With so many different real nappies to choose from and so little information available locally, it is hardly suprising that most parents end up using disposables, even if they would rather use cloth nappies!  The choice can be overwhelming and once you have visited a few websites, read all the advice and product reviews, you can come away even more confused than you were before.  But please don't be put off, most real nappies (especially the tried and tested ranges available at Nappy Times) are reliable and do exactly what a nappy is supposed to do.  Our guide has been designed to explain a little about the different nappy types, but mainly to help you choose which nappy is right for you by giving clear and impartial advice.  We hope you find it useful, but if you still have any questions, please get in touch with us at Nappy Times.

Different nappy systems:  There are 3 basic nappy types.

Two-Part Nappy System:  A two part system means that the nappy and wrap are two distinctly separate parts, meaning two parts to put on the baby one after the other.  A two part system will use either flat nappies or shaped nappies, but will always need a seperate waterproof wrap.  

Pocket Nappies:  These napies have an outer wrap which is attached to a stay dry liner, creating a pouch or pocket into which an absorbent insert is placed, meaning two parts to wash, but only one to put on.  

All in One Nappies:  These nappies have an outer wrap which is permanently attached to an absorbent inner nappy, making only one piece to put on.  Generally use as daytime nappies when out and about, although they can be used as a full time option.  You may need to buy separate liners for this nappy.  

To find out more about these different nappy types see our guides below:
Flat Nappies - A Simple Guide
Shaped Nappies - A Simple Guide
Pocket Nappies - A Simple Guide
All In One Nappies - A Simple Guide

All nappies come in either one size, which in theory fit from birth to potty, or come as multi-sized, which means you will need to buy 2 or 3 sizes to cover the same period.  One size nappies can be a more economical choice, but because they have to fit such a wide range, they can be bulky on a newborn (although this isnt uncomfortable for your baby) and may not last until potty training for bigger children and late trainers.  Multi sized nappies should be a snugger fit throughout the size ranges, but this means your nappy system will be more expensive (although each size will have less wear, meaning they will last longer if you intend to use them for several children, or sell them on the second hand market)

Nappies and wraps come with different fastenings.  Velcro/Aplix makes for quick changes and gives good room for adjustment, however, some children are sensitive to Velcro and older babies can remove velcro nappies as easily as you put them on.  Popper fastenings (particularly on wraps which have poppers at the wait and thighs) are great for babies who do not conform to the average size (i.e thin waist, chubby legs).  Some nappies have no fastenings at all and are used with a Nappy Nippa (the modern nappy pin) to give a very adjustable and snug fit.

Each type of nappy has its advantages and disadvantages, but these depend entirely on your personal circumstances.  Factors you should consider when choosing the right nappy for you are:

1) Your Budget:  The first thing to remember about using real nappies is that they will almost certainly cost less than using disposables.  Even using a laundry service can work out cheaper, especially if you child follows the trend and potty trains earlier.  Disposable nappies over a period of 2.5 years can cost anything from £800.00 - £1200.00, and add on extras like disposable wipes and nappy bags and you could be spending as much as £1500.00.  Cost comparison from the Womens Environmental Network estimates that, including the cost of washing, the average real nappy system will cost about £317.00, saving around £500.00 (even more if you intend to use the nappies for more than one child).  However, even though you will be saving money on your shopping each week, real nappies do cost more in teh beginning.  If budget is a consideration when starting out, you cannot beat a flat nappy system.  Flat nappies are a great budget system, costing from £60.00 for terries to around £150.00 for prefolds from birth to potty.  And if you buy a prefold system, you will only need to buy one size at a time, meaning the initial spend could be as little as £50.00.  This can be a sensible option for a newborn baby, whose nappies need chainging an awful lot - especially if breastfed - so using something easier to wash and dry might be a great way to start off.  Then as your baby grows, (and if you want to), you can experiment eith other nappies and build your collection gradually, spreading the cost.  Flat nappies then make invaluable mopping up cloths and shoulder protectors.  Other good options are one-size nappies.  To buy a birth to potty kit, comprising of 20 nappies, 4 wraps in each size plus accessories will cost around £250.00.  Another great option is the pocket nappy, and although it may look expensive at first, because the pocket dries so quickly, if you buy additional inserts (or use flat nappies) and wash every two days, you can get away with less of these nappies reducting the cost of a birth to potty kit to around £250.00.  Good quality real nappies also have a high second had value, meaning you can recoup part of the inital cost once you have finished using them.

2) You laundry facilities:  These days real nappies are pretty easy to care for, there is no longer the need to soak them as modern washing machines do all the work fo you.  All you need to do is put on an extra wash every two days or so, which you'll sooon find is negligable when you consider all the additional wahing your baby creates and it soon becomes part of the routine.  We always recommend hang drying your nappies as it costs nothing, is the greenest option and it leaves your nappies smalling fresh.  The sun is also useful for bleaching out any staining .  However, we understand this is not always an option in the UK and all nappies should dry indoors within 24 hours providing they are dried in a warm area with good ari flow.  If drying facilities are scarce, most real nappies can be tumble dried without any problems.  How you intend to dry your nappies is an important consideration when choosing which nappy (and how many) you decide to buy.  Some real nappies are quicker to dry than others, with flat single layer nappies like terries, being quickest to dry, and in contrast, the All in One taking the longest time because of the attached wrap.  Shaped nappies can be slow drying, but some come with a fold out section to speed up drying and can now be found in synthetic fabrics which dry very quickly.  And because pocket nappies can be separated into two parts their drying time is reduced considerably.  For most people, around 20 nappies is sufficient.  This covers two days of use, plus enough nappies to cover the third day while your washed nappies are drying.  Wraps can be tumble dried, but hang drying is best to increase longevity.  Because they are made from non absorbent materials, wraps will dry in a few hours at most.

3) Ease of use:  When choosing your real nappies you should consider how easy the nappies are to put on.  If anyone else will be caring for your baby, if your baby is particularly wriggly, or you just feel that you might be put off by having anything too fiddly, then a 'one-piece' nappy is probably the most suitable option.  Pokcet nappies are very user friedning.  If you stuff a batch at a time, then there is only one piece to put on, and one set of fastenings to do up, much like a disposable which means anyone looking after your baby can't go wrong.  The absorbent insert can also be adjusted to increase absorbency, meaning real flexibility.  Like pocket nappies, all in ones only have one peice to put on, but they may need a separate liner.  Although flat nappies need some folding, a pad folded prefold (simply folded into three) fized in place with a snug fitting wrap is also a straightforward option.  Modern real nappies are designed with ease of use in mind and you will find that with a bit of practice, nappy changes will be swift whichever nappy you use.

4) Containment and Absorbency:  All nappies leak occasionally, but using real nappies will give you control over the absorbency and containment.  For playtimes, real nappies can be used unboosted for a slim fit and then additional absorbency added for sleeping or long car journeys.  Real nappies are also particularly good for containment, especially shaped nappies which are elasticated in all the right places, with the wrap providing a second barrier if some poo manages to escape from the nappy area.  However, the containment of all nappies depends of the fit, together with the shape and build of your baby and for all nappies (and wraps) good adjustability is key.

5) Your tastes and preferences:  The most improtant thing about choosing a nappy system is that you like it.  If you think carefully about what you want from your nappies, what is important to you , then you will not be disapointed, in fact I guarantee that you will love you real nappies.  Everybody has different priorities, from being as green as possible, saving money or simply loving the way your baby looks in the nappies.  If you take these into consideration, you will find that you will have a system that works for you and you will want to keep using.

How many nappies and wraps will I need?
As mentioned above, this depends on how often you intend to wash them and how you will get them dry.  Most people use an average of 6-8 nappies in 24 hours (although this is more for a newborn), so you will need at least 16 if you intend to wash every day and have access to a tumble dryer.  If you intend to hang dry your nappies and wash less frequently, you will need more nappies, and on average 20 nappies suits most people.  As wraps dont need washing every nappy change (unless soiled) you should be able to manage with 4-5 wraps.  For more information about what you need to get started, see our Real Nappies - What do I need guide.

Most people end up with a selection of different types of nappy, to suit different occasions and it is worthwhile sampling a few different nappies before you decide which one's to stock up on.