Alternatives to Fluffies - easy peasy, right?

[emd]

Last time I shopped Fluffies prices was 2005, they were $4.95 each and come in two sizes (the large is for 11kg +). They are less absorbent than a worn-out tea towel, and leaked at the legs, and the velcro is not very functional and quite scratchy if it is in contact with baby's skin.

I'd buy something like Funky Duds (often on eBay). They're $15 each, but are one-size. I've met the maker, and they're very well made and with lovely materials (flannel print outer, towelling inner). Will need a cover, but will last longer and hold more than Fluffies.

Alternatively, prefolds are good value for the same cost as Fluffies. Someone on Ozebaby even has cute flannel print prefolds for those cover-free times at home.

[maya's mum]

Originally Posted by mischasmama

I know that Fluffies don't really compare with most modern cloth nappies, but I wanted to try and respond in a positive way rather than just saying "oh fluffies are crap". (But in not actually giving alternatives, I guess I did just say that in a more sugary coated way )

I did have two Fluffies in my NB stash (I didn't buy them) but I pulled out the wadding and boosted them, which improved their performance no end.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll pass them on

I actually had/ and still have somewhere, the flannelette fluffies (not the terry ones) , I boosted them with a hemp trifold and they worked great with on a newborn. Perhaps she can try that? If I can find them I'd be happy to pass them on if you like?

[Peach_Bums_Mum]

Oh - maybe theres a difference then cause I just had the terry ones and they were truly terrible - and that is putting it nicley! Perhaps the flannel ones are slightly better? (slightly!)

[emd]

Nope, I've tried both. They only work if you boost them with something absorbent. On their own, you may as well use two layers of flannel/terry because the absorbent inner isn't actually absorbent.

[*Tracee*]

I found the fit of the Fluffies (smallest size) fine for a newborn.
Just open them up along the back seam and pull out the stuffing, either leave the seam open and use as a pocket or add a few layers of absobant fabric and sew up
Great as a spare/rainy day/back up nappy!

[emd]

See, as soon as someone says "just replace the stuffing" or "just boost it", I think I'd be better off with prefolds. No sewing, no boosting, no worries.

[Big Green Frog]

There are some cheap prefolds on ebay at the moment

No idea what they are like etc etc etc but I noticed them today

I bought some small snuggle butts or something like that when I had Coby they were on ebay......They were fine for a newborn and reasonably priced....Helped bulk up my newborn stash without costing millions

[Eilleen]

Just a reminder for those who have said negative things about Fluffies, please clarify your posts as to why (if you haven't already done so). Note the NC guideline:

3. If you feel you need to recommend against a product, you MUST explain, in detail, why you would recommend against the product.

We apply this guideline quite rigorously with WAHM nappies, so it should also be applied in this case..... plus it just ensures that this site is not vulnerable to accusations of defamation or slander.

Thank you!

[tikki]

we have a couple of fluffies; one i purchased and one was given to me. the fit was fine on Lily, we never had a leak but we always used pul covers and changed very regularly. The velcro used is not terrific and the loop part of it lost its effectiveness despite not really getting a lot of wear. At the mid to larger end of the weight scale for the nappythe velcro was simply not effective enough to keep the nappy done up. The absorbency is a factor and I chose to not buy any more and stuck with terry flats for 10 months.

Construction wise, I have pulled one apart and it consists of two full body layers of terry; and two wet zone layers sandwiching a piece of wadding.

I have added the aforementioned nappy to to Geelong Nappy kit

HTH

[Emma]

Originally Posted by Eilleen

Just a reminder for those who have said negative things about Fluffies, please clarify your posts as to why (if you haven't already done so). Note the NC guideline:



We apply this guideline quite rigorously with WAHM nappies, so it should also be applied in this case..... plus it just ensures that this site is not vulnerable to accusations of defamation or slander.

Thank you!

Thanks Eilleen. It seems to be accepted/ repeated as "truth" that Fluffies aren't really all that great, but we don't seem to really explain our reasoning about it. (Myself included.) They are so widely available, not to mention cheap (I've since heard that they can be purchased brand new for $3 - $4 each) and I'm sure they are used successfully by some portion of the population who probably don't frequent internet nappy forums

I've appreciated the responses so far, but I'm really after alternatives without too much more criticism of Fluffies if that's OK. Or constructive criticism of Fluffies eg. suggestions to remove the synthetic wadding and boost with face washer etc etc.

I think the prefolds/ covers systems are the most comparable in price to Fluffies and the links you guys have provided are great And so many cute wahm fitteds.... I think the prefolds are great value as they can be used later on as pocket stuffers, extra boosting etc right the way through til toilet training.

Oh and I thought i'd just mention that the person I referred to in my original post has since bought a quantity of fluffies. (Nappies, not covers.) I have sent her a link to this thread.