Please Help !!! Nappy Choice

[joymaker]

I have been thinking about which nappy system to buy for what seems like ages now (before DS was born)and yet I still cannot decide . I really like the attributes of Bambinex(I was going to go for these but am a bit but off by the size system), Bambeasy and bumgenius v3 but would be open to using a different more comfortable (bulkier nappy for bed-time)for instance Bumbles,Anytime or Beehinds.

I don't want to break the bank but at the same time I am happy to spend what is necessary for a leakproof first, cute second system(I like the sound/look of itti bittis but fear I'm just being seduced!)

Also how many will I realistically need if I wash them every other day (will line dry when the weather is good enough but do have a tumble dryer -live in Ireland!)

My DS is now 7 weeks (11 lb 7oz and quite long -61 cm- and slender)I have been using Nature Babycare disposables, for not much longer I hope ...

I would be grateful for any advice. Apologies for the long post. Thanks in advance.

bump

I use Bumbles all the time with MotherEase wraps (bought before some of the other brands you mention were out so don't know anything about them...) and have been happy. They do take the best part of the day on the line on a warm day or more than a day on radiators so I have 24 but only wash about every 3rd or 4th day now (was more when they were newborn). But did DD birth to potty and currently doing DS. HTH

Joymaker, why not try one of each and see how you get on? There are a couple of irish websites, www.earthmother.ie and www.thenaturalbabyresource.co.uk - why not ring them and see what they suggest.

v.3 is being discontinued so most places have sales on now so could be a good time to grab a bargain!

Oh meant to say, 20 bumgenius do me and they line dry in about 90 minutes.

I haven't bought a nappy for a good few years, DD2 is in the process of potty training and nappies were handed down from DD1. So I don't know what half the nappies you're talking about are . But I can tell you that while various of my nappies have disintegrated over time, my Bumbles are still going strong after 5 years of continuous use, dry quickly, are easy to pad for night-time and are just the best nappies a girl could ask for!

Wraps - nothing comes close to Motherease wraps, I'd never touch anything else, cos they all leak (in my experience anyway)!

As for quantities - around 15-20 should keep you happy with washing every 2-3 days. If you want to wash every 2nd day you could get away with fewer.

mammamia2 thanks for the web addresses
I think I may just grab myself a dozen BG's while they're going cheap(er!)then.

itsatiggerday and AnnieLobeseder thanks for the info on the reliability of bumbles. I think I will try some of these too.
Thanks all

I'm a big fan of Eenies Weenies, though I doubt my recommendation is much use since they currently on be purchased online from Australia (something to do with setting up a new franchise over here). They have fabric outer wraps in many cute colours (which appealed to me as I have two girls & so you can see the wraps with dresses), then a plastic inner liner that keeps the outer fabric one dry (except in the case of a major poo explosion) and then use folded fleece liners which are very soft & dry in about 3 hours on a sunny day. We have 8 outer wraps & about 30-odd inner fleece bits. DD1 is almost four & only weight 2 stone now - very skinny & they fit really well.

Would also mention Boots nappy liner sheets - very soft & flushable - great for wrapping round your liners to allow easy poop-flushing.

Would also recommend a swimsuit bag (M&S do one for a fiver) for putting your wet nappies in when out & about

Gracek thanks for the tips really want this real nappy thing to work out...it's now or never!

I am a total convert / bore about it. Had to use Nature Baby with DD2 until she reached 11lb (as the rental company we'd used when DD1 was tiny had changed hands & was hopeless). Hated seeing the full bin / money being spent. I love seeing a washing line of drying nappies and a chunky real nappy bottom on a baby. I even enjoy the quiet act of folding them into shape. Also DD1 was potty trained at 22 months & think that wearing real nappies helped in that process.

I don't know if Lollipop nappies have a rep near you but they will come to your house & show you their huge range of nappies - actually seeing them & feeling them really helped me make up my mind which ones to use.

GraceK It's so true. I find seeing all the used nappies in the bin after just one day a rather depressing sight, you paint a very attractive/tranquil picture of reuseables (and why not- It's nice to know I have this to look forward to- though I'm preparing myself for the added washing)

Looked on the Lollipop site -was just about to be seduced by the rainbow lollipops (and at a great price) when I saw that they were only available in the 1st size only-phew!left my details to see if they have an advisor in my area. Thanks again

PS- also looked at Eenies Weenies online look very cute and comfy!

I like the Bambinex bamboo nappies, would recommend them. And as for sizing, you can get the Size 2's which will last pretty much to toddler, then if you use Nappy Nippas you can fold the front down and use them from birth - worked for me (though, may not suit a very tiny baby). I would recommend getting the popper ones, you can still use the Nippas with them, but for anyone not used to Nippas (Granny et al) they can use the poppers.

Lionstar I'm thiking of getting a couple of Bambinex and bumbles for night time. would I use motherease wraps at night or would I need a fleece wrap as it is for longer for extra absoption/dryness with both of these?

My apologies too as feel this will be a bit long!!

I have several different kinds for day use ranging from easy - who will be doing the changing, to cute (but only last an hour!)I found ittis too flimsy, looked nice but leaked really quickly For durability and performance I would go with 2 parters for nights. I used little lamb size ones as found a new set of 15 with wraps on ebay for £20 but quickly progressed to totsbots bamboozles/stretchies/flexitots with a fleece wrap. DS2 (now 16 mths) sleeps for 13 hrs and i have never had even one over night leak! Totsbots new style easyfit is also the nappy of choice for when i leave him with someone else as it goes on just like a disposable. And of course there is fluffy animal prints, wee notions/jamtots/blueberry for a cutesy post-swim nappy to start conversations

I have 15 bamboozles/flexi/stretchy and 12 fleece wraps (you dont need that many though as can re-use wraps) 7 other 2 part nappies like ellas house and several pul wraps which I dont use. 26 different day nappies of different styles and cuteness, pockets etc. If i'm honest though I've started using the bamboozles during the day too as have gone for performance over style. There are tons of different print wraps/soakers out there though so you can still get some cute factor!

You dont need this many though. I started out with prefolds with DS1 and has 18 thin prefolds and 6 wraps and was washing every other day but he was pooing (breastfed poo) up to 8 times a day. More nappies/less poo means washing much less often. I wouldn't commit to one nappy system either. Search the boards on here, cloth nappy tree, ebay etc for bargains and get one of a couple of different kinds to see what works for you. Then you can buy lots

However many you decide to buy, get some fleece liners to keep the wet away from baby's skin and a couple of decent zipped extra large nappy bags. Monkey foot are expensive but worth it. I've used cloth for 3 yrs and started with buckets/drawstring bags but recently bought MF zip bags and there is no smell! Important in hot summer months as with the 2 parters DS2 can now sometimes be in one nappy all day and one at night which means several days between washes!

Oooo I wish i was having to buy a new nappy stash!!! It's addictive! Enjoy x

I mostly use MEOs overnight - make sure they are not too tight though as they can leave marks. Wool or fleece are excellent overnight too as they allow evapouration - especially good in this hot weather.

I'd agree with Spottyshoes that fleece liners are good for helping them stay drier near the skin - easier to 'flick' the poo off too. A liner is essential if you are using any kind of barrier cream as it can make the nappies waterproof!

are the Monkey Foot wet bags even better than the Wee notions Minkee wet bags? and
can you get organic fleece liners? -apologies feel I should really be doing some research of my own but finding it very difficult to get the time at the moment

I use about half and half Bumbles with Rikki wrap, and bumgenius, mixture of V1,V2 and V3 pls a few pretty ones - blueberry pockets and weenotions fancy one.

Bumbles are fab- boring, cheap, but very effective, I have 26 altogether as had 2 in cloth until DD trained a few weeks ago. They hardly ever leak. I have saved £££ using cloth for both DCs. Although I could have saved more without buying the cute nappies, it does get a bit addictive

I love disana tie-ons. They dry in no time, fit all sizes (used them for all 3 boys at once for a while-neww born, 15 MO and 3 YO), just needed to teach DH the different folds for each age!
You can use them with any liners (they have their own boosters)and any wraps.
My nappies have lasted through all these babes, DS3 is now 3 and they are all boxed up and waiting for the next one (which might not happen...!)
Btw, I loved my Minky rainbow stripe wet bag and changing mat. I also bought their wipes (fleece on one side, towelling on the other). They weren't too good as wipes, but they made great booster/liners.

joymaker the monkeyfoot wet bags are a million times better then the weenotions ones.

weenotions ones are drawstring and dont do up fully leaving a hole in the top, in which the smell escapes. the minkee/fleece ones are also very bulky.

monkeyfoot wetbags are zippered and no smell gets out of them. they are cotton outers so not as bulky

HTH

So if I have a monkeyfoot wet bag, do I just shove it in the wash with all the nappies in it?

CharlottesClan thanks for explaining the difference