[happynow]

I'm thinking with this baby i might use cloth nappies but im after some info about it all

* Can i use them right from birth
* How many will i need ?
* How do i wash them? Do i need to soak them first like using flat cloth nappies ?
* Velcro or snaps ? ( snaps look a bit scary and hard to use )
* What is better and easier all in one , all one two , one size fits most , fitted .
* What brand of mcn is good ?


Thats all i can think of for now . If you have any other information about Mcn's it will be greatly appreciated .

[WhimsicalDragonf...]

I'm feeling the same way, so will be reading replies! I found the pinned topics at the top of the Nappy forum helpful. There are so many acronyms to learn and so many options, it's a bit overwhelming
I think I will use MCNs from about six weeks as I want to buy the ones that fit from baby to toddler, and I think these aren't always a great fit for newborns. These work by adjusting the snaps to different positions. I though Velcro would be easier too but I've heard the older bubs can take these off themselves much easier!
I also think I'll wait until the baby is born to order them to see what kind of body shape the baby has, and if it's a boy or a girl, as I've read done brands suit certain needs better.
Hope you get lots of replies!

[epg]

My bub is due in Feb and I'm really keen to use cloth.
I 've bought quite a few single nappies to try, and several different configurations. I've got a handful of 'small' sized MCN's that might be appropriate for a newborn but we'll see.
I think for the first few weeks I'll try her in terry flats (or muslin!) with a PUL (waterproof cover) - hthttp://www.thenappylady.co.uk is a good site to find a few different folds and a whole lot of advice.

Be warned - they are very cute and quite addictive once you start buying them!

[happynow]

muslin ? please explain because right now im picturing a newborn baby wrapped up in the stuff boiling away in a pot like a christmas pudding

[AllegraM]

[quote name='happynow' date='09/01/2013, 01:48 PM' post='15221979']

* Can i use them right from birth

Yes you can. I used one size from birth and while manageable, they really did not fit snugly until DS was 3 months old. For my next baby, I am using cheap terry flats and some covers for these first few months. You can buy newborn fitted nappies, but it is an expensive option for such a short period (unless you are planning a big family)
* How many will i need ?

Newborns poo non-stop and need about 12 changes a day. By comparison, my 15 month old has 5-6 changes daily. I wash my nappies every day, with the rest of the family's clothes and linen. However, you will need more if you plan to wash every other or thrid day.

* How do i wash them? Do i need to soak them first like using flat cloth nappies ?

No soaking required. I wash every day so chuck them straight into the washing machine after squirting off the poo (pre-solids poo does not need squirting off). Otherwise, just out them in a pail with a sealable lid to contain the smell. If you must soak them, just use plain water. Laundry products can cause build up.

My tip is to sun dry as much as possible. I never have had a problem with smells, even when using hemp. IME, sun drying regularly increases absorbancy. I do find if I am on holidays and use a dryer, they get manky and need a sun dry to fix.

* Velcro or snaps ? ( snaps look a bit scary and hard to use )

DH has sausage fingers and prefers velcro. I also find it gives a snugger fit. However, most babies will figure out how to open velcro at some stage so make sure they wear pants! That said, snaps are straightforward.

* What is better and easier all in one , all one two , one size fits most , fitted .

I have only ever used one-size and flats so can't give too much of a recomendation here.

* What brand of mcn is good ?

My faves are one-size grovias (also all in twos) and swaddlebees one size pockets and rumperooz pockets. However, there are heaps of brands I have not tried that others rave about.

Only other tip is that using MCNs does take more time. Not a lot, but some MCN addicts will swear they are easier than disposables but that is not true in my book. That said, they are so worth it. I calculated that I broke even when DS was six months old and it has been all savings ever since. I purchased fairly expensive brands and more than I needed so if you get the cheaper brands you will break even much earlier.The real savings will be when bub 2 arrives and I don't have any nappy outlay.

[WithSprinkles]

I use cloth during the day (disposable overnight). I started out with a few different brands to see what worked well for us. Everyone seems to like different brands and different brands will fit better on different babies.

A lot of the websites have sales in at the moment (e.g. Itti Bitti have 50% off until tomorrow) so I'd suggest getting a few different ones to try out before you commit to a particular brand. I would also like a few brands on Facebook so you are notified of upcoming sales.

I have liked itti Bitti, bambooty and seedling nappies the best. I also have a few "china cheapies" (the papoose/babyland brand) from eBay to bulk out my stash as the brands I have mentioned are pretty expensive.

I don't find snaps much of a hassle but Velcro is probably slightly easier. One size fits most nappies are usually a little large for newborns but you can just use disposables or terry flats with covers for the first six weeks or so..

All in ones are definitely the easiest but in my experience they take forever to dry (unless they have the flaps that can flip out like in bambooty nappies).. So I prefer snap in ones or pockets.

Hope this helps!

[happynow]

Thank you very much for your replies . Are prefolds simailar to flats ?
And also when washing the nappies can i use normal washing liquid like OMO Radiant ect ?

Oh and liners will i still need to use them ?

Sorry for all the questions

[Jenflea]

I love Bambootys as well. I've also found a really good cheap nappy called Cutie Bums. My local baby store sells them for $15 each! You can get thicker boosters in them(pocket style) for heavy wetters and older babies, or use 2 for overnight.

Itti bitti are good too, but are low rise and my baby grew out of them pretty quickly.
So many different brands, it's easy to get confused but you buy a few of each and see which ones you like best.

[Leafprincess]

* Can i use them right from birth

Yes, I use one called bubblebubs they are made in Brisbane.
They are like a cross between a flat nappy and a fitted nappy
They have no "holders" but are cut into the shape of a nappy with a pad for soaking up the wees
It holds together with a snappi.
My son was per-term and had weenie legs and we were able to adjust to fit him (no leaks unlike the Huggins the hospital gave us). He is now very chubby and we can still use them because they are fully adjustable.

* How many will i need ?

We use them MCNs full time and have 24. I wash a load everyday and they dry the same day (wash int he morning dry by the afternoon thanks to the Brisbane sun) you might need more if you lived in a cooler climate, but I think 24 would be a good number to start with

* How do i wash them? Do i need to soak them first like using flat cloth nappies ?
If you buy through nest nappies they give you instructions on how to wash them. You will need to do a strip wash first basically chuck in the washing machine without any detergent three times.
Then whe. You use them, I use a tiny amount of detergent (Eco friendly type) and two tablespoons of bi carb soda. They come out clean and white.

* Velcro or snaps ? ( snaps look a bit scary and hard to use )
I find Velcro deteriorates fast if you don't buy a good brand. I recommend spending a little extra on a Velcro cover rather than going cheap. Snaps are surprisingly easy to use.

* What is better and easier all in one , all one two , one size fits most , fitted .
The bubble bubs are fitted nappies, once he grows out of these I am moving onto a brand called gro-via

* What brand of mcn is good ?

Bubble bubs
Gro-via

I highly recommend anyone living in Brisbane to go to nest nappies in paddington. The owner is very helpful and lovely. The prices are competitive and worth it for the extra knowledge and service. The people who work there are all mums who are MCn users themselves.

I love using MCN and find the. Easier than a disposable to use. Literally, take off, chuck in the pail, each morning DP puts it in the wash when he leaves for the gym. I wake up feed the baby then hang them out. By the afternoon they are good to go again. If you can do a load of laundry, you can use MCNs.

This post has been edited by Leafprincess: 09/01/2013, 04:39 PM

[Jenflea]

Liners are good once you start on solids. Before hand if breastfed, I wouldn't bother.

You are supposed to use non enzyme washing powders and liquids. The Eco Store one is very popular, as are most of the 'green' ones.
If you use wash stuff with brighteners and whiteners and enzymes you destroy the bit of the nappy which makes it waterproof.
If you need to use nappy cream, you need a liner, though I've read more and more women are using coconut oil which doesn't need a liner.

oh and snaps are really hard for an older baby to undo, velcro, not so much.
Snaps are dead easy, I[m sure you're smart enough to function in society, hold down a job, drive a car, use sharp knives etc, you can do snaps up on a nappy!

This post has been edited by Jenflea: 09/01/2013, 06:46 PM