Buying guide
How to choose nappies – disposable or cloth
Choose the size by weight and by how the nappy fits, not by age. How many you need at first, why you shouldn’t stockpile and what cloth nappies involve.
In short
- A newborn needs 8–10 changes a day. Start with one pack of size 1 and one small pack of size 2.
- The size on the pack is a guide. Frequent leaks and red marks mean it’s time for the next one.
- Don’t stockpile a single brand – not all nappies fit all babies well.
- Cloth nappies take money up front and a washing machine every two or three days. They also work very well half-and-half, at home only.
Nappies are the most repetitive purchase of the first two years: a few thousand of them, bought pack by pack. That is exactly why they’re not worth deciding in advance, with a cupboard full. They are worth understanding, so you know what to change when something isn’t working.
How many you need at first
A newborn is changed 8–10 times a day. For the first week at home, one large pack of size 1 is enough, plus a small pack of size 2 as a spare (see also hospital bag and the newborn checklist). No more, for two reasons:
- some babies skip size 1 within two or three weeks, and those born over 4 kg can start straight on size 2;
- you don’t yet know which brand suits them.
Nappies are available in any neighbourhood shop and arrive by courier the next day. They are the last item on the list that needs a stockpile.
Sizes
| Size | Approximate weight |
|---|---|
| 0 / micro | under 2.5–3 kg |
| 1 | 2–5 kg |
| 2 | 3–6 kg or 4–8 kg |
| 3 | 5–9 kg or 6–10 kg |
| 4 | 8–14 kg or 9–14 kg |
The ranges overlap on purpose and differ from one brand to another. A nappy fits well when:
- the adhesive tabs fasten symmetrically, in the marked area at the front;
- two fingers fit between the nappy and the tummy;
- the leg elastic sits in the crease of the thigh, with the frills pulled out;
- no red marks are left after you take it off.
Repeated leaks usually mean a size that is too small, not a bad nappy.
What to check on disposable nappies
- No perfume and no lotions, especially in the first months.
- Wetness indicator – a stripe that changes colour. Useful at first, when you can’t yet tell by the weight.
- A cut-out for the umbilical stump, in the newborn sizes. Without it, fold the front edge down under the stump.
- Elasticated waist at the back, which holds in what needs holding in.
- How it fits your baby. Brands are cut differently: some are narrower, others higher in the waist. If one leaks, try another before changing the size.
Shops’ own brands are often just as good as the well-known ones. Buy a small pack and see.
Pull-up pants make sense later, when your child stands up and no longer stays put for changing.
Cloth nappies
Today’s cloth nappies are no longer gauze squares with a safety pin. They have snaps or hook-and-loop fastenings, an absorbent part and a waterproof one, and they go in the washing machine.
| Type | How it’s made | What you need to know |
|---|---|---|
| Two-piece (absorbent part and wrap) | A folded or shaped absorbent piece, with a waterproof wrap over it | The cheapest and the quickest to dry; the wrap is reused several times |
| A wrap with a pocket into which you put absorbent inserts | Goes on like an ordinary nappy; the inserts come out for washing | |
| All-in-one | Everything sewn into a single piece | The simplest to use; the most expensive and the slowest to dry |
What they involve, honestly:
- Money up front. A complete set costs as much as a few months of disposable nappies. It pays for itself over time and, above all, with a second child.
- A washing machine every two or three days, on a long programme with an extra rinse, without fabric softener. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Drying space. In winter, in a flat, they dry in a day or two.
- Somewhat more frequent changes than with disposables.
- Sizes. “One size” models adjust with snaps, but are often too big for a newborn under 4–5 kg. Some families start with disposables and switch to cloth after the first month.
You don’t have to choose one or the other. The half-and-half option – cloth at home, in the daytime; disposable at night and on the go – is the one many families settle on. Many towns have cloth nappy groups and libraries, where you can borrow a few models before you buy.
Second-hand, cloth nappies are a common choice. Check the elastics, the snaps and the waterproof layer, and wash them thoroughly before use.
What else goes with changing
- Unperfumed wipes or cotton wool pads and warm water, in the first weeks.
- A barrier cream for the nappy area (see recommendations in our baby care kit). If the redness doesn’t go away in two or three days or spots appear, talk to your paediatrician.
- A changing mat with raised edges, on a surface at your height. Never leave your baby alone on it, not even with one hand stretched out for a nappy.
The quantities are in the newborn checklist, in the section on changing.
Our recommendation
Before the birth, a pack of size 1, unperfumed, and a small pack of size 2. After the first few weeks you know which brand fits well and can buy large packs. If cloth nappies tempt you, borrow or buy three or four of different types and try them at home for a week before you buy a whole set.
Frequently asked questions
How many nappies does a newborn use a day?
In the first weeks, between 8 and 10, sometimes 12 – one at each feed and after each poo. A large pack of size 1 lasts about a week. After the first two or three months, the number drops to 6–8 a day.
When do I move up to the next size?
When frequent leaks appear around the legs or at the back, when the adhesive tabs barely meet at the front, when red marks are left on the thighs or tummy, or when the nappy no longer covers the bottom well. The weight ranges on the pack overlap, so how the nappy fits matters more than the scales.
How many cloth nappies do I need?
For exclusive use, washing every two or three days, around 20–24 changes for a newborn. For part-time use, only at home and in the daytime, 8–10 are enough. With two-piece systems you need fewer waterproof wraps than absorbent parts, usually one to every three or four.
Think it could help someone else?
Send the guide to your partner or to a friend who is expecting a baby.