Choice of Nappy Systems
Any nappy system will need the same basic components -
1: a waterproof layer on the outside
2: an absorbent part in the middle
3: a liner on the inside next to babies skin
The above components can come as separate items (the flat and shaped nappies) or with various parts attached together (pockets and all in ones)
Flat Nappies
Although these may be considered 'Old-Fashioned', flat nappies are a really good alternative to shaped nappies.
They're much cheaper to buy, easy to wash and quicker drying than the shaped alternative.
Yes, you will have to fold them yourself, but this is quite easy and you'll be shown lots of different folds to see your child through to potty training. There's no need to use a pin either, Nappi Nippas are the modern equivalent and are much safer for parents and baby!
Flat nappies can initially be rather bulky on newborns, however muslins or new Bamboo Terry Squares, which are much thinner, will be less bulky than cotton ones.
Flat Nappies come in 40cm, 50cm and 60cm squares. Muslins are 80cm square.
- 40cm are generally too small for folding even on a newborn, but are good for just folding into a 'pad' and placing in a wrap or for stuffing pocket nappies.
- 50cm ones are good for small babies as there's less 'bulk', but they will be outgrown fairly quickly.
- 60cm is the traditional size and should see baby through to potty training. Can be used from birth. but will be bulky.
- 80cm Muslins make a slim nappy for a newborn, however they're not as absorbent. A booster can be used with them to increase absorbency if needed.
Flat nappies require a Waterproof 'Wrap' to cover them, and a 'Liner' to keep babies skin dry and to catch solids. Don't forget the nappi nippas too.
How Many Will I Need?
For full time use, I'd generally recommend around 20 Flat Nappies. This really depends on the age of the baby (newborns require more nappy changes), which fabric you choose (drying time), and how often you'll wash. I can help advise more on this if you're having a Home Demo.
Night-Time Nappies
Flat nappies can be used very successfully at night time. Generally once baby is sleeping through the night, you'll need an extra 'Booster' in your 'usual' nappy. A booster is just a few extra layers of fabric to add more absorbency to the nappy, and it's simply placed inside the nappy before putting on baby, or placed in between the layers when folding.
Recommended wraps
Motherease Airflow (for Cotton Terries) as it's more 'roomy' for bulky nappies, or Motherease Rikki (slim fitting for muslins with newborns). Either of the above for use with Bamboo/Coloured Bright Bots Terrys.
Shaped Nappies
Shaped nappies come in a variety of Fabrics such as Cotton, Bamboo and Hemp, and have a variety of fastenings.
Shaped nappies have elasticated legs and waist to improve containment. Slimness and Drying times vary greatly depending on the fabric and style of the nappy.
Bamboo and Hemp tend to be quite slim fitting, but both have longer drying times than Cotton or Microfibre. Bamboo and Microfibre tend to stop softer after washing than Cotton and Hemp.
Shaped nappies are either 'Sized' or 'One-Size'
'Sized' nappies will require you to purchase 2 or 3 different sizes as your baby grows.
'One-Size' nappies allows you to either fold or popper down the front of the nappy to allow it to fit small babies. The same nappy is then used throughout, until potty training. Additional boosters may need to be added on some nappies once baby reaches a particular weight/size.
Whether you choose the Sized or One-size option is entirely a personal choice.
- The sized option will give a trimmer fit on newborns and smaller babies.
- Sized nappies will generally cost more (as you're buying 2 or 3 sets of nappies)
- One-size nappies will be bulkier on newborns.
- One-size nappies will get more use over their life, so may wear more.
There is no right or wrong option, each baby (and parent) is different and will need to choose a nappy to fit their own circumstances. The choice is yours!
This type of nappy requires a Waterproof 'Wrap' and 'Liner'.
Some shaped nappies are 'fleece-lined' thus removing the need for a separate liner, although a paper liner can also be used if so wished.
How Many Will I Need?
For full time use, we generally recommend between 15 and 20. This really depends on the age of the baby (newborns require more nappy changes), which nappy you choose (drying time), and how often you'll wash. I can help advise more on this if you're having a Home Demo.
Night-Time Nappies
Shaped nappies can be used very successfully at night time. Generally once baby is sleeping through the night, you'll need an extra 'Booster' in your 'usual' nappy. A booster is just a few extra layers of fabric to add more absorbency to the nappy, and it's simply placed inside the nappy before putting on baby. Specific 'night-time' nappies are also available, these are thicker (hence bulkier) nappies that are extremely absorbent.
Recommended Wraps
Most wraps can be used with most nappies, with a few exceptions.
Motherease nappies tend to be best paired with Motherease wraps, as these nappies tend to be wider between the legs than some, meaning other Wrap brands don't fit them so well. Motherease wraps will fit over any shaped or flat nappy and are very widely used as they're so reliable.
ALL-IN ONES
All-in-ones are just what they say they are! The waterproof outer, the absorbent part, and sometimes the liner are all attached together making this the most convenient nappy for quick changes.
Very handy to have in the change bag for when you're out and about, or useful for those who don't often change a cloth nappy as it's so simple. Generally fasten with poppers.
However a drawback to this type of nappy is that as everything is attached together, drying time is increased. All-in-ones aren't normally used as a full-time nappy system.
This type of nappy is generally 'sized' requiring baby to go through either 2 or 3 sizes covering the birth to potty range.
How Many Will I Need?
All in ones tend to take quite a long time to dry, so more of them will be required. They aren't often used as a full time system on their own, more often than not people have a few for quick convenient nappy changes whilst out. I can help advise more on this if you're having a Home Demo.
Night-Time Nappies
All in ones can be used successfully at night time, but you can be more likely to have more problems than with using a 2 part system. The All in one will more than likely need 'boosting' for overnight use, but care must be taken not too add too much to the nappy as this can cause sagging at the legs, leading to possible leaks. Some babies/toddlers may be better suited to a 2 part system at night.
POCKET NAPPIES
Pocket Nappies are a totally new way of cloth nappying. Each Pocket nappy is made up of a waterproof PUL outer and a Fleece or Micro suede liner, which are sewn together to make a 'pocket'. You then place the absorbent part of the nappy inside the 'pocket' to form a one-piece nappy.
No separate liners are needed - the fleece inner will keep babies bottom dry and catch solids (you can use a paper liner if you prefer), and no separate wrap is required - the waterproof PUL is already attached.
The absorbent insert pulls out for washing and drying making this type of nappy both ultra-convenient and very fast drying compared to a traditional system.
Pocket nappies tend to be quite slim fitting as all the absorbency is located in the insert which runs from the front to the back of the nappy, there is no additional bulk around the sides of the nappy, which means they tend to look and feel slimmer. This can vary with brand though and it also depends on what kind of material the insert is made of - Hemp/Bamboo tend to be slightly slimmer than Microfibre.
Pocket nappies can be either 'Sized' or 'One-Size'
'Sized' pocket nappies will generally require you to purchase at least 3 different sizes as your baby grows.
'One-Size' pocket nappies allows you to popper down the front of the nappy to allow it to fit small babies. The same nappy is then used throughout, until potty training. Additional inserts may need to be added on some nappies once baby reaches a particular weight/size.
Whether you choose the Sized or One-size option is entirely a personal choice.
- The sized option will give a trimmer fit on newborns and smaller babies.
- Sized nappies will generally cost more (as you're buying 2 or 3 sets of nappies)
- One-size nappies will be bulkier on newborns.
- One-size nappies will get more use over their life, so may wear more.
How Many Will I Need?
As Pocket Nappies tend to dry much quicker than other options as a general rule you will need a few less nappies. This does also depends on the age of the baby (newborns require more nappy changes) so in the small size you'd need more than in the larger sizes. I can help advise more on this if you're having a Home Demo.
Night-Time Nappies
Pocket nappies can be used successfully overnight, additional inserts will be needed to cope with overnight use. Small babies who are still having a nappy change overnight will not need as much extra stuffing as older babies who sleep through.
Care should be taken not to 'over stuff' the pocket as this can cause sagging at the legs, leading to possible leaks. It may take a bit of 'trial and error' to get the right combination. Thinner hemp inserts which are slim yet very absorbent, may work well.
Some babies/toddlers may be better suited to a 2 part system at night.