Using a Snappi to Fasten Cloth Diapers

Are you tired of piercing one or all of your fingers when changing your infants diapers by trying to use a diaper pins? Pins are now a thing of the past. No longer are they coming undone and piercing your fingers or digging into your young child's skin. There is now a safer and easier way to fasten your children's diapers! The Snappi diaper fastener offers an easy and hygienic way to fasten diapers. The Snappi fastener is much faster to use than pins and provide a nicely balanced secure fastening, which gives the diaper it is used on, a high degree of containment. (www.snappi.co.za) . It comes in a variety of colors, two sizes and is made from a stretchable non-toxic material, which is T-shaped with grips on each end. The grippers are similar to ace bandage closures (but bent back around, not poking down) which hold the prefold in place without pins. The snappi grabbers do not poke down and they won't touch baby's skin causing hurtful piercing and pinching like pins. The "teeth" point back towards each other to hold onto the fabric of the diaper and do not point down for a nice tight secure fit on the baby.

At only $2.45 a piece, Snappis are quickly becoming one of the most useful accessories in the cloth diapering world. Snappi diaper fasteners can be used for most contour styled diapers, terry cloth diapers, prefolds, flats and most other cloth diapers with a with a loose enough weave for the Snappi to hook into securely making them a must have for most cloth diapering families.

Snappi fasteners need to be used correctly to work effectively. Before the first use of the Snappi diaper fastener; the Snappi must be prepped. To do this, simply hold the Snappi in the center of the T. Stretch each part of the Snappi gently about 10 to 20 times. The Snappi will get a more softer and elastic feel to it. The Snappi itself has a build in memory system and will snap back to its original size and form after each time it is stretched.

When prepping the Snappi or anytime using the Snappi do not pull the loops on the sides of the T. These loops may look like they are meant for pulling, yet by pulling these little loops you may actually damage or even break your Snappi.

Using the Snappi may look difficult at first and may even take some practice to get use to. Yet with practice you will be able to diaper even the most wiggly toddler in your sleep.

To use the Snappi first lay your diaper flat. Place your baby or toddler in the middle of the diaper and bring diaper up through baby's legs. Fold diaper over (you can do this in the front or back) if diaper is too long. Next grab your Snappi and hook one of the grabber hooks onto a side of the diaper. Make sure the grabbers of the Snappi are tightly into the fabric. Then gently stretch the other side of the Snappi to about double its length and attach it to the other side of the diaper. Once both sides are tightly hooked (you may need to adjust the sides to get a perfect fit) then pull the middle to the Snappi down to form a Y shape. The diaper now should have a very snug fit and contain even the messiest of breast milk poop. If the diaper seems loose to you, you may have to unhook parts of the Snappi and re-adjust them for a more tighter fit on your child.

When using a Snappi always use a diaper cover This will prevent your young child from playing with the Snappi and prevent any injuries from happening. When the Snappi is not in use, always store away from a child's reach and make sure the teeth or grabbers of the Snappi are tucked in. Also make sure you do not cut your Snappi. Any tear in the Snappi can lead to separation of a piece, presenting a possible choking hazard. Inspect your Snappi before each use and discontinue using immediately if there is any sign of cracking, tearing, breakage or wear of the teeth or any other parts. Do not cut your Snappi as this may cause tearing. (softclothbunz.com) Snappi diaper fasteners must be replaced every 6 months for the best quality.

After Snappi use, wash your Snappi gently using warm soapy water. (Regular dish soap or baby shampoo works best). Hand wash your Snappis only as throwing them along with your diapers in the laundry machine may weaken the grips of the Snappi making them weak and may also cause tears or cracks in your Snappi.

Good luck using your Snappi! Remember practice makes perfect and it may take a little practice before you become a pro at using your Snappi, yet with time it will happen and no longer will you have pierced sore fingers from using plain old diaper pins!

< Snappi. 2006. Snappi Inc. 20 Nov. 2007. http://www.snappi.co.za/ . >
< Snappi Diaper Fastener. 2007. Softclothbuz.com 21 Nov. 2007. http://www.softclothbunz.com/Snappi-Diaper-Fastener_p_0-9.html >