All about reusable nappiesIf you're thinking about using reusable nappies, the variety of shaped and flat nappies, wraps and all-in-ones can be utterly bewildering. Read on to find out what's on offer and which reusable nappy system is right for you.
Flat nappies include the very traditional square terry nappies which may first come to mind when you think of cloth nappies. These days, they also come in many different sizes to suit different ages and may be pre-folded to offer extra absorbancy down the centre of the nappy and less bulk around the body. You can also buy wraparound nappies held with ties and organic knitted or cotton jersey nappies in this category. These are folded and fastened with a safety pin or Nippas (special nappy fastener alternative to pins) and/or covered with waterproof wrap. The waterproof pants may be made of modern breathable fabrics or even wool with its natural lanolin water resistance. They can be Velcro or popper fastening as well as pull-ups. These can be made of cotton flannel fabric or the same terry towelling fabric as a traditional flat square nappy, but are shaped and elasticated at the waist and leg to fit more snugly. They do not need to be folded each time and are secured with Velcro or popper fastenings. They are then covered with separate waterproof pants. Shaped nappies are expensive, costing between £4 and £10 each. As your baby grows, you'll have to buy bigger sizes. But, you can get some shaped nappies which last from birth to potty training - they're adjusted by clever use of poppers or ties. These are a shaped nappy as above but do not require a separate waterproof cover as they have an integral waterproof layer built in. Whichever system you decide to try, it's recommended that you start off by buying a trial pack. You'll also need a washing machine and (preferably) a tumble dryer to make using reusable nappies a viable prospect. Many terry and shaped nappies are very thick and can take a long time to dry. But, if you have an airing cupboard or an outside clothes line, you could get away without using a tumble dryer. Alternatively, (and more expensively), you could use a nappy laundering service (see links below). Once you've made a firm decision to use reusable nappies, you'll need to buy a supply of your chosen nappies. Most parents find that they need about 18 nappies to begin with - which adds up to quite a high initial outlay. You can buy secondhand terry nappies on the Internet. They can be washed at a high temperature or microwaved if you're worried about cross-infection. If you're using terry squares, you'll need to learn to fold them - it can be hard to get them to fit snugly on small and newborn babies. Other items you might need include booster pads (for extra absorbency), plastic pants, nappy pins or Nappy Nippas and liners. You may also need a large lidded bucket to soak the nappies in before you wash them.
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