Anybody gone/considering from flats to MCN?

[Adria]

I'm thinking of converting to MCNs and have a few concerns. I'm wondering if there are others out there, who have converted or thinking of conerting.

I'm worried about the 3 dozen new flats i have will become redunant and will have been a waste of money.

Also the prices seem so expensive, compared to flats and all the other pieces you need, boosters, inserts ect.

I'm finding it overwhelming, i read up on bits and pieces, but find im not 100% sure what they are talking about, does anyone have pics of the different nappies.

I have thought about making some, but would be annoyed if they didn't turn out, also i don't get alot of time, with 3yr ( who loves to get into my sewing stuff, sit on my lap, fiddle with buttons, press the presser foot ect:eek:) and 10 week old. I'd be really annoyed buying all the stuff and not making it. Can't tell you how many half finished things i have here.

So anyone want to try to convert me over:devil6:

[Adria]

oh forgot to add, i have order the MCN that supports breast cancer, not sure what type it is, but figured i'll find out as i go.

[gremily]

Hi Adria :wave:

I started off just using flats. I used them exclusively with dd1 for about 10 months. With dd2, exclusively for 9 months until I got MCN.

I find I like the fitteds with a cover best. Very much like a flat made into the shape of a nappy, except much more absorbent (with fabrics such as hemp and bamboo) and trimmer.

If you were to get pockets you could still use the flats as stuffing inside of them.

I still use the flats occasionally. Like if it's just after her bath - not quite time to get her night nappy on but too short of a time to put an overly absorbent fitted on, so flats work best.
I find them great in summer also, without a cover. They look so cute just running around in a flat!

[gremily]

As for photos, have a look here at OzCloth's Gallery (http://www.ozclothnappies.org/galleryphotos/)


eta: If you click on each photo it tells you what type of nappy the bub has on.

[Bek]

maybe try to get along to a nappycino or info session so you can touch/feel the nappies? sometimes it really helps to hear about them and see it at the same time :D
there are a few shops in Qld that have cloth nappies IRL (http://www.ozclothnappies.org/irl.html#qld) and the natural parenting expo this coming weekend will have a few cloth stands that you could have a look at (and chat to the owners)
There are heaps of clothies here in Brisbane, get-togethers happen fairly regularly - most organised through ozclothnappies or nappycino (not sure if you're a member there) although there have been BubHub meets organised in the past as well :)
I used flats with my older kids, discovered MCN when #3 was almost 2, and #4 has been in a mix of flats and modern cloth from the start. so it doesn't have to be an 'all or nothing' situation either - you can still use a mix of modern cloth and your flats so that you don't feel like the flats are being wasted! :)
hth

[Myztik]

I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread. I just ordered my first MCN and am eagerly awaiting it's arrival lol.. I used Teryy Flats exclusively with ds1 but have alternated between flats and disposables with ds2..
I only ordered one for now so I can see what all the fuss is about and decide if it's worth the money before buying more.

flats are always useful even if it's not as a nappy lol.. they make great spew cloths etc too :p

[3cherubs]

I am mostly using Terry Flats on a newborn ( bat fold) and then when we go out i use MCN. I have BBB, Mandy Macs Hemp and other assorted ones.
I used Terries for DD2 at 6 months of age and then bought a few MCN when she was 12 months old.
Also bought cheap covers from Op Shops and did a Pad fold ( terry nappy).

I experimented heaps. I made a heap of pocket nappies for DD2 that work great. Oh, i did my sewing at night.

[Adria]

I experimented heaps. I made a heap of pocket nappies for DD2 that work great. Oh, i did my sewing at night.

Thanks for that, i'm about to go back to work in two weeks, where i work 8pm until midnight mon-fri.

[mumma bear]

You could always swap some of your flats for MCN.
I use a mix but mainly the flats are for short term, after bath before being put into night nappy or if DS poos half hour before nap or bath. They are a stop gap really so i don't have to waste an MCN.

Or if i am too lazy to do the washing, i need to wash everyday to keep DS in MCN, so he might have a half or full day in flats to tide me over.

[punkbaby]

You could always swap some of your flats for MCN.
I use a mix but mainly the flats are for short term, after bath before being put into night nappy or if DS poos half hour before nap or bath. They are a stop gap really so i don't have to waste an MCN.

Or if i am too lazy to do the washing, i need to wash everyday to keep DS in MCN, so he might have a half or full day in flats to tide me over.
Thats a great idea :)

[workin'mumof2]

I made the pludge from flats to MDC 2 days ago and not one sposy has touched his bum im so proud of dh because he said if it is really as easy as you say then i will do it more often. and they are just like putting on a sposy, so easy. well worth the money and as someone said u can keep your terrys as back ups and spew rags. :yelclap:

[kymmy]

I started out using flats. I still use them.
Pockets are very convenient when going out.
If you like convenience then I don't think its a waste of money.
I use flats and fitteds mostly. My MIL likes the pockets.
Its good that you have flast to use and if you can try a few fitteds. You might find they are worth the money especially as your bub gets older.

[Tea Lady]

I use both too :)

I think flats are much better value for $, but MCNs are much better as far as performance goes. I use quite alot of flats at home, but MCN's for going out, or long sleeps etc.

I would personally recommend buying a few MCNs to get the feel for them, and that way you can buy more if you like them. It's not like you have to use just one or the other :)

[Adria]

what type are best for trying out and getting a feel for?

[workin'mumof2]

If u live in QLD and can get to the eumundi markets a lady there sells them for $12.50 each but im sure there are other markets in other states. that sell them too :yes: the lady there said she sells her nappies to Natures child. (they double the price on the site though) she has no controll over it. so we are very happy with our market purchase. pack of 5 and 5 boosters and a cover $90 *3 coz we wanted a parttime pack. $270 not bad really. we are both really happy with it

[Bambaloo]

DD was in disposables full time as I always said I would never use cloth because of all the stuff my mum would tell me like it takes up so much time etc & not necessarily better for environment because of all the water use.

But I decided I'd try cloth. To start using MCN's is a massive initial outlay so to start with I went and bought a pack of more flats (I had a dozen I used as spew rags but bought a diff brand which seemed softer for her bum), some plastic pants & patterned pilchers and a pack of snappi's, Johnsons liners & also some reusable washable liners (which I think are awesome - just from Woollies).

I am currently alternating with flats & sposies, using sposies for night & first change in morning then flats the rest of the day. I am not finding it that much work either since I do so much washing each day for E due to her reflux so I was pleasantly suprised! I am also usually using sposies when out.

I have received my first 3 MCN's - Bumgenious one size pocket nappies with microfibre inserts, which you don't need a cover for. I used them yestreday for the first time & they were awesome - just like a sposie to use, so simple & surprisingly absorbant (& fab colours!)! She used 2 of them yesterday & that was the day she poohed in both lol.

I still choose to use a liner inside so I can throw pooh's straight in the bin or wash if wet.

I had a napppy party before I decided to use MCN's more as I was so confused with all the terminology, how to use them, it seemed so complicated. That has helped heaps!

I am waiting for the majority of my order but the lady had 4 bamboo fitteds one size at home so she dropped them over for me to pre-wash & use at home minus the covers.

I have about another 7 of those nappies coming (various fab covers!), pul covers, 2 wool covers for night and some boosters & so excited to receive them!

Why don't you have a nappy party? I can give you the details of the girl in Bris who does it (she is also on BH) as it is a great way to have all your q's answered & you can feel/look at the products. I did it for mother's group last time it was at mine.

Good luck!

PM me if you want the details.

[greenie]

I agree with previous poster that it's a good idea to just buy a couple of MCNs to try so you're not splurging on something you find doesn't work well for you. And there's no reason you can't use both MCNs and flats for different times.

As for which, there are so many, but I would recommend fitted nappies like Totsbots (I prefer the bamboo ones - trimmer and more absorbant) and PUL wraps.

I tried heaps of different types when starting out and these were what I settled with and still use fulltime.

Good luck!
Kylie