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 changing time?
If the diaper is wet, all you need to do is take it off, throw the liner away (if disposable) and place the diaper with the 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 fiddly to put on?
Not at all.All-in-ones or shaped diapers are the easiest to use and don't need to be folded - simply put 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 the house smell?
Only if you leave lots of dirty diapers hanging around for days.Remember how your bin smells with a couple day’s worth of dirty disposables in it, using real diapers, the poo is flushed down the toilet straight away, so you won’t have this issue. If you like, you can put a few drops of essential oil on a cloth that you keep on the top of the bucket.
Will I have to more 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, just take the diapers out of the bucket and put them in the washing machine, it couldn't be easier.
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 people even use 40c with the odd hotter wash to keep the stains at bay.
The best way to dry diapers is on the line with the rest of your washing (or on a radiator during the winter) but I do fluff them up by placing them in the dryer for 10 mins with the bath towels after removing them from the line.
Will I get dirty putting them in the washing machine?
No.The poo will have been gotten rid of, so you are only dealing with a little wee.If you wet pail (see below) you can use a mesh bag to keep the diapers in, so you just need put that in the machine. Dry pailing is even easier to do.
What is ‘pailing’?
Basically, storing used diapers in a bucket.Wet pailing involves putting the diapers into a water and diaper soak solution or similar or just plain water.
Dry pailing is very simple - just drop the used diaper into the bucket and replace the lid.
Won’t all the washing powders damage the environment?
Yes and no. Yes to the extent that all detergents cause some damage (this can be limited by using non-bio or eco-friendly products) but no to the extent that this is still far better than using disposable diapers.
Will I be changing diapers more often?
Not especially. Guidelines state that you should change your baby’s diaper every 4 hours during the day (more often for new borns), so this remains the same.
Won’t my baby get diaper rash?
Rashes are caused by bacteria in the poo reacting 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 core in disposable diapers encourages parents to change less often and their very design prevents air from circulating.Most designs of real diapers are breathable, which allows 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. Others have eco-disposables to use for day trips or when they go away.
What about during the night?
Again, some parents use eco-disposables overnight or add a booster pad to the cloth diaper.
Do they leak?
Not if they fit well. A well fitting real diaper with wrap if appropriate is no more likely to leak than a disposable.We would advise that you try a few samples to make sure you buy the right diaper for your baby.
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