Showing posts with label cloth nappies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cloth nappies. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Cloth nappy advice!

Getting started in a cloth nappy routine can be intimidating...we are here to help! The design of Bio-Baba nappies makes using cloth nappies super-easy!

BIO-BABA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Many people know they want to use alternatives to disposables but are put off by the lack of practical information about exactly how to use them: how many they need, how often to wash them, what to do with a nappy bin etc.
I would like to give you a brief overview here; with the rest of the information downloadable from the web. All Bio-Baba nappies come with Swing Tickets with full fitting, washing & care instructions.

HOW MANY DO I NEED?
The short answer is: it depends on how often you wish to use them/how often you would like to wash them!
Starter Pack = 5 One Size Fits All nappies & 5 super absorbent hemp boosters (enough nappies for one day to give you an idea of how they work)
Part Time Pack = = 10 One Size Fits All nappies & 10 super absorbent hemp boosters (enough nappies for a part time routine that also includes disposables; using 5 one day while the others are being washed) Pack includes a free nappy bucket & organic nappy soak…all you need to get started.
Full Time Pack = 15 One Size Fits All nappies & 15 super absorbent hemp boosters (enough nappies for a full time cloth routine; this amount of nappies will alow for washign every second day) Pack includes a free nappy bucket & organic nappy soak…the most cost effective option.
Full Time Pack (Combo) = 15 One Size Fits All nappies & 15 super absorbent hemp boosters & 5 super-durable/novelty nappies. (enough nappies for a full time cloth routine; this amount of nappies will alow for washing every second day) Pack includes a free nappy bucket & organic nappy soak…this option is a great option for those who want some extra nappies whilst baby os potty training and out in the garden/swimming/at the beach as they are bright and fun and can be worn as a garment, rather than just a nappy.

Potty training & Large nappies
If you haven’t got into a cloth nappy routine and your baby is approaching the 10kg mark, then you should look into getting a pack of the all-in-one novelty range as these really are cool nappies for older kids. Of course, if you are planning on having more children and want an option that you could use for a newborn. If however, you just have potty training in mind – then these nappies are a good option. Singles; trial packs, starter packs and complete systems available.

Gift Vouchers available = A great option if you have a baby shower coming up…send these out to your friends with your baby shower invite so that you can pool them together to buy a whole lot of Bio-Babas! A very cool gift!
mailto:sales@biobaba.co.za

WHAT DO I DO WITH SOILED NAPPIES
Bio-Baba’s have a handy ‘flip-out flap’ which allows you to hold the nappy whilst you flush the good stuff down the loo. Then put in the nappy bucket to soak as usual.

WHAT DO I USE TO DISINFECT THEM?
Do NOT use Steri-nappy or any other bleach based product…in addition to destroying the special breathable waterproofing, bleach is incredibly bad for the environment, as it kills all bacteria (good & bad) & life in the water system. We recommend using Bio-Baba Nappy Soak (R39)…a really great product that uses the power of essential oils to disinfect the nappies or a few drops on tea tree oil in a lidded bucket. You can also use white vinegar, but this is a bit pongy!

WHAT DO I WASH THEM WITH?
Do not use any products containing bleach, petro-chemically derived soap products or strong detergents to wash your nappies as this will destroy the special waterproofing fabric and radically reduce their life-span. We recommend using an eco-friendly laundry gel or powder. (Eco-soft or Sunlight Baby) as they are mild enough not to irritate babies skin or do serious environmental damage.

HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO WASH THEM?
We recommend changing your soaking solution at least every 2 days. What this means in practical terms is doing a ‘nappy wash’ Monday, Wednesday & Friday…if you have domestic help on these days – that’s an added bonus!

HOW LONG DO THEY TAKE TO DRY?
Bio-Baba nappies will line-dry on a reasonable drying day…if they are slightly damp or you want to take this chill off them, place them face down (cloth side) on a heated towel rail for 10 mins. Babies love having a nice warm nappy put on! (Nappies should NEVER be put next to an open flame or heater element) Alternatively – Bio-Baba nappies CAN BE TUMBLEDRIED ON LOW! Hooray! Try and avoid doing this too much thoug from a saving energy point of view and to help maintain your nappies.

CAN I USE BIO-BABAS AT NIGHT?

Bio-Baba nappies are EXCELLENT NIGHT NAPPIES. In order to get into a ‘Complete Bio-Baba System’ including using a Bio-Baba’s at night you will need 15 nappies (take aadvantage of the Complete System Specials)... You would then fit the nappy as usual, folding the hemp pad into the ‘famous “V” fold’ AND insert an extra pad into the flip our flap. This will provide the extra absorbency needed to keep baby dry at night.

CAN I USE BIO-BABAS AS A SWIM NAPPY?

Yes! These are great nappies for the beach and by the swimming pool…they do not get all hot and clammy like a disposable and come in such vibrant trendy colours that your baby will be the coolest baba in town! Do remember to remove the Hemp Booster Pad before going in the water though – we don’t want to absorb the whole pool!


BIO-BABA TROUBLESHOOT FITTING

The most common problems associated with a leaking nappy are:

1. The nappy has been fitted too loosely: What I do is a ‘One leg at a time approach’. Place the nappy under the baby’s bum as per the “Fitting instructions” available on the web THEN, pull the elastic of the right leg straight up to 2 ‘o clock and close the right tab. Then, pull the elastic of the left hand side of the nappy straight up to 10 ‘o clock and then close the left tab. It is absolutely vital that there are NO GAPS underneath the legs after the ‘smart-fit’ tabs have been closed. Finally, check that all the flannel has been tucked in and that the edges are straight and comfortably protecting from the Velcro.
2. The nappy has been left on for too long: It is impossible to set a blanket recommendation for changing times as each child is different and poos and wees at different times with varying impressiveness! I really encourage mothers to become aware of their baby’s unique rhythm. That said, babies in the Medium nappies should happily stay dry for between 2-3hours in the day, and a little longer at night. Children in the Large nappies will need to be changed after they wee, (as they are doing much larger wees), and be encouraged to toilet train. The waterproofing on Bio-Baba nappies is NOT PVC which is designed to lock all wetness in, making for a very wet-skinned uncomfortable baby who will wake up and cry. We have used a breathable fabric to ensure that baby is as comfortable as possible and that you know when baby is due for a change (thereby avoiding nappy rashes). Once you get to grips with your baby’s rhythm, you will be able to pre-empt any dampness and change beforehand. Take note of when you put the nappy on.
3. Insertable hemp ‘Booster Pad’ has not been washed enough: The Bio-Baba nappy is designed specifically to wick moisture away from the baby’s skin with the hemp used in the removable ‘Booster Pad’ doing all the hard work of the nappy. If this pad has not been washed several times before use (AT LEAST twice), then it will not be operating at its full absorbency. Remember, the more your wash it, the more absorbent it becomes.








Another tip:

The hemp ‘Booster Pad’ is the backbone of the nappy…use it smartly. Where does your baby get the most wet? Usually boys wet higher up as their ‘equipment’ is higher than girls! Girls tend to wee straight downwards with great force, and boys might aim straight for your eye, so make sure the hose is pointing down when the nappy is fitted. You can give your nappy extra support by folding the ‘Booster Pad’ double in a “V” shape and placing it on-top of the ‘danger zone’ with the “V” protecting leaking at the edge of the nappy along the legs. Again, work with your own baby. If you do fold the pad double, ensure that you do not let it interfere with the fit of the nappy.
Then there is the question of the ‘Child Who Wees for Africa’
It's something you don't notice when a child is in disposables, but you certainly do once they are in real nappies. In my experience, however, most people think their child is a heavy wetter. Personally, I just think we don’t really appreciate the liquid in = liquid out equation while a child is in disposables.
Remember that wet nappies are a GOOD thing, in that they indicate that your child is well. The problem comes when the wetness turns into leaks.
Are they simply drinking too much? If you always provide juice, toddlers will frequently gulp it down and then ask for more, which will have the obvious effect on the bladder. As they approach toilet training they will no longer be doing lots of little wees which are easily absorbed, but will be doing occasional full wees. Any nappy, including a disposable, is going to be hard pushed to absorb these quickly enough if liquid intake is excessive. A good tip is to offer juice only at mealtimes, and to provide water at other times during the day: your child will drink if (s)he is thirsty but not for the sake of it. You will also be cutting down on your child’s sugar intake, which is a good thing, especially if you have a hyper child.
Keep in mind that you are using a cloth nappy that contains no chemicals to absorb urine and turn it into a non-biodegradable gel. You are using high quality fabrics that can be washed over and over. You have chosen to use a great nappy that is eco-friendly and much cheaper than disposable alternatives. Take the time to get the fit right and you won’t look back!

3 Easy ways to shop: Email: sales@biobaba.co.za or Tel: 021 761 8982 or
www.biobaba.co.za

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Looking to reduce nappy costs?

Why are Bio-Babas the best value for money nappy around?

When looking for a good nappy system – very often cost is an incredibly important factor to consider, especially since nappies are the single biggest cost factor in bringing a baby into this world and may be equal to your hospital bill! In other words – if you go the full-on disposable nappy route, you are looking to spend around R12-R15 000 on nappies before your child is potty trained! (Even more if your child does not potty train at 2½ years as toddlers in disposables often do not associate weeing with being wet since they are always bone dry in a disposable because of the chemicals. We have many clients with 4 or 5 year olds who still wear night nappies because of this!). With a Complete Bio-Baba System you are looking at spending less than R5000 including laundry costs in that time…a R10 000 saving is not to be sniffed at!
Bio-Baba nappies are one of THE MOST economical of the cloth nappy options for the following reasons:
• they are the most versatile: ie. they can be used effectively for day,
night, swimming AND potty training - all other systems would require buying
more swim and training nappies... - the nappies still work at R153 each in a Complete System which includes a 20litre lidded bucket (R79), (Organic Nappy soak (R39) and a free South African Child Friendly Directory valued at R120 = total additional saving of R238
• once the hemp has been washed for a few times it is much more absorbent
than cotton and therefore you are only looking at changing the nappy 5 times
a day (same as a disposable)
• less changes mean less washing which means that you are only effectively
doing 3/4 more extra washes a week.
• we always receive comments from people using separates that they never have
enough waterproofs as even a little poo or wee on the waterproof means that
you need a new one...if you have only 3-5 waterproofs per system of a certain size then you are likely to run out - this is never the case with a Bio-Baba
• Fit Pregnancy said the Bio-Babas were the 'most convenient', 'easiest to
use' and one of the 'nicest looking' cloth nappies in South Africa...I think
that fact that they can be used as a garment in our lovely South African
weather goes a long way as they have a very durable outer (new
medium nappies will all be soft and baby pink and blue and white - large
still the durable fabric) - which means that they still look nice after
first baby has used them...this really can not be said of any other nappy.
• OSFA (one size fits all) are great - but I often feel that people are mislead into thinking that they will be suitable for all occassions from day one until potty
trained and they 'tick off' nappies in their brain, whereas in reality they
will probably not be able to use the OSFA until at least 6 weeks old due to
leaks on the small babies (not to mention explosive poos!) - which is why we
took our small nappy off the market as we often saw new parents struggle to
keep up with the routine at this stage and overwhelmed by it all...IN
THEORY - the OSFA seems a good idea for newborns - but in reality is not
often practical both from the effectiveness point of view and also from a
'can mum cope' point of view. I think that it is important that people do
realise this rather than think that you are getting less somehow because
Bio-Babas are only suitable from 6kg? Also - I know that not all OSFA are
suitable for potty training; from a size perspective they often do not fit
as well on the older children who do not respond as well to them, especially
since they are a nappy type nappy with outers and inners so not as easy and
cool to fit as an AIO and certainly do not look as groovy. (Important factor
in potty training!)
• Bio-Baba nappies all come with super-absorbent hemp boosters…these do all on the hard work of the nappy, so as well as getting the waterproof included in the price of your nappy, you will also be getting a hemp booster – a good deal!