Which washing powder should I use to wash my cloth nappies?

Here at Babi Pur we often get asked what detergent you should use to wash your cloth nappies.   Well we have a special home and laundry section which has a good range of detergents from Rockin Green, Violets and Tots Bots.  So what's different about these detergents and why can't you just use powder from the supermarket?  We're not saying all supermarket detergents are bad but there are some you should avoid because they will void the warranty on your nappies.

Nasty detergents - nasty detergents contain things like fillers, chemical scents and optical brighteners.  Often these nasties are designed to cling to your clothes to make them appear bright and sparkly and smell nice so you go ooooooh when you take them out of the machine.  The problem with these and cloth nappies is that the nasties build up in the fabric and reduce their absorbency boooooo!   Not only that, you probably don't want these nasties next to your babies bottom.  bumGenius quote on their warranty page that you cannot use detergents containing enzymes, brighteners, dyes and perfumes.

There are also some eco detergents which although don't contain additives they have a high citrus content which can cause natural fabrics to wear out prematurely.

Good detergents for cloth nappies - Violets magic laundry powder, Rockin Green and Tots bots nappy potion are all good choices for washable nappies.  Why?  You guessed it, they don't have all those gunky additives that build up on your nappies.  They clean and they rinse away, simple.

The packets can look small for the cost of these products but when you look at the washing loads they do they actually work out quite economical.  The packs are smaller because you use less detergent and you use less detergent because they're not full of fillers, just detergent.

So give one a try, we're certain you'll be converted!  And once you've tried them you'll be doing all your washing with them!

What's the difference between the bumGenius 4.0 nappy and the new bumGenius freetime nappy?

The bumGenius freetime nappy is already proving to be a hit across the pond and it's soon to be released here in the UK.  Customers have been asking us what's the difference compared to the bumGenius V4.0, probably the world's best selling cloth nappy, so I though I'd explain here.

In essence the bumGenius 4.0 nappy is a "pocket" nappy and the bumGenius freetime is an "all-in-one" nappy.

Pocket nappy: with a pocket nappy you have a waterproof cover which has a pocket into which you stuff absorbent inserts.   You can use inserts of different materials and sizes depending on your absorbency needs.

All-in-one nappy: an all-in-one is just that, it's all in one.  Everything is stuck together so you don't need to stuff any inserts inside or attach anything.  You can't change the type of insert you use but you can add extra inserts to boost if needed.

Similarities:  the bumGenius freetime and the bumGenius 4.0 share many features; they both use the same durable waterproof cover material and look identical from the outside, they both use the bumGenius 3 x 3 snap design to change the size of the nappy from birth to potty (8-35lbs), the both have the bumGenius butterfly stretchy tab closures which are available with hook and loop or popper fastenings, they both have the same gentle leg elastic which is replaceable to prolong the life of the nappy.

So what's different?

bumGenius 4.0 comes with 2 microfibre inserts which you stuff inside the pocket.  The top side of the pocket is made of a suede material which keeps moisture away from you baby's skin.

bumGenius freetime uses the same microfibre but there are two inserts, one attached at each end of the nappy and these inserts have a suede top layer to keep your baby's skin dry.  The inserts are only attached by one end so the nappy can be opened out to make drying time much much faster than traditional "all-in-ones" and you can fold the inserts in different places to adjust the absorbency.

We have always considered the bumGenius 4.0 to be one of the easiest nappies on the market, perfect for reluctant dads, nurseries and childcare.  With the new freetime I think cloth nappies just got even easier!  Use, wash, dry and re-use, you really can't go wrong with this nappy.

bumGenius freetime nappies are available for pre-order now at Babi Pur and the ever popular bumGenius 4.0 nappies are available at Babi Pur too for immediate despatch.

Flip's

Thank you to all of you who recommended I try flips after my last post. Nearly two years ago that’s exactly what I did, and boy do I love this nappy!

Slim enough for a newborn and roomy enough to see a very chunky toddler through potty training, the flip re-kindled my passion for cloth which had sadly waned after repeated nappy rash problems with my original stash of (mainly) terry two part nappies.

The idea of the flip is simple, a PUL wrap into which you place a rectangular organic cotton or microfibre ‘stay dry’ insert. When the nappy is wet, you just change the insert and re-use the wrap making the flip very economical.

As they were on buy one get one free when I first tried them I tried both the organic and stay dry insert assuming I’d prefer the latter. However, with the organic cotton insert the wee is held close to the skin leading to a bit of nappy rash for us again (DW does have exzema though and is therefore very sensitive) so I actually ended up preferring the ‘stay dry’ because, well, it does exactly what it says it should.

As the organic cotton is more absorbent, it’s strength comes overnight. I’d previously struggled to find a nappy that saw DW all the way through, but a flip with an organic insert and a stay dry insert on top  did the trick beautifully.

Yup, I love the Flip, but there are pro’s and con’s though, and here they are:

Pro’s
1. Economical - As the flip is birth to potty, and you only change the insert, each wrap goes a long way.  From personal experience I would say 10-12 wraps would see you through full time cloth use with one child, with probably two to three times as many inserts.
2. Versatile - The flip is quite roomy and saw chunky DW through potty training (and he was in size 3-4 clothes). But it is easily adaptable and the slim stay-dry insert is perfect for a newborn too. This makes the flip a great nappy for anyone with two kids in cloth.
3. No bulk - The stay-dry insert in particular is very small, taking up very little space either under clothes, or in the wet bag while out and about.
4. Easy to use - Just laying the insert in the wrap is so much easier than stuffing, and adjusting is straightforward too.
5. Very little leakage - With DW I found the flip to be nearly bombproof.
6. I love Ribbit! - Ribbit is a fab colour, and the reason why my wraps drawer is pretty much all green!

Con’s
1. Insert not very secure - The flip has a fold in both the front and back to hold the insert in place, and the rear one is very loose. This can present a problem, especially when putting the nappy on a toddler who just doesn’t want to stay still.
2. Not great overnight on small baby - As you need two inserts to see you through the night, it can get a bit bulky for a little baby. This can lead to a bit of gaping around the leg and hence a little leakage.
3. Lacking in cute factor - Although I love Ribbit the flip range doesn’t have the most exciting colours, and is nowhere near as cute as some nappies, minkies particularly.

BumGenius V4

Having loved the Flip, when I knew NW was on the way and needed to increase my stash, I thought I’d give the classic BG a whirl. I’d heard lots of good things about it on forums, and as the best selling cloth nappy in the US, I though it must have something going for it.

It is similar to the flip but is a pocket nappy, meaning it needs stuffing. This is marginally more work than laying an insert in the flip, but it does mean the insert stays in place better. It also makes the nappy significantly more expensive as you need to change the whole lot every time.

It’s easy to use though, and does give you a good fit, especially on a smaller baby.

Pro’s
1. Easy to use/fit. - More like a disposable than a flip.
2. No loose insert - easier to get on a wriggly baby.
3. Versatile - It can be stuffed with as many inserts as you like to cope with different situations e.g. overnight.
4. Easy to take out and about - Can be pre-stuffed and then used just like a disposable while out of the house.
5. Sturdy - Good build quality.

Con’s
1. Velcro is a little flimsy on the Aplix.
2. Not as big as the flip so may not see a larger child through potty training.
3. Velcro gets a bit used looking quickly.
4. Overstuffing can lead to leg leakage.
5. Could work out pricier than the Flip.  I would say you’d need about 20-25 nappies for full time use.

Overall I really like both these nappies, and my stash now consists of mainly these two types. The complement each other well, and the few faults there are with one are remedied by the other.

Next time - The rest! I’ll go through the other types I have tried, before asking you guys what I should invest in next.

Beginners guide to washable nappies

Cloth nappies, reusable nappies, real nappies, washable nappies, cloth bums, whatever you call them there's lots of choice and at first it can seem confusing.  Here at Babi Pur we get lots of phone calls asking which nappy is best or which nappy we recommend so I thought I'd write a little post to try and answer some common questions.

What size nappies do I need? Most cloth nappies are now "One-Size" nappies so they last from birth (7lbs) to potty training (35lbs).  This makes washable nappies very economical, only having to buy them once, and we would recommend one-size nappies such as bumGenius 4.0, bumGenius Organic, Flip, Pop-In and Tots Bots Easyfit to the majority of customers.  Nearly all of our nappies don't need an extra waterproof outer wrap as this is supplied with the nappy.

How many cloth nappies do I need is a common question we get asked.  Well this really depends on how often you want to wash them but assuming you use 6-7 nappies a day and do a nappy wash on the 3rd day then you need about 20 nappies.  20 nappies is a great way to start if you're committed to using them, you may need some extra night boosters later on but having a stash of 20 nappies is sure to get your babies bum in cloth on a daily basis.  Various multipacks are available for all the different brands so have a browse of our nappy section.  The more nappies you have the less washes you need to do.

Which reusable nappy is best? You can split reusable nappies into two types of absorbent cores, natural fibres (cotton or bamboo) and microfibre (polyester), natural fibre nappies are more absorbent but take a long time to dry whereas microfibre nappies aren't quite as absorbent but dry very fast.  So you need to decide which is best for you and your baby.  If you have limited drying facilities then microfibre nappies such as bumGenius 4.0, Pop-In Dream Dri, or Flip stay dry would be better suited taking as little as 2 hours to air dry.  If absorbency is of a higher priority then natural fabric nappies such as bumGenius Organic, Pop-In Bamboo or Flip Organic all offer a high level of absorbency.  It's also worth considering that natural fibres are better for sensitive skin as they are naturally antibacterial.  The answer to which is right for you is often a mix of both natural and microfibre nappies in varying quantities.  If you think microfibre nappies are best for you then it's still worth having 2 or 3 cotton/bamboo nappies for night times or long car journeys to keep baby's bum happier.  The Flip nappy system offers a mix of stay dry (microfibre) or organic (cotton) inserts making it extremely versatile allowing you to pick and choose which insert to use when you need it.  bumGenius 4.0 is probably one of the easiest reusable nappies around often described as the cloth nappy even dads can use, once you've popped the insert into the pocket you put it on just the same way as you would a disposable nappy.  bumGenius Organic is really easy too with no stuffing or poppering but it can take a while to dry compared to the others.  Pop-In Bamboo when used with the Pop-In nite Booster is one of the best night time nappies around offering excellent absorbency.  Tots Bots Easyfit nappies are a good all rounder giving good absorbency, a reasonable drying time and a combination of bamboo and microfibre in the same nappy, oh and some pretty patterns which are always nice

How do I wash them? No you don't soak or boil them and you don't use nappy sanitiser.  You put a nappy liner on the nappy before putting it on you baby, this catches the poo and you can just throw it down the toilet.  The dirty nappy that's soaked in pee pee goes into a bucket or wet bag (we recommend a few drops of tea tree to kill the stink) and when you're ready to do a wash you throw the whole lot in the machine. We recommend a rinse first, then a hot wash at 60 degrees with s small amount of normal non-bio detergent, never use softener. Line dry, tumble dry or air dry, line drying makes poopy stains disappear.  There's more info about nappy care here.

All the nappies we sell at Babi Pur are simple, affordable and easy to use.  They'll save you bucket loads of money compared to disposables and help the environment too in lots of different ways.  Washable nappies are better for your baby's bum too with no nasty chemicals right next to their sensitive bits, to find out more about what's in your nappy look here.  You can also read Nicola's article "Getting started with cloth nappies"  and Nappy FAQ's which explain all the different materials and sizing and covers things in more detail.

So for two extra loads of washing a week and a small initial outlay you can help save the planet, keep your baby's bum happier and save lots of £££££'s.  No brainer ?

If you need any more help or advice we love a chat about washable nappies so just give us a call 01766 515240 .

A few things have been flying through my mind this week.

Our hospital stay when Fizz was born was great. I couldn't fault the staff and our treatment. But as I have said before they provide Pampers to each new mum and stock them up everyday.

Our nursery is lovely but it provides disposable nappies as part of the weekly cost.

I am wondering now how I go about finding out the reasons why or if anyone has helped a nursery or hospital to change to reusable or even just had some experience of how to start a dialogue about this?

Sorry it's a short blog today but I'm putting a call out to all mums to support the cloth bum and to help me along the way!

So here is my pride and joy! Clean reusable nappies of different varieties on my washing line.
I love it, the clean smell of washing and also am being continually surprised with how clean the nappies get. Only one nappy needed a second wash to get staining out!

We had a trip back to my in laws this week and it tested us with the cloth bum. As it was a rush visit to see a poorly mother in law I ended up packing for myself, Fizz and my husband Gav and with limited time and space didn't have room for all my cloth nappies. I am hoping that some of you can help me with nifty packing tips. We've have tried a flip nappy but although a fab idea it just didn't work for us. How do we pack economically for a two day visit without having an extra bag? As we have to collapse a buggy, have baby in a sling for the tube it proves difficult to not be overloaded.

On the good side I won a Graco Sporty change bag. This fits in 5 reusable nappies so is great for us to use on a daily basis. Are there any other change bags that easily fit cloth nappies in as well as have a separate compartment for bottles, purse, keys and phone? Let me know as am a bag freak at the best of times!

Weehuggers Nappy Covers and Inserts available NOW at Babi Pur

We think these new Weehuggers are just so cute, already getting good reviews in the US so we thought we'd give them a try.  Check out these cute videos.

So a clever wrap/cover with some adorable prints combined with lovely bamboo / organic cotton inserts.  It all sounds good a we'd love to hear what you guys think!

With all the hype, the 4.0 name and worldwide announcement you'd be forgiven for thinking this is the new iphone 4, but no it's the new bumGenius 4.0 . So bumGenius have updated and improved their best selling one-size nappy in the form of the new bumGenius 4.0.  The bumGenius 4.0 is not what we would call a new nappy, it's the V3 with some improvements. So what's new?!

Poppers or Velcro/Aplix/Hook and loop . . . Well you know what I mean, we all call it Velcro here so let's stick to that.  The bumGenius 4.0 is available with popper fastening as well as Velcro.  We prefer poppers so we think this is a great improvement, they last longer and are harder for small children to undo.

The bumGenius 4.0 is about an inch longer so it fits bigger babies better and for longer.  It's still listed as suitable from 7lbs too.

The elastic in the leg gusset can be changed.  If you've ever used washable nappies before you've probably had one where the leg elastic snaps so now you just change it.  This is a useful addition to the nappy.

3 new colours Sweet, Bubble and Noodle.

Was it worth the hype?  Well not really but the bumGenius V3 was one of the best selling nappies in the UK and probably the world so it's no surprise that there were no big changes.  What's so great about the bumGenius V3 and it's newer version the bumGenius 4.0 is that anyone can pick one up and know exactly how to use it almost straight away.  bumGenius make the easiest to use and most reliable nappies on the market and we're sure the 4.0 will be very . . . very popular.  OK OK so there's no fancy prints and the new colours are . . . erm . . . well, a little underwhelming but if you want to get a friend to try washable nappies for the first time then give them a bumGenius, if you want your child minder or nursery to use washables then give them bumGenius and if you want Dad to change nappies then make sure they're wearing bumGenius!

Official release date for the bumGenius 4.0 is July 14th but pre-orders can be taken now at Babi Pur

We've seen a few negative comments flying around the internet about the release of the bumGenius 4.0, maybe they shouldn't have hyped such small improvements quite so much.  Let us know what you think about the new colours, new poppers, new sizing and new changeable elastic.    Oh and there is a rumour that the bright colours might come back but we're not sure when.

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.

I often hear people say 'I'll give cloth a go for my next one" and their current child is still in nappies. My response is "why wait?", There are still massive savings to be had by converting to cloth even when your baby is a year old. The added benefit is you still get to use them for your next baby! so you get double savings!

Will changing to cloth nappies affect my current baby?

Not really, initially your baby may 'react' to the difference but over a few days they won't really know the difference. A fleece liner can make all the difference when making the change too; as it will allow moisture to pass through it creating a stay dry barrier.

Potty Training

There's no proven studies to confirm this but I know many parents who swear by cloth nappies; as they enable potty training to be successful earlier than many of their disposable using counterparts. Why? because the wetness isn't completely locked away in a mass of chemicals; the child has a greater awareness of the discomfort and reacts to it.

Many Bottoms?

Cloth nappies aren't restricted to be used on only one baby! They're designed to last, and can cover many bottoms! So even if your baby is 8 months old when you change over, you will still get best part of a years use before they're potty trained then the whole birth - potty training with your next baby! A sure fire way of maximising your savings!!

Two babies in Nappies?

Don't be put off using cloth nappies if your going to have two babies in nappies. You will feel the financial benefit of not buying disposables. You can invest in birth to potty or one-size nappies which can be worn by either baby. Your more likely to have a fuller washing machine of dirty nappies spreading the cost of energy and resources used in washing the nappies.