Lately I have been thinking about my nappy "journey". The nappy experience has been a different one each time around for me. First time around, as a young mum of 23, I intended to use cloth nappies part time. But I soon fell into the ease of disposables. I didn't even know anyone that used cloth. But six months in, I did begin to use cloth, at the same time doubting whether it was worth the money saved. If only I had had the support from the internet back then.
With Julia I used disposables exclusively, telling myself I did not have the time to do cloth nappies.
However, this time around I decided early on to use cloth nappies. With the support I was previously missing now being found on excellent websites and the world of blogs, this time around it has been a far more pleasant and rewarding experience. Though I generally use my homemade pre-fold nappies and old-fashioned white towelling squares, I also have a small assortment of modern cloth nappies that are handy for when we go out. There is so much more available these days than when I had my first two.
We are on tank water, so water is quite precious in our home. But with a nappy wash being only every second or third day, we have not noticed any significant decline in our water supply. We also use a water saving front loader.
While I was pregnant I made about 24 pre-fold flats in the newborn size, using the pattern instructions from Soulemama's Handmade Home. These worked remarkably well, looked quite pretty in all their stripes and florals, and cost me next to nothing. Now I am using them as boosters to other nappies, as they are too small.
Recently I decided to make another batch using the larger size in the book. I used several old flannelette sheets for this project.
So I now have an extra stack of twelve nappies to add to the stash. These ones are lovely and soft, roomy, can be worn a number of ways, and they are quite satisfying to make. You will need to pop a cover over the top when in use.
Though it did take me two weeks of sporadic cutting and sewing, it really is a fairly quick and easy project, and would be perfect for a beginner sewer.
What is your nappy story?
My first baby is due in a few weeks and I've just started making nappy covers from old woolen blankets- idea stolen from here :) I'd love to try making those newborn flannel pre-folds. So far I have 24 flat terry nappies and 3 different kinds of MCNs. How many covers did you need for a newborn? Thanks for your lovely blog!
ReplyDeleteMy girl Matilda is now 19 months old and i've used disposables exclusively with her (albeit with a conscience about it) and i'm about 90% certain that I want to use proper cloth nappies with number two (due xmas day) although I am absolutely clueless about the whole thing from how you use them to how you store and wash the dirty ones. Your homemade nappies look lovely and I hope to do somthing similar. I really ought to work this whole thing out sometime soon! Your blog is lovely.
ReplyDeleteAlso a question if I may...
ReplyDeleteDo you use any sort of liner for your nappies or is it just the flat fabric nappy and the wool cover? Thanks!
With my first baby, many years ago, i used cloth nappies with the occasional disposable when going out. With Riley i intended to use cloth nappies when at home & disposables when going out but ended up using disposables 100% of the time. He is fully toilet trained now so no need for nappies at all. The cloth nappies did come in handy though for burp cloths etc
ReplyDeleteHi Serena, I think as many as possible is good. From memory I think I had about 10 or 12 to start off with. At the moment I have about 10. If you washed almost everyday though you could get away with less.
ReplyDeleteHi Holly, I sometimes do for overnight, which is when I use the newborn prefolds I made. The cover may need to be a size bigger to fit over this. I find that each baby is different and different babies seem to suit different nappies. Some are heavy wetters or you may have skinny or chunky legs to contend with. I think the best way is to buy or make a few of each (terry towelling, prefolds and mcn's) and see what works for you and your baby.
When I had my first baby we were young and really didn't have much money at all so we used cloth nappies all the time. I remember carrying them around all prefolded with liners in them that I would rewash if they weren't soiled. I did though use disposables at night when the cloth nappies just wouldn't hold enough and she would be wet when she woke in the morning. But for the second we used disposables. We had more money and it seemed like the done thing, I wish we hadn't looking back. Your nappies are very stylish too by the way:) x
ReplyDeleteHaving no children I do not have a nappie story. My only contribution to the conversation is to say that I really enjoyed that book as well! I do not own a copy. I checked mine out at the library. There were several fun, practical, and re-use type projects in it. I just recently uncovered the Woman's Cloth pages which I had photocopied before returning the book. I'd always intended to try THAT out as an alternative to disposables of my own variety. Hmmmmm.....maybe I shall. Do you have any tips or ideas on that project?
ReplyDeleteFinding myself pregnant at 19 and living on a meagre wage (hubby didn't even earn $200 pr wk in those days) flat cloths were a no brainer for us. I layby-ed 3 dozen at the start of my pg and paid them off over time. In those days (almost 19yrs ago) the plastic overnaps were all the rage..they were disgusting!! So I made some fleece ones that weren't very good but did the job. Our first four children were all cloth nap bubs...even when we went on holiday we still used cloths - silly I know and I only needed to purchase one extra dozen...averaging one dozenper baby. With number five we started out with a mix of MCN and flats but I eventually got lazy with the day to day running around of such a large family and turned to disposables. I have kept all the woolen soakers I knitted and all his naps for the next one. I much prefer cloth over disposable.
ReplyDeleteLove the nappies you have made Tania...hopefully you will inspire others to follow suit.
x
I used a mix of cloth and disposable for my first two. I'm using pea pods mcns now and loving them, but am tempted by how pretty your prefolds are.
ReplyDeleteI am about to switch from disposable wipes to flannel, I just need to thread my nightmare of an overlocker to make them.
Lila
btw....LOVE your new header :)
ReplyDeletex
I used cloth toweling nappies for my first three children and disposable nappies for my last as I was just too overwhelmed and no support around.
ReplyDeleteIf I had the choice today, I would definitely use cloth nappies. I looked after a baby when doing Family Day Care in those new homemade cloth fancy nappies you can buy these days! I thought they were brilliant.
Your nappies look great!
Haven't had to do nappies yet but I have to say your nappies are the sweetest I've ever seen!
ReplyDeleteFirstly, your blog looks fantastic! Love the new header.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was pregnant I was scoffed at by a few people for wanting to use cloth nappies, being told things like "you'll see." "I'd like to hear you say that when the baby gets here" etc. Only a couple of people had this attitude but needless to say, being the stubborn Taurean that I am, it made me even more determined to succeed! We decided to start when Nell was around 2-3 months old, just to give us a chance to get used to things. I think with our next baby I will definitely begin from newborn.
We use bamboo nappies with a cover from baby beehinds. I tried a few and have just loved these ones. I have about 24 which is a full cycle, although I have been a bit behind in the washing lately!
After seeing your beautiful homemade ones I think I will give that a go! I have Handmade Home on hold at the library!
xoxo
Well done with these- so sweet! My youngest has just come out of nappies and I can't tell you my joy!
ReplyDeletewe used cloth towelling squares for our first child until she got too big and disposables for our second. Those towelling square are still working hard here for a number of jobs and there's always a clean laundered stack in the cupboard. Eldest Child is now 7!! They were the best investment we ever made! ; ) Yours all look so pretty hanging on the line
ReplyDeleteWe are way past nappies here but I just had to sympathize with your fear of the overlocker - me too!
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ReplyDeleteUnrelated comment to this post, but I just replied to a comment of yours on my blog and thought I'd post it here as well in case you don't end up seeing my reply ---
ReplyDeleteP.S. Tania – I made the tamari almonds myself. It is SUPER easy. If you have some almonds, dry roast them for about 15 minutes in the oven. Pull them out and stir through some tamari, maple syrup (if you have it) and some cumin. Put back in the oven until they are dry(ish) and smelling delicious. I’ve been eating them all week. Particularly good when you want something a bit on the sweet side! Will post this to your blog too in case you don’t come back to see this. xo
Sadly we are a disposable nappy home. Do love the nappies you've created, beautiful! Some inspiration for number two...x ashley
ReplyDeleteWe used cloth nappies at home (terry towels) and disposables when we went out. If I had to do it all again, I'd probably push harder to do cloth nappies when we head out too. We didn't mind the washing and the nappies are now still in 'use' as rags!
ReplyDeletehow cute are those nappies- i was raised on cloth diapers as a kid and still have some of the baby pins.
ReplyDeleteWhen I do have a baby- I am going to attempt to do cloth because I just think of all the waist- I mean it's ok every once in awhile but I can only imagine how many diapers a kid goes through.
you are too cool tania. love your nappy idea though i do use disposables. all about time for me. and i am completely loving your new blog header by the way!!
ReplyDeleteBLD - Not as yet, but I'm very interested in trying them too.
ReplyDeleteOUr eldest is now 14 and we used cloth for the first two but got lazy by the third and used mostly disposables. Do it all agaian and i would do cloth 100% well done, great sewing.
ReplyDeleteHi Tania, I've been following your blog for a while now. It's really lovely! I used disposables for the first 9 months of my little girls life. I wanted to use cloth nappies...but I was so overwhelmed by the jargon and brands and I didn't know where to start. I ended up meeting a clever "nappy broker" and now use Rumparooz. I'm having another baby and I've just added some old fashioned prefolds from Real Nappies to the collection and am thinking of getting some Grovias. I really like the idea of making prefolds. Would you recommend the book Homemade Home? Thanks!
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