If you're not using cloth nappies for your baby, you might be surprised to hear that cloth nappies are also ideal for nighttime. Because you can flexibly adjust the absorbency, you can create a super-absorbent nappy with cloth nappies. There are even parents who switch to cloth night nappies because disposable nappies leak at night. If you too are looking for peaceful nights without a wet bed, read on. In this article, cloth nappy consultant Kirsten explains which cloth nappies are best suited for nighttime.
So many types of washable nappies: where do you begin?
If you're new to the world of reusable nappies, making a choice can be tricky. Which system do you choose and what material? We've already written extensively about The different washable nappy systems and about of the materials used for washable nappies. Fortunately, you don't need to remember all of this for the night, as there is actually only one type of washable nappy that is most suitable for overnight use.
Which reusable nappies are best for overnight use?
Normally, you'll change a baby's nappy less often at night than during the day. If your baby has only just been born, you might not notice much difference yet – those little babies fill their nappies at night just as readily as during the day. But after a few weeks, your baby often develops a better day-night rhythm and will usually only be wetting at night. When your little one is sleeping soundly, changing them is the last thing you'll want to do. It's then important to have a nappy that absorbs well, and you can achieve this with washable nappies! A two-part system is most suitable for nighttime. This means that the outer cover (the waterproof exterior of the nappy) and the absorbent inner part are not sewn together. This way, you can adjust the absorbency yourself. But what kind of outer cover and absorbent part do you need then? We'll explain that to you now.
A pre-formed nappy is similar to a disposable nappy. If the absorbency is still not enough, you can add an extra booster pad, for example made of hemp.
Absorbent nighttime nappies
Let's start with the absorbent part. You have several options there, but the most leak-proof – and therefore best suited for the night – are shaped nappies. These are most similar to a disposable nappy – handy – and you can fasten them with hook and loop (Velcro) or poppers. There are even special night nappies with extra absorbency, such as from the brands huda or Little Lulu. If the absorbency of a pre-formed (night) nappy is not sufficient, you can always add an extra insert – also called a booster. Hemp insoles are a good choice, as this material can absorb a lot of moisture. Do note: hemp absorbs slowly, so it’s better to place this insert on the outside of the absorbent nappy. Make sure there is at least one layer of a fast-absorbing material (such as cotton or bamboo) on top.
Night-time nappy covers
Naturally, an absorbent part alone is not enough, as you want the bed to remain dry. Therefore, you also need waterproof pants. There are different types of pants, but one type is the most comfortable at night: pull-up pants. You put these on, just like regular pants. The advantage of such pull-up pants is that there are no poppers or Velcro fasteners to get in the way, and nothing presses into the groin – ideal for nighttime. The most leak-proof pull-up pants are made of wool, like those from Disana. If you occasionally give woolly pants a lanolin bath, they remain water-repellent and are a wonderfully breathable and leak-proof material for the night. If you would like to know more about this,and you can read all about wool briefs in this article and Here you can read how to make wool nappy covers water-repellent with lanolin.
Fortunately, for anyone who doesn't want to or can't use wool, there are also PUL pull-on pants. This is polyester with a thin layer of polyurethane, making it waterproof. These are usually slightly less leak-proof than a wool cover pant, but with a well-fitting, good quality PUL pull-on pant, you can often get through the night perfectly well. Good PUL pull-on pants are available, for example, from huda and Little Lulu.
A pull-up nappy made of PUL and a pull-up nappy made of wool.
Can night nappies also be used during the day?
You now know which nappies are best for nighttime. But if those nappies absorb so well, why wouldn't you use them during the day too? Nice and easy, right? Well, in most cases, that's not very practical, because nighttime nappies are often quite large and thick so that they absorb enough. At night, that's usually not a problem, but during the day you naturally want your child to have enough freedom of movement. Moreover, such a thick nappy isn't necessary at all during the day, as there are plenty of thinner washable nappies that can easily last a few hours. Would you like to know what your daytime options are? Then read this article in which we explain and compare the different reusable nappy systems.
Sources: Baby Connect, Nappy's.nl, Waschbare Welt. Photo credits: baby: Michal Bar Haim (Unsplash), other photos: Kirsten Schoner.
