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How to wash reusable nappies

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

Reusable nappies are a great alternative to their single-use counterpart. Firstly, because they can be used multiple times, they reduce the amount of single-use plastic being used. In addition, because you don’t have to constantly re-buy nappies, you can save yourself a significant amount of money.

Here is how you keep re-usable nappies clean and ready for multiple uses. 

  • What are reusable nappies?
  • Are they as effective as single-use nappies? 
  • How to wash reusable cloth nappies

What are reusable nappies? 

Reusable nappies are nappies that can be used multiple times. They are often made from cotton, and are made up of an absorbent inner layer that contains a washable or disposable liner, and a waterproof outer layer. You can buy them in a range of sizes to fit all babies, and with a range of fastenings so you can decide which is easiest for you. In addition to the environmental and cost effective benefits of using reusable nappies, they are also chemical-free. 

Are they as effective as single-use nappies?

Reusable nappies are just as effective as single-use nappies. Before you use one it is advised to wash it so that the material becomes as absorbent as possible. Once you have done this you should not experience any difficulties with absorbency. 

If you are experiencing leaking it could be due to a detergent build-up, a poor fit, or a damaged PUL, which can happen if the nappy is dried at too high a heat. 

Image by Mahesh Patel from Pixabay

How to wash reusable nappies 

Begin by lifting the nappy liner out of the nappy. If you are using reusable nappy liners, shake any loose waste into the toilet. If you are using a disposable liner, dispose of it in the appropriate bin. 

Once the liner has been taken care of, place your nappy in a nappy bin, or any container with a tight-fitting lid. It’s always best to place a mesh laundry bag inside your container so that when it is full you don’t have to handle the individual nappies. 

When you have enough reusable nappies for a wash load, place them into your washing machine with a cap of non-bio powder. Avoid using liquid detergent and fabric softener as they can affect the absorbency of the material. Set your washing machine to 60 degrees to ensure that all the bacteria from the nappies is disposed of. Some antibacterial washing powders can clean in temperatures as low as 30 degrees, however, unless stated on the box, it’s best to wash your nappies at 60 degrees. 

Once your machine has finished, you can dry your nappies. It’s best to dry them in direct sunlight, however, if this is not achievable, you can tumble dry them on a low heat setting, or leave them on a drying rack. 

Reusable nappies need to be washed frequently, but, if you adequately care for them, they can last a lifetime. 

Image by Hannah Spray

Whilst you look after the reusable nappies, we’ll look after you. Book your Laundryheap service by visiting the Laundryheap website, or by downloading the free Laundryheap app. 


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5 Tips For Your Baby’s First Beach Trip

Are you planning on taking your baby to the beach for the first time? If so, you need to take extra precaution to protect your baby’s sensitive skin from the sun. It is advisable for baby’s younger than six months to avoid the sun and sea altogether and stay in the shade. However, for baby’s older than six months, here are some useful tips for their first time at the beach.

5 Tips For Your Baby’s First Beach Trip

  • Stay sheltered
  • Apply sunscreen often
  • Bring baby Powder
  • Bring baby swimming gear 
  • Pack snacks and water

Stay Sheltered

To prevent your baby’s skin from being exposed to the sun for long periods at a time, set up or stay in a sheltered area. Bring a beach umbrella or a beach tent along with a large beach mat/ blanket. 

Hack: use a fitted sheet to create a safe play area for your baby. Just add bags to the corners of the sheets to keep them up and extended.

A windbreak will help give your baby a safe play area, so they don’t wander too far and provides some privacy for you and your family.

Apply Sunscreen Often

Use sunscreen lotion that is made for babies and toddlers, with a high SPF of 50 to ensure maximum protection. Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before your baby is exposed to the sun and re-apply the sunscreen every 1-2 hours.

Bring Baby Swimming Gear 

Don’t forget to bring appropriate swimming gear for your baby as well as swimming equipment to keep them safe when in the water. It’s best to let your baby get accustomed to the beach environment first by leaving them on the shore before taking them for a dip in the sea.

  • Sunhat: Although not exactly swimming gear, it will provide extra protection from the direct rays of the sun when going to take your baby a dip in the water.
  • Swim Diapers: Reusable or disposable, choose whatever will be easy for you to take care of after the beach. Just don’t your baby for a swim in regular diapers and clothes as it will not be comfortable.
  • UV all-in-one wet suits: You can choose to purchase a full body wet suit for more coverage if you prefer to use less sunscreen on your baby.
  • Baby float: If you want to enjoy a dip in the sea with your baby without having to worry excessively about their safety in the water, invest in a swimming float pool. Then you can both enjoy and relax.
  • Baby pool: A blowup baby pool is the ultimate versatile tool to keep the baby safely entertained and away from direct sunlight.

Bring Baby Powder

Baby powder will be super useful to bring to the beach because not only is it great for diaper rashes, but it also works wonders in removing sand from the skin and even from the hair.

Pack Snacks And Water

If your baby is already taking solid foods, prepare plenty of finger food snacks like breadsticks, as these are easy to eat. Freeze a few bottles of mineral water the day before, so your baby can stay hydrated with cold water at the beach.

If you’re breastfeeding, you can bring a shawl to cover up or find a private place to do it. Alternatively, you can prepare bottles of breast pre-pumped milk. For formula – feeding, take a few bottles of ready-made formula milk.

 

We know it can get a little messy washing beach clothes with all the sand that may still be stuck on them. Laundryheap can take that struggle away and have your clothes, towels and swimsuits washed and returned to you within 24 hours.


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The Best Pregnancy Apps For Expectant Mothers

As a new expectant mother, you could use some advice and information on what’s currently happening in the different stages of your pregnancy as your baby develops. It’s also helpful to prepare yourself for when the baby is about to arrive. Whether it’s an app to get weekly updates on your pregnancy or an app to keep track of your contractions, there are many that will give you a helping hand.

The Best Pregnancy Apps For Expectant Mothers

  • Sprout Pregnancy

This app will help guide your pregnancy daily by giving you updates and information on what’s happening with you and your developing baby. You can track your weight, baby kicks and contractions. Available on iOS and Android.

  • Totally Pregnant

Get weekly updates of your pregnancy from the fetus’ development shown in 3D videos, to information about your baby as it develops. You can also share your experience and advice with other mothers. Available on iOS only.

  • What To Expect- Pregnancy & Baby Tracker 

Track your baby’s daily growth and development and get medically accurate articles, tips, videos and trusted advice to help you with your pregnancy. Available on iOS and Android.

  • The Bump-Pregnancy countdown

Great for first time parents, this app helps you prepare for doctor visits, gives you an interactive 3D baby growth guide, provides you with articles, answers for pregnancy questions and a catalogue of baby products. Available on iOS and Android.

  • Ovia Pregnancy Tracker

With this app, you’ll be able to receive frequent updates on the baby’s progress and development, information on food and medication safety, and receive articles, tips and tools to support you throughout your pregnancy. Available on iOS and Android.

  • Full Term-Contraction Timer

If you’re looking to time and keep track of your contractions, this app is the best way to do it. You’ll be able to see your full labour history and contraction process, and get a full featured kick counter and access to a pregnancy reference section. Available on iOS and Android. 

  • Babylist Baby Registry

Gather everything you need and want for your baby from any store, right on the app, before the baby arrives. From baby gear to feeding essentials as well as personal essentials like home-cooked meals. You can even get free goodies, discounts and gifts. Available on iOS and Android.

Keeping up with your usual day-to-day activities and doing simple house chores can be quite a challenge when you’re pregnant, especially when you’re almost due. Laundryheap can help take away the daunting laundry task including ironing, and collect and deliver your items for free. Get the Laundryheap app for a quick and easy laundry solution. Available on iOS and Android.


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5 Baby Apps For New Parents

Need a helping hand in life as new parents? or simply want to be prepared for when the baby arrives? These apps will help keep your day-to-day routine with the baby that much easier.

5 Baby Apps For New Parents:

  1. Baby Tracker: This app is designed to keep track of your baby’s daily habits, health, and precious ‘first’ moments to treasure. It handles all the details of your developing baby, so you can make the most out of the joys of parenting. It will record sleeping schedules, diaper changes, nursing schedules and more.
  2. MyMedela: If you’re a breastfeeding parent, this app is great for giving guidance and tips for a positive breastfeeding experience for mum and baby. It helps to track breastfeeding and pumping progress, baby’s key activities and gives you interactive checklists to support your goals.
  3. TinyBeans Baby & Family: As a new parent, your phone is filled with so many pictures of your baby from the moment they’re born. This app allows you to store all your baby pictures, with unlimited storage! It’s safe, secure and you can even choose who to share your photo/s with. You can edit, print and even view flashbacks to see how your baby has changed overtime.
  4. Sleepy Sounds: Turn your phone into a noise maker to help sooth your baby to sleep. Choose from a variety of sounds: lullabies, white noise or nature sounds. When the music starts, your phone will start a looping animation which will light up a dark room.
  5. Baby and Child First Aid: Your baby’s health and safety is the utmost priority. This app allows you to be prepared and keep your baby safe with useful videos, guides and advice for first-aid situations. Only available for iOS devices.

With these apps, you’ll be able to focus on the precious moments of being a new parent and watch how your baby develops. No need to worry about keeping record of your baby’s schedule.

We can also help make doing house chores easier by doing the laundry for you, so you can have the extra time to relax and focus on the baby.

Download the Laundryheap app on iOS or Android.


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Tips On Washing Baby Clothes

If you’re wondering if there are specific instructions or methods to wash your baby’s clothes, there aren’t much. However, there are a few things you need to consider to keep your baby’s sensitive skin safe.

Here are Tips On Washing Baby Clothes:

Wash Newly Bought Baby Clothes

Newly bought clothes contain chemicals from production that may cause irritation to your baby’s skin. To keep your baby safe from being exposed to these harsh chemicals, always wash newly purchased baby clothes, blankets and washable items that will come into direct contact with the skin.

Use A Mild Detergent

Since your baby’s skin is sensitive, you may want to find the best laundry detergent that is safe for the baby. Fortunately, there are many detergent options available for babies or those with sensitive skin. Just look for hypoallergenic or non-bio labelled detergents. You also have the option to purchase detergents specifically made for baby clothes, like Dreft or ECOS. 

Use The Rinse Cycle

To make sure all detergent residue is removed from your baby’s clothes, use the rinse cycle after your usual cycle. This will keep clothes staying fresh and clean for longer and will prevent mildew smell.  

Avoid Fabric Softener

We all know that fabric softener is used to make clothes feel soft. It works by adding a lubricant layer over the fabric. Baby clothes, sleepwear in particular, are designed to be flame resistant and coating it with softener means you’re only stripping it of it’s properties.

Read The Care Label

Should you wash baby clothes at a cold or warm temperature? I can tell you that warm/hot washes are great for clothes that have a foul odour or needs to be disinfected. Cool washes are great for regular clothes that haven’t been heavily soiled on.

However, only the care label will be able to tell you the correct way and temperature wash and dry your baby’s clothes if you want to take extra precaution.

If you’d like a more professional approach to washing your baby’s clothes, you can leave it to laundryheap. We take safety into consideration, especially for those with sensitive skin. That’s why give you the option to choose between bio or non-bio detergent and take into account any other special requirements for your baby’s clothes.


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Holiday Packing Essentials For Your Baby

When going on holiday with your baby, you’ll realise that you need to bring a lot of items with you to ensure that your baby will be comfortable, entertained, safe, warm and remain in good health during the trip.

Here’s a list of holiday packing essentials for your baby:

Food & Drink Supplies

  1. Formula: Of course it’s an essential! Be sure to bring enough for the trip, whether it’s ready made formula in the bottle or containers of formula powder, make sure you don’t run out. Also, bring extra bottles and a bottle warmer (if necessary).
  2. Breastfeeding equipment: If your baby is still breastfeeding, bring a shawl or scarf to cover for when you’re breast feeding. If your baby drinks breast milk from the bottle, take a breast pump.
  3. Snacks/ meals: Bring plenty of snacks and pack some jars of food (ready made or homemade) to keep your baby’s tummy satisfied! If you’re travelling by plane, you don’t need to worry about the food and drink restrictions as they do not apply to your baby.
  4. Feeding accessories: Take a few bibs to avoid spillage on their clothes. Use beakers for juices and water and don’t forget to bring baby spoons! Perfect for on-the-go feeding.
  5. Wipes: A must need for spills and messes!

Travel Accessories

  1. A baby bag! You’ll definitely need a bag to put all your baby’s things (and yours) in.
  2. A compact push chair: Easy to fold and bring around with you. For off-road and walks, compact push chairs are a must-need if you’ll do a lot of strolling around and sight-seeing!
  3. Baby sling/ carrier: For more adventurous activities or if you feel like you don’t need a push chair, then take with you a baby sling.
  4. A Compact travel crib: Your baby will need somewhere safe and comfy to sleep or play in. 
  5. Blankets: Always great for comfort, shade and warmth!

Toiletries

  1. Nappies! And lots of it! You can never have to many nappies. Don’t forget baby wipes and nappy bags too! 
  2. Cream/Talcum powder
  3. Changing mat: perfect for on-the-go nappy changes
  4. Plenty of clothes appropriate for the weather! 
  5. Bath sponge
  6. Baby shampoo, soap & lotion
  7. Bath toys

Entertainment

  1. Toys: Taking a few of your baby’s favourite toys will help keep them occupied for the journey.
  2. Stuffed toy

Other Essentials To Consider

  1. Medicine
  2. First aid
  3. Bottle steriliser
  4. Pacifiers
  5. Baby monitor
  6. Night light
  7. Car seat 
  8. Booster/clamp on seats

Take into consideration the destination you’re headed to and the activities you plan to do there. You might not need all of these things and you might want to bring extra things that aren’t on this general list such as swim floats or swim nappies if you’re thinking of going swimming.

Just make sure you pack everything in advance to minimise the risk of leaving important items behind. Make sure to wash and iron all clothes and blankets before packing. Your baby may WILL use a lot of outfits, so do take more than you think they’ll need. If you”re worried about having to wash them after the trip, you can always book a laundry service with Laundryheap.