Are cloth nappies difficult to use?

Using cloth nappies can be as easy or as complicated as you choose to make it. Once you’ve got the fit right, it becomes second nature and they’re just as easy to change as a disposable nappy.

Many people are put off by the washing routine and find this difficult, but if you’re organized and find a routine that works for you then stick with it and make it easy on yourself. The hardest part of a cloth nappy wash routine is getting started in the first place, but once you’re in the swing of it, the hardest part is stuffing the nappies post-wash. Doing this daily will help and it can even be done when watching TV in the evenings – share the load with another adult at home!

Why use modern cloth nappies?

There are so many reasons why using cloth nappies makes sense!

Environmental - By replacing just one disposable nappy each day you will save 365 nappies from going to landfill. Once in landfill there is no airflow to break down the nappies and so they will still be there well after our us, our children, our grandchildren and great grandchildren are gone – up to 500 years in fact.

Cost - While there is a cost outlay to get set up with cloth nappies, overtime you will start to save money not having to buy nappies each week.

Convenience - No more having to head out to the shop to buy nappies when you run out! You can also share them between children so no having to always have different sized nappies on hand.

Fewer leaks - You can add more absorbency to your cloth nappies if needed so that you can get the absorbency that you need.

Less blowouts - Because cloth nappies have elastic around the legs and up the back, you are less likely to get blowouts like you do with disposable nappies.

Beautiful designs - Let’s face it, modern cloth nappies look much better than disposable nappies! They are often designed with beautiful prints or in plainer neutral colours which you can co-ordinate with baby’s outfits. And when your baby has grown up a bit, allowing your toddler to choose which design they want to wear can help them be less resistant to a nappy change!

How many cloth nappies will I need?

This varies depending on how you plan to use them, how old your baby is and how frequently you wash them. For a newborn you will want to have at least 25 nappies, which will give you enough for roughly seven changes a day and which also takes into account the time it takes to dry cloth nappies. If you want to also use them overnight then add an extra five nappies to this stash. Also consider the climate where you live. If you get lots of dry days and sunshine you may be able to get away with slightly less, but if you live in a wet climate with low sunshine hours, you may want to get a few extras.

From roughly four months old you will get away with around 20 nappies for day time use only, 25 if including night nappies. This gives you five nappies per day if you’re washing every second day and allows for drying time.

Are velcro or snap nappies better?

Neither one is better than the other, it is totally personal preference. Velcro is faster but snaps are more secure. With a little baby parents often prefer velcro as it is quick and easy to do, whereas snaps are more popular with parents of toddlers who are active as they are more secure and harder for toddlers to take off.

Should I buy newborn specific nappies or go for OSFM nappies from the start?

This is personal preference. Newborn nappies have the benefit of being able to fit from the start without them being as bulky as OSFM nappies would be. Newborn cloth nappies are easier to get a good fit so there’s less chance of leaks and they are so cute! For most babies, OSFM nappies won’t fit until your baby is several weeks old once they no longer have “chicken legs”, so newborn-sized nappies will fit your little one until OSFM nappies start to fit.

The benefit of using OSFM nappies is that you will get longevity and you can share them with siblings. You are only paying for nappies once and they will last you from a few weeks old until your little one transitions to undies. Many people buy newborn cloth nappies but are so busy adjusting to life with a newborn that's it's one step too many, so will wait until life has settled a little more before attempting to use cloth. OSFM nappies also tend to make more financial sense.

What is the difference between the nappy insert fabrics?

Microfibre – These inserts are one of the most common options as they are cheap. They are great at wicking away the wetness nice and fast and can hold a good amount of wetness. They also dry quickly.

Bamboo - This natural fibre and can hold a large amount of moisture. Being a natural fibre, they can be used against your baby’s skin meaning that you do not have to stuff them into a pocket. They are great for heavy wetters and for night time use, but they do take a while to dry.

Hemp - The thirstiest of insert types, hemp holds a lot of moisture and are often used as a nighttime insert. They are a natural fibre so can go against the skin without drying it out. Hemp inserts are best paired with another fabric insert, such as bamboo, as they can be slower to absorb moisture, however, the benefit is they have enough absorbency to last the full night. Hemp inserts do take a bit longer to dry but they make up for it with how absorbent they are.

How do I wash my modern cloth nappies?

Most people opt to wash their nappies every second day with both a pre wash and a main wash. The point of a pre-wash is that it gets out the bulk of the wee and poo, the main wash is to actually clean the nappies thoroughly.

Pre-wash

- Best done daily or every second day.

- Put all nappy parts and any reusable wet wipes into your machine.

- Add 1/2 scoop of powder/liquid, set the water to 60 degree celsius (or hot wash) and put through a roughly one hour wash cycle.

- Pop into a well ventilated basket until main wash.

Main wash

- Often done on the second day or later if you have a small stash of nappies and not much other washing.

- Add in pre-washed nappies and other clothing items under the size of a towel into the machine so that it is 3/4 or more full. Avoid items with sharp buckles or zips. Add two scoops of powder/liquid and run on your longest warm washing cycle, roughly two hours or longer.

For individual nappy wash routines check out our article here.

How do I dry my reusable nappies?

Once done, hang out to dry on the line. Inserts can go into the dryer but shells are best dried on the line out of direct sunlight in the hotter months. Avoid hanging the nappies from the top of the nappy as it will result in the elastics stretching over time, draping them over the line with the inside of the nappy facing up is best.

You can also hang your inserts over a heated towel rail over top of a towel to get them to dry faster.

How do I fit a modern cloth nappy correctly?

Fitting cloth nappies is easier than it seems and once you know the basics of how to check their fit, baby will stay leak-free in cloth. Here’s how to check the fit:

1. Take your open cloth nappy and place it under your baby’s bottom so that the back of the nappy is low (but covers the bum crack).

2. Bring the front of the nappy up between their legs squeezing the narrow part of the nappy into the underwear line

3. Pull the front of the nappy up to sit on their tummy and around baby’s waist.

4. Pull the snaps together and secure. The nappy should be flat across the tummy with no material sticking out the top.

Ensure you have a tight fit around the underwear line using the following steps:

1. Sit the elastic in the underwear line and ensure there’s no leg gaps (this means no leaks!). Run your finger around the elastic to make sure that you have a good seal but so that it is not too tight.

2. Tuck any excess material up under the front snaps (when on the smaller settings).

3. Check you can place two stacked fingers between the front of the top of the nappy and baby’s tummy.

For more details and a visual guide, check our article here.

Can I use Sassy by Nestling nappies overnight?

Yes, they are a great overnight option. Our hour glass inserts are perfect for use overnight coupled with our hemp pad. Sit the hemp pad at the back of the nappy with the two bamboo inserts at the front closer to your baby’s skin for the most absorbent combination. If you are having minor leaks then you can pop a small cotton facecloth inside of the nappy to help add a bit more absorbency.

It is best to pre-wash night nappies straight after use. This is because urine overnight is more concentrated than day time wee and so it is best not to leave them sitting as it could result in smells over time and can deteriorate the inserts.