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Cloth Nappy Styles - everything you need to know

Cloth Nappy Styles - everything you need to know

Cloth Nappy Facts

Just a few SHOCKING Nappy Facts For You

Did you know:

  • A baby is changed around 6000 times in 2.5 years
  • There are 145,000 babies in NZ in nappies under 2.5 years
  • The average used disposable weighs in at 200g
  • Some council figures indicate disposables make up 11% - 14% of the domestic waste stream
  • Cloth Nappies do not require, folding, soaking or pins
  • Cloth nappies are 40% better for the environment than disposables
  • Cloth nappies provide a zero waste alternative to disposables
  • Disposable nappies should have any solids removed before disposing in the general waste
  • There are 25% more parents using cloth nappies now than there were 5 years ago
  • A family can save $4000 per child by using cloth nappies
  • Parents have control of the environmental impact of cloth nappies
  • If every baby had just one cloth nappy change per day, this would prevent 1 Million disposables from going to land fill every week in New Zealands

Cloth Nappies... Where Do I Start?

Not sure where to start and how to decide which nappies are best for your baby? 

Through this video Kate will help you understand how to get started with cloth nappies.

What are THE STYLES?

Done too much research?  Confused about the different styles?  This video will show you the different styles. 

Kate will take you through the different styles and explain how they are different from each other.

So What are the styles?

Pre-Fold Nappies

A basic low cost nappy option

  • A two piece cloth nappy system (3 pieces if you are using a liner)
  • The pre-fold is the absorbent part and the wrap is the waterproof component.
  • Pre-folds generally have extra layers of fabric sewn into a panel down the middle of the nappy.
  • They are rectangular in shape and are generally made of cotton twill

Features:

  • Minimal folding - compared to a flat nappy.
  • Single Containment Layer - unless a fastener i.e. nappi nippa, pins are used to fit the nappy
  • 2 - 3 Sizes of pre-fold
  • 3 - 5 sizes of cover - to go from birth to potty 

Fabrics:

  • Prefold Nappy - Cotton - Indian Cotton and Chinese Cotton
  • Waterproof Outer / Cover - PUL, Fleece or Wool.

More Info:

Pre-folds are a good basic cloth nappy without all the frill’s. They are quite similar to traditional cloth nappies but much easier to use. The nappies are generally fast drying and the cotton prefold is generally quite durable. One suggestion I have is if you have a baby with skinny thighs, I would look at using a prefold system that has a cover / wrap that has a leg gusset to give a smaller fit around the thigh.

Tip: If the waterproof outer is clean when you change the nappy you can keep re-using it over and over again by just putting in a clean Prefold nappy

Snap In’s All In Twos

Fast drying

  • A two piece cloth nappy system (3 pieces if you are using a liner)
  • The snap in part is the absorbent bit and the wrap is the waterproof component.
  • Snap in nappies generally come with extra layers of fabric sewn in the form of a booster
  • Are a modern version of a pre-fold nappy system but more like a one piece nappy 

Features:

  • No Folding Required.
  • 1 - 3 Sizes of Snap in / All in Two Nappy – depending on brand
  • One Size fits most nappies - are available in some brands

Fabrics:

  • Snap In Nappy - Cotton, Bamboo, Synthetic or combinations.
  • Waterproof Outer / Cover - PUL (Laminated Polyester)

More Info:

A snap in / all in two nappy is where the nappy (absorbent part) snaps in to the cover (waterproof part) and is secured by domes.

The nappies are generally fast drying because the absorbent layers can be separated from the waterproof layers. They are quick to assemble because you don’t have to stuff them or fold them. One suggestion I have is if you have a baby with skinny thighs, I would look at using a snap in / all in two system that has a leg gusset to give a smaller fit around the thigh.

TIP: If the waterproof outer is clean when you change the nappy you can keep re-using it over and over again by just popping in a new absorbent pad
 

Pocket Nappies

Fast drying

  • A three piece cloth nappy system (The liner is attached to the waterproof)
  • The Insert / Booster is the absorbent part and the pocket is the waterproof component.
  • The liner provides a stay-dry barrier
  • They are generally synthetic and so most will dry quickly

Features:

  • No Folding Required – but you must pop the insert inside the nappy after laundering.
  • 1 - 3 Sizes of Pocket Nappy – Depending on Brand
  • One Size fits most Pocket nappies - are available in some brands
  • Single Containment Layer - so a snug fit is essential.

Fabrics:

  • Liner - Synthetic - Generally Fleece or Suede cloth
  • Inner Absorbent Layers - Natural, Synthetic or a combination of fabrics
  • Waterproof Outer / Cover - PUL (Laminated Polyester) or a combination of PUL and fleece / wool

More Info:

Pockets are a popular nappy because once the insert has been put inside they are essentially a one-piece nappy.

The absorbent capacity and drying time is highly dependent on the fabrics used for the insert/s and how many layers can be inserted inside the pocket without distorting the fit around the leg and waist of the baby. Over stuffing could cause the nappy to leak.

Most pocket nappies dry reasonably quickly because they are made from synthetic fabrics and the absorbency comes right out. With pockets, the synthetic liner is attached to the nappy so if you want a natural fabric nappy, this is most likely not going to suit your requirements.

Tip: If your inserts are not dry you can use any absorbent fabrics inside the pocket.

Fitted Nappies

A highly absorbent nappy

  • A two piece cloth nappy system (3 pieces if you are using a liner)
  • The Fitted Nappy is the absorbent part and the wrap / Cover is the waterproof part.
  • 100% bomb proof against newborn explosions
  • Often comes with a booster which provides extra absorbent layers 

Features:

  • No Folding Required.
  • Double Containment Layer - provides a good fit on all baby shapes.
  • 1 or 2 Sizes of Fitted Nappy
  • One Size fits most fitted nappies - are available in some brands
  • 2 - 3 sizes in Cover / Wrap

Fabrics:

  • Fitted Nappy - Cotton, Bamboo, Synthetic or combinations.
  • Waterproof Outer / Cover - PUL (Laminated Polyester), Fleece or Wool.

More Info:

A fitted nappy is one where the nappy has elastic around the waist and legs of the nappy which is why it is called a fitted nappy then the cover / wrap goes over the top.

A fitted nappy combined with the correct size cover / wrap could be expected to last around 4+ hours and with additional boosters / inserts should be able to easily last overnight. They often contain runny newborn poo better than other nappy styles including disposable because it uses a Separate cover which provides a second leak guard. They are generally the most absorbent nappies for night times because of their booster layers.

If you are using pre-fold nappies, you can use the same covers over top of a fitted nappy. Also with fitted nappies you only need 1 waterproof cover to every 5 fitted nappies.

Tip: If the waterproof outer is clean when you change the nappy you can keep re-using it over and over again by just putting on a clean fitted nappy.

All In One Nappies

Just like a disposable but washable

  • A One piece cloth nappy system (The liner is optional)
  • All of the nappy components are sewn together so it is all in one piece
  • Very convenient because you only have one piece to put on baby
  • A popular style with dads, grandparents and daycares 

Features:

  • No Folding Required - the liner, absorbent layers and waterproof outer are all sewn together.
  • Single Containment Layer - so a snug fit is essential.
  • 1 - 4 Sizes of All in One – depending on brand
  • One Size fits most nappies - are available in some brands

Fabrics:

  • Liner if included - Synthetic - Generally Fleece or Suede cloth
  • Inner Absorbent Layers - Natural, Synthetic or a combination of fabrics
  • Waterproof Outer / Cover - PUL (Laminated Polyester)

More Info:

All in ones are by far the most convenient nappy because they are a one-piece nappy.

They are often the most preferred nappy with Dads and day-cares because they are so easy to use. All in ones were always known to be slow to dry. There is no doubt that some of them still are slow to dry but most brands are now using modern technology to build faster drying nappies, so look for faster drying nappies if you can.

They can be a bit more expensive per nappy but that is because you are getting a nappy and a cover in every nappy. All in one’s make great day nappies because they are so easy to put on but they are not a popular night nappy because they are not as absorbent as some of the other styles of nappies available.

Tip: Great for Dads and Daycare because they are just like using a disposable nappy

 

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