FAQ

They are better for parents:

​

You can save around £500 per child by using cloth nappies. Although the initial cost is high (£300-£400), parents will end up spending 4 times this amount over a 2 1/2 year period.

Your nappies can be reused on subsequent children (so reducing cost further) or sold on in a buoyant second hand real nappy market.

They come in a range of great prints to add a little fun to changing time!

They are better for your baby:

​

Evidence suggests that toddlers are likely to potty train up to 6 months earlier than those wearing disposables, as they are more aware of their bodily functions.

Studies have shown that your baby is five times more likely to suffer from nappy rash in disposables rather than cloth nappies. This is because cloth nappies made from natural materials (cotton and bamboo) allow the babies skin to breath, whereas disposables are packed with chemicals and gels that can cause irritation to the skin if left on too long.

They are better for the environment:

​

In a child's nappy wearing lifetime (approximately 2 1/2 years) you will get through 4000-6000 disposable nappies that will all end up in landfill. Disposable nappies can take up to 500 years to decompose.

If you just switch to reusable by one nappy a day, you will be saving over 900 nappies ending in landfill.

Disposable nappies use 3 1/2 times more energy to manufacture compared to cloth, with reusable nappies being 40% better for the environment than disposables, even when factoring in the energy used in washing.

This will depend on a few factors:

​

Are you intending on using cloth full time or part time?

How often do you want to be washing nappies?

What stage is your child at in nappy wearing?

New born babies can get through up to 10 nappies a day as they can poo very frequently! As your baby gets older, you will probably only uses 4-5 cloth nappies a day.

Most parents will do a nappy wash every 2-3 days. So, if you are intending on using cloth from birth (and there is absolutely no reason not too!) then you will probably be looking at needing 20-25 nappies for full time cloth usage. If you are starting later in your child's nappy wearing life, then 12-15 should be sufficient.

Older styles of cloth nappies were often very bulky. However, with super absorbent bamboo Tickle Tots nappies are some of the slimmest fitting nappies on the market, so you shouldn't have any problems finding clothes to fit over your nappy.

Are cloth nappies difficult to use?

Not a Tickle Tots nappy! With a stitched in absorbent layer and Velcro closing, it is no more difficult than a disposable to use. Once used store in a nappy bucket ready for washing.

Before you use your new nappy it will need pre-washing at least once at 40*, preferably 2-3 times for it to reach maximum absorbency. Use a non-biological detergent without a fabric softener, as this can affect the nappies absorbency.

How often do I need to change a cloth nappy?

This is very dependent on your baby, but every 2-4 hours. As with disposables, change immediately after your baby has done a poo.

With the proper care, your Tickle Tots nappy should last at least one child, if not a sibling as well. Washing at higher temperatures (60* and above) and tumble drying will cause premature determination over your nappy, particularly the outer PUL cover.

Everybody's favourite question! The stay dry fleece lining and bamboo core, wicks moisture away from the skin, but also helps any solids to fall away from the nappy to be flushed down the toilet. Some parents choose to give their nappies a rinse before putting in the nappy bucket, whereas some will put in the washing machine as they are and run a cool pre wash. It is always advisable to run a hot cleaning wash in your EMPTY washing machine every couple of weeks or so, to keep it in a good, clean condition.

Yes! Cloth nappies are just as reliable as a disposable, but will need additional boosting to last the 8-12hours overnight. Our bamboo boosters fit in the pocket in the nappy to provide the extra absorbency needed, and more than one can be added if your child is a particularly heavy wetter.

Yes, of course! They are just like disposables, so take as many as you think you may need, your wipes and nappy cream, and a waterproof wet bag. When you change the nappy, store the used one in your wet bag, ready to go I the washing machine/ nappy bucket when you get home.

The choice is yours! Many parents do, but some brands don't work particularly well with our nappies, and can cause leakage problems. They do have the benefit of keeping your nappy cleaner, and you are less likely to have to handle a dirty nappy too much.

Tickle Tots nappies are designed to fit from birth (or approx. 9lb) until your child is ready to potty train. This means that you don't need to by separate 'sized' nappies as your child grows. Tickle Tots have three rows of poppers to get the best fit on your baby

Use a lidded nappy bucket to store your nappies. If you use a laundry bag inside your bucket you won't need to handle your dirty nappies on wash day. There is no need to soak your nappies in the bucket, just store them dry until you are ready to put them I the wash.

Before putting in the washing machine, fold close the Velcro laundry tabs to protect your nappies in the wash. Tip any solids dos th toilet, and dispose of the paper liner if used. Wash your nappies at 40*C using a non-biological detergent. If your nappies are particularly soiled, put on a cool prewash first. Do not use fabric conditioner as this can affect the absorbency of the nappy. The amount of detergent needed will depend on load size, use less detergent for a small load.

Tickle Tots nappies are best air dried away from direct heat. Remove the booster (if used) and dry separately. To speed up drying time, turn your nappy inside out. Tickle Tots nappies a also be tumble dried on a low setting, but may cause deterioration of the nappy with prolonged use.

The best way is to dry your nappy in bright sunlight. The UV will naturally bleach out any stains, leaving your nappies looking like new! In the winter, even leaving your nappies on a sunny window sill will help to bleach out any stains. We don't advise soaking in stain remover, and cannot be responsible for any deterioration of your nappy after using a stain removal product.

Cloth nappies need to fit snugly around your babies legs and waist, which can be achieved by altering the size of the nappy using the front poppers and he Velcro waist fastening.

There could be a number of reasons that you are getting a leak:

1. Have you pre washed your new nappy? Your new nappy will need washing at least once before using to maximise its absorbency.

2. Are you using a nappy liner? The bamboo core of your Tickle Tots nappy is extremely absorbent, but with some brands of nappy liner there can be liquid run off that can leak out. Try without a liner, or use a fleece liner to see if this helps with leakage problems.

3. Have you tried altering the fit of your nappy? As your baby grows, you will need to increase the size of your nappy. Leakage can happen in a nappy that is too tight, as well as too loose. Take a look at the fitting video to help get the fit of your nappy right.

4. How often are you changing your babies nappy? You will need to change the nappy every 2-4 hours. You may need to increase he frequency of nappy changes as your baby grows.

5. Your nappy may require extra absorbency. Tickle Tots nappies come with an additional booster to to increase your nappies absorbency. Just pop this in to the pocket of the nappy.

6. Nappy cream. Check to see if your nappy cream is cloth nappy safe. Some creams will leave a residue on the nappy affecting absorbency. If you are using a nappy cream, you could try using a suitable liner to protect the surface fabric of your nappy, and always use a thin layer of cream on your babies skin.