Cloth diapers (also known as reusable nappies, washable nappies and cloth nappies) are much easier to use than you think. Here are answers to some common questions about using cloth diapers.
What do I do at change time?
If the diaper is simply wet, all you need to do is take it off, throw the liner away (if disposable) and put the diaper and reusable liner in your diaper bucket instead of in the bin.
If the diaper is dirty, the poo can be flushed away down the loo (much more hygienic than putting it in the bin) and the diaper put in the bucket.
Liquid poo can be washed away by holding the diaper under the flush of the toilet before being dealt with normally.
Are they difficult to put on?
No, not at all. Shaped diapers or all-in-ones are the easiest to use and require no folding - simply put them on just as you would a disposable. Flat or terry diapers do need to be folded but the fantastic invention of the Nappi Nippa means that you don’t have to use a pin.
Will my house smell?
Only if you leave la lot of dirty diapers hanging about for days. Just think of how your bin smells with a couple day’s worth of dirty disposables in it, with real diapers, the poo is flushed down the loo straight away, so you won’t suffer from this problem.If you wish, you can put one or two drops of essential oil on a cloth that you keep on the top of the bucket.
Will I have lots more washing to do?
All families have lots of washing, so to add in a few diapers isn’t really that much extra work.When you are ready to do a normal wash, just take the diapers out of the bucket and put them in the washing machine, it couldn't be easier.
Putting diapers into a modern machine with its fast spin is so much easier than having to put them through the twin tub and mangle that your mother may have used.
Diapers are washed at 60c and some people even use 40c with the odd hot wash to keep the stains at bay.
The easiest way to dry diapers is on the line with the rest of your washed clothing (or on a radiator during the winter) but I to fluff them up by putting them in the dryer for 10 mins with bath towels after taking them off the washing line.
Will I get dirty putting them in my washing machine?
No.The poo will have been disposed of, so you are only dealing with a small amount of wee. If you wet pail (see below) you can use a mesh bag to store the diapers in, so you just need to pick that up and put it in the machine.Dry pailing is easier to do still.
What is the meaning of ‘pailing’?
Basically, storing used diapers in a bucket.Wet pailing involves putting the diapers into a water and diaper soak solution or similar or just plain water.
Dry pailing is very easy - simply drop the used diaper into the bucket and replace the lid.
Won’t all the washing powders harm the environment?
Yes and no. Yes to the extent that all detergents cause some damage (this can be limited by using non-bio or eco-friendly products) but no to the extent that this is still much better than using disposable diapers.
Will I have to change diapers more often?
Not really.Guidelines state that you should be changing your baby’s diaper every 4 hours in the daytime (more often for new borns), so this remains the same.
Won’t my baby get diaper rash?
Rashes are caused by bacteria in the poo reacting to the ammonia in wee. The best way to stop diaper rash is to change frequently (every 4 hours or so) and allow fresh air to get to the diaper area.
The gel core in disposable diapers encourages parents to change less frequently and their design prevents air from circulating.Most real diaper designs are breathable, allowing air to circulate, resulting in a healthier bottom.
What if I go out for the day?
Many parents use real diapers even when they go out and just take a slightly bigger bag with them. Other parents have a stock of eco-disposables to use for day trips or when they go away.
What about nightime?
Again, some people use eco-disposables during the night or add a booster pad to the cloth diaper.
Do they leak?
Not if they fit well. A well fitting real diaper with wrap if appropriate is no more likely to leak than a disposable.We would advise that you try a few samples to make sure you buy the right diaper for your baby.
