cloth nappy inspiration please

[mumum]

I?m considering starting cloth nappies with my second baby. I started with my first child, but gave up after a couple of months. I bought some colourful nappies that were size "small" and when I tried again a few months later with my eldest, they were too small. I got so frustrated that I just gave my precious 12 nappies to the charity shop. I think I didn?t have enough nappies and maybe the model didn?t really suit me (outer shell that could only be washed at 30...got boiled though!) I also felt I spent so much time with the nappies, that I didn?t have much time with the baby.

Now I?m thinking about a nappy washing service, are those still around and has anyone got experiences to share? Do they only come once a week (?), do you need some sort of giant specialist bucket, and do they provide this as well, or how do I store the dirty nappies if they have been rinsed out? Is it more expensive to do the nappy washing service (they provide the nappies, don?t they?) I wonder if it will feel strange to use communal nappies, and if they use lots of chemicals to wash them, and is there a recommended company in this area?

Any advice would be appreciated!

[Pickle]

I used cloth with both of my kids, and had a year or so where they were both in them due to my close age gap. I never found it a hassle (honestly) to do it all myself.

Son was in Bamboozles, daughter was in prefolds to begin with, then a mixture of Itti Bitti D'lish and Blueberries. All soiled nappied were put into a nappy bucket (dry pailed), every other day I bunged the whole lot in my washing machine at 60 degrees.

Personally I wouldn't like the thought of using communal nappies, however I'm not sure whether that has to be the way it's done. Give it another try, it's worth it :)

[marscapone]

I had a very similar experience - I bought some cloth nappies for my first child but didn't get on with them so gave up. Second time around I was determined to give it another go and got a different style nappy (a pocket nappy - bumgenius). For me the main problem the first time was that I found the two layers a bit fiddly with a very active baby, and they were also too bulky for many of the slimfit clothes I had been given. The nappies I now use suit me much better. I would say give it another go with a different brand/style of nappy. And don't be too hard on yourself - I only use cloth nappies about half the time, but figure that is better than nothing!

I wash them at 60 degrees and usually fill up the load with other baby/toddler clothes that get dirty from spilled food and husband's smelly cycling clothes.

[The Nappy Lady]

Mumum, I do a cloth nappy drop in session on the third Wednesday of every month at Ivydale Surestart / Childrens Centre, entrance just off Ivydale Road on Bellwood Road in Nunhead if you want to pop along. 10am to about 11/11.30am just advice I don't sell anything there and then.

Next one is a week tomorrow, 17th November, you can call me on 07977 130318 or send a PM if you want more details.

There are pros and cons to cloth nappy services - you might want to read this page, which gives a good overview of both;

http://www.thenappylady.co.uk/public/articledetails.aspx?id=53

Things change all the time in the cloth nappy market, so don't be put off by your experiences from last time. There are some amazing nappies around, and improved versions coming out all the time.

[mumofzoe]

Little Zoe has Bum Genius, We use with a disposable liner from Boots(pack of 100), to catch to poo. They are great even her dad likes them as they are pocket nappies so just as easy as disposable. Just put them in a dry bin and wash every other day... easy.

[BellendenBear]

I use a mixture of Tots Bots bamboozles and Bambinex. Like everyone above, I dry pail and wash every 2-3 days at 60 degrees. Easy.

Tots wraps are fine at 60 degrees too. My daughter is at her second nursery and both have been fine about using cloth nappies.

Never used the washing service, but I honestly haven't found them enough of a problem to feel the need.

Good luck.

[nancyse15]

Hi there.

For both my children I use Tot Bots which are secured by a nappy nippa and then covered up with a Mother Ease wrap. I dry pail and wash very easily at 60. I think I worked out, 3 years ago when I bought the system that for me washing at home would be cheaper and more convenient than using a laundry service. I am extremely happy with them and must have saved ???. The Nappy Lady website is THE best way to find out all the pros and cons of the different types and Molly is def the one to talk to.

[mumum]

thanks so much for info, everyone. Dear nappy lady, when is your next demo date, won?t make this month?s, and do you demo these brands? Just a bit wary because last time I bought nappies they looked good on the computer, but didn?t really work for me (it was probably me, not the nappies though!), but will look into those brands mentioned. I was hoping for a recommendation for a nappy laundry service, but seems not so common. Anyone, what does dry pailed mean?

[The Nappy Lady]

Dear Mumum,

Next demo is Wednesday 15th December, 10am at Ivydale Surestart Centre in Nunhead (entrance is on Bellwood Road, just off Ivydale Road). After that it will be 20th January 2011 (eek).

Between now and then would recommend an on line visit to www.thenappylady.co.uk and complete the Tailored Advice Questionnaire to get help on which nappies are best for you. Then when you come to see me you can see all the options, but take particular note of the ones you've had recommended.

All info you could ever want on dry pailing, washing & using cloth nappies is on the website, plus links to You Tube demo videos. Dry pailing just means keeping in a nappy bucket without any liquid in it (so i.e. not soaking). These days because we mostly use shaped nappies with elastic, velcro etc. it is better for the nappies not to be left soaking - things like nappysan tend to attack elastic etc. it was different back in the days when everyone used flat terry squares.

Call or text me in the days leading up to the December (or January) demo just to double check it is on.

Best wishes,

Molly

07977 130318

[mumum]

thanks, nappy lady!

[MichelleT]

I don't know if they do it here, but my friend in Totnes did a nappy trial where she was sent a huge box with about 20 differnt nappies to try to see what suited her baby before committing to a system.

Baby T is in a mixture of bamboozles, another totsbots all in one nappy, and bumgenius. Loads of people rave about BG but I find them more bulky than bamboozles; they are faster drying though. I am addicted to nappies though and am always ordering new bits and pieces; real nappies are great! And I do so much washing - sicky baby - that the nappies make no difference.

Good luck with them!

[sunflowerbath]

Hi. I have a LOT of bumbles which are one size fits up to 3 years old. And covers in sizes 1, 2 and 3. My son didn't suit them and so almost all of them are new! If you'd like to try them or take a look at them, you're more than welcome to come over..if you want you can have them for a bottle of wine? They're almost all new and i can look out the ones that have been used before if that bothers you? Just a thought. Oh and i have the nappy nippers as well. PM if you want.

jen