Thinking about cloth next time around.

I loved using disposables but we were thinking of using cloth first time around but there wasnt much choice.

I am thinking of it again (no we are not pregnant yet but going to try soon.)

So maybe someone can set me straight. How often do you have to change your child while they are in cloth?

How often do you do washing?

How many nappies do you have?

How fast do they dry in winter and do you have to use your dryer?

Do they look bulky on the child?

Sorry but I really dislike the look of a bulky nappy on a child and can just see that it will stop them from rolling ect. I know this might not be true at all but always wondered if cloth looks bulkier than a disposable.

Which ones do you prefer?

I think I might prefer less fuss. Not to have to buy new ones as they get bigger.

Do you have to get trial packs and see which ones you prefer? Dont that just add to the cost the whole time?

Sorry for all the questions and might have a lot more soon.

man that is a lot of questions

I change mr 9 months around every 3 hours, and would do that whether in cloth or sposies, it works into the day better for us.

I do a naps wash every second day, all wipes etc go in too.

I have many many nappies, but that is more through choice than necessity. Maybe 15 pockets and 25 sets of inserts for a basic number?

How fast they dry depends on what sort you choose and where you live and whether you have inside drying space as well as outside.

I am happy for bulk, my ds was rolling at 6 months and crawling at 7 months, didn't hold him back although the amount of bulk is purely down to your choice of nappy, heaps of options.

Every baby has a different shape, and it makes sense not to buy one sort in bulk before you can take a look at your baby. Again, there are so many sorts, that me recommending what works for this family doesn't help you at all.

Have you thought about looking at a hire kit? Minimal outlay and you can work out what works best for your family.

How often do you have to change your child while they are in cloth?
- every 3-4 hours, but it was the same for my first baby who was in disposables.

How often do you do washing?
- every 1-2 days

How many nappies do you have?
- 10 pocket nappies for days, 5 cheap pockets for part time daycare and 3 fitted nappies for nights (1 wool cover & 2 pair of wool longies).

How fast do they dry in winter and do you have to use your dryer? I put everything on a airing rack so that I can position it inside or out to suit the weather. Everything is dry in a day - my fitted night nappies are slower drying because they are mega absorbent fabric.

Do they look bulky on the child?
- I think sized pocket nappies are slim fitting and that's why I chose them. Fitted nappies with covers are bulkier but are good for overnight (when bulk doesn't matter).

Which ones do you prefer?
- For daytime I like Fuzzi Bunz, Honeychild, Foxybots & Itti Bitti D'lish. For nights I love Designer Bums hemp fitted nappies with homemade wool longies (long knitted pants) over top.

I think I might prefer less fuss. Not to have to buy new ones as they get bigger. If you do this go for one sizes.
- I don't think one-size and less fuss go hand in hand. I think you probably just want a simple system like pockets. You just stuff an insert into the pocket of the nappy and you're done! It goes on just like a disposable and dries really quickly.

Do you have to get trial packs and see which ones you prefer?
- You don't have to get a trial pack but I'd definitely try before you buy in bulk! Maybe buy a couple of different brands to try out and see which you like better. You can resell anything you don't like and stock up on the ones you do like!

Dont that just add to the cost the whole time?
- It's more expensive to buy a bulk pack of one brand of nappy and decide you don't like it! You can buy second-hand from Trade Me if you want to try cheaply. Or buying one or two new nappies to try is a good idea, ease yourself into it slowly.


Vic xx

How often do you have to change your child while they are in cloth?
I change 2-3 hourly, you need to change about as often as you would if your baby is wearing a sposie.[

How often do you do washing?
I wash every second day.

How many nappies do you have?
I2

How fast do they dry in winter and do you have to use your dryer?
I use pockets so are dry within the day by the fire or on the line on a fine day. I do occasionally use the dryer.

Do they look bulky on the child?
Our day nappies do not look bulky but the nighttime one does due to all the extra stuffing .

Which ones do you prefer?
I prefer pocket nappies for the quick drying times and also because I can add as much absorbency as needed. bumGenius! nappies are a great one size pocket nappy if you don't want to buy multiple sizes.

Do you have to get trial packs and see which ones you prefer? Dont that just add to the cost the whole time?
It is best to buy a couple of different brands of the nappies you think will work for you. They do vary in size/style and won't all suit your baby, it will save you money in the long run.



Edited by Tweedle

True, my bitti d'lish is at least as trim as a empty sposie, but heaps trimmer than a full one!

Maybe borrow one from someone and show him what they are and how easy it is? Or write up some calculations on how much money you can save using them

Shirlena, when I did the figures I worked out that to get 12 small fuzzibunz and wash every day, it would cost the same as disposable nappies for 4 mos. On that basis I chose to get small size only because we were hoping for another baby later on. However, if you think about that: maybe from 4-6mos onwards your baby will fit size mediums, and continue to do so for 2 years (in my experience), just imagine how cost effective that would be! 12 is a comfortable number for everyday washing and not needing the dryer and it would pay itself off so quickly.

Yes, the MCN are rather bulky on a newborn and up to about 6mos. After that they grow into them and you probably get used to them as well.

How about a hire kit?

http://www.thenappynetwork.org.nz/hirekits.php