Cloth nappies - Which to get, how many?

[anon1133]

I'm in the UK. Planning on using cloth nappies from newborn but not sure what to buy or how many to start with.

And before people recommend nappy libraries, my only local one is not currently running.

The Nappy Lady is a good place to start - excellent free advice and impartial:

www.thenappylady.co.uk/

You need to decide on what type of nappy system to try (two part, all in ones, prefolds or pocket nappies). I use pocket nappies as they are very easy and economical. Obviously it’s better to buy second hand, but the usual FB selling sites are not operating because of COVID. The Nappy Lady will rent newborn sets to trial I think. It really is worth trying different types before spending loads of money; some babies fit certain types better than others. Most councils will also provide new cloth nappies under the real nappy scheme, so it’s worth asking.

I don’t know about newborn as we started from 12 weeks. I couldn’t have coped before that so we used eco-disposables and still do for overnight. We have 4 days worth of cloth (4 a day = 16) as we wash every 3rd day plus there’s drying time. A newborn would use far more I imagine.

Sorry if I just told you a load of stuff you already know! Let me know if there’s anything else I can help with.

I used prefolds with my first and a mixture of prefolds and Terri squares for number 2. Found it much easier to get used to than I expected. They are quick to dry. I think 24 nappies with 4 wraps is enough to start with but it depends how often you wash them, if you have a warm place to dry quickly and always wash every day you could use less. I like the bummis wraps.
If your baby is going to go to nursery then you might need all in one nappies depending on their policies.