As a mother of three children, I can confidently say that using cloth nappies has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience for me. Not only have I been able to do what's best for my babies, but I've also been able to contribute to the environment and save money in the process.
When I first decided to use cloth nappies, I was driven by my desire to reduce waste and make a positive impact on the environment. Disposable nappies contribute to landfill waste and take centuries to decompose. In contrast, cloth nappies are reusable, and after my children outgrow them, I can pass them on to other families or donate them to charity.
In addition to the environmental benefits, using cloth nappies has also saved me money in the long run. While the initial investment in cloth nappies may seem significant, it is far less than the cost of buying disposable nappies for three children over several years. Plus, because cloth nappies can be used for multiple children, I've been able to save money on each child's nappy needs.
Most importantly, using cloth nappies has been the best thing for my babies. Cloth nappies are made of natural fibers like cotton and bamboo, which are gentle on their delicate skin. My babies have had fewer diaper rashes and less skin irritation since we switched to cloth nappies.
As a bonus, I've also enjoyed using cloth nappies. I love the fun and colourful designs available and how easy it is to care for them. Folding and preparing cloth nappies have become a regular part of our family routine, and it's a task that my children love to help with.
I would recommend it to any parent looking for a sustainable, cost-effective, and gentle option for their babies. Simply buy a few and get started. It is much easier than it seems!
]]>Cloth nappies, also known as reusable nappies, offer many benefits due to their environmental focus and financial savings that can be made. One of the key components of a cloth nappy is the nappy insert, which is responsible for absorbing and keeping the baby feeling dry. Three common materials used in nappy inserts are microfibre, bamboo, and hemp. In this article, we will explore the benefits and disadvantages of each of these fabrics to help you make an informed decision when choosing the right nappy insert for your baby. All three fabrics are on offer at Berry Bottoms and this article will assist you to choose the best option for your family.
Microfibre Inserts
Microfibre inserts are made from synthetic materials, usually a blend of polyester and nylon. These inserts are popular among cloth nappy users because they are highly absorbent and quick-drying, making them an ideal choice for parents who do not have access to a dryer or have limited drying space.
Benefits:
Highly absorbent - Microfibre inserts are known for their high absorbency, which means they can hold a lot of liquid and keep your baby dry for longer periods.
Quick-drying - Microfibre inserts dry quickly, making them a convenient choice for parents who need to reuse nappies within a short period.
Affordable - Microfibre inserts are relatively cheap compared to other materials, which makes them a popular choice for parents on a budget.
Disadvantages:
Prone to compression leaks - Microfibre inserts can become compressed over time, reducing their absorbency and leading to leaks.
Not eco-friendly - Microfibre is a synthetic material that is not biodegradable, and its production contributes to the use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions.
Bamboo Inserts
Bamboo inserts are made from natural bamboo fibres, which are known for their softness and absorbency. These inserts are a popular choice among parents who prefer natural materials for their babies.
Benefits:
Soft and gentle - Bamboo inserts are incredibly soft and gentle on your baby's skin, making them a comfortable choice for babies with sensitive skin. High quality bamboo like we use at Berry Bottoms will not go stiff when wet or over time from use.
Highly absorbent - Bamboo inserts are highly absorbent, which means they can hold a lot of liquid and keep your baby dry for extended periods. The absorbency is increased with the weight of the fabric used. At Berry Bottoms we use 450GSM weight bamboo so its the most absorbent available. Many brands talk about having bamboo but they use a lighter weight fabric which doesn't hold as much as the thicker fabrics.
Environmentally friendly - Bamboo is a natural material that is biodegradable and sustainable, making it an eco-friendly choice for parents who want to reduce their environmental impact. Once your inserts have worn out you can compost them and reduce your waste even more.
Disadvantages:
Slow drying - Bamboo inserts are not as quick-drying as microfibre, which means they may take longer to dry after washing.
More expensive - Bamboo inserts are more expensive than microfibre, making them a less budget-friendly option.
Less durable - Bamboo inserts are not as durable as microfibre or hemp, and they can wear out faster with frequent washing. This risk is reduced when washed properly and thoroughly.
Hemp Inserts
Hemp inserts are made from the fibres of the hemp plant, which is known for its strength and absorbency. These inserts are a popular choice among parents who want a natural and durable option for their babies.
Benefits:
Highly absorbent - Hemp inserts are highly absorbent and can hold a lot of liquid, making them an ideal choice for heavy wetters.
Durable - Hemp inserts are incredibly durable and can withstand frequent washing without losing their shape or absorbency.
Environmentally friendly - Hemp is a natural material that is biodegradable and sustainable, making it an eco-friendly choice for parents who want to reduce their environmental impact.
Disadvantages:
Every fabric has its benefits and different options may better suit you and your child. We often recommend trying a few different options to decide what works best. It is for this reason we do not sell a predetermined cloth nappy. Parents can add the right inserts without having to buy extra that they do not need or may not work.
]]>In recent years, more and more parents have been considering using cloth nappies for their babies instead of disposable ones. The reasons for this shift are numerous, but one of the most significant is the positive impact that cloth nappies can have on the environment. In this blog post, we will explore the environmental benefits of cloth nappies.
Reduced Waste
One of the most significant benefits of cloth nappies is that they produce far less waste than disposable nappies. Disposable nappies are designed to be used once and then thrown away, which means that each time a baby needs a new nappy, a new one must be produced and then disposed of. This creates a significant amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
On the other hand, cloth nappies can be used multiple times, and when they are no longer usable, they can be recycled or repurposed. This means that cloth nappies create much less waste than disposable nappies, and they have a much lower impact on the environment.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Another environmental benefit of cloth nappies is that they have a much lower carbon footprint than disposable nappies. Disposable nappies are made from a combination of plastics, wood pulp, and other materials, all of which require energy to produce and transport. The production and transportation of disposable nappies contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change.
Cloth nappies, on the other hand, are made from natural materials like cotton, bamboo, or hemp. These materials require less energy to produce and transport, which means that cloth nappies have a much lower carbon footprint than disposable nappies.
Reduced Water Usage
Disposable nappies also have a significant impact on water usage. The production of disposable nappies requires large amounts of water, and the process of disposing of them can also have an impact on water usage. When disposable nappies end up in landfills, they can release harmful chemicals into the environment, including those that can contaminate groundwater.
Cloth nappies, on the other hand, require much less water to produce and can be washed and reused multiple times before they need to be replaced. While washing cloth nappies does use water, it is far less than the amount of water required to produce and dispose of disposable nappies.
The environmental benefits of cloth nappies are numerous and significant. By choosing to use cloth nappies instead of disposable ones, parents can help reduce waste, lower their carbon footprint, and reduce water usage. While cloth nappies do require more effort than disposable ones, many parents find that the benefits outweigh the extra work. If you're considering cloth nappies for your baby, remember that every little bit helps when it comes to protecting the environment.
]]>None of our inserts contain a stay dry layer so the weights are fully absorbent.
Trifold
Weighing in at 95g with 450GSM bamboo fleece. This is the most absorbent insert.
Can be folded to make it shorter or longer by rotating the insert prior to folding.
Bamboo Booster
Weighing in at 55g with 450GSM bamboo fleece (70/30 bamboo/cotton blend). This is a great booster or can be used on its own. Combine with the trifold for super absorbency - both inserts will fit in our nappy. You could also add two of these rectangles giving you greater absorbency then the trifold on its own (110g vs the 95g of the trifold.
Microfibre
Weighing in at 40g it is 100% polyester and made up of 3 layers of microfibre. Use this insert in combination with the other inserts to help prevent leaks from flooding. It can be used on its own with a very small baby, but we recommend combining with a bamboo insert or booster once your baby is larger.
The weight of each insert is given dry. Each bamboo insert can hold roughly double its own weight in liquid. These weights are given as a good comparison of each inserts absorbency. Clearly the trifold is just over 1.5 times more absorbent then the rectangle on its own. Hopefully this information helps you assess which insert is best and what to use for your own needs.
]]>Fold the top of the nappy down to meet the rise snaps. You will have a section of fabric that is excess. This needs to be folded up behind the waist snaps so the front of the nappy sits neatly.
From the inside the nappy should look like this.
When putting the nappy on your baby be sure the rise area stays neatly folded up behind the waist snaps.
Adjusting the leg and waist
The size of the leg hole can be adjusted via both the rise and the waist snaps.
On the very smallest setting you would have the rise snaps fully snapped up (like in the picture above) and the waist overlapped at the front.
The size of the leg hole can then be enlarged by letting out the waist snaps to the correct sizing. The best way to find this size is to put the nappy on your baby and pull across until the nappy is secure. Do not pull too tight, likewise do not pull too little as you will end up with gaps. The elastic should just seal around the legs without putting any pressure on the skin.
You may find you need to fiddle around a few times to find the best fit for your baby, and overtime you will get faster and better at finding the perfect sizing for your baby.
Here are some pictures of the nappy on the smallest rise setting with a great neat fit.
The nappy shouldn't look too tight. There should be no gaps. Elastic should sit in the undie line and not wrap around the thighs. Push the nappy down into bub's leg creases to be sure you have it around the right place which will help avoid leaks and marks from the elastic.
Absorbency
We have a few absorbency options. Different babies will require different amounts of absorbency.
Our trifold can be folded either way to fit in the nappy on all settings.
On the smallest setting, fold so the stitched lines run horizontal across the insert as seen in the picture above.
On the larger setting fold so the lines run vertical down the insert as seen below.
The trifold is our most absorbent insert. If you find it is not enough on its own, you could add either the bamboo booster or the microfibre.
We recommend adding the microfibre if you feel your baby is flooding the nappy. This is where they hold on and let a lot of wee out at once. The volume of fluid cannot be absorbed fast enough. Generally the insert will appear to be partially dry despite a leak.
If you just want more absorbency and have a baby with a very large output, team the bamboo booster with the trifold. This will give you a great nappy suitable to hold a huge amount of fluid.
Our Bamboo booster can be used on its own or in combination with other inserts.
On its own it can be folded down to fit on the smallest settings.
A note about microfibre
We recommend using a bamboo insert in combination with the microfibre as microfibre can be prone to compression leakage. Like a sponge, it will hold a lot of liquid, but when compressed it will squeeze out. When teamed with bamboo, the bamboo will grab that excess that squeezes out. Without it, the fluid may shoot out of the nappy. Microfibre often gets a bad reputation, but it is really good as fast absorption. So teamed with bamboo it can be a great tool for preventing leaks.
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]]>Is our nappy affordable? Yes.
Has it been designed to be a low cost alternative? Yes.
Have we compromised on quality or effectiveness? No.
Our nappy has been designed FROM SCRATCH. We took lots of different nappies we had used and mashed them together to create what we believe to be a fabulous fitting and absorbent nappy. Many different samples were produced and tried on a range of babies of different sizes. Every aspect has been tweaked from the length and tightness of elastic to the placement of the snaps. We never used any ALVA or Babyland etc nappies in our design process.
Comparisons floating around go something like this: 'They are like 'insert cheap nappy here' but trimmer, with tummy elastic and....". In our honest opinion, you could pick up 95% of nappies on the market and make this statement to compare the nappy to something else. And why not? They are after all, variations of the same basic design.
Look around and you will also find very happy customers who have found them to be fantastic. Many customers are coming back for second and third purchases!!!
So where did our nappy design come from and why is the nappy cheaper than competitors if it's not just a 'China cheapie'?
1. Pocket
We love the pocket. It's easy to assemble. Inserts generally stay flat. You don't need extra layers of stay dry fabric (extra bulk and cost). Inserts don't need snaps (which create an extra exposure to warranty claims for broken clips).
2. Tummy Elastic
We love that this gives more flexibility and forgiveness in fit. No tummy gap.
3. Licensed Prints
We don't pay artists for custom artwork. We source available licensed artwork which is a lot cheaper and that cost is spread over a large number of nappies.
4. We only make Nappies
Discussions with our factory told us that constantly making the same items is more cost effective for the factory. They don't need to stop and change to make different items. Our order is very straight forward and easy to manage. This lowers the costs for them (and us as we can pack orders more effectively).
5. No Wholesale
This is something not many people consider. While many brands and advocates will tell you it's impossible to make a nappy and sell it at our price, have you considered what rate wholesale items are sold? Retailer margins are generally 40-50%. Putting that into perspective, a $35 nappy would wholesale for around $17.50. We don't wholesale but rather pass on the savings directly to customers.
6. Nappies packing in to Sets
Our nappies come packaged direct from the factory in predetermined sets. This cuts down on errors in packing, and packing time. We have streamlined our processes to cut those costs.
7. A clever Insert Combo
Microfibre gets a bad reputation. Its actually a really helpful tool in nappies as its fast absorbing. When you pair it with bamboo it soaks up fast and then transfers to the bamboo layers as back up. Under compression, the extra fluid will travel into the absorbent bamboo as the back up.
8. Experienced manufacturer who understands the quality need in the Aussie market
Our factory is in China and we have worked with the owner to develop our business model. They make for (and have made for) many large Aussie brands in the past so they understand the quality requirements of the market. Our hope is our brand can supply a better quality product then other cheap alternatives giving parents on a budget beautiful quality nappies.
It's the small details that show the quality. Reinforced tabs and the pocket is lined.
These are not the same thing: