A Free Guide to Cloth Nappies
You’ve decided to give cloth nappies a go but you’re not sure where to start. Here are our cloth nappy FAQs which will demystify cloth nappies and help you on your cloth nappy journey.
What are the different types of cloth nappy?
For a cloth nappy to work, you basically need two parts – an absorbent part and a waterproof part. The difference between the four main cloth nappy types or systems is how these parts are combined.
All in ones – the absorbent inner and waterproof outer are sewn together to form a one-piece nappy.
All in twos – the absorbent inner and waterproof outer are two separate parts that can be fastened together, usually by snapping the insert into the waterproof wrap or cover.
Pockets - the waterproof outer is sewn to a stay-dry lining to form a pocket which the absorbency is inserted into.
Two parters - consists of an absorbent flat (terry, muslin or prefold) or fitted nappy that fits around the baby with a separate waterproof wrap/cover over the top.
What about liners/stay dry linings?
Some nappies have a stay dry lining sewn in, for example, pocket nappies or you can add a separate reusable or disposable liner into others. Liners are optional but can help keep a baby dry as they act as a barrier between their skin and the absorbent fabric and can help with poo disposal once a baby is eating solid food.
Can I use them from birth?
Absolutely! Got loads of muslins gifted to you? Perfect! These paired with a waterproof wrap over the top make fabulous nappies for a newborn. Our video here covers other newborn cloth nappy options.
Some parents prefer to wait until their baby is a little bigger so birth to potty sized nappies fit. Despite the name, birth to potty nappies fit best from around 4.5 kg so you may get leaks and find them bulky before then.
What about leaks?
It’s all about getting the fit right. The elastic at the back of the nappy should be low, sitting just over the top of the bottom, leg elastics fitted snugly into the knicker line/leg creases with the front of the nappy sitting under the belly button.
No need for the nappy to be fastened too tightly, ensure you can fit two fingers down the front of the nappy but no gaps around the legs. Take a look at our fit video here for more fit tips.
How should I wash and dry them?
Most nappy manufacturers and retailers will specify how the nappies they make or sell should be washed and dried. It’s worth checking out their recommendations if you’re buying new nappies. The washing routine we recommend is a short, warm wash cycle followed by a warm or hot cotton wash cycle with a full dose of detergent based on the box recommendations for hard water, heavy soiling and your drum size. Air drying either outside on the line or on an indoor airer is optimal.
How many do I need?
The number of nappies you need depends on your baby’s age, how many you use on an average day and how quickly you can get nappies dry. We suggest 18-24 nappies for full-time use on a baby from 4 months+ washing every other day. It doesn’t have to
be all or nothing though. Using one cloth nappy a day saves 365 nappies a year from landfill or the incinerator.
Which cloth nappy is best?
Each nappy type has advantages and disadvantages. What suits your baby, your circumstances and your pocket will differ from that of another family. You don’t have to spend a huge amount of money trying all the nappies out there unless you want to! Nappy library trial kits can be hired for a small fee to give you the opportunity to try out a range of cloth nappies on your baby before buying your own. Buying preloved or second-hand nappies is another way of figuring out what nappies work for you and your baby at a low
cost. If you’re lucky enough to live in Waltham Forest or surrounding boroughs, you may be eligible for a Real Nappies for London Voucher. This gives you £54.15 to spend on cloth nappies at participating retailers.
You can download a FREE shareable PDF of this and many other resources here and watch Clair talking about the different types of nappies available here.
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Clair founded Waltham Forest Cloth Nappy Library in 2013 after using cloth nappies on her son and wondering what to do with all her nappies once he potty trained! She now supports parents and parents-to-be from all over East and North London via monthly Zoom workshops, a free Facebook group and YouTube channel and loan trial kits. She can be contacted for free advice and support via the contact details below.
Email: wfnappies@gmail.com