Enter our competition to win this lovely selection of Itti Bitti goodies which includes two Bitti Tutto nappies, a pack colourful ultimate wipes and a luxury wetbag.  All of these items can be purchased online at Babi Pur.

How to enter

All you need to do is comment below by finishing off the following sentence...    "Happiness is............."

BONUS ENTRIES: For bonus entries please leave a separate comment for each of the following you have done :

• LIKEBabiPur on Facebook
• FOLLOW BabiPur on Twitter
• ENTER our PEBBLE crochet toy competition here
• BLOG Blog about this competition - mention us on your own blog
• TELL YOUR FRIENDS about this competition on any UK forum (separate entry for each one)
• CREATE AN ACCOUNT & tick to receive our newsletters here
• COMMENT leave a comment on any posts on this blog
• RETWEET this post
• SUBSCRIBE to our new Youtube channel BabipurTV & comment on a video for another entry

It is important that you leave separate comments as each comment number is counted as an entry!

All entries need to be with us before midnight on Sunday the 10th of April 2011

This competition is now closed and the winner has been chosen.  Congratulations to Vicky (comment No. 113)

Well I'd love to say that I am not a complete newbie when it comes to cloth nappies now but recently I had the revelation that I have been a bit of a twit!

Miss Fizz had had quite a lot of leaky night time nappies recently and after having a moan then contacting Jolene we decided that it was probably about time I strip washed the nappies. Now this made complete sense, the nappies did feel different and this was probably the build up of detergent. The nappies felt much nicer after following the advice on Nicola's article about how to look after your cloth nappies.

After strip washing we still had a few leakage problems and it finally twigged! Me being me I had kept Fizz in the nappies as I had always been using them, poppers used, Flip liners a certain way. Switching the flip liner around and adjusting the poppers to accomodate a toddler rather than a baby felt like an easy solution and it was.

Why hadn't I spotted that earlier? Well I suppose it's because I still feel Fizz is a baby, that there is no rush for her to grow up.

In cloth terms though a baby is very different to a toddler. Walking around causes more bunching in material and more give is needed for comfort.

So with this in mind I am going to ensure I strip wash every 3 months and also not put Fizz's nappy together until she is ready to wear it. This way I can take into account her growth and movement needs.

We've also stopped using velcro nappies - this little monkey can undo them herself now

So how have you grown with cloth, how do you deal with heavy wetting at night? and how is your journey going?

Quentin @ 12 months Old

Our little boy Quentin has recently turned one. A huge milestone in his life so far.
I look back on our first 12 months with wonder. So much has happened!

He is now the proud owner of 12 pearly white teeth. He is happily crawling & cruising. He is both adventurous and daring. He Babbles away endlessly and happily eats whatever food we offer and has even started using his own fork & spoon.

Why am I writing this?

As a first time mum, I often wonder if I would have taken the advice from other mums, my own mum, or even health professionals, any differently if I knew then what I know now?

Thankfully We were able to make Informed decisions about the choices we made.
So many times we came close to ending our breastfeeding relationship; Especially when Quentin took to biting but we persevered and got over it!
It would have been easy to quit Baby-led weaning at the first gag, but Quentin wouldn't tolerate being spoon-fed! Going with the Baby-led approach has worked really well for us.

Does he still wear Cloth nappies? Yes, he does. We love to proudly show them off with a complementary set of huggalugs or babylegs!! Admittedly we have had a few leaks, and hiccups with rashes whist hes been teething but I'm proud to say we've saved over 2,500 nappies from landfill since we started using cloth nappies when Quentin was 3 weeks old.

Do I still wear him? Yes, We still babywear, though I'm often now approached by people asking me if I find him heavy. People a generally less aware of him when they're in a huury and might walk into us. But he normally gets loads of attention from people when he's at their height and he rewards them with one of his gorgeous cheeky smiles.

Are we still breastfeeding? Yes we are! albeit only a few times a day now, and since he turned one I also offer him Goats milk during the day to take the pressure off me to express during the day (I now work three days a week).
People are quiet surprised when I say we're still breastfeeding, as it's not as common as I would like it to be. But it works for us! I wouldn't know what to do during the night if i didn't nurse him back to sleep.

Are we still Baby-led Weaning? Yes, and we're doing amazingly well. So much so Quentin joins in with all the family meals without ours going cold. I do find his eating abilities still attract attention from onlookers when we eat out in public, but for us his abilities are totally normal.
The childminder finds that his eating abilities make it much easier for her to just let him get on with it whist she tends to the other children in her care.

Would I do anything differently?

No, I wouldn't do anything differently. I think if some of the decisions I'd made had been left to my hubby this time round would have been very different.

But with a little research and confidence I've been able to introduce not only to my hubby but to my family and friends some of the less mainstream methods of parenting; and in all honestly I wholly believe we have reaped the rewards from this!

Before my little Fizz was born I looked into the cloth nappy and for some reason went the Eco friendly disposable route. In the hospital Pampers disposables are left out for new mums. I am not sure who product places the nappies but once my little one was home and we discovered Eco friendly disposables leaked really badly as well as gave our daughter severe nappy rash we looked toward Pampers, mainly because of having no difficulty with them and little ones skin and probably the convenience too.

Six months on I won a competition which provided us with a Bum Genius starter kit. It encouraged me to take the plunge and have a cloth bum from that weekend. I contacted a couple of small companies, mainly run by mums, and came across Babi Pur. Jolene was super helpful, didn't expect a sale, and spent a lot of time explaining the cloth nappy to me. It has gone a fair way since terry towelling and I was completely baffled. It was lovely for someone to take the time with me to explain how to use each item. I, of course, ordered a few different nappies to try from Babi Pur. The delivery was quick and the promise was on to be disposable free by that weekend. Unfortunate timing for my washing to pack in came over that weekend but by Monday we were clothed bummed. I can't tell you the pride I felt at seeing them displayed on my washing line, Gav thought it was a bit weird. In 6 months I calculated we had sent over 1000 nappies to landfill and felt disappointment at this.

Fizz is now a clothed bum baby and it's lovely to see. Thinking back now the start of the nappy should be taking up with the hospital! A cloth nappy should be in place as a choice for all newborns, especially as their skin is so delicate. How I go about pursuing this will be a challenge but I am determined to try!

I hope you'll carry on reading our clothed bummed adventures as well as reviews from me on this site.

Chelle and Fizz - Mamma and Baby McCann

As part of real nappy week I've taken a closer look at what our lovely bum covers are made of. This includes disposable nappies as well. To be honest do we really know what they're made of?

Today when I took a visit to the local supermarket and curiosity got the better of me. I picked up a packet of branded disposable nappies and was half expecting to see an ingredients list like what you would expect in baby food; but not one single packet of disposable nappies disclosed what they were made of!!

So what are they made of?

Well, I can't confirm the exact percentage of the following materials that are in any specific brand, and you may well understand I'm certainly not picking on a particular manufacturer either. But the 'typical' contents of a disposable nappy is as follows....

I have simplified the explanations wherever I can to avoid too much scientific lingo!

DISPOSABLE NAPPIES

Superabsorbent polymer (aka SAP)
Is a water absorbing polymers, classified as hydrogels, absorb aqueous solutions through hydrogen bonding with the water molecule. SAP may absorb 500 times its weight.

SAP is also found in sanitary products, however SAP was discontinued from use in tampons due to 1980s concern over a link with toxic shock syndrome.

Breathable polyethylene film
Polyethylene is one of the most widely used plastics. It's the same stuff they make carrier bags from. It can be recycled but due to the nature of disposable nappies the polyethylene layer cannot be recycled.

Polyethylene is not considered biodegradable, as it takes several centuries until it is efficiently degraded.

Other materials include touch tape or velcro fasteners, essential oils to control odour, and air-laid paper to form a barrier between the SAP and the baby.

REUSABLES

Natural Fibres
Cotton, Hemp and Bamboo typically make up the absorbent core of the nappy, They are naturally grown, Bamboo is the most sustainable fabric of the three as it's fast growing a requires no chemical spraying.

Manmade Fibres
Microfibre
Microfibre is made from polyesters, polyamides (nylon), and or a conjugation of polyester and polyamide. The shape, size and combinations of synthetic fibers are selected for specific characteristics, including: softness, durability, absorption, wicking abilities, water repellency, electrodynamics, and filtering capabilities.

Polyurethane laminate (aka PUL)
is generally a polyester interlock knit fabric that has been laminated to a thin film of polyurethane. This laminated fabric is useful as a wind and/or water barrier in the construction of fluid-splash protecting garments,

Fleece
is also a polyester based fabric the synthetic fibres also can create materials with superior water, wind and environmental resistance compared to plant-derived fibres like cotton etc, and are often used as an optional stay dry liner in nappies.

Fastenings
These are all pretty much man-made such as aplix, poppers or nippas most of which are plastic based and derived from oils.

Am I getting to the point yet?

In retrospect I think it's important to know exactly what we're exposing our children too. I take pride in the fact that I know there are no 'active' chemicals in the nappies we use, granted some chemicals have been used in producing the nappies and some man made fabrics may not sound all that appealing. But at least I know that there is nothing harmful in the nappies.
There have been studies in the past that claim that the chemicals in disposable nappies can cause fertility issues in boys in later life caused by the heat of the chemical reaction in the nappies. There are also studies which support reusable nappies as a 'viable' environmental option, and others that state the benefits and costs are equal.

The decision is ultimately yours!

If you want to do further reading or research on Cloth nappies do check out the other articles I've written in the Cloth Nappies section. They also include more detailed information on the various materials, types and faq's of nappies.

Thanks to Wikipedia that provided me with an insight to the various materials used in nappies.

'Go Real' , the real nappy information service, want us to go real together this real nappy week, 26th April to 2nd May 2010.  This year real nappy week is all about talking to other parents, sharing photos (check out the Go Real cute in cloth section), sharing experiences, getting advice, learing about real nappies  and taking advantage of special offers.  Check out the Go Real website here for more information on events and real nappy week info. 

Real nappies are becoming more and more popular every year as people become more aware of the environmental benefits and the huge cost savings to be had compared with disposables.  Watch this space over the next few weeks for real nappy week news and fab real nappy week special offers!  The best way to get news of special offers first is to follow our twitter updates .

At Babi Pur we excel at offering quality sound advice on washable nappies.  You can call for a chat about real nappies on 01766 515240 or send us an email shop@babipur.co.uk   We know because we've used them!

Welcome to the Cloth Nappy FAQ, Sit comfortably & enjoy the read....
If you have a question that we don't have the answer for, please post it in the comments & we will endeavour to find the answer for you!

The Questions are broken down into the following sections:

New to Cloth Nappies or Considering going Cloth

How many Nappies do I need?

Depends on how frequently you want to wash. If you currently use disposables then a fair equation would be current no. nappies + 2 extra then multiply by number of days you want between washes. Remember to take into account nappies to use whilst others are in the wash.

What type of Nappies should I buy?

In terms of nappy types everyone has a personal preference. Ideally you should aim to try at least one nappy of various ones that 'take your fancy' before making a serious investment. If the nappy you choose doesn't work out for you then try another, don't be discouraged as each baby is a different size, shape etc so are the nappies. Buying preloved is a great way of trying out nappies as well as trial packs of individual nappies.

Do I need wraps for all my Nappies?

Not all nappies require wraps, some nappies have a waterproof layer built into the nappy. Do make sure that you read the instructions on the nappies before using to make sure you have all the required parts as wraps are typically sold separately. For further info: Cloth Nappies - Getting Started

What ratio of Nappies to wraps do I need?

Wraps don't require changing everytime you change the nappy unless it's dirty. They can normally we wiped out or aired between uses. I would normally change the wrap after three uses. So around three nappies to one wrap would be a fair ratio.

Are Cloth Nappies Daddy/Family friendly?

Modern Cloth Nappies are designed to be easy to use and can be used by anyone with little instruction. Most of them are shape similar to disposable nappies.

Are Cloth Nappies easy to use?

Yes, Modern Cloth nappies are easy to use, few nappies types require any additional folding or preping before putting on. Each individual will have a preference to which type they find the easiest but it is more down to trial and error to what suits you.

Do Cloth Nappies smell?

No, Infact people often comment that they smell less than disposables as there are no chemicals in the nappy. If your nappies do acquire a smell they may require a little more attention when washing. For further info: Cloth Nappies - Nappy Care

Do bulky Cloth Nappies hinder baby's development?

Babies are generally adaptable to their environment. If you are a regular user of both cloth and disposable nappies you might find that s/he sits up easier in disposables. However other users may find it the opposite and their baby sits easier in cloth. The nicely padded bottom helps provide a cushion when they're up and about and there has been no proof to suggest that cloth nappies delay walking either. Considering most of our parents were probably raised in cloth and they have developed fine. Remember all babies develop at their own pace, I very much doubt that whatever nappy they're wearing has any impact on their development.

Can I resell Nappies if I buy a brand that doesn't suit me?

Yes, You can there are select places you can re-sell nappies. Unfortunately Ebay has a strict policy on reselling used nappies but nappy forums will normally have areas for sale or trade. The better the condition of the nappy the higher the resale value. It's a handy place to buy nappies to try out too.

Can I buy Pre-loved Nappies?

Yes, You can buy preloved nappies, there is an extensive online community of cloth nappy users who sell or trade their nappies online, it's a great way of trying out different types of nappy without committing to buying new. The other useful thing is the nappy will have been pre-washed as well, saving you some prep time on the nappy.

Will my childcare provider use my Nappies?

It is always worth checking with your childcare provider whether they are happy to accept cloth nappies. Some private nurseries still insist on using disposables but there are an increasing number of nurseries accepting them.

Where do I get Nappies from?

You can buy nappies online at many baby retailers such as Babipur, select stores will stock them in high street stores but I have found in-store selections to be very limited. Shopping around will get you the best deals.

Do normal Clothes fit over the Nappies?

Yes, normal clothes do fit over cloth nappies, however if your baby is particularly long you can buy vest extenders which will increase the amount of cloth at the gusset area - prolonging the usable life of the clothes. You can also buy clothes that are designed for cloth like the Frugi 'cut for cloth' range.

Back to Top

Part-time in Cloth Nappies

Can't afford enough Nappies straight away, Do I have to buy loads before I can start using them?

For every cloth nappy you use, is one less in landfill and one less purchased. You can increase your 'stash' inline with your budget. You don't have to go 'all out' and buy in bulk.

Can I just use Cloth Nappies some or the time or will my baby get confused if I swap and change?

You can use cloth on a part time basis, your baby won't get confused at all, though you may find they have 'preferences' to the nappies they're wearing as cloth is a very different feel for them so the earlier you convert the easier it will be.

I can't afford to buy loads of Nappies at once how can I do this

You can buy nappies in line with your budget, even adding one or two nappies a month will gradually all you to get cloth full time - even if you only start with enough nappies to last a day and wash daily. However to get the best value both cost and environmentally you should aim to get a couple of days worth of nappies.

How do the council Incentives work?

Most councils encourage the use of cloth nappies as it reduces the number sent to landfill. Schemes can include cash back incentives or trials packs. For further info: Cloth Nappies - Council Incentives

Back to Top

Changing Nappies

How often should I change the Nappies?

You should aim to change nappies as you normally would with disposable nappies, though many nappies have an incredible amount of absorbency and may go longer, others may require changing more frequently especially if your baby is a heavy wetter.

Can I change just the nappy inners or do I need to change the whole thing?

How much of the nappy you change depends on the type of nappy you are using. Traditional & hybrid nappies just require the inners changing allowing the wrap to be used a number of times. Pocket or all-in-one nappies will require the whole nappy to be changed. For further info: Cloth Nappies - Getting Started

Back to Top

New Nappies

My new nappies are leaking, what am I doing wrong?

New nappies are recommended to be pre-washed before using. This removes manufacturing chemicals and also begins the process if building up the nappies absorbency. For further info: Cloth Nappies - Nappy Care

My Nappies are soaking my babies clothes straight away, what am I doing wrong?

If the whole nappy is wet, inside and out. Then the type of nappy you are using probably requires a wrap. If your unsure of the type of nappy you are using see: Cloth Nappies - Getting Started

Back to Top

Night Nappies

How many night Nappies do I need?

If you decide to invest in 'Night' nappies; you will need fewer of them but enough to see you through for nights between washes also allowing for dying time as they do tend to be bulkier and may take longer to dry.

What Nappies should I use?

Specific made for purpose 'Night' nappies aren't always necessary. In most cases you can 'boost' a normal day nappy to enable it to be used a bit longer (see below for info on 'Boosting'). If your baby is a heavy wetter and more so at night then do try extra boosting before investing in specific types. They do tend to be bulkier than nappies intended for day use.

Back to Top

Boosting

What is 'Boosting'?

Boosting is adding extra absorbency to a normal/standard nappy by using additional padding in the form of inserts. However many 'inserts' may also be given other names like boosters, doublers and soakers.

What is the difference between an insert and a booster?

None really, A pocket nappy for instance is sold with an insert as the initial absorbency, it can't really be called a booster as there's nothing for it to boost. So the booster is anything extra to that. It may be identical to it's insert but the two together boost the absorbency of the nappy.

What is a doubler?

It's the same as an insert or booster, though they are sometimes smaller and made of different material to the inserts. Essentially 'doubling' the nappies absorbency. It does tend to be an american term but as we do sell a lot of american nappies over here it just adds to the jargon really.

What is a soaker?

as above but soakers tend to refer to part of the standard nappy rather than the boosting part of it.

Back to Top

Storing Dirty Nappies

What do I do with dirty Nappies?

Dirty nappies do need to be stored out of the reach of your baby/toddler so a secure nappy bucket or any bin which has an airtight lid to contain odours is recommended.

What should I do with the poop?

How you deal with poos depends on the age of your baby. For liquidy poos it's fine to just put it through the wash. Though I tend to do a rinse cycle before doing a proper wash to get any poo off. Older babies, especially those being weaned where poo has more consistency or firmer; the poo should be removed/rinsed into the toilet before washing.

How can I make the nappy pail/bucket smell nicer?

Essential oils are fab for making the nappy bucket smell nicer lavender or tea tree oil are my favourite. You can put them in the bucket on a rag/muslin/cloth or stick a pantyliner to the lid of the bucket and apply the oil there instead.

For further info: Cloth Nappies - Nappy Care

Back to Top

Washing Cloth Nappies

What temperature should I wash my Nappies at?

Always read the instructions on the label so you know the max. wash temperature for each nappy. Most nappies are fine at 40oC, some brands may recommend higher but there's no harm in washing at a lower temp, however avoid washing at temperatures which exceed the recommended maximum as this may damage any waterproof lining in the nappy.

What should I wash the Nappies with?

You can use any detergent to wash the nappies in, most parents do tend to go for non-bio or eco alternatives which are kinder to your babies skin. You should use 1/4 of your normal amount in the wash as too much will encourage a build up of chemicals in the nappy. Softeners should also be avoided as this will affect the absorbency of the nappy.

How do I get Stains out?

Sunshine is the best natural stain remover there is. Seriously, I'm not crazy. Drying your nappies outside on a sunny day should do the trick. Conventional stain removers can also be used but do make sure the nappies are well rinsed.
NOTE: Some brands do not recommend the use of stain removers and it can void your guarantee, if your unsure then most manufacturers are happy to be contacted with queries.

For further info: Cloth Nappies - Nappy Care

Back to Top

Nappy Rash

Are clothed bums more likely to get nappy rash?

Every baby is different, typically there is a reduced chance of rashes but you should also consider the teething can cause a rash and some babies cannot tolerate man-made fibres like fleece against their skin. An excessive build-up of detergent can also cause irritation. So if your baby does suffer a rash please consider the possible cause first.

Can I use creams with Cloth Nappies?

Yes, you can. But cream can affect the nappies absorbency; so it is recommended that you should use a liner between the baby's skin and the nappy. Silver nappy liners can be used as a more natural way of treating a rash.

Cloth Out & About

How do I store dirty Nappies when I'm out for the day?

Dirty nappies can be stored in a waterproof tote or 'wet' bag. These can be zipped or pull cord to be sealed. The wetbags can be washed with your nappies or clothes (check for recommended temperature). Alternatively, you can use the normal little plastic nappy sacks - just remember not to throw them in the bin.

Do I need to use disposables when I'm out for the day or on holiday?

Your own preference really. If you have access to wash facilities when your on holiday then reusables are fine. Obviously if your only out for the day then you have to be prepared to carry the dirty ones around with you.

Back to Top

Nappy Jargon

What is a wrap?

A wrap is a separate waterproof cover for traditional or hybrid nappies.

What does obv mean?

In short obv means 'Organic Bamboo Velour' a really soft, absorbent fabric.

What is aplix?

Aplix is another name for a hook & loop fastening also known as velcro. For further info: Cloth Nappies - Getting Started

What are snaps?

Snaps are another name for poppers or press studs, which are the types of fastening for the nappy. For further info: Cloth Nappies - Getting Started

What are fleece liners for?

Fleece liners are a washable alternative to flushable liners. The added benefit to using fleece is that it acts like a stay dry barrier between the baby and nappy as fleece doesn't absorb, but allows moisture to pass through. They also keep your nappies in good condition.

What are flushable liners for?

Are put inside the nappy to assist the collection of poop. Not all liners are flushable as some are designed to be biodegradable and are thrown in the bin instead so do check beforehand.

Back to Top

Think to yourself the type of person who uses cloth nappies. If it's you great! If it's not then think again, and ask yourself why not?

By writing this article I'm hoping to widen peoples views on cloth nappies and broaden the horizons of readers who may feel that cloth nappies are the trend for a select minority rather than for the greater good.

In an Eco-consious society I often wonder why the uptake of cloth nappies isn't higher! I aim to enlighten you the various types of nappy users I have come across and see where you fit, including an estimated spend of each group on nappies from birth to potty training - on the assumption that potty training is successful by the age of 2 1/2 years old; I've worked out a conservative estimated total spent on standard 'sposies (disposables) to be between £800-£1,200.

I've grouped the 'types' allowing a split between a 'sposie and cloth user, this way you can comment freely without prejudice. This is purely for 'fun' there is no research to back me up - only my personal experiences!

One-off or One-brand Wonders
'Sposie User
Probably brought a brand of cloth nappies when pregnant without really researching what would work for you, maybe had a leak then gave up or you braved the use of nappies until you realised that the poo has to go somewhere other than the bin. So on top of the cost of 'sposies you probably have the additional cost of a birth to potty kit of un-used cloth nappies.
Cost: £1,200-£1,500
Savings: None

Cloth User
On the opposite extreme, you researched you invested and very pleased with your selection. You probably only have 1 or 2 types of nappy in your stash (maybe day/night ones).
Costs: £300-£400
Savings: £400-£800

Hooked and Addicted
Cloth User
Unfortunately 'sposie users can't really be quantified in this category.
These lush fluff lovers buys nappys now instead of shoes/handbags etc. Outfit matching or custom fluff is a must.
You probably keen on swapping or buying/selling pre-loved nappies to regularly refresh your stash.
Cost: £400-infinity
Savings: Depending on how 'addicted' you are.

Practical nappy lovers
'Sposie User
Your a highly seasoned nappy user - you've tried them all and made your choices. You probably have a preferred 'sposie brand for day/night use, heading out etc. Possibly have excess stocks of those nappies that didn't work for you.
Cost: £1,200+
Savings: None

Cloth User
Has a nappy for all occasions, on the go, overnight, lazy day at home. You probably brought pre-loved before investing in new so you can be sure you like to shape, fit and absorbency of the nappy. Majority of your stash is probably birth-to-potty with a few fitted nappies.
Cost: £400-£500
Savings: Can be substantial

Eco-Lovers
'Sposie User
Likely to be using 'eco' nappies which claim to bio-degrade faster than standard 'sposies
Cost: £1200+
Savings: None

Cloth User
Has a vast majority of their nappy stash made from eco or sustainable materials - hemp & bamboo galore! or enjoys buying/selling pre-loved nappies and saving on pre-washes.
Cost: £200-£300 (on the basis of 50% stash 'pre-loved')
Savings: Can be substantial

Part-time Practitioner
Theres no 'sposie - cloth split for this type of user as they juggle both nappy types. You might use cloth during the day and a 'sposie at night or use 'sposies out & about/childcare.

In 'some' ways your getting the best of both worlds but the savings aren't as great as special offers can lead to purchasing too many 'sposies of one size.
Cost: £800-£1200 (if 50% of time in 'sposies' and cost of cloth accounted for)
Savings: Negligible

Remember: This is for fun, I'm not intentionally aiming to offend anyone, nor has this article been based on any research other than my own experiences - Enjoy!

CONGRATULATIONS  to Elaine (comment No. 142)  who is the lucky winner of our Mother's day Cloth Nappy  Giveaway! More competitions coming soon.....................

It's Mother's day on Sunday.. a great excuse for another Babi Pur cloth nappy giveaway!  This week we're giving away a lovely little stash of nappies in daffodil colours...  It's not just the babies who are geting a prize though, we're also including a gorgeous gift set for mum - This Rose Garden gift set is the perfect way to naturally care for your skin without harsh chemicals.
The set contains a moisturising Rose Bath Oil, handmade Rose and Honeysuckle Soaps, soothing Hand Balm and a rose bud-filled fragrance sachet, for a perfectly feminine and luxurious experience.

The Mother's day prize will consist of -

• 1 x Totsbots Easyfit 'bamboo' one size nappy -  (yellow with white spots)
• 1 x bumGenius V3 one size nappy (Clementine)
• 1 x Pop in original 'bamboo' (custard)

also for you..

• Rose Soap 80g
• Honeysuckle Soap 80g
• Hand Balm
• Rose Bath Oil
• Fragrant Rose Bud Sachet

To enter, all you need to do is comment on this post with your answer to this question "What would be your ideal Mother's day breakfast?" 

 BONUS ENTRIES: For bonus entries please leave a separate comment for each of the following you have done :

• BECOME A FAN   of BabiPur on Facebook
• INVITE your friends to be fans of Babi Pur on Facebook
• FOLLOW   BabiPur on Twitter
• COMMENT   leave a comment on any posts on this blog
• REVIEW  any  product on our website
• RETWEET this post

It is important that you leave seperate comments as each comment number is counted as an entry!

All entries need to be with us before 12.01am on Monday 15th March 2010

Good Luck!

If your new to cloth nappies you might not be wholly aware that the way you look after your nappies can have an impact on how well they perform.

This article will hopefully enlighten you to some of the do's and don't, however if you feel I've missed something feel free to comment and I will modify this article accordingly.

NEW NAPPIES
Pre-washing
There are two main reasons for Pre-washing the first is to remove any manufacturing residue from the nappy before it touches your baby's bottom. The other is to build up the nappies absorbency. Man-made fabrics like microfibre don't require extensive pre-washing however natural fibres like cotton and bamboo require several washes before full absorbency is reached cotton is typically 3-5 washes and bamboo/hemp is typically 8-10 washes.
The nappies don't normally require drying between pre-washes though some manufacturers do recommend it.

HINT: I normally run 3 pre-wash cycles (with my normal nappy load) before using the nappy, then use as a daytime nappy for a few weeks to allow additional washes before trying it at night (especially if its bamboo) this way your not pointlessly using up water on repeatedly washing clean nappies.

Storing Dirty Nappies
Traditionally dirty nappies were stored in a bucket containing a solution like napisan for soaking. Modern nappies; especially those with elastic and waterproof lining such as PUL can deteriorate when soaked for long periods of time. So dry pailing is the general recommendation by most manufacturers. If you use a mixture of nappy types then dry pailing is ideal.

Handling Poos
Newborn poos are generally wet enough to go straight into the washing machine. You might prefer to run a rinse cycle with them first before adding detergent for a full wash cycle.

Weaning poos have greater form and therefore should be emptied into the toilet before storing/washing, as these have the potential to cause clogging in the washing machine.

HINT: I use my shower head over the toilet basin to rinse excess off into the toilet.

Once poos have more substance then you can also choose to use paper liners in the nappy, do check that they are flushable before flushing them as some do require putting in the bin.

WASHING NAPPIES
General Washing
The general consensus is wash cloth nappies in 1/4 of the usual amount of detergent. Most nappies will wash well at low temperatures, with the occasional high temp wash to provide a deeper clean.

My personal wash routine consists of a 30 degree rinse cycle as a pre-wash cycle to clear away any poos (a high temp wash onto excess poo can encourage staining) followed by a higher temp (40 or 60 degree) wash with either normal detergent or a specific nappy based one. I do this twice a week. As poo become more solid the rinse cycle will be removed.

HINT: Always read the label when washing nappies, they set a maximum temperature for a reason. Nappies with a PUL layer can lead to leaks if repeatedly washed at a higher than recommended temperature.

Also avoid using fabric softener on nappies as the oil base of the softener builds up in the fabric and affect on absorbency. Clay based softeners are ok to use but these are quiet rare in the UK.

Stripping Nappies
If your nappies don't feel or smell clean when they've been washed or they may have started to leak then there is a build up of detergent in the fabric and they will need a strip wash.
To do a strip wash you should use a full dose of detergent, a hot wash (highest that the nappies will allow i.e 60 degrees) and do repeated rinses to make sure there are no bubbles left in the washer then dry as normal.

Some fabrics are more prone to build up than others.

Dealing with Stains
Stains especially new born poo which can be explosive can unfortunately stain nappy fabric. The best most natural stain remover is 'sunshine' no i'm not nuts the suns rays have a natural bleaching effect. However it can be a challenge to capture the slightest glimpse of sunshine in the UK so here are a few alternatives.

Napisan - this can be used in the wash with your normal detergent or instead of as a high temp sterilising wash as it's good to sanitising as well as stain removal.

Oxyclean - again this can be used in the washer with your normal detergent, take care not to use too much and make sure your nappies are very well rinsed.

Bleach - you can soak some nappies in bleach. Avoid soaking nappies with PUL layers unless it is advised by the manufacturer, as soaking can cause deterioration in some materials.

If you choose to use any of the above suggested products then please make sure you read the labels and do so at your own risk. Babipur will not accept any responsibility if any damage is caused.

Softening Nappies
If you don't have access to a tumble dryer you may find over time some of your nappies becoming a little 'crispy' it's not uncommon for cotton terry or bamboo nappies to dry out.

Adding white vinegar in the softener drawer of your washing machine will act as a natural softener especially if you live in excessively hard/soft water areas. Again I advise caution in regular use in nappies that have a PUL lining.

HINT: You can also add a few drops of essential oils to the vinegar to make your nappies smell nicer as well.

Back to top