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The Best Cloth Nappy Baby Brands In Australia In 2024
How do cloth nappies work?
Cloth nappies often referred to as reusable nappies or diapers, work just like regular single-use nappies, except for one thing. Once they become soiled or wet, you don’t just toss them out, you rinse them, store them in a dry pail or open basket, then wash and hang them out to dry. Who knew nappies for newborns could be reusable too! It's a sustainable twist to caring for your baby's hygiene, and it's making nappies for newborns more eco-friendly than ever.
Often, reusable cloth nappies will come in two parts, the nappy itself that provides the absorbency, and an outer layer that provides the waterproofing. Inside the nappy cloth, you would normally use a disposable liner that disintegrates and can be flushed down the toilet. At night you might use a booster pad to provide extra absorbency for that 12-14 hour period for the nappy cloth. Some reusable nappies will provide this all-in-one. In terms of fit, many fitted reusable nappies feature press studs around the thigh and waist area, meaning that you can bump up to the next press stud as your baby grows bigger.
Cloth nappies are to be folded to fit your baby - so can be considered a little bulkier than fitted nappies - but only if they’re not folded correctly!
Why should I use a cloth nappy?
Reusable cloth nappies are a no-brainer for those who want to do their bit for the environment, instead of adding to landfill-like disposable nappies, reusable nappies only have one ‘throw-away’ part, which is the liner or booster pad that goes inside the nappy and catches most of the poop and wee!
Many people also find reusable nappies are a better choice financially, as there is no need to spend money each week on disposable nappies, reusable nappies are a one-off purchase. With most nappy changes, you might only need to change the liner and not the whole nappy. This only needs to be changed if the poop or wee leaks through the liner and soils the actual nappy. Many people only change these at the end of the day or when soiled. It’s important to note that soaking your nappies in any kind of cleaning agent could cause the waterproofing to be damaged. Leaving soiled reusable nappies more than two days between washing can also cause permanent damage to the fabric.
Are cloth nappies right for me?
A few things to consider when considering reusable cloth nappies are the energy that goes into washing them. Does the cost of the extra water and power to fulfil extra loads of washing compare to the cost of buying disposable nappies? If saving money is a major driver when it comes to choosing reusable nappies, this might be something to consider. Another popular way to use reusable cloth nappies, is to include them in fifty per cent of your nappy use, this is popular because it limits washing, still allows you to do your bit for the environment and also saves money on disposable nappies. Many people also choose cloth or prefold nappies for at-home wear, and save the fitted nappies for when you’re going out. Reusable swim cloth nappies are also a great introduction to the world of reusable nappies. Some slip on and feature an elasticised waist, while others feature press stud openings to contain any accidents.
#1: Caring for your cloth nappies
Using disposable liners is a great way to help extend the longevity of your reusable nappies. Placing them in a mesh washing bag is also a good idea, as they can be damaged by velcro, hook and eyes, bra clips and the like. Ensure you read the manufacturer’s instructions before washing to determine which washing agents to opt for - and steer clear of.
#2: Sizing of your cloth nappy
When researching which reusable nappies to buy - and how much to spend - it might be worth thinking about the size range that you’ll get out of each nappy to determine how much you’ll get for your money. Obviously a reusable nappy that caters to a wider range of sizes and ages will be better for the hip pocket than nappies that only cater to one size range.
#3: Comfort of your cloth nappy
Folded cloth nappies are the original offering of the reusable nappy world, however fitted nappies fastened with press studs are a good option to provide extra comfort as they’re designed to fit to baby’s body comfortably. Either way, by following the individual manufacturer’s instructions closely when it comes to folding and usage, you’re more likely to achieve a more comfortable fit for baby. Some polyester-based fabrics have incredible ‘stay dry’ functionality, so it’s important to identify which fabrics work with your baby’s skin and which can cause potential irritation.
#4: Breathability of the cloth nappy
Many flat and prefold cotton nappies are made from cotton, hemp or bamboo, which makes them breathable on baby’s skin. The purest, most chemical-free fabrics are the best to use on a baby’s skin, so it’s important not to use synthetic or heavily chemically-treated fabrics, as they can make baby’s skin sweat and even become irritated.
1. Hippybottomus - Cloth Nappy from $16.95
Available in a huge range of gorgeous colours and patterns, Hippybottomus' Stay Dry Bamboo Nappies make going cloth simple, affordable AND fashionable.
What makes Hippybottomus different?
With their adjustable snaps, you don't even need to buy more cloth nappies as your baby grows, as they can fit all the way from birth to toilet training. And their unique fabric against the skin, which is both natural and stays dry, really sets them apart. If purchased along with Hippybottomus' Reusable Bamboo Wipes and Reusable Wetbags you can really cut back on what you send to landfill.
Real customer reviews:
"We’ve been using your nappies since day dot. They have been amazing. Truly, amazing. We recently had to travel, and didn’t want to burden our family with washing his nappies so decided to use disposables. That weekend we had more nappy failures than in the entire 4 months of using Hippybottomus, had more costume changes than a Pink concert and ended up having to use our family's washing machine at any rate. So thank you, for making such a wonderful product, that not only works (we have marvelled at the millimetre perfect stopping power of your nappies) but doesn’t add to rubbish, and is keeping with our way of life of trying to be decent humans.. So thanks !!! You have an awesome product !!"
2. Itti Bitti - Cloth Nappy from $21.95
Itti Bitti provides modern cloth nappy solutions in Australia and worldwide. Cloth nappies (or reusable baby diapers) are an effective choice to reduce your baby's environmental footprint. With our signature ultra-trim fit and luxurious fabrics; Itti Bitti will change the way you think about cloth nappies!
Real customer reviews:
"These were one of my favourite nappies. slim yet absorbent. great fit too. Love the wipes & wet bags too. Highly recommend. We used these till mid 2016 when the last of my babies toilet trained."
Shop Itti here:
3. Eco Naps - Cloth Nappy $34.95
Designed in Byron Bay for free-spirited, barefooted and beautiful little souls, EcoNaps lead the way when it comes to beautiful mature inspired cloth nappies. They make it easy for families to choose an environmentally conscious option without compromising on style.
Real customer reviews:
"I’ve used a few different brands of cloth nappies in the past and these stand out by far. Our twins wear these 100% of the time, so they must be good!"
4. Evia Collective Modern Cloth Nappies, $29.95
Evia Collective Modern Cloth Nappies allow you to feel good at every nappy change knowing that you’re helping reduce your environmental impact by choosing reusable.
What makes Evia Collective Modern Cloth Nappies different?
Evia Collective understands that choosing to use modern cloth nappies can be overwhelming at first but as a small family business that strives to make every day more earth-friendly, they are here to support you throughout your cloth nappy journey. They do this by helping families make it easier to swap from single use items to reusable options. The best bit is, Evia Collective Modern Cloth Nappies are designed in Australia and ethically manufactured.
Why try Evia Collective Modern Cloth Nappies?
Another thing to love about these cloth nappies is undoubtedly the design. The insert is a trifold design and made from 3 layers of 100% certified organic bamboo cotton. When folded into thirds, it provides 9 layers of fabric for maximum absorbency. You can take comfort in knowing there are no nasty chemicals near your little one’s bum, just natural fibres. Better still, the fabric used to craft the nappy cover is made from recycled water bottles, and each nappy print has been lovingly created by Australian designers because Evia Collective believes in the importance of supporting local talent and their ability to bring designs to life.
Real customer reviews:
“The new Evia collective literally feels like butter! The second thing I noticed after I stopped patting and stroking the material was the length of the nappy is quite long, longer than my other two brands which makes for a beautiful fit. They fit so well and nicely on my petite boy, the new multilayer bamboo cotton insert also feels like butter but most importantly has great absorption. Highly recommend them!” - Mel
“After about 1 week of using them I am in love with them all over again and the fact that they are made out of recyclable plastic is even better! Thankyou for creating such a great product with amazing patterns!” - Heather
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The One Fine Baby team are first and foremost mums - between us we have 14 children, and decades of experience in all things bump, baby and beyond. We regularly bring together our tried, researched and recommended products in a review style format such as this post. The articles include some paid inclusions which goes to helping us keep our audiences informed on the top products happening right here, right now in the parenting space. Please be sure that no product will ever be included in our articles, paid or otherwise, if it doesn’t deserve to be there.
