Trying different brands

[~*Jodie*~]

Hi there, I am new here and am new to cloth as well. We are expecting baby #3 in August and are seriously thinking about cloth since we will have at least 2 in nappies and possibly 3 since DS isn't taking too well to toilet training. Plus I like not having to worry about how many nappies are left.

I was originally only looking at Baby Beehinds but after reading a couple of treads on here I have decided that we might need to try a couple of different brands before making the big spend. So my question is, to try out the different brands, how many of each brand would you suggest getting just to try them out?

Also, since we will have at least 2 in them would you suggest mainly going with the OSFM?

Thanks for the help, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all at the moment and not quite knowing where to start, and without having the new baby to try things out on as well it kind of feels like a bit of a guessing game sometimes.

[bilbylove]

you're right, much of it IS a guessing game until your newborn arrives.

a few tips (my bub is now 16 months old and i bought her stash whilst pregnant)
- to save on postage, work out the shops that have flat rate postage e.g no matter how much you buy, postage is still $X - nurture nappies and greenkids i think both have the "Flat Five".

- if you buy ONE of a whole host of brands, all from the one store, you also save on postage. I mean big stores that retail lots of brands e.g
The WeeWuns
Cloth Nappies | Information | Cloth Nappy Covers | Bumgenius | Berry Plush | Baby Beehinds
www.babyblossom.com.au
Cloth nappies in Australia, Information and advice on using cloth nappy products. Large range of modern cloth nappies, fitted cloth nappies, Darlings Downunder
Nurture Nappies bumGenius nappies reusable bamboo nappies, reuseable Tots Bots, Baby Greens hemp nappies, organic nappies, Berry Plush and organic baby products

For your third child, night nappies and cloth trainers may be of use. You can get a OSFA night nappy called WHizz Kidz Nightz (available on their store at OzeBaby.com.au).
All the trainers and cloth pullups i have noticed, are sized, but generous weight ranges.

For your newborn, some bubs don't fit into OSFA nappies immediately, so a good interim measure is prefolds and covers. If you can fold an A4 piece of paper, into three, = you can fold a prefold. You just lay that inside a snug fitting nb cover e.g bambino mio (they have the leg gussets) and that is it. Great for when your nb is frequently needing changes, easy.

a few osfa that i reckon are more suited to younger bubs would be
-mandy mac fitted pockets (need cover) come in lined or unlined versions - do up with a snappi
-whizz kidz fitted sidesnappers (fit from 4kg) needs a cover
-cute tooshies fitted (needs a cover)

The same nappy (a OSFA) can be used differently for your nb and the next child.
THe nb is often a frequent wetter
THe older bub needs boosters put inside the nappy
The nb has runny poo and leg fit is more important

As well as OSFA nappies, i think it's really well worth considering the brands that do TWO sizes of nappies. e.g a size 1 that might be birth to 8kg and a size 2 that might be 8 - 16kg.

A great place to start, before you buy anything, is to read the info links
e.g FAQ at Oz Cloth Nappies: Information on Cloth Nappies in Australia and New Zealand: Support, Information, Chat, and Links
New to MOdern CLoth on this forum (NC).
most nappy websites you'll visit, have links to nappy info, nappy care, nappy fabrics, make use of those to inform yourself.
Sites like Catnaps explain the fabrics used very well.
Knowing what the fabrics are, what they do, and relating that to what you would like for your kids, will help you make more informed decisions. To know what IS a good buy and what isn't. Product specifications are VERY important to read.

It IS overwhelming at first - like a new language! but you don't do it alone, heaps of online help and some IRL too.

oh yeah, and a way to take SOME of the "risk" out of buying for a nb.
Buy stuff, DO NOT WASH the stuff in nb sizes.
That way, if your bub is born bigger, going straight into smalls - you can exchange/return the unused nb sized stuff.
SOme places have a time period on this, so take note of that too, before you buy the nb sized stuff.

I would only get one of each brand to try.
Once you have worked out your personal preferences in the MCN, then go buy up the ones you like the best.
I would get six of each, for nb options - like six prefolds, six flats, six fitteds, - so you have something to use straightaway. Also check out tots bots size 1 for nb.

take a deep breath

it's do-able

and you can always keep posting questions (after you've read FAQ, cos that will answer heaps of your questions).

[nangari]

First place of call: Buy for Baby. Heaps of different brands there and you're not paying RRP for them. I tried heaps of different ones (and spent hundreds of dollars) before settling on what I like and what works for bubs. Then I onsold all the others that were not suitable for us and replaced them with the ones I like.

Otherwise, if you know any cloth users IRL, they may let you borrow some? I'm always giving my girlfriends nappies to try on their bubs that is lol

And some shops (previously mentioned) have mixed packs you can buy so you can try a variety that way.

It can be overwhelming at the beginning, and then it becomes addictive lol Good luck!

[Rodent]

Just wanted to say "Hi Jodie!!!" I'm glad you found your way over

All the best,
--Rodent

[Beanie]

I also just want to say hello and welcome, and it DOES get a lot easier and makes much more sense once the baby is here and you're actually using the nappies. I can relate to that completely confused, overwhelmed feeling.