Reusable nappies

[Annie293]

Hi, want to use reusable nappies but I don't know anything about them or which ones to use. Does anyone use them who can give me some advice as to what they consist of and which ones you think are best please?! Thank you for your help

there's a lot out there to choose from!

I would recommend reading up a lot about the various different types, and try not to get carried away with all the gorgeous patterns and fabrics - they are nappies at the end of the day, and there to catch wee and poo!

sites like The Nappy Lady are quite good, as she stocks quite a variety and has reviews of them too. Try to think through the differences between the brands, and see what you might prefer, eg do you want something that is as close to a disposable as possible in fit? so might want an All in One nappy (cloth and waterproof are one piece - convenient for nappy changes, but take ages to dry)

or maybe pocket nappies, where you can pre-stuff the waterproof outer with various different cloths and so it is ready to go on in one at nappy changes (or, like me, you might hastily grab outer and boosters and stuff them as your baby wriggles away from you laughing all the while ).

imo, you can't beat good old faithfuls such as Motherease One Size - I've got some, and they have been through 5 children so far and still going strong. They aren't as beautiful as some of the more modern nappies, but boy do they work (and ds can pee out of most nappies, disposable and cloth, but MEOS keep up with him!) They are a two part nappy - you put the nappy on first (shaped, does up with poppers) and then a waterproof cover (or wrap) to keep everything dry. Takes a bit longer at nappy changes, as essentially 2 nappies to do up (some have velcro/aplix instead of poppers which can make it a bit quicker - it down to personal preference) but also provides two lines of defence for explosive poos and fountainous wees!

This is a fairly good summary of all the different types.

I'm pregnant with my first and planning to cloth nappy so I can't give you advice from experience but I've done a lot of research.

I think the best advice I've seen online is to get a few different types of nappies and try and them and see which ones work for you. Getting a full system is quite expensive to start with so you don't want to get the wrong ones.

I bought a full set of Bambino Mio (prefolds with covers) as they were only £50 on ebay and a friend recommended them. But if they don't work out we won't have spent much and I'll try the Close Bamboo pop ins (all in twos).

My advise would be to join the FB group Cloth Bum mums loads of advise on there.

I would also hold off buying any until your baby arrives, because there are so many different ones out there. You can hire different brands/ designs from your local nappy library for a 2 week trial for around £10 (with a small deposit). Don't make the same mistake I did buying a huge bundle to find out they do not work for you.

General advice is to buy some different kinds and see which suits you.

I ignored general advice and bought a birth to potty set of bamboo two-parters from Little Lamb before DD was born. My reasoning was that in the old days people only had one choice and that was terries - so it had to work for everyone. I figured that if we just stuck with one type and brand from the start, we wouldn't know any different and we'd just make it work! I also didn't think I'd have the time/inclination to mess about ordering all sorts of different things and ending up with a stash of stuff we ended up not using.

I don't know if we just got lucky but we absolutely love the LLs and are really happy with the choice we made. So I don't think it's a risk to plump for one thing and just stick with it.

I know a lot of local councils do trial kits, incentives or nappy laundering services so it's worth checking those out.

If you look on the Nappy Lady site it explains the different types really well and she has a questionnaire you can fill in and she will suggest some types/brands for you to try.

I started using cloth on my 2 year old about 6 months ago having previously used disposables for 4 DC (including said 2 year old) and I would never go back now. I will be using them on my new baby too.

I had originally thought all in ones would suit me best and tried Bumgenius Freetimes, and I do like them, (they dry very, very fast too) but I also tried Totsbots Bamboozle Stretch, which are a two parter and I don't really use anything else now, as they do during the day with just the booster they come with and then I use an extra night time booster for nights. I don't really like the tots bots wraps (waterproof outer) though, so use either a Blueberry or Motherease Airflow. I find the two parters absolutely bombproof, they have never leaked. Disposables used to leak every single flipping night.

Try fill your pants, they stock loads of brands and they have Nappy Gurus which will come out to discuss all the options for free.

Thank you so much, this advice is invaluable. Will start researching now. Thanks again, hope I can help you in the future!!! Xx

Sorry, lurking on this post as fascinated about cloth nappies. I'd planned to use disposables. Is the main pro of cloth nappies to protect the environment or are there other benefits? x

Queasy, there's the cost too: after the initial outlay it's a lot cheaper to use cloth nappies! But yes, a lot of the advantage is the environmental benefit.

Queazy- not just the environment. I tumble dry... Even if you bought all new (most people but att least some of their stash second hand) you save a fortune. You can get second hand nappies on cloth nappy tree. com and there is a FB group called pre-loved cloth nappies and accessories that is very busy.

For me it's also about comfort for the baby. I know I'd rather wear fabric than paper. And I'm aware of everything that touches a babies thinner, more sensitive skin. Nappies have been bleached white and contain chemicals. Not to mention all the chemicals on disposable wipes too. Not only are they more environmentally friendly, there are loads of brands to chose from, most very ethical. So your not just supporting the few who are made by large unethical supermarkets and pharmaceutical companies which is the vast majority of choice with disposables.

I also just prefer the look of cute fluffy cloth, they are brighter, fluffier, and more interesting to pick out than a few main brands of nappy.

Check with your local council - mine has a local nappy guru who runs "nappochinos" - basically open meetings where you can get advice - plus there are some loan kits you can borrow. This helped me choose what suits us without having to buy any.
Also the council give cash-back if you buy washables here.

Depending on where you are - bexley, tower hamlets, hackney and some other places you can get a voucher for some free nappies here
www.realnappiesforlondon.org.uk/apply/

I was on a budget when I had DD and used folded muslin squares (Nappy Lady site has great tutorials) with a small Motherease wrap over the top of them. They had to be changed all the time, what with all the pooing, but dried really quickly.
I then moved onto bamboo terry squares, which are more absorbent.
I had medium, then large Motherease wraps over those and fleece/disposable liners.

For going out, when I didn't want to fold a terry on a public loo floor (they never stay folded in my bag) I bought some Dudeybabas (again, a budget option), which are a coloured, poppered/velcro waterproof wrap, with a fleece-lined pocket inside, into which you tuck 2 absorbent inserts (the inserts are about the shape and size of a sanitary towel). They are okay for drying time and you can use them in terries for extra absorbency too.

I use a small amount of Ecover oxygen laundry bleach for staining when it's really bad, then run an extra rinse.

I think I will use disposables right at the beginning, and then go on to reuseables after a couple of months.

From what I've read, I think it might be a good idea for me to use disposables at night and when going out, too.

It's hard to know which ones to choose, though, so this thread is very useful :)

I'm interested in these too... Been looking at the totbots someone mentioned up thread.

How many would you need as a starter for 10 for a newborn? And do I really need a sealed but pooey bucket in the nursery?

toby when you've got used to reusables do consider using them at night and when going out. We now do this, having started as you suggest.
mustard You will need a nappy bucket with a well-fitting lid - not a swing bin, this, for example, where you put it is up to you but next to your change mat makes sense.
How many you need depends on how often you wash them and how long to dry them. I find with bumGenius pocket nappies 10 is about a load in the washing machine so I need around 20; 24 gives a bit more leeway. Having said that, if you're uncertain get 10 and use disposables if you run out before they're clean and dry. You can buy more later if necessary.

Does anyone use gnappies?

another vote for Motherease here.

but i used disposables at night and for the first two weeks.

Brilliant thread - lurking shamelessly!

I am def interested in the cloth nappy route but thought I might use disposables for a month to get started and then switch. I didn't want to pile loads of pressure on myself right from the beginning!

Going to have a look at a few of those websites now

Thanks, YBR :) I'm definitely not ruling it out. I'll see how we get on.

There's a Nappies topic on MN too with a lot of advice on cloth bums, also a long running club thread :) that I am too chicken to join yet but I lurk

I've joined the Facebook group mentioned above and it's really useful, just going back and reading other's questions, have usually answered any I have, and the pics of babies in their fluff are lovely :)

I've used Little Lambs before on a minded baby so am familiar with them from the using and changing side, not so the washing side yet though but not anticipating problems.

I've bought a mix (majority preloved) Little Lambs size 1, Lollipops size 1, diddy diapers, a couple of Motherease one size (that look mahoosive!! even when folded down) Motherease and LL wraps, got given free from my local cloth nappy group - one easy peasy bimble, one bambooty, one newborn Alva baby pocket, one prefold to stuff or use with a wrap and another Motherease wrap.
New I have bought some birth to potty (btp) pocket nappies from FB seller Pixie Pants that come with 1 microfibre insert each, but have also bought a stash of bamboo and hemp boosters for them (which can also boost any of the others too).
Copious amounts of muslins that can be used as newborn nappies too with a wrap over, useful in case I run out!

I am however using disposables for the first 2 weeks or so as it's more important to me to get breastfeeding off to a good start touch wood