After my last post on this topic, we had decided to use cloth nappies for the baby. After an afternoon’s experience of using cloth nappies, I have only one question for mothers who have successfully used them on their babies: “How on Earth do you stay sane when you’re changing nappies every half hour to hour?”
Over the span of four hours, I changed Gavin’s nappy five times because he kept wetting it, sometimes almost immediately after I’d changed the nappy! As much as I wanted to use the reusable nappies, I’m afraid, the most I’ve been able to manage is to give Gavin a bit of air time every day. After that, I switch him back to disposables.
I was also a bit concerned that constantly cleaning his privates every half hour to hour might be a bit harsh on his sensitive skin. So how do you decide which is best for baby?
The book “Complete Baby & Child Care” stated that until babies learn to control their bladders, they will constantly release urine as it enters their bladder. Based on this, it doesn’t seem practical to use a cloth nappy because the moment it is soiled, you have to change it because baby gets uncomfortable from the wetness. A disposable diaper, designed to keep baby drier for longer affords you a longer period of time between nappy changes.
I welcome Mums to share their experiences and their thoughts. If you’ve used cloth nappies for your baby, all the better. I’d love to hear how you managed.
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Use warm water and cotton wool to clean his privates after each change. Since cotton wool soaked in water is so soft, it’s never abrasive or harsh on baby’s delicate skin. Baby wipes and all are handy and so easy to over-use: but no matter how hypoallergenic they are, or how natural etc- nothing beats water when it comes to cleaning up.
I used cloth nappies on Em for a while too, but yes, it got too crazy washing them up. Newborns, especially, pee ALL THE TIME. Giving Gavin some air-time everyday is good, though. I still do that with Em too.
Yeah… I’ve been doing that - the warm water and cotton wool. Although at night I’m a bit lazy and I just use the wet wipes when I’m changing his nappy. I figure it’s okay since I’m just changing him once or twice during the night.
me and wifey tried it once, and decided that it’s not practical, esp since both of us are working and would be unfair for our mum to wash the nappy.
well, we have a maid to help with the washing of the nappies. The part that’s messy is leakage.
I kinda wanted to give up altogether on the nappies but during the afternoon when its hot, Gavin gets a heat rash where the garters of the nappy sit on his legs. The coolest thing we can do is to let him air.
Hi, you don’t always need to change cloth nappies every hour. Try using a more absorbent nappy and a fleece liner against the baby’s skin.
My little one is 6 months old. I change her every 2 - 3 hours in the daytime. Once at night (if she dirties). Well-stuffed hemp pockets or boosted bamboo nappies with a fleece/wool cover can last all night long.
Good luck.
Hi SJ - thanks for your tips. I use Mommy’s touch but I find the nappies will still leak on occasion no matter how I try to fit them. I didn’t use the more absorbent fleece because they were very bulky and hot. By the time I’ve put the diaper on, Gavin can’t close his legs together. Plus, he’s a very hot baby so he didn’t like having too many layers on.
Perhaps now that he’s bigger and less sensitive, I can try it again.