Page 59 - What to Expect

Going home

What do I need to know about cloth nappies vs

disposable nappies?

Nappies are not a particularly cute aspect of your baby’s wardrobe but
they are an essential part. When you take baby home and if he is still rather
small, you may like to consider making some small nappies. Cut down a
cloth nappy to size and hem so that it doesn’t unravel in the wash. This
makes a nice prem size nappy. If you don’t really want to do this, see if you
can find some old nappies that are a bit thin. These will be nice and soft on
baby’s skin and can fold down without being too stiff and bulky.

Washing nappies will be something you will have missed out on so far. It is
preferable to soak the nappies first in water, a nappy rinse solution or good
old-fashioned bleach, which whitens and disinfects like the nappy rinses.
Getting nappies ready for the nappy bucket requires you to scrape off the
poo (an old knife is good for this) and then give the soiled nappy a quick
scrub with an old dish brush.
If you are using a rinsing solution you won’t have to add soap powder
during the washing process, as this counteracts the soaking solution. If you
do use washing powders ensure that the nappies are well rinsed.
Nappy rash can be a bit of a problem for some babies. Zinc and castor
oil cream, bought from the chemist or supermarket, is a very good
preparation for red bottoms. Often it will prevent or fix a nappy rash.
Curash powder is also very good. Changing your baby’s nappy when wet
or dirty is another way of avoiding rashes. Sometimes a stubborn nappy
rash may be thrush (Candida). It is best to show this rash or any rash with
broken skin to your GP or Plunket nurse and they will be able to tell you
the next step.
Disposable nappies are available in a range of sizes and some are
specifically designed for girls or boys. They have the advantage of easy
fitting, no laundering and are ideal for travelling. They can work out more
expensive than cloth nappies but they can be more convenient for many
parents.

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