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An all in one system is called all in one because the actual absorbent nappy and the overpant are combined.
These systems seem to be easier to use but we think a two-piece system is better. It basically consists of a breathable outer overpant (wool or microfibre) and a soft and absorbent organic cotton nappy (knitted or shaped).
Advantages of 2-piece:
- less expensive than all-in-ones
- they are made up of individual layers which, after washing, dry considerably faster (even on the radiator or washing line)
- our natural 2-piece systems have no hidden polyester or PVC layers and are therefore more breathable
Extra absorbency: Because all babies are different, we offer a range of different liners for extra absorbency – choose from super soft organic brushed cotton squares, fleecy organic cotton shaped liners, organic muslin squares and twilled cotton squares.
Extra convenience: Our disposable nappy liners are single, biodegradable sheets that retain solids and are safe to flush away. They are designed to allow moisture to pass through but prevent it seeping back onto your baby’s skin.
Trial Packs and Starter Packs
We offer two trial and starter packs for you to choose from.
To see our trial and starter packs please click here
Advantages
The best option from a health point of view. These overpants are the most breathable overpants. They draw the moisture out of the wet cotton nappy and away from the skin, helping to prevent sore skin and nappy rash.
One of the most important reasons for using cloth nappies, is because of their excellent breathability. There has been some controversy recently about the potential danger of infertility in baby boys due to the overheating of the testicles in some disposable nappies. This problem would be the same if you were to choose a washable nappy system with plastic overpants that cause the child to become hot and sweaty because they are not breathable.
Although they are not waterproof as such, your child will not suddenly become soaking wet when its nappy is wet. You will start to notice the woollen overpant or overclothes getting damp. This is really nature’s way of letting you know it’s time for a nappy change!
How many will you need
We recommend at least three overpants in any one size – to allow for one on, one in the wash and a back-up just in case. You may like to have four pairs for very young babies – as they tend to require changing more frequently.
Washing and drying
Woollen overpants do not need to be washed every time they are used. If they are a little damp, simply hang them up in the fresh air and allow them to air and dry naturally. If they are slightly soiled, handwash the area that is soiled. Only handwash the entire overpant if necessary. Allow to dry naturally. Do not tumble dry.
Tip: We stock wool shampoo and wool fat conditioner that is perfect for washing and reconditioning woollen overpants. You only need a tiny amount of each and they both preserve the natural fibres. The wool fat conditioner replaces the natural lanolin in the overpant, restoring it’s natural "waterproof" nature.
Babies with Eczema and sensitive skin
If you are worried that your baby may react to having the wool on his/her skin, then we recommend you choose our microfibre overpant instead.
To order woollen overpants click here
Advantages
They’re economical – one size fits all – so you don’t have to keep buying the next size up. They are so soft and can be folded over at the top and bottom so they fit newborns perfectly. When my daughter came out of hospital, 1 week old, and tried to put a cotton shaped nappy on her, her little spindly legs were so tiny that the nappy just didn’t fit snuggly enough. The cotton knitted nappy, on the other hand, was absolutely perfect!
Complicated?… No!
If you can tie shoe laces, you can tie the nappy! It comes with full instructions – just practice on a teddy bear first and you’ll be fine!
Absorbency
Although they are absorbent, you can boost this by using our soft organic cotton liners.
How many will you need?
They come in packs of 3. Initially you will need about 18-24 nappies – assuming you wash every 3rd day. Less nappies if you plan to wash more frequently. Newborns need to be changed up to 8 times a day!
Washing and drying
These nappies can be machine washed at 60° C. Always tie the ties up, so they don’t tangle – do this before you soak them!!!!! Ideally, use one of our laundry nets. Nappies should be dried naturally. Though they might feel a little stiff at first, they soon soften up again!
Tip: Cotton nappies need to be washed approx. 10 times before they become fully absorbent. So please don’t fret if they don’t seem very absorbent at first. It’s a bit like a brand new tea towel! Try and wash them a few times with your other washing before use.
Never use fabric condition on them – this inhibits the absorbency!
To order cotton knitted nappies click here
Advantages
They are beautifully soft and really easy to use! They are much nicer than conventional cloth nappies because they are made from soft, unbleached, undyed organic cotton. They have velcro fastenings at the front and fit just like disposable nappies. The cotton is gathered around the top and legs for an optimum fit. They come in 4 different sizes.
Absorbency
Although they are absorbent, you can boost this by using our soft organic cotton liners. You simply lie these in the nappy.
How many will you need?
Initially you will need about 18 nappies – assuming you wash every 3rd day. Less nappies if you plan to wash more frequently. Newborns sometimes need to be changed up to 8 times a day!
Washing and drying
These nappies can be machine washed at 60° C. Nappies should be dried naturally. Though they might feel a little stiff at first, they soon soften up again!
Tip: Cotton nappies need to be washed approx. 10 times before they become fully absorbent. So please don’t fret if they don’t seem very absorbent at first. It’s a bit like a brand new tea towel! Try and wash them a few times with your other washing before use.
Never use fabric condition on them – this inhibits the absorbency!
To order cotton shaped nappies click here
As your baby gets older, he/she will no longer lie beautifully still on his/her back making cooing noises whilst giving you a loving smile. Oh no!!! Look out world, here I come!
Sometimes it can be very annoying and positively exhausting when you have to wrestle with a baby or young toddler who won’t keep still. Try and keep cool though, it’s just a phase they are going through and they will eventually grow out of it. A lot depends on their character – some children tend to be more passive and easy to placate, while others (including my own!) just want to get on and explore!
However, it will make your life a great deal easier if you can try and tame them a little….
Below are a few tips on how to help calm that little wriggler. The technique that works best will depend on your child and their stage of development.
Don’t change on the floor
Some evidence tends to suggest that if a baby/child cannot physically escape anywhere, they will have to lie still. The more limited the space, the sooner they will learn that they have to lie still. Changing tables are great – or the top of a dressing table etc. But remember NEVER leave your child unattended – not even for a second!
Distraction Techniques
This worked well for me! Have a little "surprise" up your sleeve, and have it ready to hand for that crucial moment when the wriggling starts! This can be a toy, book, or anything else that you can summon out of your bag (as long as it’s safe). But remember – don’t get it out until they start to wriggle or they may get bored with it before you finish!!!
Perhaps there is a special song you can play or sing at nappy changing times.
Be organised
Make sure you have everything you need close at hand. This way you will be much quicker and your little escapee has less opportunity to make a run for it!
Be firm – then reward
Make it quite clear from the start that at nappy changing times your child has to lie still. If you choose this method, it could save you a great deal of hassle later on, but you must be consistent and not allow him/her to wriggle one day but not the next.
To reinforce good behaviour, give him/her a reward for being a good boy/girl and lying still.
Involve older children in the nappy changing process
Let them help you get things ready…. What does mummy need, a nappy, liner, wipes etc etc…..Thank them for their help. Obviously, I realise that this is sometimes awkward when you are out and about or in a hurry, but it may encourage more positive behaviour which in turn will be easier when you are out.
Change them sitting or standing
Sometimes it is the lying down that they so detest – not so much the changing. If this is the case, it might be an idea to change their nappy while they are sitting or standing – be careful if you are doing this on a changing table! Take the dirty nappy off them and then put the new one on as they sit or stand. If you are using cotton knitted nappies, this could be a little challenging, but cotton shaped nappies and eco-disposables can be changed in this way.
These nappies are the perfect solution for those parents/carers who cannot or do not want to use washables or who need disposables to take away on holiday.
At Spirit Of Nature we stock two brands, BAMBO NATURE and MOLTEX OKO.
We chose to stock these 2 brands in particular as they have been certified free from harmful toxic residues by well-known and reputable certification bodies (Greenpeace, Eco-Test Magazine, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency) and have both received awards for eco-friendliness.
BAMBO NATURE
- Approx. 80% biodegradable.
- Is oxygen-bleached rather than chlorine bleached
- Has no lotions or creams that can cause allergies
- Has some superabsorber in the core but less than conventional disposables
- Substitues superabsorber with natural absorbers fluff pulp and wheat starch which biodegrade
- Uses breathable backsheet
- Nappies produced using state-of-the-art technology that is highly ecological
- Available in mini, midi, maxi, maxi+ and junior
MOLTEX OKO - Approx. 70% biodegradable.
- Packaging 100% biodegradable
- Unbleached core
- No lotions or creams that can cause allergies
- Breathable backsheet
- Available in mini, midi, maxi and junior sizes
To order or request a free sample of our eco disposable nappy click here
How often you need to change your baby depends largely on your baby and his/her needs.
Some babies have very delicate skin and need changing the minute they wet their nappy, otherwise they will get red and sore because of the ammonia that is released when they pee. Others seem tougher and are fine to be changed before or after every feed. All babies need to be changed when they dirty their nappy to prevent nappy rash developing due to the bacteria in their stools.
As far as the nappy is concerned the more absorbent the nappy, the less frequent you will need to change. Which is why it is well worth investing in a good washable nappy system.
As a rough guideline:
Newborns need to be changed around 10-12 times a day and before or after every night feed.
Babies under 6 months need to be changed 8-10 times a day (around every 2½ hours) and before/after every night feed. This can be increased to every 4 hours when your baby starts to drop night feeds and gets older.
Babies/toddlers over 6 months need changing around every 4 hours.
Toddlers over 12 months usually need changing around 4 times a day – depending on when they dirty their nappy.
Tip: If your child develops nappy rash, you need to take extra care and change the nappy as soon as it becomes wet or dirty. This way the ammonia in the pee and the bacteria in the stools do not have the chance to make the rash even worse. For more information, see our tips under Nappy Rash.
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At Spirit Of Nature we offer a range of different liners that you can use in the cotton shaped or knitted nappy (or any other nappy system for that matter) to boost absorbency. Whatever liner you choose, don’t forget to wash them a few times before use to improve absorbency!!! They are all machine washable at 60ºC.
Hush cloths (small, 40x40cm)
These are lovely, soft brushed cotton squares made from pure, unbleached organic cotton. They come in packs of three. They are folded in three to make an oblong shape and laid onto the cotton nappy. Generally speaking you will need 1 or 2 per nappy, depending on the child.
To order hush cloths click here
Fleecy shaped nappy liners
As the name suggests, they are beautifully soft and fleecy unbleached organic cotton. They are already shaped, so all you need to is lay them onto the cotton nappy. Again, you will need 1 or 2 depending on your child.
To order shaped nappy liners click here
Muslin Squares (80x80cm)
The classic allround nursery cloth, but made from unbleached organic cotton. When used for extra absorbency in a nappy, they are folded into an oblong shape and laid on the nappy. Don’t be fooled by the crispness of the new squares – they come up lovely and soft once washed.
To order muslin squares click here
Our flushable liners come in rolls of 100 sheets. They are a great invention as they allow the urine to pass through, but don’t let it soak back onto the baby’s skin, keeping your baby’s bottom drier. Essentially they are used as "poo catchers" and can save you agonizing over sluicing the poo out of a soiled nappy before soaking it.
When your baby has dirtied his/her nappy, simply remove the flushable liner and flush it away down the loo with its contents. If your baby has only dirtied the nappy and not wet it, simply lay in a new flushable liner and the rest of the nappy is fine to leave on – saving washing!!
Our liners are made from absorbent organic oxygen-bleached biodegradable paper that is softer and wider than other conventional brands.
To order biodegradable nappy liners click here
Our bourette silk liners have a naturally healing effect on sore bottoms. The outer fibres of mulberry silk have a natural healing and antibacterial effect due to the high content of silk gum. They should be used directly on the baby’s skin – do not use barrier creams when using these.
To order healing silk liners click here
The ideal solution if you want to use washable nappies but can’t face or don’t have time to wash and dry them yourself. There are now many nappy laundering services based up and down the country. Some county councils even offer parents vouchers or money off real nappies to encourage them to use washables and local laundering companies.
Something that all of us seem to have to deal with at some point or other. Some babies seem to be absolutely prone to nappy rash and others don’t. The rash may involve just a few raised spots, or an extensive and intense irritation of the whole nappy area.
It can be triggered by a number of different things e.g. what breastfeeding mothers have eaten – usually too acid or spicey, what the baby has eaten – usually too acidic, teething, a bout of tummy trouble where stools are more "aggressive" than usual, or quite simply been left in a wet/soiled nappy too long.
Tips for dealing with it:
- change your child’s nappy as soon as it is wet or soiled
- try not to give your child too much juice or acidic fruit
- let the air get to your child’s bottom as much as possible. If you have a young baby, make sure you put a towel or something absorbent under him/her at changing times and let him/her just kick about with no nappy on as long as you can (make sure he/she doesn’t get cold though!).
If you have a toddler, let him/her toddle about with no nappy on – try and do this just after they have emptied their bladder and/or bowels if you want to avoid "accidents"
- don’t use harsh cleaning products – conventional wipes can be so aggressive and aggravate the condition even more so. Our Almond Rose baby wipes are oil based and very soothing. They moisturise the skin rather than dry it out! If you’re at home, use a little luke-warm water with a few drops of baby oil in it and some cotton wool. That’s a very gentle way to clean
- use a good but natural barrier cream. We stock a number of products that are all natural, yet still provide excellent protection
Please trust your instinct though – if none of the above remedies seem to help and the rash continues or gets worse, please seek the advice of a GP, Pharmacist or Health Visitor as your child may need an anti-fungal cream (in the case of thrush) or a corticosteroid cream (for severe Eczema).
Always remember to take a sufficient supply of cloth nappies with you when you are out and about. There are specially designed wet nappy bags available to put wet/soiled nappies in whilst you are out and about. Having said this, I used to put mine in a normal nappy sack and seal it up nice and tightly! If you are nappy changing in a public toilet and the nappy is soiled, you will be able to dispose of the poo quite easily if you use a flushable nappy liner. Simply remove the liner and flush the liner and its contents down the loo. Always plan ahead, take what you need and have a bag to put wet/smelly nappies in, and you can’t go wrong!
My first tip would be – don’t forget the flushable nappy liners! They can save you a great deal of work! Once a baby is weaned and is producing more solid stools, most of the poo can be removed with the flushable liner and simply flushed away. With younger babies, it is usually only the edges around the liner where the poo has escaped onto the nappy that get dirty. These can be rinsed off before the nappy goes into the nappy bucket. Our flushable liners are wider than most, so they should be able to catch most of the poo.
If, however, you have a beautifully soiled nappy on your hands, the best course of action is to hold the nappy up by a clean corner, hold it in the toilet and flush! Let the whoosh of water sluice the dirty nappy for you. Hold on tight though! If you rinse the nappy out in the sink, remember to disinfect the sink afterwards!
Once the nappy has been rinsed, it is then ready for the nappy bucket. Rather than using plain water, we suggest you add either some Nappy Fresh – the first and best environmentally responsible nappy soak that is really kind to the skin (available from us) or a few drops of tea tree oil as an antibacterial pre-wash cleanser. For more information, see "Using a nappy bucket".
Babies and toddlers love splashing about in the water. If you are planning to take your child to the local swimming pool or a holiday where you will be taking your baby swimming, these are a great idea! Our Aquafit nappies are made from Eco-Tex cotton which is certified free from harmful chemical residues. They have a velcro fastening on the tummy to ensure a good fit and elasticated leg cuffs to make sure there are no embarrassing "leakages". A fine mesh layer inside the nappy also helps to keep any "solids" safe until you reach dry land for a nappy change. Designs are assorted and made using non-toxic dyes. Tip: Be sure to mention whether you would like a nappy for a boy or girl. Happy swimming!
To order swim nappies click here
Best kept in the bathroom, with a lid on, out of the reach of older siblings!! The nappy bucket is ideal for pre-soaking cotton nappies and liners before they find their way into the washing machine. Ideally the bucket needs to be filled up with fresh water and a nappy sanitizer that has an antibacterial effect. The solution needs to be changed every day, otherwise the bucket will start to smell disgusting!!
We recommend "Nappy Fresh" an allergy-tested and environmentally responsible nappy sanitizer that is free from enzymes, synthetic perfumes, chlorine bleach, and optical brighteners. It is highly concentrated and at just £2.99 is a really good buy.
Alternatively you can soak your nappies with a few drops of tea tree oil, which is also well-known for its natural antibacterial properties.
If you use one of our laundry nets, you can line the nappy bucket with this and then when it comes to washing, you simply take the whole net out and pop it into the washing machine. The net takes about 15-18 nappies.
While some childcare organisations simply don’t have the facilities to cope with the soaking and laundering of washable nappies, others seem quite happy to keep your child in their cloth nappies.
Generally speaking, as long as you provide your nursery, childminder etc with all the necessary nappy changing bits and bobs, there is no reason why they shouldn’t be able to carry out your request for you.
Some nurseries are more progressive than others and may well have teamed up with a nappy laundering service – so no special requirements need to be met.
If your child is only in sessional childcare for half a day, then it should be quite adequate to provide the nursery/childminder with a wet nappy bag and spare nappies. You can then deal with the nappies when you get home.
The best thing to do is to speak to the childcare provider and other mums, and try to make the best arrangements to suit all concerned. If all else fails, you might want to consider our Eco-disposables Bambo Nature and Moltex Oko for the days/hours your child is in childcare. It’s a compromise!
Cotton: Washing and drying nappies is really not rocket science! Because nappies are soaked in an antibacterial sanitizer before washing, they can be washed with any other items at 60ºC – towels, clothes, bedding etc. They do not need to be boiled for hours on the stove, like they used to!!
We recommend Bio-D laundry products, especially for babies and young children, as they are free from a lot of the chemical nasties that find their way into conventional washing powders. They are unperfumed and do not contain optical brighteners – so there is less risk of an allergic reaction.
To order BIO-D click here
After our cotton nappies and liners have been rinsed and soaked, they are simply placed in the drum of the washing machine and washed on a normal, hot cycle. Some need to be dried naturally, others can be placed in the tumble drier.
Wool & Silk: Woollen overpants need only be washed if they are soiled. If they are just damp simply let them air in the fresh air for a few hours and they will naturally "cleanse" themselves. Soiled overpants should be handwashed and we recommend our fantastic wool shampoo, which is extremely gentle. You only need a tiny amount (tiny small capful). After rinsing in lukewarm water, we recommend rinsing in our Wool Fat Conditioner. This restores the natural fat content in the wool which will stop the overpants getting wet.
Incidentally - the wool shampoo is also ideal for washing all our wool & silk products (baby underwear) and pure silk products too! (e.g. Liners - naturally healing, silk underwear and nightwear for women, wool & silk sweaters for women). Below is a table of the nappy products we sell and how they should be washed and dried.
Advantages
Our microfibre overpants are not plastic pants! They have been specially designed to let the air get to your baby’s bottom, reducing the risk of nappy rash and overheating. They are waterproof, yet breathable. The velcro fastenings are adjustable to ensure a good fit and allow the overpants to be put on and taken off quickly and simply.
They are a good quality product and, what’s more, they are machine washable! They dry really quickly too. They do not, however, need machine washing after every wear. If they are not soiled, a quick wipe down and rub dry will do.
How many will you need?
Usually about 3 pairs. One to wear, one in the wash and one back-up. You might need four for very young babies who need frequent changing.
To order waterproof overpants click here
There are so many products available to clean your baby’s bottom. Many of the conventional products contain some quite horrible ingredients – including formaldehyde, synthetic perfumes and chlorine – to name a few. Really they are totally unsuitable for sensitive baby skin! Steer clear of cheap products – they are the worst!
When you are at home
If you have the time, make this a special time to bond with your baby. Play a musical mobile, sing a special song, spend time getting close. The best way to clean your baby at nappy changing times is with warm water with a few drops of baby oil (e.g. SANTE Baby Oil or Baby Rose Body and Massage Oil) and cotton wool or a baby flannel. I found that a 40x40cm organic cotton hush cloth cut up into 4 little squares was perfect!
The water will cleanse and the oil will help to cleanse and moisturise. After washing, let your baby kick around to dry himself/herself or pat dry with a soft towel, muslin etc. When the skin is completely dry – check folds, under testicles etc – apply some natural barrier cream (e.g. SANTE Nappy Cream, Baby Intensive Nappy Cream, Nature’s World Petroleum-free jelly) and put on a new nappy.
When you are out and about
Time is sometimes of the essence – especially when there is a queue of frantic mothers with babies and toddlers behind you, all wanting to get on and shop! Obviously, you cannot make such a special thing of it. A pack of wipes and some barrier cream will do nicely. Again, try and choose a natural wipe like our Almond Rose Oil Wipes (oil based wipes that are perfect for newborns or babies with Eczema, nappy rash and the like) or Ellie Smellie Wipes (wet wipes with aloe vera, lavender and tea tree oil that also double up as facial and finger wipes for older children).
To order Almond Rose Oil Wipes click here or to order Ellie Smellie Wipes click here
Once the nappy area has been cleaned, try and let the skin dry as best as possible to avoid soreness and then apply a barrier cream.
To order barrier cream click here
To see our full nappy range click here.
If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
Call Spirit Of Nature at 0845 200 6745 - we are only there to help you! |
