Funkily Waterproof

No crunch, No crackle, No visible plastic

All PUL Flapraps have two layers of fabric: an inner waterproof layer and an outer 'pretty' layer. The waterproof layer is a purple PUL (polyurethane laminte) backed polyester. This is a soft thin fabric with a waterproof coating on one side. The fabric side feels like a high-tech hiking shirt; the laminated side feels smooth, plastic-y and kind-of sticky.

The soft side makes contact with your baby's bottom. The laminate is protected by a different fabric on the outside. You can choose non-wicking purple polyester for ultra-fast drying, cheerful minky (a baby-soft fleece) as a non-wicking alternative, or colourful cotton if you need something more hardwearing.

Why hide the wipe clean side?

Because I wouldn't want it stuck to my bottom!

Typical nappy wraps are made from a single layer of PUL fabric, which is fine because the bulky nappy keeps the plastic coating away from the baby's skin. But Flaparap pads are so minimal, it's worth keeping that plastic hidden away.

Consequently, the inner fabric can feel damp when you replace a wet pad, but the new pad keeps that dampness well away from your baby.

Top Quality Breathable PUL

Works like the first time, wash after wash after wash

Flaparap PUL is one of the best in the world and is made using environmentally safe techniques. Until recently, treating a fabric with a perfectly even, micrometer thin plastic coating used to involve sprays and solvents and patchy outcomes. This PUL is made using new technology that is clean, reliable and tailored to the nappy industry. The manufacturers have tested it through 300 washes without the waterproof layer perishing or peeling off (as happens with cheaper alternatives).

When it comes to PUL, you get what you pay for.

Waterproof... yet Breathable?

PUL has microscopic holes that are big enough to allow air and water vapour to pass through; but liquid water forms strong bonds between its molecules so it's 'too big' to get through the holes. PUL therefore allows the skin to breathe by letting sweat escape, but keeps a wee safely contained. Waterproof... yet breathable!

100% Wool: The Natural Alternative to PUL

Wool Flaparaps are far more breathable than their PUL counterparts, and just as waterproof.

They're made from boiled wool - a fabric that looks similar to fleece - and waterproofed using lanolin (the same substance that makes sheep waterproof). The lanolin coats the wool fibres making them water repellent, so water beads on the surface much like it does on the PUL.

However, the 'breathable holes' in lanolised wool aren't microscopic! They're clearly visible when you hold the fabric up to the light. Air and water vapour flow freely though the fabric, but, just like the PUL, a wee is safely contained. Waterproof... yet (even more) breathable!

Beyond Nappies: Inspired By Other Industries

Totally Dotty Born Ready Belt

The belt elastic is unique.

It's soft, supple and covered with grippy silicone dots to hold the flap in place. And it's branded! <swoon!>

I worked with a modern manufacturer in China to create something Flaparapingly fantastic. Elastic like this is unobtainable elsewhere and it makes all the difference to comfort and practicality.

Bra Hooks and Belt Loops (Shhhhh!)

Silent, simple and so obvious you'd think everyone would be doing it!

The three sizes of belt are adjustable to ensure a secure fit.

No more velcro shredding your socks in the wash. No more two handed battles with poppers. Time for the nappy industry to catch up with bras, bikinis and leotards. The man in your life can probably do it one handed...

Softly Sealable Leg Elastic

Everything that leg elastic should be: Soft, supple, and seals around the legs. It's quick drying too.

If you have a big miss, the elastic will get wet. But if this is your last Flaparap until the washing machine finishes, drying it with a spare pad will make it wearable again.

Made in England

TaRum-Ta-Raaaah!

Originally, by me, in London.

But now they're made by Edith and her crew, 'up North' in Newcastle. They also cut the pads for me.

Flaparap fabrics are cut 'down South' in Portsmouth, on a state of the art laser cutter. It cuts 20m of fabric at a time with far more accuracy and much less waste than I could possibly manage on my kitchen table.

Outer Fabric Fun Time

Dry-Before-You-Know-It Purple Pants

Purple on the outside and purple on the inside - what's not to like? These are the lightest softest Flaparaps of the lot.

In a pinch, they can go directly from spin cycle to little bottom (and yes, embarassingly I do speak from experience.).

Funky Minky

These don't wick and your baby's bottom will feel almost as soft with pants on as it does without.

Pretty Cotton

If you carry your baby on your hip or your arm, you might decide cotton is the most comfortable option. I find polyester quite sweaty, so I'm a fan of a cotton outer layer. It's more hard wearing that the other fabrics and it doesn't snag, so if you have a bum shuffler it's a good choice.

But... cotton wicks, so if a heavy miss soaks the leg elastic, the cotton will wick that wetness right across the outside of the Flaparap. They also take longer to dry than the polyester versions. The trick with cotton is to have enough!

100% Wool

I used pul waterproofing on three and a half children before I tried a wool Flaparap. Don't wait so long yourself!

Wool is wonderful!

Breathable, completely waterproof, soft-not-scratchy, very low maintenance...

In fact, every preconception that kept me from trying wool sooner turned out to be unfounded. Wool so surprised me that it merited its own blog post: 10 reasons wool wraps are way better than you think.

Pads For All Occasions

All pads are made from 100% cotton fabric and after a few washes they're highly absorbent. I've tested many different materials over the years, from organic bamboo terry to polyester microfleece, and nothing works as well in a Flaparap as a good sized sheet of absorbent cotton.

Small or Large?

Small and large both fold to the same sized rectangle, but small has 8 layers and large has 12.

I use small during the day and large for naps and nights. (Large still only hold one wee.)

Why Sell By The Pack?

If you're going to use Flaparaps successfully you need enough pads to get started and you need those pads to work.

If I sold a Flaparap with one pad, you might only get to use it for 20 minutes before you had a miss and needed to switch to something else. How does that improve your life?

You need a stack of pads! The bigger the better. But they need to be the right size and shape and they need to be absorbent. If you're thinking 'Any old booster will do' or 'Pffft! I'll simply use a muslin / washcloth / pair of old socks' I designed these packs especially for you!

By all means, add to your stack yourself, but don't sabotage your new system by using something that isn't fit for purpose. You'll probably need to re-jig your stash to make something suitable and I bet you're already so busy that even small jobs loom large. Don't add another job to your to-do list. Just buy enough pads to free your time and your brain for better things.

Happy Flaparaping, Folks!

P.S. If you've got questions or comments, drop me an email at jenn@bornready.uk