• All-in-ones look like disposables and are just as easy to
put on. The whole thing goes in the washing machine - but they
often can’t be tumble-dried.

• Two-part nappies combine a washable cloth inner with a
separate waterproof cover, known as a wrap.

With both types, you’ll need disposable or reusable fleece liners
to go inside. Some reusables come in one size; others are sold
by weight. If you’re using them from birth, you’ll need around 24
(plus four wraps for a two-part system). After changing, flush* the
paper liner down the loo (or shake off a fleece liner). You can
either dry-pail them (rinse then keep in a bucket with a few drops
of tea tree oil) or soak them in a solution of water and nappy sani-
tiser until you’re ready to wash them. Most nappies should be
washed at 60°C (wraps may need a lower temperature) then line
or tumble-dried. Use a small amount of detergent but no fabric
softener, as this reduces absorbency.
Mothercare's smart nappy system consists of a washable waterproof outer, which can be used with either a reusable or disposable inner pad.

*Only flush one liner at a time. Flushable liners may not be
suitable for all drain systems.

For ease, it’s hard to beat disposables, especially in the newborn days. There are many types, but all work in much the same way,
containing crystals that turn into an absorbent gel on contact with fluid. They come in a range of sizes - size 1 (2-5kg/4-11lb) or size 2
(3-6kg/7-13lb) will suit most newborns. Disposables can be thrown out with your normal rubbish, or, in some areas, collected separately
for incinerating. While doubtless the easier option, they do work out expensive (around £1,000 over three years) and they’re not
environmentally friendly. For a greener alternative, consider eco-friendly types, which biodegrade faster.