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What you will need - Real Nappies

Added 27th of July 2007

A quick cotton nappy shopping list

Essentials

16-20 real nappies

This depends on how you are going to dry your nappies, how fast drying they are and the capacity of your washing machine. I would say that a full load in my machine is about 12 nappies, so I need 12 plus enough to use while they are being washed and dried. Remember that you don't need to have a collection of nappies that are the same. May people have a small number of quicker drying ones, especally if your main nappies are slow to dry. If you are getting pocket nappies, check that they come with some inserts, as these are the absorbent part of the nappy. Sometimes they have to be bought separately

3-4 nappy wraps

You only need these with a two-part nappy system. These come in sizes. If you are using a shaped nappy, poo containment will be better, so 3 should be fine. Squares and prefolds don't always keep runny poo off the wrap, so you may need 4 or 5 before baby is on solids.

Nappy liners

Sometimes these are disposable and are either flushed down the loo or thrown away (read the pack carefully!) I personally like fleece ones, especially for weaned babies. These can be made cheaply and easily by cutting up polyester fleece material. I think 15 liners is enough. They dry very quickly. If your nappies are fleece lined, like many pocket nappies, you don't need an extra liner. Personally I would use paper liners if baby is doing messy poos (i.e. pre-weaning) as it helps to reduce staining.

Nappy bucket

I personally have 2 of these, so when one is full and getting a little wiffy, I store it near the washing machine (which is not in our kitchen!) Most people I think just have one.

Boosters

You will probably need these for increasing the absorbency at night once baby is about 6 months old. 4 should be enough.

Nappy nippas

These are a must if you are using fasten free nappies- much easier than traditional nappy pins. A pack of 3 would be enough.

Bamboozle nappy by Tots Bots. A 2-part nappy- so needs a cover. An hour glass shaped cotton booster Paper liner (check your brand to see if they are flushable)

A washable fleece liner A nappy bucket A poppered wrap by One-life.

Accessories to be considered

A water proof nappy bag: these are to put dirty cotton nappies in when you are out and about. I personally like zipped ones as they keep in odours. They can just be popped in the wash with the other nappies.

Nappy mesh for bucket: These are draw string mesh bags to line the bucket containing dirty nappies. They make transferring nappies into the washing machine a more pleasant experience! You need one per bucket.

Washable wipes: These are small pieces of material use to clean baby's bottom. You can buy them, or simply cut up an old towel. Becareful that they are not too small, as I have got one stuck in a washing machine before. They are just put in the nappy bucket and washed with everything else.

Lavendar or tea tree oil. I put a couple of drops of a sweet smelling oil in the bottom of my nappy bucket. These oils are anti-bacterial too.

A wetbag Mesh bags to line your nappy bucket. A changing bag. You can re-use an existing bag.

You don't need to buy all of these from the beginning, (infact I recommend that you don't until you have tried a few nappies out and are happy with your choice); this is just designed to be a rough guide. Don't forget, there is a glossary and an article titled Help, which nappy?! Which may help you further.