What are my options: Laundry service or Home washing
Now a days there are no pins and all real nappies are easy to use. The first decision to make is whether to wash your nappies at home or use a laundry service. Washing at home is not hard but many people like the convenience of using a laundry service to free up their time or they may have limited drying space. To find out whether or no there is a laundry service in your area try using this NAPPY FINDER search engine link.
Laundry service
Laundry services usually supply nappies for you so there is no need to purchase nappies although you may need to purchase waterproof outer wraps. Some laundry services can wash your nappies for you but this needs to be checked with each service directly.
Home Washing
You choose the nappy that best suits your requirements and can experiment as you wish with the different types and styles.
The options are:
Two Piece System (Flat or Shaped Nappy)
These comprise an absorbent nappy for use with a separate waterproof wrap.
There are several types of these:
Flat Nappies (terries and prefolds)
The most cost effective nappy choice, and generally the quickest drying. They do require some simple folding and can be fastened with a Nappy Nippa so eliminating the need for pins. Both terries and prefolds are versatile and can be used not only as nappies but after your children grow out of nappies they make very useful cleaning cloths! Nappies come in two basic sizes but a larger size is usually available for larger children or heavy wetters.
Shaped Nappies
Easier to recognise today as a ‘nappy’ than flat nappies, these are shaped to fit around the baby. They come with and without Velcro/Aplix fastenings or may have poppers. They are fitted with elastic around the legs and the waist which helps with containment. The non aplix versions require a Nappi Nippa or such like to hold them closed or the good wrap may be sufficient. Most people will require just two sizes however having a third size allows for more flexibility and additional absorption if required.
One-Size Fits All Nappies
Nappy Nation Products do not manufacture this type of nappy. They are shaped nappies but designed to be usable for birth to potty training and fold to fit. Different nappies use Velcro/Aplix, poppers or Nappi Nippa to close and all require an outer wrap. The nappies can be adjusted to most babies and are very effective if you have more than one child of different ages in nappies as they can all wear the same type. The downside of a one-sized nappy is that it can be bulky on a newborn, especially where it is folded to fit a small baby and can be outgrown by some children resulting in the need for an additional purchase.
ALL-IN-ONES (includes traditional all-in-one and pocket nappies)
All-in-Ones
These are shaped to fit and usually fasten with Velcro/Aplix or poppers. They are very easy to use and most resemble a disposable of all the real nappies available. They are designed so that the absorbent shaped nappy is incorporated into a waterproof wrap. The downside is they are usually the slowest to dry because the waterproof layer limits the speed of drying, although the Nappy Nation version has the patented no fold nappy incorporated which dramatically cuts drying time making it the fasted drying All-In-One on the market. The All-In-One nappy is generally the most expensive kind of real nappy and care needs to be taken when washing the outer waterproof layer and nappy unit that the waterproof layer is not damaged by high temperatures and wears out before the absorbent nappy inner
Pocket Nappies
Nappy Nation Products do not manufacture this type of nappy but it is a cleaver way of getting around the issue of long dry times for All-in-Ones and degrading of the waterproof outer. The nappy is designed with a pocket so that you can insert the absorbent nappy part during wear and then remove to wash. This helps with dry times.
Wraps (outer cover, waterproof PUL, wool, fleece)
Nappy Nation and Bumbletots only manufacture waterproof wraps.
You will expect to need between 4 and 8 wraps per size, particularly if you are successful with breastfeeding as poo is more liquid and will spread within the wrap more easily. You do not need to wash wraps after every change but they should be washed if soiled or if they become very wet. All our wrap shave gusset legs but not all makes do we would always recommend you purchase a wrap with gusset legs to help with containment. Fastening wraps is easy some come with Velcro/aplix and others with popper fastenings. Wraps can be washed with you normal washing and usually up to 60 degrees, always check manufacturers instructions.
Boosters
Some babies need extra absorbency, if so you can use an additional booster made of bamboo, cotton, or microfibre. The booster is placed in the wrap with the nappy and increases the absorbance without significantly increasing the bulk. Boosters are not usually need until children are older and sleeping well through the night.
How Do I Put Everything Together?
It is usually easiest to lay the wrap outer out first and put everything on top:
Wrap, nappy, liner and then place your baby on top and secure nappy in place.
With All-in-Ones you just lay the liner in place and fasten.