Advice on reusable nappies from birth

[Icecreamsoda99]

Hi, I really want to use reusable nappies with our first baby, I'm just concerned if it is possible to use them from birth on the Ward? If so how many do I need to take with me to the hospital. Any advice is much appreciated!

You can do. Birth to potty, or size 1 will both be too large though.

We used prefolds with a nipper, or diddy diapers. Many use terry squares (or even muslins) with a newborn size wraps over the top (We like Sweet Pea for newborn)

Until your milk comes in, you probably won't need more than 5-7 per day. Once you've got your milk though, it'll be more like 10-12 per day.

I've never packed my hospital bag for more than 24-36 hours, but it depends how long you'd like to pack for, how many nappies you have in your stash, how frequently they will be washed etc. Bring a wet bag, and have your OH swap out the dirty for ones he's washed and dried at home when he visits. We didn't have any issues with reusables at hospital.

We did! We used muslins or terries with wraps when he was really little. I think we took 10 inners, a couple of nappy nippas, and 2 or 3 wraps with us. It was enough to get us through the first 24 hours and I knew DH could always be sent home for more but we were discharged at exactly 24 hours so it wasn’t a problem. The good thing about using cloth from birth was that we don’t really know any different so it just feels normal and not like a chore. DH did do all the laundry duties for the first 6 weeks or so though!

I’m a midwife and I’ve had a few ladies in longer term on the postnatal ward (babies on 5-7 days of IV antibiotics or with jaundice for example) who have used cloth nappies. They have just sent the dirty ones home with their partner every day or so. The midwifery and paediatric staff are usually very pro-cloth or are a bit indifferent but no negative feedback that I’ve witnessed.

Had a bit of a nostalgia moment there about terry nappies.... and just found this!

www.thenappylady.co.uk/news/terry-squares-prefold-nappies.html

Fab thank you all! We're planning on using a nappy laundry service for at least first 6 months but it was those initial few days I was worried about so knowing what I need the 24/36 hrs is great!

I had a look at the Nappy Lady site and they do a rental service for newborn sizes. However, you basically need to sign up for it by your 12 week scan or they're already fully booked 🤯

You can but because they grow so quickly you will need new ones in 2-4 weeks. I used disposables at birth and then into standard sized inserts with small wraps at about 3 weeks. The hospital I gave birth in (not U.K.) provided cloth nappies whilst I was there so I just bought one pack of newborn disposables.

I have brought a tots bots kit that is designed to fit up to 12lb. Comes as three wraps and 15 inserts. It was £30.

Yet to try it as baby isn’t due till November but it’s a lot smaller than the birth to potty ones I have

I'm with you Wizzy! Disposable nappies were about when my children were born, but not common; just about everyone used terry squares. ( I came across a terry nappy in my bag of rags the other day; my younger child has just turned 37 so I got my money's worth.)

@OxeyeDaisy do you have a link for the kit you bought at all? As that sounds just what I'm looking for!

(Sorry to hijack the thread OP, I don't have any experience of cloth from birth although planning to this time around)

@soundsystem

www.totsbots.com/category/reusable-nappy-kits/product/newborn-baby-kit-3

This is what I have in new born size. Wasn’t really sure but I thought for £30. It arrived and looks
Ideal.

I had completed an online questionnaire with the nappy lady and the recommendations they came back with look great but some brands seem to have a real issue with stock at the moment. So I have brought a couple of different brands in birth to potty to try. The toys bots ones arrived today and look and feel really nice. The leg holes look a lot smaller than the milo solos I have

Thank you! We use Tots Bots Bamboozles overnight on DS(2.5) but I've been a bit put off by the cost of newborn nappies, given how short a time they're in them.

I've got lots of birth-to-potty so just looking for something to get us through until the new baby fits those - and these look perfect! Thanks again :)

@soundsystem it's all really useful info!

I'm planning on using cloth nappies this time round. I think I'm going to just use disposables while I'm in hospital though as I don't want to be having to wash that horrible tar like poo newborns do, out of the nappies. Hope that makes sense!

I use cloth nappies and will with this one. We use g nappies and tots Bots. Both come in Newborn size. Based on 5 nappy changes a day I'll take 15 and if by chance I need more my parnter can get them from home (I stay in for 3 days)