All about the different nappies and wraps
In this section I give you some information about the most popular nappies, etc, that I sell.
I also sell many others that I have not been able to list here, so please do ask if you are looking for something else.
Two part system: nappies and wraps
Two-part system: Nappies
Tots Bots - Original & Organic Cotton Tots
Made
from top quality white fluffy cotton terry towelling, this
nappy is very absorbent and brilliant for containment, but quite bulky and
takes a relatively long time to dry. It has a booster flap poppered in at the
front which can be folded more to the front for a boy or to the middle/back
for a girl, to increase absorbency where you need it most but without making
the whole nappy more bulky, and it speeds up the drying time. The elastic around
the leg openings and waist is snug but still soft. Available with either Aplix
fastening (like Velcro but better) or left bare to use with a nappi nippa.
- size 1 fits up to around 18lbs, perhaps a bit less depending on the build of your baby
- size 2 fits from around 15lbs up to around 35lbs
- size
3 fits larger babies from around 30lbs upwards
Most babies will only need the first 2 sizes. The size 2 non-Aplix nappy can be used as a "birth-to-potty" nappy by folding the front down and fastening with a nappi nippa, although this will be very bulky on a small baby. However, if you start using cloth nappies when your baby is more than a couple of months old (or if you have a big baby) this is a very economical option.
Also available in unbleached Organic Cotton.
Bamboozle
Similar
to the cotton Tots Bots nappy, but made from a
luxuriously soft bamboo terry, which is eco-friendly and has natural
antibacterial properties. It is much slimmer than the cotton
version, but is still great on absorbency and containment. The main downside to this nappy is that it takes a long time
to dry - in my experience it takes longer than the unbleached cotton
version, despite the claims that it is quicker drying than cotton.
I would therefore not recommend it as a full-time option for
those without a tumble drier - it is fine to have a few though, as long
as you have some others to use while the bamboozles are drying! The nappies can be tumble dried on low heat, but the fabric
is prone to scorching at higher heat levels or if you tumble them for
too long.
Bamboozles come
in Aplix and a "birth-to-potty" popper version (this adjusts
in the same way as described below for the Motherease Onesize). 
They come in a gorgeous range of colours: aqua, lilac, green, yellow and orange, plus the lovely creamy unbleached.
Fluffle
Made
from a thick polyester microfibre, this is the quickest drying
nappy I have found (it feels almost dry when it comes out of the
machine!), whilst still being very absorbent. Slightly different
from the other Tots Bots nappies, it has a sewn-in fleece liner which
forms a pocket (useful for putting in extra absorbency, eg
for heavy-wetters at nighttime) and the booster attaches with poppers
so it is removable for times when you might want a slimmer, less
absorbent nappy. Lovely and soft (even after repeated washing),
excellent for containment, but not the slimmest of nappies! In
theory the size 2 can be folded down and used as a birth-to-potty nappy
but, in my opinion, this would be way too bulky on a newborn baby. Best used with a nappy nippa; it also comes in a popper version and aplix. This nappy has now been discontinued... A good alternative is the Bambinex Teddy.
Flexitots
The new nappy from Tots Bots - their stretchiest and softest ever! Featuring ActiveFlex technology for superior fit and comfort, and the containment you would expect from a Tots Bots nappy. The ultra absorbent microfibre core holds twice as much liquid as cotton. This is topped with an unbelievably soft bamboo velour soaker for yet more absorbency, which will stay softer than bamboo terry after repeated washing - this is the layer that is next to your baby. Yet it still remains a relatively slim fitting nappy. There is an additional bamboo velour booster that poppers in/out so you can customise the absorbency to suit your baby and the circumstances. This will make a good nighttime nappy for many babies. It is quicker drying than the Bamboozle and other bamboo nappies (but not as quick as synthetic nappies like the Fluffle or Teddy).
Motherease/Popolini - Onesize
A very popular birth-to-potty
nappy, these nappies fit from approx. 8 - 35lb, depending on the build of
your
baby. The height (rise) of the nappy is reduced by folding down the
front and
the width is adjusted by bringing in the sides and overlapping at the
front. The waist
and legs are gently
elasticated to give a good fit and it fastens with poppers.
It is made from 85% cotton terry towelling (with 15% polyester in the outer weave to reduce shrinkage and increase durability and softness). The (optional) snap-in boosters simply popper in to the front of the nappies to increase their absorbency - they are approx. 14cm x 35cm.
There is a choice of standard or organic cotton version. Motherease also make a stay-dry version, which has a polyester lining and so avoids the need for a separate fleece liner, and a bamboo version.
Another nappy that is similar (if not the same!) is the One Life.
Other favourite two-part nappies are the Minki Huggle (good absorbency for nighttime), the Bimble (for newborns), and the Bumble. These are all fleece-lined and easily stuffed if you need more absorbency.
Two-part system: Wraps
Motherease Rikki and Airflow
One of the most popular makes and very reliable, the Motherease Rikki and Airflow wraps are made from a soft polyester with a polyurethane laminate (PUL) waterproof lining. Machine washable at 60ºC max, and can be tumble dried on cool, though there is generally no need as they dry very quickly on an airer. I generally stock White and a selection of the Eco-Theme prints (Oceans, Wetlands and Savannah).
The Rikki has Aplix hook and loop fastening (like Velcro). It has leg gussets and gently elasticated legs and waist for a snug and hopefully leakproof fit. This wrap is slim-fitting and will fit well over virtually every nappy.
Generally 3 sizes will do (in fact large babies could even start in the Medium). Approximate weight guidelines are: Small 6-12lb, Medium 10-20lb, Large 20-35lb (there is also an XSmall and an XLarge available).
The Airflow is popper fastening, with a choice of 3 settings at the waist and legs, and a unique ‘air flow’ pocket across the front of the wrap, making it more breathable. Again it has gently elasticated legs and waist for a snug and hopefully leakproof fit, but it does not have gussetted legs. The lack of Aplix makes it softer across the tummy area and the shape is baggier than the Rikki. It can be used over all shaped nappies, but not prefolds, and is especially good for use over folded and nippa'd/pinned terry squares and bulkier nappies.
Approximate weight guidelines are: Small 6-12lb, Medium 10-20lb, Large 20-35lb (there are also M/L - for slimmer/taller babies - and an XLarge available). The Airflow wraps are bigger than the Rikki of the same size.
Tots Bots PUL
The design of Tots PUL wraps has now been changed (again, from May 2008). Available in white or a choice of 5 funky coloured prints (those pictured, plus a green with white stars), they are made from a soft stretchy polyester, and a soft wick-resistant binding around the edges. The leg gussets have been taken out to make a slimmer fitting wrap than the previous version (picture shows previous version, waiting for new images...). They are Aplix fastening and have crossover tabs to cover a good range of shapes/weights.
Approximate size guidelines are: Size 1 10-20lbs, Size 2 20-35lbs (smaller & bigger sizes also available, please ask for details). They tend to come up quite large, so if in doubt I would not recommend buying the next size up!
Blueberry Minky wraps
Made from the sumptuous strokeable Minky fabric, these are a wrap for showing off! The Minky fabric is laminated with PUL and this is lined with a layer of polyester knit for a soft and smooth feel. They are
Aplix fastening, with colour coordinated Aplix, and have crossover tabs to cover a good range of
shapes/weights.
Approximate size guidelines are: Small 7-15lbs, Medium 15-30lbs, Large 30-40lbs - although there will be some overlap between the sizes and you need to take into account your baby's shape too. Please ask me if you are not sure.
Tots Bots fleece
Good for nighttime, these cuddly red fleece wraps work on a different principle to PUL wraps. They are not waterproof but allow a slow evaporation of moisture, letting the nappy breathe more, meaning that it will be less soggy in the morning than it would have been otherwise! Clothes might feel slightly damp but they should not be soaking wet (unless you do not have a sufficiently absorbent nappy, in which case the wee will pass through the wrap and onto the clothes). There is a double layer of fleece fabric in the centre panel for extra protection. They can sometimes be a bit smelly when you take them off, so are best washed after every use, or every other use - but just put them in with your normal wash load that day and they will be dry by the evening!
Generally not recommended for daytime use if your baby will be sitting up or in a car seat for a while, because "compression wicking" can occur (ie the moisture is squeezed out by all the weight of the baby on a concentrated area).
The size guidelines are: Size 1 10-20lbs, Size 2 20-35lbs, Size 3 35lbs+. However, I have found that these come up small and, especially if being used over a bulky nighttime nappy, you are likely to need the next size up a lot earlier, so if in doubt, buy larger!
Wool wraps
Wool works in a similar way to the fleece wraps, by letting the nappy breathe and the moisture evaporate. However, they do need to be lanolised every few weeks to keep them working properly. Unlike fleece, they do not need to be washed very often - just air them during the day and moisture will evaporate & smells disappear (when they don't, it's time to wash!)
There are many different wool wraps/pants available - you (or your Mum/Granny?) can even knit your own! I generally don't stock any but please do ask me if you want to discuss them. I particularly like the Popolini felted wool wrap as being very reliable and a good choice for nighttime, and I can easily order this one for you.
The pink stripey one is embroidered with her name and was a present from my good friend Annie :o) The middle one I knitted myself, from a Woolsoaker pattern. The blue stripey one is a Woolywrap.
Pocket Nappies
Fuzzi Bunz
This
nappy has a waterproof (laminated polyester) outer layer and a lovely soft
fleece inner - the two layers are sewn together with an opening left at the
back, forming a pocket. Absorbent material is placed into the pocket and the
nappy is put on as one piece (although you can still use paper liners if you
want to). Fuzzi Bunz are sold with their own 3-layer microterry insert.
Nice and slim and comes in lovely colours! It is a versatile nappy because you can easily vary the absorbency to suit your baby's needs and your own circumstances. The supplied inserts are not the most absorbent so most babies will probably need an additional booster - I would recommend a hemp or bamboo booster if you want to keep the nappy pretty slim, but prefolds, flannels, microfibre cloths, etc, would do too.
Approximate weight guidelines are: Small 7-16lb, Medium 13-25lb, Petite Toddler 18-30lbs, Large 22-35lb, (XSmall & bigger sizes available too).
Happy Heinys
These
pocket nappies come in a fantastic range of prints (laminated cotton - but these have now been discontinued)
and solid colours (laminated polyester). They work best with the
hemp inserts made by the same company (Heiny Stuffins), although microfibre inserts (plus
boosters if necessary) or indeed anything else absorbent, can also be used. The cotton version is not recommended
for nighttime or for very heavy wetters as they might wick (the fabric
around the legs starts to get wet).
With Aplix fastenings, these nappies are just like a disposable to put on so are very easy for childminders/nursery staff to use. The fleece inner layer keeps the moisture away from your baby and remains lovely and soft (again, you can use paper liners in addition if you want to). Designed so that the fleece rolls out and the elastic does not leave red marks around the legs.
Approximate weight guidelines are: Small 8-16lb, Medium 14-25lb, Large 23-35lb (bigger sizes available too). Please ask me for more info on rise & thigh measurements.
A
recent addition to the range is the Happy Heiny Onesize nappy - a birth-to-potty
version, where the rise (height, from front to back waistbands) is adjusted
via 4 sets of poppers on the outside at the front, giving 4 different settings, and the hook-and-loop at the waist has a wide range of adjustability.
It comes with a 2 part microfibre insert - use the small part when the nappy
is at its smallest setting and the two together for good absorbency at the
medium & large settings. Available in only the laminated polyester
fabrics (solid colours plus a black-and-white cow-hide print, peace bears and silly monkeys). Fantastic value compared to the sized version!
The Onesize are now available in Snaps fastening as well as hook-and-loop
Wonderoos
Wonderoos are a "birth-to-potty"
version of the pocket nappy. The rise (height, from front to
back waistbands) is adjusted via 2 sets of poppers on the outside at the front,
giving 3 different settings. The waistband has several poppers
and the side tabs can be overlapped for a good range of fit around the
tummy. They come in a great range of colours.
Although Wonderoos can be bought as just the outer shell for you to stuff with whatever you like, in my opinion they work best with the Wonder-full insert: either microterry or hemp - made up of a smaller 3-layer piece, to be used when the nappy is at its smallest setting, and a 3-layer larger piece - the larger piece can be used on its own, or the two can be poppered together for more absorbency, to make a suitable insert for the nappy at its largest and middle sizes. The microterry inserts are very absorbent and many people find this a good nappy for nights - the pocket is very roomy for you to stuff in extra absorbency as required.
Wonderoos recently came out top in a Which? consumer test (although it should be noted that none of the other good pocket nappies were tested...) Buy Wonderoos
Bumgenius V3 pocket nappies
Bumgenius
are a very popular and easy-to-use "birth-to-potty" pocket nappy. The rise is adjusted
via 3 sets of colour-coordinated poppers on the outside at the front, giving 3 different settings.
The fabric is lovely and soft, both inside and out. The waistband is secured
with velcro tabs, which overlap for a good range of fit, and has a unique stretchy
panel on each side for added comfort.
They come with their own microterry rectangular insert, which can be folded down when the nappy is on the smallest or medium settings. This insert is more absorbent than the Fuzzi Bunz microfibre insert. The new V3 also comes with an extra smaller insert, which can be used on its own for newborn babies and later as an additional booster. Once stuffed, this nappy is as close as you can get to a disposable nappy to put on, and is therefore perfect for child carers who might not be familiar with cloth nappies! For more details and rave reviews click here.
Available in white or the 4 signature Bumgenius colours - Twilight (blue), Grasshopper (green), Butternut (yellow), Blossom (pink).
All Bumgenius nappies come with a money-back satisfaction guarantee! Wash and use one nappy for up to 28 days and if you don't like it, for whatever reason, you can return all your nappies (as long as the others are unwashed and unused) for a full refund, minus actual shipping costs.
Buy Bumgenius V3 pocket nappies
Minki pocket nappies 
A fun but functional pocket nappy, Nappies by Minki are made in the Outer Hebrides from a range of colourful fleecy fabrics to show off! The pocket is very roomy so they make a good nighttime nappy because you can stuff them with as much absorbency as you need to get your little one through the night with no changes. They come in a Slinki or Standard fit and are multi-sized - please ask me for more details.
Blueberry nappies
Blueberry Minky nappies are the latest "must haves" of the nappy world - a fun "birth-to-potty"
pocket nappy. Very similar in shape and adjustability to a
Bumgenius pocket nappy, but made from a gorgeously strokeable
velour-like fabric in a fantastic range of prints and colours. They have
colour-co-ordinated snaps and the
hook-and-loop fastenings come in colours other than white so they blend in to the prints more than some others. The
tabs are harder for little fingers to undo than other velcro-fastening
nappies.
They come with a very absorbent microfibre/hemp combination insert, which has a clever loop adjustment to reduce the size when the nappy is on the smaller settings (not as bulky as just folding down the front).
Relatively expensive, but your baby deserves at least one of these in their nappy collection!
Also available is the Blueberry Deluxe (which has a laminated polyester outer in a range of colours and prints), and also in a sized Side Snaps version, which comes with a slightly different combination microfibre/hemp insert.
Econappi
Very similar on the outside to the Blueberry Deluxe Onesize pocket nappy, and available in the same range of colours/prints, this nappy has an super-soft organic cotton velour inner rather than polyester, so ideal for people who want the benefits of a birth-to-potty pocket nappy but with natural fibres next to their baby's skin. They come with an absorbent, yet quick-drying, cotton velour/hemp
combination insert, similar to the Bluberry Onesize insert, which reduces in size via a clever loop adjustment.
Available in popper or hook-and-loop fastenings. The popper version has 4 sets of complimentary-coloured poppers on both sides at both the waist and legs, giving a good range of adjustability.
All-in-one nappies
Bumgenius All-in-One
This nappy has a synthetic microfibre soaker core and a polyester stay-dry lining, neatly surrounded by a waterproof PUL outer layer and all stitched in together. As with all the Bumgenius nappies, fhe fabric is lovely and soft, both inside and out. The waistband is secured with velcro tabs, which overlap for a good range of fit, and has a unique stretchy panel on each side for added comfort. The nappy has good elastication at the waist at the back and around the leg cuffs to provide a snug but adjustable fit.
A great feature of this nappy, and an improvement on most other all-in-ones, is that it also has a covered opening at the back where you can add extra absorbency if required, eg overnight or if you have a heavy wetter. Something small and slim, such as a hemp booster would be ideal.
Drying time is, as with all All-In-Ones, fairly slow, but having a polyester core is quicker than most and due to the opening at the back it can be turned inside out part-way through to improve drying.
It comes in 4 sizes, but you will not necessarily need all of them: XSmall approx 6-12lbs, Small approx 9-15lbs, Medium approx 14-23lbs, Large 22-35lbs+. Available in white or the 4 original Bumgenius colours - Twilight (blue), Grasshopper (green), Butternut (yellow), Blossom (pink).
Buy Bumgenius All-in-One nappies
Bumgenius Organic Onesize
This nappy looks just like the Bumgenius V3 pocket nappy on the outside, and has the same 3 x 3 adjustment system to make it fit most babies from birth to around 2 years. The waistband is secured
with velcro tabs, which overlap for a good range of fit, and has a unique stretchy
panel on each side for added comfort.
But, in place of the pocket, on the inside there are 6 layers of absorbent Fairtrade Organic cotton, that fold neatly inside. The cotton layers are stiched to the outer cover at the front and back of the nappy but left open at the sides to allow air to circulate whilst drying, making it quicker than some other all-in-ones to dry (although it should be noted that this is not a quick-drying nappy!). It can be tumble-dried on medium heat.
This nappy is ideal for those who want the convenience of an all-in-one and the value of a birth-to-potty nappy, but prefer natural fibres next to their baby's skin. You might wish to use paper or washable liners to keep the moisture away from your baby's bottom.
All Bumgenius nappies come with a money-back satisfaction guarantee! Wash and use one nappy for up to 28 days and if you don't like it, for whatever reason, you can return all your nappies (as long as the others are unwashed and unused) for a full refund, minus actual shipping costs.
The Pop-in from Close Baby
The new Pop-In nappy is a unique hybrid nappy system - a cross between an all-in-one nappy and a two-part system! The inner soaker poppers inside the outer shell so that it comes apart for easy washing and drying and cleverly goes back together again ready to simply fasten around your baby.
The inner soaker is made from colour co-ordinated, soft, super-absorbent yet slim bamboo - it comes in two parts, which can be used either poppered together or with just one part for less bulk. The nappy can also be bought with a dri-night booster for extra absorbency, eg overnight or on long journeys. There are gussets at the legs to keep everything contained. The outer cover is a unique non-wicking PUL (waterproof) material that feels amazingly soft, like brushed cotton, and is available in five gorgeous unisex pastel colours - coconut (white), custard (yellow), pumpkin (orange - pictured left), pistachio (green) and duck egg (blue).
This is a birth-to-potty nappy; there are 3 sets of poppers on the front of the nappy to adjust the size setting for your baby (small, medium or large). The nappy fastens with stretchy aplix tabs for a snug and reliable fit at any age. This nappy is ideal for those who want an economical birth-to-potty nappy but prefer natural fibres next to their baby's skin. In my opinion this nappy is excellent value-for-money.
Buy Pop-in nappies
Extra pocket nappy inserts and boosters
Microfibre inserts
A rectangular pad made from three layers of a short-pile synthetic micro-terry fabric. They are reasonably quick-drying, but not terribly absorbent - OK for light to average wetters, but heavier wetters will need an additional booster. These are the inserts supplied with the Fuzzi Bunz nappies, but you can also buy them on their own, eg for use in Minkis.
Bamboo inserts
A rectangular pad made from three or four layers of a short-pile bamboo-terry fabric, which folds in half to fit into the nappy giving a total of six or eight layers of fabric. Soft, relatively slim and aborbent, they can either be used on their own or as boosters for nighttimes or heavy wetters.
Heiny hemp Stuffins
These come in two parts - a full-size hourglass-shaped insert and a small oval booster, giving a total a total of 7 layers of hemp fleece in the desired "wet zone" (at the front for a boy, in the middle/back for a girl) but without making the whole nappy bulky. You may put additional small ovals into the pocket for added protection in the wet zone if needed, eg at nighttime or for very heavy wetters.
Hemp is very thirsty and provides excellent absorbency whilst still being nice and slim. The main downside is that it takes a long time to dry and I would not recommend it as a full-time option for those without a tumble drier - best to have some other nappies/inserts to use while the hemp is drying!
Combination hemp/microfibre inserts
These are the inserts that come with the Blueberry pocket nappies. Slim but absorbent, they come is a One Size design or a sized version. The One Size folds cleverly in a loop system so that it has 2 layers of microfibre and 4 layers of hemp in the "wet zone" but opens out into a long rectangle of 2 layers that dries quickly, despite being partly hemp. The sized inserts fold in half giving a very thirsty combination of 3 layers of microfibre and 3 layers of hemp.
Hemp boosters
The small oval hemp boosters that come as part of the Stuffins can also be purchased separately. They are made from 3 layers of hemp and are useful for additional absorbency in any nappy system, without adding bulk.
Cotton or bamboo terry boosters
Made by Tots Bots, these boosters are 3 layers of unbleached cotton terry. They provide about the same aborbency as the hemp boosters but are longer and more bulky. Also now available in silky soft bamboo, which provides more absorbency.
Accessories
You
might also need: paper liners (flushable & biodegradeable), fleece
liners, nappy nippas, washable wipes, a bucket, mesh bag (goes in the
bucket, to make laundry easier), out-and-about wet nappy bag
(washable), vest extenders (to help clothes fit over bulkier nappies),
washable breast pads.