View Full Version : I'm a bit too chicken to switch to cloth...
Maybe a bit overwhelmed would be more like it!
I think I've read every sticky and thread and suffering information overload. Hi Em :wave:
I want to try cloth and I want it to be easy. DP does not support the switch to cloth at all!!! So, I'm thinking pockets or AIO's would be best for us. At this stage I don't want to have to bother with covers etc... My DS is 20 months old so I would be starting with him.
Any suggestions on what to get and from where?
the_queen
10-05-2007, 23:10
Go to darlings downunder, they have a good selection of different kinds of nappies, they also have package deals and Tania is really lovely to deal with.
I have tried quite a few different brands - my boy has just turned 1 so we've been experimenting for 12 months :D I use bamboo fitted nappies at night, with woollen covers (ie knitted pajama pants, treated with lanolin, to make them waterproof) and I've just made a bulk purchase of AIO's (with a PUL outer, I don't like fleece outers) so we'll be using them during the day.
My advice would be to get maybe 1 pocket, 1 AIO, 1 fitted, a fleece cover and a PUL cover, and a pair of woollen shorties - then once a day, put him in cloth, and after a few weeks of doing this, see which kind you like best. Some people absolutely LOVE pockets. I don't, because I can't stuff them right, and I never actually fold my clean nappies :laughing: They come off the line and go into "The Nappy Basket" and I get them out of there as I need them. So to have to stuff pockets etc... it's all too much work for this single mummy! Also I hate having to pull the wet boosters out of the nappy - worse if it's pooey...
AIO's is basically the most like disposables (in regards to ease of use), BUT AIO's take a while to dry, so you need more of them.
I like AIO's. But I suggest you go to darlings downunder, they have a great range there.
SassyMummy
11-05-2007, 00:25
I like The Wee Wuns more than Darlings Downunder... maybe because I like the range they have there better (and because they were far quicker in sending out my package than Darlings was...).
Anyway, DD is 21 months and I'm slowly making the switch too. DP didn't support it, but so what? I figure I'm the one who washes things, and I'm the one who deals with the nappies far more than anyone else... so I'm the one who gets to decide.
I prefer pockets.
I thought I'd like AIOs better and got a few, but everyone warned me about how long they take to dry. They take forever. I hate that. They also seem less absorbant than the pockets... I guess because I can stuff my pockets as much as I need to... whereas the AIOs have one "setting" in regards to absorbancy.
I haven't used fitteds because I can't be stuffed dealing with them... and also the most talked about one (Baby Beehinds Bamboo) aren't made large enough to fit my girl...
When getting Pockets, I like the trimmer styles, because I've found the larger ones don't fit well under pants. Some people like to use nappies as a fashion item as well as a nappy... but I couldn't care less really. I use them as a cheap alternative to disposables, so fit, absorbancy and price are my major concerns.
My fave 2 nappies are my Swaddlebees Pockets and my PeaPods. PeaPods are super cheap, but I've found they work perfectly fine for my heavy-wetting DD.
I also love Bees Nees (made by Bekkyboo on BH) for night because they're brilliant. They're bulky though, which is why I only use them for night.
I also like Happy Heinys, but they're a bit bulkier and while they CAN fit under some of DDs clothes, other nappies fit better.
I like pockets the best...
Snugglepot
11-05-2007, 06:32
ETs Mum, You are in the exact place I was 2 months ago when DS was 20 months! I read everything, got confused, it cleared a little then I realised I was still thinking about cloth months later and reading every thread on it here! That made me take the plunge. As everyone seems to have a different favourite type of Nappy I decided to try them all! Nurture Nappies have a stash pack that has 5 nappies and a cover in it for $160. Sounds a lot, but you get great nappies!
Bumgenious Pocket - I love this one, small, easy to use and fits under clothes well
Itti bitti, one of the most sought after and trimmest and easiest AIO the inserts snap in, so like and all in one with out the drying time.
Bamboozle - bamboo fitted, it needs a cover, but I like the soft bamboo and it looks cute
Tots Bots Cotton, also a fitted, but I actually quiet like it and part of the Cloth for DS is that I want to help toilet traiin him and these 2 let him feel how wet he is.
Baby greens Hemp fitted. I am not too fussed on this one, mainly cos I can not get it to fit right
Berry Plush cover, gorgeous minke nappy, but make sure you order the inserts at the same time for $11 or so and you have another sought after and raved about nappy (I love this one!)
I think it is a good way to see what you think and you can sell them on Monkeys undies or Buy for baby if you done like them. I am sure you will though, I can not believe how into them I am and I want to go cloth Fulltime for the new bub too. Oh and I planning to get mostly One size nappies (like bumgenious pockets) so that they fit both kids.
Go for it ETsmummy! And let us know how you go and what you decide to get!
PS sorry for the :ecomcity:
Snugglepot
11-05-2007, 06:55
How to convince Hubby....... I worked out that I needed to use each nappy I got 3 times a week for 5 months to equal the cost of the same amount of disposables. (I use the cheapest sposies, if you use huggies you could probably halve that:laughing: ) You could use them 4 times a week or more probably, but I work nearly fulltime, so it is a bit harder!
Why hello there ET:wave:
I can't really add much more as there's some really good info in the previous posts:thumbsup:
Most of dd2's nappies are fitteds that need a cover, but we also have some AI2's (an all in one that has a snap in insert rather than being sewn in) called Berry Plush. These are fantastic and an easy nappy to put on.
Can't recommend anything else as I haven't tried others!
Great to see you in here though:yes:
Hello :wave:
Yes cloth can be very overwhelming. I have learnt so much since using cloth!
I suggest trying a few different types of nappy before you decide on one as they can vary and babies vary (shape and wetness etc)
My bub is 18 mths and we have used mostly fitteds and wool covers for the past 10 months. we have found them to be the most effective. Pockets are handy and easy though once stuffed.
My mil complains about cloth being too complex so I would like to have a few pockets for her to use.
A word of advice: it is highly addictive...watch where your money goes...!!!
I started out to do my bit helping out the environment but i don't think i have saved anymore money than if i went disposables....
I have waaaayyy too many nappies just for one little bub...unneccessary...but i'm addicted and i have stopped buying as of today :)
You could use them 4 times a week or more probably, but I work nearly fulltime, so it is a bit harder!
Does your bub go to daycare? check if you can send cloth to daycare with him? that's what I do :yes:.
I use Bumgenius AIOs and pockets for daycare as they're so easy to use, they're virtually stainproof (so if the poo isn't rinsed off till afternoon, it doesn't matter), they can be rolled up easily so that all the other nappies in the wetbag don't get pooey, and they dry fast! I think the carer prefers the AIOs as she always seems to choose them over the pockets (judging by the used nappies which come home) :detective:
If you're worried about getting enough use out of them to make them financially worthwhile - don't forget that used nappies have a good resale value if you take care of them properly and if they haven't been used to 'death'. So if your DS toilet trains and there's plenty of life in the nappies yet, you can sell them and make quite a bit of your money back.
Are you wanting to use these with the bun that's in the oven?
You could look at a OSFA (one size fits all) that would fit both ds and newborn, plus some in a specific size just for ds.
Or at least with the nappies you buy for ds now you'll be able to save them for bub later on down the track.
misskittyfantastico
11-05-2007, 19:26
Are you wanting to use these with the bun that's in the oven?
You could look at a OSFA (one size fits all) that would fit both ds and newborn, plus some in a specific size just for ds.
Or at least with the nappies you buy for ds now you'll be able to save them for bub later on down the track.
He he...I use this with Dh to justify yet another MCN purchase - and I'm not even pregnant yet!
I do plan on using my nappies on number 2 though.
Blueberry Crumble
11-05-2007, 21:04
In regards to taking longer to dry, I have a baby beehinds bamboo and it sometimes takes 4 days to dry depending on the weather. They are lovely, but I dont know if i will buy more for this reason.
But my Mummys Touch AIO dont take more than a day on the line to dry- they are excellent. They have these on the naturescradle website
mumofKieran
11-05-2007, 21:24
The BBB, does it take 4 days to dry even when hung outside? Is this common for bamboo nappies?
The BBB, does it take 4 days to dry even when hung outside? Is this common for bamboo nappies?
It really depends on where you are and your whether. In summer it takes no more than a day or less for mine to dry.
In winter I will put them on the line for the day (for the sun to sanitise them) and then finish them off in the dryer.
eta: because bamboo is so absorbent it also means it takes longer to dry, especially if you compare it to cotton.
MrsMiggins
11-05-2007, 21:54
Maybe a bit overwhelmed would be more like it!
I think I've read every sticky and thread and suffering information overload. Hi Em :wave:
I want to try cloth and I want it to be easy. DP does not support the switch to cloth at all!!! So, I'm thinking pockets or AIO's would be best for us. At this stage I don't want to have to bother with covers etc... My DS is 20 months old so I would be starting with him.
Any suggestions on what to get and from where?
:eek: OMG!!! I could have written that post!!!!
Except for the fact that mine is a DD & she is 19 months old!! (And I'll also be using them on my newborn!)
DH is adamant that we are not switching to cloth (like he has a say in the matter! pfft!) but little does he know what I plan on spending DD's immunisation bonus on!!! *laughs evilly & rubs hands together*:devil6:
Wow! And here I thought I was the only one!!
mumofKieran
11-05-2007, 21:54
So on a winter's day in full sun, a hemp or bamboo nappy still may not dry by evening? I live in Dubbo NSW so it's usually sunny but not that warm in winter, say about 15 degrees in the middle of the day. The only nappy I have tried so far is the bumGenius and this dries within a couple of hours but I want to get more, but we don't have a drier so maybe I should stick to something faster-drying than hemp? If you had a warm house is there any chance the nappies would dry overnight if hung inside? Sorry about all the Q's.
Blueberry Crumble
11-05-2007, 22:04
but little does he know what I plan on spending DD's immunisation bonus on!!!
What is an immunisation bonus???
Chub Chub
11-05-2007, 22:11
:eek: OMG!!! I could have written that post!!!!
Except for the fact that mine is a DD & she is 19 months old!! (And I'll also be using them on my newborn!)
DH is adamant that we are not switching to cloth (like he has a say in the matter! pfft!) but little does he know what I plan on spending DD's immunisation bonus on!!! *laughs evilly & rubs hands together*:devil6:
Wow! And here I thought I was the only one!!
Nope not the only one!
I have read all the stickys and the difference in MCN's is still as clear as mud!
I figure it all come down to personal preference as to which nappies you prefer (much like disposables I suppose:rolleyes: ).
My DD has been toilet trained since 20 months but I am planning number 2 and researching MCN's. I figure I will buy a few different ones before deciding on what I like and don't like.
Please enlighten me MCN users if there are any other secrets or tips????
susannahjoy
12-05-2007, 09:03
What is an immunisation bonus???
Gov gives you some extra money if bubs has had all their immunisations by 18 -24 months (i think that is right)
medicare or someone like that keeps a register off immunisations.
i'm typing this off the top off my head so might have some of the details wrong... check out Maternity Immunisation Allowance (http://www.bubhub.com.au/infofinance.shtml)
So on a winter's day in full sun, a hemp or bamboo nappy still may not dry by evening? I live in Dubbo NSW so it's usually sunny but not that warm in winter, say about 15 degrees in the middle of the day. The only nappy I have tried so far is the bumGenius and this dries within a couple of hours but I want to get more, but we don't have a drier so maybe I should stick to something faster-drying than hemp? If you had a warm house is there any chance the nappies would dry overnight if hung inside? Sorry about all the Q's.
I think it kind of depends on humidity a bit aswell.
There are plenty of ppl who don't have clothes lines but rely on a clothes horse. Nappies out during the day, and inside on it at night. It might take a couple of days to dry, but I wouldn't think anymore.
Hemp is faster drying than bamboo. I'd look at a few bamboo for night time. This would allow you to use one and the others would have time to dry.
If you were going to use hemp, you'd just need to add a bit more boosting for overnight.
If you were using a cotton, while it would dry alot quicker, you'd have to boost quite a bit to last o/n.
Otherwise, just try a few different types, and if you decide something isn't for you they can just be resold (MCN has a fantastic resale value).
Pobblebonk
12-05-2007, 10:34
Bok bok bok bok...
mamabearof3
12-05-2007, 10:53
My bbb can dry indoors near a window with a breeze in 1.5 days or nearer th heater when it's been on so far. The extra absorbency of bamboo is easily the advantage over the faster drying as I find I wil use more hemp but less bamboo(6 bamboo compared to 8 or 9 hemp in one day) so drying time is sometimes equal as nappies take longer to dry on the clothes horse if there are more on it, laid flat with more on there take longer to dry. It's about expectations anyway. If you expect better absorbency you need to expect longer drying time.
The bbh dry much faster though so a good winter alternative just more frequent changes.
I'm not a pocket fan as I find once there is one pee in them the stuffing bunches so another pee just leaks out the sides.
Some microfibre boosting would probably be a good alternative for you.
AIO's are going to be longer drying unless it's layered snap in such as an itti bitti.
I'd suggest you try several different nappies, get some trial packs and sell off what you don't like then get more of what you don't.
Covers and fitteds is easy in my opinion as it's what people are more accustomed to as well ie terry flats always had a pilcher too.
Gov gives you some extra money if bubs has had all their immunisations by 18 -24 months (i think that is right)
medicare or someone like that keeps a register off immunisations.
i'm typing this off the top off my head so might have some of the details wrong... check out Maternity Immunisation Allowance (http://www.bubhub.com.au/infofinance.shtml)
Just wanted to add you can sign a form if you choose not to immunise and still get the payment.
My boys are not fully immunised and I need to sign forms for them (my big boy is starting school next year)
Sorry OT.
Bamboo does take some time to dry. I ususally leave it out for a day and then let it dry overnight inside and its usually ok to use next day. It can be hard to tell when its fully dry.
Gee.... thanks everyone. I've taken heaps of notes. Now just have to start browsing the online shops! :)
pookiesossige
12-05-2007, 23:17
The fun starts! :smiliedance: :thumbsup: :party: Just ask any q's you have, no matter how silly they sound :D
wookiedefence
13-05-2007, 13:04
Hello all.
I have read this post with interest. I really want to use enviro friendly nappies also. I'm interested in any organic, natural nappies. Is there a website that lists these types of nappies or do you have any suggestions? Sorry if I missed something, i have total baby brain. My daughter is 3 1/2 months old. She hardly poos (once every two weeks - is BF - apparently normal). I dream feed her at 11:00 each night and do a nappy change then so she lasts until 6-7 the next morning. There is a big amount of liquid in the nappy so i'm guessing i need a booster of some sort for the night time. I dont mind about drying time.
I just want something easy to use, holds alot of liquid, looks good and is kind to her skin (hence the reason for the natural organic type of material request). I worry that these disposables seep all sorts of chemicals in to babies bodies :(
Thanks so much for reading :)
Hello :wave: wookiedefence
I use organic cotton, bamboo and hemp fitteds with wool covers. I prefer natural materials. A good place to start may be to look at nurturenappies. They have a variety of those types.
hth
Nuture Nappies has a good range. I'd also suggest looking at Baby Beehinds as both their hemp and bamboo fitted nappies are organic.
Fitteds are great for night time, you can add extra boosting to them for added absorbency and put a wool cover/soaker on which allows air to circulate and moisture to evaporate keeping bub drier.
Dd2 has a BB bamboo with boosting on from 7:30pm until about 7-7:30am - sometimes it's really wet other times it doesn't. We use a microfleece liner to keep her dry, so even if the nappy is wet I don't have to worry about her skin being effected.
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