Along with the joy (and exhaustion) that comes with a baby, new parenthood is a time that can evoke renewed concern in the environmental legacy we might be leaving for the next generation.
Climate anxiety takes on a whole new meaning when we’re worried about preserving the planet for our own offspring.
On top of that, babies seem to create a lot of waste. Between growing out of their clothes every few months, nappies that need changing every few hours, and the sheer number of plastic toys and accessories available these days, it’s no wonder that sustainability is high on the list of priorities for many parents.
In fact, traditional disposable nappies can take up to 500 years to decompose, and each child is estimated to use a massive 146.5 kg disposable nappies by the age of two-and-a-half (when they are typically potty-trained).
So environmentally-conscious parents are increasingly seeking out eco-friendly alternatives. There are typically two ways of making your nappy use more ecologically sound (and some parents choose to use a mix of these methods in different situations): eco-friendly disposable nappies and reusable nappies.
What is the difference between eco-friendly disposable nappies and reusable nappies?
Eco-friendly disposable nappies have the same look, feel and absorbency as ‘regular’ disposable nappies, but are made from more planet-friendly materials, including recycled plastics and FSC-Certified wood pulp. They are usually better for the environment than other disposables, as they are quicker to decompose, but they may be priced at a premium compared to other disposable brands.
Reusable nappies are exactly what they say on the tin - nappies that you use again and again, and are washed in-between. Reusable nappies have come a long way since the days of terry-towelling squares and oversized nappy pins, with a huge range of options, design-led waterproof outer layers, and adjustable velcro or popper fastenings.
What types of reusable nappies are available?
For this article, we tested various brands of four different types: pocket, all-in-one, all-in-two, and two-part.
- Pocket nappies are made up of a waterproof outer shell and a soft inner lining, with an open pocket in the front or back, into which you stuff absorbent inserts, which sit between the outer shell and the inner lining.
- All-in-One nappies are similar to pocket nappies, except the absorbent insert is attached to the rest of the nappy.
- All-in-Two nappies also have a waterproof outer shell and a soft inner lining, but the absorbent inserts are placed (or stuck with poppers) to the inside of the nappy, against the baby’s skin.
- Two-part nappies are made up of a fully cloth shaped nappy, which you can also add absorbent inserts to, against the baby’s skin, and a separate waterproof wrap.
We didn’t test flat nappies. They are cloth squares, usually fixed in place with a three-pronged plastic nappy fastener, and then covered with a separate waterproof wrap. These are the most similar to traditional reusable terry-squares.
Most sources recommend around 15-20 reusable nappies as a ‘stash’ depending on whether you plan to use them full-time or part-time. It is also recommended to pre-wash reusable nappies 2-3 times before you ever use them, to improve absorbency.
Many brands also recommend using reusable or biodegradable liners inside the nappy. These aren’t flushable but will catch most of your baby’s poop and can be disposed of like a regular disposable nappy, only with much less waste. Liners make the whole experience of changing and washing reusables much cleaner – and easier to stomach – than it was on our grandmothers’ and great-grandmothers’ day.
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Best Eco-Friendly Disposable Nappies
Kit & Kin Hypoallergenic Eco Nappies
From the desk of Baby Spice herself, Emma Bunton’s Kit & Kin brand offers both sustainable disposable nappies and reusable nappies.
The disposables are made from FSC-certified plant-derived materials, and they claim to be the ‘most-accredited’ eco nappy. As well as a core made from chlorine-free sustainable wood pulp, the waterproof parts (top layer, outer lining, leg cuffs and packaging) are also made from sustainable materials. The nappies are produced in a carbon-neutral factory.
Kit & Kin eco nappies are hypoallergenic and made without chlorine processing, latex, lotions, fragrances, and most common allergens, and they’re not tested on animals either.
As for absorbancy: Kit & Kin nappies use a ‘flash dry’ layer which wicks moisture away from your baby’s skin, as well as ‘channel’ technology which evenly distributes liquid throughout the nappy.
Kit & Kin purchases also support the Kit & Kin Foundation. The foundation donates money to sustain threatened areas of rainforest, and supports the women and children living in these areas with educational scholarships, family planning clinics and healthcare.
£8 for 40 x size 1 nappies (for babies 2-5kg) (20p each)
Buy now £8.00, Boots
Cheeky Panda Bamboo Nappies
Cheeky Panda’s disposable nappies are made from sustainable surplus virgin pulp bamboo from FSC-certified forests - saving it from going to waste. Bamboo crops create 65 per cent fewer carbon emissions than tree-based products. Their packaging is entirely recyclable, and the bamboo lining is completely biodegradable, so you don’t need to worry about contributing to landfill.
Cheeky Panda is certified vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. Bamboo is naturally super absorbent, and when combined with Cheeky Panda’s ‘Aqua Lock’ Technology and a handy indicator strip, they should easily see you (and your little one) through the night.
As well as bamboo fibre being soft and breathable, the nappies are infused with aloe to soothe sensitive skin. Cheeky Panda nappies are plain white with the panda motif on the front.
£39.99 for 192 x size 1 nappies (for babies 2-5kg) (approx 5p each)
Buy now £39.99, Cheeky Panda
Mum & You Biodegradable Nappychat Eco-Nappies
Nappychat eco-nappies have a biodegradable core made from chlorine-free wood pulp from PEFC certified sustainable forestry, as well as recyclable packaging. They are made without perfume, lotion or latex, are dermatologically tested and hypoallergenic, and are certified cruelty-free and not tested on animals.
Along with a wetness indicator, Nappychat’s eco-nappies use ‘Smart Tube’ technology to evenly distribute wetness and guard against leakages for up to 12 hours.
Each pack comes with nappies in two designs. These promote ‘Nappychat’ – Mum & You’s expert-backed project that promotes talking to your baby. They say that talking to your child promotes earlier communication skills, better social interaction, and a richer vocabulary. The characters on Nappychat nappies are designed to inspire storytelling and bonding with your baby.
£10.99 for 44 x size 2 nappies (for babies 3-6kg) (25p each)
Buy now £10.99, Amazon
PURA Eco Baby Nappies
PURA offer some of the most affordable eco nappies, in a simple white and yellow design.
Pura eco baby nappies are made without chlorine, perfumes, allergens, lotion or latex, instead opting for organic cotton and FSC-certified plant fibre. They are manufactured using 100 per cent green electricity with no production waste going to landfill, and PURA packaging is entirely recyclable.
With an absorbent plant fibre core, ‘channel’ technology that evenly distributes moisture away from your baby’s skin, and a wetness indicator strip on the smallest sizes, PURA eco nappies can prevent leaks for up to 12 hours.
PURA work in partnership with NappiCycle, which offers a commercial nappy collection and recycling service to local authorities and businesses in Wales.
£19.04 for 132 x size 1 nappies (for babies 2-5kg) (15p each)
Buy now £19.04, Amazon
Best Reusable Nappies - Pocket Nappies
Baba & Boo One-Size Reusable Nappy
Baba & Boo make pocket nappies with a waterproof outer fabric in a wide range of colourful prints, made from breathable PUL with a fleece lining. Absorbent inserts made from bamboo, polyester and polyamide are put inside the nappy from a pocket at the back.
Each Baba & Boo nappy comes with two inserts: one for use when your baby is very small and a second to add when they get bigger and need more absorbancy. Baba and Boo have a fantastic video explaining pocket nappies.
Baba & Boo use minimal packaging and offset carbon by planting trees. The one-size pocket nappies have two rise poppers for adjustable leg size, as well as five waist poppers and four hip poppers to suit your baby. They also have a smaller newborn size.
Once you’ve changed the baby, knock solids into the toilet, remove the inserts, and place the whole nappy in a bucket before machine washing on cold, then wash at 60 degrees, and air dry.
£7.50 for a single one-size nappy (was £18)
Buy now £7.50, The Nappy Lady
PimPam Cloth Nappy
PimPam’s nappies are design-led from a small business in Brighton, in a selection of muted plain colours and a wide range of minimalist prints.
The nappies themselves have a straightforward pocket design in one size - with three rise poppers, five waist poppers, and four hip poppers for flexibility. They have a double-wing gusset for a snug, leak-proof fit, and the inserts are ergonomically shaped to remove some of the ‘bulk’ that comes with reusable nappies.
When it comes to washing, PimPam recommend removing all solids and disposable liners and keeping the nappies in a dry pail or waterproof bag for no more than three days before pre-washing the nappies on a rinse cycle with no detergent, then washing the waterproof part and the wet bag at 40°, washing the inserts and wipes at 60°, and line drying.
£17.99 for a single one-size nappy.
Buy now £17.99, PimPam
Nappy Shak Cloth Nappy
Designed in Scotland, Nappy Shak’s pocket nappies have a pocket opening at both ends, with a popper to hold the long foldable bamboo insert in place, which makes it much easy to assemble and remove. They also have quick-drying liners and a laminate waterproof outer shell.
NappyShak cloth nappies come in five bright geometric designs. They have two rise poppers and five each waist and hip poppers, to adjust the one-size nappy to fit your baby, and a double gusset to further improve fit and prevent leaks.
Nappy Shak instructs you to “drop the poo in the loo” before separating the nappy and liner and storing in a dry bucket or wet bag. Then, pre-wash heavily soiled nappies on a short cold rinse cycle with no detergent and add regular non-bio detergent to run a standard wash cycle at 40°C for wet or 60°C for soiled, and hang to air dry.
£16.95 for a single one-size nappy
Buy now £16.95, Nappy Shak
Seedling Baby Multi-Fit Pocket Nappy
Seedling’s pocket nappy is unusual in that its inserts come as bamboo prefolds: a square piece of fabric, combined with microfibre boosters, which gives an extra level of flexibility over the size and absorbency of the insert, depending on how you fold it. Seedling has a good explainer video on prefolds, showing the different folding configurations.
Seedling pocket nappies also come with a breathable waterproof outer cover made from polyester. The one-size nappies come in a range of print and plain colour options and feature three rise poppers, four waist poppers, and four hip poppers for adjustable sizing. They also have a wide crotch and double wing gusset, making them a good option for larger babies. Seedling offers a newborn size pocket nappy too.
£18.95 for a single one-size nappy
Buy now £18.95, Two Little Pickles
All-in-One Reusable Nappies
Tots Bots EasyFit Star All-in-One Nappy
Tots Bots EasyFit Star has an all-in-one design, with an outer layer of waterproof fabric made from recycled plastic in a range of bright prints. The inner towelling double layer is made from bamboo, which folds out for faster drying.
Tots Bots recommends the use of biodegradable liners to minimise mess, and extra booster pads to improve absorbency - both sold separately.
The one-size all-in-one has two rows of ‘rise’ poppers for adjustable leg sizing, and a velcro waist, which gives you more sizing flexibility as you aren’t restricted to pre-determined popper sizing. Tots Bots also has a smaller newborn size all-in-one nappies for the tiniest babies.
All-in-one reusables are some of the easiest reusable nappies to use as a beginner because there are very few parts - once they are washed, they can be applied in a similar way to disposables. Tots Bots has a diagram giving more detailed instructions on using their all-in-one nappies.
Due to the bamboo core, Tots Bots recommends 10 washes before initial use, to reach full absorbency. After use, they recommend washing with non-bio powder on 40 degrees for wet or 60 degrees for soiled, and line drying or tumble drying on a cool setting. The fold-out design of the inner layer speeds up the drying time compared to other all-in-one reusable nappies.
£17.99 for a single one-size nappy
Buy now £17.99, Amazon
Kit & Kin Reusable Cloth Nappy
As well as their eco-friendly disposables, Kit & Kin also offer a one-size all-in-one reusable nappy. The waterproof outer layer is made from 100 per cent recycled polyester and comes in three adorable animal designs.
The inner is made from TENCEL (a material derived from sustainable tree pulp) and hemp, which is one of the most absorbent materials available for reusable nappies, and a double/winged gusset design also helps to prevent leaks.
Three rise poppers allow you to adjust the leg size as your baby grows, and a velcro waist fastening gives you total flexibility over sizing.
Kit & Kin’s short explainer video shows you how easy to use modern all-in-one reusable nappies are. The absorbent inner lining folds out during washing for faster drying times, and you can add a booster layer (sold separately) to increase absorbency as your baby gets older, and biodegradable liners (sold separately) to cut down on the mess associated with traditional reusable nappies.
Kit and Kin recommend machine washing at 40 or 60 degrees with a non-bio powder on a long cycle without bleach, fabric softener or conditioner, and ensuring the hook and loop tabs are fastened before washing to prevent snagging. They also advise air drying with the inner towel pulled out or tumble drying on a cool setting.
As with their disposables, Kit & Kin purchases support the Kit & Kin foundation to donate to endangered rainforests and projects supporting the women and children who live in those areas with education and healthcare.
£19.99 for a single one-size nappy
Buy now £19.99, Boots
Bambino Mio All-in-One Reusable Miosolo One-size Nappy
Bambino Mio’s Miosolo has built-in tabs and pockets on the insert, which make removal and insertion much easier than for other reusable nappies. You can also add extra inserts (sold separately) for additional absorbency.
The waterproof outer layer is made from laminated polyester in a range of bright cartoon prints, and the inner layers from polyester nylon.
The one-size design has two rise poppers for adjustable leg sizes, and velcro for adjustable waist size.
Bambino Mio recommends disposable biodegradable nappy liners (sold separately) to make changing easier and less messy. They recommend soaking the nappy core after use, keeping the laminated outer shell out of the water, then machine washing with non-bio detergent up to 60°C and air drying away from direct heat.
£10 for a single one-size nappy (was £15.99)
Buy now £10.00, The Nappy Lady
All-in-Two Reusable Nappies
Close Pop-In Bamboo One-size Hook & Loop Reusable Nappy
Close’s All-in-Two design has a waterproof laminate outer shell made from 100 per cent recycled plastic, with an absorbent core. Bamboo soaker and booster layers are secured inside the outer shell with poppers.
Like a pocket nappy, these layers are completely separate from the outer shell layer, but unlike pocket or all-in-one nappies, the additional layers sit directly against your baby’s skin, instead of inside a pocket. Close has a good video explaining how all-in-two nappies work.
The brand’s inbuilt core and double gusset add extra protection against leaks. They also recommend a nighttime booster for additional absorbency and biodegradable nappy liners for easy clean-up. Both sold separately.
Close’s one-size nappies have three riser poppers to adjust for leg size, and velcro waist for size flexibility. They also offer a newborn size for the smallest babies. The nappies also come in a range of bright animal designs.
The label recommends cold rinsing before every wash, then washing without biological detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, bleaching agents, enzymes or brighteners. The removable soaker and booster layers make for faster line-drying, and can be tumble dried for short periods (10 minutes) – but the outer shell should never be tumble dried.
£9.67 for a single one-size nappy
Buy now £9.67, Amazon
Two-Part Nappies
Little Lamb Bamboo Fitted Nappy & Wrap
Two-part nappies are a nappy and wrap system. Little Lamb’s bamboo cloth nappies come in three sizes, with separate waterproof outer wraps made from soft knitted poly fabric. The wraps come in four sizes, in a wide range of designs or plain colours. The fitted nappies (the inner part) are made from bamboo viscose, which makes them super-absorbent for overnight use. If you’re still unsure, the brand has an in-depth video explaining two-part nappies.
Little Lamb suggests layering the wrap under the nappy, under a booster and/or liner, depending on your absorbancy requirements. While the nappies, boosters and liners should be washed after each use, the wraps rarely need washing, which can save some work.
Each nappy comes with a booster and a liner, and wraps are sold separately. Multiple sizing options mean that Little Lamb nappies don’t need adjustable riser poppers, they just have a velcro waist fastening.
The brand recommends removing solids over the toilet, closing the velcro tabs and putting nappies into a dry pail with a lid, then washing them with a gentle washing powder on a full cycle – without bleaching agents or fabric softeners – before hanging out to dry in direct sunshine.
£12.50 for a single cloth nappy in three sizes + £12.95 for a single nappy wrap in four sizes
Buy now £13.00, The Nappy Lady
Cheeky DooDoo Cloth Nappy & Wrap
Cheeky DooDoo has three sizes of bamboo and cotton terry nappies; newborn, one-size and toddler size. Because they come in multiple sizes, they only have adjustable waist and hip poppers, and no risers to adjust for leg size.
The nappies are completely separate from the one-size waterproof wraps, which can be adjusted with two rise poppers, four waist poppers and three hip poppers, and have gusset wings to help prevent leaks.
Cheeky DooDoo has a small range of designs and plain colours for its wraps. The two-part eco nappies are made from grey bamboo, which minimises the need for stain removers that white reusable nappies might demand.
It is recommended to use them with a booster and a reusable liner. The wraps, nappies, boosters and liners are all sold separately, which can add up but does allow flexibility to purchase the exact combination that suits your family’s needs, using multiple boosters to build absorbency. You can also buy them together as part of a bundle.
Reusable liners make it easier to remove solids into the toilet before dry pailing your nappies for no longer than two days or putting them straight into the washing machine to rinse and strain using plain water before washing.
£11.49 for a single one-size cloth nappy + £11.49 for a single one-size nappy wrap
Buy now £11.49, Cheeky Wipes
Verdict
Kit & Kin hypoallergenic nappies have some of the best eco-friendly credentials of all the disposable options. As well as sustainable materials, manufacturing and packaging, Kit & Kin also make donations to support projects around the world. The brand offer the most design-led options too, and the ‘subscribe and save’ feature makes stocking up easy - avoiding last-minute runs to the 24-hour supermarket!
PimPam’s design-led pocket nappies were the best of the reusables. Pocket nappies give the best of both worlds in terms of convenience and ease-of-use, as well as the fast-drying features you’d expect from a reusable with separate parts. As well as having the most eye-catching look, thoughtfully designed features like ergonomically shaped inserts and a double gusset make PimPam the most comfortable option for your baby.
