Preparing your cloth nappies for first use

We have had so many nappies go out to new homes this week, and plenty of questions about washing them. So many parents are taking advantage of our 20% off sale.

Our washing instructions are on our website. But I have a few little tricks to share here.

1. Always wash nappies before use. This is to remove anything in the nappies that is coating the fabrics (this stops them absorbing as well as the should).

2. My best way to wash is to pop the nappies in warm water overnight to soak. In the morning, wash them with a little bit of detergent, do an extra rinse and dry. They are ready to use. This is more water conservative then washing 6-8 times and does the job just as well. Remember the nappies will probably continue to hold more and more for the first few uses.

3. I've said it many times, but I will again. Get a clothes horse. You can easily move your nappies around to find the sun, or bring inside to finish drying at night You can hang the nappies the night before, then hang out in the sun the next moring (nice and easy once all the kids are awake and you have no time left!).

My last piece of advice for the day comes as Australia faces yet another heat wave and a predicted summer scorching. If it is HOT, dry your nappies in the shade. Your nappies will be damaged by too much heat (sitting in the scorching sun is very very hot). Look at the damage to your outside toys and furniture that sit in the sun for a couple of months. That same sun is eating at your nappies - so take care as it will deteriorate your elastics and waterproofing.

Most of all, enjoy those cute cloth bottoms!

Baby Bare Cloth Nappies 2013

It's been a really great year for Baby Bare. We have entered our second year of operation and we are constantly expanding what we can offer you.

Our cloth nappies now come in PUL or Minky including five new custom prints. We have introduced our new style nappy in the New Bare Cub and new inserts to make our nappies even trimmer. Our wet bag design has been tweaked to make it even more durable and best of all there is so much more to come. We have done our first expo and taken on more retailers who have come to love our nappies too.

So what is Baby Bare Cloth Nappies going to do in 2014?

Next year we want to keep the momentum going. Besides continuing to offer the best value cloth nappies in the country, we want to expand our offerings. First up is the new all in one design. A transformation of the original Bare Cub nappy, these are fast drying, super absorbent and the simplest nappy to use. Even better, they are going to be affordable! We will introduce these with a big BOOM and a great price. Stay tuned.

Next are our training pants. These trainers are AMAZING. They are boostable, absorbent, trim and gorgeous. Here is your first sneak peak!

Pirate Training Pants

Pretty in Pink Trainers

Don't they look amazing! The outer is cotton fabric - these feel and look like undies. They are comfy and soft. No need to use those PUL training pants. These make your little one feel like they are in undies - not a nappy! Stay tuned for more on these. This is just a sneak peak after all!

We will also be introducing a couple more prints to our minky range. We hope you love them as much as you love our current ones.

Beyond that, we will be in Melbourne in April and Sydney in September for the Baby and Toddler Show. So make sure you get in early to Melbourne as we will have limited stock shipped down for the event. I cannot wait to meet lots of past, present and future Baby Bare bubba's.

So, thank you for a fabulous 2013. We appreciate every ounce of support. Whether you liked a post on facebook or bought a full supply of our nappies, we are grateful for the boost you have given us.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - we will be here over the break. Shipping will be halted from the 23rd till New Years Day so I can relax (just a tiny bit!).

Cheers,

Jenny

Our New Cloth Nappies

They are here. Four brand new, exclusive patterns for our nappies.

I am so excited - we now have our nappy in over 20 different option for colours and patterns. This is an amazing achievement for us.

We now have 5 exclusive patterns in our range. Designed by us, for you, our Baby Bare customers. We love seeing pictures of your gorgeous babies in our nappies, and your kind words of feedback. It is urging us on to keep coming up with new and exciting things.

So, back to our patterns. Introducing to you - Cloud, Royal Mint, Giraffe and Zilly Zebra.

These cloth nappies can be bought on our website.

Hurry to get one, they are selling fast and we only have limited numbers.

Cloth Nappies & Microfibre

Today's little post is about microfibre. Microfibre is often avoided by many parents. There are a lot of 'facts' bouncing around about it and I'd like to have a little chat about this fabric that is so often used in nappies.

Microfibre can be awesome in your nappies. Its just neccessary to know when to use it. It also has a few draw backs - but these can be worked with.

So whats so great about microfibre?

Microfibre is very thirsty. As absorbent as bamboo in some instances (depending on the weight and quality of each). Its drawback compared to bamboo is it doesn't hold onto liquid as well. Microfibre can get compression leaks. So for example, a toddler sits down in their soaking nappy and the liquid in the microfibre is forced out of the insert. This issue is why microfibre should be mixed with bamboo inserts. Bamboo has the ability to soak up some of that extra liquid being compressed out of the microfibre.

Microfibre is very quick to absorb. This means if you have a child that wets a lot at once, microfibre works really well because it can keep absorbing when its being saturated with a lot of liquid that keeps coming. Bamboo is not as quick to soak up, so you might find the liquid travels across the insert and out the legs, top or bottom. I find as children approach toilet training, some microfibre inserts can be really useful.

Microfibre drys really quickly. As its synthetic, it dries much faster than natural fabrics like cotton and bamboo. This is a great thing, especially in winter or for parents with less nappies, as they can get them back into rotation faster. You may want to even use microfibre more through the winter and bamboo in the summer. A lot of nappy suppliers offer both options.

Of course, this all sounds wonderful - but what are some of the drawbacks that parents do not like about microfibre? We already talked about compression leaks. Microfibre can also be quite bulky - which is why we recommend always teaming it with a trimmer bamboo insert. Then you can get the best of both.

Mircofibre is synthetic, and many parents like natural fabrics. This is a valid concern - if you are passionate about only using natural fabrics then thats fine (natural fabrics are wonderful). If this concern is based on not putting the synthetic in contact with your baby - you should never put microfibre in contact with your child's skin. It is so good at absorbing it can soak out the natural oils in the skin and give a nasty irritation. Only use microfibre that is sewn in and hidden or in a pocket.

Cloth Nappy Help is at hand

I get plenty of emails and messages asking about cloth nappies. Whether it is trying to choose the best nappy, know how many to buy or to solve a problem with an existing nappy stash, we are here to help.

Cloth Nappies Central is our answer to all your questions. I have written this site after hours and hours of my own research, plus years of my own experiences. This site is about helping parents - no matter what brand of nappies you have our resources on how to strip wash, how to remove mould or how to choose the right nappy for you apply.

I have a love for cloth nappies. I also understand that for many parents, cloth nappies hold challenges and confusion. It is for this reason I have dedicated hours to getting this site going with all the information I think you need.

We have also included some help to find different brands available. I think its important to know about all the different options and brands. This will help you find the best cloth nappy for your budget.

I have also just written up a long list of frequently asked questions regarding Baby Bare. So you can also check out that information here.

Whats happening at Baby Bare Cloth Nappies?

We have so many exciting things happening at the moment. From product development to designing our own fabrics.

The most exciting part for us, is delivering products to our customers that meet their needs. We take on all the feedback you give us and translate it into the best Baby Bare products we can.

You asked for printed minky fabrics and we have now brought out our first custom fabric in our Rainbow Nappies and accessories. We have 4 more new prints currently being sewn into our much loved all in two design.

On taking on  feedback about our classic nappy design, we moved away from aspects of the product that so many parents love. As a result of calls to continue the Classic Bare range, we are introducing an All-in-one nappy. One piece, no assembly, quick drying and super trim fit. It can also be boosted by popping a booster under the 'flapped' absorbency. I'm really excited to be offering our nappy in a totally different style to the all in two. This will give parents more choice and help open our products up to more people wanting to use cloth, but looking for a certain nappy style.

Available now at www.babybare.com.au

I've hinted at the prospect of training pants for some time now. We are really excited to say we have sent off our samples and design to our manufacturer to get them to sew up our samples in the same fabrics as used when manufactured so we can start to do our final checks and trialling. Our pants are really well thought out, with options to boost them for sleep times. So stay tuned for some pictures and a release date! (Hopefully early 2014)

I am currently working on another very exciting product - its not a nappy, but it is for use from birth till and through toilet training! Hope to announce this really soon too, so stay tuned.

I think my baby is outgrowing their OSFM nappies?

I see and hear this statement a lot. Mostly with OSFM nappies that are a trim fit. Sadly, I've had people recommend against our nappies (and other trim OSFM) claiming they wont fit their 10 month old for much longer - even though they haven't used them through to toilet training!

I have now taken our nappy design from birth to toilet training (plus some) - and it does fit. They still fit on Charlotte, 34 months old, 16kg and very tall. Charlotte is not a super skinny girl. She's about average.

So why is this misconception happening?

Starting out as a newborn the nappy should be on the smallest setting in the front and in the waist. Below is Emma at about 6 weeks. This setting fit her from 2 weeks old.

Em at 6 weeks

By the time a baby gets to ten months, they are usually not snapping down in the front anymore. This makes many parents panic. They think there child is going to outgrow their cloth nappies before their first birthday.

No front snapping 

Plenty of room still in the bottom for growing up big and tall!

This simply isn't the case. Many babies get very chubby before they walk, or crawl, making parents think the waist has been outgrown or the babies legs are too big. But, babies change shape constantly. Once they are walking they trim down and you find the nappy fits well (even if there is a period of time where a nappy doesn't fit).

I want to show you how our nappies fit on a small baby and a toddler.

Direct comparison,  Child on left is 28 months, Right is 4 months

Above you can see the largest child is about 28 months. The younger baby is 4 months. As you can see, the same nappy fits on the larger child. As they grow, the nappy tends to sit more along the undies line then as a nappy extending towards the belly button. This is most suitable as it allows their clothes to fit them better and you shouldnt need to size up clothing due to the trimness of the nappy.

Below is Emma at almost ten months. Notice she is on the same front snap setting as the older child in the picture above? Yet the waist snaps are done a bit tighter for her smaller waist.

Ten month old baby 9kg

You can see how some parents would think looking at this shot of Emma, that she will not see another two years out of these nappies. But the evidence in the above picture of Charlotte at 28 months proves the nappy will continue to fit.

These are Baby Bare nappies in our photo examples, but you will find this applies to many OSFM on the market. So don't panic. Just have a look through these images to see that the nappies will see you through much longer then the ten months/ 1 year mark!

Some more examples below.

Charlotte at 22 months

Charlotte at 14 months

Charlotte 23 Months

Em 4 weeks old in her Baby Bare cloth nappy, note the overlap on the waist.

Lay By your cloth nappies today!

We are introducing Lay By to Baby Bare. I know a lot of parents like the ability to pay off their nappies over time, so we are introducing a much asked for Lay By system.

So how will it work? Minimum spend is $100 and non-refundable 20% deposit. You can take up to 12 weeks to pay off the Lay By (extensions may be applied for). Warranties apply from date of shipping, so you still get a full 6 months of use with your products before your warranty ends.

We suggest starting the Lay By before your baby is born, and taking a few months to pay it off slowly. You will be given a reference number and payments can be made through PayPal or Direct Deposit. You just email us when you've made your final payment.

You can even give the reference to your friends and family and have the nappies paid for as a baby shower gift. Just let us know and we can help arrange this for you!

I do not require regular payments, but you need to have completed the payments by the end date of your lay by date, twelve weeks from placing your order (unless otherwise agreed).

How to order using Lay By

Add everything you want to your cart, to a minimum of $100. Enter in the discount code area the lay by code 'LAYBY'. Your cart will update to only require 20% of the payment. You will receive an invoice from PayPal and confirmation of your order from us.

We will then contact you to confirm your Lay By terms with a completion date, final amount due and to ensure you have no special requirements - such as arranging for others to make payments on your behalf etc.

After twelve weeks, if you have not already completed the Lay By, we will contact you to arrange the final payments and confirm your shipping address has not changed since placing your order. We will then ship to your nominated address!

It's that easy.

If you cancel your Lay By you will forfeit your 20% deposit, or a maximum of $40. So if your deposit was $80, we will refund $40 to you. All payments in excess of $40 will be refunded to you once you notify us of the cancellation.

If at the end of your Lay By period, you have not completed your payments and you fail to respond to our communication within 14 days, we will reserve the right to deem your Lay By cancelled.

My top 5 tips for using cloth nappies

1. Use a clothes horse. You can hang nappies out inside, then move them into the sunshine. Once the sun is gone for the day, bring them in to finish drying. If it starts raining, you can grab them quickly with no need to rehang. This is simply the number one thing you can do to make cloth nappy use easier!

2. Ask questions early. I've had many customers come to me after weeks or months of using our nappies with questions they've been holding onto. A quick answer may help you in a big way. Leaking nappies, poor fit, care of your nappies etc. No question is too silly. Any business that doesn't give you the attention to ensure you are happy with using their products doesn't deserve your business!

3. Wash your nappies regularly. Simple care of your nappies will see them have a long life. Don't leave a soiled nappy too long between washes, the nappy is deteriorating while it sits waiting for a wash. You may not see the damage immediately, but delayed washing will see your nappies lifespan reduce. Aim for every 48 hours.

4. Shop around and save money. So many parents are unaware of the different options on the market, and that they don't need to spend a fortune to get a decent nappy. I see very often the same few brands being recommended to parents - even though these may not be the most budget friendly or even the most suitable product. Do your research and try a few options. You may be surprised how many great nappy options there are out there (and for a lot less then the most well known). There are hundreds of different nappy makers and brands available - don't be limited to the one with the biggest advertising budget! I myself started out that way, and none of the well known brands suited our daughter - it's how we ended up with Baby Bare!


5. Stick with it. I find a lot of parents quit cloth in the first few weeks of using them. I have found their are periods of time I just don't want to wash nappies. I've taken a break for a week - then come back to them. Or there have been times our daughter is sick, and the nappies are so disgusting its unbearable to put her in one. On those occassions we have used disposables and later come back to cloth. I find cloth gets much easier as you go on. It becomes part of your routine and you don't notice it so much. I find considering the amount of rubbish we are preventing and our monetary saving, also help me stick with it. So if you are ever feeling like you want to quit - remind yourself why you started with cloth nappies in the first place.

ENJOY!

Try cloth nappies before you buy

We know a lot of parents are unsure about using cloth nappies. They wonder how they will find washing them, using them and having them fit their child.

We have come up with what we think is a great solution for parents.

For a limited time, you can try 10 Brand new cloth nappies for $55 including shipping. The trial period is for four weeks from when you received them. We believe four weeks is enough time to get the feel for using nappies, and determine if using cloth is for you.

Parents who chose to keep the nappies receive a discount off future purchases plus an accessories pack. You can mix up any ten of our nappies (excluding Ruffle Cubs). So you can try the PUL nappies, our classic Bare Cub or our New Bare cub range. You also get a credit for your $55 when choosing to keep the nappies. So at the end of the trial you only need to pay $125 - essentially, your trial was free!

Do you know someone who wants to use cloth nappies but isn't convinced? They should try our trial soon, before it ends!

Our minky cloth nappies, available to trial.

Using detergent on your cloth nappies

There is a lot of conflicting advice going around about using detergent on your nappies. I find parents don't really know what to do. This small factor, is a cause for a large lot of confusion.

I've met parents who claim they use NO detergent in their nappies. I've met parents who use totally normal detergent, the full amount if not a tad extra.

So, how much detergent should you really use?

This is a tough question. It's like you asking me how much detergent to use on your coloured load. I can't see how big the load is, what your detergent is, how dirty it is, what sort of machine you have etc. But I can give some general guidance - I find it's good to start with some guidance and work from there.

I use a plant derived detergent, I use about 1/2 - 3/4 of a cap (depending on whether the load is really full or just average) of my liquid detergent. I have found it makes my nappies squeaky clean. I then do a rinse cycle at the end to rinse out excess detergent.

I've never had to strip wash my nappies and they still work really well.

The fact is, detergents clean your nappies. You wouldn't put your clothes through the wash with no soaps of any kind, so why would you put nappies in that are full or poo and wee? They need detergent to get them clean. Modern Cloth Nappies are pretty awesome, but they aren't magical. They live under the same laws of science as the rest of your washing.

Smelly nappies I have found are more often caused by not being clean enough, then by a build up of detergents. The advice from smaller amounts of detergent has been around since before we had such a range of eco/plant derived alternatives. But with these products available and being used, I encourage you to consider your washing routine.

My best advice is play with the detergents. Get a good balance for you. And always rinse, it will help remove any residual soaps at the end too.

Click here for our washing instructions.

Our new video featuring our new nappies

We have just finished editing our new clip that demonstrates how to use our cloth nappies. The clip will soon be uploaded onto our website,in the meantime it can be viewed above or on youtube.

Our clip gives you a good peak inside our new nappies, and of our new inserts. I find when buying products, the more of them you can see the better!

Our video also demonstrates how to adjust the size of the nappies, as well as getting a tighter fit around the waist. This is useful for any brand of cloth nappies that use front snaps to make size adjustments.

So get watching, you will even get a glimpse of our little munchkins who inspired Baby Bare, and continue to inspire us to create beautiful products for our customers.

What you don't know about our cloth nappies!

I thought I'd write a little bit about what makes our nappies so special.

I started Baby Bare with the intention of making a great quality nappy affordable. I honestly believe I have achieved that aim.

So what makes our nappies great quality and different from the others? There are so many nappies on the market, it is hard to know what quality nappy you are getting for your money.

Our nappies are made from plush minky. Many nappies on the market use a light weight, short pile minky fabric on their covers. You especially see this with the range of cheap china nappies on the market these days (often found on ebay or rebranded on websites). I have searched far and wide to get a nice plush minky fabric. Our fabrics are short run colours so you wont find them from any nappy seller. I have sought out the softest fabrics to ensure our nappies are comfortable and make your bub super cuddly. It is for this reason that so many parents comment with how soft our nappies are.

Our inserts are trim, yet still super absorbent. This is achieved through using the highest quality bamboo fabrics. Our inserts have gorgeous rainbow stitching, another premium feature. This looks gorgeous and helps you identify your Baby Bare nappies in a washing basket full of inserts. Many businesses use a stock standard insert that is bulky and doesn't work too well. Our inserts have been designed with lots of thought to make sure they absorb fluid quickly, and hold onto it.

I have designed our products based on the needs of my own two children. Tried and tested, day after day, wash after wash. I have made small improvements based on my own observations and the feedback from our happy customers.

I am now designing our own custom minky patterns - to ensure your Baby Bare nappies are unique and gorgeous.

Our new custom minky fabric - exclusive to Baby Bare

All this for only $20 a nappy is amazing value (not to mention up to 20% off for buying in bulk). I think I've achieved my aim and proven, you don't need to pay double the price of our nappies to get a quality product.

Classic Bare Cub versus our new cloth nappy range

I've gotten a lot of questions about our old and new nappies. So here is a run down of the different designs so you know exactly what product offers which features!

It's important to realise, the shape and fit of all nappies is identical. The snap in insert is the same across the range and you can use inserts from your Classic nappies in your New design nappies. Our new design is even trimmer then the previous, as the built in microfibre added a bit of bulk to the nappy which has been eliminated with a trimmer bamboo insert.

You can find all the nappies from here.

Nappy Style	Outer Shell	Inner Lining	Pocket	Snap In insert	Built in Microfibre	Bamboo Booster	Drying Time	Fit
Classic Bare Cub	Minky	Suede Cloth	Yes	Yes	Yes	Can be added, purchase separately.	Quick, but has microfibre in the shell which takes some time.	8 Waist Snaps.
New Bare Cub	Minky	Suede Cloth	Yes	Yes	No	Included and to be used for best results.	Fastest, shell is made of non absorbent materials.	10 Waist snaps for more waist and thigh room.
Silky Bare	PUL	Suede Cloth	Yes	Yes	No	Included and to be used for best results.	Fastest, shell is made of non absorbent materials.	10 Waist snaps for more waist and thigh room.
Ruffle Cub	Minky	Suede Cloth	Yes	Yes	No	Included and to be used for best results.	Fastest, shell is made of non absorbent materials.	10 Waist snaps for more waist and thigh room.

A few tips for the new nappies:

• Ensure you use both bamboo inserts included with your nappy. The rectangular bamboo insert should be faced with the rough/terry towel side facing up. This is because the terry is faster to absorb then the fleece. It works much like microfibre to absorb very quickly. This helps stop leaks as fluid travels across the fabrics in the nappy. 
• Shells without microfibre will dry very quickly. In the summer, almost instantly. Take advantage of this by buying more inserts then nappy shells. You can then have a set of inserts drying while using the spares. 
• Our ruffle cubs are so gorgeous you wont want to take them off. Buy a spare set of inserts and when changing just change the inserts and not the cover. You can get a few wears from the same nappy cover. 

Cloth Nappies - our little ruffle cubs

Last summer I blogged about Nappies as Clothes. Sydney sweated through the hottest summer in history (along with the rest of Australia) and we had a new baby and a 2 year old in nappies. My solution was a gorgeous minky Baby Bare nappy and a cute light weight top.

This got me thinking how we could change the nappies to make them even more appealing for the warm summer months. Suddenly, my love for ruffles and nappies combined.

I've talked a bit about these new nappies before, but I am just so excited. Our littlest girl, Emma, has been trying these nappies out since they arrived a week ago. She has all the colours and she is already getting compliments on how amazing her nappies are. She is wearing them under dresses to smarten up her bottom (we all know 10 month olds like to flash their nappies - and why not when they look as good as these!) as well as on their own with a singlet.

So, if you have a little girl at home, grab some Ruffle Cubs. Summer is already on our doorstep! You can just buy the covers and make use of existing inserts at home, or grab a whole nappy. You can also just change the inserts meaning you can use the same cover for multiple changes.

New cloth nappies with ruffles

Buying Second Hand Nappies - the good, bad and the ugly!

When I first started with cloth nappies, I didn't even realise there was a second hand market for them. I looked for some good sales and bought a few to try out. Not long after, I was designing my own and through all my research found there was a very strong market for selling used nappies.

This concept took me by surprise. I totally understand why parents buy second hand nappies - you save money, it gives you a chance to trial cloth nappies with minimum outlay, and it gives the nappies a further chance to be used and not wasted.

But. And this is a big but. Some times I really wonder if it is worth it.

Baby Bare was in many ways started from the second hand trade. Seeing nappies selling for almost $40 a piece, I could see why they were selling second hand. I aimed to come up with a nappy that could be bought for the same price so many are selling second hand. Yet, it was brand new.

I am apprehensive to tell any parent to buy second hand. I recommend using a nappy library, and then buying nappies you know are perfect for you.

So why do I personally recommend against second hand nappies?

• Second hand nappies have no warranty. You're on your own if something goes wrong.
• You have no idea what condition the nappies will be in when you receive them.
• You have little idea how much life is left in the nappies when you purchase them. 
• You can buy great nappies for less then $20. Buy brand new in your budget, rather then second hand. 
• Do not fall into the trap of thinking you will get a better deal on a second hand $40 nappy, then a brand new $20 nappy. 
• The controversial one - another baby has peed and pooped in the nappy. It probably isn't worth the price tag on it. After all, what other items of clothing would you buy after they'd been used in this way. 

I honestly think a set of cloth nappies will see out there best time being used the first time through. If you have subsequent children they will also benefit. You have full control over your nappies from the start. You know the history of washing and care, and if anything goes wrong you have a warranty. Your baby gets the luxury of a brand new nappy and at the end you can sell them and make back your money.

A work at home cloth nappy mum

I'm a work at home mum. Commonly known as a WAHM.

In my previous life (before I became the mum part of the WAHM) I worked in tax accounting in the public service. Spending a year at home with my first daughter saw me wanting to create an opportunity to work from home, I also had itchy feet. I needed something to keep my mind active. I combined my interest in cloth nappies with my business background and Baby Bare was born.

I get asked a lot what I do, and how I juggle being a work at home mum. The truth is, it's a tough gig. A lot of people think working from home is a luxury, but I've found it to be harder then having an office job. There is no designated time to work, I don't go to the office and get in the mind space of work and I have to fit in the business around my other job - parenting.

A typical day for me sees me doing my emails and social media (read facebook) through out the day whilst doing my 'parenting' job. I don't go into the 'office' until the babies are in bed. So I start work at 8pm at night. Packing orders, sending invoices, sewing samples or repairing nappies, sorting the shelves, emailing suppliers, recording sales and expenses, calling the courier, counting stock, contacting retailers etc. It's tough work, working at night when I'm at my most tired.

Introducing PUL nappies to Baby Bare

It's been about 18 months since we sold our first Baby Bare nappy. In that time we've received so many lovely emails from our beautiful customers. There have been lots of glowing thanks, and also some requests.

I have tried to answer as many requests as I possibly can, after all our brand is there to meet the needs of our market - delivering great value nappies that are effective and easy to use. One such request was PUL nappies. Many parents simply prefer PUL over minky. We have also had an overwhelming request for patterns. As a pattern lover myself, I totally understand.

We therefore introducing our new Silky Bare range - patterned PUL nappies. Now available on our website here, they are on super sale for $15, and as low as $12 in a bulk pack.

You should hurry if you want some as I only have limited quantities, these have been ordered in as a trial. We'd love feedback from any parents using our new nappies too!

Our new farmyard Silky Bare

Little Bee Silky Bare nappy

Giveaway - Winner

It seems our blog decided to hide quote a few of our entrants and we have had a few emailed to us because of this (so we had more then the 12 on the blog)!

But we have spent some time going through them all and have decided we liked 'Bare-y Frilly' (sounds like 'very frilly') the best.

Our winner has been notified through email. They have won themselves a $30 voucher to spend in our online store. We have another $30 voucher to give away - more info to come :)

The Big Birthday Blog - Cloth Nappy Giveaway

So its a big week. This week I'm celebrating a birthday, and we start two weeks holidays with Daddy Bare home.

In celebration of my birthday we are planning a few sales and giveaways based around the number '30' (this may be an indication of this big birthday!).

Baby Bare is in sale mode as we are also welcoming new stock & trying to clear out some of our existing stock to prepare for a major renovation at Baby Bare HQ.

Our home is undergoing a major reno job in the next few months (at least we hope!) and this means Baby Bare HQ is being displaced. So we need as much help as possible to get our stock levels down to manageable size with Baby Bare being allocated space the size of a shoebox (well, close enough!).

So as part of the celebrations I'm giving away two x $30 gift vouchers. They will be given in two parts. Here's the first giveaway:

How to win a $30 Voucher 
You need to comment on the end of this blog with a suggested name for our new frilly nappy range (due in stock sometime in the next week).

Our new nappies, perfect for your littlest princess

Our most favourite name will win the $30 voucher - You must also be a liker of our facebook page: www.facebook.com/babybareclothnappies.

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New Cloth Nappies coming to Baby Bare

I'm really excited.

Finally, after months of working on some new products for our Baby Bare customers, we are about to receive our shipment. So what does this mean for Baby Bare?

New style nappies:

We are trialling a change to our design. Our new nappies in teal, white and yellow will have a higher pocket in the nappy to allow for easier changes. They will have an extra hip snap to stop snaps digging in when babies are on the largest setting.

They will also no longer come with a built in microfibre pad. You will have the choice of a microfibre or bamboo booster insert to supplement your snap in insert. Why? Well, we've had many parents want to achieve the following:

1. A fully bamboo nappy - some parents do not like microfibre. Our nappies can now be fully bamboo with the use of our bamboo only inserts.

2. Faster drying shell - The shells will be able to be used almost straight after washing as none of the materials will be absorbent.

3. Reuse the same shell and change the absorbent layers. You will be able to fully remove the inserts, and reuse a shell. This will make for less washing, a need for less shells and also less to carry with you when going out.

Frillies

I love a cloth bottom covered in frills. As a mum of two girls I cannot wait to get some frills on them for summer. Our nappies will have 3 rows of gathered frills along the bottom - all made in luxuriously soft minky.

PUL Nappies

We are trialling PUL nappies for our Baby Bare design. Many parents have asked us for this change and we are very happy to say it will be on offer.

New Inserts

New style boosters and night inserts will be available to make your Baby Bare nappies even more absorbent, yet still beautifully trim.

On the Horizon for  Baby Bare

We have many more exciting things in the pipeline. New wet bags, velcro closures, wipes cases, custom fabrics, more new colours - and lots of products I don't want to mention yet (still surprising myself). So stay tuned.

What do you want to know about cloth nappies

Ever since taking up using and then selling cloth nappies, I've seen parents asking the same questions over and over. From how do I prepare my nappies for use, to how to combat smells, leaks or stains.

It seems Australia is in desperate need of a database of information relating to all the tips, tricks and answers to cloth nappies.

We at Baby Bare, are so excited to be working on the very project that will deliver to you everything you could possibly want to know about nappies. Our new website www.clothnappies.com.au is the home of cloth in Australia. We have named our page 'Nappies Central' to reflect that it is the main hub for everything you want to know, and that it is a community meeting place for cloth lovers.

The site is divided into two main sections - New to Cloth Nappies & Nappy Help. The first section is based on the assumption that readers know very little about nappies and need lots of information on styles, how to chose a nappy and how they can get the right nappy for their child.

The second section is designed around parents already using nappies. Lots of answers to your questions plus plenty of interesting articles about anything relating to cloth nappies. We hope to get lots of guest articles up and on the site to provide different perspectives, information from experts and more detail on what we have already brought to you in our help sections.

We are looking to develop another area on the site to hep you purchase nappies, listing what is available on the market in different categories, price ranges etc.

The site is designed to be simple. The information is succinct and easy to navigate through. Our special articles will aim to deal with issues in greater detail for parents looking for more.

Whilst we at Baby Bare know how great our products are, we know many parents product wants/needs fall outside of what we offer. So our site is comprehensive and considers offerings from other brands and retailers. We want you to succeed with cloth nappies, be informed in your choices and enjoy using cloth nappies. We hope you really enjoy Nappies Central.

Cloth Nappies for newborns

I often get asked if our nappies will fit a new baby. This question is much like being asked if a pair of jeans will fit a random stranger. I have no idea what they look like, weigh, etc

Newborns can weigh anywhere from a couple of kilograms (assuming they are not very premature), to four, five or even six kilograms on the very upper end.

That is a large spectrum to fit a child into. Like me, parents face the same dilemma. How large will your child be when they are born? Obviously, we really have no idea. Even final sizing scans can be way off (they told me I was having a big 4.2kg baby, two weeks later she was only 3.8kg!)

Some parents buy a full stash of newborn nappies only to have a baby big enough to comfortably fit into a OSFM - so they could have saved themselves a lot of money. Most mum's like to get their nappies bought and ready before their babies arrival, so it often rules out waiting.

In my experience, not all OSFM nappies are a good fit on a newborn. Some nappies with a high rise, and that are generally bulkier, will swim on a newborn. Other nappies that are generally trimmer, with a lower rise, are generally a bit of a better fit on a newborn.

Our Baby Bare nappies will generally fit your baby from about 3.5kg. A very skinny waist or skinny little thighs may have an effect on this. The smallest I've heard of in our nappies is 3.2kg.

Many parents choose to use disposables for a few weeks while they get life under control with their new addition, but depending on your baby's size, they may fit straight into their nappies. You could also consider hiring a newborn pack of nappies from a nappy library.

When fitting a nappy onto a newborn, be sure you have a good seal around the legs and waist. If the waist is a bit loose, try and do up the first snap to secure the fit around the legs, then skip 2 snaps, and snap down the third one (so you have missed two snaps on the front of the nappy, and skipped one snap on the waist tabs). This will give you a tighter fit in the waist and help keep the wetness in.

If you do want to invest in newborn nappies, look for a prefold system as you can reuse the prefolds as boosters later on as your baby grows.

For more information on newborn nappy options, check out Nappies Central.

Rule #6 - Try a cloth nappy before you invest in it!

Well, you wouldn't go out and buy 24 pairs of jeans without trying them on. Nor should you buy 30 nappies without giving one a go first.

Grab a Trial Pack to test out our nappies - You can even pick the colours!

Each cloth nappy will offer a different fit. Crutch width, rise, how much room there are in the legs for chubby or skinny thighs and how big the sizing will go to, will all differ.

You may think you want a whole stash of all in one nappies only to discover in the cold and wet they will not dry through the winter where you live. Every one of your friends and facebook group members may tell you to buy one particular nappy. But I recommend, regardless of what you think you will do, to buy a trial nappy first.

It is for this reason we have our trial pack. Our pack comes with two nappies and a night booster. You can try our nappies for the day time and the night time to see how they suit your child. If you love them, come back and buy more! Our nappies are generally a good in between fit. They accommodate children of all different sizes. They are a trim nappy, but not so trim that bigger babies sport them more as bikini briefs then nappies!

I have known many parents who have bought a full set of a particular brand of nappy only to sell them shortly after they start using them. They find that the fit or the style of nappy is not compatible with their lifestyle and child.

If a trial pack is too limited for you, or you feel you would have to invest in 10 trial nappies to work out what you like, consider a nappy library. A nappy library is an arrangement whereby you hire a range of nappies for a set period of time. You get to look, feel and test each nappy to work out what suits you, your child and your budget. This is an absolutely fabulous idea. You can seek advice on each product and get personalised service from the nappy 'librarian' who is working to help get you into a nappy system that suits you!

I recommend contacting Apikali about their library. It is one of the best libraries in the country. A huge range of nappies and accessories to try. You can then receive excellent advice (and fabulous deals) on your choice of nappy. What's even better is that our Baby Bare Cub nappy is in the library at Apikali and you can have a trial of it.

So, if you want to try out our great nappies I recommend either investing in a trial pack ($36 for two brand new nappies, a night booster and a minky cloth wipe) or contacting Apikali to see our nappy in their full library pack range.

Rule #5 - Take advice from the right people

Our Bare Cub nappy - a great fit from birth until toilet training

This is a really important point. There is so much contradicting advice in the world of cloth nappies and I often feel it confuses people and leads to many aborting cloth or even ruining their nappies.

Here's a really common scenario. A mum posts on a facebook page about washing her nappies. She gets about 30 different responses. There are people linking her to homemade detergents, telling her its OK to put her nappies in her dryer, to hang them in the Australia sun until they melt of the clothes line and that vinegar and some napisan never hurt their stash. This poor mum is suddenly bombarded with options.

It's really important to note here that this mum doesn't know any of these people. None of these people have any credentials. They all mean well and want to help. But sometimes it's best not to even ask in the first place.

So who should you ask for advice? Well I recommend you search out advice from the right people. If you had a question about Baby Bare Cloth Nappies, I'd recommend you email me. I can give you the right information about fit and care for my nappies. I can tell you that if you wash them in napisan or put them in your washer on hot, you will be voiding you warranty. No nappy is bullet proof. Manufacturers give you the best advice they can to help you prolong the life of an article of clothing that will be subjected to the harshest conditions - urine, washing several times a week, being worn constantly and then whatever else a parent may do to them - bleach, heat, vinegar etc.

If you take the advice of someone who tells you they have always washed their nappies in home made Rocking Green detergent and it's great, you will be the one facing the possibility of ruined nappies. I've seen it. Most mum's are not chemists and mixing up a concoction to wash in is not something just anyone should be doing. A well meaning parent may not even know the damage they have done to their own nappies whilst recommending a certain action to others.

My second source of advice is around general nappy use, fit and problems. I recommend you seek out someone who is independent of a particular brand. While I try to be honest with parents about whether my products will suit your child, it is not always the case with every manufacturer. After all, a nappy brand wants you in their nappies so the advice may not always lead you to the best solution for you.

I recommend contacting someone who supplies a range of cloth nappy brands. Tennille at Apikali can help you if you are looking for a nappy that is most suitable for you or any other questions regarding general nappy use. She runs a library (in which our gorgeous Bare Cub features) which you can borrow to try a range of nappies on your child. Linda from Inarchie & Babe is also a retailer of our nappies and a great source of nappy help and information. You can talk to Linda in person, together with Elissa at Little Green Footprints in Elsternwich Victoria at the weekly nappy lab. This lab is designed to allow parents to see a demonstration of cloth nappies and ask any questions they may have (you also get to touch and feel the products in person!).

So, next time you want some information about your nappies, try going straight to the right sources. There are lots of well meaning and helpful parents out there, but we are constantly seeing parents being given poor advice.

Rule #4 - Buy a good nappy that suits YOU & YOUR child

It goes without saying you get what you pay for - well in most circumstances.

In the nappy world I find this is very true of the cheapest nappies, otherwise known as the China Cheepie.

My fourth rule of cloth nappying is to buy a good nappy. So many parents buy $3 nappies off ebay, only to have them leak, fall apart and unsurprisingly they quit cloth nappies for good. Excellent intentions ruined by the wrong purchase.

If you want to succeed in cloth nappies, you need to buy a good nappy. This means a nappy that will work for you. Which nappy is this you ask? It's the nappy that is well reviewed by the public, comes with excellent absorbency options, a warranty and is a good fit for your child. A nappy that doesn't meet those criteria will probably not help you succeed in using cloth. Why?

There are many nappies on the market. All offer something different. Some of those features work for some and not others. For example, many parents want a nappy that dries very quickly. For them, a slow drying all in one design will not be suitable. Likewise, a parent who wants an easy to use, no assembly nappy may also find an all in one design is perfect.

There is one nappy on the Aussie market that is extremely popular. But, it seems most either love it or hate it. For everyone who swears by it there is an opponent who argues its faults. How is this possible? For starters some children need more absorbency options then this nappy can provide. Others find the fit way too trim for their chubby baby. Others have their child grow out of it way before toilet training. My point is, it comes down to the individual child (and this point emphasises that just because a nappy is popular or perfect for one child, will not make it so for you).

Our Baby Bare nappy design is generally a good fit on most babies from birth until toilet training. It has received great reviews. It can double as a pocket nappy, or an all in two with the detachable inserts. The absorbency can be easily boosted with our trifold booster (and for some very exciting news: we have a new night booster currently in production & on its way, which has been specifically designed to sit in the nappy without adding excess bulk, but plenty of absorbency!). We have a trial pack so parents can try before buying a full set of our nappies.

You do not need to pay a fortune for a good nappy. There are plenty of fantastic nappies on the lower price scale. Many at the top end cost more for a pretty print or the expensive branding associated with the brand. So shop around, read lots of reviews and ask questions. But be careful, a lot of the $3 nappies are being rebranded and sold for prices as ridiculous as $30 a nappy (a dead giveaway is a pocket design, with rectangular microfibre inserts).

When buying your nappy stash, set yourself a budget that is realistic. Buying good nappies will save you in the long run from switching to disposables or having to throw out all those $3 nappies that fell apart.

Rule # 3 - Follow the care instructions of the nappy

Your gorgeous nappies have arrived in the post. You're so excited about them, you cant wait to put them on your baby. But before that dream can become a reality, you need to work out how you prepare them for use.

Even babies love the feel of a freshly laundered modern cloth nappy!

Each manufacturer will give you a set of care instructions. It is generally neccessary to follow these in order to experience success with your nappies and to ensure you don't void any available warranties.

If you want to succeed with cloth, nappies need to be properly cared for. Nappies that are not properly prepared for use, will leak as they need all the manufacturing additives removed to help them absorb. This also removes any nasties that your child might react to.

Long term care is equally important. The way you wash and store your nappies may effect the life of them. Exposing them to heat (dryer, excess sunshine or hot water) may deteriorate the elastics and the water proofing. Adding certain chemicals may also effect the elastics. For example, many users recommend the repetitive use of vinegar to soften nappies. Vinegar is an acid, and it will over time eat away at your nappies. The occasional use with a proper rinse will be OK, but adding vinegar to your nappies constantly may see them deteriorate very quickly.

Bleaches and products like napisan will also effect the longevity of your nappies as these chemicals will eat away at your nappies. Some detergents and fabric softeners will build up over time and effect the nappies absorbency.

Our general care instructions  are easy to follow and make using cloth nappies nice and easy. Just a few basic rules - only use a nappy friendly detergent, don't use your dryer and wash frequently (to avoid urine eating your nappies!). It may seem complicated at first but its actually the easiest washing you will do!

If you ever have any questions just contact us

Modern Cloth Nappies tips to succeed - #2 Change Often

When starting out with cloth nappies you need to be realistic. A nappy is not meant to last a whole day. Nappies need to be changed regularly - not only because they leak but for the comfort and health of your child.

 Many parents give up on cloth because they find their child wetting through their nappy in a few hours, which seems too often. Disposables seem to last all day, if they have to. 

Children should be changed when wet or dirty. Leaving a baby in a soiled nappy can lead to bad rashes and ongoing anxiety in the child about change times. A baby with a sore or irritated bottom will resent being changed when it hurts to be wiped and cleaned up.

Both wee and poo will burn your babies delicate skin even in a disposable. Even though disposable nappies are designed to make your child feel dry, the reality is your babies skin is still in contact with their waste.

In order to succeed with cloth nappies you need to be prepared to change often, but then again, even in disposables you should change your child when wet or dirty. Just because a nappy can hold a child's weight in wee, doesn't mean it should. Our Baby Bare nappies can last up to 4 hours, depending on your child. They can be boosted for longer term absorbency. But, really, the nappy should be changed once your child has wet or dirtied it.

Look for nappies with options to boost absorbency in case your child is a heavy wetter. Sometimes its not feasible to change after every single wee, or your child may wet a lot at once. Being able to boost a nappy will also help ensure you can adapt a nappy to your child and succeed with cloth!

Ten ways to succeed using Cloth Nappies - #1 Believe in your reasons for using cloth nappies

I’ve made this the first and foremost, because without it, you have to wonder what you are doing here. No amount of marketing can truly get you to believe that cloth is the easiest choice. It isn’t (but its not a difficult choice). But, if you are a parent who is choosing to use cloth nappies, you are making the decision that it is the best choice for you. What ever reasons you have found to lead you to that decision, you need to reassure yourself with them and believe in them. Without this, I honestly believe you will fail in your endeavours to cloth nappy your child(ren).

If you are convinced on budget reasons, you need to stand by that. You need to believe that cloth nappies will be cheaper, that you can invest your money elsewhere and not throw it out with the trash (literally). You need to believe it is worth the little bit of extra effort ,and your savings justify the initial layout, washing and care. Within months you will have paid off your stash and nappying will basically be free. Start thinking about what your family is doing with the extra $30 odd a week.

If your reasons are for your child, you need to be passionate about them. The health of their skin, the natural aspect of cloth rather than chemicals and plastics, breathability of their nappy etc need to be important enough to you to commit to this.

You may have chosen, or are contemplating cloth nappies because of the environment, because of the cute look of them, because of the nostalgic feeling of doing what generations before us have done. Everyone will have different reasons for choosing to use cloth nappies. Where it comes undone is where you forget along the way why you started. What you wanted to achieve - for your wallet or your child.

Many parents give up because they come to believe that none of their previous reasons for cloth can be justified by the effort of washing them and dealing with ‘mess’. What I say to many parents is(mainly friends who seek my honest opinion), there are times you will hit a wall. You won’t want to wash them, you wont want to fold them etc. But, if you persevere, you accept that cloth is what you want to do, those feelings will quickly fade. After a couple of months, using cloth nappies will become like wearing clothes. They need to be washed and folded. They are just one small job. Don’t dwell on it, don’t analyse it, just do it! In my experience the majority of parents who give up, do so around the 6-8 week mark. The novelty wears off and they give up. If you stick with it past that turning point, you will most likely succeed because it becomes your routine.

To parents who are not convinced that cloth is for them, but would really like it to be. I urge you to try it out. Buy a few nappies. Put them on your child. Wash them and see how you go. Your investment is small. You will either fall in love (almost certainly), or you will quickly decide you want to use disposables.

Cloth Nappies – Why are you paying more?!

There are a lot of articles and discussions going on regarding "China Cheapies" or Cheap Cloth Nappies. One such discussion was questioning the practises of "brands" and how they justify the price of their nappies. After all, if someone can sell a nappy on ebay for about $3, why do brands sell these for $10, $20, or even up to $50? I was told on a Facebook forum yesterday that buyers are obviously being ripped off by any nappy brand charging them more then $10 or so for a nappy. This blog is to help enlighten you of the costs of running a legitimate business.

So what are these costs? I've tried to break it down as simply as possible:

Product
Most brands have taken time to produce their own nappy design. This has involved design, user testing, re-designing, fabric sourcing etc. If the production of the nappy is outsourced then that takes time too.

I spend hours upon hours discussing with my supplier how best to create my product. I use specialised and unique fabrics made for me, which my supplier doesn't supply to others. This means extra costs as all fabrics are short runs in a particular colour. Yes, I could use the same fabric you see on many CC nappies if I wanted, and source it much more cheaply. But I choose to get a heavier weight and higher quality minky. In cheaper nappies, in addition to being lighter weight, the fabrics are also produced in huge quantities. You would notice how many companies have the same patterns on their nappies. This is because this material is cheap from being produced in massive bulk numbers.

Bamboo is also much heavier weight then the average nappy fabric. We use bamboo fleece which is a more expensive fabric then micro fibre  We use it because it's natural, more absorbent, and has great properties suited to nappies.

Using good quality elastic and a good lamination on the minky to ensure waterproofing is also costly. Some cheaper fabrics use very cheap and quick processes to laminate the fabrics and the lamination does not last. This means your nappies will start leaking soon after use.

Sourcing labour to make the nappies from fair and ethical factories also adds cost. Finding fabrics that are safe for use and properly manufactured also attracts a high cost. If a company sources labour in Australia, then they are paying a large premium for this.

As you can see, the sheer difference in the cost of producing the product alone will make a huge difference. A CC nappy can be bought for a couple of dollars off eBay, but these nappies usually come direct from China and it is usually uncertain how it has been made or what materials and chemicals were used in its manufacturing.

Warranty
Built into the cost of a product is the chance something might go wrong with it. No amount of effort can ensure a problem-free product. If snaps come off, stitching comes undone, elastics suffer problems, zippers come off bags – they need to be replaced. Add the cost of the product and the cost of postage and this is an expensive exercise for any warranty claim. Generally, the cost of faults in the products are borne by the importer. So they have to bare the expense of any replacements.

As a purchaser you may want to consider what a warranty is worth. If you pay for a $10 nappy that falls apart, by the time you replace it you could have received a better product with a replacement warranty!

In addition to this is the problem with lost parcels. It is very common for customers to say they never received a parcel. If a business owner agrees to resend a parcel, they do so at a cost to themselves. It has not been unusual in my business to lose a great deal of money resending lost articles. Australia Post takes no responsibility and it's important that customers walk away happy – after all we want our customers to be happy but we must also protect ourselves from poor reviews and feedback that are often received even if not the fault of the business.

Insurance
Insurance protects the seller and the buyer. But it comes at a huge cost. Product and Public Liability insurances are essential for a business. But many businesses operate without them. Just think if something went wrong with a product you purchased and someone in your family was sick or injured – you will hope the business is insured to ensure you have some recourse and that you do not bear the cost of happenings beyond your control.

Duty and GST
It costs a lot to import products into Australia (or even make purchases within Australia). Duty on nappies is 10%. Add another 10% for GST (whether the seller is registered for GST or not). Some sellers avoid paying these fees by bringing in small numbers of nappies (like a few hundred) and do not have to pay these fees. The greater the value of the nappy coming in, the greater the costs. For example, if I buy a $2 nappy and import it, I pay about 40¢ in duty and GST. I import an $8 nappy and I pay $1.60 in duty and GST.  But if I only import under $1000 worth of goods then I pay nothing at all!

Advertising
So once you have your product in the country you need to get people to buy it. How do you get your name out there? Even a very minimal advertising budget is costly. A click on Google ads is upwards of about $1. That's $1 just to have someone view your site. Ads in magazines, expo attendances, directory listings – these all add up. Running a giveaway costs the business owner money. There is no guarantee of any business from it. What's worse is when someone wins your product for free to go on to sell it at a discount and undercut you. All those hours of hard work and suddenly you are competing for a sale against someone you generously gave a prize to.

Shipping
Many companies absorb shipping costs. When you see that they have a flat rate of shipping it doesn't mean they pay less for shipping. It means they are willing to absorb shipping costs if the order goes over that. If you order more then about 3 nappies, you are looking at upwards of $12 to ship the parcel. Every additional cent of shipping charges is being absorbed.

Book keeping
Regulation requires you keep records of income and expenditure. This takes valuable time and money to complete.

Registering your business
Registration of business name, trademarks, designs, etc. come at a cost. A legitimate business will follow these. Many fail to register for their ABN or business name, and don't complete tax returns etc. Some claim they are only operating a hobby – these 'hobbyists' have an immediate advantage to others as they are avoiding paying tax and contributing to the community in valuable tax revenue.

Website
Setting up a website requires a lot of work. Paying for hosting fees, domain names, and web support all cost money. Updating that site with new products, sales, and information come at a cost too.

Other
Storage fees, petrol to deliver your goods to the post office, stationery, packaging, product photography, shipping products into the country (think port fees, customs and quarantine fees, etc.), sending samples overseas and paying for them to be made up and shipped back: the list goes on and on. Larger companies hire staff to do marketing, attend expos, answer emails, and pack orders. They also require office space and warehouses.

As you can see, there are many overheads for a business selling a unique product and operating legitimately.

Paying the Work at Home Mum Behind the Business
This is the last step. If anything is left after paying for everything else, the WAHM might get some pay for the hundreds of hours that she put into getting the product into your hands. From ordering it, to getting it shipped, storing it, photographing it, putting it on the website, and finally packing it into a bag and taking it to the post office. Many WAHMs work for much less then minimum wage – sometimes for nothing at all!

As a WAHM, I am on call all the time. I want to offer a quick response and good service in the hope that people have a good experience dealing with our business. I cannot risk bad reviews online if someone is unhappy. One bad review will have a much greater impact then 10 glowing ones.

Customers come back months after buying a nappy and ask for advice. Customers who aren't even purchasers ask questions requiring my time and attention. Answering emails, dealing with warranty claims, and ordering products all take up a huge portion of my time.

So what is the point of this blog?
I hope this helps you realise why businesses charge what they do for a legitimate product. Many "China Cheapy" resellers avoid a lot of these costs. Many sell on eBay or Facebook with practically no overheads. They claim it is a hobby, and they have no personal design or user testing to deal with. No insurance, no GST or duties, no advertising, no regulatory fees, no website. So before casting judgement about the nappy "brands" earning a fortune and overcharging I ask you to consider these issues and see that really a quality nappy at $20 is an absolute bargain for what has gone into it.

When you look at it like this, a $3 nappy doesn't even compare...