How many sizes are there?
Newborns need smaller sized nappies because they are small. To start from birth you will need the newborn sized nappies first. These usually fit for three to five months, baby depending. When they reach about 6/7kg, they move to the bigger OSFM (one size fits most) size. This set of nappies then fits to potty training (usually three to four years old).
We highly recommend starting at birth - this is really a very enjoyable and easy stage to get going.
What is part time vs full time cloth (how many do I need)?
Part time means you start smaller and use cloth nappies together with disposables. An ideal part time stash is fifteen nappy changes. The more nappies you have the easier it is to use and wash them, so keep this in mind.
Full time means you use little to zero single use plastics. You need thirty to thirty six changes for newborn and from about five months, twenty six changes. Using these numbers you will then wash every two days. If you want to wash every third day you then need more nappies. Most find washing every two days easiest.
How long will the newborn set last?
It is very important to focus here on the sheer volume of nappies that newborns go through in the first four months, rather than how long nappies can fit. Newborns wear the most amount of nappies in their nappy life time during this time because they wee and poop a lot! This is why cloth nappies make so much sense at this stage. Over 1500 nappies are thrown away and this costs over R6000 if using disposables (quoted on Pampers @R4.13/nappy , February 2026). From five months onwards the number of nappies decreases. The average baby is still using a night time nappy at the age of three. Many still at four.
Can I start before the cord falls off?
You can start from day one. Simply move the cord out of the way. Cloth nappies accommodate it perfectly. Make the nappy slightly looser while the cord is still attached.
When are fleece liners added?
Fleece liners are laid closest to the skin and used for two different reasons. Being porous and non absorbent, the liner allows liquid to pass through so serves as a staydry layer for babies skin. Liners also serve to catch solids.
Newborn: They come in handy in the first days when meconium (the first poop that is sticky and black) is present. The purpose of using them at this stage is because they act as a stay dry between a damp nappy and the skin. This is useful for babies that sleep longer (night time) or / and who are sensitive to a wet nappy. Add the liner if you notice a bit of redness on the skin.
When baby starts solids: Liners catch solids, make cleaning easy.
Note you can also opt for disposable nappy liner bought in shops or online.
How often do I change a nappy?
Cloth nappies are changed the same as you would disposables.
Newborn - three months old
Day time: change the cloth nappy every two to three hours max. Poop nappies always change immediately. Nappies get saturated more quickly at this stage.
Night time: change before the feed. Generally anything from between two to four hours max.
Three/ four months onwards
Day time: every three hours. Poop nappies always change immediately.
Night time: one night nappy is worn all night.
Is the whole nappy changed?
During the newborn stage, the entire nappy and booster is changed. A new nappy with the insert and booster is put on. Only the nappy cover can be reused a few times.
From around three months old the bigger Snappit Pro and night nappies are used.
Can covers be reused?
Covers are rotated through the day. Airdry the used cover on a window sill/ bathroom rail/ cot and use a fresh one. Aim to rotate three to four a day. Night nappy covers from 6kg are only used once, then stored for washing.
How wet do cloth nappies get?
Expect a damp nappy that is saturated all the way through all the layers, with a small dry patch at the back. Aim for the nappy being 80 - 90% visibly damp.
After a few wees the nappy/boosters will be visibly wet but not so wet that it needs to be changed. A cloth nappy can hold enough wees for a two to three hour period before being changed. As long as there is no leaking (wet clothes) the nappy is doing it`s job. No dry patches indicates a nappy that needs another booster or it’s been on too long. Around three weeks old babies start to wee more. This when you start to add boosters day and night.
Fix leaks here.
Is bum cream needed?
Rashes are few and far between when using cloth nappies. No bum cream is needed at all. Use cloth safe bum cream (creams that are free of zinc as this clogs nappy pores) or coconut oil if desired. Avoid Vaseline or wax type creams as they clog the nappy and fleece liner pores. Always use a fleece liner if these creams are needed (sometimes during teething) as this protects the nappy.
Troubleshoot a rash here.
Why opt for cloth wipes to clean baby?
Almost all store bought wet wipes contain chemicals, often cause a bright red rash between the cheeks that mirrors the wipe and they do not clean very effectively. Don`t be fooled - even the ones that claim to be natural, arent. You need at least three or four or more to clean a bum. They are a single use, landfill item and you always get mess on your hands.
The Wipey reusables are super easy and very effective. They will continue to be used even when baby is potty trained. You will never use a store bought one ever again!
Is washing a lot more work?
Modern cloth nappies are easy to clean and wash these days. A machine rinse and a main wash is all they need.
Washing does not cost an arm and a leg and cannot compare to buying and throwing away disposables daily. On average, if you wash every two to three days, you will spend around fifty to ninety rand a month on electricity. It`s also more water wise for the planet. Buying the disposables is still using the water - in fact they use a ton more to manufacture compared to washing. Thirty six litres is used to make one disposable nappy.
Why are boosters so important?
Boosters are added from three weeks old as babies start to wee more and nappies get wetter. Without boosters, cloth nappies will leak. Add the booster in the nappy itself or in the nappy cover. We add or remove them as babies go through various stages of output. In winter, output increases so be prepared to add an extra booster for example.
My babies legs are lifted into the air with the bigger bum. Is this ok?
This is a very normal and common question for first time cloth nappy users as the comparison is the disposable nappy that is paper thin.
Newborns will lie at a slight angle due to the bigger bum. It is one hundred percent ok. Cloth diapers hold a baby's legs in the optimum position that actually aids healthy hip development, both by the bulk between the legs and also adding a lift of their spine. This encourages them to lie in a froggie type of position. When babies are in the womb they are all curled up. The hip ball and socket is not completely formed and only fixes around two years old. Sitting a small baby in a cloth diaper actually encourages them to hold their legs in a position where the hip ball sits in the socket, lessening the chance of hip dysplasia.
The more you use your nappies the more normal it is for you, so just keep using them. Babies grow into their them very quickly. Remember why you have opted for reusables. Don`t let a bigger bum cause any concern and try and not make the comparison to a single use plastics - there are absolutely no positives about using them.
Cloth nappies would not exist or be as popular as they are world wide if they were in any way negative for baby`s development or if they caused discomfort. It is more of a mindshift a new mom and Dad need to make as they become accustomed to something new. It is the right choice.
Read our blog post here that should settle any concerns
Does my baby get cold in a cloth nappy?
Babies in cloth can stay warm in cold weather despite having a wet nappy , primarily because cloth diapers are made of materials that retain warmth much better than disposable diapers. Cloth nappies are very comfortable. They may feel bigger and there can be tendency to assume it`s not as comfortable as a single use plastic but it`s important as a newbie to look past this and trust your decision.
Does baby need bigger clothes?
You do not need special clothes or bigger clothes. It`s more about fabric choice and style of what you buy. Opt for the stretch type legging pants (avoid denim or stiff type of pants as these do not do well with cloth bums). Elasticated shorts / pants / skirts / dresses work the best for warmer days. A dropped crotch type or harem pants style works well for cooler weather and is available in most shops.
Bottoms tend to get tighter slightly sooner so just be prepared to move to the next size clothing a few weeks earlier than if you were using plastics.
Opt for baby grows that clip under the crotch rather than ones that zip up from foot to neckline. Grab some Kiki vest extenders which will add another few months of wear to baby grows.
Where can I resell my used nappies?
Recoup a large portion of what you initially paid on our preloved nappy group. Cloth nappies are the gift that keep on giving provided you buy good quality. We advise you to stay away from "cheap" cloth nappies. Buy well, buy once.
Who can I chat to if I need help?
We are a message away at any point, via Whatsapp or email to help you. Get in touch.
