Real Nappy Virgin would like advice please!

[whittywan]

Now that summer is here I have had an attack of conscience and am very, very keen to move onto cloth nappies.

Unfortunately I have absolutely NO idea about real nappies.

I'm quite lazy and think I would like to use shaped all-in-ones and vain so would like to use some lovely looking ones too .

I could really use some (real-life) experienced advice for daytime and best night-time strategies.

My DS is 6 months old and still doing bf poos.

All advice gratefully accepted

Im VERY lazy at times i also have bipolar so washing can be a big effort sometimes if im not well, i always say if i can use cloth anyone can lol.

As for types of nappy it really depends on your lifestyle and child. So think about your drying facilities, if your child is a heavy wetter and how often you could cope with washing, every 2 days? 3 days?

I dont have a tumble dryer so all my nappies go on the airer or on the washing line if nice. I use a combo of 2 part nappies and pockets. My fave pockets are bumgenius v3 as they dry very nicely when taken apart, but we also have some Ittis when we go out so she looks nice these take a bit longer to dry. We have 2 blueberrys that look super cute but take ages to dry. With 2 parters you can buy some funky wraps.

As for night nappies ive always found a super boosted pocket did the trick for DD1 but DD2 is now wetting through so am thinking about a night nappy, all depends on how much they wee!

Id buy a couple of nappies to try and see which work best for you then build up your stash. Good luck

Thanks Peachybums! I have asked a nappy consultant to see me so that I can look at and feel some different types.

We don't have a tumble dryer either so will be drying inside on airers and on the line if nice (although we live in North Yorkshire so VERY few days are nice ). I will probably be doing a wash every 2nd day as I would want to do as close to a full load as possible while keeping the number of nappies (and therefore the cost) to a minimum.

I really do like the look of Itti bitties and blueberries although blueberries are very pricey and if they take so long to dry they may not be worth the cost?

Which 2 parter nappies and wraps would you recommend? I don't think we will use terry squares as my DH will refuse to fold them (he's very supportive but doesn't like any hassle and I obviously want him to continue to do his fair share of changes!)

How many nappies would you say is really necessary?

Re terry squares - I've used them for four years now, and they are (a) cheap, (b) quick to dry, and (c) loads easier than you might think. When they are dry, I fold them all up, and stack them up in the nursery so dh doesn't have to fold them, and also pack three into the change bag ready folded so we don't have to worry about folding when out and about. Dead easy. You could always try them?! I can't really advise about lovely looking nappies as apart from the terries I've only ever used bumbles, which are shaped white nappies with an attached booster, which I use with the same Rikki wraps that I use with my terries. These have served my two well as night nappies as they are a bit more absorbent than terry nappies. Good luck with your choices, and welcome to the world of real nappies!

If i could choose again i wouldnt choose the blueberries, they are expensive and take ages to dry imo. I live in west yorkshire so know what u mean about the weather, i was running out with my basket this morning to catch sun before it goes again lol.

We have a few bright bots terries and they are sat in cupboard doing nothing because i dont like them and DP wont even attempt to fold one. He will change ittis but his faves are the bumgenius as they are aplix and like disposables.

As for 2 parters i use tots bots bamboozles with nature babies wraps for DD2 i used to use a motherease rikki for DD2 when she was bigger. I have just purchased some tots bots stretchy im going to try with DD2 as ive heard these are good, booster comes out too for fast drying. Try go for cotton rather than bamboo if u want quick drying, i like tots bots bamboozle as booster is sewn in but flips down to dry quicker. 2 parters also ok cos you dont have to change wrap everytime cutting down on costs of buying lots of wraps.

The amount of nappies will vary depending on how much your baby goes. DD1 at 6 mths was changed every 3-4 hours and then once during the night, DD2 is only 5 meeks so shes still changed every 2 hrs and about 3 times during the night. She only does one poo per day but its HUGE (and usually at 3am). Just see how many disposables she goes though and think shell need a few more than that in reusuables.

SORRY Hell need a few more, i have all girls so used to saying she lol

TBH I am thinking of keeping him in disposables at night initially. I've really gotten used to not having to change him at all (unless he does a poo of course) during the night. He is a light sleeper and night time changes tend to wake him up completely. We also co-sleep and I want to get ahang of the cloth thng before moving onto nighttime reusables.