Alternatives to Fluffies - easy peasy, right?

[Peach_Bums_Mum]

Originally Posted by jessicas_mamma

Oh, yes definatly! The (very) few times I used my fluffies I had to change her IMMEDIATLY after she did a wee. It soaked through straight away, the outside would be saturated,almost dripping and dd is an average wetter. It would be cheaper to buy prefolds but I figured since she already had bought fluffies she may as well rip em open and re-stuff. Or the refund idea if she hasn't yet opened the packaging.

yep I wasnt trying to knock you

[arik]

I assume she's after Fluffies because they are cheaper? I'd say to definately go for prefolds. Little Koala sells quite a variety and some really cheap packs of prefolds. Plus you can use them later on as pocket stuffers.

[Narmi060504]

Since she already has the fluffies, I would recommend adding a booster to them (just a lay-in one). My mum bought a dozen fluffies and covers 2nd hand for about $3. When I go to her place, I just take boosters and liners, and lay them in the fluffies. Then they last for about 2 hours, which is pretty much what I get out of any other nappy. For Emerson, they are actually quite a good fit. I have to watch that no velcro gets close to his skin, because he gets a nasty rash, but apart from that, they seem to work OK.

[Lollichka]

Hi All,
Just wanted to say thankyou to all who have responded. Emma was actually doing this (although I didnt know it at the time) for me, so her intentions have been good...

I would like to comment that I am aware of folk out in the wider nappy forum land not necessarily giving a good wrap about the fluffies brand, however, I believe that alot of this is up to the individual/baby and very much trial and error to the individual. Of the comments that have been positive - others have boosted the flufies nappies with additional absorbancy and they have worked successfully....

I've got a question though - if some of the 'more expensive' nappies need to have extra absorbancy added also, then what's the difference in buying a 'more affordable' item if you need to do the same?

I had contemplated sewing my own nappies (I already have a growing pile of sewing projects to complete before bubs is born as well as fit it in with working full time and renovating the house and working on my business), but time is somewhat short with me right now so the option was to go with something 'affordable' and make liners/boosters ( I can atleast fit that much in with my time at the moment lol).

Mum & Dad have already gone ahead and bought a quantity for me at factory prices - terry and flannel in both sizes - so will use what we have been gifted.

My intent with regards to comments about absorbancy is to boost them as well as use a good cover (not the yuko plastic covers) (which generally speaking you need to use on cloth nappies regardless if you are using the 'more cost effective' method or middle/expensive ones or the 'fold-em-yourself' cloth nappies)...

Yes there is soooo much information out there and cloth nappies of varying degrees all making their own claims and charging a varying array of prices. SO I acknowldge and comment - each to their own...

I'm not overly keen on pulling out the wadding and adding in more absorbancy as this will all add to drying time (and sewing time!!) and especially with winter approaching - but hey I 'may' still do a few just to try this all out!!.

I had a suggestion put forward to me to make hourglass liners/boosters and sew them only at the top onto the nappy, that way if line drying, the nappy is kinda separate from the liner/booster if you know what I mean and drying time won't be such a pain.

There's alot of info on the types of fabric to use for extra absorbancy... so thought about going with the following:

combination of: (away from baby skin) micro/polar fleece + terry + flannel (closest to baby skin)

I'm also going to experiment with the idea of adding in a woolen layer (you know the really thin woolen blankets you can buy 2nd hand) so it would be something like this:

(away from baby skin) micro/polar fleece + wool + terry + flannel (closest to baby skin) - if I need more absorbancy (obviously the wool would take longer to dry!) - or just play around with different fabric configurations and work out what works best.

There are other fabric options available I know such as hemp and bamboo - although I have absolutely no idea where to purchase these from in Melbourne. Any ideas?

I also thought about using FELT squares as an internal liner wedged between two other fabrics - has anyone done that before?

I'll post back to the forum once bubs is born to provide my findings but this won't be for a little under 2 months!

Thanks again for everyone who responded...

Cheers,

L

[~Gullygirl~]

Do you mean using felt as an absorbent layer? Cos most of the felt squares you get from Lincraft etc are made from polyester, so not absorbent. Occasionally though you can get real wool felt squares though. but yes they would take forever to dry but if you are happy with that then that will work.
The idea of removing the wadding comes from the fact that the wadding is also non absorbent (I could be wrong, I think I have read this somewhere - mods please remove if I am wrong or this is innappropriate) so by replacing with something absorbent you get more out of the nappy yk?
Best of luck!

[waawa]

Originally Posted by Lollichka

I had a suggestion put forward to me to make hourglass liners/boosters and sew them only at the top onto the nappy, that way if line drying, the nappy is kinda separate from the liner/booster if you know what I mean and drying time won't be such a pain.

There's alot of info on the types of fabric to use for extra absorbancy... so thought about going with the following:

combination of: (away from baby skin) micro/polar fleece + terry + flannel (closest to baby skin)

Just a note on this - micro/polar fleece is made of polyester and is not absorbent, so it will add unnecessary bulk (and possibly provide a barrier to the moisture wicking appropriately throughout the nappy). Were you thinking of microfibre?

Absorbent layers - look for any fabric 100% cotton, bamboo or hemp; or microfibre (away from skin) if you prefer it. Choosing among different cottons etc is just personal preference (for feel, bulk, etc). Within the natural fabrics, the final nappy weight is the major determinant of its absorbency.

Lara

[emd]

I contacted Fluffies a little while back and asked if they'd be able to change the wadding inside the nappy to cotton towelling, and also sell them without velcro (so you'd use a snappi or add your preferred touch-tape or snaps). Because the velcro they currently use irritates my babies skin.

They said they're not currently in a position to change the way they make their nappies. But perhaps if they got more direct feedback about how they could improve their product, they might make changes?

[Peach_Bums_Mum]

That would be great. Good on you for contacting them too

[Lollichka]

Hello,
Just wanted to share with you the following link from OzCloth nappies re the use of fleece as liners/boosters... I think one of the posts was suggesting it was wrong...

http://www.ozclothnappies.org/info.html#polar

In short - polar/micro flleece is fine! With varying degrees of thicknesess in other fabrics such as microfibre - all being polyester of course, again which is fine as this doesn't stay close to babies skin... but anyway - read the article...

From my research alot of others selling boosters/liners have been made from a combination of micro/polar fleece, terry, wool and the like

On another note as suggested in another post, I agree whole heartedly and think making contact with fluffies would be a good start for all those who have not been happy with the product, and of course for those who have... to share their experiences with the company... proactiveness goes along way :-)


Cheers,
Lolla

[johT]

lolla - fleece is used as the liner, close to baby's skin. it keeps baby feeling dry by 'wicking' the liquid through to the absorbent materials of the nappy. i cannot see why it would be used in the middle of a nappy??
i think you could try removing the non absorbent wadding to make it less bulky - then add a non attached booster to the pocket opening...a microfibre cloth or hemp or flannel or whatever