The best newborn nappies for your baby

When you have a newborn baby, you want to do everything to give them the best start in life, and there are so many tips, advice, and methods thatcan be overwhelming!

As a parent, you have to consider factors like the size of your newborn baby, skin sensitivity, disposable or reusable nappies, as well as affordability when choosing the right nappy, especially when your tot might end up going through seven to eight nappies a day.

Brands have your baby’s interests at heart, designing nappies to ensure the baby is comfortable, safe, and dry, with all the necessary features and benefits to ensure your precious arrival is as happy as can be.

How we chose the best nappies for newborns

At Mother&Baby we like to recommend products that have been tried and tested by our team of parent testers to give the most honest opinions on products for you to buy.

We also have our renowned Mother&Baby awards, where every year we test hundreds of products, including new nappies that may be on the market, and ones that have been around years.

You can find out more about how we test here.

How do I choose nappies for my newborn?

Your baby will be peeing and pooping a lot. It's good to be prepared and that’s why it can be smart to buy in nappies before your little angel is born.

But every baby is different, so while it's super generous of family and friends to buy you a pack of nappies, they may end up going unused. If you find yourself with a surplus, consider regifting sealed packs to those in need, like friends, other expecting mums, or even check at your local food bank or other charity options where you can donate.

When your child is born, you will need to consider these factors when shopping for newborn nappies:

Weight - you will need to know what your baby weighs to select the correct newborn nappy.

Material - newborn skin is super sensitive, so you want a nappy that is soft against the baby’s delicate skin.

Leg and waist elastic - newborns lie on their back for a lot of the time, so runny poop can often creep up their backs, and you always want them to be comfortable.

Wetness indicator - newborns and new parents need their sleep, so you will want to avoid disturbing a sleeping baby at all costs. A wetness indicator that changes from yellow to blue when wet allows you to check if the baby needs changing without removing their nappy, meaning you can leave them to sleep soundly.

Affordable - nappies will need changing often when your baby is first born, so you’ll want a range that won’t break the bank.

Umbilical protection - For the first couple of weeks, your baby has added sensitivity around the umbilical cord.

Size-up guide - The main cause of dreaded leaks is being in the wrong-sized nappy, so you’ll want to be sure when it’s time to move to the next size so the baby always gets the best protection.

What size nappy does a newborn need?

It’s impossible to know what size nappy your baby will need as every baby is different, to get the exact right size you will need their weight as many brands use this as a guide rather than age.

According to Pampers nappy guide, nappy sizes start at size 0 for newborns (some other brands start at 1) and progress up to size 8 for tots weighing 17kg and above. It's best to check the sizing guide for each brand.

Supermarket store, ASDA, offers parents the chance to refund or exchange any unopened bag of Little Angels newborn nappies if the size is incorrect. So that’s one less thing to worry about!

Disposable vs reusable nappies

When you become a parent, you may want to think about eco-friendly options when selecting nappies.

Some parents will still pick disposable nappies for their newborn, some only reusable nappies, while others opt for a mix of both. It's entirely up to you as a parent what you decide and there is no right or wrong choice. Here are some pros and cons of each so you can make an informed decision.

Disposable nappies

Disposable nappies are often the go-to for new parents, they are more convenient and save you a lot of time if you are busy trying to juggle taking care of your newborn along with a whole load of cloth nappy laundry.

Although you are producing more waste, when you're out and about you can throw away a disposable nappy rather and carry it around with you until you get home to wash it. They vary in price points depending on which brand you choose to buy, so for some parents, it's easier to manage on a smaller budget - but don't forget, it adds up in the long run.

Disposable nappies use harmless chemicals to lock in wetness, which is a plus so that your baby doesn't leak, but some parents may be concerned about any chemicals near their baby.

Reusable nappies

Not only are they better for the environment, but reusable nappies are also said to be softer on your baby’s skin, less likely to spill and help make potty training easier.

However, while it's assumed reusable nappies are more eco-friendly because you are sending less waste to landfills, they need to be washed and dried at 60 degrees - the recommended temperature from the Department of Health.

You will need to check whether your washing machine and tumble dryer are energy-efficient, as you will be producing higher amounts of carbon emissions if they are not, depending on how you choose to wash and dry your cloth nappies.

Cloth nappies are cheaper than disposable nappies, but initial costs are higher. However, because you won't need to keep buying more, they are considered a more affordable option.

How many nappies will I need?

During the beginning, you'll expect to change your baby's nappy between 10 to 12 times a day, according to the NHS. As your baby grows, this will change to approximately six to eight times a day.

How to change and wash reusable nappies

While reusable nappies are much better for the environment and your pocket, cleaning them is a lot harder than wrapping a nappy up and throwing it in the bin.

When it comes to washing them, a top tip is to add a nappy liner between your baby and the nappy which acts as a permeable layer to stop any non-liquid waste from getting to the nappy. This makes the washing process a whole lot easier, as all you need to do is wrap up any poop in the nappy liner and pop it in the bin before washing the pee out of the reusable nappy in the washing machine. Most nappy liners on the market are 100 per cent biodegradable or compostable, so you don't have to worry about creating waste through the liners.

If you want to give reusable nappies a go, we've also put together a step-by-step guide on how to change your baby's reusable nappies here.

Samantha Ball is a Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby, having written for the brand since 2018. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best and current trending products for little ones and for cute seasonal outfits.