Considering cloth nappies? A rookies guide to getting started…
Some of you will be seasoned pros and well versed in the world of reusable cloth nappies, but for others considering making the change from disposables, starting out can seem a little daunting. Googling cloth nappies opens up a minefield of information; who knew there could be so many different types, which should you go for, how on earth do you wash them and what extras do you really need?? We’ve got you covered, have a read through our rookies guide below for all the vital information you need to get started.
The basics
Let’s start with briefly reviewing the most common types of cloth nappies. They vary in complexity from simple All-in-ones which are more comparable to disposable nappies, to those with two or three separate parts which appear more challenging to begin with, but are pretty straightforward with practice. Generally, the nappies with more pieces are more customisable (great for adding more absorbency if you have a heavy wetter) and also quicker to dry, but the All-in-ones are great if you’re used to disposables or find the thought of so many loose nappy parts intimidating.
All-in-ones
The easy to use cloth nappy with the inner absorbent layer and outer waterproof case attached. Most like a disposable in use.
All-in-twos
The inner and outer parts can be attached and detached, often by snappers
Fitted
Separate outer and inner parts. The inner layer is the same shape as the outer case.
The outer waterproof part has a pocket on the inside to place the absorbent insert
Prefold/Flat
Separate outer and inner parts. The inner layer is flat and folded to increase the amount of fluid it can hold
How many do you need?
Full time use - 15 - 25 Part time use - 10 -15
How many nappies you need really depends on how frequently you’ll wash them and how many times a day you need to change your baby. It’s important to note that making the change to cloth nappies doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Whilst some will choose to use them full time, many use them on a more part time basis, whether it be during the day or when at home. The best advice is to give them a go and see what works best for you. There are some great companies offering the option to hire a set of nappies and equipment from them initially before deciding what you’d like to commit to buying. This is fantastic as you can try a selection of different types and see what’s best for your baby.
Washing
In the past, considering cloth nappies would conjure up images of multiple buckets full of soaking dirty nappies, a big block of soap and a lot of time spent scrubbing…thankfully things have changed! Modern cloth nappies are machine washable and do not require pre soaking (phew!). If your baby has done a poo then tip the solids down the toilet and give the dirty area a quick rinse. Dirty nappies can be stored in a dry pail or a wet bag until you’re ready to pop them in the wash. They do take a while to dry thoroughly so just bear that in mind and make sure you have enough of them, or some spare disposables just in case you need them.
**Top Tip - they initially take a few washes to reach their max absorbency, so pop them in the machine before use.
The extras
As with anything baby related, there appears to be lots of additional equipment on offer, but what do you really need? To start out you’ll definitely need something to store the dirty nappies in - this can be a dry pail (or simply a bucket), or a wet bag (handy to take out and about to keep the offending dirty items separate from everything else.
Optional extras include:
inserts to increase the absorbance of the nappy
nappy liners which make dealing with a soiled nappy easier as they hold the solids and can be disposed of
cloth nappy sprayer - this handy piece of equipment attaches to your toilet like a bidet and can be used to spray down dirty nappies, if you’re a full time cloth nappy user it might be worth investing
Benefits and considerations
Making the change to cloth nappies has not only great environmental benefits, but can also work out well financially. Although there’s an initial pay out to begin with in getting set up with enough nappies etc, you could still end up saving around £1500 over the course of 2 ½ years.
While using cloth nappies is of course more labour intensive than using disposables, modern cloth nappies are now easy to wash, and with simple to use styles such as the all-in-ones, making the transition can be pretty effortless. They also come in some amazing colourful prints which are adorable! The best way to dip your toe is to hire a variety of nappies and see how you find them, let us know how you get on!
