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Resuable Nappies - tell me everything you know please!

13 replies

SamanthaB123 · 01/06/2010 14:40

I would like to use reusable nappies for my baby due in October, but have no idea where to begin. Please let me know your experiences, good and bad including brands that were and were not successful. Thank you!

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Mimi1977 · 01/06/2010 15:05

Watching this with interest! Used disposable for my first but they are so stinky hanging round the nappy bin for days in the bathroom considering trying this time round.

littleoldme · 01/06/2010 15:07

Lots of people will be here shorthly with lots of advice I'm sure. the baby kind website is certainly worth a look. Perhaps posting this on the cloth nappies topic will get the real experts on .
good luck

Thediaryofanobody · 01/06/2010 15:21

Hi Samantha there is a nappy section that many cloth nappy users post on you might get a better response there.

I would say you need about 15 nappies
Nappy bin with lid for storing used ones
Tea tree oil put a few drops in the bin to stop it smelling and for it's anti-bacterial properties.
Get a little waterproof bag that you can take out with you.

Don't buy newborn sized clothes as they are unlikely to fit over a cloth bum.

Buy baby night dresses these make night time nappy changes easier.
Wool covers like Disana are great for in the night and almost never leak if you care for them properly.

Decide on what type of nappy:

All in one birth to potty these are more expensive usually about £15 per nappy but long term you save money by not having to buy new bigger nappies. There also less fiddly because it's a one part nappy.

Sized nappies offer a better fit and can be more slim line but you will need to buy another lot or two when they grow.

Pre- folds the cheapest most economical nappy generally works out about £3-4 a nappy but there is a learning curve on how to fold them and they require more time.
There is usually a waterproof layer, pre fold nappy plus booster layer.

Then you need to decide on washable wipes. These are usually pretty cheap plus you can use water or make your own holistic wipe solution. It will save you loads of money plus save you from wiping your babies bottom with loads of nasty chemicals.

TaurielTest · 01/06/2010 15:56

I got really good advice from Nappy Lady. You fill in a questionnaire about your preferences and circumstances (e.g. drying facilities) and an adviser gets back to you with personalised recommendations. There's no obligation to buy from them.

RedOnHerHead · 01/06/2010 16:17

I have 2 dozen Terry nappies from Mothercare (the square ones you fold) Then you use a liner (paper or washable, like muslin). You need a waterproof outer layer - on DS1 I used kushies wraps but DS2 was allergic to the elastic around the legs, so on him we use the cheap mothercare ones

I use a bucket with a lid
Nappy Soak

Average of 5/6 nappies a day on average. DS2 is 2 now and only has one for the night. but I used to wash once every 3 days.

DomesticG0ddess · 01/06/2010 17:14

I used Tots Bots, the bamboo ones and found that they lasted really well. I didn't start using them til DS turned 1 - couldn't really face it before then, I'm afraid! I used a liner that went down the toilet, but no nappy bin. I found that I was putting a wash load of clothes on most days and the nappies went straight in the wash. I used a disposable at night as the cloth ones could not hold all the wee. I also found that he had grown out of the size 2 by 2 1/2 and I ended up using disposables whilst potty training, even though the website claims that size 2 goes all the way up to potty training. I was also struggling to fit his trousers over them by this point and the next size up in trousers were far too long.

If you are doing it from newborn, you will need a larger nappy bag than other people because you will have to cart around used as well as fresh nappies. I would like to start using them sooner this time round, but would still leave it for the first 4-6 weeks, as I think I would need so many nappies to cope with the endless poos at that stage and I'm not sure how on top of the laundry situation I will be, esp if I have another c-section. Also bear in mind that you will be going into winter and you have to dry them in a tumble dryer or time your washing so that you can hang on radiators while the heating is on, so if you don't have a tumble dryer or much space for drying laundry then you need to plan for this.

japhrimel · 01/06/2010 19:15

I found this site really helpful as I'm researching reusables too:
www.cheeksandcherries.co.uk/

rainbowdays · 01/06/2010 19:16

Not sure if you have seen the nappies thread here very useful for picking up hints and tips, or even go chat with:a group of ultra keen reusable nappies users

I found lots of useful information on the nappies thread, things like all babies are different and different reusable nappies suit different babies. And that fleese liners are excellent!

Hermya321 · 01/06/2010 19:22

Hi,

this is a shopping list thread that I started that helped me compile a list

Also another thread where I was asking for an idiots (the idiot being me) guide to reusable nappies

These do trail packs.

Wee notions as well, be warned these are super cute!

Hope these help you, they did for me.

skippingturtle · 01/06/2010 20:46

Hi there,
I got fantastic advice from here: www.thecottonnappycompany.co.uk

The website is clear and has lots of guidance, but best of all they give really good personalised advice if you email them - they'll ask you what your drying facilities are like etc and then suggest which products might suit you best.

Good luck!

Sappholit · 01/06/2010 21:10

Hi,

I did masses of research into this when I was pregnant, and decided that the best ones for me were BumGenius. I am truly thrilled with them (sad that I am). They come in very exciting colours and are soooo easy to wash and dry.

I didn't use them til my daughter was 10lbs. I bought 13, then sold 3 on ebay cos I really didn't need that many. 10 has been fine for us, and that way you can order one in every colour! Really, BumGenius - they're brilliant.

chipmonkey · 01/06/2010 22:30

Also go to clothnappytree which is a whole website for cloth nappy addicts. And oh, is cloth addictive!
I currently love my coolababies for nursery, bambinex bamboo nappies, motherease rikki wraps and itti bitti d'lish. I have a Weenotions on order and am pathetically excited!

skippingturtle · 02/06/2010 09:09

I bought BumGenius too. Haven't used them yet as they've arrived before the baby has. If the baby is as cute as the nappies I'll be delighted!

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