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Nappy
Systems Explained
The basic make up of any nappy system will include
an absorbent layer (the nappy) and a waterproof
layer on the outside to protect clothes from the
wet absorbed by the nappy (the wrap). Some kind
of liner is also needed to go between the nappy
and baby's skin to catch any solids and hold the
wet away from baby's skin.
It is the combination of nappy and wrap in the
various ways available that can make understanding
reusable nappies a bit of a mine field! Never mind
taking into account the variation between the brands
and the different styles within those brands...
The reason I created this guide was to help you
avoid all the confusion I felt when I first started
looking into real nappies, but if there is anything
I haven't explained properly, or haven't explained
at all (when it comes to nappies!) please feel free
to get in
touch.
Basically there are 4 types
of nappy “system” available:
-
2 Piece Flat Nappy
System
-
2 Piece Shaped Nappy System
-
All-In-One Nappy System
-
Pocket Nappy System
“2 Piece” refers to the fact that the
nappies and the wraps are separate. The wrap doesn't
need to be changed every time the nappy is changed
so you only need a few of these at any time. The
All-In-One and Pocket nappies have the nappy and
wrap in one unit and so you need to change the whole
lot at each change time.
2 Piece Flat Nappy
System
-
Piece 1 is the waterproof wrap.
Piece 2 is a flat nappy: terries
or prefolds.
Terries are a square of terry towelling which
are folded, wrapped around the baby and held in
place with safety pins or Nappi
Nippas. The wrap then goes on the outside
of the nappy. Prefolds are oblong and consist
of 3 panels: the central panel is usually 8 layers
of cotton and the 2 edge panels are usually 4
layers of cotton, so providing a lot of absorption
for its size. These require a very simple fold
and are placed in a suitable wrap before being
put onto the baby.
Terries can be used with most
wraps: Tots Bots, Mother-ease Airflow,
and Mother-ease Rikki.
Prefolds need a wrap with a gusset
to provide more support and hold the nappy in
place: Mother-ease Rikki are
ideal.
2 Piece Shaped System.
- Piece
1 is the waterproof wrap.
Piece 2 is a shaped
nappy: Tots Bots Aplix/Nippa/Bamboozle/Fluffle
, Mother-ease Onesize/Onesize Organic/Sandy's.
The fabric for these nappies have been cut and
stitched to produce layers of absorption, where
baby needs it most, in an easy to use format.
Shaped nappies are fitted around baby very much
like a disposable nappy and held in place with
aplix (a tough velcro), poppers or Nappi
Nippas. The wraps are then fitted on top of
the nappy.
Most wraps can be used with shaped
nappies: Tots Bots, Mother-ease Airflow,
and Mother-ease Rikki.
All-In-One System
-
The waterproof exterior and absorbent interior
are attached so forming one
unit. The whole thing needs changed each change
time- very much like a disposable, except you
can wash it and use it again! Mother-Ease
All-In-One is one example.
Stuffable/Pocket System
-
Stuffable, or pocket
nappies, consist of an outer layer of waterproof
wrap with a fleece interior stitched on to form
a pocket. They have no absorption in themselves
but the pocket can be stuffed with absorbent pads
such as specially designed boosters,
inserts, prefolds, whatever you choose to
use. The level of absorbency and thickness of
the pad can be adjusted to suit the needs of the
child. Often stuffables can be known as All-In-Ones
as once they are stuffed they are treated as an
All-In-One.Fuzzi Bunz
and bumGenius! are
pocket nappies.
The liner
- Is
pretty simple, you can choose from paper liners
which can be thrown down the loo along with any
solids, or fleece. Solids pop off fleece pretty
easily, and they are then washed with the nappy.
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