Cloth nappies - tell me more.....

[MrsP]

Just hoping to get some advice - good & bad.....

I'm due in February and am really considering the cloth nappy situation....

With first child, I used disposables all the way, but am wanting to learn more about cloth nappies as much as possible before this one is born as I think I'm "up for the challenge" to try something new with this bub.

DS will be at school and I plan on being a SAHM, so finances will be extremely thin for a while I imagine. It was suggested to me that I use the original cloth nappies with liners & the pants that go over them during the day, and then if I wanted, to then use disposables during the night.

Then I hear about the fitted cloth nappies and all the different types and now I'm totally confused! I read on another thread that a fellow bubhub member worked out that she saves 25c per nappy by using cloth (I would assume this takes into account initial purchase, washing, etc as opposed to disposables), so given the course of time, this is a great saving.

So I suppose my questions to cloth users are (bearing in mind I have ONLY ever used disposables in the past):

1. What type of cloth nappy do you use?
2. How many do you go through per day?
3. How many would you suggest I purchase before bubs arrives?
4. How long do the cloth nappies last for? ie: When will I be looking at purchasing more..
5. Is it messier to use cloth nappies as opposed to cloth?

I'm so hoping someone can help me with these questions. I feel quite uneducated, but when it comes to finances & the environment, I would really like to give them a go - I suppose I'm asking you to convert me :laughing:

Thanks in advance,
MrsP

[kymmy]

1. What type of cloth nappy do you use?

I like fitteds made with natural materials like organic cotton, hemp and bamboo. I use wool covers or soakers over that.

2. How many do you go through per day?

Av is 14 mths and goes through about 5-7 a day.

3. How many would you suggest I purchase before bubs arrives?

For a newborn flats and prefolds are great (with quality covers) as they go through so many changes and its cheaper yet with the right cover effective.

4. How long do the cloth nappies last for? ie: When will I be looking at purchasing more..

If you buy one sized nappies they should fit til tt and for future children also.
If you were to buy newborn fitteds you may be better off buying small and medium sizes dep[ending on the size of your bub.

5. Is it messier to use cloth nappies as opposed to cloth?

Do you mean is it messier to use diff styles of cloth? I use fitteds and covers and only occassionally it has leaked and it is always saved by the cover. I find them easy to clean. I find them easier to clean than flats.

hth

[Zada]

1. What type of cloth nappy do you use? I use fitteds & covers
2. How many do you go through per day? at 4 months my boy uses 5-6 inc night time one
3. How many would you suggest I purchase before bubs arrives? get trial packs incase they dont suit ure bub. But from a newborn maybe 18 and 4 or so covers
4. How long do the cloth nappies last for? ie: When will I be looking at purchasing more.. they can last several bubs so long as u take care of them
5. Is it messier to use cloth nappies as opposed to cloth? not at all inface its easier:thumbsup:

[Two Little Buggalugs]

Hi Mrs P,

I've been looking into the cloth systems as well - the lovely bubhub clothies have been giving lots of great advice.

I'm still only just grasping the terminology though. What state are you in? I'm in Victoria and was thinking about organising a demonstration from one of the companies. Baby Beehinds do demos, but I might try nurture nappies and see if they'll demo a whole lot of brands for a group.

Let me know if you're interested.

Karen x

[CurlyG]

Just hoping to get some advice - good & bad.....

I'm due in February and am really considering the cloth nappy situation....

With first child, I used disposables all the way, but am wanting to learn more about cloth nappies as much as possible before this one is born as I think I'm "up for the challenge" to try something new with this bub.

DS will be at school and I plan on being a SAHM, so finances will be extremely thin for a while I imagine. It was suggested to me that I use the original cloth nappies with liners & the pants that go over them during the day, and then if I wanted, to then use disposables during the night.

Then I hear about the fitted cloth nappies and all the different types and now I'm totally confused! I read on another thread that a fellow bubhub member worked out that she saves 25c per nappy by using cloth (I would assume this takes into account initial purchase, washing, etc as opposed to disposables), so given the course of time, this is a great saving.

So I suppose my questions to cloth users are (bearing in mind I have ONLY ever used disposables in the past):

1. What type of cloth nappy do you use?
2. How many do you go through per day?
3. How many would you suggest I purchase before bubs arrives?
4. How long do the cloth nappies last for? ie: When will I be looking at purchasing more..
5. Is it messier to use cloth nappies as opposed to cloth?

I'm so hoping someone can help me with these questions. I feel quite uneducated, but when it comes to finances & the environment, I would really like to give them a go - I suppose I'm asking you to convert me :laughing:

Thanks in advance,
MrsP

:wave: MrsP!

What type of cloth nappy do you use?
I use mainly fitteds as well, with a variety of covers - PUL (polyurethane laminate), fleece and wool, but the wool is MUCH better than the other two IMO. Baby BeeHinds are my main stock and they sell both hemp and bamboo nappies and are newborn - TT.

How many do you go through per day?
That depends on the fabric of the nappy. with the really high quality fabric (bamboo), then I can get up to 5 hours out of a nappy, so then only have 4-5 changes a day. But with other fabrics like hemp and flannel (hemp is better than flannel though) I use 6-7 a day. And with newborns you will use more than that.

How many would you suggest I purchase before bubs arrives?
For the newborn period, I second what Kymmy said. Go for prefolds (cotton prefolds can be bought from Little Koala for $2-$3 each), three good quality covers (BBH PUL covers are good, TotsBots PUL and fleece covers are good too), and a couple of snappis (pins are outdated now! Snappis are much easier). And while you're using those you can build up your stash ready for when bub is ready for different nappies (i.e. after the first 4-6weeks).

How long do the cloth nappies last for? ie: When will I be looking at purchasing more..
I find it VERY cost effective to buy one size nappies i.e. fit from newborn to toilet training. Baby Beehinds fulfill this criteria :)

5. Is it messier to use cloth nappies as opposed to cloth?
Modern Cloth Nappies are not as messy as the traditional cloth nappies. And all cloth nappies are messier than sposies, but IMO they're not really that messy at all IYKWIM? I find cloth nappies much easier than sposies :thumbsup:

Ok, I hope that's not too much info! Feel free to ask more questions or PM me for some of the links I have talked about here.

[MrsP]

Thanks for your replies ladies :thumbsup:

Just a quick question - are prefolds the original type of cloth nappies?? And what are snappies?? I understand that they replace the old fashioned pins, but are they the "3 point" connector thingies?

Man I have some learning to do lol!!!

[CurlyG]

Prefolds are kinda like the old terry flats, but their smaller, more absorpant and require a lot less folding. And snappi are the Y connector thingo :thumbsup:

[kymmy]

Are you Maori?
Yes prefolds are like flats in a modern way with more sewn in the middle for absorbency. I have organic cotton ones which are nice.

[MrsP]

Cool :thumbsup:

Thank you all so much for being supportive of my uneducated cloth nappy mind! I don't know anyone that uses cloth, so your advice is greatly appreciated!

So the general consenses is that you should only use the Little Koala prefolds for the first few weeks (in line with using say Huggies Newborn Disposables) and then move onto the other types that you have suggested.....

So, what would the disadvantages be if I used prefolds after this, and not the fitted type that you all are using?

[MrsP]

Are you Maori?
Yes prefolds are like flats in a modern way with more sewn in the middle for absorbency. I have organic cotton ones which are nice.

No.....why you ask??

[Zada]

all come down to personal preferance...if ure really on a budget, theres a bummis kit that has 36 prefolds, 6 covers & flushable liners for $220:thumbsup: goes up to 7kg then theres another size up

[MrsP]

all come down to personal preferance...if ure really on a budget, theres a bummis kit that has 36 prefolds, 6 covers & flushable liners for $220:thumbsup: goes up to 7kg then theres another size up

Good value:thumbsup: ! Is that from the Little Koala website?

I totally understand the personal preference thing, but as I have not used cloth in the past, I don't know any different than my experience with disposables, which makes it all confusing to me. I was just sourcing the disadvantages of using prefolds past the newborn stage so as I could hopefully make up my own mind from there :)

I feel like a first time mother again!!! So many things change in such a short time.

Thanks again all.

[waawa]

So the general consenses is that you should only use the Little Koala prefolds for the first few weeks (in line with using say Huggies Newborn Disposables) and then move onto the other types that you have suggested.....

So, what would the disadvantages be if I used prefolds after this, and not the fitted type that you all are using?

I used infant prefolds for the first few months, then moved on to premium sized prefolds which were still the basis of our day to day stash for the next year or so. You might need to add a booster for heavier wetters. I used fleece-topped boosters, so they were a booster and liner in one.

Cost out the Bummis kit separately at a couple of stores before buying it: when I calculated it out recently, buying the same setup at the Weewuns was actually cheaper, without the liners but with three free Snappies.

Lara

[CurlyG]

The disadvantages of using prefolds past the newborn stage would be that as the bubbas get older they wee a lot more and the prefolds don't really hold too much liquid. They're just more useful in those early days because they a more snug fit than the old terry flats and it can sometimes be hard to fit even the "from newborn" one sized nappies onto the small newborn figure.

If you go for the Bummis prefold set ($220 from Nurture Nappies) then while you're using those you can always layby your next lot. Baby Beehinds (fitted one size nappies) have layby available on their website as do GreenKids (one size pocket nappies) and both of these websites have great package deals!

[kymmy]

No.....why you ask??

Puku in your sig. What does that mean to you? In Maori it means 'stomach'.

It may be a good idea to trial diff nappies and from there you can find your own preference.

Some ppl use prefolds in pockets later on. Or for boosting. Also can use them for tummy time etc.

[waawa]

Some ozclothnappies members, including myself, have done absorbency testing on various nappies.

We found infant cotton prefolds to absorb 250-280 g, and premium cotton prefolds to absorb 425-450 g.

For comparison (just a few chosen nappies):
Canningvale terry square: 350-500
Flannelette square: 195
Tots Bots size 2 : 350-450
Kooshies small: 270
Kind Hearted Woman Hemp: 490
Zappy Nappy: 280
Large Fuzzibunz insert: 315

Lara

[MrsP]

[quote=kymmy;1010423]Puku in your sig. What does that mean to you? In Maori it means 'stomach'.

Ha! I never knew this! My DH (no, not Maori either) has lovingly called bubs/growing tum that ever since we found out we were pregnant.

You learn something new everyday hey?

He's probably been wondering how long it was going to take me to "get it" lol!! Pity it's taken close to 9 months :laughing: So I'll ask him if he knows tonight when he gets home :)

[GreenTreeFrog]

We found infant cotton prefolds to absorb 250-280 g, and premium cotton prefolds to absorb 425-450 g.

Lara

Thank you for posting that list Lara. I am a prefold fan too and think they get left off peoples lists too often.
Don't discount them, they are easy to make too, and you can also dress the plain ones up with a strip of patterned fabric down the centre of the outside. You can also cut off a piece from the top of the large ones, overlock the side of the smaller piece then overlock across the top of the prefold catching the short end of the cut off piece in so it sits in the centre like an attached booster.

[CurlyG]

Wow, thanks for the info Lara! I had no idea they were actually that good! I sometimes use the BBH prefolds on DD and they work well as what I thought was a "one hour only" nappy.
Lara you're :thumbsup:

[MrsP]

Some ozclothnappies members, including myself, have done absorbency testing on various nappies.

We found infant cotton prefolds to absorb 250-280 g, and premium cotton prefolds to absorb 425-450 g.

For comparison (just a few chosen nappies):
Canningvale terry square: 350-500
Flannelette square: 195
Tots Bots size 2 : 350-450
Kooshies small: 270
Kind Hearted Woman Hemp: 490
Zappy Nappy: 280
Large Fuzzibunz insert: 315

Lara

Yes, thank you Lara. Not sure what it all means (I have no idea what a normal wee is "worth" if that's what the figures relate to:laughing: ), but by other people's responses, it puts them into a good light.

Since posting this thread and receiving the info, I have been googling like a crazy woman!!! I'm on a mission to convince hubby that this is a good thing, cause the info I have now found out makes me feel horrid that I used disposables with the first! Far out, the things you learn hey........

[CurlyG]

:yelclap: MrsP!!!!
Let us know when you make your first order...we all love to get excited about each others purchases! LOL! :laughing: :laughing:

[MrsP]

Excellent!!! I love sharing excitement! I'm jam packed with info now to bombard DH when he gets home from work :laughing: Never mind the housework that should have been done today :eek:

I have already bought a few packets of Huggies newborn disposables which might make the first few weeks of recovery easier for me (I'm having a c-sect), but once those are gone, I will DEFINITELY be using cloth - consider me converted!!! (Didn't take much, hey lol!!)

I like the idea of the All Size ones, so looks like it could be Greenkids at this stage, unless anyone else can put me onto another all size brand in the meantime.

Thanks so much everyone - I no longer feel uneasy about using cloth/fitted and I'm sooo excited (think Big Kev :laughing: - may he RIP :gloomy: )