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NWNC C.I.C.

Who are we and what do we do?

NWNC began in 2015 as Wrexham Nappy Library, opened to promote and enable the use of reusable nappies. Denbighshire Nappy Library was opened in 2017 and in June 2018, they registered officially as NW Nappy Collaborative C.I.C. Flintshire Nappy Library was launched in Summer 2018, giving NWNC bases in three North Wales counties.We specialise in promoting and enabling reusable nappies for all; dispelling myths and quashing misconceptions. We do this in the following ways :• Demonstrations.• Question and answer sessions.• Free impartial advice.• Trial kits so people can try a variety to determine what works best for them.• Long term loan kits for those struggling financially.We understand just how lonely it can be when you’ve just had a baby, your life changes and all too often, you crave adult company and conversation so we’re tackling social isolation in the form of weekly meets. Everyone is welcome, please come along, join in, we promise you’ll make wonderful friends.
Through our Given To Shine project,  provide reusable menstrual products to tackle period poverty for upwards of a decade. No-one should ever face the impossible decision of choosing between sanitary items and food. We also provide emergency food parcels for Wrexham County residents, requests need to be made via the Given To Shine Facebook page.

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Modern Cloth Nappies Explained!

There are 4 extremely common types of cloth nappy, each one will be described below.

• Pocket nappies.

A PUL shell with sewn in fabric – usually microsuede, microfleece or bamboo velour (uncommon). There will be a pocket opening (or 2!) where inserts can be added to create the absorbency. Easily identifiable by the trademark pocket opening, separating waterproofing from the stay dry fabric. Usually fastens with snaps or hook and loop. Some examples include Nature Babies Stuffable, Little Lambs sized and one size pocket nappies and TJ’s pocket nappies.

• All in ones/snap in ones.

All in ones contain the absorbency and waterproof all sewn together. Snap in ones snap together to form an all in one – both contain the absorbency and waterproof outer. Easily identifiable by the cover - sometimes smooth, sometimes soft however, you’ll be able to feel/hear the hidden waterproof layer. Some examples of all in ones include Tots Bots Easyfits; Bumgenius Freetimes and Bambino Miosolos. Examples of snap in ones include Close Parent Pop Ins, GroVia O.N.E’s and Tots Bots Peenuts.

• Fitteds.

The entire nappy is absorbent but has no waterproof layer so needs a separate wrap/cover. Easy to identify as the entire nappy will be soft and no waterproofing will be heard/felt. Usually more absorbent than all in ones and pocket nappies, can come in a variety of fabrics, including hemp, cotton, bamboo and microfibre. Some examples include Little Lambs fitted nappies, Ellas House Bumhuggers, Tots Bots Bamboozles and Snuggleblanks Superwetters.

• Flats.

Flat nappies are flat squares/rectangles of fabric that can either be folded onto baby and secured with a nappy nippa/pin or pad folded and laid inside a PUL wrap and secured onto baby. Flats comprise of prefolds and terry squares, amongst others. Some examples include Bambino Mio Soft (prefolds); Bright Bots (terry squares).

There are also two types of Hybrid nappy; one is a fitted nappy with hidden fleece/PUL meaning the nappy can be used with or without a wrap. The second is a nappy which can be used with reusable or single use inserts, these are sometimes called all in twos as the absorbency lays in to create a nappy comprising of two parts. Examples of the former include Binky D, Moxxy and Daisybirds Kids with the latter including Grovia Hybrids, G Nappies and the Flip system by Cotton Babies.

*Covers/wraps*

• PUL/TPU.

Man made, breathable covers. PUL is an acronym for polyurethane laminate - created using a chemical process; and TPU is an acronym for thermoplastic polyurethane which is created using heat processing. These are the most popular covers and come in a range of sizes, fastenings and brands, some examples are Little Lambs wraps, Tots Bots Peenut Wraps and Blueberry Coveralls. These can be used over fitteds and flats to prevent leaks.

• Wool.

Wool is a natural fibre, it must be lanolised to make it waterproof. Breathable, naturally antibacterial and allows urine to evaporate as water vapour from the nappy. Must be handwashed to eliminate risk of shrinking and felting. Unsuitable for library trials as our insurance requirements determine routines that ensure our nappies are hygienic but are too harsh and would cause irreparable damage. You can, however, ask your nearest branch if they’re able to bring some “woolies” for demonstrative purposes.

• Fleece.

Usually made from polar fleece or windpro fleece which are moisture resistant, fleece pushes moisture back into the fitted nappy. Water resistant rather than waterproof. More breathable than PUL. Synthetic fibre.

*Absorbent Fabrics*

• Microfibre.

A synthetic material, very absorbent but can suffer from compression leaks and can be bulky. Must not be placed directly against skin as it can cause irritation. Fast drying.

• Minky.

Rarely used, not particularly absorbent, found predominantly in V3 Tots Bots Easyfits and Dream Dri pop ins – made from polyester. Quick drying, can go directly against skin. Slim fitting.

• Charcoal “bamboo”.

Microfibre covered in fleece impregnated with charcoal. Same absorbency as microfibre but doesn't suffer from the same compression leaks. Helps neutralise acidity of urine, not good inside a pocket but can go directly against skin. Quick drying.

• Cotton.

Fantastic all rounder, very absorbent, absorbs very quickly, can go next to skin. Moderate drying time. Flat cotton/jersey is very trim, cotton terry is slightly bulkier. Feels wet to touch so may require a stay dry liner.

• Bamboo.

Very absorbent, very trim. Long drying time. Feels wet to the touch so may require a fleece liner. Absorbs slower than other fabrics.

• Hemp.

Nearly always blended with cotton (or bamboo) to keep it flexible. The most absorbent fabric for nappies, does not suffer from compression leaks. Can go directly next to skin. Long drying time. Feels wet to the touch so may require a stay dry liner.

• Zorb.

Synthetic fabric designed for cloth nappies, holds around 10 times it's weight in liquid. Suffers from compression leaks unless sandwiched between natural fibres. Not particularly common, found in some work at home nappies and WAHM made boosters.

*Fit*

Reusable nappies fit slightly differently to single use nappies. All leg elastics should be tucked into the knickerline to prevent leaking and rubbing and, as a rule of thumb, the top of the nappy should generally sit under little ones belly button.

Legs should be snug but not too tight, check that a couple of fingers can easily be slid between the leg elastic and the skin, this ensures they are comfortable. Equally, legs should not be too loose - you should not see any gaps when manoeuvring the legs.

The tummy can be somewhat loose to prevent discomfort when sitting up, ensure the nappy is not loose enough to fall down though.

Cloth nappies are initially bulkier than disposable nappies, however, they do not expand and swell like their single use counterpart.

Some people express concerns regarding the “froggy leg” position which cloth can cause - this promotes healthy hip development, akin to ergonomic slings and is not something to be worried about; it will not hinder mobility or milestones; however, if you have a toddler they may initially be confused by the additional padding and their walking seem a little funny.

Sock like marks are completely normal as reusable nappies contain proper elastics - if the marks are deep or angry, the likelihood is that the nappy was fastened too tightly - please see above guidance to prevent this.

*Leaks*

Leg leaks are nearly always a fit issue; tummy and back leaks often insinuate that the nappy is saturated and hasn’t been changed in time.
Leaks through the waterproof layer suggest that the PUL/TPU has been compromised and needs evaluating and possibly replacing.

Home: Cloth Nappies 101

NWNC C.I.C. Services

Something for everyone!

NW Nappy Collaborative C.I.C. is a Social Enterprise and our charitable work is funded by hire fees and donations.

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Standard Trial Kits.

Mini Trial Kit.  Try Cloth part time with these mini kits, each comprising of 10 assorted nappies.  
These are currently available in:  
• Small (not newborn)       • Birth to Potty       
£5 per month with a £20 deposit.    

 Full Trial Kit.    
Try cloth full time - get the full experience to help determine whether or not it is for you. Each kit contains 20 reusable nappies and various accessories. These are currently available in:     

• Preemie     
• Newborn     
• Small      
• Birth To Potty     


 £10 per month with a £50 deposit.
All kits are subject to availability and vary per branch.

Custom Kits.

These kits are only currently available via our Wrexham branch and offer alternatives to the most commonly sought after kits.  
 • Specialist Night Nappy Kit.   
• Toddler Kit     
• Potty Training Kit     
• Potty Training + (contains night nappies for daytime potty training).  
  Each kit is £10 per month hire and a £50 deposit.    
• Specialist day nursery/child minder trials. Prices start at £25 per month, hire fees dependent on requirements.    
• Premium Kit. £20 per month, £50 deposit.

Holiday Kits.

Due to the ever growing popularity in reusables and the rise in people expressing a desire to take them abroad, we’ve introduced our “Carry on Clothing” holiday kits.
These kits comprise of workhorse nappies that are much harder wearing than other types. Why risk handwashing, a public laundry facility or soaking your own nappies when you can take ours?

Available in:

• Newborn/Size 1
• Birth to Potty/Size 2

£10 per month or part of, £20 deposit.

Long Term Loan Kits.

A free, discretionary service to help struggling families provide nappies for their children.
The nappies in these kits will be older, may show signs of wear or discolouration but will be sanitary and perfectly functional.

We only have one request with these kits - regardless of when that time may be, please return them when they are no longer needed so other families can benefit.

Discretionary Support.

We may be able to help further to alleviate additional concerns for those struggling financially. The following support is often available but is subject to us receiving financial support and physical goods to assist:

• Reusable Sanitary Products
• Baby and Toddler Essentials
• Fresh Ambient Food

Want to learn more about our services and what else we may be able to offer? Contact NWNC today.

Donate here https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=W7SZTBBM8Z5R6

Nappy Natters

Thursday Mornings 10:30am Gwersyllt Community Resource CentreSecond AvenueGwersyllt Wrexham LL11 4ED
Term time only, please refer to the Wrexham County school calendar for term dates as these vary in different counties.

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