Re Usable Nappies

[Merryoncemore]

Hi,

I am 23 weeks pregnant with my first LO and considering using Re-usable nappies. However I'm aware that the initial outlay can be large and don't want to make a mistake of buying something I hate and all of the trial packs I have seen don't even have enough nappies in them for 1 day. So I am looking for Mumsnetters opinions:

Who has used them?
What is the best brand to buy and why?

I've been told I'm having a girl and I know that will influence the decision.

Help!

Hello! We use reusable nappies and have done since my son was a month old. He is now 21 months.

I can't say if there is a 'best brand' to buy but we use the Bambino Mio ones, as that is a personally choice. I decided to go with them as my friend had used them successfully and shown me how to put them on etc. Admittedly I don't use them of a night as I don't feel that they hold the 'wet' as much as a disposable.

I really like them - I feel like I am doing my little bit for the environment (I know - that you have to weigh it up, as you are washing at a higher temperature and maybe using a tumble dryer but it my head it is better for the environment!) and slightly superficially they look really cute on! I am expecting another baby in August and fully intend on using them again for this baby (lots of pennies saved!) Hope this helps! :-)

I used Bambino Mio (same set) successfully for total of 4 years with 2 kids.

hi there....you might be better off putting this in the "nappies" section as you will probably get a better response!

When DD was little I used shaped terries (tots bots, little lambs, bambinex) with a motherease rikki, tots, or nature babies wrap over the top.

now she is a bit older and is very wriggly, we use pocket nappies as two parters are a bit of a nightmare at change times.

most nappy sellers do an advisory service and they will talk you through the various systems. also check out if there are any nappy advisors in your area, they will come out to you with a selection so you can see and feel the different ones.

initially, I bought a trial pack from bumfluff nappies (flame who runs it is a fellow MNetter), and also a job lot second hand from some classified ads. Once i knew whcih I preferred, I bought a few more of those.

I did find that different nappies worked in different situations (ie an all in one for that quick middle of the night/morning change or when out and about or being looked after by the GPs), and some are more absorbant and better suited to night time use, so it suited me to have a few different types. I also had some terry squares on hand for the times when all the nappies were in the wash. they were OK, but not too great at breast fed baby poo containment!)

wiggleyworm, there's no need to wash at a higher temperature. Most nappies wash just fine at 40 degrees, and most wraps advise 40 degrees on the lable .

Good Luck and have fun, it's almost as addictive as shoe shopping

Pop onto the nappies and potty training Boards as there are some lovely nappy advisers out there who can really help.

I use them and love them, they do take some getting used to. Check your council don't have an initiative which will give you money to buy nappies. Also check out the for sale board as I have bought most of mine second hand and saved a fortune.

I use Motherease Birth to Potty and a wrap. I also use Tots Bots as well.

Different nappies suit different people and baby shapes.

Thanks all for your responses, I'll go check out the "nappies" section, I never knew such a thing existed.

I have checked for a Council initiative but believe my local council "Sunderland" are the only ones in the area who are not yet doing this.

Bumfluff looks great so thanks for the link, I'm off to do my reading!

oh and do consider buying second hand, esp if you go for a sized one - the newborn sizes get so little use they're always in good nick, ditto size 1s. Size 2s may be worth buying new as they last so long... but that's a long way off yet

I was really impressed with babykind website. They let you try out a range of nappies before buying and do great range.

Merryoncemore, might be worth checking this out with your mw as some hospitals/areas have nappy schemes where you can borrow and look at diff ones and also someone can come to house and show you how they work. We've sucessfully used totsbots with motherease wraps for both of our children and will use again in Dec when number 3 arrives. With dd we used from after coming home and with ds we took them into hospital with us and used form the word go - mw's very helpful and happy to use them when we were in. The nappylady website was of great help to us - they have a long questionaire you can fill in and they then tailor their advice, if you buy form them you then have acess to one of their advisors for the time you're using cloth.

Thanks all,

I have lot's of avenues to consider and thanks to your advice I don't feel quite so much in the dark.

Sunderland? I think there is someone near you.

Yes, Nappy zone is in Stockton. Her website is here.

I use terry squares and have used fluffles too. I am a big terry square fan these days, IMO there is nothing more versitile

Thanks Indith,

A trip to Stockton is on the horizon.

Hi Merryoncemore
I'm a virgin messager but think that this is a really worthy topic! You may want to try out freecycle and NCT nearly new sales in your area if you want to try before you buy.
We bought a job lot of the littlelamb terry nappies for DS - great for Size 1 but take ages to air dry (December baby so not much chance of using the washing line). He's now on the pocket nappies - as said before, babykind are great for these.

Sound like some crazy real nappy advocate, but honestly, they're not much hassle, just need to find the right type for you and your baby.

Good luck!

and once you know what you want, the Sale section of BooCoo has some terrific bargains