Ok it's a while since i was asked to put this on...

[MrsD'ville mkII]

I was going to suggest leaving them already folded as well, but there's something about OHs. My DH is absolutely in favour of cloth and tells me that even taking into account the cost of washing them they're cheaper than disps, but even so, if he changes DS you can guarantee he'll put him in a disp. We have them for the night time and going out and about, which I don't see changing. I'm just grateful for someone else to deal with the baby while I have 5 mins to myself/cook a meal/spend some time with DD that I don't argue!

[Urban Ayisha]

I am a nappy advisor, and i absolutly HATE HATE HATE prefolds! They are so rubbish and do more harm than good in promoting cloth as they put so many people off!

we've used prefolds since the beginning and have had absolutely no problems with them and so would recommend them to anyone!! like anything else, they took a bit of practice at the beginning but nothing serious enough to put me off!! different things suit different people i guess?! i think to say they are rubbish and do more harm than good is a little unfair!!

[Millymollymandy]

I was completely confused by talk of wraps, pockets, pads, boosters, pre-folds, liners

Me too, I've no idea why I'm reading this thread but as someone who once wore nappies can someone please explain what on earth a 'wrap' is? Sounds like something you eat (although in this context ) Also what exactly is so hard about folding a square into a nappy shape that you have to buy them already folded, or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

[Annpan]

When we were in nappies ourselves our Mums would have folded a square terrys nappy (my mum raised 6 kids and only ever folded the nappy along the diagonal) and put it on using a nappy pin and popped some kind of plastic pants over it to keep the wet stuff inside... I imagine there was some kind of oilskin alternative before plastic was about.

The plastic pants are now re-placed with 'a wrap' which is pant shaped, but with fastenings on either side (makes it much easier for little 'uns) and is made out of modern waterproof material.... or occaisionally fleece, which lets the wee run right through, and I really don't see the point in that

The nappy pin is now replaced with a 'nappy nippa' which is a piece of plastic that has little teeth on it to grab the terry fabric.

Most of us now also use a 'liner' which is a paper disposable sheet that keeps the wet stuff away from juniors bum, and catches the solids ready to flush down the loo.... you can also get re-usable 'liners' which are small pieces of fleece, that does the same job but obviously you don't chuck them out.

People have played around with the terry square and found more absorbent ways of folding it... I favour the kite fold... it puts most of the fabric where it is needed to absorb wees... now, because this fold requires 10 mins to learn and 4 to 5 second to fold each nappy the wise men we know as 'entrepreneurs' realised there was money to be made out of folding a piece of cloth and stitching it together and selling it for £10, they added poppers, velcro, etc to make it 'easier' to use. Developed 'nappy systems' to make you loyal to one brand, where the absorbant bit of the nappy is stuffed in to the part that goes round the waist (I am confused by them) Then made these all in 3 different sizes so they can make 3 times as much money.

I agree some of these nappies are easier to use, sometimes... and some of them are less bulky between the legs, which was a big problem when mine was a tiny tot. But to my mind these are not dis-similar to the idea of frozen mashed potatoes.





Does that help MMM?..... be thankfull you don't need to figure it out

[Millymollymandy]

Thank you very much Annpan for the explanation. I have had a teeny bit of experience of nappies when babysitting as a teenager but 'back in those days' there were either good old fashioned terry (I assume) nappies or disposables. None of this in betweeny stuff.

[MrsD'ville mkII]

I'm ashamed to confess I've given up for the time being. I thought I had researched thoroughly and bought carefully before DS was born, as I knew I wouldn't have time afterwards, but he was so big he was out of his newborn naps within 8 weeks, then was in his one-size on the folded-down setting and is now too big for that but too small for the normal settings and has outgrown the small wraps too. We have no budget to keep buying and trying so I've accepted that for now it's paper pants for him and when he's big enough for the normal settings on his MEOS he can go back in cloth. It'll be winter by then and the poppers should prevent too much nappy removal so maybe not a bad thing. Disappointed though. I must say the trial and error is a major downside of cloth.

[MrsD'ville mkII]

I finally found out from DH why he never puts Max in cloth when he changes him, despite being very happy with cloth naps: it's because he has to open the drawer and get them out!!! Max's disps for overnight and going out are in a vast bag sitting on the side right there so DH just uses them. He said if a cloth nap was also sat right there he'd happily use it!! Goodness me Suffice to say a cloth nap is now sitting by the changing mat at all times, booster snapped in, liner present!

Max has grown that little bit and now fits his MEOS on the main settings. I don't think they'll see us past autumn though as he has chunky legs and that's where he has least room for growth. Dunno what to do tbh. We were given all his clothes and can't afford to buy him a whole new wardrobe to squeeze over a cloth bum, or smart slim bamboo nappies. Hey ho.

[Urban Ayisha]

i hid the disposables from OH for that very reason!