Choose Reusable Diapers - Cute Cloth Bums

When you have a baby, it seems the amount of equipment you will need is limitless, and the sheer choice among even the simplest of these are overwhelming. One of the most important decisions is the type of nappy/diaper you opt for, whether it be re-usable (cloth) or disposable.

Reusable nappies do not really help to ease the decision-making, as there are several different types.

The main ones are:

Fitted nappies with wraps – these are made from fluffy materials such as terry towelling and are sized so that each nappy fits the baby for a few months. They are covered with a wrap which could be made of PUL (a breathable waterproof material), wool, fleece or cotton.

Birth-to-potty pocket nappies – these are adjustable nappies that fit most babies from newborn until they are potty-trained, or 8lb-35lb. They are adjusted with rows of poppers and fasten with either hook-and-loop fastening or poppers. These nappies usually have a pocket in which you can insert boosters depending on the age of the baby and how absorbant you want the nappy to be. For example, a pocket nappy filled with a microfibre and cotton insert as well as a bamboo insert could last a four-month old baby overnight.

Prefolds – these are squares of cotton that are folded in various ways to fit the baby. They are very suitable for newborn babies due to their versatility and because they are thin. These are also covered with a wrap.

The main benefits of using cloth nappies:

• they save you money, a complete set of nappies will cost around £200 and will last until your baby is potty-trained, whereas disposable nappies will cost £2,000 over two years

• they are better for the environment. Disposable nappies take 500 years to decompose and in the UK at least, it is actually illegal to dispose of dirty nappies in with household rubbish

• they are better for the babies' bottoms, they have a layer of material such as fleece or cotton next to the baby's skin, not a layer of chemical-filled paper

• they look much cuter, re-usable nappies are made from a variety of fabrics and in a wide range of colours and fabrics and can even be customised with a name or football team, for example

Washing Instructions

Most nappies can be washed in an ordinary machine cycle at 60 degrees. It is recommended that they are washed at this temperature so as to kill any bacteria on them, but they will actually become clean at lower temperatures with just the occasional hotter cycle.

Only a tiny amount of detergent is needed and using more than a teaspoon, for example, will result in the nappies becoming less absorbent over time.

Fabric softener is not recommended either but a few drops of white vinegar will help to soften the nappies back to their fluffy newness.