Reusable/washable/cloth nappies

samf1971

boosters?, oh this is so confusing, I've looked around the area for an advisor but tbh I can't understand all the hype. My mum used terries, my sister used terries why are they no longer any good and we need to spend a HUGE amount of money on pre-folded, shaped, coloured things that as far as I can see do the same job? am I way off the mark

Justie

:rotfl:
sorry samf it's one of those things with cloth there are so many permutations - you may find that you need a booster, a terry insert, (or you need to change more often depending on your child) whatever nappies you use. Lots of people use terries happily so I'm sure you'll be fine with them.

Js_Other_Half

Justie wrote: »

just a quick cloth question as there's already a cloth thread going... we're just starting our 5 week old on cloth - is the nappy supposed to be soaking wet with the wrap just holding it all in or do I need more boosters inside it - he was soaked through and the whole nappy was wet and against his skin.
I just don't know what's normal and my cloth friend is away this week so I can't get hands on help...

As long as the nappy isn't leaking onto his clothing (or yours) then that's fine. Try and change him as often as you would have done wearing disposables, and as soon as you can after he's had a poo.

hth

(Oh and well done for doing cloth so early - DS was about 3 months before we started in earnest!)

squashy

samf1971 wrote: »

boosters?, oh this is so confusing, I've looked around the area for an advisor but tbh I can't understand all the hype. My mum used terries, my sister used terries why are they no longer any good and we need to spend a HUGE amount of money on pre-folded, shaped, coloured things that as far as I can see do the same job? am I way off the mark

Terry's do do the same job essentially and are a great MSE option. The reason a lot of people like the shaped ones is that they are quicker I suppose, no folding needed and many fasten with velcro (Aplix) so easier to get the hang of by everyone I guess. But I like terries as you can adapt the type of fold to one that suits.

You didn't mention wraps in your OP, don't forget those as you will need them to create a waterproof barrier on the outside of the nappy..you won't need as many as you can usually reuse it atraight away after a change with a fresh nappy inside, providing it hasn't got poo on it etc!

A booster is something you might want to use if you are going to be longer inbetween changes, eg at night, or if your child is a heavy wetter. It can be a bought pad or simply a flannel folded up which goes inside the nappy

I have a combination of all sorts. Some muslin squares for when it's newborn and to use as boosters, some terry squares, some shaped nappies and even some All-in-one nappies which have the waterproof outer sewn on so you literally need one thing at changing time (great for in your bag!)- these are expensive though.

Have you looked at www.thenappylady.co.uk ? There is a wide range of options out there!

Justie

thanks JS
we're not using them in earnest yet but I'm trying to start and am using them when I know we'll be at home as I'm fed up with buying disposables

Js_Other_Half

Justie wrote: »

thanks JS
we're not using them in earnest yet but I'm trying to start and am using them when I know we'll be at home as I'm fed up with buying disposables

We use the disposables at night and whilst out and about - and I wince at the price every time we buy them...

The other thing I meant to say was, consider a fleece liner to help keep yur DS skin dryer. I use both fleece and paper liners now, but not all babies tolerate paper liners.

Good luck.

RHemmings

Terry nappies do a good job. The paper liners often do a good job. Frequently the offensive material is all on the liner, and can be whipped off, and put straight in the toilet if you have flushable liners. I found that terry nappies were as good as the much more expensive "fitted" nappies with poppers etc and I never poked my son with a nappy pin even once. Despite hundreds of changes. We did have some shaped reusable nappies so I do have experience of both types.

I would, however, agree with squashy that buying very good quality
wraps (I called them "outers") is a good idea. Even though they are expensive. Is the Green Baby shop still there in Angel/Islington?

Edit: With all this nappy change talk, will anyone still believe that I'm a guy? Though I did manage to avoid the first few changes with the green stuff, so I'm not 100% "new man".

samf1971

Thanks everyone for your advice. I am going to go with the flat terries, I'm sure I remember Harringtons and Zorbit being a good make but can't seem to find them in shops (found Harringtons on Ebay) do shops not stock nappies anymore???, I had a feel of the ones in Mothercare and Boots but they felt a bit well not fluffy perhaps they're better after a wash.

Oh another question = how do you wash them? I know that may sound stupid but I mean, to get the best out of them and for them not to go like cardboard (like my towels do!!)

RHemmings

samf1971 wrote: »

Oh another question = how do you wash them? I know that may sound stupid but I mean, to get the best out of them and for them not to go like cardboard (like my towels do!!)

Scrape the worst of it off, and then wash in a normal washing machine. On hot wash, at least 60C, higher if possible. If you're fussy, as my partner was, you can use a toilet brush to give them a once over in the toilet bowl before putting them in the big "nappy bucket". In our case, the nappy bucket had water with sodium bicarbonate added to prevent nasty smells.

RHemmings

samf1971 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your advice. I am going to go with the flat terries, I'm sure I remember Harringtons and Zorbit being a good make but can't seem to find them in shops (found Harringtons on Ebay) do shops not stock nappies anymore???, I had a feel of the ones in Mothercare and Boots but they felt a bit well not fluffy perhaps they're better after a wash.

We bought our terries in John Lewis in London. A few years ago now. Where you buy terries, you often find the "cheap" outer wraps. I wouldn't even consider the cheap wraps.