Nappy Systems
What is a real nappy and how do they work ?
In a nutshell, a reusable nappy is made up of a waterproof cover, an absorbent nappy and a liner to collect any solids.
Wraps
This is the waterproof outer that goes around the nappy. The wraps are, in my opinion, the most important part of the nappy system. If the wrap leaks it really doesn’t matter how fancy the nappy is, your baby’s clothes are still going to get wet. Most makes of reusable nappy come with their own wrap but there is no reason why you can't mix brands. Some people find that they get a bit hooked on buying the wraps as some come in really funky designs and colours, for instance the Bummis wrap. But you really don’t NEED(!) that many wraps as they don’t need to be changed every time unless soiled. A quick wipe down or air is fine. Between three and four wraps in each size is sufficient.
Wraps tend to come in two to four sizes. The better the fit, the less chance there is of any leaks. Bambinex do, however, have a birth to potty wrap which has been trampoline tested!
Wraps are usually fastened with Velcro or poppers and are most commonly made of waterproof laminated PUL (polyurethane laminate). You can also get wraps made out of water resistant fleece. Fleece wraps are generally much more breathable and are a popular choice in summer or for overnight use. As you can imagine these wraps are slightly more bulky but at night this isn’t much of an issue.
Flat Nappies
This is the general term used for a square of cotton. The old terry square is still widely sold and is what I used on Lucy to begin with. They were great for experimenting with and make excellent towels for the changing mat and mopping up various liquids ! There are various folds you can try to get a great fit round your baby and you no longer need to use pins since the invention of the nappy nippa. Terry nappies with all their folding and gripping are a little bit more difficult once your baby is on the move.
Out-selling the terry many times over are prefold nappies. These are the eusable nappies used for our nappy laundry. They are made up of multiple layers of cotton with up to eight layers down the central strip. The simplest fold for these nappies is in a long rectangle and fanned out at the back if you are dealing with liquid poo !
Both nappies need a wrap over them. I have tried and hated plastic pants but they are a very economical option. I would recommend Mother-Ease Air-flow wraps over terry squares and Bummis wraps over flat nappies. A lot of containment is down to the wrap rather than the nappy and therefore these nappies are in my option just as good as some of the more expensive shaped nappies.
Flat nappies are generally the fastest drying reusable nappy. Bamboo flat nappies will take longer to dry than cotton ones due to their absorbent nature.
Shaped Nappies
These reusable nappies need no folding and are generally shaped more or less like a disposable nappy. Fastenings are generally poppers, Velcro/Aplix or nippas. Again these nappies need a wrap and almost all brands sell matching wraps but you may find that you prefer to mix them up.
Some shaped nappies are designed to last from birth to potty. Generally the nappy is a tiny bit bulkier in the beginning and may not be quite big enough later on if you have a large baby or your child is late potty training. However, these nappies can work out more economical as you only need to buy one set. You will still need to buy wraps according to your baby’s size.
Other reusable shaped nappies come in two sizes. The first size lasts until around six months and the second size until potty training. The advantage of this system is a better fit at all stages. They are also handy if you have two children in nappies. They can, however, work out slightly more expensive as you have to buy two sets of nappies. They are the best option if you come to real nappies slightly later on in your baby’s life though.
All-In-Ones
As the name suggests these reusable nappies are made up of the shaped nappy and wrap all in one. These are the simplest form of reusable nappy and are an excellent choice for a reluctant user or carer. However, they can work out more expensive and some designs have a reputation for leaking.
Liners
Liners are not essential but are highly recommended. They sit between your baby’s bottom and the reusable nappy to collect any solids. The liner helps keep the nappy in good condition, saves too much mess and keeps the babies bottom dry. Paper liners can be flushed down the toilet. You can also make or buy fleece liners. Fleece repels the poo and makes it easier to flip any solids down the toilet. However, I would only try this option when your baby's poo has begun to “firm up” ! Fleece is wonderful at keeping your baby’s bottom dry and definitely worth using at night time.