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re-useable nappies - so many sorts where to start?

10 replies

AuroraB · 19/03/2009 14:41

sorry if this has been done to death, and i suspect it's like the 'which sling?' type questions where it's pretty much a personal choice, but....can anyone give me a bit of a low down on re-useable nappies?

ok so i understand there are two main sorts - pockets or two part - correct?
but it seems there are 10000 different makes and i am bamboozled and don't know where to start!

any hints / tips / do's / don'ts?

thank you x

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Nabster · 19/03/2009 14:42

www.thenappylady.co.uk is great for help.

People see preloved nappies on here.
(I have some for sale but my CAT has run out)

I have used all sorts and I have found that it is best not to buy too many of one type in case they don't suit the child.

HensMum · 19/03/2009 14:53

It's so confusing isn't it? I had a big crying fit when I was pregnant as I couldn't decide (not normal behaviour for me, I was pregnant and frustrated!)

Buy a couple of popular types and try them out. In general, avoid the high street, they tend to be rubbish.

Try Twinkle on the Web too, they do trial packs of different types of nappy to try out.

Couple to recommend - EcoBumbles (shaped but stuffable, you need a nippa to fasten, super cheap) and BumGenius (pocket nappy, really quick to dry, slim fitting but more pricey)

You can also try Little Lamb. I'm not that taken with them but you can buy a trial pack of nappy, fleece liner and wrap for about £10 and it would give you an idea if you like the idea of a shaped nappy.

AuroraB · 19/03/2009 15:01

Thats' really helpful - thanks both

baby isn't due until June but i've just started to think about stuff like this (anything to stop me thinking about labour / my figure / my career / my ability to raise a child etc).

i think i'll keep an eye on the second hand ones for sale and get a selection as you suggest HensMum, seems like a good plan.

Thanks again - oh and Nabster what is a CAT?

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Nabster · 19/03/2009 17:07

contact a poster

why is it not called CAP?

onadietcokebreak · 22/03/2009 16:51

Do you have a local nappy project? Mine let you hire a bucket and test out the various sorts.

babyphat · 23/03/2009 09:45

i'd suggest using a 2 part system (the kind with a wrap) for the first 6 months as they provide better poo containment! then if you like pockets or all-in-ones (like pockets but with the stuffing sewn in - ie the most similar to disposables) switch once on solids (meaning more solid poo!)

for me, the main factor was drying time as we don't have a tumble dryer. i have thirsties for daytime and bamboo tots bots (slower to dry but v absorbent) for nights.

i found kittykins website v useful as nappies are rated with stars for things like absorbency, so you can compare different kinds. i bought a range of first size ones so i could try lots, then went on to my favourites when she grew.

however it worked out a bit pricey for me as i ended up with an extremely big and chubby baby (99th centile!) so she only wore them for a couple of months before going onto the next size, so you might want to bear that in mind if big babies run in the family.

babyphat · 23/03/2009 09:48

oh, and don't buy a ridiculously expensive 'lockable' nappy bucket from bambino mio, any mobile baby could easily unlock it (you just flip the handle of the bucket over). i would get a plastic bin with a twisty lid from a pound shop instead (the ones that look like little dustbins if that makes sense).

Astrophe · 23/03/2009 10:00

There are so many about, and some people swear by ones that other people loathe - tbh, I would just see what you can get second hand or on sale, and go with them! Its as good a way as any of choosing which ones to try.

I agree with not buying too many and see how you get on. If baby is chubby, or long or skinny, or whatever, they may need different styles. Or baby might start out chubby and then slim right down by 6 months, so I wouldn't buy lots of bigger ones to grow into either, as some brande seem to suits some shapes better than others.

I always have a few terry squares and cheap covers on hand for when we run out of the better ones too - It makes the whole thing cheaper, as you can just buy enough good nappies for a 'normal' day, and not have to also have a few back ups which you may not use so often.

FWIW, we got on well with tots bots, and their fleec covers for nights, also bamboo shaped ones (bamboozle?), with fleece covers, swaddlebees stuffables were trim and cute but not very 'thirsty', Weenees pounch pants (very trim, and dry very quickly), and had lots of cotton bottoms we got very cheaply as back ups, although I found them very bulky.

SweetApril · 23/03/2009 10:31

Yes, definitely find out if your local council runs a nappy project/network. Ours did and they had a "nappy library" - a big box full of loads of used but good condition nappies and wraps which you could keep for two weeks to try them all. A brilliant idea and it was free too.

AuroraB · 23/03/2009 11:23

Thanks everyone, that's very helpful, i shall certainly take your advice and try out some second hand before investing

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