When you first begin to look at Modern Cloth Nappies, it can seem overwhelming. Flats, fitteds, pre-folds, AIO, AI2, OSFM... where do you start? And why should you use cloth nappies anyway, weren't disposables invented so we didn't have to deal with nappy buckets and soaking and all that business?
The good news is, it's not as complex as it seems, and the reasons for using cloth are endless.
First, lets look at why cloth is a great option. COST A lot of people are put off using cloth nappies because they think they're too expensive. True, you will pay more upfront than if you were using disposables, but then your spending stops. If you choose disposable nappies, the spending is going to continue week after week for (on average) 2.5 years. In fact, most people will spend around $3000 on disposable nappies for one child. A good cloth nappy system, however, can be set up for half that, and can be used for multiple children. EASE OF USE Modern cloth nappies are nothing like the terry towelling squares our parents used. The days of soaking in bleach, trying to transfer dripping nappies from the bucket to the washing machine, and dealing with sweaty, leaking PVC pilchers are long gone. Modern cloth nappies look and work like disposables - there's no complex folding, no pins, and no soaking in harsh chemicals. Then once they're used, you just store them in the laundry in a bucket or tub of some kind and pop them in the machine every couple of days. It's no more complicated than washing your clothes. ENVIRONMENT This is the big one! It is often quoted that every disposable nappy ever made is still sitting in landfill, because they take so long to break down. Add to that the environmental impact of manufacturing, packaging, and transport, and it really all begins to add up. Some people will argue that the extra water and electricity used to wash cloth nappies at home outweighs the benefits of reduced landfill, but new studies are confirming the opposite is true.
Plus, they're cute! Not to mention comfortable for bub.
Now we can take a look at the types of cloth nappies you can use. FLATS These are the old-school flannelette or terry towelling squares. You may be perfectly happy using these - goodness knows they worked for many generations - but if you're looking for something else, there's plenty of options for you. PRE-FOLDS A similar idea to flats, a pre-fold is a square made from several layers of fabric such as bamboo or hemp fleece. They are designed to simply fold in thirds and lay inside a cover such as the Bummis or Booroi covers found on our site. FITTEDS A fitted nappy is the middle ground between flat nappies and a full All-In-One. Made from absorbant fabric, they are shaped to fit baby much like a disposable. However, they do not have a waterproof layer, and will need a cover to protect the lounge! AIO/AI2 All-In-One's are exactly that - all the parts of the nappy you need, in one piece. Basically, this is the cloth equivalent of a disposable nappy. The one downside to AIO's is that all the layers are usually sewn together, meaning long drying times (especially in climates like we have here in Melbourne). An All-In-2 is the same idea, but the bulk of the nappy is easily undone, and the two seperate pieces dry much more quickly. With a nappy like Green Bums, if the soaker is wet but the outer of the nappy remains dry, you can simply air the outer then snap in a new soaker and re-use. This way, you can alternate between two outers throughout the day then just put them both in the wash with the used soakers.
I hope I have answered some of your questions. If there's anything in particular you need to know, just email!
