^^ really? I am dying to try my new Pop-In (sorry, Adam's new Pop-In) but refuse to run the washer for one nappy so I have to wait tll other stuff needs doing - I might have it up and running this time next week at this rate.

just a bucket of water and squeeze/change water every so often? no detergent?

yeh deffo, maybe add a tiny tiny bit of powder, like literally half a teaspoon to a bucket of warm water, it will work just as well as washing it x

It depends on what type of diaper and what it's made of if it really needs prepping and how much. If it's something unbleached cotton it def needs some prepping, microfiber doesn't, regular cotton needs it but can usually be used right away and then with each wash and dry it will just get more absorbent...except with prefolds, all prefolds need to be prepped but just depends on how much if they are bleached or unbleached

I bought a Smart nappy to try and really liked it. Ultimately Bum Genius won out on who got the bulk buy because they were one size birth to potty so worked out much cheaper. All the cloth nappies we've tried have come to just under the belly button.

But the Smart nappy was very absorbent. I used flushable paper liners in the morning when he usually had his big poo and they were fine.

You'll probably find that a few more washes and another pound of baby weight do the trick!

If the inner wasn't wet through but he was leaking I would put it down to a bad fit or not enough pre washing. I'd give them a few washes, and try again. Good luck x

The only time I've had a problem with smart nappies is when Leyla was nearing the upper weight limit for the small ones and she was leaking out of the back. I moved up to the next size and it solved the problem. We didn't use the newborn ones at all, just started straight away in small ones... tbh I think those tiny little pads for the newborn ones are just too small. Are you using the newborn size? It might be worth trying the small if you are (PM me if you want me to send you one to try). Also, how often are you changing the nappy? I usually change smart nappies every two or three hours to avoid leaks.

I've only used the disposable pads a few times, but I was pleased with how long they lasted. You could try using both the disposable and the washable pads at the same time.

Forgot to say, I love the smart nappies but they're a bit boring so I often use the smart nappy pads inside a colourful pocket nappy (just the cheapie ebay ones) and they work really well. Might be worth trying that - then you can see if it's the pads that aren't absorbant enough or the outer just doesn't fit your baby.

I used smart nappies to start off with, and still use their disposable liners.

You need to make sure you have washed the inserts a few times to get their absorbancy up, and make sure you put them in the right way round (with the criss cross pattern facing up, but this is explained in the instructions.)The liners aren't really needed unless you're bothered about poo, and I guess with a newborn he'll be pooing lots!! But all they do is act as a barrier to catch poo, and the wee will go through when the nappies on properly.
The liner should tuck into the gusset, again make sure you're folding the liners like the instructions say (is he in newborn size nappies?, as these follow slightly different instructions).
I thought these were a brilliant nappy to start with, very simple to use, quick drying and not too bulky, but when my LO grew bigger and was weeing more (when he was about 12lb) the wrap seemed to get wet quickly, as it's not the best waterproof fabric and so I stoped using them I had 4 wraps and 8 inserts and also used some Ikea hand towels/tea towels folded up (which were only 19p each) to put in the gussets on the odd occasion!!!
I'm still planning to use the inserts I have though when I start using pocket nappies, and will use these to start off with if I have other LOs. If I could have made the wraps more waterproof (perhaps by lanolising them?) I may have used them for a little longer, but he'd almost outgrown them anyway.

I now use Tots Bots bamboozles with a variety of wraps. If you have any other questions just ask

i use tots bots, but i use the smart nappy inserts with them for bedtime nappys,
touch wood so far no leakage

id recommend tots bots chick their excellent

Just checking - do you mean liners or absorbent pads? The liners won't absorb much on their own without the pads.

Did you use fabric conditioner on the nappies?