making the change - well maybe

HI, I am mum to DS 17mths with #2 on the way later on this year, I think I should change over but havent quite made up my mind!!! so Im doing lots of research! I know its the right thing for the environment, my pocket and the baby!! but I am thinking of the poo and the washing!!! Its so easy to wrap up a disposable! Is it too late to start with my 17mth old...what do you recommend I do for a trial???!! Also I dont want big bulky bottoms, I like the neatness of disposable! is there one type of nappy that is better than others? I love the look of some of the fancy nappies Ive looked into? Anyone got any pics they can show me?
Look forward to getting as excited about cloth as eveyrone else!!

[MichelleL]

It is definatley not too late to start with your 17 month old. I started when my now 22 month old was 16 months old, and I had a 2 month old as well. What I would recommend you do is try out a few nappes of all the different styles. The product review section will give you ideas of what nappies to try. I am personally an AIO girl and love my Bubblebubs . The poo and the washing is not that bad, I love my little squirt and with two in cloth I average an extra load of washing a day. Hope this helps with your decision.

Michelle

[caznjj]

different nappies work for different kids, it's hard to say there is one "best" nappy.

For newborns a lot of people say you can't go past prefolds or terries with good covers, then once they hit around 6kg, pockets, fitteds of AIOs come into their own.

We switched when DS was 4-5 weeks old, we used infant prefolds with a few fitted nappies (Erica's) for nights. Made some fitteds over the next few months, and then at 10mo when DS started daycare we branched out into pockets. Now he is 20mo and we use pockets (stuffed with prefolds) for daycare (4 days a week), and fitteds/covers at home.

Probably the best thing is to just try a few different nappies - for trimness you might want to go pocket nappies from someone like green kids? Try a few and see what works for you, then get more of whatever it is you prefer


Re washing poo it's really easy actually. I keep a cheap bucket next to the loo. When DS does a poo, I tip what i can straight in the loo, then I put some water in the bucket and dunk the lot, rinse it out, tip the dirty water in the loo and flush it. Then the (now sopping wet) nappy gets put in the proper nappy bucket (which has a lid!). Nappies with just wee are put in the nappy bucket as well and when there's enough for a load, I throw them in the machine. I use 1/2 cap of purity liquid in a 5.5kg machine, no problems. Hang nappies on the line to dry and the sun gets rid of all the stains

HTH and welcome

Caroline

[lindys]

It is very exciting that is for sure ;-) There are actually alot of trim options coming out now- that fit just like a disposable and allow you to put slim fitting clothes on bub. Probably best to have a look at the FAQ's (link above) to get an idea of whether you want to try AIO's or fitted's with covers, or pockets, etc... (or all, as I have ended up doing!). Then you can maybe start buying to try. There is some good info to browse in the Product Reviews and Business Listings too (also linked above). The Itti Bitti Nappy Co. is a great spot to check out as a start, as there are fitted- with AIO's and night naps soon to be released. No stock at the moment (very popular!), but Sue is stocking fairly regularly. These nappies are tiny! I think smaller than a disposable and so cute :-) There are many other options, so hopefully people will give you some more ideas.

ETA- Some info repeated 'cause I was typing when the others popped in ;-)

[alineanne]

welcome ann! never too late to switch to cloth. whatever you buy for your DS, your #2 can use!

my vote is for rumpsters - they are all-in-ones and very trim. you can get them darlingsdownunder.com.au and lollypoplane.com

pocket nappies are also great. maybe try a swaddlebess (http://www.theweewuns.au.com/) for one that's trim? or green kids? (www.greenkids.com.au) - these are a one-size nappy so a good investment. if you buy now for your #1, you can use for your #2!

there are definitely others who can offer suggestions and who have switched to cloth at similar age to your DS.

love to hear what you decide and any questions, just post. we're realy nappy nerds here

thanks for all that info i will take a look, if im just going to try DS in one do you recommend i get one AIO and a few of the foldy things would that be enough for a couple of days to see how i like them?

[kermi]

Hi Ann

Welcome to NC!
It seems like a big step to change over but it needn't be. AIOs are very much like disposables I find - you just get to reuse them again and again..... and of course, they are sooooo much funkier then disposables!
I agree with the other ladies but also maybe suggest you try flushable liners in the cloth nappies. I find rarely do I actually have to rinse when I remember to use them! LOL.

Good luck and take the plunge..... we'll keep you afloat!

[cjmjsmum]

Welcome. I'm new to NC as well, but am addicted already lol. I had my DS in disposables, but when I fell pregnant with my DD thought I really couldn't afford to have 2 in them. So my DD was in flat terries until she was around 12 weeks, then fitted from there. Can't really help you with different types, as I've just made my own. But from what I've seen they all look great and don't think I'd ever make my mind up anyway lol.

As for the washing. For me its just an extra medium load every couple of days. I use a fleece liner to in the nappy. I find the poo slips straight off and don't have too many hassles.

[MrLesley4]

Originally Posted by annb

thanks for all that info i will take a look, if im just going to try DS in one do you recommend i get one AIO and a few of the foldy things would that be enough for a couple of days to see how i like them?

Hi Ann (I'm assuming that's your name ) An AIO or a fitted nappy needs to be totally changed when it's wet. I think a Pocket Nappy, as long as it has a microfleece inner, you can just change the stuffing and reuse the nappy (as long as it's not dirty).

You should definitely try a few different nappies that sound right for you, and see how you go for fit and functionality. You'll soon find out what works for you, and remember everybody started their collections by getting one Modern Cloth nappy, and using it in rotation with whatever they currently have. Have a look about, and feel free to ask away.

Cheers

[KristyMum]

Howdy and welcome

I think a Pocket Nappy, as long as it has a microfleece inner, you can just change the stuffing and reuse the nappy (as long as it's not dirty).

As far as I know the recommendation is to change the entire nappy, pee or poo, but it's been a while since we had pockets so I'm sure someone can confirm/not that .

but I am thinking of the poo and the washing!!!

As far as is it hard to get the poo off and wash, no - no harder than scraping the poo off a disposable before you bin it (which you're supposed to do), actually, with fleece liners it's easier I would think!
So really:
disposable: change nappy/clean bum, take nappy to loo and scrape off poo, wrap it however you do, take to bin and put in.
cloth: change nappy/clean bum, take nappy to loo and Little Squirt/shake poo off liner, put nappy in bucket.
As to the washing, no soaking, just bung the lot in the machine, cold prerinse, then wash - and the machine does the rest for you.

Head over to OzCloth perhaps, and check out their FAQ - a good place to start.
Then a search here will give you good answers on what people like in nappies for newborns, the best AIO, the best pocket (two of the trimmer options). There is a fair bit of variety, which is good - because if gives you the best chance of the perfect combo for your needs
So long and the short of it, like anything new you have to learn, but after that, you're set - welcome to the world of cloth!