Bumgenius, microfleece, microfibre - I'm confused!

[proudmum]

I'm fairly clueless when it comes to cloth nappies even though I've been using them for a few months now! I have different brands, including bum genius... and to be honest, I'm not sure if I like them or not. (The bum geniuses I mean, not cloth nappies in general!)

Firstly, if bubs has an allergy to fleece (I'm not sure if it's the fleece or the detergent I'm using), does that mean that I should stop using the bum genius nappies as the inner lining is made of fleece, yes? Or is there a way around this?

Secondly, (and I'm about to make a fool of myself here) how is microfibre material different from microfleece exactly? I was just curious as I am aware that microfibre material shouldn't be touching baby's skin? The bum genius pockets lets you slip the insert in, but obviously not with the AIOs version...

And with the boosters for the AIOs, I place the fleece side away from baby's skin - is this right???

Yikes.

[Pobie]

Microfleece is a stay dry fabric whereas Microfibre is an absorbant material.

A good test for you to tell the difference is to pour some water on them both. The Microfibre will absorb it whereas the microfleece will repel the water.

So, microfleece is put on the inside of nappies towards the babies skin to keep them feeling dry as it doesn't hold any moisture. Microfibre on the other hand sucks so much moisture that if you put it next to a babies skin it will dry them out along with holding the fluid.

I hope that makes some sense

[mummygeorgie]

BumGenius pockets have a suedecloth inner, not microfleece - not sure about the AIOs. But it's still polyester and that might be what your bub is reacting to.

[MelZ]

What sort of detergent are you using? And how much? Any fabric softener? You do need to be really careful how you wash them, so if you are using too much detergent etc I think this could cause a reaction on bubs skin

HTH

[bilbylove]

microfibre is ABSORBENT. the inserts for the bumgenius OSFA pockets are made out of microfibre.

microFLEECE is a STAYDRY fabric. it's often used for the inner layer of nappies, goes against the baby's skin.

bumgenius has a SUEDECLOTH inner, another STAY DRY fabric.

if you have a microFIBRE booster, with a topper of microFLEECE, the side that touches the baby's bottom should be teh microFLEECE.

MicroFLEECE feels lovely and soft
MicroFIBRE feels a bit scratchy
really different textures (should help you tell them apart).

Lots of new specialty fabrics to get your head around, when you start using MCN. Even if you don't sew, to make good buying decisions and to use the products well, it really helps to understand the fabrics, what they do.

e.g if you wanted to boost a nappy, you need to add ABSORBENT fabric.

about allergies
Yes, some bub's skin DOES react to suedecloth, some bub's skin reacts to microfleece. Some bubs skin just can't tolerate being next to synthetic fibres full time.

One option is to use MCN that has natural or more natural fibres used for the inner layer. The new ORGANIC bumgenius is an example. You can buy Swaddlebee pocket nappies with organic velour inners. Nurture Nappies has an ORGANIC section on their website.

And although we're using mainly organic inners in my DD's nappies, the nappies we do have, that have synthetic inners, we use sparingly (for car trips) and i lay in some home sewn liners inside them, made out of two layers of flannelette, overlocked very simply.

Asking questions is great, people will answer and you'll learn stuff.

the only fool is one who wonders, but doesn't ask, so they never learn new stuff.

WIth detergent, i would suggest you use a GENTLE, or Sensitive detergent for the nappies. Only use HALF of what the product tells you too. Detergent buildup on MCN can be an issue with bubs, cos of skin irritations, so as crazy as it sounds, use VERY LITTLE of unperfumed, non-enzyme washing powder.

if you're worried about the poo, have you heard of The Little Squirt? I get off all the poo from the nappies, with the LS, so the nappies that go into our drypail, have no poo on them. So no poo goes in the washing machine.

hope i have helped you a bit, and not confused you too much.

there's ALOT to take in and absorb at the start. You'll get there.

[proudmum]

Fantastic! Your replies help TREMENDOUSLY. Thank you ever so much.

PS - I use the envirocare products (available from health food stores only). It's quite possible that I have been putting in too much though - as the detergent itself is quite concentrated.

[jnordon]

Sorry for being clueless but what is an mcn. I love beehinds but havent heard for the mcns.

[tiffanysmummy]

MCN is the abbreviation for Modern Cloth Nappies, so not a brand, just nappies in general.