I'd like to try these out, at least while I'm on maternity leave, but I have no idea where to start!

I know I could go for the traditional terry nappies, but do these produce just as much waste with the liners that you have to throw out? And with the cost of the liners is it comparible to disposable nappies?

I've also seen these bumGenius nappies on the Mothercare website which claim to be a lot more conveniant, just wondering if anyone has any experience with these?

Also, how many nappies would I need to start off with?

Thank you for your help!

Hi hun

I contacted the Real Nappies for London campaign and they sent me out some info and a £30 voucher to spend on cloth nappies. I can't remember the answers to your questions completely but the cost is less than disposables and I believe the waste is a lot less even with the liners. If no one else gets back to you today I'll look at the info when I get home tonight and give you some proper answers to everything you asked!

In the meantime, you could try contacting the Kent Cloth Nappy Network (I'm guessing that's where you are based on your details!) http://www.kent.gov.uk/environment/r...py-network.htm - they should be able to help

http://www.babyandbump.com/baby-todd...add-yours.html

I intend to use cloth nappies as my friend has used them for her little girl and says they are great. She said the best thing to do is get about 12-20 as they do take a long while to dry and its always best to have enough for a day or so ready to use and the rest in the wash or drying. She also said that its good to have a pack of disposables laying around for emergencys. I think that i will get mine off ebay as at about £4-12 each they are not cheap to buy. Some websites do a starter pack for about £150 i will try and find some links for you.

http://www.fill-your-pants.com/secti...-package-deals

check out www.clothnappytree.com Real aldies who all use cloth and are so so helpful

The main thing you need to do is to decide what kind of cloth you would like to use, flat or prefold, 2 parters, pockets, all in 1's/2's etc etc. All info on all of these different types can be found on the website

O, and you can use biodegradable liners if you wish which are flushed and don't even compare to use of standard disposables

I would also recommend buying a few different sorts for starters and then once you are using them you can then decide which ones work best for you

Hi Dom85!

I'm looking at using reusables on the whole. I used terries with my DS years ago, as he ended up with severe nappy rash as the major manufacturers added lotions to the nappies. I'm rather reluctant to have to go through that all again...

I've been and looked about, there are some very expensive systems out there. In all honesty I think a lot of it is personal choice... I've mixed and matched so far with what I have purchased, and I'm planning to buy some good old fashioned terries too. Although they are much bulkier than some reusables that are on the market, I think they are ideal for when babe is asleep... As I say it's personal choice..

Reusable nappies on the whole do not hold as much liquid as disposables, but due to this babe is not sat around in soggy nappies for as long either; so you do/can end up changing babe more than you would if using disposables. I've read a few reviews that have made comments about reusables wicking, but can't help thinking disposables also wick too... Some people expect wrongly or rightly (I'm not sure) but they expect reusables to be as good as disposables for the amount of fluid they hold. As the disposables are full of crystals etc I can't see how a reusable can compete in the same way as they are what you see...

I personally have gone for a combination of mothercare smart nappies, tommee tippee cotton bottoms and good old fashioned terries. The reason being is mainly financial, mothercare do starter set's in each size and they are shaped, to enable babe to move, I'm assuming easier. As they do the sets for each size, I can spread the cost so I'm not spending what could be hundreds all at once. The tommee tippee ones I've managed to pick up through ebay, they're not as fitted as the mothercare smart nappies, but are still relatively shaped. Due to how the liner fits inside the outer I think once to grasp how to use them, they could be less bulkier than terries. Good old fahioned terries is a winner to me anyway, they saved me a fortune and cured nappy rash many years ago... I found that due to the bulk DS was fine to last most of the night when he got older, without many problems.

I'm not sure about you but my washer is never off for very long, and wasn't when DS was small either; so I didn't find the extra washing they caused to be an issue. I had the nappy bucket set up so the nappies went straight in there once DS was changed and I did a wash each evening when he was in bed. They tended to dry relatively quickly either on radiators or on the line when weather allowed. As long as I made the nappies up when I did the ironing, and kept them in a box ready to be used I never had to struggle trying to make them and change DS. Neither did we have much problem with staining.

I found that compared to the amount of rubbish that my neighbours produce with their nappies now, I believe that we produced less by the reusables, and you can get biodigradable liners and nappy sacks.

I'm not sure if I've helped, but we all have our own idea. It's our personal choice what we choose to do, I don't feel that there's a wrong or right.. As I say I found it saved me money when DS was small.

I've been back and forth over the whole reusable nappy thing, but have now decided that I will be using them. Here's my plan of action:

I have got some newborn size disposable biodegradable nappies for the first few weeks, for two reasons: Firstly, I have never done this before, and with everything else that will be new and stressful once baby is born, I'd like to make the first couple of weeks easier if I can. The second reason is that I think lots of reusables would be quite bulky on a newborn, and rather than buying "newborn" sizes in reusables, I plan to go for the next size up and start with those once he is big enough.

I plan to get a little selection of different reusables to try out once he is born, and those may include the following, just to start with:

>One or two "fitted" nappies or "shaped" nappies: The type that look like a disposable, but in cloth, and need a "wrap" to go around them. You can get these in cotton or bamboo (and sometimes other materials) so I will likely get one cotton and one bamboo (bamboo is more sustainable to grow, and apparently massively more absorbent, but takes longer to dry than cotton) Examples of these:
Little Lambs - http://www.littlelamb.co.uk/itemdetl...d/Bamboo-Nappy
Tots Bots - http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c....tegory.2772/.f

> A bunch of terry squares and possibly some prefolds to try out: The terries will likely need a Nappy Nippa to fasten, so I'll get one or two of those to start with too. They will need wraps too. Terries are REALLY cheap, but can be a pain for some people cos you have to fold them and stuff, but I kinda like the idea of these so would like to try them out! I've been advised to go for the highest quality terry material as it apparently makes a huge difference. An example of these:
http://www.terrynappies.co.uk/detail...0Prefolds.html

> A couple of different types of wrap, I think I will go for sized wraps (change sizes as baby grows) rather than the "birth to potty" wraps, as I've heard the fit of the wrap around the nappy bit / terry nappy is really important to avoid leaks. A couple of different examples of really cute wraps are:
Bummis Super Brite Wraps (my current favourite, as I like the look of the gussetted legs for leak containment, and they are bright and beautiful!): http://www.bummis.com/en/Products/co...uperBrite.html
WeeNotions Northern Lights Wraps (awesome as you can choose the materials you want them to make it from, and they have some CUTE designs!):
http://weenotions.info/index.php?mai...roducts_id=368

> For convenience, at least one "All-in-one", which is basically everything right there in one piece, just like a disposable. Take the whole thing off and wash it after use. Examples of these are:
Tots Bots all-in-ones - http://twinkleontheweb.co.uk/acatalo...ll_in_One.html
Bum Genius all-in-ones - http://www.hellobabydirect.co.uk/pro...asshopper.html

> I may or may not try out "pocket nappies" too, but I haven't really looked into them yet: With them, you have a "nappy" (often lined with fleece) with a little pocket inside, to hold the absorbent bit (prefolds or other absorbent stuffers). These would be good for washing and drying I'd think, as apparently you don't have to wash the nappy bit with the pocket so often, and you can take the absorbent bit out at each nappy change and open it right out to wash and dry, so it should dry quite quickly too...

Some people talk about using wool for the "wrap" bit of the nappy, as it is breathable and allows the wetness to evaporate a bit and therefore can help with nappy rash and things like that. The thing about the more "plasticky" wraps is that they hold all of that moisture in against baby's bum, which I understand can be uncomfortable...

As for the liners, you CAN get reusables liners too: Basically pop it into whatever nappy you are using, then when you change, use it to flip the poop down the loo, then rinse it off and put it in the wash with the rest of the nappy. But I think I will be going for flushable biodegradable liners, you can get them for like £2.50 for 100 (or even less, look around, theyre easy to find!) That way, I can just pluck the pooeyness out of the nappy in the liner and flush it right away, then put the nappy bit in the wash

ANYWAY, it looks like there is a massive range in reusables, and so I really want to test a few diff types out to see what I think will work best for me. I am sort of hoping that the Terry squares and Bummis Super Bright Wraps will work well together, as I like the idea of using those, and I think it would work out a very cheap way of doing it! If that does work, I anticipate eventually needing about 30 terry squares (to cycle around for washing and drying!) and about 5 wraps for each size as baby grows

The great thing is, you can get hold of everything second hand these days, there are lots of websites dedicated to that, so you can save money that way too if you want to. Check out Cloth Nappy Addicts website and Cloth Nappy Tree, as well as The Used Nappy Company to see about buying second hand. Remember, even if you buy new, after that first use they would be second hand anyway, so it really isn't as "icky" as you might think to use second hand nappies. People usually wash them really well before selling on too, so it's all good I think! ALSO, you can bear in mind that you can resell the nappies that you dont get on with, so I'm not too worried about buying lots of different types before I settle with something and "wasting money".

Sorry this is such a huge post! I am just getting it sorted in my own head, too, so it was nice to think it all through. If I've got things totally wrong in this post, please anyone feel free to put me in my place!!! I'm just learning all this stuff, too

Good luck with your hunt for reusables!
Shadow xx

Flat Nappies - terry squares and prefolds

Flat nappies are a highly economical and popular choice for a nappy system. Fastened with nappi nippas - the modern day equivalent to nappy pins only much safer. Terries nappies are available in bright bold colours and are also available made from bamboo - the softer, more absorbant and slimmer alternative to cotton. Prefolds too, are also popular with an array of different folds to suit different babies, boys or girls. Both terries and prefolds need a wrap however you may find some wraps unsuitable for using with prefolds as they require a good fit to hold them in place.

Shaped/Fitted (two-part) Nappies

This is a nappy that is shaped to fit babies bum without needing to fold it. It is often referred to as a two-part nappy as it needs a waterproof cover. Often considered to be more reliable than pockets and all in ones as it has 2 layers, making it much better for explosive breast fed newborn poos.

Pocket Nappies

This is a nappy with a waterproof outer layer and a stay dry inner layer that has an opening (a pocket) where you can 'stuff' the absorbant part of the nappy - an insert or a prefold. There is no need for a wrap. This means there is only one layer to put on which can be especially helpful with wriggly babies and toddler but the main advantage is that you can vary the absorbancy i.e. add extra inserts for night time or long journeys. There are also a few pocket nappies that DO need a wrap (ie: Swaddlebees hemp pocket or Swaddlebees Velour pocket) but these are not as popular as many see little advantage to a pocket nappy that needs inserts AND a wrap.

All in one nappies

All in one's are exactly that - the nappy and the waterproof wrap in one. Made specifically with convenience in mind they make for quick hassle free changes and are ideal as you're out and about nappy or for use at nurseries etc if someone else cares for your baby. Depending on the type you buy you may find they have longer drying times and are much less economical than seperate two-part nappies.

All in two nappies

Just like an AIO mostly, expect for that the absorbent part poppers in making it much faster drying than an AIO, and with many you can change the poppered inserts without having to change the outer shell as long as it is not soiled, making it a little more economic.

Bith to potty or One Size nappies

Are simply that, they fits from birth to potty in most cases, with the rare exception at either end of the scale - can be small on a toddler and they are often rather bulky on a newborn! These are much more economical way of cloth nappying that sized nappies as you only have to buy one set to last for birth to potty whereas with sized systems you often need 3-4 sizes to get you from birth to potty!

My personal choice (see see how i get on) have been

Tots Bots - both Bamboo and Cotton
Little Lamb - Bamboo, Cotton and Microfibre
Bumgenius
Itti Bitti D'lish
Modern Baby Pop ins
Motherease and Cotton Bottoms Wraps
Biodegradable liners
Mixture of bamboo and fleec boosters
Reuseable wipes