How to Choose Which Nappy System to Use.

If you look at the nappy market as a whole, the choice can be overwhelming. We’ve taken the first step, by narrowing the choice down to those nappies we feel are well made, good value for money, and generally at the top of the nappy pile.

When choosing your nappies, there are a number of things to consider. Cost, ease of use, comfort and absorbency/containment are some of the most important issues, so these have been considered for each individual nappy. Overall, the following guidelines can be followed:

Flat nappies .
Example: Terries and prefolds.
These are cheap and quick drying, but may be considered difficult to use as they require folding. They tend to be fastened with nappy nippas, or with a tight fitting wrap, and as such, containment may be less effective, especially with very young babies. The cost of flat nappies is increased if more than one size is used.

Shaped, One Size (Birth to Potty) Nappies.
Example: Motherease One Size.
Though usually more expensive than flat nappies, these are still an economical choice, and are easier to use and better on containment than flat nappies as they do not require folding. They can be very bulky on newborns, though, and may require boosting for sufficient absorbency once your baby is older. In addition, if you plan on having a number of children, the nappies may begin to wear out and may even need replacing.

Shaped, Sized Nappies .
Example: Ella’s House Hemp Nappies.
These perform best terms of fit, comfort, containment and absorbency. Two sizes of nappy are needed per baby, which will more or less double the cost of your nappy system, but if you are planning to have more than one baby, the cost per child is reduced. As these nappies are sized, each size will fit better whilst it is being worn, and so absorbency and containment are maximised. Using two sizes of nappy also means a slimmer fit on small babies.

All in One Nappies .
Example: Motherease All in One.
These are the easiest type of nappy to use, as they do not require a separate wrap. They are the most expensive type of nappy, though, and as with sized nappies, you will probably need two sets per baby. All in One nappies take longer to dry than separate nappies and wraps, and may be less hard wearing, as the outer material will probably be more delicate than the nappy fabric. Absorbency may also be limited, although boosters can be used. All in One nappies are not usually recommended for your whole nappy system, but it is useful to have a few for quick changes, babysitters, and days out.