Nappy Liners
Parenting comes with its unique set of challenges, and one of them is managing the mess that comes with nappy changes. This is where nappy liners come into the picture. They're a great help in keeping your baby comfortable and making nappy changes clean and pain-free. Here we'll delve into what nappy liners are, how to use them, their differences from cloth nappy inserts, and more.
What Are Nappy Liners Used For?
Nappy liners are thin sheets of fabric / disposable material that are placed inside the nappy to catch solid waste. They serve as a barrier between your baby's skin and the nappy, helping to keep the skin dry while also making it easier to clean up after a messy number two. They are especially useful for cloth nappies, for parents who fear the thought of dealing with their baby's poo.
How Do I Use Nappy Liners?
Using a nappy liner is simple. First, ensure that your baby's nappy is clean and dry. Then, place the nappy liner inside the nappy, ensuring it covers the area where the solid waste is likely to be. The liner should be flat against the nappy and not folded or crumpled. Once the liner is in place and tucked in around the nappy inserts, you can fasten the nappy as usual. The liner shouldn't stick out the nappy anywhere as this can lead to moisture wicking onto baby's clothing.
Once the nappy is ready to be changed again (which is every 2-3 hours, or as soon as baby has done a poo) you can separate the liner from the nappy. The poo should be rolled into the toilet and flushed away, and the dirty liner can be placed in a biodegradable bag and put in the bin. The nappy itself should then be ready for washing - learn more about how to wash and clean modern cloth nappies.
Read more in our blog post: how to use cloth nappy liners correctly.
Should I Use Nappy Liners?
Whether you should use nappy liners or not depends on your personal preference and your baby's needs. The main benefit is that they make cleaning up messy nappy changes easier, as the solid waste is caught by the liner and can be disposed of separately. Some users of reusable nappies choose not to use liners because they do still contribute a small amount to landfill, and instead opt for washing the nappies.
Nappy Liners Vs Cloth Inserts: What's The Difference?
While nappy liners and inserts both go inside a nappy, their function and design are different. Liners are designed to catch solid waste and keep the baby's skin dry. They are thin, disposable, and are not absorbent. They allow liquid to pass right through.
On the other hand, nappy inserts are designed to absorb liquid. They are thicker and made from absorbent materials such as bamboo. Inserts are reusable and need to be washed in the washing machine.
Can You Put Nappy Liners Down the Toilet?
No, nappy liners should not be flushed down the toilet. Some liners are incorrectly marketed as flushable, but they do not break down in the sewer system like toilet paper. Instead they contribute to blocking up the sewerage pipes. Nappy liners should instead be disposed of in a bin.
Do You Need Nappy Liners With Newborns?
In theory, nappy liners aren't necessary for newborns, especially those that are breastfed. The reason is that the poo of a breastfed baby is liquid, water-soluble, and can be easily removed by the washing machine, thereby eliminating the need for liners. However, if your baby is formula-fed or starting on solids, a nappy liner might be beneficial to catch the more solid waste, which otherwise needs to be removed before going in the washing machine. It should be noted that the use of nappy liners is a personal choice and depends largely on what parents find most convenient.