Showing posts with label Real Nappy Week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Real Nappy Week. Show all posts

Sunday, 4 May 2014

Real Nappy Week - Conclusion and My Honest Opinion

I cannot believe I`m saying this, but I have absolutely LOVED trying out cloth nappies for Real Nappy Week!!!!

At the beginning of the week I was very apprehensive about how I would be able to change my habits and routines of using disposable; but after an admitted hard first few days the last few days have been a breeze and it has been a joy to use them

I think that the cloth nappy world have a new member!!

After my first disaster day which has been deleted from my memory I tried all nappies for the week, below is a quick summary of each nappy`s best features and how I honestly found each brand that was sent to me.
I have to admit that I have been using disposables at night and the cloth nappies during the day, this is because Benjamin has only just got back into a decent sleeping pattern after a really bad cold and teething so didn't want to give him a reason to wake wet in the night. Once I feel more confident with the nappies I will definitely be trying them at night.

Here we go!!

Tots Bots Easyfit V4

  • An all-in-one system , with Velcro fastening and popper adjustments.
  • Integral bamboo insert with an added extra insert that boosts absorbency for longer periods or overnight
  • I loved this nappy and found the fact that you could add an extra booster great as Benjamin can be a prolific wee`er!!
  • The Velcro fastening made it feel just like a disposable and was so easy that even my mum at first attempt managed it no problem. A definite favourite for me, plus the pattern was really cute.
  • No leaks!!


  • One size fits all due to unique `bra strap` like leg adjustment system allowing use from birth to potty training.
  • Hybrid nappy so can use reusable or disposable inserts.
  • Comes with extra reusable booster inserts to increase absorbency for longer periods of wearing or overnight. 
  • Popper fastening system.
  • I found using the popper system to close the nappy very awkward as Benjamin is a wriggler during nappy changes. However over the last few days it has become easier so am not worried about them now, just practice is needed!!!




  • Popper style fastening system 
  • Highly elasticated waist to ensure good fit
  • Features suede cloth lining to trap moisture quickly
  • I found these nappies dried really quickly, to be honest they were almost dry when they came out of the washing machine so only needed about 15 minutes on the line.
  • Again I found the poppers tricky to begin with but got the hang of them quickly.
  • No leaks!





  • All in one nappy, no extra inserts needed.
  • Velcro fastening system with popper leg adjustments.
  • Waterproofing built in.
  • Integrated absorbent insert with unique pull out tab system for easy washing and drying and a cleverly designed tuck in pocket to easily insert absorbent core back into nappy.
  • This nappy is definitely one of my favourites, its so easy to use with the Velcro fastening and I love the tabs to help when reinserting the cores back in the nappy.
  • No leaks!!







  • Combines an all-in-one nappy but has the option to add extra absorbent cores as necessary.
  • Extra cores are secured by popper onto integrated core.
  • Popper fastening system.
  • I liked the look of this nappy and liked that you can secure the extra cores onto the nappy.
  • The fir was good and adjustments are made my poppers on the front.
  • My only bugbear with this nappy is that it doesn't seal like a normal nappy. The tabs from the back of the nappy secure under the front rather than over the front of the nappy; so the tabs become wet with urine???????
  • We have had a few accidents with this nappy but probably due to me not doing it up tight enough.
  • Classed as a two-in-one, 
  • Can have disposable or reusable soaker pads.
  • One size shell fits all sizes from birth to potty training.
  • Soaker pads are secured in nappy by poppers.
  • This nappy has me in a dilemma...I love the fact that you can just remove the wet/soiled soaker pad and reuse the shell until it is dirty or wet BUT I found that because the soaker pads are so absorbent that they took a stupid and I mean STUPID amount of time to dry!! I put them in the tumble dryer on low for 60 minutes and were still damp!!
  • Saying that I think that this is my favourite of all the nappies tested do far.
  • A true classic in the cloth nappy world as was introduced over 10 years ago.
  • One of the cheapest cloth nappy systems around.
  • Velcro fastening.
  • A very simple nappy to use, just layer up the desired amount of fleece inserts and you are on your way!!
  • To enhance the waterproofing of the nappy a waterproof wrap can be added.
  • I love the look and ease of these nappies but found it to be the bulkiest of them all, leaving Ben walking with a definite waddle!




I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at The Nappy Guru`s and the Fill Your Pants team for giving me the chance to try these nappies. And to my personal Nappy Guru Rachel who took the time to explain to me how each nappy worked.

With out all of your help I would never of come to realise how easy switching to cloth would be!!!!!

I highly recommend anyone to give cloth nappies a go, they are not as hard and scary as they first seem.





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Thursday, 1 May 2014

Real Nappy Week Days 1-4

Here is an update on how I have been finding Real Nappy Week so far.

Day 1 - Monday

Right, with my practice day of cloth nappies behind me I decided to take the ultimate test and go out with them on!!
We went to my local meet up of networking business and blogging mummies called Lemur Link Up and had all my fingers and toes crossed that we would be OK and stay dry!!

I put Benjamin in the Gro Via All in One nappy in the new Drift design. 

Assuming the position!!

I love the design on the nappy and found it really easy to put it on. The nappy is a popper design which at the moment I am finding a bit fiddly but am sure I will get the hang of it the more I use it.
I like the fact that you can adjust the amount of inserts in the nappy depending on the amount your baby wee`s.
We were out for just over 3 hours and changed him once; not because he was wet but I think I was worried it could leak and so was being overly cautious, over the course of the day I used a Charlie Banana, and Bambino Mio Solo. All with no leaks!!!!

Day 2 - Tuesday
Today we spent the day in as the weather wasn't great, first of all we used the Smarti Pants nappy; the thickness of the padding and inserts didn't fill me with hope as Ben is a super wee`er but to my surprise it coped really well with the huge amount of wee produced!! Again it is a popper design and I`m seeming to get the hang of them as this one went on like a dream.

We also used the Little Lamb Cotton Nappy, this has to be one of the cutest nappies I have ever seen...plain white in colour and really fluffy. Benjamin looked like a little lamb...haha, get it?? The Little Lamb uses a velcro closing system which is just like a disposable nappy, so I had no problems on that count! Because we were inside all day I didnt use the waterproof wrap supplied, plus I didn't want to cover up his cute bum!!

Day 3 - Wednesday

Wash day!!

I have to admit that as the nappies were bring being washed and dried today that I put Benjamin in a disposable to go out. Plus he has got really bad nappy rash, most likely from the fact that he has started teething again, not the new nappies. I kept in disposables all day and his bum seemed better.

Day 4 - Thursday

Today I been at work for a few hours so Nanny had the challenge of dealing with cloth nappies!! When I told her that Ben would be trialling cloth she was like "Oh I used cloth nappies with you Jenifer, I know what I`m doing". Yes mum, you may of used cloth nappies 32 years ago but things have changed a lot and boy did she get a shock when I dropped him off and gave her a lesson in modern nappies!!
I have to say I was worried about how she would do with them but as you can see by the picture below she was like a pro!!! I gave her the Tots Bots Eastfit V4 in their Hickory Dickory Dock design and she loved it, I think using the velcro rather than the poppers was easier for her first one to try.




Where am I at the moment with cloth nappies??

  • I am having to re-learn my nappy routine as in getting everything ready to hand as with disposable nappies I use the nappy to wipe any poo off Ben`s bottom and then wrap it up. I can`t do that with the cloth nappy so had to have a nappy bag open and ready to take the poo and wipes. I can now see why people use re-usable wipes as all I would have to do is wipe his bottom and put the wipes in soak with the nappy.
  • Washing and drying wise I am going to have to be more organised, as all of a sudden I seem to of run out of the cloth nappies and some of them are taking longer to dry than others.
  • After my first bad day with leakages I have come to realise that you need to change cloth nappies a lot more frequently than a disposable.
  • I am loving using the cloth nappies and the more I use them the more I feel that I may be converted permanently to using them, this is not a good thing for my bank balance!!!
If you would like to give cloth nappies a try but worried about the cost then go to the Nappy Guru`s website and receive 20% discount on all orders placed during Real Nappy Week.

Check back at the end of the week for an update on our journey and detailed description of my thoughts to each nappy supplied to me.




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Sunday, 27 April 2014

Real Nappy Week - Day 0, its been a wet day in many ways!!

Sooooo, I thought I`d start to try the cloth nappies on a day where I was at home so I wouldn't be caught out and about in public unaware and look like right numpty.

Good job I did!!

This morning, as we do every Sunday, we went to Alfie`s football match so decided to put a disposable on Benjamin. When we got home I whipped the disposable off and put on the Bambino Mio Solo in their uber cute traffic jam design.

I was apprehensive that I had fitted it properly but once Benjamin got up and started to crawl around it actually stayed on....YES, first hurdle down!!!


I have to admit that Benjamin looked rather cute prancing around with his cars nappy on!!


Within 10 minutes of having the nappy on and in true Benjamin style he decided to well and truly christen his new nappy. So it was a true baptism of fire for me, first change and it was a nasty one.

I found the whole concept of not using the nappy to help remove the worst of the poo really weird but I`m sure I will get used to it over time.

Over the course of the day Ben has used 2 other nappies; the Smarti Pants and the Charlie Banana ones, unfortunately both of them have leaked, resulting in a full clothing change needed.

I`m going to take today's experience as a positive learning step forward and hope that tomorrow will be better with no leaks as I am off to Lemur Link Up with my bestie for some networking and don't fancy a public mishap!!


Saturday, 26 April 2014

To Cloth Or Not To Cloth?? Real Nappy Week - Part 1

I have always liked the idea of trying cloth nappies but have been put off by the stigma of how awkward and messy it can be. To be honest I have never actually looked into how they work and admit that I did buy a few when Jacob was born, but never got round to trying them and they have sat in the wardrobe since I bought them...naughty Jeni.

All of that is about to change!!

With The Real Nappy Week happening next week; 28th April - 2nd May. Benjamin and I have been given the amazing opportunity to try a range of cloth nappies, blogging our journey as we go along.

Myself and a small handful of other lucky bloggers have been sent an amazing assortment of nappies from various brands.

I had a lovely video chat with a Nappy Guru called Rachel AKA Greenwich Nappy Guru and we went though in great detail the contents of my Fill Your Pants package.

I was so overwhelmed with what I found in the box, but Rachel quickly put me at ease and showed me how to use each brand with the least stress and very quickly I found that I couldn't wait to get started!!!!

Here`s what I received...what an amazing selection!!


Do you think Benjamin liked of the contents of the box??



In my box there are nappies and accessories from Charlie BananaSmartipantsBabino MioTots BotsLittle Lambs, and Gro Via. They all look amazing quality and I am in love with all the different prints, after more research I have come to realise there are thousands of different patterns so you can tailor your babies nappies to their personalities!

Today I have washed all the nappies in anticipation of starting them asap; I will probably start them tomorrow - 27th - as I am going to be in all day and don't fancy being in the situation of going out on Monday and getting in a sticky nappy situation with no practise.


Here are the details of my fellow bloggers who will also be documenting their cloth nappy journey; please feel free to pop on over to their blogs and see how they are coping compared to me!!



Check back each day this week to see how Ben and I deal with the nappy challenge!! Plus I will have a discount code and link for you to get 20% off any orders placed via the link during Real Nappy Week.

If you would like to follow our antics on twitter, follow me @poolemamma and check out #realnappyweek #clothnappies and @TheNappyGurus to keep up to date with our journeys.

To celebrate Nappy Week, The Nappy Gurus are running an competition via rafflecopter to win a £50 voucher to spend on cloth nappies so you can give them a try for yourself.

Enter below for your chance to nab the £50 voucher xxxx


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