Guide
How cloth nappies work day to day, from about 3 kg and up. Read what you want, skip the rest.
Expecting, or just home with a newborn? Read the newborn guide instead
The first weeks have questions of their own — meconium, the umbilical stump and how the nappy sits on a small body. That guide starts at 2 kg.
Four things most people wonder about
Start where you feel least sure.
1. How it should fit
Two fingers at the waist, the leg openings level with the groin. If it sits right, it holds.
2. How you change it
The same handling as a disposable. After a week it comes naturally.
3. What do you do with the poo?
Before your child starts solids it dissolves in the wash by itself. After that you tip it into the toilet or wipe it off with a little toilet paper. Most people are surprised at how undramatic it is.
4. How you wash them
60 degrees, plenty of water, the same detergent as your child’s clothes.
The size is adjusted with poppers
Slim and Comfort are one-size — adjustable 3–15 and 5–17 kg respectively. The poppers at the front change the height: you fasten them up for a small child and let them out step by step as your child grows. A nappy that has been looked after can go on to the next child.
Newborn 2–6 kg has its own, neater cut for the first weeks.
Which nappy suits your child?
Start with the size — you already know that. After the newborn weeks the choice is less about age and more about shape.
Newborn (2–6 kg): for the first weeks. Slim (3–15 kg): a narrower cut, for a slim-built child. Comfort (5–17 kg): roomier, suits most children from 5 kg. Not sure? Start with a few and add more.
Newborn · 2–6 kg
For the first weeks. A neater cut for the very smallest. All-in-one, with the insert included.
Slim · 3–15 kg
For long, slim children. A narrower cut around the legs, adjustable 3–15 kg.
Comfort · 5–17 kg
A roomier fit from 5 kg. The only one that works with the night nappy.
Not sure? Write to us in the chat at the bottom right and we will help you choose.
What do you need at home?
Count on about 8 changes a day in the first months, 5–6 once your child is bigger. For full-time you need 20–24 changes between washes — how many nappies that adds up to depends on the system you choose. It does not have to be all or nothing: many start with a few and add more.
Covers and inserts
Slim and Comfort. The cover is used for several changes in a row, it is the insert you change.
To try: 3 covers, 5 inserts
Full-time: 8–10 covers, 20–24 inserts
Pocket nappies
The whole nappy is changed every time, so you need more.
To try: 3
Full-time: 20–24
Newborn counts the same way, one per change. Numbers and what is particular about the first weeks are in the newborn guide.
Wetbag
For the used nappies.
1 medium to try
Cloth wipes
Instead of wet wipes.
5 to try
Who is behind this
Time Ahead has been a family business since 2021. The patterns are our own, the nappies have been used in our own everyday life with children in nappies from 2016 to 2026, and we are the ones who answer the chat and pack the parcels.
Here you will find our cloth nappy guides, sorted by where you are in the nappy years. Start where it feels right, skip the rest.
Getting started
- Getting started with cloth nappies – a calm beginner's guide
- Complete guide to cloth nappies – everything in one place
- Which cloth nappy should you choose?
- How many cloth nappies do you need?
- Buying guide for cloth nappies
Everyday life
- How should a cloth nappy fit?
- Washing and storing cloth nappies
- How often should you change a nappy?
- What do you do with the poo?
- Why does the cloth nappy leak?
- Wet bag – what is it and how do you use it?
Night and newborn
Giving up nappies
- Potty training – a guide to going nappy-free
- Giving up nappies in the day – how to tell when your child is ready
- Stopping night nappies
Compare and understand
All posts are collected on the blog.
Start with a starter kit
What you need to try it out, gathered in one starter kit. 30-day returns.