It's one of the most common questions when you start with cloth nappies – and the answer is often simpler than you'd think. Many imagine you need a big stock to get going, but in practice fewer than you think will do. The most important thing isn't to do everything at once, but to find a level that works in everyday life.
Short answer: for full-time you need 8–10 covers and 24 inserts with cover nappies, or 24 pocket nappies. To try, 3–6 is enough.
Do you have to decide completely straight away?
No. Many who start with cloth nappies do so gradually – some use them only at home, others during the day, some alternate with disposables. It doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing decision, and starting small is often a good way to feel out what suits you.
How many cloth nappies do you need?
It depends on how you want to use them. Rough guidelines:
- 3–6 nappies – to try at home now and then
- 10–15 nappies – for more regular use
- 24 nappies – for full-time
A simple rule of thumb for full-time: a newborn goes through about eight nappy changes a day (according to 1177). Multiply by how many days you want between washes – most people wash about every three days – and you'll arrive at your figure. There's no exact level that suits everyone; it's about washing routines, everyday life and what feels comfortable.
Count differently depending on the model
How many actual nappies that means depends on the model:
Pocket nappies: a pocket is used as a complete change, so for full-time you need around 24.
Cover nappies: here you can reuse the same cover several times and only change the insert. That might mean, for example, 8–10 covers and 24 inserts for full-time – fewer nappies in the wash.
Cloth nappies in ordinary everyday life
Cloth nappies don't have to be a project. They work at home on the changing table, in the bag on the go, at grandparents' – and even when things don't turn out perfectly. Just as with other routines, the habit grows over time.
Finding your feel
For some, the function matters most; for others, patterns and colours matter too. Choosing something you like can make the practical side a little more fun – it doesn't have to be more complicated than that.
Everyday nappy changing looks different in different families. There's no right way, only what works for you – and it's allowed to take time to find.
Want to get started easily?
Then there are ready-made Starter Kits to choose from. They contain a well-judged number of nappies to try at a calm pace, without you having to work out exactly what to choose.
Read on: our buying guide, the guide which cloth nappy should you choose, the complete guide to cloth nappies, and how to think about cloth nappies for newborns.
By Emelie, founder of Time Ahead Sweden — mother of three and curious about how, as a parent, you can make considered choices in everyday life.