ohhh shall i change to cloth

[annb]

I know there are many threads here on the benefits of cloth nappies so I will read them to get an idea of which brand.....I guess my question is...are all cloth nappies really bulky, more than disposables? is there one brand that is most like a disposable.....I know it sounds stupid but I dont want my baby to have a massive big thick bum !!!
Also when you go out and need to do a nappy change, what do you do with the dirty one, its not like you can pop it in a disposable bag and chuck it in the bin.

[veve]

I dont really know about the comparision to disposables... others might be able to fill you in... there are MANY MANY nappies available... I guess that a pocket might be slimmer than an all in one??? because you can alter the amount of stuffing... therefore making a slimmer nappy.

when you are out?? most people use a 'wet bag' - it is waterproof material and holds the nappies securely until you get home ... I jsut ordered two REALLY pretty ones :smiliedance: (they have frogs on them!!!!) - so if you search around you can find nice ones ... although plain ones are cheaper and easier to find...

xx

[FourAngelKisses]

I use the terry towelling square nappies. I honestly find disposables bulkier than cloth. When disposables get wet they get all fat and squishy and hang around the kids knees looking gross. Cloth ones don't.

When I'm out and about, I just put the wet/dirty ones in a plastic shopping bag and toss the bag out when I get home. 1 bag will hold about 4 nappies. oh, a tip is to prefold the nappies before you leave home, makes it easier than folding it in the boot of the car or on the back seat.

[LucyE]

I also dislike the bubble butt look so have chosen to use fitted and pocket nappies. They are much trimmer than the traditional flat terry towelling nappy because they cut down on fabric where it is not needed (like around the waist).

To be perfectly honest, I have not yet seen a cloth nappy that is as thin as a dry Huggies disposable. But there are still quite a few cloth nappies that can be comfortably worn under 'cut for disposable' pants and not be noticable that it's a cloth nappy. Two brands that come to mind are Green Nappies and Fruit Salad Nappies (check out www.ozclothnappies.org for more links and info).
The added bonus of having a slightly padded bottom is when they are learning to walk, they are nicely cushioned :p

For out and about, I use a small wet bag (I like the drawstring Bummis which I purchased from www.theweewuns.au.com). I find it easiest to fold the nappy up (similar to folding a disposable into a ball) and stuffing it into the bag (dirty contents and all). I then twist the bag up to seal away any smells and it honestly doesn't smell! I prefer to deal with the nappy at home because we have a little squirt which makes cleaning much easier. I used to use flushable liners to dump into toilets but found that it was extra work finding a toilet because I wouldn't necessarily change DS's nappy in bathrooms. And yes, I have one of those alcohol, water free handwash thingies in my nappy bag. The wet bag is machine washable so I would just toss them all into the nappy bucket when I got home. This also saves on wasting plastic bags because you don't really want to reuse a dirty shopping bag...

Actually, when using disposables, I also store then in the wet bag til I get home because I don't like throwing them away in ordinary rubbish bins due to the stink and hygiene factor. I hate having them in my wheelie bin, I'm not going to make a park cleaner have to empty a bin with my festering 'sposie.

[Tea Lady]

It sounds like you might like pocket nappies because (like veve said) you can adjust the amount of stuffing so you get the "look" you're after!

When I'm out I use those nappy sack bags at the moment which just fit a cloth nappy in and then dump it in the nappy bucket when I get home. Luckily we don't have too many dirty nappies when we're out, but when I do I usually bring the whole lot home and deal with it later. Yes, it's gross, but not that much grosser than changing a dirty nappy in the first place. ;)

[annb]

so does the nappy bucket stink with a few nappies in it?
do you guys all just buy your nappies on line? to my knowledge there isnt an actual shop in perth that would sell them

[FourAngelKisses]

I don't use a nappy bucket, I just throw them in the laundry tub, then after a full day they get put in the washing machine overnight, soaking in napisan.

You can get cloth nappies from K-Mart and Big W. I think a lot of the ladies here get theirs online though.

[veve]

RE : NAPPY BUCKET- Oscars mum (thanks OM) taught me that a dash of bicarb in the bottom of the bucket pretty much stops all smells :D

xx

[Funkychicken]

Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 102

ohhh shall i change to cloth
Go on..........I dare you!!!:D

[LucyE]

Where to buy - you can get flat terry nappies, flannelette and muslin from places like Myer, David Jones, Target etc. I found flannelette and muslin to be pretty useless because DS was a heavy wetter from newborn. I purchased Canningvale brand flat terries thanks to the wise recommendations of other cloth users and have been very happy with the way they have washed and weared (is that even a word??).

For modern fitted, pockets and AIO nappies, the best place is online and most reputable, quality nappy sellers now have their own websites (so you will rarely see them on ebay brand new anymore). There are a few 'real life' stores that sell quality fitteds but I'm not sure of their details (I know of ones in Adelaide, Byron Bay and Toowoomba). Maybe check www.ozclothnappies.org for more links. Some brands such as BabyBeehinds have a party plan option so you get to see the nappies in real life before committing to buy.

You can also get 'Fluffies' brand fitted nappies in K-mart, Target etc. They are fairly cheap and you get what you pay for. I have not tried them myself but a friend has and after being extremely dissapointed with their performance, cut one open to discover that the so called absorbant padding was only acrylic wadding (which isn't absorbant). If you choose to buy these, please understand that they are not a good representation of what quality modern nappies are about.

Re Nappy Bucket smell - we have a nappy bucket with a tight fitting lid and it honestly does not smell when the lid is on. You would not realise that the nappy bucket was there even standing right next to it! The smells come when you lift the lid to add another nappy so I've learnt to have it in a well ventilated room (like a bathroom) and be really quick :p I've noticed that when I don't use the lid at all, it actually smells less. Someone told me it was to do with the chemical reaction of urine breaking down and dissapating but I'm not sure of the actual reasoning. It doesn't work with poo-ey nappies though. I personally find the smell of disposable nappies to be far worse. On occassions when we've had to use disposables, I found they reeked even wrapped up in a plastic bag within the sealed nappy bucket. It's just one of those things you get used to...

[*~Jaz's Mum~*]

To be perfectly honest, I have not yet seen a cloth nappy that is as thin as a dry Huggies disposable.


They do exist! The Rumpster is just as trim as a sposie. They are quite expensive though, so they are more of a "going out" nappy than an "every day at home type of nappy" if you get me. Available at http://www.darlingsdownunder.com.au

The Rumpster is an All In One, so it doesn't need a cover or liner or anything. It just goes straight on like sposie. If you intend to use cloth though, I would highly recommend buying a Little Squirt. It's a small hose that attaches to your toilet (no plumber required) so you can easily get the poo off the nappy down the toilet .They are worth their weight in gold!


Also when you go out and need to do a nappy change, what do you do with the dirty one, its not like you can pop it in a disposable bag and chuck it in the bin.

Actually you'll find that even when using sposies, you are supposed to flush the poo down the toilet first before putting the nappy in the bin. It's written on the side of the packet :)

I also use a PUL wet bag to carry DD's wet/dirty nappies in when out.

[GreenTreeFrog]

I have never used a disposable on any of my three children.Ever. I can't stand the feel of them against my hands if I have to put one on someone else's bub and my pet hate is walking past someone's wheelie bin where they have chucked the dirty disposables. A bucket of nappies waiting to be washed is nothing compared to that dreadful smell. I love the bubblebutt look too. Go on try them but don't give up too quickly. It takes a little bit of time to get used to them and to work out which ones will work for your baby as every child is different.Do a bit of research into some good Australian nappy sites to find out what is available; ozclothnappies.org and modernclothnappies.org come to mind.

[Briswegian]

I'm a devoted disposable mum! When I had my first son I never even knew about modern cloths so I was disposable all the way. It's only since being on the bub hub that I've been hearing about these new nappies. I can say I'm tempted but I just don't know where to start. I keep hearing about inserts and hemp and extra things for night time...do all of these things get washed???
So my poor post baby brain is hurting. How many nappies do you need and do you need to keep buying inserts etc?

[poshBecks]

I am a recent convert myself. And loving it!! I just wish I had the guts to try it back when Cj was a babe! I use terry flats on Ella during the day. But I am in the process of aquiring some Green nappies for Cj to wear all the time & Ella to wear at nights & going out!! (Cj is trying out his 1st green nappy as we speak/type!! It looks sooooo cute!! And no bulkier than his sposies!!:thumbsup: )

I havn't used cloth to go out yet, but when I get myself a wet bag I will!!
As for the smell.....


RE : NAPPY BUCKET- Oscars mum (thanks OM) taught me that a dash of bicarb in the bottom of the bucket pretty much stops all smells :D

xx
...I agree!! Works a treat!! I put some bi carb into a little shaker container & with every pooey nappy I shake a little onto it before I put it in the bucket plus a little at the bottom of the bucket after I empty it. Works a treat :thumbsup:

Have fun.... it's addictive!! :D

[poshBecks]

I'm a devoted disposable mum! When I had my first son I never even knew about modern cloths so I was disposable all the way. It's only since being on the bub hub that I've been hearing about these new nappies. I can say I'm tempted but I just don't know where to start. I keep hearing about inserts and hemp and extra things for night time...do all of these things get washed???
So my poor post baby brain is hurting. How many nappies do you need and do you need to keep buying inserts etc?
I have just gone through this myself... I drilled all the hippie (;) ) mums about it!!

I did a lot of research on nappy sights. Google modern cloth nappies & see what you find!!!!

I worked out that if I buy 18 green nappies all with hemp inserts & 6 micro fibre boosters ( 3 each for nights). That should keep me going for both kiddies ( all washable) until they are out of nappies. Keep in mind tho I use terry flats on Ella during the day. Once Cj is toiet trained she can have his. Thats 12 for cj & 6 for Ella ( for going out & nights). Thats if I wash daily aswell which with 2 in nappies i will need to.

I hope that helps!

[LucyE]

I was just being brutally honest about the thickness comparison between cloth and disposables. I've seen Rumpsters and they are super trim and another modern cloth nappy that you wouldn't realise was a cloth nappy under clothes. But for those who are doing the switch from disposables, a slight increase in size is something to keep in mind.

Also regarding regular bicarb use - I wouldn't use it because it will wear out your modern cloth nappies faster. Bicarb 'eats' elastic and can damage PUL so just something else to bear in mind.

All that said, I love cloth! We've used cloth fulltime on DS since he came home from hospital.

[poshBecks]

Also regarding regular bicarb use - I wouldn't use it because it will wear out your modern cloth nappies faster. Bicarb 'eats' elastic and can damage PUL so just something else to bear in mind.

:eek: Thats good to know thanks!

[annb]

ive joined www.nappycino.com and there is heaps of useful info on there and plenty of clothies to ask about different types of nappies..ive just got to buy myself some now!!