FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Many people know they want to use alternatives to disposables but are put off by the lack of practical information about exactly how to use them; how many they need, how often to wash them, what to do with a nappy bin etc.
We would like to give you a brief overview here to help you get started. All Bio-Baba nappies come with Swing Tickets with full fitting, washing & care instructions.
HOW MANY DO I NEED?
The short answer is “ 15 Bio-Baba nappies of each size” (Medium 6-9.5kg suitable from approx 3 months to a year….Large 10kg-16.5kg+ suitable from approx a year to potty training). This means that you will have enough nappies to last you for 2 days, with some being washed whilst the others are being used.
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WHAT DO I DO WITH SOILED NAPPIES?
Bio-Baba's have a handy 'flip-out flap' which allows you to hold the nappy whilst you flush the good stuff down the loo. Then put in the nappy bucket to soak as usual.
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WHAT DO I USE TO DISINFECT THEM?
Do NOT use Steri-nappy or any other bleach based product...in addition to destroying the special breathable waterproofing, bleach is incredibly bad for the environment, as it kills all bacteria (good & bad) & life in the water system. We recommend using Bio-Baba Organic Nappy Steriliser...a really great product that uses the power of essential oils to disinfect the nappies or a few drops on tea tree oil in a lidded bucket. You can also use white vinegar, but this is a bit pongy!
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WHAT DO I WASH THEM WITH?
Do not use any products containing bleach, petro-chemically derived soap products or strong detergents to wash your nappies as this will destroy the special waterproofing fabric and radically reduce their life-span. We recommend using an eco-friendly laundry gel or powder. (Eco-soft, Enchantrix Laundry Gel or Sunlight Baby) as they are mild enough not to irritate babies skin or do serious environmental damage.
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HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO WASH THEM?
We recommend changing your soaking solution at least every 2 days. What this means in practical terms is doing a 'nappy wash' Monday, Wednesday & Friday...if you have domestic help on these days - that's an added bonus!
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HOW LONG DO THEY TAKE TO DRY?
Bio-Baba nappies will line-dry on a reasonable drying day...if they are slightly damp or you want to take this chill off them, place them face down (cloth side) on a heated towel rail for 10 mins. Babies love having a nice warm nappy put on! (Nappies should NEVER be put next to an open flame or heater element)
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CAN I USE BIO-BABAS AT NIGHT?
Bio-Baba nappies are EXCELLENT NIGHT NAPPIES. If you purchase the recommended 'Complete Bio-Baba System' of any size you will have enough nappies and hemp booster pads needed for night use as well. You would then fit the nappy as usual, folding the hemp pad into the 'famous “V” fold' AND insert an extra pad into the flip our flap. This will provide the extra absorbency needed to keep baby dry at night.
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CAN I USE BIO-BABAS AS A SWIM NAPPY?
Yes! These are great nappies for the beach and by the swimming pool...they do not get all hot and clammy like a disposable and come in such vibrant trendy colours that your baby will be the coolest baba in town! Do remember to remove the Hemp Booster Pad before going in the water though - we don't want to absorb the whole pool! NEVER leave small children unattended around water.
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TROUBLESHOOT LEAKS
The most common problems associated with a leaking nappy are:
1. The nappy has been fitted too loosely: What we do is a 'One leg at a time approach'. Place the nappy under the baby's bum as per the “Fitting instructions” available on the web THEN, pull the elastic of the right leg straight up to 2 'o clock and close the right tab. Then, pull the elastic of the left hand side of the nappy straight up to 10 'o clock and then close the left tab. It is absolutely vital that there are NO GAPS underneath the legs after the 'smart-fit' tabs have been closed. Finally, check that all the flannel has been tucked in and that the edges are straight and comfortably protecting from the Velcro.
2. The nappy has been left on for too long: It is impossible to set a blanket recommendation for changing times as each child is different and poos and wees at different times with varying impressiveness! We really encourage mothers to become aware of their baby's unique rhythm. That said, babies in the Medium nappies should happily stay dry for between 2-3hours in the day, and a little longer at night. Children in the Large nappies will need to be changed after they wee, (as they are doing much larger wees), and be encouraged to toilet train. The waterproofing on Bio-Baba nappies is NOT PVC which is designed to lock all wetness in, making for a very wet-skinned uncomfortable baby who will wake up and cry. We have used a breathable fabric to ensure that baby is as comfortable as possible and that you know when baby is due for a change (thereby avoiding nappy rashes). Once you get to grips with your baby's rhythm, you will be able to pre-empt any dampness and change beforehand. Take note of when you put the nappy on.
3. Insertable hemp 'Booster Pad' has not been washed enough: The Bio-Baba nappy is designed specifically to wick moisture away from the baby's skin with the hemp used in the removable 'Booster Pad' doing all the hard work of the nappy. If this pad has not been washed several times before use (AT LEAST twice), then it will not be operating at its full absorbency. Remember, the more your wash it, the more absorbent it becomes.
Another tip:
The hemp 'Booster Pad' is the backbone of the nappy...use it smartly. Where does your baby get the most wet? Usually boys wet higher up as their 'equipment' is higher than girls! Girls tend to wee straight downwards with great force, and boys might aim straight for your eye, so make sure the hose is pointing down when the nappy is fitted. For boys, you can give your nappy extra support by folding the 'Booster Pad' double in a “V” shape and placing it on-top of the 'danger zone' with the “V” protecting leaking at the edge of the nappy along the legs. For girls, it is often better to leave the pad in the flap. Again, work with your own baby. If you do fold the pad double, ensure that you do not let it interfere with the fit of the nappy.
Then there is the question of the 'Child Who Wees for Africa'
It's something you don't notice when a child is in disposables, but you certainly do once they are in real nappies. In our experience, however, most people think their child is a heavy wetter. Personally, we just think we don't really appreciate the liquid in = liquid out equation while a child is in disposables.
Remember that wet nappies are a GOOD thing, in that they indicate that your child is well. The problem comes when the wetness turns into leaks.
Are they simply drinking too much? If you always provide juice, toddlers will frequently gulp it down and then ask for more, which will have the obvious effect on the bladder. As they approach toilet training they will no longer be doing lots of little wees which are easily absorbed, but will be doing occasional full wees. Any nappy, including a disposable, is going to be hard pushed to absorb these quickly enough if liquid intake is excessive. A good tip is to offer juice only at mealtimes, and to provide water at other times during the day: your child will drink if (s)he is thirsty but not for the sake of it. You will also be cutting down on your child's sugar intake, which is a good thing, especially if you have a hyper child.
Keep in mind that you are using a cloth nappy that contains no chemicals to absorb urine and turn it into a non-biodegradable gel. You are using high quality fabrics that can be washed over and over. You have chosen to use a great nappy that is eco-friendly and much cheaper than disposable alternatives. Take the time to get the fit right and you won't look back!
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WHY ARE THERE NO NEWBORN BIO-BABA NAPPIES?
Just so that you know - Bio-Baba used to have a small nappy on the market that catered for newborns, but we found that it was not practical for a number of reasons:
- they are not financially viable...ie the financial outlay for something that is going to last less than 3 months just does not make sense since the babies grow so fast at this stage.
- it is very difficult to get a good fit with any sort of fitted or shaped nappy before the 3 month mark as the babies are so small and fragile. They all come out so differently and so to fit a nappy correctly in order to avoid the consequences of the delightful 'explosive poos' that they do at this early stage whilst bowels are learning to work is an art in itself!
- Mum is in what we like to call 'the cave'...the beautiful space where only baby exists...we have found that Mums (especially first-time Mums), who really do want to go the eco-friendly route and have attempted it right from day one, very often 'give-up' since they feel overwhelmed by the bucket routine. This then has an adverse effect as they feel like they have 'failed' in some way and they do not go back to cloth nappies. "I tried that and it didn't work". We would much rather prefer mum and dad to have settled into having a new person in the house before starting a cloth nappy routine; everyone is calmer and able to master the organization required to keep a fresh supply of nappies in the cupboard...You also know your baby better and are familiar with their patterns.
- many people receive newborn disposables as a gift...whilst we do not advocate this practice it is a good time to use them all up!
That said, if you are super-keen to go the eco-friendly route from the very beginning, make sure your friends and family purchase a chlorine free biodegradable disposable nappy for your baby shower.
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