How much work are they??

For those of using cloth nappies....

How much work are they really?? I have been on the fence about them, I want to try them out but I am a bit worried about the upkeep.

How many do you need, how is the clean up, do you use them when you go out or just at home, how are they for nighttime use? What kind to use, etc

I'm sure I have missed some questions but for those using them if you could give my your opinions that would be great.

Thanks for your help

The work required depends on the type of cloth nappies you choose, there are so many available ranging from flats and covers (more work due to soaking and folding required) to all-in-ones (basically the cloth version of a disposable).  Many people choose the happy medium of pocket nappys where the only work is stuffing the pockets (and the stuffers are generally the exact right fit so it's not hard at all).

MCNs can just have the solids rinsed off and be chucked through the wash (no soaking required) so it's about as hard as washing your childs clothes.

Until I went back to work we used cloth for daytime and a disposable at night time (we were using old flats and pilchers, if we'd been using MCNs we would have used them at night time too).

I think it's well worth investing in some cloth nappies.  They're super cute, so lovely and soft and you'll love having the extra cash in your grocery budget.

I'm pretty new to the cloth nappy thing, but have found them great to use. I wanted something really easy to use, especially as I had to convine DH that they weren't going to be more difficult for him to use, so I went the all-in-one way (itti bitti d'lish).

I'm changing Natalie about every 3 hours during the day (unless we have a poosplosion!), so maybe 5-6 nappies during the day, I'm still using disposables overnight, but am hoping to start using them overnight too (but my all-in-ones wouldn't do the job for 12 hours!)

I rinse off the poo if it's bad (but not being on solids yet, it's still very runny), and I do put a load of nappies on every night, as we have 2-3 pooey nappies each day, and I don't like the smell of them sitting around (they do get out in a sealed dry bucket, so I could leave them longer). I have enough for 2-3 days, so could go longer for that reason too. I dry them on the line the next day, and being AIO's they do take longer to dry, so I usually end up finishing them off in the dryer in the evening, but if it's a sunny day, they're fine.

I use them to go out too - no problems there. Overall, I've been really happy with them, and for me the big thing is that I'm not throwing out bags of stinky rubbish every week!

Also www.mumsandbubs.co.nz

I started out with 6 nappies on a 1.5yo during the day, sposies at night and washing every day. I now have more than 18 (and that did me a baby and toddler at once with washing every 1-2 days). These days we only have one in nappies, full time cloth, washing about every 3rd day. The washing is not that bad, you get used to it, and the cost savings are amazing.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Are there MCNs that are better for boys?

I just have to get DH onboard with this, I really dislike all the waste produced from sposies so would love to use cloth.

I showed DH the money thing too and that was all it took. Plus we used sposies for the first couple of weeks and man the stink of them sitting around turned us right off lol..

We found pockets great for our boy. He went through stages of being a light wetter and then turning into a right heavy wetter so I was able to adjust the aborbency of the pockets easily.

For the boys thing, I find having a hemp insert in the pocket is quite good.

But I have pockets as well and I love them. Adjusting the inserts is a great thing to have as Josh goes through times of heavy and light wetting and as DC change them more often so I don't need so many inserts in there.

Where do you live?? Maybe see if you can see someone with them to have a look at.

Kellygirl wrote: Thanks for all your advice ladies, I have been looking at different MCN's and I think I am more confused than ever. There are so many to choose from!! I wondering if any of you know which brand is better for babies with chubby thighs.

Leo's always had chubby thighs and we've got on well with Fuzzi Bunz, Honeychild, Itti Bittis and BumGenius V3. My favourite though are Itti Bitti D'lish AIOs., they are just so easy and reliable (not to mention super cute!). Def go for a medium though if you're buying for your 3mth old as they are a small fit (although my 15kg 2yr old still fits a large).

I think the best idea is to chose a few that you like the look of, try them out and if they work for you then get a few more.

I personally don't like dealing with pockets so I use AIOs during the day and then fitteds or pockets at night. AIOs seem more expensive but when you add inserts they end up pretty reasonable.