Modern Cloth Nappies FAQs
- How are your nappies different to other brands?
We custom designed the shape and materials used in our TUTI premium cloth nappies. This process included trial and error of all sorts of fabrics and insert options. We have a focus on the most superior and natural fabric options available for use in our nappies.
- What has been customised on your nappy?
We have ensured that our nappies are cut for the best fit, 3.5/4kg - 16kg with quality KAM snaps. Your nappies are a long term investment, serving more than one child so we have focused on bright design with many unisex options. We have customised all of the inserts to size and fabric blends we have found to work best with babies. We have provided the option of a stuffed pocket nappy or a snap in 2 in 1 nappy as we know this is a personal preference. All of our product are custom designed to best suit your baby.
- Why do you have snaps instead of velcro?
We have found that over time, in the long game snaps stand up best. We have had velcro nappies and they've not stood up so well. Also, we found it easier in the washing process not having to ensure the velcro was fastened down. This is sometimes personal preference but we wanted to share what we have found best in the long term and a great, straightforward way to get started.
- Why aren't your inserts microfibre?
Microfibre inserts can have compression leaks (meaning that the moisture can leave the insert with movement). Babies and toddlers are busy and we find bamboo fleece and cotton inserts a superior product for the nappy inserts. Bamboo holds onto liquid. It also has fabulous anti-bacterial qualities and cotton inserts breathe nicely. They're both very absorbent natural fabrics.
- How do I deal with poop?
A few options here! Babes poop changes as they grow (as you well know!) So different things may work best at different times. The first option is a silky soft bamboo liner. This is a silky tissue like disposable item (which come in rolls of 100) that you wrap around the insert. You pull this off and dispose of it when you change the nappy. You can flush it, although this is for the most part not recommended (check out your toilet system requirements), or knock off the bowl motion (BM) and burn it or compost it. You can use toilet paper to take off the BM and flush it or you can get a hose that you equip to the toilet and the pressure will knock the BM into the toilet. As many know, when your child has solid BM's they are often very easily taken off with toilet paper.
- Will my daycare centre use them?
Yes. Of course there might be an exception but not that I have found yet. You provide the wet bag and take the nappies home at the end of the day. Daycare centres are required under Ministry of Education guidelines to provide gloves and also, it is policy that reusable nappies are kept in a bucket with a lid (which you keep the wet bag in as a second gatekeeper for any potential smell). They may or may not want you to do this.
One day care centre in Auckland is fully cloth nappy only. In Australia last year some Montessori centres were fully equipped with modern cloth nappies. Other daycare centres also set themselves, and parents up with full cloth nappy systems and even organised the laundry service.
- Will the poop stain the nappy?
No. I've not seen this happen. Again, there might be an exceptions.. there is always that one time! Using sunlight soap to give the soiled area a quick rub ensures no stains. I personally soak inserts in Ecostore whitening powder but this is not essential.
- What washing powder or soap do I use?
I personally like to use Dynamo because it was voted best performer by Consumer magazine and I find it good value. In the past I've washed nappies in LUX soap flakes which I do kids clothing in but it is not recommended to use soap based detergent as it can build up over time and negatively impact your nappies, but we all learn along the way! At times I've used Surf. I've always had nappies fabulously clean also. I also like sunlight soap for any extra cleaning of nappies or kids clothes. If you're using Eco-based detergents, double the dose. It can be trial and error but for great help go to www.cleanclothnappiesdownunder.com.au A lot of it has to do with your washing machine too, so what suits you might not suit somebody else.
- Will my child get nappy rash?
No more than in disposables. See research here that cloth nappies do not have a higher incidence of nappy rash than disposables. Other scientific research has indicated that nappy rash is correlated to the frequency of nappy change rather than the type of nappy used.
(Br J Gen Pract 1997 Aug;47(421):493-7 Getting to the bottom of nappy rash. ALSPAC Survey Team. Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood.Philipp R, Hughes A, Golding J Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol. PMID: 9302788, UI: 97448380)
- How much extra washing will I do?
For one child, it will be two loads. You was your nappies every 2-3 days. I wash mine all together. Some people pre-rinse the nappies and then wash them with other garments.
- Whats the point?
It varies for everyone. Many parents use cloth nappies only part-time wanting to make some positive environmental impact. Many parents motivation is that they want to make a big difference in regards to waste given one child can use up to 6,000 disposable nappies. For many, economic reasons are the point. Saving a few thousand dollars can make a big difference. For others, its the peace of mind knowing exactly what babe is wearing. And, according to Vogue, many parents in Brooklyn USA are choosing cloth just because they look trendier than trash!
- Will they leak?
No more than a disposable. Very similarly to a disposable there can be user error, if you put it on a little loose or something like that. The equivalent to forgetting to flick the wings on a disposable. There maybe the odd time where there is a massive baby blow out but this would only be in the same way that it could happen with a disposable nappy.
- Will I have to change my babe more often?
You will have to change your baby every 2-4 hours, depending on your child's habits. This should not be different to a disposable nappy as they're not a travelling toilet system. If only the insert is wet or soiled, you only need to put a new insert into the nappy.
