Getting Started with Cloth Nappying
You can start cloth nappying from the time your baby is born, or when they are
older. It's never too late to start!
Types of Nappies
Flat: This is the kind of nappy your
grandmother probably used. It's a huge thin square of gauze-like cloth that is
folded several times and then put on the baby.
PROS: They dry much faster than other types because they are so much thinner.
Also very inexpensive.
CONS: Not very absorbent. Have to double-up for effective absorption.
Prefold nappies This is the most simple and
economical modern nappy. It's made of highly absorbent cotton in a special
weave. It will have several layers on the outer panels and a thicker layers
middle layer down the center of the nappy.
Prefolds come in different sizes and thicknesses, and what they are is indicated
by the color of thread on the edges.
There are Chinese Prefolds (CPF), Nappy Service Quality (DSQ) Prefolds, Indian
Prefolds, and others. Chines Prefolds are the most popular and durable.
Prefolds come in traditional bleached (white) as well as unbleached.
PROS: Very economical. Very good absorption compared to most other nappies. Will
last a long time.
CONS: Require some folding. If you want a good fit must use pins or Snappi. Can
be a bit bulky on a smaller baby.
Fitted nappies
This type of nappy requires no folding or pinning. There are many, many brands
and types of fitteds, but generally they are made to fit a specific size range
and go on the baby much like a disposable, with either velcro or snap fasteners.
They require a waterproof cover over the nappy. Most fitteds come in sizes
according to the age/weight of the baby, however some fitteds are
"one-size" and are designed to fit a much larger size range. For
example 10-35 pounds.
PROS: Convenient. Little or no leaking. Most use snaps. Good for wiggly babies.
CONS: More expensive. Require getting a new set in each size as baby grows
(exception are OneSize nappies).
All-In-One Nappies
These nappies, also known as AIO's are fitted nappies with the cover also sewn
into the design. These are the most convenient to put on and take off. Many
cloth nappying moms have gotten their daycare providers to agree to cloth nappy
by providing AIO's and a pail that they take home at the end of each day. They
are also good for church nurseries, babysitters, and grandmas who've done their
fair share of pinning.
PROS: Very convenient. The only kind most daycare providers will use.
CONS: Must get a new set in each size as baby grows. Slow drying time.
Pocket Diapers The pocket nappy consists of
a waterproof outer cover, and an inner lining of fleece or suede cloth. The
space between the two layers can be stuffed with either a folded prefold, or
other layers of various materials. This nappy will go on and off like an AIO.
And with the added benefit of fleece, the baby stays drier. Many parents use
pocket nappies at night on heavy wetters, so the baby won't wake up all night
long demanding a nappy change. Most pocket nappies users prefer them to be trim,
so they will stuff them with hemp or microfibre. Other parents will stuff them
with infant prefolds or get creative. Anything goes with pocket nappies!
PROS: Can add or take away padding for different situations (night vs. day).
Baby stays dry so less chance of rash. Easy clean-up of BM nappies. Good for
sitters and travel.
CONS: Expensive. Require getting a new set in each size as baby grows (exception
are OneSize nappies).
Can only use each one once before washing (unlike separate nappies and covers).
Materials
Nappies are made from many materials. Most nappies are made of cotton. However
hemp is gaining popularity as a more absorbent option. A hemp nappy can absorb
more without the bulk, however hemp does not absorb as fast for those babies who
flood their nappies quickly. A good combination is a hemp/cotton blend.
Number of nappies to buy
Generally you will need more for a newborn than for an older child. For a
newborn, ideal is 36 nappies. For an older child you should have about 24. This
will enable you to wash about every 2-3 days.
Covers
Covers come in all shape, sizes, and materials. Covers can be used over and over
again until they actually look or smell dirty. When the cover comes off, if it
is simply damp, just hang it somewhere to dry and put a new cover on. When the
baby needs another change put the now-dry cover back on.
You will need at least 6 covers in each size. If you use fitted nappies or
snappis, you will have less messes in the covers and can reduce that number to 4
covers in newborn and small, and 3 covers in medium and large. Like nappies, the
best covers are bought on the internet. Here is a quick rundown of some types of
covers. They get more expensive as the list goes down.
Pull on covers Picture old fashioned plastic
pants. These are good for a potty training toddler over training pants, but
otherwise are not very practical. You must remove baby's shoes and pants to get
them off. They don't last a very long time, and they are very hot. One company
makes PUL covers that are less hot but shaped like plastic pants.
Velcro covers: The have velcro tabs similar
to a disposable nappy. Velcro allows for a custom fit of the cover.
Snap covers: Most are constructed similar to
velcro covers with PUL, but secure with plastic snaps instead.
Materials:
PUL: Polyurethane Laminate, otherwise
known as PUL. It's a very lightweight and cool alternative to old fashioned
vinyl pants.
Fleece Usually snapped on, fleece is
waterproof and breathable, and can be cooler than PUL material.
Wool Has the same benefit of fleece
(breathable) but is a natural material instead of synthetic. They are made with
either wool fabric or knitted like a sweater. Wool has natural antibacterial
properties that allow for multiple uses without getting a urine odour. Wool will
draw the moisture out of the nappy and allow it to dry slowly as baby sleeps,
preventing leaks and nappy overload. Wool does not need to be washed as often as
other covers because of the antibacterial properties. Wool must be hand washed,
and it must be lanolised (you can buy a special wash) every so often to keep its
waterproofing feature.
Front vs. Side Closing
Babies come in all shapes and sizes, and so do covers. Some close with two tabs
much like disposables do. Others will fasten on the sides. The side closing
covers work to get a custom fit of the waist and thighs.
Other nappy accessories:
Doublers are small pads that can be inserted
into any nappy to increase the amount of urine it can hold.
Stuffers are what is put into the inner
layers of pocket nappies.
Soakers usually refer to the inner padding
in a fitted nappy. Some nappies have internal soakers (meaning the absorbent
inner layer is part of the main nappy), and some have external soakers, which
can be removed for washing, and then reattached for use. Nappies with internal
soakers will take longer to dry than ones with external soakers.
Pins and Snappis
Many prefold users just lay the nappy inside the cover. However many others find
that there is less leakage of poop if the nappy is fastened in some way. Pins
are one way to do this. The Snappi is another useful tool that will help to
secure the nappy very quickly and easily.
Cloth wipes
Why stop with cloth nappies? Consider using cloth wipes as well! You simply
throw them into the nappy pail and wash them along with the nappies. Many people
will make a natural, gentle wipes solution. Others will just use plain water.
Wet bags and pail liners
There are a number of products available to contain the nappies. Instead of
lining the pail with a garbage bag, create less waste by using a wetbag, a bag
made of PUL that can be washed along with the nappies. It's great for travel,
too. For the nappy bag you can purchase a smaller wetbag that will hold 2-3 nappies.
Adapted from: New to Modern Cloth Diapers? A
tutorial from MotheringDotCommune: www.mothering.com
Modern
Cloth Nappy Resources:
Getting
Started with Modern Cloth Nappies - a tutorial
Modern
Cloth Nappies - Information and events
Oz Cloth Nappies - Information on Cloth Nappies in Aust & NZ
Nappycino
- Supporting the Cloth Community
Modern
Nappies - independent information and advocacy brochure
Nappies
Australia - Forum for discussing all
nappy questions
The
Nappy Network - NZ support community
Clothnappy.com
- Choosing the Soft Option
All
About Nappies - Why Cloth Nappies?
The
Nappy Lady- The Nappy Lady - UK based
Online
Stores to explore that offer Modern Cloth Nappies for sale
Buying and Selling
Second-hand Modern Cloth Nappies
Tribal Baby