Does anyone else find bulky cloth nappies delay infant physical development?

Abby - posted on 01/10/2011

I think you are worrying too much...in fact bulkier nappies keep baby's hips in the perfect position for healthy growth, whcih is why babies with slight displasia will be double nappied if they are not bad enough to require plastering. If you want a slighty less bulky nappy try a bum genius, really slim fitting and great absorbancy, but if you are happy otherwise, just keep with your old ones and he will crawl and all the rest just at the right time for him!

Cj - posted on 12/22/2010

i've noticed this too, but with most sizes and brands i've tried. i let him have a lot of "changing table time" every day--he loves hanging out there, naked, playng with his feet. it's also helped us develop a routine similar to "Elimination Communication" style, so basically he rarely poops in his diaper any more. he tries to let me know he's going to poo, and we hang out at the changing table til he's had a nice fresh-air poop (i just put diapers under his butt as he goes). he's 3 months old.

Amanda - posted on 12/17/2010

Another suggestion I found helpful was putting a small pair of undies or knickers on them when they were having nappy off time -avoids nasty mess' :)

Danielle - posted on 12/09/2010

i've used cloth nappies for both my boys terry towelling you fold yourself not all in ones which are even bulkier they both crawled by 6 months and my first walked at 10 months so don't worry about them delaying her development cloth nappies are actually better for there hips and pelvis then disposables because they hold them up at the right level for them to develop properly while disposables leave there legs to drop down below there hip level causing strain on there joints so you are doing the best for your baby using cloth just give her plenty of nappy free time and she will be happy healthy and excelling before you know it.

Nicky - posted on 12/08/2010

I thought this too, and still not quite sure at almot 8 mths, but they'll figure out everything eventually, and perhaps its almost like resistance training LOL, I found my girl did a lot more when she didnt have a nappy on, so plenty of free time on the fabric waterproof mat, she still hasnt rolled, but can sit quite happily on her own for ages, now that the feet and legs are starting to go and she is moving backwards when on her tummy, I dont think it matters, they will work things out and I dont think that it is a negative thing to be using the cloth nappies, good on you!!

Carol - posted on 12/08/2010

hey kunang, i felt the same way too and i dont think i put his CDs on til mine was 3mo's either, i also felt my (bummis super whisper wraps) were a bit too restricting. my tummy time for him uncluded a rolled up towel for his armpits to hold him up, a waterproof pad a cd or towel on top and some toys or me in front of him playing, as all this naked tummy time he also was diaper rash free and has been since i ever started that, he is now 20 months and we are still rash free from waiting til he dries off to put on a new diaper, i find if you get a cover thats bigger for them put put on tight enough to keep out leaks, that there is more room around the hips because of extra material that he could move more freely, hope this helps, enjoy the naked tummy time, i think they do too even as they get older they like to see their skin too :)

Suz - posted on 12/03/2010

Now you mention it.. I believe it does make his bottom bigger and heavier, and I notice him take off more easily when in a disposable diaper. I still cloth diaper, but I tend to do a bit of both depending on if I run out of cloth diapers when they are due a washing.

Kunang - posted on 12/01/2010

Mmm... I do think its the covers with the velcro tabs. She looks stiff as a board with her two little legs poking out trying to wiggle. Looks very cute. I think more naked tummy time and probably new covers. Thanks ladies! :)

Rebecca - posted on 11/30/2010

I didn't notice anything like that with my twins, but I used prefolds with covers. Maybe they are less bulky? My twins rolled, crawled and walked early (walking at 9 and 10 months), so I don't think their cloth diapers affected their movement at all.

Tracy - posted on 11/30/2010

I haven't noticed a difference at all in her development, and we've been using Fuzzi Bunz since day 1.

Majaliwa - posted on 11/30/2010

In my experience I've found that one-size nappies that velcro in the front can restrict their bending movement when they're smaller than 5 months. For that reason I prefer side-snapping nappies and covers like the Mother-ease brand. I'm not exactly sure why they allow more freedom but they do. In a side snapping nappy my little guys can bend and suck their toes and whatever else they want to do with no movement restriction. My oldest was crawling at 5 months and walking at 9 months. My youngest was turning over at 2 months and he's already started scooting now at 4 months.

Other good side snapping nappy covers are Cute Tooshies and Gen-Y. All are very leak proof too!

Here's a link: http://www.pootersdiapers.com/diaper-cov...

Tammy - posted on 11/29/2010

I thought this too- I started using one size nappies when my son was three months old. Let her have some nappy free time (my son used to love it!) and he was crawling at 5mo, walking at 10mo.

Cheryl - posted on 11/28/2010

I worried about the same thing. But I also tired to remember that at one time all babies wore cloth nappies and they were fine. My son was within the normal range for all his movement and walked at 12 months (he's now 2 and a half). Also, the nappies will be less bulky as she grows. Lots of nappy off time will help, but she will learn how to do things with the nappy on too.

Elfrieda - posted on 11/28/2010

I noticed that my son couldn't bite his toes when he was wearing cloth diapers. I let him be naked a little bit more, so that he could have that joy! :) So yes, I had the same thoughts, but then I forgot about them again. Now he's 11 months and crawling all over the place and climbing up on things. It's nice that there's an extra cushion for him to fall on when his legs give out!