Why Choose Modern Cloth Nappies?
SIMPLE ANSWERS
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So Easy to Use
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Gentle on Baby
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Leak Proof
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Care for the Environment
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$$$$ Good for your budget
Modern Cloth Nappies are very easy to use. They go on just like a disposable and at change time just remove any solid waste in the tolit (as you would with disposables) and dry pail them. They are NOT meant to be soaked. (Gone are the days of terry squares that needed to be soaked). Modern Cloth Nappies only need to be washed with half your usual amount of detergent and sun dried. The sun naturally kills germs and bleaches any stains.
Modern Cloth Nappies should not leak. They use PUL, wool, fleece etc, to keep mess in and unlike the old sweaty PVC covers, they allow your baby's skin to breath. There is the odd occasion, where like any disposable, they can leak for heavy wetters.
Modern Cloth Nappies care for your baby. The only thing that is near your baby's delicate skin is the soft natural liners. Unlike the chemical messes that are in disposables.
Modern Cloth Nappies care for the environment. They are made by renewable resourses like hemp and bamboo. These crops need little water and little or no pesticides. In Australia alone 800 million disposable nappies are delivered to landfill every year. They can take as long as 500 years to biodegrade. That means the disposables used now are going to out live our children. We won't even mention what goes in to them to make them!
Modern Cloth Nappies are great for your budget. On average disposables will cost you over $2000 for the first 2 years of your babies life (not including wipes or other products needed). A good modern cloth system plus laundering costs (even if you use a dryer) will cost much less than $1000. If you use these nappies for multiple children just imagine the cost savings!
Which Style of Modern Cloth Nappies to Choose?
Each baby is unique and when it comes to cloth nappies this means your babies needs will be unique too. Your baby's size (waist and leg width) will all make a difference as to which nappy suits them best. You might find your baby is a heavy wetter that needs more absorbency and you will certainly need a different nappy for daytime to nighttime use. Below is a quick guide to the common styles of nappies available, but each brand will have a slightly different make/cut so be sure to read the product descriptions for each nappy to find the one that suits you and baby best.
All-in-One:
All-in-one (AIO) nappies are all one piece. they have all the layers sewn together with a waterproof layer on the outside. this makes them the closest in design to a disposable nappy. They are simple to use but can be slow drying (depending on the fabric used)
All-in-Two:
All-in-Two nappies are very similar to AIOs but the absorbent inner layers are designed to snap out of the outer waterproof layer for washing. This means a quicker drying time.
Pocket Nappies:
Pocket nappies have an opening (pocket) between the waterproof cover and the nappy lining where the absorbent insert is placed.
This means quick drying times as all layers come apart for washing and means you can add more or less layers as required for your needs.
Fitted Nappies:
Fitted cloth nappies are a completely absorbent nappy which requires a separate nappy cover over the top. They can be made from a variety of materials but are usually very absorbent
Prefolds:
Prefolds and Flats are closest in style to the old terry cloth nappies. They require a cover but are simple and trim to use.
What You'll Need
To get started for one baby you'll need around 20 - 24 nappies which allows for washing every 2 - 3 days. The more you have in your stash the less worry about having to wash and dry the nappies in time for their next rotation.
You'll also need a nappy pail or laundry bag of some type to hold the wet nappies until wash day. Extra's you might find useful are: nappy liners (to keep the nappy free from soiling or to protect the nappy when using thick barrier creams), wetbags for holding your wet nappies when out and about and a nappy sprayer for helping clean soiled nappies at change time.