Ok, you've done it - I'm hooked!

[jembelina]

My name is Jema and im addicted to modern cloth nappies...........

And I'm not even using them yet!!!!! My bank account is going to love this! Think I know where the baby bonus will be going:eek:

I have officially decided on the pocket style nappies and have so far seen about 6 diffrent brands taht I really like the look of. I have a question about cost though. I have noticed they are generally around the$25-$30 mark, but a couple I have looked at are a lot cheaper($15/$17) - do you think this means they could be a bit dodgy? Do you get what you pay for? They look ok to me, but I am no expert!! YET!

Next big question - inserts????? My understanding so far is this - hemp is most absorbent, but absorbs slowly whereas microfibre absorbs quickly so a combination of the two is ideal??? What I really want is for someone to tell me what I need to buy!!Inserts, prefolds, what?? And how many?? HELP ME!
Also, when I start out with #2, I'm thinking 24 nappies in total, does that sound like enough, or too many?

Thank you so, so much for all your help........I know you all LOVE to help us clothie newbies.......and wipe those smug little smiles off your faces:laughing: Nah, don't - I can't wait to join you!

[Mor]

Well done and welcome to the wonderful world of modern cloth!

How Many
This is the main question of yours that I want to answer. I managed to convince a friend of mine that cloth was a wonderful alternative to disposables. She invested in 8 - yes, 8 pocket nappies, and various boosters, generally flannelette squares. Her daughter is now 16 months and she uses theose 8 pocket nappies alone... no disposables. I marvel at how she does it! But because pockets and boosters dry as separate bits and very quickly, they are an incredible economical option. I don't think you need anywhere near 24 pocket nappies. I would start with 12 if I were you, and take it from there.

Another reason for starting with a smaller number is that while some people swear by pockets full time, others don't like them at all. I am one of those people who has a few of almost everything (except AIOs as Melbourne weather doesn't lend itself to AIOS, IMO). We used to exclusively use pockets overnight, until we realised we couldn't effectively boost the fron of the nappy for our little man enough anymore, and decided a 2-part fitted + cover would work best. Haven't looked back. Also, while pockets are very convenient, because they don't need a separate cover, they are more prone to leaking onto clothese. This isn't the case for everyone, but something to keep in mind.

Different Costs
Hmmm... tricky one. Generally, most nappies are about $20-$30. I think I know the $16-odd ones you are talking about, and you may find the reason they are cheaper than most is because they aren't made by Australian WAHMS - and when nappies get popular, sometimes this is the best way to deal with demand! When you consider the time and labour that goes into making nappies, they are generally under-priced. That said though, it is possible to source some fabrics very cheap - and the amount of PUL and polar fleece that goes into a nappy are generally cheaper than hemp equivalent, and once a person gets good at it, they can be very efficient. I wouldn't say that cheap = nasty, but I would suggest relying a lot on reviews to guide your purchasing, and if unsure, don't buy 12 of the same nappy, buy one, test it out and see if it works for you.

At the end of the day, what you love the look of might be designed to fit a different shaped baby, so you may get stuck and frustrated with them all the same.

Inserts
As said earlier, you can boost with cheap flannelette squares, as well as terry, old towels, face washers, etc. Lots of options. I would personally suggest the hemp / microfibre combination because of the reasons you have suggested. I don't think you need a full booster of microfibre, just a couple of layers helps to catch and disperse the wee into cotton/hemp/etc. I would get some microfibre cleaning cloths from BigW (about $4 for a pack of 3) and I wold get about a dozen, one per nappy you have. I would then probably get about the same number of hemp/cotton absorbers - boosters, pre-folds, terry squares, towels.

Someone who uses pockets full time might be able to shed clearer light than I have, but from a mixed-user perspective, I hope I have helped!

Good luck!

[H&B'sMum]

My name is Jema and im addicted to modern cloth nappies........... HI I'm Karena I'm a cloth nappy addicte and I'll be you support person!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL


I have officially decided on the pocket style nappies and have so far seen about 6 diffrent brands taht I really like the look of. I have a question about cost though. I have noticed they are generally around the$25-$30 mark, but a couple I have looked at are a lot cheaper($15/$17) - do you think this means they could be a bit dodgy? Do you get what you pay for? They look ok to me, but I am no expert!! YET!
Can you post the links so I can see which ones you think are a bit cheap.
Also which pockets are you looking at buying?


Next big question - inserts????? My understanding so far is this - hemp is most absorbent, but absorbs slowly whereas microfibre absorbs quickly so a combination of the two is ideal??? What I really want is for someone to tell me what I need to buy!!Inserts, prefolds, what?? And how many?? HELP ME!
Also, when I start out with #2, I'm thinking 24 nappies in total, does that sound like enough, or too many?
You can buy microfibre from Big W. They came in a pack of 3 for about $3.60ish. They are found in the cleaning section of Big W and they are there home brand. I think it's Home Essentials, you can yellow, green and white in a pack.

Hemp you can buy inserts when you buy your pockets, but if you know how to sew a straight line you can buy hemp material from bubba Earth (http://www.bubbaearth.com.au/)
I got 2m and sewed up 12 inserts. I used a zig zag stitch the sew them together and after a year they are still holding strong.
Try other sites and just look at their inserts and compare prices.

I'm so glad that you have joined our little yet expensive addication. Have fun!!!

[the_queen]

:yelclap: :yelclap: :yelclap:

It's great isn't it!!!

I received today my "Ford Racing" hemp AIO ..... LOL maybe not the "best nappy" in my stash but the only one so far that DH hasn't said "so what did THIS cost me???" :D

[veve]

Can you post the links so I can see which ones you think are a bit cheap.
Also which pockets are you looking at buying?


I agree with Harry's mum - the best recommendation is definately from other mums... let us see what you have found.. and we have probably use them - or heard about them :D

welcome to cloth!!!!! :smiliedance:

xxx

[jembelina]

Thanks again!

The ones I am liking the look of so far are......
Fuzzi Buns
Swaddlebees
Happy Heinys
Green Kids(does anyone know if these come in diff. sizes? couldn't find the info on their site!)
Pea Pods
Bits for Bots

I can't figure out how to post links:o but it is the last two on the list that are the cheaper ones. With the Pea Pods you get an insert(can't remember what type) included too.

The Queen - :laughing: My df would be most impressed!! ssshhh......don't tell him!

[Rainbowbrite]

Don't want to hijack your thread (ok maybe i di but it will help both of us) :smiliedance: but when combining hemp & microfibre, whats the best way?

Also what type of hemp?

Hemp wrapped in microfibre?
Microfibre wrapped in hemp?
Hemo on microfibre?
Microfibre on hemp?

thanks

[Tea Lady]

Speaking from inexperience, apparently it's best to go: baby's bum, something else (eg fleece), microfibre, something else absorbent (eg hemp).

Just wanted to add too that if you're getting the hemp from bubbaearth, I've worked out that the Jersey is the best value by weight ($11.50m). :)

[Rainbowbrite]

Speaking from inexperience, apparently it's best to go: baby's bum, something else (eg fleece), microfibre, something else absorbent (eg hemp).

Just wanted to add too that if you're getting the hemp from bubbaearth, I've worked out that the Jersey is the best value by weight ($11.50m). :)

Thanks for that :) When i looked at bubbaearth there were so many types of hemp, i was wondering if there was a "better" type. Thanks for the info :)

[jarrahsmumma]

rainbowbrite: much of a muchness..i wrap my mircofibre in hemp as a lay it my nappies (fitteds) but with pockets i haven't really noticed a difference, with layering either material.

swaddlebees are VERY trim, bit the pre made inserts work best with them because of the shape..so you are stuck buying the swaddlebees inserts $$$ (or making copies)

fuzzibuns work well, i find they are a little loose in the bottom area, I have a Petite 8-16kg though so may be different cut to the other ones. this nappy has fitted DS for 6 months now and still heaps of room.

happy hieny's i found were huge and a bit bulkier around the front

haven't tried the others on your list

check out possum pouches and wonderoos, you might like them too

[H&B'sMum]

I have bitsforbots and love them. They have wide openings at the back for easy stuffing and have long wings (the bit the wraps around the front and side of baby), I like this on my skinny waist Harry.

Pea Pods, I've heard good things about these. There is a shop near me that will be stocking them. When I have money I'll go and buy a couple. I know the lady who started these and I would trust her judgment and reputation a lot.

Greens do only come in one size but they have an over lap tab it use if your bubba is younger.

Good luck chosing.