Nappy Choice
Modern reusable nappies are most certainly not the terry square, pins and sweaty plastic pants of the past! They are made from a wide range of fabrics, great designs and soft breathable materials.
Once you get beyond terry squares (which are still available!) the choice of modern cloth nappies can be quite bewildering at first but once you have a handle on the various types the choice becomes easier.
There are 3 main types of nappy system - two piece nappies, pocket/stuffable nappies and all in one nappies. Within the categories the nappies can be sized or birth to potty.
Two piece nappies
The two piece nappy system consists of an absorbant nappy plus a separate outer waterproof wrap. The nappies can take the form of:
- Terry Square - a traditional nappy which can be folded in various ways and fastened with nappy nippa (or pins). Terries are reasonably priced and quick drying. They do however require folding and can be bulkier on smaller babies. Terries come in different sized squares in cotton and bamboo and can be air or tumble dried.
- Prefold - a rectangle of layers of cotton or bamboo material stitched together (usually in 3 sections) with a thicker centre panel. The nappy is folded and usually placed as a pad inside the outer wrap. The prefold can be fanned out to improve containment and secured using a nappy nippa if required. These nappies are low priced and fairly quick drying. As the prefold does not wrap around the baby there can be some leakage onto the wrap and the prefold can move on mobile babies. Many parents however use prefolds successfully. Prefolds are available in different sizes and can be air or tumble dried. Many nappy laundry companies use this type of nappy.
- Shaped nappies - these nappies are shaped more like a disposable. The nappies are gently elasticated around the waist and leg openings and are fastened using velcro or aplix, poppers or nappi nippa or pins. These nappies are more expensive than terries and prefolds and depending on the material have varied drying times. The elasticated openings ensure good containment and a good fit. Shaped nappies are available in cotton terry, microfibre, hemp and bamboo fabrics and can be air or tumble dried..
- Wraps - Nappy wraps ensure good containment and are used on top of the absorbant nappy to contain the wetness. They can have velcro/aplix, poppered or tie fastenings. Wraps are available in PUL a breathable synthetic fabric, fleece and wool (which needs lanolising). Both wool and fleece allow more air to circulate than PUL and are good for overnight use. There may be a little dampness (particularly using fleece) as there is evaporation from the nappy. 2-3 wraps are recommended if washing everyday and 4-6 if every other day. Air drying rather than tumble drying of wraps is recommended.
- Sized 2 piece nappies - terry squares, prefolds and shaped 2 piece nappies can all be purchased in different sizes. Commonly 2-3 sizes are manufactured for use between birth and potty training. The advantage of sized nappies is a good fit at all stages of development enhancing containment and a snug fit. They can be less bulky on a small baby. The overall cost is greater with sized nappies as 2-3 sets of nappies (16-24 nappies for a newborn and 10-15 nappies for an older toddler per set) are required before potty training.
- One size/birth to potty - shaped 2 piece nappies can be purchased as one size nappies. A larger nappy folds down at the front to reduce the rise and the nappy can be fastened snuggly around the baby. Fastenings are commonly popper or by nappy nippa. Buying one set of birth to potty nappies resuts in a good cost saving over sized nappies. One sized nappies can however be bulky on a small baby and may be a tight fit if your child is late in potty training.
Pocket/stuffable nappies
- Pocket nappies - pocket nappies consist of a waterproof outer (commonly PUL) with a fleece/suede lining with an opening which allows absorbant material to be stuffed in the pocket between the outer and the fleece inner. Pocket nappies have either poppered or hook and loop fastenings. The nappy components come apart for washing and easy and quick drying. Inserts are available in cotton terry, microfibre, hemp and bamboo. The nappies are more expensive than 2 piece nappies - but when factoring in 1 wrap per 4-5 nappies the costs can be comparable. They are very convenient as they are effectively a one piece nappy and as they come apart they dry well. (Air drying rather than tumble drying of the outers is recommended - inserts can be tumble dried).
- Sized nappies - commonly 2-3 sizes are required between birth and potty training. The advantage of sized nappies is a good fit at all stages of development enhancing containment and a snug fit and less bulky on a small baby. The overall cost is greater with sized nappies as 2-3 sets of nappies (16-24 nappies for a newborn and 10-15 nappies for an older toddler per set) are required before potty training.
- One size/birth to potty - a larger pocket nappy has poppered fastenings at the front folds down at the front to reduce the rise and the nappy can be fastened snuggly around the baby woth poppers or hook and loop fastenings. Buying one set of birth to potty nappies results in a good cost saving over sized pocket nappies. One sized nappies can however be a little bulky on a small baby and may be a tight fit if your child is late in potty training. Different inserts can however be chosen to reduce the bulkiness or increase absorbancy of the nappy.
All in one nappies
- All in one nappies - all in one nappies consist of a waterproof outer (commonly PUL) stiched to the absorbant part of the nappy. The nappies offer convienience as the whole nappy is a one piece option. They are however slow to dry and if tumble dried their life may be reduced. The nappies are more expensive than 2 piece nappies - but when factoring in 1 wrap per 4-5 nappies the costs can be comparable.
How many nappies do I need? |
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