Insights from friend of LittleLamb, Patricia @This_Mom_Journal
Does your little one complain when they are wet or dirty and come to you to get changed?
Can you tell when your toddler is doing a wee or a poo as they stay very still (or hide somewhere) and do some cute faces?
Maybe it is time to introduce them to potty training! First of all, don’t worry if you think they are ready but it is still too soon. You can always go back to nappies and start again a few weeks (or months) later!
Let me tell you about my experience with my little girl Alice. Alice was introduced to the potty very early on. When she was about 18 months old, at nappy change time in nursery they started sitting her on the potty. She didn’t do anything at first but with consistency, some cards for word association, soon she started understanding that potty is where you can do the wee wee and the poo poo.
We started replicating it at home and got her a potty first. Between nappy changes she would sit on the potty for a little while. Then she started asking to be changed as soon as she had a poo and we would remind her that we can also do it in the potty.
Fast forward to 2.5 years old we started noticing that she was asking to go to the potty more, even just to sit there with her books. Alice started to want to go to the potty every morning after waking up, before bath and at night before bed. Also, it is normal at this age that they want to follow you everywhere so every time mum goes to the bathroom, her little feet would follow me and ask to sit next to me on the potty. (I know…you can’t have a moment alone anymore! 😀).
For every time we had a successful potty session we celebrate by clapping, doing a little celebration dance and getting a “GOOD JOB” sticker! Even when they don’t do anything, don’t be disappointed. Let’s celebrate anyway that was a really nice try and we can try again next time.
If your baby is showing signs of readiness and showing interest about the whole bathroom routine…maybe its time to give it a try.
For that, here’s the essentials we gather to get ready for potty training:
Potty training can be a long journey but all it takes is patience. Your little one will be ready and you will know it. Remember to make it fun an easy for them and for the whole family.
]]>When it comes to your baby's swimwear, you want the perfect blend of comfort, reliability, and style. That's why we're thrilled to introduce our brand-new swim nappy prints: "Deep Sea" and "Beach Baby”!
At LittleLamb, we understand that UK families love splashing in the pool or enjoying the beautiful beaches along the coastline. That's why we've designed these new prints to add a touch of adventure and charm to your baby's swimming experience.
Picture this: your baby exploring the depths of the ocean, surrounded by friendly sharks, playful octopuses, graceful jellyfish, and the elegant stingray. Our "Deep Sea" print captures the magic of the underwater world, right on your baby's swimwear.
In serene shades of blues, with pops of vibrant orange and accents of white, this print is a symphony of colours that mimic the beauty of coral reefs swaying gently in the ocean current.
With "Deep Sea," your little explorer will feel like they're on a thrilling underwater adventure, whether they're splashing in the pool, paddling in a lake, or building sandcastles on the beach.
Our "Beach Baby" print is all about embracing the sun, sand, and seashore adventures. Soft, sandy beige serves as the canvas for this print, reminiscent of endless UK beaches. Playful seagulls glide through the sky, boats bob along the horizon, and seashells tell tales of ocean wanderings.
Each seashell is a tiny treasure, whispering stories of tides and travels, while the cheerful suns radiate the joy of sunny beach days with your baby.
With "Beach Baby," your little one will look right at home by the seaside, whether they're wading in the shallows, collecting seashells, or simply basking in the sun's warm embrace.
Hygienic and Sustainable: Our swim nappies are designed to contain solid waste, ensuring a clean swimming environment in UK pools and at the beach. Plus, they're reusable and eco-friendly, reducing waste.
Comfortable and Stylish: Made from soft, comfortable materials, our swim nappies are gentle on your baby's skin. And with cute and fashionable designs, they'll be the talk of the pool!
Reliable Protection: Our swim nappies are crafted for reliability, ensuring that your baby can swim with confidence and you can relax knowing they're well-protected.
Shop these exciting new prints today. Let your baby dive into the world of "Deep Sea" and "Beach Baby," and create unforgettable memories by the water's edge in the UK!
]]>This print is currently available in our Onesize Pocket Nappy, Onesize Pocket Nappy 5 Packs, and our super popular Onesize Pocket Nappy Complete Kit. Available to purchase from Monday 27th March 2023.
Thank you for your continued support; our loyal fan base is the most rewarding part of this company. Remember to tag us on social media so we can see all your cute #onthebum shots!
When it comes to cloth nappies, you may experience some wee leaks. However, before doubting your choice to use reusable diapers, remember the well-known event dubbed as the “Poonami”, in which poop explodes from a disposable nappy frequently, rarely, if ever, happens with cloth nappies. Think about which is worse and rest assured, wee leaks can be easily troubleshot!
Generally, cloth nappies will leak due to a poorly fitted nappy, lack of absorbency, a build-up of product, damage to the waterproofing or compression leaks. Luckily, all of these problems are easily solved!
To assist you on your reusable nappy journey, we've created a downloadable leaks cheat sheet. Save this on your phone to refer to once you get started.
How to enter?
Step 1 - Use the cardboard cutout from your recent Little Lamb order, or print this page for a Little Lamb to cutout.
Step 2 - Decorate the lamb with you family
Step 3 - Hang on your Christmas tree and take a pic
Step 4 - share on your social media and tag us @littlelambnappies
We'll choose our favourite ornament on the 23rd December - time to get creative!
Looking for Christmas bargains? Don't forget to shop our limited edition Christmas bundles - 50% off until the end of the year! Shop now.
]]>All In One Nappies are a complete nappy with the waterproof outer layer built in - meaning they don't require a separate cover. All in One Nappies are the most similar to a disposable nappy, and are really convenient for quick and easy changes, childcare or outings.
LittleLamb do not make any AIO’s as we prefer a pocket nappy style for it’s quick drying time and super customisation. Once a pocket nappy is stuffed and ready, it essentially becomes a all-in-one nappy.
All In Two Nappy:
All In Two Nappies consist of a shell (the waterproof part) with separate inserts which may lay in the shell or snap into place. When wet, you can replace the insert for a fresh one and reuse the shell if it is not soiled.
(We call these our Two Part nappy).
Birth to Potty Nappy (B2P):
A Birth To Potty Nappy (also known as a Onesize Nappy) is designed to grow with your baby from birth, through to potty training. Usually the best fit is achieved once baby hits 10lbs.
Booster:
Boosters are multi-layered pads that can be used to boost the absorbency of your nappy.
Cover:
A Nappy Cover is a waterproof or water resistant cover which can be used over fitted or flat nappies to contain moisture. They can be found in a variety of materials including PUL (polyurethane laminate), wool and fleece, and are usually fastened with hook and loop (velcro) or snaps/poppers. They are also known as a 'Nappy Wrap'.
Diaper:
Diaper is the American term for a nappy.
Double Gusset:
A double panel of elastic around the legs of a nappy or nappy cover, which can help with containment. Our Pocket nappies have a double gusset, as do our wraps.
Dry Pailing:
The most common method of storing cloth nappies ready for washing. Dry pailing is the opposite of soaking nappies, and involves putting the dirty nappies inside a dry bucket, which can be lined with a mesh bag, or a hanging pail bag.
Fitted Nappy:
Fitted Nappies have a contoured shape with gathered edges around the legs and waist. They are fastened with either hook and loop (velcro), snaps/poppers or a nappy fastener and require a waterproof cover over the top. Fitted Nappies are much easier to use than flat nappies as they require no folding. Our fitted nappies come in bamboo or cotton.
Fleece:
A polyester fibre often used to make nappy liners. It is super soft, and resists water penetration. Our onesize pocket nappies are lined with fleece to provide a ‘stay-dry' layer next to the skin, and all our fitted nappies come with a fleece liner inside the nappy.
Hemp:
Hemp is a natural fibre made from the hemp plant.
Hook and Loop:
Another word for the velcro fastenings on nappies.
Insert:
Inserts are rectangular or contoured strips of fabric that are stuffed inside pocket nappies to provide absorbency. They can be made of hemp, microfibre, bamboo or any other absorbent material. Generally, Inserts and boosters are interchangeable.
Laundry Tabs:
On velcro fastening nappies, this refers to an extra space where you can stick the "hooks" whilst washing the nappies to prevent them catching on other items in the wash.
Liners:
Liners are a thin material used between the nappy and the bottom and serve two useful purposes; to keep poo away from the nappy to aid cleaning, and provide a 'stay dry' layer next to baby's skin. Liners can be single use paper or bamboo, or washable and reusable. Polyester fabrics such as microfleece wick moisture away from the skin. Liners are an optional cloth nappy accessory and are not essential.
Microfibre:
Microfibre is a super absorbent synthetic polyamide fibre that is often found in pocket nappy systems. It absorbs moisture very quickly and can hold up to 7 times its weight in water. It is exceptionally soft and holds its shape well, however it should not be used directly next to the skin as the tiny fibres can cause irritation. Microfibre retains its absorbency best when it is line dried.
Microfleece:
Not to be confused with microfibre, this is a material that can be used next to the skin and helps provide a stay-dry layer.
Mesh Laundry Bag:
Mesh laundry bags are commonly used to line the nappy bucket. They provide an effective means to transfer soiled nappies from bucket to machine without having to pick them up one by one. The whole bag can simply be placed inside the machine with the drawstring left open, and the nappies should naturally separate from the bag during the wash cycle.
Nappy Fastener:
An alternative method of holding flat nappies in place. Instead of the traditional nappy pins, a Nappy Fastener is a plastic gripper that uses little teeth to grab the fabric. It is considered a safer alternative to safety pins.
NNR:
NNR stands for 'not nappy related' and is often used in nappy chat groups.
One Size Nappy (OS Nappy/OSFA):
One Size Nappies are designed to fit from birth right up to potty training (approx 10-35lbs). They usually incorporate poppers down the front rise which allow you to adjust the size of the nappy as your baby grows.
Organic:
Organic fibre means that which comes from a plant that was grown without the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Organic material usually comes at a higher price than regular material.
Pocket Nappy:
Pocket Nappies are two part system comprising a waterproof shell lined with an inner layer of microfleece or velour. There is a back opening between these two layers for absorbent inserts to be 'stuffed' inside. When 'stuffed' the nappy becomes an All-In-One nappy, but has the benefit of being a quick drying system as everything separates for washing and drying. Although Pocket Nappies require assembling, they are considered to be very easy to use and prove to be a popular choice for childminders or nurseries.
Popper:
A plastic snap fastening often found on nappies to fasten them around the waist, or on the front rise on One Size nappies. Also known as 'snaps'.
Prefold Nappy:
A Prefold is a rectangular shaped nappy that is stitched into 3 lengthwise layers, forming a thicker middle layer. They can be tri-folded inside a waterproof nappy cover, or folded and fastened with pins or a nappy fastener.
PUL:
PUL stands for Polyurethane Laminate, a material which is applied to fabric to make it water resistant. Many Nappy wraps are made with PUL, and Pocket Nappy and AIO systems incorporate it to make them waterproof.
Rise:
Refers to the front of a nappy, and typically used when referencing the adjustment of the snaps on a One Size Nappy. For example "adjust the rise snaps to make the nappy larger".
Snaps:
A plastic snap fastening often found on nappies to fasten them around the waist, or on the front rise on One Size Nappies. Also known as 'poppers'.
Terry Nappy / Terry Squares:
The Terry Nappy is the traditional nappy that your mother or grandmother would have used! A square piece of terry cotton (or more recently, sometimes bamboo) that can be folded in a manner of ways and fixed with pins or a nappy fastener. They are extremely versatile and quick to dry.
Training Pants:
A thicker, more absorbent style of underwear that can be used during the transition from nappies to potty training.
Wicking:
Wicking can mean two things; Positive - wicking is where stay dry layers or liners, such as microfleece are working correctly. These stay dry layers are designed to draw moisture through and into the absorbent parts of the nappy, thus wicking the moisture away from baby's skin. Negative - wicking can mean when moisture is wicked from the edges of the nappy onto clothing.
Wrap:
A Nappy Wrap is a waterproof or water resistant nappy cover which can be used over fitted or flat nappies to contain moisture. They can be found in a variety of materials, including PUL, wool and fleece, and are usually fastened with Aplix or Poppers. Also known as a "nappy cover".
]]> Questions or comments? Get in touch!
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Most people are surprised that the preloved/secondhand reusable nappy market even exists. But suppose you give it thought, of course, a secondhand should thrive; the very name 'reusable' nappies is the giveaway! Often there are many more uses left in a nappy after the first child has used them.
One of our most memorable stories since we first started making our nappies in 2004 is about a bundle of preloved nappies;
Alice purchased a Cotton Nappy Complete Kit for her firstborn; she then used those same nappies on her second and third children. She then passed the nappies to her younger sister to use on her two children, and then they sold them on eBay as preloved! That means at least five children used those 15 nappies!
Purchasing our Little Lamb preloved nappies is less risky than regular preloved nappies because the products have only been used for a maximum of six weeks, as all our preloved are artefacts from our very popular risk-free six-week trial. Our in-house nappy experts check and rewash each product to ensure it is still of good quality and has lots of life left.
We are proud of our commitment to our six-week risk-free trial; it enables families to purchase reusable nappies with no financial risk. By reselling any unwanted, we ensure no Little lamb nappies end up in landfills!
We donate nappies that are not in excellent condition to one of our charity partners. We also routinely ask for very preloved nappies to be returned from customers who don't know what to do with their old nappies, and who don't want the faff of selling on. We combine all these returns to donate to charities such as Forever Angels. Of course, as requested by the charities, we also top up these donations with brand-new nappies and wraps.
Environmentally, trading and or donating preloved nappies is fantastic as it keeps usable nappies in circulation, reducing the need to make new nappies.
Ultimately, we are always looking for ways to help more families switch to reusables.
Yes. If you are concerned about the cleanliness of your newly purchased preloved nappies, you can give them a good strip wash;
If you've purchased the nappies from a marketplace, you may also want to run a magnet over the nappies to ensure there are no pins or anything nasty lurking in the fabric. All Little Lamb preloved nappies are certified safe and clean.
Wash preloved nappies the same as regular nappies; in a long wash with the correct amount of detergent for your water hardness.
Learn more about washing reusable nappies in depth here.
You can purchase secondhand nappies from online retailers like ourselves that offer an extended trial period, as most will resell their returned trial nappies.
You can also purchase from eBay, Amazon and Facebook marketplace. There are also lots of Facebook groups, such as the Little Lamb Cloth Nappies Love, advice and FSOT
False! You can use either powder or liquid detergent on reusable nappies. However, we believe powder detergent is better at stain-removing because it contains a safe level of stain-removing (bleaching) ingredient called sodium per-carbonate.
Sodium per-carbonate is the stain remover used in nappy sanitisers and generic stain removers. However, it's concentration in these is much higher, making them risky to use on cloth nappies. we find powder detergent generally has a much lower concentration, and is therefore safe to use on your cloth nappies.
Sodium per-carbonate is activated by moisture, so it cannot be added to a liquid detergent.
So, while you can use any detergent, it is best to use powder because it has a safe level of sodium per-carbonate.
False! It is safe to use non-bio or bio detergent to wash cloth nappies because it is not the enzymes in biological detergent which causes any reactions; it is more likely the perfume in the detergent that causes skin reactions.
Interestingly, this myth stems from outdated NHS advise "that only non-bio should be used to clean baby garments/nappies". This advice was overturned after a collaboration by The Nappy Science Gang (of which we were a part of); a citizen-based science project all about nappy laundering. The project asked the NHS why they advised only non-bio use for babies and what evidence they had to support this claim, and they came back with none. The NHS didn't even know where the advice originated from or what it was being advised!
Not true! You need to consider/bear in mind when clothes shopping that you'll need to accomodate the nappy, so slim cuts are not suitable. So for you cloth-bum-baby skinny jeans are definitely out, but harem-style pants or regular leggings are perfect. We assure you'll be able to find suitable clothing in your local supermarket and high street brands.
False! Modern cloth nappies have come a long way since the days of soaking giant cauldrons on the stovetop like your granny remembers. The truth is modern washing machines, paired with regular detergents are highly effective and clean nappies perfectly without much faff at all.
Washing at 60 degrees is sufficient to sanitise; you simply pop nappies in the washing machine with the right amount of detergent and push the button for cotton wash. Once cleaned, hang them on the line or inside on a clothes horse. We can assure you there will NOT be hours of scrubbing on a wash board or whatever horror stories your non-cloth-nappy friends and relatives try to convince you in their scare-tactics!
Also, we hate to be the bearer of bad news, but even babies in disposable nappies go through a LOT of clothes washing! Think sick, sloppy burps, feeding messes and the dreaded poonamis... This list goes on. An increase in washing is simply what comes hand in hand with having a baby.
False! Reusable nappies are made from a more breathable fabric than disposable nappies, making them actually cooler for babies to wear. Even the plastic-lined PUL allows tiny air molecules through but traps the larger liquid molecules. Can you imagine how hot you'd get wearing a plastic pair of pants...!? We're sure you'd much sooner grab a pair of cotton undies any day!
False! No evidence supports a more significant occurrence of nappy rash in babies wearing reusable nappies.
Most babies will get a nappy rash at some stage, it is commonly caused by skin irritation, possibly from wetness, sensitivity or infection. Babies skin is a lot more sensitive than mature adult skin, so it is more easily irritated.
Best practice is to change baby regularly, gently (no scrubbing) but thoroughly clean the nappy area (including upper thighs and lowder abdomen) when changing and pat dry.
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Reusable nappy boosters are pieces of absorbent fabric layered in or on top of a reusable nappy stack to 'boost' absorbency.
Note: the following terms generally mean the same thing; Nappy inserts, nappy boosters, booster pads, inserts, diaper doublers, diaper pads.
The above are all pieces of absorbent fabric which can be added to ‘boost’ absorbency in a reusable nappy system.
A critical differentiation between reusable and disposable nappies is that reusables use physics to be effective, and disposables use chemistry. Disposable nappies use super absorbent polymers (SAPs) to absorb the liquid. Reusable nappies, on the other hand, use physics; the more absorptive layers are added (in the form of boosters and inserts) the more absorbent the nappy. This is why some nighttime nappy combinations look huge - there are just lots and lots of layers!
Reusable nappy boosters and inserts are available in many different materials, all of which are absorbent. Popular booster fabrics are bamboo, hemp, charcoal, polyester and microfibre. In our experience (we’re been making great nappies since 2004!), natural fabrics like bamboo and hemp make the best boosters.
Bamboo trifold booster (bamboo pocket insert)
Most absorbent nappy boosters? We believe, after over 20 years in the trade, that bamboo and hemp are the most absorbent boosters.
We generally advise people to avoid boosters made from microfibre as they are prone to compression leaks (leaks when baby is in a compact space like a car seat, or laying down all night in the same spot).
No. Boosters/inserts are only *needed* in pocket nappies. If you are using terry nappies, a fitted nappy and wrap system, an all-in-one system or an all-in-two system the nappy generally has enough absorbency for a regular wetter without adding boosters. If the nappy starts to leak, this is when you should investigate whether you need more absorbency, and therefore require some boosters.
Of course, all nappy boosters are washed and reused, time and again. This saves you money and also helps our environment as less waste is going to landfills.
Usually, boosters go inside the reusable nappy.
If using a pocket nappy, you can fill up the pocket with two or three boosters/inserts. If you still need more absorbency, you can then layer the boosters along the gusset of the reusable nappy, and then place a nappy liner above.
If using a fitted nappy and wrap system, you should put the boosters inside the nappy stack. However, you may find you need more absorbency for night-time; in this case you can add a nappy between the nappy and the wrap!
This depends on what type of nappy system you are using. Pocket nappies always need a booster or insert as they are ‘nappy shells’ which require inserts/boosters to become absorbent.
Yes, you can use boosters with terry nappies. In the same way, you’d layer a booster inside the nappy stack, or between the terry nappy and the wrap if the baby is a very heavy wetter.
How many boosters you can use in a pocket nappy depends on how much your baby wee’s and how much room there is inside the ‘pocket’ of the nappy but usually you’d need two or three boosters per nappy. Our LittleLamb pocket nappies are super roomy so you can add two or three boosters easily, and if you run out of room but still require absorbency, you can layer extra boosters along the gusset.
All Little Lamb onesize pocket nappies come with two bamboo boosters and our sized pocket nappies come with one bamboo insert (unless otherwise specified)
Sometimes bamboo boosters can get stiff. We recommend either running the boosters against each other, this friction softens the fibres nicely, or you can put the boosters in the tumble drier for 10 minutes at the end of their drying cycle to fluff up the fibres again.
If your boosters have not softened up after either of these treatments, they might have detergent build-up so you may need to do a strip wash. This is simply washing the boosters on a regular wash and then repeating the rinse cycle on hot one or two times.
Boosters and liners are often confused. Liners are pieces of fabric which catch the poo but let the absorbency through - this is so the baby’s skin can stay dry. Check out this blog post all about nappy liners.
When you need to add absorbency to the nappy; the biggest tell-tale sign that you need extra boosting in the nappy is if baby has a well fitted nappy which has started to leak - this is the physics coming into play - the nappy needs more absorbency to be able to keep the liquid from leaking out of the nappy!
You can check out this blog post all about fixing leaking reusable nappies.
We use bamboo to make most of our reusable nappies and bamboo boosters because bamboo is incredibly soft, squishy, and, most importantly, absorbent.
Bamboo viscose is a manufactured fibre made from natural materials; it grows incredibly fast without needing lots of agrochemicals. It is more sustainable and more absorbent than fibres like regular cotton or polyester. All our bamboo is processed within strict environmental guidelines according to ISO 9000 and ISO 14000.
Bamboo viscose absorbs liquid directly into the fibres of the fabric. In contrast, polyester fabrics usually 'hold' the moisture between the fibres rather than absorbing liquid. Bamboo can hold much more fluid than a similar polyester or microfibre material; because they absorb the liquid, they are much less likely to leak when 'squeezed' - this leaking is known as 'compression leaks' in the reusable nappy world.
With energy prices fast becoming the biggest financial stress on UK families, we’ve collated our top-tips for the cheapest ways to wash and dry reusable nappies.
Generally, families save around £700 by switching to reusable nappies. Still, recently there has been much concern that with the increases in energy prices, reusable nappies will become more expensive than using disposable nappies.
Household every prices are very much front and centre of the conversation right now, but disposable nappy are also expected to increase with the Independent reporting "new parents will bear the brunt of inflation" with the disposable nappy price increases.
The Grocer reports that already companies like Pampers have started to increase their disposable nappies and wet wipes by up to 60%; this is because to manufacture disposable nappies they need to use power and raw materials.
We predict price increases will happen across the board as huge corporations such as P&G (who own Pampers) warn of another year of ‘significant’ headwinds; all of which will, undoubtedly, result in everyday people picking up the price increases.
To assess the true cost of washing and drying reusable nappies, one has to consider the following: Water, Electricity, Wash routine and finally Detergent.
Reusable nappy advocate Cloth Nappy Geek has a recently updated cost analysis on her blog where she summarises that “Even with the rises in energy costs, the day-to-day usage of cloth nappies is still cheaper than using the lower priced disposable alternatives”.
LittleLamb nappies retail partner “The Friendly Eco” recently calculated her reusable nappy washing and drying costs and concludes that reusable nappies will cost her £0.07p per change vs disposable nappies that will cost between £0.04p to £0.47p per change.
We recommend washing every 2-3 days; this generally means you’ll have enough nappies for a full load.
What is a full load? Generally, the machine is ¾ full when the clothes are dry. This will then mean that the machine looks around half full when the nappies are full of water. If you put too much into the machine, the nappies won't have enough water to fully wash them and there won't be room for them to move around and agitate - nappies need a lot of agitating to properly wash. If you put too few in then this can unbalance your machine so they don't spin properly but can also lead to excessive detergent bubble formation. If you don't have enough nappies to make up a wash add in dirty bibs, towels, sheets or anything that would benefit from a deep long wash.
Generally, especially those new to washing nappies, don’t measure detergent properly, resulting in overdosing and using a tub of detergent much faster than they should. Follow these steps to consistently use the right amount of detergent, and reduce your bills:
1. Read the packaging of your detergent and find out what dosage is recommended for heavily soiled (this is poo you are dealing with remember), your water hardness and drum size.
2. Next compare the size of your load, and dose accordingly; if you have a ¾ full drum, use ¾ of the recommended detergent.
3. Print out our Wash Routine Template, enter your findings and stick it by your washing machine to help everyone in the family wash nappies properly!
Air movement is the key to drying all laundry. The warmer the air temperature, the quicker the water molecules evaporate, but the molecules will be attracted back onto the garment without airflow.
In an ideal world, all cloth nappy users would dry their nappies on the line outside, but we live in the UK and know that this is highly unlikely or feasible except during high summer.
Method 1: Tabletop fan + drying rack - minimal investment.
This is the cheapest set-up; get a drying rack and direct a small tabletop fan at it; even on the lowest speed setting, this will dry your nappies overnight.
Tip: when using a drying rack, strategically place the items based on how much air circulation they will need.
Method 2: Dehumidifier + drying rack
We recommend setting up a dehumidifier in a small room so it is sucking less water out of the room and more out of the nappies. Dehumidifiers are less expensive to run than tumble driers, and also help to keep your house dry.
Tips: buy a dehumidifier with a large tank size, so you have to do less emptying. We find lots go on trading pages like Facebook Marketplace - and really there isn’t much that can go wrong with them so picking one up second-hand can be super economic.
Also, you can re-use the dehumidifier water for your indoor plants!
Method 3: Socktopus above the radiator
Strategically placing a “socktopus” or an overhead clothes airer (also known as a ceiling clothes airer or laundry pulley) above your radiators will mean you are using the heating to do both dry the nappies and heat your house.
We all know that heat rises so your best bet for increasing drying time indoors is to get those nappies, inserts, boosters and wipes up high. These are a great space saver and allow the air to get around all of the nappy or insert; pointing a small fan at the airer can also help the air circulate.
Tip: make sure none of the nappies are touching the radiator as this will melt PUL or burn the fabric.
Method 4: Heated airer
Some clothes airers can be plugged in and emit a low constant heat; similar to a plug-in heater.
Tip: Bamboo and cotton material nappies and boosters can get a bit stiff. To soften them, rub them together - the friction softens the fibres.
Excessive high heat in a dryer will affect the lifespan of the nappies but is OK now and then in an emergency, but it will also cost the most as tumble driers use lots of electricity.
Avoid putting PUL items in the tumble drier.
- Use ‘Fast drying’ pocket nappies.
One of the most significant benefits of our pocket nappies is they dry so quickly. Alternatively, you could use terry nappies, our bombproof little lamb wraps, and a super quick nappy drying combo.
Shop about our pocket nappies here.
- Use a vest extender to make clothes last longer!
Learn about our best-selling vest extenders here.
- Check if your council have a nappy scheme to help you save money.
Check to see if your council is on the list.
- Use reusable wipes: you don't need to dry them; just put them back in the wet bag, and they are ready to go.
Learn everything about reusable wipes here.
- If you have time, look into Elimination Communication - even if you catch ¼ wees, you’ll save on washing and drying as you’ll use fewer nappies.
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Streamline your reusable nappy wash routine with our downloadable template. Fill out this template and stick it by the washing machine, and you can ensure you'll always have clean cloth nappies, no matter who is in charge of putting the washing on each day!
Learn more about reusable nappy cleaning here: Washing Cloth nappies 101.
If you have any questions or comments, get in touch!
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Vest extenders are pieces of fabric with poppers (snaps) on each end; they are attached to the crotch of a vest to increase the length of normal-sized baby vests, rompers and bodysuits, allowing extended wear of baby’s clothing.
Vest extenders popper onto the bottom of the baby vest and add approx. 4 inches (10cm) to the overall length.
LittleLamb vest extenders come in packs of 3 in white cotton. The three poppers are 9mm in diameter and positioned 15-20mm apart (there is some sideward stretch to this product).
Vest extenders are extremely useful for reusable nappies because reusable nappies are generally bulkier than disposable nappies, especially when the reusable nappies are boosted as night-time nappies (fitted nappies and wraps). Vest extenders make extra room to accommodate the larger nappy, reducing the risk of compression leaks.
Vest extenders are also very helpful for the transition between clothing sizes - giving you flexibility and getting a lot more wear from baby’s clothing, saving you money.
We find these work with most chain store clothes, but they do not fit Frugi, Green baby, Baby cap, Wilkinsons and Mini Mode.
If you are a little crafty, then vest extenders should be easy to make at home. You’ll have to purchase a popper/snaps kit and good-quality cotton. It’ll probably be easier if you just buy these from LittleLamb…
Read our customers have to say about our vest extenders:
Shop LittleLamb vest extenders here
Yes. If you store your reusable nappies safely between children, you will be able to use them again on your next child.
The main concern about the storage of reusable nappies (or any clothes, really) is elastic. Elastic breaks down over time.
If you want to store nappies long-term, here's the best advice. However, this doesn't guarantee the elastic will last during storage, but it gives you the best chance of success.
Ensuring your reusable nappies are well stored is crucial to be being able to use them again on your next child. Choosing the correct storage method will ensure your nappies are in good condition when you go to use them again.
1. Wash the nappies. To ensure they are extra clean we recommend doing your regular wash routine, and then repeating with one or two hot wash cycles with no detergent. See our comprehensive washing guide here.
2. Ensure the nappies are completely dry.
Your nappies are now ready for storage.
Dont:
Do:
If you don't think you will have any more children or don't want to risk storing your reusable nappies in the small chance they are unusable when they are taken out of storage, here are some other options:
Generally, the elastic in good condition in nappies show little storage effect for 3 to 6 months. Anything over this - especially over 12 months - is considered long-term. The longer a nappy is stored, the less the chance of the elastic surviving. However, you can replace elastic in reusable nappies, so this isn't the world's end.
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A nappy library works just like a regular library, but rather than borrow books, the user can borrow reusable nappies.
People also call these "reusable nappy libraries" or "cloth nappy libraries.
Nappy libraries are great as they allow prospective reusable nappy families to try reusable nappies without any cost. It also means the family can try lots of different styles of reusable nappy;
Nappy libraries can be used in person, where you visit the library, or they can be accessed online and the nappies delivered to your door (this method means you’ll have to pay the cost of postage).
Volunteers run nappy libraries, and they are not for profit organisations. Nappy libraries are always looking for donations of good condition pre-loved reusable nappies, volunteers and monetary donations. If you would like to get involved and you live in the UK, contact the UK Nappy Network here.
All the UK Nappy Libraries can be found on the UK Nappy Network map. Enter your address to find a cloth nappy library near you!
If you’d like to set up a nappy library, getting in touch with UK Nappy Network is a good place to start. You’ll need insurance, and you should also ensure that you’ll not infringe on a nappy network already serving your community - better to pair up than be competing.
Here at Little Lamb, we believe in creating a sustainable future, and nappy libraries are a vital component in the expansion of accessible reusable nappies. While we know some people would prefer to use only new nappies, for some families, the option to rent nappies lifts a substantial financial barrier.
We support nappy libraries by offering them a hugely discounted purchasing price. If you are setting up a new nappy library, please contact us so we can share the price list with you.
We can also help with promoting new nappy libraries. If you want some help promoting your nappy library, please get in touch with us!
Many people use reusable nappies at nighttime because they are generally more absorbent than regular disposable nappies.
Our foolproof nighttime solution is a fitted nappy (choose bamboo or cotton), a combination of bamboo and hemp boosters and a nappy wrap. This combo was recently voted 'Best Nighttime Nappy' by Womans Health Mag.
If you want to try reusable nappies overnight, a great place to start is with a pre-made nighttime nappy kit like this one. In this kit, we've added five fitted nappies in the fabric of your choice (bamboo or cotton), three waterproof wraps and a pack of liners.
Optional extras: you could consider adding some nappy booster pads if you have a super heavy wetter or a baby who wees a lot. One of the best things about reusable nappies is they are customisable - you can add boosters and inserts to the nappy as the baby grows and requires more absorbency.
Did you know LittleLamb bamboo nappies have been independently certified to hold over 700ml of liquid?
700ml is much more than disposable nappies, which typically absorb around 400ml of liquid. The equation is easy - the more liquid a nappy can hold, the longer baby will stay dry and (hopefully) stay asleep. And fewer leaks! Using reusable nappies can help you say goodbye to nightly wee-soaked bedsheet changes.
All our reusable bamboo and cotton nappies come with a reusable nappy liner: this is a piece of clever recycled polyester that keeps baby's skin dry by sucking the moisture through the liner - thus keeping baby dry.
Yes and no. We know the types of reusable nappies on the market can be confusing. So, what we recommend for nighttime are fitted (sometimes called shaped) two-part nappies - these are more absorbent than pocket nappies.
Many parents love how absorbent and reliable our fitted nappies and wrap combo is, so choose to use them full time, so in the day as well as overnight (by adjusting the absorbency with boosters for overnight).
Pros:
Cons:
Watch this video on our fitted nappies and wraps to learn how to use them!
You may wonder, 'which cloth nappies should I use for nighttime?'. Our reusable bamboo nappies are the most absorbent, so we consider them the best nighttime nappies because they will guarantee the most amount of dryness for the baby. If you are worried about their slow drying time, we recommend purchasing a few more than you think you'll need - this will reduce the washing pressure.
Our retail partners highly recommend our fitted nappies (cotton and bamboo). The two-part style of reusable nappy is our original nappy - the one our founder Esme designed for her children.
Learn more about our founders and company values here.
Some people use pocket nappies for nighttime, and we have heard this can be successful, but we know our fitted nappies will last longer, resulting in a dry night's sleep.
If you decide to use pocket nappies at night, it is critical to ensure you have sufficient boosting! We designed our hemp and cotton booster for use with our pocket nappies - the ergonomic shape is excellent for catching all the liquid from the nappy.
According to NCT UK, the best time to start potty training at night is once your child has mastered potty training during the day. Each child is different, but it's normal to learn to stay dry at night a little while after daytime potty training.
To be able to potty train at night, your child needs to be physically ready, and they need to want to learn. A good indicator that the baby is ready to start potty training at night is if your child's nappy is dry or only slightly damp for a few mornings.
Children can control their bladder and bowels when they're physically ready and want to be dry and clean. Using cloth nappies can help accelerate their desire to stop using nappies as reusable nappies are wetter, and it is more evident to toddlers when they have made themselves wet. However, every child is different, so it's best not to compare your child with others.
Most children can control their bowels (the urge to poo) before they can control their bladder (wees). Most babies will not release their bowels overnight; pooing is generally only performed when the child is awake.
According to the NHS:
By age 1, most babies have stopped doing poos at night.
By age 2, some children will be dry during the day, but this is still relatively early.
By age 3, 9 out of 10 children are dry most days – even then, all children have the odd accident, especially when they're excited, upset or absorbed in something else.
By age 4, most children are reliably dry during the day.
Children usually take a little longer to learn to stay dry throughout the night. Although most learn nighttime dryness between 3 and 5, up to 1 in 5 children aged five sometimes wet the bed.
Not only are reusable nappies better for the environment, but they are also more absorbent, and they help you save money! Many parents and caregivers use reusable nappies because they are more reliable than disposables. They also have fewer chemicals and are said to be softer on the baby's skin.
Reusable nappies are also cheaper than disposable nappies - while you have to invest more upfront, once you have a set of reusable nappies, those are all you'll ever have to buy. So reusable nappies are a higher upfront investment, but when used long-term, they'll save you hundreds of pounds. And, if you have a subsequent baby, their nappies will be essentially free (unless you become obsessed with purchasing nappy prints!)
As a general rule of thumb, nighttime nappy changes are only necessary if your baby has soiled (pooed) the nappy or if it is full. And as the baby gets older and undisturbed sleep is more attainable, you can leave the nighttime nappy on for the duration of the child's sleep. We recommend using a fleecy liner to keep the baby's skin dry.
Adding boosters to nighttime reusable nappies increases the nappy's absorbency, making the nappy last longer.
There are a few ways you can boost for a nighttime nappy:
Typically, the boosters' hierarchy (from least to most absorption capacity) is microfibre, charcoal, cotton, bamboo, and hemp. Microfibre boosters are also prone to compression leaks - when put under pressure, the liquid they've absorbed will leak out.
We think five reusable nappies will be enough for nighttime use, so this is how many we've included in our ready to use night time starter kit. Five nappies are enough if you wash every 2.5 days; two in the wash, one in use and two back-ups. The more night nappies you have on hand, the less stressed you would be to get the washing done on time.
You only need 1 wrap for every 2 nappies.
Sometimes a night nappy will start to leak. We've compiled a list of the most likely reasons a reusable nappy will leak at nighttime:
Check Liners and Boosters
Our fleece liner and boosters are easily confused; the fleece liner is a single soft and fluffy layer of fabric with no absorbency value. The booster is a double layer of the same fabric as the nappy - the booster's job is additional absorbency. If using disposable liners, ensure that you cut them in half if they are too big as folding does not allow the liquid to pass through quickly enough and may allow leaks, or tuck them around the booster.
Use either the fleece liner or the disposable liners, never both, as again, it may not allow liquid through fast enough to be absorbed.
The leaks may be an absorbency issue; if the nappy has been fine initially, more boosting may be needed – what goes in must come out! Two (or more) boosters can be used in each nappy; both do not have to go inside the nappy itself; you can place one between the nappy and wrap. Bamboo or hemp boosters are good to use as both are highly absorbent fabrics.
For a tummy sleeper or boy, fold one of the boosters in half and put it at the front of the nappy where the absorbency is needed.
Is the baby's vest/clothing too tight?
We are guilty of letting the vest get too snug as babies grow so quickly, but the pressure from an over-tight vest can cause a leak; you can get vest extenders for use with real nappies or ensure they do not get too snug. The same effect can happen with all overly tight clothing, leggings, tights, and baby grows, so ensure nothing is excessively tight and put excess pressure on the wet nappy.
Is the Sizing correct?
Leaks can also be a sizing issue and may indicate that it is time to move up a size. Babies come in all shapes and sizes, so our weight range is only a guide, those with gorgeous chunky squishy thighs or a tall baby running above the 90th on their height chart can outgrow a size before the maximum weight and leaks suddenly starting can indicate that bigger sizes are now required.
Is the wrap on correctly?
Ensure that all the nappy is inside the wrap, and any fabric showing will allow liquid to escape. Ensure the wrap sits in the 'knicker-line' and not on the baby's thigh.
Reusable wipes are essentially slimmer, more compact, easier to use flannels! They are reusable pieces of fabric that you can use to clean babies' bums, hands, faces and everything in between. Being reusable, you can simply use, wash and repeat.
We think reusable wipes even better than disposable wipes for removing mess. We find you’ll only use one or two per change, which is vastly different from using disposable wipes where you could use 5,6,7 per nappy change!
Reusable wipes are made from all types of fabric, but we prefer bamboo fabric because it is soft, lightly textured and great at picking up the dirt, and it is one of the most eco-friendly fabrics in the world! Our washable bamboo wipes are also very generously sized, giving you more use from each wipe!
All you need is a bundle of wipes, and a water-resistant container; this can be a reusable wet bag or just a good Tupperware container. For out-and-about use, we prefer a double pocket wet bag, this means you can have one pocket for dirty and one for clean.
If used for changing nappies only, we recommend starting with 40 wipes. On average, a newborn baby will be changed ten times per day, so 40 gives you enough stock to have some dirty, some in the wash and some ready to use. We believe it is better to order slightly more than you expect to use, so you have a bit of a backup if you fall behind on washing. A full-time set of 40 wipes will last approx. 15-20 nappy changes.
Yes! Reusable wipes are a great alternative to cotton wool and water method, as recommended by health professionals. Reusable wipes have no chemicals or added perfumes, as they are just damp pieces of cloth, which is perfect for those early days and weeks when a baby’s skin is sensitive. We recommend damp bamboo fabric wipes as bamboo is one of the softest options for reusable wipes.
You can store the reusable wipes in a Tupperware box or wet bag so they are wet and ready to go. As they are used you can put them in the nappy bucket and wash them with the reusable nappies (up to 60 degrees) or your regular clothes washing. There is no need to dry them when they come out of the wash. Just put them back in the Tupperware box, add some more water to make them damp and they're ready again. They won't go stale or stagnant as you'll go through them too quickly.
Click here our best selling Washable Wipes in Soft Bamboo.
World breastfeeding week is an awareness week to celebrate and encourage breastfeeding and improve the health and wellbeing of breastfeeding parents and babies worldwide.
It is held annually during the first week of August every year. This year it is being celebrated from 1st-7th August 2022.
In 1989, WHO and UNICEF released a joint statement titled “Protecting, Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding: The Special Role of Maternity Services.” The statement outlined the benefits of breastfeeding—infant and maternal health, environmental sustainability, and accessibility. WHO and UNICEF outlined actionable steps for nations to change the community perception of breastfeeding and increase cultural support for parents who choose to breastfeed.
In 1990, UNICEF wrote the Innocenti Declaration, committing to protect and support breastfeeding by addressing social norms and workplace regulations and providing adequate education for mothers. The doctrine recognises that breastfeeding is a critical element of holistic wellness for mothers and children, protecting their physical health and promoting their mental health.
Breastfeeding provides ideal nutrition for children in the first two years of life and is also foundational in long-term health and wellness into adulthood. Breastmilk contains antibodies that help protect against many common childhood illnesses, like asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, ear infections, gastrointestinal infections and sudden infant death syndrome. Breastmilk provides the energy and nutrients that infants need during the first months of life. It is easier to digest than infant formula, and it can provide cost savings over formula. For the mother, breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer and decreases the chances of developing postpartum depression.
Word Breastfeeding Week is organised annually by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), a global network that aims to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding worldwide. WABA collaborates with the World Health Organisation and UNICEF to ensure that aid is given to the right people in the right communities.
Inform people about their role in strengthening the warm chain of support for breastfeeding
Anchor breastfeeding as part of good nutrition, food security and reduction of inequalities
Engage with individuals and organisations along the warm chain of support for breastfeeding
Galvanise action on strengthening the capacity of policy changers and influential systems for transformational change
Awareness Post on your social media channels to build awareness. At LittleLamb, we are celebrating by showing off a carousel of breastfeeding parents on our social media - tag us @littlelambnappies to get involved!
You can also share these ready-made social media posts from WABA:
Donate It is also important to recognise that some parents cannot breastfeed, no matter how hard they have tried. If you have an excess milk supply, you could consider donating breast milk via a local breast milk bank.
Pledge
Pledge to participate in the #WBW2022 celebration by sending WABA details of your planned activities (virtual/physical) and they will feature your event on our Pledge Map.
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Reusable nappies last for a very long time, generally, we say they’ll last around 400 washes before starting to significantly degrade. However, they are not indestructible and will suffer wear over time. Just like how clothes wear a little more every time you wash them, nappies do. See our washing guide for cleaning correctly to ensure your nappies last long.
Babies get through lots of nappy changes per day, no matter if they are using reusables or disposables! Just five nappies a day works out at over 1800 nappy changes nappies a year, and your baby is likely to use a lot more in their first year, up to 2500. So if you do choose reusable nappies, that is a lot of nappies you are saving from landfills and incineration!
Depending on how many nappies you have in your stash, each nappy will get washed around 2 or 3 times a week. By the time you potty train; each nappy will have been washed at least 200 times. If you washed a pair of jeans or a t-shirt that many times, you would expect fading and thinning of the fabric, which is also true of nappies.
If you start using cloth nappies with your first baby, you can get nappies that will last you through to potty training, and these can then be used again for any subsequent children, saving you tonnes of money. If you have just one child, you can also sell your nappies after using them; the pre-loved cloth nappy market is huge and thriving. See our tips on how to sell your cloth nappies here.
Most reusable nappies need changing every two to four hours, or as soon as your baby does a poo. While disposable nappies can last longer than this, it doesn't mean that they should! According to the NHS, young babies may need changing as many as 10 or 12 times a day, while older babies need to be changed around 6 to 8 times.
Nighttime nappies can be left on for longer as babies rarely poo whilst asleep. If a baby is sleeping through the night, you do not need to wake them to change their nappy.
Generally speaking, nappies should last a really long time, especially when they are good quality like LittleLamb nappies. But, there are a few main things which can go wrong that might mean you need to replace the nappies. Here is a list of common issues and how to prevent them;
1. The elastic can wear out over time. It's the same as your knicker elastic going after a few years. Luckily, this is pretty easy to repair if you are handy with a needle and thread or inexpensive to get someone else to.
2. The PUL stops being waterproof. PUL wearing out will inevitably happen over time, but you can avoid a few things to slow the process; First up, neither the elastic nor the PLU like the dryer so while you might tumble the inserts, it's always best to hang out wraps and pocket nappies. Secondly, ammonia can degrade the fabric; this is one of the reasons we advise washing nappies every 2nd or 3rd day. If it is impossible to wash, we recommend doing a quick rinse, and then once you get back to being able to wash, stick them on a 60 degree sanitise wash.
3. Look after the velcro (or go for poppers instead). Velcro can catch on the nappy fabric causing little pulls that will degrade the overall look of the nappy over time and can also get clogged up pretty quickly with fluff. We recommend always doing up the velcro washing tabs, and when washing a wrap of nappy without tabs, do the nappy up and turn it inside out. If your velcro has become fluffy, we recommend using a nit comb to de-fluff.
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So, you've thought about using cloth nappies, but you are scared of the poop? No worries! I assure you that using cloth nappies is not much grosser than changing a disposable nappy. Sometimes less awful as reusable nappies have an excellent containment level; maybe you could say goodbye to poo explosions up babies back!
Let us start with the basics;
Hold a clean corner of the nappy, dangle the nappy into the toilet bowl and flush. Don't worry; only clean water will go over your hand, but this method generally will wash off all the excess poo. Remember to hold tight as the flush will be strong, and you don't want the nappy to go down the toilet!
Other standard 'poo removing' techniques include:
Yes, you may choose to rinse the nappy/liner under the tap in a sink; if you do this, don't forget to clean your sink and its waste pipe, as even tiny amounts of poo will build up after a while. Rinsing nappies in the sink is an excellent way to prep the nappies for the nappy storage bin and reduce the smell of the nappy bucket. We always recommend a lidded nappy pail or zipped hanging nappy pail to keep the smells contained.
Our number 1 tip is to use nappy liners! Nappy liners make changing and cleaning pooey nappies quicker and easier. We have two types of nappy liners; disposable ones and reusable ones. If you choose not to use a liner, the poo will go directly onto the nappy and can sometimes be quite tricky to remove.
You can buy nappy liners here.
While baby is still very young, their only food is in liquid form, so liquid-in means liquid-out, making for some very runny nappies. During this phase, it is quite possible that even if you use a nappy liner, it will not contain it all. When dealing with this runny poo, we recommend rinsing the nappy under a tap before putting it in the nappy bin. Rinsing nappies before storing helps reduce stinks and reduces staining.
Our fleecy liners tend to stay in place much better than disposable ones, so we recommend fleecy liners during the pre-weaned stage.
A good thing to note is if your baby is breastfeeding, the poo is water-soluble, so technically can go in the washing machine. However, if you rinse the nappy before it goes in the nappy bin, it will help minimise any staining on the nappy that newborn poo is so fond of causing.
The only plus is that newborn/pre-weaned baby poo is not typically very smelly (unless the mother's diet is full of rich and spicy foods, these will affect the smell of the baby's poo!).
If your baby is formula-fed, their poo tends to be thicker from an earlier age, and so we highly recommend rinsing the nappy before storing it for the wash.
Note that babies do not tend to poo in their sleep, only when they wake. So if they go to bed with full bowels, remember they will fill their nappy shortly after waking. As soon as the baby poos, the nappy needs to be changed.
When a baby is weaned, the poo is usually more solid, so it should be able to be picked up by the liner and 'plopped' down the toilet, meaning the nappy itself isn't usually very dirty. If the poo does get on the nappy, it'll usually be around the edges, and this is easily rinsed off before the nappy goes into the nappy bucket.
If you consistently do not rinse your nappies before putting them into the nappy bucket/pail, the nappy bin will smell pretty gross under the lid by the end of the day!
Did you know human poo isn't supposed to go into the rubbish bin, so even if you use disposable nappies, you should be removing the poo before binning ? Binning the poo also helps reduce the smell of dirty nappies in your house and ensures all faeces end up in the wastewater supply, where they are treated in a water chemical plant, in the same way adult waste is.
Preferably, no. It is best to dispose of all poop down the toilet.
However, if the baby is predominantly breastfed, their poo is technically water soluble. So while we would always advise rinsing a pooey nappy before washing, if it is too far gone and you are not in the mood, stick it in the wash! If you are nervous, add an extra rinse cycle to the wash to ensure all poo remnants have been well and truly washed away.
We think our two-part nappy system, comprising a shaped, fitted nappy and a wrap, is more efficient than other nappy styles in keeping poo explosions inside the nappy and off baby's clothing. If anything manages to escape the nappy, it is contained by the waterproof wrap. Although cloth nappies, like disposable nappies, are not magic, sometimes there will be leakage; that's just the joy of looking after a baby!
Shop our two part nappies here and our wraps here.
Yes, cloth diapers are reusable nappies/diapers, sometimes called 'washable nappies'. The idea of cloth nappies is to use, wash and reuse like we do with regular clothes. It is how our parents/grandparents did things because, surprising to some, disposable nappies were only invented in the last 30 years!
And the best thing, because washing machines have become so much more efficient and better at cleaning since the 1990s, we no longer have to soak the nappies. Many people will have memories of a stinky pot on the hob, soaking a bunch of terry-towelling nappies, but 'modern cloth nappies' don't need any of this. Using cloth nappies is easy; use, store, wash and repeat.
Have you ever considered that disposable nappies are a single use plastic as well? Disposable nappies are one of the biggest contributors to single-use plastic waste, the worst cause of contamination in recycling and cost councils and parents too much money whilst damaging the environment.
No, they do not. In my opinion, modern washing machines are more powerful than people give them credit. So it is absolutely fine to wash cloth nappies in your regular washing machine, but we don't recommend washing them with clothes - learn more here.
As discussed above, what's most important is removing as much 'soiling' (we mean poo) from the nappy before putting it in the wash; this is best done right away after changing so the poo doesn't have time to solidify… Glamourous!
A good habit is giving your washing machine a drum clean once a month. In the nappy world, we recommend this to happen on the 1st of every month, as it's an easy time to remember!
We recommend cleaning the machine once a month. The same way you'd clean your dishwasher to remove the extra 'bits' that always end up in there.
Read the manual
Clean the parts; wipe down rims and seals. If your machine has a removable agitator, take it out to clean it.
Clean the filter; remove the filter and clean out lint and build-up
Clean the drum; choose a 90-degree clean cycle with no detergent, or use a commercial descaler if you have flakes on your laundry.
There may be some bubbles during the clean cycle; this is typical of a drum clean. Some of it is agitation, and some of it is the leftover detergent that's being cleaned during the cycle.
Of course, using a shared washing machine or laundromat is fine. However, you may get a couple of people questioning you doing this; we recommend being a little bit prepared with the following;
Yes, but just like with a nappy wash, you'll want to rinse as much excess poop off the towels before putting it into the machine. If you think the soiling is extreme, add an extra rinse cycle to the end of the wash to ensure every tiny particle of poop has been rinsed and washed away.
And finally, always use the recommended amount of detergent for your machine, load size and water hardness levels; we can't stress this enough. And always, when washing nappies, aim to use a 2 hour + long cycle.
While not a mother, mine was one of the first bums to use a LittleLamb nappy 😂 I remember lying in bed listening to my mum, dad and grandparents sewing nappies, and I remember when every spare inch of space in our house was filled to the brim with boxes and boxes of nappies before the company was big enough to hire a warehouse. Fluffy stacks of nappies, customer service and small business talk have been a constant in my life, and now at the ripe old age of 27, I know our LittleLamb products inside and out.
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We believe reusable products are the future. In fact, they used to the past but since the invention and mass adoption of plastic, as a society we seem to have forgotten how to wash and reuse 99% of items!
An often-overlooked cost is nappies, as they are similar to toilet paper - you’ll just keep grabbing a packet every time you go down the aisle at the supermarket.
On average, one baby will need about 6,500 nappy changes from birth to potty training, so reducing the amount of money you spend on nappies can really make a difference in the long run.
Regular disposable nappies:
6,500 regular disposable nappies from Tesco cost (at time of writing) £0.16.
£0.16 x 6,500 = £1,040
Whereas if you used reusable nappies;
Onesize Pocket nappies from us at LittleLamb (at the time of writing) £230.
Plus about £50 for extra accessories/boosters/liners etc.
Total £280
And if yiou use the same nappies on subsequent children, these children become free!
So, £280 vs £1,040 means there is definitely a financial gain, so long as you don’t get obsessed with buying more nappies, which honestly happens… Retail therapy via nappy purchases might sound foreign to you now, but it gets the best of us!
When it comes to reusable nappies, many people are off-put by the initial cost. However, we work hard to keep our bulk prices low and we’ve also partnered up with Clearpay to add access to payment plans for those of us without immediate access to the money.
Due to their high usage, cloth nappies need to be made of durable, high-quality materials. Many reusable cloth nappy companies prefer to use natural materials so the baby’s sensitive skin is not exposed to chemicals. And many, like us, choose to use eco-materials like recycled polyester to be more gentle on the planet. We also ensure that all our products are safety tested and made in ethical working conditions. All these ‘doing good’ factors add up to a higher cost.
It is unfair to compare the price of a cloth nappy price to a disposable nappy; to me, it is like comparing a china plate with a paper one! You pay a fraction of the price for a much inferior product. Our expectations for a disposable nappy are so small; it will be used for 4 hours and then trashed whereas a cloth nappy is expected to last around 400 washes, for example, our one-size pocket nappy is expected to last at least 2.5 years!
Finally, most cloth nappy companies are family-run businesses; we are not conglomerates who can use nappies as a loss-leader, we are regular people like you!
Some people are shocked to hear about the thriving second-hand market for cloth nappies - affectionately called 'pre-loved'. Cloth nappies aren't cheap, and we know some people can get a little carried away building their stash, so it's fantastic to be able to recoup some money at the end of your babies' need for them.
However, before you sell all your nappy stash, it is good to note that if you pack away your nappies and save for your next child, their nappy needs are essentially free!
"A favourite customer story that stayed with us was a lady who purchase 20 cotton nappies, used them on her 2 children, passed them on to her sister who used them on her three and then they went and sold them on eBay! The savings"
Environmentally buying second-hand is a fantastic thing to do, and it also helps families that might not be able to afford brand new cloth nappies get a decent start.
Advice for sellers:
Advice for buyers:
Facebook! There are so many groups...!
We recommend our LittleLamb dedicated Facebook group - "Little Lamb Cloth Nappies Love, advice and FSOT"
Final Tip - Facebook thinks you are trying to sell actual baby sheep when you post 'little lamb', so try LL or Little L*** to get approved. Most people will know the LL abbreviation.
So, that’s the financials out of the way, but we would be doing you a disservice if we didn’t mention the time costs involved with laundering the nappies. But honestly, from our experience, we know using cloth nappies will only add around 3 extra loads of laundry to your weekly schedule.
They can be! However, if you are choosing cloth nappies to save money, you’ll have to make some conscious decisions to ensure you don’t go over budget.
Here are our tips on how to save money by using cloth nappies:
Yes! Cloth nappies can help your family save money, they’ll save 6,500 plastic nappies from landfills and your baby won’t have any nasty chemicals touching their delicate newborn skin. Reusable nappies are far better for your pocket, your baby and your baby’s future.
Cloth nappies are better at containing what we affectionately know call ‘blow-outs’ or ‘poo-splosions’ - think baby poo all up the back of the child… Every parent's nightmare. Cloth nappies have much stronger elastic than disposable nappies, so it is much harder for that runny poo to escape the nappy.
Well, of course, I recommend LittleLamb as the best! Our selection of nappies is extensive and we pride ourselves on offering the best quality for the best prices!
At LittleLamb we offer great daytime and nighttime solutions; pocket nappies for daytime and then our super absorbent, incredibly reliable fitted nappies for nighttimes! Our boosters and liners are also incredibly popular with all cloth nappy users.
Also, did you know we offer a 6-week guarantee on all our kits? Learn more here!
]]>When switching to reusable nappies, the first thing you have to decide is how many nappies will be enough.
While I wish we had a universally correct number, no one will be able to tell you exactly how many reusable nappies you will need as every family and every baby is different. However, with our experience 25 years of experience, we’ve got a fair idea!
We believe that having 2-3 days' worth of cloth nappies is sufficient. This number is equal to:
36 cloth nappies for newborns
24 cloth nappies for infants
20 cloth nappies for toddlers
A lot of people choose to use cloth nappies part-time, and this is actually a great way to see if you like them!
Part-timers can truly just start with just one nappy. One nappy a day will still be saving 365 disposable nappies from landfills. This might not seem like much but when 1 disposable nappy is the equivalent of 7 plastic bags, could be saving 2,500 plastic bags from landfills! I think that’s an incredible achievement in itself!
Some people choose to use cloth nappies for daytime only. If you are using cloth nappies just for the day, you’ll need 15-20 nappies.
On the other hand, some people prefer to use cloth nappies for only nighttime (hello great containment and an undisturbed night's sleep). If you are using cloth nappies for nighttime, you’ll leave the nappy on for much longer so this means you’ll only need around 6 reusable nappies.
If you decide to use cloth nappies part-time, you will probably start to wonder if you can wash cloth nappies with other items of clothes.
So, can cloth nappies be washed with other clothes? Yes, you can wash cloth nappies with your regular laundry. However, cloth nappies are different from other types of laundry in some important ways and so you may want to carefully consider what laundry you wash them with, and when you will add them.
Firstly, dirty nappies are a different level of dirty than regular dirty clothes. Dirty clothes are usually just dirty on the outside; they have food or dirt on the surface only. Occasionally clothing has sweat penetrating inner layers, but clothes are often thin, single-layer pieces of material, and the sweat isn’t in great quantities. Cloth nappies on the other hand are thick, multi-layered products and the dirt (we’re talking about poos and wees remember) is sucked deep into them by design. This is why cloth nappies need a long wash as they need to be cleaned inside and out.
Second, dirty nappies can’t be stored for as long. Dirty clothes can be stored in open laundry hampers, and because they are thin and lightly soiled, they dry out and can then sit waiting to be washed for days or even weeks at a time (we’ve all been there!).
Cloth nappies on the other hand are often soaking wet when put aside until laundry day. Because urine does naturally have a smell, many parents opt to store them in a zipped wet bag or lidded nappy bucket where airflow is minimal.
Depending on what storage method you choose, cloth nappies should be washed either every 2 to 3 days to keep bacteria and mildew/mould from growing. If nappies are left for longer than this, we recommend putting them through an extra 60-degree wash to ensure no nasties have built up!
We suggest adding cloth nappies to your towel wash - the cotton cycle on your machine is usually perfect for washing dirty nappies and towels!
I know I will sound biased, but honestly yes cloth nappies are easy to use. Once you get into the swing of things, it is as easy as use, wash and reuse - just like a baby’s regular clothes! Just like anything, you just to have dive right in, and if you need help, we are here to support and guide you! Why not order a trial kit and see how you go.
And, even if cloth nappies add extra washing, the environmental and cost savings are, in our opinion, worth every second!
Studies have shown that a baby will go through 5000-7000 nappies from birth to being fully potty trained.
Statistics show that own-brand disposable nappies can cost a family with one child over £1875 in 2.5 years. The cost is much higher if you prefer branded nappies!
Recent statistics show that over 90% of UK babies under two use disposable nappies. This means three billion nappies are thrown away every year by UK families, accounting for up to 3% of the total household waste.
Each disposable-nappy wearing child is responsible for over a tonne of plastic waste that ends up in landfills.
Inserts, or boosters as we also call them, are absorbent pieces of material which are added to the nappy to make it more absorbent.
The main difference between disposable nappies and cloth nappies is disposable nappies are based on chemistry (the polymers activate when liquid touches them) whereas cloth nappies are physics-based; the more absorbent the materials, the more liquid the nappy will contain!
Most nappies will come with enough boosters, but most people need to add more as the child grows. So, we recommend you have 10 boosters or inserts extra so you can layer and customise the nappy based on the baby’s needs. You’ll notice when a baby is first born they are constantly needing to be changed; this is because they have no control over their bladder and are on a 100% liquid diet. As the baby grows, moves to solid foods and slowly starts to learn bladder control, they will create fewer liquids and need to be changed less frequently. Finally, when a toddler is on the brink of potty training, they have learnt how to control their bladder and will start to release all at once which can cause the nappies to ‘flood’ - see how to use cloth nappies for toddlers here.
So, you’ve read this far, congratulations. I guess now you’ll want to know how to start using cloth nappies!?
We've written a guide for anyone new to cloth nappies. You can download a free copy here.
- Reusable Nappies
- Storage for reusable nappies (wet bags for out and about and a nappy bucket/hanging nappy pail for home)
- Boosters/inserts (these add the absorbency)
- Liners (these make nappy changes easier)
All this and more are explained in our Cloth nappy guide! Download now!
Looking to start using cloth nappies fast? Buy one of our Complete Nappy Kits and get started straight away!
Questions? Email us! We’ve helped hundreds of thousands of families switch to cloth nappies so we can definitely help you!
care@littlelamb.com
]]>All breastfeeding mama’s have been there; you are out and about when suddenly you feel a tingle in your boobs and look down to see two wet patches on your shirt; your boobs have leaked again! While this is perfectly natural and normal, having a breastmilk splodge on your t-shirt can be awkward and embarrassing.
So, how can you stop this from happening? By wearing a nursing pad of course! These pads are designed to stop this exact scenario; they absorb any breast milk let down, keeping your tops and t-shirts dry.
Breast pads are available in a few options; silicon catching cups, disposable pads or reusable pads like our Bamboo breast pads.
1. Silicone catcher cups.
Silicone cups are great for proactive mamas’ who don’t want to miss a drop of their precious milk via letdown. However, these are designed to be changed every 3 hours so can be quite inconvenient for general
2. Disposable breast pads.
Usually made of a plastic blend, similar to a disposable sanitary pad, they have to be thrown away after each use. Most come with an adhesive so they stay in place really well in your bra.
3. Reusable breast pads.
These are a piece of soft, absorbent fabric that is placed into the bra and will absorb milk letdown. After use, you wash and reuse, creating less waste and saving you money in the long run.
Choosing reusable breast pads made from natural fibres such as bamboo is really important; these natural fibres provide better air circulation, which is necessary to aid in the sore nipple healing process.
Comfort
We recommend choosing comfort over convenience; remember you are likely going to be wearing these pads next to your skin every day for months, so you want to make sure they are comfortable!
Did you know LittleLamb’s bamboo breast pads were rated ‘Best for Comfort’ by The Independent!
Absorbency
Choosing a more absorbent material will mean you can go longer between changes. The longer between changes means the less you’ll have to wash, which ultimately means you’ll need to buy less, saving you money.
Coverage
Ensure you choose a breast pad that is large enough to comfortably cover a large area of your breast so it doesn’t bunch up inside your bra, and also doesn't leak!
LittleLamb was recently rated by Made for mums for having the best choice of sizes.
We think so! Not only will you be saving the environment by reusing your pads instead of throwing them in the bin, but you will save money as well. The cost of a box of 60 disposable nursing pads is around £5. While the amount you will need can vary greatly, you will have to keep purchasing pads, which will add up. Washable nursing pads are much more economical. You can expect to need between 5 and 10 pairs of nursing pads, purchasing from LittleLamb.com will cost you £14.97 for 5 pairs.
If you’re in the early stages of breastfeeding, you may experience lots of let-down; it could just be that your body is adjusting its levels of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for your let-down. Leaks generally ease up once your supply is established, but they can happen anytime as long as you’re producing milk, so we recommend wearing a pair of breast pads for the duration of your breastfeeding journey.
So, we recommend purchasing 5 sets of breast pads to begin with. This allows you to have about one pair in the wash, three pairs available throughout the day, and one spare pair in the nappy bag in case of emergencies. However, everyone’s needs are different; it’ll depend on how much you leak and how often you want to wash the pads. (If you're a cloth bum family, you can throw them in with your nappy load every other day!)
Generally, you should change the breast pads every 3 to 4 hours, easiest at baby feeding time. The rich nutrients in breast milk and the heat of your body make Breast Pads an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, so we recommend being fastidious about changing them regularly.
This is completely up to you and how comfortable you feel. If you usually go braless to sleep, you can still do this while breastfeeding. However, mums often have concerns about leaking a lot at night, so wearing a bra at night can help you relax and means you can wear your breast pads at night.
Reusable breast pads are placed into the bra, meaning they are held in place by the bra and provide a layer of waterproof protection. Reusable breast pads work with all types of bras, not just nursing bras.
Sometimes your breast pads can start to smell, this is because they have excess bacteria stored in the fabric. However, no need to panic; the pads just need a little bit of TLC in the form of washing. Start by washing your pads in a regular wash. Make sure to use the right amount of detergent as per the manufacturer's instructions. Follow with one hot water cycle (60 degrees or higher) without detergent. Dry normally. If the problem persists, repeat this process.
It is recommended to wash reusable breast pads in a mesh bag using warm water (40°C/105°F). Do not use bleach or fabric softener and lay flat to dry.
Breast pads can be washed with similar colour laundry.
Yes, washable breast pads are an eco-friendly and natural way to catch the letdown from breastfeeding. They work with physics, using natural absorbent materials, rather than their disposable alternatives which use chemistry to absorb the letdown.
Washable breast pads can also save you money as you wash and reuse them again and again.
Yes, reusable nursing pads (also called reusable breast pads, or washable breast pads) are safe to use. Choose a pad made from natural materials such as bamboo for a chemical-free absorptive layer to protect you from leaks.
Only those breastfeeding need to wear breast pads; breast pads are used to absorb the letdown from breastfeeding breasts.
]]>Biodegradable nappies are nappies which have biodegradable components. However, consumers should beware that these terms such as ‘biodegradable’ tend to mean far less than most consumers believe. In reality, “green-friendly”, “bio-degradable” and “eco-friendly” have become marketing staples that have little to no scientific backing, and more importantly, very few regulations. In the UK at the moment, there is no current UK standard that nappy manufacturers must comply with to claim that their nappies are “biodegradable”.
2020 introduced a slight change by the British Standard Institute with a voluntary standard to verify claims about biodegradable plastic. However, this only applies to products that break down in the open air rather than those left in a landfill.
Certain parts of the nappy are always non-biodegradable, including the outer layer, which likely contains polyethene film and sticky closing tabs.
The main problem with disposable nappies is that they won’t break down in landfills, where most of them end up. Or, they won’t even have the chance to biodegrade as the nappies have been placed in regular rubbish collection, which 87% in the UK gets incinerated! We believe producers of biodegradable nappies are presenting their products as a solution to the mass-produced waste problem facing the globe at the moment when in reality they are contributing to masking the issue with green-washing..
According to researchers, biodegradable materials will not degrade effectively when placed in a landfill. To fully biodegrade, oxygen and microbes are needed, so most biodegradable nappies need to be composted rather than in a landfill.
Composting for nappies in the UK waste management system is currently not available. For biodegradable nappies to become a sustainable solution, there would need to be a significant shift in managing these products once they are in waste.
To their credit, top sellers of biodegradable nappies are not directly hiding this issue. Many freely admit that their products will not degrade the way they intended in a landfill environment.. However, this does nothing to fix the issue that they present. They are far from the right solution to the environmental problem caused by disposable nappies. Even products which are rightfully marketed as compostable will do nothing if they end up in a landfill, if the nappies have made it to a landfill, most will be incinerated, contributing to the warming of our planet.
Some producers of biodegradable nappies have suggested that consumers can help their products break down by disposing of them the ‘right way’. They suggest putting them in a biodegradable sack outside of the main bin liner to ensure that they get the correct exposure to oxygen. Some even suggest composting in your own back garden, but when a baby uses approximately 50 nappies a week; this DIY compost will quickly grow out of hand… Let alone stink!
At LittleLamb, we believe that the government should help the manufacturers develop a better solution and regulate marketing claims of “biodegradable”. However, whilst we wait for the government to address this issue, we think using reusable nappies is the way forward!
It’s common for parents to assume that biodegradable nappies can be put in recycling because they are - as the name suggests - biodegradable. However, this is not the case, and even nappies which meet the correct biodegradable standards are not compostable. It’s also worth noting that human waste is not allowed in residential waste management systems (e.g. rubbish bins); it should always go down the toilet!
We would recommend buying eco nappies based on a different set of eco-credentials, not ‘bio-degradable’ until there are some firmer standards to hold these companies to. Instead, we suggest turning the focus to the making of the nappies; choose companies that have ethical production practices and have sustainability commitments. At LittleLamb we know using reusable nappies for every single nappy change is unlikely, and we do not want to demonise disposable nappies, we simply want consumers to think about the best outcomes from disposable nappy use; we think choosing a sustainably made product is better than choosing a misleading ‘bio-degradable option if all these biodegradable nappies are just ending up in regular rubbish bins!
We've seen enough research to believe that reusable nappies are better for the planet than eco-disposables. Still, there are flaws; the water and energy required for washing and the time parents have to give up to manage reusable nappies. However, if the choice to use reusable nappies is 100% to help the environment, here are our tips to have the least amount of effect on the environment;
But in all honestly, the most eco-friendly option is elimination communication; no nappies at all!
If you’d like to do your own reusable nappy research, these are our top resources;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N042Auj6DCI
Environment Agency Lifecycle Assessment for Disposable and Reusable Nappies in UK, 2008
Rezero research project – Zero Waste Report - The Environmental & Economic Costs of Single-Use Menstrual Products, Baby Nappies & Wet Wipes, November 2019
Watch one of our LittleLamb customers Hayley review our Little Lamb bamboo Nappies:
Reusable nappies are super absorbent, and lots of people start using them purely because of this! We’ve anecdotally heard of our Fitted nappies lasting for 12 plus hours overnight, this is commonly commented in our reviews:
"The very best nappies
We’ve been using little lamb fitted bamboo nappies and wraps for a few months now, they are by FAR the best we’ve tried, super soft, wash brilliantly and are so absorbent we never have any leaks even after 12 hours through the night. The price is great for the quality of these!" - Charlotte, P.
But, how much liquid do LittleLamb reusable nappies actually hold? We decided to lab-test for absorbency, as this is really the most important element of any nappy!
While there is not a nappy-specific test we could use, we found Shirley Tech who tested our nappies using a standardised test called ‘urine-absorbing aids’ (BSISO 11948-1:1996).
We sent Shirley Tech our Fitted Bamboo nappy, Onesize Pocket Nappy with the two bamboo doubl'rs we provide and our most recent product development, our Super Soaker hemp cotton booster.
The Shirley Tech Results;
- The Bamboo Nappy can absorb 712ml
- The Onesize Pocket Nappy with two bamboo doublr's can absorb 500ml
- The Super Soaker hemp booster can absorb 173ml
Click here to download the full results
How good are these results! Our bamboo nappy has been our hero product since we introduced it in late 2005, and now we can firmly back up our claim that this is a super thirsty nappy!
We are really happy to see our Onesize pocket performed well too. We actually developed the Super Soaker hemp cotton booster to use with our Onesize pocket nappy, so if you add them together you’ll get nearly as much absorption as a fitted bamboo nappy!
It is important to note these tests do not involve testing with compression - so while we would love to write ‘our nappies hold 700ml of wee!’ we are providing this with a caveat; our nappies ‘can’ absorb 700ml of wee. We know if your baby is wriggling around, or lying in a full nappy for an extended amount of time with 700ml absorbed, leaks may happen!
We advise changing every few hours during the day, or straight away if the baby has done a poo. However, knowing a nappy could hold this amount of liquid makes the bamboo perfect for a nighttime nappy! Shop our nighttime kit here to save 20%.
The best thing about reusable nappies is you can adjust the absorbency to meet your baby's individual needs. If you are not getting long enough from the nappy, add another booster! As well as our fabulous super soakers, we have our super popular triple layer bamboo booster; as it sounds, three layers of absorbent bamboo! Click here to view our boosters.
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So, you’ve mastered cloth nappies at home, but now you want to start using them full time - including at nursery.
Going back to work and leaving your baby with someone else is not always easy! Plus, when you have your baby in cloth nappies, which is (still) not what most families use, sometimes you can be met confused or scared faces.
Maybe your baby will be the first in cloth nappies in their nursery. Maybe whoever is taking care of your baby has zero experience with reusable nappies.
But fear not! We’ve made this little guide on how to get your best foot forward with introducing your cloth bum baby to the nursery.
The key is to keep it simple… Because it is simple!
Our Cloth Nappy Guide can be downloaded here and you'll also get a physical copy when you purchase for the first time from us!
Remember, you do not need to be apologetic about your choice of nappy, and you should also ensure that agreed arrangements are adhered to. However, it is best to be as non-confrontational as possible about this, since you want to retain their co-operation.
And finally, if they have any questions, they can ask us! care@littlelamb.com
]]>One of the most important items to pack when giving birth is the right amount of nappies for your newborn. This guide explains everything that you need to know.
Are you preparing to give birth? If so, then it’s important to think about what you need to take with you to the hospital. There are quite a few things that you should pack to make sure that you are fully prepared for your time in hospital with your newborn. One of the most important items that must be in your bag is nappies. Newborns go through far more nappies than you might realise as the milk or formula will go straight through them in the beginning. In this article, we’ll discuss how many nappies you need as well as some of the other considerations that you should think about when you are planning your big day.
Many hospitals will provide you with a pack of nappies. However, these are more than likely to be disposable. If you are keen to start using reusable nappies immediately, then you should take your own. It’s also worth noting that while it’s common for hospitals to provide a pack of nappies, there is no guarantee. You may also find that your newborn needs more than the number provided.
You should aim to take approximately twenty to thirty nappies with you to the hospital. You can purchase nappies that are specifically designed for newborns. These are soft, highly absorbent, and provide a snug fit. This will make it far easier for you as a new parent.
The reason why you need to pack so many nappies is that a newborn will use approximately 15 nappies each day. As such, it’s important to make sure that you have enough nappies to last you for the couple of days that you might be in the hospital after you give birth as well as a few for when you get home. When you get home you will feel tired and quite drained. You don’t want to immediately start washing. It’s great if you can have these on hand for the first day that you are home.
By the time your baby is 6 weeks old, they will settle into a routine that requires far fewer changes. On average, this will be approximately 5 to 6 changes per day and it will gradually decline as they get older. Two to three days of reusable nappies will also cover the washing and drying time.
If you are using reusable nappies, you can either choose between 20 and 30 individual nappies or a two-part system of approximately 10 outer waterproof wraps and about 30 absorbent inners.
If you think you are only going to be in hospital for one night or one day, you can consider packing half of these nappies so that you don’t have as much to carry. You can then ask someone close to you to bring in the other half if you need to stay longer. This will also allow them to take the first set of dirty nappies home with them so that they can be washed, ready for when you get home.
You might assume that you will be confined to using disposable nappies in the hospital. However, this is not the case. Today, most midwives and hospitals have plenty of experience with cloth nappies and some will be happy to see them being used. There’s no need to ask permission - it’s ultimately your choice. If you need to go to the hospital with your little one after giving birth, then packing 12 newborn nappies will be enough for an overnight stay. However, it’s always best to prepare for complications which is why it’s recommended that you do pack a few more.
If you are planning to use reusable nappies with your newborn, you will require a wet bag to put the wet nappies in. You can also consider using a nappy bucket. A nappy bucket will keep your dirty nappies contained until the next wash. This helps keep the smells in and stops things from becoming messy. Many of the best nappy buckets available to purchase are also lockable.
Another key option that you will need is wipes. Wipes are essential for cleaning your baby during each nappy change. Leaving behind residue will cause issues such as rashes that you need to avoid. This will make things uncomfortable and unpleasant for your newborn. Similar to reusable nappies, you can also get reusable wipes. These provide the same benefits as reusable nappies. You can simply wipe, wash and re-use. These baby wipes are free from chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and alcohol that are often found in the typical throwaway baby wipes available to purchase. You need the same amount of reusable wipes as the number of nappies that you will be using with your newborn.
It’s worth making sure that your hospital bag is packed and ready to go before the end of the third trimester. Aim to have it packed with everything that you need by approximately week 36. This is roughly 4 weeks before your due date however it’s not uncommon for babies to arrive earlier than expected. That’s why it’s worth being prepared and it will also mean that you have one less thing to worry about.
When choosing a hospital bag, it’s best to use one that is about the size of a large gym bag. If you are expecting twins then this will obviously need to be larger. Make sure that it is sturdy with multiple compartments. This will help you easily find anything that you need.
There are plenty of things that should be included in your hospital bag. These can be separated into things you need and things that your baby needs. If you like, you can have two bags - one filled with things for you and one packed with baby supplies.
You should also complete a labour list or birth plan so you are ready for the day. This should include written key information including your doctor's name, contact details, and where you plan to give birth.
You may also want to include more information including your labour preferences, pain medication options, and delivery preferences. These are all personal choices so do make sure that you think about them carefully. A labour list will also include baby care choices such as bottle-feeding or breastfeeding and whether you plan to use a pacifier.
A birthing plan will ensure that your doctors and everyone who is responsible for your care will be aware of how you want to give birth and how you plan to care for your baby.
We hope this helps you understand some of the key considerations that you should think about when you are planning how many nappies you need to take to the hospital for your newborn. If you do forget to pack something in your hospital bag, there’s no reason to panic. You’ll find that your hospital is accomodating and will usually be able to provide whatever you have missed. The only issue is that they might not be the specific product that you want to use for your baby. That’s why it’s best to be as prepared as possible.
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