Thinking of using cloth nappies

[babygizaiah]

I was just reading thru the posts and i was absolutely amazed at how many people actually still use cloth nappies. I had just assumed that majority of people used disposable. So it got me thinking I could do it to. Being a SAHM, I should be finding anyway to save money, plus also contribute to saving our environment.

My question is my son is 8mths old, is it to late to start now? Also how do you go about cleaning them and what things would I need to buy?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

[NonnyMouse]

Firstly, I don't know if it's too late. Ideally, it's never too late, but it will come down to whether the personality of your child will allow for such a change.

As for equipment, back in the old days (LOL... well, 10years ago) Iuse to keep two big lidded buckets handy. I'd fill one busket with water and napisan, then as each nappy was changed I'd drop the poop into the loo and give it a quick rinse if there were "hangers on", then use an old broom handle to push the nappy and liner down into the water inthe bucket then put the lid on. When the bucket was full, i'd start on the next one. The full one was left to soak overnight, then put on a full hot wash cycle (with very mild detergent) the next day, and hung on the line (which helped keep the stains away).

I'd do all the folding at one time, usually while watching tele during nap time, and that way when it timeto put one on, it was all ready to go.

I'd wash one load a day like this, but never really found it a hassle.

I was also working full time after a while and still managed it, so it's definitely doable for a SAHM if you have the patience. When DD was in daycare they would take my bag of pre-folded cloth naps, and hand her back to me at the end of the day with a bag of dirty ones... they would remove the poop and just bag the nappy up dry. I'd load these dirty ones into the bucket to soak overnight, just as normal.

[mummeeto2]

It's not too late! I started DD full time cloth at about the same age. We'd always used terry flats at home & disposable for nights & going out. Once I discovered you can do cloth full time, I was hooked.

Cleaning is very easy. You can buy a 'little squirt' (or make one) that attaches to the water inlet of your toilet to spray solids down the loo. Then just pop the nappy into a bucket until washing time. There's no need to soak as they don't need it & bleaches can ruin the nappies. Once there's enough for a load just pop them in the machine with half the detergent/powder you'd normally use & wash on warm or hot. Then just hang on the line. The sun will naturally bleach & sanitise your nappies. Depending on the style of nappies they might take half a day or 2 days to dry.

Other than a 'little squirt' you will need a 'wet bag' which is a waterproof bag for storing dirty nappies while out, some liners & wipes if you want to use reusable wipes. A few snappi's won't go astray if you're getting terry flats or prefolds.

There's lots of info in the sticky posts of this section & in the BH directory there's some stores so you can see what we're on about

[kezzaskids]

just google modern cloth nappies to find web sites like nurture nappies and itti delish etc and check out the cloth nappy threads on here. I am a total convert and addicted and this is my 5th baby...and last!!

[pinkgingham]

yes, people are still using cloth nappies but not the old terry flats. there are now new alternatives called modern cloth nappies :D

its definitely not too late to start at 8 months old. ;)

[SpottySocks]

I don't think 8 months is too late to get started.

I would recommend buying a few types so you can see exactly what they are talking about and how easy they are to use, then when you find one you really like you might want to buy a few more.

The Itti Bitti web site sells a trial pack of their 2 types of D'lish nappy which I found a good place to start. Then I also got a Baby Beehinds Minky Magicall. These ones are both sized (ie S, M, L) and you can also get One Size Fits Most (OSFM) and I go a Cushie Tushie Couture OSFM and also a OSFM from a WAHM. This gave me 5 nappies to try out. I found that the sized one's were a better option and fit for my baby (she was about 3 1/2 months) as the OSFM were just too big and gaped around the legs - but they are nice nappies and I'm sure I'll get to use them when she is a bit bigger. At 8 months your bub might go straight into the large size so you wouldn't need to buy more if he outgrew the mediums.

The 5 nappies I got are all AIO's - I didn't want to have separate covers and I'm glad I went with this option.

You have a choice of using a liner or not - I use the blue Johnstons liners available from most supermarkets, they are washable and can be reused although do eventually get thin and fall apart. You can also get flushable liners - which would be easier when dealing with poo!

Washing is really easy! I put all my nappies into a bucket with a lid - I dry pail, no water. Then every 2nd morning I do a nappy wash, in the machine a cold rinse 1st and then a cold wash with a small amount of powder. Hang them on the line for the day in the sun, this is the best way to keep them clean, the sun bleaches any poo stains out and kills any bacteria etc that might make them smell.

Don't be put off by the initial price. It might seem expensive but if you think that your bub is likely to be wearing nappies until at least the age of 2 then how much would all those disposables cost. Also if this is your first baby and you are thinking about having more then they can always be reused next time around. Or you can sell them when he has grown out of them.

[babygizaiah]

I have just been looking around at brands etc. I've been checking out the organic terry flats fitted nappies. Why do people think about these? Are they worth $19 each?Also my son is 8mths old, so how many nappies, liners, pins etc do I need to get. And what are the best brands that people would recommend?

[Mor]

There is a brochure introducing modern reusable nappies here:
http://nappynetwork.org.au/docs/MCN_Brochure_General_v6.pdf

This is the most recent version of the brochure, and is published by the Australian Nappy Network (non profit). You can find the same information here:
http://nappynetwork.org.au/what1.php

The information discusses traditional nappies as well as modern designs, modern variations and modern laundering, and does a cost comparison. It's an easy introduction to cloth done the modern way ;) (No need for pins!)

(but there have been a few updates in the actual brochure - ie. the recommended number of nappies is now about 30 nappies and 12 covers assuming fitted + cover system - must get the website updated!)

[NibbleCurlynBub]

yes, people are still using cloth nappies but not the old terry flats. there are now new alternatives called modern cloth nappies :D

its definitely not too late to start at 8 months old. ;)
:iagree: There are many many different kind of modern cloth nappies that fit like a disposable with either velcro or snaps. They're ALL quite different.

Of course, there are those that still use terry flats. I would assume so, anyway. :o

[Mor]

Of course, there are those that still use terry flats. I would assume so, anyway. :o

Absolutely! They are awesome value (cheapest option by far), awesome in the early months, great as pocket boosters - and change mats/spew rags, etc, don't need pins to do up - use a snappi, and great to use either alone, in conjunction with other modern options, and/or while building up a system... I spoke with lots of parents at an information stall during reusable nappy week where they happily use squares by day, but were looking for night and travel options to replace disposables.

Worth keeping in mind that nappy wash services supply squares too :)

[NibbleCurlynBub]

:yes: I have 2 packets of the bright bots coloured terry flats.

We use them for everything.
One day they can be tea towels, spit towels, spill towels, bath mat, nappy (duh), well anything!

Mini towels are just SO handy either way. :D

[peanutbutter&jelly]

Definately look into MCN's! Modern Cloth Nappies are 100 times easier than flats (and I have both... not that I want to be using the flats anymore.. just building my stash of MCN's up!)
They're super easy, and adorable. Most don't put on too much bulk for bubs and if you get minkee its really soft!
Read some of the sticky threads at the top and google some of the brands that are mentioned a lot here - like baby beehinds, greenkids, itti bittis... and read about them on their sites.

[Baby86]

I used terry flats when DD was young, but gave up. I didnt know all these wonderful AIO MCN's were out there!!! Im putting her back in cloth now at almost 17 months, so 8 months is definately not too old.

[DonnaL]

Quite a few of the MCN companies have reps that can come to your place and show you the range in person too, which is helpful!

[NonnyMouse]

:yes: I have 2 packets of the bright bots coloured terry flats.

We use them for everything.
One day they can be tea towels, spit towels, spill towels, bath mat, nappy (duh), well anything!

Mini towels are just SO handy either way. :D


:laughing::laughing::laughing: OMG Nibble... I had to do a double-take there! I assume you don't use it for a tea towel AFTER it's been used as a nappy. Not sure I'd trust my washing machine that well. hehe

[babygizaiah]

Quite a few of the MCN companies have reps that can come to your place and show you the range in person too, which is helpful!


thanks for that bit of info, I might actually do that.

I appreciate everyones help, but Im so confused because there are so many different types, brands etc out there. I only knew of terry flats. had absolutely no dea about MCN otherwise I think i would of been using those right from the get go.

Here i was thinking yeah Im gonna use cloth nappies now, thinking it was going to be so simple and i could just duck down to the shop and get some, but clearly it is a lot more complex then that :laughing:

I will definately be doing my research tonight. Would people recommend to use terry flats as a backup or as Im building up my MCN collection, as i can see they are about 20 bucks a pop. expensive, but I guess the rewards are priceless

[Lil Mamma]

Nope, not too late, I've just started my 17 month old and 2 year old on MCN's!

Yep you may want to use the terry flats as a back up if you can't afford a decent stash right away. I still only have 6 nappies per child, so I am having to wash & dry them every day until I can afford to buy some more. I still have quite a few sposies so I am using those at nights until they run out.

If you are after a starting point for your research, I found the Oz Cloth Nappies .org very useful (just google it), explains all the different types as well as washing instructions etc.
All the best :wave: