Alone in my cloth world!

[BabyJoy]

Just wanted to find some like-minded mums because so far none of the mothers in my mum's group uses cloth. All the bubs are around three months old now and the group was complaining about the cost of disposables and also sharing information on which supermarket has Huggies on special. When I told them about the great modern cloth nappies you can get (and then showed my daugher's clothies to the group) they all appeared disinterested and said it was too much bother. I also told them about how much money they would save and they just shrugged their shoulders.
Doesn't anyone care about the environment anymore?
One mum said she didn't want to use cloth because she was afraid it would give her daughter nappy rash, but surely natural fibres are better than the chemicals in a disposable nappy? I told her my daughter hasn't had a rash, but she still seemed unconvinced.
I really found it hard to believe none of the mums had even considered cloth when they were preparing for their babies. It was one of the first things I bought, along with a pack of Snappies! I think for some it came down to them being too lazy to do extra loads of washing! :thumbsdown:
Please someone reassure me that I'm not alone! :rolleyes:

[veve]

oh hon .. do a search and trust me - you are not alone.. :hugs:

there are MANY cloth users on bubhub - in fact several of us are almost.. umm fanatics?? :laughing:

have a look at previous threads in the nappy section and you will find debate and deep discussion..

cloth nappies dont cause rashes... being left IN cloth nappies for too long causes rashes..

anyway - I just wanted to reply to your thread.. its late.. and I really should go to bed..

xx
Jen

[cwsmum]

Nope, you are definatly not alone in using cloth. T
here are heaps of cloth obsessed ladies here...and some who are not so cloth obsessed, like me, who are quite happy with the trusty flat nappies our grandmothers used...Tho I have invested in some better covers than the old plastic ones :thumbsup:

I'm sure some of the other clothies will be along to chat with you soon too :)

[BabyJoy]

Thanks guys!
I know there are heaps of cloth users on bubhub (that's how I found out about modern cloth nappies) but I guess what I was trying to say is that I'm disappointed that more mums these days are taking the easy way instead of the traditional way, despite the effect it has on the household budget and the environment. Maybe I'll feel differently if I have a house full of kids and less time, but with your first baby, surely every mum should give cloth a go! :yelclap:

[reAllytee]

Well to be brutally honest there was no way in hell i was going to use cloth nappies & when Boof was a newborn im glad i hadnt even tried then because i didnt even have time to use the loo let alone wash extra nappies.
But i can definately see the benefits now & although i will endeavour to use cloth straight up on the next bub im happy enough to know that i have disposables as a back up for those times when it gets too hard.
I love my clothies now & i have even converted DP so that says something ! :)

[Cheeky Little Monkey]

I converted to cloth (gosh it sounds like a cult :p ) and am suprised when I get some reactions from some other mums about it being too much effort etc.
One extra load of washing every few days is all it takes.
I use a Little Squirt to get rid of the poo and then Dry Pail till Im ready to wash them and if Im really lazy (which is often) I put them in the dryer once washed .
I love the fact my daughter is in the new modern cloth.
I love even more that I dont have to continually go out and buy disposables.
Sure I have had to pay out upfront initally to start my collection of nappies, but in the long run Im going to save heaps of money which I can put toward other things for her (or me :D ).
I guess it is a personal choice and I dont begrudge those who want to use disposables, but I would rather some people not look at me like I am insane for wanting to use cloth! Dont knock it till you try it I say.:thumbsup:

[veve]

So if you use a cloth for bed, then use a flushable stay-dry liner (which I think you should do anyway in case your baby has a cack- maybe Huggies or Snugglers etc could make a flushable liner which you tear off and flush when bub has a poo:yes: )

KFP

you dont need to use a disposable/ flushable liner at night - use a microfleece liner - it doesn't absorb liquid.,. baby stays touch dry and there is still nothing to throw out .. (best still microfleece doesn't need to be hemmed- no sewing)

either that or do what I do and use modern FLEECE nappies at night - the nappy can be on for 10 hours while DS sleeps .. and it is STILL absolutely touch dry in the morning ..

xx

[cwsmum]

either that or do what I do and use modern FLEECE nappies at night - the nappy can be on for 10 hours while DS sleeps .. and it is STILL absolutely touch dry in the morning ..

xx

So what would you suggest for DD who sleeps 12+ hrs a night every night? Disposables leave lines on her legs which can't be comfortable for her...and she doesn't have chubby legs at all :(

[Cheeky Little Monkey]

Just jumping in here about the 12 hr + night question.
My 7 month old daughter generally sleeps at least 12 hours a night.
I generally use a Missy Moo fleece pocket nappy stuffed with hemp and occassionally a microfibre with a microfleece liner on top. I find that the softness of the fleece doesnt leave any red marks on her rather chubby thighs and it doesnt need a seperate cover either. Otherwise I use a Babybeehinds Bamboo fitted nappy with a CuteTooshies Cuddlebuns wool nappy cover.....again they dont leave any marks.

[reAllytee]

So what would you suggest for DD who sleeps 12+ hrs a night every night? Disposables leave lines on her legs which can't be comfortable for her...and she doesn't have chubby legs at all :(


Boof sleeps 10 - 12hrs every nite & last nite we had a 13hr nite :eek: ( i think i nearly died of shock when i look at the alarm clock ! ) We use the Green Kids Dreamytimes which arent available anymore :o but Sandras Stuffables & a few other WAHM's make similar fleece nappies. They are basically made of a double fleece outside & fleece inside which i stuff with a hemp insert wrapped around a microfibre insert. This lasts no problems & Boof is a heavy wetter. The fleece nappy is a great nite nappy because as Veve said it keeps bubs bum dry as it keeps all wetness away from them & draws it into the stuffing & then with the outside being double fleece it means that it actually gets airflow through meaning some of the wetness evapourates ! So sometimes i find his p.j's are damp from this but he is as dry as anything & very happy .... Guess thats why we even scored 13hrs LOL ! If your not wanting to try one of the fleece nappies depending on what clothies you have all you may need a is good hemp insert for nites & your ready to roll :)

I had a week away last week & im sad to say i had Boof in them for the trip made me rather sad looking at his legs with the marks & he would whinge because he doesnt like the feel of them. He was happy to be home thats for sure & i was too i had forgotten the nasty smell that disposies get !

[bluey]

So what would you suggest for DD who sleeps 12+ hrs a night every night? Disposables leave lines on her legs which can't be comfortable for her...and she doesn't have chubby legs at all :(

We have one that does that in a night nappy too! We use a variety - though hubbies favourite is a Keester Kover Windpro - AIO. We also use HoneyBoy! it doesn't need a separate cover either, or Baby Beehind Bamboo or Very Baby Simply Nights, both of those require covers and we use a MM fleece cover on them. Works a treat, no leaks - we had more leaks and marks when we did use disposables at night - we've been terry flat users forever, but they just didn't cut it at night. The new bub will be cloth from day one, as were the girls, we didn't have disposables those days :)

And back to the OP - I agree with you, 1 extra load of washing, every couple of days is nothing - it's just lazy to say cloth is soooo much more work, it's totally not. I'd much rather spend 10 minutes every couple of days doing an extra load of washing, that forking out $40 plus dollars a week, on something you throw away. Plus MCN are wayyyy cuter than sposies.

[Funkychicken]

Yep, another clothie user here! Fortunately most of my friends use cloth too so I have bubhub friends and real world friends who are clothies too!:D

[Rainbowbrite]

Another Clothie convert here :smiliedance:

But an old fashioned one :p We use terry squares of a day 99% of the time. I also have an Eenie cover & 2 greens funtimes which i love. Of a night MJ wears Greens anytimes with a hemparoo & microfibre booster, thats for atleast 12hours too. Only ever had probs when i've not put it on properly or her pants get caught up the leg.

[blueeyes]

Cloth mumma and bubba here as well. But I get so confused about all the cloth talk and products. Reading some of the earlier posts I have no idea what you are all talking about.
I use the old squares and microfibre liners and nappy covers. Isnt that enough? :eek: Or is there another world of space age cloth nappies?:laughing:

Mel :D

[BabyJoy]

I guess it is a personal choice and I dont begrudge those who want to use disposables, but I would rather some people not look at me like I am insane for wanting to use cloth! Dont knock it till you try it I say.:thumbsup:

That's exactly my point! :D I felt like a weirdo using cloth when all the other mums use disposables. So glad I'm not alone on bubhub!
I also use terry squares during the day and dry pailing works really well - would never have believed it until I tried it. My fave nappy ATM is Ella's House Bumhugger - the lining is pink!

[Cheeky Little Monkey]

Well I guess maybe some dont want to use the modern cloth nappies (or terry flats) because they truly dont understand (or comprehend) how easy they are (my husband included - Im slowly converting him from putting a disposable on Gabrielle) I dont think I would have converted over to using them without the obsessive research I put into it (ie BUBHUB threds and Nappycino threds etc) before making my purchases.
Its also easy to ball a nappy up and throw it in the bin. But in saying that I am way too lazy to keep trecking out to the wheelie bin in the cold and rain to dump them in there also!
I am no expert on nappies but in the past months have learned so much.
The nappy lingo was the hardest to understand (boosting, wicking, fitted, pocket etc etc)., that is why Im always happy to discussand share information with anyone who wants to know about what I have. I dont think I am superior/smug in anyway by using them, I just am happy that I have made what I think is a wise choice in regard to the family finances, the environment and my daughters bum!

[Mischief]

Cloth bubba here too!

We only used the disposables while we were in the hospital.

At first I thought we would use disposables at night and when we went out too, but nope, after a week of using clothes we ditched the disposables all together. I'm such an expert at folding the nappies now, it doesnt take me any longer to fold a cloth than it does to pull the disposable out of the packet! :)

I do the washing once every 2 days usually....and use the homebrand nappy liners. You just pull them out and dispose of them, then pop the nappy in a pail or the machine with some napisan. If any solids spill out over the liner I just rinse it off under the tap!

Oh and a tip for easy cloth use. When I get them out of the dryer I just fold them ready for use. Easy peasey!

[Gumby]

I am a convert too. I didnt use cloth with my first 2 but i read another ladies post about them and i was hooked. I brought myself 24 "fluffies" terry towelling nappies, 4-11kgs. 20 polar fleece liners and 12 "fluffies" over pants.
Do i need anything else??
Being my first time with cloth I am not sure if these brand and or sorts are right for me and my bub but for some reason I am really excited and cant wait to use them. Does this sound odd? lol
I just think the cloths are such a good investment..

[faery]

oohhhh another clothie!!
currently using terry towel squares, but a friend gave me a zappy nappy and I am about to sink some money into setting myself up with some zappies! so great! and if you have enough nappies, you only have to do the wash every couple of days

[yeya]

I am having my first bubs in Nov, and I am considering using cloth nappies...
Is the cost cut dramatic, even taking into account extra washes, sanitiser etc??
I have used cloth nappies on older children before (18 months +) Is it harder to put them onto such a littley???
Any advice would be appreciated...

[BabyJoy]

Rian, I think you've got a good amount to begin with. Personally I don't have as many covers because you can keep reusing them through the day unless they get poo on them. You should do a search on the web for all the modern cloth nappies mentioned in previous posts because they are fabulous, especially for newborns when the terry squares are just way too bulky.

Yeya, I did the sums and figured I would save at least $1500 over two years, by using cloth instead of disposables. With newborns, invest in some fitted cloth nappies so they sit snug on baby... terry squares are too bulky and you could have leaks, especially since little bubs poo and wee a LOT. Or perhaps you should stock up now on a couple of boxes of disposables for newborns, and then change to cloth when bub is a bit bigger and not pooing as much. With regards to washing, dry pailing is brilliant... just put dirty nappies in a nappy bucket with a few drops of lavender or tea tree oil to eliminate odours and when it is full, put the whole lot in the machine, set to a warm/hot temperature and make sure it has a good hour to soak (most machines have this function). You should only use a small amount of powder or liquid detergent (half the amount recommended on the box) because the detergent can really get into the cloth and over time might affect baby's bum. You probably think you need to use heaps of detergent to get the poo stains out, but trust me, you don't. I don't use Napisan either, it's too harsh, just regular washing powder, and also don't use fabric softeners. I have found that my nappies stay soft as long as I give them a good shake before hanging them on the line in the sun (natural bleaching!) and then perhaps once a fortnight they get a spin on the gentle cycle in the dryer (I do live in the tropics where it rains a lot!). None of my nappies have stains and they are still as soft as the day I bought them. :thumbsup:
Hope that helps you out!

[bluey]

Is the cost cut dramatic, even taking into account extra washes, sanitiser etc??
I have used cloth nappies on older children before (18 months +) Is it harder to put them onto such a littley???
Any advice would be appreciated...

Ah yes I would say dramatic, we sat down and worked out what it's cost us to cloth bottom 4 children $1500 - disposables with the same number of changes $8000, so we are wayyyy ahead, and you don't need santiser either. We wash atm nappies every 2nd day, but that will change to every day when the new bundle arrives, our 2 yo, is still in nappies. We like to change as soon as wet, so you can expect anywhere of 15 plus nappies a day for a newborn, we went through between 18 and 24 changes, and that's alot of money to throw down the drain.

We will use terry flats and pins with good quality covers on our newborn, as we have for all the rest, but we do also have this time, some fitteds and AIOs for showing off and going out. We didnt' have any poo explosions in the terry flats, and there are lots of folds out there, suitable for newborns. Terry flats, also have the advantage of being quick drying, when you go through so many nappies in a day. And you can fold for a boy or girl, as they wet in different areas.

There are some good website with loads on information - try www.modernclothnappies.org or www.ozclothnappies.org

Cheers

[yeya]

Thanks guys for all your input.. Much appreciated :yes:
I figure our enviroment has enough to contend to without me adding to the pressure!!!
Will definatly be investing in some cloth nappies....
Cheers

[bilbymum]

the green friendly disposables. I am preg. with my first so this is all theory to me - but i have come across (so far):

- bambo nature nappies - from nappies galore in your city, www.greenkids (http://www.greenkids) sent me a sample
- 7th generation nappies - from nature's child (byron bay) and nature's cradle (adelaide)
- eenees disposable pads and nappy system
- moltex nappies that you buy online at www.neco (http://www.neco), haven't found out where i can buy them in my city yet
(if YOU know of any others, please post)

some of these are compostable, some are unbleached, but the point is, you do throw them away, but they break down in landfill. I intend to buy these kind of nappies for my newborn, as the hospitals ask you to take in 40 disposables for the peri-natal period + when i first get home and am all at sea with new bub.

After that, i intend on using sherpa or hemp prefolds for absorbency, sherpa inserts, microfleece liners, with PUL covers. But practice is always different than theory - i really don't know until i am using them on a real life baby!!!

I think people are used to convenience (whatever is in the multinational supermarket) and alternatives ARE harder to track down, it takes more effort. I am sure if the clothies were in supermarkets, that option would be explored by more new parents.

I joined the Natural Parenting Assoc in my state and found nearly all the parents there have their kids in cloth nappies. I realise when i am in most playgroups, breastfeeding groups etc i will probably be in the minority, but it is nice to find SOMEWHERE where your so-called alternative choice, is seen as popular.

[bilbymum]

Cloth mumma and bubba here as well. But I get so confused about all the cloth talk and products. Reading some of the earlier posts I have no idea what you are all talking about.
I use the old squares and microfibre liners and nappy covers. Isnt that enough? :eek: Or is there another world of space age cloth nappies?:laughing:

Mel :D

yes there is Mel. not quite SPACE age, but definately MODERN AGE!!! :yelclap:

I have been researching cloth nappies for maybe four months now and lemme tell you, it has been a STEEP learning curve for me! so much lingo i had to learn to decipher the websites!!!

OLD CLOTH NAPPIES (when i was a baby)
= terry towelling cloth square, chux wipes for liner, plastic pilchers

MODERN CLOTH NAPPIES ( as of now )
= many choices

the main diff seems to be the fabrics used, the covers, and the shapes.
F A B R I C S
e.g you can now buy nappy squares (also called pre-folds) in fabrics like sherpa, hemp as well as terry towelling. The difference is the absorbency factor. It is also not just a single layer of fabric. They are sewn so that you might have for e.g 8 layers in the middle third and 4 layers in the outer two thirds of the prefold nappy. You really need to see a pic to understand it i think (well that's how i got it).

C O V E R S
the other diff is not using pilchers, but using nappy covers instead. They are pricier but much more effective and don't tear like cheap pilchers do. Some do up with a velcro called Aplix and some do up with snaps on the side. Some are made of PUL and some are made of fleece. There are also Soakers, which look like handknitted little shorts.

S H A P E S
then there are nappies that are shaped LIKE a disposable and have elastic around the legs, do up with either snaps or velcro (Aplix), made of many diff fabrics e'g bamboo, hemp, flannelette, fleece:

types of shaped nappies -

AIO's - All in ones (a nappy with a built in cover, comes in sizes)

Pocket nappies - nappies that have a gusset in the middle that you stuff with absorbent material, some have built in cover, others you put a separate nappy cover over the nappy to make it waterproof.

One size - nappies that are SO adjustable that you use them from birth to toilet training age. They have heaps of snaps to adjust the size.

Fitted nappies - i feel least able to explain these ones, they come in a range of sizes. They need a cover i think.

The fun part of all this is that the nappies and covers come in gorgy colours and patterns.
The green part of all this is the re-usable factor and not filling up landfill.
The money part of this is that the clothies cost sig. less than the disposables in all ways.
The clothies don't need bleach and amnonia either.

Other lingo includes:

doublers, inserts, - all to absorb wee - fabrics used such as microfibre

liners - so poo stays put and doesn't stain entire nappy i think - fabrics used such as microfleece

many of the experienced clothies use lots of shortcuts like BB for Baby Beehinds, all those letters confuse me cos there are SO many cloth names on the online market. Loads of "work at home mums" - referred to as WAHM's, who sew the nappies, many distribute thru a big website like darlings downunder, or the weewuns, or ozebaby (not individual websites).

Anyhoo, this is not exhaustive and i am sure, not perfect, but it is what i have picked up during my "learning curve".

But Mel, if wot you are already using is rocking your world, no need to change. I find it interesting to read what works and what doesn't work for others, but i am at the discovery stage, you sound like you already have your situation sussed, so good on you.