As a parent who already uses cloth nappies, you can no doubt see the benefits of letting your child wear cloth at preschool too. Here we share our best tips for making the settling-in with cloth nappies smooth for everyone involved.
First and foremost: check with the preschool about their routines around nappies. Policies on nappies and nappy changes vary between preschools and municipalities.
Preschools used to cloth nappies
If you're lucky enough to settle in at a preschool that's already used to cloth nappies, you'll get to hear their routines and agree together on a solution that suits you and your child. The basics are that you bring enough nappies for the day plus a spare or two, along with a wet bag to store used nappies that go home at the end of the day.
- Pre-packed nappies: prepare nappies with the right insert, ready to use. It makes things easier for the staff and keeps nappy changes smooth.
- Number of nappies: pack 6–8 nappies per day so the staff don't run short.
- Wet bags: a wet bag for dirty nappies, and perhaps a separate one for poo nappies.
Preschools open to cloth nappies
If the preschool is open to cloth nappies but not used to them, you may need to show the staff how the nappies work and suggest a routine that suits them.
- Pre-packed nappies: bring nappies set to the right size. Do show how the nappy works and how it should sit on your child.
- Number of nappies: pack enough for the day, 6–8 of them.
- Dirty nappies: agree with the staff on how to handle them. Some prefer disposable inserts for easily binning the poo, others put the poo nappy in a separate bag or wet bag. Find a routine that suits you and the staff.
Introducing cloth nappies at preschool can be a positive experience for both your child and the staff. Some preschools have specific requirements or are limited by rules and policy, so do communicate and ask around before the settling-in. With pre-packed nappies, enough of them, and a routine for taking the dirty nappies home each day, the transition becomes smooth.
Common questions
How many nappies should I pack for the day at preschool?
Pack 6–8 nappies to make sure the staff have enough and that your child is comfortable all day.
What do I do if the preschool has specific requirements on model or fastening?
Adapt to the requirements and discuss a solution that works for the staff.
How can I make things easier for the staff with dirty nappies?
Use wet bags to store dirty nappies before they're washed. One or more extra bags for poo nappies helps. Disposable inserts that are binned after use can be another way to make poo nappies easier.
What do I do if I only have nappies with snaps and the staff favour hook-and-loop?
If the staff are new to modern cloth nappies, they may favour hook-and-loop because it's similar to disposables. Suggest trying nappies with snaps — leave them fastened at the right size so the staff can see how they should sit, or mark which snaps to do up. In some cases you may need to accept that hook-and-loop can be easier on hands and joints when many nappies are changed in a day.
Can the preschool refuse cloth nappies?
Different municipalities and preschools have different rules and policies, so it's possible that some don't allow cloth nappies.
By Emelie, founder of Time Ahead Sweden — mum of three and curious about how, as a parent, you can make thoughtful choices in everyday life.