Bubbalooba Nappies

Finding a First Christmas Outfit

2010-12-19T10:38:00.000+10:00

Well Christmas is nearly here, so I thought it would be appropriate to write a blog post about what your baby can wear for their first Christmas! After all, you can only celebrate your first Christmas once, so why not celebrate in style.

There are gorgeous dresses, appliqued singlets, shorts, but my favourite Christmas outfit has to have a Christmas modern cloth nappy - your baby can wear this nappy during December, and even after Christmas (you could put some shorts over the top if the nappy is too Christmas-y). On Christmas day, you can combine the nappy with a matching singlet or shirt, a dress, or if it's hot enough your baby can just wear the nappy by itself!

If you're worried about getting a good outfit ruined by your child's messy eating habits on Christmas day, why not consider a Christmas themed bib too? The biggest event on Christmas day, apart from Santa arriving and getting to open all the presents, is definitely the Christmas meal - whether it's brunch, lunch, or dinner, it has always played a big part in my family's Christmas tradition. Let your baby eat in style, and let yourself destress, knowing that their expensive Christmas clothes will be protected!

What's so great about raw silk liners?

2010-09-06T09:51:00.000+10:00

There is a lot of hype about raw silk liners in the world of modern cloth nappies at the moment. They are being advertised as a natural product to promote healing of nappy rash, and to soothe sensitive skin, due to the sericin protein left by the silkworms. Sure, silk may have healing and antibacterial properties, but as a vegan, I am strongly opposed using products from animals, especially silk. Let me explain.

Many of you may have had silkworms as children, or perhaps your own children have brought some home from school, and you will have seen their life cycle. When the silkmoths are ready to emerge from their cocoons, they release an alkali so they can break through the silk, which then spoils the silk threads. To make silk which can be used to create fabric, the cocoons (with the live silkmoths/worms inside) are plunged into boiling water, killing the insects just so we can have a tiny bit of silk. Around 1000 silk cocoons are needed to make 1 silk shirt - that's 1000 tiny lives that have been sacrificed. Only each female silkmoth who has successfully breeded can lay approximately 500 eggs, so only a few survivors are needed to continue the silk production.

If that has made you feel something, just wait because there is more. There are breeds of silkworms which have been bred to make thicker silk cocoons to boost silk production, but because of the thickness of the cocoon it makes it difficult for the silkmoths to emerge. I had the misfortune to witness this not so long ago - I had some silkworms (I think I had about 8) and only 1 silkmoth emerged from the cocoons, and that was with my help - I had to help him out by carefully cutting open the cocoon. I had heard another silkmoth fluttering in it's cocoon, but I didn't want to hurt it by trying to cut it out, so I thought it would make it out by itself. Unfortunately, the fluttering stopped in a few days. I then researched into why this would happen, and discovered what I have already told you above. If only I had known what I know now so I could have helped the helpless silkmoths! It makes me feel sick that animals are breeded purely for human's selfishness.

What is your opinion on using silk?

Ways to build your MCN stash

2010-08-01T15:56:00.000+10:00

If you are as addicted to modern cloth nappies as I am, you will want to know ways you can build your stash as cheaply as possible! Here are some ideas:

Buy second-hand MCN's - there are groups on Facebook that offer this service, and you could also try Ebay
Sign up to the newsletters of your favourite cloth nappy stores so you will be informed of their sales
Try out some giveaway events, such as the Great Down Under Nappy Hunt - not only will you find out about many great businesses, but you could win some nappies!
It pays to become a fan of cloth nappy businesses on Facebook as some hold regular giveaways for nappies and gift vouchers

Feel free to share your modern cloth nappy stash building ideas!

Using terry towelling cloth nappies

2010-07-29T21:07:00.000+10:00

I will admit that I dislike using terry towelling cloth nappies - the folding, the pins, having to put a cover on over the top...it seems like a lot of work, especially now that I'm used to the convenience of modern cloth nappies! However, due to the recent rain, all my MCNs are currently still drying, so I've had to resort to my back up plan - old fashioned terry towelling squares. Even though they can be a pain in the bum, they really do have a range of benefits:

Quick to dry
Different folding methods mean they are truly a "one size fits all" nappy - can also be folded to boost absorbency
Environmentally friendly
Don't require soaking - simply dry pail like your modern cloth nappies

There's just something about using terry towelling nappies that makes me feel like a 1950's housewife!

Making messy mealtimes fun with toddler bibs!

2010-07-28T20:55:00.000+10:00

When your baby gets to the self-feeding stage, you might become a bit reluctant to hand over the spoon in fear of getting food all over the high chair, the floor, your baby, and yourself! However, letting your baby self-feed when they are showing initiative is an important part of their development. You can at least minimise the mess they create by protecting their clothes with our range of toddler bibs. Our large-sized bibs with adjustable neck sizing not only look unique and funky, but also minimise the stress of your little one making a mess! Another handy tip is to buy a plastic dropsheet from your local hardware store - these are quite inexpensive, and will catch all the food and drink your baby can drop!

Using recycled fabrics for your cloth nappies

2010-07-27T10:57:00.000+10:00

Here at Bubbalooba, we strive to use recycled fabrics where possible. This reduces our impact on the environment by reducing the demand for new fabric - to create fabric involves making the fibres (from natural sources like cotton or hemp, or from plastics to make polyester), turning the fibres into a yarn, turning the yarn into a woven or knitted fabric, and then dyeing, bleaching, or otherwise finishing the fabric! As you can see, this lengthy process would use a lot of electricity and chemicals. Instead of buying new fabric, we buy second hand fabric for our modern cloth nappies and baby bibs - this results in unique and limited edition products which are environmentally friendly!

Remove stains from modern cloth nappies

2010-07-26T09:47:00.000+10:00

Staining was often removed from traditional cloth nappies from soaking in chemical solutions, however soaking is discouraged for modern cloth nappies. These modern nappies often have a built-in liner of microfleece or suedecloth, polyester materials which keep your baby dry and deter stains. Over time, these materials may become slightly discoloured and stained, so how do you remove those stains? My number one tip is to hang the nappies in the sun - the sun naturally brightens the fabric. You could also make a paste from bicarb soda and water, apply this to the stains, let dry in the sun and wash as normal.

Do you have any other natural stain-removing tips? I would love to hear them!

The nappy bucket...

2010-07-25T10:07:00.000+10:00

If you are using modern cloth nappies, you most likely dry pail the used nappies in a bucket until you are ready to wash. You also probably know how smelly the bucket can get when you open the lid! Here are a few tips to keep your nappy bucket smelling as pleasant as possible!

Rinse the bucket after you put the soiled nappies into the washing machine
I also let the bucket air out in the sun for as long as possible after rinsing
Add a few drops of essential oil into the nappy bucket before adding soiled nappies
I've heard of adding a few drops of essential oil to a tissue or something similar, and taping this under the lid - this way, the oil won't touch your nappies

I hope these tips help you combat your stinky nappy bucket! If you have any others you would like to share, please add your comments :)

Travelling with cloth nappies: part 3

2010-07-19T20:37:00.000+10:00

One of the most important factors that need to be considered when travelling with modern cloth nappies is washing and drying, especially if you are planning on moving around a lot and only staying in places for short periods of time. You can buy a portable clothesline which you can hang from balconies, hook up indoors, etc. which may come in handy! Most modern cloth nappies aren't recommended to go into a clothes dryer however if needed, you can put your nappies in for a short time on the "warm" setting. If you have no access to a washing machine where you are staying, have a look for a laundromat, or you can wash your nappies by hand. I have heard of people washing nappies in the shower by stomping on them!

If you have anymore tips on travelling with MCN's, I'd love to hear them!

Travelling with cloth nappies: part 2

2010-07-18T20:09:00.000+10:00

Travelling with modern cloth nappies isn't as hard as it seems, as we uncovered in the first part to this extended blog post. But how about using cloth wipes as well? With a small amount of daily planning, cloth wipes can easily be used when travelling too. Disposable wipes (especially flushable wipes) can come in handy, but to make using cloth wipes easy while travelling, follow these few tips:

Keep your wipes dry until needed and have a small drink bottle of water in your nappy bag to wet them as needed.
At the start of each day, wet a face washer or wipe and keep it in a separate wetbag or small container - this is useful for cleaning messy faces and hands! Be sure to use a new washer each day as forgotten wet washers can become smelly very quickly.
Cloth wipes can be used dry if you are caught somewhere without easy access to water.

As cloth wipes are quick to dry, you shouldn't need to worry about having too many extra than what you normally need. Stay tuned for our final part on all you need to know about travelling with cloth nappies!

Travelling with cloth nappies: part 1

2010-07-17T13:57:00.000+10:00

When parents go out and about, whether it's out shopping or on a week long holiday, they often opt to use disposable nappies instead of their usual cloth. The first time we went on a holiday with our son, I did the same - it seems a lot easier to use disposables when you are staying away from home, especially when you're not staying with family. On our next holiday, I wanted to show off our modern cloth nappies to our family, so I was determined to use cloth! I took about 12 pocket nappies with microfibre square inserts - because these are single layer, they are very quick to dry. As we were spending a lot of time in the car, I used a plastic shopping bag as a make-shift pail (which worked very well!) but you could also use a large wetbag or 2. I washed when I could, once every day or two - staying with family makes this step a lot easier.

To be continued tomorrow...

Cloth nappies - too much effort?

2010-07-16T08:48:00.000+10:00

I was recently told that using cloth nappies is too much effort - but I strongly disagree! Did you know a study proved that using modern cloth nappies only takes an extra 7 minutes a day? If you only wash your nappies every 2nd or 3rd day, it's really not that much effort - if you used disposable nappies, you would have to take the nappy to the bin, and if you're baby has done a poo, you're supposed to scrape off as much as possible into the toilet (although most parents I know don't do this...). This is pretty much the same as using modern cloth nappies, except instead of taking the nappy to the bin, you take it to the nappy bucket. With no pins, covers, or other bits and pieces to worry about with modern cloth nappies, they are as easy to use as disposables!

The many colours of modern cloth nappies!

2010-07-15T20:38:00.000+10:00

One of the most visible benefits of using modern cloth nappies is the many different designs you can choose - why would you want to wear the same old white nappy every day when you can mix and match to co-ordinate! Your baby will always look ultra-stylish and individual in modern cloth nappies, and you will be sure to get comments about how cute your baby looks. The rainbow of colours that reusable nappies are available in is more than you could imagine. Not only that, but you can get super soft minkee nappies, unique embroidered nappies, and nappies with your favourite cartoon character! Have a look today and see what you can find to suit your baby's style.

How to save $15 a week by using cloth nappies!

2010-07-14T21:36:00.000+10:00

The average baby needs 6-8 nappy changes a day, which equals roughly 50 disposable nappies a week. The average price to buy 50 disposable nappies is $15. Therefore you would assume that an average family with a baby will be spending at least $15 every week on nappies. Is this you? Let me tell you how to STOP spending money on nappies that you throw in the bin! Consider investing in modern cloth nappies - just buy 20 or so nappies at the start, and that should be all you need until your baby is toilet trained. No more forking out money on nappies every week. You will save thousands of dollars off your grocery bill just by opting to use cloth!

Cloth for mum too!

2010-07-13T21:26:00.000+10:00

If you are already using modern cloth nappies for your baby, the next logical step might be to use cloth products for mums. Cloth menstrual pads, also known as "mumma pads", are quite similar to modern cloth nappies - backed with waterproof PUL, an absorbent middle layer, and topped with flannelette or cotton. They are soft and comfortable, and secure with a single snap. Mumma pads are also very cost effective! These should last your lifetime - for an upfront cost of about $50 (depending on how many you buy), you can save hundreds, instead of having to fork out money each month for disposable pads. They are also simple to wash - give them a quick rinse and throw in the nappy bucket if you still have babies in nappies, otherwise throw into a small bucket of water to soak (an old ice-cream container is a good size!) until you are ready to do a load of washing.

Problems with leaking nappies?

2010-07-12T20:34:00.000+10:00

You may have tried using cloth nappies in the past but were discouraged because they leaked. Or maybe you use disposable nappies and experience occasional leakages and consider this "normal". Let me tell you, you don't need to continue using nappies that require a change of clothes with every nappy change! Try modern cloth nappies - these innovative nappies are designed to keep poo in, and allow you to add more absorbency if required. For best results with any type of nappy, you should change your baby as soon as you realise they have wet their nappy - not only will this help to stop leaks, but also help to prevent nappy rash.

Try just one modern cloth nappy, and I assure you will be pleasantly surprised!

Tips for using cloth wipes

2010-07-11T09:26:00.000+10:00

One way to maximise the savings that come with modern cloth nappies is to use reusable cloth wipes as well. By using cloth wipes alone, you can save hundreds of dollars! These can be used dry or wet - you can wet them with water, make your own wipe solution, or buy a wipe solution (many online baby stores sell this!). Here are a few tips for using cloth wipes:

Use toilet paper to wipe your baby first, then use a moist cloth wipe
Keep a small thermos of warm water near the change area - your baby will appreciate the warm wipes, especially on chilly mornings!
For best results, moisten your wipes just before using - you can either pour on a small amount of liquid, or use a spray bottle

If you have any more tips for using cloth wipes, feel free to share them too!

Soaking not required!

2010-07-10T19:01:00.000+10:00

When people think about cloth nappies, they are often put off by the old method of soaking soiled nappies before washing. However, modern cloth nappies do not need soaking! Soaking modern cloth nappies in chemicals like Napisan can actually deteriorate the PUL cover and elastic used in the nappies. Instead, try dry pailing your nappies - simply put your dirty nappies into a bucket with a sealing lid (although you might want to rinse the nappies first) until you have a full load of washing. I recommend washing nappies every 2nd or 3rd day because the smell lingers even after washing if you leave dirty nappies for too long!

Finding the perfect baby shower gift

2010-07-09T08:01:00.000+10:00

You've been invited to a baby shower and have no idea what to bring as a present. Maybe you haven't had a baby yourself yet and aren't too sure on what babies need exactly. Or maybe the mum-to-be already has a lot of gifts for the baby, and you don't want to buy something they already have! This might be the perfect baby shower gift solution - modern cloth nappies. In our culture, most babies will wear nappies for the first few years of their lives, and the cost of buying nappies week after week soons turns into thousands of dollars thrown into landfill. Give the gift of saving money and saving the environment too by giving a modern cloth nappy - even if the nappy is used just once a week, this will save using over a hundred disposable nappies!

We're living in a disposable world

2010-07-08T09:16:00.000+10:00

These days, everything seems to be disposable - plastic cutlery, tissues, junk mail, disposable nappies...the list is endless! There are lots of little changes we can make in our lives to reduce the use of the products of the disposable culture. Instead of using tissues, try using handkerchiefs (you can easily make your own with flannelette). Opt in for email notifications instead of "regular" mail - bank statements, phone bills, etc. are usually available online. Try using modern cloth nappies instead of disposable nappies - they are just as easy to use, and can save you thousands of dollars!

What to consider when buying nappies

2010-07-07T18:52:00.000+10:00

There are numerous factors you need to take into consideration when buying nappies for your baby. One of the most important things to think about is the cost - disposable nappies might seem like the cheaper option, but by using modern cloth nappies you can save thousands of dollars! Something else that might influence your decision is the environmental factor - cloth nappies are a load more eco-friendly than disposables! It is a myth that cloth nappies are worse for the environment with all the water, electricity and washing chemicals that go into the care of them, but did you think about all the chemicals, paper, water and electricity that goes into the production of disposable nappies? I definitely know which one I'd prefer my baby to wear!

Stopping leaks with cloth nappies

2010-07-06T20:27:00.000+10:00

I've heard many stories from mums who found the disposable nappies (even the more expensive brands!) they had used often leaked, but upon switching to cloth, they didn't have the same problem. Modern cloth nappies are designed to keep messes from leaking out - they feature elasticized legs and backs, often with internal gussets to further contain runny messes! Another feature of modern cloth nappies is the absorbency - you can add more absorbency if you have a heavy wetter, which is something you can't do with disposable nappies. Bamboo, hemp and microfibre are common materials used for absorbency in modern cloth nappies, and are all super thirsty - they wick away the moisture while the microfleece will keep the moisture off your baby's skin.

Why make the switch to cloth?

2010-07-05T18:39:00.000+10:00

Many disposable nappy users can't see the "convenience" of using modern cloth nappies - many think they are a lot more hard work, with soaking, washing, hanging out to dry, and putting away...plus the expense, with most modern cloth nappies costing around $30 EACH! However there are many benefits for using cloth nappies - although they may cost a bit upfront, you will not need to continually buy nappies, like you do with disposables. In fact, you can spend about $500 on modern cloth nappies until your baby is toilet trained, and by that time you could have spent over $3000 on disposables! Modern cloth nappies are also quite easy to use - they don't require soaking, simply wash every second day, and hang on the line to dry - this will only take less than 10 minutes a day - a small price to pay to save thousands of dollars, and have your baby dressed in unique and trendy nappies!

Snaps or velcro?

2010-07-04T13:23:00.000+10:00

Most modern cloth nappies are similar, but there is one major difference that sets nappies apart, and that is whether the nappy closes with velcro or snaps. Velcro is great for younger babies, especially those who like to move around a lot during nappy changes! Velcro also allows use to quickly and easily change the fit of the nappy. However, velcro can be a pain for older babies once they figure out how to remove their nappies themselves. It's for this reason I use snaps on my larger sized nappies - they close securely and are harder for babies and toddlers to remove themselves (although not impossible!).

MCN? OSFM? Nappy abbreviations explained!

2010-07-03T13:38:00.000+10:00

When you first learn about modern cloth nappies, you might be confused by the many abbreviations used in the industry! The first one is of course "MCN", meaning "modern cloth nappy", but there are many more:

AIO: all in one (nappies with cover & absorbent insert all sewed in)
AI2: all in two (nappies with cover sewn in and often have removeable inserts/boosters)
FOE: fold over elastic
OSFM: one size fits most
OSFA: one size fits all
OOAK: one of a kind
PUL: poly-urethane laminate (the water proof material used in modern cloth nappies & covers)
WAHM: work at home mum

Drying time for cloth nappies!

2010-07-01T21:28:00.000+10:00

For me, one of the most important things I think about when looking for modern cloth nappies is how fast they dry. If they take a day or two to dry, then you need to buy extra nappies to make up for the drying time. The fastest drying nappies I have found are pocket nappies, the same as the ones in my online store - because you are removing the absorbent insert and unfolding it too, it dries A LOT quicker than all-in-one nappies with the booster sewn-in. Sure, pocket nappies might have a little extra work involved, but when you think about spending an extra few hundred dollars on more nappies, surely the extra 5 minutes of work seems reasonable!!

How do I make my own cloth nappies?

2010-06-30T10:59:00.000+10:00

Making your own modern cloth nappies can save you even more money on top of the savings you will already be making! If you have basic sewing skills, with the use of one of many free tutorials available on the internet, you can easily make your own nappies. You will need to purchase a few specialty fabrics firstly (about 50cm x 50cm should cover most patterns). You will need an inner fabric which will be against your babies skin - popular choices include suedecloth, flannelette, and microfleece. You will need PUL - there are a growing number of online stores that sell this, with plain colours or designer fabrics attached! If you'd like an outer fabric that isn't already backed onto the PUL, you will need to buy this too - some popular choices include the super soft minkee, cotton, or polyester. You will also need an absorbent inner - fabrics suitable for this are bamboo, hemp, microfibre and terry towelling.

I wish you luck with your nappy making projects, and feel free to post your projects below in the comments section!

Love the idea of cloth nappies, but don't love the washing?

2010-06-29T09:27:00.000+10:00

I know many parents (including my husband!!) who really like the idea of modern cloth nappies - environmentally friendly, cute & unique designs, and money saving - but don't like the fact that there is a small amount of cleaning up to do. There are a few things you can do that will make your experience of using cloth nappies less "messy", so to speak...

Use a laundry service - there are many available around the country, particularly in city areas - they can pick up and drop off your laundry, or you can do the pick up/drop off on your way to work, etc.
Install a "little squirt" device on your toilet - this makes remove solid matter off the nappy so much easier! It saves water as it only uses the same amount of water as a normal toilet flush. These are available online, and you can even make a DIY squirt (easy if you have a handy husband) for around $30.
Use flushable nappy liners - these will catch the solid matter so there will be less of a mess to clean up on the nappy itself!

Making toilet training easier!

2010-06-28T08:40:00.000+10:00

A lot of toddlers these days aren't toilet trained until they are 2-3 years old, sometimes even later! Due to our busy lives, and the convenience of disposable nappies, we often don't emphasize the importance of learning how to use the toilet - and at such a young age, it doesn't seem like such an important issue, as long as they parents don't mind continuing to change nappies! With the use of modern cloth nappies, you can toilet train your baby earlier, and save money at the same time - every disposable nappy you use, you are literally throwing your money in the bin! Statistically, cloth nappied babies are toilet trained younger than those in disposable nappies - this may be because they can "feel" they are wet. If you team modern cloth nappies with legwarmers during winter, you can quickly get your baby on the potty when you realise they are about to soil their nappy.

Do you have any tips for toilet training? Feel free to share your experiences!

Saving money with cloth nappies

2010-06-27T09:31:00.000+10:00

If you are using cloth nappies, you would already know the massive savings you are accumulating - instead of having to continuously fork out money for nappies you are throwing away, you simply buy a stash of modern cloth nappies to begin with, and they should see you through until your baby is toilet trained! There are even more ways you can save money by using cloth nappies:

Look on ebay and online stores selling second hand nappies to pick up some bargains
Join a "nappycino" group and share your stash with other mums
Make your own nappies! If you have basic sewing knowledge, you can easy make your own modern cloth nappies with the range of free tutorials available online
Opt to use soap nuts instead of your regular laundry detergent - not only are these environmentally friendly, but very economical!

The comfort factor of modern cloth nappies

2010-06-26T08:29:00.000+10:00

I recently read somewhere something along the lines of this - "would you prefer to wear pants made out of paper and plastic, or pants made out of cloth?". I know my answer would definitely be cloth! So why do so many parents put their babies in disposable nappies, when they could be experiencing the luxurious comfort of modern cloth nappies? All of our nappies have an inner of the softest suedecloth, and we have a range of nappies with an outer material of comfy corduroy - I wish adult underwear were as soft as modern cloth nappies!

Benefits of using soap nuts

2010-06-25T21:02:00.000+10:00

When you decide to start using modern cloth nappies, you start doing the washing every second day at least - which means you use a lot of water, and a lot of washing powder! This can seem like a lot of waste, and can be expensive too, but I've found a cheaper option. Soap nuts are truly fantastic - not only are they a lot cheaper but can help reduce your water wastage too! Soap nuts grow wild in India, and have been used there historically for washing. They are completely natural and environmentally friendly. A 1kg bag retails for about $40 and can last the average household a year, so they are very cost effective too!

Soap nuts can help save you water as well as you can recycle the washing water to water your garden - they will not harm your plants, and can even act as a mild insect deterrent!

More to the point, soap nuts will effectively clean your modern cloth nappies, and have no scent - add a few drops of essential oil if desired.

Easy tips to avoid nappy rash

2010-06-24T21:58:00.000+10:00

A common myth is that cloth nappies cause nappy rash - the truth is that prolonged periods in wet or soiled nappies is what causes nappy rash (among other factors, including foods eaten, teething, irritation to washing powders or other chemicals, etc). However, our modern cloth nappies help to prevent nappy rash by keeping your baby dry with a built-in suedecloth liner. There are a few other tips for avoiding nappy rash:

Try some "nappy-free" time each day
Acidic foods like citrus fruits and tomatoes can cause nappy rash, especially in younger babies
Change your baby's nappy as soon as you realise they are wet - even if they are in disposable nappies - as prolonged exposure to ammonia can't be good for your baby either!
If using baby powder or nappy rash creams, opt for natural products

Avoiding the stinkies...

2010-06-23T21:28:00.000+10:00

If you are using cloth nappies, you will know that after a few months, they get a bit of a buildup of smell - the super absorbent microfibre inserts unfortunately absorb the smell as well! By following a few washing tips, your modern cloth nappies can smell like new again.

Add about 1/4 cup vinegar to your wash cycle - try not to do this on a regular basis as vinegar will deteriorate the PUL and elastic in your nappies.
Hang your nappies to dry in the sun - the sun helps to remove stains, and the fresh air will help remove odour.
Rinse your nappies before placing them in a bucket.
Wash every 1-2 days - the longer the nappies stay in the bucket, the more smelly they become!
Try adding a few drops of essential oil into your load of washing - this will help disguise any unpleasant odours!

The different styles of modern cloth nappies available...

2010-06-22T13:00:00.000+10:00

If you have bought different brands of modern cloth nappies, you will have experienced first hand the different styles available! Each have their own benefits, some nappies may suit some family better than others. All-in-one nappies have everything sewn together - the PUL waterproof cover, the absorbent material, and the liner, along with velcro or snaps. These are easy to use - no need to buy separate covers or insert the absorbent material before use - however can take a long time to dry, depending on how absorbent they are - in my experience, it can take 2 days or more to dry, hanging in full sun! Pocket nappies are much faster to dry (and my personal favourite!), usually drying only a few short hours. They do require a little extra work - removing the absorbent inserts before washing, folding and putting the inserts back into the nappy when dry. However, what ever style of modern cloth nappy you use will be easy, convenient, and money saving.

How easy are cloth nappies to use?

2010-06-21T18:17:00.000+10:00

Gone are the days when cloth nappies meant folding terry towelling squares, trying to pin the nappy on a squirmy baby while also trying not to stab yourself (or your baby!), and having to worry about all the accessories that go with cloth nappies: liners, pins, Snappis, covers...it's no wonder the convenience of disposable nappies quickly gained popularity!

However, the 21st century brought the next generation of cloth nappies: modern cloth nappies! This brilliant new style of nappy has all the convenience of disposable nappies - built in waterproofing, elasticated legs and backs, easy to use velcro tabs, and a built in stay dry liner helping to prevent nappy rash! Combine this with the environmental benefits of using cloth, plus the amount of money you can save by switching from disposables, and you really have one super nappy...

Using cloth nappies at night

2010-06-20T12:45:00.000+10:00

I will admit that when we first made the switch to using modern cloth nappies, it took us quite a few weeks until we were confident to stop using disposable nappies at night time too. I didn't see how it would work, as my baby was a heavy night wetter and would wake up most mornings with a leaking disposable nappy - I could only imagine how wet he would get with cloth nappies!

There are a few tricks that can help you ease into using cloth nappies at night time more easily. The main thing you should know about modern cloth nappies is that ABSORBENCY is the key! If you experience leaking at anytime, day or night, it is because you need more absorbent material in your nappies - you may need to purchase an extra booster. Nappies with a polyester outer like minkee work better for night time use, especially when combined with polyester pyjamas. For the first few nights while adjusting to cloth, make sure you have a mattress protector in case of any accidents!

How to wash your modern cloth nappies

2010-06-19T09:44:00.000+10:00

Modern cloth nappies sometimes look like they need to be drycleaned, with their luscious minkee materials and modern PUL fabrics. However, your reusable nappies are designed for regular washing, so you only need to adhere to a few simple guidelines when washing. Wash using cold or warm water, and a mild washing detergent (preferably an earth-friendly alternative such as soapnuts) - a few drops of essential oil can be added to give your nappies a fresh scent. Avoid using fabric softeners, Napisan, and vinegar, as these chemicals can inhibit the effectiveness and life of your nappies. Hang to dry on the line (in sun or shade) - the sun can help to remove stains and odours. If you need to use a clothes dryer, use on a warm setting and only for a short period of time.

Doing your bit for the environment

2010-06-18T20:32:00.000+10:00

One of the most trending issues at the moment is the environment - there is an ever-increasing awareness of things that we can all do to reduce our carbon footprint, and help save the planet for future generations. I probably don't need to tell you that by using modern cloth nappies you will be doing wonders for the environment!

A common response I get when I start to tell people about cloth nappies is "But aren't they just as bad for the environment as disposables, with the washing detergent, and water and electricity used to wash them?". It might seem that way because you don't see all the water, electricity and chemicals that go into manufacturing disposable nappies - plus there's the fact that ALL disposable nappies ever made are still lying around in landfills, as they can take hundreds of years to biodegrade (even the "environmentally friendly" ones!).

By using cloth nappies, you can make a conscious choice over your carbon footprint - you can recycle your washing water to water the garden, use earth-friendly washing detergents like soap nuts, and opt to hang your nappies on the line rather than put them in the clothes dryer.

What are the cheapest nappies to buy?

2010-06-17T20:41:00.000+10:00

When I was a new mother, we used disposables nappies, and they took up a huge chunk of our weekly shopping budget. I remember searching on Ebay for bargains on nappies, scouring catalogues for nappy sales, even getting out the calculator on my phone in stores to work out which was cheapest! After a few months, I thought to myself that there had to be a cheaper option - surely I could buy in bulk, or find a discount online store? I did a Google search and came across a website that told me how much money I could save by using cloth nappies - and it made so much sense! Why should I keep throwing my money in the bin each time I use a disposable nappy, when I could be using reusable nappies?

By using modern cloth nappies, you can save thousands of dollars. If you use cloth wipes as well, you can save an extra few hundred dollars too! It doesn't make sense to keep throwing your money away - if you'd like a free, comprehensive report including actual figures of how much money you can save by switching to cloth nappies, head over to our store for modern cloth nappies.

Our Green Promise Nappy

2010-06-07T20:11:00.000+10:00

Have you registered for the Winter Green Promise Nappy Initiative yet? There are heaps of modern cloth nappies to be given away - you just need to go to the sponsors websites and answer an easy question! The initiative started on 1st June 2010 and ends 15th July 2010, so you've still got plenty of time.

This is the nappy we are giving away from Bubbalooba - it's our Olive Corduroy Pocket Nappy in size M, which will fit a 5-18 month old baby! To be in the running to win this soft, easy to use nappy, head over to our online store...

Good luck to everyone participating!

Cloth wipes

2010-06-05T22:34:00.000+10:00

When I first switched to using cloth nappies, I continued to use disposable wipes. I hate to say this, but I just flushed them down the toilet half the time! After a number of months, I heard about these cloth wipes. It was a "slap on the forehead" moment - it makes so much sense: if you're using cloth nappies, use cloth wipes too! I bought some secondhand flannelette PJ's from an opshop and cut them up into squares, and overlocked around the edges. These worked fine, but because the flannelette was pretty worn in the first place, they are looking a bit shabby now!

To use cloth nappy wipes, you can either use them dry, or wet. I just keep a spray bottle of water on my change table to use as needed, but you can buy or even make your own homemade baby wipe solutions. Then just chuck in the wash with the rest of the nappies, easy!

We stock a range of cloth nappy wipes in our store made with quality, soft flannelette.

Giveaway winner...

2009-10-27T21:49:00.000+10:00

I'm sorry for getting the results up so late - I went away for an extended weekend and didn't realise I would have such limited internet access...so, the winner of our 3 nappies and bibs giveaway is "alwayshopeful" - Congratulations, I have emailed you! Thanks to those who entered :)

We will definitely be holding more giveaways soon, but probably not until the website is up and running again. Speaking of which, even though the website is still not functioning, I'm sure it will be up and running by the weekend at the latest! That is my priority for the rest of the week. Until then, you can become a fan on facebook or follow us on twitter to make sure you stay up to date with our latest products.

Swim nappies for my water boy!

2009-10-22T22:12:00.000+10:00

Tonight I experimented with making a little swim nappy for my little fish, but seeing as he has gone to sleep for the night, I have to wait til tomorrow to test it out...but I think it has turned out quite well! I used an old pair of board shorts for the outer, a hidden layer of PUL (which I think I will leave out next time, I don't think it's quite necessary...comments anyone?) and an inner of suedecloth. I used fold over elastic for the first time too, which was a bit exciting yet also very frustrating as my machine didn't seem to like it too much...but it turned out alright. And I added snaps to the sides - I think it looks very funky, so if all goes well with testing it out tomorrow, I will post a picture and add some swim nappies to the store!

Also, our website is down for the moment...we are switching servers and creating a new website at the same time, it's taking longer than expected...I'm hoping it will be back up and running and fully functional next week! Be sure to check it out, our website is having a major makeover...

Nappy & Bib Giveaway!

2009-10-16T20:51:00.002+10:00

We are doing a big giveaway tonight to celebrate Reusable Nappy Week - we will be giving away an awesome pack of 3 nappies and 3 bibs, RRP over $85 - which nappies and bibs, I haven't exactly decided yet, so you could probably choose if you win...or I will just choose for you :)

So, to enter is easy - ~~go to the Bubbalooba website and sign up for the newsletter~~ our website is currently down, so leave your email address and you will be manually entered into our newsletter, and follow this blog. Once you have done that, come back here and leave a comment letting me know, and leave a valid email address. Too simple!

EXTRA - if you want more entries, you can:
1. Post a link on facebook. Leave a comment here with your link and a valid email address.
2. Retweet on twitter. You can tweet something like the following: "RT @BubbaloobaBaby is giving away a set of 3 nappies and bibs! http://bit.ly/upRxN" or you can make something up. Leave a comment here with the link and a valid email address.
3. Mention in a blog post. Leave a comment here with the link to your blog and a valid email address.

NOTE -
Please leave a separate comment for each entry (except for following our blog and signing up to our newsletter - that counts as one entry).
Giveaway is open to Australian residents only..sorry!
Competition ends 23rd October 2009

Good luck everyone!! Once you have entered, you can check out our facebook page for our nappies and bibs so you can start choosing your prizes :D

The Oz Material Girls

2009-10-15T08:00:00.000+10:00

Another post about giveaways - they sure are popular at the moment! I've come across The Oz Material Girls who sell fabric, pattens and supplies. At the moment they have three great giveaways going for their 5th birthday celebrations - you could win a Deluxe Craft Trolley, a Shabby Rose Lecien Fabric Gift Pack, or 3 country quilt patterns! And it's so easy to enter...you gain entries by signing up to the newsletter, tweeting, mentioning it in your blog, etc. The more entries, the more chance you have at winning!

Also, while I'm here, I will just mention that Bubbalooba is having a 20% off sale for Reusable Nappy Week - sale ends Sunday 18th October, so hurry to catch these low low prices!

Raspberry Bub competition!

2009-10-14T11:47:00.000+10:00

I have been meeting a lot of interesting people on Twitter lately, and have seen a number of great services/baby products. One of the latest ones is Raspberry Bub - they stock soft toys, wooden toys, blankets, bath products, and more - but what I LOVE about Raspberry Bub is how a lot of their products are made by mum's, whether they are in Byron Bay or Kenya! The fairtrade scheme they have with their overseas mum's is excellent - the mums work at their own pace and are paid by piece, and it gives them an extra income to support their families.

I am in love with their Felt Baby Book which was made in Nepal - it is so beautifully handcrafted, you can really appreciate the time and effort the women put in to make it!

So you can see why I'm excited to announce they are holding an amazing giveaway at the moment, with a prize of a cheeky little hand-knitted monkey, a wooden monkey rattle, and an organic Nido blanket. You can enter at Hip Little One until October 21 2009 - I've just entered this morning *fingers crossed*!

Buying nappies for research

2009-10-09T22:35:00.000+10:00

Tonight I have been searching the web for some cheap modern cloth nappies that I can use to research what other nappy makers are doing. I'm really interested in how others go about making one-size-fits-most nappies, as they are so economical and an even better initiative to use cloth nappies!

So far I have thought about getting either a Green Kids nappy or a Haute Baby nappy, but then I had a look on Ebay and there are a few different ones on there that are even cheaper still, so I'll wait towards the end of the auctions and see what the price is like then.

I'm quite excited about letting myself "splash out" on some new nappies - I don't feel so guilty spending money if it's for something that's multi-useful...my baby gets some new nappies, and I get a great research tool for my online store!

The things you can make from recycled materials...

2009-10-07T21:14:00.000+10:00

Over the past few days I have been busy creating more products from my growing collection of op-shop finds! To be released later this week - recycled bibs. Currently I have made some blue and some pink, and may be making some green later on tonight/tomorrow.

I have also been trying out a pattern to make undies - that match the material of your babies nappies! The idea came from me thinking how nice it would be to wear one of my son's minkee nappies...so then I thought "I can make adult minkee undies!!" - so nice and soft and smooth and warm in winter. My partner wants me to make some men undies too, but I'm not too sure how I would go with those, so I'm sticking with ladies undies for now. Stay tuned for this exciting project!!

I've also been thinking about making some breast pads and menstruation pads to use up the smaller pieces of material I have left over from making nappies...these will be started once I finish up with the bibs.

So there are quite a few different reusable products to be posted on my reusable nappy store over the next month, so make sure you sign up to the newsletter on our website or subscribe to this blog to keep updated!

Three wheeled prams

2009-10-01T13:27:00.000+10:00

We have had a three-wheeled pram since our son was born, and haven't had many problems until the past few weeks. The pram has now tipped over twice, and we have been lucky there haven't been any injuries...yet!

The first time I was sitting outside and the pram was in front of me and I put my foot up on the front end and WHAM! The pram started toppling over! I tried to grab at it but I wasn't strong enough, but I at least saved it from crashing down..it was more of a gentle landing, I guess. But it horrified my 7 month old son (and myself!), he started bawling his eyes out! Nothing a few cuddles and kisses couldn't fix though.

The second time, I was in the shower and my son was outside with my partner and I heard him crying...after I was finished, I asked what was wrong with him, and the story was that the pram was parked on a bit of a slope (although our backyard is quite flat, so it wouldn't have been too much of a slope!) and Amir had leaned over to one side and the pram tipped over. Again, it didn't appear he had any injuries, but was a bit shocked. Poor darling! It is a lifesaver that I insist that he is always strapped in, especially now that he is a bit more mobile, or I'm sure the accidents may have resulted in more serious injuries.

Reusing water?

2009-09-23T21:45:00.000+10:00

After recently starting to use soapnuts instead of laundry powder, I told my partner we (meaning, he) need to hook up a hose from the washing machine to the tank so we can reuse our greywater to water our garden. So being the smart cookie he is, we now have a bit of a water-recycling system in place!

Yesterday I decided I would give paper-making a try, and I thought I would reuse the water leftover to water the plants as well...

I used to know a family who had buckets in the shower to collect the water to reuse as well, but I'm not sure how the plants would like the soap. And I'd love on of the inserts you can get at Bunnings for your kitchen sink, so you can reuse your dish water!

So what are your favourite ways to reuse water? I think I read somewhere once that only 1% of the Earth's water is fresh...it really makes me think how much we take it for granted, how much every drop counts...

Sneak preview!

2009-09-18T13:54:00.000+10:00

Being released in our store tonight is our brand new recycled range - nappies with an outer of recycled material. This material may be from a shirt, pants, a pillowcase, or just some random fabric I had lying around...but wherever it came from, it sure makes a funky nappy! These new nappies also feature our revised pattern, so they look a little different to our earlier designs, but still have all the same features - velcro tabs, elasticized legs and back, hidden PUL layer, and suedecloth inner.

Using recycled fabric has many benefits:

it's a lot cheaper
it's environmentally friendly (why waste good fabric? Tonnes of perfectly good fabric is thrown out each year...)
you can be sure your baby's bottom will stand out with one-of-a-kind designs!

Make sure you don't miss out on these limited edition nappies - there are only about 3 of each design available due to the limited amount of each fabric. Check out our store tonight...

Benefits of using cloth

2009-09-13T18:58:00.000+10:00

I've been doing a bit of research over the past few days and have found a lot of mindblowing statistics about the use of nappies, so I thought I would share it.

By using cloth nappies, you can save hundreds of dollars per child!
2.2 million disposable nappies are used EVERY DAY in Australia
Every nappy ever made is still in existence - the plastics used to make nappies could take centuries to break down
At least four-and-a-half trees are needed to produce the disposable nappies for one baby
Using cloth nappies can help with toilet training
The energy it takes to wash a cloth nappy is 5 times less than that to make a disposable
On average, it takes just 7 minutes to wash, hang out, and put away cloth nappies - it takes longer to go to the store and buy a pack of disposable nappies
Using just 1 cloth nappy a day means 365 less disposable nappies being sent to landfill every year

If I wasn't already converted to cloth, I know the above facts would definitely have had some impact the next time I went to buy a pack of disposables!

Great Down Under Nappy Hunt!

2009-09-04T20:07:00.001+10:00

I am addicted to hunting for the elusive nappy icon in the Great Down Under Nappy Hunt...I have been glued to the computer for days now! Although I managed to drag myself away for 30 minutes today and go op-shopping - I have been getting some great ideas about making nappies using funky recycled fabric! I'll post some photos and add these nappies as I make them..very excited about this project!!

Hope all you hunters out there are having fun finding the icons!

Some cute girls' nappies!

2009-08-29T20:08:00.001+10:00

I've been busy over the past few days making some cute pocket nappies for girls - Cheatin' Cheetah, Hot Princess, and Sesame Street Girls. To order any of these gorgeous designs, head to Bubbalooba.

And don't forget to add us on facebook - when we reach 50 fans, we will be giving away a free Bubbalooba nappy!

More fabrics arrived today, yay!

2009-08-27T21:09:00.000+10:00

I was so excited to get some more fabric in the mail this morning - I have been cutting and sewing as much as Amir will let me. I can't wait to post these new nappies up on the website! Most of this batch are a bit girly, so they will be a bit different from what I already have in store.

Today I have also looked into making my own fabric designs...at this stage I'm not really sure what to do but I'm sure one day I will.

That's it for now - stay tuned over the weekend for my latest releases!

New nappies in town!

2009-08-26T12:24:00.000+10:00

How did Bubbalooba Nappies come about? Well, I have been making modern cloth nappies for my son, and so many people have told me "Wow, they are so cool, you could sell these!". So I decided to venture into being a WAHM...not only do I get to stay at home with my little boy, but I get to do what I love doing best - sew clothes!

Over the next week more nappies will be coming up for sale on my webpage, Bubbalooba.com - make sure you check it out before they run out, as initial stocks are limited!