washable nappies - which brand to use and where to find them cheap?

jellyhead

i got an email address for my local council, apparently they do a 'real nappy' scheme. i don't have all the details yet, waiting to hear back from her but apparently there's £10 cashback up to 3 times if you prove you've bought real nappies from selected retailers. i don't suppose ebay will count lol! but maybe i can buy trial packs new from mothercare etc - the one nappy ones are around £10, then claim the cashback so they're almost free. that way i can try new brands or get a new wrap if mine are falling apart :-)

i think it's mentioned on the mumplusone website. i asked them for a hard copy of their coupons as my supermarkets won't accept internet vouchers and the booklet they sent mentioned the real nappy campaign (it also had £4.85 worth of coupons asda will accept off my shopping, 10% off argos additions code, 10% off index code, etc.). anyway, if you live in staffordshire the email address is jane.paynter@staffordshire.gov.uk

i've heard that some councils have used nappies for people to try etc. to see which brand they prefer, hopefully it will be the same in my area :-)

leftieM

I wanted to put a vote in for Totsbots nappies and Motherease wraps. Totsbots are made from terry towelling and hold a lot of liquid and ME wraps are the only ones that have been really reliable. We've used muslin squares and prefolds on the odd occasion that we've forgotten to do a wash in time.
I think the wrap is the 'weakest link' - if you don't get a good wrap you'll have loads of leaks and it's very frustrating. If you do end up with the wrong wrap, change to something else. I've had a few occasions where I've been told it's my technique (!) Well, if you've a toddler wriggling to get away you haven't got time for technique!

jellyhead

i'm still confused about the 2 kinds of wrap to be honest :-(
there are ones that fit over a nappy shaped nappy, then others where you put an oblong bit inside and then just do up the wrap. i need to do more research obviously :-)

Lillibet_2

I'm confused too.............I think they do it on purpose to wear us down in the hope that we'll give in & buy disposables!!!!!!!!!!!

ravenlooney

jellyhead wrote:

i got an email address for my local council, apparently they do a 'real nappy' scheme. i don't have all the details yet, waiting to hear back from her but apparently there's £10 cashback up to 3 times if you prove you've bought real nappies from selected retailers. i don't suppose ebay will count lol! but maybe i can buy trial packs new from mothercare etc - the one nappy ones are around £10, then claim the cashback so they're almost free. that way i can try new brands or get a new wrap if mine are falling apart :-)
QUOTE]
Lucky you that your local authority do this ..... mine dont and hadnt even heard of such a scheme when I asked about it :-( I have heard that some councils will give the money even if you bought your nappies 2nd hand with signed statements from your midwife/ health visitor to say you're using cloth. Its worth asking if they would do that. They SHOULD pay up cos they do need to try to encourage folk to use cloth!!!

SaraSeahorse

jellyhead wrote:

i'm still confused about the 2 kinds of wrap to be honest :-(
there are ones that fit over a nappy shaped nappy, then others where you put an oblong bit inside and then just do up the wrap. i need to do more research obviously :-)

you are doing well as you have seen there are different types of wraps


some wraps will work for the shaped nappies and flat oblong nappies you described (called prefolds - a confusing name as you have to fold them to fit in wrap) and other types are best suited for one or the other

for containment, longevity and most likely to fit I second the motherease wraps (you get a choice of velcro or poppers but I like velcro for day and the poppered ones for night)

tots bots are great nappies, and can also the recommend shaped terry nappies such as snugglenaps which grow with the baby and will really fit from birth to potty (the snuggle naps are very fast drying to due to the way they come part into two pieces)

it is recommended to have about 15-20 nappies to allow for washing every 2-3 days and to have nappies to carryover during wash and dry times

You could either get a selection of different nappies or buy several of 2 or 3 different types to try out
(this is what I did) and then I found I didn;t like one type which I then sold and bought some more of the ones I really liked and suited

an example of a cost effective way of getting a set of trial nappies is through
https://www.sam-i-am
if you go into the shop you will see there is asection called sample packs nappies and wraps - there is one selection called a one day kit
you get 5 nappies and three different wraps and a pack of liners to try out

jellyhead

that littlelamb nappy came today - fast service. but it's really tiny!! it's ever so cute though, lol! it's nappy shaped underneath, then the wrap goes over the top. i suppose if i like the wrap i could use other nappy shaped nappies underneath. hopefully this woman from the council will get back to me today, i'm hoping they have some nappies to look at, some councils do, bet mine just does the cashback though, i've not met anyone using cloth nappies in my area.

Lillibet_2

My council doesn't do anything to promote re-usable nappies ; Typical! (Anyone from Elmbridge borough council reading this, you might like to consider it. Please?)
All my friends are taking bets on how long I'll last using re-usables before I switch to disposables. How little they know me!!!!

SaraSeahorse

have you joined ukparents I think you might be able to find someone in your area if you post on cloth forum
or try the real nappy netwrok website or wen website

http://www.wen.org.uk/Localgroups/groups.htm

http://www.realnappy.com/

jellyhead

lillibet that's awful ... would they really rather dispose of thousands of disposables rather than offer people a £30 incentive? very sad on your behalf :-( maybe we could get martin on the case, persuade all councils to offer the incentive - it's in their best interests financially i'm sure and washable nappies seem to be moneysaving for the rest of us.