Cloth Nappy FAQs

Find the answers to popular cloth nappy FAQs below: 

1. What is the difference between your Classic, Ultimate, Beginners, Hybrid (v1 and v2) and Pull-Ups/Training Pants cloth nappies?

2. Do I need to use dedicated Newborn cloth nappies?

3. Do I need to use dedicated Night cloth nappies?

4. How many nappies do I need to do cloth full-time?

5. When do I need to wash my Ultimate nappy shell?

6. How do I wash my nappies?

7. How do I fit my nappies?

8. Which inserts do I use with my nappies?

9. How absorbent are my nappies?

10. What is the difference between the Ultimate V1.0, V2.0 and V3.0 Nappies? 

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1. What is the difference between our Nappies? 

The Ultimate nappy is our signature nappy that many turn to as a night-time solution for their heavy wetters. However, these nappies feature a PUL outer and inner, meaning they are also wipeable and the perfect solution to take you from Day to Night. 

  • These nappies come with 4x absorbent inserts (1x hemp, 3x bamboo), making them famous as a night nappy solution for even the very heavy wetters (a total of 16 layers of absorbency).
  • The wipeable nappy shell design also means it can be wiped down in between uses, making it popular to use throughout the day. Snap out the soiled insert, wipe down the nappy shell, and snap in a fresh clean insert. However, we do recommend changing the nappy shell if wee/poo seeps into the leg elastics (gussets).
  • As the Ultimate nappy shells are completely waterproof, they can double as a swim nappy (use without inserts). 
  • The Ultimate nappy fits from 4-20kg

The Classic nappy is your standard cloth nappy featuring a 'pocket' (openings at the front and back of the nappy to allow you to stuff an insert into the middle). The pocket is made with stay-dry jersey and the nappy outer is made from a waterproof material called PUL. 

  • These are trim-fitting nappies that are fairly similar to disposables in fit.
  • They come with 1x hemp (cream-coloured) and 1x bamboo (white) inserts (a total of 10 layers of absorbency).
  • These nappies were designed to fit more snug and than our Ultimate nappies and are perfect to send to day-care or with carers for the day.
  • Work as great night nappies for light to moderate wetters!
  • The Classic nappy is a OSFM style, fitting most babies from 3-17kg - that's birth to toilet training for most babies.

The Beginners Nappy is our NEW introduction pocket nappy featuring a unique dual closure to help you find what works best for your baby! 

  • These nappies come with 2 x absorbent liners, perfect for day time use!
  • The dual-closure gives you the option of using either snaps or hook & loop to secure the nappy on your bub! Perfect for families new to cloth nappies, or for babies being cared for by multiple adults who have differing preferences! It's the best of both worlds!
  • The pocket nappy system lined with suede-cloth provides a "close to disposable nappy" experience to help you get your head around fitting cloth nappies! The lining keeps your baby feeling dry while the inserts do all the work for you!
  • As the Beginners nappy is available as a cost-effective set, you can get a pack to trial cloth and find out what your preferences are without the huge investment risk!
  • The Beginners nappy fits from 3-17kg

    The Hybrid Fitted Nappy Cover is our hero nappy for families with SUPER heavy wetting bubs! They feature a PUL shell with absorbent lining, meaning that paired with our Ultimate Inserts or Bamboo Flats they offer superior absorbency without compromising on fit or style!

    • Hybrids are a fitted nappy cover with a PUL outer shell and in-built bamboo absorbency! The shells alone offer 450g of absorbency and offer plenty of room and snaps at either end, for boosting with inserts for overnight use.
    • The OSFM size is designed to fit from ~3-17kg where the LOSFM size is designed to fit from ~10-22kg.
    • Hybrids also feature our SOFTEST leg elastics yet, and are completely lined with hypoallergenic, thermoregulating bamboo.
    • Our v2 Hybrid Fitted Nappy Covers include updated features including a waterproof tummy panel for stopping any leaks or wicking, longer wings and more room in the LOSFM shell!

    The Pull-Ups / Training Pants are designed with little kids in mind! Take your little one from nappies to toilet training with ease with our easy and versatile Pull-Up Training Pants! 

    • Pull-Ups feature a PUL outer shell, with both tummy and back elastics and an in-built absorbent core feature a unique combination of bamboo and microfibre to offer great, fast absorbent action!
    • The inner absorbent lining features a dual-ended pocket, perfect for boosting with inserts for overnight use, or nap times!
    • The Pull-Ups feature hip snaps, and 3 columns of rise snaps making the size completely adjustable and allowing you to use them as a side-snapping nappy if your little one isn't ready to step in and pull up yet!
    • The OSFM size is designed to fit from ~3-17kg where the LOSFM size (v1) is designed to fit from ~10-22kg.
    • Our V2 Pull-Ups are new and improved with a higher weight rating on the LOSFM size (up to 25kg), double gussets and softer elastics for an easier pull-up experience and more comfort for your baby!
    There is no right or wrong nappy. It is simply what works best for you (do you like or hate stuffing pockets, do you prefer wiping down and reusing shells, or does it not matter?) and for your baby (Are they a heavy wetter? Are they lanky or chunky? Do they flood the nappy, so need the absorbency of the Ultimate?)

    Feel free to email us at support@monarchstore.com.au if you have any questions! 

    2. Do I need to use dedicated Newborn cloth nappies? 

    Short answer is no. The long answer is - it depends on your baby - how big it is at birth, how much it weighs and whether you wish to use cloth nappies from Day 1 or sometime later. 

    Newborn nappies are much smaller than One-Size-Fits-Most ("OSFM") like our Classic and Ultimate nappies and will therefore fit much better when your baby is smaller. Our Newborn nappies are designed to fit 2-8kg which means they will fit a lot longer than you think. 

    If you answer yes to the following: 

    • I am aiming to use cloth nappies from Day 1 (or close to); 
    • I prefer a trim fitting nappy that will fit under clothes; 
    • My baby is likely to be born early / of a smaller build; 
    • I am likely to have children in the future and wouldn't mind investing in a stash of good-fitting nappies; 

    then Newborn nappies are for you! If you would prefer to jump straight into OSFM nappies, we recommend the Classic nappies as they are a smaller fit and will fit most bubs at an earlier stage than the Ultimate nappies. 

    3. Do I need a dedicated Night cloth nappy for my baby? 

    Again, short answer is no. Long answer is - again, it depends on your baby and how much it outputs. If they are a light to moderate wetter, they may be fine with the Classic nappy with both inserts or the Ultimate nappy with the two large inserts. 

    If they are a heavy wetter, we would recommend our famous Ultimate nappy with three or even all four of the inserts. 

    If you are finding that they are even saturating all the inserts in the Ultimate nappy and you are confident that it is not a fit / wash / absorption issue, then we would recommend a Fitted nappy. A Fitted nappy is a nappy that is absorbent all-over, including the nappy shell. Whilst the Ultimate nappy is incredibly absorbent and will meet the needs of most babies, the shell is still wipeable meaning it will not absorb moisture. With a Fitted nappy where even the nappy shell is absorbent, you will have an extra layer of absorption and protection. 

    Whilst we do not currently offer a Fitted nappy option, we are working on a few designs that we hope to bring to market soon. 

    4. How many cloth nappies do I need to do cloth full-time? 

    This is a great question and will depend on how often you do laundry and where you live (as this will affect drying times). If you wash less frequently and in a colder climate, we would recommend getting at least 36 nappies to give you a good buffer. 

    If you wash every other day and live in a hot environment (or use the dryer/heater), then 20-24 nappies will be a good starting point. 

    5. When do I need to wash my Ultimate nappy shell?

    We recommend washing (instead of just wiping down) the Ultimate nappy shells for:

    • Poo-splosions or heavy soiling where wee / poo has escaped the inserts and penetrated the leg elastics (i.e. gussets) as otherwise it may cause ammonia burn on the legs; and
    • Night nappies - if you have just used the nappy as a night nappy, we recommend doing a hot wash of the entire nappy (shell along with the inserts) rather than just doing a simple wipe-down. Night nappies are designed to hold a lot of wee, and often the wee will get absorbed into the shell even if it appears dry. If there is ammonia build-up in the leg elastics, this may cause angry red raised marks on bub's legs. 

    6. How do I wash my nappies? 

    Super easy to do! We have created a "Wash Routine" PDF guide that you can download for free! Stick it up in your laundry or wherever you do your washing!

    7. How do I fit my nappies?

    We have created a "Fitting Your Nappies" PDF guide that you can also download for free! Print it off and put it over the change table, share with grandparents or other carers so you get the best fit every time!

    8. Which inserts do I use with my nappies? 

    We have a few different types of nappies available and we have a dedicated Configuration Graphic for each type. 

    9. How absorbent are my nappies?

    Very absorbent! We have set ourselves the goal of creating the MOST absorbent nappies out there! However to find out the absorbency of our particular inserts (or to find out which nappy might suit you best), check out our Absorbency Guide!

    10. What is the difference between the V1.0, V2.0 and V3.0 in the Ultimate Nappies? 

    We know our different versions of nappies can be a lot, so here's a quick breakdown of the key differences. 

    Inserts: 

    • The V1.0 comes with 3 inserts = 13 layers of absorbency
      • 1x 5-layer Curved ("Gussetted") Hemp Insert + 1x 5-layer Bamboo Insert + 1x 3-layer Bamboo Insert
    • The V2.0 ("Nap Edition") comes with 2 inserts = 8 layers of absorbency
      • 1x 5-layer Bamboo Insert + 1x 3-layer Bamboo Insert
    • The V3.0 comes with 4 inserts = 16 layers of absorbency
      • 1x 5-layer Flat ("Non-Gussetted") Hemp Insert + 1x 5-layer Bamboo Insert + 2x 3-layer Bamboo Inserts

     

    Nappy Shell (the waterproof outer): 

    • The V1.0 will fit approx ~4-18kg; 
    • The V2.0 features longer wings (the bits on the side that snap onto the front) so it will fit ~4-19kg. The waterproof flap at the back of the nappy does NOT have an elastic (to prevent red marks forming). 
    • The V3.0 also has the longer wings, with softer PUL so it will fit larger again, ~4-20kg. The waterproof flap at the back of the nappy DOES have an elastic to hold the inserts in if you prefer not to snap them into the shell.