Frugal Nappying

[Kris]

I would thought would be a good thread would be to list all the ways to do modern cloth (or terries) on the cheap. When I first started out there was no way I could afford to buy any fitteds so we made do and I know some people coming across this site would be the same.

So my tips for frugal nappying:

• Fleece covers, make or buy either way they are a great cheap way to get into modern cloth.
• If you are using terry nappies, cut a few in half, fold in half again lengthways, then thirds and put into the fleece cover with a microfleece liner and you have a trim nappy that doesn't need snappies or pins (if pooed in though the whole thing will have to be changed.
• 2nd hand nappies, obviously a cheaper way to try things out.
• Buy a metre of microfleece and cut it into rectangles, liners will make a big difference to your cloth nappy experience whether using fitteds or terries. less rashes and easier to rinse off poo
• If you can't afford a little squirt, a spatula works well to scrape off poo
• If you can afford it a couple of hemp boosters or prefolds are a great investment, if you later use pockets they make great stuffers and you can use them to boost terries at night.

so what are your tips?

[KristyMum]

When we first started out with MCN, the only way I could/would do it, was to make my own.
We used flannel sheets, terry sqaures, flannel squares, bunny rugs, towels, etc etc to make our nappies.
We did buy some new fabric which meant prob about $50-$70 all up for 3 dozen fitteds, plus wipes and liners/boosters (and I think that included the pattern too, of course you could use a free one). If you took out the new fabric, it wouldn't have been very much at all, as most of the materials were sourced from the linen cupboard, Op Shop, etc
oh, and they were one-size, with terry outer, so Snappi fastening - no need to buy snaps or TT

Obviously there's no hemp in there, but I reckon if you made the 'outer' ie the actual nappy (no sewn in soaker) from the terry/flannel etc, and bought a small amount of hemp for your lay-in boosters, I think it would be not only quite cost effective but work fairly well too.

[*~Melinda~*]

Bumjumpers and soakers made from the body of the jumper.

Buy old towels etc from Vinnies/Salvo's etc to make fitteds.

Wool is often available at Vinnies and the like for knitting soakers.

Ask for nappies as baby gifts.....

[Jo]

I used flannel flats. I heard about fleece covers but couldn't be bothered sewing them so I used a square of fleece a little larger than the flannel flat, folded it in half to make a triangle and fastened it with snappi. Gives you two layers of fleece as a cover, costs about $1 and lasts forever And when you can be bothered sewing you can use the fleece squares as nappy cuts

[Kris]

wow, thats a great idea Jo!

thanks for your tips guys, I wish I'd known these things when I first started

[caznjj]

also bits of fleece for wipes are dirt cheap. I can't believe how much disposable wipes cost! I did the 1m of polar fleece cut up for liners

Another frugal option is to use prefolds - they aren't as cheap, but I way prefer them to terry flats.

[Jo]

I don't like fleece wipes, but you can buy an 8 pack of thin baby terry face washers in wipe size from big w for around $2.50

[joey-n]

Old towels make great wipes.
I started with 2nd hand flannel flats and very slowly bought fitteds, and made some of my own. Most of the ones l made are from Terry flats and fleece.

Jo

[aratiaw]

I guess I'm going for an in between option, since I couldn't see myself buying a whole stash of new MCN. I'm buying good quality nappy fabric and patterns, and sewing them myself. To me, sewing them myself justifies the extra spend on fabric (bamboo etc.). Not exactly the most frugal option, but still much less than buying new ready-made nappies. If I couldn't sew I would probably buy second hand nappies.

[Emilysmumma]

I started out at 3 months, and didnt own a sewing machine.
I bought second hand nappies, and slowly added to the stash. For about a month, I had enough to do cloth every second day..

Oh, and dont htink you can save money by buyying those cheap covers.. they dont work!

Love that cover idea jo!