Frugal Nappying

[~*Rebecca*~]

MY tip is

"don't join nappycino, after visiting here and seeing all what is avaliable you won't be saving any pennies"

But I love it here.

My tip would be facewasher wipes. That is how I got started just cut up old facewashers or small baby facewashers works wonders and save at least $5 a week.

[suey]

i started out with just enough to get me for a day and a bit so with washing every day (including some pockets so i had something dry within a few hours of washing), i had just enough to keep me out of sposies, then i added to them a few at a time til i had enough to last for three days - and then i came here and my frugalness was forgotten

to start out cheaply, something a dozen flanny flats with some pookey pockets would be great, as they are really absorbant, cheap and dry fast - what more could you want? Peapods are also nice and cheap for a starter too - esp considering they come with an insert.

with patrick i started out using flanny flats with weenies pouches (the old ones), which was a really cheap system, but i had lots of leaks at horrible times - so never used them out of the house and never at night.

and yes the wipes is a fantastic way to save money - i bought some commercial brand baby facewashers when patrick was born - soft baby terry not like towels (playgro i think) - they were the more expensive ones, about $8 for 6, but nearly four years later they are still going strong, so have saved us heaps over that time

[bronnie78]

My tip is definitely to avoid Ozebaby and the Hyena Den here on NC - too hard to resist all the new fabulous nappies and accessories coming out all the time!!! Checking cloth nappies on Ebay can save a lot of money too - quite a few people buy cloth nappies and decide not to use them so you get either unused or used for a month or two at a great price (not always though - depends how popular the nappies are)!!

[~Gullygirl~]

For me the change to modern cloth is happening by trading my skill (crocheting longies) with other wahms who can make me nappies. Its also a great way to create a diverse stash I think, to work out what works for you. Second hand nappies are really a good option too.

[Ying]

I didnt know about WAHMs when I started out 9 months ago. I just bought Tots Bots bulk pack which of course wasn't cheap but we thought it would still save a lot of money than buying sposies. I think I have never gone frugal since I discovered NC

The only thing I save up a lot is using cloth wipes. Good old washcloths are excellent or some flannie flats

[Emma]

Some great ideas here - thanks.
For frugal nappying, I think you can't go past terry squares. Even if it is only for use at home, and using mcn when you're out and about. Even though my mother has assisted me in learning to sew (so I could sew my own newborn fitted nappies - also a cheaper way of getting started), she still reminds me that terry squares work just fine... (i think she'd have a heart attack if she knew how much I've been spending on nappies in the last few weeks. Actually I think I would have a heart attack if I stopped and added it all up.)

[Fimail]

- Wash sensibly: Wash full loads where possible, wash in cold water most of the time, don't use a dryer, and don't use sanitisers, use small amounts of detergent, use a water and power efficient washing machine. These efficiencies will cost less in the long run, and are luckily also the reccomended care for most nappies.
- Don't dis the flat: Have mostly flat nappies with supplements if you feel you NEED them (ie we have mostly flats with fitteds for car rides etc, pockets/AIOs for out and fitteds for night). Flat nappies work fine - modern cloth may be easier for people converting over from disposables, but really flat nappies are no big hassle, and you will never have the elastic break, or the PUL die like occasionally happens with modern cloth and they dry very quickly.
- Buy decent quality: With covers (don't buy the PVC ones they WILL break and you WILL spend more in the long run). With flats (we like our canningvales) and they won't stretch out of shape or wear threadbare so soon, and with fitteds and they will have good workmanship, strong stitching, reputable design and a well researched sizing guide. You save money by not experimenting with quality, as mistakes can cost money. It is not that hard to find out what is reputable - ask people who have been using cloth for awhile - preferably on more than one child - what has stood them in good stead.
-Learn to knit and sew your own (especially recycled fabrics) if you have the time and interest.

I don't do all of these things but generally follow these principles.

Fiona

[Fimail]

ooh forgot to add -
- Remember it's just a nappy: It will feel worth it to get cool funky fabrics like bamboo but your terry flat will last you many more years and bamboo is not the hardiest of fabrics. Just an example, but remember that if you feel out of the loop not having the coolest and newest, you will have money to spend on your kids when others of us are looking at yet another nappy/soaker masterpiece shrunk, felted, disintegrated, worn out, accidently dyed, mouldy, lost, or otherwise no longer in mint, resellable condition!

[Emma]

I was thinking about this thread and just thought I'd bump it for the newer members and for others to add their ideas

[freobabe]

Good on you, Emma

Opshopping is a great way to build up a stash cheaply.. I've had some great scores, including fleece covers, random fitted wahm nappies, those fluffies brand cheap fitteds that work great at home during the day on my newborn, brand new in the packet flannelette squares, tons of old style eenee covers, good quality terry squares that people have obviously never put on their child's bottom... even a few PUL covers
If you can sew, bumjumers made from opshop jumpers are awesome