All about Eco Bébé Cloth Nappies

Washable cloth nappies come in many different models and sizes. Just like disposable nappies they are designed to hold pee and poop – except they can be reused, saving 1000s of disposable nappies from ending up in landfill.

Eco Bébé cloth nappies are made with GOTS certified organic cotton and are highly absorbent, soft and safe for your little one’s delicate skin. Our products include cloth nappy squares, reusable foldable inserts and a cotton elastic belt.

1. Start small… Like anything new, start with just a few cloth nappies to work out what style and routine suits you best. As you feel more confident, you can add this to gradually.
2. Try out cloth nappies at home to give yourself the space to experiment, without the pressure of on the go nappy changes
3. Find a friend! There are an abundance of cloth nappy support groups which can be great to go to for encouragement and advice.
4. And… if cloth nappies really aren’t working, don’t feel as though you have failed. Maybe you can try again later – every family is unique and you know what works best for you.

A bucket to place soiled covers and inserts in before washing. A waterproof wet bag to store soiled nappies when you are out and about

This depends on a few factors:

• How often do you want to use cloth nappies? (All the time? Just during the day?)
• How old is your little one? (Newborns wee and poo a LOT more than older bubs!)
• How long does it take you to wash and dry your nappies?

Below is a rough guide to give you an idea of what you may need if you were to wash every second day:

• 8 to 10 cloth nappies are enough for part-time use of 2-3 per day.
• 12 to 18 cloth nappies are enough for full-time use of 4-6 per day.
• 24 to 28 cloth nappies are enough to use full-time day and night.

Remember, you can always start slowly too by using one or two nappies a day while at home – it’s really up to you!

Eco Femme cotton squares and inserts are already prepped and ready for use – prepping refers to the washing process which softens fibres and increases absorbency. Just like any piece of cloth, over time and with use, your Eco Bébé products will become soft and “worn in” and even more absorbent.

Yes! Cloth nappies ARE more breathable than disposables – even if you are using a PUL (poly urethane laminate) waterproof cover layer as this still allows air to pass through. This means that cloth nappies are cooler and more comfortable to wear and are an especially good option for warmer climates.

Just like the first time you dress your newborn baby, putting on a cloth nappy for the first time can feel a bit fiddly. However, with routine and practice (which you get a lot of, quickly) it becomes a familiar process. All our products come with clear written and visual instructions about how to use and care for your new Eco Bébé cloth nappy.

It depends on the style and model of cloth nappy you choose.
If you want a leakproof option, opt for an Eco Bébé insert and use this with a waterproof outer cover from a manufacturer of your choice. When fitted correctly with an appropriate absorbency of inserts this will not leak. In fact, many cloth converts argue that these nappies are more reliable and leakproof than disposable nappies.
On the other hand, if you prefer a breathable, lighter nappy option and slight leaks aren’t a worry – then a cotton square cloth folded into a nappy or used with an Eco Bébé elastic belt is perfect. These cloth nappy styles are designed to capture the poo and absorb most of the wee.
When using these for naps, a helpful tip is to lay a waterproof sheet under your little one.

Yes, cloth nappies can be used at night. A higher absorbency insert such as our Fold ‘n’ Fit Night insert folds to form 12 absorbent layers and can be used with a leakproof cover from a manufacturer of your choice (or even when you are out and about during the day if your bub is a heavy wetter!)

This depends on the age and peeing and pooping habits of your little one. Our Fold ‘n’ Fit inserts are designed to absorb several pees (for example – our 12-layered Night insert). For comfort and to avoid rashes, where possible it is best to change your baby’s nappy as soon as they pee or poo. This is actually one of the benefits of using cloth without any sort of cover because you are immediately aware of when your bub pees or poops and can make a swift change to keep them comfortable.

Reusable nappies are designed to be washed and reused over and over again. Eco Bébé cloth nappies are made using high quality, GOTS-certified organic and, when cared for and stored properly, will last for a really long time! Keep in mind that they will suffer wear over time, just like your clothes, especially given that babies get through A LOT OF nappy changes (more than 1000 in their first 3 months of life). Like any piece of cloth there is an element of common sense and you will know when to retire your cloth nappies, either to be upcycled as something else (you can always cut them up to make small cloth wipes) or composted.

In a nutshell, it’s as easy as carrying a waterproof bag to stash used nappies in. Once you return home, wash as usual. Here are some more helpful tips for cloth nappies on the go…

• If possible, find a toilet to flush solids into before you wrap up the nappy and place it in a wet bag.
• Be prepared: have enough nappy changes ready depending on how long you will be out and the frequency of your little one’s poo and pee patterns.
• For a smooth change, when they are ready for a fresh nappy, have the next nappy ready to put on before removing the dirty one.

Of course! This is a great option if you are feeling unsure about making the switch to cloth nappies. Even swapping one disposable for a cloth nappy each day saves hundreds of nappies from landfill over your baby’s nappy-wearing years. Every switch, even one nappy at a time, makes a difference ????

STEP 1: Flush solids into the toilet and rinse the cloth to remove any remaining pee or poop.
STEP 2: Soak the cloth in cold water for at least 30min in a bucket. This will reduce the smell and remove any stubborn pee or poop. Make sure to wash nappies within 48 hours to keep them in good condition.
STEP 3: To wash by hand, rub the fabric against itself (do not use a brush as this damages the fabric). If using a washing machine, choose a cycle of 30°C (saves energy!), to a max. of 60°C.
STEP 4: Dry well, best in sunlight, or tumble dryer on low heat.
STEP 5: Store in a clean and dry place.

How do I dry my cloth nappies?
The best way to dry your nappies is outside in the sun! Direct sunlight is also a great natural stain remover – though be mindful that too much strong, direct sunlight will degrade fabric and elastic over time. Eco Bébé products can also be tumble dried on low heat.

Fear not, keeping up with cloth nappies during monsoon seasons is possible! During monsoon, nappies can be left under a fan to dry overnight or tumble-dried on low heat.
Our key piece of monsoonal advice is to make sure you have enough cloth nappies according to your needs and wash routine. Cloth nappies that are single-layered or foldable – like our cloth nappy squares and foldable inserts – are best as they will dry much more quickly than thicker inserts.

To ensure your nappies have a long life, it is important to wash them within 48 hours of being soiled. This is because prolonged exposure to pee and poop will begin to damage natural fabrics such as cotton over time… not to mention, prompt washing also helps avoid stinky ammonia and stain issues!

When washed and stored properly, our cloth nappies will not usually stain. Rinsing soiled nappies thoroughly and wringing them out so they are damp (rather than soaked) until washed can also help stop stains from setting.
If you do find the odd mark, UV in sunlight is a natural stain remover – direct sunlight is strongest, but even sunlight on a cloudy day will help. Try to avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach as these can be irritating to your little one’s skin.

We suggest using a gentle, natural detergent because it is better for your bub’s sensitive skin AND the environment. Keep in mind that detergents that contain strong chemicals like bleach, fabric softeners or whitening agents may irritate skin and reduce the lifespan of your nappies.

Yes, Eco Bébé cotton squares and inserts are available in different sizes and absorbency combinations designed to fit newborns through to toddlers.

• Our Good ol’ Faithful Cloth Nappy Squares come in Small (60 x 60cm) and Large (70cm x 70cm)
• Our Fold ‘n’ Fit inserts come in Small (3 – 10kg) and Large (5+kg). Both come in either Day (2 layers, folds to form 8 layers) or Night (3 layers, folds to form 12 layers)
• Our Sumo Style cotton-covered elastic belt has adjustable sizing and is one size fits all (50.5cm x 3cm).

Our Nappy Cover is for protecting the nappies from leakage and is from organic cotton (outer layer), laminated with Polyurethane laminate (PUL) for leak-proofing.
This cover is a ‘1 size fits all’ and is suitable to use for babies to toddlers.
It has many buttons to adjust it to your baby’s size and growth; the top row snap buttons are to adjust the waist size, while the 9 bottom buttons are to shorten its length.
The nappy cover can be used with both the Good Ol’ Faithful nappy and the Fold ‘n Fit nappy inserts.
Please note that our cover is made of laminated organic cotton – this is a conscious decision. Most nappy covers are made from laminated polyester, which feels softer and has more flexibility. However, we felt that the environmental benefit of avoiding polyester was so important that we had to take it.

All Eco Bébé products come with instructions on how to use and care for your Eco Bébé products.

There are MANY different wants to fold your Eco Bébé cloth square to suit your bub – this is the advantage of this style of cloth nappy!

There are also many great video tutorials online for other types of folds, like this page by The Nappy Lady.

Our Sumo Style elastic belt can be used with an Eco Bébé cotton nappy square or any piece of clean cloth. As a rule of thumb, natural fibres are best as they are safe for your baby’s sensitive skin, and old cloth is wonderfully soft and absorbent.

All Eco Bébé products are made using Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton. Our cotton nappy squares and inserts are made with honeycomb weave cotton which means they have higher grams of cotton per square meter to ensure greater absorption. GOTS is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres and includes both ecological AND social criteria for the entire textile supply chain. This means that, from crop to harvest to stitching, your cloth nappies have met criteria that ensure ethical treatment of workers and the environment. Woohoo!

Eco Bébé products are stitched by women’s collectives in India to provide a dignified livelihood for rural women.

Yes, Eco Bébé is a part of the social enterprise Eco Femme, which stitches and sells washable cloth pads and conducts menstrual health education sessions with girls and women from low-income backgrounds in India. Our cloth nappy and cloth pad journeys evolved alongside one another, motivated by a desire to tackle the growing mountain of sanitary waste in India. Eco Femme is a registered unit under the Auroville Foundation, which is a recognised non-profit, non-governmental organisation.

Yes, Eco Bébé is a part of the social enterprise Eco Femme, which stitches and sells washable cloth pads and conducts menstrual health education sessions with girls and women from low-income backgrounds in India. Our cloth nappy and cloth pad journeys evolved alongside one another, motivated by a desire to tackle the growing mountain of sanitary waste in India. Eco Femme is a registered unit under the Auroville Foundation, which is a recognised non-profit, non-governmental organisation.

Eco Bébé is based in Auroville, an international township in Tamil Nadu, South India. Auroville is a UNESCO-endorsed ongoing experiment committed to the values of human unity, diversity, and transformation of consciousness. Today, it is also a hub for innovators and changemakers, particularly in the areas of sustainable living and green practices.