Nappy Days Diary: Week 1

Making a drama of a crisis!

I was a bit of a nervous wreck trying out the nappies for the first time; there’s so many uncertainties! Having glorious wet poo running down me and the baby are the last thing you need as a new mum, but by now, I find it hard to remember why I was so concerned.  What was all the fuss about?

I’d ordered two makes of real nappies – there were deals on Bum Genius and  Ecobus Nappy in Real Nappy Week. Both look so cute after the delivery that I’m scared to touch anything for a couple of days. I’m also totally unsure about the pre-wash stage. No advice about this comes with the nappies, but I’d read a few things on this website about it, so they get a good pre-wash with no heat, then about 3 or 4 washes on a low heat, with a gentle eco powder. Then I tumble dry and air further on the radiator. I’m probably going a little overboard, but better to err on the side of caution after spending a bit of money on them. My main worry is shrinkage – my husband will witness, I have a tendency for this regardless of what the jumpers are made of!!! But the first washes go without hitch, and we’re ready to attack the next day.

Every Tuesday, we’ve been going to a baby yoga class, and I thought this would be the perfect place to test out the nappies. On this occasion Tegan decides to sleep all the way through the class, so she and nappies remain intact at the end of the hour, and I’ve had a chance to have a really good stretch.

We’ve been going to baby yoga since Tegan was around 6 weeks old, and after the first couple of week of insecurity and crying she’s soon enjoying the exercises, the sing songs, and the relaxation time at the end.  For me, not only has it helped me recover post-natally, kept me in touch with some of the mums who came to pregnancy yoga with me, and really helps stretch out those aches and pains in your back, arms, and legs, from hoisting baby up and down all day. I’m amazed even with a small baby how much strain you can put on muscles you didn’t know existed. I’ve been to the doctors in the past week with a strained tendon in my wrist – a common cause of pain for new mums apparently. I was advised  to rest it as much as possible – ahem, that won’t be easy!

Sarah & Daisy doing the Aeroplane move!

So a week on and the real nappies are a big hit –  only once have we had  a bit of a side leak of poo, which could be down to not doing them up tight enough, but no accidents with wetness. She’s dry, snug, happy, and super cool.

The BumGenius are my favourite as they are light and thin under the clothing – the ecobus might be better when she’s a bit bigger, because at the moment they feel heavy and clumbersome between her little legs – I’ll wait to reserve judgement on them, but I’ll definitely be getting more bum genius and getting into the swing of using them every day.

Like I said, what on earth is all the fuss about? Real nappies are really easy!