which nappies will you use?

[babynelly2010]

disposable?
cloth?
Are there other kind?
What are pluses/minuses?

Thank you

Oldmum The financial costs look much cheaper for reuaables, but are not, it works out around the same - once you take into account the cost of electric,water and cleaning products

Thats just not true. I am a geek of the highest order and have worked out the energy used per washing cycle that I use for my nappies (40deg) and its associated cost, the amount of water used in each wash and the cost of that on my water meter, the cost of the disposable liners I use, the amount of washing detergent I use per wash, the cost of the nappies etc and I can assure you that it works out considerably cheaper. Not to mention that the nappies are now being used by baby#2 which makes it even more cost effective.

Agree with Gok - you don't have to wash at 60, you don't have to tumble-dry them, you don't have to use expensive cleaners. (supermarket own-brand, soapnuts, tea tree oil to soak, etc.) You don't even have to buy brand-new reusable nappies, or buy a new set for a new baby.

As a matter of interest, we have a tumble drier that is hardly ever used. My mum bought it for us when we had DS and we seldom put anything in it - just emergencies. It is possible to dry things without electricity most of the year!

I'm a geek too and stand by my comments!

I have read into the actual data used to provide the figures bandied about regarding costings, and I assure you, the actual conditions used to achieve the costings would be very difficult to achieve in a home rather than a lab setting - the difference in energy consumption for a washing machine to heat water even by another 10deg(to 40deg instead of the 30deg they used in the study), is bigger than you think. If you wash at less than 40deg, the clothes are simply NOT CLEAN - bacteria, pollen and animal dander can all remain (although this is less of a problem if you are using harsh "biological" chemical cleaners, but these are hardly the best thing for a babies skin). On a wet day, many people not using a tumble drier will put clothes over a rack and turn up the heating, which is less efficient then the dryer! Few people will be able to run the washing machine under laboratory conditions - ie always full.

In terms of TOTAL cost, including environmental impact- the water you use in the wash has to be cleaned and the chemicals removed, that's costly and involves the use of more chemicals, that may not come directly out of your pocket, but it still costs.

Obviously it's up to each person to make a decision about what nappies to use. I'm simply pointing out that the situation is a lot more complex than advocates of "real" nappies suggest (councils have their own agendas when they try to tell you to use "real nappies")- and I think it's worth pointing that out, because this issue is being used (often by other mothers!) as a stick to beat "less perfect" mothers with, a way of being smug and superior in the often far too competitive world of "I'm a better mum than you". And I think people can do without that added guilt at a time when they may be struggling hard with the demands of a new baby and perhaps other young children and a job too.

I've said my piece! I'm bowing out of this thread gracefully now (disgracefully if you prefer!)

But Oldmum, I will be usuing the washing machine daily anyway (as i will have a 6 yr and a new born), so according to your statistics I even if I am not reducing the impact on the environment, I will still be doing no more than I am pre-reusables.

And yes, it will be cheaper for me, in day to day terms, as disposables are ridiculously expensive and given my daughter wasn't dry until she was around 2and a half, I will certainly spend less than I did last time.

That's the trouble with everyone these days, we're all doom and gloom, people who are trying to do the right thing are told not to bother as they won't make a difference. And no, I am not the sort of person who will look down on other mums for using desposables, because, like most other mums, I'm actually quite friendly.

Maybe we should all just say sod it and use disposables, stop recycling, leave all the lights on and use the tumble dryer 3 times a day. Someone's bound to say we're all wasting our time eventually anyway!

Oldmum42 - I'm sorry but you are wrong - all major studies that even with the extra washing reuseables are always cheaper and more environmentally friendly then disposables. The landfill issue alone is enough to swing it - never mind the energy invested in manufacturing the nappies. Think about the carbon fottprint of a single disposable - half a cup of crude oil to make it, plus all the water and energy used. Then there are the transporatation costs - possiblythe nappy is made outside the UK and has to fly here!! Also nappy laundering services are broadly thought to be better in terms of impact as many nappies are done in the same wash. Possibly you have read old research - you'll see from this link that more recent research shows reusables win on all fronts: www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2010/apr/26/nappy-debate

I have totsbots bamboozles, but I will be using disposables for the first week on account of meconium and giving myself a break. They are really nice well made nappies and ever so soft.

I bought a full set of reusable cotton nappies for DS before he was born, used them for a bit but really I'm afraid the reason I stopped is they were so bulky! I did swap 10 of them usused back to the company for 10 bamboo nappies, which are much slimmer and more absorbent - definitely better. By that time though, I was out of the mindset and was too busy trying to cope anyway. Took me months to get to the point where I didnt feel I was drowning in normal baby care, let alone trying to use cloth nappies as well!

Having said that, I am going to try again with baby no 2. Bamboo all the way. Would even recommend bamboo if you are like us and dont have a tumble dryer or clothes line. Ok they take a while to dry so you may need more of them. But they are so much neater and more absorbent, well worth it.

The wraps annoy me, they look uncomfortable (might be in my head of course, baby never complained) and very un-cute (which I'll be told isnt the point I know, but you do want your baby to look cute!). Might try different wraps this time.

Careful of Sudocreme - it will stain cloth nappies I'm told. Never had that issue as I didnt use it but I know a lot of people do.

We tried it as a cost thing rather than eco-effort really. I think as you buy each box of nappies you think 'ah its just the tenner, its worth it'. Actually the tenners add up, and we'll be trying cloth to save money again this time. Hopefully I'll persevere better. Disposables are great for out and about, but I think if I mix and match I'll just chicken out and use disposables more and more often, might have to go cold turkey :-)

Incidentally, if you are interested in reusables, I found the videos from The Nappy Lady http://www.youtube.com/user/thenappylady to be really useful when I was making decisions (as is their nappy advice service www.thenappylady.co.uk/)

cloth from day 1 - this is my 3rd so we're getting major value for money out of them!

most mums who choose cloth are use and wash them in the most environmental way possible - minimal tumble drying and 1/4 usual amount of eco washing liquid per wash so i still believe the environmental impact is far worse for any brand of disposable. i know people use nappy laundry services but i dont know anyone who does.
all that aside i'd rather put a load of nappies in the wash than go down the shops and buy a big bulky pack to take home and ultimately throw away.

Oldmum If you've left the thread you probably won't read this but anyway....

I understand what you are saying but I'm really not wrong. For my circumstances I can assure you it is cheaper in financial terms, which is what you were talking about. The environmental cost is another issue entirely.

Like I said, working on the power rating of the wash cycle I use (again, whether you think 40deg is hot enough or not is another issue) which the manufacturers were happy to tell me and knowing the length of the washing cycle I know how much energy I use per wash. I know exactly how much I am charged for that energy and I know how frequently I do a load. The same applies to the water, I know the max volume of water which that cycle will use and how much I am charged for it. I know how much my liners, detergent cost etc.

I also know how much disposables cost and again, the washables work out considerably cheaper.

I'm not comparing myself to some study in a 'lab', for us it is cheaper.

Also, I'm not playing 'I'm a better mum than you' game but we never turn up the heating to dry nappies, don't use the tumbler unless we need to. This is for the same reason that we use washable, because we can't afford to !! We barely turn the heating on even in the winter as it is.

I hadn't thought about reusaeable nappies til reading this thread... but they seem like a great idea - I'm def going to investigate.

Can I ask though - do you use disposable when going out - or do you just carry a smelly nappy in changing bag til you get home?

I'm thinking, specifically about flying - as I'll be having baby in UK and then when it's about 3 months old, I'll have a 5 hour flight....

Cupcake Yes, I use washables at home and when I'm out and about. I put dirty nappies in a washable wet bag until I get home, its no problem. Can't see why you couldn't use them on a plane.

Check out the nappy page here

thanks Gok. Very helpful.

As I did for DS.
Disposables for first few weeks (just as many as I get given or use vouchers for).

Then re-usables. We were lucky enough to get a set of small ones second-hand from a friend. So definitely the cheapest option!!!

Bought larger set from manufacturer's website (which DS is now wearing). They were 'seconds' but I have never understood why.... they've been fine (so again, definitely cheaper than disposables)

I use disposables when travelling etc and at night (Lidl own are the best we've found but not the most eco-friendly!)

Just the thought of the amount of landfill disposables produce is enough to make me reach for the reusables. But we just bung ours in the washing machine with whatever else we're washing (at whatever temperature), so I canÄt really see that they hike up our energy bill that much. In winter, they DO take longer to dry, but we'd never turn up the heating for a few nappies. Rather a lot of assumptions going on there... You usually have enough in a set that, as long as you're washing fairly regularly, there's enough dry ones to use while you're waiting for others to dry.

They ARE bulky, but DS has been fine. We grew up in Terrys, after all, and have never had any ill effects!!
DS has also had severe eczema, but the reusables don't make it worse (or better).

I am thinking maybe reusables, there is a company called Nappy Ever After who launder them and deliver them to your door weekly (whilst picking up the dirties). This costs £12.50 a week. I'm not fussed about the cost so i think i'll head down that route or similar, just to avoid adding another 7000 nappies to landfill!

And yes I know there is a carbon footprint, but how do you think the disposables get from the factory to the supermarket and then to our front doors? I could offset my carbon if i wanted...

As for the temperature i'd always have washed mine at 60deg to kill any germs and would tumble dry them over winter for sure...i do not want nappies strewn all over my house. The reason for looking at the laundry service is basically i can't be arsed to wash pooey nappies! lazy? maybe! bothered? not really!

Hi

Ok - so i'm getting more and more sold on reuseable nappies. I spoke to my mum (who thought bumgenius seem a rip off and pointed me in direction of £20 terry nappies...!) Don't think she quite gets it - but then not sure if i understand a 100%!

However, she said I'd need to get a bucket of nappisan to put the dirty ones in whilst they're waiting to be washed?

Basically - can someone give me a quick overview of reuseable nappies. What are the inserts for? Where do you put the nappies when they are waiting to be washed? (and this is a gross question) - do you kind of empty them into the toilet a bit, if they're.. umm full.... before washing

Thanks!

Well, I'm no expert on them but...

There are different types of nappies:
Flat nappies - like terry towelling ones which need a waterproof wrap over them

Shaped nappies - (one size and sized) which don't need folding like terries do and also need a waterproof wrap over them

Pocket nappies - which have a waterproof cover and a pocket that you can stuff with absorbent boosters

All in ones - which are a complete nappy ready to put on, but take longer to dry.

It used to be common to have buckets of napisan round the house for nappies but I don't know anyone who does this these days. I dry pail the nappies, so they just go straight in the nappy bucket, I don't add any water to the bucket and as I was every day (or every other at a push) this seems to work fine. Make sure you get a proper bucket with a tight fitting lid, the smell can be bad and it stops them from drying out which makes the poopy stains quite tough to get out.
My understanding is that modern washers are so good that they don't need the presoak in napisan. This means there is no mess at all (and no horrid nappy soup in the bottom of the bucket!)
Also, don't use fabric softener because it will reduce the absorbancy, just like when you wash towels. Some think its ok the use Bold 2-in-1, because the softener in that is clay based which is apparently better but I've never tried it so not sure.

I use a fleece liner inside my nappies and also a paper disposable liner, so the poo never really gets on the nappy. I just flush the paper liner and then if the fleece liner has any on it I give it a sluice in the loo when I'm flushing the liner IYSWIM.

This website here gave a good overall description of all the different types of nappy.

Also, some councils give cashback if you go for washable nappies, I kept my receipts for the ones I'd bought and then I sent them in for my cashback claim, maybe your area might do something similar if you haven't already found out about it?

This video sums up all the parts commonly found in a modern cloth nappy system

You will need a bucket for worn nappies, however, unlike the old terry nappies, most modern nappies do not require soaking in bleach (in fact it damages the fabric) so most people "dry pail" them. You could use any kind of bucket I suppose, but the specialist ones often have "lockable" lids which would be useful with toddlers about.

This video explains about caring for cloth nappies:

The liners should contain most of the solids, you can use flushable liners which hold all the poo and go down the loo like loo paper, or washable ones which I believe you kind of rinse out in the loo.

Regarding wash temperatures, many modern nappies (esp bamboo) can't be washed above 40 degrees, it degrades them. This is why people rinse or soak with tea tree or lavendar oil (antiseptics) or use antibacterial washing powder like Potion from totsbots.

When dd was newborn I bought a pack of each newborn disposable available. Tesco newborn nappies are really good.

I didn't like huggies newborn because they left marks on my babys tummy due to the stretch waistband.

Dh and I ended up using pampers newborn and naturecare baby Eco disposables though. They didn't leak. They kept all the poo in and she did not get nappy rash.

We will be using cloth, we've already bought them too, so ready to go.

Find it odd how many people (who have never used cloth) say I won't stick with it! winds me up! Well until recently thats all people EVER used so don't think it is that big a deal, plus I was a nanny and I have used both and didn't feel cloth was that much more faff ime.

We bought used too, they are in really excellent condition considering what they are too! So we have doubly helped the environment and our bank balance :)

I am not a sucker for punishment though so we will use disposables for long car rides/ stomach bugs/ vacations

Happy there is no way you're going to change your twins 8 times a day past the age of 3 months. So your calcuations are a bit wrong

I guess it depends where everyone's priorities lie - for example, I hate washing and hanging things out, so we will def not be going the reusables route, and I don't have any particular affinity for nature either

Coraltoes - just to say our service is £12 a week for the first four weeks and then reduces to £10 if you get a wedgecard. It's usually cheaper than disposables at the beginning but there's a point where disposables are cheaper (although you do use less, they cost more as your child gets older and don't start me on the cost of pull-up disposables but I digress!) and you either stick with the service or move to home washing which is def cheaper in the long run.

Maybe you've already been in touch but if not, maybe speak soon!

BTW the nappies we have are newborn to potty trained so you dont have to keep upsizing. they use snaps to make them bigger or smaller

[[http://www.onelifeworld.com/hom.stm}} although i bought 2 sets off ebay. Just keep an eye on them we had plenty of time so we just bid low and finally got 2 sets pretty cheap.

Can anyone recommend a good disposable brand from experience? I've decided that disposables are the way I want to go.

Kudos to everyone that's going for reuseables though, tbh I'm just plain lazy and want the easiest option! Good luck though, some of those nappies are quite cute too

Well, I am planning on using disposables for the first 3 weeks or so, then Bumgenius (cloth nappies). I have 3 to try so I can see if I like them before buying a whole heap.