A guide to cloth nappies.
Cloth nappy, washable nappy, reusable nappy, cloth diaper or fluff. Whatever you want to call them, if your new to cloth you may feel like you’ve entered into a strange new world where everyone speaks a weird new language. It’s certainly baffling to begin with. So to help you out, here is…
A beginner’s guide to cloth nappies.
Nappy systems:
All in ones / AI1 – a nappy that has an absorbent inner and waterproof outer all in one.
Most have fold out layers to speed up drying and drying times vary between nappy makes. Quick to change and most only need a liner on top of the absorbent inner to make poo easier to dispose of.
All in twos/ AI2 / two part systems – a nappy consisting of an absorbent inner and a separate waterproof outer.
Not as quick to change as AI1 nappies but with the advantage you can reuse the waterproof outer for a few changes and just use clean absorbent inners. All in twos absorbent inners come in a variety of styles such as fitted nappies, terry squares, muslins, prefolds and inserts. The outer wraps vary too but like the AI1s the AI2 still requires a liner if you want to make life easier when it comes to solids 😉 and a nappy pin/nappy gripper/nappi nippas™ if you choose certain absorbent inners; don’t worry, I’ll go into more detail on that a bit further on.
Pocket nappies – a nappy that requires an insert/booster/absorbent fabric placed into the space between the waterproof layer and the stay dry fabric (aka the pocket) to make it absorbent.
This nappy is quick to change but like the AI1 it needs replaced with a clean nappy every change unlike the AI2 system. It also requires stuffing before use which you can do once they’re washed and dried before you store them. The benefits of a pocket nappy is you can switch and change the absorbent layer to suit your needs and you can buy the pocket nappy at a low cost then even stuff them with fabric such as cut up tea towels saving you even more money!
Nappy types:
Flat nappies – the absorbent part of an all in two cloth nappy system. Quick drying depending on the fabric (I’ll you more about fabrics later) and value for money these nappies come in a few styles:
Insert/booster (can be used as part of an AI2 system but are also used to boost the absorbency of other nappy systems so you’ll most often find them in their own section on a retailer’s website) – a sewn oblong or hourglass pad of absorbent fabric that can be placed into a waterproof outer/wrap to create a AI2 nappy. You can also use inserts/boosters to add absorbency to other systems.
Muslins – squares of muslin cloth that you fold into the shape of a nappy then hold in place with either a nappy pin or nappy grippers/nappi nippas™. You can also fold them into an oblong shape and use it like you would an insert/booster or a prefold.
Prefold – a sewn oblong or square of absorbent fabric that can be folded into a narrower oblong and added to a waterproof wrap like an insert/booster or folded into a nappy shape and secured with a nappy pin or nappy gripper/nappy nippas™ if it’s large enough.
Square/’Terry’ ‘Bamboo Terry’ ‘Bamboo’ (basically whatever fabric it’s made of) square – a piece of absorbent fabric that can be folded into a nappy shape and secured onto the baby using a nappy pin or nappy gripper/nappi nippas™.
Fitted nappies/fitteds/shaped nappies – The absorbent part of an all in two cloth system. These are shaped to fit like a disposable, all in one or pocket nappy but they have no waterproof layer. They can come with snap/popper fastenings, hook and loop/applix/Velcro™ fastenings or can be secured with a nappy pin/nappy gripper/nappi nipper™. Some are sized to fit, others have snaps/poppers to adjust the rise therefore making it suitable for a variety of sizes.
Wrap/waterproof(or water resistant) cover/nappy cover/soakers/fleece soaker/wool soaker – These are the water resistant outer part to ‘all in two’ nappy systems.
It’s more complicated than that though, soakers both fleece and wool don’t work in the same way as the waterproof covers. The waterproof covers use fabrics such as PUL (Polyurethane Laminate) to keep water in whereas soakers different techniques:
PUL/waterproof covers/wraps – these keep liquids in by creating a waterproof barrier between the absorbent inner and clothing or bedsheets. They come in a variety of styles, colours and patterns. Some have double gussets around the legs to keep in leaks, some have flaps the front and back of the wrap to hold inserts/boosters or prefolds in place. They can also have either snap/popper or hook and loop fastenings.
Fleece soaker – these can be used effectively with a good absorbent nappy such as a fitted or a square nappy that’s been folded and secured in a nappy shape. The fleece soaker works by repelling moisture back towards the absorbent inner nappy allowing the nappy to ‘breathe’. A fleece soaker cannot be lanolised and needs washing at every change.
Wool soaker – these repel moisture back into the absorbent inner nappy due to the water repellent lanolin, create a physical barrier help stop wicking to bedsheets and clothes but also allow the nappy to breathe and release moisture through evaporation keeping the baby drier. A lot of people swear by a good absorbent inner and a wool soaker outer for night time nappy use. They’re also natural fabric for those who are trying to reduce amount of plastic and man-made fibres in their lives. The only downside is they have to be lanolised every now and then to keep them functional.
Fabrics: (I’m only listing the most commonly encountered)
Terry (absorbent)- A fabric with a looped pile, 100% cotton terry cloth is highly absorbent. French Terry has a looped reverse and a knit-like face*. Quick drying and absorbent but can go crunchy and feel rough after washing.
Bamboo (absorbent) – Bamboo fabric is a natural textile made from the pulp of the bamboo grass, with unique of softness, absorbency and antibacterial. It is a light and strong fabric and produced from a sustainable product*. Slow drying but retains its super soft feel wash after wash and very absorbent.
Hemp (absorbent) – A natural textile made from the pulp of the hemp plant, it has high absorbency properties and is antibacterial as well as being from a susatainable plant*. Slow drying and a long process to prepare for use (washing on their own in the washing machine then drying and repeating the process several times to remove oils) but very absorbent.
Microfibre (absorbent) – An extremely fine synthetic fibre that can be woven into textiles. Very fast to absorb moisture, it holds on to it in between it’s fibres rather than absorbing it in to the fibre itself*. Very fast drying and absorbs moisture quickly but doesn’t retain as much as other fabrics and suffers from compression leaking. Best used with a more absorbent insert next to it to soak up the moisture it quickly absorbs. Should be used with a fleece liner between the microfiber and baby’s skin to prevent irritation from over drying.
Zorb/Zorb II (absorbent) – A super absorbent man-made fabric that can absorb ten times it’s own weight in moisture in only 0.5 seconds, it’s the most absorbent and therefore least bulky of the absorbent fabrics.
Muslin (absorbent) – An inexpensive, light weight, plain weave cloth with a low thread count (less than 160 threads per square inch) cotton sheeting fabric*.
PUL (waterproof) – “Polyurethane laminate” fabric is a breathable, waterproof, durable and has a slight crossgrain stretch. One side is a polyester knit, the other side is a waterproof laminate*.
Fleece (stay dry) – Generally is a term used for a soft fabric. It can be a synthetic knit fabric that stretches across the grain*.
Wool (stay dry) – The fine soft curly or wavy hair forming the coat of a sheep, goat, or similar animal, wool is naturally stain and wrinkle resistant. It can absorb up to 40% of it’s weight in moisture without feeling damp*.
*Excerpts taken from Plush Addict’s website, published 2013 and accessed 8th of July 2016 www.plushaddict.co.uk
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