Big Fluffy Bums (Totsbots)

Member Name: thejigglyone

Product:	Totsbots
Date:	30/12/07 (242 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great for baby and the environment, come in a nice range of materials and colours

Disadvantages: Expensive initial outlay, can be hard to get, some take long to dry

Tots Bots were the first reusable nappy that i tried. After researching for months i took the plunge and bought 3 fluffles, a rainbow bamboozle, a fleece wrap and a PUL wrap. I tried these out on my little lady for a few weeks. By the time my son was born a couple of months later i was well and truly an addict. I now own loads and loads of different brands of nappies in different shapes and styles so be sure that I am experienced in using cloth.

What are tots bots?
Tots Bots are a family run Scottish company which supply reusable shaped nappies made from microfibre, organic cotton, cotton and bamboo. The also supply PUL (waterproof) covers/wraps which are suitable for daytime use and fleece wraps which are aimed towards night time use. They also supply accessories for cloth nappying; changing mats, wetbags and liners.

More recently they have introduced dolly tots (cute nappies for dollies), bamboo towels and face cloths.


I want to know more about the nappies?
All nappies are gently elasticated to give a snug fit. This is especially good in the event of explosive poos. All nappies, except fluffles also feature an attached flapout booster for more absorbancy and for faster drying. Fluffles feature a booster but it snaps in with poppers.

Cotton Tots: The original Tots Bots nappy, available in unbleached or white and comes in 2 fastenings, nippa and aplix. I find these quite bulky, I use them for long journeys and night times. There was a range called rainbow bots which were coloured versions and were slightly slimmer which was great for daytime but this range was discontinued. I would recommend that these are used with a fleece liner and they would benefit from a tumble dry now and then as they can go a bit crunchy even in soft water. Available in 3 sizes but most children will go from birth to potty on 2 sizes.

Organic Cotton Tots: Exactly the same design as Cotton Tots but made with more environmentally friendly organic cotton. Available in the same fastenings but in only 2 sizes lasting from birth to 35lbs. Available in natural and 5 other colours, aqua, green, lilac, orange and yellow.

Fluffles: These won the Mother and Baby Silver award. Made from microfibre these nappies are soft and fluffy and stay that way. They are super quick drying which is great during the winter if you don't have a tumble dryer. I do find that these tend to smell a bit funny even after washing unless they are dried outside. These claim to be more absorbent than cotton and have an internal pocket which you can stuff with more boosters if needed. They are really bulky especially to begin with until the fluffiness dies down a bit, all in all a nappy I tend to use at night time only. Available in white only in 2 sizes. Size 2 can be used as a bulky birth to potty if you nippa. No longer available in popper, just nippa and aplix fastening.

Bamboozles: Mother and Baby Gold award winner. A slimmer nappy made from bamboo. Bamboo has natural antibacterial properties (great for nappy rash) and is lovely and silky soft, great for hard water areas but is the longest drying nappy. It is a very good environmentally friendly fabric. It doesn't take long to grow and is easily obtained. These are my number one choice for a daytime nappy. They are much slimmer than the options above and bamboo is 60% more absorbent than cotton so a great choice for a heavy wetter. For this reason bamboo also makes a fantastic night nappy. Available in 2 sizes and in the same colours as Organic Cotton Tots. These do not longer come in nippa fastening, the material is so soft that the nippa cannot grip properly. If your nippa ones aren't performing you can contact tots bots and I think they add on aplix. These are now available in aplix and popper fastening.

PUL Wraps: these wraps are very soft and pliable so shouldn't leave any marks on baby. They are fastened with aplix and are available in 4 sizes and 5 designs, white, lilac polka, yellow polka, aqua stars and orange stars. They have gusseted legs just in case there are any major poop explosions and have crossover tabs for the slimmer baby. I find these wraps come up a little loose around the legs. I had terrible leaks with my size 2 one but my white size 0 that I used on my son was fine. I don't rate these highly and you are far better with another wrap like Motherease.

Fleece Wraps: These are my night time wrap choice. I have a red one for my son which is nice and thick and a polka dot one for my daughter which is a little slimmer but still leak resistant. Fleece tends to whiff a little in the morning but that's because it is breathable. These are available in aplix and have crossover tabs. They come in 3 designs and 4 sizes but to be honest you are better off buying the size 1 for a start. If you are using it as a night time nappy it has to fit over something a little more bulky.



How do i wash them?
Tots Bots have made it really easy. All nappies and wraps can be washed up to 60c. The face cloths and bamboo towels can be washed at 40c. If you have to tumble dry then it has to be cool. Some people like to tumble dry now and then to fluff up their nappies. Remember, nappies don't need the full amount of detergent, only a little bit will do for washing them.


How do you rate them overall?
I am glad that I only bought a couple to try. I haven't tried the organic ones yet but I imagine they will be identical to normal cotton in ever way. I never bought any more fluffles. I prefer a slimmer look. I did however splurge on some bamboozles and as I said before I'm not a fan of their wraps, they are cute but not practical. My coloured bamboozles wash and wear very well but that was the older brighter colours but I would imagine the newer colours would be of the same quality.

How much then?
Tots Bots nappies range from £7.50 for the Cotton Tots to £9.25 for Coloured Organic Cotton and Bamboozles. Fleece wraps are £7.50 and PUL wraps are priced at £7.50 for white and £8.00 for a design one. These prices may differ from retailer to retailer.


I need some of these, where do I get them?
You can get them from certain branches of Toys R Us and Mothercare but you are far better off buying from an online nappy retailer or a local nappy agent who will be able to give you more tailored advice.

Thank you for reading my review.

Summary: Great for someone new to cloth nappies, uncomplicated