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When we were babies, our mums had one choice for washable nappies - Terries. This meant folding, pins, plastic covers, and a lot of frustration. These days mums use disposable nappies because they’re more convenient. Well, most reusable nappies today are not only convenient, they’re also more attractive and sometimes work better than a disposable. The key to using and sticking with washable nappies is choosing the one that works best for you. While sifting through the many nappy options can be overwhelming, it’s better to take your time. This way you can find cheap, environmentally friendly nappies that fit into your life. The best thing to do is to have a hunt around and buy a selection, try them out and see what works best for you and your baby. Here are some of the cloth nappy options on the market. All-in-Ones. These are basically cloth versions of disposable nappies. These are just one piece - you put it on and go. They don’t need any inserts or outer coverings; they’re already built in. These nappies are great for busy parents, using at nurseries or with childminders and are especially popular with Dads! Pros - very easy and convenient, as simple to use as a disposable.
Cons - you can't adjust the absorbency at all, so they won't last long if your baby is a heavy wetter. Very slow drying so you may need to buy more. Popular brands – Motherease, Kushies Pocket Nappies. These nappies comprise a waterproof outer cover with a pocket in a stay-dry lining to which you add your own absorbent inserts. Usually the inserts are bought with the nappy but you can use almost any naturally absorbent material to put in the pocket, including old flat and prefold nappies. This means you can adjust the level of absorbency when you need to. Pros - the nappy is very quick drying, there are lots of birth-to-potty ones available, once you've put the insert in it goes on in one piece - good for babysitters, childminders and nurseries. You can adjust the type or number of inserts to suit your baby's wetting.
Cons – usually made from man-made fibres and if you overstuff they can leak around the legs. Popular brands - BumGenius, Wonderoo, Mommy's Touch, Fuzzi Bunz, Happy Heiney, Pocket Bot. Two Parts. Like the name suggests, these nappies come in two parts – The nappy itself made of absorbent material such as bamboo, cotton or hemp, and shaped like a disposable nappy. A separate outer waterproof cover (a wrap) is needed too which you put on over the top of the nappy. Wraps are usually made from a breathable fabric called PUL, but you can also buy wool wraps.
Pros – Popular with parents and easy to find. You can easily adjust absorbency by using a “booster” pad
Cons - Can be more bulky compared to pocket or all-in-ones. The nappies take longer to dry. They are often sized, so you need to buy a bigger size once your baby gets bigger.
Popular brands – Bambinex (Bamboo), Little Lambs (bamboo or terry) - Tots Bots (Bamboozles, Fluffles), Modern baby, Swaddlebees
Popular wraps - The most popular wraps are probably MotherEase Airflow and Rikki (although most brands also offer a wrap in their own range).
One Size Nappies. While most nappies need to be replaced as your child grows, one-size are exactly as they sound: one size fits all. This means you can not only use the same nappies from infancy up, but you can also use the same nappies for your older and younger kids and avoid tedious nappy sorting. Usually the “one size” is managed by folding down poppers at the front of the nappy to adjust the height (rise).
Pros – Cost-effective and no need to buy multiple sizes of nappies as your baby grows Cons – can seem large and bulky on a young and small baby Popular brands – Motherease One Size, Onelife
Terry Squares. This is the traditional image of a washable nappy. A square of towelling - can be cotton or bamboo (which is more absorbent). There are various different folds to suit different babies. You fold them into shape and use a Nappi Nippa to fasten, and put a waterproof wrap over the top.
Pros – Dries quickly, very cheap, versatile, and easy to adjust to your baby's needs.
Cons - Folding can be fiddly for anyone who's not practised! Also, they can be bulky Popular brands - Little Ewe, Junior Joy. Prefold Nappies. Like Terry squares, these are basically old fashioned nappies. These are an absorbent pad which you fold iover into three and place inside a wrap. Although easier to fold than Terries, they still require folding and aren’t fitted. Prefold nappies provide extra layers of fabric for better absorption. While these may seem archaic, they’re another cheaper option. Pros - cheap, available on the high street.
Cons – Can be leaky if not fitted carefully and changed frequently, can be bulky, also need to be sized up as baby grows. Popular brands - Bambino Mio, Cotton Bottoms. My advice would be to buy a small selection of different kinds of nappies and experiment to see which is right for you and for your baby. You can pick up “pre-loved” nappies at a reasonable cost through parenting forums. Don’t rush out and buy a large “Birth to Potty” set – it’s a big financial investment and if it doesn’t suit you or your baby you will regret it. You may also find yourself needing a different kind of nappy for different occasions. More information on the benefits of choosing washable nappies.
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