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Washable nappies can be a bit confusing at first. We suggest you work your way through each of these sections. Hopefully all will then become clear. But if not, just drop us a line. Incidentally, they are also very lovely! Have a look at what modern washable /cloth / reusable nappies look like here and check our "where to start" guide.

Shapes/designs

There are four main shapes or designs but they fall into two camps:

Two-part nappies - absorbent inner and waterproof outer that are separate.

Shaped/two-piece

Differing slightly from flats/prefolds, the inner, absorbent layer is shaped and fits neatly around your baby's bot. You still need a waterproof outer layer in the form of a cover or wrap. The advantages of these are that you can often have a birth-to-potty inner with a few different sized outer wraps. The inners can be quite affordable and then you can splash out on funky covers. Also, they are quick drying as the inner is separate to the outer layer. Different materials available (see below). Generally held to be the winner on containment (leaks very rare in these and N.B. MUCH rarer than with disposables).

Flats and (pre)folds

Terry squares and anything that isn't shaped that fits inside a waterproof wrap. They are part of a two-piece nappy system - the inner, absorbent layer is basically a flat square of cloth that can be folded to suit. Some squares are layered in different places so that, when folded, there is an extra absorbent part in the middle. They tend to be held together with pins or nappi nippas. At the cheaper end of the market but people swear by them. You need washable wraps or covers with these to go over the inner layer (ie two-parts!).

"All in One" - Nappies that, once put together in various ways, are 'all in one'.

Not quite all-in-ones (pop-ins/pockets)

These come apart for washing and drying but are poppered/snapped together or stuffed to create an easy to use all-in-one. They can be a bit time-consuming to put together but this can be done in front of the telly etc. Then you are ready to go. Again, you have to wash the whole lot every time (unlike the two-piece where you can re-use the covers a few times) but a best-of-quite-a-few-worlds nappy.

The Wrap (or cover)

Two-part nappies will always need a wrap to make them waterproof. The wrap does not have to be washed everytime you change a nappy so you only need 5 or 6 of them (whereas you will need around 15 nappies). For the fashion-conscious, the wrap is a great (and cheaper) way to smarten up your baby's bottom as there are some great designs around.

All-in-ones

Basically the two essential layers (absorbent and waterproof) are altogether and don't come apart. Easy to use (great for reluctant babysitters etc) and quick to put on (wriggly babies). However, washing is bit bulkier as the whole lot goes in the wash and drying is slower as the outer waterproof layer slows down the drying of the absorbent layer. Nowadays, lots of all-in-one nappies also have a pocket so they can be "stuffed-in" if need be.

Materials

Cotton

Hardwearing so if you are planning on putting the nappies through their paces with two+ kids then this is your best bet. It can be organic and/or fair-trade so often a good ethical choice. Decent absorbency too.

Bamboo

From a sustainable source so widely held as a good ethical choice. However, just because bamboo is sustainable, doesn't mean it has been sourced (and treated responsibly) so watch out. Super-absorbent but slower to dry than cotton.

Micro-fibre aka Fleece

Manmade so make of that what you will. However, it is extremely quick drying (it will come out of the washing machine nearly dry). This is what to go for if you are short on space for hanging up washing.

Velour

Velour is the name for a sort of knitted material that can feel a little like velvet. It can be produced from cotton or synthetic fibres so check to find out what sort it is. Again, if cotton then then try and get organic. This is often used for tiny nappies as it is so soft.

Hemp

Thirsty, natural and antimicrobial (kills nasties). Not a particularly quick drier and not that common but a good all-rounder.

Fastenings

Velcro/hook and loop/aplix

You will sometimes see velcro called 'hook and loop' or aplix. Basically you are looking at velcro. Quick to use but can wear down a little bit faster than poppers. And clever little fingers might get a bit too clever.....!

Snaps, poppers

Poppers are (possibly) a tiny bit more time consuming but the different options of where they are placed on the nappy can give a very customised fit. Two-way poppers means you can extend the nappy height-ways (to make it longer as baby grows taller) and width-ways (to make it wider as baby grows chubbier/bigger) - see birth to potty nappies below. Very reliable.

Nappi Nippas

A Nappi Nippa is a t-shaped, three ended sort of grip system that holds a nappy together without the use of pins. There are tiny teeth that hook into the nappy at each of the three ends. Very nifty and used with (pre)folds like terry nappies and some shaped nappies that don't have their own fastenings. See in action here.

Safety Pins

We haven't actually met anyone who uses these but they are still sold so someone must be. Absolutely nothing wrong with them of course. They do the job!

Sizing

Birth to Potty

The idea of birth to potty nappies is that they last from birth to potty. Now this can be slightly optimistic, particularly if you have very tiny newborns. Most birth-to-potty styles say they can be used from about 8lbs but do expect them to be a little bit bulky. However, most babies do only take a month or so to get beyond this stage so birth to potty nappies do last a very long time (and definitely longer than a disposable!!!). At the other end ie 2+ yr olds, they do tend to last but again it will depend on the toddler. Oh - and the way they work is that they have popper systems that allow the nappy to extend both width and height wise. (See Poppers above under Fastenings).

Sized nappies

Different systems vary slightly in how they divide up their sizes. Some have a newborn size and then an extending second size that lasts the majority of the time (Bum Genius and Tots Bots Flexitots for example) whereas other have three sizes (e.g. Itti Bitti D'Lish). Obviously, it is more economical to buy one set of birth to potty nappies but some people find they much prefer sized options (and they still last much longer than disposables!!!).

THE NAPNAP VOUCHER

We created the NapNap Voucher to make life easier for first time nappy triers. Ask for one from friends or family (available from our shop, Really Eco Baby). You will then be able to buy a few to try. We strongly recommend getting at least 2 types or makes at first (just one of each). Then you will know which one suits you (and your baby). Everybot is different! The NapNap Voucher can be exchanged in loads of places. See here where you can use your NapNap Voucher.