USER ADVICE

Deciding to use cotton nappies is easy; the hard part is knowing where to start! Here are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions:

Where do I start?
There are three easy steps to getting started:

  • Choose the nappy type that suits you best
  • Pick out the nappy covers you want to use
  • Decide how many of each you’re going to buy

Should I use prefold nappies or shaped nappies?
Modern Baby shaped nappies are:

  • extremely soft and comfy, in adorable colours
  • easy to use with velcro closures for a snug fit & no folding required!
  • ideal for newborns because of their elasticated legs & waist
  • less bulky than prefold nappies, but every bit as absorbent (thanks to our sewn in booster pad that opens out for washing and drying)

Modern Baby prefold nappies are:

  • practical and great value for money
  • easy to use with minimal folding required
  • very quick drying, because they open out completely
  • extremely durable –will last for 2 children or more


I’m on a budget – what’s the best option?
All washable nappies are far cheaper than using disposables. Prefold nappies are more economical than shaped nappies, but a combination of the two can provide a happy medium!

How do I know if the nappy will fit?
All babies are of course different, and some nappies fit some babies better than others. Either buy trial or starter packs first to check this out, or if buying whole sets, only use a few of the nappies and covers in case you need to exchange or return them.

Which covers should I use?
All our nappies require waterproof covers. Choose from:

  • Modern Baby Polyester Cover – for use with either shaped nappies or prefold nappies. Waterproof, durable and dries very quickly.
  • Modern Baby Cotton Cover - for use with either shaped nappies or prefold nappies. Waterproof, durable and with an extra layer of soft cotton on the outside to match the shaped nappies.


Either of the Modern Baby covers can be hand rinsed and hung to dry or machine washed at 60° (so you can store and wash them with the nappies).

How many nappies & covers should I buy?
We recommend buying around 18-24 nappies. You’ll need more when your baby is small, and fewer as baby gets older. The more nappies you have, the less often you need to wash. The covers can be used for several nappy changes and so you need fewer covers than nappies. Buying around 5 would be sufficient, though we’d recommend getting 7 for a newborn.

What else do I need?
Check out our Accessories section for other items that will come in useful, including:

  • Biodegradable nappy liners - can be flushed away at each nappy change. Essential for keeping mess to a minimum!
  • Nappy Fresh – can be used for soaking nappies or adding to the wash to ensure complete eco-friendly sanitization.
  • Tote Bags – very useful for storing wet nappies in when out & about or away for weekends.

Still unsure?
For an easy introduction to cotton nappies, why not try our great value Starter Pack, which contains a number of different nappies and covers to mix & match and try out on your baby. Deciding which nappies and covers to use is far easier when you've tried out a few!