Cloth Nappy Info

Types of Cloth Nappies: Features, Pros and Cons Explained

Reusable cloth nappies have become increasingly popular as parents search for high-quality and environmentally friendly alternatives to disposable nappies.

But with their increasing popularity, the variety of different types of cloth nappies available on the market has exploded in recent years

 

Trying to take in all the information can seem overwhelming, and it can seem almost impossible to know where to start. What is the deal with all the inserts, snaps, and pockets, and do they make much of a difference? Don’t worry – we’ve been there, and we’ve got you covered with some useful and unbiased information.

Read on for a breakdown of the different types of nappies and some tips to help you find the right type of cloth nappies for you and your little ones.

If you’re finding all of the terminology a tad confusing, you may also find our Ultimate Cloth Nappy Glossary a good reference.

And if you’re keen to know more about some of the cloth nappy fabrics mentioned, then this article provides a great explanation, along with some pros and cons to consider.

Cloth nappy basics

Before looking at the different types of cloth nappies, it is helpful to explain the basic components of reusable nappies.

Cloth nappies consist of two simple parts:

  1. an absorbent part which keeps your baby’s bottom dry, and
  2. a waterproof cover, which keeps moisture and solids in.

Sometimes people use the terms ‘inner’ or ‘inserts’ for the absorbent part, and ‘outer’, ‘cover’ or ‘wrap’ or ‘shell’ for the waterproof layer.

Without trying to overwhelm you, we’ve tried to provide a rundown of the major styles of cloth nappies, as well as their pros and cons. There are also some hybrid styles on the market, e.g. nappies that can be used as either pocket or All-in-Two nappies, but for simplicity’s sake we’ve focused on the features of the main types below. If you wish to skip ahead to a particular type, just click on the name below.

In addition to the above styles, we’ve included some info on reusable nappies designed for specific purposes, as well as relevant accessories, including:

Hopefully, you’re still with us, so let’s dive into further detail below!

 

Fitted nappies

Fitted cloth nappies most closely resemble the shape and style of disposable nappies. They are contoured, so they should fit snugly around your baby’s legs, and generally feature inbuilt snaps or Velcro to fasten the nappy.

The entire nappy is made of absorbent natural fibres such as bamboo or hemp, which gives them excellent breathability and durability.

You will need to use a waterproof outer cover over the top of the fitted nappy.

Pros of fitted nappies:

  • Fairly easy to put on and take off, with no need to use separate fasteners
  • Extremely leak resistant if fitted correctly
  • Great if you only want natural fibres against your babies skin

Cons of fitted nappies:

  • Can be a little bulky, although this can also depend on the style, brand and how many inserts you are using.
  • Are generally a more expensive option than flats and prefolds
  • Due to their design with layers of absorbent materials, they can take a long time to dry
  • Depending on how adjustable the sizing is, you may find you need to purchase different sizes as bub grows.

All-in-One (AIO) nappies

All-in-one nappies are one of the easiest types of cloth nappies to use. AIOs contain a waterproof outer component and an absorbent inner part. As the name suggests the absorbent part of all-in-one nappies is permanently attached to the cover, meaning you don’t have to worry about detaching and reattaching the inner layers to the cover before and after washing – you only have one piece to worry about! As they are most similar in design to disposable nappies, they are perfect for newbies (such as family and babysitters) to use.

There is still some variation in the design and make-up of AIO nappies. Some have an absorbent part which is fully sewn into the lining. Others have an absorbent part which is only sewn in at one end. For the latter, you will need to tuck the absorbent insert into a pocket within the nappy. Many AIO nappies are slim fitting, meaning they might not fit as well for larger babies, or may not have as much room for adding extra layers for heavy wetters.

Pros of AIO nappies:

  • Easy to use. Great for beginners and those who aren’t used to reusable nappies (such as babysitters)
  • Easy to prepare for washing and use – the nappies don’t need to be taken apart to put in the washing or put back together after drying – there is only one piece to keep track of!
  • They come in a range of attractive and fun designs
  • They can be a trimmer fit if this is your preferred style.


Cons of AIO nappies:

  • You will need to wash the whole nappy each time (as opposed to AI2 nappies where you can re-use the cover with a new lining if still clean)
  • As you can’t take the absorbent lining out, they can take longer to dry thoroughly
  • Some styles may not have sufficient space to add extra inner layers to boost absorbency if your child is a heavy wetter.

All-in-Two (AI2) nappies

All-in-two nappies are very similar to the AIO type of cloth nappies explained above, but there is one simple difference. Instead of the inner absorbent part being sewn into the nappies, they are detachable, usually via snaps built into the nappies.

Why you ask? Well, while it can initially be confusing having more separate pieces, it can provide some inbuilt flexibility. As the absorbent inserts are removable, you can use the waterproof outer part multiple times if they are still clean. For example, if your child has done a small wee, you could simply pop out the absorbent part and replace it with a new absorbent part. This saves the number of times you need to wash the cover, and may even mean you can purchase extra inserts separately, saving money on covers. This is a particular advantage of covers made from PUL, as they can simply be wiped clean if not heavily soiled. However, other AI2 nappies have covers made from other fabrics such as minky which can’t simply be wiped clean or may still get soiled. This means for a limited number of AI2  nappies you need to replace the whole nappy at every change.

Another big advantage of AI2s is that you can often change the way the inserts sit in the nappy. Several brands purposely design their nappies with multiple or different shaped inserts to offer this flexibility. This can be useful as the baby grows – for example, you might use only one or a smaller insert for your newborn, and add in an extra insert as your baby grows and needs more absorbency. It also allows you to mix and match between different brands if you find you prefer the covers of one brand with the inserts of another – cloth nappy forums are full of such hacks!

It can also be really useful to adjust where the layers sit for boys and girls. Boys tend to need more absorbency in the front to catch wee, whereas girls tend to need the absorbency at the back.

There might be a bit more of a trial-and-error process in finding what works for you with AI2s, but many appreciate their versatility.

Pros for AI2 nappies:

  • Still fairly easy to use, with all the benefits of a fitted nappy. Slightly more to do than AIO nappies, but most AI2s only need the inserts snapped into place.
  • Due to the inserts being adjustable, there is greater flexibility to add, remove or adjust the liners to get the best absorbency and fit.
  • Depending on the type of cover, you might not need to replace the whole nappy at every change. This can reduce your wash loads and may mean you don’t need to buy as many covers as inserts.
  • It can be cheaper and easier to replace or renew your nappy stash. Instead of buying whole new nappies, you could buy a few new waterproof covers, or absorbent liners depending on your needs.

Cons for AI2 nappies:

  • Slightly more work to prepare AI2 nappies compared to AIO nappies, mainly in terms of reassembling after washing.
  • May not be so straightforward for other carers – babysitters, daycare etc if they are unfamiliar with how the nappies fit together.

Pocket Nappies

Pocket nappies are another popular type of fitted cloth nappy. The main feature of the pocket nappies is that the inner lining has an opening, or ‘pocket’ sewn in, into which the absorbent inserts need to be placed or ‘stuffed’. 

The insert will need to be removed from the pocket before washing which is an extra step, but the bonus is the inserts and covers will dry faster.

As the pocket lining (often microfleece) is against the skin, it creates a stay-dry layer between your baby and the inner layer. Therefore a common material used in pocket inserts is microfibre, which is usually not recommended to place directly against the baby’s skin. Microfibre has the advantage of being fairly thin, inexpensive, and fast-drying, so pocket nappies can be an economical and slim-fitting option. The flip side is that they may not be as absorbent as other nappy styles. This can be overcome by adding extra inserts or purchasing inserts made from more absorbent fabrics. Our article on different types of nappy materials may be a useful read to help you with this.

Pros of pocket nappies:

  • Another easy-to-use type of cloth nappy. They take slightly more work than AIO nappies in terms of stuffing pockets, but once done can be fairly straightforward to take on and off.
  • As the absorbent insert can be removed, they can be quicker to dry than AIO nappies.

Cons for pocket nappies:

  • You might not get as much absorbency from their inserts and may not have enough space in the pockets to boost with extra inserts.
  • Some people find they don’t like ‘stuffing’ the inserts back in after washing and drying.

Flats and terry towelling

Flat nappies and terry towelling are the original types of reusable nappies. Your grandparents likely used a version of these. They are flat pieces of absorbent material, which can be folded, fastened and then covered with a separate waterproof wrap.

Thankfully, technology has evolved and you no longer need to risk stabbing yourself or your baby with old-fashioned safety pins!! Instead, Y-shaped nappy fasteners (often referred to as Snappis) are usually used to grip the sections of fabric together before the cover is put on.

Prefolds

Prefolds (sometimes referred to as tri-folds) are essentially a new generation of flat nappies that are designed to be folded in three. The middle section sometimes has extra layers of fabric built in to increase absorbency.

There are some minor differences between flats and prefolds. Depending on how you fold them, prefolds don’t necessarily need nappy fasteners or safety pins. They will still require a waterproof cover.

Pros of prefolds, flats and terry towelling nappies:

  • The cheapest and most minimalist reusable nappy
  • Can be very quick to dry
  • Can be very versatile – can use them as newborn nappies, and then to boost your other nappies as your baby grows.

Cons of prefolds, flats and terry towelling nappies:

  • Can be a bit of a learning curve for beginners in learning how to fold and secure them.
  • They tend to be a bulkier fit

 

Newborn nappies

Newborn nappies are specifically designed to fit newborn babies. Some people successfully use one-size-fits-all (OSFA) nappies from birth. However, it can be really hard to get the snug fit around a newborn’s tiny legs and waist needed to avoid nappy leaks.

Newborn nappies come in styles such as fitted nappies with a cover, or AIO, and there are some fabulous options out there on the market. Therefore, if you are using cloth nappies from the onset and your budget allows, you may wish to opt for dedicated newborn nappies. However, given newborns will grow out of them quickly, another popular option is to use flats or prefolds in the newborn stage.

Pros of newborn nappies:

  • Smaller nappies for your newborn baby will mean a better fit and fewer leakages

Cons of newborn nappies:

  • Newborn babies will need a lot of nappy changes, which can mean you need a reasonably large stash (around 20 to 24 nappies).
  • Depending on the size of your baby, and how fast he or she grows, your newborn nappies may only last two or three months.
  • It can be expensive to purchase a full stash of both newborn and larger-sized nappies as your baby grows.

Night Nappies

Night nappies, as the name suggests are a type of cloth nappy used for nighttime. As your little one will be going a long time between nappy changes when they are asleep at night (hopefully at least!), night nappies are much bulkier. They need this extra bulkiness to cope with the extra demands put on them. Adding additional boosters can stretch their use time up to 12 hours.

There is a great variety of night nappies. Often night nappies are a thick style of fitted nappy made of an absorbent material such as bamboo, although there are other styles of night nappy on the market, such as AIOs.

If using the fitted style of night nappy, a waterproof outer cover is then used to wrap around the inner nappy. Wool is a popular choice of cover for a night nappy due to its breathability and absorbency, particularly when treated with lanolin.

Additional liners, also called boosters, can then be applied between the absorbent nappy and the waterproof outer nappy to increase absorbency. Boosting your night nappies with flats is a great use for them once bub is out of the newborn stage!

Pros of night nappies:

  • Can be extremely absorbent and last the whole night if fitted correctly

Cons of night nappies

  • They can be bulky and fiddly to put on.
  • As they are so thick, they have a long drying time.

Nappy Covers

Many types of reusable nappies need a waterproof outer cover. These are also called nappy wraps, pilchers or shells. Firstly, it is important to remember that not all types of reusable nappies need separate covers. For example, AIO nappies do not need separate covers, as the absorbent inner part is attached to the outer. So make sure that you aren’t wasting your money by buying unnecessary extras.

Covers are made of a variety of materials, such as PUL, minky and wool. The advantage of PUL is that it can often be wiped clean if not soiled, and reused with fresh inserts before having to wash. Wool is commonly used as a night nappy cover due to its high absorbency and breathability, but may not be as practical for daytime use.

Velcro and snap fasteners

Velcro and plastic snap fasteners (see image opposite) are the two main types of fasteners used in modern cloth nappies. 

Y-shaped Snappis are another type of fastener, but are separate pieces that are used to secure flats and prefolds.

Velcro, also known as hook-and-loop, can be easier and quicker, but the Velcro can wear over time. Something I also never thought of as a new mum was that as these clever babies grow, they very quickly work out how to undo Velcro fasteners!

Snaps or poppers can be a little more fiddly to click into place, but are much more challenging for little fingers to undo and take off! Depending on the nappy design, snaps can also offer a little more versatility. For example, many OSFM nappies have two rows of snaps across the top, meaning you can loosen or tighten the hips and legs according to how chunky your baby is across the tummy and thighs.

In addition, they often feature rise snaps, which is a double row of snaps down the front of the nappy. This can serve to shorten or lengthen how high the nappy sits at the front as your baby grows.

Reusable swim nappies

Reusable swim nappies are a fantastic eco-friendly option and will save you a lot of money on expensive disposable swim nappies. Much more lightweight than regular cloth nappies, reusable swim nappies come in a wide range of fun designs and styles but usually combine a leak-proof outer layer with thin inner layers made from mesh or similar. They don’t include the thick absorbent layers of regular cloth nappies which would otherwise become very heavy when submerged in water, meaning they also don’t contain liquids – but neither do disposable swim nappies. Instead, they often feature elastic waists and leg gussets which do the very important job of ensuring any faecal matter doesn’t escape into the water! Simple to use and wash, and depending on how often you swim you may find you only need two or three pairs to see your child through their nappy years.

 

Reusable training pants

Reusable training pants are a stepping stone between nappies and underwear and can be used to help your toddler with toilet training. While they offer lightweight absorbency in case of accidents, they still feel wet against the skin, which is thought to speed up their toilet training as it can prompt awareness of the need to go. Soiled paints can be washed using the same routine as cloth nappies and are quick to dry.

Reusable training pants either feature side snaps which can make them easier to remove after an accident or pull-up style which can be a great transition to underwear. As with cloth nappies, there is an array of designs available at all price points.

Which type of cloth nappy is best?

We understand this can be a lot of information to take in and it can be natural to want a simple answer.

As with most things, there is no right or wrong answer to this question! The best type of cloth nappy will depend on your circumstances, your baby and even your personal preference. Some parents prefer the ease of AIO or pocket nappies. Other like the flexibility AI2s offer in terms of assembling inserts. We hope some of the pros and cons listed in this article will help guide your decision.

Some further useful considerations include:

  • Your budget – flats, prefolds and pocket nappies are often more economical options, while other people love to invest in the latest prints and don’t mind buying dedicated sizes for different stages
  • Your baby’s shape – some styles and brands are a slimmer fit which is great for smaller babies, but may not suit those with chunky thighs or waists
  • Whether your baby is a heavy wetter – if so, you may need styles that can be easily boosted, such as fitted or AI2s
  • Who will be caring for your baby – if you are using them for daycare or with babysitters, you may like to consider some simpler options like pocket nappies or AIOs.


The great thing is that with so many different brands, styles, fits and prints to choose from, you are bound to find one that suits your bub. Checking out reviews of different brands can be very helpful.

We highly recommend purchasing a few different styles and brands initially, until you work out which ones work best for you and your baby. In my experience, it was tempting to go in and buy a full-time matching set from one brand, but thankfully I opted to buy a number of different styles which allowed me to later purchase more of my favourites.

Some retailers offer trial packs where you can mix and match styles. These are great places to start, and you might even get lucky and be gifted one by friends or family. Alternatively, there are also nappy libraries which can lend you a starter pack of different styles before you commit to purchasing.

Ultimately, there is only one way to find out which type of cloth nappies is best for you and your child – giving it a go!