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Wee Greenies Nappy guide
THE ABSORBENT COTTON NAPPY
You will need approximately 20 nappies for full time use. You may get away with less if you intend to use a tumble dryer, but if you are going to rely on the washing line outside and a drying rack indoors, then don’t skimp on the amount you buy and drying times will never be an issue. It is far more important to buy a nappy that is absorbent and fits well than one that just dries quickly. New nappies should be washed before use to increase their absorbency - They are most effective after about three washes. Unbleached cotton is kinder to baby’s skin and the environment.
TERRIES
Made from top quality unbleached soft absorbent cotton, can be used in a traditional fold (so much easier with Nappi Nippas). Whatever nappies you choose a few Terries will always be useful to have for many years to come!
Two sizes available, small (50x50cm) and standard (60x60cm)
MUSLIN SQUARES
Large, unbleached muslins, of excellent quality. These have so many uses, traditionally they were used as newborn nappies, but they also make good booster pads. They are extremely useful for the many, unexpected clean ups. An essential bit of kit for any baby!
WEEBAMBOO, which believe it or not is made out of amazing environmentally friendly Bamboo!! Bamboo is 60% more absorbent than cotton. The fabric feels silky soft even after many washes and has wonderful natural anti- bacterial properties. It is a two- size nappy and is available with a velcro fastening. The WeeBamboo has elasticated waist and legs ensuring an excellent fit.
MOTHEREASE ONE SIZE
Only One Size ever needed as the simple but ingenious popper system allows you to get a good fit from newborn through to potty training (8lbs - 35lbs approx ). Made from 85% unbleached cotton and 15% polyester for stretch and fit (only the cotton touches the baby’s skin) Two kinds of optional snap in boosters are available for when the baby gets older and needs extra absorbency. Now available in Organic Cotton.
MOTHERASE SANDY’S
A Two Size nappy made of the same soft unbleached knit as the Mother-ease one size. Great for heavy wetter’s as it has high absorbency rates. It has a neat precise fit with plastic poppers, three at the each leg and two either side of the waist, unpoppering for easy changes. Softly elasticated around the waist and legs. Very slim fitting and leak proof nappy. Two kinds of separate boosters are available for extra absorbency if required. The first size goes from birth to a year and the second size from a year to potty training (approx). There is an extra large version, suitable for older toddlers, aptly named Toddlease. Designed for children of 35lbs. Now available in Organic cotton
WRAPS
These waterproof and breathable outers prevent your baby’s clothes from getting wet and need to be used with any of the absorbent nappies above. We recommend three to four wraps in the appropriate size. These Mother-ease wraps are made of polyester warp knit and gently laminated, they are soft, easy to care for and extremely leak proof. The wraps can be machine washed, rinsed in the sink or wiped clean. The wraps contain no cotton or other absorbent material, as this would draw moisture out of the nappy and onto the outer clothing.
The Rikki Wrap has a Aplix fastening. This wrap has a slimmer fit than the Air Flow. You can use this wrap with all of the above nappies. There are four sizes available in white and savannah print.
The Air Flow Wrap has excellent breathability with its adjustable popper fastening on the waist and legs, offering a secure fitting with a unique ‘air flow’ pocket across the front of the wrap. Suitable for use with any of the nappies above. There are five sizes available in White and Savannah print.
Bumpy wool wraps these wool wraps are a natural choice and breathe so much better than any other fabric. It does not hold onto the bacteria so it will not need to be washed as often as other wraps. It can be machine washed at 30 degrees on wool cycle or hand washed. Wool wraps need to be treated once a month with a wool cure to restore their water resistance. This is a great wrap for babies with sensitive skin or that are prone to nappy rash. We have tested many wool wraps, but this is our favourite. Excellent for night-time use. Available in five sizes please refer to price list.
BOOSTERS
Boosters are used to give the nappy extra absorbency, as your baby gets older. We do not normally recommend purchasing them until your baby starts to need them. At that point, we can then help you to select the right one for your babies needs!
There are three types available:
The standard Mother-ease Booster made of three layers of the same fabric as the Mother-ease nappies (also available with poppers for the one size). There is also the option of a sewn in stay dry top layer for a drier bott!
(Also available with poppers for the Mother-ease one size).
For the heavier wetter Wee Greenies have designed a Super Booster made from three layers of Hemp/Cotton and a further top layer of Organic Cotton Fleece to make sure they stay nice and soft next to the baby’s skin (also available with poppers for the Mother-ease one size).
A small terry folded in three can also make a great night-time booster.
LINERS
A liner is something that is used to line the nappy with; it is not an absorbent pad, that is the booster’s job!
The ultra flushable biodegradable liners are used to make the disposing of poo much nicer to do! And also protects the nappy from staining. If baby has done a poo, you can flush the liner straight down the toilet (one at a time and not recommended if you have a Saniflo toilet or dodgy drains. Septic tanks are fine though). If the nappy is just wet then the liner can be washed along with the nappy and reused. These liners also make great wet wipes when out and about.
The Bourette silk liners made form 100% pure silk. Silk is a natural healer and therefore excellent for curing and preventing the reoccurrence of nappy rash. Machine washable at a maximum of 30 degrees.
Fleece stay dry liners (polyester polar fleece) and the slim stay dry liners
(polyester knit) act as stay dry barriers between baby’s skin and the nappy. They are non-absorbent and can be used as the final layer with any nappy instead of the flushable liner. Great for night times!
STORING USED NAPPIES
You will need a bucket with a lid (Using a mesh liner will make it much easier to drain the nappies and pop them in the washing machine). Fill the bucket ½ to ¾ full of water adding 5 drops of tea tree oil, which has anti-fungal and antiseptic properties and smells good too. Alternatively, you can use white vinegar or bicarbonate of soda. Ideally, you need to change the water each day.
WASHING THE NAPPIES
When you are ready to do a wash lift the mesh from the nappy bucket, drain and place into the washing machine. Make sure the mesh is left open so the nappies can fall out during the wash. A 60 degree wash is all that is necessary to clean the nappies; hotter washes reduce the life of the nappy. For washing, the waterproof outers please read the section on Wraps.
- Use non biological powders to avoid skin irritation.
- Avoid optical brighteners often found in washing powders.
- Avoid fabric softeners as they reduce the absorbency of the nappy. White vinegar can be added to the rinse cycle, which will soften the cotton fabric.
- Always follow the washing symbols on the label.
Although both nappies and wraps (not including the wool wrap) maybe tumble dried, it is both cheaper and ‘ Greener’ to hang dry. Sunshine will deodorise, sanitise and naturally bleach nappies. Isn’t nature helpful!