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How many nappies will I need? This is a common question when first starting out with cloth nappies. The truth is – as many as you like. Here are some guidelines. If you are only using fitted cloth, all in ones and pocket nappies you will need to have quite a range. Newborns can need as many as 10 – 12 changes per day! You need to assess how often you plan to wash. Most people wash every 2 – 3 days. You must remember to allow yourself enough nappies for those days and to allow that wash to dry. If you are having a winter baby, we recommend you have some nappies that are faster drying (ie pocket nappies dry faster due to the fact that they come apart and the soakers/inserts can be put in the drier) or can be put in the drier without getting damaged. We do not recommend putting your nappies in the drier all the time as this reduces their lifespan. If you need to use the drier, try and half dry the nappy first on the line (or on a clothes rack in the house) and only finish them off in the drier to save energy and wear to the nappy) A number like 25 nappies is a fairly conservative number to start you off. If you keep some Flat terry squares in the cupboard for emergencies this should keep you going if you plan to wash every day or day and a half. A number more like 30 makes me feel personally more comfortable. This gives you a good 2 days worth of nappies and another full days worth to wash and dry. Personally we use a combination of fitted cloth, pocket and all in ones and we also throw into the mix some of the Weenees pouch pants, our Hybrid nappy. Because of its versatility you get more ‘time’ out of each pair. The inner absorbency needs to be replaced every change of course, however you most often will be saved the trouble of changing the whole pant. The pant and the pouch will not often be soiled and can be re used. Used full time you will need many less of the Pouch Pants than regular nappies. Alternatively, you can switch between two pairs in a day to have the second one ready with your absorbency for the next change. Simply start the day with 2 pairs ready and pre loaded, at each change, make your baby comfortable with a dry bottom, put them somewhere safe while you dispose of the internal contents of the nappy and take 2 minutes extra to ‘re load’ the other nappy ready for the next change! As a nappy used in combination with other types, the pants and disposable pads or folded flats (particularly the microfibre) Weenees pouch pants can save you from the ‘all my nappies are wet or dirty’ dilemma, very calming, especially in the middle of the night which is the worst time to realize a shortfall in your system! Please feel free to email us if you have any specific questions regarding quantities or types of nappies.
What nappy is best? Best is an interesting term. If you asked 50 cloth nappying mums for their answer to this question you would likely get close to 50 varying responses. With so much available today and your baby’s individual needs, best is a term that is unique to every family. As mentioned we use a combo of many different types of nappies. All in ones, pockets or Weenees for going out in particular as they make changing easier and they fit trimly under bubbas clothing. For night time, with a newborn it is less critical as they will wake to be fed so you can change them. For babies that sleep through – or try at least, more absorbency is needed. Bamboo is great as it has a lot of absorbency but you must, must, must boost these nappies and use a good cover that will prevent leaks. Flushable liners are also great for night time as they reduce the wet feeling against you baby’s skin. Please email us if you have specific concerns about what to buy.
Do I have to learn to fold a cloth nappy? Folding cloth is something we likely all saw happening as children, with siblings or cousins we watched the origami go on. Today if you do not wish to fold flats you do not have to. There are many options available to you. If for whatever reason you decide you would prefer to use flats (they are more economical and dry faster than others) there are many places you can find great folds for boys and girls. How do I wash cloth nappies? Storing cloth nappies today is done in what is called a ‘dry pail’. As indicated there is no water or chemicals in this bucket (which is much safer for toddlers) simply placed in your nappies and close the (airtight) lid. The dry pail reduces smells and increases the life of your nappies. Soaking in water and chemicals can destroy elastic and waterproof coverings.
We always rinse the poopy nappies off and then squeeze them and toss them in the dry bucket, the wet nappies just get thrown straight in. (Solids should be tipped into the toilet as much as possible and then rinsed in the laundry sink and sqeezed out a little…I keep an old pair of rubber gloves at the sink for the squeezing part) You will find that the bucket smells when you open it, but you should not smell it when it is shut , make sure you get a good quality bucket. On Washing day simply empty your bucket into the washing machine – add ½ the amount of detergent you would normally use, turn on and walk away. If you feel the nappies need it you can do a short pre rinse before adding detergent. This is good if there is a large number of poopy nappies going in. Ensure your detergent is enzyme free and does not contain built in fabric softener. Never use fabric softener, Bleach, Enzyme cleaners or brighteners, do not use vinegar in your rinse cycle as it can damage elastic. Too much detergent or other chemicals will cause the fabric to repel water and not absorb properly causing leaks when used on your baby. Use the sun as much as possible when drying your nappies. It will help bleach out any marks and sanitise them. If using the drier always check the manufacturers recommendations and use the lowest heat setting. What about those horrible plastic covers? Pilchers of old were made of plastic. Pure and simple…Plastic. Todays covers are made from a revolutionary product. Cotton or polyester fabrics are coated with a waterproof polymer which creates holes too small for water particles to go through, while allowing for airflow to your baby. They are soft and bound with lovely elastics that do not irritate most babies. They are also shaped with elastic and Velcro or snap closings rather than pull on, which are easier to put on and change and more comfortable and adjustable for your baby’s shape. Do you have to use pins to secure the nappies? Most shaped nappies come with Velcro (also called hook and loop or Aplix)closures. Some brands are still the same style but come without. In this situation the best thing to use is a snappi. These great rubber fastners have little grabbers on the end which attach to the cotton, hemp or bamboo of your nappy and hold it tight. Will my nappy bucket smell? If you use a good quality bucket with an airtight lid you should not smell your nappy bucket. It will of course smell when you open it! But that is only momentary. Please explain all these terms and abbreviations! Here goes….. AIO – All In One – This nappy is a complete system. They function similarly to a disposable in that the absorbency and cover are built in to the structure. Unless you wish to further boost this nappy it is ready to go as is. Pocket Nappy – A pocket nappy is an outer waterproof layer, lined with an inner layer (usually microfleece) to draw moisture away from your baby and an opening in the back. Into this opening you can insert as little or as much absorbency as required. Some pockets come with one some with two different inserts and you can add folded cloth or other types of shaped boosters into the pocket depending on your needs. Fitted nappy – Similar to an all in one – the absorbency is there. With one notable difference. Fitted cloth nappies require a waterproof cover. Hybrid – We use this term to describe the Weenees nappy system. It describes a nappy that uses a combination of systems. Part disposable (flushable in this case to eradicate environmental issues) and part cloth. The outer pants are cloth, inner pouch is waterproof and the absorbency (one of the choices) is a flushable or compostable pad which is safe for your baby and the environment. How much will this cost up front? Upfront cost is something you can be in control of to a certain extent. Choosing more economical ways of purchasing nappies (ie kits) and some nappies are more affordably priced than others. Choosing a nappy that suits from birth to toddler is also a great way of saving money. It means you do not have to size up as your baby grows. Using some fitted and some flat nappies will also dramatically reduce the amount you will spend up front. If you would like more advice on how to be more economical when beginning a stash or at any tim please email us. What about nappy rash? I heard cloth nappies cause it? Nappy rash is an irritation of your baby’s fragile skin. Irritation of any kind is caused by any of a number of factors. One factor is perfumes, petrochemicals and plastics (often found in lotions and potions as well as disposable nappies) Another is faecal matter burning he skin. Also wetness against the skin combined with rubbing of fabric (any kind) can cause irritation. Changing your baby often whether you use cloth or disposable is critical for their health and hygiene. Some babies are more sensitive and experience nappy rash more often and this is something you must be aware of in your baby. Here’s an interesting fact for those of you concerned by nappy rash – In America, in 1955,100% of babies wore Cotton Diapers, 0% wore disposables, and 7.1% of babies experienced nappy rash In America, in 1991,10% of babies wore Cotton Diapers, 90% wore disposables, and 78% of babies experienced nappy rash So take care with all methods of nappying to avoid irritation to your little ones skin. It is distressing for us and likely not much fun for them either. With cloth nappies the use of a flushable liner may help as it aids the drawing away of moisture from your baby’s skin. These liners can then be flushed down the toilet and do not create any waste as they are biodegradable.
How often do I have to change a cloth nappy? You should change your baby when they are wet or dirty. Every 2 – 3 hours is recommended for a newborn – unless you open the nappy and it is dry of course – then re close the tabs and check again later.
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