COULD YOU BE A CLOTH BUM MAMA?

So, you’re thinking about switching to cloth nappies but don’t know where to start? I’ve gathered a few tips and tricks to help you get started!

There are many reasons why you might want to start using reusable nappies. They are better for the environment, they will save you money in the long run and they are kinder to baby’s bottom too!

Before you buy, ask yourself if you want to be using cloth full time, day and night, or maybe just a few days a week, how often you are planning to wash them and how old your little one is. Depending on these answers, you can then decide how many nappies you will need. It’s said that for full time use, 20-25 nappies should be enough.

Before buying check your local council schemes as some councils help parents with the cost of purchasing cloth nappies.

There’s plenty of websites specialising in selling cloth nappies. If you don’t want to commit to buying just yet but want to try different brands before you buy, check if there’s a nappy library in your area. This is a great way of trying various brands and finding the one that works best for you! Do your research, read reviews, ask questions, and talk to people who have experience with cloth.

My personal tip? Start small. We started from just two nappies, to see how it went, and now we have over 30!

What about washing them? It couldn’t be easier. Keep your used nappies in a special bucket or a wet bag until you are ready to wash them. Before the wash remember to remove any solids. Unsnap inserts, tuck in any Velcro flaps, and put on quick wash cycles with a tiny bit of non-bio washing powder.

Now for the main wash. Long wash at 40-60 (refer to wash labels in your nappies - some can’t be washed at 60) with non-bio washing powder. No bleach or softener! Remember - always follow manufacturers advice.

I like to set spin at 1000 rpm - remember nappies are very absorbent and will be heavy! Go easy on the spin for the sake of both your washing machine and the nappies.

Once the cycle is complete hang your nappies outside if possible, even if it isn’t sunny, or if you don’t have a garden dry them indoors. I don’t tend to use the tumble dryer but if you choose to do so, again refer to manufacturer’s advice.

Switching to cloth nappies was hands down the best thing we’ve done, and I never look back. Hopefully, you will fall in love with the cloth too!

Biog:

Photographer, blogger and a cloth bum mama powered by smiles & coffee.

Malgorzata Starzewska
tinywellies.co.uk
instagram.com/tinywellies