Washable nappies - advice please?

I know I'm only half way through, but we have started to think about what type of nappies we would like to use once bubs is here (and whether or not we need to re-mortgage the house to pay for them lol).

I know can't be bothered to fuss around with the old fashioned cloth ones (I'm lazy now as it is without having to worry about folding them right too!).
I was wondering if people could post their experiences on these new fancy schmancy washable ones like Fuzzibunz etc and does it really work out easier and cheaper than the disposables?

Ta very muchly

It's so hard to rate nappies when they all work and fit so differently! It's much like disposables... some work better than others for different babies.

Hrmmm... review wise - there are reviews of different types of nappies on www.thenappynetwork.org.nz

My own experience is only with pocket nappies and mainly with fuzzibunz but I have tried two other types, swaddlebees and stuffables.

Pocket nappies are made up of athe main part of the nappy, which is waterproof on the outside and with a fleecy lining on the inside. The insert is the part that is absorbant, so you just stuff the insert in an opening in the outer nappy and it soaks up all the wees. You can stuff with virtually anything but I have found that the microfibre inserts are really absorbant. At night I use an insert and a normal cloth nappy folded up into a pad.
With poo, it just sits on top of the microfleece and generally rolls right off into the toilet.

An important starting point is to say that nappies leak sometimes. Even disposables... but generally not as much. It's just something that you learn to deal with when your babe is not toilet trained!

Apart from that... here is my personal opinion -
Fuzzibunz - my favourite so far. I use these for both day and night as they are able to be stuffed with more than just the insert at night (over a long period). I bought a bigger size than I probably should have so we are still getting the sizing thing down but these leak less than the other nappies I have.

Swaddlebees - A really trim nappy. Washables can be quite bulky (so beware on clothing sizes as Han can only fit size 2 pants when wearing washables but size 1 when she is wearing disposables). These nappies do tend to leak more than others but as explained by another nappy user (angel) the insert (which is made of hemp) doesn't absorb as fast as microfibre so often overflows when a lot of wees comes as once!

Stuffables - I bought these because of the cool print (leopard print) but they are basically just cute nappies. They have a leg gusset to keep in explosions (which I am sure would work) but aren't so great on leaks. They leak virtually every time Hannah wears them so have taken to dressing her in dresses when she is wearing these as she gets to show them off and prevent wet clothes at the same time! I don't use these while Hannah is sleeping.

Some other people may be able to explain more about the other types of nappies and those that are relevant to a newer baby.

Thanks heaps Nikki!
I'll add that to my research

ask Aimee - she is almost a fuzzibunz agent and will be able to answer all of your questions!

Oh, me too please!!!

Hey Toni, I just sent you a massive email but anyway..

- I know I should be recommending FB from birth but its kind of good to use some disposables early on so you can see how expensive they are and how much smelly rubbish they make! Maybe buy one or two small size ones so you can use a bit of both.
- Hannah has been wearing mediums since she was about 7 weeks (shes a chubby bubby ) and should fit these for ages. Mediums are probably a good place to start, but if you have a really small baby, you can always swap any unworn ones for a different size.
- Yep, the only things to buy are the nappy itself and the inserts/doublers, no overpants needed as the outer layer of the nappy is waterproof.
- I made the inserts out of the towel and to be honest, they arent as absorbant as the bought ones
- I wouldnt say FB are MORE absorbant than disposables. Newborns need to be changed more frequently (like 10+) but within a couple of months its down to 6-8 changes. I have 6 nappies which is enough for one day for us (in saying that tho Hannah sleeps 12+ hours so no changes overnight, and we may use more if she has a particularly pooey day! )

I think thats everything. Hope that helps.

Thanks again Aimee. I should have waited for your email before I posted my questions, then I should have read on here before I replied to your email *oopsy*
I think we're sold on the Fuzzi Bunz, but like you said get a few packs of disposables first then into mediums (depending on bubs size from birth). Looks like mediums are the better size to start with.

Thanks heaps!

Angel, do you have a pattern for the ones you sew and if you do, where abouts would I find one?

Thank you Aimee!

Yip I sure did thank you. Am going to get my aunty to make some.