Real Cost
Real Savings

A newborn needs around 12 changes a day, but the older they get the less changing they need. A rule of thumb appears to be they need 2 less changes every 6 months, down to 4 changes a day by 18-24 months. HOWEVER, this is an average. Your baby will have his/her own rhythm- my son is 26 months needs at least 5 changes a day, whereas his friend at the same age only needs 2!

The WRAP website suggests you have 25-30 nappies. We will assume here that you'll need 25, and that you will wash daily- 12 nappies being worn + 12 in the wash or drying. If you plan to wash and dry in one day then you'll only need ½ as many and so on.

The only system that needs a particular wrap is the prefolds- they need close fitting wraps (such as a ME Rikki) with a good gusset to hold the prefold in place. A terry nappy, on the other hand, would probably do best with a ME Airflow, or even a Tots wrap.

The Tots, ME Airflow and ME Rikki wraps can all be used with most shaped nappies. Obviously the Tots are designed to be used with Tots nappies etc, but they are pretty much interchangeable.

Breastfed poo can be explosive and very soft (but not smelly, honest!), so you will probably need to change the wrap a couple of times a day in the early months. A bit of soiling on the inside can be cleaned with a wipe, but should be changed if it gets onto the fabric binding.

If you choose the All-In-One or Pocket/Stuffable options then you do not need seperate wraps. As the wraps are intrinsic part of the nappy the whole thing needs changed each time.

  • The following figures do not include liners, nappi nippas, or any creams you may use.
  • "ME" is used here to represent the brand “Mother-Ease”
  • I have not included costs for extra night time boosting; how much you should have, or even whether or not it is needed, is dependant on the baby.
  • I have broken down the calculations into 0-18lb and 18lb+ as that splits into 0-6 months and 6 months + (approx). Most nappies tend to follow this weight as the break between small baby nappies and bigger baby/toddler sizes.
  • The examples given should see you through that particular weight range using the given "nappy system".
  • Some items bridge that weight division, and in these cases I have provided examples which take this into account.
  • Think about moving up a size if you find it difficult to get enough absorbency into the night time nappies.

I'll start with the cheapest option (flat nappies) but don't be put off by the more expensive systems on cost alone, if you've got time you can save up, and if you want to start straight away you can go part time to begin with.

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Flat Nappies

0-6 months (approx)

Muslins can be used for newborns, in addition to the options below, a muslin folded into a rectangle and placed in a Tots Fleece Wrap is quite cozy. A regular booster would work well in a fleece wrap too. If you choose this for the 1st few weeks then you are best going with the Size 0 Tots Redwrap.

Range of nappies and wraps you can choose from:

Newborn-18lb (6 months)
Description
Cost each (£)
Quantity
Total cost (£)
Muslins
1.20
30
36
Terries Small 40cm²
1.75
25
30
Terries Large 60cm²
2.00
25
50
Prefolds Small (up to 15lb)
2.15
25
53.75
Medium (15-28/35lb)
2.65
25
66.25
ME Rikki Wrap Small (6-12lb)
7.50
5
37.5
ME Rikki Wrap Medium (10-20lb)
7.50
5
37.5
ME Airflow Wrap Small (6-12lb)
7.50
5
37.50
ME Airflow Wrap Medium (10-20lb)
7.50
5
37.50


Example 1

£
25 x small Prefolds
53.75
25 x medium prefolds
66.25
5 x small Rikki Wrap
37.5
5 x medium Rikki Wrap
37.5
Total cost
195

Example 2

£
30 x muslin
36
25 x large Terries
50
5 x small Airflow Wraps
37.5
5 x medium Airflow Wraps
37.5
Total cost
161

6 months + (approx)

After the 1st 6 months you can probably get away with fewer wraps as leaks occur less and so you won't need to change the wrap so often. I rarely need to change one in a day.

Range of nappies and wraps you can choose from:

18-35lb 6 months+
Description
Cost each
Quantity
Total cost (£)
Terries Large 60cm²
2.00
25
50
Prefolds Medium (15-28/25lb)
2.65
25
66.25
ME Rikki Wrap Large (20-35lb)
7.50
3
22.50
ME Airflow Wrap Large (20-35lb)
7.50
3
22.50


Example 3:

£
25 x Large Terries
50
3 x Large ME Airflow wraps
22.50
Total cost
72.50

Example 4: assuming you already have the large terries

£
3 x Large ME Airflow wraps
22.50
Total cost
22.50

Example 5:

£
25 x Medium Prefolds
66.25
3 x Large ME Rikki Wraps
22.50
Total cost
88.75

Example 6: assuming you already have the medium prefolds

£
3 x Large ME Airflow wraps
22.5
Total cost
22.5

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Terries Birth to Potty bought individually
Quantity
Product description
Cost (£)
25
Terries Small 40cm²
30
25
Terries Large 60cm²
50
5
 ME Airflow/Rikki Wrap Small (6-12lb)
37.50
5
 ME Airflow/Rikki Wrap Medium (10-20lb)
37.50
3
 ME Airflow/Rikki Wrap Large (20-35lb)
22.50
  Total cost
177.50

 

Prefolds Birth to Potty bought individually
Quantity
Product description
Cost (£)
25
Prefolds Small (up to 15lb)
53.75
25
Prefolds Medium (15-28/35lb)
66.25
5
 ME Rikki Wrap Small (6-12lb)
37.50
5
 ME Rikki Wrap Medium (10-20lb)
37.50
3
 ME Rikki Wrap Large (20-35lb)
22.50
  Total cost
217.50


Shaped Nappies

0-6 months (approx)

Range of nappies and wraps you can choose from:

Newborn-18lb (6 months)
Description
Cost each (£)
Quantity
Total cost (£)
Tots Bots White/Unbleached/Rainbow Size 1 (8-18lb)
7.00
25
175
Tots Bots Fluffle/Bamboozle Size 1 (8-18lb)
8.25
25
206.25
ME Sandys Small (8-20lb)
7.25
25
181.25
Tots Bots Wrap Size 0 (up to 12lb)
7.00
5
35
Tots Bots Wrap Size 1 (up to 18lb)
7.00
5
35
ME Airflow/Rikki Wrap Small (6-12lb)
7.50
5
37.5
ME Airflow/Rikki Wrap Meduim (10-20lb)
7.50
5
37.5


Example 8:

£
25 x size 1 Tots Bots White/Unbleached/Rainbow
175
5 x size 0 Tots wrap
35
5 x size 1 Tots wrap
35
Total Cost
245

Example 9:

£
25 x small ME Sandys
181.25
5 x small ME Airflow wrap
37.50
5 x medium ME Airflow wrap
37.50
Total Cost
256.25

Example 10:

£
25 x size 1 Tots Bots Fluffle/Bamboozle
206.25
5 x size 0 Tots Wrap
35
5 x size 1 Tots Wrap
35
Total Cost
276.25

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6 months+ (approx)

Range of nappies and wraps you can choose from:

18-35lb 6 months+
Description
Cost each
Quantity
Total cost (£)
Tots Bots White/Unbleached/Rainbow Size 2 (18-40lb)
7.50
25
187.50
Tots Bots Fluffle/Bamboozle Size 2 (18-40lb)
8.75
25
218.75
Mother-ease Sandys Large (20-35lb)
7.75
25
193.75
Tots Bots Wrap Size 2 (20-40lb)
7.50
3
22.50
ME Airflow/Rikki Wrap Large (20-35lb)
7.50
3
22.50


Example 11:

£
25 x Size 2 Tots Bots White/Unbleached/Rainbow
187.50
3 x Size 2 Tots Bots Wraps
22.50
Total Cost
210

Example 12:

£
25 x Large ME Sandys
193.75
3 x Large ME Rikki Wraps
22.50
Total Cost
216.25

Example 13:

£
25 x Tots Bamboozle/Fluffle Size 2
218.75
3 x ME Airflow wraps Large
22.50
Total Cost
241.25

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Tots Bots Nippa Birth to Potty bought individually.
Quantity
Product description
Cost (£)
25
Nippa Size 1 (8-18lb)
175
25
Nippa Size 2 (18-40lb)
187.50
5
 Wrap Size 0 (up to 12lb)
35
5
 Wrap Size 1 (up to 18lb)
35
3
 Wrap Size 2 (18-40lb)
22.50
  Total cost
455

 

Tots Bots Bamboozle/Fluffle Birth to Potty bought individually

Quantity
Product description
Cost (£)
25
Bamboozle/Fluffle Size 1 (8-18lb)
206.25
25
Bamboozle/Fluffle Size 2 (18-40lb)
206.25
5
 Tots Wrap Size 0 (up to 12lb)
35
5
 Tots Wrap Size 1(18-40lb)
35
3
 Tots Wrap Size 2 (18-40lb)
22.50
  Total cost
505

ME Sandys Birth to Potty bought individually

Quantity
Product description
Cost (£)
25
Sandys Small (8-20lb)
181.25
25
Sandys Large (20-35lb)
193.75
5
 Airflow/Rikki Wrap Small (6-12lb)
37.50
5
 Airflow/Rikki Wrap Meduim (10-20lb)
37.50
3
 Airflow/Rikki Wrap Large (20-35lb)
22.50
  Total cost
472.50


Onesize Nappies

Onesize nappies should fit from birth to toddler on the average baby. Obviously there are great savings to be had, but as direction for the MEOS state it is to fit from 8-35lb, and Tots size 2 is 18-35lb you could surmise that they will look a bit bulky on the littler babies. That's the pay off I'm afraid. The exception to this is the brand new bumGenius! pocket nappy. It is a onesize to fit 6-35lb and as it is a thin "shell", which is stuffed with an appropriate absorbent booster, it can be fitted small and neat, as well as big for the toddler.

  • FFI: MEOS= Mother-Ease Onesize
  • A Size 2 Tots Rainbow could be used as a one size nappy, by folding down the front and overlapping the “arms”. The standard (white and unbleached) Tots could do this too, but as they are a bit bulkier they may be best used at night.
  • Fluffle size 2 can also be used for smaller babies by turning the front down to suit. An additional booster will probably not be required as they come with a snap in booster as standard- which you can leave out until you need it.
  • Aplix/popper fastenings make fitting outside the manufacturers reccommendations difficult, but nippers allow fitting over a greater range of sizes.If using a Tots size 2 for a little baby (under 12lb) then use the size 0 wrap.
  • The Tots wrap has a crossover tab which means that it will fit smaller babies, the ME wraps don't have this. I can always exchange unused wraps if they don't fit well

0-6 months (approx)

Range of nappies and wraps you can choose from:

Newborn-18lb (6 months)
Description
Cost each (£)
Quantity
Total cost (£)
MEOS (8-35lb)
7.50
25
187.50
MEOS Organic (8-35lb)
9.25
25
231.25
bumGenius! (6-35lb) Inc Microfleece booster
15.50
25
387.50
Tots Bots Rainbow Size 2
7.50
25
187.50
Tots Bots Fluffle Size 2
8.25
25
206.25
Tots Bots Wrap Size 0 (up to 12lb)
7
5
35
Tots Bots Wrap Size 1 (up to 18lb)
7
5
35
ME Airflow/Rikki Wrap Small (6-12lb)
7.50
5
37.5
ME Airflow/Rikki Wrap Medium (10-20lb)
7.50
5
37.5


Example 14:

£
25 X MEOS
187.50
5 x Small ME Airflow Wrap
37.50
5 x Medium ME Airflow Wrap
37.50
Total Cost
262.50

Example 15:

£
25 x Tots Fluffle Size 2
206.25
5 x Tots Wrap Size 0
35
5 x Tots Wrap Size 1
35
Total Cost
276.25

Example 16:

£
25 x bumGenius! Inc Microfleece Booster
387.50
Total Cost
387.50

6 months+ (approx)

Range of nappies and wraps you can choose from:

18-35lb 6 months+
Description
Cost each
Quantity
Total cost (£)
MEOS (8-35lb)
7.50
25
187.50
bumGenius! (6-35lb) Inc Microfleece booster
15.50
25
387.50
MEOS Organic (8-35lb)
9.25
25
231.25
Tots Bots Fluffle Size 2 (18-40lb)
8.75
25
218.75
Tots Bots Rainbow Size 2 (18-40lb)
7.50
25
187.50
Tots Bots Wrap Size 2 (20-40lb)
7.50
3
22.50
ME Airflow/Rikki Wrap Medium (10-20lb)
7.50
5
37.50
ME Airflow/Rikki Wrap Large (20-35lb)
7.50
3
22.50
ME snap in booster
1.60
25
40
ME Organic snap in booster
2.10
25
52.50
Tots Bots Rainbow Boosters
1.05
25
26.25
Cotton Babies One Size Microfleece Booster
1.75
25
43.75


Example 17: assuming you already have the nappies (ie MEOS)

£
25 x ME snap in boosters
40
3 x ME Airflow Wrap Large
22.50
Total Cost
62.50

Example 18: assuming you are starting from scratch

£
25 x MEOS
187.50
25 x ME snap in boosters
40
3 x ME Airflow Wrap Large
22.50
Total Cost
250.00

Example 19: assuming you already have the nappies (ie Fluffle)

£
3 x Tots Bots Wrap Size 2
22.50
Total Cost
22.50

Example 20: assuming you are starting from scratch

£
25 x Tots Bots Fluffle Size 2
218.75
3 x Tots Bots Wrap Size 2
22.50
Total Cost
241.25

Example 21: assuming you already have the nappies (ie bumGenius!)

£
Nothing needed!  
Total Cost
0

Example 22: assuming you are starting from scratch

£
25 x bumGenius! Inc Microfleece Booster
387.50
Total Cost
387.50

Tots Bots Fluffle Onesize bought individually
Quantity
Product description
Cost (£)
25
Tots Bots Fluffle Size 2 (18-40lb)
218.75
5
 Tots Bots Wrap Size 0 (up to 12lb)
35
5
 Tots Bots Wrap Size 1 (up to 18lb)
35
3
 Tots Bots Wrap Size 2 (18-40lb)
22.50
  Total cost
311.25

 

Onesize Birth to potty bought individually
Quantity
Product description
Cost (£)
25
MEOS 8-35lb
187.50
5
 ME Airflow/Rikki Wrap Small (6-12lb)
37.50
5
 ME Airflow/Rikki Wrap Meduim (10-20lb)
37.50
3
 ME Airflow/Rikki Wrap Large (20-35lb)
22.50
25
 ME snap in booster  
40
  Total cost
325

 

All-In-One

All-In-One is a nappy that has the absorbent nappy and waterproof wrap attached in one unit. They are used in the same way as a disposable in that you change the whole thing at each nappy change.