A few months ago I joined a cloth nappy Facebook group. The group has given me an insight into those parents just venturing into the world of cloth nappies. It's common for them to feel overwhelmed and not be sure where to start. Some first timers are considering buying a whole starter set of nappies from one brand and the advice from the old hands in the group is almost always to get a mixed stash.
A stash is what cloth bum parents like to call their collection of nappies. For my first daughter, I had a stash of lots and lots of identical shaped towel nappies. Seven years later, for baby two I have upgraded to an all in one nappy and have a mixed stash. There are a few reasons for this this. So here goes…
The main practical reason to have a mixed stash is drying times. I love my Tots Bots Easy Fit Star nappies but in winter they take at least two days to dry on an airer. If my whole stash took two days to dry then I'd have to be super super organised to make sure that I had enough dry nappies - possible but hard work. My Bambino Mios are less reliable but dry overnight and are good to go again.
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| A quick drying Bambino Miosolo |
I have mentioned reliability. Cloth bum parents like to have a bomb proof nappy. The kind of nappy that your child can comfortably wear on that long motorway journey. The kind of nappy that won't let you down when a poonami strikes at a family wedding. My bomb proof nappy is my double gussetted Close Popin. I think I may be tempted to have a whole stash of these but I came to them a little late!
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| The amazing double gusset on the Close Popin nappy |
Some nappies are easier to put on than others. When childcare is thrown into the mix, it’s good to have reliable easy nappies for others to use. Tots Bots Easyfit Stars really do live up to their name. When giving instructions to grandparents, all I had to say about an Easyfit was: 'put it on baby like a normal nappy and make sure no white bits are showing'. I knew it wouldn't leak. Other nappies in my stash take a lot more tucking in around the legs. My mixed stash gives me options to make it easier for others.
Cloth bum parents are always searching for their Goldilocks nappy. Not too bulky, not to expensive but just the right absorbency, just the right drying time. If you buy a full stash of one type of nappy, it might not be just right for your baby and you might always be making do. If you try a few of one type, then it informs your decision of what to buy next.
Hope it goes well finding your Goldilocks.
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