Choosing your Real Nappies

With so many brands, styles and types of nappies around, it can be a little hard to work out which one is right for you and your baby. There are a number of factors that you might like to consider: Your budget Flat nappies or simple one size nappies are more economical than all-in-one nappies. There might be a real nappy incentive scheme in your area which could give you cash back or offer a free trial. Speed of drying Pocket and flat nappies will dry quickest, followed by slim one-sized nappies with all-in-ones taking the longest to dry Fabric Natural fabrics such as organic cotton or bamboo are lovely on a baby’s skin but new fabrics are hard-wearing and absorbent Ethics You could try to buy nappies that are made in the UK or Europe or ensure that they come to the UK by boat, not aeroplane to reduce “nappy miles” Fit If you want a slim fitting nappy, then look for trim nappies such as the Flip or the Mother-ease one size Breastfed new baby poo Generally a 2-part nappy system is better at containment but we have had good reviews of the Flip and the Wonderoo too Ease of use All-in-one nappies are the simplest to use, but they do take longer to dry and are more expensive If you want more help and advice in choosing the perfect nappy for your family please visit www.naturalnursery.co.uk/reusable-nappies-advice.html    

Flip Nappy Cover Review

Victoria sent a lovely review of the Flip Nappy cover to the Natural Nursery:


"We love using these as they are so easy to fasten and clean but we do have some leaking from them.
4/5"

If the nappy is leaking because the baby is producing a lot of liquid it is easy to double up the inserts in a Flip Nappy. Babies go through stages of heavy wetting and it might be a good idea to check more often at the moment to see if the baby needs changing more often. Also, inserts become more absorbent as they are laundered more.

For more information, help and advice about reusable nappies please visit www.naturalnursery.co.uk

Top Ten Real Nappy TIps

This is a very good 'lens' on Squidoo by DaisyBabies.
They say "Everybody does things a little differently. When you're staring with real nappies it can seem like a daunting task. In our office we get lots of tips from great mums, dads and grandparents who use cloth diapers and we wanted to share some of them!"

Our 10 Top Tips

1. Keep your nappies bright with sunshine
   Sunlight contains UV rays which bleach the nappy fabric. If your nappies get a little stained (albeit an organic stain) just leave them in direct sunlight to return them to their former glory. That's one of the reasons that line drying is so great for real nappies.
2. Never use softener in your nappy wash
   Softener works by coating the fibers of the fabric. This is lovely with clothes, but spells disaster for your nappies. The coating on the fibers prevents them from doing their job of absorbing liquid.
3. Go easy on the nappy cream
   All babies get sore bottoms, especially when teething. It's well known that many babies have less nappy rash with cloth nappies, and dermatologists recommend cloth diapers to children with skin problems. That said, using too much cream can coat the fibers of the nappy, making it less absorbent. Using a little often, a baby oil or a biodegradable nappy liner will all keep your nappies at their best.
4. Bucket + Lid = Bliss / Bucket + Lid + Tea-tree Oil = Antibacterial Bliss
   A bucket with a lid is a must for cloth nappies. It means that you can store them until you have a full load and transport them to the washing machine. As strange as it sounds, many mothers stick a panty liner to the inside of the bucket lid. They then apply a few drops of tea-tree oil. This neutralizes any nasty smells and is naturally anti bacterial.
5. The Power of Friends
   Finding a friend who is also using cloth nappies is a good way to share experiences and tips. But what if none of your friends are doing cloth? Well, don't give up! There are loads of forums and groups for parents who are having great success with cloth diapers.
6. Match the Nappy to the Baby
   It makes sense to get the right nappy for your baby. As a parent, you'll know best. For example, pinned nappies might not be the best for a wiggly baby, so look for Velcro. Microfiber may dry quickly from the machine, but perhaps it's not the best choice for a heavy wetter.
7. Be Realistic
   A day in disposables is not a failure. We had one parent ask about their three day trip across Europe in car and boat. We discussed using a bag for each day, how many nappies she would need, and the bulk of carrying them. In the end, she decided that the baby would have one day's travel in disposables and the following two in cloth, as two days in a bag wasn't too bulky in the car and she could wash them at the destination. She found a realistic balance.
8. Don't Boil Wash
   There is no need to boil used nappies. Modern machines and a small amount of detergent can get your nappies clean at lower temperatures. Some fabrics such as bamboo are naturally anti-bacterial which is an added bonus.
9. No need to Iron
   Not many people enjoy ironing. Fortunately, nappies work best when they are NOT ironed. Ironing flattens the fibers making them less absorbent.
10. Never Too Late
    You can start with cloth nappies at any point. Some parents feel overwhelmed with their first child. It may take time to settle into a routine and to get used to your new role as a parent. That's perfectly normal. Take the time to do it, and then when you're ready, move to cloth. Some parents on the other hand use cloth from the very beginning. Each person is different. You choose what's right for you.

You can see the full article at http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-real-nappy-tips and if you are interested in learning more about washable nappies in the UK please visit www.naturalnursery.co.uk.

Ebay guide to Modern Cloth Nappies

Modern Cloth Nappy care instructions and tips

by: little.rippleoriginally on Ebay Guides

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There are no set rules here. The following tips and guidelines are compiled based on our experience, feedback from our buyers and articles on the internet. You should use them as guidelines only. Not everyone will get the same result even if they follow the same instructions. And every baby is different. You will find the best way that suits you and your baby by trial and error.

There are many tips and care instruction on the internet as well. Just do a Google search with keywords like "modern cloth nappy washing" or "modern cloth nappy care instructions", etc.

How many nappies do I need?

It will depend on your budget and the frequency you washing and drying them. You need to change the nappy and the insert approximately every 2-3 hours. The estimated total number of nappies you need is 10 per day. And you need another 10 the next day while others are being washed or dried. Of course the more nappies you purchase the easier it will be for you.

Pre-wash

You need to wash your nappies and inserts before you use them for the first time, for two main reasons:

1. To remove any residues from production process
2. To help reach their full absorbency quicker.

You can expect reasonable absorbency from your nappies after 3 washes. It may take up to 6-10 times before they reach full absorbency. You only need a small amount of detergent. Drying after each wash will help reach full absorbency quicker. Some suggest that you just wash a few times then start using them. But change more frequently at the beginning until they reach their best absorbency eventually.

Can I mix all colours in the wash?

Yes, you can. They are colourfast.

Washing temperature and tumble drying

Washing temperature should be no higher than 35 degrees. Cold rinse. If you need to use tumble dry, make sure the temperature is set to "Low".

Drying

Line-drying is the ideal way of drying your modern cloth nappies as the sun sanitises and bleach out any remaining stains. It is also the most economical and environmental-friendly method. You should place the inner side of the nappy facing the sun.

But the nappy shell is best air-dried in the shade as this helps prevent elastic going brittle. The inserts are good to be line-dried in full sun or tumble-dried in low.

If the weather is not permissible, you may tumble dry them in LOW. But tumble drying is not recommended as it will shorten the lifespan of your nappy. To shorten drying time, try to add a dry towel to the dryer. The inserts will take longer to dry. The nappies should be much quicker. An alternatively way to shorten nappy shell drying time is to roll it up in a towel to remove excess moisture, then hang it up and air-dry it.

Detergent and softener

Normal washing detergent is good to use, providing it does not contain bleach or softener which will reduce the absorbency. Use 1/4 or 1/3 of normal amount is enough. No softener or bleach should be used.

Some use bi-carb insteand of detergent, and use vinegar on rinse cycle.

Soaking or dry-pail?

No soaking is required. Try to avoid Napisan or other soakers. The soakers break down the absorbent components of the nappy. You should leave the nappies in dry pail and wash it around every 2 days.

Changing the nappy

You should change it every 2-3 hours or when the insert is saturated. (Sometimes you may change the insert alone and leave the nappy for another round if the nappy is still clean and dry.) You may use flushable liners on the top of the inner nappy if you wish. Remove any solid waste and flushable liner into the toilet. You may do a quick rinse under the tap before putting your nappy in a pail.

My nappy is leaking

A normal nappy in good condition should not leak. If it is leaking, try to find out the reason causing it so that you can fix the problem:

* Make sure you adjust the nappy properly so that it fits your bubba. The nappy itself does not hold moisture, the moisture gets sucked through to the insert placed in the pocket. Therefore, they need to be placed close to the body, not too loose;

* Make sure you change the nappy every 2-3 hours or when the insert is saturated, otherwise it will leak through to the side;

* The nappy may not have reached its full absorbency yet. Do a few more wash/dry cycles so the nappy starts function properly;

* If you have been using the nappy for awhile now, maybe it's time to do a strip wash.

Strip wash

After a few months of usage, you might have a leaking or smelly nappy. That is due to a build up of residue (detergent, cream or other chemical) which reduces the absorbency, even if you have been following the instructions carefully. You might want to do a strip wash.

1. Make sure your nappies are washed and dried

2. Run a hot wash (no hotter than 60 degrees) with 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of white vinegar or 1/4 cup dishwashing liquid (Now our manufacturer says no hotter than 35 degrees. It's your call. Maybe use 35 degrees or lower and see the result first)

3. Run a normal wash, cold or warm with no detergent

4. Check the water while they are being washed – If you see soapy bubbles, keep running them through a rinse cycle until they are gone

5. If you have done 4 rinse cycles and you are still seeing bubbles, do another hot wash, with no detergent and no hotter than 60 degrees

6. Keep rinsing until there are no bubbles.

7. Line dry your nappies

Do I need more inserts?

You may need an extra insert if your baby is a heavy wetter or you may need it for nap time and night time.

For more information about cloth nappies, an amazing range of beautiful reusable nappies and accessories and information about UK local nappy incentive schemes please visit www.naturalnursery.co.uk

Myth 5: Cloth nappies аrе ancient fashioned аnd nο one uses thеm anymore.

Still саn’t сhοοѕе whether tο υѕе cloth nappies? Thіѕ article wіll hеlр tο explode ѕοmе οf those nagging doubts аnd myths thаt саn surround thе uѕе οf re-usable nappies. Forewarned іѕ forearmed, ѕο whеn уου come асrοѕѕ those uninformed cloth nappy sceptics уου wіll hаνе аll thе аnѕwеrѕ аt уουr disposal! Many public аrе turning tο cloth nappies instead οf thе expensive, wasteful disposables. If уου′re considering іt, read οn tο find out ѕοmе common myths associated wіth cloth nappies.

To see the rest of this article bу Geoff Tomkins originally published here click - http://babiesare.com/nappy-rash/nappy-rash-common-myths-associated-with-babies-cloth-nappies


Myth 5: Cloth nappies аrе ancient fashioned аnd nο one uses thеm anymore.
Thе cloth nappy market іѕ one οf thе fastest growing іn thе nursery sector аnd now stands аt around 15% οf аll babies. Thе government hаѕ a target tο gеt 155,000 additional households tο υѕе re-useable nappies, reducing nappy waste аn average 225kg per participating household per year bу thе еnd οf 2006. Basically wе hаνе rυn out οf landfill space аnd thе government іѕ putting hυgе resources іntο local schemes tο encourage real nappy υѕе.
Aѕ far аѕ ancient fashioned goes, nappies thеѕе days аrе funky fashion garnishing аnd wіth Hollywood “A list” stars such аѕ Gwyneth Paltrow аnd Chris Martin bу аnd supporting thе cloth nappy cause – thеу аrе thіѕ years “mυѕt hаνе″ baby accessory!

For more advice and help about the range of cloth nappies available visit the Natural Nursery

Myth 4: Cloth Nappies are Bulky

Still саn’t сhοοѕе whether tο υѕе cloth nappies? Thіѕ article wіll hеlр tο explode ѕοmе οf those nagging doubts аnd myths thаt саn surround thе uѕе οf re-usable nappies. Forewarned іѕ forearmed, ѕο whеn уου come асrοѕѕ those uninformed cloth nappy sceptics уου wіll hаνе аll thе аnѕwеrѕ аt уουr disposal! Many public аrе turning tο cloth nappies instead οf thе expensive, wasteful disposables. If уου′re considering іt, read οn tο find out ѕοmе common myths associated wіth cloth nappies.



To see the rest of this article bу Geoff Tomkins originally published here click - http://babiesare.com/nappy-rash/nappy-rash-common-myths-associated-with-babies-cloth-nappies


Myth 4: Real nappies аrе bulky.
Real nappies аrе bulkier thаn disposables bесаυѕе thеу don’t contain absorbent chemicals аnd gels. Bυt thіѕ bulkiness really helps іn thе development οf strong bones аnd hips аnd protects thе base οf baby’s spine whеn learning tο walk. Hυgе bottoms bounce better! Frugi clothes solve thе problems οf finding clothes tο fit over cloth bottoms οf course!


For more advice and help about the range of cloth nappies available visit the Natural Nursery

Myth1 - Cloth Nappies are a Hassle

Still саn’t сhοοѕе whether tο υѕе cloth nappies? Thіѕ article wіll hеlр tο explode ѕοmе οf those nagging doubts аnd myths thаt саn surround thе uѕе οf re-usable nappies. Forewarned іѕ forearmed, ѕο whеn уου come асrοѕѕ those uninformed cloth nappy sceptics уου wіll hаνе аll thе аnѕwеrѕ аt уουr disposal! Many public аrе turning tο cloth nappies instead οf thе expensive, wasteful disposables. If уου′re considering іt, read οn tο find out ѕοmе common myths associated wіth cloth nappies.

Myth 1: Bу cloth nappies іѕ loads οf hassle аnd takes up valuable time I wουld rаthеr waste wіth mу baby.
Real nappies аrе nο longer аbουt complicated folds, pins, stinky soaking buckets аnd boiling. Thеrе іѕ аn іnсrеdіblе array οf re-usable nappies out thеrе thаt dο up wіth Velcro, poppers οr nifty small grips. Thеу аrе shaped јυѕt lіkе disposables аnd аrе very simple tο рlасе οn.
Yου саn hаνе a paper liner thаt catches solids thаt уου саn јυѕt drop down thе toilet аnd thеn fling thеm іn a nappy bin. Nο need tο soak thеm, dry pailing іѕ fine. Thеn јυѕt stick іn a 60 degree wash – іf уου hаνе enough nappies, уου οnlу need tο dο thіѕ еνеrу 3 days.

To see the rest of this article bу Geoff Tomkins originally published here click - http://babiesare.com/nappy-rash/nappy-rash-common-myths-associated-with-babies-cloth-nappies



For more advice and help about the range of cloth nappies available visit the Natural Nursery

Lincolnshire Real Nappy Campaign - £30 Cashback

The Lincolnshire Real Nappy Campaign is offering £30 cashback off your purchase of real nappies (subject to conditions) in a bid to raise awareness and give information about real nappies to parents.

http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/residents/environment-and-planning/recycling-and-waste/household-waste/nappies/lincolnshire-real-nappy-campaign/38462.article

The application form is here http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/residents/environment-and-planning/recycling-and-waste/household-waste/nappies/lincolnshire-real-nappy-campaign-application-for-%C2%A330-cash-back/46051.article

Visit the Natural Nursery for advice about cloth nappies.

Leeds Real Nappy Incentive

Leeds City Council has run a real nappy incentive scheme for a number of years to encourage and support families in Leeds who want to save some money and the environment. Since the scheme started the families have saved nearly 700 tonnes of landfill waste.
What is the real nappy incentive scheme?
Parents can either get a free trial pack or £30 cash back when they spend £50 on real nappies.
Trial packs
These are a good way to try the system, especially if it’s your first baby or if you don’t know much about the real nappy system.
The trial pack includes:

• 1 Bum Genius v3 nappy
• 1 Pop-in nappy
• 10 x disposable paper liners
• Instructions and a list of suppliers

These are shaped nappies which can be adjusted to fit as your baby grows.
Cash back
The cash back option is good if you have already decided to use real nappies. Leeds City Council is offering £30 cash back on purchases over £50 from any supplier. This option does not include nappy accessories and proof of purchase will be required to claim the cash back.
This option allows you to:

• Choose your own style of nappy
• Use a nappy laundering service (see suppliers list)

Am I eligible for the real nappy incentive?

• The child's parents or guardian must be a resident within Leeds City Council boundary.
• The child must be under 12 months old or the expectant mother in receipt of a Mat B1 form.
• To apply for a trial pack or cash back please download a claim form and return to the address listed below with the relevant documentation as indicated on the claim form.
• One trial pack or cash back is available per child.

Real Nappy Incentive Scheme
Environmental Services Communications Team
Knowsthorpe Gate
Cross Green
Leeds
LS9 0NP
Families taking part in the incentive scheme will also be asked to complete a feedback form to help us assess the success of the scheme.
Please note the scheme is subject to availability.
If you require additional information please telephone 0113 395 0778 or email info.recycling@leeds.gov.uk.

www.leeds.gov.uk/Environment_and_planning/Recycling_rubbish_and_waste/Recycling__information_and_advice/Real_nappy_scheme.aspx

For more information about reusable nappies visit www.naturalnursery.co.uk