To All The Mums That Use Cloth Nappies........

[Kamaikia]

Hi I need some advice. My son is 11 months old and in disposables. He was in cloth nappies but he got so big so fast so I swapped. I would like to go back to cloth nappies but I can't seem to get them on right. My boy is 12.4 kg. I can put one on but it is so thin that he just pees straight through it. Is there a trick, some great way of folding so that it fits a big child as well. I have looked at the nappies on different websites but they are so expensive.Money is one of the reasons I would like to go back to cloths.
Please if you have any advice share it with me
:)

[JanetF]

I use a bunch of terry flats in different covers and it's been really cheap. I fold them into a pad and put them in either weenees covers or covers a friend of mine makes that are super cheap. Let me know if you'd like her contact details. They cost about $10 each! Cheap! I've never folded nappies any other way than into a pad-shape to go between his legs with a cover to hold it in place.

[SugarBlossom]

Check out www.greenbums.com.au, they have all in ones for $12!! They look really nice
I haven't tried them yet but have ordered some, so we'll see how they go.

Or ebay is the best place to look to!

[LucyE]

I found the The Jo Fold (http://www.thenappylady.co.uk/Advice/Instructions.asp?InstructionID=2&index=1) to be the best because it gives a lot of layers at the front where needed and only two layers at the back. For a cheap solution, try boosting the nappy for more absorbancy. You can use anything such as another thinner flat terry, or face washers, microfibre terry towels (Black and Gold brand is pretty cheap in the supermarket), tea towels etc. Just so long as it gives more absorbancy. I would fold it up and place it between the nappy and the cover.

If you can afford it, I would really invest in a good quality fitted or pocket nappy. It does seem like a lot up front but you need to factor in how much you would spend on disposables in the meantime. I really like pocket nappies (FuzziBunz (www.theweewuns.au.com), Sandra's Stuffables (http://www.sandrasstuffables.com.au/) and Green Nappies (http://www.greennappies.com/) ) because they are trim yet absorbant. Because there are so many sellers these days, I would be careful about who I purchased from (check with the ozclothnappy or modern cloth website for good reliable reviews) and would be wary of 'cheaper' nappies because you do get what you pay for.

[JanetF]

I've been at the PBC Expo in Melbourne today working on a stall with cloth nappies and I have such nappy envy! They're beautiful! I've only bought exactly what we needed but the temptation to buy some beautiful new ones is pretty bad ;) Another good stuffer is microfibre cloths which you can buy in supermarkets.

[cosmic]

Thanks for those links everyone. I'm currently doing my research into cloth nappies - SO many to choose from. :confused: Are the inserts and things fairly easy to make? I'm thinking that might be a good job for my MIL! :D

LucyE - I had some trouble opening the sandra's stuffables and the green nappies links. Is the address wrong, or is it just my computer?? I had no trouble with the others. LOVE the Fuzzibunz!

[LucyE]

Whoops, got confused with the .au's :) Should work now.

If you can sew (or MIL), not only are the inserts easy to make but so are the fitted nappies. Check out BubbaEarth (http://www.bubbaearth.com.au/) for nappy making supplies and kits.

If you are interested in microfibre terry cloths, be careful as not all 'microfibre' cloths are super absorbant. Most in the cleaning aisle are a waffle weave so are designed for cleaning without chemicals and not absorption. My favourite is the Mother of Eden ones from The WeeWuns because I don't sew but I did buy a Kathmandu microfibre towel on sale and was planning on getting MIL to sew it for me. They are super thirsty.

[sasholi]

If you are looking to make some cloth inserts for say the weenies (which I LOVE), I would also look at hemp fabric. You can buy it by the meter. It is more absorbant than terry towelling and flannellette.

I also use the zappy nappy design. My mum is awesome at sewing so she bought some flannell at Spotlight (you could use hemp also or organic fabrics) and just did some. They are fantastic and so easy to use. And as bubs grows, you don't need to buy more, which is also a trap to fall into. Not all fitted nappies will last bubs "nappy life" because some are designed that you might need to buy more as bubs gets bigger... Zappies are good that way. They are one size fits most!

But i HIGHLY recommend weenies... SOOO easy to use!!