a few Qs regarding MCNs =)

[zbazba]

Bub #1 is on the way. I'm interested in trying modern cloth nappies. :) MCNs look so much easier that flats (which I was originally thinking of using).

I have a few questions as I'm new to MCN. :confused:

Q1. We plan on using a Respisense Breathing Monitor on bubs. Am I allowed to post a link showing a picture of the breathing monitor??
It's a small little matchbox sized device which u slip onto bub's nappy (or pants or leggings).

So the nappies I use on bub need to be relatively thin at the top part (around bub's tummy) - so that we can slip the monitor on her nappy.

Does anyone know from personal experience of any MCNs that are not too bulky and thick around the tummy area??

Q2. Is it worth getting lots of different sizes of MCNs? Or should I just use the nappies that are "one size fits all"? I'm leaning towards the "one size fits all" nappies. However - will these be really bulky on a newborn?


Q3. I've noticed MCNs can be expensive! So I'm wondering how hygienic would it be to purchase second hand nappies? If I did buy some second hand nappies, I would wash them in hot water and I would also use Canestan Hygiene Laundry Rinse. Would this make them safe to use on a newborn? Or should I just buy brand new?


Q4. How do you actually change a MCN? I've got plenty of experience changing disposable nappies (from working in childcare) but I'm confused when it comes to cloth nappies. When changing bub's nappy, do you put the liner in first or the booster in first? What exactly is the purpose of a liner? Is a liner needed no matter what kind of nappy you use? (flat, AIO, one size fits all, pocket etc). What works better - the nappies that have "boosters" sewn into them or the ones where you add boosters to them? I assume the purpose of a booster is to increase the absorbency level of the nappy? Does an AIO nappy need a liner?


Sorry I have so many questions! :o

This is all totally new to me.

Hoping someone out there has the experience and patience to explain all this to me. :fingerscrossed: :o

[bubbyboy]

Q1. Itti Bitti are very trim, as are bumgenuis or twinkle lily just to name a few!!

Q2. It's really personal preference. On a newborn the OSFM would be fairly bulky. You could always stick to plain flats or go for smalls. I have both sorts. My advise would be to get a couple of different sorts/styles to see what suits you best!!

Q3. 2nd hand nappies are just fine!!! I always buy them from someone with a good selling history - or someone you know so you know that they'll be in good condition. I also give my 2nd hand nappies a quick strip wash (really hot water with a tiny squeeze of plain boring cheap dishwashing liquid then lots of cold rinses till there's no suds left). I also leave them hanging in good sun for a day or two. The UV will lift any stains and sanitise the nappies!!


Q4. Liners are also personal choice! You can get ones you throw in the bin, flushable or washable ones. Basically it's to help get the poo off really. I like the flushable ones - so easy!! You can use liners in all nappies!! Even disposables!! (poo should always be flushed, disposable or not!!). Most of the time, I'm too lazy to worry about liners!! lol!!

I prefer AI2's (all in twos) which means that the nappy is basically a shell and you add your boosters to that. (I like snap in ones!!) I find they dry much quicker!! Sewn in's or AIO (all in ones) can be just as good!! I just find they take longer to dry!! Again, it all comes down to personal preference. What works for one, may not work for another!!

[Oscar's mum]

Does anyone know from personal experience of any MCNs that are not too bulky and thick around the tummy area??


Most of the nappies you will find suitable as majority are thin enough to fit the monitor onto.



Q2. Is it worth getting lots of different sizes of MCNs? Or should I just use the nappies that are "one size fits all"? I'm leaning towards the "one size fits all" nappies. However - will these be really bulky on a newborn?


I think variety is definately the key - what works well on some newborns dosn't work well on others etc etc. If you have a small baby OSFA probably are not going to fit too great to begin with, same as if you have a rather big toddler a OSFA may not fit until toilet training. Yes, they can be bulky the OSFA but you get used to it ;) Why not start your stash off with some OSFA and some sized nappies and see which works best for you.



Q3. I've noticed MCNs can be expensive! So I'm wondering how hygienic would it be to purchase second hand nappies? If I did buy some second hand nappies, I would wash them in hot water and I would also use Canestan Hygiene Laundry Rinse. Would this make them safe to use on a newborn? Or should I just buy brand new?


2nd hand is a great way to get a stash together!! And yes it's safe to use 2nd hand nappies - most of my stash was 2nd hand, it was the easiest and cheapest way for me to get the nappies I wanted.


Q4. How do you actually change a MCN?

You undo the closures ie the velcro or snaps etc just like you would on a disposable it's pretty easy.


When changing bub's nappy, do you put the liner in first or the booster in first?

Well not all nappies have boosters - boosters are mainly used to 'boost' a nappy when the child seems to be out weeing the nappy or long trips/overnight etc etc. Those boosters I am referring to are about the size of a liner - if you are to use those type you put the booster on the nappy first then the liner.

Then there is the boosters you use in pocket nappies. Pocket nappies have an opening in the back in which you place the absorbant material. These types of boosters are considerably larger and actually sit inside of the nappy in the pocket.


What exactly is the purpose of a liner?

Liners help avoid stains and also draw the wee away from bub's tooshie helping to prevent nappy rash (Fleece liners).

You can also get raw silk liners which don't draw moisture away but actually can help to clear nappy rash - they are alot more expensive however and you only use to clear nappy rash.

Oh and then there are the paper/chux cloth looking liners - they do the same thing as the fleece liners.


Is a liner needed no matter what kind of nappy you use? (flat, AIO, one size fits all, pocket etc).

If you want to help prevent stains yes a liner is beneficial. If you don't really want to use a liner though on all nappies and don't mind stains etc a liner is only really necessary in nappies where bamboo/hemp etc touch the skin. Here's a simple way to tell if a nappy needs a liner... place a drop of water onto the nappy and leave it a moment (ie let it absorb) then touch where the drop was - if it's dry that material will do the same trick as a liner by drawing the moisture away.


What works better - the nappies that have "boosters" sewn into them or the ones where you add boosters to them? I assume the purpose of a booster is to increase the absorbency level of the nappy?

As I said before different nappies work for different ppl. If you want highly absorbant nappies look into bamboo nappies if you want one wee nappies look into microfibre ones. Hemp I kind of class as middle ground ;)


Does an AIO nappy need a liner?

Depends what the inner material of the AIO is. Some have flannel, others fleece - just do the drop test and you'll soon figure it out.

[peanutbutter&jelly]

Oscar'sMum... you rock! You just wrote a whole bunch of what I was going to, plus extras :D I didn't know that about raw silk... my DS hasn't suffered from nappy rash as yet... its nice to know something that can help if he ever does (apart from liners and using a cream or something... )

[SPC]

I have MCN and a respisense. I find my ittis are a bit too thick, but I mainly use babybeehinds at night and it's fine with them.

But be warned!!! I accidentally put mine through the washing machine yesterday and and to do a $189 dash to Baby Bunting for a new one. Silly me.

[Kassiasmum]

If you don't really want to use a liner though on all nappies and don't mind stains etc a liner is only really necessary in nappies where bamboo/hemp etc touch the skin.

I didn't know this, I have bamboo and hemp nappies from baby beehinds, does this mean that I should be using a liner with these?

[NibbleCurlynBub]

Q1. We plan on using a Respisense Breathing Monitor on bubs. Am I allowed to post a link showing a picture of the breathing monitor??
It's a small little matchbox sized device which u slip onto bub's nappy (or pants or leggings).

So the nappies I use on bub need to be relatively thin at the top part (around bub's tummy) - so that we can slip the monitor on her nappy.

Does anyone know from personal experience of any MCNs that are not too bulky and thick around the tummy area??
Most MCN's will be thin enough. If you choose a fitted or any kind of nappy that needs a cover, the monitor could probably clip onto the cover.

Would be fine. :yes:


Q2. Is it worth getting lots of different sizes of MCNs? Or should I just use the nappies that are "one size fits all"? I'm leaning towards the "one size fits all" nappies. However - will these be really bulky on a newborn?
It really is up to you.
I have both. I have some bamboo fitted OSFA nappies, some sized AIO's and some prefolds and covers.

Whatever you like, really.


Q3. I've noticed MCNs can be expensive! So I'm wondering how hygienic would it be to purchase second hand nappies? If I did buy some second hand nappies, I would wash them in hot water and I would also use Canestan Hygiene Laundry Rinse. Would this make them safe to use on a newborn? Or should I just buy brand new?
I'd buy brand new, check out the specials and see what is going cheaper right now. I did that and paid about 1/2 of what most people do for my stash.

I'd just use a nice plain washing powder, like Eco something or other. Its expensive, but you only use less than half a scoop per wash so it takes a while to use up.


Q4. How do you actually change a MCN? I've got plenty of experience changing disposable nappies (from working in childcare) but I'm confused when it comes to cloth nappies. When changing bub's nappy, do you put the liner in first or the booster in first? What exactly is the purpose of a liner? Is a liner needed no matter what kind of nappy you use? (flat, AIO, one size fits all, pocket etc). What works better - the nappies that have "boosters" sewn into them or the ones where you add boosters to them? I assume the purpose of a booster is to increase the absorbency level of the nappy? Does an AIO nappy need a liner?
Any of the above.. Really.

You can buy fabric (washable) or flushable liners. The idea is just to make it easier to get rid of the poop. :yes: You can choose either fabric, flushable or no liners. It doesn't matter too much except for convenience.
The liner is the topmost layer and goes against bubby's bottom.

You are right about the Boosters. The idea is to just add absorbency. This makes your nappy customisable, you can boost it to last as long as you wish pretty much.

[NibbleCurlynBub]

I didn't know this, I have bamboo and hemp nappies from baby beehinds, does this mean that I should be using a liner with these?
I think what she means is that many hemp nappies can be rough or abrasive.

Most nappies are soft though. :yes:

Bubby's bottom shouldn't need 'protecting' from the nappy fabric with a liner. Cloth nappies are designed to be against bubs skin.

[Oscar's mum]

I didn't know this, I have bamboo and hemp nappies from baby beehinds, does this mean that I should be using a liner with these?


I think what she means is that many hemp nappies can be rough or abrasive.

Most nappies are soft though. :yes:

Bubby's bottom shouldn't need 'protecting' from the nappy fabric with a liner. Cloth nappies are designed to be against bubs skin.

No I mean I would definately be using a liner in the baby beehinds to prevent nappy rash as the material in those nappies when wet stays wet which can lead to nappy rash, if you use a liner the material on the nappy will still be wet however the liner will ensure it's still nice and dry next to baby's bottom.