As a mother-to-be, you have lots of decisions to make. Home or hospital? Natural or with pain relief? Breast or bottle? The list of things to consider is endless. And, within hours of your baby entering the world, you’ll want to put him in a nappy.

Ah, another decision: modern cloth nappies vs disposable nappies? Which is the right choice for your family?

To save you some hassle, we’ve compiled a list of the advantages and disadvantages of each nappy type. There are lots of myths out there, especially about modern cloth nappies, so we’ve put together this list of facts to make this decision easier for you.

First, let’s consider some of the most important factors to consider when it comes to choosing nappies.

Cloth nappies vs disposable nappies – environment

Many cloth nappy parents cite environmental reasons as their motivation for choosing cloth diapers. Reusable nappies are the obvious choice if you’re worried about the planet.

Unlike disposables which take years (and years and years) to break down, cloth nappies are a more sustainable choice.

Billions and billions of disposable nappies are sent to landfills each year. It’s thought that each disposable nappy could take as long as five hundred years to break down, so the nappies you dirtied as a baby are still out there. Reusable nappies are a great alternative if you want to break the cycle.

Some parents choose biodegradable disposable nappies as a compromise, but are these really better for the environment? Yes, because some nappy can biodegrade, but it’s important to be aware that there are no 100% biodegradable nappies. Most biodegradable disposable nappies are only around 60-80% biodegradable, under ideal conditions.

The Environment Agency in the UK carried out an in-depth study into the environmental impact of nappies and found that user behavior after the purchase had a significant effect on whether washable nappies were really better for the environment.

If you are concerned about the planet, you should:

Avoid washing at more than 60 degrees (C)
Line dry as soon as possible
Use an eco-friendly and efficient washing machine
Use the washable nappies for more than one child
Wash nappies in full loads.

Tumble drying reusable nappies, washing in small loads, and using a hot wash all increase the environmental impact of your nappies. It’s important to remember that the everyday choices we make daily can affect our carbon footprint.

A similar comparison in Australia found that washable nappy users were most likely to purchase washable baby wipes, further reducing their environmental impact. The study author suggested nappy-free time to reduce the environmental impact of nappies, too.

If you’re choosing wash cloth diapers for the environment, you should select diapers made from natural fibers. Cloth diapers containing plastics can shed microplastics when washed. Cotton, bamboo, and hemp are great options for natural fibers.

It’s also worth choosing organic wherever possible, as this will further reduce the environmental impact of the nappies.

Cloth nappies vs disposable nappies – cost

Cost is an important factor when deciding which items to purchase for your baby. For example, some parents avoid cloth diapers because of the higher initial cost.

A bundle of reusable nappies will cost you much more than a supermarket pack of disposable nappies. But, of course, those nappies will last you a lot longer, so many would argue it’s a worthwhile investment. However, some parents will be put off by the high starting price.

It’s also important to factor in the cost of regular washing and drying cloth nappies, especially if you’re on a tight budget.

To determine whether cloth diapering is worth the investment, you could turn to a local cloth nappy library. These fantastic community-run services offer new parents the chance to trial cloth diapers for free. That way, you’ll also be able to try different brands and sizes to find those that are best for your baby.

Look online to find your nearest cloth nappy library.

Advantages of modern cloth nappies

If the vision of your little bub wrapped up in a natural, earth-friendly nappy brings a smile to your dial, then read on. You’ll love this part.

Modern cloth nappies contain no harmful chemicals or plastics. It’s à la naturel, baby. Literally. You can even pick up organic cloth nappies made out of cotton or bamboo
Reusable diapers have less of an impact on the environment than disposables
You have the freedom to choose from a variety of stylish modern cloth nappies. Warning: collecting the latest styles can become addictive. For proof, read
Addicted To Cloth Nappies? 30 Signs Of Addiction
Despite what you might think, modern cloth nappies are less smelly than disposables
Although the initial purchase of your supply of reusable diapers will cost more, many believe it’s cheaper, in the long-term, than using disposables
Because you’re washing your modern cloth nappies, your bin doesn’t fill up as fast, and you’re not contributing further to all that nasty landfill
Modern cloth nappies are said to prevent nappy rash
Modern cloth nappies come in a variety of colors and designs, so they can be considered more aesthetically pleasing
There are no harsh chemicals used to make modern cloth nappies, which means they’re great on sensitive bottoms
Cloth nappies give your baby an adorably big bum

For more things to love about cloth nappies, look at 10 Things I Love About Cloth Nappies.

For a more serious take, check out Modern Cloth Nappies – What Are The Benefits?

Disadvantages of modern cloth nappies

Okay, now for the reality check. Are you ready for it?

You can’t just throw away the used nappy; it needs to be washed. Not a huge deal, but it is more time-consuming
The one-off payment for modern cloth nappies is higher than you would usually spend on a short term supply of disposables
You need to be extra cautious with washing and drying your nappies to ensure they are clean and sanitary. Managing modern cloth nappies also takes more time (and washing detergent)
Modern cloth nappies can be difficult to manage while traveling.

Advantages of disposable nappies

And now it’s time for the opposing team to take the stand. Benefits of ordinary disposable nappies? Comin’ right up.

Disposable diapers are ultra-convenient
They are easy to use
Disposables are considered to be more sanitary than cloth diapers
Disposable nappies have a higher absorption capability. Technologies such as special crystals pull the liquid away from the skin, preventing nappy rash.
Disposable diapers require no washing or drying. Just toss and go!
They are readily available at most supermarkets and department stores
Many brands now offer biodegradable and organic disposable nappies.

Disadvantages of disposable nappies

With the good must come the bad. So here are the negatives of disposable nappies:

They are largely believed to contain chemicals and materials that might irritate your baby’s skin.
You can read further information about this, and the results of safety tests carried out in France in BellyBelly’s article Dangerous Chemicals In Disposable Nappies.
They are not as environmentally friendly as cloth diapers and contribute to landfill
Once in landfill, disposable nappies take at least 200 years to decompose
Disposables are considered more expensive than cloth diapers in the long term
Disposable diapers also involve trial and error as you find the right size and fit for your baby
Despite instructions on the packaging, most people incorrectly throw disposable diapers straight into the bin with the poo still inside. While decomposing, the human waste lets off methane (one of the most damaging greenhouse gases) and might even pollute the groundwater.

Cloth nappies vs disposables nappies

In this article, we’ve looked at some of the differences between cloth nappies and disposables so you can make an informed decision. You can consider your unique family situation and priorities and work out which type of nappy is best for your family.

So, what do you think? Have you chosen yet?

Selecting the right type of nappy for your baby is an important decision and one that should feel right for you, irrespective of what others around you think.

Do your research and examine the options, but the choice is ultimately yours.

And besides, it’s not like you can’t switch sides or use a combination of cloth and disposable. So why not try both and see what works best for you and your bub?

How many cloth nappies do I need?

If you’ve decided to invest in some cloth nappies, you’re probably wondering how many you’ll need to buy. The great thing about cloth nappies is that they can last for years; you might even manage to cloth diaper more than one child in them.

Most starter packs contain around 15 cloth nappies, though 20 will give you some breathing room to space out washes when you need to.

Some washable nappy brands offer starter packs or bundles so you can stock up on the essentials without breaking the bank.

Ask your local nappy library for advice if you aren’t sure which brand to go for. They might be able to lend you some different brands to try out so you can decide which you like best.

Are newborn cloth nappies worth it?

Yes, it’s worth buying some newborn-sized cloth nappies for your newborn baby. Most reusable diaper brands offer a one-size nappy designed to last from birth to potty training; however, this size might be too big for smaller babies.

Rather than stocking up in advance, wait until your baby is born, so you know which size you need.

Contact a local nappy library to see if they can lend you different sizes to try out from birth; this will help you find the right size before parting with your hard-earned cash.