Nappies!

[mrsbrown]

This afternoon's websearch/surf has been focused around those wacky Americans and their need to technologise even the most basic of things.

Yes, I've been investigating ...nappy technology.

I think it comes from a society where everyone uses disposable nappies. When you want to replace these with something more environmentally, and financially, friendly - do you go back to what was used before? No, you make something that's like a disposable. It's a bit like the story of the pen developed by NASA for a lot of money that can be used in space. The Russians just used a pencil.

The pinnacle of nappy technology appears to be the fuzzi bunz. A pilcher with a microfleece lining, that you slip the nappy into. The fleece "keeps baby dry by wicking away moisture" and it has a waterproof outer to stop the baby's clothes from getting wet. They cost more than I'm willing to spend though. My current nappy setup has cost about $100, to set up with these would cost about $350. Only cheap if you compare them with disposables.

Having read about 10 different sites on nappy technology and how to make your own, including this one that has instructions on making your own pilchers. I'm still boggled.

[Bad username or site: This woman @ livejournal.com] has an entire site with reviews, instructions, and more than you ever wanted/needed to know about "cloth diapering." I was particularly impressed with this quote:

I was supposed to be doing research and writing my thesis, and instead, I was spending literally hours (like all day except a break for lunch, and maybe a few minutes here and there to start a computer simulation) reading through the cloth diapering message boards.

There are also other sites that sell the raw materials - the plastic snaps, the waterproof outer fabric etc. Other people knit nappy covers, there are so many patterns out there. And you can felt your own woollen jumper to make pilchers. Just so I can find it again this site has a comprehensive list of sites with nappy making instructions.

To be honest though, I'm tempted to make some of these pocketed, microfleece inner, soft felted wool outer "pilchers". They seem nifty, and probably easier than shopping for the things I'd most like to use that seem to have disappeared from the shelves since last time I nappied babies. Also, I can make them funky. I might even have the materials in my stash.

What can I say, I need something to do. I'm still pregnant.

Also, I found out today that, if we go so far as an induction on Monday, it will be reeeally inconvenient for G. He has a year 12 further maths exam on Monday at 11.30. This baby is so inconsiderate! We might bring the induction forward to Sunday, or do it at 3ish on Monday - is that unethical?

But, things might be moving earlier anyway. I've taken 30mls of castor oil this arvo, I've had niggles on and off (mostly off, I admit) since last night and I think she's dropped a bit more. Certainly, it's harder to walk.

Comments

[sorenr.livejournal.com]

Disposable nappies might be convenient at times (like on trains and boats and planes), but they always filled me with a sense of guilt when I was an au pair in Paris. (Of course a decision about nappy-types is up to the parents, not the au pair, so I suppose I'm guilt-free per se...)

But re-usables with that pilcher-thing (never heard the word before...) sounds rather comfy for the wee 'un, and hey; my toosh has suffered no (permanent) damage from not being wrapped in half a rainforest with added plastic, so I'm all for the environmentally friendly and financially sane option!

[mrsbrown.livejournal.com]

There has never been any question of using disposable nappies in this household! I've even been camping with cloth nappies. Nappies just seem so much more complicated than they were 12-17 years ago when I last had babies in nappies.

Apparently, the cloth nappy manufacturers in Australia have stopped making them and intend to just use up their stockpile. I don't know what happens when that runs out - maybe there will be more of these sites telling you how to make your own. Then again, it seems that already you can't get plain terry towelling squares in the US - they're all value-added and "prefolded".

[sorenr.livejournal.com]

When I was a professional baby-handler (1997-1998) I was terrified at all the many gadgets, tricks and whatnots available; it seemed that babies were, generally, very high-tech! (And I'm sure that trend has continued...) (Oh, and i had to learn what all the gagets were called in French, because they just don't teach that kind of vocabulary in Danish Highschools!)

And how can one survive without cloth nappies with a baby? I mean, those plain squares of fabric are just usefull for SO many things with a baby around!

*diverts thoughts from cute, little babies to organisational theory and tomorrow's class*

God; I'm all broody, these days. Seeing babies everywhere. Not good. Oh, well; it'll pass... LOL

[hometime.livejournal.com]

bugger, i just remembered something else that i was going to make you. bother, may not get it done in time. was going to make some maternity disposbale pads, but given the current list of things to do before monday it probably won't happen. sorry...