Q: I want to try clothing overnight, but haven't yet been brave enough. Can I just stick some boosters in my regular day nappies?
A: This will depend on what your preferred nappy system is. Since the nappy will need enough capacity to stay on for between 3-5 times as long as you would normally use a single day nappy, you need a highly absorbent nappy.
Most bamboo two parters, such as Little Lambs or Totsbots Bamboozles, are ideal for overnight use, and you would typically add in one or 2 extra boosters (one inside the nappy, one outside between the legs before you fasten the wrap is a good place to start.) Airflow wraps are ideal as they are loose fitting to accommodate extra padding and wriggly sleepers. Many parents cloth very successfully from birth to potty training in a system like this. Unless you have a baby who is a very light wetter, you are unlikely to be able to boost a day nappy such as a pocket or AIO enough to cope with 12 hours of wee, without the nappy being so bulky that it is likely to get distorted around the legs - which would make a leak more probable.

Q: Are babies in cloth more prone to rashes?
A: No! Otherwise, there would be no need for the huge range of creams currently on the market, and babies in disposables would never get rashes! Young babies are often prone to rashes for a whole multitude of reasons (diet, famiy history of eczema, teething, and colds are the leading culprits.). A few easy, common sense habits will keep baby's skin lovely and soft.
* Change the nappy before it is saturated.
* Use a fleece liner and a good barrier cream (though not Vaseline or yellow metanium on hire nappies, please)
* Allow regular nappy free time to air the skin - this can be for a few minutes at each change, where practical.
* Always pat the skin dry gently after wiping at changes – muslins are useful for this.
* If your child seems very sensitive, try eliminating heavily fragranced items from skin contact - creams, toiletries/bubble bath, strongly fragranced detergents.
If at all worried, consult the NHS website and seek medical advice from a professional.

Q: My Mum will be looking after my son when I am back at work, but she has arthritis in her hands. What nappies will be easiest for her?
A: A velcro fastening nappy will be easier than poppers. This could be an All-in-One like the Totsbots Easyfit Star, or the Little Lamb two-part fitted nappies. Prefolds inside a velcro wrap would also be easy to manage.

Q: Which is the best nappy for childcare? My baby is in nursery and I would like her to continue using the nappies I have just bought, but I'm worried our nursery won't let us use them.
A: Your nursery is obliged to accommodate your nappy preference, whether single use or otherwise, so there is no rule against sending cloth (contrary to what we have heard some nurseries claim). However, the fact is that most key workers are unfamiliar with cloth nappies, and so it would help if you could smooth the transition for them. Offer to demonstrate to the manager and your child's key worker how to fit the nappies correctly. Some parents who use cloth make a laminated sheet with a photo reference guide (see some of the examples on this padlet). It's a good idea to send nappies that are higly absorbent and also not terribly expensive - there is always the risk that a wetbag or nappy may get mislaid in the general hubbub! Preloved cotton prefolds or fitted 2 parters are ideal. Disposable liners are probably best, as these can be bagged & binned with the disposables the nursery will inevitably be using.

Of course, if it all seems a bit complicated, do not beat yourself up for using disposables in nursery and your own nappies at home. Every little bit helps!

Bamboo boosters are our 'go to' booster. Bamboo are quick to absorb and hold a fair bit of liquid, despite their slim size - so all in all, the perfect day time insert for most babies. 

The first time you use hemp can be a 'where have you been all my life?' moment. Thin and juicy is a pretty accurate description! Their fantastic absorbency makes them a firm favourite for night time nappies. Made of 55% hemp and 45% organic cotton, these lovelies have great eco credentials. They’re not as fast to dry as charcoal - they take about the same amount of time as bamboo. They are also useful when toddlers get near potty training and hold their wee for longer, as they absorb quickly.

Charcoal are often a go-to for night time nappies or super-wetters. Newer charcoal boosters are made with two layers of charcoal bamboo fleece and three layers of bamboo, which makes them super-absorbent AND super-slim. Older style charcoal boosters were made with two layers of charcoal bamboo fleece and three layers of microfibre, which made them super-absorbent and really quick drying - but bulky.

Microfibre is quick absorbing and very quick to dry. They are like a sponge, they soak wee in quicky but they don't hold as much liquid as bamboo and can leak when full or compressed.