Nappy 101: Nappy types?

There are so many types of nappies, which one would be the right one for my baby?

Firstly, think about your lifestyle and personal preferences.

Budget options for a newborn who needs 30+ nappies?

Backup options in bad weather?

Choose bamboo trifolds, fold into thirds and place inside a nappy cover. Simple, cheap to set up, and dries quickly. The trifolds can then be used as pocket nappy stuffers when baby grows bigger.

Want convenience over cost?

Or a quick change for a wriggly baby/going out?

Or an easy nappy for carers/nannies/day care?

Then choose a pocket nappy, just stuff it beforehand and it's ready to go.

Need extra absorbancy?

Or need the assurance of a leak proof & poo-proof nappy system for younger babies?

Choose a fitted nappy + nappy cover system. The whole fitted nappy is absorbant, and the double elastics of the fitted and cover acts as two lines of defense in leak proofing your nappy.

What are the different types of nappies?

For an overview, please check out the blurb in the 'Bubba J Nappies' shop category.

You're welcome to continue reading my notes below:

Prefolds are the most similar to flat terries/flannels, except that there are multiple layers of cloth already sewn in place to reduce folding.
Need to use a cover as there is no waterproofing and no elastic around waist and legs to prevent poo escapes.
They dry very fast compared to fitted nappies.


Fitted nappies are like flats that are shaped - no need to fold, with elastic sewn in around the waist and thighs.
The absorbent material used can be cotton (thicker than flannelette/muslin), hemp or bamboo.
Some fitteds can have a stay-dry inner of microfleece or microsuede.
There is no outer 'waterproof' layer so you need a cover.


Covers do not have any absorbency, the purpose is to use over fitted nappies or prefolds or flats or other nappies that have no waterproof layer.
Choices of material for cover include

- PUL

- wool (fabric or handknit)

- fleece (polar fleece / doubled microfleece / cuddlefleece)
Another way of getting economy covers is to use a slightly bigger pocket nappy without the insert over your fitted/prefold when baby is small.
When Baby is bigger you can use the pocket CD as per normal.
 

Pocket nappies have a pocket in them.
There are many types of pockets.
The commonest type is the PUL pocket which, once stuffed, can be used just like a disposable.
Generally PUL pockets have a stay-dry inner (against baby's skin) and an outer PUL layer (water-resistance), with a pocket at one end to stuff absorbent material into the pocket.
 
More luxurious PUL pockets can have soft minky or fleece over the PUL layer!


Inserts are the name for the absorbent material used to stuff inside pocket nappies. Absorbent material can be hemp, bamboo, cotton, or microfibre.
If you want to save mney on inserts you can just use anything, old towels, teatowels, terry flats, anything.
But bear in mind you may need to change more often as these are usually not as absorbent as specially made inserts.

Other considerations
PUL pockets dry fast, inserts that dry fast include hemp or microfibre.
However hemp and microfibre can tend to hold onto smells after using for a while (due to its high absorbency). This is easily solved by doing a 'strip wash': soak in a dilute solution of dishwashing liquid (1-2 teaspoon to a bucketful), then rinse off the suds until water runs clear.

Bamboo inserts don't dry as fast, but they don't tend to retain smells.

Prefolds, terries and covers are economical, and dry very fast. Therefore it is helpful to have some extra prefolds and covers on hand as backups in case the weather doesn't cooperate.

If you do buy flat nappies you need to learn how to fold it.

Or keep your terries / mussies / flannies as a standby but buy modern covers (poo shouldnt leak out of modern covers!).

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