Washable/Reusable Nappies

rach

I've not had my baby yet but have done lots of research on this (a few weeks ago I was dreaming about reusable nappies). I went to a nappy demo event that the council I work for put on- was v informative.

I then decided to see what I could get so put a wanted on netmums saying...

'I am hoping to use reusable nappies but the council don't take part in the voucher scheme. I'd love to know if anyone has any (doesn't matter if they are used) that they would be willing to give away or sell so that I can at least have a try of some different types.'

I have ended up with:

15 almost new (i think only prewashed) tots bots, plus 3 wraps and disposeable liners (free)
15 used but good condition Kooshies (collecting these in Sunday) (£10)
15 used but good condition (some new) cotton bottoms £15.

Plus a friend is giving me tots bots too.

All I need to now get for starters is a nappy bucket, liners (fleece, hope to make these), boosters and some more wraps - I reckon £50 total. Also reusable wipes

I would definitely recommend the nappy lady's advice, my advisor was great despite the fact I already had a lot of nappies and so I will be buying my extras from them!

pigpen

For boosters.. have a try of microfibre cloths.. fold them into 3 and pop them in under the fla in the tots or just under the liner.. cheap cheap!!

And if you decide to sell the tots.. give me first refusal I've got big size 3's but no little ones left.

Wine making buckets are cheap and REALLY good as nappy buckets as the lids fit very securely.

kalps

Your local council may give you voucher for re-usable nappies. I just got 30 voucher through post to buy those. It takes about 4 weeks. Check this site.

http://www.realnappiesforlondon.org.uk/

bertiebots

Hi , its a while since mine where in nappys(10 yrs for youngest) but I hope my advice is useful:D. I spent quite a bit on buying washable nappys. I thaught it would be easiest to buy the flannel shaped nappys with boosters and waterproof wraps.
This was before local authoritys had cottoned on to the idea (no pun intended lol!) and everyone thaught I was bonkers..but obviously I cared not a jot..
Anyway I found them very easy to change etc but a swine to wash/get dry.
I had baught a pack of terry towelling nappys as a back up in case I ran out and found in the end that these where far easier:).
Once you have worked out the various folds to fit the size of your baby- you can fold some ready for use and I avoided the problem of pins by using nappy nippas(see link) . I got a catalogue from this company and am pleased to say they are still around. The rolls of flushable nappy liners are invaluable for solids and the wraps make everything neat and waterproof.

http://www.earthlets.co.uk/product/242/nn4/nappy-nippas-pack-of-3.html

Sometimes the simple ways are the best and dont be put off by folding...its very easy and there is nothing nicer than a row of white terry squares on your washing line!;)

threemuttleys

Im expecting my first baby in october, (4 months to go...eeekers:eek:) and am trying to get organised..have bags and bags of clothes (0-3,3-6, etc) loads of wipes, toiletries, first aid kit, bigger pieces being sorted by friends/family :beer:

But the one thing im confuddled by is, washable nappies. I have got a few packets of disposables for whilst im in hospital/first few days. But am keen to get us on Washables asap..but I havent a clue which is the better brand to go with, or sizing/cheapest/best value places to buy from. I thought Bambino Mio would have been good, but according to a review, they are naff....help please!!!!!

Chakani

Have you checked whether your council do trial packs? Some will lend or hire a selection for you to try, otherwise, lots of nappy companies have local reps who do a similar thing - Lollipop was the company I used a trial pack from, they gave me one each of about 10 different makes/types to try, but there are others as well. TheNappyLady is ver good for advice, if I remember rightly.

I think it's really important to try a few for yourself, as different people like different things and have different priorities. I used fleece ones as we didn't have a tumble drier and I needed them to dry fast, but now we do have a dryer, I'd choose a more absorbent one. They were great for our situation at the time.

Motherease Airflow wraps are the best I have found, I would invest in these regardless of what nappies I was using (except for all-in ones).

Proc

You can re-use normal disposable nappies.

Just use a butter-knife to scrape out all the slushy bits, give a quick wipe with a dish-cloth and sorted.

Don't forget pritt-stick to re-apply the the sticky-tabs.

onlyroz

In my experience the vast majority of washable nappies are useless. The best types are the ones with a separate nappy and wrapper - because the all-in-one types just leak everywhere. I used Kooshies with my firstborn and it was a pain, to be honest. You need to buy at least 10-20 pairs, and you'll need to be doing laundry every day to make sure you've got some that are clean and dry. They'll also wreck your washing machine because the nappy soak is fairly viscious, and you'll have to be far more "interactive" with the poo than you would be if you used disposables. Also, I thought that once bubs started crawling the reusable nappies restricted his movement too much - because they're much bulkier than disposables.

Chipmunk27

Our daughter has just turned one, and we have used One Life since we got home from hospital, they are "birth to potty", you just need to get the correct size covers for them. They last the whole night without leaks, and wash well on a 40 degree wash, any stains soon come out when they are hung in the sunshine. I think we have only bought 2 packs of disposables in a year, and not even used them all.
Check with your council and see if they will give you some money back for using washables.
Good luck

trufflebuggy

I would definitely suggest getting your hands on a variety of types, there are many to choose from and yes it is a bit of a mine field to being with. All babies are different shapes and this does have a bearing on what will suit, and what doesn't.

You can find that even the type that everyone raves about just doesn't suit your baby, but this doesn't mean you should stop.

If you're on a budget then there are Terry squares, I would agree with a previous poster that Motherease wraps are very good, and would say they are a must regardless of which nappy you choose.

I am currently using the original style Tots on my little girl, and they are still going strong after 7 years in my procession they have been on numerous bottoms (8) over the years, after being loaned out to family and friends..... and I brought them all second-hand!!!

There are lots of places you can get second hand nappies from,
http://www.usednappies.co.uk
http://www.thenappysite.co.uk/used-nappies/second-hand-nappies.php amongst others......

I never really got on with prefolds, in a wrap like Bambio Mio, But really like them when I used them in a stuffable type wrap..... but found that some makers didn't suit my son shape wise. (haven't tried them on little girl yet)

Please please please do give it a try, but please try lots of different types, shapes etc (get 1 at a time).... I was lucky and found I really liked tots which was fortunate as I brought 20 all in one go!!! It would have been a costly mistake if I didn't like them...... and even costlier if I had brought them brand new and at full price.!!!!!

Find the ones you like and then go for it, enjoy!!!

hth Steph

-whose fluffy nappies are currently whirling around in the washing machine :T:j;)