How we chose the best nappies
We've done extensive nappy research so you don't have to. Taking authentic, honest recommendations from parents - combined with expert opinion - we've compiled our list of the 10 best nappies out there right now.
We consulted the Mumsnet forums to get advice from families who've vetted hundreds of nappies: that’s real parents who have tried and tested these nappies on their own babies and toddlers, rating them on everything from value to absorbency.
We utilised results from our very own Mumsnet Rated testing, where each product is tested by at least 150 parents from the Mumsnet community.
We considered the most popular brands among households up and down the country, only shortlisting nappies with overwhelming positive reviews.
We read other expert reviews and recommendations from trusted online publications to see which nappies were popular and why.
We then weighed all of this up against the nappies’ costs and features to bring you a list that we hope will inspire your choices. N.B We've linked to a variety of nappy sizes in our round-up
Whether you have a baby with sensitive skin, you’re searching for something more eco-friendly or you're on a tight budget, we hope this list helps you find just what you and your baby need.
How to choose the best nappies for your baby
Every baby is different so while the nappies on our list came recommended by real parents on our Mumsnet forums, they won’t suit everyone. Often, it’s best to try and test a few and see what works for you.
Think about what you need most - whether that be something low cost, a nappy for sensitive skin or a high-absorption nappy for heavy-wetters - and see which of our recommended products might suit.
Always consider:
Nappies come in sizes zero to six, fitting babies and toddlers of all weights between 1 kg and 16+kg. Nappies for younger babies often prioritise keeping them dry. As your baby starts to crawl and toddle, nappies are often labelled as 'active' and aim to prevent any leaks.
For a nappy to fit correctly, there should be no leaks around the waist or through the leg holes. As your baby move up the sizes and becomes more, look for elasticated waistbands, strong tabs that don't come loose and secure leg cuffs.
Manufacturer sizing will vary, however, so if you don't get on well with a particular nappy brand and need a snugger fit, then do try another.
Most disposable nappies are made out of three layers - an outer, a core and a top layer. The core features a water-absorbent polymer that draws moisture away from the skin and into the nappy, which helps to prevent nappy rash. Other absorbency features to look out for, particularly as your baby gets older and more active, are flash dry layers to lock away moisture, and materials like bamboo and wood pulp for extra dryness.
While more convenient than reusable nappies, disposable nappies are single-use, made of plastic and will ultimately end up in landfill. This means that they're less environmentally-friendly than their cloth counterparts, even if you are choosing eco options which tend to be partly made out of biodegradable materials.
Wetness indicators, i.e. a yellow line down the front of the nappy, are handy as they will let you know if your baby's nappy needs changing. For babies with particularly sensitive skin, regular changing will help to prevent nappy rash.
Types of nappy
Newborn: these usually have a U-shaped cut-out to avoid irritating or covering the umbilical cord.
Active: these are stretchier nappies, great for preventing leaks and spillages when your baby starts to move around on their own.
Plus: extra absorbent and designed to withstand more moisture, therefore a good choice for overnight. Plus nappies are labelled with a + sign on the packaging.
Swim: both reusable and disposable options are a swimming must for any baby or child who hasn’t been potty trained.
How much do nappies cost?
Nappies vary wildly when it comes to cost, with supermarket brands typically sitting at the lower end of the price range and eco and brands options sitting at the top.
However, it's always worth looking out for multi-buy offers, as well as bulk buy deals and subscription options, especially for premium branded and more eco-friendly nappies.
What size nappies do I need?
Nappies generally come in sizes 0 to 6, fitting babies and toddlers of weights between 1kg and 16+kg. Nappies for younger babies often prioritise keeping your baby dry. As your baby starts to crawl and toddle, nappies are often labelled as ‘active’ and aim to prevent any leaks.
When a nappy fits correctly, there should not be any leaks around the waist or through the leg holes. Manufacturer sizing will vary, however, so if a particular nappy brand isn’t working for you and you need a snugger fit, try a different one.
How many disposable nappies does a baby use?
Every child is different so you’ll find your own groove. However, expect an average of 70 nappies per week for a newborn baby, 50 to 70 for a child wearing size 1 nappies, 35 to 50 for size 2 and approximately 35 for size 3. Recycling charity Wrap estimates that by the time a baby is potty trained, they could have used a total of 4,000 to 6,000 disposable nappies.
What are the best nappies to buy?
As we say, each baby will have different needs and preferences so it might be useful to try a few out and see which suits. We hope our list is a helpful starting point for you.
We think Aldi’s Mamia Ultra-Dry nappies are the best nappies to buy right now. They offer great value for money, feature a range of choices to suit different households and receive overwhelmingly high praise from parents across the UK.
About the author
Jenny Wonnacott is a Content Editor for Mumsnet, specialising in writing, editing and optimising pregnancy, baby care and general parenting-related content. As a parent of three primary school-aged children, Jenny is passionate about making Mumsetters' lives easier through rigorous research of all items recommended in reviews, features buyers' guides.
She regularly reviews a wide range of parenting and lifestyle products for Mumsnet, from breast pumps to kettles, travel cots and cribs.
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