10 Tips for Using Cloth Nappies at Night

Today we’re chatting night nappies. Sometimes acknowledged as the “final frontier” for cloth nappying parents, choosing a nappy that lasts the distance can be daunting.

Please note: These tips apply to babies who are sleeping through the night. If your baby is still waking regularly for night feeds, it’s a good idea to change their nappy at the same time.

TIP 1

Always rinse the night nappy as soon as it comes off baby, to reduce the chance of the ammonia breaking down the fibres of your nappy.

TIP 2

Try to give bub their final feed of the night an hour before bed so they can wee some of it out and then be changed a final time. If your kids are anything like mine and feed to sleep (bottle or breast) this will be thoroughly impractical, but if they’re over the age of one and happy to have a drink before bed instead of in it, it might be worth a shot.

TIP 3

Use a fleece liner in your nappy to create a moisture barrier between the absorbent layers of the nappy and your baby’s skin.

TIP 4

If using a fitted nappy at night, try adding a booster to the outside of the nappy, before putting the cover on over top.

TIP 5

Some babies only require a small amount of extra absorbency, so before investing in more nappies for night time use, try just adding an extra booster or two inside your baby’s current day time nappy. This can work really well for babies who start sleeping through from a very young age.

TIP 6

If you used prefolds during the early months with your baby, these can now be used as boosters to turn your current stash into night nappies.

TIP 7

Ensure that all absorbent parts of the nappy are tucked inside the waterproof cover or shell. Anything sticking out will contribute to leaks and could even saturate their entire outfit and bed sheets. Night nappies can be rather large, so make sure the cover you use is sufficient to keep everything inside the waterproofing. If you need a super-sized cover for this purpose, our Cómodo Wrap+ is ideal.

TIP 8

Opt for natural fibres, such as bamboo, cotton or hemp, as these are much more absorbent than synthetic fabrics such as microfibre. Note: natural fibres are also far more susceptible to degradation from urine, so make sure you’re doing Tip 1.

TIP 9

If using flat cloth nappies, try using a prefold (folded in thirds) through the centre of the folded flat. This will create many layers more absorbency.

TIP 10

As a general rule, go for one layer of absorbency for every hour that your baby will be asleep. So 10 hours = 10 layers.

Night nappying is possible. It’s all about finding the right nappy (or combination of nappies!) for your baby. While there are many brands of reputable night nappies on the market, a particular brand may not suit your child. Be open to the idea that the first thing you try might not be perfect, and have another go.