As a parent of a newborn, you want the best for your baby. One of the first things you need for your baby is nappies. When looking for nappies, we recommend you go for reusable cloth nappies. Although disposable nappies may appear to be an easier option, there are other things to consider for the comfort of your baby. Reusable provide a softer start with natural fibres rather than chemicals and plastic and paper materials. And though there is a washing and drying aspect to cloth nappies, there are a multitude of benefits. Why Use Reusable Nappies? One of the biggest benefits of using reusable nappies is the amount of money that you save with them. With cloth nappies, you don’t need to buy a many. For example, about 25 to 30 cloth nappies would last from birth to potty training versus the 5000 nappies on average you use with disposables. Cloth nappies can also be used for a second child or sold on as second hand. If you compare the cost of around 25 cloth nappies to 5000 disposables you will quickly see the difference add up! Even if you add the costs for washing the nappies, reusable nappies would still be considerably less expensive than the disposable nappies brands. Don’t forget with cloth nappies you won’t need nappy bags and are less likely to need nappy creams very often Cloth Nappy vs Disposable Nappy: Which is Better? All in all, reusable nappies offer a better range of benefits than disposable nappies. Reusable cloth nappies are much more cost-effective than disposable nappies. And not just economical, reusable nappies are also safe for the environment. There is a misconception that disposable nappies are easier to use which is no longer true with Modern Cloth Nappies. Many cloth nappies brands have made it extremely easy to use Nappies and similar to disposable in the way you put them on. Reusable Nappies come in stylish designs. You can find custom designs for nappies with fun patterns and amazing colours. This gives you a wider range in terms of designs that you can explore. If you are worried about rashes and skin redness, the risks are greatly reduced with cloth nappies. Stop believing the myths that cloth nappies cause rashes. Try using cloth nappies for your newborn and see for yourself. The natural fibres of cloth nappies and stay dry layers mean that the moisture is drawn away and only soft materials are against your babies delicate skin. Disposable nappies, on the other hand, are made with chemicals like Sodium Polyacrylate, chlorine, synthetic perfumes, and stuff like that. All these chemical can be harmful to even the skins of adults. Babies have more highly sensitive skin, you never know the kind of effect these nappies would have on the skin of your baby. What are the Best Reusable Nappies Brands? This can vary from baby to baby. The size and shape of your little one can determine which nappy works best for you. There are however some nappies that seem to work for the majority of babies. What you need is, a truly tried and tested nappy that has proven itself repeatedly. There are many companies with reviews of different brands, Facebook groups and parent awards for different brands. At The Norfolk Nappy Company we only stock nappies we know and trust so we are confident any of our brands would work for most babies. If you need help or advice on which nappies might work best for your lifestyle and your baby we offer lots of ways you can get a recommendation. From online consultations to advice questionnaires we are happy to help. How to Store Dirty Nappies? You need to set up separate storage space for keeping the dirty nappies. Store nappies either in a large wet bag or a bucket with a lid. Keep piling them up and clean them all at once. Nappies do not need to be pre-soaked. Store all dirty nappies together until you are ready to wash. Leaving nappies for more than 2 days can cause ammonia damage so you should plan to wash them at least every 2nd day. How Do Reusable Nappies Work? How to Wash and Dry Reusable Nappies? Washing Nappies: For washing the nappies, first, you need to pass them through a cold rinse cycle. Use plain water in the washing machine and set it to about half an hour. In the next cycle, you are going to need to use the detergent. Always make sure to use a non-bio powder detergent and don’t use detergents that come with added whiteners. Drying Nappies: Different cloth nappies brands have different guidelines for drying the nappies. Still, there are some common points that work for all nappies. Direct high temperatures should always be avoided. The best way to dry a reusable nappy is by drying it on the washing line. You can also tumble dry if you want to but keep the setting too low and don’t tumble dry the outer layers if possible. You can also use an airing cupboard for drying purposes. Placing the nappies near a radiator also works just fine (but not on the radiator). Both nappies and inserts can be dried in this way. Once the nappies are dry, you will be able to use them for your baby. How Often Should You Change Reusable Nappies? You need at least 20 to 30 reusable nappies if you have decided to go with this option for your baby. Since you are going to be changing the nappy every 2 to 3 hours especially in the early days, you need to have this many at your disposal so that you can easily rotate them for use. Wrapping Up: This is all there is to it. Again, using reusable nappies may come off as a bit of a hassle, but is by far the best option that you have for your little one. Instead of going for disposable nappies which are way more expensive and bad for the environment, choose the reusable ones that last for a long time and are great for the health of your baby. It's all about How Do Reusable Nappies Work? If you have any questions. Please comment down and we'll try our best to answer them for you.

Looking for the Best Cloth Nappies UK 2021 to use can be really confusing; there are so many different brands to choose from! Then there is the terminology – it’s almost like you need to learn a new language. Do you know your all in two from your popper and pocket? Your booster from your insert or liner? Really all you want to know is which nappy is best? The answer to the best cloth Nappies UK unfortunately, depends on a few different points. There are probably a whole host of nappies that will fit your baby just fine and do the job you want – it's working out which ones they are that can be the problem. Best Cloth Nappies UK 2021 : There are a few things you can look for when choosing Best Cloth Nappies UK 2021 depending on the features you want; Cloth Nappies Material: Cheaper cloth nappies that are likely to need lots of extra inserts later are typically made with only or mainly microfibre inserts. The more absorbent materials are cotton, bamboo, and hemp (in order with hemp being most absorbent). A nappy packed full of hemp you might think is great however it will be slow to dry and is the most expensive material so you may pay a premium too. Mid-range reusable nappies tend to have a higher amount of cotton and bamboo which dry quicker and have a mid-range price. 2. Second Gussets: Whether internal or external a second gusset can make a world of difference in preventing leaks around the leg. Most mid-range and premium nappies will have this feature. 3. Poppers or Velcro fastening Of Cloth Nappies: If grandparents are looking after your little one regularly and will be using the cloth nappies you may need to consider what they will find easiest to do up and undo. Velcro is definitely simpler however it can need a little TLC every now and then and can be undone by a toddler. Poppers on the other hand can be very difficult to fasten and seem more confusing as there are often lots of options for where to do them up. 4. Drying time Of Cloth Nappies Uk: If you don’t want to buy loads of cloth nappies you need to consider how long they take to dry. Do the inserts come apart or unfold? If it’s an all in one can you turn it inside out somehow? 5. Size Of the Best Cloth Nappies UK 2021: If you and your partner are tall there is a good chance your little one will be too. OF course, it’s not a hard and fast rule. If you think your little one is going to be tall or they are born on one of the upper percentiles you want to consider the top end weight range of the nappy. There is a big difference in the weight nappies go up to in the birth to potty size so it is definitely something to consider. Another thing to look out for is how many rise positions the nappy has. The rise is how you fasten the nappy to change its size and is usually changed by poppers up and down the front of the cloth nappy. Some have as few as two positions and some have four or five. More rise position will allow you to fit the nappy better as your little one grows. 6. Guarantee: Does the nappy come with any guarantees either from the retailer or the manufacturer? This will ensure in the event there are any faults you will be covered. 7. The type of nappy: You are most comfortable with – Whether it’s an all in one, all in two, pocket, fitted, or a hybrid narrowing your search by type first is a great way to start. At The Norfolk Nappy Company we only stock nappies we trust and have fully tested. If you need help choosing which is the Best Cloth Nappies UK 2021 and what would work for you we can help. We take lots of details from you to help you narrow the choices down to two or three nappies then you can decide based on your budget or the prints.

Washing cloth nappies are a lot different than the way you wash your standard clothes. It is not necessarily complicated but different in the sense that there is a specific routine that you have to go through to do it effectively. Don’t worry if you find it a bit difficult. Once you get the hang of it, it will be much easier. In this article, we are going to give you a complete guide for washing cloth nappies. We’ll tell you all you need to do, to wash the cloth nappies for your baby, in the most effective way. So, let’s get straight to it; Step 1: Tip the Solid Contents of Nappy in the Toilet This is straightforward. If the poo is solid, tip it into the toilet. And if it is not flushable, then you may need to rinse it with water. There are some nappy sprayers also available that you can use for rinsing or holding it under the water stream as you flush the toilet can also work. Step 2: Keep Storing the Nappies in a Bucket Take a separate dry pail which is a bucket with a lid and keep storing the nappies in it. You can’t wash each one as they get dirty as there would be a million of them (or so it would seem). So, keep storing them in a bucket with a lid or large wet bag and wash them all together. Step 3: Soaking is Not Necessary Although most modern cloth nappies are made to be washed easily they do not like to be soaked before washing as it can break down the natural fibers of the material. But make sure to read the washing instructions we provide you for the brand. Bleach and added laundry whiteners can invalidate your warranties and also damage the natural fibers of your nappies. Step 4: Wash the Nappies with Detergent You should use fragrance-free and powdered detergent for washing the nappies. Don’t use fabric softeners as they reduce the absorption capabilities of cloth nappies. Similarly, it is important to ensure all the detergent has been removed from the nappies. While you will use a full dose of Detergent (use the heavily soiled amount) if your nappies still smell of washing powder you may need to do any extra rinse. Step 5: Fill the Machine Even though you may have a day or two worth of nappies to wash this is likely to only fill around a quarter to half of your washing machine. It is important there is enough in the machine to cause friction between the materials as they wash and get them clean. Overfull will mean your nappies don’t have enough space to move and the water won’t reach them well. We recommend filling your machine about three-quarters full by adding in baby clothes, muslins, and hand towels. Step 6: Dry the Nappies You can line dry or low tumble dry most nappies but avoid tumble drying waterproof wraps where they can be separated. Check the manufacturer's guidelines before tumble drying. Stains can be removed by drying your nappies on the line outside in the sunshine. Be aware not to leave them in the sun on extremely hot days for too long. Wrapping Up There you go! This is the most standard routine you need to get used to when washing cloth nappies. Sounds simple enough, right? And it really is. No matter how daunting it seems at first. You will get used to it so, don’t worry about it, especially if you are a new parent. And if you have any more questions about How to Wash Cloth Nappies, let us know in the comments. We’d be happy to help you out.

Want to make things easy in the hospital and make sure you have everything but would like to reduce some of the single use plastic if you can? Here is our ultimate check list for packing in an eco-friendly way. We aren't saying that everything on this list will be for everybody but have a look to see what swaps you could make.

Aside from the waterproof layer the inside of cloth nappies can be made from quite a few different materials. Ranging from man-made materials like Microfibre to natural materials such as Hemp and Bamboo. You also find some nappies and inserts have a combination of materials like Bamboo Charcoal. It can be difficult to know which are best and therefore what to add to your nappy or which nappies are best for you. If you are adding an insert to boost your nappy how do you know which to go for? This is a basic guide to the materials nappies are made from to help you understand what they all do and how they are used. Pairing a Fast Absorber with a highly absorbent insert can be a great way to boost a nappy. For example if your nappy comes with a Microfibre insert adding a bamboo one can increase the absorbency. If your nappy is all bamboo but you are getting leaks due to the volume of urine your baby is producing in one go or your baby is upset by feeling wet adding a microfibre will help get the moisture away quicker so the bamboo has time to do it’s job. Why not just add lots of Cotton to get a middle ground – you can and ‘prefolds’ or ‘Terry squares’ are exactly this and while efficient it can be quite bulky. If you are opting for the others typically you want one from the top of the list with one from the bottom.

No one wants all the extra washing that comes from leaky nappies and constant outfit changes. One of the biggest areas parents and carers contact me about is leaks and whether they need to get some boosters. Sometimes this is the solution however before spending out too much on lots of additional inserts there are a few other things to check. If these aren’t resolved adding extra inserts wont fix your problem or not for very long and could actually make matters worse. Often I see pictures of overstuffed nappies which is making the fit really bad. So before you stuff your nappy full of inserts check this list. 1) Detergent and Washing Do the nappies smell strongly of washing powder? If so you need to put all your clean nappies back in for a nice long detergent free wash or if it’s about to rain hang them out on the line and let nature rinse them out for you. Try adding a little less detergent in future and add a rinse on the end of your wash cycle. Some nappies just seem to retain washing powder so occasionally you might have to just run a plain cycle to help them out. Also make sure you aren’t adding any fabric softeners to your wash. 2) The Fit Have you got the fit correct? Check out my guides to getting the right fit as this is so often the cause of leaks. A nappy that is too tight will cause leaks just as much as one that is too loose however you need the rise (front snaps) on a smaller setting than you might think. Cloth nappies only just cover the bottom at the back so are naturally smaller than disposables – this can take a bit of getting used to if you are used to disposable nappies. As you nappies are likely to be used to potty training just think – does it seem right that I am on the biggest setting? If you baby is only a few months old the chances of needing the bigger setting is really unlikely. Just to keep you on your toes, often you need to go back down a rise setting when your toddler gets to a certain size and they slim down a little. You may have had the right fit for ages but sometimes a change in their body shape means suddenly there are gaps round the legs. Recheck your sizing and fit as if they are new nappies. 3) The Inserts Are the inserts completely saturated? If so you probably need to boost the nappy with either hemp or bamboo. If not you could have either a different problem (see the rest of this list) or your nappies might not be absorbing the liquid fast enough. Have you got anything in there that’s fast absorbing? If your baby is holding their wee and then doing it all in one go sometime this can be too much liquid too quickly for you nappy if you have filled it completely with bamboo and/or hemp. While Microfiber often gets talked about negatively it is amazing at absorbing quickly. This gives the bamboo or hemp time to absorb the excess more slowly and hold it. Reducing your inserts down to one microfiber and one or two bamboo or hemp could be the answer rather than adding more and more and creating fit issues. Sometimes just checking the inserts are nice and flat in the nappy can make the difference so the liquid isn't going round the soaker straight to the outside layer. I remember an incident when this happened to my little one standing in the queue for Nursery. That wet patch forming on his clothes all because the insert wasn't flat. 4) Compression From a nappy that is too tight to a vest that is squishing the nappy or a long car ride where car seat straps are compressing the nappy - these can all cause leaks. To work out if vests are the culprit try using the nappy without a vest on and use some other loose fitting clothing instead (or some baby leg warmers and a t-shirt). The cure here is either to go up a size in vests or purchase vest extenders so you can continue to use them for longer. For longer car journeys a bamboo or hemp insert can help the nappy last that bit longer. Out of vests? Often it will be the trousers or tights that are causing the compression. 5) Expectations Are you changing the nappy often enough? While cloth nappies are amazing and used right you are likely to have less leaks and poo escaping than in a disposable they are not as absorbent. They are not filled with all the gels and chemicals that disposables are so they need changing more often. You should look to change cloth nappies every 2-3 hours. If you are leaving them for longer than this (with the exception of night nappies and boosters) reducing the time between changes could be the answer. 6) Damage If the waterproof layer (PUL) is damaged the nappy will leak. This can be due to age of the nappy, Velcro regularly catching it in the wash, chemicals (such as bleach) or heat (radiators, tumble dryers, washing too hot). There are a few tests you can do to see if the PUL is damaged. If you have looked after your nappies well and bought them brand new however this is less likely to be the case. If you are struggling with leaks after going through this list or just aren’t sure you are getting the fit right please get in contact. If you bought the nappies from The Norfolk Nappy Company we want to try to help you get it right. If you didn’t we hate to hear of anyone struggling and we have a trouble shooting service you can sign up for.

Learn How to Make Cloth Diapers in 2021 with a complete step by step guide by The Norfolk Nappy. When I meet new or soon-to-be parents for a consultation the first thing they often tell me is they are so confused by all the information out there on cloth nappies and all the equipment that seems to come with them. It can really put you off even wanting to start. So what do you need to make cloth diaper? - 20-30 cloth nappies to use them full time. - Somewhere to store the dirty ones until you want to wash them – like a wet bag or bucket with a lid - Some Non-bio washing powder - Some liners if you want to use a nappy cream - Reusable wipes – not essential but so much easier than disposables and why not help the environment just that little bit more. Not a huge shopping list and once it's done you won't have to add nappies (and wipes) to your shopping list every week. So what about all the different types of cloth nappies? There are only about 5 main types of cloth nappy and once you know them it's easy to see they all fit into one of those categories. They are all made up of the same basic components with an absorbent core followed by a waterproof wrap. - All in Ones – these are the closest to disposables you change the whole nappy each time and it comes in one piece. They can take a bit more drying time as they don’t come apart. - All in Twos – the absorbent part comes away from the waterproof outside layer so you can in theory just change the inside part for a couple of nappy changes meaning you need to buy fewer waterproof wraps. - Pocket – the absorbent layer goes in a pocket in the nappy and the whole thing is changed each time. As they come apart they are quicker to dry but take a little time to put together. - Two Parter – In effect it's two nappies you put on at the same time. One made of absorbent material like cotton or bamboo and then a waterproof wrap. These are especially good for overnight as they are more absorbent but bulkier. - Terries and Prefolds – The original cloth nappy – this is effectively a towel square folded into a nappy shape and fastened or a cotton square folded up then you put a waterproof wrap over the top. Which is the best way to make cloth diaper? This is different for everyone. It really depends on your priorities – drying time, ease to put on, budget, how bulky they are, being as environmentally friendly as possible. A consultation can help you decide what is most important to you and allow you see all the different types up close before you make a decision. You can even get a trial kit to try each type first if you are still unsure. Making the switch to cloth nappies or choosing them over disposables should be an easy option and one I love to help with.

When I meet with new parents or soon to be parents for a cloth nappy consultation its always interesting to hear the myths they have heard from well meaning family members about why they shouldn’t use cloth nappies. Usually from those that remember the days of boiling, scrubbing and getting nappies dry along with learning to fold them, numerous pin pricks and covering with scratchy plastic. Thankfully the world of cloth nappies has moved on a lot since then however there are still some common myths floating around; 1- Cloth Nappies are expensive: The cost of setting up with cloth nappies seems a bit daunting especially at a time you are already paying out for a lot of baby equipment. When you compare the initial cost of cloth nappies to the low price of some nappy brands cloth nappies can seem like a bit of a luxury especially when some cloth nappies are priced at over £25.00 each. The average baby will use approximately 5000 nappies from birth to potty training so the cost of disposables does add up quickly especially when you add in nappy sacks and creams needed especially compared to premium brands of disposable nappies. However Cloth nappies does not need to be expensive. There are plenty of lower cost brands available and a growing second hand market where you can get some of the expensive brands much cheaper if this is what you want or sell your nappies on when you are finished. These days cost alone is unlikely to be your main reason for choosing cloth nappies but it certainly doesn’t need to be more expensive than disposables. 2- The extra washing makes them bad for the environment: Nope. The extra washing doesn’t even start to compare to the water and energy used to produce 6000 nappies and transport them to you. That’s without even starting to consider the effects of landfill and the oceans when disposables end up there. 3- The extra washing is more work Yes it is – but not as much as you might think. Gone are the days of scrubbing, soaking and boiling cloth nappies. Now we just chuck them in the machine and turn it on a couple of times. Voila! Clean nappies! (Solid poop just goes in the toilet). 4- They are harder to use It can take a little getting used to if you have used disposables before because putting them on is different – but it’s just that – different not harder. When used correctly cloth nappies should leak a lot less than disposables and are much better at containing a ‘poosplosion’. 5- Cloth nappies are bulky Yes they absolutely can be a bit more bulky than disposables but not as bad as they used to be. Modern cloth nappies are relatively slim and don’t get bulkier as they get full the way disposables do. There is an argument that the bulkiness is better for babies hip placement and it’s certainly a bit more of a cushion when learning to walk! 6- They are less Hygienic A good bucket with a lid will contain most smells from cloth nappies especially as the poo goes down the loo. Compare this to nappies building up in your bin which can sit there for 2 weeks waiting for collection. Cloth nappies are perfectly clean and much more gentle on babies bottoms as they are made from some lovely soft materials compared to the plastic, paper and chemicals in disposables and the natural fibers are much better on sensitive skin. If you want to use Cloth nappies but have no idea where to start a cloth nappy consultation can be a great way to get some help and clarify what you really need to know.

It seems we are all a bit more environmentally conscious these days and recycling has become second nature but reducing our use of goods and becoming much less of a throw away society is the next step. When I first started with cloth nappies it was to reduce my use of plastic but there are so many more reasons to use cloth nappies and the one that does it for you might be something completely different. These are some of the main benefits; Going Green On average babies will use 5000 nappies by the time they are potty trained (that’s enough to fill 78 bin bags) a massive amount to send to landfill compared to the 25-30 cloth nappies you would need. Switching to cloth nappies is a really effective way to reduce your use of plastic and the rubbish you produce. The energy and water used to produce and transport disposable nappies to you far outweighs any amount of washing you could ever do. Being able to reuse cloth nappies on future children or sell them on when you are finished with them only adds to the environmental benefits. Gentle on tiny bottoms The natural fibers of cloth nappies and ultra soft materials make them much more gentle than the paper, plastic and chemicals of disposable nappies – I know I would prefer to wear material than paper or plastic. Cost There are so many factors to consider with this one however if you start from birth and compare like for like on the low cost or premium brands of each then cloth nappies are usually significantly lower in cost (saving over £1000 on the premium brands). Add in the ability to recap some of that cost on the second hand market assuming you have looked after your nappies or reuse them on future children and it is really attractive. Choices Cloth nappies are beautiful and come in so many prints! They can be a bit addictive (don’t tell my husband you only need 25). But they also come in lots of different types. Gone are the days of terry folding and pins – unless you prefer that – and now you have a whole world of choices and different designs to choose from. Help available If you aren't sure where to turn next or how to get started there is a whole world of help available to get you set up. At The Norfolk Nappy Company I have available; - Videos to help you understand cloth nappies and the different brands - A questionnaire for a personalised recommendation - Consultations either in a group or individual - Hire Kits so you can try before you buy There are lots of cloth nappy libraries around the country too offering support and hire kits across a wide range of brands.