Hippybottomus cloth nappy review 2025
If you’re after an honest Hippybottomus cloth nappy review, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Hippybottomus, including its features, as well as the pros and cons. Plus, we’ll share where to buy them and insights from us and other parents based on our experiences. Let’s get stuck in.
Proudly Australian-owned, this modern cloth nappy has become a favourite among families over the past decade. If you’re thinking about buying one, let’s first see if they’re worth your hard-earned money.
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About Hippybottomus: The company
Hippybottomus, like many of our fantastic Australian-owned modern cloth nappy brands, had a humble start. The company began in 2009 on the northern beaches of Sydney with an Aussie mum who wanted to encourage more parents to switch to modern cloth nappies. Hippybottomus cloth nappies were designed and tested on three daughters and a son, and then 15 nieces and nephews; that’s how the company came about.
Since then, they have committed to offering a wide range of affordable and eco-friendly baby products. These include stay-dry bamboo cloth nappies, reusable swim nappies, reusable training nappies, reusable baby wipes, and more. The company has received multiple awards over the years for its consistent efforts in providing some of the best cloth nappies in Australia that are also kind to Mother Nature.
Hippybottomus Stay Dry Bamboo nappy: Product snapshot
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
Designed in | Sydney, Australia |
Made in | China |
Price (RRP) | $17.95 |
Nappy Type | Pocket design |
Shell fabric | Polyester with 100% waterproof PUL coating |
Insert fabric | bamboo charcoal (2 layers) with microfibre (3 layers) |
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified | Yes |
Sizing | One Size Fits Most (newborn to toilet training) |
Absorbency | High |
Warranty | 90 day replacement guarantee – faulty goods |
Summary of Pros and Cons
Hippybottomus are among the most popular choices of cloth nappies in Australia. But like any other product, what works for different families and babies can vary. We’ve put together an overview of key pros and cons based on a range of parents’ experiences, including our own, to help you decide if they’re the right purchase for you. Read on for a detailed review.
Pros
- Easy to use, easy to clean, and quick to dry; perfect for first-time cloth users
- Durable and long-lasting – will remain functional and in shape for a long time.
- Cute nappies; a range of colours and prints to choose from
- One size fits most – you don’t need to worry about which size suits your baby best;
- Affordable pocket-friendly prices
- OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified – materials are soft and kind to your baby’s skin.
Cons
- Inserts aren’t the most absorbent on the market.
- Some people have experienced issues with cover shells delaminating or certain prints fading.
Hippybottomus nappy: What you should know
Now we’ve given you a quick overview, let us dive into the detailed part of our Hippybottomus cloth nappy review. Keep reading for all the information you need to make the right decision.
What style is the Hippybottomus nappy?
Hippybottomus is a pocket-design cloth nappy with two parts; the outer shell and one bamboo charcoal insert, which sits inside the pocket. This pocket can accommodate up to two inserts for maximum absorption.
As the pocket lining is fairly stretchy, I found the Hippybottomus a very easy nappy to ‘stuff’ ie to slide the insert into the pocket, which is not always the case with pocket styles.
A pocket design means that this shell has two layers: an outer and an inner part. The outer layer is made of polyester with 100% waterproof Polyurethane Laminate (PUL), which prevents leaks and eliminates the need for extra covers, especially when going out.
Meanwhile, the inner ‘stay-dry’ layer is crafted from pure white bamboo charcoal fleece. This environmentally friendly material is soft and gentle against the baby’s skin. It also stays dry throughout and is naturally antibacterial, with excellent mildew resistance and breathability. This ensures maximum comfort for the baby. Hippybottomus cloth nappies feature cleverly designed three rows of clips that allow you to adjust the size as the baby grows.
What are the Hippybottomus inserts like?
Each nappy comes with a single standard insert made from three layers of microfibre and two layers of bamboo charcoal fleece. They are rectangular and double-stitched to prevent leakage, wide, and fill the nappy pocket from edge to edge. The combination of microfibre and bamboo means they are both thirsty and quick-drying – these are usually my fastest-drying nappies – often within a couple of hours, whereas others made purely from thick bamboo layers can take up to two days. One noticeable aspect of these inserts is that, despite the multiple layers of fabric, they remain quite thin. This can be an advantage if you prefer a nappy that isn’t as bulky as many others on the market.
You may find yourself wanting to add extra inserts to boost absorbency. While the inserts are thin, as mentioned above, they are also quite wide, and I find that adding two of the Hippybottomus bamboo charcoal inserts can make them fairly thick through the crotch. Instead, I would recommend choosing one of the other styles of inserts Hippybottomus offers, such as their bamboo insert (80% bamboo and 20% organic cotton). Made solely from organic fibres, they are very long and can be doubled over, which is useful for adding extra thickness where you need it most—often at the front for boys and the back for girls. You can also buy Biodegradable Nappy Liners, made from 100% Bamboo.
One good thing about Hippybottomus is that their pocket nappies are super easy to boost with inserts, thanks to the stretchy shell cover and inbuilt pocket lining. I think a lot of people find it tough to stuff and boost pocket nappies, but I reckon Hippybottomus have this down pat. Plus, their inserts are really affordable, so buying extra to increase absorbency won’t break the bank.inserts are also very reasonably priced, so buying extra inserts to boost absorbency won’t be a costly exercise.
What kinds of prints does Hippybottomus offer?
We also needed to mention the prints in this Hippybottomus cloth nappy review because they are such a vibe. You can choose between plain or block colours and fun patterns – their bright patterns and cute prints like denim and watermelons made them one of my first cloth nappy purchases at the Baby Expo I attended.
New patterns are released regularly, while some old favourites remain staples: including ABC, forest animals, cars, zoos, ocean tones, mermaids, elephants, toucans, and hot air balloons, among others. There are also adorable botanical prints such as leaves, ferns, and blossoms. Check out their current collection here.
What are Hippybottomus like in terms of quality and durability?
Hippybottomus nappies are generally high-quality and durable. I have used them on two children, and with proper care and washing, they remain in excellent condition. Out of six nappies I purchased, I experienced an issue with the print and colour fading on one style, but this is purely aesthetic, and I have had no problems with the others. Some other parents have reported experiencing fading or delamination of the PUL shell. All who contacted customer service found them very responsive and received replacements for their covers. I believe this was due to some faulty batches, and they have discontinued those prints where the issue occurred.
Hippybottomus nappy covers are quite soft and stretchy; after a few years’ wear with two children, I noticed the covers have stretched slightly. Sometimes, I need to adjust the waist or rise snap to ensure they aren’t too loose, but they still fit well enough to prevent leaks.
Can you use Hippybottomus from birth?
As an OSFM nappy, Hippybottomus are designed to fit from birth using their clever newborn hack, which involves folding the front of the nappy down at the top. As with all OSFM nappies, this may depend on how tiny your baby is at birth. Given that Hippybottomus are a very soft, stretchy nappy, they are quite easy to adjust in size and aren’t overly bulky even when on the smallest setting. Although I used dedicated newborn nappies for the first couple of months, they were one of the first OSFM nappies I tried, and I found them very easy to fit. A number of parents report using them very successfully for their newborns, so you might find these nappies are all you need until toddlerhood using the various settings on the rise snaps.
Can Hippybottomus be used as night nappies?
Hippybottomus nappies can be used as overnight nappies, and many reviewers report success with using them overnight. If you plan to do so, I highly recommend adding additional inserts, as the bamboo charcoal insert alone probably won’t be enough for such a long period.
Hippybottomus sells a bamboo gusseted insert designed for overnight use. It is made of the same fabric as the standard bamboo charcoal inserts (three layers of microfibre between two layers of bamboo) but features elastic gussets to prevent leaks around the legs. For heavy wetters, you might want to experiment with different combinations of inserts and could even add their long hemp or bamboo inserts folded over to increase absorbency.
Additionally, Hippybottomus also makes nappies with prints of space and the moon, which are likely to cue your baby to sleep, right?!
Where can I buy Hippybottomus cloth nappies?
If you’re in the Northern Beaches or Central Coast region of NSW, you’re in luck and can visit the Hippybottomus store located at 447 Tumbi Rd, Wamberal. I bought a stash of 6 Hippybottomus nappies at my local Baby Expo, where they had their stall, and it was a great way to check out the nappies in person. Otherwise, the best place to start is the Hippybottomus official website. There are many other trusted online retailers where you can buy modern cloth nappies and other Hippybottomus products, including Little Green Footprints and Cheeky Cherubs (if you’re in New Zealand).
Does Hippybottomus have deals and sales?
Yes. Hippybottomus is always happy to offer a range of deals and clearance sales to all its fans. These deals and sales are a great way to save money on cloth nappy and accessory purchases.
Clearance sales are another way to save money. Hippybottomus usually sells excess stock of old prints at discounted prices to make space for new and exciting designs. That lets you pick up a cloth nappy at a bargain price.
Bundles and packs are available on the official website. Offering trial packs, part-time packs, supplementary packs, and a recommended nappy stash, there’s an option for everyone.
Hippybottomus user reviews and feedback
The Hippybottomus brand has won the hearts of many parents, myself included. If you’re keen on a pocket-style nappy, I believe Hippybottomus is one of the best options available in Australia. As mentioned above, what I really like about Hippybottomus is that their covers are incredibly soft and stretchy. This offers several benefits:
• it’s easy to adjust the snaps for a snug fit
• they still have enough ‘give’ around the stomach and legs, making them very comfortable on my boys, and I’ve never had issues with red marks;
• they’re simple to stuff the inserts back in and provide enough room to add extra inserts if needed.
• they’re sufficiently large to comfortably last through toddlerhood and beyond, although you might want to add extra boosters.
One thing to note is that their covers and inserts are quite wide through the crotch and across the backside. They also tend to sit higher in front and at the back compared to many other styles. This can be advantageous, as it makes it harder for leaks and poo explosions to escape!
Because they are fairly thin and soft, they still have enough ‘give’ to move with your baby. I make sure the elastics sit snugly and high around my boy’s legs when I put them on to prevent gaping. I also like how they fit comfortably across the stomach. Most of my other nappies have firmer covers that don’t stretch as much.
If you prefer a narrower style nappy, then you might choose an AI2 style, though they usually come with thicker inserts to prevent leaks.
Despite their wider shape, they still offer a slim fit, especially if you’re only using one insert. This makes them a good option under more fitted clothing.
We also collected a few reviews from different sources to give you a broader overview of parents’ experiences with Hippybottomus nappies. Take a read:
What other parents loved:
Durability and overall quality – Hippybottomus not only commits to making Australian babies comfortable but also to caring for the environment by reducing waste. Parents appreciate that their cloth nappies are generally durable and stand the test of time. Additionally, the stitching and elasticity along the back and around the legs are well-made. Most parents report their Hippybottomus nappies lasting through to toilet training, often for second or third children.
Snug fit – Hippybottomus offers a perfect fit thanks to the ingenuity of the snaps at the waist and rise. The three snaps on the waist ensure the nappy fits snugly around the baby’s waist and legs. Furthermore, the covers are very stretchy, making them easy to fit even on larger babies or toddlers, while still providing a flexible and comfortable fit as your baby moves.
Ease of use – Parents are also very pleased with how simple it is to use Hippybottomus modern cloth nappies. Their straightforward design and ease of adding inserts and boosters make them a great choice for first-time parents, grandparents, daycares, and more.
Fast drying – these are definitely among the first to dry, so you might not need such a large stash, as you won’t have to wait two days for drying in between! If you’re still not sure about washing cloth nappies our guide here.
Value for money – Hippybottomus is likely one of the most affordable Australian-owned nappy brands. While you may need to buy extra inserts, they are reasonably priced and tend to be cheaper than many other brands that include two inserts. With adjustable sizing and options for additional boosting, a stash of Hippybottomus nappies can last from newborn through toddlerhood, offering great value for money.
Excellent customer service – as a small, family-owned brand, they genuinely care about their products and customers. Several parents mentioned being very impressed by their responsive customer service.
What other parents weren’t so keen on:
The width / larger fit – Although this is an advantage for some, it can sometimes be a matter of personal preference. Some parents found that the fit was a bit wider and higher on more petite babies, especially in the early stages.
The inserts – The most common issue appears to be that the standard bamboo charcoal insert isn’t the most absorbent on the market. Most parents have addressed this successfully by adding extra inserts like the long hemp or bamboo styles, or by swapping with their preferred inserts from other brands.
Our verdict
We do not doubt that Hippybottomus is among the best cloth nappies in Australia. Buying them means you’ll not only look after your baby but also your wallet and, most importantly, the environment. What we liked most about these modern cloth nappies is that they fit well, last long, and are tough to beat on affordability. If you’re after a pocket nappy that’s very easy to use, highly adaptable in size, and offers flexible boosting options, then Hippybottomus definitely ticks those boxes. We hope our Hippybottomus cloth nappy review has helped you decide whether to choose this nappy brand. If you do decide to buy them, it’s worth choosing one of their deals, like a trial pack with reusable wipes and liners to get a discount!
Still unsure? Read more reviews here, or our guide on the types of cloth nappies and their pros and cons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions about Hippybottomus Modern Cloth Nappies.
They’re OSFM; best fit from around 4–5kg. They can be bulky on very small newborns
Yes, for light–moderate wetters using both bamboo inserts. Heavy wetters may need a booster or night nappy.
Each nappy comes with two bamboo blend inserts.
Knock solids, short pre-wash, warm main wash with detergent, line dry shells, tumble inserts on low.
AU$17.95 each, with bundle discounts available. Please visit the Hippybottomus website using the link provided, as prices may fluctuate over time.
