brain overload...help for newbie

Title was meant to read 'information overload' not brain overload - that's how confused I am with cloth nappies! Should go to sleep too.

Yay! It's so great to see so many cloth newbies You'll find The Nappy Network really helpful too!

1) Pretty much any brand is going to be cheaper than disposables. Just as long as you don't buy a size they're about to grow out of.

Using Honeychilds as an example:
Say you need 6 each per day, so you buy 18, plus another dozen spare inserts. So that's $674 total. (Eek, they're good nappies but I didn't realise they were quite that expensive.)

To get the same value per day as your sposies they need to be in that size for at least 8 months - that doesn't take into account resale value or keeping them for any siblings. (You can easily get $15-20 selling them second hand, so if you assume worst case $15 each, then you get your payback in less than 5 months.)

Don't forget you might be able to get them second hand if you're comfortable with doing that, which would make it cheaper.

2) In terms of ease of use, and getting them dry in time so DH doesn't stress out, then pockets do seem like they would be a good idea for you. Get some spare inserts because they take a little longer to dry (the pockets themselves are practically dry when they come out of the machine). Itti Bittis are very easy to wash and put on but the bamboo boosters don't dry quickly. I haven't tried the Snap In Ones which would probably combat that issue though.

3) There are lots of great MCNs out there - in fact most of the popular ones - with snaps instead of velcro.

4) None of the nappies I've tried, even the nasty cheap ones, leave bits on other washing, so don't worry about that aspect!

5) (or 3 the second ) Pockets are a nice trim option, so are AIOs (All In Ones). Fitted nappies are the bulky ones.

6) The only nappies I've ever had a leaking problem with are the ones I made myself and MonkeyDoodlez AIOs. If you get the fit right, especially around the thigh, then you're all sorted (helps having bubs with chubby thighs!). My itti bittis don't leak (have a look at Andrea's when you see her), nor have my honeychilds, ecobubs, bib and tucker or berry plush.

Having said that, if Eli is a tummy sleeping super pee-er, I would recommend using a hemp or bamboo insert with the microfibre. That's cos, although the microfibre is nice and thirsty and dries fastest, it can also act like a sponge when it's soaked and some of the moisture can get squeezed out , especially for tummy sleeping boys. If you get trifolds they open out to dry relatively fast and are still nice and trim (plus you can fold them to the front which is where you'll be needing it on Eli). I love the ecobubs trifolds which are hemp on one side and microfibre on the other (although I notice their new inserts are all microfibre, or all bamboo, not sure why, guess you're supposed to fold them together).

7) Sounds like you need any nappy with two rows of snaps, so you can adjust them for belly roundness and thigh chubbiness accordingly.

Like Nicola I would highly highly recommend NOT going out and buying a whole system of nappies before you've tried them. In terms of pockets, personally I prefer Ecobubs and Bib and Tucker, but that's because I've discovered side snapping nappies fit JJ best. That said, Honeychild fit fine too! I just don't like fiddling with the extra snap (3 each side). We got given smalls when JJ was born, they fit him from newborn and he can still squeeze into them, they're supposed to fit to 6kg and he's over 8kg, so they're conservative on the sizing. I'd say Mediums would last you a decent length of time.

Good luck window shopping and playing around and ask if you want to be directed to some good websites. Ask TwoBlondinis about Honeychild too

WOW, thanks so much guys, especially Rachael - heaps of info thanks!!

I'm usually one to go mad on research but I'm not that fussed with nappies, I just want something that works as it seams to be too many choices.

I think I'll go & have a read on the nappy network & might try what Vic recomended - Honeychild & Itti Bitti D'lish AIOs.

Now, I'm left to convince DH, will buy one of each I think & go from there.

My DH was reluctant at first too but as he's an accountant I convinced him to give it a go by working out the numbers and showing him how much we'd save long term. He was even more pleased when we were able to sell them on afterwards and get back half of what we'd spent up front - what a bonus!

Twinboys2b wrote: Now, I'm left to convince DH, will buy one of each I think & go from there.

Guaranteed easy way to convince DH.....tell him how much disposie will cost you over the next year...watch how fast he gets out that credit card (figuratively speaking )

When I told DH $3000 version $4-500....it was an easy

ets: As Vic says...resell too

Edited by Aliasmum

If drying time is a main concern go for pockets rather than AIO's they dry sooo much quicker

I would suggest that if you get a Itti bitti that you get it as a snap in as they seem to dry a little fast plus you can buy extra inserts and just recycle the outer part. I do this with my boy all the time, though I do not think that many do it that way. (don't see why they don't? =? )

Oooh Yvette, if you want to brave the Snazzipants store, you could collar me into coming with you...

I have a few different ones I can lend you that will fit the boys. I'll bring them on Monday.

if you go to snazzipants with emma get her to check it is open!