The Basics

Cloth nappies can be an overwhelming topic, with new words and names for things it can seem like a whole new language. We’re here to make it easy for you, so here’s a break down of the basic options for our nappies.

You may have found that there are tonnes of different types of cloth nappies on the market, but we wanted to simplify things! Part of making using cloth nappies as simple as possible for you is choosing to stock only one type of nappy – the pocket style – basically named after the pocket at the back of the nappy where your absorbency inserts go. When you buy a nappy from Bear & Moo, you’ll receive the shell (or outer – the fun bit!) and a four layer microfibre insert for absorbency.

The Nitty Gritty

Now, our nappies come in two fabric options – suede and bamboo. This refers to the part of the fabric inside the nappy which sits against your baby’s skin – the print or colour on your outer is unchanged.

But what’s the difference, and how do you decide which is better for you and your
little one? The most important thing to remember is that at the end of the day there is no right or wrong way, it really comes down to personal preference.

Here are the main differences to help you along your way to making the right decision for you.

Let’s start with Suede – a synthetic fabric which has the benefit of quickly wicking
moisture away, so it sits dry against your baby’s precious little bottom. Basically it will allow urine to pass into the absorbent insert but generally not back the other way unless the nappy is really saturated. A little added bonus of this – suede is quicker to dry after being washed which can cut down your turnaround time.

That all sounds great, right? So what about Bamboo then? Bamboo is a natural fibre and is known for its absorbent properties. The main difference here is that bamboo is slower to absorb moisture but will hold moisture, which means your bub may feel the wetness against their skin before it’s fully absorbed by the insert. Of course this can work in your favour if you are on the toilet training journey! Bamboo can also take a little longer to dry after being washed.

So there you have it. Bamboo and suede are both great options, and whichever one you choose you can rest assured that you’ve made an excellent decision in choosing to use cloth nappies in the first place!