre-folds though, terries would probably contain the poo a bit more. Still, a couple of extra wraps would be useful.

Sounds ok but again would rec more wraps, at least one on, one in wash and one waiting! Maybe add a couple of extra boosters to stash too just incase. Liners are not always needed for a newborn but handy to have, again - just incase. x

I think your plan sounds pretty good. Just a thought, little babies grow so quick, both mine gained between 0.5 and 1 pound per week for the first three/four months, so you may find that the time lapse between newborn then 9lb and 10/11lb weight could be as short as two or three weeks. I bought a few newborn size motherease sandy's for my second DC (couldn't resist, they were so cute!) as I found with my first the shaped size 1s I bought didn't fit so well on newborn, but the weeny sandy's only fitted properly for a couple of weeks, and DC2 grew even faster than my DC1. On this basis your plan to use terries is probably better, perhaps consider the 50cm size rather than 60cm though if you're planning to swap them for bumgenius at an early stage. Terry squares are great for general mopping, I also use ours as changing mat liners, I got through several changes of these in the early stages. Never actually used one as a nappy though!

I can't comment meaningfully on the merits of bumgenius as our nappies are all old style two part, bought 5yrs ago, still going strong. I did spot those Tots Bots stretchies though and I'm coveting them, it looks like my DC2 is going to be a chunky bub though so I'm trying to justify a purchase of them that way, I've read that their stretchiness makes them fit bigger babies better.

I would strongly suggest just getting one of each type you think you might like, then wait until you've had the baby. I really wish that's what I'd done!

After much research, I bought a birth-to-potty set of Lollipop softees at The Baby Show before my daughter was born, and thought I'd made the right choice. Once my daughter was born, I realised I hated the huge bum sumo-wrestler look, and after much additional research, have now purchased a set of Bumgenius all-in-ones, which I love. To add to the problem, she developed a large umbilical hernia, and we were advised her nappy must sit below this, making finding the right cloth nappy even harder (the bg sit nicely below this by the way).

I still intend to try to use the Lollipops (which performed very well on the few occasions I've used them), and I must say they do dry impressively fast, which is the only down side of the bg AIO, slow drying time. I also realise that as she grows, they will look less ridiculously huge, and she was tiny at 6 lb 7.

I really think that until you start using them, you can have no idea of preferences (if it's a first baby).

Good point about the umbilical hernia, my little boy had this too and couldn't wear some of the nappies I bought such as totsbots fluffles as they rubbed. I found small Itti bittis were nice and low on the tummy on him as he was only 6lb.

Generally good plan. I have BG v3 which I mostly use for ease for nursery for DD#3 and they dry superfast on the clothes airer. My absolute faves are the new totsbots stretchies though, with a motherease airflow wrap - though the rikki wraps are ok too. The down side is they really do take ages to dry on an airer (2 days). I find that I get less wicking from the tots/motherease combo than I do from the bumgenius. I have tried quite a few different nappies since DD#3 was born and these are the best in my opinion. I love ittis to touch and for the cuteness factor but personally I find them rubbish for function on DD. Shame!

Don't buy nappies for when baby is older - you may not get on with the ones you buy and then you will have wasted your money.

IMHO once yo have tried terries you won't go back. I'd just ask for 24 terry nappies with 3 nippas and 3 rikki velcro wraps - 1 on, 1 in the change bag and 1 in the wash

you need some boosters. the bgs will need boosting after about a year. easy peasy hemp are the best for pockets.

in all honesty. id ask for the money put it in savings and buy one of a few types, THEN buy what you'd like.

also, dont buy brand new for early weeks, you can get nearly new ones for half the retail price and you will only use them for 2-4 weeks before the bgs will fit.

Ask FIL how much he wants to pay (or suggest about £100 or £200 - whatever he's comfortable with) and get him to give it to you in cash. Keep it in a nappy fund jar and buy your nappies second-hand from usednappy.co.uk or other website - much cheaper and you can still get nappies in really good condition.

That way you can trial the ones you like and make sure you get the ones you need.

Take photos of the nappies you buy and like and send them to FIL so he can see what you are spending the money on. If you buy second-hand you can spend £100-£150 for enough nappies for first 3-5 months. Another £100 or so will see you through to potty! That's my suggestion, anyway.

Thanks guys!

FIL has very kindly sent me a cheque so that I can buy a few different types and then shell out on a whole load once I've figured out what I like and what works.

I think I'm going to get some terries for first few weeks and one each of:

• bumgenius v3.0
• bumgenius flip (plus stay dry and organic insert)
• bambinex easy comfort AIO
• bambinex teddies size 1
• tots bots stretchies size 1
• motherease rikki wrap (small)
• bummi superbirght wrap (small)

I picked a mixture as I am really not sure which I will like best. Baby may be tall (I am 5'11" and DH is 6") so the nappy lady recommended the two (two part and an AIO)bambinex options. I am tempted by the bumgenius v3.0 (mainly becasue of laziness and because the colours are cute.. also because I think it being so like a disposable will be easy to sell to grandparents etc!) but, if they work, the flips look amazing - much easier for drying and for space etc. The tots bots stretchies is so that I can see if I fancy it (or indeed, need it) as a nighttime bamboo nappy.

As an aside - has anyone used the new bumgenius flips? I only discovered them today...!

Hopefully, after a few weeks, I'll have figured which is best for baby and can go on a spending spree (lucky me - FIL gave me £300!!!).

I love the Bumgenius flips, have found them reliable, and quick drying it's a shame they don't come in more colours or prints. I found the Bambinex easy comfort rubbish and leaky and would get the stretchy in size 2 as they are BTP but otherwise a good list. I like Bambinex Teddies aswell and use them with a Bummi superbright wrap as they are a well fitting combination.

I would second mumface's recommendation of buying a size 2 Tots Bots stretchy, as you'll get so much more use from it than a size 1. Of course it will be more bulky on a newborn, but babies are only tiny for such a small while.

My boy is barely 4 months old and already since my last post he's outgrown our size 1 tots bots fluffles (had these for a while now, not sure how comparible they are to a stretchies size 1, presumably very similar).

He's also outgrown my Sandy's size ones, I'm a bit miffed as I bought these new for him, and some newborn size that he wore for only two weeks! I guess I should be glad that he's obviously thriving!

I have just bought one size 2 TB stretchy, which I don't strictly need as I have all my older DD's size 2 fluffles and large sandy's, but I caved as they look great.

Happy shopping!

Feel the need to mention, my DS weighed 7lb 7oz at birth, and is growing towards the 75th centile on the growth charts, so he's not abnormally huge! He does seem to have v. chunky thighs though, which is where the Sandy's poppers have failed us.

just 2p on the Flip - I do really like these and it's not that I don't like the organic, but unless you want to purposefully use organic, the stay-dry is much easier and dries amzingly quickly.

My stash is made up of Flips, BG V3s and a few BG organics. I don't give the Flips to the childminder as I feel like the take slightly more concentration to out on, and the pockets and all-in-ones are really idiot proof*. That said, my flips look much better-for-wear and I suspect will out last the others.

*not that my childminder, DH, parents or pils are idiots. I really hate the advertising that says 'even my husband can use these'. But that is a rant for another thread...

Thank you!

I bought three nappies to test on Saturday... we are super lucky as we have a local shop that sells reusables, so I actually got to have a proper look before buying.

I was all set on buying some flips to try, but I was with DH who for some reason decided he didn't like the thought of the baby sitting in the same wrap after a nappy change. I explained that the flips meant less washing for us but he got into his head that he would rather try the bumgenius v.3 first and see how we get on. Given that DH is actually showing an interest in nappies and anticipating changing them (something I did not expect!), I was happy to agree for now so bought 2 bumgenius v.3s and one size 2 tots bots stretchy with a motherease wrap.

(Totally agree by the way Sparky - why asume that everyone who offers to help me by changing the baby's nappy is an "idiot" and therefore needs idiod proof nappies...? Seeing as both my parents spent years folding and changing terries (and aside from that are not idiots!), I am pretty sure they and DH can manage any nappy I throw at them!)

Hello, have you checked with your local council if they offer a cashback fund contribution towards your resuseables - alot of councils i deal with offer £50 but then some like my own offer bot all

I like the flips - i prefer the V3 though as i always love pockets. My tiny niece is my tester these days - she is faring well with BG v3 and Greenkids and is a chunkster, i think my sil just didnt find the flip as convenient though why im unsure.

Hello there,

I'm a flip fan, just upped my stash on these so they are my main nappy. DH also likes them. The inserts are so absorbent that really the wraps don't even feel wet when you change them. Worth getting a couple to give a go anyway. I have both stay dry and organic inserts, to be honest minimal difference in drying time. FWIW, I prefer the organics and DH the stay drys!

Hi, my dd is 5 so has been out of her reusables for years, but I'm pg and lurking here for research for new nappies for this next dc. But I would say make your own fleece liners and fleece wipes - saves a fortune and keeps the nappies in better condition. I bought a metre of brightly coloured fleece from a fabric shop but you could also buy a cheap fleece blanket and cut into strips for nappy liners and small squares for washable wipes, it doesn't need hemming and you can just wash with the nappies. Also supermarkets sell microfibre cloths for cleaning, you can fold these and use them to boost nappies. Means you can save money on wipes, boosters and liners and spend mopre on cute nappies !