Starting cloth nappies can seem really overwhelming, there are so many brands, where do I start? Which is the best? Snaps or Velcro? Microfibre, Bamboo, Hemp? What does it all mean? Don't panic, we're here to help, and here to make it as simple as possible. If you need any assistance at all with starting, or you're still confused - please don't hesitate to reach out via our contact page, or via social media.
I am wanting to use cloth nappies, where do I start?
The best place to start is to do just that, start! Buy a nappy, put it on, and go. We advise that you start with a couple of different brands and styles of nappy so that you can see what works for you and your little one as each baby is different. If you are unsure which brands might suit your babe, or where to start, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We are always happy to help.
Do I need to do cloth full time?
Definitely not! There are so many options for using cloth nappies, and using a mix of both disposables and cloth can be a great place to start. Only want to do cloth at home? That's cool! Only want to do cloth one day a week? That's totally fine, too! If you're feeling overwhelmed by the washing side of things, make sure you check out our washing guide here.
Figure out what works for you and go with it. If you want to start cloth full time straight away, that's also great! We definitely recommend trialling a few different types before going all in though, as often you'll find certain nappies or brands might not fit your babe the best, and what works for your friend, might not work for you! In saying that - cloth nappies have great resale value and there are a few different buy & sell groups on Facebook where you can sell any that don't work for you, so what's the harm in trying?
There are no rules, and remember that even one cloth nappy a day saves 365 nappies from landfill a year. You are amazing for even considering using cloth nappies to help our planet, deciding to start is one of the hardest parts!
I'm confused by the different types of cloth nappies, how do I know which one will work best for us?
We stock two different brands here at Mom to keep things really simple. Both brands we stock are called 'All in two' (AI2)/pocket nappies.
Both brands of nappy we stock are convertible, one-size nappies that will fit from newborn to toilet training - saving you money! They both have snap closures for ease of use and come with two super absorbent bamboo blend inserts.
What is an 'All in Two' AI2 nappy?
As the name suggests, there are two parts to this nappy - The shell and the insert. With an AI2 nappy, the shell can be reused through multiple nappy changes providing it isn't soiled or soaking wet. The inserts snap in and snap out, making these super easy to use & reuse.
What is a pocket nappy?
This is when the insert is stuffed into a lined pocket inside the nappy. This means that the insert isn't directly against baby's skin, but a stay dry layer is instead. Unlike the AI2 option, the shell cannot be reused through multiple changes when the inserts are stuffed into the pocket.
Our Econaps nappies are a super simple one-size nappy. They come with two inserts that can either be snapped into the shell, or stuffed inside the pocket. What's the difference you ask? The pocket is a suede lined pocket which will keep moisture away from your little one's skin. The benefit of laying the layers on top of the pocket, are that at times you may not need to change the shell, just the inserts! It's also best for toilet training as your little one can feel the wetness more.
Our Pekpi nappies are very similar to our Econaps nappies except they also feature an external gusset. What's this you ask? Well this adds an additional layer of protection against explosive poos!
What do I need to get started?
There aren't many things you need to get started, except a baby and a nappy! But here are a few things that definitely make life a little bit easier.
1. A wet bag (or five!), these are super helpful for storing clean or used cloth nappies in when you're out and about. A double pocket wet bag means you can store clean nappies & clothes in one pocket, and dirty in the other. These are handy even if you're not using cloth for storing wet clothes, medicines, toys and just generally organising your life!
2. A dry pail - any basket will do, as long as it has holes and good air flow.
3. A good wash routine, check out our wash routine advice here. Clean cloth nappies is another great website for washing advice.
4. If your baby is on solid food, a scrubbing brush is helpful for cleaning poop off your nappies.
5. Cloth wipes - these are a really easy, affordable swap. Store these in a mini wet bag when out and about, or next to the change table for easy nappy changes.
How many nappies do I need?
This varies depending on the age of your baby, and also whether you are planning to use cloth nappies full time or not. We recommend roughly the following, based on a main wash every third day - if you plan on washing less often, a few extra nappies would be helpful.
- 10 to 14 cloth nappies is enough for part-time use of 2-3 per day.
- 16 to 24 cloth nappies is enough for full-time day use of 4-6 per day.
- 24 to 30 cloth nappies is enough to use full time, day and night. Once your baby starts sleeping longer stretches at night, you may require specific night nappies for optimum absorbency.
After you've tried a few nappies to see what you like, you can build your stash from there. Work out roughly how often you are changing your baby and whether you will be using cloth nappies part-time or full-time and you'll soon figure out how many nappies you need.
If you're working, or have more than one child (or you're just a busy mama!) giving yourself a grace day with the washing can be really helpful. If every now and then you wash on day 4 instead of day 3, having enough nappies as a back up can be great to make sure you don't run out.
If you have any questions at all about starting cloth nappies, please don't hesitate to reach out - we are always happy to help!
