Cloth nappy advice

[twirlygirly]

I've been in contact by email with a women from Lollipop, after answering lots of questions she has suggested the Onelife nappy for me (well for baby, but she's not here yet). Now I feel a bit funny buying just one type of nappy. I don't intend to make a decision until after baby is here, we're going to use disposibles for a few weeks.
So can anyone comment on the Onelife nappy? Also which other nappies would you suggest I try?
I'd like to use a shaped nappy
I've got a tumble drier and room to air dry.
I live in a hard water area
I suppose I would prefer a birth to potty nappy if possible.
It needs to be easy to use for DH

Any advice would be great!

Thanks

TG

[redhed]

OK, well the other Nappy Nerds will be along soon, I'm sure. Meantime.....

- can't comment on the "onelife". Not actually heard of that one before. But am INSTANTLY suspicious of someone trying to sell you a one-shot package at this stage. Never works.
- shaped nappy - OK, but do try some other sorts as well. I know folks that were determined to have tots bots and tried terries and never looked back..... so try a real range
- birth to potty - OK but they are a compromise and they rarely really work from birth. Often you have to use something else for the immediate newborn stage and then go to the btp nappy after a month or two. Depends on the size of your newborn, though!
- ease of use - absolute ease of use would be a AIO or a stuffable, not a shaped. But appreciate that might rule out terries.

So, I'd try:
- a couple of decent wraps: definitely 1 motherease cos they're v standard and a lot of others are motherease clones
- a prefold and a terry: cheapest, fastest drying option, slightly more hassle (esp the terry) but once you have the hang of them, 100% adjustable.
- something shaped .... I guess tots bots fluffles/bamboozles atm would be popular, though I'm not so up on those
- a stuffable: you can stuff it with the prefold or the terry and so try 2 systems without spending much more. Most popular are fuzzis though they're pricey.

All of the above you can get cheaply on ebay: try them and ebay back what you don't like and all it has cost you is postage.

Remember all the other stuff you need with real nappies, though:
- cloth wipes (cut up towel or flannel)
- fleece liners (optional at newb stage but handy later)
- nappy bucket (15-20l, from a pound shop at half the price of the useless 9l ones they sell in mothercare)
- nappy net (big one, saves you handling stinky nappies)
- lavender/tea tree oil (to make the nappy bucket not so stinky!)
- dirty nappy bag (for when you're out and about)

Er... I think that's it! Have a look at Kittikins and Twinkle on the web, both stock a wide range of popular brands and accessories, might give you more ideas.

[August Girl]

I live in a hard water area and the Tots Bots have gone quite crispy! The best ones I have are the Nature Babies Microfibre Diddy Diapers, they are lovely and soft!

Good advice from Redhed

[silverpod]

I think the one life are similar to the motherease one size. http://www.kittykins.co.uk/cloth-nap...nd/mother-ease

I have used these and they are pretty good, but I did find it was a better fit once DD got to about 14lbs, it was a bit 'gappy' around the legs before and we had a few leaks. I've just realised DS is about that weight now so I've started using them on him. You can fold it in a number of ways which makes the nappy smaller or bigger and therefore a better fit.

Pros of this nappy: it's a birth-potty so will save you buying more than one size, easy to use and it is soft. It's reasonably quick drying too, even if you didn't have a tumble dryer. As I still have two in nappies I will use these in my change bag as they can be used on both children so I don't have to take 2 sorts of nappies out.

Cons: like I said it didn't suit dd until she filled out a bit, so that's why I was hesitant about using it so soon this time (DS is 9 weeks, to give you an idea).

But I do agree with Redhead, get one of this sort and get other sorts as well to try.

[bluecow]

Wise words spoken by redhed, as always

The microfibre ones are very quick drying, however I don't like the feel of them. Feels very scratchy on my skin.

I am a big fan of pocket nappies like Fuzzi bunz and Wonderoos as they are also quick drying and easy for DH to use!!

[funkystars123]

we have just converted cloth at six months. W2e had a nappy triak when he was about 6 weeks but just found it all to overwhelming.

recently tried swadlebees velour and fuzzi's and fell in love with the fuzzis. Thought I wuld love the swadlebbes but found them to big and cumersome and difficult to dry. Fuzzi's a slim fitting and dry so fast as the insert is seperate.

good luck and as always redhed has fab advice!
hth

xx

[twirlygirly]

Thanks for your advice ladies,

Sorry Redhead, I'm really not keen on terrys/prefolds, DH wouldn't entertain the idea and I need him on side!

So I'm thinking I should buy one of each of a few different types/styles of nappy?
Had a look online and thought about buying 1 of each of the following......

Bimble quickdry size 0
kissaluv size 0
motherease one size
sandy small
fuzzi bunz small
swaddlebee small

Wraps

motherease rikki
modern baby PUL
wacky wrap (these are so cute)

I guess I need some boosters for the pocket nappies, and all the other stuff Redhead mentioned above.

What do you think? Is this the way to go or can you suggest something better?

Thanks

TG

[silverpod]

That's a good trial list. You may want to get a kissaluv size 1 instead of 0, as they really are very small and won't last very long. You might also like to try a tots- rainbow or fluffle?

For boosters, fuzzis now come with a microfibre insert, or you can get microfibre cloths and fold them (or even fold a terry)

My only other tip is a lined washbag (from boots, the type with a drawstring top) makes a good out and about bag.

[Helcatt]

I went for the motherease one size thinking t would be really easy an get dh on side.

Guess what? He prefered the shaped terries that we had and was really upset when E grew out of them. He struggled with the poppers.

Again, we used disposables to start with and even whenw e did start on the MEOS they were a bit big, the shaped terries were a better fit.

Play with wraps too, I prefered velcro but ds did not like it and quickly learned how to undo it!

Good luck

Hx

[August Girl]

You can also get a free cloth nappy from Little Lamb, details are here http://www.damsels.org/forum/showthread.php?t=26118

I had mine today, they are lovely and soft.

[Muppetgal]

my OH wanted to use prefolded or all in ones too, but it didn't take him long at all to get used to terries...he found them very easy actually.

[Sealface]

You can also get a free cloth nappy from Little Lamb, details are here http://www.damsels.org/forum/showthread.php?t=26118

I had mine today, they are lovely and soft.

I had one of these too and it's lush! Just like the Tots Bots IMO, but probably even softer (and cheaper!) x