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Attachment Parenting and Babywearing

Doctor William Sears devotes one whole chapter to the benefits of ‘babywearing’ in his book “The Baby Book”. He says in his book “if we were stranded on a deserted island without the advice of baby books, doctors, psychologists and in-laws… you would care for your child instinctively – breastfeeding, holding and carrying your baby during the day and sleeping with your baby at night”.

Baby wearing is hailed as the single most important factor in the healthy physical, intellectual and social development of infant by baby health researchers and physicians.

In our culture, there is currently a resurgence of an ancient practice called attachment parenting. Still widely practiced, mostly in non-western countries, attachment style parenting is an instinctive way of raising an infant where the baby is carried close to the parent in a sling or pouch for a substantial period of the day, fed when hungry and comforted when distressed. This method of parenting allows a busy parent the freedom to continue their normal daily routine while still able to meet their infant’s essential needs for food, warmth and security.

Social conditioning has led parents to believe that if a baby is held or carried too much they will be ‘spoilt’, ‘clingy’ or ‘demanding. Modern Research reveals quite the opposite. Physical and physiological benefits associated with babywearing encourage children to feel secure and content with a solid state of self-esteem.

With modern living, the invention of the telephone and faster transportation, families spread out and nuclear families replaced the extended one, leaving the task of raising children generally to one person – the mother. Of course the sooner babies could sleep alone, feed themselves and soothe themselves, the easier it was… and so was the beginning of denial of infancy as a time of deep dependency.

The famous ’behaviourist,’ John Watson, led the movement toward ‘detached’ parenting. Mothers were told “hold your babies too much and later they will hold on. Let them cry it out and they will become self reliant; hardy…” – the qualities necessary to survive in a competitive world. The following excerpt form his 1938 book ‘The Psychological Care of the Newborn’ reveals the severity of his views which shaped our parents and grandparents upbringing. “Never hug and kiss them, never let them sit on your lap. If your must, kiss them once on the forehead when they say goodnight.”

In one fell swoop, these anti–touch ‘experts’ denounced the womb comforts that have served babies for eons. Deprived of necessary holding, warmth, rocking and sucking, babies spent long periods hungry and frustrated, and parents turned form being a source of loving comfort to one of frequent frustration.

Anyone who has ever been to Indonesia, South America or Africa where these traditional styles of parenting are still practised, would have noted something very unusual. The babies rarely cry and they are usually attached to a busy working parent. By age 3 or 4 these children take an active roll in the family chores and the caring of other babies. Responsibilities we would rarely leave to our children.

Attachment parenting works because it respects the individual temperament of the child. All babies come hardwired for survival with certain needs and the ability to give cues about what these needs are. The parents, by being open to the child’s cues, learn how to read them and respond appropriately. The response helps the child feel right. He learns to cue better and parents learn to respond better. A cue-giving child and a responsive parent bring out the best in each other. On the other hand, detachment parenting with its restrained responses brings out the worst in both. The child’s cries become more disturbing and parents become angrier. Baby and parent learn not to trust each other and eventually become insensitive to each other.

There is a wonderful website called the Marni Co. Collection which has an article called “43 Reasons to Carry a Baby”. In it she lists benefit after benefit for babies who are carried and touched frequently. From lowering stress hormones, enhancing motor development, balance, co-ordination, reduced crying and colic, strengthened immune system, aiding digestion, sleeping deeper and learning better – these are just a fraction of the benefits for the baby not to mention the benefits for the mother.

As humans we are all born premature. We are completely reliant on our parents to provide us with life giving nourishment for many months. Providing our infants with the richest environment to grow and learn is a simple matter of holding them as you go about your day. As their parent we are the only experts worth trusting when it comes to knowing what is best for our child. All we need to do is listen to our heart.

There is no place more wonderful for a baby to thrive than in their parents’ loving arms.

Suzanne is co-creator of the wonderful baby carrier Hug-a-bub and is very passionate about the reasons we ‘wear’ our babies, as well as her own creations.

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What is Aware Parenting?

Parents drawn to Aware Parenting are attracted to the idea of listening to their baby’s feelings. They believe that holding and being ‘present’ when their baby cries allows a baby to be fully heard and accepted. Parents who practise this report great healing, joy and many other benefits from viewing crying in this way.

If you believe that children and babies cry because there may be sadness, grief, confusion and frustration that needs to be ‘heard’, then the journey of aware parenting will be a very fulfilling one for you. Aware parents believe that if we can accept all of a child’s feelings, and allow and teach children to be present with their feelings, children will not repress feelings via habitual behaviors or physical discipline. Do you believe you can help your children to stay connected to their true essence through being unconditionally loved?

Next time your baby or child cries, hold them in your arms, or sit next to them, and just be. Do not be distracted but find a way to be fully with your child and hear them. Once the crying if finished, notice your child’s behavior. Notice how you feel? When babies and children regularly laugh or cry to express their feelings, a great sense of emotional safety is created for painful feelings to be expressed. Families will notice more connection and will experience joy in seeing children heal from fear and powerlessness. So healing happens all round.

Aware parenting is not just about crying! It is about laughter, valuing everyone’s needs and finding ways for everyone to get their needs met. The more you value yourself, the more you can contribute joy and laughter and fun to your family.

Marion Badenoch Rose from Parenting with Presence says:

“Babies and children who are not given the opportunity to express their painful feelings with loving support may seem contented but tend to express less joy than babies who have been loved and supported in their painful feelings. Babies and children who are distracted from their uncomfortable feelings may smile less and may make less eye contact. On the other hand… when we play laughter games with our older babies and children, we also help create more safety for them to express their more uncomfortable feelings with us. Laughter and crying both get freely expressed and the paradox is, babies and children then become more present. They are more aware of what is going on in the here and now, are more available for connection, and are more able to take in new experiences and information.”

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A New Way to Think About Babies Crying

Often crying is seen at face value, a child cries when put in his car seat, or when picked up. This is interpreted as “he doesn’t like the car seat”, or “he doesn’t like to be cuddled”. However, other parenting options suggest that crying in these types of situations can be a way of healing from past pain. This beholds the parent to work out when the child is crying to say that his needs are not being met in the present moment and when the child is crying to release his hurt feelings related to past incidents.

This is the key to Aware Parenting – distinguishing feelings related to present needs – such as hunger, closeness, support, choice, play, respect etc. – and those related to the past. How on earth can this be done?

Distinguishing between the two is to some extent an experimental method. Day by day, a parent can discover what their child is expressing by watching their responses.

For example, when my daughter was between 12 and 18 months old, she would protest and cry whenever I tried to put shoes or socks on her. For months I would try to do it and then stop when she cried. So for that period she didn’t wear shoes or socks at all. Eventually I began to think that perhaps her protests and crying were to do with feelings that were being triggered by me putting her shoes on. I imagined it might be to do with the trauma of the heel prick test at 3 days old when the nurse pricked her heel several times, as well as other feelings related to being independent and making choices.

When you have tried meeting your child’s need in many different ways and the crying still occurs, that might be an indication that some healing is ready to happen.

Telling the difference is not always straightforward, but knowing that crying and protesting may be about what it seems to be about, or may not, gives us parents another option to help our children. I still love learning to tell the difference!

By Marion Badenoch Rose

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What is Aware Parenting?

Parents drawn to Aware Parenting are attracted to the idea of listening to their baby’s feelings. They believe that holding and being ‘present’ when their baby cries allows a baby to be fully heard and accepted. Parents who practise this report great healing, joy and many other benefits from viewing crying in this way.

If you believe that children and babies cry because there may be sadness, grief, confusion and frustration that needs to be ‘heard’, then the journey of aware parenting will be a very fulfilling one for you. Aware parents believe that if we can accept all of a child’s feelings, and allow and teach children to be present with their feelings, children will not repress feelings via habitual behaviors or physical discipline. Do you believe you can help your children to stay connected to their true essence through being unconditionally loved?

Next time your baby or child cries, hold them in your arms, or sit next to them, and just be. Do not be distracted but find a way to be fully with your child and hear them. Once the crying if finished, notice your child’s behavior. Notice how you feel? When babies and children regularly laugh or cry to express their feelings, a great sense of emotional safety is created for painful feelings to be expressed. Families will notice more connection and will experience joy in seeing children heal from fear and powerlessness. So healing happens all round.

Aware parenting is not just about crying! It is about laughter, valuing everyone’s needs and finding ways for everyone to get their needs met. The more you value yourself, the more you can contribute joy and laughter and fun to your family.

Marion Badenoch Rose from Parenting with Presence says:

“Babies and children who are not given the opportunity to express their painful feelings with loving support may seem contented but tend to express less joy than babies who have been loved and supported in their painful feelings. Babies and children who are distracted from their uncomfortable feelings may smile less and may make less eye contact. On the other hand… when we play laughter games with our older babies and children, we also help create more safety for them to express their more uncomfortable feelings with us. Laughter and crying both get freely expressed and the paradox is, babies and children then become more present. They are more aware of what is going on in the here and now, are more available for connection, and are more able to take in new experiences and information.”

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How To Choose A Nappy That Is Right For You?

There are 5 criteria to help you decide what nappy you need.

1. Convenience: It needs to be easy to use
2.  Price: It needs to suit your budget
3.  Environmentally Issues: It needs to take care of our earth
4. Healthy Issues: It needs to be good for your baby
5.  Washing Needs: It needs to be simple and organised

1 – Convenience: It needs to be easy to use

There are four styles nappies on the market. Standard disposables, eco-disposables, moderncloth nappies and traditional terry towelling square nappies.

You can buy standard disposable nappies from most supermarkets and chemists. These are made from layers of paper and plastic and contain gels that hold moisture. Looking the same as mainstream disposables but with significant differences, eco-disposable brands are available with limited release at some Australian Supermarkets but primarily sold online or in health food stores. More on eco-disposable nappies below.

Modern cloth nappies have been developed over the last two decades and are now very efficient in design. Available primarily online, they are a response to the contemporary need for an easy to use cloth nappy. They retail between $15 – $40 each, depending on the quality, country of origin, fabric used and whether it’s a business or cottage industry. Some brands are one-size fits from newborn to toddler and other brands have small, medium and large sizes. They are very economical and easy to use, and can be used on more than one child in a family. Modern or fitted cloth nappies look like disposables; they have gathered elastic at the legs and use Velcro or snap closures. Velcro, snap, or pull on nappy covers can be used as well. No folding or pinning is required. Ninety-eight percent of cloth nappy brands can be found online. Before you choose the nappy, ask yourself what is most important. The fabric they are made from? The design? The price? Narrowing down this criteria will help you significantly when you are browsing. For example. Decide Organic Cotton or Bamboo only. This will narrow down your search. It gets very confusing with all the choices once you start looking if you don’t have a criteria in place! Cloth nappies are still in the minority as a nappy of choice, but this trend is changing fast due to better designs, better information and a passionate drive from the creators.

Many people find traditional square nappies to also be convenient with practice and a well-organised system. It’s no secret that these are certainly my personal favourite. Ask your mum what nappy folds and tips she can give and share these with other mums, or else consult the internet. Terry towelling nappies are available at most major department stores and on the Internet. The Nature’s Child Organic Cotton Luxury Towelling Nappies are in my view, the best quality nappy available, the cheapest organic cotton nappy you can purchase and have the added benefits of one size fits all, easy to dry, inexpensive and more. See our YOU TUBE channel or just search you tube for HOW TO FOLD A CLOTH NAPPY NATURE’S CHILD – you will find this one minute video helpful, informative and educational. Watch the Video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_eBRVGf-TE

There has been a flood of “eco-disposables” on the Australian Market in recent years. Disposable Nappies that have no bleach, have biodegradable parts or that can be composted can all be found conveniently and introduced as part of your cloth nappy system as a back up. The Gently Nappy has the added benefit of having a traditional disposable shape with the majority being biodegradable. The tabs are not. Many councils will now take these nappies as part of a green waste disposal system. Ask your local council or contact us for a list of participating councils. View our recommended biodegradable eco-disposable nappies here.https://www.natureschild.com.au/store/hybrid-nappies-

Eenee Weenee Disposable Nappies have been available in Australia for over 15yrs. They are still little known but make a great disposable nappy pad that can be used alone as a disposable nappy or combined with a cloth nappy for extra absorbency.

We also love BAMBO disposable nappies. We think Bambo are a premium, affordable disposable nappy for parents. View Bambo Nappies here. https://www.natureschild.com.au/store/disposable-nappies

Remember, this article is a summary, we could go on and on but we are aiming to make this an introduction for you to discover the types of Nappies available for your baby. Once you have a feeling for a style of nappy you like, then you can delve more into that type of Nappy for your baby.

2 – Price: It needs to suit your budget

If you choose a full-time disposable (or eco-disposable) system, you will need to spend between AUS$3,000-5,000 on disposable nappies for one child from birth through toilet training. Then there are accessories like wipes, bibs (WHAT ARE BIBS?), change mats and swimmers, which are an added cost.

Fitted-Cloth nappies for the same period for one baby will generally cost approximately AU$400-800; these nappies can sometimes be used on second and third children too!

Square nappies that you fold in terry towelling, muslin or flannelette cost under $200 to set up in the beginning. You have on-going costs of nappy liners, fasteners and covers but these are minimal.

Environmentally friendly washing powders and nappy soak costs approximately $120/ year. Environmentally-safe washing products are surprisingly cost-effective compared to their conventional counterparts and sometimes cheaper, too. Additional costs of water and electricity need to be considered at approximately $3 a week.
3 – Environmentally safe: It needs to take care of our earth

There have long been arguments around about cloth and disposable nappies being equally environmentally safe. In 2005, a UK Environment Agency report concluded that ’overall there are no environmental benefits to using either disposable or washable nappies‘. After a four-year study involving more than 2,000 parents, the agency found that ’there is little or nothing to choose between them‘. The findings were attacked as ’seriously flawed‘ by the Women’s Environmental Network, who questioned how the disposal of about three billion nappies each year in Britain’s landfill sites could be comparable with using washables.

Belinda de Montfort, the waste reduction officer at Kent County Council, which campaigns to persuade women to use washable nappies, even offering a £30 gift token for all ’converts‘, said she was ’astounded‘. Disposable nappies create about 400,000 tonnes of waste each year in the UK.

The disappointment from cloth nappy advocates regarding the scope of the research could be heard with a roar when this report was produced. The list of flaws was longer than the terms of reference. Environmentalists agree that there still has not been a worthy report looking at this issue with complete accountability or independence to give us an accurate picture. A packet of disposable nappies may use similar or less resources than a set of cloth nappies to make. But if you need to buy three years of packets, vs. one set of cloth, the differences to cloth advocates seem too obvious to mention.

Until an independent study is undertaken that looks at all factors, you need to use your own intuition and what facts you have on waste, cost, health and landfill.

If you choose a conventional or eco-disposable nappy, make sure you follow the instructions on the packet and don’t throw the poo away with the nappy. Raw sewerage in our landfill is a health hazard and is illegal. While disposable nappy companies take care in telling you this in their instructions, the design of the nappy means it is more likely people will throw the whole nappy with undisposed poo away in the bin. Untreated sewerage is a health hazard.

Please read our article Responsible Use of Disposable Nappies to learn more about this topic.


Baby-Earth
4 – Healthy: It needs to be good for your baby

The main issue with nappies that people fear is nappy rash. Nappy rash is primarily caused by an acidic diet or skin trapped by warmth and wet. Speak to your naturopath for advice on your diet and give your baby lots of nappy free time (see sidebar). See belowWhen using cloth nappies, use a cloth or disposable nappy liner that absorbs the wetness away from baby’s skin or a compostable disposable nappy liner that will protect their skin and also ease the mess at change time.

If your baby regularly gets a rash in a disposable nappy, it could be chemical burn or other reaction to the bleach and gels in disposable nappies. Many parents put up with this thinking it is nappy rash but our babies sensitive skin can react to these ingredients. Try an eco-disposable. They use a lot less gels and cloth nappies have no gels at all. Many parents who switch to cloth report an instant improvement in their babies skin condition.

Another reason babies may have nappy rash, is due to a digestion issue. See your naturopath for assistance with nappy rash that seems more dramatic than normal. To try our world famous certified organic bottom balm.

5 – Washing: It needs to be simple and organised

The big appeal of disposable nappies is no washing. The action of taking a fresh, clean nappy out of a packet, using it, throwing it away and grabbing another one equally neat and clean when you are ready is very seductive. When it comes to throwing them away however, the horror of a full and smelly nappy bin may not impress you at all. Many councils are now reducing their pickups to fortnightly as well which is creating a longer lasting stench in wheelie bins. This experience has led many parents to wonder, how bad is it washing nappies? The fear and hassle about this chore has been so blown out of proportion over the years that simple help instructions are now required to assist parents. We mentioned above that some councils have green bin waste for disposable nappies, but only for two brands that we know of when this article went to press. Gently and Eenee Nappies are the only nappies approved for Green Waste Disposal in Australia.

So here is the good news – it is simple to wash cloth nappies. Read our other nappy articles to learn how to wash nappies with ease. For now…here is a little bit of information.

Cloth nappies need to be washed every day or every second day using a dry or wet system. You can have a day off washing if you have a well-organised system and enough nappies on hand. Bleach products have traditionally been used to whiten nappies when soaking, if you are concerned about environmental impact, it is not suggested you use whitening products. Bleach is a dioxin that is a major cause of animal and soil chemical contamination. Modern cloth nappies are less likely to require bleach and there are many environmentally-safe and cost-effective soakers available online and in health food stores. We recommend Tri Nature Pre Wash Soaker as the best, Australian Made, Eco-friendly detergent and Pre Wash Soaker for Australian Nappies.

We recommend our ULTIMATE NAPPY PACK which gives you a variety of Nappy styles to try. Mention that you have read this blog and we will include 1 x FREE pkt of eco-disposable nappies for you as well at no extra cost. View our ULTIMATE NAPPY PACK here https://www.natureschild.com.au/store/search?orderby=position&orderway=desc&search_query=ultimate+nappy+pack

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ONE BIG REASON TO ATTEND AN ECO-PARENTING WORKSHOP

Hello Dear Jannine

It has been a while since our workshops and I have not had a chance yet to thank you for all that you offered and presented. I had some health stuff come up immediately afterwards which was quite debilitating and only just now back on my feet (literally) and so able to connect back into the world and people (and computers).

Loved your workshops!
So, so, so appreciated the information, the products and the underlying message that was so evident in all that was presented and discussed.

As an expecting mum, this pregnancy for me has literally been the basis for me to rebirth my own self again along with my connection to life, simple truths that hold so strong in all of our hearts regardless of how far we may have strayed from them, and of course our connection to our beautiful planet. Having well researched products so readily available (and so affordable) as well as a gathering of like minded souls exploring them, made the leap from desire and imagination to real life participation so gracefully easy and so immediately possible.

The workshops provided an informative and experiential journey back into creating time, space, and earth connection for your own heart and that of your childrens’. Happiness and love abounds from that space…..for quite simply, we have made space for it to exist and flourish again.

On a more personal note, we got our order from ‘natures child’. John and I went through the big fat box of goodies immediately. It will be enough to get us started as I have a whole heap of cloth nappies already from my sister in law. Looks like we have to go half half with disposables for a while (:-() as we have a less than convenient ‘washing’ situation at the moment.

We also have our gorgeous little dolls from the ‘play’ workshop. John and I slept with them in our bed that night we were so in love with them and actually couldn’t be parted from them. The experience of making them truly broke down some old scars I had inside myself from my own first rather harsh encounters with school and the world outside my own childhood. For days after that workshop I reengaged with that amazing ethereal type plane that we have as tiny children, where experience is subtle and soft and quiet, where things and experiences do not need names or positions or answers and we are simply held in the hands of what feels like giant angels. Jannine it was so beautiful!

Anyhow, this has been a rather long email, but rather overdue. I don’t use any social media so could not post anything for you, but please feel free to use anything I have just written if it would help your pages.

Thankyou again for the beautiful experiences and your own dedication and representation of what you so strongly believe in. I am sure there will be a few more orders from us soon.

XX Bronwyn and John

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The Baby Checklist

The Nature’s Child Baby checklist is designed to assist new mothers organising their baby’s needs. This checklist is a comprehensive list for the eco-friendly mum. No need to worry about what you ‘might’ need, this list offers the answers. The perfect tool for pre-birth planning.

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This checklist is a comprehensive list for everyone in your birth support team as well as you. This list will prompt you to organise yourself around situations that may arise. The perfect tool for pre-birth planning.

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The Ultimate Guide to Cloth Nappies

The Ultimate Guide to Cloth Nappies is an original Australian Resource for Organic Cloth Nappy Users created by Australia’s First Cloth Nappy Company in 2000.  Welcome to Nature’s Child.

If  you are at  the beginning of your cloth nappy journey and still in the research stage,  then this is the right page for you.  If you already have your cloth nappy stash and want to start using them again after a break or have not started yet but know all the basics, then this other article may be more useful for you.  We want you to feel great about the cloth nappies you buy for your baby.

This page is your Decision Making Checklist for your cloth nappies.

Whether its 100% or 50% of your nappy use, everything you need to know is here. We hope this information helps you feel confident with all the issues and terminology you will face with our Ultimate Guide.

You may want to grab a cuppa as this is not short!  But it is the most comprehensive, most downloaded  guide online  for  a reason! Enjoy!

Please note that any references or studies referred to are linked at the end of this article. Thank you and Happy Reading!

Welcome to this comprehensive Cloth Nappy Guideline. Below you will find:

Common Sense Considerations about cloth nappies.

Cloth Nappy awareness is on the rise in Australia thanks to some important university research and a huge change in eco-consciousness among parents. Last month, the Australian Nappy Association (ANA) was launched by some passionate businesswomen to unify and grow the nappy industry. This comes on the back of two landmark studies on the environmental impact of disposable and cloth nappies. One in 2008 by the UK Environmental Protection Agency and one in 2009 by the QLD University School of Engineering.

Local Councils throughout Australia are also getting on board supporting cloth nappy libraries and even subsidies in some cases, to acknowledge the waste reduction that can result in their local communities. Nappies are becoming serious business.

Meanwhile, in the home, parents are discovering that cloth nappies are a joy to use, saving them thousands of dollars and ending the urban myth that they are hard work. Cloth Nappies are also pretty cool fashion statement with many companies producing seasonal designs in line with fashion trends. In 2020, the ABC did this great report from parents who had different experiences with cloth nappies and costs which is really worth a read!

So if the cloth nappy buzz has not hit your parent circle yet, let us guide you on where do you start and how to set the trend in your local area. We show you how to research them, How to buy them and how to use them? We even anticipate your pitfalls and problems and offer easy solutions. If you already use Cloth Nappies, then you are in for a treat. We hope you find more inspiration and discover new facts about those niggling questions you may still have. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy this Ultimate Guide!

Whether you choose the 100% cloth nappy experience or a part-time usage, the biggest surprise for you will be the joy and deep satisfaction that comes from using them.

Using cloth nappies or reusable nappies as they are also known, bring your family huge financial savings and health benefits for your baby. These real and immediate benefits are compounded by the satisfaction of your lighter environmental footprint, a fact now finally supported by university studies and based on scientific research.

I love the look on the face of a first-time cloth nappy user. Their eyes bulge wide and a passion rises in their voice, it’s much easier than I imagined! They are so cute! That’s easy! So how does the idea of ‘hard’ remain associated with the word cloth if the majority of Aussie parents if this is the reaction of the “nappy changers”?

Working Parents find it just as fun and easy to use cloth nappies as stay at home parents’ so if you are having visions of piles of washing and time-consuming work, stay tuned. Its one of the many myths we can dispel for you.

Myths are easy to create. You plant an idea that people have no reference point for so they cannot disprove it and just wait a few decades for it to take hold as the ‘truth’. In the case of nappies, 95% parents have been using disposable nappies since the 1980’s so there are a lot of myths about cloth nappies perpetuated by people who have never tried them. It’s been 50 years since washing nappies was an impossible task. Memories of our grandmothers leaning over boilers or twin tub machines in the outside laundry are out dated. With the added weight of a highly successful billion dollar disposable nappy industry and their marketing machines, we can start to understand how the myth of hardship has taken hold for most parents.

Work at home mums are the driving force behind the cloth nappy industry. Inspired by the benefits of cloth nappies, modern designs, financial savings and environmental factors. The recently formed ANA believes in supporting families through education and resources as well as the provision of cloth nappy services and products. Empowering families with the ability to save money through the use of cloth is a major goal. 80% of cloth nappy retailers are run at home by parents just like you. 20% of the industry are manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. They are run on passion more than resources and they rely on parents taking that first step of trying cloth, the conversion is natural from there.

There is no other baby activity or equipment used more in a home than the humble nappy! Yet most new parents do minimal or no research regarding the best nappy to use.

You change nappies 8-14 times a day for a newborn and 6 – 10 times a day as they grow older. Good research into options and costs will give you a lot of satisfaction and potentially save you up to $5000 per child.

Once you get interested in cloth nappies, you realise its about a lot more than the nappy! The use of baby basics as disposable has become normalized in the majority of the parenting world. It’s not just the nappy, it is the disposable nappy accessories like baby wipes. This disposable mentality leads sway to other practical items such as disposable breast pads, swimmers and change mats. This increases the dollar value of baby basics dramatically and is considered ‘normal’. As parents, it’s time we claimed back the right to reuse products and save money for our families.

Becoming a passionate cloth nappy user is as easy as starting. Soon, the myth of their burden will be the catalyst for a small financial and environmental revolution in your own home.

The Decision Making Checklist for your cloth nappies.

Step 1: Do some research and discover what is important to you.

Step2: Find a trusted retailer online or locally that you can worth with. You want to know you can go back and talk to them about any ‘problems’ that arise and to get solutions and support.

Step 3: Talk to all the caregivers in your home, it’s a lot easier if everyone is on board with reusable nappies.. Look outside the home for support too. Join a parent forum or contact a cloth library. Stay friendly with your retailer.

Step 4: Have a good set up at home and for when you go out so that the whole cloth nappy experience is one of joy and ease. Keep reading, we show you exactly how to do this in this guide.
PRO AND CONS OF FITTED NAPPIES VS FLATS

If you are starting to feel nervous, that’s okay! Its new and daunting for some. Hopefully you soon feel excited about cloth nappies. Take your time, enjoy the journey and change as quickly or as slowly as suits you.

How do I choose a nappy style and brand?

Are Cloth Nappies Really Better for the Environment?

All cloth nappies fall into one of two categories.

1 – Flats and Pre-folds; Which are the traditional Flat Nappies that you fold. Pre-folds are similar but have extra padding

2 – Fitted Nappies; or MCN as they are more recently known ( Modern Cloth Nappies) which are shaped like a disposable nappy and close with cloth tabs.

There are lots of styles,  colours and variations within this second category but we can get to that detail later. Both styles of cloth nappies are used, washed and reused. Once you get into the nitty-gritty, you will discover words like AIO, AI2, PUL, Pockets and boosters. Discover these terms as you need to, not before you start, or you may get overwhelmed.

We have created a glossary at the end of this article ( or see link above in the index at the top of the page) that you can refer to on your cloth nappy journey. The Glossary is not meant to be read in one go! Just use it as a reference or you will get overwhelmed.

The common theme I observe as a nappy retailer, is that people buy nappies to suit their personalities! So if you know yourself well, I would use this as a starting point. For example. Are you flexible? Do you like fixed systems? Is fashion important to you? Is organic and eco-friendly important to you? Are skin allergy’s as an issue? Once you know your main driver, this is your best starting point.

Questions that Help you Know What You Want

When you are looking on the internet or at baby expo’s for nappies, it can get very overwhelming unless you know what you are looking for. But how can you know that? This is new territory for you, right? Use this checklist before you research or shop. We recommend you refer back to this short questionnaire whenever you hit overwhelm during your nappy research and decision making.

To learn what you are looking for in a nappy, number these qualities in order of importance.

  • Style
  • Design
  • Price
  • Fabric
  • Absorbency
  • Certified Organic
  • Eco-Friendly
  • Quality Brand
  • Longevity
  • Drying Time

These questions are a great starting point because they get you thinking about your priorities. If you come across a product that does not fit your top 3 ideals, move on…remember, there are over 100 nappy sellers out there and you can’t visit them all because then you will really hit overwhelm!

Come back to this list once you have researched at least 3 types of nappies. Have your priorities changed? You may be surprised by what is important to you.

PRO AND CONS OF FITTED NAPPIES VS FLATS

Flats and Pre Folds

Takes an extra 20 seconds to fold the nappy and further 10 seconds to add nappy cover. Least Expensive of all Cloth Nappies. Dry Fastest online and in dryer. Usually Made from Cotton or Bamboo or Hemp so washing is straight forward. This also means they are 100% Natural and Breathable and easily purchased as certified organic less Manufacturing involved. Considered a little bulkier than fitted nappies but this is only if they are not folded correctly.

Fitted Reusable Nappies (MCN’s)

Quicker to Put on Baby ( same time as a disposable nappy) Easier to use in Awkward Situations like the back of a car or with a restless toddler. Cost a little more but worth the fun, fashion and time-saving. May have special washing instructions due to the myriad of fabrics now available. Man-made fabrics wick moisture away quicker than cotton. Certified Organic Natural Fabrics and Wool Nappy Covers available but less options available in these fabrics.

I personally had 3 styles in my nappy collection. The reason is that some nappies are just better in certain situations. In my personal collection, I loved Flats and Pre-folds at home. I then used a few brands of Fitted Nappies ( also known as MCN) as my ‘going out nappy’. Certified Organic Cotton was my priority and it determined my fabric choices. I also love plain colours. I used 100% cloth and worked from home with 2 small young children.

My girlfriend was quite different to me. She loved bright colours and did not mind what fabric was against her babies skin. She had a big collection of brands and worked part-time out of the house. She had 3 children. The last child was full-time cloth.

You may end up with one brand of nappy that you love no matter what the situation. Or you may have a few styles for different situations like I did. Again, this is usually a lifestyle decision. There are some terrific deals out there, often called ‘Full-time packs” which allow you to get a bargain when buying one brand, one style in bulk. This method suits people who have a clear commitment to using cloth and they are ready to dive in once they have found a brand they love.

If you are less clear, I suggest looking for what are often described as “sample packs or starter packs” which most retailers will offer. These allow you to trial different styles and brands. You can then decide if you want to jump in for a full-time pack or keep them for a certain occasion while trialling other brands to compliment your stash.

The ‘best nappy’ out there is different for every parent. Different styles suit different babies. You can look up cloth nappy reviews online but they vary widely so they are not always helpful. My best friend loved a brand of nappy so I invested in them but did not like them! I realised my baby had quite a different body shape and they leaked a lot for me. She never got leaks and loved them. So I traded them with another mum and got a brand more suited to my baby. You just need to get a little creative sometimes so it’s great to be flexible, be prepared to adapt to any situation that arises and have a small community of that you can share and swap with if necessary.

My personal experience is that depending on the age of my baby, different nappies do seem to fit better. Babies grow fast. Babies bodies change. Your lifestyle and daily routine also changes. Some babies have cherub legs and some babies have thin legs. Quality brands cater for these kind of body changes. Ask the advice of your retailer regarding the brands that may best suit the shape of your baby’s body.

If your baby has not been born yet, there are quality brands out there that can adapt to any shape so again, ask your retailers advice. They know their product best!

Are Cloth Nappies Really Better for the Environment?

Until recent university research examined this question, there has always been a reasonable question mark over the environmental impact of detergents and washing compared to disposable nappy production and waste disposal. The University of QLD lifecycle assessment study in 2009 by the School of Engineering, concluded cloth nappies has less impact.

“Overall, based on the four environmental indicators used in this study, home washed reusable nappies have the potential for the least environmental impact if washed in a water-efficient front loading washing machine in cold water and line dried. “

The Four environmental indicators examined were water resource depletion, energy consumption (renewable and non-renewable), solid waste and land area for resources (cotton for How many nappies will I need? How many nappies will I need?reusable nappies, softwood for disposable nappies). Accounting for as many variables as possible including usage rates and washing values. When following the best practice washing regime, cloth nappies were proven to have a less environmental impact.

We encourage you to read the full study in our links section below.

What is the best fabric for a Cloth Nappy?

The answer to this question depends on what is most important to you? Allergies? Drying Time? Moisture Holding capacity? If you want to have minimal environmental impact, then certified organic natural fabrics ensure there is no chemical use from the moment a fabric plant is planted, grown and processed. Organic Cotton and Organic Wool are the quickest drying fabrics. Bamboo and Hemp hold more wee but can take longer to dry.

There are some amazing stay dry fabrics that are polyester based. But if you don’t like that fabric due to potential plastic content or simply because they are synthetic, those fabrics won’t suit your baby. If the function of the nappy is to stay dry is more important, then you will love them.

The answer always depends on the detail in the question, so speak to your retailer about what is important to you.
When you are ready, you can skip to our Glossary of All Fabrics Available for Cloth Nappies at the end of this article. You can also find a link to this Glossary Quickly at any time by simply using the index at the top of this article which has hyperlinks direct to the Glossary of Nappy Fabrics, Nappy accessories and Nappy Terminology.

It’s great if you can be familiar with these terms before you speak to your Cloth Nappy Retailer so you are informed before you start shopping

How many nappies will I need?

This depends on whether you plan to use cloth full-time or part-time. It can also depend upon the brand you use. The age of your baby will also determine how many changes per day you need. Your retailer is knowledgeable on the needs of the brand they sell so they are the best adviser in this regard.

As a guideline, most retailers will recommend between 20-30 Flat or Pre Fold Nappies if this is your full-time choice. Fitted Nappy quantity recommendations vary from 15 – 30 depending on your washing routine, aged of baby and lifestyle.

The amazing thing about dealing with a reputable retailer, is that they are just as invested as you are in finding the most workable and economical system for long term nappy use. So trust the passion they have in their own products.

What do you need to buy if using Cloth Nappies?

The Cloth Nappy Shopping List

Flats and Pre Folds Fitted Reusable Nappies (MCN’s)
2 Dozen
6 – 8 Nappy covers
200 Nappy Liners Optional
20 washable nappy liners
Booster Pads for Night
15-25 Cloth Baby Wipes
Nappy Soaker Agent
Detergent
1 or 2 large nappy buckets
1 x small container for used nappy liners
3 x nappy fasteners.
1 x Nappy Change Mat/table for home
1 x Portable Change Mat and Nappy Bag for when out and about
15-30 if full time and depending on how often you want to wash
200 Nappy LinersOptional
Night Nappies or Booster Pads
6 – 8 Nappy covers
15-25 Cloth Baby Wipes
Manufacturer Recommended Detergent or pre-soak.
1 or 2 large nappy buckets
1 x small container for used nappy liners
1 x Nappy Change Mat/table for home
1 x Portable Change Mat and Nappy Bag for when out and about

What age do I start using cloth?

The newborn stage is a great time to start using cloth as it sets you up for eco-friendly parenting from the beginning and the best financial savings are to be had from day 1. Having said this, any age that inspires you to start is a good age.

Parents come to cloth nappy retailers at all ages, usually when they sick of stinking bins and rushing to the supermarket when they run out! Any age is a wonderful age to start using cloth and there are still thousands of dollars to save and a lot of joy to be had.

Some of the most successful cloth nappy converts are parents with babies at around age 3-12 months The second most common conversion age is toddlers which is when parents are thinking about toilet training. They change to cloth nappies for easier toilet training.

Parents having their second or third child are surprisingly the next group of converts. There is a myth that with more kids parents are looking for time so get disposables. In our experience, we find its more like…”omg, I don’t want to spend all that money on disposables again, I’m going cloth this time.”

How long will my nappies last?

Like most things in life, this depends entirely on the quality of the fabric and the brand you purchase. Those cheap $6 nappies may not be looking so great after a few months! The price of the $25-30 nappy suddenly makes sense when they keep their absorbency and don’t leak. Flats and Pre fold can almost claim to have an unlimited shelf life if you purchase a good quality brand and good natural fabric.

A second major factor is your laundry care. Follow the manufacturer and retailer instructions and you will get a long life from your nappies.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CLOTH NAPPY RETAILER

Why do you select these brands to sell?
Why are these nappies this price?
How many nappies do I need with this brand?
What is your personal experience with cloth nappies?
Can I have a demonstration?
How will you help me if I have problems with the nappy?
What is the product guarantee on this brand?
Do you have any testimonials about this nappy?
What is your return policy?

Cloth Nappies seem expensive?

It is one of the largest false economies there is to compare a packet of disposable nappies that will be gone in a few days to a cloth nappy that will be used many times, even with the cost of detergents, water and electricity.

The style of nappy you choose will determine how much you need to spend. You can get a set of full time, organic cotton nappies for only $200 but you can spend up to $800 on fashionable fitted nappies. The extra cost of fitted nappies is worth the convenience to many cloth users. All these costs are thousands of dollars less than disposable nappies and their accessories.

Costs comparison chart for cloth and disposable nappies per child

Cost variation in brands. We encourage you to do your own cost comparison based on a specific brand once you have chosen a brand of nappies and accessories.

CLOTH DISPOSABLE
Nappies
Nappy Covers and boosters
Nappy Wipes
Face Wipes
Breast Pads
Change Mat
Swimmers
Bibs
Water,Elec,Detergent
$200 – 600
$200
$90
$75
$50
$30
$30
$50
$500
Nappies
Nappy Wipes
Face Wipes
Breast Pads
Change Mat
Swimmers
Bibs
*Council Garbage Rates not included
$3-4000
$1000
$500
$250
$300
$500
$300
TOTAL COST $1000+ $6000+

Isn’t washing a hassle? I don’t want to clean poo!

A thinner cloth Nappy Liner is laid inside your cloth nappy before use to ensure you can toss or flush the poo in the toilet.  This leaves only wet nappies to wash. It is much simpler to wash a thin cloth nappy liner.

Washing Nappies are no different from baby clothes and bedding. I have timed cloth nappies to take 8 mins a day to organise and wash. While this may seem like a lot of time to some parents, it was often a joyful part of our daily routine with the right attitude. I would talk and sing with my baby and he would sit in my baby carrier on my chest as I hung nappies on the line. It was just part of our routine. A healthy happy attitude to washing as one of the many joys of parenthood certainly helps!

30yrs ago, a common gift for new parents was a nappy washing service. These are almost extinct today. Lavender NappyCare is the only dedicated nappy washing service in Australia. At the time of writing, they have 4 locations in NSW and you can find out more here www.lavenderia.com.au Based in Sydney, they cater for fitted nappies and Flats Nappies which is unique. The Yellow pages list Laundries in Kyneton and Riddles Creek in Victoria as offering a Nappy Service but that could be out of date by the time this article is published. I suggest an update to date search as the presence of this service changes all the time so don’t rely on our information about these services. Do type in Nappy Wash Service or Nappy Washing Services. I would also contact the Australian Nappy Association for the most up to date advice. They have great FREE tips for washing cloth nappies leaflet they can email you. If you want to approach your local Laundromat, you need to check they are following the national health guidelines for nappy washing.

A washing routine at home is one that is simple and organised looks something like this.

  • Ideally wash every second day rather than every day ( not always possible in first 6 weeks)
  • Nappies are placed in nappy bucket as they are removed from bub. ( same amount of time as throwing a disposable nappy away so no extra time added here)
  • Every evening, Place Nappies in Machine according to instructions below. ( approx. 1 – 3 mins)
  • Wash Nappies in Regular Cycle using water temperature and detergent as recommended by Manufacture..
  • First thing in morning, Hang Nappies on line. ( 2 – 5 mins)
  • Afternoon: Remove Nappies from the line ( 2 – 5 mins)
  • A good routine such as the night and day cycle described above is simple and adds only 5-10 mins to your day.
  • Compared to shopping for disposables, there are approximately 8 extra minutes of time per day for cloth nappy laundering.

Quick Washing Tips

  • Toss Poo in the Loo!
  • Use a Nappy Liner to make the above easy.
  • Rinse or soak soiled nappies before washing if necessary.
  • Have enough nappies so you only need to wash every second day
  • Line dry instead of the dryer will prolong the fabric life
  • Full Sun will fade Nappy Patterns so turn nappies inside out on the line
  • Fabric Softener and bleach may reduce the absorbency of fabrics
  •  The Sun also is a natural bleach and will whiten nappies if minor stains are still evident after washing.
  • Check the drying time of fabrics with any nappy you purchase! Depending on your climate, you could be in for a lot of drying time. Nappies must be practical as well as cute.

Washing: It needs to be simple and organised

Nappies need to be washed every second day using a dry or wet system. It is good to give yourself a day off washing with a well-organised system and enough nappies on hand. ( You can wash every day if you prefer, this way you need less nappies) Again, the Australian Nappy Association has some great fact sheets on this.

1. Wet Pail Method: You need two buckets. One for pooey nappies. One for wet nappies. Half fill your bucket with cold water; add a pre-prepared nappy soaker if preferred. After shaking off any excess poo into the toilet, simply toss nappies into the pail. ( If your child’s poos are too wet to do this, consider a nappy liner that you can flush in a toilet. Or – use a Nappy Sprayer- a hose that attached to your toilet that squirts poo off a dirty nappy easily into the toilet.

If you are using the wet method, make sure you keep the lid closed and lock the laundry if you have toddlers who like to explore! When its time to wash there are two ways to get your nappies in the machine. Top Loader – empty the whole bucket into the washing machine. Run nappies through a spin cycle to get rid of dirty water, then wash on longest cycle HOT/COLD with your favourite earth-friendly detergent. Rinse out your nappy bucket with hot water and optionally with ti-tree or lavender to disinfect. If you have a front loader, you can use the same method but you will need to hand feed the wet nappies into the machine.

2. Dry Pail Method: This may be preferable if you have an inquisitive toddler in the house or have a water shortage issue.. Also great if you are the one doing the washing and may find a wet bucket too heavy to lift into the machine. A better option in terms of caring for your back! Also, a great option if you are on land relying on tank water.

Sprinkle a few drops of lavender or tea tree in your empty nappy bucket. This reduces the smell that will come from a bucket of wet nappies. There are some other products on the market that absorb smells like bamboo charcoal that you can try as well.

If you are using a disposable liner, throw the soiled liner in the toilet and toss wet nappy into the bucket. If the nappy is soiled, toss the poo into the toilet, run cold water over the nappy, spray some stain remover on the nappy if you wish, and throw it into the bucket. Never put Pooey nappies that have not been rinsed in a dry method pail. Keep the lid closed. When you are ready to wash use the same instructions as above. Place nappies in dryer 30 – 60 minutes or preferable, hang in sun to dry.

Before using either of the above methods, check with your retailer. Each Brand of Nappy will have specific care instructions based on the nappy fabric used. There are too many types of fabric to list them all here but your retailer will be very helpful.

© Jannine Barron, Founder- Nature’s Child.

The following information is to be used as a reference guide. As you scan this list of terminology, fabrics and nappy accessories, put a mark next to anything that jumps out at you! That way, you will instinctively know what is important for you.

GLOSSARY OF CLOTH NAPPY TERMS

Here is a list of the lingo you may come across when researching cloth nappies.

All In one nappy (AIO)
A fitted nappy with the water-resistant layer sewn on the outside of the nappy, creating a one-step nappy that is quick to use. Usually take longer to dry but liked for the one step.

All-in-two Nappies (AI2)
Similar to all in ones except the booster usually snaps in and out easily. The purpose is to ensure faster drying times and to aid the absorbency of the nappy. The waterproof outer layer and the absorbent inner layer can be washed and dried separately

All in Three’s (AI3)
Three items to one nappy. A booster, the main nappy and a nappy cover.

Aplix
Another brand name for hook and loop fastener, it is just like Velcro. It is used to fasten nappies rather than snaps.

Acid Wee
It can dramatically damage some nappy fabrics so it is worth investigating if this happens to you. Best to look this one up as there is a lot to say. See our reference guide at the back of this article for links to more information.

Booster
An absorbent pad made from any fabric, which is added to a nappy to increase its absorbency.

Cloth Baby Wipes
A fabric square or rectangle, usually made from flannel, bamboo or terry, that is used instead of a disposable wipe to clean baby’s bottoms. You add water or use dry.

Cloth Nappy Library
A Modern Cloth Nappy (MCN) Library gives parents opportunity to trial a variety of nappies, primarily MCN’s and learning what works for their family. A great idea when there are so many choices on the market.

A professionally laundered and sanitized cloth nappy library service (ask if they meet Australian Laundry Standard AS/NZS 4146) is vital to protect your baby’s health, preventing transmission of disease.

Contours
Multiple layers of fabric in an hourglass shape. No folding required. Fits into most nappy covers.

Cover
A cover is used over some Modern Cloth Nappies, Fitted Nappies or traditional terry squares to stop wetness from wicking through onto baby’s clothing. Covers are usually made from a waterproof breathable fabric such as PUL (polyurethane laminate), wool or 100% polyester fleeces. Some people refer to covers as “wraps” or pilchers.

Doubler
Another name for a booster – absorbent pad made from any material. Place inside a nappy to increase absorbency.

Dry Pailing
A no water solution for dirty nappies. Dirty nappies are placed in a dry bucket until washing day. 24 hours max is usually recommended to avoid staining and smelling. After dry pailing, nappies can be placed straight into the washing machine. A cold pre-rinse may be required, followed by an ordinary warm wash. This method is more environmentally friendly than soaking and is useful if water shortage is an issue. Always refer to manufacturer instructions before using this method. Dry Pailing will prolong the life of most nappy fabrics.

Dryer Balls
If you ever dry your nappies in a dryer, these balls are a natural fabric softener. Pure wool dryer balls or plastic ones prevent the need for conventional fabric softeners. Dryer balls claim to cut drying time by up to 25% per load. They reduce static and wrinkles.

Fitted nappy
Another name for Modern Cloth Nappies. It is a shaped nappy made from absorbent material. Usually fastens with snaps or VelcroTM type closures, and may include or require a separate water-resistant cover. Fitted Nappy styles may include AIO, AI2, Pocket or other styles.

Flat nappy
Includes traditional cotton, muslin, bamboo or flannelette squares. They are usually folded and fastened with a pin or Snappi, and require a waterproof cover. Budget-friendly and fast drying times are the major benefits. No pins or snappi’s needed depending on the style of nappy cover you use.

Hook and Loop
A generic name for velcro, apilix and touch tape, which are all used as fasteners for nappy products.

Hybrid Nappy
This refers to a reusable nappy cover that can have cloth or disposable insert. Hence the term hybrid. You determine if you need a disposable or cloth insert depending on your activities that day. Disposable inserts are usually biodegradable but not always. Check with your retailer.

Insert (or ‘stuffer’)
A specialised absorbent booster pad used inside a pocket nappy to make it absorbent. Usually a pocket nappy term.

Lanolin
Lanolin is the grease from sheep’s wool. It is used to help water-proof wool nappy products. The wool absorbs the lanolin which increases it’s hydrophobic properties. You can buy specialised lanolin wool soakers in various brands or use lanolin from a tube diluted in water. Your Wool Nappy Retailer will have full instructions.

Liner
Designed to make cleaning cloth nappies easy and to reduce nappy staining. Poo is collected on the liner and you simply remove the liner for flushing poo, then place wet only nappies in your nappy bucket or machine. Disposable liners are made from materials like bamboo or corn-starch but then they are a disposable product that you need to find a solution for disposal that is responsible. Flushing is no longer recommended. Cloth liners are usually made from polar fleece, microfleece, polyester, wool or silk as these allow the moisture to wick through to the absorbent part of the nappy.

Longies
Knitted woollen long pants which are a also a nappy cover. They double as clothing sometimes depending on design. An outfit and nappy cover in one!

Modern Cloth Nappy (MCN)
This is a general description referring to any pre-shaped nappy that involves little or no pinning or folding. They include nappies like AIO,AI2 and pockets.

Nappy Bucket Deodoriser
Various Brands Available. Designed for Nappy Buckets. Absorbs strong odours.

Nappy cover (wrap)
A shaped water-resistant cover which goes over a fitted or flat nappy to make it waterproof. Fabrics may be fleece, PUL or Wool.

Nappy Free
No or Few Nappies Required! Also known as elimination communication. This is the practice of training babies from birth to communicate their elimination needs. No nappies required. Worth researching and doing part-time or full time. from birth. The techniques can also be used for good toilet training at any age.

Nappy Pins
Nappy Pins are like a super large safety pin, usually with a coloured plastic top. They fasten Flat nappies and Pre-folds. Considered old fashioned and rarely used. Replaced by the Snappi TM

Night Nappies
An MCN with extra padding built-in or as boosters to help a cloth nappy last all night. Bulkier but prevents night changes

OSFM
One Size Fits Most.

OSFA
One Size Fits All

Pail Liner
Is a large waterproof bag that sits in side a nappy pail, allowing you to remove your soiled nappies with ease from a nappy bucket.

Pilchers
Sometimes this is used as a name for any nappy cover. Usually refers to the old style of nappy covers. PVC Non-breathing plastic pants used to cover fitted or terry flat nappies. Not recommended these days but still available for purchase in some supermarkets for about 50cents each. They are virtually disposable as they do not last very long. They tear easily.

Prefold
Similar to a flat nappy with a thicker pad in the middle. Can be used as a newborn nappy and then a booster pad later on. Can be fastened with pins or snappi and requires a waterproof cover.

Pocket nappy
A shaped nappy made from an outer water-resistant layer, and in inner stay dry layer. A pocket opening at one or both ends allowing the absorbent material to be ‘stuffed’ inside the nappy.

Poppers
This refers to a type of nappy closure. Looks like a button but is easily fastened and unfastened.

PUL Polyurethane laminate
You can say this as either P-U-L, or Pull). PUL is a soft clear coating of polyurethane that is chemically and heat applied to the back of fabrics resulting in a product that is both waterproof and has a small amount of breathability. The size 1MIL, or 2MIL etc refers to the thickness of the laminate. The laminate is applied to either cotton fabric or polyester fabric.

Pull-up Pants
Refers either to Training Pants or a Nappy Cover. The latter allows you to pull on easily over any nappy. No clips or fasteners. Imagine undies with wide elastic and leg bands that are stretchy and easy to pull on.

Re-usable Nappy
Any cloth nappy. Flat or Fitted. Can be washed and reused.

Square Nappies
Usually refers to Terry Flats. See below under T

Shorties
Knitted woollen short-legged nappy cover.

Snappi
Actually it’s a brand name but has made our way into our vernacular. Snappi® is made from a stretchable plastic which is T-shaped with grips on each end. These grips hook into the cloth nappy to ensure a snug but comfortable fit for baby. Snappi® makes using environmentally friendly cloth nappies easy! They replaced the old fashioned nappy pins about 25 years ago. A collective sigh of relief for parents!

Soaker
A knitted woollen nappy cover. They are also referred to as woollies. Short-legged soakers are also referred to as shorties and long-legged onesies can be called longies.

Strip Wash
A washing technique for when nappies suddenly seem to be less absorbent or smell. Only needed with some fabrics. Instructions can be found online using a homemade solution of detergent. Some new products are on the market now for strip washing as well.

Swim Nappies
Fabric pants are fitted like a nappy but not designed for absorbency, usually made from nylon and sometimes with a fabric lining. Designed to keep poo in the pants, not in the pool. A great alternative to disposable swim nappies which seem to be widely accepted as standard, even though they are a product that is only 15yrs old. Babies have been swimming for a long longer than that!

Terry flats
This is the traditional Nappy that has been around for a century. A square of Towelling designed to be folded in a variety of different ways to adjust the “wet zone” and fastened by pins or snappis. Nappy covers are required.

Towelling Nappies
Usually refers to Terry Flats. See above.

Training Pants
A training pant allows you to make the transition from nappies to underwear with ease. It is not a nappy. It is a padded pair of undies that your toddler can pull on and off themselves when they are learning to go to the toilet. The padded undies catch minor accidents, giving your toddler some independence and control over the transition process.

Water-resistant fabrics
Popular choices are PUL, wool, Nylon, fleece and polyester. There are new ones coming on the market all the time. Check for breathability as a feature when choosing fabric. This is vital for baby skin health.

Wet bag
A reusable waterproof bag to store used nappies in, usually features a drawstring or zip closure. Very handy for when you are out and about.

Wet/Dry Bag
As above but with two-compartment. One for wet and one for dry items.

WAHM
Work At Home Mum. This term refers to people, not nappies! 80% of sellers and makers of Modern Cloth Nappies are mums running the business from home whilst caring for their children.

Wraps
Wraps are an old fashioned nappy cover. Lay flat and wrap around the baby. They close with by tying them on baby. Usually made from Nylon. Still available for sale in major baby stores and used in some hospitals but is diminishing in popularity.

What Nappy Accessories are essential?
You will come across all sorts of possibilities. Some are listed in our glossary.. Each Nappy retailer varies in what they provide and what they recommend.

Glossary of Nappy Accessories

Here are the basics for successful cloth nappying.

Bottom wipes, Cloth Wipes or Baby Wipes
Cloth nappy wipes are used to clean baby’s bottom at nappy time. You simply wash and reuse, just like your nappies. They are inexpensive compared to disposables.

Barrier cream or Nappy Cream
Not always necessary but useful for preventing nappy rash. The balm creates a barrier against urine sitting against babies skin for too long. Some barrier creams or nappy balms are not suitable for MCNs. Check with your retailer for a suitable brand for your nappy. Some nappy creams are skin conditioners and do not work as a barrier, but as a skin healer.

Baby Powder
Used instead of a barrier cream. Dry’s babies skin quickly and provide comfort for a wet bottom if you need to whip a nappy on quickly.

Change area and Change Mat
You need 2 Change systems. A fixed area at home and a simple going out system that fits in a nappy bag. A change table is essential for good back care at home and keeping you organised. A change mat preferably has a waterproof mat underneath a soft layer for baby to lie on.

Nappy Bag
A Nappy Change bag is for when you leave the house and need to keep organised for nappy changing on the go. It needs enough compartments to make sure you are not fumbling for the basics. Be prepared and find a bag that is practical, not just beautiful. The best bag is one that best suits you and your lifestyle.

Nappy Bucket
Necessary to put your dirty nappies in at change time. Store dirty nappies in the bucket either using Dry Pailing or Water with pre-wash soaker. Buy a proper nappy bucket for sturdiness and safety. Should have a lid that only adults can open if you have toddlers around. A 20litre bucket is ideal as it keeps smells in and holds a full days nappies easily.

Nappy change mist
A handy spray, you can make your own or buy one. Can be water only or have essential oils added to make cleaning baby’s bottom easier when using a fabric baby wipe.

Nappy Hose or Sprayer
A handy hose that can be attached to the toilet cistern to wash poo off cloth nappies easily. Prevents the need for wipes and liners. The only Australian Brand is Little Squirt but there are other brands from overseas. Check they will fit your cistern before buying.

Nappy wipe solutions
You can make your own natural solution with essential oils or most parents just use water. If you want something else, look for nappy sanitiser as they are sometimes called.

Wet bag
Wet bags are for used nappies when you are out and about. Usually made from PUL with zip closure or drawstring for easy handling.

Washing Powder and Pre-wash soaker
There are plenty of well-known soak solutions on the market, your decision is whether to use the natural, non-bleach approach. There are pre-wash soakers you can buy or you can use homemade recipes such as vinegar, bicarb or simply soak your nappies in water with a few drops of Tea Tree essential oil.

If you are using cloth nappies because you care about the environment, its best to choose a washing powder that is biodegradable and no bleach. As well as being better for our earth, non- biodegradable washing powders build upon the nappy, inhibiting absorption with some fabrics.

What Nappy Fabrics can I choose from?
Eco-friendly, absorbent, skin-friendly…what is important to you?

Glossary of Nappy Fabrics

Bamboo
Super absorbent depending on the weave. Bamboo is considered a renewable resource produced mainly in China. Can take a little longer to dry than other fabrics but that’s’ because it is highly absorbent.

Flannel/Flannelette
Traditional nappy fabric from last century made from 100% cotton. It is densely woven and brushed cotton. Light, non-bulky, easy to dry. The least absorbent nappy you can get but popular last century. If you ask your grandmother, she may say she used them. Rarely used now, hard to find.

Fleece
This term can refer to natural fabrics or synthetic materials. Some Fleece is made from recycled product. (See Microfleece below) Fleece can be made from Cotton, Hemp or Organic Cotton, in this case, it refers to the brushed nature of the fabric creating a softer fabric to go against the skin. Check with manufacturer for breathability and fabric content.

Hemp
Feels like linen so is usually combined with other fabrics like cotton for softness. Highly absorbent but can take a little longer to dry. A sustainable fibre that is absorbent and has more longevity than most natural fabrics. Not necessarily chemical-free but likely. Check with your manufacturer for certification on Hemp Fabrics. Very little water is needed to grow and harvest hemp.

Microfibre
Usually 100% polyester, or a blend of polyester and polyamide (nylon)
The fabric is soft, hardy, absorbs well, dry’s fast. Is usually found sandwiched in between other fabrics to help with absorbency.

Micro fleece
A synthetic fabric often, but not always, made from recycled PET (Polyethylene terephthalate). It’s very soft, often coloured or printed. Sometimes sits on the part of the nappy that touches baby’s skin but also used as a stay dry outer or nappy cover. It is hydrophobic, making it wick water away from baby’s sensitive bottom and into the absorbent part of the nappy. Microfleece is a finer fabric than polar fleece making it popular for the lack of bulkiness. A lighter weight or microfleece used as liners or inners to keep moisture away from baby’s skin. ( Also See Fleece Above )

Minkee
A super-soft modern fabric that feels like plush velour. A short fur texture. A man-made 100%polyester fibre. Also spelled Minky.

Organic Cotton
No chemicals used in growing or manufacturing. Always check the company can provide certification from a recognised international body for authenticity. Ideal for allergy-prone babies with sensitive skin. Highly absorbent. Holds moisture and does not wick it away from the skin.

Modal
Modal is a type of rayon often made from beech trees. Modal is used alone or with other fibres (often cotton or spandex) Manufacturers claim the fabric is about 50% more hygroscopic (water-absorbent) per unit volume than cotton, colour-fast when washed in warm water, resistant to shrinkage and fading but prone to stretching and pilling.

Polyfleece
A fluffy soft fabric that is 100% polyester. Sometimes made from recycled plastic. Used as nappy cover or liner. Also commonly seen in jackets and blanket manufacturing.

PUL
Polyurethane Laminate – applied to fabric to make a moisture-proof yet breathable layer. See Glossary above for further explanation.

Sherpa
Sherpa refers to any ‘brushed’ fabric. It is an absorbent terry knit fabric that has been brushed to raise the fibres and give a fluffy soft feel. Most Sherpa used for nappies has a high cotton content. Some Sherpa’s contain a small polyester content. You can also get Bamboo Sherpa, Organic Cotton Sherpa, Cotton Sherpa. The ‘Sherpa’ refers to the brushed nature of the fabric.

Soy Velour

Soybean protein has the lustre of silk-making this a popular fibre for extreme softness, smoothness and lightness. Often combines with other fibres to increase absorbency. Depending on the weave, it is easy to wash, fast to dry and hard to crease.

Terry
Soft absorbent fabric covered in tiny loops for good absorbency and quick drying. Most commonly found made from Cotton but bamboo Terry also available.

TPU
TPU is very similar to PUL. (see above) TPU is bonded to cotton or polyester using a heat bonding lamination process which is said to be more environmentally friendly. During the lamination process, solvents are not used, and thus TPU is said to be exposed to fewer harmful chemicals. Whether this is true or not remains to be proven. It may be marketing talk? Fiona Ward from the ANA says “The terminology of PUL v TPU is not standardised, some brands who use a heat bonding process on their laminated fabrics still refer to it as PUL as that is the more recognisable term”

Suede cloth
A 100% polyester fabric that is very soft to the touch. It is used as the lining in nappies and wicks wetness away from babies skin. It is highly stained resistant.

Velour
Velour is a velvety fabric made from a mix of cotton and polyester for cotton velour or bamboo and polyester for bamboo velour. It is used as a liner for nappies, or as boosters and in fitted nappies. Check with your retailer for fabric composition.

Wool
Wool refers to fabric is woven or knitted from the shorn hairs of sheep (merino, lambswool, etc.), goats (cashmere), or llamas/alpacas. Nappy covers or longies made from wool are naturally durable, breathable and water-resistant. They are excellent for night time due to wicking ability.

Wool is the only natural fibre that is super absorbent. There are nappies made from wool now, but its commonly known as a great nappy cover. Also called a Soaker (a Wool Cover) or Longies (a Cover with extended pant legs) Can be loose-knit or felted. Some need hand washing, some are pre-shrunk and can go straight in the wash. Always check with your retailer. Wool allows you to go for days without being washed if felted as it just doesn’t seem to get wet (think sheep standing in the rain!)

REFERENCES and Recommended Reading.

1. LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT: REUSABLE AND DISPOSABLE NAPPIES IN AUSTRALIAhttp://s3.amazonaws.com/zanran_storage/www.crdc.com.au/ContentPages/44777470.pdf – CUT AND PASTE THIS LINK IF IT DOES NOT WORK

2. UK NAPPY STUDY
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/291130/scho0808boir-e-e.pdf – CUT AND PASTE THIS LINK

3. 2008 UK nappy life cycle assessment
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/291132/scho0808bois-e-e.pdf

4. The Australian Nappy Association
http://www.australiannappyassociation.org.au/

5. One of the first Health Studies I ever found 15 years ago was this study. It still amazes me that there is not more public awareness of this
http://adc.bmj.com/content/83/4/364.full

6. Participate in the next Guinness Book of Records attempt
https://www.facebook.com/greatclothdiaperchange

7. A charity that collects unused disposable nappies.
http://www.thenappycollective.com/

8. Cloth Nappy reviews and awards

https://www.facebook.com/ClothNappyReviews/

9. Disposable nappies, are they stinking up our planet?
http://www.australianscience.com.au/environmental-science/disposable-nappies-are-they-stinking-up-our-planet/

10. Myth Busters
http://cgmrb.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/cloth-diaper-washing-myth-busters.html?m=1

ALL THESE AND MORE CAN BE FOUND AT https://www.australiannappyassociation.org.au/resources-we-love/

View Cloth Nappies and Cloth Nappy Accessories at our Organic Baby Online Store 

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Thank you Sheila Kitzinger

Sheila Kitzinger was a natural birth advocate that inspired generations of birthing women and their carers. An inspiring Natural Birth Advocate who campaigned against the medicalisation of childbirth. Sheila Kitzinger died calmly on April 11, 2015. I stopped  my tracks when I heard the news. I felt complete love and gratitude for her. I still do. Today I honour you Sheila and for all the inspiration you gave and others.

If you are pregnant, look up Sheila Kitzinger. I really don’t know what I would have done without her. As I huddled under the covers  in both my pregnancies, her book “The complete guide to pregnancy and childbirth” , along with Janet Balaskas “New Active Birth” were the two voices of clarity and support I could rely upon to help me in my pregnancies. This is pre-internet so I had to seek these ‘specialist’ books out. Sheila is American. Janet is English. From across the oceans, they were my voice of facts, support and reason and they allowed me to explore and trust myself in ways I could never have imagined. I had great births because of these women. I only got there because of them and my beautiful midwife KL. I had two stunning homebirth despite everyone else’s fears and worries. For me, it was the most trusting way to birth and Sheila you helped me get there. Not because you advocated it, your words got me their on my own.

So much of your work and support Sheila has been regurgitated by other authors and web writers . They do not reference you. If you are pregnant right now reading this, remember all this knowledge came revolutionaries like Sheila who paved the way for hew voices.

Standard ideas now were once radical. Sheila was just that beautiful voice of physical facts with a hint of trust yourself mamma.

As you explore pregnancy and baby sites on the internet, keep in mind the authors of the work. Find a voice you love and go explore just them. You can’t read everything, you would end up so confused. I wish you great love and support as you find the voice of your doula, your midwife and  your author who speaks to  you and your wishes for a beautiful birth.

Thank you Sheila for the grace and wisdom you brought to us birthing women and for your contribution to this earth. You never knew me, but I loved you and thank you again and again.

You can read more about her campaign against the medicalisation of birth here

You can buy here books here

Jannine Barron
Owner
Nature’s Child

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Ordering Wholesale

There are 3 ways to order from Nature’s Child Wholesale.

  1. Order Online
  2. Order via phone 02 6685 6810
  3. Order via email (please email and order form) wholesale@natureschild.com.au
  4. Order via the representative in your state (details below)

Downloadable Forms:

Product Guide

Order Form

Training Guide (TBA)

 

NSW/ACT: Cherry Blossom Agency

  • Kelly Gallagher: 0423 564 005
  • Simone Dunkerley: 0417 048 881

VIC/TAS/NT/WA: Byron Bay Office

  • Jannine Barron: 02 6685 6840

 QLD: Helen Woodward Brown

  • Jannine Barron: 02 6685 6840

SA: Amanda Christmas

  • Mobile: 0402 289 052