12 Cloth Diapers Questions You Have Always Wanted To Ask
Cloth diapers (also known as reusable nappies, washable nappies and cloth nappies) are much easier to use than you think. Here are answers to some common questions about using cloth diapers.
What do I do at changing time?
If the diaper is just wet, all you need to do is take it off, throw the liner away (if disposable) and place the diaper and reusable liner in your diaper bucket instead of in the bin.
If the diaper is dirty, the poo can be flushed away down the loo (far more hygienic than putting it in the bin) and the diaper put in the bucket.
Liquid poo can be washed away by holding the diaper under the flush of the toilet before being dealt with normally.
Are they difficult to put on?
Not at all.All-in-ones are the easiest to use and need no folding - just put them on just as you would a disposable.Flat or terry diapers do have to be folded but the amazing Nappi Nippa means that you don’t have to use a pin.
Will the house smell?
Only if you leave lots of dirty diapers hanging around for days.Just think about how your bin smells with a couple day’s worth of dirty disposable diapers in it, with real diapers, solids are flushed down the lavatory immediately, so you won’t have from this problem. If you like, you can put a few drops of essential oil on a cloth that you keep on the top of the bucket.
Will I have to more washing?
All families have lots of washing, so to include a few diapers isn’t really that much extra work.When you are ready to do a normal wash, simply take the diapers out of the bucket and place them in the washing machine, it is as easy as that.
Putting diapers into a modern machine with its fast spinning is a far cry from having to put them through the twin tub and mangle that your mother may have used.
Diapers are washed at 60c and some people even use 40c with the odd hot wash to keep the stains at bay.
The easiest way to dry diapers is on the line with the rest of your washed clothing (or on a radiator during the winter) but I to fluff them up by putting them in the dryer for 10 mins with bath towels after taking them off the washing line.
Will I get dirty placing them in the washing machine?
No.The poo will have been gotten rid of, so you are only dealing with a little wee.If you wet pail (see below) you can use a mesh bag to store the diapers so you just need to pick that up and place it in the machine.Dry pailing is easier to do still.
What is the meaning of ‘pailing’?
Basically, storing used diapers in a bucket.Wet pailing involves putting the diapers into a water and diaper soak solution or similar or just plain water.
Dry pailing is very simple - just drop the used diaper into the bucket and replace the lid.
Won’t all the washing powders damage the environment?
Yes and no. Yes to the extent that all detergents cause some damage (this can be reduced by using non-bio or eco-friendly products) but no to the extent that this is still much better than using disposable diapers.
Will I have to use more diapers?
Not really. Guidelines state that you should change your baby’s diaper every 4 hours during the day (more often for new borns), so this remains the same.
Will my baby get diaper rash?
Diaper rash is caused by bacteria in the poo reacting with the ammonia in wee.The best way to stop diaper rash is to change often (every 4 hours or so) and allow fresh air access the diaper area.
The lock away core inside disposable diapers encourages parents to change less often and their very design stops air circulation.Most real diaper designs are breathable, allowing air to circulate, resulting in a healthier bottom.
What if I am away from home?
Many parents use real diapers even when they go out - they just take a slightly bigger bag with them. Others have a stock of eco-disposables to use for day trips or when they go on holiday.
What about overnight?
Again, some parents use eco-disposables overnight or add a booster pad to the cloth diaper.
Will they leak?
Not if they fit as they should.A well fitting reusable diaper with wrap if appropriate is no more leaky than a disposable.We would advise that you try a few samples to make sure you buy the right diaper for your baby.
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