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Reusable nappies: the best cloth nappies and how to use them
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There are three main reasons why some families decide to use reusable nappies for their baby.
One of these is the cost.
According to the Real Nappy Information Service, choosing cloth nappies rather than disposable nappies and nappy change products could save you anywhere between £150 to over £1,000, depending on how many children you have.
The second is the environment.
Washable nappies have a 40 per cent smaller carbon footprint than disposables, and you won’t be adding to the three billion disposable nappies thrown away every year in the UK, each of which takes hundreds of years to degrade.
Thirdly – and a smaller consideration, but a valid one nonetheless – is the cute factor!
Forget the bulky terry nappies and plastic pants of old; today’s reusable nappies are fashion statements in their own right, with a range of funky colours and designs.
1. Miosolo All-in-One Nappy
*Super soft all-in-one cloth nappy
*Poppers and hook and loop fastenings for extra adjustability
*Designed with concealed super absorbent core and stay-dry inner layer
This easily adjustable one-size nappy grows with your baby from birth to toddler. A super-absorbent core and stay-dry inner layer keep moisture away from skin and the stretchy waterproof outer fabric is suitable for even the most active babies.
Plus it comes in a variety of amazing styles and patters to choose from. Just perfect!
2. Pop-In Single Bamboo Nappy, £19.49
*Comfortable and breathable
*Made from sustainable bamboo
*Can be used from birth to potty age
The pop-In nappy is made from naturally absorbent and anti-bacterial bamboo with a range of cute outer prints. Stretchy tabs mean your baby gets the right comfortable fit and the double leg gusset protects against leaking. Just what a parent needs for extra peace of mind!
3. Tickle Tots AIO Nappy, £15.99
*Can be used as an all in one or boosted using the designated pocket
*Has four layers of absorbent bamboo fleece
*Designed with three rows of two poppers to adjust rise and a velcro closing for ease
This nappy is very slim, but can be easily made more absorbent by adding a bamboo booster pad. It's very simple to use and ideal for a daytime nappy.
Plus, for every 1000 nappies made the manufacturing brand, Tickle Tots, will plant a UK native tree!
4. TotsBots EasyFit Nappy
*An award-winning reusable nappy for its for absorbency, fit and overall comfort
*Designed with a hook and loop fastening and a waterproof tummy area (made from 100% recyclable material)
*One size fits most from birth to potty age
The TotsBots EasyFit now has a bamboo and cotton blend interior for extra comfort and absorbency and the integral waterproof outer layer means there is no need for a separate cover.
The recyclable and sustainable materials used in its construction are kind to the environment, too.
5. Petit Lulu Bamboo One Size Nappy, £16.95
*Made from all natural materials making ideal for eczema prone or sensitive skin
*Comes with one long booster
*Suitable for babies between newborn and potty age
This all-natural nappy is perfect for little ones with a skin sensitivity, allergy or eczema. They are soft and fluffy and guarantee to stay like that for a long time.
Plus it comes in various different fun designs for you to choose from!
How much do reusable nappies cost?
The cost of reusable nappies varies enormously.
If you’re happy with basic white nappies, you can stock up from around £6 each.
If you’d prefer colourful prints, expect to pay between £10 and £25 per nappy.
Some specialist nappy sellers create stunning custom nappies, with parents willing to pay around £50 or more for their own bespoke design.
Some nappies also need a waterproof cover, or wrap.
These can cost anywhere between £5 and £20+ each, with the price again depending on the design.
Key features
One of the first things to think about when you’re buying nappies is what you want them to be made from.
Polyester and microfibre nappies are quick to dry, but less absorbent, whereas terry and bamboo are more absorbent but take longer to dry.
Reusable nappies either come in different sizes or as one-size-fits-all from birth to potty.
Sized nappies generally offer a closer, neater fit, especially on newborns, but you’ll have to invest in a new stock of nappies as your baby grows.
Birth to potty nappies mean you’ll only need to splash out once, as they have popper systems that allow you to change the rise of the nappy (the distance from crotch to waistband) as well as the size of the waist, but these do look very bulky on small babies.
You’ll then need to think about what sort of nappy you’d like.
Two-part nappy systems have a cloth nappy that is shaped like a disposable, but fastens with Velcro, poppers or a Nappy Nippa (a plastic device that secures them at the front).
You then need a waterproof wrap to go over the top.
Wraps don’t have to be replaced at every nappy change, so you’ll need fewer wraps than nappies.
This sort of nappy tends to offer good containment, but can be a bit bulky.
All-in-one nappies have an absorbent inner with a waterproof outer attached, so you don’t need a separate wrap.
They’re slimmer and easy to use, but tend to be slower drying, and more prone to leaks than two-part nappies.
All-in-two nappies have a waterproof outer, which you then fasten an absorbent lining into using poppers.
These are slightly more fiddly than all-in-ones, but dry faster as you can separate the parts for washing and drying.
Pocket nappies are a bit like an all-in-two, but the absorbent liner slides into a pocket between the outer wrap and lining.
They’re really easy to use, slim-fitting and quick to dry, but are not the most absorbent.
For travel, or if you’re not ready to go the whole hog, hybrid nappies are worth considering.
These have a waterproof outer, which can be used either with a reusable inner absorbent liner, or a disposable liner.
If you’re on a budget, the cheapest reusable nappy system is prefolds, which have a flat square of absorbent fabric, which you fold to fit your baby and secure in place using the wrap.
These are great value and quick to dry, but using them does take some practice.
All nappies can be ‘boosted’ by adding extra absorbent booster pads.
These help soak up heavy wees or work for night-time use, but do make the nappy more bulky.
Need to know
If you’re considering using reusables, it’s worth contacting your local council first.
Many have nappy libraries or trial kits, so you can give them a go before committing. Lots also offer a cashback scheme against your nappy purchase.
Some people like the idea of using cloth nappies but can’t face the washing.
Many areas have nappy laundry services, where your dirty nappies are collected from your home and delivered back to you, washed and dry.
You can find out about nappy services in your area at http://goreal.org.uk/finder.
Read on:
- What to pack in your baby changing bag
- How to store and wash reusable nappies
- Changing bag accessories you won’t be able to live without
