Cloth Clinic - FAQ

Cloth nappies are not difficult to use - there are just a few things that you need to know. Most problems can be overcome with a minor tweak here or there.

This is a chance to pass on some cloth nappy tips in our Frequently Asked Questions section. Enjoy!

Topics Covered:

Sprung a Leak?

Stains

Nappy Rash

Out and About

Not sure about nights

Cloth nappies and childcare

New-borns and cloth

No. 1: Sprung a Leak?

"I've heard cloth nappies leak a lot - is that true?"

In our experience, definitely not. We actually found cloth nappies to be more reliable when we made the switch - especially at the new-born, breastfeeding poo stage. However here are a few things to check if you do have a leak:

Is everything tucked inside the wrap? Check there are no labels or stray nappy edges sticking out. If any of the fabric from the nappy is sticking outside the waterproof wrap, this will act as a wick & can result in leaks. Top Tip - Make sure everything is tucked in around the waist & legs.

Not all wraps are suitable for all nappies. Some nappies are low cut on the leg while some wraps have a high cut leg - when combined they lead to leaks. Good initial advice will avoid this dilemma.

Top Tip - Get the right wrap for the nappy.

"My cloth nappies have been working fine for months but now they seem to leak - what's happening?"

Sounds like you need a boost. As babies grow, they eat & drink more, so also wee more. This is where the Booster pad comes in. Add in a booster pad, at first overnight and then eventually during the day as well to add extra absorbency to the nappy. And you don't need to stop at one - especially for an overnight nappy. It's not uncommon for some toddlers to go to bed with two boosters in the nappy.

It's also a good idea to place the booster where it's needed most. So fold the booster in half & put it up front for a boy & central for a girl.

Top Tip - Add a Booster.

The other thing to think about is how you wash your wraps. Don't be tempted to 'boil' wash your nappies & wraps - It's not necessary. Modern washing machines & washing powders have put an end to that. Wraps will eventually loose their waterproof coating if washed at higher than recommended temperatures.

Top Tip - Stick to the washing instructions.

Is it time to move up a size? Check the weight range for the nappy & the wrap. Most wraps come in Small, Medium and Large, some also have Extra Small and Extra Large. Maybe its time to move up a size. An ill-fitting nappy or wrap can lead to leaks.

Top Tip - Check the weight range of the nappy & the wrap.

No. 2: Stains

"My nappies are starting to look a bit tired. Any Advice?"

The best natural bleach is sunshine. Nappies hung to dry on the washing line get bleached naturally by the sun.

But, let's get real, this isn't the Bahamas...

The best advice I can give is to deal with stains before they set. If you dry- pail & the poo has escaped the liner, rinse the nappy well, before you add it to the bucket.

Periodically run a pre-wash on your machine when your nappies are starting to look a bit tired. If necessary add a stain remover to the prewash or a more natural product like Ecover Laundry Bleach. This is no miracle cure but it helps - a bit!

However, beware, all of these products may remove stains but they can also shorten the life of your nappies - so use sparingly. Don't be tempted to soak modern shaped nappies in bleach e.g. Milton as it can break down the elastic and binding.

Top Tip : Line dry when the sun is out.

No.3: Nappy Rash

"What about nappy rash, isn't it a problem?"

Tests have shown that babies are no more likely to suffer from nappy rash by using cloth nappies. Research conducted by Prof. Jean Golding at Bristol University comparing 14,000 babies concluded that, contrary to popular belief, “disposable nappies give little protection” and that “the type of nappy worn did not emerge as a significant factor”.

All babies will probably get nappy rash at some point. The key is to change baby regularly & immediately if baby has poo'd. When poo mixes with wee is becomes acidic & is the most common cause of nappy rash.

If your baby does get nappy rash, try the following:

Give baby as much nappy-off time as possible.

Top Tip : Air that bum!

Some babies are sensitive to ingredients in a particular washing powder. Switch to a non-bio that's suitable for sensitive skin.

Top Tip : Try a different washing powder.

Think of anything else that you are adding when laundering your nappies & try & eliminate it or replace it with an alternative. Are you using a stain remover or a nappy soak? Could baby be sensitive to Tea-Tree Oil? You can always re-introduce things one at a time and try to work out what’s been the culprit - a bit like weaning baby onto solids but in reverse!

No. 4: Out and About

"How do I deal with my cloth nappies when I'm out and about?"

It's easy! Keep an Out and About Bag in your change kit & pack a spare nappy & liner as needed. When it comes to changing, flush away any dirty liners & store wet nappies in the Out and About Bag until you get home. Alternatively you can use biodegradable nappy sacks which will do a similar job but are disposable. See 'Accessories' under 'Shop' for more information.

Top Tip : Get an Out and About Bag

No.5: Not sure about nights?

"My baby sleeps through the night, can I use cloth nappies overnight?"

First of all, lucky you! And secondly, yes you can. When using cloth nappies at night, all you need do is add extra absorbency. You will probably start from about 6 months, depending on the baby. If you notice that the nappy has leaked by morning, this is when you need to start adding a Booster pad (see Accessories). And, you don't have to stop at one. Once baby reaches toddler age you might find two booster pads at night time do the trick. That's the beauty of cloth nappies - you can boost them up or slim them down to suit your needs.

No. 6: Cloth Nappies & Childcare.

" Can I send my baby to nursery in cloth nappies?"

The quick answer is it depends on the nursery (or childcare). This should be one of the questions on the list of things to ask when you go and check them out.

With more and more people choosing cloth nappies, the majority of nurseries are happy to oblige. In fact I know some that are at the other end of the scale and use cloth nappies themselves. Parents who choose to use disposable nappies have to pay extra to have them disposed of - Now this is progress!

Your childcare arrangements should also be a consideration when you're making your cloth nappy selection. If you know baby is going to be changed regularly by somebody else, it's a good idea to choose a nappy that's really instinctive to use e.g. a Tots Bots with Velcro fastening. Choose something that anybody could pick up and use without too much guess work, as opposed to a flat nappy that will take a bit of practice.

No.7: New-borns & Cloth.

"My Onesize nappy looks enormous on my new-born"

It's true; Onesize nappies often look big in the first couple of weeks. Whilst designed to fit from birth until potty, logic says anything that fits a two year old and a new-born will look big on the new-born. Rest assured though this tiny new-born stage only lasts a very short time. In fact it's scary how quickly it passes & the nappy will look fine in no time at all.

If this really is a concern here are a couple of options:

A muslin square makes a very sweet and tiny nappy when folded & secured with a nappy nippa. Use this together with a Small wrap for a very tidy new-born nappy. And you won't have wasted your money investing in a pack of muslins, as a muslin square over the shoulder is an essential accessory for any new mum! Alternatively a 40 x 40cm terry will do exactly the same job. Click here for a choice of folds (coming soon).