Help! Still really confused
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Product Reviews
Forum Name: Cloth Nappy Discussion
Forum Description: Are you new to cloth nappies? Looking for washing tips? Want to rave about a great new nappy you've tried? By popular request a board especially for all our cloth Mums!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=39760
Printed Date: 24 November 2024 at 12:01pm
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Topic: Help! Still really confused
Posted By: MelandBri
Subject: Help! Still really confused
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 2:36pm
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So where did you start when you first changed to cloth? I'm finding it all a bit too much to take in and disposables just seem way easier.
How do you know what insert is best, bamboo, hemp, microfiber. Did you just try a few and see what works best? Can someone please steer me in the right direction, I have absolutely no idea about MCN's (finally worked out what that means lol) and I've read all about the different nappy systems but still not sure what to so. Doesn't it get confusing with all the different inners and is it easy to tell them apart from each other? Do you use different ones at different times of the day? And how do I work out what's best for my 2 mth old? Ive read getting a good fit is important, so do I try different nappies until I find one that fits best. Oh my, I'm making this hard for myself aren't u |
Replies:
Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 3:30pm
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Its really easy! Though i had the exact same questions when i started. You get the hang of it in no time.
Inserts - bamboo etc are nicer against babys bum and are also much more absorbant but take forever to dry. Microfibre dry quicker but less absorbant but cheaper. I would have a look on TM and pick up a couple of different types - later when DS is in bed i will have a look at see whats on there that might be good buying for a starter. But yes you do tend to have to try different types. Ittis suit my boy to a tee but don't work at all for some bubbas. Can you tell us about your little one - are they long and thin, chubby, fat legs, fat belly etc? As no point in buying a whole bunch of smalls if you have a big chubber with fat thighs - they'll outgrow too quickly! |
Posted By: Nothing
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 4:08pm
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Easiest way to start is to get some cheap pocket nappies off TM. Look for the $1 res auctions. You should pay no more than $10 per nappy and make sure they have two inserts. My Baby, Babyland and Sunny Baby are all brands I have used. (make sure they are the one size fits all)
These will do you fine for the day and will ease you into cloth. No its not that confusing, you soon learn what goes with what and there is no harm in trying some bits in other types. ------------- 
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Posted By: MelandBri
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 4:10pm
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Thanks :) my DD is around 55 cm long and just over 5 kgs.
I would say she's average size, not chubby legs but then I wouldn't say thin either. And average tummy size. |
Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 6:38pm
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http://www.trademe.co.nz/browse/categorylistings.aspx?sort_order=price_asc&mcatpath=baby-gear%2Fnappies-changing%2Fcloth-nappies%2Ffitted-nappies - Here are the trademe listings for fitted nappies. If you list them by lowest price you will see that the top ones are $1 reserve auctions for the brands Wriggles mentioned - mybaby etc. There are some trial packs too, like http://www.trademe.co.nz/baby-gear/nappies-changing/cloth-nappies/fitted-nappies/auction-388345750.htm - this , though i wouldnt pay the full buy now cost for it, it IS only a $1 reserve so you could pick up a couple then try them out before buying more. http://www.trademe.co.nz/baby-gear/nappies-changing/cloth-nappies/fitted-nappies/auction-387442789.htm - Here is an auction for 5 nappies with a $1 reserve. I wouldnt pay much more then $10 or $12 per nappy so $50 - $60 final bid. Now i've never used these ones but i believe they fit quite big so will probably looks REALLY big and bulky on a little one and you might have to go up a pants size to fit them over her big padded bum. She may only need one of the inserts at a time time at this stage which is a bonus as the covers will dry really quick so you can use it again with the other insert if that makes sense.
If you get fitted nappies they will fit smaller on her and possibly fit a little better but she will outgrow them and then you'll just have to replace them with another set. http://www.trademe.co.nz/baby-gear/nappies-changing/cloth-nappies/fitted-nappies/auction-387240625.htm - here is an auction for an itti bitti small all in one (which means it literally works like a disposable, nothing to stuff or snap). They are pricey but my personal fav and they have great resale value. I brought all my smalls second hand and actually made a profit when i resold them on TM later. They fit from 3.5 - 7.5kg depending on your bubs shape. Will stop rambling now - i promise i'm not some kind of crazy but the internet disconnected so i'm stuck on this page so thought i'd write a novel to amuse myself while waiting for it to come back! Oh - and there is nothing wrong with just trying it out. I only used one or two cloth naps a day when i started while i got the hang of things. |
Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 6:49pm
| Oooh look! http://www.trademe.co.nz/baby-gear/nappies-changing/cloth-nappies/fitted-nappies/auction-387319863.htm - This Itti is pink and cute and comes with an extra booster for more absorbancy AND is only $5 atm...! Dammit, now i'm browsing the itti listings.. |
Posted By: Whateversville
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 7:40pm
Also checkout http://snazzipants.co.nz/ - snazzipants they sell prefolds and covers aswell as other fitteds etc but best of all there is a whole heap of info and what not that you can read 
I started with prefolds and then moved on to trademe cheapies then settled in with ittis 
I know it can be VERY overwhelming to start off with!! Why don't you see if you can find a hire kit? Then you can try some different styles etc before commiting the expense? |
Posted By: MelandBri
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 8:14pm
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Thanks Bowie :) you have been most helpful. I've saved some of the $1 res ones to my watchlist so I'll see what happens.
It's looks like I might be getting my hands on a hire kit (thanks Wriggles :) ) Hopefully that might help me to make up my mind |
Posted By: bebebaby
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 8:51pm
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Just to add, that at the start I was so overwhelmed as well. I couldn't quite get it in my head as to what was what and what went where.
I started out with prefolds and covers for my boy, and then got the odd nappy here and there, and a few 2nd hand ones as well. That way I could try the different types out etc. I ended up settling with fuzzibunz and a few itti bitti's. I recommend the snazzipants web site, as they explain the different types and have great pictures. Good luck! ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: Tinkerbelle83
Date Posted: 02 July 2011 at 10:37am
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Just reading over this page and very helpful!
My boy is now 4 weeks old and almost 5 kgs. He has chubby legs and I think that's why the NB naps I got him are too tight. Thanks for the tip about using two liners cause I had the same problem. Will definitely keep trying as I really hate spending money on disposable and watching how much I use each day!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
3 precious Angel babies - Oct 09, Feb 10, June 10 |
Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 02 July 2011 at 11:24am
| OMG Tinkerbelle! You were in the due thread with me! Congratulations, i didnt even know you were pregnant! |
Posted By: Tinkerbelle83
Date Posted: 02 July 2011 at 6:32pm
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Thanks Bowie :) Congrats to you as well :) ------------- http://lilypie.com">
3 precious Angel babies - Oct 09, Feb 10, June 10 |
Posted By: amalyse
Date Posted: 05 July 2011 at 12:32am
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I found this website http://www.e-weez.co.nz/ - here great for explaining everything I needed to know.
Also new to the cloth game... I like smaller fitting nappies. ------------- 
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Posted By: MelandBri
Date Posted: 05 July 2011 at 8:22am
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Thanks :)
I got some real nappies yesterday, they were a great price at countdown so I hope they are ok. I've read mixed reviews about them so I can only try. I've also bought some sunnybaby ones off trademe. So I'll see what I think of them all. |
Posted By: Guest_45148
Date Posted: 19 July 2011 at 11:22am
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Just read this through and its been really helpful thank you all! MelandBri hope they go well for you.
Im going to give CNs go with baby #2 and read the snazipants site (v good) so my plan is; Disposables for the first 6 weeks then, Prefolds and a wrap for a couple months, will get new prefolds from snazipants and look for 2nd hand/$1 reserve covers on TM. I thought about 12/15? Then into hemp AIOs til its goodbye nappies. I thought Id go perfold inside an AIO at night if I need a boost? Those with experiance does that seem like a plan? |
Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 19 July 2011 at 12:21pm
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I originally started with Peapods when DD was about 1mo. I got 6 small size ones and they lasted until she was about 4-5mo then she outgrew them. They were Bamboo and worked very well! Average for price at $20 a nappy. The most expensive nappy I've seen are Itti's at almost $40 a nappy! She's now 17 months now and I just bought 10x Babyland OSFA nappies off TM. They were $7.50ea and they are fantastic!
I second buying a bunch of cheap nappies and just trialing them. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: bebebaby
Date Posted: 19 July 2011 at 12:22pm
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I had 18 prefolds and 5 covers. I think next time I'll buy a few more covers, but 6-7 would probably be enough.
The hemp AIO's, I've never used them, but be aware that aios take quite a long time to dry. Which brand are you looking at? I would recomend buying an aio, and maybe another 1-2 styles to try, once babe is nearly ready for them and see what fits baby best and you like using the most. ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">
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Posted By: MelandBri
Date Posted: 19 July 2011 at 2:31pm
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I'm finding the Real Nappies great, I even got a night booster and it's amazing, DD went 12 hours in it the other night and no leaks :) I could do with some extra covers tho.
And I've got some sunny baby ones off trade me and so far they are really good also. |
Posted By: Dutchy112
Date Posted: 19 July 2011 at 8:18pm
Good to hear you're finding them so good! I was very impressed with my REAL nappies (hence we stock them) and am looking forward to using them again with baby no 2 (due in Oct) . I started using them after the first week (newborn size) and found they fitted perfectly, and they look so cute! I'm sure you'll be able to get some extra covers off TM or otherwise you can buy them individually or in packs of 6.
For chubby legs I'd recommend the Ecobubs. They are available in 3 different sizes and get good feedback. ------------- Mum to DS1 (July 2009) and DS2 (October 2011) For quality nappies & advice, check: http://www.theclothnappy.co.nz - The Cloth Nappy Company , Christchurch, NZ |
MelandBri wrote:Posted By: lisame
Date Posted: 21 July 2011 at 10:17am
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Hire kits are great for trying different types. The difference between brands can be quite huge.
The other thing I found really helpful is a guide written by 'the nappy lady', Kate Meads - explaining the different types and the advantages/disadvantages of each (like prefolds, pockets, all-in-ones, all-in-twos, different inserts etc). Lots of councils seem to hand out copies. Or she has a website www.thenappylady.co.nz. THe nappy network also has a quick basic guide to different types - www.thenappynetwork.org.nz. There are other issues too that many don't seem to think about - do you want to support NZ made products? natural fibres? etc. |
Posted By: Guest_45148
Date Posted: 21 July 2011 at 11:02am
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Thank you, Ive been reading the nappy lady site which Is why I thought go with prefolds and wrap. Took a look on TM last night and theres some great deals on pocket nappies, mostly mybaby brand, I wasnt overly keen on pocket given you have to wash the entire thing, has anyone used a prefold inside a pocket, does that work?
Thinking now I will get some pockets and try them out if they are only a few dollars then its all good. Some auctions at a $1 reserve for 10/15 and 20 nappies and they seem to go for arounmd $60 which is fab! |
Posted By: Dutchy112
Date Posted: 21 July 2011 at 12:44pm
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Most pockets come with one or two inserts (the MyBaby ones do) made of microfibre which absorb more than cotton prefolds. There's no problem using prefolds in pockets though, saves you buying additional microfibre inserts.
The only thing I found with OSFA pockets is that they were too big on my newborn baby which was where the sized prefolds and wrap were an affordable option (they had paid for themselves by the time he went up in size and now I get to use them again for baby no2!). If you're wondering how much money nappies will cost & how much you can save by using cloth, have a look http://www.theclothnappy.co.nz/faqs8.aspx - here . ------------- Mum to DS1 (July 2009) and DS2 (October 2011) For quality nappies & advice, check: http://www.theclothnappy.co.nz - The Cloth Nappy Company , Christchurch, NZ |
Posted By: E&L+1
Date Posted: 21 July 2011 at 4:50pm
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I use mainly pockets (mybaby from TM). I have extra inserts so once the pocket dries I can use straight away rather than waiting for the insert to dry. I haven't used my prefolds in them as I haven't needed too but there is no reason why you couldn't though. I think DD started wearing OSFA pockets at about 3 months once she was out of her infant sized real nappies. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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