Reusable nappies

[kittenpeak]

Not sure where this thread should be posted so just hoping someone in the know picks this up!

Am due soon, and looking at reusable nappy solutions. Does anyone have any personal recommendations? I’m finding it confusing. Do you buy a inner liner / core which you dispose of, and then wash the outer nappy? Certain websites (like little lamb) mention this, but I can’t see where you buy the inner liners? (And not sure if that’s how it works anyway!)

If someone could give me the lo-down on how a particular brand works / where you buy the miners / what you wash etc I would be most grateful!!!

Thanks!!

Have a look and see if there's any local nappy libraries near you! Lots of advice. Also try the nappy lady.

My recommendation is thenappylady website. There is a great questionnaire that will help you pinpoint what might work for your situation. Plus a lot of advice to read through.

I never used disposable anything so I used fleece liners (little lamb or a IKEA blanket cut up). Tip poo down the loo and hold under the flush to remove. The disposable ones I understand look like a dry wet wipe and you still tip poo down the loo (you are meant to with disposable nappies but rarely people do) and then dispose.

@kittenpeak

Not sure where this thread should be posted so just hoping someone in the know picks this up!

Am due soon, and looking at reusable nappy solutions. Does anyone have any personal recommendations? I’m finding it confusing. Do you buy a inner liner / core which you dispose of, and then wash the outer nappy? Certain websites (like little lamb) mention this, but I can’t see where you buy the inner liners? (And not sure if that’s how it works anyway!)

If someone could give me the lo-down on how a particular brand works / where you buy the miners / what you wash etc I would be most grateful!!!

Thanks!!

Also due to start using in May.

Some nappies are ‘all in one’ where the absorbent pad is inside the nappy and it flips out but is still attached. Some are ‘pocket’ nappies where you pull the insert out and reinsert when washed. In both instances you just wash in the same wash load.

You can have two part nappies where you have an entirely towelling material nappy again with a pad liner/booster which would all go in the machine along with a waterproof ‘wrap’ (the cute patterned outer layer).

You can use fleece or disposal liners to catch the poop. If you use fleece you are supposed to knock the solids into the toilet bowel then flush the toilet whilst holding the fleece liner, then wash in machine. I didn’t fancy this so will be using disposable liners for ease.

Hope that helps!

@kittenpeak I planned to use reusable nappies with my daughter but I found the newborn ones were absolutely massive on her and they also didn't perform as well as disposable nappies so we got a lot more leaks. They looked absolutely massive under clothes too to the point we couldn't actually get some clothes on. Long story short I made a big investment in them before she was born (a mix of different brands for newborns bought via the nappy lady and lots of all in ones bought from Aldi when they were on offer) and we haven't used them. A real waste of money. If I were you I would get a couple to try but also get disposables and see what you like best. I was really evangelical about it before she was born but honestly when she was born it became more about what was best for her and for us than reducing landfill.

I found the nappy Lady very useful, theres a questionnaire you can fill in and they get back to you with what types would suit and how many you need. Also try your local council, ours has a scheme to encourage you to try reusable nappies where you can get a trial pack for £20. I've then purchased a few second hand ones to try out so I can see if we get on with them before making a massive outlay and can add to it as we go along.

• all in one (AIO) nappies are the most like disposables. The whole thing is changed each time and washed together.

• two part nappies have an absorbent inner nappy and then a separate waterproof "wrap" to stop liquid escaping. The nappy is changed each time but the wrap can be used for a day. The nappy and wrap are both washed.

• boosters are extra layers which can be added to increase absorbent

• liners are put inside the nappy to keep the skin dry and catch solids. These can be disposable (in the bin) or washable, usually fleece.

• exclusively breastfed baby poo is water soluble so doesnt need to be washed off. After they start solids the liners need to be rinsed and majority of solids removed before washing.

We used flip wraps with inserts as they take less time to dry and had little space, they grow with the baby kind of unpopping as they get bigger, you can also add bamboo inserts etc for extra absorption. The only trouble was they were a bit big for a newborn so we got some all in one tiny ones but I don’t remember the names. If you use any cream at any point you need to use disposable liners. We used them all the way through until potty training, and for our next 2! We did use disposable on big days out and long journeys or travelling just so we weren’t carrying wet stuff around.

Absolutely agree that the nappy lady (google will find her) was fantastic.
We've got Easy Peasy Nappies, they are homemade by a lady and her daughter and are fantastic quality.

Yep the nappy lady is the way to go

Thank you to everyone - all so helpful! Will definitely give Nappy Lady a try, and @ChocOrange1 I’ve taken note of everything you’ve said!

Also check if your local authority offers any vouchers, it saves them money in the long run if people use reusable so many do, not much but my council gave me a voucher code for £30 at baba and boo which got a couple of newborns.

My local council give £30 towards reuseable. I did the nappy lady questionnaire which was useful but a friend had set of newborn little lamb nappies. A couple weeks before I have birth, she put me into a lady getting rid of her nappies on freecycle, so got quite a lot that way.

The best bit of advice I got was be kind to yourself. The first couple weeks are mad, so use disposable, then start daytime use of reuseable, once you're confident do nights. on holiday (if We ever our allowed) take a break and use disposable. We have established pattern now that every second night we do the nappy wash. I find we are getting less leaks than we did with disposable, although every bottom is different. I have a baby who likes to do a second pooh just after we changed the nappy and felt frustrated when it was new disposable nappy. I don't feel so wasteful with the reusable and often I can just change the liner and booster.

Reusable bottoms are bigger, but it can make holding her easier. You can buy vest extenders as some clothes are cut for disposable but we've not really found this to be a problem.

Also look at reusable wipes, my partner said how much easier he found them to cotton wool. I mainly use cheeky wipes. They also have advantage as you know what you're putting on their skin. I also have reusable breast pads.

On Instagram there's a page called dinky dodo that has some really handy guides about the different termination and different types of nappy, things you might need etc. She has a shop as well that stocks different brands

Nothing really to add as you've had some really great advice, but I love seeing all the nappies outside drying on the line! UV from the sunshine also removes stains, its magic!

Try a few to see what suits before spending money on a whole set. I could never find an all in one that didn’t leak. Two part with a nappy and a removable wrap were best for us.