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Real nappies are washable, reusable cloth nappies. Modern fabrics and designs,
coupled with the fact that 90% of households now have a washing machine,
means that they are easy to use and practical.
There are a wide variety of nappies available. This guide is to help you understand
the different terms used and the options available.
The best advice is always to try out, or at least look at, the different types of
nappy before purchase.
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All-in-one nappies consist of a cloth inner permanently
attached to a waterproof outer, fastened with Velcro or poppers.
ADVANTAGES:
Quick and easy to put on; convenient for childcare
DISADVANTAGES:
Expensive; slow to dry; several sizes may be needed
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The two piece is a cotton nappy with a separate waterproof outer cover.
The cover does not need to be washed at every nappy change unless soiled, so
fewer covers than nappies are required. The nappy may be a terry square prefold
or shaped; the cover may pull on or be fastened with Velcro or poppers. The
following sections list the options available.
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Shaped nappies wrap around baby. They usually have
elasticated legs and waist and fasten with Velcro or poppers, although some may
need a pin or Nappi Nippa. Some shaped nappies are sized, while others are
designed to fit from birth to potty.
ADVANTAGES (sized): neat fit; easy
to use
DISADVANTAGES (sized):
slower to dry; several sizes may be required
ADVANTAGES (birth to potty): cheaper than
buying different sizes and especially good for families with a baby and toddler
in nappies
DISADVANTAGES (birth to potty):
bulky on a newborn; may not fit a large toddler
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Traditional terry squares are by far the cheapest option. They can be folded and
fastened with a pin or a NappyNippa - a small plastic clip. Many covers will fit
over a terry folded in the traditional way. For an easier option, the terry can
be folded into an oblong to fit inside a cover, like a prefold.
ADVANTAGES:
Cheapest option, very absorbent, quickest to dry,
readily available even in high street shops, only one size of nappy needed
DISADVANTAGES:
Traditional folding method can be fiddly, look bulky
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Liners are used to protect the nappy from heavy
soiling and make it easier to dispose of poo.
Flushable Liners:
are made from paper and often come on perforated rolls. It
is essential to buy flushable and biodegradable liners: some high street shops
sell 'one way liners' which are not flushable and may block the sewerage system.
ADVANTAGES:
easy to use
DISADVANTAGES:
expensive (in the long term)
Washable Liners:
are usually made from polyester fleece, although some silk
liners are available and are ideal for sensitive skins. They are sluiced in the
toilet and washed with the nappy.
ADVANTAGES:
cheap; keep baby's bottom dry
DISADVANTAGES:
can be messy to deal with!
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Prefolds are padded cotton rectangles with a thicker
section running through the centre, designed to be folded into a pad which fits
neatly inside a cover. Most manufacturers suggest using a range of sizes as baby
grows; in practice only two are usually needed. Prefolds are commonly used by
nappy laundry services.
ADVANTAGES:
Reasonably priced, easy to use, ideal for indoor
drying - use less space on an airer than terries
DISADVANTAGES:
Not as effective at containing a poo as traditionally folded terries or shaped
nappies, so more outer covers may be needed
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All two piece nappies need covers. Modern covers do
up with poppers or Velcro. Fabrics are waterproof and
breathable, with soft edges where the cover
touches the delicate skin of legs and waist. Covers for prefolds have a gusset
to hold the nappy in place.
It is important that covers fit to avoid leakage: some
brands need several sizes to fit as baby grow,
others "grow with your baby" so only one purchase
is needed. These are more expensive initially, but
good value in the longer term.
Some covers will work well only with the type of
nappy sold by the same manufacturer, others fit
over many different nappies. For example covers
sold to fit prefolds usually fit other brands, and
over terries folded as an oblong.
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You can mix and match - use terries at home with some all-in-ones for the childminder,
for example.
Many parents who use real nappies most of the time will use disposables on
holiday; it is possible to buy more 'environmentally-friendly'
disposables.
Consider:
How you will wash and dry nappies? Terries dry
fastest
How the nappy looks is not the most important
consideration
Will you use childcare? Many nurseries and childminders
will use real nappies,
but it might be important to choose easy-to-use nappies, or extra wraps so the childcarer does not have to deal with the soiled nappy. Use wet nappy bags.
How important is price? Terries are the cheapest
option. Covers that are several sizes may spread the cost more evenly.
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