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  4.25 (Worth a try) from 3 votes (475 Visits) |
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All You Need To Know About Using MODERN Cloth Nappies |
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PLEASE VOTE ON THIS ARTICLE ACCORDING TO THE USEFUL OF THIS ARTICLE FOR CLOTH NAPPY USE, NOT ACCORDING TO WHETHER YOU WOULD CHOOSE CLOTH OVER DISPOSABLE!
The Benefits We Found in Using Modern Cloth Nappies:
Children who wear cloth nappies generally finish training a year earlier than babies wearing disposables. This is because disposable nappies eliminate the feeling of wetness.
Disposable nappies DO NOT keep children “clean & dry” like the ads suggest. They keep them dirty and dry. Nappy rash was once considered a tell-tale sign of neglect. Nappy rash used to affect 7% of babies. Now that 94% of children wear disposables, it afflicts 78%
The rise of male infertility and undescended testicles have also been blamed on disposables, which contain body heat & raise the temperature of the testicles & scrotum.
Hundred of thousands of trees each year are used to make 16 billion disposables in the US alone
A by-product of the manufacturing process is dioxin, a carcinogen (cancer causing) and can also result in nerve damage among other problems
Have you ever seen those globs of gel leak from disposables? This frequently contains organotin, a toxic chemical compound frequently found in super absorbent gel in disposables. It is absorbed through the skin and has been reported to cause allergic reactions, asthma, harm the immune sysem and is possibly responsible for toxic shock syndrome suffered by women wearing tampons.
Disposables are the 3rd leading component of Western landfill (behind newspapers & fast food/beverage containers). Thus discarding large quantities of untreated sewerage into the Earth.
They look much more stylish - gives child self esteem not wearing a "disposable" plastic product
They are soft on babies bottom & comfortable to wear - without that squelchy feeling!
They cost a lot more per nappy, but you use far less overall - so they are a big $$ saver!!
Modern Cloth Nappies are often made from materials such as Bamboo which is more absorbent then the old fashioned cotton Terry Towelling squares our parents used on us as children. Unlike cotton, bamboo does not require vast amounts of water and chemicals and pesticides to grow and manufacture and because you don't need as many layers as cotton, you can have a trimmer fitting nappy as well! Bamboo fabric is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and eco-friendly to grow. Bamboo in its plant form is a sustainable resource. It is also easy to wash and can be put in the clothes dryer. Look for a small polyester content in bamboo fabrics used in cloth nappies for stability of the fabric. Because of its high absorbency, bamboo fabric will take longer to dry so look for quick-dry construction of nappies. On that note, we also use night boosters made by Peapods which are made from microfibre. This extraordinary fabric can quickly absorb 7 times its weight in liquid (good for a heavy rush in the "wee" hours of the morning).
Although some people may be turned off from laundering nappies because of having to dispose of poo - just remember you are supposed to empty poo from disposables into a toilet as well! And you can always wear disposable gloves if you are particularly concerned.
What about NAPPY RASH?:
Contrary to advertisers’ claims, nappy rash has nothing to do with wetness. Most babies are not bothered by a wet nappy at all, although some find it itchy when teething & it can be bothersome if the nappy leaks. Nappy rash arises when urine comes into contact with the bacteria in poo, producing ammonia. Ammonia burns the skin and prolonged contact causes necrosis (tissue death) and can leave permanent scars. Besides being painful, the sore are breeding grounds for viral, bacterial and fungal infections.The type of nappy worn is irrelevant as a cause of nappy rash. In fact I often change my son's wet nappies without the need for wipes or "nappy rash" cream. There is no need to apply creams/lotions unless there is actually a rash! More ploys to get parents to spend $ I think! Although when he was pooing his nappy more frequently I woul apply lanolin as I felt necessary, to place a waterproof yet breathable (petroleum products like vasoline aren't) barrier to prevent nappy rash. The most important thing is to change pooey nappies straight away, and if nappy rash does break out give it the chance to heal naturally (air it out, use lanolin, chamomile tea, egg white), not cover it with more creams that prevent the skin from being able to breathe!
Also I recommend using Johnson's Nappy liners as reusable "wipes" (just add water as needed) for young babies and facewashers when they are older and doing less "poo-ey" nappies per day.
Washing Instructions:
The absorbent inserts require anywhere from 5-10 washes to reach their full absorbency potential. It is recommended that the nappies are washed a few times before use, which will remove any manufacturing residue and enhance performance.
Remove heavy soiling into the toilet. A "Little Squirt" hose can be popular for this but as "poos" become more solid, they can usually be shaken into the toilet without the need for a hose. Alternatively you can also rinse the "poo" into a bucket in the laudnry sink and then tip the contents of the bucket down the toilet (be careful you don't let it splash back up at you!). Small amounts of residue will be removed in the wash.
Place nappy into a dry bucket awaiting washing or straight into the washing machine ready for the next load. Shake out any absorbers/boosters. Inserts that have been clipped in do not need to be removed. No soaking required.
Warm machine wash using 1/2 strength detergent.
Rinse well.
Place on washing line if it's a sunny day or tumble dry on a low heat.
Q. How many Nappies will I need?
A. Newborns will generally use 7-10 nappies per day. Older babies use around 5-8 nappies. If you plan to wash less frequently, simply add to your collection.
Q. Will I need every size?
A. Not necessarily. Most children will only need the first two sizes to see them through to toilet training. See the sizing chart for guidance. There is a broad crossover window for each size and many people find they may last longer than suggested. There are also "one-size-fits-all" nappies available which are very cost effective although I would not recommend. See comments below.
Q. Why are my Nappies leaking?
A. Assuming you have the correct size nappy for your baby (creating a snug seal around baby's legs and tummy), and you have pre-washed the absorbent insert (anywhere from 5-10 washes to reach their full potential), then residue may have built up on the nappy surface, due to nappy creams or too much detergent in the wash. This residue will hinder the performance of the inner lining (cause it to repel liquid). To avoid this, use half (or less) the recommended amount of detergent in each wash. This is more than enough to clean them properly, and avoid detergents that contain softening agents.
The build up of residue can also cause them to smell (due to the interaction of the residual detergent and urine). A good way to clean this off and refresh your nappies is to follow these steps:
Wash your Pea Pods using a hot wash (no detergent)
Wash again in a hot wash, this time use half strength detergent
Cold rinse
If bubbles remain in step 3's rinse, run another rinse
Line or tumble dry (on low)
* I have also found that scrubbing them with eucalyptus or orange oil (degreasers) and an old toothbrush makes a dramatic difference.
Q. Which detergent should I use?
Any normal detergent is fine as long as it does not have any added softeners. Remember to use only 1/2 the recommended strength for the size load you are washing. Do not use clear or natural soap products as they can leave an oily film on the lining and hinder absorption. Do not use bleach as this will destroy the fibres of the nappy. Do not use fabric softener as this will reduce absorption & effectiveness of nappies. Vinegar added to the rinse cycle will restore the ph-levels and is a natual fabric softener. If washed well, staining is usually only cosmetic and will disappear after a few hours on the clothes line in full sun.
A word on Vinegar:
Distilled white vinegar (any other colour will stain!) is beneficial in that it removes soap and detergent build up, helps prevent stains from setting, neutralizes urine and balances the pH level and it is a natural fabric softener. However vinegar will react with the urine and cause the nappies to smell strongly of ammonia. If you are not storing soiled nappies too long, you are not using too much detergent and you are double rinsing your nappies and they still smell & this is bothering you, try washing without the vinegar for several washes to determine if vinegar is the culprit. On the other hand, if you have smelly nappies and you aren't using vinegar - give it a try because it might be the answer you need!
Our Son's Nappy Basket Consists Of:
11x BABY BEEHINDS Small White Velcro AIO "Magic Alls" (no longer fit),
5x BABY BEEHINDS Bamboo Fitteds,
2x BABY BEEHINDS Blue Small Wool Covers (no longer fit),
2x BABY BEEHINDS Small White PUL Covers (no longer fit),
3x BABY BEEHINDS Medium White PUL Covers,
2x PEA PODS Small White Pocket Bamboo/Microfleece,
7x PEA PODS Medium White Pocket Bamboo/Microfleec,
2x PEA PODS Medium Brown/Beige Pocket Bamboo/Microfleece and
3x PEA PODS Microfleece Boosters.
6x BEST AND LESS? Training Pants - various colours SIZE 1
AIO Magic-Alls:
Ease of Putting On a Wriggly Baby: very easy especially with velcro!
Drying Time: took a long time to dry - but we didn't have a dryer at the time!
Leaking:we didn't use these for long as our baby grew out of them, but concerned may have the same issue with the microfibre as we had with the peapods. Although the liner had to be well tucked in to make sure it didn't leak from the legs.
Fit: good - except for around legs as mentioned above.
Pocket "PEA PODS":
Ease of Putting On a Wriggly Baby: difficult
Toddler's ability to remove: difficult
Drying Time: ok if you have a dryer. covers dry very quickly.
Leaking: - due to the microfibre liner, we have had a lot of trouble with fluid repelling, despite following recommendations for strip washing. So we have resorted to putting the bamboo liner on the outside of the pocket instead.
Fit: good. not too bulky- so look good on and look comfortable to wear. However the legs aren't very snug on our skinny baby- but maybe we just have the wrong size?
Fitted "BABY BEEHINDS":
Ease of Putting On a Wriggly Baby: very difficult, especially in the middle of the night
Toddler's Abillity to Remove: very difficult to remove, however the velcro covers are very easy to use.
Drying Time: ok if you have a dryer
Leaking: - no microfibre liner, and all encompassing cover means no leaking!!
Fit: looks bulky, especially in between the legs - doesn't look comfortable for baby
So, whilst the BABY BEEHINDS "one size fits all" sounds like a great idea in theory, in reality I found:
Newborn - bulkier nappy and you need to consider how many nappy changes you will be doing- I found the magicalls I bought for $11 each were most cost effective than $25 each. Nighttime changes are very difficult to do in the dark.
Infant - baby becoming increasingly wriggly at nappy change times.
Toddler - If potty training your baby, you will probably find that once your baby starts walking, you will want to be able to get nappy's on and off quickly and easily, in which case training pants may be the way to go when around home, and a combined nappy pant and nappy cover that is difficult for toddlers to remove for times when training pants arent suitable
Older Toddler - training pants and/or a nappy that is easy for toddler to remove themselves once they are taking themselves to the toilet/potty. I am considering the following nappy system as an alternative to current system:
As I haven't been 100% happy with the above nappies, I have looked into the following alternatives to use on our subsequent children, which I believe should be easier to fit, but not so easy for a toddler to take off themselves. Plus, after the trouble we have had with nappies repelling, I think the best way to go is removable liners, if at all.
www.totsbots.com Daytime: TOTS BOTS BAMBOOZLES - Bamboo Fitted Nappy with velcro fastening
combined with flushable liners (when expecting a soiled nappy)
and PUL covers with poppers for fastening
Nighttime: TOTS BOTS BAMBOOZLES - Bamboo Fitted Nappy with velcro fastening
combined with microfleece boosters and a
Wool or Fleece cover with poppers
However, I think that we might be ready for combining nappy "pants" (which are easier to get on and off a wriggly baby on the move- plus he enjoys lifting his foot and helping to put them on) and training pants (which are designed to leak eventually and assist in potty training) Only problem is finding them in size 0-1's! Size 1 is okay sometimes if they will shrink in clothes dryer.
To find out more about Modern cloth nappies check out the following web sites:
www.babybeehinds.com.au
www.peapods.com.au
www.totsbots.com
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| ADVICE RATING |
4.25 (Worth a try) from 3 votes |
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Re: Our Son Wears Modern CLOTH NAPPIES
Hi Juzzy
It would seem I have said something in my article that has possibly offended your style of parenting?? I am sorry I have come across that way and just to clarify-
I am NOT blaming disposables for nappy rash, nor am I saying cloth nappies will prevent it.
I am also NOT advocating that you don't buy nappy rash creams. They have their place- for times of frequent "pooey" nappies like for newborns, times of diarrhoea and for when nappy rash does break out. But do be careful what type you use that it doesn't make it worse!
I am also NOT entirely AGAINST disposables...in fact we do use them from time to time
What I AM saying is that when it comes to preventing nappy rash, the type of nappy is irrelevant. I you don't change a "pooey" nappy straight away then you run the risk of nappy rash, regardless of the type of nappy used. Disposables are convenient and do absorb a lot of urine, however if your child does a "poo" followed by a "wee" and you haven't changed it straightaway - that's when you'll most likely get nappy rash.
P.S. Don't just wait until you can smell a "pooey" nappy but listen out for grunting sounds, body language etc that may indicate your child is eliminating. You could then get them to a potty or toilet even.
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(March 2009) (
