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There are some questions that we get asked over and over again and while we're more than happy to keep answering your emails and phone queries we thought it made sense to collect together answers to the most frequent cloth nappy dilemmas and include them in our advice resource. So, in no particular order, here they are!
Which nappy is best for me?
This is a hard question to answer without a lot of information about your baby, your budget and your lifestyle but our interactive tool 'narrow your choice' will help by instantly suggesting a couple of nappies that suit your basic requirements.
How many nappies do I need?
The number of nappies you'll need depends on how often you wash them and your drying facilities. Our interactive tool, 'how many nappies' will calculate a realistic figure for you instantly.
Do I need to use wraps that are the same brand as the nappies I've chosen?
No, most wraps will work over most nappies so you can mix and match nappies and wraps to suit your taste and your baby. There are a couple of exceptions... 'prefold' or 'fasten-free' nappies require a snug fitting wrap and often work best with wraps that have leg gussets so look out for these features. Our product descriptions make it clear if a wrap is not suitable for use with these sorts of nappies.
Will I need boosters for my newborn baby?
Probably not. Most newborn babies need their nappy changing very regularly so absorbency isn't the main issue - containment is! Once your baby is sleeping for a long period overnight you may need to boost the nappy for peace of mind and comfort. Also, as your baby reaches the upper limits of the weight range for newborn nappies you may find that they need boosting to last as long as you've become used to.
My wraps are leaking, are they faulty?
Probably not. While it's not inconceivable that a wrap may have faulty stitching or be made from sub-standard fabric it is very very rare. We have faith in all the products we sell but not all nappies and wraps suit all babies. If you find that a wrap seems to be leaking before the nappy is wet through it is more likely to be an issue with how it fits. If your baby is at either end of the weight range for the wrap it is most likely that the wrap is either too big and wet is able to escape from the legs or waist, or that the wrap is getting a bit too snug and wet is being forced out through the bindings. It is also very important to make sure that all the nappy is tucked well inside the wrap to avoid wicking from the nappy onto clothes.
What's best, poppers, aplix or a nappi nippa?
No one can answer that question but you! It is mainly a question of personal preference, however, as a general rule nappies that fasten with a nappi nippa are the most adjustable. Aplix fastening nappies can only be fastened where the aplix strip allows and popper fastening nappies restrict you to the popper positions so it may seem like your baby is 'between poppers' from time to time.
What do I use white vinegar for?
White (or distilled) vinegar can be used instead of fabric conditioner to help keep your nappies soft. This is especially helpful if you live in a hard water area. Use a generous 'slug' in the fabric softener drawer of your washing machine.
My nappies smell stale and night nappies seem to hold onto the ammonia smell even after washing.
This is most likely to be down to detergent build up in the fabric. Try washing your nappies with no detergent at all and check the machine to see how soapy the water is. If you see soap suds in the machine you have detergent build up in the nappies. Continue to wash with no detergent but with a spoonful of washing soda crystals in the powder drawer of your machine (to help cut through the build up) for as many washes as it takes to see no suds in the machine during the wash and rinse cycles.
Do I need to use a special washing powder?
No, we recommend that you use a non-bio detergent as biological products contain enzymes that are much more likely to trigger a skin reaction but any non-bio will do. Use about half the amount of powder/liquid recommended as terry fabric produces lots of lather and using too much detergent will quickly cause a problematic build up.
Can I wash my nappies using 'eco balls'?
We've been trialling these recently and we've been very impressed with the results! While stains may be a little trickier to shift without the optical whiteners in washing powder the nappies smell clean and fresh and of course there's also no danger of detergent build up.
Should I use paper liners in my newborn baby's nappies?
This is really down to personal preference but there are some pros and cons. If your baby is exclusively breastfed their poo will be liquid and will either soak straight through or - worse - slide off the paper liner and out of the leg holes of the nappy! However, slightly more solid poo can be a lot easier to dispose of down the loo if you use a paper liner.
My nappies are getting stained, how can I get them back to pristine white?
We don't recommend using harsh bleaching products on nappies that have elastic or aplix (or ever on wraps!) as these will deteriorate or perish over time. The best way to get rid of stains is to hang your nappies outside in bright daylight - sun if it's possible but it isn't essential - or if you don't have any outside space to do this put a clothes airer in front of a bright window and the stains should fade over the course of a few hours. Doing this regularly will keep stains to a minimum and keep your nappies looking nice and white. |
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