Advice wanted on alternatives to disposable nappies

[Wiggle]

Going through disposables at an alarming rate and wondered if anyone who had tried alternatives could recommend a brand to me? Been trying to sift through reviews on bambino mio and tots bots etc but there seem to be quite a few companies and I've no idea where to start. Also initial spend on packs seems quite high so don't want to get it wrong. My baby is quite well covered and they seem quite bulky do they cause chaffing on chubby legs and also he seems to have a sensitive skin - are there any problems with nappy rash? Looking forward to getting some guidance! Thanks, Mrs Wiggle.

[Pickle]

Hi Mrs Wiggle,

There was a great post on this subject about a year ago where I and all the other nappy addicts came out of the woodwork and discussed what we used etc. You can find this post here:

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?25,207468,207478#msg-207478

Basic advice would be not to buy a bulk pack of any one type of nappy before trying them first, get in touch with Molly Dilnot (who I'm sure will post on here anyway ;-) ), who is "The Nappy Lady" on the forum - she runs sessions where you can find out about different nappies and get good advice on what will suit you and your baby the best.

I've only got one child in nappies now (bought back memories reading my old mammoth post on the thread I've put above!), and we're still using the exact same nappies I mentioned above - Itti Bitti D'lish and Blueberries - so a year on they're still going strong and I'm pretty confident they will continue to fit right through to potty training.

Have fun - and be warned that the world of cloth is a very addictive one!

P

[Wiggle]

Pickle,

Thanks so much for the link, just had a quick read through and it seems as you say that different brands suit different babies, so I think I need to follow your advice and find a session where I can get a proper look at some of the nappies available.

Thanks again, Mrs Wiggle.

[rachelbrady]

Hi Mrs Wigggle

I'd thoroughly reccommend www.thenappylady.co.uk. Fill in the questionaire as there is loads of stuff to consider and Molly will be sure to give you some excellent suggestions. It's an exciting time.

[ClaireinSE22]

Hi Mrs Wiggle,

Yes definately trial some - it might be a faff but will save ???. I thought I was being very clever when I ordered a ton of terries - I said to myself that it hadn't done me any harm and my mum had all three of us in terries etc etc. Found that babies bum was huge in them - so much so that his feet didn't touch the ground when he was lying down - and I have abandoned them with a vague plan to try again when he is bigger. At mo, I'm still using disposables which depresses me as I had sworn to use cloth nappies....

....I've also tried Bambino Mio and not impressed but, hey, they might be the ones for you. Pickle can I ask if Itti Bitti D'lish and Blueberries can cope with the very runny pooh from unweaned, breastfed babies?

[The Nappy Lady]

Hello Wiggle,

Not sure if I have done an advice letter for you yet off the back of a questionnaire...but if not, please feel free, I'd be happy to try to help you.

Demo sessions still running at my place in Nunhead on alternate Wednesdays, though this week the session is full.

Also, I have a full set of tiny cloth newborn nappies (Bimbles) with wraps, bucket etc. which I will happy loan out to people so you can try using cloth nappies full time on a baby under 15lbs, without them being HUGE. This gives you a much more realistic feel for what it's like, and also fit, because once baby grows a bit the 'usual' options - Tots Bots, Motherease etc. fit a lot better, but in those tiny newborn days they do seem so massive. All I ask in return for the loan is a bottle of wine, and a ?50 refundable deposit - this is just to make sure I get everything back as it would cost me a lot to replace it all.

When it comes to choosing the right system for your baby you need to take into account your own priorities, drying facilities, likely build of baby (based on parents if not born yet), long term child care plans and plans for more children / possibly having 2 in nappies at once. I can help with all that, and tell you about using washable wipes instead of wet wipes too, which save you about ?400 over 3 years, and also avoids yet more chemicals. All good!

Hope this helps.

Best wishes, Molly

07977 130318

www.thenappylady.co.uk

[email protected]

[The Nappy Lady]

Also...forgot to say, did you know that Southwark (and Lewisham) are signed up to the Real Nappies for London scheme. So you can apply for a ?40 (or ?30 in Lewisham) voucher to use towards the cost of your nappy system.

If you go to the Real Nappies for London website you'll find all the details and can apply on line (and spend through The Nappy Lady via me if you want to ;-)).

Best wishes, Molly

[ClaireinSE22]

Dear Molly,

Actually I do use cloth wipes which are ACE - they do a much cleaner job than disposable wipes and are easy to launder. Unfortunately I've already blown my voucher but I think I'll take you up on the demo - see my PM.

Claire

[The Nappy Lady]

Hi Claire,

Have pm'd back. Glad you've discovered the washable wipes...so much more effective than either cotton wool or wet wipes.

Do you use with water, or with a home made solution? I use cold camomile tea with a glug of olive oil and few drops of lavender essential oil and it is lovely, but there are loads of other receipes you can try - will send them to you if you are interested.

Molly

[The Nappy Lady]

Oh Claire, if terry squares too bulky on a newborn, try using folded muslins instead - they work really well and are very slimline, cheap and quick drying. Can use the same waterproof wraps over the top as with the terries. If you need more absorbency lie 2 muslins together before folding.

On our website we have lots of folds you can try - I found the Pad fold, Jo Fold and Kite Fold were all good.

Best wishes, Molly

:))

[Pickle]

can I ask if Itti Bitti D'lish and Blueberries can cope with the very runny pooh from unweaned, breastfed babies?

Claire, I didn't start using them until around the time I was starting the weaning process, so at the stage that things started to firm up a bit! I probably wouldn't use them earlier, they're great after that stage though.

[ClaireinSE22]

Hi Molly,

I use the cloth wipes with warm water and baby oil. My other query with cloth nappies (bulky bum aside), is whether there is a system which draws poo/wee away from babies skin? Disposables seem to absorb liquid into the centre whereas the terries and Bambino Mio nappies got wet all over so I felt I had to give my lad a wash from the waist down every time I changed him. Any thoughts?

Claire

[Mellors]

I am a washable wipe fan too, thanks Molly! I do have a question about them though....being a fowl and grubby mother, mine are all now grey for loads of washing. Is there anything you can do to "whiten" them up again? Bleach?

Claire - I find anything with fleece on top provides a barrier against the babies bum. Fleece liners are great (you can make your own from choppped up old fleeces or buy them online), and any poo just flicks off them, or you can give them a quick rinse ina flushing loo.

I now use Itti Bittis and Blueberries as well (on Pickle's advice). The Itti's are my favourite as they are so slimline, and the triple bamboo layer seems to keep baby dry (althoguh I do use aliner for poo. They aren't absorbent enough for me at night though, even with the booster, so I use a Blueberry with an additional pad in, which keeps her toasty and dry.

I have loads of Tots Bots coloured and plain size 1 and 2, waterproof wraps to go ever them and some Little Lamb nappies from my first baby. They are well worn, but loads of use in them. If anyone is interested in taking them give me a shout.

[ClaireinSE22]

Dear Mellors,

Devoted wife that I am, I soak my husbands best white shirts (he does lots of formal dinners) in Vanish OxyWhite - clearly not v. environmentally friendly but maybe worth a try.....have found it effective on old red wine stains, filthy collars etc (don't think he ever washes his neck). Will investigate fleece liners....

[The Nappy Lady]

Hi Mellors,

Well, in the summer if you could get them out in the sunshine they would bleach really well, that's the best natural option. Otherwise as Claire says, something like Vanish, or Ecover Bleach made up fairly weak. Given what you use them for I'm not sure I'd worry too much :-S Could always treat yourself to another pack given that it's only about ?7 for 36 of them.

Agree about fleece liners, and you can even use them with paper over the top if you want, which still wicks the wetness away but makes it a bit easier to get rid of the poo!

Molly

[Mellors]

Dear Claire - lazy layabout that I am, I insist that my husband takes his grubby shirts to the dry cleaners, but I think he will baulk at the cost of individually dry cleaning lots of little terry squares lolol.

I am not sure I have the patience to peg out loads of mini washable wipes on the line ;) I tend just to shove them back in new lotion (using your recipe - the chemist next to the Post Office on Peckham Rye does the lavender oil chap as chips) straight from the washer. Maybe I will empty out my piggy bank and splash out on some new ones!

xx

[snowboarder]

Get these - http://www.ellashouse.com/liners-boosters-wipes.php

Snazzy and no need to worry about grey-ing!

[Mellors]

Snowboarder! They are sooooo fabulous :D

[Pickle]

Ooooooh, I really shouldn't have clicked on that link... although conveniently Mr Pickle is out and probably wouldn't notice if I snuck them into the nappy drawer...

[The Nappy Lady]

LOL...the only thing is (others may think differently of course)...I got some velour and fleece wipes to try on Charlotte and found they didn't get the poo off quite so well, so they now sit at the bottom of the wipe pile and only get used as a last resort....

Good point about now showing the stains.

Mellors - have you tried washing them with Bio a couple of times? If you don't usually use Bio I reckon it would work very well.

Have to admit, I don't think I could be bothered to peg the wipes out on the line either - my Mum did once bless her and it drove me mad enough just getting them all in again!

Molly

[Amaryllis]

Hi,

I'm interested in getting some cloth nappies for my six week old boy and I was wondering if I could come to your next coffee morning?

Kind regards

Amy Hoy

[The Nappy Lady]

Hi Amy,

I have a place left for 10th Feb 1-3pm in Nunhead if that would work for you?

Best wishes.

Molly

[Fly]

.