Congratulations, cloth is so much fun! I feel I am still a newbie 8m or so on, but I will try a few quick answers until someone more qualified jumps in to help you out.
1. Normal washing powder, but 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended amount. Some people prefer certain brands without certain ingredients. I'm lazy and just use my regular liquid.
2. Most MCNs are tumble dryable on a low heat but it can shorten the life-span of elastic and PUL. Plus sun drying bleaches stains and kills germs.
3. Most people use something cheaper than AIOs for most of newborn time (flats or prefolds usually) because they need changing so often anyway. I didn't start with a newborn, or know all the brands' packages, so someone else can help you better with that and sizing.
4. Once again, I'm not sure about newborns, but it does sound about right.
5. Every second day is probably the longest you should leave them dirty. I feel pretty safe with about 3 days' worth, but I live in QLD and don't have too much problem with drying time. I didn't take note of where you are, but maybe in a colder/wetter climate you would need more?
I'm sure someone else can give you loads more detail, but maybe that helps a little in the meantime.
Have fun shopping!
1. What do I wash the nappies with, do I use normal laundry powder or do I need something special?
I use the eco-aware brand of powder. Stay away from anything with fabric conditioner ... and also stay away from soap flakes. Some people use "soap nuts" or bicarb soda only.
2. Are most MCN's tumble-dry-able? DD2 is due in winter and I do love my tumble dryer. I realise the plastic bits are a no-no but is there anything else that can't go in?
I mostly have tumble-dried my nappies - the baby beehinds are OK, the fleece covers are OK, the thicker PUL is ok (but use a low heat). The high heat isn't good for PUL, particularly thin PUL.
If you get pocket nappies, the pockets (with the PUL) will dry overnight in front of a heater, and you can get more inserts which can go in the dryer. Thing is though, that bamboo will lose some of its fluff in the dryer which after a lot of drying will reduce the absorbancy.
3. Are all-in-ones the best things for newborns? Is there an intro pack that I can get for about $40-50 to try out particular types? Size wise what should I be getting - keeping in mind DD was 9lb4 and grew very quickly.
From what I've heard, fitteds with covers are better.
4. How many do they go through in a day - on average. I know with disposables that you would use 8-12, depending on circumstances, is that the same with MCN's?
Yeps.
5. So... How many do I need??? We'll be washing every second day or so. Does that mean I need 3 or more days worth just to be safe?
Yeps. BUT! get some flanno flats, you can use them with some funky covers, they take way less time to dry, they can go in the dryer and can be used until TT is over.
Good luck with your cloth journey, it's great your DH is onboard!
Squidipa, CrystalBoo & Kazbah - Thanks so much for your replies.
I'm just north of adelaide where it is pretty cold and hopefully wet this winter. Drying outside doesn't happen unless we have a good day. I generally only use the tumble dryer on low heat so that sounds like a bonus!
Fitteds with covers and the flats sounds pretty good, I'll just need to work out how to use them best! Where do you normally buy them? Online sounds great but I am such a tactile buyer that I want to read the packet, play with them and stuff before I buy - bit hard to do online...
The one size fits all really sounds like a money saver if it fits from NB to toddler... I might invest in a couple of those.
Going into that thread now Kazbah... We do have babyco over here but it is a bit of a drive from where I am. I'll search around the local shops but once I'm on mat leave I can do a trip down there. I know we had a birthing expo on today in Adelaide but I couldn't make it. The Australian Nappy Network sounds great - will look that up as well - Thanks!
There are a couple of nappy stores in adelaide. Nature's cradle is at brighton but is opening a new store in goodwood later in may. I bought my flats from target.
I used terry flats when dd was small but found them a bit bulky in the first month. She was tiny though so you may not find that by the sounds of your bubs sizes!!! I had 20 which was ok because it was summer then. DEFINATELY use seperate covers on newborns to "contain" the leg leaks. I also love the baby behinds one size but Ihave hemp. They take longer to dry though. I like bumgenius for pocket nappies as they are one size also. I just have a few for using when out as they more convenient.
I used earth choice liquid when she was new but now use regular powder. I used to only use 1/2 or less of the reccomended amount but I was getting smelly nappies so now I use the normal amount and find it much better. Must depend on the brand. Unless you have an enormous bucket you will probably wash every day or day and a half to start with as it will fill up pretty quickly! I hang under the verandah for a day then finish in the dryer so that they dont get quite so worn out as full time tumbling.
OOO have fun nappy shopping. It is so much fun. Even if you are an el-cheapo like me you can still have fun choosing covers etc.
Sazz - thanks for the info - we make BIG babies so I really don't want to get small as I know she'll grow out of them so quickly! With the flats what type of covers did you get and where did you get them from?
I'm looking at the bumgenius as well at the moment and it looks pretty promising. Expensive but I guess you get your money out of it.
I'm about to get earth choice for my laundry so that makes it easier. I'm funny with powders and DD always got a nappy rash unless I used huggies, and the thought of paying so much for them this time has brought us to MCN's.
Ah, can't wait to shop now that I understand this whole cloth thing!
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I also love the baby behinds one size but Ihave hemp. They take longer to dry though. I like bumgenius for pocket nappies as they are one size also. I just have a few for using when out as they more convenient.
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