What is a cloth nappy?

There is honestly no one perfect nappy -what fits one baby well may not be as good a fit on a baby with a different build. Your own circumstances will also play a part in what you prioritise in a nappy: fast drying, inexpensive, cute, organic, easy…and many more factors vary in importance between people. The best approach is to have a look at some nappies and a chat about the differences and borrow some nappies to see what fits well before buying your own nappies. The library demos and loans are ideal for this if you don’t have a friend who uses cloth nappies. Read more about our services here: Our Services.
It is worth considering that you may want different nappies for different purposes. Some quick drying nappies for winter use, some very absorbent nappies for night-time, some cute nappies for showing off in the summer, some slim nappies for tighter clothing. A mixture is generally advised so you can pick a nappy that suits your needs at each change. Whatever you decide to invest, be prepared to add to your stash in sales: Cloth Nappy Week is in April and other promotional, closing down and seasonal sales happen throughout the year.
You will hear a lot of jargon about nappy types, brands, materials and features and it can be a steep learning curve. Check out our section on nappy selection in our nappy guide: