So I've noticed there seems to be an idea about that reusable nappies (and for that matter sanitary pads) are gross or some kind of hippy craze. Now I've been thinking about reusable nappies and sanitary pads for a while now, and wondered where this strange idea comes from. The reason I did not jump in the deep end with reusable nappies with D was because he was my first child and I was a bit scared of giving myself extra work.
But on the advice of friends and some research I am ready to take the plunge.
But on the advice of friends and some research I am ready to take the plunge.
The main motivation for me to use reusable nappies was split equally between saving money and being green. I don't like that my wheelie bin seems half full of horrid plasticy nappies.
"{For every year a child is in nappies} he or she will need nearly 2000 nappy changes. With potty training at an average of two and half years, that is nearly 5000 nappies per child!"
Real Nappies
Now the average might be 2 and a half now, but I know PLENTY of people who are toilet training into the 3's and 4's. Now my disposable nappies cost around 10p per nappy, but if your a pampers fanatic, a set of size 6's can cost you up to 24p per nappy! And don't even speak to me about the extortionate price of pull ups!
Now I have more. It's gentler on the skin for baby. You can get hellah cute ones. Its also easier for the baby to recognise the wet feeling, which is good for potty training.
And I'll admit, slight bragging rights at the mums group. "Oh you make your own babyfood? So do I, I find its better for the terry nappies. BAM" I'm such a child.
D is now 18 months so it might seem counterintuative to make the dive into reusables now. But I plan on having more children so it can easily be an investment. Its better for our toilet training, particularly at nursery where he cant just go sans pants and dive for the potty. As well as feeling wet the cloth nappies feel different, like big boy pants.
"{For every year a child is in nappies} he or she will need nearly 2000 nappy changes. With potty training at an average of two and half years, that is nearly 5000 nappies per child!"
Real Nappies
Now the average might be 2 and a half now, but I know PLENTY of people who are toilet training into the 3's and 4's. Now my disposable nappies cost around 10p per nappy, but if your a pampers fanatic, a set of size 6's can cost you up to 24p per nappy! And don't even speak to me about the extortionate price of pull ups!
Now I have more. It's gentler on the skin for baby. You can get hellah cute ones. Its also easier for the baby to recognise the wet feeling, which is good for potty training.
And I'll admit, slight bragging rights at the mums group. "Oh you make your own babyfood? So do I, I find its better for the terry nappies. BAM" I'm such a child.
D is now 18 months so it might seem counterintuative to make the dive into reusables now. But I plan on having more children so it can easily be an investment. Its better for our toilet training, particularly at nursery where he cant just go sans pants and dive for the potty. As well as feeling wet the cloth nappies feel different, like big boy pants.
. . . . . But what about the poo?
Some people might not be happy about chucking a turd in their washing machine (particularly mothers of banana addicted toddlers like me - those things are like bricks!) You will be happy to know that nappy liners exist.
These are like rolls of large, dry wet wipes which are degradable in toilets. The idea is you place them inside the nappy and whip them and the offending poo out in one. It can then either be flushed or nappy bagged and binned.
So what kind of nappies am I going for? Well although I did like the look of pre-fold and the terry ones, they just did not seem conductive to a wiggling toddler, and the two part ones might have been a problem for quick de-nappying for potty training. So I went for the two in one style. (see below) If like me you want to give it a try without jumping too far out of your comfort zone these are the way to go (or the all in one).
Basically they are like a fabric version of the disposable nappy with either Velcro or press studs. They have a built in water proof / resistant layer and usually a pocket inside to insert additional fabric pads to boost absorbency.
Basically they are like a fabric version of the disposable nappy with either Velcro or press studs. They have a built in water proof / resistant layer and usually a pocket inside to insert additional fabric pads to boost absorbency.
Now, some cloth nappies can be £20 each! And that is just not for me. I am at heart a skinflint. While many cloth nappy advocates insist on having a variety of brands, the only reason I am doing this is because I am buying one or two nappies a week when they are on sale or come up on preloved.
However I can happily say, the winner for me is Little Bloom. From as little as £3 a nappy, in gorgeous prints, and with a choice of press studs or velcro they just seem too good to be true! They feel thick, good quality, wash well and their inserts are thick microfibre.
And while I'm washing nappies, why not wash sani pads too? Seems logical?
So soon I will be posting a tutorial on how to make inserts for cloth nappies and how to make reusable sani pads (theyre basically the same thing). And how to care for them and the cloth nappies.
I'm also making plans in my head to make pull up underpants for D with a pocket for a microfibre cloth (for accidents) to move onto when we're done with the nappies.
However I can happily say, the winner for me is Little Bloom. From as little as £3 a nappy, in gorgeous prints, and with a choice of press studs or velcro they just seem too good to be true! They feel thick, good quality, wash well and their inserts are thick microfibre.
And while I'm washing nappies, why not wash sani pads too? Seems logical?
So soon I will be posting a tutorial on how to make inserts for cloth nappies and how to make reusable sani pads (theyre basically the same thing). And how to care for them and the cloth nappies.
I'm also making plans in my head to make pull up underpants for D with a pocket for a microfibre cloth (for accidents) to move onto when we're done with the nappies.
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