How do I choose which nappies to use?

How do I choose which nappies to use?

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Cost

The cheapest systems are prefolds and terries, followed by One Size nappies - although you may need to purchases something smaller for a newborn (as they can be bulky) and perhaps later have to buy an XL size nappy if you have a big baby.

The most expensive nappies are the All-In-Ones. A comparative costing of the recommended quantity for an average baby is highlighted for most nappy types in Saving You Money.

Ease of Use

An All-In-One nappy, or a Quicker Drying All In One type such as the Fuzzi Bunz which are of very similar design to a disposable are probably the most easy to use, though with practise anything becomes easier!

Terry nappies are perhaps the hardest to use initially as they require folding, but with a little practise you will soon master this. Generally a nappy with Velcro is easier to fasten quickly with re-adjustment later, although poppers need lining up they can often be done up first then pulled on.

Quick to Dry

Flat nappies are the quickest to dry, they have no elastic to gather the fabric or Velcro fastenings to hold in moisture. Terries are undoubtedly the quickest to dry as they have the greatest surface area, as are the Disana Tie ons, followed by prefolds and the Imse Diaper. The quickest drying shaped and fitted nappy is the non-Aplix version of the Nappy Nation (the extra thickness of the Aplix slows the drying), as all the flaps can be opend out for speed of drying.

Any All-In-One nappy where the absorbent inner cannot be separated from the backing such as the Kooshies Ultra will take a considerable time to dry, however there are Quicker Drying All In One Type nappies such as Happy Heinys, Fuzzi Bunz and Stuffables where the absorbent bit separates from the outer for quickest drying.

The Hempresto system separates for washing, and the inner pad unpoppers and folds giving a greater surface area for quicker drying. The Fuzzi Bunz and Nature Babies Stuffables have a pouch into which you stuff a pad or flat nappy folded up.

Absorbency

For each nappy I have indicated the general absorbency, hemp and bamboo fibres are more absorbent weight for weight than cotton. However any nappy can have its absorbency increased by adding extra Booster liners, or doubling up the nappy as required. Do experiment by adding layers if you get a leaking nappy, especially at night.

For a wriggly baby

Velcro fastening is generally easier to do up than poppers, however many popper fastening nappies such as the Mother-ease nappy can be done up first then pulled on as it is stretchy, as can the Air Rika wrap. An All-In-One or a stuffable nappy means only one layer has to go on eg Fuzzi Bunz/Stuffables.

Terries and prefolds are perhaps best avoided at the wriggly and wanting to crawl off the changing mat stage if you are new to nappies and haven't got the practise in with an immobile newborn first, though if you have them they can be pad folded in a Velcro wrap or better - stuffed into a pouched nappy system.

For a baby that can undo Velcro

The Mother-ease nappy, Kissaluvs or Sandys nappy and AirRika wrap all have poppers, or the Litewrap, Cot'n Wrap (not a stock item, please ask) or Imse Vimse Bumpy Wool wrap have a popper AND Velcro will resist most fingers! The Disana Tie on is a nice cheap nappy that may be tied at the side and can thus baffle escapologists, likewise a pull on eg Disana pull on wool wrap may also be difficult for baby to remove.

For a breastfed baby with more runny poo

A shaped nappy with separate wrap is best at poo containment, as this gives two leg barriers. A pad folded terry will be less successful at poo catching, even with the back fanned, however a carefully folded terry secured with a Nappi Nippa or pins, with the excess fabric rolled up the leg is, with practise very sucessful.

If using prefolds, pinning gives far better containment. A prefold or a terry nappy where the absorbent layer is pad folded as a strip or pad will be less successful at catching the poo and consequently may require more frequent changes of wrap, it is often best to fan the back for best containment.

More than one baby of different ages in nappies

Use one size nappies plus wraps for each baby to suit, for example: prefolds, terries, Imse Diaper, or an adjustable nappy such as the Nappy Nation or the Tots Bots in a size 2 are also successful (if a little bulky) with babies from around 8lb simply by folding the front over outwards above the Aplix, and overlapping and securing the tabs with the wrap or for best containment with a Nappi Nippa.