Nappies

[Kate]

Hi,

Does anyone know if there is a nappy service in Townsville, preferably for cloth nappies. I'm not having any luck finding one. Thanks

[bubhub]

Hi Kate

We've researched this and have only found one nappy laundry service in the whole of North Queensland. They are called Cairns Nappy Service ph: (Stratford) (07) 4058 0711 - with delivery area: Palm Cove/Port Douglas to Cairns (which doesn't include Townsville!)

I've tried to call them to see if they would cover the Townsville area at all, but their office is unattended at the moment. You might like to try them again, otherwise, I'm afraid that we don't know of anybody at all in your region.

[Gemma]

Hi Kate,

You could just use disposables, if you don't want to wash nappies all day everyday! I don't find them to increase our shopping bill too much. When you consider the price of nappysan, and how much your water and electricity could increase by using the washing machine more then I definatly perfer the convience of disposables.

I also discussed it with a dermatologist and they feel disposables protect bums from nappy rash, which is really important in humid climates.

I like Huggies at night because they are more absorbant, and babylove during the day and you are changing more often anyway. I probably go through 4-6 per day depends on amt of poopies! So depending what brand you buy, the cost is $2.50-$3.50/day. And coles and woolies always have specials every week.

Hope that helps as another option.

[mamafelix]

On the other hand... cloth rocks!

I have only ever used cloth and I never found it to be a chore. Plus it is sooo much cheaper in the long run.

There are so many great new designs and materials in cloth nappies now- no longer do you need to used terry squares and pins.
No more leaks, they're just as quick and easy to get on and off as disposables (velcro or snap fastenings), just as absorbent (especially the ones with hemp), and the fleece lined ones are super soft and draw moisture away from bubs skin.

plus a lot of the AIO (all in one) nappies are fully adjustable size wise so you only need to buy one set from newborn to toddler.

You only need to wash every 2-3 days- and with a baby I find that's pretty standard even with disposables.

Napisan is only neccessary if you have a gastro problem. Plus with fleece linings, poo just slides off into the loo, making soaking optional.

Cloth nappies DON'T cause nappy rash- not changing your babies nappies is the main cause. Especially if you pop a bit of polar fleece (cut an old jumper up or buy some from spotlight- it doesn't fray so no sewing required) in the nappy, this is lovely and soft, draws moisture away from bub's bum, and poo literally slides off.

In a humid climate you need breathable nappies- look for PUL linings or overpants- it's a type of nylon that is fully breathable but waterproof.

cost wise, it can be as little as $80 all up (that's using 24 terry squares and 10 nappy covers) but if you want the deluxe versions, expect to pay from $15-25 per nappy. I would recommend a total of 20 nappies for the entire time your baby needs to wear them so that's a maximum of $500 if you want the best.
and of course they last for years so if you have another bub, you won't need to fork out again. ebay is a great place to find new and used cloth nappies.

check out these Australian information sites which have links to nappy sellers

www.allaboutnappies.com

http://wigglebums.tripod.com

[bubhub]

Hiya

If you look on the following page: http://www.qld.bubhub.com.au/qldchanging.htm you'll find the details of about 16 different Australian companies who make fitted cloth nappies or nappy products. Most have pretty good information about their products and allow you to buy online or mail order.

Cheers
Hilary

[nyrrek]

I have seen a site online somewhere for patterns for fitted cloth nappies. If you know someone who can sew (or if you do!) this would be a great, inexpensive option. Try doing a Google search for nappy patterns. Good luck.

[Angel]

It's long since been proven that nappy type is irrelevent when it comes to liklihood of nappy rash. True Nappy Rash is ONLY caused by prolonged contact or urine and faeces as the two react together. You can only protect against it by changing dirty nappyies quickly. People often find during teething that you can't change a nappy quickly enough and you end up with sore red bottoms regardless of how quickly you get to the nappy. Barrier creams can help a little at this time but they do reduce the absorbency of the nappies (cloth or disposable) as they coat them in water/air tight slime too!

If you read www.allaboutnappies.com I am sure you'll be more than convinced that cloth is no chore at all.

Washing machines and detergent aren't what they used to be - you CAN rely on them to do the cleaning for you. Cold water is often sufficient too but if you find it isn't adequate then T'ville's sun certainly will be - the sun can bleach out virtually ANYTHING. It is also the best natural sanitiser so why waste your money on chemicals?

Dry pailing is probably the biggest 'invention' to affect cloth nappying in the last few years. With the advances in washing machines and detergents we can now treat cloth nappies like worn clothes and keep them in an lidded bucket or bin WITHOUT water. This greatly reduces odours (water brings out the smell in dirty nappies), water usage, labour and drowning risks.

Basically, dry pailing nappies and having enough to wash every 2-3 days means the effect of using cloth is no more than 2-3 extra laundry loads per week. Frankly, I don't find anything about disposables convenient - you still have to take each one to the bin, you have to put up with it festering in the north Qld temps for one week before it is collected (!!!) and you have to ensure that you always have enough in your house.

If there is anything else putting you off washing your own cloth speak up as I guarantee there is an argument to counteract it. Your better off not listening to people around you as those that offer comments on cloth are USUALLY those who have never used it, or have never used the products that are available today which offer superior performance over disposables.

Me.
Co-writer of the information website www.allaboutnappies.com