Nappies for newborn

[aggero]

Hi all :wave:

Well I am about to venture out into the great unknown and look at purchasing some nappies for my bub due in Dec :D

Being my first child I have absoutely no idea about cloth or disposables, :confused: although my understanding has improved after reading through the threads in this section!

What I am looking for is some advice on the best cloth and disposable nappies to suit a newborn. Initally I think I will buy some of both before deciding what works for us.

Thanks

P.s. Ideas of initial quantities would also be appreciated

[rynosmum]

We used Huggies disposables only because that's what they gave us to use in hospital so I felt comfortable with them.

It's so hard to know how many you will need until you know what size baby comes out. I have known some people to stock up with 2-3 boxes only to find they had a big bubby and didn't use them all.

Best of luck for a great birth !

[cjb/jbvd]

i tried three different newborn nappies, and found that huggies were the absolute best. especially since they sleep so long when they're little.

but by all reports, the woolies 'select' newborn nappies are good too.

i use the woolies ones for my DS (7 months), and have to say they are a real find. never had a single problem with them in the six weeks since i converted.

don't have any advice about cloth because i have never had the time to wash that much (full time work, and single mum). but from some of the threads around, cloth nappies have come a long way from folded terry toweling with a safety pin.

guess it's really up to you.

[Aquamarine]

I use the mamia nappies from Aldi and I find them even better then Huggies.

I use the bigger size for my toddler and they have not leaked once, and he is a big drinker.

I find them really thick and great quality. They do have newborn nappies too, which I plan on using on my bub due in September. Haven't tried them yet but I am hoping they work just as well as the bigger sizes.

Definantely worth a try.:thumbsup:

Sally (30)
DH (30)
DS (3):hugs:
DS (2):hugs:
DS #3 due 09/09/2006:hugs:

[bigglet]

Just depends on the birthweight of your baby - since you don't know how big your baby is going to be don't buy too much of the newborn nappies. My baby was 3.7kg at birth and we only used 2 boxes of Huggies Newborn before she was too big for them. So if you have a big baby then you won't need them as long but if you end up having a little baby or even a premmie one then you may need a few more.
:p

[nemosmum]

I would suggest getting a box of the newborn Huggie nappies, coz I think we can all agree they seem to be the best option when looking at disposables.

For cloth check out www.cheekybutts.com.au as they have great newborn starter packs and a buy back scheme too if my memory serves me correct which is great if you decide cloth is not for you. Plus they have the most adorable nappy covers, soooo cute!

Good luck:fingerscrossed: and have fun:D

[cheezelkat]

I used Huggies Newborn - DS was in them for about 6 weeks.

If the idea of cloth appeals, I'd recommend it AFTER the black tar poos finishes ;) That stuff is so sticky!

[nemosmum]

I used Huggies Newborn - DS was in them for about 6 weeks.

If the idea of cloth appeals, I'd recommend it AFTER the black tar poos finishes That stuff is so sticky!



Great idea Cheezelkat :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

[aggero]

Thanks ladies :thumbsup:

Think I will take your advice cheezelkat and use disposables initially - once less thing for me to worry about.

Will buy a couple a box or 2 of the Huggies 108 Newborns - can always give any unused ones away or keep them for the next bub if they don't fit.

Does anyone know what I should expect to pay for them? Or the cheapest place to get them?

Cheers

[nemosmum]

I think they are about $40 a box from memory and the cheapest place I have found is Big W they usually have specials on.

You could also try baby warehouses near you , you can buy in bulk for cheaper.

Checkout the BH directory or the yello pages for baby warehouses.

[Oscar's mum]

What I am looking for is some advice on the best cloth and disposable nappies to suit a newborn. Initally I think I will buy some of both before deciding what works for us.



As for the cloth nappies that all depends on if you would like to buy a cloth nappy that fits a newborn all the way up to toddler or you would like to buy sizes ie: small, medium, large etc etc!;)

[LucyE]

I believe that if you want to use cloth, it's just easier to start from day dot. The trick to it is to get into a routine so that you no longer have to think about it and it just happens (be it nappy changing or washing). I have found it to be no more difficult to use cloth fulltime than disposables (we use them when away from home and without easy washing facilities) and actually since cloth is more reliable for us, it has meant less washing (think baby clothes, your clothes, sheets etc).

You've been given some suggestions on brands already for disposable newborn sizes. The only other suggestion I have is to buy them in smaller packs (on sale if possible) - yes they do work out to be a little more expensive per nappy but then, keep the receipts so that you can return any unopened packs for larger sizes or a refund. This may work out more cost effective than having a stack of unused newborn sized nappies.

For cloth nappies - the choice is almost unlimited. It depends on how much you wish to spend and what sort of 'system' you want. For me, cost wasn't that much of an issue because I knew it would work out cheaper in the long run than using disposables fulltime and I am also planning on using the nappies on a second child. So, I bought sized nappies so that each nappy would get less wear and be the right fit at each stage.

For a basic summary of how many you'll expect to need, here's my formula:
newborn to 3 months - approx 12 nappies per day (it's not that cloth is less absorbant but breastfed DS was just a poo-ing machine)
3 months to 8 months - 8 nappies per day
8 months onwards - 5/6 nappies per day (the nappies can last longer inbetween changes but I'm just iffy about leaving a nappy on for more than 4 hours at a time except when they are sleeping)
So, work out how many nappies per day you need, multiply by the number of days between washing (for us it's every second day) and add a few extra for wet weather and emergencies.

As for what style or brands:
I recommend using a fitted plus cover system during the early months when they are still doing explosive breastfed poos. It is just a double layer of protection against leaks and seems to give a better fit. I like Tots Bots non aplix size 1's because they seem to give the best fit over the widest range of body types and it's difficult to guess what shape bub will be before they arrive. I also like the trimness and cuteness factor of Erica Nappies (I've got some small size cotton/bamboo blends which have been customised with velcro instead of snaps).

Once bub starts to sleep longer and do firmer poos, I like the convenience of pocket style nappies. They are usually just a 'pocket' with a waterproof/resistent outer layer and a microfleece stay dry inner, with a opening to stuff any sort of absorbant material you like to whatever thickness you like. It means there's no fiddling with liners or covers etc. They are a great option for secondary caregivers because they are just as easy as a disposable to put on.

That's all I can think of right now...

Edited to add: check out www.ozclothnappies.org for a comprehensive list of reputable Aussie and NZ WAHM nappy sellers.

[bluey]

We've pretty much used cloth since birth for all of ours (eldest is 15) - no 4 is arriving soonish. We just used terry flats and pilchers but have bought decent PUL/Fleece covers and I've also made some for this bubba. Our last little one, thought nothing of going through 18 - 24 nappies A DAY, every wet nappy was a dirty one, and I just cringed at the thought of throwing away about $10 a day on disposables. But that is totally your decision as to what you use. :) We've never found cloth to be a hassle at all. We also have some very cute newborn/small fitteds and AIO's for showing off when we go out. Have fun going through and picking out cute nappies, though don't expect newborn sized fitteds to last for long, but they have super re-sale value.

[aggero]

Thanks again ladies. I think I will have to visit a baby store and check out the cloth nappies so that I can get my head around exactly how they work and what I need. :D

[Oscar's mum]

Thanks again ladies. I think I will have to visit a baby store and check out the cloth nappies so that I can get my head around exactly how they work and what I need. :D


Hmm unfortunately you won't find the modern cloth nappies at baby stores!:crying: They are online!

[rynosmum]

I use the mamia nappies from Aldi and I find them even better then Huggies.

I have just started using these and agree completely. From 69 cents each for Huggies at our local Woolies to 39 cents each for Mammia. My DS drinks a lot as well and no leaks or issues at all.:thumbsup:

I never tried the newborn ones though.

[MumOfTwoBoys]

There were plenty of replys already but I just wanted to add my 2 cents...

I can also confirm about Mamia - they are excellent. I buy them when I have a chance to go to Aldi. Otherwise my two DS were raised with Baby Love. I find them excellen very similar to Huggies just cheaper (I usually buy a bulk when they are on special). They are also breathable, absorbent, elastic waist, etc. I love them. And for those concerned they are 50% Australian Owned.

And one more thing. I also found that at the very beginning breastfed babies have poos almost after every feed. That means that you probably will not need the superabsorbent qualities of the nappies as you won't have a chance to use this feature - you'll have to change the nappy straight away. So my suggestion is to use a cheaper stuff at the beginning (I've seen here suggestion for Woolworth's Select brand) and when the stools become more regular and formed you could switch to some more advanced quality nappies. Good luck. :wave:

[jarrahsmumma]

wow! i thought i was in a huggies commercial then:D

check out all cloth varieties online, or ask another cloth using mum who lives close by for a look.

for me fitteds work the best, there are some brands which fit from birth and others you have to buy 2-3 or even 4 size varieties as they grow. i have Baby Beehinds mostly and some home mades which i boost with hemp and microfibre.

cost wise you are up for over $3000 for a disposable baby bub, where as $1000 will get you a very plush modern cloth set up. i think i worked out you could do it for minimum $250, if you were on a tight budget.

if your up for disposables(back ups/rainy weather/i am too exhausted to do anything) then check out the bamboo ones or biodegradable ones like 7th generation...some health food shops/organic shops will sell these.

best of luck in the nappy world...can be confusing