You are either thinking of having a baby or already pregnant. It is best to know what to do if you want to wear cloth at birth. Before I became pregnant, I wanted everything. There will be a list of items you may need to set up your setup at the end.
Consider setting a budget
Everyone’s situation is different, but that doesn’t mean they are worse or better than yours. The handbook on cloth nappies does not contain any rules (gosh, I wish there had been one when I first started) that would say you have to have all the nappies needed immediately. You can take your time to determine your financial situation and decide how much you are willing to invest. Because it’s an investment, I use the word. This is how you invest in nappies for your baby and any future babies. It’s true that newborns do not stay as newborns for long, so it’s not a good idea to buy a lot of newborn nappies when they outgrow them in a matter of weeks. A mix of birth-to-potty and newborn nappies is a good idea.
There are two options for budgeting: whether you want to buy in bulk, or spread the cost over the coming weeks or months. Sometimes it is a good idea to wait until Real Nappy Week (usually in April or near Black Friday in December) to buy bulk. You can also buy one nappy per week, or one per month, until D-Day to build up your stock slowly. Pre-loved nappies can also be purchased on sale websites or Facebook groups to keep your costs down. You should look out for abbreviations like EUC (Excellent Used Condiment) and VGUC [Very Good Used Condition]. You will find real gems if you are quick and look for abbreviations such as EUC (Excellent Used Condition) or VGUC (Very Good Used Condition).
No Pressure:
This is what I would say to any new parent. If you’re not feeling well, don’t force yourself to wear cloth immediately. It is important to heal, stay hydrated, and rest, as well as get to know your baby and family. You can stay in bed for as long as you like, if necessary. Take a moment to smell your baby, and count their fingers, toes, and fingers a hundred times. Next, look for tiny birthmarks. Finally, hold their little bum, and marvel at the miracle of this baby is in your arms. Cry. When the need arises, you can cry with joy or with sadness. My mother was the best person to tell me about having my first child. She advised me to just let go of all emotions and accept them as they came. It came in waves. It was a constant stream of tears. Sometimes it was because I loved my baby too much. Other times, not enough. It could last for a few seconds or a long time. It doesn’t matter if it lasts for a few minutes or a while. You can use those disposables until it is no longer necessary.
What Newborn Nappy?
My top picks for nappies for newborn babies, in my opinion, are muslins or a waterproof wrap. You would mistakenly think of muslins in burp cloths. Although I’m not referring to the exact same quality as Penney’s muslins, it is something close. MuslinZ was the brand I used. These are usually cotton or organic cotton squares of muslin that you can fold into a napkin shape, attach with safety pins or a nappy fastener, and then cover with waterproof wrap (such as the Best Bottom wraps here). You can easily learn different folding techniques by watching a few YouTube videos. It was fun to practice different folds before I had my baby. I also included my oldest son in the process, making him feel more involved and helpful.
No more accidental stabbing with a safety pin! Hello Nappi Nippas! These amazing inventions hold onto the fabric well to ensure a snug fit and secure the nappy. Top tip for waterproof wraps: Choose a newborn wrap with a dip in its front to dry the umbilical cord.
You can find a variety of lovely baby nappies, including all-in and pocket ones. Baby will quickly grow out of these. For nighttime changes, fitted nappies made of cotton or bamboo are great for those who are too tired to fold muslins.
How many nappies?
Because of the amount and frequency of poop in their bodies, newborns require a frequent nappy change to avoid nappy rash. The average number of nappies needed for newborns is around 30. This is why muslins work so well because you get 12 in a single pack. These muslins can be combined with a couple of packs of fitted/shaped nappies to make a great combination. Mix it up with 6 wraps, one pack of muslins, and some fitted nappies. A whole stash of the same brand or type of nappies is not a good idea. Each baby is unique and different so what might suit one baby may not work for another. Waterproof covers/wraps are required for every four nappies. You don’t have to change them every time you change your baby’s nappies. You can wipe them down and reuse them if there isn’t any poop.
Nappy Rash
No matter if you use disposable nappies, newborn skin is delicate. The nappy rash occurs when the baby’s skin is irritated by poo or wee. To avoid nappy rash, make sure you change your baby as often as possible and as soon after they have pooped. Most newborn babies will develop a nappy rash as soon as their skin adjusts to urination and pooping. My second son was born when we brought him home from the hospital. He developed a white rash on his groin. (The side where his willy was weeing and pointing). The doctor said that it was a yeast infection. He suggested that Canesten cream be applied to it. It didn’t work. I tried coconut oil and creams again, but it didn’t work. I tried to put him in an eco-friendly disposable napkin, but nothing worked. It became a constant obsession of mine to find a natural way to eliminate it. I found a blog that suggested apple cider vinegar as a cure for eczema. I decided to give it a try. Although I cannot find the link, it suggested that 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar be added to a baby’s bath. Or 1 tablespoon in 1 cup water. You can also use this solution as a wipe for changing their nappies. I bathed him in the ACV mixture every other day and used the wipes to clean his nappy every time. I did not apply any creams or oils to him and let him air dry. It was amazing to see how much his redness had decreased even after the first bath. Within minutes, he went from being raw red to soft pink. This was for about a week. He was completely healed and has never experienced a nappy rash.
