The first thing to remember is that as soon as you remove the stain, the lovely clean nappy is going back on your baby's bottom and will more likely than not get soiled again very quickly! Most people become reconciled with the idea of nappies that aren't perfectly white. If you want to have a go at removing stains then try the following. Please note: if you are at all worried about removing stains from the hire kit nappies then leave them in and talk to your Nappy Alliance representative when you return the kit.
1. The sun is not only a great stain remover, its a sanitiser and deodoriser as well! However, the sun can be well-hidden in our often cloudy skies, so that may not always be an option.
2. Never soak in hot water as this can set the stains rather than remove them. Always use cold water.
3. Never use any stain removers that contain bleach as they will damage the fibres.
4. We recommend the nappy soaks made by Bio-D or Bambinex. You won't need to soak all your nappies, just the ones with soiling on them.
5. To prevent stains, use a fleece liner.
6. You can also try a 60 degree wash with a biological washing powder/liquid. If you do this make sure you do another wash with no detergent afterwards to make sure there are no traces left as it can irritate the skin.
Some babies seem to be particularly susceptible to nappy rash, whether in disposables or washables. There are a number of ways to prevent it and cure it:
Prevention:
1. Nappy rash is not caused by a wet nappy as urine is sterile when it leaves the body. But a mix of soiling and urine can cause the skin to blister quite quickly, so make sure that you change a soiled nappy as soon as possible.
2. A really good barrier cream can help and keeps the skin moisturised as well. Do experiment with different ones, over the counter, prescription and natural remedies as sometimes babies can respond differently.
3. It sounds obvious, but make sure that you thoroughly clean your baby's bottom after each change. Thrush can multiply in a warm, moist environment, so check those creases! You'll need to see a doctor if you suspect thrush.
4. Always wash using non-biological washing powder/liquid. Biological may clean better but it can really irritate the skin. Eco balls are a great alternative and well worth a try (they'll save you money too!)
5. Also make sure the detergent has been thoroughly rinsed from your nappies. Try cutting down the amount of detergent you use, or do an extra rinse cycle to see if this helps.
Cure:
1. If you do get nappy rash, give your baby as much nappy-free time as you can as fresh air is a great healer!
2. If your nappy rash gets severe, then sometimes a few days or even hours in a disposable can help, as they draw away the urine from the soiling into the core of the nappy. A fleece-lined nappy will do the same job, so try ones of these if the rash reoccurs.
3. Nappy rash can worsen during teething or an illness so be aware of this.
A washable nappy should last at least three hours in the day without leaking and last all night.
1. The main reason that a nappy leaks is down to the wrap. Make sure that no part of the nappy or liner underneath is peeking out as this will cause it to leak. Also check the fit of the wrap, it may be too small or too big.
2. Next check the nappy. Assess whether the leak is happening as the nappy is very heavy and wet or if it is dry.
a) If the nappy is wet and heavy and leaked....
The size may not be right for your baby and they may need the next size up.
If the size is fine then you will probably need to boost your nappies. Use the booster pad that came with the nappy, or ask your nappy buddy for advice. It may be that your baby is too heavy wetting for a one part nappy to work effectively in which case we would recommend a two-part nappy, especially at night.
b) If the nappy is dryish but leaked.....
Check that the nappy fits correctly around the legs. It should be a snug fit, but not tight. Check that the liner or nappy isn't showing at the leg or the waist. If the nappy has an insert check that it is sitting flat inside the pocket.
3. The nappy style just may not suit your baby. Sometimes the nappy is not effectively wicking wetness into the nappy quickly enough so it is escaping out of the nappy. This is sometimes a problem with boys and one part nappies. You can try a natural fibre booster and place it in the nappy under the stay dry fleece layer.
4. Make sure that you haven't used either fabric conditioner on the nappies, or a greasy nappy cream. These will both coat the fibres and may cause the liquid to run off the nappy and not be absorbed.
