Reusable/washable/cloth nappies

anguk

wendyphant wrote: »

I swear by vaseline as a barrier

Same here, my now adult son had terrible nappy rash as a baby, it would clear up then come back quite regularly, I tried changing washing powder and every type of cream recommended but nothing worked. In desperation I tried some vaseline and not only did the rash clear up but he never got it again so when I had my DD I only used cotton wool & water and vaseline right from the start and she never had any bother with nappy rash.

If I had a baby now (God forbid!) I would probably use something more "natural" than vaseline, maybe something like Akamuti's petroleum free jelly or baby balm or maybe Purenuffstuff's Happy Nappy cream.

http://www.purenuffstuff.co.uk/mother--baby/happy-nappy-cream.htm
http://www.akamuti.co.uk/category/mum-and-baby/

horseykitty

In the past I've found that if it doesn't clear up with sudocreme then it needs an anti fungal, either on prescription or over the counter on the advice of a pharmacist.

My sister-in-law used terries on her babies and I used to wince at the state of her babies bottoms - sometimes they were red raw. If you have tried everything and its still happening then I would switch to good quality disposables for a set period of time - say two weeks and see what happens. If the rash doesn't occur with disposables I would stick with them and as your baby is 20 months I would start to think about potty training maybe slightly earlier than you had planned.

grandma247

Can I add my 2p worth? years ago when I had my first four kids you could buy special stay dry liners from m/care and boots. They were made of some sort of none absorbent nylon. They were one way so the wetness soaked away from the baby into the nappy. You could eventually get paper type ones but I did resort to the others if they got a rash. The fleece works on the same principle.
Also from time to time wash the nappies with no soap at all just a couple of drops of baby shampoo and if you have a modern low water use machine put the nappies through a full rinse cycle before and after you wash them. Washing powder and urine mixed is not good for the skin so the less residue of washing powder there is the better.
Do any of you ladies use wool wraps or soakers instead of plastic pants or all in ones?

tiamai_d

A wash at 95 will sterilise but an occasional wash with some sort of mild detergent will break down some of the stuff that hot water on it's own will not get rid of. You have to remember that things like urea (in urine) can form crystals on the fibers of the nappies and it won't all be washed away by the hot water.

I'm another fan of egg white for nappy rash. Store eggs in the fridge, seperate the white and beat with a fork to just break it up (not whip), then smear it on the bottom and leave to dry. It forms a protective barrier over the sore areas and the proteins or enzymes help heal the skin, how it works I have no idea but it's all I have ever used for my boys. That and lots of nappy free time lying on a soft towel. The air really helps.

snowmaid

3 Kids. Cornflour for all them. Wash gently with warm water and soap free washing lotion. Pat dry, thin layer of vaseline or natural cream and pat on cornflour. Redness will be gone the next day, or almost. Unless its a fungal infection such as thrush, in which case you need an anti fungal cream and then put cornflour on that.

li'l_p

Firstly, sorry if this has been covered - I have done a search but got very lost in lengthy threads....

I am due to have my first baby in June and want to give reusable nappies a go. I have picked my type and started stockpiling them. My question is simple: How many nappies will I need?

fernliebee

I had ton's as at first I used prefolds so fairly cheap, if your using a shaped nappy then about 15-20 though you could manage with less. My DD is 8 months and we have 15 motherease sandy nappies, this does about 4 days depending on how much we are out. The things to think about are how many they will wear- much more as new born, how often you want to wash, how your going to dry them. Maybe get a pack of terries squares for if you run out, or disposables. Good luck with it all and any trouble shooting look up nappy lady.

fernliebee

http://www.thenappylady.co.uk/public/articlecategorylist.aspx?id=3

kr15snw

I wouldnt stockpile! Just put the cash back instead.

SIL stockpiled only to discover my neice was allergic to that particular brand and she was left with tonnes that she couldnt use!!

rachstebbs

We are using reusables. we have 2 all in ones (for night time but I want more, can't justify cost though!!) and about 15 applix and velcro shaped nappies. If I'm honest we could use a couple more, for spares when we go out, and just to cover the shortfall between washes!! Also I would recommend having at least 10 wraps, we have 7 and again, its not quite enough to cover time between washes and going out. However, I suppose this depends on how often you are planning on washing them.

Don't limit yourself to one type though, my nappies are a mix of tots bots cotton, bamboo and 'fluffles', but my wraps are motherease, and I have a few little lamb nappies too. DO go for motherease wraps if you are using shaped nappies. they have a cuff around the leg which is good for leaks!!

Don't listen to anyone who says its difficult to use them. I love mine, and would recommend them to anyone, but stock up on napisan...cotton stains illuminous yellow very easily!!