Cloth Nappy Info

Designer Bums cloth nappy review 2023

Even if you’re new to cloth nappies, no doubt you will have heard the name Designer Bums bounced around – it is one of the most popular Australian cloth nappy brands that has garnered an almost cult-like following!

But what exactly makes them so special? Find out in this comprehensive Designer Bums cloth nappy review!

Designer Bums reusable nappy review

Every year, you see more and more cloth nappy brands popping up with amazing offerings — sparking more excitement over the fact that, in just a single generation, the way parents parent is slowly shifting in a different direction.

One of these brands is Designer Bums (aka DBs) — a proudly Australian brand (and the original home of eco-friendly designer cloth nappies) that has been operating since 2010.

Known for their mindfully manufactured cloth nappies with limited-edition prints exclusively designed by talented local and international artists, Designer Bums has effectively cemented its place as one of Australia’s favourite premium cloth nappy and eco-parenting brands.

But, apart from turning every bubbly babe into an instant fashionista, what makes Designer Bums’ nappies great and… not so great?

You’ve probably already looked up “best cloth nappies Australia” on Google and are overwhelmed with all the brands telling you why they’re so great. But here at Cloth Nappy Info, we like to take it a step further.

In this Designer Bums cloth nappy review, we’re going to break down everything about the brand, from what they’re all about to all their pros and cons. If you’re trying to weigh up which of the many cloth nappies on the market are best for you and your baby, then keep reading to learn all about what we think!

Do we recommend it? Let’s find out.

About Designer Bums: The company

Since 2010, award-winning Designer Bums has been building a cult following through their quest to not just inject “colour, fun, and nostalgia” into their products, but also bring environmental awareness to the forefront.

Its CEO, Carla Schwef, credits the beginning of her brand’s journey to a chance encounter with a young, Melbourne-based woman who owned a small but very popular hand-sewn cloth nappy business called Designer Bums.

But, due to undisclosed family reasons, Designer Bums was set to close. Hearing this, Carla realised that this was her one chance to leverage her industry background and creative interests and change the course of her life. Forever.

And so, a deal was made, and Designer Bums was given a new lease on life.

Of course, as with any new business owner, Carla had her fair share of struggles, both personal and professional. However, she remained undeterred.

Juggling her home life with her business priorities, Carla focused on using customer feedback, vetting many materials and manufacturers, and continuously sampling and testing different prototypes on her own kids until she landed on the perfect design that stayed true to the original Designer Bum ethos: Unique designs for style-conscious parents.

And, for eco-conscious parents, too! But she didn’t stop there.

Throughout Designer Bum’s tedious and complex product design process, Carla was able to reinvent the nappy and insert system: creating an “All-In-Two style with a hybrid pocket and a small snap-in insert in the front waistband. Plus, a long anchor-shaped insert makes it custom, unique, and — most importantly — functional.”

Today, Carla’s cloth nappies have become a stylish symbol of eco-conscious parenting in Australia and across the world.

About Designer Bums cloth nappy: product snapshot

Here’s a quick overview of some of DB’s selling points:

Info Details
Designed in
Australia. For cover prints, Designer Bums commissions both local and international artists across Canada, India, Australia, and more.
Made in
a small, ethical, family-owned factory in China.
Price (RRP)
AU$36.95 (OSFM) to AU$39.95 (large size)
Nappy Type
A hybrid nappy that can be worn as an All-in-two nappy, Pocket nappy, or a combination of both.
Shell fabric
The outer layer is made of a waterproof polyurethane laminate (PUL). Cover lining and insert cover are made of silky soft stay-dry vegan suede
Insert fabric
420-450gsm bamboo cotton topped with a suede cloth stay-dry layer
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified
Yes
Sizing
Design Bums cloth nappies come in two sizes: Standard/OSFM size (from “birth to potty” or 3.5kg to 15kg+) – Large size (to fit children of “potty-training age “or 15kg to 23kg)
Absorbency
High
Warranty
All Design Bums products grant original owners with a 3-month full warranty against material and workmanship defects from date of purchase, excluding international orders.

Summary of Pros and Cons

A quick overview of the main pros and cons of Designer Bums nappies (keep reading for full review).

Pros

  • Signature trim-fit and compact design to keep nappy from sliding down as rambunctious littles go about their hectic days
  • New, limited-edition designer prints for every season to keep your babe’s “wardrobe” popping with style and colour
  • Easy-to-use popper fasteners and three-level risers adjust to fit babies from “birth to potty” age
  • Silky soft Stay-Dry vegan suede lining uses a one-way system that allows liquid to pass through and be drawn away from baby’s skin, keeping it dry, comfortable, and rash-free
  • Impressive absorbency thanks to super-thirsty, trifold bamboo fibre layers
  • Very flexible hybrid design: designed to be used either as an All-in-Two or Pocket nappy
  • Good sized opening at the back of the nappy for easy stuffing of inserts
  • Inserts can be easily adjusted to increase (for heavy wetters or overnight use) or decrease absorbency (for newborns and light wetters), depending on the need

Cons

  • Due to its low rise and trimmer fit, the OSFM can be a bit more of a learning curve to fit if you are used to a larger style
  • While some love the smaller, lower fit, and the single row of waist snaps, others have found it harder to achieve the level of coverage and absorbency they require.

Designer Bums nappy: What you should know

Now that we’ve got the basics and pros and cons out of the way, here are some more in-depth insights into Designer Bums’ stand-out features.

What style is the DB nappy?

Designer Bums blew the competition away with their award-winning hybrid-style cloth nappies, which essentially means that you can use them more than one way.

Depending on the type of fit and absorbency you require or just personal preference, you can use Designer Bums as both an All-in-Two nappy (by snapping the inserts into the shell on top of the pocket lining); and a Pocket nappy (by stuffing the inserts inside the pocket), depending on what their babies need at different stages in their lives.

A toddler wearing a Designer Bums cloth nappy in a bright print

One signature feature that many parents love is that Designer Bums are designed to sit very low on the waist and at the back – really just above the bum crack. This initially made me a little nervous about holding those poonamis in. But I just had to add that after a horror gastro infection that ripped through our household recently, they held up to my poor toddler’s most awful diarrhoea incident without a single leak. Probably an overshare, but after a week of cleaning up unspeakable mess I felt this definitely deserved a mention!

Another reason this nappy is so popular is that it is one of the trimmest-fitting on the market, while still offering very high levels of absorbency. This makes them great for petite or slimmer bubs, and easier to fit under clothes.

What are the inserts like?

Designer Bums cloth nappies come with two inserts:

  • one contoured Anchor insert, with a wide panel on one end to extend bum coverage and a long, skinny end that can be folded to size, and;
  • one rectangular snap-in absorbency booster.

Both can be used alone or together, depending on what absorbency combination your baby needs.

Each insert is lined with a silky soft Stay-Dry vegan suede on one side to wick moisture away from your baby’s skin. While the insides of your inserts are set up with super-thirsty, triple-layered, natural bamboo and cotton fibres that can withstand 2 hours of use for heavy wetters to 4 hours of use for light wetters.

Designer Bums nappy inserts
Pocket opening at the top; insert snaps at the bottom. Anchor snake insert (right) can be partially stuffed into the pocket, or folded and laid on top with the wide section either front or back.

I found the insert setup different from any other nappies I have used, particularly the anchor insert shape. I initially trialled it as a pocket nappy with my son, although ended up opting for an AI2 setup as I find it offers better absorbency. I have also experimented with folding and laying it in different ways to boost absorbency at the front where I need it for both of my boys.

Designer Bums also sells extra inserts separately, plus a trifold insert if you are needing extra absorbency. With the different shapes, you certainly have a very flexible range of options on offer. You could even try using it as both an AI2 and pocket nappy – i.e. snapping in some inserts and then boosting the pockets with the others – there is such a myriad of options!

What sort of prints does Designer Bums offer?

Beautifully hand-illustrated designs adorn Designer Bums’ waterproof PUL covers, making it not just a welcome comfort for babies’ bums but also an aesthetic treat for mums all over.

In fact, they have set the tone in Australia for being the first to commission exclusive designs from both local and international artists alike. Every season, excited mums go on their site and look for the next addition to their growing cloth nappy collection. It’s probably accurate to say they’ve achieved somewhat of a cult-like following for their stunning and unique prints!

And, before you go: “But isn’t that just wasteful?”

At first glance, it might be. But each unique and limited-edition design, once sold out, can fetch upwards of $1,000 on the secondhand market — giving collectors a good reason to keep buying, don’t you think? *wink*.

Designer Bums nappy prints and designs
I'm obsessed with this Modern Fijian print and so is my toddler - he keeps picking it to put on!

Another thing that sets the Designer Bums covers apart is that they use a single row of snaps across the front to fasten the nappies, in contrast to many others on the market that has a double row of snaps. This is how they achieve the lower fit, although it can mean that you don’t have as much flexibility in terms of adjusting the leg sizing.

I do find they are a firmer fit through the waist and find it a little more difficult to get as flat a fit across the top as I do with other brands that have the double snap, which can sometimes lead to leaks out the top. However, many others really love this cleaner look and lower fit.

What are Designer Bums like in terms of quality and longevity?

Of course, Designer Bums didn’t get to where they are today just because they’re pretty. From top-quality materials to impeccable workmanship and impressive technology, they take the cake.

So, when people ask us if their cloth nappies hold up well against daily wear and tear, we respond with a loud and enthusiastic YES!

When designing their cloth nappies, Designer Bums paid close attention to how it’s going to be used in real life. That’s why they made the covers sturdy and their inserts washer- and dryer-safe to prevent damage even after multiple washes.

That alone will save you a ton of money in the long haul when you consider they will last you until toilet training, quite possibly with more than one child. As mentioned previously, they also have amazing resale value, so you could look at these as a pretty solid investment!

Can you use Designer Bums from birth?

As a OSFM nappy, Designer Bum’s multi-award-winning reusable cloth nappies come with three rise settings and a single-waist, cross-over snap so you can adjust the waist as needed to fit your newborn bubba.

 

Plus, using the rectangular snap-in insert alone can accommodate your little one’s absorbency needs when smaller. In terms of OSFM nappies, this is a smaller-fitting nappy in general so many find it works well on younger babies. However, as with most OSFM nappies, they are intended to fit from 3.5kg so if you have a smaller baby or preemie you might wish to check out their dedicated newborn nappy. 

Can Designer Bums be used as night nappies?

Designer Bums has stated on their website that their cloth nappies are not intentionally designed for overnight use. However, many parents have done so regardless by using the extra boosters such as the trifold.  Due to the smaller-fitting cover, I personally find them a bit more difficult to boost with extra layers and prefer a dedicated night nappy, however, other parents have done so successfully and not met any issues.

Where can I buy Designer Bums cloth nappies?

Designer Bums is available across Australia and the rest of the world. For more information about official stockists, visit the brand’s official website.

The latest exciting development is that DBs have released selected prints that are now available instore at selected Woolworths – check their website for your nearest Woolworths stockists.

Do Designer Bums have deals and sales?

To incentivise more parents to shift to more eco-friendly baby products, Designer Bums has created their special Camp DB loyalty program.

Their community members are given access to a Moon Miles progress tracker that they can use each time they make a purchase. Collecting Moon Miles allows you to reach milestones and win rewards, such as exclusive promotions, vouchers, pre-sale access, gifts, and gift sets.

From time to time they do have sales such as their birthday sale offering up to 30% off, Black Friday sales (40% off) as well as reduced prices on some of their previous season’s prints.  Their Instagram page and website sale page are great places to check out these deals.

Designer Bums user reviews and feedback

As we’re all about honest reviews here, I feel it’s important to mention that I purchased my first DB nappy a few years ago and for the reasons described above (smaller fit, single row of waist snaps, and shape of inserts) I didn’t instantly love it as I found it took more effort to get a comfortable fit, and I’ve found these sentiments echoed by other parents over the years.

However, many people have mentioned that once they reached out to Designer Bums for support, they completely changed their minds once they managed to get some advice on a good fit. So with a bit more experience under my belt, I recently purchased another one in their 2022 Black Friday sales, and I’m pleased to say I’m loving them more this time around!

The cover and inserts look like they’ve had a bit of an update – I find the newer cover stretchier and easier to fit, and the inserts are slightly larger and softer and I found them easier to set up. So glad I gave them another go and I would also encourage you to persist with some troubleshooting support if you need it!

Don’t believe us? Or need some more convincing? Here are what other parents are saying:

What other parents loved:

Stunning, unique designs and artistry – along with the trim fit, this is one of the main reasons for their cult following! The cover prints are iconic (such as their Australian state collection), colourful, fun, and – as evidenced by the many buy/swap/sell Facebook groups – seriously addictive collector items!

Premium-quality design and fabrics – As many parents have noted, these nappies are among the best if you are looking for high-quality nappies that withstand the test of washing and multiple children. The fact they fetch such high resale value also indicates they are built to last.

Smaller, trimmer fit – this does seem to be the main point dividing parents on DBs! Those who like a slimmer fitting nappy report that DBs are their go-to. Parents of more petite babies report this helps them get a great fit and are excellent for on the go when you want something less bulky under particular outfits.    

Versatility – the different-shaped inserts and optional pockets and snaps for setting up as either a pocket-style, Ai2, or hybrid nappy offer a lot of flexibility. While initially many parents are a little confused about how to set up the inserts, most reported that the videos and DB community were very helpful in working out their preferred setup. Once they got it right they work beautifully and can be easily adapted to suit different body shapes and absorbency requirements – e.g. if your child needs more boosting in the front or back.

Supportive DB community – these nappies have a fan following and many parents found the DB VIP group invaluable for advice, fit checks, and general support.  Bet you didn’t expect to end up bonding so closely over what you choose to put on your child’s butt!!

What other parents weren’t so keen on:

The smaller fit: While this is a huge plus for many parents who are a fan of the slim style, other parents did mention they struggled to get a good fit for their child and some found they weren’t as suitable for chunkier babies and toddlers. Several parents reported success in getting a good fit after seeking help via the DB VIP group on Facebook as well as reviewing the Designer Bums fitting guide, so we recommend checking these out if you are facing any issues.

Our verdict

If you haven’t noticed, there is good reason why so many people absolutely LOVE these bad boys!

Not only do they live up to their promise of absorbency, comfort, and functionality, but they also deliver on design and craftsmanship.

The quality of materials is evident both through their dedication to ethical processes and organic certification, and also their longevity.

If you’re looking for an amazing nappy that can keep up with your high-energy child, stays dry for hours, looks amazing, and you prefer a sleek and trimmer fit, then we can’t recommend Designer Bums’ cloth nappies enough!

Thank you for taking the time to read through to the end. If you liked this Designer Bums cloth nappy review, then please share with your fellow cloth parents!