wool covers

[veghead04]

I don't understand how these are used at all. Can anyone take a moment and explain it to me? Are they a top layer, like a cover? But if so, that seems as though it would be wet.

[levans]

I am planning on trying out wool covers for baby #2 due in September. From what I've read, a lot of parents find that wool covers work great at containing moisture and keeping babies dry, especially overnight. Wool covers work best if they are well-felted and properly lanolized. Lanolin, a natural material found in wool, is water-repellent and helps the wool become waterproof. Moms who use wool use prefold or fitted diapers under the wool cover. One wool wrap I know of is Baby Beehinds, but there are many other wraps and other styles of wool covers.

[Llyra]

Wool diaper covers are not waterproof the way polyurethane or nylon are. But if they're treated with lanolin, they are very moisture-resistant. Lanolin is found naturally in raw wool; most of the time it's been washed out before the cover was made, so you'll need to re-lanolize the cover. You can use Lansinoh for that (sold for treating sore nipples when breastfeeding!) or buy a special wool wash that contains lanolin. The cover will contain moisture until the diaper beneath is completely saturated. After that, the wool will absorb a bit of the extra moisture. Eventually, of course, it will leak, but by then, you'll have changed baby, and even when it does leak, you will just get some dampness that soaks through the wool, not a big gush.

The advantages of wool are many. First, it's soft and non-binding, so there's no elastic or bunchy velcro waistband to leave red marks and irritate baby. I love wool on a newborn, for this reason. It's also breathable, so baby's skin is cooler and less prone to rashes. Thirdly, it's great in a situation where you won't be able to change right away, like overnight, because it will actually absorb some of the wetness, once the diaper is soaked. And finally, you don't need to wash it very often. Wool is naturally anti-bacterial. As long as the cover isn't soiled with poop, all you need to do is let it air after a pee, and it'll stay fresh and clean for a long time. I wash my wool less often than once a month.

[kirstenb]

Originally Posted by Llyra

And finally, you don't need to wash it very often. Wool is naturally anti-bacterial. As long as the cover isn't soiled with poop, all you need to do is let it air after a pee, and it'll stay fresh and clean for a long time. I wash my wool less often than once a month.

So even if it soaks up some pee you are okay with not washing it often? I am looking at some wool covers to use at night and I know that they will be absorbing pee. It would be awesome if I could air it out!

[Ifluffedthree]

Wool has natural antimicrobial and anti fungal properties. Meaning it can be wet and not smell. It will naturally hold many times its weight in liquid. It does not require being washed every use unless soiled you hang it to dry and reuse washing and re-lanolizing every so often.

You can see through it when stretched a bit, it breaths and is a natural time tested fiber. It is a very healthy chioce for diapering. It comes in cute, beautifully hand dyed and unique variation and often times has a resale value. It can be used for multiple babies.

Wool! Not necessary but is a great choice! I don't knit but I take wool covers and soaker out with me at local vending events to help people understand more about how it works.

Good Luck.

[Llyra]

Originally Posted by kirstenb

So even if it soaks up some pee you are okay with not washing it often? I am looking at some wool covers to use at night and I know that they will be absorbing pee. It would be awesome if I could air it out!

Yup. The cover can be soaked, and smell like a wet dog (it will, when it's wet! Wet wool smells like wet sheep, naturally!) but when it dries, it will be nice and fresh. The only time you need to wash it is if it gets poo on it, or when the lanolin starts wearing off and it needs more, or when it stops smelling clean after it's been aired. In my experience, that's about once a month.

[Jojo F.]

I wool!!!

[mother culture]

I think that most people are amazed at the benifits of wool for diapering.
When Lanolin is present in wool fiber it acts as a natural waterproof barrier.
You use wool wash to clean your cover and to replace the lanolin every so often. Although I have also not lanolized a cover and it still offers great protection. The best part is wool does not retain or encourage bacteria growth. So your covers can be reused all day long or after they dry again after absorbing particularly saturated diaper wetness.