Is this how flats work?

EleanorKr

Hi everyone! 

I've been redirected to this board to ask some noob questions about CD (look at me using abbreviations like I know what I'm talking about!).

I live in a country where CD is looked at as absolutely ridiculous so I'm having trouble getting information without getting mocked. The internet has been helpful but before my first baby is born, can you be so kind as to tell me if I am understanding flat nappies correctly? Is this how they work?

1. You fold them in one of many ways (suggestions? The origami fold looks pretty cool to me?)

2. You insert a flushable liner

3. You put baby in nappy and close it with a snappi

4. You cover the whole nappy with a waterproof cover

Is that right? And then when the baby poops you flush the liner + majority of poop down the loo, throw the nappy in a bin with lid (and baking soda for the smell?) and wash every other day.

There is just SO MUCH information on the internet and everyone is saying something slightly different. Would this approach work? And would it work for newborns?

freezorburn

What country are you in?

You've pretty much got the basics -- I would just say that a flushable liner is optional. Especially during the newborn (NB) period, when the baby is only eating breastmilk or formula, their poo is water soluble and comes out in the wash. The only time I have liked a flushable liner is during the month where DS was just starting solids, it made cleanup a bit easier. Some people use flushable liners all the time, but I find them fussy to deal with. They tend to bunch, and I've heard they don't break down very easily so can cause clogs. Also, the cost probably adds up over time.

Some people install sprayers on their toilets to help with poo removal after starting solid foods. If you are in the UK (just a guess) this may or may not be an option, depending on how your plumbing is set up. I use a spatula to scrape. You just have to figure out what will work for you.

Flats come in a variety of materials -- cotton, hemp or a blend -- and then could be muslin, birdseye, flannel, terry, etc. Some people make their own out of T-shirts or old bedsheets, or use flour sack towels.

As for folds, here is a link to a bunch of fold tutorials. There should be at least one in there that will work for NB.

EleanorKr

@freezorburn

I'm British but currently living in South Africa. I get the feeling disposables are still considered super modern in this area so people don't understand why anyone would choose to go back to cloth.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, I appreciate it! I'll give it a go without liners for a while and see if the nappies hold up.

freezorburn

You're welcome! Let us know if you have any other questions.

mrshudson618

Everything she said! Liners are just more trouble for nb stage, and we got lucky with nice plopable poop after starting solids, so we have never used them. I think a majority never use them, ever when they need to spray a lot.

EleanorKr

I do! I do have another question!

I only have cold water in my top loader washing machine. Will this be good enough for flats? I read that because they're single layer they wash easily.

If hot water is better, would it be possible to soak the used nappies in a bucket of hot water and then throw them through a cold water cycle?

ElleBeeDub

I live in Germany, and there are some moms here who have only cold water washing machines as well. They do just fine. Yes, flats wash extremely easily, and they tend to be more forgiving with your wash routine.

You will want to rinse the used nappies before starting your wash cycle (most moms just set their machine to the shortest wash cycle or a "prewash" cycle) so that you're not washing in dirty water. All of that can be done with cold water with no problem. 

The other nice thing about flats is that you can always boil them if you end up having any issues or if it would make you feel better to "sanitise" them every once in a while  

PipSqueak0313

Flats are also easy to handwash if that is ever needed. You can also use a plunger and bucket (one of the ways of handwashing) to do the prewash step and then pour the water down the toilet to rinse poopy flats instead of using flushable liners.