Important tips and tricks

I strongly urge you to practice folding and putting nappies on a teddy/doll before baby arrives. This will increase your confidence and make a massive difference when baby is here. Cloth does take a bit of practice.

I'm a mail away for any support needed.

Prefolds
  • If the prefold is too big, fold the wings down at the back to shorten the length of the nappy (see image below), flip it over and put it on.

Fitteds
  • Pull the wings up to the shoulders before bringing over to fasten in the front.
  • Fitted nappies do not need to be so tight deep elastic marks occur. Run your fingers around the bum casing once on. It should be nice and comfy ,not tight!
  • For the size 2 and size 3 night fitteds, make sure to lay the inserts as per the image below. Smaller insert at the bottom. Fold the long snake inserts in half and then back over itself so it makes 3 layers. Add the fleece liner on top.
  • NEVER tuck clothes into a cover or fleece longies for night. 
  • Create extra layers if the nappy is very wet or leaking in the morning. Add a booster or padfolded flat between the fitted that is on and the cover to avoid extra bulk. See pic below:

Dawn patrol day fitteds and the inserts:

How to lay the inserts

Size 1: Lay the small round insert UNDER the longer one. For boys place it in front of his bits. For girls, a bit furthur down in the middle.

Size 2 & 3: Longer one under the smaller one. Add a hemp booster under both inserts for extra layers if the nappy is very wet after 2 hours. 

TIP: ALWAYS keep the velcro tabs closed. Only open them when the nappy is about to be closed on the velcro strip. Velcro catches on everything and can quickly ruin the stitching on your nappies. Never wash with the tabs open.

NEVER tuck clothes into a cover.

 

Flats see our flats page.

Fleece covers
  • Side snapping covers :Keep the one side snaps closed. Thread baby`s leg through the one side then pull it under the bum and over the top and snap up the other side.
  • The cover sits like little shorts. It does not sit in the panty line. Make sure you pull it down to just below the belly button. The legs do not fit snugly around baby`s thighs. See the fit below.

 

  • Avoid clipping baby grows TIGHTLY over fleece covers. Cotton can pull moisture through and wet clothes.A nappy that is absorbent enough will work perfectly. Boost if you have dampness.
  • NEVER tuck clothes into a cover or fleece longies .
  • If the fleece cover is ever damp the nappy needs more layers. Add a booster to your nappy. It is NOT the cover that leaks- it is the nappy beneath.
Night cloth
  • Never clip babygrows directly over a night nappy or the fleece cover. They are fully absorbent nappies and the vest will get wet.
  • NEVER tuck clothes into a cover or fleece longies for night. 
  • Put the night nappy on 30 minutes before bedtime. Do not try and wait until the last minute- babies often by then are tired and impatient with a nappy change.
  • Make sure the entire nappy is tucked away into the cover. If the tiniest bit is sticking out and comes into contact with clothes or the sheets, the moisture will be drawn out.
  • Rinse night nappies in hot tap water immediately off the bum in the morning. See the rinsing video on this page.

Boosting night nappies:

If the fleece cover is damp in the morning you need to add more layers. This IS the solution and is easy:

  • Add a Pokkelokkie hemp booster (trimmest) or a padfolded flat BETWEEN the nappy that is on and the cover - not inside the nappy. This reduces bulk a lot and provides the same absorption if you need those extra layers.

Do you have a tummy sleeper?

Add a booster length ways at the top of the night nappy to give extra layers upfront. This can be done with flats too.

Going out and using cloth

Tip : Boost the nappy- add an extra hemp or cotton booster to any nappy. So if you are using a flat and a booster at home, add a 2nd booster between nappy and cover. This will make the nappy last A LOT longer and you wont be left out feeling nervous the nappy wont make it if you get caught in traffic! A flat and 2 boosters can easily get 4 - 5 hours if needed.

Nappy bag essentials for the outing :

3 x cloth nappies, 3 x boosters, 3 x fleece liners, 2 extra covers, 5 cloth wipes, bottle water, wetbag.

Using a wetbag :

If you need to change, throw the dirty nappy in and clean it at home. Simply fold the nappy up with it`s contents and fold it in the cover then pop it in.

    Prepping hemp

    Do not attempt to prep (prewash to increases absorbency) Pokkelokkie nappies. Just start using them. After 8 or so washes they will have reached full absorbency. Add a booster initially if any dampness occurs. 

    If using medium 60 x 60cm flats for a newborn, wash once to allow for shrinkage.Our flats are cut bigger and will shrink to their respective sizes.

      Tips to soften hemp

      • Pop them (already dry) in the tumble drier for 10 minutes.
      • Give them a hot iron if you do not have a drier.
      • Add one cup of vinegar to a normal wash in the sta soft drawer (now and then) as a softener. 

      How to work with Snappies
      • Once your nappy is on, place the snappy on top, push down one side (do not try and make this side grip onto anything) and keep holding with your thumb, then pull the other side across and it will automatically grip the fabric.
      • Make sure to pull it quite a way across so it stretches. It requires tension to work.
      • Then pull the bottom one down to grip and WALA.