How many cloth nappies do I need?
It's one of the questions we hear most frequently, and while it might seem like a straightforward answer should suffice, the truth is, it depends on various factors related to your lifestyle, time availability, and dedication to the routine. This guide aims to assist you in determining the ideal quantity of reusable nappies based on your specific goals, for one child's use.
Before making your decision, consider the following factors:
- Your baby's age: Newborns typically require more nappies than older babies, especially if you plan to use cloth diapers from day one. In such cases, it's advisable to aim for the higher end of the spectrum, whether it's part-time, day use, or full-time cloth diapering.
- Washing routine flexibility: If you prefer having more time between laundry loads, it's recommended to purchase more nappies rather than fewer. This not only helps alleviate laundry stress but also extends the lifespan of the cloth nappies and inserts by reducing their frequency of use.
- Local climate: Take into account your climate conditions as they affect drying time. Humid or cold weather may require additional drying time, especially for our absorbent inserts and boosters made of multiple layers of cotton and bamboo. Our shells, crafted from PUL, dry relatively quickly on a clothesline. Having extra inserts in your rotation enables easy reuse of the shell by simply swapping out the inserts. We offer convenient sets of boosters and inserts tailored to different needs here.
- Nighttime use: Customer feedback suggests that having between 24-30 cloth nappies in rotation for full-time use is optimal, with many parents finding 30 to be the sweet spot for a stress-free experience.
- Daycare attendance: Always check with your child's daycare to ensure they accommodate your cloth diapering schedule. If you encounter any issues, consider exploring our sister brand Ecoriginals, offering plant-based, disposable, eco-nappies - certified plastic neutral and free of harmful chemicals. While cloth diapering remains the most eco-conscious choice, an eco-disposable option can be beneficial for daycare periods, maintaining a positive impact on the planet.
Many families start slow and use just one or two cloth nappies a day while at home. This approach lets you get familiar with using cloth nappies on your little one before investing in a full set. It’s a great approach and still diverts plenty of disposables from landfill. Some families have their heart set on using cloth nappies full time and will dive right in. We love this too! Often the decision to use cloth nappies full time is for economical or environmental reasons. Cloth nappies do end up more affordable in the long-run and they are far kinder on the environment. Learn more about the comparison of cloth vs disposable nappies here.
So, how many cloth nappies will you need?
These recommendations are an estimate for one child’s use and are based on doing a load of washing every second day. These numbers factor in a few extra nappies to get you through rainy days too (because sometimes your nappies might need a little extra drying time).
- 8 to 10 cloth nappies is enough for part-time use of 2-3 per day.
- 12 to 18 cloth nappies is enough for full-time day use of 4-6 per day.
- 24 to 30 cloth nappies is enough to use full time both day and night.
Buy in bulk and save
Did you know that we offer discounts when you order cloth nappies in bulk? It’s a great way to save a little extra money and reduce your environmental impact through shipping.
- Order 3+ and save 10%
- Order 6+ and save 20%
- Order 12+ and save 30%
Get started on your dream stash and build your own cloth nappy pack here or start your journey with one of our prearranged Cloth Nappy Bundles here.
Here’s a couple of lovely reviews from our first-time customers.
★★★★★
“My favourite MCN so far! This nappy is everything I had hoped for and more. The inserts are super absorbent even after just one wash and the PUL is soft and comfortable. Will definitely be buying more for my collection.”
- Emma
★★★★★
“I have purchased a few Aussie brands of cloth nappies and the quality of EcoNaps is by far the best! Plus they have the most adorable prints.”
- Jordan M
Shop The Blog
