Disposable versus washable

lin473

I used washable terry squares with my brood and those horrid scratchy plastic pants.
Now I am a Gradma and my little grandson uses bumgenius re-usable nappies.
The new modern fabrics and designs are so much better than the old sort -
And they don't need to be washed on 95 o wash either .
Initial outlay is a fair bit ,but do your research and invest in some of the good birth - potty ones.
You will definately save money and will do your bit for the enviroment too!

emmwri

I have used my washable nappies for both my boys (DS2 still in them) and they are definitely cheaper than disposables. I use disposables when I am out and am horrified how many I get through. I bought all my nappies secondhand off ebay when people were still allowed to sell them on there. There are other nappy sites that have sprung up now that ebay have banned them! A friend of mine got hers at a car boot! So i got them cheap and have used them on 2 babies and will sell the decent ones on again. Not something you can do with disposables! It doesn't cost a lot in washing detergent, esp as you are not meant to use as much as for a normal load of washing. I use tots bots and little lambs with motherease wraps. Used on both boys who were completely different shape bodies. Bombproof and get that gorgeous big bum look!

HTH, Emma

angelpye

hi thanks lin and emmwri - starting to feel more positive about it. Not sure how I feel about second hand - hadn't really thought about that option, most of what we are buying is second hand mostly because of recycling than cost. Although always lovely to bag a bargain and save cash for other things.

I have seen nappies ranging from £5.99 to £9.99 and some that are birth to potty and others that are size/stage. 24 x 5.99 = 143.76. Gosh! Can I bulk buy these things - maybe buy multi packs that are cheaper per nappy?
It seems the freebies are sized but is it worth paying a little extra at the start to buy ones that will last?
Also how much time does it take for the different types to dry on an airer? My home can be a bit chilly at times in the winter which impacts the drying time for clothes on airers. Junior is due December and i don't think a tumble dryer will be a purchase I can justify for my pocket or the environment.
Although mothsinmywallet suggests 24 is this for all types or should I buy more if buying the pre folded ones? How many nappies does a baby get through? When I had my DD I used disposables and couldn't even guess at how many we bought or how often.

Many thanks to you all. None of my friends are having babies and all their children are over 8yrs so its good to geet advice from people in the know!

FairyElephant_2

Angel I'm so glad you posted this thread!

I'm planning on using reusables (but disposables for holidays & days out - and the for the 1st few 'poos' which I understand are really yucky!) but the ra nge is bewildering so I was hoping to get some advice re the different brands closer to my time, so will watch this thread with great interest!

All the best for your new baby!

FE

angelpye

Hi fairyelephant, it is bewildering isn't it? Glad I am not the only one thinking 'er?' I got a packet of newborn nappie for free so will use those for the first poo's too- yep, they are yucky - I do remember that from my 10 yr old DD.

Congratulations on your pregnancy, your signature shows this baby to be well wished for and I am sure in for lots of love, laughter and happiness! Good luck!

Nicki

angelpye wrote: »

Also how much time does it take for the different types to dry on an airer? My home can be a bit chilly at times in the winter which impacts the drying time for clothes on airers. Junior is due December and i don't think a tumble dryer will be a purchase I can justify for my pocket or the environment.
Although mothsinmywallet suggests 24 is this for all types or should I buy more if buying the pre folded ones? How many nappies does a baby get through? When I had my DD I used disposables and couldn't even guess at how many we bought or how often.

I haven't started using mine yet, as still awaiting arrival of no 3 and nos 1 and 2 were disposables all the way, but I found the service from the nappy lady website to be excellent. Basically, you tell her what your priorities are in terms of cost, ease of drying, frequency of washing is, etc then she will come back with a recommendation of what brand and how many nappies would be best for you. I've prewashed the ones she recommended for me, and although they are shaped nappies, they were virtually dry when they came out of the machine.

This is the link to the website, and she will also send you instructions as to how to care for them, and links to youtube as to how to use them!

http://www.thenappylady.co.uk/

kezzapee

Hi, the first post I wrote was in response to a nappy question so I thought I would just share my opinion again.

I am using my washables on my second child now. I only have about 8 nappies and 3 covers (and the same in the next size up) and find this is plenty for "at home" use. I never use them out and about because I find disposables much easier. I don't even use them at home all the time.

I dont soak them (just give them a quick rinse if needed - shower handy for this!) and put them in with the rest of the baby washing so there is no extra work washing wise. If I dont have a full load then I will put them on a "quick wash" cycle.

I spent about £100 buying my cloth nappies and have easily saved this amount already. I am also pleased to have done something towards the landfill problems. I intend to sell them on when my youngest has finished with them. If you feel a bit funny about second hand nappies just think about how you happily use hotel bedding and towels - a quick boil wash and they will be fine.

I would say, give them a go. Don't spend a fortune to start with and don't feel you have to use them religiously. Just let them fit in with your lifestyle.

HTH and good luck with your baby.

angelpye

Thanks Nicki, that link should be really helpful! At times i feel like Decemeber is an absolute age away and at others that its too soon and I will never be ready!

Lol kezzapee! Point taken about the hotel towels etc, puts it in context! Although I am the sort of girl who checks the sink, bath, shower, cups and beds for any 'personal hair' or other signs that another human has been there before me!!! Yes, I know nuts - I too laugh at me for it!

mum26

A few websites i've had great service from - also vote for the nappy lady from me too, great website, tons of info though so you do need time to sit and read it properly:

www.kittykins.co.uk - stock a nice range and it is an interesting website to use

www.thenaturalbabyresource.co.uk - this is who I used to be an agent for (about 4 years ago, so things have moved on a lot!), they do very good bulk buy deals every now and then and you used to be able to mix and match in those offers if you emailed, not sure if you still can but worth looking at

www.twinkleontheweb.co.uk - started my love of hemp boosters here - before microfibre made an appearance, lol

www.easypeasynappies.co.uk these people make the Bumble which is a lovely nappy and it's smaller version the bimble which is adorable! Bumbles were my favourite nappies.

www.nappiesbyminki.co.uk really lovely, often custom made. Loved the huge huggles for nighttime

I also had a few nappies custom made by another site, they were really good but cannot remember the name of them now sadly

emmwri

kezzapee wrote: »

If you feel a bit funny about second hand nappies just think about how you happily use hotel bedding and towels - a quick boil wash and they will be fine.

I would say, give them a go. Don't spend a fortune to start with and don't feel you have to use them religiously. Just let them fit in with your lifestyle.

I completely agree. I don't use them when I go out or if I'm in a rush at home or if I forgot to put some in the wash lol. Also agree with the hotel comment, I did mine at 90 degrees when I got them. Buying secondhand just means saving even more money over disposables!

Right, back to OP questions. How many nappies you need will depend on how often you are going to wash them. If you're washing them separately to all your other washing, you will need more nappies. I keep mine in a bucket with a bit of tea tree oil and usually wash them separately when I've got a loads worth. I never used to have a dryer and even now I've been given one its expensive to run so don't tend to use it. My tots bots take 24hours on an airer, much less on the line. They take notoriously long to dry though. I have some Bumbles which take less time. Fluffles are good for being quick drying but I believe they are not made from a natural fibre so it depends if you're bothered about that or not. They are also more expensive.

As Nicki said, have a look on nappylady. Lots of advice on there, even if you don't intend to buy.

One other thing, I would definitely recommend paper liners. Just so easy to take the poo out. Nice, clean and no faff! And if the liner is only weed on you can wash and use again!

If you did want to consider secondhand usednappies.co.uk seems to have them going fairly cheap. It's probably where I'll sell mine on when I'm done but apparently they don't fetch as money there as they used to on ebay so you'd probably pick up a bargain as a buyer!

Good luck,
Emma