FAQ’s
1. Are Modern Cloth Nappies inconvenient and time consuming?
2. How much will I save using cloth versus disposables?
3. Are disposable nappies more absorbent than Modern Cloth Nappies?
4. What are the different kinds of Modern Cloth Nappy options?
5. What are the different kinds of nappy covers (pilchers)?
6. What are boosters, liners and baby wipes?
7. I don’t know which kind of nappy to buy, what do I do?
8. Will my newborn baby fit into a One-size-fits-all birth to potty nappy?
9. How many nappies do I need to buy for my newborn baby?
10. How many different sized nappies will I need to buy for my baby?
11. How many nappies do I need to buy for my baby from 3-6 months to potty training?
12. Which type of nappy cover is the best and why?
13. Will Modern Cloth Nappies cause rashes on my baby’s very sensitive skin?
14. What do I do if my baby is getting rashes?
15. Do cloth nappies use a lot of water and energy and also pollute our waterways?
16. What rebates are available?
17. HOT TIPS!
1. Are Modern Cloth Nappies inconvenient and time consuming?
No, not at all. Modern Cloth Nappies are no longer about folding ugly terry squares, sharp pins, boiling water and smelly wet nappy buckets.
Modern Cloth Nappies are designed just like disposables and are cheap and easy for you to use. Pins are replaced with snaps, Velcro and Snappies and the nappies are shaped for containment and layered for absorption. Modern Cloth Nappies are the perfect fit against your little one’s pure and sensitive skin. This is because natural cloth breathes and it is soft, comfortable and absorbent.
And there’s no more soaking. Just ‘dry pail’ and your wonderful energy and water saving washing machine will do the rest.
The Modern Cloth Nappy market is burgeoning and by using cloth you will be making an important health, environmental and fashion statement.
2. How much will I save using cloth versus disposables?
Thousands! You will save approximately $2800 to $5000 per child. Imagine where you could go or what you could buy with that!
The average number of single use disposables that a child will wear up to the age of 2.5 years is 7,350. This number of nappies is a very conservative estimate as most children will be in a night-time nappy until they are at least 3 years old and some until they are 4 or 5. So, based on $0.50 per nappy, this comes to $3370.50.
<more information here>
Now compare this to the 36 to 48 cloth nappies that you will need, which can be used child after child! The cost will be approximately $590 - $1180. And the best news is that cloth nappies will pay for themselves after only 6 months to 1 year of use.
Try out the Choice Nappies Cost Calculator for yourself and compare the cost of cloth versus disposables. But just be aware that this calculator ‘assumes one wash each day, with the nappies being pre-soaked in warm water and Napisan’. As we all know no one soaks nappies anymore, let alone washes them everyday! So the savings calculated for using cloth versus disposables will be even greater than estimated on this calculator.
<try the calculator here>
3. Are disposable nappies promoted as being more absorbent than Modern Cloth Nappies?
Yes, but not a problem! Your baby will not be uncomfortable in a moist nappy. It is only when a cloth nappy or even disposable nappy is left on too long that it will irritate your baby’s skin.
There are a number of benefits to your baby feeling moisture. The first benefit is that she learns the basic sensations that will help her to potty train and this will be much earlier than if she is using disposables. Basically, she knows when she is weeing! The second benefit is that you will know if your baby is drinking enough. This is incredibly important to your baby’s health and especially so if she is not well or if she has a fever and is in danger of becoming dehydrated.
Have a look at this article which gives you a little more insight into the marketing techniques used by disposable nappy companies: <view article here>
4. What are the different kinds of Modern Cloth Nappy options?
Fitted nappies: These are the most popular as they are designed and shaped like disposables and so are just as easy to use. Fitted Nappies (except for the All-in-ones) require a waterproof cover and come in a number of different styles:
- Different sized nappy design: There are a range of different sized nappies like butt natural, Loveybums and Swaddlebees that come in sizes according to the weight and size of your baby. For example, newborn, small, medium, large and ex-large. Most of these nappies will also come with a booster and will require a cover, except the All-in-ones.
- One-size-fits-all nappy: These nappies can be adjusted to fit your baby depending on her size and weight, from about 3-6 months up to toddler age. Generally they will not fit your newborn baby. Babybeehinds have a bamboo and hemp One-size-fits-all that has a removable snap booster.
- All-in-ones (AIO’s): These nappies consist of a waterproof cover, nappy and booster. They are a little bulkier than the other types of fitted nappies and take a lot longer to dry.
Contours: These are similar to a flat nappy but shaped to contour your baby and less bulky than the flats. They are fastened with a Snappi and need a wrap style cover. They are most suitable for newborns but can be used as boosters as your baby grows. Babygreens have an organic cotton and hemp contour perfect for the first 6 weeks. See our range of contours here
Pre-folds: These are made from material that has been pre-folded and sewn into 3 vertical panels of different thickness. The most absorbent panel is the centre panel which can be anywhere from 6 to 8 layers. The outer panels are usually 2 to 4 layers thick. Pre-folds can be fastened with a Snappi or pin or placed inside a wrap style nappy cover and secured on your baby. Pre-folds also need a nappy cover.
Squares: Squares are the old style flat nappy that is folded, pinned or held together with a Snappi. These need a cover and you can add extra boosters for absorbency. Squares are suitable for all ages but a little bulky.
5. What are the different kinds of nappy covers (pilchers)?
Except for the All-in-ones (AIO’s), you will need a waterproof cover to contain and stop the leaking of any moisture from your baby’s nappy. Covers come in a few different fabrics and styles:
- Wool covers or soakers: The best option is organic merino wool as it is chemical free, breathes, and is comfortable and absorbent (holds up to 30% of its weight in fluid). The beauty of wool is that it is self-cleaning. This is great news for busy mums out there, as you don’t have to wash the cover every time you use it, just air-dry and wash once every 1-2 weeks when needed. Wool covers are fabulous for night-time use. Covers come in a short (‘soaker’) or long (‘longies’) pant style. For more information see FAQ 12: ‘Which type of nappy cover is the best and why?’
- PUL: (Polyurethane laminate) Although synthetic, these nappy covers are durable, breathable and the cheaper option to wool. They are great for day-time use. These come in a wrap, pant and side opening styles with Velcro or snap fasteners.
- Micro-fibre/Polar Fleece: This is a synthetic material that does not contain the moisture in the material but rather removes the moisture through airflow. These come in a wrap, pant and side opening styles with Velcro or snap fasteners.
6. What are boosters, liners and baby wipes?
Boosters: These are extra shaped layers of absorbent material such as organic cotton and wool, bamboo, hemp and micro-fibre fleece that are placed inside the nappy. Most fitted nappies come with a built-in or removable booster. Just add a couple of extra boosters and pop on a wool cover to keep your little one warm, dry and comfortable through the night.
Liners: If you use liners, this is the layer that will come into contact with the baby’s skin as liners sit on top of the boosters. The best liners to use are biodegradeable and flushable liners like Eenies. Liners act as great ‘poo catchers’ and can be taken off the nappy and flushed straight down the toilet.
If you use liners made of micro-fibre fleece you need to be a little bit careful as synthetic fleece will draw moisture out of baby’s skin and can leave the skin very dry.
Baby wipes: These are used to wash away any residual poo and wee from your baby’s delicate areas. If you are going to use paper wipes then make sure that you only use wipes that contain organic ingredients and are biodegradeable. For example, Beaming Baby’s certified organic & 100% biodegradeable wipes that will be in store soon!
As an alternative to flushable wipes, you can use wet organic cloth re-usable wipes or tissues.
7. I don’t know which kind of nappy to buy, what do I do?
Buy a trial pack. This way you can try out the different nappies on your baby to see which nappy is best for your baby’s shape and weight. You definitely don’t want to buy a full-time pack of nappies that you will never use because they are just not right for your baby or you!
Approximate cost: from $55.00.
8. Will my newborn baby fit into a One-Size birth to potty nappy?
No, most newborns will not fit into a One-size-fits-all birth to potty nappy. In a One-size-fits-all, your newborn will, as a very concerned customer once told me, ‘look like John Wayne with her hips riding high off the bed’. This is a very unnatural, unhealthy and uncomfortable position for your baby to be lying in.
So, to tide you over for the first three to six months (12 – 24 weeks), you will need to buy some nappies made specifically for newborns. You have the choice of fitted nappies, pre-folds and contours (the cheaper options), for your little one. If you must use disposables, use a 100% biodegradable like the Safeties Nature Nappy. The different nappy options are explained in more detail under FAQ 4: ‘What are the different kinds of Modern Cloth Nappy Options’.
9. How many nappies do I need to buy for my newborn baby?
There are a number of options depending on how often you want to be washing nappies:
Full-time pack – if you only want to wash every other day, you will need to buy:
- 20 - 24 fitted nappies, pre-folds or contours (or a combination of these);
- 8 covers (eg 2 wool covers and 6 PUL covers);
- 6 cloth boosters for extra absorbency;
- 1 x 500 roll of disposable nappy liners or wipes; and
- 4 Baby wipes (optional extra).
Average cost: $590.
Part-time pack – if you don’t mind washing every day, you will need to buy:
- 12 fitted nappies, pre-folds or contours (or combination of);
- 4 covers (eg 2 wool covers and 2 PUL covers);
- 4 boosters for extra absorbency;
- 1 x 500 roll of disposable nappy liners (optional extra); and
- 4 Baby wipes (optional extra).
Average cost: $290
Day pack – if you are planning to use cloth during the day-time and perhaps100% biodegradable disposables (eg Safeties) at night-time, you will need to buy:
- 8 fitted nappies, pre-folds or contours (or combination of);
- 4 covers (eg 2 wool covers and 2 PUL covers);
- 6 cloth boosters for extra absorbency;
- 1 x 500 roll of disposable nappy liners or wipes (optional extra); and
- 4 baby wipes (optional extra).
Average cost: $190
10. How many different sized nappies will I need to buy for my baby?
You should only need to buy two different sizes of nappies. However, if you have a very large baby then you may need to buy three sizes.
For your newborn, you will need to buy some nappies made especially for newborns; either fitted nappies, contours or pre-folds, or a combination of these types of nappies. As to how many you will need for your newborn see the FAQ 9: ‘How many nappies do I need to buy for my newborn baby?’
After the first three to six months, your baby should fit into a ‘medium’ sized nappy or a ‘One-size-fits-all’, which should last until your baby is about 2 ½ years old. As most babies who wear cloth are out of day-time nappies well before this age, you may just need a couple of night-time nappies and covers to tide you through night-time toilet training. As to how many nappies you need for your growing baby see the FAQ 11: ‘How many nappies do I need to buy for my baby from 3-6 months to potty training?’
11. How many nappies do I need to buy for my baby from 3-6 months to potty training?
You will need to buy similar amounts of nappies that you have purchased for your newborn. That is a:
Full-time pack – if you only want to wash every other day, you will need to buy:
- 24 pre-folds, contours or fitted nappies (or a combination of these);
- 8 covers (eg 2 wool covers and 6 PUL covers);
- 6 cloth boosters for extra absorbency;
- 1 x 500 roll of disposable liners or cloth wipes (optional extra); and
- 4 baby wipes (optional extra).
Average cost: $590.
Part-time pack – if you don’t mind washing every day, you will need to buy:
- 12 pre-folds, contours or fitted nappies (or combination of);
- 4 covers (eg 2 wool covers and 2 PUL covers);
- 4 boosters for extra absorbency;
- 1 x 500 roll of disposable nappy liners (optional extra); and
- 4 baby wipes (optional extra).
Average cost: $290
Day pack – if you are planning to use cloth during the day-time and perhaps100% biodegradable disposables (eg Safeties) at night-time, you will need to buy:
- 8 pre-folds, contours or fitted nappies;
- 4 covers (eg 2 wool covers and 2 PUL covers);
- 6 cloth boosters for extra absorbency;
- 1 x 500 roll of disposable liners or cloth wipes (optional extra); and
- 4 baby wipes (optional extra).
Average cost: $190
12. Which type of nappy cover is the best and why?
Organic wool covers are superior to the other covers because wool is:
- Pure: Organic wool is free of pesticides, formaldehyde, polyester, foams, dioxins and other additives used in conventional manufacturing practices.
- Natural and non-allergenic: Organic wool can be used by those who suffer from chemical sensitivities. Sometimes those who react to wool are having a reaction to the chemical processing of the wool not the wool itself.
- Insulating: Wool is incredibly warm in winter and cool in summer and has the ability to let the skin breathe.
- Able to wick away moisture: Wool can actually absorb up to 30% of its weight in water without feeling wet to touch. Moisture is also released into the air to keep the wearer feeling warm and dry. At night just compare the warmness within a wool cover and cotton cloth nappy combination and the coldness of a disposable nappy at night. There is no comparison!
- Elastic and comfortable to wear: Wool fibres can be stretched and still come back to the original shape allowing for growth and movement.
- Safer to wear: Wool has natural fire-retardant properties. It can resist flames whereas synthetic wool is oil-based and catches on fire easily, burns and melts. Also synthetic wool is fireproofed with dangerous chemicals.
- Easy to wash and care for: Wool is self-cleaning and only needs to be washed every couple of weeks. (Believe it or not, the lanolin in the wool and urine form soap). In between washes you can hang the wool cover out to air. When soakers need washing simply hand wash gently in a wool safe wash, agitate a little, and only re-lanolise when needed. Roll in a towel to remove excess moisture and lay flat to dry. Olive oil soap can be used for spot cleaning.
- Renewable and biodegradable resource: Wool re-grows on the sheep after shearing, is biodegradable and more environmentally friendly than oil-based synthetic fibres.
- Long lasting and durable: If cared for, wool lasts forever.
13. Will Modern Cloth Nappies cause rashes on my baby’s
very sensitive skin?
The most natural and breathable nappy option for babies with sensitive skins is an organic cotton nappy plus a wool nappy cover or soaker. This is because natural fabrics like organic cotton and wool breathe and wick (draw) moisture away from your baby’s skin sensitive skin. Also being organic means the fabrics contain no chemicals or residual pesticides that can irritate your baby’s pure skin.
Click here to find out a little more information about what may cause nappy rash
14. What do I do if my baby is getting rashes?
If your baby is getting rashes you may need to change your laundry detergent, reduce the amount you use and stop using fabric softeners. Some types of detergent cause a build-up in the nappies, and this can irritate your baby’s skin. So try an eco-laundry wash that is free of dyes and fragrances. Also you should only use ¼ of the recommended amount of laundry wash to reduce build-up.
Please do not use fabric softeners, as these will definitely cause a build-up in your nappies. Just a little vinegar in the rinse is all you need.
To prevent any build-up, it is advisable to wash your nappies for the first time in cold water with a cup of vinegar and then repeat for every other wash or so. See Care Instructions for more detailed information.
There are of course other issues, such as diet and genetics that may also need to be addressed – but will leave that to the health experts.
And a bit of nappy free time also works wonders.
15. Does the use and care of cloth nappies mean the use a lot of water and energy and also pollution our waterways?
No, not at all, because:
- There is no need to ‘wet pail’ nappies - that is soak nappies in water in a bucket like our mothers did. Nappies just need to be ‘dry pailed’ - placed in a nappy bucket (without water), with a lid and a couple of tablespoons of bi-carbonate of soda to keep smells at bay.
- Modern washing machines are energy and water efficient. Front loaders are the most water efficient. Some Local Councils, Water Authorities and State Governments offer rebates for the purchase of front loaders – so check it out and see FAQ 16: ‘What rebates are available?’ Also you can save your clothes’ rinse water in the laundry tub and use it to wash your nappies with.
- The production and use of disposables uses 3.5 times more energy, 2.3 times more water and 8.3 times as many irreplaceable raw materials as for reusable nappies
- By using cloth the landfill and waterways are not polluted by enteric viruses, bacteria and other toxins and chemicals lurking in your baby’s excretions and disposable nappies. With cloth you drop or wash the poo off into the toilet and the urine is washed away. How many people do you know that scrape poo off disposables?
- With disposables, 75% poo and urine, and 25% plastic, pulp and chemicals, just goes straight into a plastic bag, the wheelie bin and then into the landfill! Faeces (raw sewerage), viruses and chemicals such as leachate, leach out into the earth, into the ground water and end up polluting our waterways.
- Disposables take 500 years to degrade in the landfill. Also as disposables break down, the greenhouse gas methane, which is much more harmful to the atmosphere than CO2, is produced. Read more about it here
16. What rebates are available?
Check out the ‘Save Water’ website that has a comprehensive list of washing machine and other rebates and incentives available in the different States and Territories.
Save water website here
Also check out these direct links to the rebates that are on offer in these States and Territories:
Queensland:
New South Wales:
Victoria:
ACT:
WA:
17. HOT TIPS!
- Use old towels and other cloth to make your own nappies and boosters. With boosters, just cut out the desired shape, length and width, and over-lock the edges together.
- Get your favourite Aunt of Granny to knit you some woollen soakers or do it yourself. You can purchase one of our gorgeous kits online here or learn a little more about knitting here at www.ozclothnappies.org/links.html#knitting.
- Buy second hand nappies. There are some fabulous web sites dedicated to the sale of second hand nappies and other baby products. Try www.buyena.com and www.nappiesaustralia.com.au. Also Google ‘second hand nappies’ or ‘second hand diapers’ to find other sites.
- Resell your used nappies when you have finished with them. As long as they are in good condition, there is a great second-hand nappy market out there.
- You only need to use ¼ the amount of laundry wash that you would use for other clothes. And please no fabric softeners as these reduce your nappies absorbency and can cause build-up and allergic reactions in sensitive babies. Just use a little diluted white vinegar in the rinse, it softens and disinfects at the same time.
- Use your rinse water from previous loads of washing to wash your nappies. Move the water outlet pipe from your machine into the washing tub and fill up the tub. Don’t forget to put the plug in and also to remove the pipe and put it back into the proper outlet before doing the rest of the wash!
- Check out what washing machine and other water saving rebates your Local Council, State or Water Authority is offering (see FAQ 16 ‘What rebates are available?’).
