It’s straightforward to use reusable or washable nappies. I’m going to tell you what you need to use reusable diapers. When I started, I was surprised it cost less than I thought.
When I was around four months pregnant, I began to think about washable/reusable diapers. It was appealing to think I could buy nappies in advance and never have to pay for them again. This would be a great way to budget while on statutory pay for maternity leave.
I was reminded of the terry towels my mother used on me and my sisters as babies. I knew I’d never be able to get my head around the pins and folds. So I started researching cloth nappies.
I was surprised by how far cloth diapers have progressed in the last 30 years. Most washable nappies are like regular nappies and do not require folding or pins to fasten. Instead, they use poppers or Velcro.
My research revealed some disturbing facts about disposable diapers. Did you know it can take 500 years to break down in a landfill? Not only that, but the materials used to make the nappies are filled with nasty chemicals that sit next to your baby’s delicate skin.
My Reusable Nappies Experience
We bought a washable diaper set a few weeks before my baby’s birth. I purchased a location that would take me from conception to potty. We didn’t need to buy any more nappies.
My daughter was six weeks old when I first started using the wipes. It’s possible to use them right from birth. However, we wanted to wait until the meconium staining stage was over. We wanted to give ourselves some time as first-time parents to overcome the shock and awe of being parents before learning anything else.
These nappies did not work for us, despite watching YouTube videos, receiving a demonstration from a friend, and sending e-mails to the diaper company. There were many leaks. I was discouraged and bought a package of disposables in the store, believing we would have to use them.
After a few weeks, I was not happy with the disposables. I bought two Bumgenius nappies online at a discount. I would not lose much money if they did not work. We received them and tried them. They worked overnight, and they were a triumph.
I sold my old set of nappies (for roughly the same price I paid for them) on eBay. The washable nappies hold their value well even after being used.
Then I bought a Bumgenius set. Since I have been using Bumgenius diapers for more than a year, I decided to share all the information and tips I know about using reusable cloth nappies, what you need to know to use reusable diapers your other questions.
Buy Reusable Nappies
Bumgenius nappies are great because they can expand to fit your child’s growing needs. They do this by using a system that uses poppers and folds. As your child grows, you can open them up. This means that once you’ve made your first purchase, you won’t need to buy any more.
We were fortunate to be able to pay for 16 nappies in the beginning. We also considered this our only nappy purchase until our daughter potty trained. This was a much cheaper option for us than buying disposables each week over two years. Our savings will be much more significant if we have another baby. I plan to sell our set when we’re done, which will help offset the initial cost.
Is it Easy to Use Reusable Nappys?
Bumgenius lets you choose between Velcro or Popper fasteners. I chose poppers because I thought that they were more durable than Velcro. Bumgenius is easy to use because you’re dealing with fasteners, not safety pins.
Storing Reusable Napkins
Storing dirty nappies takes little effort. I use the net bag to line my nappy bin and put the dirty nappies inside. You can wash the nappy bag directly in the washing machine without touching the nappies.
Dry-pailing is the term for this method. You can also soak the nappies with water and sanitizer in the bucket. Wet-pailing is the term for this method. Wet-pailing was a lot of work. If you use liners, your bucket will not smell.
How to Wash Reusable Napkins
At first, I worried that I would always have to wash poopies. However, the reality is that the washing seems pretty good.
Every other day I wash my nappies. The bag goes in the machine, and I must turn it on. Then I hang them up for 5 minutes to dry, and voila! It’s much easier and quicker than buying disposables at the store.
I wash my reusable diapers at 60oC. As I do not want to wet the pail, I first run them through a prewash setting. After that, I add a small amount of non-bio soap. I use a third less detergent than I usually would wash my clothes, as too much detergent can build up on nappies and reduce the effectiveness. The nappies are clean and fresh.
It’s okay if you get a build-up of detergent. You can remove the detergent from the nappies using a 60-wash cycle.
The drying process is also quick. To make drying more accessible, I separate the nappies into three sections. The nappies are dry in a few hours using a clothes horse/radiator. On rainy days, I use a clothes horse to dry the nappies without heating them. They dry overnight.
Final Thoughts
Once you have made your initial purchase, the purse is very friendly. It’s easy to use. Baby-friendly and planet-friendly. These nappies are the best investment I have ever made for my baby.
Bumgenius offers a few options. Your local council is likely involved in a nappy initiative. They might provide you with the chance to borrow some nappies or to purchase some test nappies.
Not all nappies are suitable for your child. Our first set of cloth nappies did not suit my daughter. Before investing, you can try out a few second-hand cloth nappies in Facebook cloth nappy group.
