Finding the right nappy for you and your baby!
Different nappy systems: There are three basic nappy systems: Two-Part Nappy System: A two part system means that the nappy and wrap are two distinctly seperate parts, meaning two parts to put on the baby one after the other. A two part system will use either flat nappies , or shaped nappies , but will always need a seperate waterproof wrap. Pocket Nappies: These nappies have an outer wrap which is attached to a stay dry liner, creating a pouch (or pocket) into which an absorbent insert is placed, meaning two parts to wash, but only one part to put on. Nappies and wraps come with either Velcro/Aplix or popper fastenings and the choice is a personal one. To some degree Velcro/Aplix gives more room for adjustment, however, wraps that have poppers at the leg and waist can be extremely versatile for babies that don't conform to the waist and leg size 'norm'. Some babies can be sensitive to Velcro/Aplix and although Velcro appears quicker and easier to use, older babies can take off a velcro nappy just as easily. Some nappies have no fastenings and are designed to be used with a Nappy Nippa. Nippa's give a very adjustable snug fit, but you will need to buy at least three nappy nippas for full time use. Each type of nappy has its advantages and disadvantages, but these depend entirely on your personal circumstances. Factors you should consider when choosing the right nappy for you are: How many nappies will I need? To get some expert 'face to face' advice and to see all the different types of nappy, find out more about our demonstration service.
With so many different real nappies to choose from and so little information available locally, it is hardly surprising that most parents end up using disposables, even if they would rather use cloth. The choice can be overwhelming and once you've visited a few websites, read all the advice and product reviews, you can come away even more confused than you were before. But please dont be put off, most real nappies (especially the tried and tested ranges available here) are reliable and do exactly what a nappy is supposed to do. 
All Nappies come in either one size, which in theory fit from birth to potty, or come as multi-sized, which means you will need to buy 2 or 3 sizes to cover birth to potty. One size nappies can be a more economical choice, but because they have to fit such a wide range, they can be bulky on a newborn (although this isn't uncomfortable for your baby) and may not last until potty training for bigger children. Multi sized nappies should be a snugger fit throughout the size ranges, but this means your nappy system will be more expensive (although each size will have less wear, meaning they last longer if you want to use them for more than one child, or wish to sell them on second hand market).
1) Your Budget: The first thing to remember about using real nappies is that they will almost certainly cost less than using disposables. Even using a laundry service can work out cheaper, especially if your baby follows the trend and potty trains earlier. Disposable nappies over a period of 2.5 years can cost anything from £850.00 - £1200.00, and add in the extras like disposable wipes and nappy bags and you could be spending as much as £1500.00. Cost comparison from the Womens Environmental Network estimates that, including the cost of washing, the average real nappy system will cost about £317.00, saving you more than £500.00 (even more if you use these nappies for more than one child). However, even though you will be saving money on your shopping each week, real nappies do cost more in the beginning. If budget is a consideration when starting out, you cannot beat a flat nappy system . Flat nappies are a great budget system, costing around £60.00 - £175.00 from birth to potty and as these come in three sizes, you will only need to buy one size at a time, meaning your initial spend could be as little as £45.00. This can be a sensible option for a newborn baby, whose nappies need changing an awful lot - especially if breastfed - so using something easier to wash & dry might be a great way to start off. Then as your baby grows, (and if you want to) you can experiment with other nappies and build your collection gradually, spreading the cost. Flat nappies then make invaluable mopping up cloths and makeshift bibs and shoulder protectors. Other good options are one-size nappies. To buy a birth to potty kit, comprising of 20 nappies, 4 wraps in each size plus accessories will cost around £250.00. However, you should bear in mind that due to the nature of the 'one-size' nappy, you may need to buy boosters for extra absorbency as your baby grows, costing around an extra £15-£20. Another great option is the pocket nappy, although it may look expensive at first, because the pocket dries so quickly, if you buy additional inserts (or flat nappies are perfect) and wash every two days, you can get away with less of these nappies reducing the cost to as little as £230.00. Good quality real nappies also have a high second hand value, meaning you can recoup part of the initial cost once you have finished using them.
2) Your laundry facilities. These days, real nappies are pretty easy to care for, there is no longer the need to soak them as modern washing machines do all the work for you. All you'll need to do is put on an extra wash every two days or so, which you'll soon find is negligable when you consider all the additional washing your baby creates and it soon becomes part of the routine. We always recommend hang drying your nappies as it doesnt cost anything, is the greenest option and it leaves your nappies smelling fresh. The sun is also useful for bleaching out any staining. However, we understand this this is not always an option in the UK and all nappies should dry indoors within 24 hours, providing they are dried in a warm area with good air movement. If drying facilities are scarce, most real nappies can be tumbled dried without any problems. How you intend to dry your nappies is an important consideration when choosing which nappy (and how many) you decide to buy. Some real nappies are quicker to dry than others, with flat single layer nappies like terries, being quickest to dry, and in contrast, the All In One nappy taking the longest time because of the attached wrap. Some shaped nappies are available with a 'fold out' section for faster drying and can now be found in synthetic fabrics which dry very quickly and because pocket nappies can be seperated into two parts, their drying time is reduced considerably. For most people, around 20 nappies is sufficient. This covers two days of use, plus enough nappies to cover the third day while your washed nappies are drying. Wraps can be tumble dried, but hang drying is best to increase longevity. Because they are made from non absorbent materials, wraps will dry in a few hours at most.
3) Ease of use. When choosing your real nappies you should consider how easy the nappies are to put on. If anyone else will be caring for your baby, if your baby is particularly wriggly, or you just feel that you might be put off by having anything too fiddly, then a 'one peice' is probably the most suitable option. In my opinion, the easiest nappies to use are pocket nappies . If you stuff a batch at a time, then there is only one piece to put on, and one set of fastenings to do up, much like a disposable which means anyone looking after your baby can't go wrong. The absorbent insert can also be adjusted to increase absorbency, meaning real flexibility. All-in-ones are also very easy as they are one piece with just a paper or washable liner (to catch the solids), though they will need a booster sometimes. Although flat nappies need some folding, a pad folded prefold (simply folded into three) fixed in place with a snug wrap is also a straightforward option. Modern real nappies are designed with ease of use in mind and you will find that with a bit of practice, nappy changes will be swift whichever nappy you use. Even folding traditional terries will become second nature after a few changes.
4) Containment and Absorbency. All nappies leak occasionally, but using real nappies will give you control over the absorbency and containment. For playtimes, real nappies can be used unboosted for a slim fit and then additional absorbency added for sleeping or long car journeys. Real nappies are also particularly good for containment, especially shaped nappies which are elasticated in all the right places, with the wrap providing a second barrier if some poo has managed to escape the nappy area. However, the containment of all nappies depends on the fit, together with the shape and build of your baby and for all nappies (and wraps), good adjustability is key.
5) Your tastes and preferences. The most important thing about choosing a nappy system is that you like it. If you think carefully about what you want from your nappies, what is important to you, then you will not be disappointed, in fact I guarantee that you will love your real nappies. Everybody has different priorities, from being as green as possible, saving money or simply loving the way your baby looks in the nappies. If you take these into consideration, you will find that you will have a system that works for you and you will want to keep using.
As mentioned above, this depends on how often you intend to wash them and how you will get them dry. Most people use an average of 6-8 nappies in 24 hours (although this is more for a newborn), so you will need at least 16 if you are washing every day and have access to a tumble dryer. If you intend to hang dry your nappies or wash less frequently, you will need more nappies, and on average 20 nappies suits most people.
How many wraps will I need?
As wraps don't need washing every nappy change (unless soiled) you should be able to manage with 4/5 wraps.
For details of what you might need, click here .