Donated loads of cloth nappy things, now what?

[DoubleCarrick]

I'm not really sure where I ought to be posting this. I've probably picked the wrong place!!

I've basically been given loads of cloth 'things' Like this and don't really know what to do next!

I've managed to find a you tube video on what to do with them and now need some sort out external waterproof wrap to go around the outside.

I've not really looked into using cloth nappies before and am willing to give it a go since I've been given so much already.

What brands do I need to look at? I don't even know what the outside bits are called so I'm really lost with what to google. Some seem to have 'pockets' but I'm guessing I don't need that because mine are big rectangular pieces of material.

So confused. Luckily I have lots of time because it's early days but I'm starting now because I know nothing! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Have a look on www.thenappylady.co.uk/ in the nappy advice section, and also join 'The Nappy Lady Pregnancy, Baby & Parenting Group' on facebook - the people on there are really helpful and will answer any questions you have. www.facebook.com/groups/TNLParentGroup/

Mothercare Rikki velcro wraps might be a good one to consider to go with your muslins.

Good luck!

Try Babi Pur :) they're our favourite, and the hangout on Facebook is really friendly

You've been given prefolds. You can fold and pin them a bit like a traditional terry but they're really good just folded into a rectangle along the sewn lines. You can either lay them into a wrap (waterproof bit that fastens on line a disposable but with Velcro or poppers) or stuff them into one of the pocket types you've already seen

Thankyou all.so much for your help. geoffreys I can use it with pockets or regular ones?

My head hurts, its all.so confusing!

What do you mean by regular ones?

Reusable nappies need 3 things - a waterproof outer, an absorbent middle, and a fleece stay dry layer. The most basic nappies are the ones where these things are all separate, and you've been given some absorbent middles.

A pocket nappy will provide you with the waterproof outer and the stay dry layer sewn together. You can stuff your ones in between although they may be bulky on a new born.

A wrap is just the waterproof outer.

The fleece isn't necessary, but makes it a bit nicer on baby's bum. And easier to dispose of solid poo down the loo after weaning (breastmilk poo is soluble).

You can buy very pretty cheap wraps at tj's cloth nappies and cc nappies - I've had excellent experience of both. Or the nappy lady/fill your pants etc will stock "brand" names - like jeans, different nappies suit different shaped babies so it can be worth trying several before committing to a particular brand or type

allthemoomins we love babi pur too and constantly on the hangout. Wonder if we've crossed paths?

You're so lucky to get a load donated, even prefolds can be pricey to buy new if you need 20+ of them! I was nervous to cloth bum our first but we both agreed it was the best thing we did... so of course no2 is getting the same treatment (after I too gave away ALL my nappies! Kicking myself!).

They are expensive to buy so if you don't use them I'd definitely offer them back to whoever gave them to you. Having given my entire stash plus accessories etc away I was really dissapointed to see that the lady didn't use them, especially as I could have kept hold of them myself!

geoffery I have no idea what I mean by regular ones

As far as I can tell there are ones that are all in one, ones called pocket nappies and then another type with no pocket?

pretty thankyou, I feel very fortunate. I have loads in about four different sizes and will definitely make the most of them and then hand them on to a good home when we are done with young kids. This is why I'm trying to work out what to do with them because I don't just want to leave them in the loft to rot

That's right :) all in ones have the absorbent bit sewn on. The type with no pocket are the wraps.

Ok, I think I'm getting there. You have no idea how much i appreciate your help!

So I'm after wraps to go around my prefolds and then something like a fleece liner to go inside the prefold?

Next thing is - I'm on loads of second hand facebook pages and I can't seem to tell if they are all in ones or just wraps!! Are there any particular brand names I need to look out for? Also, the cheepo ones from China? Are they to be avoided like the plague?

Don't worry too much about them yet. Get through the birth bit, and the first few weeks when your baby will poo all the time (dc4 once used 27 nappies in a 24 hour period - yes, I did count).

Then, if you feel up to it (and reusables do create some extra work) you can start experimenting.

Ooh how exciting! I have no babies anymore. I miss getting to use my reuseables.

Ds1 was in them at 5 days (rubbed his cord) and ds2 from birth. You get used to what you have to get used to IMO - I quickly got pissed off with running to the shop when I could just bung a wash on in my pyjamas.

I actually really like cheapies, haven't tried the wraps but the pockets are great. I've bought from CC and TJs both importers