Please explain?

[BabyJoy]

I need some expert cloth mummies to help me figure something out... I bought two fitted nappies on ebay because I'd like to try them out and hope to stop using disposables. The seller said they were AIO (all in one). I thought that this meant you didn't need another nappy cover (or pilcher) because the nappy already contained a waterproof layer. But when I used this nappy on bub it got soaked through to her clothes. I am annoyed that I bought these under the impression that they were all-in-one, or am I wrong and that all fitted nappies require an extra cover? Also, can anyone tell me exactly what PUL is?

Below is the description of the nappies as written by the seller... she actually says "you don't need a cover".

"They are made from*a cute cotton fabric*outer layer, a middle layer of PUL,*which*is a waterproof layer,*a*baby pink*fleece*inner layer which is soft against babies body and has*6 layers of flannellette for soaking moisture. It is fitted with hook and loop(velcro) to fit to bub as he/she grows. There is lastin(bathing suit elastic) in the legs and back of the nappy so that it fits snug. The lastin is softer on bubs skin then normal braided elastic and also doesn't wick any moisture out. Fitted nappies are great, they are much easier then using square terry towelling nappies and you don't need to worry about nappy covers."

[Mor]

Sorry you have had a bad experience with your entrance into the cloth world... It's not usually this disappointing! ;)

I haven't searched ebay to figure out what nappy you are talking about, and haven't seen a picture or know exactly what it is, but based on what you have written, here are my thoughts:

Firstly, the design sounds essentially like an all in one.

The cover material - PUL that is sewn in, is a cover fabric and generally does a good job of preventing moisture getting out of a nappy. It's a bit plasticky, but not like unbreathable PVC in that it has tiny perforations in it to allow a bit of airflow. PUL is essentially moisture proof (like goretex a lot of outdoor gear is made of). However, if the nappy is sodden and the absorbent material is inadequate, then the moisture has to go somewhere. The cotton outer layer may be a reason for the leaking. While the cotton outer will make it cute and colourful, being absorbent, if there is any 'excess' moisture that can't be soaked up by the booster, then the cotton outer will thirstily drink it up.

The absorbent material is the 6 layers of flannellette (though this doesn't sound like very much IMO, and your baby may be a super wee-er who's wee soaks that amount in one go...) If I had that amount of absorbent material in my son's nappy, it wouldn't last long.

The fleece liner inner is obviously not absorbent either, being a liner, and if the absorbent material is full then the wee is just going to flow over the top of it and go where it can to something absorbent, be it out the leg holes or wicking into the cover fabric. another thing to consider is that the nappy may need to be washed a few more times to get any manufacturing residue off the fleece and flannellette to improve their efficacy.

So, to get them to work for you, you may need to consider them more a cover than an all in one, increase absorbency (eg. use some face washers, hand towels, whatever you have around) and put a liner over the top - cut up some polarfleece yourself or get some liners from the supermarket... Not everyone uses liners anyway, so it's not critical to get your nappy to work.

Re the elastic, it doesn't matter what elastic you use, if moisture wants to get out of the nappy and into something hydrophyllic (water loving) like cotton, it will find a way!

Can I suggest you check out reviews at www.nappycino.com and www.modernnappies.org for all in ones (and other nappy types) - there are some great ones around, and though they might be more expensive than what you possibly paid on ebay, that generally means the design is well tested and known to work - which will save you money in the long run! There are also some discussions here in the archives about favrouite brands of nappies - might be worth doing a search to find some good names. Here's one:
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=10237&highlight=favourite

Good luck! :)

[BabyJoy]

Wow! thanks for all the info. I think perhaps she is a big wee-er because I didn't use any extra lining. Also I may need to wash them a few more times like you suggested.
I'll try again with more lining.
I am hoping to get more "hands-on" information next week as I've read that there will be a stall on fitted cloth nappies at my local shopping centre on monday to coincide with real nappy week. I think I'll take these nappies along to show an expert and see what she thinks.

[waawa]

I can't find the auction you're describing either, so my comments are general. It's very difficult to sew an AIO with a cotton outer layer that doesn't wick; all the functional AIOs that I'm aware of have PUL or premium quality polar fleece outers, as well as more absorbency than you've described. There are a pile of often untested, unreviewed nappies being sold in the new-nappy section on ebay - you get what you pay for, a lot of the time. Three fifteen-dollar AIOs thrown in the bin are much less worth it than one 25-dollar AIO that you can use for years! The majority of experienced nappy WAHMs have moved off ebay to their own websites (links can be found at the sites Mor listed and at ozclothnappies.org.links ), and/or to controlled-entry mall sites like ozebaby, etc.

All I can suggest is discussing a return/refund with the seller, if you feel this item is unfit for the purpose for which it was sold (and if not forthcoming, leaving appropriate feedback for future buyers); and checking/asking for nappy reviews before buying, unless you're enrolled in a new seller's testing programme.

Lara

[the_queen]

I don't have anything pertinent to add re: the actual nappy, but just wanted to add

PLEASE leave negative feedback, or at least honest feedback, to the seller. I always check the feedback before I purchase a new nappy.

[BabyJoy]

I've been through the websites suggested (and others) and I'm now thoroughly confused! Which type/brand of fitted cloth nappy is best?? I read all the reviews but they all gave each nappy five stars (or near enough).
Can someone tell me which one is best: AIO, almost AIO, pocket, fitted with separate cover?

[bluey]

What nappy is best is what suits your bubs best - I know not much help at all. There are pros and cons to every system.

Fitteds - dry faster generally, come in lots of cute prints, but require a cover if you'd like to keep bubs enviroment dry - in summer we don't use covers much, but it depends where you live.

Pockets - dry fast, you have to stuff them with absorbent material - we couldn't get them to work for us, but lots of mums love them.

AIOS - just as they say - everything all in one, like a disposable - of course it appears you've had a bad experience, there are good AIO's out there. They do take a bit longer to dry.

Almost AIO, as above, but usually has a snap in booster, so they are quicker to dry.

We have a mix of AIO for daycare, out and night nappies and fitteds/covers for home.

I second the going to ozclothnappies.org - there is great information there, including a run down of the different types, along with a WAHM list of tried and true nappy mums, whose products have been successfully tested, plus you get great after sales service, if something doesn't work quite right.

I also second the getting back on the ebay sellar and explaining your problem, if they don't respond with positive help - leave the negative feedback or ask for a refund. You've paid for a product that should work and if it doesn't you are within your rights to complain.

[BabyJoy]

Thanks for the advice! I tried the AIO nappy again this morning... this time with a small hand washer inside for extra absorbency to see if this helps and it did... wet on the inside, dry on the outside. I think I will have to buy some inserts/boosters to make them work for bub and me.

[jessgray]

i had a similar expeirence when i brought off ebay. i brought what i thought was hemp cloth nappies that required a cover i got flannelett nappies that were a tiny bit on the small side and were very abosorbant and didnt provide enough room for a booster or anything.:thumbsdown:
i have since started buying from ozebaby :D i have nappies coming in the mail this week :smiliedance: