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Real Nappy Guide
| Real Nappy Guide |
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| Monday, 09 August 2004 08:30 |
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Forget fiddly folds, nappy pins and horrible plastic pants, Cloth nappies have evolved! 1. Priority in choosing nappies > 2. Soaking > 3. Storage > 4. Washing > 5. Drying > 6. Comfort > 7. Top 10 tips to help the environment > 8. Terms > It can be quite a daunting task in choosing cloth nappies – especially with the vast range of nappies to choose from or (like me) if you have been used to the disposable way. Many people are turning to cloth and loving it. I used disposable nappies on my little boy but now realize the benefits of cloth nappies – it’s NEVER too late too change! (excuse the pun). When taking those first steps in the terry nappy minefield we are faced with a vast and daunting array of decisions and if you don’t know your bamboozles from your fluffles and your stuffables to your wraps – where do you begin? Hopefully Hug the Bundles guide will make it all perfectly clear. Gone are the days of complicated folding, pins, sterlising, soaking and plastic pants - modern washable nappies have come along way in a wide range of styles and colours. Washables are now easy to use and just as easy to clean. Ranging from flat cotton to fitted cloth nappies which look like disposables. Liners and boosters can be added to cloth nappies to increase absorbancy. You may even wish to use a combination of different types of na-ppies for eg cloth nappies at home and disposables when you are out or on holiday - using real nappies are not only easy but help you save money, resources and the environment My main advice to anyone choosing real nappies is to experiment first to see how you get on. Real nappies may not work out immediately so PLEASE be patient. It is just a matter of time and experimentation to find the right nappy that will suit you and your baby. Top 10 reasons why to use real nappies... TOP 1. They are easy to use and convenient 2. Kind on baby’s delicate skin – 100% natural, breathable cotton - Using washable nappies gives you the chance to control what you put next to 3. your baby's delicate skin. 4. There are lots of funky styles and designs to choose from 5. No animal testing 6. Super soft and super absorbent 7. Eco-friendly – no chemicals or absorbent gels are used 8. You can help reduce rubbish going to landfill 9. Home washing is easy 10. You can save hundreds of pounds by using cloth Unlike disposables, they can be used for future children saving you at least £600 per child Priority in choosing nappies... TOP If cost is most important choose cotton nappies... If drying time is most important choose Fluffles... If you need a slim fitting nappy choose Bamboozles (Please see individual items for more information) Buy around 20 -25 real nappies and 4-5 wraps to begin with - the quantity needed will vary from baby to baby and also depend on how often you wash but these numbers will ensure you have a good quantity to get started. Buy the best nappy you can afford – there are a vast range of nappies available which obviously means some are better than others - real nappies are still cheaper in the long run than disposables, so don’t be afraid to invest in your nappies to be ensure the best absorbency. The weight ranges specified are intended as a guide only and are based on average weights and builds of babies. Size 1 – Will fit up to 18 lbs, this can be anything from 5 months to 12 months. Size 2 – Usually fit from 6 months to potty training. Size 3 – Can fit from about 15 months upwards on chunky monkeys, however most babies will happily toddle off to potty training having only used the stage one and two tots (to give you an idea, only 8 in every 100 nappies we make are size three's). Soaking... TOP No need to soak your nappies prior to washing. Also, boiling will reduce their lifespan. Modern home washing machines will get them clean anyway. However, if you choose to soak them you can add a few drops of tea tree oil to the water for its antiseptic and disinfectant properties. The nappies must be well rinsed after the wash though, without tea tree oil in the final rinse as this can cause some sensitivity in a few rare cases. Alternatively, you can use 1tblsp bicarbonate of soda or 2-3 tblsp of white wine vinegar. Please note: Soiled nappies should be washed separately or pre washed first. Do not soak wraps of any kind. Most will wash at 60 degrees, though 40 degrees is better ( check the washing instructions label). You can easily rinse them through by hand too. Fleece wraps should be washed in soap only to retain the waterproof properties, and the same goes for wool. 40 degrees washing with little or no tumble drying will result in the longest lasting wraps. Storage... TOP Dirty and wet nappies are best stored in a lidded bucket, plastic bucket or waterproof bag. These be bought quite cheaply at your local pound store or supermarket. Also available are mesh wash bags to go inside the nappy bucket. If you place all the dirty and wet nappies within the mesh bag then this can simply be lifted out of the bucket, minimizing handling. Simply pull drawstring, once full and pop in the machine. As long as you remember to leave the toggle open after placing in the washing machine then the nappies will come out during the wash. Washing... TOP Wash your nappies a few times prior to use to increase the absorbency of the towelling. You do not need to dry between these washes. They can be washed with all your other whites . NB. Bamboozles need 10 washes to get them to full absorbency but if you really can’t wait, you can use them after a couple of washes. Wash your nappies/covers at 40 or 60 degrees ( Higher temperatures are not recommended as this will affect the elastic and the waterproofing of the wraps) depending on the wash care label in non-bio (2 tablespoons is enough to get your nappies clean) – use a laundry mesh for added convenience. It is recommended to wash wool warps by hand with soap. Don’t use fabric softeners,conditioner, bleach or other harsh stain removers as this leaves a residue and decreases the absorbency of the towelling and will shorten the lifespan of your voiding your guarantee. Fold down any Velcro fastenings to prevent snagging during the wash Biodegradable nappy liners can be flushed down the loo with any solid waste. Washable liner can go in the wash with your nappies. Drying... TOP You can tumble dry the nappies on a cool setting if needed but we recommend line drying wherever possible. Alternatively you can tumble dry for 10 mins and then continue on a line or radiator rack. The sun will also help to make them whiter. Wraps will also dry quickly in an airing cupboard. It is not advisable to tumble dry wraps or put them on radiators, as this will damage their waterproof layer. . Ten top tips to help the environment... TOP 1.Use an energy efficient washing machine to reduce energy and water consumption 2.Do not boil wash machine wash nappies, wraps and liners at 40 oC to 60 oC 3.Wash wet nappies and waterproof wraps at lower temperatures along with the rest of your laundry 4.Minimise tumble drying - hang nappies out to dry or use an airer 5.Avoid soaking - store nappies dry in a lidded bucket 6.Avoid using unnecessary chemicals such as fabric conditioners as it reduced absorbency 7.Use organic/eco friendly-detergent 8.Don’t iron nappies or wraps 9.Reuse nappies on another baby, 10.Use washable liners 1.Nappy Guide Terminology... TOP Please see below a range of terms that you will come across when searching for re-usable nappies. Fleece Liner – this is a great way to keep your babies bottom dry, they are much softer than paper, they dry quickly and are re usable. A fleece liner sits between the nappy and baby’s skin. Fleece liners allow the liquid to pass through into the nappy where it is absorbed, while staying completely dry, protecting your babies skin. Stretch over the loo and solids easily drop off into the toilet - rinse if necessary before washing. Flushable Liner - Biodegradable paper liners, ideal for when you are out and about and prefer the convenience of a flushable liner. Booster – A booster is an ideal piece of additional fabric for car journeys, night time and super heavy wetters! Ideal to make the nappy more absorbent. Available a variety of shapes and sizes. Wrap – This is the outer waterproof layer that is use to prevent water leaking through to your babies clothes. Recommend 4-5 wraps. A wrap does not need to be changed every time you change your babies nappy but do needf to be washed when they become soiled and should not be used for more than 10 hours without being changed. These are available is plenty of different colours and styles mainly Pul and Fleece. Pul is recommended from day time use and fleece for night time. Nappy mesh - Laundry mesh fits inside standard nappy bucket. Makes for easy laundering of soiled nappies. Simply pull drawstring, once full and pop in the machine. Aplix - Fastens just like a disposable with patches of hook and loop. Most preferred by our panel of dads! Nippa - Toddler proof stretchy fastener that is safe and easy to use. It has small plastic teeth that grip the terry loops giving it a snug, versatile fit. Popper - Rows of little plastic poppers to give a secure fit. Totally toddler proof. TOP CLOSE WINDOW |
| Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 April 2009 20:32 |