As a parent, ensuring your baby sleeps comfortably through the night is a top priority. One way to enhance your cloth nappy routine is by incorporating wool covers at night time. Let's explore what wool covers are, their benefits, and how to care for them.

What is a Wool Cover?

A wool cover is a breathable, natural fibre cover used over cloth nappies to provide an extra layer of protection against leaks. The water-resistant properties of wool make these covers the ideal night-time companion to keep wetness inside the nappy and prevent spills onto baby's clothing or sheets. Made from sheep's wool, these covers are designed to fit snugly over your baby's reusable nappy, offering superior absorbency and comfort. Think of wool nappy covers as your leak prevention insurance policy at night. 

Wool comes with many benefits beyond being water-resistant, such as excellent breathability and naturally thermoregulating, meaning it helps to keep baby warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It's also antibacterial so can simply be hung to air each day rather than washed, saving parents precious time in washing.

How to Use Wool Covers with Cloth Nappies

1. Layering: Start by putting on your preferred cloth nappy with extra reusable cloth nappy inserts for the night. Ensure it's well-fitted to avoid leaks. If your cloth nappies have a PUL cover, this is okay to use as a base and add an additional wool cover over the top. Learn more about night nappies. 
2. Covering: Place the wool cover over the cloth nappy, adjusting the fit around the legs and waist so it all sits snuggly. 
3. Securing: There is no need to secure the wool cover with anything. They are just pulled up over the cloth nappy like a pair of pants. 

Benefits of Wool Covers

1. Leak Prevention and Comfort

Wool covers are highly effective at preventing leaks, making them ideal for night time use. The natural fibers allow for excellent moisture absorption while remaining breathable, keeping your baby dry and comfortable throughout the night. The natural thermoregulating features of wool mean you rest assured your baby won't be feeling too hot or too cold.

2. Natural Urine Neutralisation

Wool has antibacterial qualities that allows it to neutralise urine odours. The lanolin in wool reacts with urine to create a natural soap, which helps keep the cover fresh and clean-smelling even after multiple uses.

3. Low Maintenance

One of the standout benefits of wool covers is their low maintenance. Unlike PUL nappy covers, which accompany cloth inserts, wool covers only need washing every two to four weeks, or longer, unless they become soiled with baby poo. This feature adds extra leak prevention without increasing your daily laundry workload.

4. Ideal for Heavy Wetters

For babies who drink a lot at night or are generally heavy wetters, wool covers offer an added layer of protection. Their superior absorbency can handle more moisture, reducing the risk of night time leaks.

Caring for Wool Covers

Proper care ensures your wool covers remain effective and last longer. Here's how to maintain them:

Preparing Wool Covers for First-Time Use

Lanolising: Before first use, and ideally after every wash, lanolise the wool cover to enhance its waterproof properties. Dissolve a small amount of lanolin in hot water, then add to lukewarm water. Soak the cover for a few hours, then gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring). Lay flat to dry in the shade.

Washing Wool Covers

• Frequency: Wash every two to four weeks unless soiled.
• Method: Hand wash in lukewarm water with a wool-friendly detergent. Avoid harsh rubbing to prevent damage.

Drying Wool Covers

• Air Dry: Lay flat to dry, away from direct sunlight or heat sources to prevent shrinking.

Handling Tips

• Jewellery Caution: Be mindful of rings or bracelets that could snag the wool fibers, causing damage to the cover.

Incorporating wool covers into your cloth nappy routine can make a significant difference in your baby's night time comfort and your peace of mind. With their natural benefits and low maintenance, wool covers are a practical and eco-friendly choice for parents seeking the best for their little ones.

Nappyluxe recommends purchasing at least two wool covers to ensure adequate drying time when one nappy does need a wash.

When you feel you've mastered cloth nappies during the day and you're ready to begin using them at night, wool covers provide you with the confidence you need to keep your baby dry. 

Meet the Author

Natalie Lassen

Natalie, Founder of NappyLuxe, is an eco-conscious mother and entrepreneur who discovered the benefits of cloth nappies for her family and the environment. With a mission to create the ultimate cloth nappy, she spent years researching and testing various designs before launching NappyLuxe - a range of high-quality, easy-to-use, and ultra-absorbent cloth nappies. Natalie is passionate about sharing her experience and expertise, helping parents make informed decisions and embark on their own sustainable parenting journey.