The first weeks with a newborn are intense, and choosing nappies is one of the first decisions you'll face. The good news: cloth nappies for a newborn don't have to be an all-or-nothing project. You can start small, feel your way, and let it grow at your own pace. Here we cover it all — when it makes sense to start, which style fits the very smallest, how many you need, what to do if it leaks, and how to care for the skin and umbilical stump. Calmly, and without stress.
From Emelie: This guide is thorough — but don't let that scare you. When I started with cloth nappies, I read for hours and nearly got put off by all the information. In reality it was so much simpler. Most parents who try cloth on their newborn are surprised by how easy it actually was. Read what you need, skip the rest. With us, it should be easy to make a good choice.
When does it make sense to start?
There's no rush. Technically you can start right away at the hospital, but most parents wait the first few days — and there are two good reasons.
The first is meconium, the baby's very first stool. It's black, sticky, and tarry, and usually comes within the first 24 hours. Meconium is hard to get out of fabric, so many parents simply wait until it's over — usually day 3–5, when the stool transitions to a looser, yellowish poop that's much easier to handle. That's a natural starting point.
The second is the umbilical stump. Some parents wait until it has fallen off, which usually happens within 1–2 weeks. If you want to start before then, that's perfectly fine — just fold down the front edge of the nappy so it doesn't rub against the stump, and keep the area dry and airy. More on the umbilical stump shortly.
If you'd still like to use cloth from day one, a disposable liner on top of the nappy can catch the meconium and make the first days easier. But don't feel any pressure — waiting a week or so is neither wrong nor "cheating".
The first days — what's normal
Before we move on to the nappies, it's worth knowing what actually happens in the nappy during the first days. It makes it easier to feel confident — and to notice when everything is as it should be.
Pee. The first day or two you'll only get the occasional wet nappy — the baby takes in small amounts during the first days. Then it increases quickly: around day 3 it's usually 3–4 wet nappies, and from about day 5 at least 6 nappies a day. After the first week most babies land at 6–8 wet nappies per day. Many parents use the number of wet nappies as a simple rule of thumb that the baby is getting enough — if you're unsure or worried, check with your child health centre or midwife.
Poop. After the black meconium of the first days, the stool transitions around day 3 to a greenish "transitional poop", and from about day 5 to the loose, yellow stool (the slightly "seedy" version is typical when breastfed). In the beginning it's common to have poop at more or less every feeding. That's completely normal — and, as we'll get to soon, actually the easiest period when it comes to laundry.
The point: newborns change often, and the contents change quickly during the first days. It's nothing strange — just good to know so you know what to expect.
The umbilical stump — what to do until it falls off
The umbilical stump stays on for a short time after birth and falls off on its own, usually within 1–2 weeks. Until then, it's mostly about keeping it dry and leaving it alone.
- Fold down the front edge of the nappy so it doesn't press against or rub the stump. Many newborn nappies and covers are made to be folded down at the front for exactly this reason.
- Keep the area dry and airy. Natural drying helps the stump come off faster. If you need to clean it, plain water is usually enough.
- No fuss. You rarely need to do more than that. If it doesn't come off within a couple of weeks, or if the surrounding skin becomes red, warm, or has an odour — check with your child health centre.
So it's entirely possible to use cloth while the stump is still on — it's just the front edge you need to keep an eye on.
Which cloth nappy fits a newborn?
The very smallest thighs fit best in a smaller style. Our Newborn nappy (2–6 kg) is made just for that — a trimmer cut that sits nicely on a small body during the first months.
Here's an honest tip: buy a few newborn nappies to get started — not a whole set. The newborn size is used for a fairly short period before the baby grows out of it, so it's rarely worth investing in twenty of them. A few to get to know cloth-nappy life, then you switch over.
When it's time to size up from the newborn size, there are two common paths, and both work well — it's more a matter of taste than right and wrong.
Slim (3–15 kg) is a favourite for many. It has a narrow cut around the legs that sits well on a small thigh, lasts a long time — for a trimmer baby often the entire nappy changing period — and is a cover-style nappy: you just change the insert at the nappy change and reuse the cover if it's clean, which cuts down on laundry.
Others instead go from the newborn nappy straight to Comfort (5–17 kg) and skip the Slim step — especially if the baby is a bit bigger. If the baby is born at a clearly higher weight (5+ kg), you can even start on Comfort right away. There's no single right answer; choose what feels right for you.
In short: the Newborn nappy for the very smallest and trimmest, Slim as the narrow favourite that lasts a long time, and Comfort when the baby is bigger or born at a higher weight. Many combine — a few newborn nappies first, then Slim or Comfort as the everyday nappy.
Premature or low birth weight — size by weight, not age
For a premature or low-birth-weight baby, it's the weight, not the age, that determines the size. The Newborn nappy fits from about 2 kg, so even a small baby can often get started fairly early. If the baby is born even smaller or very prematurely, a regular newborn nappy may be too big and give a loose fit — then it can be nice to start with disposables for a short while and switch to cloth once the weight has caught up. It's not a failure; it's just about the fabric fitting snugly to work.
How many cloth nappies does a newborn need?
Newborns change often. The first days you'll only get the occasional nappy, but it increases quickly — count on 8–12 nappy changes per day during the first months. That affects how many nappies you need at home, and ties into how often you want to do laundry.
| Wash rhythm | Number of nappies to aim for |
|---|---|
| Wash every day | 10–12 nappies |
| Wash every other day | 18–22 nappies |
| Wash every third day | 25–30 nappies |
Most parents land on washing every other to every third day, and 20–25 nappies is a solid number to build on. If you'd rather not calculate exactly how many of each you need, a starter kit is an easy way to get a reasonable base from the start.
The economics of the newborn period
A short but important note about money: since the newborn size is used for such a short period, it's rarely worth buying a large set in that particular size. Instead put the emphasis on nappies that last longer (Slim or Comfort). Reusable nappies only become economical over the whole nappy changing period — and even more so if they get passed on to a sibling. If you'd like to read more about what it actually costs over time, we have a separate breakdown in cloth nappies vs disposable nappies.
Poop before solid food — relax, it works out
The most common question we get is: "What do you do with the poop?" And the newborn period is actually the very easiest, laundry-wise.
As long as the baby is only having milk — breast milk or formula — the poop is loose and largely water-soluble. It basically dissolves in the prewash — you don't need to rinse it off, soak it, or do anything special. Put the nappy in the wet bag, run the wash. Done. It's when the baby starts eating solid food that the consistency changes; then you tip the solids into the toilet before putting the nappy aside, and a disposable liner on top of the nappy makes it even easier — it gets thrown away with the poop, nothing more to do.
Fit on a newborn — the most important thing
Newborns are round in a different way than older children, so put a little extra care into the fit during the first weeks. It's almost always the fit — not the amount of pee — that determines whether a nappy leaks.
Rise snaps: Snap the nappy at its smallest setting for a small baby and release it step by step as they grow. It shouldn't press against the navel or hang down towards the knees.
The leg openings should sit flush with the groin — neither digging in nor hanging out. Loose leg openings are the most common cause of leaks. You should just be able to fit two fingers into the leg opening without it being tight.
The waist: two fingers between the nappy edge and the tummy is about right. The skin shouldn't be red and marked after you take the nappy off.
The first nappy changes take a little longer — that's completely normal, and after a week the technique sticks. If you'd like a more detailed walkthrough, we have our guide on how the cloth nappy should fit.
When the cloth nappy leaks in the first weeks — and how to fix it
Leaks often feel like a sign that you're doing something wrong. You rarely are — it's almost always a small adjustment that's needed. And for a newborn there are also a couple of things that are specific to the very smallest.
A newborn pees often, but with fairly little force. Because the baby lies down most of the day, the pee has time to run upward — and then the most common thing is that it leaks up the back or out at the hips, not at the legs. Here's how to fix it, in order:
- Check the fit first. Gaps at the legs or back are the most common cause. Make sure the leg openings sit flush with the groin and that no fabric sticks out along the edges — if it sticks out, the pee is led out along the fabric.
- Change more often. A small nappy volume fills up quickly. In the first weeks every 1–2 hours is often about right — a nappy that has become saturated leaks more easily.
- Fold down the front edge at the navel. Besides protecting the umbilical stump, it also keeps the nappy snugger at the front.
Usually one of these adjustments is enough. If it still doesn't hold, start over from the fit — that's where the answer almost always is.
Gentle on a newborn's skin — and how to prevent nappy rash
A newborn's skin is thinner and more sensitive than an adult's, and more prone to irritation. Since the nappy is worn around the clock, the material closest to the skin matters. Our inserts are a soft mix of bamboo and polyester, and the covers are recycled polyester with a waterproof laminate — all certified to OEKO-Tex Standard 100, which means the materials are tested for harmful substances.
But the most important thing for preventing nappy rash isn't which nappy you have — it's what you do at the change. This is what actually helps:
- Change often. A nappy that sits against wetness for a long time is the single biggest cause of irritated skin. Frequent changes are the best protection.
- Air it out. Letting the bottom be bare for a while on a mat is one of the most effective tips there is — air and dryness heal. Take the chance at one change a day.
- Wash gently. Plain water and a soft cloth wipe are usually enough for a newborn — it's gentler than scented wipes.
- Ointment when needed. If the skin does get red, a thin layer of ointment at the change can protect and help — many prefer natural options like oil or shea butter.
If the baby still gets an irritated bottom, you can read more in our guide on a red bottom and nappy rash. And if the problem persists or looks different from ordinary nappy rash — check with your child health centre.
Nights and cluster time with a newborn
Nights often feel like the most uncertain part, but for the very smallest they're actually easier than you'd think. A newborn eats often and rarely has eleven hours of unbroken sleep — you're probably already up changing them around a feeding. Use that moment: a nappy change while half-awake is much easier than a soaked pyjama change later on.
So you don't need a special night nappy for the smallest — a regular cover with an insert is plenty. When the baby gets bigger, sleeps longer, and pees more per stretch, a dedicated night nappy may become relevant. Our night nappy fits from 5 kg; more on dry nights in our complete guide to night nappies.
Practical tips for the newborn period
Start calmly. You don't have to switch everything at once. Many use cloth nappies during the day and something else at night the first weeks, until the routine settles.
The laundry. Store used nappies in a wet bag — no soaking needed. Wash at 60°C with a gentle, fragrance-free detergent, ideally with an extra rinse. With the newborn quantity of nappies, you may need to wash a little more often at first; it evens out.
Further reading. If you're new to fit and washing, we have separate guides on how the cloth nappy should fit and getting started with cloth nappies.
Common questions about cloth nappies for newborns
Can I start right away at the hospital?
Technically yes, but most parents wait until the first dark meconium is over (usually day 3–5), since it's sticky and hard to wash out. Some also wait until the umbilical stump has fallen off. No rush.
Do cloth nappies work on a premature or low-birth-weight baby?
The Newborn nappy fits from about 2 kg, so it often works fine. If the baby is even smaller or born very prematurely, the nappy may be too big — then it's nice to wait until the weight has caught up and use disposables for a short while in the meantime. Size is governed by weight, not age.
Why does it leak up the back?
Because a newborn pees with little force and lies down a lot — so the pee runs upward. Check the fit (no gaps or protruding fabric) and change more often. See the section on leaks above.
How many cloth nappies do I need?
For full-time use, 20–25 is a solid number, depending on how often you wash. But feel free to start with a few and add more — you don't have to buy everything at once, and especially not many in the small newborn size.
How do I care for the umbilical stump with a nappy on?
Fold down the front edge of the nappy so it doesn't rub, and keep the area dry. The stump falls off on its own within 1–2 weeks. If you need to clean it, plain water is enough.
How do I prevent nappy rash?
Change often, air out the bottom for a while at one change, wash gently with water, and use ointment when needed. If the problem persists — check with your child health centre.
How do I know the baby is getting enough?
Many parents use the number of wet nappies as a simple rule of thumb — after the first week it's usually around 6–8 a day. It's not an exact science, so if you're worried or unsure, check with your child health centre or midwife.
Do cloth nappies work when the baby has loose stools?
Yes — before solid food the poop is loose and largely water-soluble (most of all when breastfed), and it disappears in the prewash. Cloth nappies and a fully milk-fed baby are one of the easiest combinations when it comes to laundry.
Ready to start?
Making a good choice should be easy — and cloth nappies for a newborn are simpler to get started with than most people think. Start with a few nappies, feel your way, and let the routine settle.
Want to read on? Here's the complete guide to cloth nappies and our full range of cloth nappies and accessories.
By Emelie, founder of Time Ahead Sweden — mum of three and curious about how we as parents can make thoughtful choices in everyday life.