I am so glad my girls are no longer in nappies. I mean, how many of those things can you get through in a day? In the interests of being helpful a few of the team thought they would share their choices with you in our very own nappy review.
Lottie
Pampers was our preferred choice with both girls. I’m not sure why I started buying them. Perhaps it is because when I was pregnant that was the brand I thought I should have. I stockpiled them during the pregnancy, buying a few here and there. I never had any problems with them and so continued buying them. I found they were super absorbent and always fitted the girls well. We didn’t really have any leaks other than when it was time for them to go up a size. I did try Huggies and really didn’t rate them. They always felt sort of inflexible and there were quite a few leaks so I didn’t make a repeat purchase. I also tried the organic Naty by NatureCare as Alice had such bad nappy rash and although they were good I couldn’t continue the spend.
Becky
When Leo was first born we used Pampers. I was so unaware of what else was about that they seemed like the straightforward option. I also liked the ‘pee line’ that would change when his nappy was getting a bit full. Although I changed him regularly this just let me know if he’d had any super wee’s in between. But I do agree with Lolly in that we had quite a few leakages with them, wether that was a flaw in the design or my new Mom shaky hands failing to fit them properly I’m not sure.
We did have a pack of Morrisons Little Big nappies at one point and I really didn’t like them. They seems stiff and they didn’t absorb much at all and he always seemed to feel quite wet.
We then moved on to the Tesco Loves Baby range. We’d always used their wipes as they were our local supermarket and we were forever running out so we thought we’d give the nappies a try and I was so impressed. They felt comfortable, the fit was good and they rarely leaked. They are also a great price. He no longer wears nappies in the daytime but he wears ‘pants’ at night still and we have stuk to the Tesco brand and been generally really pleased with them.
Lolly
Hector actually wears two different brands of nappies – Pampers at nursery and Waitrose own brand at home. Talk about having all the options.
If I’m honest though I really don’t rate the Pampers nappies – we’ve had more leakages with this brand than with Waitrose and they don’t seem to feel as sturdy or as well made as the latter. We landed on Waitrose’s own brand purely by chance after the Naty Nature nappies that I’d bought in bulk (schoolboy error) just didn’t fit Hector properly at all (they were all the wrong proportions). A quick dash to the local supermarket when Hector was only five days old and Ste had come home with a pack of Waitrose’s finest. We were so impressed with the quality, the super absorbency and the fit that we haven’t looked back and I don’t think that they’re priced too badly either.
I’d definitely use them next time round too.
What brands do you use and how have you found them? Does anyone prefer re-usable nappies and if so how have you found them?
Image by Little Beanies.
Aldi all the way! Very reasonable in price and really good nappies. We use their wipes too – £2.50 for a pack of 4!
Aldi all the way! We’ve used them since birth, very rarely have any leaks (normally only when we need to move up a size) and the price is amazing – 1.15 for 24 size 1s, 2.45 for 44 size 2s, 3.39 for 56 size 3s.
Aldi all the way! ? (had to make it three)
Completely agree Katie & Sophie. I don’t actually think I know anyone who uses a different brand anymore. Xx
Aldi here too, never had any leaks or problems with them and the wipes are great too. Their nappy bags are also nice and thick but they only sell them during their baby event.
Aldi nappies for us too! We started with pampers when Finlay was a newborn and they were fine, had a couple of leaks but only when needing to go up a size. Then someone recommended aldi to us and we haven’t looked back! We use their sensitive wipes too, and I don’t think the value for money can be beaten x
Wow so many Aldi fans! I bought pampers whilst pregnant and although I’ve tried a couple of others (those free ones you get in the new baby packs) I always find they leak. I bought a pack of waitrose own brand in a cost saving exercise but just didn’t find them to be as good as pampers. I also like how white they are ( does that make me a weirdo?? ??)
Waitrose nappies all the way! It’s my local supermarket so it makes sense, plus they’re very well priced against pampers (which I found to be no different). We don’t get leaks or nappy rash, and they’re even good overnight. We used the naty when he was first born because they were smaller, and he was unexpectedly tiny but they are a bit pricey for long term use!
Asda are our faves – £3.75 for 70 size 1 nappies and we haven’t had any leaks so far! ??
We started off with Aldi before my son’s legs were big enough but now use little lamb reusable nappies. Yes they are more bulky (so he mostly wears leggings and shorts, tighter trousers don’t stretch) but otherwise I’m really pleased to be using them. They don’t leak and we’re not sending nappies to landfill. We use them with cheeky wipes which have been brilliant
Aldi here too cannot now see past them. Started with pampers and when I switched really couldn’t tell the difference (other than price). I see now on their to ads pampers are comparing themselves to Aldi pretty telling I reckon. Had a stint with reusable but as we have no tumble drier it was too labour intensive would have probs kept it up if I had a drier. It’s a big investment and a lifestyle choice. We use cheeky wipes for weaning and dirty faces- love them. Lidl and sainsburys btw are the worst nappies I have found.
Aldi over here too! My son is now only in pull ups at night and I have to say that their Pull Up’s are by far the best we have tried. No leaking and very roomy and mega mega cheap! I have been stocking up on the first sizes for my impending arrival and I don’t think you can go wrong. Same with their wipes too x
Aldi by day, Pampers Baby Dry by night!
Haha we do the opposite!!
I stick with Pampers babydry. The only time we get leaks is if someone else has put the nappy on! I look out for offers and buy in bulk, especially like getting them boots so I can earn points towards my next make up splurge!
So far (10 weeks in) only tried pampers and asda. Love pampers they fit perfectly, feel nice and think we’ve only had a couple of leaks (I think this was more our error in not putting them on well enough though). Asda ones are a harder material and come up smaller despite saying they fit the same size as the pampers ones. Not had any leakages but haven’t used them overnight yet…
Heard lots of good things about Aldi ones but unfortunately there isn’t an Aldi near us!
Aldi here too! Wipes and nappies are excellent and the cheapest I’ve found. Love the pull ups too. It was mainly because Zachary was tiny their first size fitted him really well. I had bought terry towling ones with covers but they were too big for him when he arrived and never got round to using them. Anyone else feel guilty about using disposable ones?
I feel guilty about loads of things:
Using disposable nappies.
Not recycling stuff.
Having too long a shower.
Using to much gas/electricity.
Feeding the baby biscuits.
Not changing her nappy often enough.
Not putting her down for a nap cause I wan’t to stay out and look round the shops.
Not singing to her enough.
Using Amazon/Boots/Starbucks (Tax issues).
Not giving to the charity cold callers.
Spoon feeding instead of BLW.
Eating Nutella out of the jar.
Etc etc etc………
For a couple of seconds and then realise I’m doing the best job I can to keep us both happy and healthy in this short life ?
Glad we have matching lists….mine used to include guilty that when the baby slept I stayed in my PJS and watched netflix rather than getting dressed and cleaning the house ?
Used Naty for my first as I wanted to be all earth mother and he also had lots of nappy rash which seemed to get worse when we changed brands. Pampers at night though. With my second funds were a bit tighter and he didn’t have any nappy rash, so after using Naty for the first few months we swapped. Not I use Aldi (if I have time to go there) or Pampers. Not because I’m brand loyal but because I haven’t got time to think of another brand to use!
I use them all and honestly don’t notice much difference. Depends what supermarket I’m in! Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco brands have all been great. The only thing we cannot use is Huggies wipes, they gave my children nappy rash. But again I find the sensitive skin ones from any supermarket brands are great. Other than Morrisons – I find them too wet.
Aldi here too! I can’t always get to Aldi so sometimes Tesco. I find both good. Aldi are my favourite though. In fact I need to just start buying them in bulk from there.
I’m surprised there’s no one else flying the flag for cloth nappies! We’ve put cloth on our daughter and now son. Never a poo explosion and we save soooooo much (very big initial cost though). Lots of clog mummies do it to reduce waste, but for me, there’s nothing nicer than knowing baby has nothing but organic cotton next to their precious bums! 🙂
Hooray, finally someone speaking out for cloth!
I use cloth for exactly the same reasons as Elizabeth, plus the pretty factor. The environmental benefit is also huge – with a biweekly rubbish collection it was quickly apparent when my daughter was born that something needed to change.
I was horrified when I saw the toxic ‘ingredients’ of many mainstream brand nappies, so initially used Naty nappies, which worked really well for my daughter and still do as back up/holiday nappies.
From around 2months, we used cloth nappies full time and immediately realised that poo explosions were a thing of the past.
There are so many options with cloth and, like disposables, it’s best to try a few to get the right fit. There is an initial outlay, but many councils have schemes that contribute to the cost of investing in cloth, or there are nappy libraries and second hand nappies for the really cost conscious to help get established.
I know it sounds disgusting to some and/or hard work when being a mum’s already such a busy, exhausting job, but in reality for me it’s one additional load of washing every three days and I throw them into the washing machine, bag and all overnight and hang them on the line the next day. We use reusable cheeky wipes too – and only ever need 2 or 3 for the worst poos!
Oh, and I’ve never found the need to change more often than I would in a disposable either.
I’d love to see a proper post on here discussing the pros and cons of cloth as a mainstream alternative to disposables.
I’ve seriously been considering switching to reusable nappies. The 2 things that have me hesitating are the initial cost (though I know they are more cost effective in the long run) and the general confusion of where and how to start! Which sort do you use? How did you choose?
There’s no need to buy enough for 24/7 use at the outset, just take it bit by bit and see how you get on with them. A nappy library is great for early advice and to try a few options, although I didn’t take that route finding everything I needed to know on webpages like http://www.lizziesrealnappies.co.uk and http://www.thenappylady.co.uk which have loads of advice. There are many facebook groups as well, including selling groups if you want to find a bargain/some helpful tips. Do check whether your local council has an incentive scheme for cloth nappies too – if so, you could perhaps use that money to buy a few different nappies or a trial pack of nappies to see what you prefer.
I started off using Little Lamb size 1 nappies when my daughter was tiny – an organic bamboo inner for absorbency and a colourful wrap over the top to keep the wet in. I found them beautifully soft on my daughter’s bottom, but bulky, so went for a different brand when it came to get bigger ones at around 1yr old (you can instead get nappies that fit ‘from birth to potty’ so only one outlay, and that’s what i’ll be doing next time round).
I’ve been pretty lucky that all of the brands I’ve tried have worked well for us (apart from a couple of Tots Bots (v4s) which have lovely patterns but for us, leakage issues). My nappy stash now is made up of Bumgenius Elemental nappies for during the day, which are fab because they’re organic and almost as thin as a disposable nappy yet incredibly absorbent and very low faff, as they don’t need any pockets stuffed etc. It’s just a case of folding the inner lining, and popping it on the bum. I use a disposable liner to make removing poo much easier too – simply pop it all down the loo. The nursery staff at my daughter’s nursery get on with them fine too.
At night time, I use a Close Pop In nappy with a night booster. My daughter gets really excited about the designs and we’ve never had an issue with even the wettest nights – she’s now 2.5 so doing big wees!
In addition to nappies, you’ll want a bucket or wet bag (I prefer a wet bag and have a couple – one in use and a spare for use when the other’s in the wash) plus a small one for out and about. I just throw the nappy in there when it’s off the bum and every three days throw the whole bag in the wash. I’ve never soaked nappies.
You may also want some disposable liners, or stay dry liners, depending on the type of nappy you go for.
It does all seem a bit complex when you first start, but honestly you’ll be a pro in a week or so. Just give them a try and if they’re not for you, the resale prices are great!
Thanks so much for the reply – loads of information and really useful!
Aldi for us too, but with Pampers Activefit overnight, although we still often get leaks even with these! And Aldi for wipes too. Nursery use Naty ones, but I don’t actually like them that much. x
Heard loads of bad stuff about pampers recently and it’s always just been what I’ve bought… Have noticed they’ve gone really thin and my little girl currently has nappy rash which two babies in is new for me. All the girls at work seem to rate Aldi so am probably going to switch. Asda seems to get good reviews too from my friends.
I’ve noticed Pampers seem to be thinner too! What’s with that?
We generally use Pampers and they’re fine generally. I really rate the Aldi ones and think they’re better than Pampers but Aldi is such a bloody pain to get to from my house. I’m going to give Waitrose own a try as I love their wipes.
I would also really like to try re-usable because dirty nappies are so vile and we get through SO MANY and it scares me when I think about where they’re all ending up. But I’m equally scared of how much faff is involved. If anyone has used them, I’d love to hear about it!
I was lucky enough to be a product tester for newborn nappies when my twins were born which saved us a small fortune and gave us the opportunity to try lots of different nappies.
My favourites are aldi, asda and pampers. We’ve never had a problem with any of them and the asda and aldi ones are really good value.
The ones we didn’t like we’re Morrisons, the mother in law got the bum deal unfortunately as one of the girls pooped and it came straight out, down her leg and into her flip flops!
The boots ones my husband calls prison nappies! Really poor quality, felt horrible and didn’t hold anything in.
Sainsbury’s were pretty bad too. I turned up at a friends house (thankfully she’s a childminder and has therefore seen it all) with two babies covered in poop, it was up their backs and even down in the feel of their sleep suits.
We should have got you to write this post Sarah! Nappy product tester sounds ideal when you have two little bottoms! x
I recommend aldi too and their wipes. Asda were terrible and caused the worst allergic rash on my son after only a short time.
I tried Aldi as I read they were a good fit for boys.
We order ours online and use just 4 bums (http://www.kiddicare.com/c/Just4bums.htm). They’ve been great, hardly any leaks and work out at 8p a nappy so one of the cheapest we found.
Another Aldi fan, though we did use Naty nappies to begin with and they were lovely – all the midwives at the hospital asked what they were as they are so soft and not horribly plastic. However, you can’t beat Aldi for price and we didn’t have a single leak despite some mammoth wees. Hoping to do cloth if we ever have a 2nd.