Just a few questions..

[trin_007]

Okay, so I have just purchased my first 4 or 5 MCNs off ebay so I actually have something to work with. After reading all the info in the forums here and trying to research the most recommended brands via their websites I think I am just confusing myself more and more.

So can you answer some of these questions for me:

Are the MCNs a lot bulkier than disposables - if so, do I just buy larger pants/shorts to fit over them?

Do you interchange your boosters - assuming you have several different brands/styles of MCNs - or should I pick one brand/style and stick to that?

Are bamboo/hemp boosters better (more compact, more absorbent, quicker drying) than terry's?

Are the shaped boosters better than the rectangular & prefolds?

Okay, that's it for now- but no doubt I will think of more soon :D

[vickih]

I am by no means an expert (I just started using MCNs myself) but hey, bub is asleep and I'm enjoying my escape from reality by going on the computer...

I do find MCNs bulkier than disposables- you'd be hard pressed to find ones that aren't. Having said that, some brands are less bulky than others, and I think fitted nappies are slimmer than the one-size ones. I have one-size nappies, and I find with onesies, bub generally fits in the size he's suppose to be in, but bonds are usually on the smaller side- the k-mart, target and big w brands are roomier. With pants- trial and error- some pants too small, others just right. Going a size up though means the legs are too long. Trial and error I'm afraid!

I'm just about to start interchanging my boosters- i think you can do this quite easily with pocket nappies.

Haven't tried hemp, but I'm going for bamboo cos they're more absorbant. Also have microfibre which I find good. Some people hate them, but I have a heavy wetter and haven't had a leak yet...

Haven't really noticed the difference between my shaped and rectangular inserts, but it would make sense that the shaped ones are probably better. Haven't used prefolds as I also thought they would add to the bulkiness. I could be wrong though!

Hope that helps- and I'm sure someone with years more MCN experience than me will reply soon enough:D

[mummeeto2]

Are the MCNs a lot bulkier than disposables - if so, do I just buy larger pants/shorts to fit over them?

They are a bit bulkier. Shorts you can usually up size with no probs. Kmart bottoms seem to be made better for going over cloth nappies



Do you interchange your boosters - assuming you have several different brands/styles of MCNs - or should I pick one brand/style and stick to that?

I change boosters all the time, depending on what's dry. Some people have many different types others stick to one style. Just a personal choice. One style is easier if other people will be looking after bub as different styles can be confusing.



Are bamboo/hemp boosters better (more compact, more absorbent, quicker drying) than terry's?

Bamboo & hemp are both more compact, absorbent & quicker drying than terry, bamboo is probably the most absorbent



Are the shaped boosters better than the rectangular & prefolds?

Personally I don't think the shape matters, but if you have a tummy sleeper or a boy shaped might be better as you'd have a bit extra absorbent material where it would be needed
HTH

[flutiemum]

Personally I don't find sizing of clothes much of an issue as we use sized nappies. The only time we need big sizes is at night - bulky bulky night nappies- so we usually put dd in a suit a size bigger then.

Bamboo and hemp are definately more absorbant- a set of one trifold booster and a shaped booster (bamboo) holds 2 or 3 times as much as a terry and is so much more compact.

Basically you just have to try out 2 or 3 different types of nappies to start with and give it time to decide what you like best. (What didn't work so well for us at the start now is my favourite nappy!)

[NibbleCurlynBub]

MCN's are bulkier. I haven't found that I need to change what my kids wore because of it though. :no:

Boosters don't have to be the same brand as nappies or covers, so long as they fit together ok then it doesn't matter what brands you use. Any odd assortment is fine.
I do have different kinds of nappies, covers, boosters and liners as well as bamboo fleece prefolds. I've just had a play around with them and stuck with what works. :)

Bamboo or hemp is more absorbent than terry towelling, yes. Bamboo is generally softer than hemp and more sustainable too. Both are good choices. :yes:

Prefolds and boosters both have their place. While a prefold folded into thirds lengthwise will make a VERY thirsty booster it will probably also make your nappy reasonably bulky. I use these at night with a thin fitted and cover. Fantastic, never a single leak.
Boosters are generally thinner (in terms of thickness not width) and are for 'boosting' and aren't really intended to make up the bulk of a nappy just to be added to a nappy for a teeny bit extra.

HTH. :)

[LivinOnAPrayer]

yep as everyone has said, mcns are bulkier than sposies but thats cause mcn uses material as absorbers, where sposies use chemicals. yuk.

i find alex is in her same size or in some brands one up, but shes much comfier just showing off her gorgeous fluffy bum hehehe

terry dries quicker but is was less absorbant. i find bamboo to be the best and the only way a shaped booster is better is if your using a nappy like ittis that are very trim. i use folded rectangular bamboos in alex's night naps with no probs.

you can always use differant boosters in pocket nappies (ai2) but with the likes of ittis and abbygros, the reason they;re snap in boosters is so you can change the actual booster if the nappy is still dry and use it again. i personally rather to wash the whole thing each time.

hope that helps!