Cloth Nappy Brand Index. And Which Are The Best.
The world of cloth nappies can be an overwhelming on when your starting out. The first thing to confuse you is just how many brands and types there are to choose from. To help I’ve complied a list of Cloth Nappy Brands for you to browse through. It’s by no means an exhausted list of every brands ever but all are brands I have come across and trust, whether because I’ve used them myself or I have heard good reviews on them.
Below that I’ve created categories to help you narrow down which brands you might like to buy from.
A-Z of Cloth Nappy Brands.
Alva Baby.
Apple Cheeks.
Baba and Boo.
Bambino Mio.
Bare and Boho.
Beaming Baby.
Bumgenius.
Charlie Banana.
Close Pop In.
Disana.
Easy Peasy.
Ella’s House.
Fiyyah.
Grovia.
Little Lambs.
Modern Cloth Nappies.
Motherease.
Petit Crown.
Petit Lulu.
Smart Bottoms.
Tickle Tots.
Tots Bots.
Thirsties.
Top Picks of….
Pocket Nappies.
If your unsure where the start Baba and Boo are probably your best bet. I don’t know anyone that doesn’t like them and their a good ethical UK (if your in the UK) based business to buy from. All of their nappies are pocket nappies. This means you can take the insert out of the nappy shell, helping it to dry quicker. They have a double gusset to stop leaks, a soft fleece lining and the prettiest of prints.
All In One Nappies.
The wizard uno all-in-one nappy has been a long time favorite for me. Spoiled by one reason, their on the small size and no longer fit my daughter, though she is only just two. They are also one of the more expensive nappies. However for a small baby I loved them so much, slim fitting, quick drying, very easy to fit and easy to boost. Up until now they would have been my top pick, Mother ease just need to find a way of making them wider.
I have heard mixed reviews on the Tots Bots easy fit nappy but for us I’ve always found them to be reliable. I particularly liked them when my daughter was small, when many nappies left sock marks on her, a red mark where the elastic sit (like you get with socks) these aren’t a problem but I really disliked it on perfect newborn skin. The easy fit nappy has a very soft elastic and never marked. I would recommend their newborn size nappies for this reason too.
Like they say on the tin they are easy to fit, very similar to disposables which is why they are a good choice to send to childcare settings. The velcro on all Tots Bots nappies also lasts really well and it still going strong two years on, some of my other velcro has not faired as well.
My only tip for these nappies is to make sure the elastic is tucked in. The inside layer can be prone to sliding out if not tucked in which could lead to leaks. Once you realise this though it’s really not a problem.
All in Two Nappies.
Though I myself do not use all-in-two nappy that often Bare and Boho get a mention here for their popularity and good ethics. All-in-twos are a good way to get the most value from a nappy, by buy extra inserts and using the nappy cover (providing it is not soiled) serval times thought the day. I found this great when my daughter was smaller and I changed her on the nappy table, easily adding a new insert in but harder as she became more mobile, opting for all-in-ones as my preferred, this however is a totally personal choice and you may find a system that works perfectly for you. It is certainly not a reason to discount all-in-twos.
Plus Bare and Boho have the most desirable prints.
Two PArt System.
I’ve tested serval fitted nappies in my quest for the perfect night time conbination. The one I always come back to is the Tots Bots Bamboozle. I actually brought 3 pre-loved, their still in great condition now. They come with an extra insert that are nice and slim. The nappy itself is slim, although wide (I tuck in the sides so this isn’t a problem). The velcro has lasted well and unlike most fitted nappies they are BTP so the size can be adjusted meaning you don’t have to keep investing.
Made from bamboo they are very absorbent. The perfect night nappy in my opinion.
Nappy Wraps/Covers.
This was an absolute game changed when it came to night times for us. We had endless leaks, it seemed the more absorbency we added the more we seemed to struggle with the fit and end up with leaks again. The Airflow solved this with its clever loose design. The only con I would say is that it is not a Birth to Potty so you need to buy more sizes as your baby grows and they do have delicate seems, meaning some of ours look a little tatty now, though it doesn’t seem to have effected it use. Make sure you turn down the spin on your washing machine to under 1000 to help prevent this.
I just wish I had discovered this and been brave enough to use wool when my daughter was smaller. I brought one secondhand to try and did like it but I got the measurement wrong so it didn’t fit for long. By then I had enough other nappies that I couldn’t justify wool and was scared we would get leaks trying. If I have another baby though, it will be all about the wool. Cons are you have to re-lanolize it every now and again but don’t have to wash when everyday, just air them out. You also have to buy bigger sizes as your child grows.
However for comfort wool is up there with the top. Cool in summer, warm in winter, no tight elastic, it’s truly perfect for night time use.
I’ve always loved a Petit Lulu Pull Up for night time. They are the softest fleece for comfort. I used to use them a lot to when my daughter was small and in the sling for a long time. I would need a nappy that would not leak but also be super comfy where the sling pressed. Other nappies would often cause red sock marks where the elastic sat, as I’ve said before this isn’t a problem but would wonder how comfy it was over a period of time. Therefore a fitted nappy and a Petit Lulu was the perfect combo.
Top UK Based COmpanies.
Started by the lovely Eve, who not only promotes cloth nappies in the community but has grown a huge online community too. From a facebook page to a personal newsletter and blog this UK based business is defiantly one to watch.
Another family run business, husband and wide team based in Scotland. Like many cloth nappy business Tots Bots started with a parent trying to find something that worked for real parents. And that is something I am always happy to support.
Based in Northamptonshire Bambino Mio is probably the most mainstream cloth nappy brand in the UK, mainly because a number of big supermarkets stock them. It’s worth looking out for Aldi’s Baby and Toddler Event which routinely stocks Mio Solos at a fraction of the cost. These are great nappies for getting started. Often poo pooed to seasoned cloth nappy users because they are made from micro fiber (a less absorbent fabric), we never had a problem with this, only starting to boost them around age 2. I think their all-in-one Mio solo is a must in anyones stash, as they are quick drying, most like a disposable, good for sending to childcare and have wonderful prints.
It also worth noting they are sell an amazing changing bag. It is designed for cloth nappy users but would work for anyone needing a backpack. I wouldn’t be without mine.
Another Mum at her kitchen table in Shropshire, wanting something better for her children started this ever growing company. Though these nappies are made in China Tickle Tots explain that this is the most eco-friendly and viable way for them to produce their nappies. Using materials produced locally to the factory.
The best ethical brands for cloth nappies.
This is quiet often a difficult on to tell how ethical any brand is. Of course by choosing to cloth nappy your child your already making a huge ethical choice. I’ve said many times that I would never judge or tell parents where to buy their nappies from, it all comes down to what works for you and your budget. BUT the more I learn about the impact our choices have on the planet, the more I want to make the MOST ethical choice. Just like with fast fashion and where your clothes come from there will always be more sustainable brands and some that, well just aren’t all the eco-friendly at all.
I think when it comes to eco-products like nappies it is easy to forget that eco-friendly doesn’t always mean ethically made. The way something is made has impact on the planet to, just as much as where a products ends up.
It’s not something I want you to become overwhelmed with but something to think about when choosing which brands to go with.
But how can I tell if a brand is ethical?
Well it’s not all that easy. Basically the more transparent they are the better. Look on their website. Do they say where the material came from, what the materials even are? Do the explain where the factories are and who is making their clothes? If the answer is no then the chances are they aren’t all the ethical. Even if there is a lot a jargon about “striving for a sustainable future.”
To make it easier for you I’ve complained my index of favorite ethical brands for you to choose from. None as necessarily more expensive but all are wonderful quality and brands I feel are worth supporting.
Members of the Global Ethical Supplier Platform “Sedex” who perform annual ethics audits of companies. Bare and Boho provide a list of all their factories in Australia and China and are transparent about their practices.
Depending on how you feel about wool if your vegan, I think this is still one of the most sustainable companies and ways to cloth nappy your baby. Disana wool is all from Europe, is all organic, so the animals are treated well, the covers need less washing, and it is all compostable back to the earth.
The company themselves have the highest standards when it comes to ethics. One of the founding members of the International Association of Natural Textiles (IVN) and stick to guidelines of FULL transparency. Actually this company is not just great for nappies their clothing range is second to none. I loved nothing more than dressing my small baby is wool dungarees though the winter.
Nappy that use natural materials.
If you want to go truly organic, no plastics involves, even in the water proofing, there’s one way to go and that’s with wool. Disana not only want wool covers (which naturally repel water) they also make a nappy wrap. This system is particularly good for night time because you can boost as much as you need, it’s comfortable and breathable for baby. Wool covers also save on washing. Yep that’s right you don’t have to wash wool covers after every use, as they are natural antibacterial and just need to be aired.
Opting for bamboo or cotton.
Although the outer, waterproof part of most nappies is going to be made of man made fibers opting for natural fibers for you inserts is a better option for the planet, especially if organic. As we all know cotton is not always a sustainably grown product. Bamboo however it’s grown however is a great option as it is fast grow, doesn’t take a much water and as it happens is a great thirsty material for nappies. As is hemp, probably the most thirsty material for a nappy, taking up very little space to grow and produces more pulp per acre that trees.
These things may seem like small choices but every time you make a sustainable choice it add up to helping another human on the planet live better and helps our environment too.
Hannah xx
Other articles you might enjoy…
Modern Cloth Nappies. A Simple Illustrated Guide.
Navigating The Pre-loved Cloth Nappy Market.
The Cost of Reusable vs Disposable Nappies.
Reusable Cloth Nappy Starter Checklist.
5 Eco-Bloggers Reveal Their Top Cloth Nappy Tips.
How To Be An Eco-friendly Mum.
A Day in the Life of a Cloth Bum Mum.
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