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 frequent questions about using cloth diapers.
What do I do at change time?
If the diaper is just wet, all you need to do is take it off, throw the liner away (if disposable) and place the diaper and reusable liner in your diaper bucket instead of in the bin.
If the diaper is dirty, the poo can be thrown away down the loo (far more hygienic than putting it in the dustbin) and the diaper placed in the bucket.
Liquid poo can be washed off by holding the diaper under the flush of the toilet before being dealt with in your normal way.
Are they difficult to put on?
No, not at all.Shaped diapers or all-in-ones are the simplest to use and need no folding – simply place them on just as you would a disposable.Terry or flat diapers do need to be folded but the amazing invention of the Nappi Nippa means no pins are needed.
Will our house smell?
Only if you leave lots of dirty diapers hanging around 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 like, you can place a few drops of essential oil on a cloth that you keep on the top of the bucket.
Will I have to do lots of washing?
All families have lots of washing, so to include a few diapers isn’t really that much extra work.When you are ready to do a normal wash, simply take the diapers out of the bucket and place them in the washing machine, it is as easy as that.
Putting diapers into a modern machine with its fast spinning is a far cry from having to put them through the twin tub and mangle that your mother may have used.
Diapers can be washed at 60c and some even use 40c with the odd hotter wash to keep away stains.
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 placing them in the washing machine?
No. The poo will have been disposed of, so you are only dealing with a little wee.If you wet pail (see below) you can use a mesh type bag to store the diapers in, so you just need to pick that up and put it in the machine. Dry pailing is even easier to do.
What is the meaning of ‘pailing’?
Basically, storing used diapers in a bucket.Wet pailing involves placing the diapers into a solution of water and diaper soak or similar or just plain water.
Dry pailing is very simple – just drop the used diaper into the bucket and replace the lid.
Don’t all the washing powders harm the environment?
Yes and no. Yes, as all detergents can 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.Advice states that you should change your baby’s diaper every 4 hours during the day (more often for newborns), so this remains the same.
Won’t my baby get diaper rash?
Diaper rash happens when bacteria in the poo reacts to the ammonia in wee.The best way to prevent diaper rash is to change frequently (every 4 hours or so) and let fresh air access the diaper area.
The lock away moisture core in disposable diapers makes parents change less often and their very design stops 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 parents use eco-disposables overnight or add booster pads to the cloth diaper.
Will they leak?
Not if they fit properly.A well fitting cloth diaper with a wrap if appropriate is no more likely to leak than a disposable.We advise that you try a sample kit to make sure you buy the right diaper for your baby.