Nappies - Stocking up. Reusable vs disposable

[RosePippi]

Hi guys,

I’m not able to speak to my friends about any advice as we are still in early days and not ready to share the news just yet. But….

Im currently starting to think about stocking up ready for baby to be born. I figured starting to split the cost over 8/9 months prior will mean that it’s not so hard on the budget in the early days of having a new baby. Trying to decide whether I should use disposable or reusable.

Have done a bit of research but still can’t quite figure out how reusable nappies work, how many to get or the best place to get them.

Or should I just start stocking up on disposable ones? But where is the best place to get those?

Want to ensure I am using something budget friendly

Hey @RosePippi depending on your situation, nappies are relatively cheap compared to some of the big ticket items you might need (e.g. pram) or baby formula if you end up formula feeding for example. I buy a pack of 60 in Aldi for about £4. For a newborn that would be about 5/6 days worth, from memory.

I love reusables, saves money and better for the environment. Google the nappy lady, there is a website with lots of good advice. Also usually a local Facebook group where you can buy them second hand.

I also love reusables but started on disposables getting through the first few months. If you get the 'all in one' style they're very easy and my boy hasn't had nappy rash once since we switched. We buy off market place and we've saved a fortune

We do reusable nappies now but only started when dd was about 3/4 months I think. Partly because she had to wear the Pavlik harness until then and it was faffy enough trying to change a nappy in that, but partly becasue she pooed 6 times a day for a while!

Bambine miosolo nappies seem to be a bit of a "gateway" reusable nappy for most people, and are generally pretty good.

But nappies aren't the most expensive thing! Car seat, pram, cot??

Thanks for the advice so far.

Also, I know you probably think I’m mad worrying about nappy cost when everything else costs more. But the pram, cot etc is a one off cost (for most of it, I know I will have to get attachments etc here and there), so I am more comfortable with that cost as I know from the offset what to budget for it.

Nappies and formula (although want to try breastfeeding first) is the one that worries me as I can’t plan for it as much as I won’t know how much I need until baby is here and we are in a rhythm of how regular they are.

If using disposable nappies I wouldn't stock up. Baby might move up a size quickly so you're stuck with loads that are too small or you might find you don't get on with a certain brand.
Try the cheaper brands first. I used Aldi at first but when DS was in size 2s they started leaking so I switched to Asda. With DD I think I tried every brand (she used to have poonamis that leaked), I think I ended up using Morrisons with her.

Also don't stock up on formula. A friend did this, her baby ended up with CMPA. You can't return baby formula either so she ended up giving it away.

Instead of stocking up you could get a supermarket gift card and keep putting money on it instead of buying things, then you can use the card use for things like nappies, wipes and formula as and when you need them.

Some nappies might not agree with your baby, eg Huggies leaked every single time with mine where other brands didn't, I'd have been fuming with myself if I'd bought 100s of them! And they can go up a size unexpectedly too.

Same with formula, you might find they have an allergy or intolerance, or need hungry baby milk or whatever. So you can have the money saved to buy it instead of stock piling.

I absolutely hated reusables with a passion!

I also wouldn't stock up - you have no idea how long your baby will be in each size, you have no idea which brand you'll get on best with etc. Also, they are bulky and one of the cheaper baby items. Definitely best to buy as you go along

Putting money on a supermarket gift card is a fab idea!!!

Reusables are amazing! We use little lambs sized nappies. We have 20 of each size which is split into 2 batches - 10 hanging on the line and the other 10 ready to be worn or used and in the nappy bucket. It's easy, I have 2 kids and manage just fine.

Type my mummy of 4 uk cloth nappies into YouTube for some advice.

Don't stock up on nappies. Different brands fit different babies and you don't be stuck with hundreds that leak on your baby. The same is true for reusable (I've used both), I'd maybe buy a few once baby is born to try and see how you get on before committing.

Honestly the best thing to stockpile is money. Open a savings account and put in the money you would be spending, then buy what you actually need later. Only buy basic essentials or things that are very reduced, everything else just get if you need it.

I wouldn’t stock up, I had a baby which was the wrong shape for Lidl nappies and we tried a few brands until we got ones that for properly

My best buy has been reusable wipes, the basic cheeky wipes cotton ones. Must have saved us a fortune so far - I only use disposables to get the worst of a poo off so they’re not grim to wash. I use a dry wipe as a little bum towel afterwards and we’ve never had a nappy rash.
Wait until they have a good sale on if you want to get some.

I’d definitely recommend reusable nappies and wipes. We hired a load from a local nappy library to find out what kind suited us. We prefer the pocket nappies but also have a few all-in-ones. The woman at the nappy library was able to talk me through everything, advise on inserts etc and then I just slowly built my collection. I bought most from a website called Fleecy Bums as they’re affordable and great customer service. I started with about 10 and now have 22 which is enough (at 6 months) to always have a clean stash when the dirty ones are in the washing machine. I got reusable wipes from Aldi and they’re brilliant. One wipe usually suffices and 2 will clean a bad poonami that you’d use a ton of disposables for.
The pocket nappies should last til my baby is potty trained. I’d estimate I’ve spent about £300 on them. Happy to answer any more questions you might have!