Reusable nappy mums - is this a good deal?

RobotsinDisguse

Please can anyone advise? I'm hopeless with maths, and would like to know if this is a good deal for 2nd hand cloth nappies...

Bambino Mio nappy system birth till nappy free - 16 size 1 cloth nappies, 17 size 2 cloth nappies, 4 under 11lbs nappy covers, 6 11-16lbs nappy covers, 6 16-21lbs nappy covers, 4 21-27lbs nappy covers, 4 27-34 lbs nappy covers and 1 pk disposable liners £50

Thanks for any advice. I'm 19 weeks pregnant and trying to get my head around things.

Gillyx

Hmmm I'm not sure, I really wouldn't fork out for loads of one brand as you really have no idea what type will suit your baby. If you're interested in cloth bumming I'd definitely seek out a nappy library near you, you should be able to get a month long trial once baby is here, with a variety of different types, they'l give you all the info for cleaning and storing and some practical advice about putting them on etc.

I feel that many people buy into one type of system before baby is born and then if it doesn't work are put off by cloth, when it can be so wonderful if you get the right combination of nappies and inserts.

Just my 2 pence worth xx

P.s I think the system you've mentioned is prefolds and wraps, sort of like large pieces of material that you fold in different ways and then pop the wrap on top, which IMO are faffy, you can get nappies now that just go straight on like a disposable but again it's what you fancy really

Nicki

You should google for reviews of Bambino Mio nappies. As Gilly says they are pre-fold nappies, so basically the same as old fashioned terry nappies but made of a different fabric. Most real nappy users IME don't like them much, as they are prone to leaking and aren't very easy for non-afficionados to use. In other words your mother, mother in law and any childcare you send your child to will probably insist on disposables when they have your baby rather than use these ones

If you did decide to go for them though, the amount you have quoted, would mean you would probably be washing daily, as you will use about 8-10 a day and need some leeway for drying time, and you will probably also need an additional different brand of nappy for night time use which is a lot more absorbant - something like a bumble would be good.

As for price, given that Bambino Mios are in essence no different to terry nappies, the price is pretty good. New, terry nappies cost around £15-20 for 12 give or take (they are all the same size) and the cheapest decent wraps are around a fiver each, and you'd probably need a minimum of 12 to get you from newborn to potty trained (4 each in 3 different sizes). You might be able to get wraps cheaper on ebay but essentially a reusable nappy is only as good as the wrap so it is worth getting decent wraps from the outset.

If you don't use them though because they leak and are hard to use, it will be £50 wasted. If you are keen on disposables it might be worth being prepared to pay a bit more and get a set that work well for you. I really recommend the nappy lady questionnaire to help choose nappies even if you don't end up buying from her, it helps avoid expensive mistakes (and her recommendation worked for us!)

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

rach_k

I wouldn't use Bambino Mio nappies if you paid me so I would steer clear of them, at any price.

Definitely have a look for a nappy library near you (map - https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=210790892075311005303.0004c9cf0c87b3ebc4c89&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=54.085173,-3.603516&spn=12.394645,28.125&z=5&source=embed) but if you don't find one, just buy one or two of anything you think you might like, give them a go and work out what you like the best. The easiest way to waste your money is to buy a full set of one type of nappy, because all babies are different and you won't know what works best until you try it.

If you're looking for the cheapest option, I'd just buy some terry nappies (much more versatile than the prefolds in the Bambino Mio nappies listed above) with a few wraps (I like Blueberry Coveralls as a good all round cover), plus a nappy nippa. You could swap the terries for prefolds if you wanted.

Lara44

I've been buying some reusables lately too Robots. I saw loads of these sets pre-loved but barely used which put me off a bit, and the reviews online are extremely mixed.

In the end I decided to go for the all in one birth to potty ones, rather than the shaped nappies. I opted for some (pre-washed but not used) motherease birth to potty from Gumtree and some Bumgenius V4 pocket nappies (reduced online as certain colours were being discontinued). The advice for birth to potty nappies seemed to be to get a few different types, as some may be better for night time use, and their different strengths and weaknesses will come into play as the baby grows. Still need to get a few more to get to the recommended 24 - so room for one more style

RobotsinDisguse

Wow thank you so much ladies.

I had googled for advice, but got so confused, so I Really appreciate you taking your time to give really useful answers.

I think I'll leave those, and look into the nappy library. I do want to use washables, husband had heard of new recyclable disposables but they'll cost so much so I want to head him off early! I'm only 19 weeks so I have time to research and buy a few of different kinds as you suggest. I guess I was hoping for a quick fix but now realise that's a folly. Thanks!

SmlSave

If you can find a nappy library/lady in your area they are a godsend to show you the different types and to discuss what will work best for you

There's too much choice!

Also see if there's a cloth nappy users FB page local to you too - lots of advice and people often sell their nappies too.

I used two part Little Lambs to start with for DS and then changed to All in One (AIO) TotBots when he got bigger so I like both those brands

Mankysteve

RobotsinDisguse wrote: »

. I do want to use washables, husband had heard of new recyclable disposables but they'll cost so much so I want to head him off early! !

Those recyclable ones are usually made for diogradeable plastic, same stuff that some plastic bags were made of. The problem is in a landfill there's not enough oxygen in the grounds to allow them to break up properly.

pinkshoes

Mumsnet do a review of reuseable nappies:
http://www.mumsnet.com/reviews/nursery/reusable-nappies

Bambino Mia weren't too popular!

I used BumGenius v4 (the ones with poppers) that were absolutely fine, but I also used disposable nappies when out and about all day, as I hated carrying round stinky nappies!

They've come in great use when potty training as if my son insists on drinking large quantities of liquid before bed time, he wears one of the "big boy nighttime pants" (aka reuseable nappy) under his PJs.

Don't forget washing and drying costs...

(and nothing like some hot bright sunshine to get the poo stains out!)

vic.star

I never got to use my reusables properly as i wasn't too well after my son was born, but i did buy a mix of bambino mio and totsbots. I never used the bambino mio as once i got them out the box and read the leaflet they just seemed like too much hassle so i sold them on.

I used the totsbots birth to potty ones aka 'easyfits' and found they were great. They're good to go after popping in a nappy liner and found they were easy to wash and dry. They retail around £15 a nappy new, although look on ebay and you'll get some bargains. I got a few off there brand new and paid a fraction of the price, and managed to sell my unused ones for what i paid.

A friend of ours is also a nappy lady and highly recommends trying to find your local. Reusables are so expensive when you get the whole kit so it's best to get an idea of what your investing into before you make the leap. Sorry if this isn't much help! Good luck in finding the right nappy for you

iwannabeonthebeach

I use bambino miosolo and love them .