If you are feeling fed up and frustrated with wet baby grows, bed sheets and broken sleep for both baby and parent then swapping to cloth nappies might just be the solution you're looking for.
Particularly when babies are getting to that age where they are sleeping for much longer periods at night - and they might just sleep all the way through... if they hadn't been woken up due to feeling wet and uncomfortable.
Some babies are just heavier wetters and there may come a time when disposable nappies won’t cut it anymore. We regularly have parent reaching out who have even resorted to doubling up disposable nappies for overnight with no success and they are ready to swap to cloth.
So here is everything you need to know about switching to cloth nappies at night time.
It’s much easier than you think!
Night time cloth nappies are a two-part system: A fitted nappy underneath with a waterproof cover on top.
1. An absorbent fitted cloth nappy underneath - this is what absorbs all the pee. It comes in a variety of materials like hemp, cotton and bamboo.
Sizing: Fitted nappies are sized based on the babies weight, or generally in three sizes, which are broadly small, medium and large but can be described as any of the following:
- first size / newborn / size 1
- one size / size 2 / One Size / BTP
- junior / size 3.
Nappys will have a weight indication range, if your baby is already more than half way through a weight range, opt for the next size range up. Sizing up is similar to boosting the smaller size nappy.
2. Paired with a waterproof nappy cover or wrap on the top - this keeps the babies clothes dry.
Sizing: Nappy warps and covers are similarly sized to fitted nappies, if you are using a size 2 fitted nappy then opt for a size up in the wrap, size 3 - its easy to get a good fit when including nappy boosters.
To use cloth nappies every night, wash every 2-3 days and give yourself a day of drying time you will need 5 fitted nappies and 4 covers. You can manage with less covers because they will be dry the same day they come out of the washing machine.
Before first use
When your lovely new fluffy cloth nappies arrive, you may be keen to get started so everyone can get back to great sleep, however they need to be pre-washed a number of times before the first use.
Just like when you buy a new towel or tea towel, it is generally useless at absorbing any water until it has been through the washing machine a few times. Its the same with cloth nappies.
Ideally wash them 2-3 times before you use them, but bare in mind that for some material like Hemp, max absorbency isn't reached until they have been washed 8-10 times. So the first time you use them - they are at their lowest ever absorbency, they will only improve as the weeks go by.
They can be washed in your regular wash with other items - but do not add any fabric softener. Fabric softener can build up in nappies and prevent absorbency, its best to avoid it.
Size up in night clothes
Babies who wear cloth nappies have a bigger bum due to the extra cloth nappy bulk. Night time nappies are the most absorbent as they are designed to be on for 12 + hours so they are particularly bulky. You will need to size up in clothes - particularly vests.
If you are moving from disposables to nighttime nappies for the first time, then they can seem huge - however babies are not meant to be active at nighttime so the extra bulk doesn't really matter. In fact sometimes if helps to keep them in one place and they have a better night sleep!
For nighttime use, using a vest and baby grow that is 1-2 sizes bigger with plenty of extra length is ideal. If your baby is out of baby grows and into two part pyjamas, opt for stretchy material like ribbed cotton on the bottom in 1-2 sizes bigger.
Or you can use this clever little accessory called a "Vest Extender" which will give you an extra 2-3 inches in a baby vest.
Increasing Absorbency
The last thing you will need to use cloth nappies at night time are some extra absorbent parts - these are referred to as "boosters" or "inserts". The terms are generally interchangeable, it just refers to an extra piece of absorbent material that you can add into your night time nappy to hold more pee.
This is baby specific - for some babies the fitted nappy as it comes will be sufficient for the level of peeing output overnight and for other babies several extra boosters will need to be added into the nappy. Its a case of trial and error to see what suits. You can always over-boost, so add an extra insert and if its mostly dry the next day, try the nappy the next night without the booster.
Often babies who continue to feed several times overnight will be the heaviest wetters - so this can cover a range from 5 months - 14 months or longer.
Boosters can come in a variety of different material - hemp boosters are used at the back or furthest away from the baby, you can add them outside a fitted nappy between the nappy and the wrap. Bamboo or cotton boosters can be used closer to the baby, often inside the fitted nappy. If you need any help selecting boosters to pair with your night time nappy we are happy to guide you.
Nappies will be wet in the morning but should not be completely soaked through.
Shop Night Nappies here
Now finally... your ready to have a peaceful night of sleep!
