Tots Bots Easy fit and Teeny fit - Review

My first encounter with a Tots Bots nappy, was at a friend's house when she introduced the Starburst  print Tots Bots Easy fit as one of her favourite nappies. I was not too fond of the print or the look of the nappy. Well  things change in a short time. After another person told me it was one of their favourites, I decided to give it a go myself. The starburst print grew on me and that is the first one I purchased.
It is now one of my favourite nappies. I really like it's soft feel and ease of use. I have so many different types of nappies, that I lose track of what inserts go with what shell. The sewn in insert makes life easier.

White easyfit and starburst easyfit

The Tots Bots easy fit is an all in one nappy, with a pocket. It is a one size fits most, with a applix closure. The absorbent strip of the nappy is topped with a super soft bamboo terry, an backed with a thirsty microfibre.

Bamboo terry and microfibre

Bamboo terry

The absorbent panel is sewn in for the length of the nappy, and continues for another nappy length. This part is tucked into the pocket when in use. It agitates out in the wash for a more thorough wash and quicker drying time.

You can add extra absorbent inserts for overnight use if you wish.

The size is adjustable with the snaps in the front.

Small setting

Large setting

Applix tabs fold over for laundering to avoid snagging on other nappies in the wash.

This nappy also comes in a smaller newborn version, called the Teeny fit. This is a miniature version of the Easy fit, without an adjustable rise.

Teeny fit

Easy fit next to Teeny fit

Teeny fit on top of Easy fit

The Teeny fit has the same style insert with pocket.

And also comes with an extra microfibre insert.

Cloth Wipes

*Cloth wipe update 24/3/2011 - I was washing the wipes all together with the nappies, and I think the small amount of solution may have been leaving residue on the nappies, causing repelling. So I am stopping the cloth wipes for a little until I think of what to do.*

Well I seem to be dragging my feet on the nappy reviews... super lazy. I think it is because there is so much info to include, and I don't want to miss anything. It will be one of those things that once I do it, I'll think "why didn't I do that sooner".

So I have just been making up a fresh batch of cloth wipes so lets post about that :)

We are still using disposable wipes when out, and also at home for poos. There is no reason that we cannot use the cloth wipes for poo, we will be spraying the nappy anyway. Just need to DO IT. Disposable wipes are so expensive!
I tried a foaming wipes wash and did not like it. Needed lots of pumps to actually get enough to be effective, and even then it wasn't too spectacular. Some people prefer to use just dry cloths and apply the water or solution at the time, but so far I have found wet wipes to be much easier. The only problem is that you cannot have them sitting too long or they will grow bacteria.
At first I stored them in a normal disposable wipes container, until Isaac received a wipes warmer for a gift. This is a total luxury and not a necessity for those using cloth wipes. The only problem it poses, is that the moist warmth inside it, is the perfect breeding ground for hairies. So you need to change the wipes often. So if you do not use many, just don't fill it up so much. 2 days worth is a decent amount, and for me, I can fill it to the top and use this in 2 days, about 20 wipes.

I made my own wipes, with a cheap towel from KMart. I cut it into squares and over locked the edges. I have also made other colours that get used around the house and they are fantastic. You can use normal face washers, or buy cloth wipes from nappy stores.

Here is the wipes warmer almost full.

I use Monkey Doodlez wipes cubes, there is a whole stack in the container so they will last a long time. Just dissolve them in boiling water.

So we use the cloth wipes for a wee cleanup, or for the after poo is wiped cleanup. Then, as they are quite wet, use a dry cloth wipe afterwards and pat dry. Then just chuck them both into the nappy pail.

My Washing Routine

I use a 42L bin as my nappy pail.

I purchased my pail liner wetbags first, and found a bin that would hold them. I have three pail liner wetbags. One is in use, one is in the wash, and the other is on standby.

If the nappy is only wet, it goes straight into the pail. Remembering to close any velcro with their laundry tabs. If it has poo on it, it goes into a bucket to take to the bathroom to rinse off into the toilet with the nappy sprayer. Then it goes into the pail. The bucket is good as it keeps anything from dripping on the way to and from the bathroom.
















Here is our nappy sprayer, all of the parts were bought from Bunnings for $40 and we followed this tutorial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpfj_SeG4ro

We are still using disposable wipes to get the majority of poo off. Everything else is cleaned with a cloth wipe, including the final wipe after disposable is used.
Wipes warmer is nice in winter, but not necessary. It is extra work as the wipes will grow bacteria quicker so you have to change daily. I can fit 16 wet wipes in the warmer.
Otherwise just use any container to store wet wipes.
All of the cloth wipes go in the pail with the nappies. Disposables go in the little orange bag.

I then take the whole wetbag out of the bin and take it to the laundry. This washing gets done every 1-2 days depending on when I can find the time, and what the weather is like. We have a frontloader machine so I have to push everything in as opposed to dropping it in. I just turn the bag inside out, into the machine then put the bag in too. I like to close the drawstring of the bag once it is in, otherwise it can get a nappy or two caught inside.
I then put the load on the 'towel' setting which is similar to a normal cotton wash, but uses a hotter temperature (60 degrees Celsius). I also select prewash, so it runs a rinse before the cycle starts. I use grovia tiny bubbles detergent. Any specific nappy detergent is fine, just use half of the recommended amount for top loader, and a quarter amount for front loader. If you use regular detergent, use a quarter of the recommended amount.
Do not use any fabric softener or other liquids such as cCnestan, Dettol wash, bi-carb etc.
IMPORTANT:
The most important part of nappy washing is to RINSE RINSE RINSE. Add the maximum amount of rinses at the end of the cycle. If your machine doesn't have the option, then do the rinse setting separately at the end. Mine does 5. If you do not rinse all of the detergent out of the nappies, you will get detergent build up. This will cause the nappies to smell as soon as they get used.

I then hang everything on the washing line if the weather is fine. Otherwise the nappies without PUL (prefolds and fitteds) go into the dryer, and everything else I hang up inside. If it is stained, I wait till they are dried then leave them on the dashboard of my car so they get the full UV, without the rain.

If you do happen to get detergent build up, then the best thing to do, is once the nappies are clean, keep them in the machine and do a hot wash with NO DETERGENT. NO ANYTHING. Just water. And keep adding rinses, until the water runs clear. If you see detergent bubbles in there. Keep rinsing.

I have wanted to share my thoughts and reviews on cloth nappies, but can't figure out how to present it. I was thinking of doing video reviews but I am not videogenic (is that a word??) at all. I will start with blog posts, containing my thoughts and photos. Then possibly do up a table with a summary.

Of course time will fly by and I will probably do 1 post then not keep up and you'll never see me again. But I will try anyway.

1 month into cloth and I still look forward to doing the load of washing so I can hang it on the washing line (if the weather permits) and see all the nappies getting dried and soaking up the UV rays. Yes I like looking at my washing line full of cloth nappies. And I love the sun's UV bleaching. It amazes me when I hang out a stained nappy and bring it in and it is white again. The first time I put a stained nappy out, for half an hour and it was as good as new. I fell in love with the sun that day. Then comes the most fun part... folding, sorting and putting together all the nappies.

I like trying out all of the different types and brands. It is my obsession.

When I first started researching cloth nappies, for baby-to-be, I went to the baby expos to see the different types. As well as doing STACKS of research online. My new favourite place is YouTube :)
I had decided that Itti Bittis would be my main nappy of choice. Mainly snap ins. I liked the idea of buying extra inserts and reusing the shell. I thought they were really cute, and trim. So I stocked up on Ittis.

I thought that AIOs and SIOs were the way to go. Who would want to bother with folding and covers  etc?

Well how things changed when time went on!
I saw some cute PUL covers that I liked... I just had to have a particular print. It was a Thirsties Duo Wrap in blackbirds (brown and blue trees). So when it was on sale, I bought one. I then researched prefolds, and I had won a voucher at an online store, and the prefolds that they stock are Bumboo, so I bought a newborn size. It was massive! I think it would swallow a newborn. After more research, I settled on Iishfly prefolds. So I got a 5 pack of size small. Once I had them washed and did some practice folding on my doll, they seemed very small and I figured baby would grow out of them quickly. The size large were only 8cm longer and I figured that this could be folded over until baby gets bigger. So I bought the rest in large.

Prefolds were basically what we used for the first couple of weeks. Now I am starting to try different nappies, I will leave those for review :)

Let me know if there are any in particular that you want to hear about and I will do those first.

Nappies I have, had or on the way :
Thirsties duo wrap
Thirsties sized cover
Thirsties duo
Thirsties duo fab fitted
Iishfly prefolds
Itti Bitti sio
Itti Bitti aio
Itti Bitti Tutto
Fuzzibunz -perfect size
Fuzzibunz one size
Blueberry
Monkey Doodlez pocket
Pop-in dream dri v2 + v3
Pop-in original
Imse Vimse aio
BBH covers
BBH bamboo fitted
Tots bots flexiwrap
Tots bots cover
Tots bots bamboozle
Rumparooz
Bumgenious v3
Bumgenious Elementals
Best Bottoms
Kissaluvs v2 fitted
Snap-EZ eco
Econobum
Tin Tush trim
Happy Heinys mini one size
GroVia shells
GroVia aio OSFM
GroVia aio NB
Green kids pocket