nappy know how

parts of a cloth nappy

A cloth nappy is made up of 4 parts, although not all parts are necessary - some are optional extras:

nappy
This is simply a pad of several layers of fabric which provides the absorbency.
Fabrics used include cotton, bamboo, hemp and microterry.
They may be shaped to fit like disposables with aplix, popper or gripper fastenings. Alternatively they may be flat and require folding like terry squares and prefolds. 

booster / insert
This is a pad of fabric layers which may be used with the nappy to increase its absorbency.
The same fabrics are used here as for the main nappy.
A booster is often essential once your baby sleeps through the night and needs a nappy to last for 10 - 12 hours.

liner
This is a thin layer which lines the inside of the nappy. It catches the poo, but allows the wee through into the absorbent nappy.  Liners aren't essential, but are convenient. 
You can choose from biodegradable paper which is flushable / compostable or alternatively, fleece which can be washed with your nappies and reused (once the poo is flipped off and flushed down the toilet!). 
With paper liners it is important to cut the paper to fit the nappy rather than fold it over.
Some nappies and boosters have a built in layer of fleece and so no separate liner is required.

wrap
This is the waterproof outer layer which keeps your baby's clothes dry.  As your final line of defence, the wrap needs to be a good fit. You need to make sure the entire nappy is tucked inside the wrap to avoid leaks.
Most wraps are separate to the nappy but some are sewn onto nappies for convenience.
Some wraps have leg gussets for excellent containment and are essential if you use a flat nappy or a size 2 nappy folded into a smaller nappy with no fastener.  Wraps do not need to be changed as often as nappies.
Generally, most are made of polyurethane laminate (PUL); but fleece or wool is an option. You can mix and match nappy and wrap brands. They are available in plain colours and printed designs, but don't forget to choose a unisex colour if you intend to have more children!


styles of cloth nappies

Cloth nappies can be one of four basic styles:

flat nappy
This is a terry or muslin square / rectangular pad of fabric which is folded for use.

Terry squares and muslin squares can be folded in the traditional way or folded into a rectangle and held in place with just a tight fitting gusseted wrap.  If the nappy is folded traditionally it can be secured with a gripper fastening inside any wrap.
They are very versatile, quick drying and the cheapest option but you need a bit of time to fold the square and it can prove fiddly if you have a wriggly baby.  Muslins are a great option for newborns because they need frequent changes and as they do dry quickly, it means that you'll always have one handy.
Folded terry squares can look bulky, although it depends on the fabric.

Pre fold nappies are padded fabric rectangles with a thicker section running through the middle. They are folded into an oblong shape to fit inside a good fitting gusseted wrap.
They are reasonably priced and relatively quick to fold, use and dry but are not as effective in containing poo as a folded square or shaped nappy. 

shaped nappy
These nappies are shaped to fit, just like disposables.  Many have a loose inner pad that makes drying faster than if the nappy had a thick central panel.  They fasten with poppers, aplix or gripper fastening.
A shaped nappy will need a wrap and all mamigreen wraps are suitable. 
The price varies as does the slimness of the nappy and drying speed, depending on your fabric choice.  As with flat nappies, it takes more time to change a baby using this style compared to others because you have to put on the nappy and the wrap.  However it is a very reliable system as it gives a good all round fit and you do have two lines of defence to avoid clothes from getting wet or soiled.

pocket nappy
A pocket nappy (sometimes called stuffable nappy) has exactly the same principles as the shaped nappy above.
It consists of an outer layer of fabric into which usually a fleece liner is sewn, creating a pocket in the back which you can stuff with an insert to the absorbency required. Some pocket nappies have a waterproof outer covering (a good option if you don't fancy handling a wet nappy), whereas others are not waterproof and so need a separate wrap.  I suppose this nappy is half way between a shaped nappy and an all in one nappy!  The advantage of a pocket nappy is that you can decided on the absorbency depending on the circumstances, for example one slim insert for the day and thicker more absorbent inserts for night time.  They are also very quick to dry as the inserts dry separately to the nappy.  You need to remember to stuff the nappies before using them and they may not suit those wishing to use only natural fibres.

all-in-one (AIO) nappy
This nappy is a shaped nappy stitched to the wrap.  Most have popper fastenings.  A shaped AIO nappy will take the longest time to dry.  An AIO nappy is the most expensive cloth nappy on the market, but it is convenient. A good fit is always essential to avoid leaks.


sizes

Flat nappies are available in two or three sizes to accommodate your baby's growth. 
Most shaped, pocket and AIO nappies also come in two sizes, and this definitely offers the best fit of all.  If you do plan to have more than one baby, sized nappies will get less wear and so will last through more babies. 

Birth to potty (BTP) nappies are one size nappies which fit from the newborn stage until potty trained.  BTP nappies are available in shaped and pocket styles.  They are adjusted for a newborn by folding down the front and have extra poppers to accommodate for this.  They are economical as you do not need to buy more nappies as your baby grows and also a great choice if you have more than one child in nappies as the same nappies will fit both. The disadvantage is that they are bulky on newborns and may be outgrown by a toddler who is late at potty training.  Some size 2 nappies are also suitable to use as a BTP nappy by folding the fabric down in the front and securing with a good fitting gusseted wrap or gripper fastening, until it fits as it should. 

Wraps usually come in 3 main sizes, and it is essential they are a good fit to prevent leaks.


fabrics

Fabrics used in cloth nappies and wraps include:

conventional cotton
Naturally absorbent, however conventional cotton is the most heavily sprayed crop in the world. These chemicals cannot be completely washed out. Unbleached cotton avoids the chemicals in the bleaching process, but for a purer alternative choose unbleached organic cotton. The slimness of cotton nappies vary with different brands.

organic cotton
Pure, simple and naturally absorbent.  Organic cotton feels extremely soft because the fibres are not broken down by the chemicals and machines used in conventional cotton farming and processing.  Due to the absence of chemicals, organic cotton is also less likely to trigger allergies.  It doesn't contain anti-shrink resins and smells cleaner because it isn't finished with formaldehyde.  As with conventional cotton, slimness varies between brands.

bamboo
Although not organic, bamboo is an 'eco-friendly' fabric which has a short growth cycle and is grown without the use of pesticides.  It is naturally antibacterial and antifungal and more importantly, offers superior absorbency when compared to cotton.  Bamboo nappies are very slim fitting and soft and silky to touch.  It retains its softness after repeated washes, but does take longer to dry than cotton (because it is much more absorbent).  Most bamboo nappies will be dry after a day of line drying on a sunny day. They contain a small amount of polyester to strengthen the fabric.

hemp
Another environmentally sound fabric.  Hemp, like bamboo requires no chemicals to grow and has antibacterial and antifungal properties.  It is 10 times stronger than cotton, therefore is economical as it will outlast any other natural fibre. Like bamboo, hemp nappies are very absorbent and slim fitting, but are slow to dry.  The fabric goes stiff in hard water areas, however after extended use, the problem lessens as the hemp fibres soften.

microterry
Made of 100% polyester, microterry is lightweight, highly absorbent and has antibacterial properties.  It is the fastest drying nappy fabric and will stay soft wash after wash.  Not a good option if you want a natural fibre next to your baby's skin and as it is synthetic it isn't as breathable, so maybe not a great option in hot weather.  It can also attract fluff and lint in the washing machine which is a bit of a nuisance.  It is a relatively slim nappy fabric.       

fleece
Fleece is a synthetic fabric that may be used as liners or wraps. Its useful property is that it is non-absorbent and so will not hold wetness.
As liners, fleece has a stay dry effect and wicks moisture away from your baby's bottom into the nappy. So as long as the nappy has enough absorbency then your baby's bottom will stay dry.
Fleece wraps are only really suitable for night time use as they aren't completely waterproof, but they are breathable and allow evaporation of some of the nappy's wetness during the night. The nappy will therefore be slightly less wet in the morning with a fleece wrap than with a PUL wrap.  Fleece wraps are very quick to dry.

PUL
Polyurethane laminate (PUL) is a polyester interlock knit fabric that has been laminated to a thin film of polyurethane.  It is a soft, stretchy and waterproof material and so ideal for every day wraps.  PUL wraps are very quick to dry.

wool
This natural, breathable material is used usually for night wraps and is perfect for babies with sensitive skin. Similarly to fleece, it is not waterproof but lets air circulate, allowing wetness to evaporate. It is an environmentally friendly material as it is renewable and biodegradable.
All you normally need to do between uses is let the wrap air.  Wool is naturally anti bacterial and so wraps can last up to two weeks