Best Nappies for Newborns 2024

4 September 2024

Welcoming a new baby into the world comes with whole heap of decisions, one of which is choosing the right nappy. This article was inspired by this Reddit post where a Mum to be was asking for advice on stockpiling nappies before her little one was born.

The overwhelming advice was not to stockpile nappies as babies vary so much in shape and size and it can be trial and error finding the right one for you. We wholeheartedly agree with this!

That being said, some brands of nappy stand out head and shoulders above the rest. In this article we'll compare the best disposable and reusable nappy options for newborns.

One point to note. There's No Such Thing As An 'ECO' Nappy. Beware greenwashing!

Eco nappies are made from marginally 'better' materials than standard disposables using FSC approved wood pulp or bamboo for the absorbent core.

However all disposable nappies use between 15% and 20% plastic and create mountains of waste as every child will use around 4500 nappies between birth and being potty trained.

Often the plastic used is 'bioplastic' which implies that a product will degrade in the natural environment within days, weeks, or months, similar to an orange peel or flower petal.

Unfortunately, this is not how most commercial bioplastics behave if they become waste. If commercially compostable plastics are sent to the landfill or littered, they can take a long time to break down, just like traditional plastics.

Eco nappy companies also often fail to mention the bioplastics in their nappies, referring instead to 'plant based materials'.

If you're using eco nappies thinking that they're better for the environment, think again! Reusable nappies will save you money, don't create waste and are soft and gentle against your baby's skin. They're easy to wash in the washing machine and once you're into a routine, are easy to use.

Newborn nappies are designed with teeny tiny babies in mind, and selecting the right nappy can make a huge difference in those early weeks and months. They're often softer for newborn baby's skin and have smaller leg cuffs to prevent leaks.

Parents should consider several key factors when selecting newborn nappies, including comfort, absorbency, sensitivity to skin, ease of use, and environmental impact.

We've reviewed numerous nappies and chosen these nappy brands based on safety, effectiveness, and customer feedback. Here’s a quick look at the best nappies for newborns 2024:

Best Overall Nappies for Newborn: Muslins and Newborn Nappy Wrap
Best Disposable Nappies for Newborn: Sainsburys Newborn Nappies
Best Reusable Nappies for Newborn: Cheeky Bamboo Fitted Nappies & Alva Newborn Size Wrap
Best Budget Disposable Nappies For Newborn: Aldi Mamia
Best Eco Nappies for Newborn: Kit & Kin Eco Nappies
Best Budget Reusable Nappies For Newborn: Bells Bumz Reusable Pocket Nappies for Newborn

Best Overall Nappies For Newborn: Muslins & Newborn Nappy Wrap

Size: Up to 15lb

Type: Reusable flat nappy & wrap

Wetness Indicator: No

Absorbency: Muslins can be folded differently for boys and girls, making them very absorbent. They can also be easily boosted.

Price: £6.95 for a newborn nappy cover, 12 muslins will cost £17.95 and a pack of nappi fasteners £6.95. If you need 5 nappy covers, £50 will see you from newborn to 15lb weight.

Customer Reviews: 'These muslins are my favourite nappy so far. We used them for our new born when he didn’t fit the BTP nappies and have just kept on using them. With a seedling and Thirsties wrap they’re bomb proof.'

What we love: The great thing about using muslins on newborns is that there are lots of folds available to make them fit your tiny baby securely. Once your baby has outgrown them, you'll still be able to use them as muslins for ever after, which make fantastic bibs! Muslins also dry really quickly. The wraps size fitting will actually work up to 25lbs, meaning you'll continue to get a lot of use from them too as they have adjustable poppers.

Things to consider: Some people might find folding a faff, but it's really easy once you give it a go a time or two

Best Disposable Nappies For Newborn: Sainsburys Little Ones

Size: 4lb to 11lb

Type: Disposable Nappy

Wetness Indicator: Yes

Absorbency: Good

Price: 81p for 26 (3.1p per nappy)

Customer Reviews: 'Our daughter has been using the Little One size 1 and then 2 nappies since she was born. These are very soft and absorbs well of her night time pees and running poops. Great value too with the price. Would really recommend!.'

What we love: Good value, and super soft material, these nappies are also available in size 2, fitting 9lbs to 15lbs.

Things to consider: Consider the amount of waste created and that over 3 years you'll be spending £800 / £900 on nappies

Best Reusable Nappies For Newborn: Cheeky Bamboo Fitted Nappies & Little Lamb Newborn Wrap

Size: 7lb to 20lb

Type: Reusable Fitted Nappy & Wrap

Wetness Indicator: Yes

Absorbency: Great

Price: Bamboo Nappy £11.49 , Wrap £12.95

Customer Reviews: 'Amazing quality, great fit, soft on skin, not bulky with excellent absorption. The best nappies I have tried (and I have tried a few!) and there is no way I am using anything else from now on.'

What we love: These nappies are fitted, so won't be bulky on your baby. The charcoal inner means it's easy to see if they're wet too - and they don't show any staining from newborn poo. Having boosters separate means quicker drying time too.

Things to consider: The wraps come in two size nappies, newborn 5 to 10lbs and size 1 which is 7 lbs to 20 lbs, so you may wish to just buy the size 1 wrap to save money and wait until your baby grows into it. You'll also need to use nappy liners, we recommend fleece rather than disposable.

Best Budget Nappies For Newborn: Aldi Mamia Newborn

Size: 4lb to 11lb

Type: Disposable Nappy

Wetness Indicator: Yes

Absorbency: Good

Price: 75p for 24 (3.12 p per nappy)

Customer Reviews: 'They're honestly the best nappies we've tried and at nearly 4 months old, our daughter has never had even the tiniest bit of nappy rash.'

What we love: Good quality disposable nappy at a great price. They also come in larger packs and in a size 2 option.

Things to consider: This nappy size are only suitable to 11lbs, if you have a large baby they won't last long, so don't stockpile! Plus even at this price, you'll still spend £800 on disposable nappies and create mountains of waste.

Best Budget Reusable Nappies For Newborn: Bells Bumz Newborn Pocket Nappies

Size: 4lb to 25lb

Type: Reusable Pocket Nappy

Wetness Indicator: No

Absorbency: High absorbency nappy

Price: £9.95 each

Customer Reviews: None available

What we love: These nappies have velcro tabs, so are easy to use once you have the poppers at the right setting for your baby. They'll also do a fairly long period of time, from birth, right up to 25lb. They're also very absorbent as they come with a hemp and bamboo insert which is super absorbent.

Things to consider: Pocket nappies are generally more prone to leaks than a separate wrap and nappy.

Best Eco Nappies For Newborn: Kit & Kin

Size: 4lb to 11lb

Type: 'Eco' Disposable Nappy

Wetness Indicator: Yes

Absorbency: Fair

Price: £32 for 152 on subscription every three weeks (21p per nappy)

Customer Reviews: 'My son has been in kit & Kin eco nappies since Birth! I have never had a leak. The delivery is prompt & convenient. The bundle deal is definitely worth it! The quality of the nappies is best on the market. I feel confident that my son is comfortable.'

What we love: The subscription service makes it hassle free for parents to have nappies delivered to their door.

Things to consider: These nappies are super expensive compared to the other disposable nappies listed. And as we said in the introduction, there's no such thing as an eco nappy, despite what their 'greenwashing' marketing says.

Got more questions or need advice? Drop us a line, or check out our advice section or blogs which might be of interest:

About the Author: Helen Rankin, an advocate for sustainable living, embarked on her journey with reusable products when her first child was born in 2004. Facing limited options in cloth nappies, Helen’s passion only grew, leading her to launch Cheeky Wipes in 2008, right before welcoming her third child.

Helen's commitment to promoting sustainable solutions led to her taking over The Nappy Gurus in 2024. Today, she is excited to share her extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for all things reusable, helping a new generation of parents navigate eco-friendly choices for their children.