Do bulky nappies affect development?

**Picketty** · June 12th, 2011, 10:12 PM

So, I'm a big fan of cloth nappies, but the ones I use on my DS (6.5 months old) are quite bulky and I'm a bit worried that they are affecting his development. Has anyone else found this or had these concerns? When he had his nappy off before bathtime he used to lift his legs over as if to roll over, but he has only rolled twice and now he has stopped lifting his legs over, even when he has his nappy off, he now just sucks his toes. He also can't sit up properly in them, but yet he can sit up when he is naked. I don't know how he's supposed to bring his legs up under him to learn to crawl. I wouldn't mind trying a more slimfitting nappy (I like pocket nappies and prefer velcro) if anyone has any suggestions...

**Junglemum** · June 12th, 2011, 10:16 PM

What are you using now?

My two girls were in cloth, some pockets, blubbery and bumg. As well as lots of others, I liked ittibitti for their narrow crotch.

We never had any issues with development, they were both among the first at mothers group to crawl and walk.

**surprised** · June 12th, 2011, 10:22 PM

Hi hun,

I had the same concerns, but I started to relax when DS walked at 9 months! They get there eventually. xo

**Gigi** · June 12th, 2011, 10:24 PM

this topic always comes up, i think, most common when bubs are tiny, in OneSizeFitsAll nappies and also the flats.

the trimmest nappies are the SIZED nappies.

we moved to the SIZED nappies, as they had a narrow crotch, and the wide crotch of the OSFA nappies, made for a lousy fit on my DD. (fit is crucial to making sure you have the PooTainment Factor happening). I just made a really broad statement. i wouldn't say 100% of sized nappies have a narrow crotch, but MANY MORE of them Do have a narrow crotch, compared to the big number of OSFA nappies that have wide crotches. Many bubs suit wide crotch nappies from birth, but i had a bub, that from nb to toddler - the whole time, she needed narrow crotch nappies.

i don't think it makes any difference in how they move.

My DD wore MCN the whole time, she was walking at 14 months. no problems.

the MCN are great when they're toddling around, falling down heaps, cos they fall on "cushioning" - ker plopp.

**OceanPrincess** · June 12th, 2011, 10:26 PM

My two are in cloth - DD slow to roll, crawl and walk but fine now. Walking by 13 months so still not delayed or anything. DS already walking - not even 12mths yet.

Each baby does things differently. If you're looking for a slim nappy, check out the Tots Bots range - their AIO and fitted+cover ranges are both quite slim!

**Picketty** · June 12th, 2011, 10:27 PM

I'm using Greenkids - love the ease of them - for washing/drying, putting together and putting them on him and for holding pooplosions. It's an expensive decision to make, to change brands. I had some small ittibittis when he was little, maybe I'll should try them again. It's a shame you can't hire nappies before committing to buying a whole stash.

**Shades** · June 12th, 2011, 10:45 PM

I think Greenkids are known for having a very wide crotch?

**Pandora** · June 12th, 2011, 11:17 PM

GK were ok on my boys who are narrow-average. Most wide crotch nappies like cushie tidbits and blueberry leaked.
Swaddlebees, Genesa Forge, widdlewuns and bubblebums fit them best. GF used to have touchtape as an option but I'm not sure whether they still do

**peanutter** · June 13th, 2011, 12:29 AM

DS has been cloth bummed since birth, and is developing at the normal rates or early for basically all developmental things

he's adapted really well.

we use pockets and terry squares

**Winter** · June 13th, 2011, 12:37 AM

I think that everyone who uses cloth has this same concern, I know that I did. But my DD who was 80% cloth bummed was crawling at 8 months and walking at 11 months. I can't remember cloth slowing down her rolling either.

**Gigi** · June 13th, 2011, 02:22 AM

It's an expensive decision to make, to change brands. I had some small ittibittis when he was little, maybe I'll should try them again. It's a shame you can't hire nappies before committing to buying a whole stash.

you can hire nappies actually - over the years my child was in MCN, every so often, i would hear of a nappy website doing just that, hiring out for a fee, a selection of nappies (different styles, different brands) to people, from a "nappy library". I wish i could remember who did it, but i can't.

Also, another way is to experiment, by buying a selection of the various different types, BEFORE buying a large quantity of any one type/brand in particular. Some sites like Nurture Nappies used to do "mixed packages", many brands offer "trial packs" and you can always go to one site that has a flat postage rate e.g the wee wuns and buy one of many different brands/types = try them out on your bub, and THEN decide what you want to buy up on.

**~Hestia~** · June 13th, 2011, 10:37 AM

I think I had the same concerns when my Moo was little, as he was slow to roll & sit up. But he was the first in my mother's group to crawl (as well as the youngest!) & started walking before he turned one (while not the first he was younger than all his little buddies)

**Kazbah** · June 13th, 2011, 10:43 AM

I think it's the ozcloth gmail group that hire out nappies???

**luna moth** · June 13th, 2011, 02:03 PM

Yes, I think cloth nappies stunt development. Clearly none of the babies born in the 50s, 60s, 70s or 80s ever learned to roll, crawl or walk...

I get SO mad when I hear people use this stupid argument for not using cloth. I wouldn't worry about it.

I have an enormous nappy stash of heaps of different brands, if you want to try some of mine, I can lendsies? Our babies should be about the same size, yeah? I love the GKs on my baby, so if you're liking them, I'm sure we'll like the same thing. I'll PM you...

ETA: My DD used to roll like a madwoman. Now she only does it if she needs to get to something important, like a cable, a shoe, or something else she shouldn't have.

**Rivlas** · June 13th, 2011, 02:57 PM

Both DD's were born on the 80's so only cloth and for night it was 2 flats folded together then waterproof over top so plenty of bulk. I think these days nappies are alot trimmer and definitely alot easier with so many options and styles.

Remember no child will do everything when the 'book' says they should . Every child is different and will do thing in their own time.

If it stunted development then there are alot of stunted adults out in the world. Cloth was invented long before the disposable

**helle** · June 13th, 2011, 03:21 PM

Both DD's were born on the 80's so only cloth and for night it was 2 flats folded together then waterproof over top so plenty of bulk. I think these days nappies are alot trimmer and definitely alot easier with so many options and styles.

I was an 80s Terry flat kid! I walk just fine