How Many Reusable Nappies?

The number of cloth nappies you need does depend on the washable cloth nappy system you use and the frequency at which you wish to wash.  You will generally get through 8-10 nappies per day for a newborn baby changing every 3-4 hours (and always after a poo) and around 5-6 nappies for a weaned baby who is sleeping through the night.

Two piece washable cloth nappies

With 2 piece reusable nappies (e.g. Tots Bots Bamboozles, Motherease One Size) the absorbent nappy is changed at each nappy change - but unless soiled or excessively wet the nappy wrap (e.g. Motherease Rikki) can be reused for several changes.  A good guide to the number required is:

Newborn baby (until sleeping fully through the night)

- 24 nappies & 4-6 outer wraps - washing every other day
- 16 nappies & 3-4 outer wraps - washing every day

Weaned baby

- 15 nappies & 3-4 outer wraps - washing every other day
- 10 nappies & 2-3 outer wraps - washing every day

If sized nappies are used it is likely that one newborn set of nappies plus one (or sometimes two) sets of weaned baby nappies will be required (a total of 2-3 sets of nappies). If one size/birth to potty nappies are used one newborn set of nappies (or if starting cloth nappies later one set of weaned baby nappies) should be sufficient.

Pocket/stuffable nappies or all in ones

For pocket and AIO washable nappies (e.g. BumGenius, Wonderoo) you will need to change the whole nappy at each change. The recommendation for numbers required is:

Newborn baby (until sleeping fully through the night)

- 24 nappies - washing every other day
- 16 nappies - washing every day

Weaned baby

- 15 nappies - washing every other day
- 10 nappies - washing every day

If sized pocket nappies are used it is likely that one newborn set of nappies plus one or two sets of weaned baby nappies will be required (a total of 2-3 sets of nappies). If one size/birth to potty pocket nappies are used one newborn set of nappies (or if starting cloth nappies later one set of weaned baby nappies) should be sufficient.

All in Two or Snap in One nappies

For these types of reusable nappies (e.g. Itti Bitti D’Lish) it is possible to remove the nappy inserts and if not soiled or excessively wet, reuse the outer shell poppering in fresh inserts as required. Allowing for 2-4 sets of inserts per nappy the total number of nappies is:

Newborn baby (until sleeping fully through the night)

- 24 sets of inserts & 6-12 outer shells - washing every other day
- 16 sets of inserts  & 4-8 outer shells - washing every day

Weaned baby

- 15 sets of inserts & 4-7 outer shells - washing every other day
- 10 sets of inserts & 3-5 outer shells - washing every day

Using sizes All in Two nappies it is likely that one newborn set of nappies plus two sets of weaned baby nappies will be required (a total of 3 sets of nappies). 

Additional boosters can be purchased to increase the absorbency of each nappy type for overnight use and for heavy wetters.  It is also possible to mix and match different types of nappy to suit your circumstances.  Please contact us for advice.