We have used these nappies for over a year now for our third child after using disposables for the first two. I went for Bambino Mio because a) I felt very strongly that I wanted to be eco-friendly this time b) They had good consumer reviews- and I did a lot of research and c) I lived near a local stockist at the time, making it easy to get supplies and sample packs.
Basically, you have an outer nappy shell with velcro fastenings which looks a bit like a disposable. It has a waterproof inner and a cotton outer. You can wipe down the waterproof inner and reuse this part. Then there is a rectangular cotton nappy that is several layers thick. You fold this and wrap a liner around it and place it in the shell. Don't be put off by the folding- it is literally two folds, nothing like the old Terry nappies. There are two different ways to fold it depending on whether you have a boy or a girl.
When I was pregnant I did not speak to one person who recommended reusables. Everyone pretty much said 'we couldn't manage the nappy rash'. I can honesly say we have not had a problem. I was even preparing to have to change the nappy every two hours or so, but we haven't had to do this at all. We once ran out of liners and that caused a rash and she has had the odd episode whilst teething, but nothing out of the ordinary comparing the first two in disposables even.
I bought a birth to potty pack for just under £200 which included a big backpack, changing mat and all the nappies you will ever need. The only extras we have to buy are liners (£5 for about 6 weeks' worth), nappy cream and of course laundry.
In order to be really eco-friendly and economical, it tells you to wash them every third day. After the very early newborn stages, this is probably about right. You do have to be a bit organised but even throughout all the sleepless nights and exhaustion, we never ran out. You just bung a load into the machine- you don't even have to get out of your tracksuit bottoms and brush your hair to go out and buy nappies at the last minute! There are nappy laundering services that apparently still work out cheaper than disposables, but we have nevered bothered.
For long car journeys or nightime, we put two nappies inside the shell which is a great advantage (it does make her bum look big, but I don't think she cares).
I am trying to think of disadvantages to be balanced, but I am struggling. I suppose now that we have a wriggly 13 month old, it can be tricky trying to hold her still with one hand and keep the nappy in one piece with the other.
The liners are essential as they really keep the skin dry and you have to make sure you have a good stock of these in. Small chemists don't sell them at all (disgraceful!!) Mothercare don't sell Bambino Mio but do stock an alternative eco-friendly brand which are fine.
You have to watch that the velcro doesn't rub the skin, but it shouldn't if you have them in the right size nappy fitted correctly. Likewise, they don't leak unless it has been on too long or you need to move up to a bigger size. The elasticated leg is not too tight and is cotton so it never rubs or marks the skin.
We are preparing to use ours again for baby number four- they are perfectly reusable still- it will have cost us about £270 eventually for two children from birth to potty.
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Great informative review, particularly the tip about always using liners and boosting with a second nappy. Thanks v much.
solamarie 20.01.2006 00:40
I tried these with my second grandson, wasn't overly impressed though, terribly bulky, I used the terry squares with mine and never worked out why they went out of fashion, having said that, your review is clear and informative so very helpful from me, Sue
jesi 19.01.2006 12:48
I used American (USA) Diapers for my eldest (28 years ago) - made of muslin, or a soft cotton, they are quite thin, but are a long rectangle - which you fold with extra thickness in the middle and pin both sides - I had a couple dozen sent from family in the USA - easily washed, quickly dried - kept her dry. I bought some disposable liners (viscose I imagine) from the local newsagent quite cheaply - only with the further children did I use disposable "nappies" as liners - particularly when travelling (without laundry facilities) - as they kept baby's bottom drier over length of time (with the diaper absorbing any "overflow") - I found you could use a "nappy" a size or two smaller as a "liner" thus making the financial outlay smaller (more nappies to the pack). The pre-folded options I was sent tended to not be sufficiently absorbable at the sides once the child was a few months old. I found that non-biological powders (like Persil or Acdo - not "cheap" versions) were best for softness and cleanness without producing rashes to their sensitive skin - and not using fabric softener (which disolves fibres) lengthened the life of the diapers - best was drying them outside in the sunshine
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Advantages: Minimal Nappy Rash, very Economical and Environmentally Freindly Disadvantages: Early Stages & at teething need extra wraps, need more changes than disposables.
Advantages: Minimal Nappy Rash, very Economical and Environmentally Freindly Disadvantages: Early Stages & at teething need extra wraps, need more changes than disposables.
Advantages: Cloths were easy to wash, wasn't on long enough to leak Disadvantages: Hard to put on baby, hard to fold, rough on baby's skin not very flexible
Mhairi_y 01.05.2008 (01.05.2008)
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Review of Bambino Mio Reusable
Jan 17th, 2006
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