So you want to know how to use cloth nappies overnight? Well, you are in the perfect place, Absolutley everything you need to know is right here.
Maybe you’re a mum of 3 or a first-time mum?
Looking to save money?
Looking to save the earth?
Does your baby react to disposable nappies?
Whatever your stories cloth nappies have a place to fit into everyone’s lives! Cloth nappies have saved us so much money and will keep saving us so much money!
Cloth nappies work day or night and are easy to manage! So today you are going to learn everything you need to know to clothe nappy at night…
With NO
- Leaks
- Explosions
- A soggy baby
- Bedsheets to wash
- Clothes to wash
In short, say goodbye to any midnight chaos and say hi to a solid sleep! (if your baby sleeps solidly…)
How Many Cloth Nappies Do You Need?
I am sure you are thinking right now… “how many cloth nappies am I going to need?”.
Well, that depends on how much washing you feel like doing. Or it can depend on how many you can afford!
The general rule of thumb can vary greatly depending on where you look! It is generally recommended to have 8-12ish nappies for part-time use, and 20 at least for full-time use.
The reason full-time is so high is due to the fact you want to have some wiggle room with your washing routine! Something important to note is babies 0-3 months can poo anywhere from 10-12 times a day easily!
In the period from 3-6 months that will decrease to maybe only using 6-8 nappies a day. Then by the time they are one to the time they learn to toilet it will generally be at 5-6 nappies a day!
So if you are starting from a newborn you will need a much bigger stash, keep that in mind!
Even if you only have two you can make that work for you until you build your collection to a point it is viable to use cloth all the time!
Day Use
Using cloth nappies during the day is a great option! You may be at home a lot in those early days so making your nappy washing routine a part of your day will require limited extra effort!
You can even use nappies when you are out and about if you invest in a wet bag! Wet bags keep in smell and any bits of the nappy you don’t want to get all over the place if you know what I mean!
Daytime is when you will generally go through the most nappies so even just using reusables during the day can be a great money saver.
Finding a good routine is what is so important with cloth nappy use, find that, and you’re in savings land…
Night Time Use
Now onto the stuff, you are here for! Nighttime use of cloth nappies… so the question is:
Can you leave a cloth nappy on overnight?
Of course, you can! Remember this when considering cloth, the same principles apply to both cloth and disposables in the fact you want your baby to be;
- Clean
- Dry
- Comfortable
- Leakproof
- And to put it bluntly, poo explosion proof too! (we don’t like destroying clothing in this house!)
If your baby is all of those things wearing whatever nappy you choose then you’re doing the right thing.
The important thing about night use is making sure your nappy has enough absorbency to ensure your baby is still like I said above clean, dry, and comfortable!
This is the great thing about pocket nappies in the one size that fits most (OSFM)! You can simply layer up the inserts to make them suit your baby and their needs super easily.
It is important to note that little girls and little boys sometimes need more absorbency in different areas. Girls generally need it at the back, and boys more towards the front!
Knowing this can help you plan accordingly!
What Type Of Nappy Is Best?
In my completely personal opinion, any cloth nappy that works well for you and your babe is the best cloth nappy there is!
But our personal favorite around here is the OSFM pocket nappies! I love them for plenty of reasons but I will just list a few!
- They are super reliable leak wise
- You can add or take away inserts based on your needs
- Size wise they are super custom and this makes them good in all situations
- They have less admin involved than shell nappies or tie-up fabric ones
- Easy to wash and dry quickly
- Huge range of fabrics to choose from
In the end, always go with what works best for you! But pocket nappies are my favorite by far and I would recommend the to anyone.
What Inserts Work The Best And Why?
Again a lot of your cloth nappy journey will be figuring out your preferences and what works best for you and your baby.
I have found the bamboo charcoal liners to be some of the best absorbency-wise also considering the thickness of the insert!
The reason I mention the thickness is at night to keep your baby dry you will generally want to use double inserts!
Now the thicker the inserts the bulkier the nappy becomes overnight! So having a thinner insert with the same if not better absorbency is a huge win!
That is why although microfiber is my second go-to, bamboo charcoal is by far my favorite. The other huge benefit of bamboo charcoal is no staining!
Do I Need Liners overnight?
Bio liners are a great idea as your baby’s poo starts to become more solid. In the beginning babies’ poo is completely water soluble so really you don’t need liners but you are welcome to use them.
Liners can be a great option for you individually but generally, I wouldn’t use them overnight. They will hold the poo slightly closer to babies body which could cause discomfort or rashes.
Night nappies for babies aren’t exactly enhanced by these but if you find they work for you or do more research and want to try them, then go for it!
Is It Worth The Investment?
Learning how to use cloth nappies overnight also means you need to know if it is going to be worth it. Reusable nappies cost individually quite a bit more than say a pack of nappies…
But is this cost worth it? Before we get into exactly how to use cloth nappies overnight let’s talk about investing in cloth nappies.
How Much Do A Set Of Nappies Cost?
Learning how to use cloth nappies overnight, also means educating yourself on costs and other information.
This can vary! Some nappies are as cheap as $10 some are as expensive as $20!
If we go off the basis of you spending around $15 on 25 nappies you will spend $375. Although this can feel like a really big cost up front it isn’t.
Those cloth nappies will last you your baby’s whole nappy experience and can even last through a whole other Child’s time too!
When you put that into perspective for a good quality nappy and a full-time set you will be looking at our $300-$500 for a set.
Do They Retain Their Value?
Cloth nappies 110% retain their value when taken care of properly. I guess that is like anything in life!
It only takes a quick search on the Facebook marketplace to conclude that cloth nappies hold their value well!
Buying secondhand can still be cheaper as people will sell big lots at a good price or sometimes a couple for pretty cheap!
New or almost unused cloth nappies hold their value so well, they will sell for the price of a brand new one in packaging!
Cloth nappies aren’t an investment you are going to lose out on when you consider the savings ($4900 by the time they are potty trained) and how much they hold their value.
How Many Nappies Do I Need And What Will It Cost?
Again to keep things clear and concise:
- Full-time use – 22+ nappies…
- Part-time use – 12+ nappies…
- Full-time cost – $330 approx
- Part-time cost – $180 approx
In Comparison To Disposables?
A single disposable costs around 0.70 cents. As said in my post Reusable Nappies Are The Best?;
“A singular disposable nappy costs an average of 0.70 cents. Not much eh? Now let’s times that by 7000… 0.70 x 7000= 4900.
$4900! There are a lot of things you can do with that sort of money…”
Comparing what you spend on disposables is important for realizing just how important reusable nappies can be for saving money!
A Visual…
Step By Step Set Up For Night Nappies
Learning how to use cloth nappies overnight is easy!
Step 1-
Choose your nappy wisely! Picking the right nappy is super crucial to having a good overnight experience.
If you have a nappy that leaks during the day or just doesn’t quite fit right. It is not the nappy for overnight!
Nappies you should pick:
- Ones that fit perfectly and comfortably
- Nappies you don’t find a leak during the day
- The ones with the best absorbency
As a side note pretty ones might make you feel better if your changing naps in the middle of the night.
Step 2 –
Prep the nappy!
Prepping the nappy properly is super important.
One you want to make sure you have got the nappy perfectly fitted to your baby and that no areas of the inner lining of the nappy are sticking out or could touch your bubs clothes.
You also really want to make sure your inserts fit perfectly as gaps at the front or back can cause leaks.
Step 3 –
Choose your first bedtime to put the nappy on…
Don’t just wack your nappy on at 7 pm hours before your baby goes to bed. Create a bedtime routine in the half an hour before they go down.
Put the nappy on when you do this routine. This ensures you are minimizing the time they are in at as you don’t want bub going to bed in a wet nappy.
Step 4 –
Change your baby overnight if they poo.
Mumma, I know how hard it is, you just don’t wanna get up. Your sleep deprived and a milk machine.
But it is so important for you to get up and change any pooie nappies or if the nappies feel wet and heavy you change them then too!
Bonus tip- You can have a towel and wipes all ready to go plus a bucket for your dirty nappies in your room at your bedside so you don’t have to go anywhere when bub is still in your room!
Step 5 –
If your baby is a heavy sleeper and there are no leaks, still change the nappy at the 10-12 hour mark at the LATEST!
Although they may not be leaking it is important to keep your baby dry and comfortable and to avoid nappy rash!
Follow these steps and you will know how to use cloth nappies overnight in no time.
Will Your Baby Be Comfortable?
So the question is… will your baby be comfortable?
Yep, they sure will! You must follow our step-by-step instructions and tips to ensure that your baby is comfortable!
If you choose the right nappies and put enough inserts in to ensure that there is plenty of absorbency for your babe there is no reason they should be uncomfortable.
Feeling the nappy will give you a really good idea pretty quickly of how wet your baby’s nappy is! For the first few nights change them a few times and figure out the feel of your nappies.
Wicking… Why Is It Important?
Wicking fabrics are designed to wick moisture away from your baby’s body. Doing this ensures your baby is as dry as possible.
This is super important, especially in a night nappy as wet nappies sitting against the baby’s skin can cause nappy rash and discomfort!
Especially as babies have such soft skin! Ensuring that your nappies aren’t causing your baby to become damp or irritated ensures you use the best possible nappies and have the best possible experience.
When learning how to use cloth nappies overnight this feature in your nappies is important.
Trial And Error
Another thing to consider is a period of trial and error. Allowing a week for you to practice and try different nappies and inserts out can be very valuable.
It will allow you time to know what the feel/weight of the nappy is when it is wet.
See if any of them leak or if the nappy doesn’t fit right with more than one liner in it.
The biggest thing with trial and error is to make sure you are using the best management plan possible to make life easy for you and make life easy for your baby!
Different Materials
There is a range of different materials used in cloth nappies.
Cloth nappies come in a variety of materials, each with its unique properties. The most common materials used in cloth nappies are cotton, bamboo, hemp, microfiber, and bamboo charcoal.
Cotton is a natural fiber that is absorbent, breathable, and soft. Bamboo is a natural fiber that is highly absorbent and has antibacterial properties.
Hemp is a natural fiber that is highly absorbent and durable. Microfiber is a synthetic material that is highly absorbent and quick drying. Each of these materials has unique properties that make it ideal for cloth nappies.
Without a doubt, Bamboo charcoal is our favorite!
Bamboo charcoal is a great material to use in cloth nappies. It is highly absorbent and helps to keep babies dry.
It is also naturally antibacterial, which helps to reduce the risk of diaper rash and other skin irritations. Bamboo charcoal is also incredibly lightweight and breathable, which helps to keep babies comfortable. This is such an important feature as a mum wants her baby to be as comfortable as possible.
Additionally, bamboo charcoal is environmentally friendly and a renewable resource, making it a great choice for sustainable living. All of these qualities make bamboo charcoal an ideal material for cloth nappies.
Learning how to use cloth nappies overnight means arming yourself with all the knowledge needed to get the best out of the experience.
Use Your Day Time Knowledge
Again this is an important tip.
If it doesn’t work during the day.
It isn’t going to work at night!
Give yourself Time
Learning how to use cloth nappies overnight isn’t easy, it involves learning to figure out what works best for you and your baby!
It is so important to remember that and give yourself time to get it right.
Make the time to learn when you haven’t got other things going on so a little extra washing won’t matter too much!
Using Cloth Nappies When Away From Home
I wanted to add this bonus section just explaining how you can use cloth nappies easily not just when you are at home!
Wet Bag
Wet bags are amazing, keep the dirty nappies, smells, and messes away, and are easily washable!
Plus they come with a strap with a popper on the end so you can put them anywhere!
What more could you want?
These are essential tools for anyone wanting to cloth nappy out and about!
Ours is a Little Genie one and we love it!
Check With The Person You Are Staying With…
Sometimes if you are staying in someone’s home, just checking that they are ok with you using their washing machine to wash can be polite and considerate.
If they say no or you aren’t comfortable, you can always hand wash or head to a laundromat.
Or you can pack enough nappies to last the time you are there and wash them when you get home!
Pack Pre Stuffed Nappies
Make sure you stuff your nappies in advance so you are perfectly prepared, it isn’t much fun changing baby when you are out and thinking there is a liner then having to hunt for it, and then finally stuff it!
You will know your baby best so pack exactly what they need and a little extra and always have some disposables on hand too just in case of emergency.
Have Nappy Bags
Another thing we swear by is nappy bags to pop your wipes in!
One nappy bag can hold heaps of wipes and anything else you need…
Another amazing purpose is if you don’t have a wet bag or it is full, you can always put spilled-on clothes or soiled nappies or clothes into a plastic nappy bag to take home!
This prevents a mess in other places which helps make life easier!
Trouble Shooting
Leaks
- Leaving them on too long
- Change more regularly
- Incorrect fit
- Research how to fit your specific nappy
Explosions
- Sometimes it just happens!
- Incorrect fit
- Research how to fit your specific nappy
Importance Of Correct Fit
The correct fit is crucial when it comes to using cloth nappies. Not only does it ensure that the nappy is comfortable for the baby, but it also helps prevent leaks and messes.
A nappy that is too loose can lead to leaks and a nappy that is too tight can cause discomfort and even skin irritation. It is important to choose the right size and adjust the nappy to fit the baby’s body properly.
Taking the time to ensure a correct fit will make for a much happier baby and a much easier clean-up for you!
Importance Of Comfort
Comfort is another crucial aspect to consider when using cloth nappies. The material used in the nappy should be soft and gentle on the baby’s skin.
A comfortable nappy ensures that the baby is not irritable and can sleep without waking all the time uncomfortable!
It also reduces the risk of rashes and other skin irritations. Therefore, it is essential to choose a cloth nappy that prioritizes comfort for the baby.
Each Baby Is Different
Remembering each baby is different and so is each mum is super important!
For us, our favorite cloth nappy is Little Genie! Here’s why:
- Really good price for quality
- Quality eco-friendly materials
- Has a brand story we love
- Has a range of useful gentle products
- They have a double leg flap technology to prevent leaks
- Made with Charcoal Bamboo
Take Aways…
Learning how to use cloth nappies is easy enough… This post has given you the complete tools you need to utilize cloth nappies in your households.
Using this advice is going to make sure you say goodbye to pesky midnight leaks and blowouts forever!
As you can see in this post cloth nappies can save you a large amount of money which in today’s world is nothing to be sneezed at!
Saving money and minimizing our output of waste even a little is worth the little bit of extra washing.
Now can you see why using cloth nappies full time can be so rewarding, plus for little ones with super sensitive skin it can be a godsend!
Today we have covered in depth how you can get the best from your cloth nappies overnight whilst answering the question… can I leave a cloth nappy on overnight?
The answer is of course you can! Working for a few days and nights to find the perfect cloth nappy routine for your and your baby is valuable and will be a huge help in your cloth nappy journey!
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