| g weighed up the pros and cons of real cloth nappies | | | | quick to dry as they come apart for washing. Even if |
| versus disposable nappies and opted to go for the real | | | | you don’t choose them as your main nappy |
| nappy option, the next question is which type of real | | | | system it is handy to have a few for quick changes |
| nappy to choose? Long gone are the days of the only | | | | when you’re out, for childcare providers or for |
| option being the plain, terry nappy. Now there is a | | | | travelling nappies. |
| choice of all-in-ones, flat, pocket, shaped nappies and | | | | Shaped nappies come in either cotton, microfibre or |
| many more. But what are the main features of each | | | | bamboo varieties. Bamboo shaped nappies are more |
| type of nappy? | | | | absorbent than cotton or microfibre nappies so may |
| All-in-one nappies are the simplest of nappies to use - | | | | be suitable for heavy wetters or for use at night. They |
| even cloth nappy novices will find them easy, making | | | | take longer to dry so you may want to consider |
| them an ideal choice for your first baby! In terms of | | | | having a few more in your collection, or to have some |
| washing all-in-ones they have slightly longer drying | | | | microfibre or cotton nappies as well. Microfibre shaped |
| times than other nappies as the pieces aren't taken | | | | nappies are fast drying and super soft. |
| apart for washing and drying. | | | | And finally night nappies – nappies for use at |
| Snap-in-one nappies are similar to All-in-One nappies | | | | night! They are more absorbent than day time nappies |
| however the inners can be removed to speed up | | | | but tend to be more bulky. They are easy to use but |
| drying times and to increase the amount of time that | | | | due to their bulkiness drying times are on the slow side. |
| the nappy can be used - if it is wet a new inner can | | | | Of course there are several features for each type of |
| be snapped in rather than washing the entire nappy. | | | | nappy and there will be differences between brands |
| For an economical, not to mention fast drying | | | | so it is worth investigating further before making your |
| approach to real nappies, then try the flat nappy. Fold | | | | final choice. |
| to fit, and fasten with a nippa. Folding the nappy can | | | | Remember though that you don’t have to |
| take practice, but is easy when you know how. As for | | | | restrict yourself to one type of nappy and as seen for |
| using flat nappies, Either use full time as a budget | | | | the brief overview above, you could opt for mainly flat |
| system, or have a couple spare for those times when | | | | nappies to keep the costs down, add a couple of |
| you've run out of other types. | | | | snap-in-ones to ensure you’ve got some quick |
| Pocket nappies have many of the best features of | | | | drying nappies in the wardrobe and finish off with a |
| other cloth nappy systems without some of the | | | | night nappy or two to complete your collection. |
| drawbacks, making them a very versatile system. | | | | Whichever real nappy you choose, you’ll be |
| They are easy to put on as there is just one piece, but | | | | glad you didn’t take the disposable option! |