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Newborn Babies
Newborn babies feed alot, and generally need changing with each feed (up to every 2 hours!) So I usually recommend for a newborn to start off with about 20 - 24 nappies and 5 / 6 wraps, which should be fine if you wash every 2 days, including drying time. I would also recommend you buy some different types, so you can try out the different nappies - then when you are ready to go up in to the next size you have a clearer idea of what to go for. I know it all seems a bit confusing at first but once you are using the nappies it will become second nature! It is good to get started using cloth as soon as possible, so it becomes part of your routine. However I must warn you about metanium! This is the very first newborn poo, and it's dark green - black in colour and looks a bit like tar! This will pass in a couple of days and become the usual yellow, runny poo. Breastfed babies will be 'looser' than bottle fed. Metanium can stain the nappies, although fleece lined nappies like the Stuffie should be ok. It's a good idea to use a flushable liner which will reduce staining, but if you do have staining from metanium the best way to tackle this is sunlight, which will gently and naturally bleach those stains away.
Muslins can make good nappies for newborns, at least for a couple of weeks (although it will vary with all babies). As your baby gets bigger (and has bigger wees!) they won't be quite absorbent enough, but you could boost them to make them go a bit further, and of course they have lots of other uses. I found the best way of using muslins as a nappy is the 'angel fold'. Simply fold it in to quarters so you have a square, then fold it in at the sides and fan out the back. Then you just lay in a liner, pop baby on top, bring the front through the legs, fasten it with a nappi nippa and put your wrap/cover over the top. It's a good idea to practice a bit before baby makes an appearance!
At a few Months old
It varies with each baby, but by this time most babies are ready to move up to the next size nappies / medium wraps. You have probably wondered by now how did the time pass so quickly and may be a little sad at all the nappies (and clothes) your baby has outgrown! The good news is that feeding and changing should have settled by now, and you won't need quite as many nappies in this size - about 14 nappies should be sufficient, and 4-5 wraps. This size should last longer too, as your babies growth rate slows down, so he'll get much more wear out of this size.
Size 2 nappies usually last until potty training, although size 3 nappies are available for those toddlers in no hurry! Size 3's are a good night time option for toddlers who just need extra absorbency, or are dry in the day.
Wraps come in 3 sizes for Nature Babies, more for Motherease and Imse Vimse, although you may not need all the sizes. You might want to try a wool wrap for night times, which can just be aired ready to use the next night, and waterproof pul wraps during the day.
Factors to consider when choosing a nappy system
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Cost - Any cloth nappy system will be cheaper to use than disposables, but if you are on a tight budget, terry nappies are your cheapest option
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Do you have a tumble dryer? Some nappies take longer to dry than others, particularly all in ones and shaped nappies. You could still use these types of nappy, but you may need a few extra to allow for drying time.
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You may want to use a mixture of nappies - maybe different nappies for day and night or pocket nappies for nursery or changing bag. You may also find different nappies work better as your baby grows. Variety is the spice of life!
Suggested Starter kit
The following 3 options are a guide to start with a newborn baby in cloth nappies. You'll still need to buy wraps in bigger sizes as your baby grows, and in the case of the sized kit, the next size in nappies. Buy purchasing what you need, as you go along you'll get a much better idea of what suits you and your baby, and you get the option of trying different nappies later on, maybe pocket nappies for the childminder, or that really funky nappy you your baby has to have! For this reason I don't advise buying a complete birth to potty set - would you buy disposables this way? Think how much that would cost!
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Sized kit: 20 Size 1 aplix cotton Stuffie Nappies £159.80, 3 small Nature Babies wraps £22.50, 3 small Rikki Wraps £24.00
Cost: £214.30
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Birth to potty kit: 20 Size 2 nippa hemp/terry Stuffie nappies £170.00, 1 pack of 3 nippas £3.50, 3 small Nature babies wraps £22.50, 3 small Rikki Wraps £24.00
Cost: £220.00
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Budget kit: 4 6-packs terries £48.00, pack of 3 nippas £3.50 5 small Nature Babies wraps £37.50
Cost: £89.00
Extra items you may need:
- Liners: either washable fleece or flushable paper based liners. you may find flushable liners easier to start with.
- Nappi nippas: a lot of nappies fasten with poppers or velcro, but if they don't, or if you use flat terries or muslins you'll need these.
- Bucket and nappy mesh: You need a good sized bucket with a lid to keep dirty nappies in. Most DIY stores do 16 - 20 litre buckets with a lockable lid, these make excelent nappy pails. The mesh makes washing so much easier.
- Wet nappy bag: For putting used nappies in when out and about
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Washable wipes: about 18 - 20 is ideal, if you are washing nappies you may as well wash the wipes too!
After Nappies....
When you baby has outgrown his nappies, has potty trained and you don't need them any more you can either save them for the next baby, pass them on to a friend or relative, offer them on freecycle or sell them on.
There is a good market for used nappies in good condition, unfortunatly ebay stopped allowing the sale of used nappies, but there are other sites worth trying:
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