Organic Cloth Diapers

In any discussion of organic cloth diapers, "organic" makes a considerable difference.

Traditional cotton diapers ravage two environments-the one in which the cotton grows, and the one where you and your baby live. Organic cloth diapers substantially reduce the risk to the world's precious farmlands, and you can control the threat all cloth diapers pose to your own environment.

Organic cloth diapers mitigate the long-lingering effects of cotton production. Commissioned by the British Environmental Protection Agency, a very recent study documented and detailed cotton's devastation of once-fertile farmlands. Plagued by a host of pests, cotton requires more pesticide than any other cash crop. In fact, British investigators discovered cotton crops account for more than 40% of all the world's pesticide use. Outside the United States and Europe, the majority of farmers still use volatile, toxic, carcinogenic DDT and dioxin, because they most effectively kill pests. Not surprisingly, DDT and dioxin also kill wildlife and poison precious groundwater.

In addition to growing their crops without chemical pesticides, organic farmers also raise their cotton without chemical fertilizers. Traditional cotton farmers have used nearly as much hazardous fertilizer as they have sprayed pesticides. The British researchers found that cotton crops use 37% more nitrogen fertilizer than the second biggest consumer, and they, therefore, account for nearly half of the world's chemical fertilizer consumption. Because cotton depletes the soil of all its nutrients, fields require fertilization not only while the crops mature, but also immediately after harvest and immediately before planting.

Shopping for diapers, you have two choices-100% organically grown cotton, or a blend of hemp and organically grown cotton. All-cotton organic diapers cost nearly twice the price of traditional cotton nappies, because the chemical-free growing process is extremely labor-intensive. Diapers made of the hemp-cotton blend, on the other hand, cost very little more than old-fashioned cotton nappies. Hemp grows abundantly just from nutrients Nature replaces, and it has no known insect enemies, so it requires virtually no pesticides. Moreover, because hemp launders easily and completely, you often can find "recycled" hemp diapers which show absolutely no signs of use.

Although almost all cloth diapers still contain at least 30% cotton, the best organic cloth diapers are woven from earth-friendly hemp and cotton grown entirely without chemicals by family farmers in the world's emerging nations. In your decision about organic cloth diapers, the hemp-cotton mix emerges as by far your best choice.

Advantage of using organic cloth nappies or diapers

The benefit of organic cloth diapers is that they are very environment friendly.

An organic cloth diaper enables the flow of fresh air from the micro pores existing in the diaper thus keeping the air circulation active. That's how the nappy gets dried quickly and easily too. Research proves that no one can have allergy or infections from organic cotton materials.

Organic material diapers will not only help you protect the environment but also save your money and keep your baby happy, fresh, healthy, comfortable and always active.

Baby Nappies

Baby nappies/diapers cloth

When you first start researching cloth diapers, you may feel a bit overwhelmed by the huge array of choices. With a little basic information, you'll see that choosing a cloth diapering system does not have to be all that complicated.

In order to understand the different types of cloth diapers, you'll need to know that no matter what system you use, your diaper will consist of an absorbent layer that sits next to (or near) your baby's skin and absorbs moisture, and a waterproof layer that is on the outside and prevents moisture from leaking out. The absorbent layer and the waterproof layer can be designed in several different ways, which can be boiled down to four main types of cloth diapers.

Four Types of Cloth Diapers

• Prefold Diapers
• Fitted Diapers
• All in Ones
• Pocket Diapers

Prefolds

The term prefold refers to a rectangular shaped absorbent layer. Several layers of absorbent material are sewn together to make one prefold. Prefolds must be folded, and you can experiment with several different types of folds to suit your needs. Prefolds do not have a built in waterproof layer, so you must buy covers separately.

These diapers are very inexpensive, but they are the most work when it comes to changing time because they must be folded.

Fitted Diapers

The term fitted diaper refers to an absorbent layer that is shaped just like a disposable. This type of diaper normally has gathers at the legs for a snug fit, and closes with snaps or hook and loop (like Velcro). Fitted diapers do not have a built in waterproof outer layer, so they must be worn with a separate cover.

They are quite convenient since no folding is necessary, and although you will need to buy some separate diaper covers, they covers stay clean and dry, so they can be reused for several changes. Fitted diapers generally cost a little more than prefolds but are less expensive than AIOs or pocket diapers.

Pocket diapers

Pocket diapers are made of an outer, waterproof layer and a soft liner which are sewn together on three sides to form a pocket. The pocket must be stuffed with a separated absorbent layer. Because the outer layer comes in contact with baby's skin, it must be changed with each diaper change. You'll need to separate the absorbent layer from the pocket after each diaper change in order to wash pocket diapers correctly.

Pocket diapers are quite convenient, but they are more expensive than prefold and fitted diapers. They are slightly more work than all in ones because they need to be assembled, but they dry faster than all in ones because they can be separated.

All in Ones

All in ones, sometimes referred to as AIO, are a one piece cloth diapering system. They are a combination of an absorbent layer and a waterproof layer sewn together into a single, one piece diaper. All in ones are extremely easy to use because they is no need to fold or assemble the diaper in any way. These diapers can be a good choice to use with babysitters or other care givers who are not entirely comfortable with cloth diapering. They are also handy to use when you are out with your baby for the day because they are extremely easy to change on the go.

Australian Cloth Nappies

First thing that you should know is there are more than 300 cloth nappy shops in Australia. I bet you are surprised. It goes to show though, that the modern cloth nappy is here to stay. Regardless of the fact that more eco-friendly disposable nappies are being devised, mums still favour the savings to be gained through investing in the modern cloth of today. No longer terry towelling nappies held in place with pins and waterproofed with plastic pilchers the modern version can be as easy on and off as a disposable, yet is reusable with a run through the washing machine.

There are three types of cloth nappies available on the Australia.

1. Aussie Nappies: The Commercial Nappy Brand

Commercial nappy brands have a high volume of turnover - seeing them set up at a parenting expo, you soon see why the original WAHM decided to out-source their production to meet demand for their popular design. Found at many retailers, there will be a wide range of styles, colours and materials available to purchase online. You benefit from volume production in the cost, and easy availability of the commercial nappy brand.

2. Aussie Nappies: The Licensed Nappy Design

A licensed nappy design has been tried, tested and found suitable by many mothers and babies before yours. So much so that the designer allows cottage license production of their design. This means a WAHM can use her own fabric and material choices to make a nappy that they know will be effective, well fitting and absorbent, without her need to invest the time, money and sheer effort involved in creating her own unique design.

3. Aussie Nappies: The WAHM-made Nappy

These are made by Work-At-Home-Mums, or groups (collectives) of them. They make a premium product too - and some are in very high demand as they take customised and semi-custom orders, and can work with you to make the best cloth nappy. You can personalize with embroidery, your own fabrics, appliqué - whatever your creative desire may be. It will be more expensive, or perhaps not if it is a new maker entering the market. Lots of variety though, and often one-of-a-kind.

There is a quick overview of the types of Australian cloth nappies available from the myriad of nappy shops online. I hope you found it helpful, and know that you can explore your options in Australia cloth nappies with ease. It is a good idea to explore a range of styles and brands to find your favourites, as they are designed to benefit many and varied baby needs, from heavy night wetters, tiny newborn babies, and the personalised nappy for the precious miracle baby you know.

Buy Cloth Nappies

Buy Cloth Nappies- How to Buy Cheap Cloth Nappies/ Diapers

There are a wide variety of diapers available. However, although there are a variety, they can be categorized into two basic types -- disposable and cloth diapers.

Parents opt for cloth diapers primarily to cut down on costs. Bringing up a baby can be a financially draining affair for many average parents. Cotton diapers are less expensive, because they can be reused. They are usually manufactured to sustain heavy washing and are thought to be a bit better for a newborn's tender skin. However, using cloth diapers may prove to be extremely time consuming. There is the wonderful choice of opting for diaper services that are widely available across the world. These services clean used diapers and deliver them. Thus, a lot of time, that would have otherwise gone into diaper-cleaning may be used for better purposes.

Cloth diapers are good for the environment and better for babies' skin. In the long run, they will probably save you money as well. However, the initial outlay for cloth diapers can be a pretty serious amount of cash, which discourages many potential cloth diaper users. In this article, we will discuss how to buy cheap cloth diapers.

Steps to buy a cheap cloth diapers

1. Make a list of all the local diaper services in your area. These are companies that provide a fresh supply of clean cloth diapers every week and take away your used ones. They have very serious health and safety standards regarding the cleaning and maintenance of their cloth diaper supply. This service tends to be fairly expensive and they cannot keep diapers with even the smallest hole, tear, or irregularity in the cloth.

2. Call each company to find out if they are selling "damaged" diapers. These are diapers that have developed small rips or holes in them. This is usually due to the rigorous cleaning process to which they are subjected.

3. Get a quote on the lot of cloth diapers. Make sure that you know how many diapers are in a lot as well as the price.

4. Determine the companies' standard cleaning procedures. This will make you feel more comfortable about purchasing "used" diapers. They are no different than the ones that would be delivered to you if you signed up for the service except that they have tiny holes or unravelled hems.

5. Decide on your purchase. Based on the prices, amounts and cleaning processes, decide which diapers to buy. Then you can relax, knowing that you will have plenty of cloth diapers in the house when the baby comes.

Newborn Cloth Nappies

A Guide to Using Newborn Nappies

When you've just brought a new baby home, there are a lot of worries that can hit you all at once and that includes what kind of nappy to use. The subject about newborn nappies is actually a lot larger than you may think but don't worry, we'll cover and answer questions as best as we can to make life easier for you.

How Many Nappies Does A Newborn Use A Day?

It varies from baby to baby. You may use as many as 10 nappies a day as few as 4, it depends on your baby. Sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on their little systems and how much they eat. You never want to leave a baby sitting in a wet or soiled nappy because this could lead to skin irritations, however you don't have to change a nappy (especially if it's dry) just because a certain amount of time has passed.

Typically a newborn goes through 8 to 12 nappies a day for the first six weeks, this then decreases to around 6 to 8 until 6 to 9 months after it can go down to 4 or 5 newborn nappies a day.

How to Choose a Right Nappy for Your Newborn?

If you are going to use cloth nappies, there is a one size fits all. However, if you want to use disposables, you should check if it fits your baby and pay attention to the legs. If your baby has larger legs, he or she may need a larger size to accommodate this. Your baby's comfort is also important so check the material the nappy is made of. Cloth-like material is more comfortable than plastic type coverings. If your baby has a sensitive skin, check the characteristic of the nappy. Choose newborn nappies that are hypoallergenic and chlorine-free, and that don't contain fragrance or latex.

Newborn nappies are also available at varying prices. Purchase by volume of bulk that will last a certain period of time because it is more cost efficient. It is also recommended to have a nappy that has wetness indicators. You don't have to wait until our baby cries before you change their nappies. Know the right time to change with a wetness indicator.

How to Prevent Nappy Rash?

You don't need a cream or powder to prevent nappy rash. If you let this air dry then you won't need a nappy rash cream because it won't get nappy rash most likely. If your baby already has nappy rash, leave the baby's nappy off for about an hour a few times a day. It also helps to change the baby's nappy often. When the rash is at its worst, it may be necessary to change the nappy up to 12 times a day and dry the baby's bottom carefully after each change or call your baby's doctor right away.

So, new parents can use these tips and ideas about newborn nappies. If you follow your mothering instincts and take what advice is most suitable for your baby, then your baby will sleep more soundly without getting any problems from wearing nappies.

One Size Cloth Nappies

One size nappies/diapers have become a very popular choice in cloth diapering recently. They can be a great convenience, helping you to save money on the overall cost of cloth diapering.

What are one size diapers exactly?

They are a cloth diaper that is meant to be able to fit your baby from birth to potty learning. They have an adjustable rise so the diaper can actually grow as your child does. The rise, depending on the diaper, can adjust by either snapping or folding. You can find one size pockets, fitteds, or AIO’s.

Reasons to Consider One Size

There are many great reasons to consider using one size diapers. The best reason being that you will not have to worry about buying any other size diapers. When your baby grows out of size small, you simply adjust the rise setting to medium. Some diapers even include an extra small or extra large setting to ensure they last your child through their diapering years.

Another great reason to use one size diapers is the savings you can get not having to buy more as your child moves from one size to the next. When you have one size diapers, you can keep them for years, never worrying about having enough funds to buy the next size in diapers.

And when you have more than one child in diapers, one size is a great way for them to share. With gender neutral colors and easy rise adjustments, you can use your one size diapers for two or more babies at a time.

One thing I have noticed about one size pocket diapers is they usually come with inserts. And often times they come with either a one size insert to adjust to the different settings of the diaper, or they come with two inserts – one small and one large. This is a huge convenience and money saver. Normally pocket diapers don’t come with inserts and you have to spend extra money to get them.

Disadvantages to One Size Diapers

While there are many advantages to using one size diapers, there are some disadvantages as well. Not all one size diapers are created equally. Some one size diapers do not adjust small enough to fit a newborn, or are just too bulky on such a tiny baby. If that is the case you may need to invest in newborn sized diapers until your infant can fit into the one sized.

On the opposite side, some one size diapers do not extend large enough to fit all children until they potty train. Often the rise setting doesn’t go larger than 18″, which might not leave enough length for a baby.

Another problem with one size diapers is getting a proper fit around the thighs. Some one size diapers have the elastic done tightly in the legs and you just stretch the elastic to fit as they grow. Unfortunately, this sometimes means that babies with chunky thighs get an improper fit and horrible red marks in that area.

With one size diapers that have a folding rise adjustment, I have seen problems with the fold not staying in place. With a folding rise diaper, the fold only stays once you snap the diaper closed. If the diaper is not put on properly, or doesn’t fit right, the fold will come undone leaving half the diaper falling off.

Washable Cloth Nappies

We all know that using washable nappies/diapers is becoming more and more popular. And why not? They're better for the environment, they save money and they look super-cute. However not everyone has the drying facilities, or ability to shell out the upfront cost for cloth nappies.

Washable cloth nappies are usually made of fabrics like cotton and terry cloth. These materials are easy to dye and print on that's why these kinds of nappies have more variety in terms of color and print design.

Since cloths can be easily sewn, various designs and styles are manufactured and produced to make babies who wear them look more fashionable. And since cloth diapers are washable, the young child can wear these fashionable garments as often as the parents want their kids to wear them.

Washable Cloth nappies that means it is reusable, place less stress on landfills. Children wearing cloth diapers tend to get toilet trained earlier, since the cloth retains moisture, permitting the child to feel when it is dirty and wet causing them to associate the feeling with elimination.

Other than for casual wear, cotton and terry nappies are also made and designed for babies' and children's swimwear. These washable children swimwear have anti-leak features that allow the child to swim in a pool without leaking pee in the water. And just like casual wear washable diapers, these swim nappies are reusable as well.

There are other benefits to washable cloth nappies too though. For instance these are far more similar to pants and might help your child to adapt to putting on underwear later in life

This is very useful because it means that you won't need to constantly be paying for new nappies - they'll be a little more expensive in the first place but in the long run they will prove to be very much an investment.

How much can you save?

If disposable nappies cost up to $4 and if you assume that you'll need one packet a week for two years, that will cost you $416, so you can literally save hundreds of dollars by switching to washable wipes.

Environmentally friendly

Washable cloth nappies are also environmentally friendly. Unlike washable nappies you don't have to wash them separately, or dry them which not only saves money but time also - essential for any new mum.

Another important feature is that these nappies can be adjusted in fitting and size. Therefore, you do not need to buy new ones even if your kid grows in size a bit.

In terms of convenience, the disposable ones are definitely ahead and have an advantage. But if you are looking for more fashionable and stylish clothing for your child to wear, then you might want to consider getting him or her a more practical one that is washable and reusable.