Washable Nappies

Rockinbikergal

babyboysmommy wrote: »

For those who used the old style terry square nappies...what brand did you buy? It's easy to find information on the prefolds but not as easy to find reviews on flat nappies. Many thanks

I got terry squares in mothercare

lallysmum

Don't forget there is also a market for 2nd hand cloth nappies (although you don't usually find Terries selling very well)

https://www.clothnappytree.co.uk - look in the classifieds section

A tip for washing (from a birth to 3.5 year old cloth nappy mama) only use a maximum of a teaspoon of soap powder in the wash and absolutely no stain remover/fabric conditioner. It can cause a build up in the nappies and make them leak.

I only ever washed at 40 degrees, maybe a 60 degree wash once a month. I'd give the nappies an extra rinse if there were any soap bubbles left in the machine after the rinse cycle, but didn't bother otherwise.

I was completely non MSE when it came to nappies (even knitted my son woolly trousers - once lanolin is added they are waterproof, so no need for wraps, and are possibly the cutest thing ever) and bought, and sold, hundreds of them. Even buying from America at one stage, eek.

Best pocket imo were Bumgenius. Perfect simple workhorse happy, simple for nursery as basically just like a pampers. Weenotions are also excellent (but stay away from the website, will cost you a fortune) You also have Fuzzi Bunz, itty Bitty, wonderoo's, blueberry's.. lots to choose from.

Best nappy needing a wrap were Little Lambs.. have a google, they always had some great deals on their site, and iirc sent a free nappy bucket with a £100 order.

If you google WAHM shops (work at home mum) you'll see lots of UK nappy sellers, they all also well reusable wipes (fab) and fleece or minky nappy liners.
Best shops, or the ones I spent the most in, also have a nappy trial pack with lots of the nappies I mentioned above in for you to test out..

https://www.nappygarden.co.uk
https://www.bibsandbots.co.uk
https://www.weenotions.co.uk

I miss nappies. Have considered having another child just so I can use them again, lol

(Oh, and once I sold my stash, after 3 years of use, I made just over £650!)

ETA: Don't be tempted to buy a full birth to potty pack of any one nappy. If for some reason they don't work for you, it will put you off completely.. not all babies are the same shape and not all nappies will work. It can be a little bit trial and error. For eg, I tried and HATED bambio mio. Awful nappies, yet others get on well with them)

Madmel

Reading this with interest as we used cloth some 11 years ago with DD1. Things have changed in the cloth world, but it's nice to see that my reasons for choosing cloth are still there.

Mothercare terries were always dreadful (in fact I didn't get anything from that place that I liked or that was good value for money). They did the job but they didn't stay in shape and looked very sad very quickly. I got most of my terries from Lollipop www.teamlollipop.co.uk and then ended up advising for them. Most of the online retailers offer an advice service and I still believe that being able to see and feel the nappies before you buy them is really valuable. If you don't have an advisor close by, have a look if there is a local Real Nappy Network. Your local council can probably help.

Terries are brilliant in the early days as they seem bombproof - think bf newborns with explosive poo, and they never leaked. As others have said, the secret of success with cloth is all in the wrap choice. Getting a wrap which suits the nappy type and fits your baby is crucial. Motherease wraps were always excellent and as long as you look after them (don't soak them, don't dry on the radiator, don't use fabric softener etc) they should last at least 2 children. You also need it to be breathable.

I actually bought some small terries - 50 x 50cm - which I then used folded into a pad inside Rikki wraps or something called Weenies but this is with DD2 almost 10 years ago. Or you could use them inside pocket nappies. You could also use them to boost up the absorbency of a night-time nappy, and remember that you don't have to boost inside the nappy, as long as the pad is within the wrap. Hemp and bamboo are very absorbent, but they take longer to dry, so I always used to recommend getting a mixture and see what you like best. Newborn and size one nappies are the best time to experiment as babies go through these quickly so that when you come to the longer lasting size 2 or 3s, you have a better idea of what works for you.

Good luck to everyone thinking about cloth. My girls are quite smug about the fact that they didn't contribute to the landfill problem and both can still fold a decent newborn fold terry!

SwipernoSwiping

I used to run a cloth nappy business, as well as help the local council and run a nappy network. I also did a stint as a Nappy Advisor.

Can I add a bit? (must confess I have not read every post here)


Even Terries have changed alot in 20 years. with options of Bamboo material along side your traditional cotton terry.
Bamboo is more absorbent - needs about 5 washes to get it to full absorbency before use. Cotton dries faster and tumbles - bamboo should not be tumbled.
Little Ewe make lush terry squares in three sizes to cut down on bulk. You can also use Junior Joy traditional nappy squares - new that will cost about £50. - Little Green Earthlets stock these and the best (but most expensive wraps) on the market - MotherEase. Velcro or Popper fastening, much better than the rubber pants of old. Motherease wraps will last 3 babies (if you don't tumble them! never tumble a wrap)

Use Nappi Nippas, not safety pins so as not to stick your baby with the pin - on terry squares or any nappy that doesn't fasten with a popper or velcro.

With regard to the ebay cheapies ( from china, seller 97K the most popular) pocket style nappies. While these are supposed to be birth to potty, be aware that they don't fit newborn and are unlikely to see a tubby baby to 18 months. Cheap nappies do not use good quality waterproofing, have tight elastic around the legs, and use velcro not Applix.
(Aplix is a better because it lasts longer, and if memory serves doesn't retain things in the loops as much but might be wrong on that one)

Best Cloth Nappies

The best performing nappy will always be a shaped or terry two part system - ie. Nappy and separate wrap. - Tots Bots do some very pretty wraps to go with them.

Value for money wise. Terries, then Easy Peasy Nappies. Easy Peasy do a lovely newborn size Bimble. It is the only nappy that will fit a baby of 7-8lb from birth aside from terry squares. They also do a Bumble nappy that will go from birth to potty. These manufacturers are based in England - which is another bonus.
Tots Bots is another major UK (Scotland) manufacturer of nappies, won LOADS of Mother and Baby gold/silver awards. They are very helpful with advice and support before and after. Tots bots do sized shaped, pockets, birth to potty and all in ones. With some very pretty designs. They are however pricey. Their Original sized nappy is a fantastic night time nappy. (Ideal for when they start sleeping through)
If you want funky over function WeeNotions are cool but very very very expensive, pocket (aka stuffables) nappies with patterns on from anywhere are pretty, but please do be aware that they are likely to leak at around the 5 month onward stage.

I'd recomend Nappy Lady website - for advice - plus if your buying cloth nappies from new wait until real nappy week (this year 16-22 May 2011) as most nappy retailers will have deals.


Nappies to avoid.

Bambino Mio - heavily marketed in the parenting magazines. These nappies are "prefold" nappies. But not remotely prefolded. There is nothing to hold the nappy still so are even more prone to leaking than others. - More parents trying these give up than any other. They work out far more expensive than buying shaped small and then large.
That said, some parents love these nappies - but in my experience - they are in a minority.

Don't ever be tempted to buy all one brand. Mix and match - you'll find that some nappies are better for "days out" and others good for turning heads at the Mum and Baby Groups, some for childcare, and some Dad can figure out too!

Dads and nurseries.
Not all men are confused by nappies, I had a few that wanted to use cloth where mum to be didn't, but generally speaking they can confuse dads. Poppers are simple as are the Applix (aka velcro) fastening types. That said, my hubby has no problem with any of the nappy types I have (and I have quite a collection)
No nursery can refuse to use cloth nappies. Provide them with a bag to put the dirty ones in ( a draw string swimming type bag is fine) and enough to see your baby through the day.

Freebies and such :T
Check out your Bounty packs - in the magazine you might find a freebie voucher for BumGenius. - (Pocket - birth to potty nappy - elastic is prone to degrading after a while)
Facebook - Tots bots - often do giveaways, I'll add the others in a bit I can't remember them all!


Do you want to know about washing and such too?

Any questions feel free to pm me.

lallysmum

shellieholly wrote: »

If you want funky over function WeeNotions are cool but very very very expensive, pocket (aka stuffables) nappies with patterns on from anywhere are pretty, but please do be aware that they are likely to leak at around the 5 month onward stage.

Excellent post... Just re the above point.. Did you really find that WN leaked after 5 months? (age I mean, not time)

I used the pockets from Wn up until ds was about 2.5 and never really had a leak.. I used a bumgenius insert with a hemp/mf combo underneath (from Blueberry) and it was fine. (And he had the cutest personalised pocket with his name and a frog embroidered on it.. the only one I've kept for his memory box)

I also used their shaped nappies, Northern Lights either under wool or a wrap, and they were fab.

And the Night Notions were possibly the best night nappy, apart from Upsy Daisy - now closed - and the ridiculously expensive, but fab Bedbugs (from Holden's Landing in the US)

But I do agree about the price... not very MSE at all. I did love them though. Seriously miss my *cough* his nappies. I *may* have got a little bit obsessed with them, lol

SingleMumOf2_3

cant give any advice... but was given a free boys reusable nappy that I never used because baby had bad poo problems so didnt want to risk it.
I would be willing to post it to anyone who would want it? Thought it might be good to try one before buying? I am unsure of the weight.. but I think they said it lasts until about 24lbs.. though dont know the starting weight it is meant for.. pm me if anyone wants it anyway. Will end up in the bin soon, been keeping in hopes I find someone to give it to.

SingleMumOf2_3

Btw its a tots bots nappy that I have.

building_with_lego

Madmel wrote: »

...


I actually bought some small terries - 50 x 50cm - which I then used folded into a pad inside Rikki wraps or something called Weenies but this is with DD2 almost 10 years ago.

I had some Eenies (Australian brand, Weenies being the flushable insert IIRC) 7ish years ago. brilliant, as they held the nappy really close to where it needed to be! For DS I used DD's old wraps but then forked out for gDiapers from the USA which are the same system but different designs; they lasted ill he was potty trained. Now available in the UK: http://www.husha-byebaby.com/gnappies/182/brandproducts.aspx

I miss nappydom too

ldm74

Hiya all, this is my very first post! Anyway here I go, I have to agree with a lot of comments above in favour of the more environmentally friendly washable option. For my clan I switched over to the more eco-friendly option. Yes it is more hard work, and yes an initial higher outlay at the start, but in the long run a much cheaper option, and of course a nice green lifestyle choice!

SwipernoSwiping

lallysmum wrote: »

Excellent post... Just re the above point.. Did you really find that WN leaked after 5 months? (age I mean, not time)

I used the pockets from Wn up until ds was about 2.5 and never really had a leak.. I used a bumgenius insert with a hemp/mf combo underneath (from Blueberry) and it was fine. (And he had the cutest personalised pocket with his name and a frog embroidered on it.. the only one I've kept for his memory box)

I also used their shaped nappies, Northern Lights either under wool or a wrap, and they were fab.

And the Night Notions were possibly the best night nappy, apart from Upsy Daisy - now closed - and the ridiculously expensive, but fab Bedbugs (from Holden's Landing in the US)

But I do agree about the price... not very MSE at all. I did love them though. Seriously miss my *cough* his nappies. I *may* have got a little bit obsessed with them, lol

Yes wee notions nappies are very addictive aren't they. On the plus side they do tend to hold their value for resale. And great for keepsakes on a personal level like you say.
At £30 plus for their top of the range design your own personalised ones... it would get extremely expensive.
But yes, I had mums complaining that they were too tight when boosted or leaked alot because they couldn't boost enough. (These mums I have to say forgot that cloth nappies are supposed to save you money:rotfl:and were only using them because they were so adorably cute. Not that thats a bad thing but they ended up back in sposies because they didn't want to use a more absorbent option)

5-10 months is when baby hits their chubbiest and so pocket nappies fail to hold the wetness - need that much boosting that they are so bulky some parents just don't want to use them any more. As a result they have wasted alot of money and not really saved anything in landfill.
That said they are all better than using disposables that leak poo up baby's back and all over their clothing. Pockets/Stuffables seem to many parents to be so much easier than a two parter. It's false marketing by the majority of the manufacturers, trying to jump on the eco band wagon. Tots Bots are good in the fact that they make their customers aware of the potential weaknesses in nappies.

Wee Notions are the best of the bunch when it comes to pockets - and I am sure even MSE parents can indulge a little The ladies that create the nappies are fantastic for support, ideas, and helping you spend your money:rotfl:
It's the ebay ones that parents really need to stay clear. The quality is downright god awful by comparison. I would avoid Bum Genius too. Replacing the elastic is hard work.
Nappies are supposed to last 2 or 3 babies if you have to buy more of something that's supposed to last from 0 to 2.5 - then its not birth to potty and your not really saving money.
THe parent pound marketing is slowly erroding the cloth nappy manufacturer too.

I confess to getting a little "carried away" with Wee Notions :rotfl:- but mine are pre-loved. I'm always reluctant to part with my pennies!
I haven't tried thier wraps. MotherEase Airflow and Rikki wraps have always been, and probably will always be the very best and worth every penny.