Im sure that there have been many discussions about this topic before but im just interested in peoples views on the disposable/cloth debate. Im still really undecided and am looking for what is best for bub, cheaper, easy.
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Im sure that there have been many discussions about this topic before but im just interested in peoples views on the disposable/cloth debate. Im still really undecided and am looking for what is best for bub, cheaper, easy.
Hi Heather
Here a few links about cloth/disposable nappies you might want to check out that we have discussed previously on the forums
Cloth Nappies
Disposable Nappies
Question about nappies
Cloth Nappies - The super absorbant hemp nappy
Disposable or Cloth
That might give you some ideas as to people views.
Love
I found the total opposie than Shannon...
Maddy was n cloth nappies the entire time night & Day, only when we were out & I had no cloth nappies left (stayed longer than planned) I'd borrow a disposable off a friend...
They are so cheap & easier to use.. I never put any in the dryer coz we did not have one & still don't.. Over a clothes horse.
I had all bright coloyred ones & plain ones, I used snibs & pilchers until she got bigger & then I used those plastics, I bought the Home Brand nappy liners & if it's only urine you wash & re use, they were not at all time consuming & I definately will be using them again, I have bought 2 dozen already , I will just need a bucket with a lid (about $10) The nappy liners are only a few $, plus a thing of nappy san...
I used to shake pooh into toilet with liner as they were safe for flushing, then put nappy in bucket & at end of the day I'd tip the bucket full of nappies (8 or so a day) into w/machine & in then hang them out, takes 5 mins, when dry I'd fold them as i brought them in & set them ready to go on her change table!
I definately think they are a chepaer option... So much easier to use too once you got your routine going!!!
Through nannying experience, I would personally go with disposables.
It saves time and energy and I think the babies skin stays dryer in a disposable and you don't have to change it every time they do a little piddle. You don't get leakage, you don't have to handle the contents of the nappy and the most important thing for me is that I would get to spend more time with my baby, instead of washing nappies!
So disposables get my vote!
But what ever you decide, they recommend that for the first month you go with disposables, just so you can get use to everything and spend as much time with your baby as possible. After that you can always use cloth:)
This is a really hard one.
With bubs #1, I used cloth all the time, was really easy and found that getting into a routine was pretty basic. I used cloth until she was about 18 months as then she had a dreadful rash and I had to use this cream that would stain everything.
Bubs #2, got given a couple of huge boxes of disposables, and it stuck for a while, but it did end up being quite expensive but you can find cheap outlets for these nappies and they are pretty good.
This baby is going to be in cloth nappies, since my DD's will be at school most of the time, I will have the time to use them. However, we will be using disposables while we are on holidays for 3w when bubs is a couple of months old, mainly for the convenience option.
My opinion is just do whatever you think is right for you!
I have never heard of using Disposbale for the first month, they used cloth in the Hospital where I had DD?? that seems a little odd?
As for spending less time with baby by using Disposables, I cannot agree with that, takes the same amount of time to change a nappy? Then dumoing it into a bucket washing hands & back to baby, well you still got to bin the Disposable & wash hands so I don''t get that, then at night when babay is in bed you put a load of nappies on & I would fold them when dry & baby was in bed, so there was no time ever that she was missing out on me. Also it is said it's easiier to toilet train a cloth nappy baby coz of the wet on their skin, DD was toilet trained day & night by 20 months. Personally I loved the nice fluffy cloth nappies..
Hi,
I'm doing clothfor my first baby. I also have bought a pack of 48 disposables newborn size so in the first week we shall just see what happens..... After that, I'll probably try one day on, one day off just to get into the rhythm and see what they wash up like (I have a front loader...) and then hopefully after a few weeks I'll be into the swing of things!
I have 1doz newborn size nappies (chinese prefolds up to 4kg), plus about 5 PUL covers, then I have about 8 fitted nappies that should fit up to about 6-9 months. I also have 1 1/2 doz nappies the next size up (4-10kg), and about 5 larger PUL covers.
We shall see if this is enough, hopefully it will be. I figure that I'm home, and there is no reason I can't chuck an extra load on everyday. Takes about the same amount of time as taking out the rubbish! Besides, you are still supposed to scrape the poo off disposables, so I figure its gunna be a "crappy" job either way.
Basically - do what feels right for you!
Fi
this probably isnt going with the topic, but I just wanted to have a whinge,
we decided we were going with disposables, because from what ive seen cloht are just too much hassle, anyway we told anthony's parents we were going with disposables and they go out and buy us a load of cloth nappies! without even asking so now we feel obliged to use them so to speak, ive told anthony that his mum can do the washing then! lol
it just annoyed me how they assumed automatically that we were going to use cloth because its what she did and we have to do everything her way..
take care
Lesley
Has anybody used Ezy Nappies? I'm considering buying some of those....
Hi Lesley,
My sister was also given a bunch of cloth nappies though she had no intention of ever using anything other than disposables. She still used them though - she found they made great spew rags, bibs for feeding times or just to wipe up drool instead of using a face washer.
One of my little sisters also used a muslin cloth nappy (unused of course) as her 'blanky' and had a hard time being weened off it when she was about 3...
I am planning to be a cloth nappy girl (but disposables when i go out for a full day or overnight) My sister had this fantastic system where she had two buckets in the laundry & once baby started doing firm poos she used a nappy liner & just flushed the liner down the toilet, the first bucket was filled with soapy water & she would just chuck the dirty in until she had time to deal with it. Then she would give it a quick hand rinse at night for any clingy yuckies or big stains then pop it into the second bucket which was filled with bleach/water solution. After each bucket cycle (two days ish) she put the bleached nappies through the wash, refreshed the water/detergent in both & hey presto. She probably had around 30 cloths to do a two day cycle comfortably with plenty left over.
It worked because it didn’t take up much room, it didn’t ‘smell’ out the bin/laundry etc & it meant she didn’t have to have piles of dirty nappies lying around. With all the soaking she barely spent more than an hour (washing, hanging & folding) every few days. I’m really going to give it a good try, I feel a bit funny about the environment with all those constant disposables & the cost but I really believe each to their own. My other sister never touched a cloth nappy with either of her girls & that was her choice.
Being my first time I can only try but I never saw it as an arduous experience for her.
Seenabeena, just letting you know that your post has been deleted as we do not allow links to external websites.
Just go with what you want to do. There are pros and cons for both as have been listed here. I personally prefer disposables for a variety of reasons, already listed. And note that just because something works perfect for someone else doesn't necessary mean it will work perfectly for you as well. I made sure I had both disposables and cloth when i came out of hospital but had pretty much made up my mind while I was in there.
I was always going to go with the cloth nappies because my three sisters and I were all brought up wearing cloth. In fact, we thought it was odd when we saw people using disposables. Mind you, that was over 20 years ago and disposables were considered pretty crappy by way of absorbtion and comfort back then. I think they were also pretty expensive.
Anyway, upon speaking to many new Mums about the whole issue, I was pretty much talked out of bothing with cloth nappies (for similar reasons discussed above). I am not ruling it out completely though! I still intend to learn how to fold and put on a cloth nappy and I have a few at the ready. However, it's going to be more as a back-up rather than an alternative. I have more than enough newborn disposables (probably too many) as they were given to me or I bought them months ago. I will do as others have said and use disposable for the first few weeks then experiment a bit.
I do worry about the environment but, like others have mentioned, cloth nappies mean running the washing machine and dryer more often so is it any different? My location means that I would have to use the dryer - the nappies won't dry in time on the line or the clothes horse during our cold and wet winters. If I was living up north, it might be whole different story!
Each to their own I say! I personally think if you can go with cloth and it works for you, good on you! It's just not everyone's cup of tea :)
One thing that you might need to take into consideration is whether bub has sensitive skin... Both me & my younger brother have extremely sensitive skin & we were both allergic to disposables. Just a thought.
well as an avid sewer, I plan on making fitted cloth nappies and using those, I got a pattern off the net and made a prototype and gave it to a friend who has a bub to use and see what she thought, she thought it was wonderful, just press studs together - no hassels it is an all in one so no pilchers needed. I can't wait to get sewing, I can buy come stuff wholesale and so the cost of each nappy works out to be about $4, so for 3 doz is less than $150. I think that is pretty good especially considering they supposedly will fit birth to toddler, the baby it was tried on is 18 lbs and there was still several adjustments left
Canniel, I am planning on doing the same thing. I bought a Fuzzi Bunz nappy and am copying the pattern off that as the prototype I made from an internet pattern didn't seem snug enough around the legs and it was a velcro one, when I would prefer to use the plastic snaps.
The Fuzzibunz style have a layer of micropolar fleece next to the baby's skin and this is supposed to draw the water into the soaker that you put inside the nappy, as thick as you need it to be.
One question for you thou Canniel - where do you get your waterproof fabrics? I have ordered some PUL but had to get it from America as I couldn't find it anywhere here.
Hey jgal,
I read on a website that you can use thermal backed calico, I bought 3 pass calico and put it in under the outer layer, which can be either flannel of cotton or anything. Also if you look up in the yellow pages website you will find E & M Greenfeilds in surryhills, and you can order the snaps from them at literally 1/10 0f the price - actually I can email you details if you like
Hi Canniel & Joy,
I'm not sure if it's in the BellyBelly Directory yet, but it does come up occasionally as a banner ad at the tops of the pages - Bubba Earth. It's a fantastic Australian site where you can buy nappy making products, including PUL. Definitely worth checking out!!
HTH.
Canniel, can you email me the details of the pattern? I'm very interested in having a look at making them!
We've used cloth nappies with cloth "fluffies" for Alex when we're at home, and disposables when out or at daycare. I think the cloth is much more environmentally friendly (especially when you do the vinegar/bicarb soda rinse instead of the detergent wash).
The Babaearth link has lots of great products, and it also has a link to a website about making them.. patterns and instructions.. with pictures... i found it looked really helpful..
I also worked out a couple of months ago that it costs over $3000 to have a child in disposables for 2.5 years... and thats without liners or wipes or bags etc...
K
ps. not there yet, but im hoping to cloth diaper.. also make a bunch of fitted diapers.. im looking forward to sewing them.. lol
Hey divvy..
I will email you everything I have. atm I am at work, so tonight I will scan and copy, photo everything and send it through to you.
Hi,
Just thought I would update as my little girl is nearly 2 weeks old.
The cloth system I have going is a breeze - I much prefer putting her in these than the disposables - especially when there are 3 nappy changes in 30 mins - I dont feel like I'm wasting my money on disposables.
I'm doing alternate days with cloth and disposables, which is working pretty well. I just dry pail - it doesn't stink yet, and then scrub the nappies in the laundry sink - and chuck them in the washer.
When she gets to about 4-5kg, I have enough cloth to go full time, including some fuzzibuns and snazzipants from NZ, and I have heaps of prefolds and PUL covers. The PUL covers are great - they dont leak at all, and are great at holding in all the runny poo she has at the moment. I am using proraps newborn size, and I have bummis for when she moves upa size.
Go the cloth - I hate finding little gel crystals on my little girls botty from the disposables, and there is no difference I think in time. But each to their own - there is no right or wrong.
As for PUL fabric - there is no heaps for sale by the metre on Ebay - its worth having a look on there too.
Fi
there is also a little gadget I came across that is called a "lil squirt" It attaches to your toilet, on the pipe where the fresh water comes in, I believe it comes with all the attachments, and it is a little spray nozzle thingy that you use to just spray off the dirty nappies straight into the toilet, and it comes with a little hook to hang it up on and has a safety catch, I haven't bought one yet but definately will be, it seems like a great idea.
I had pretty much decided on disposables until reading this thread. I might go with 1/2 of each for convenience. It does seem a waste changing them often using disposables.
I know hospitals use cloth, can you bring in disposables if you want? I was thinking they may have a policy to reduce waste which is why they use cloth. My ante-natel classes start in a couple of weeks so I will ask them then. Being a clueless 1st time mum I thought I would ask BB too.... :)
Hey Gemma, my hospital used disposables only. They put a bunch in the tray underneath the cot & you just had to ask for more if you needed them. When we left they told us to take the leftovers with us, cos they couldn't use them for any other babies.
Thanks for the suggestion but ebay is no good for PUL fabric - it seems to only be available in America. That is where I got my last lot from but postage is expensive so I am trying to find it here in Australia somewhere to save on postage.
I have definitly seen PUL on ebay - its sold with the cloth nappies. I think it is often sold as a kit, or by the metre.
There might not be any on at the moment, but its worth keeping an eye on as I have seen it there at least half a dozen times over the last few weeks. And as someone said - there are a few companies in Australia that sell the PUL too. Do a search on google for cloth nappies and you will come up with heaps of links to check out. It saves a little money getting them from USA, but for convenience, my money is on the australian suppliers.
Gemma - if your hospital provides cloth, I strongly recommend you use them! We had them at Geelong, and cause the nappies were not that wet , and not that pooey, cloth worked wonderfully. You dont need safety pins, just a little tie up cover worth about 50c. Note - your tying technique will need improving once your milk comes in!!
There were still some people who brought in disposables. Not sure why when the hossy is doing the washing for you?? Save the money, and just use what they provide. Just my humble opinion though!! :D
Fi
Thanks everyone - not sure where I got the cloth idea from...will ask the hospital.
I have had no trouble at all with cloth nappies. So soft on my babie's skin and no stinky nappies filling up the rubbish bin as all solids are chucked down the toilet, and I rinse each nappy as well. Plus the variety of colours and styles is so much better than sposies.
If I could manage to use cloth in Cambodia with no running water (and of course no washing machine), and in Malaysia with a 30 year old double barrel washer -- then it should be a breeze for people surrounded in modern technology.
The brands of nappies I have used were snazzipants, cuddlybunz, fuzzibunz, weewuns and happy heinys. The best have been the weewuns and fuzzibunz. I am going to buy some one wet pants (trainers) by noonee wilga soon, as my son is almost fully toilet trained. So you see it may be true that cloth kids are toilet training earlier too.
Jeanette
I`m using cloth, Mark and I weren`t happy with the ones we brought from department stores so we ended up buying 1 dozen over the net and they look so much better and are thicker then the 2 dozen we brought at the shops.
MIL brought us some disposable nappies for when we first come home and I`ll be using them when we go out but otherwise it`ll be fulltime cloth.
Gemma - Our hospital supplies disposables as well, not sure if too many have cloth nowdays.
Take Care
Deeanne
Our hospital supplies cloth nappies. If we wanted to use disposables we'd have to bring our own, but we're just going to use their nappies as we'll be using cloth at home anyway.
Shannon, with fitted nappies I think it depends on the brand. Apparantly a lot of the cheapies you get at places like Kmart etc are shocking. There are a wider range of good fitted nappies around these days. With Kynan we're going to mainly be using flat terries with PUL and wool or fleece covers, but we also have some fitted tots bots as backups. PUL fabric is used to make covers to go over nappies. It's breathable and is much better than those old plastic things. It helps the wetness evaporate and won't leave bubs all hot and sweaty like the plastic pants do.
Jeanette that is amazing, you are truely a clothie warrior doing it those circumstances:
I am also a clothie fan, though started at 3 months into it.. I have written in the posts mentioned above.
I have tots bots, Bubba J's, wonderoos, Erica's, nature's babies, greens nappies etc..
DO NOT BUY THOSE C$@P Fitted cloth nappies from Big W and other places, they are USELESS!! I had heaps and they leak and leak..all they are is a bit of sewn terry or flannel with a sponge 8-[ I think they were put on the market by the disposable companies to make you think cloth is useless!
I use fold cloth too, it'sall in the fold and liner, I use micro fleece cut in rectangles myself..then a PUL or lanolise wool cover..PERFECT system!
Do research it, the old style our mothers used is NOT the way to go, no need for napisan and other fabric destroying systems.
It is cheaper, funkier, healthier and much better for the enronment of course :)
GO cloth!!
We have a cloth bum here too.. I wanted to use cloth but DH didnt and we had heaps of disposables given to us as presents so i thought well we will empty those then switch by that time we were having heaps of problems breastfeeding so I had to choose my battle with not being about to do much besides feed, sleep and pump and so we used disposables for about 6 months until i finally convinced DH to try cloth and fitteds at that, i did have flats but couldnt convince him of those. So our nappy stash began and we havent looked back since, Elijah is now 17months old and has been in disposables for a few days here and there in that time due to me having a knee op or plain laziness when we moved houses.
There are so many WAHM's making fantastic cloth nappies and they are so easy to make yourself too. Honestly I do a load every 2-3days of nappies and rarely need to use the drier unless i have been lazy and didnt do a load soon enough. I will say though in winter AIO I wouldnt recommend simply because they take longer to dry as they have more layers.
If anyone is interested in coops for fabrics I have a few resources that I have got fabrics from that are in the states but arent too expensive once you work it out per nappy:) please dont hestitate to email me laura_johnson@bigpond.com..
Good Luck to those wanting to make a cloth disposable chioce it is a hard one and every body has their own opinions, I didnt have any hassles with cloth except those early BM poos that leaked everywhere but you could get that in cloth too but the thing that switched me was the cost:)
What is the best way to wash dirty cloth nappies? I was going to do it the old fashioned way of soaking in napisan but perhaps thats not the way to go about it nowdays? Any suggestions would be great :D
Take Care
Deeanne
Here are some recomendations from a fitted Nappy site : Bubba J's nappies
I use the same method for folded nappies and micro fleece liners, also PUL covers..only lanolised wool covers take a bit more work:
Dry Pailing We recommend dry pailing for the easiest management of your cloth nappying system. This means that nappies are placed straight in the nappy bucket (after disposing of any solid matter in an appropriate manner) without the addition of any bleaches or sanitising agents. Use of these agents may affect the longevity of the elastic in your Bubba J products, and can be harmful to sensitive skins. When your nappy bucket is full simply place the contents in your washing machine and wash as per your usual method. We choose to run a prewash cycle, and only use a third of the recommended detergent amount. We also add vinegar during the final rinse cycle which acts as a natural fabric softener, and recommend line drying whenever possible as the sun will aid in naturally bleaching and sanitising your nappies. (Please note wool covers should not be hung in direct sunlight).
The nappies can be put in the drier, but never put any pocket nappies or PUL covers in the drier it will destroy them..they dry in such a short time anyhow..machine drying your nappy's will also santitise them.
The vinegar trick is the best part of the Dry pailing! I have NO stains on my nappies and Felix is 11 mths old (been using them for 8 mths)
Thanks Katanya and you`ve answered my next question about stains :D I`m just using the flat terry towel nappies so they`ll be fine in the dryer.
I suppose you`d have to wash them every day otherwise they`d start to smell if left for 2 days in a dry pail.
Take Care
Deeanne
As long as you remove the waste they should be fine for 2 days, also use a lid ;) I was every 2 days..because I am lazy and it's a waste of water..I have heaps of nappies..
There are these fantastic little water hoses you attache to the tap on your toilet called "little squirts" on sale on ebay for about $40..they will remove waste off nappy into the toilet..
Thank you Katanya :flower: I`ve seen the little squirts and thought it was a good idea until he`s up and about then I can see water everywhere or is there a childproof lock on it LOL
LOL yeah there are child proof locks on them ;)