Reusable Nappies - Opinions/Advice?

[HopeWish]

Hello ladies,

I am looking into using reusable nappies when LO arrives, but haven't used them before and wondered what opinions are on them?

I plan on mainly using the reusables at home but having a back up of disposables for trips out/away, or if we have run out of clean reusable ones!

What I really need to know is:

1. Are they any good when compared to disposables?
2. Where is the best place to get them from?
3. How many do I realistically need?

Any advice based on how you got on with them would be fab!
Thank you!

Check out the nappy lady website and Facebook groups. Also the nappy gurus. All really useful!

Hi @HopeWish

I LOVE my reusables, can't imagine using disposables now (although did have to use a few in the beginning when getting myself together!)

1. Yes! In 4 months I have only had one (very small) nappy explosion and no nappy rash. They are easy to use and once you get into a routine of washing its fine. What you aren't prepared for as a parent is the amount of washing a baby generates anyway, so adding a few nappies is no problem

1. I got most of mine from the nappy lady as they were so helpful with advice, however I did wait until there was a sale to make it cheaper. However, there is a huge difference in price between many different types of nappy, so maybe do some research and set a budget. You can get them secondhand too to make it even cheaper. It should still work out cheaper than disposables - especially if you go for reusable wipes too. And remember, you can use them for a 2nd/3rd child or sell them on, so even cheaper still

1. You will need at least 20 and plan to wash every day for the first 4-6 months. Then washing can go down to every other day.

Other bits of advice - most reusables will fit until potty training, however they will be too big for the first few months so you will need another option for then (disposables, hiring smaller ones or using muslins). Definitely check out the nappy lady website as there are quite a few options to consider and this has a questionnaire for you to complete with your specific circumstances to get the best recommendations

I'm planning on trying out reusables when baby arrives (I'm a FTM, due in November) - been trying to get my head around very similar questions! Things I have found so far - check to see if you can get a "Real Nappies" voucher from your council. It's worth about £50, and you can spend it at various online sites (presumably shops as well), including the Nappy Lady. The Nappy Lady also has a questionnaire you can fill in to get some advice on different types, and has lots of online resources explaining the different types. I haven't actually bought any yet, but I've also discovered that there is a "nappy library" relatively local to me where I can hire a kit for a month, which hopefully will have a range of different types (and hopefully also get me through the first 4-6 weeks when supposedly they're a bit small for some types). There also appears to be a roaring trade in second hand nappies (via ebay, but also local fb groups and such), and many people seem to buy a mix of new and second hand.