What is a pocket nappy?

The first time that I ever heard the term pocket nappy, I assumed that it meant a small nappy that you could keep in your pocket. I soon discovered that this wasn’t the case. What is a pocket nappy? Here’s our guide to what makes a cloth nappy a pocket nappy.

Cloth nappy types

You might be forgiven for thinking that there are disposable nappies and there are cloth nappies and that’s it. But when it comes to cloth nappies, there are actually lots and lots of different types. I’m not going to go into a full explanation of them here. If you want to know more about some of the different cloth nappies out there, then check out our guide here. Although most cloth nappies work in more or less the same way, there are subtle differences in the way that you use them, put them on or the way that they work. Choosing the right cloth nappy means that you need to decide which type you think will work best for you.

What is a pocket nappy?

To put it simply, a pocket nappy is nappy with a pocket in the back. This pocket is a space between the waterproof outer cover of the nappy and the stay dry inner. This pocket is then filled with an absorbent pad called an insert. In many ways, this absorbent pad is similar to old fashioned cloth nappies. Flat cotton nappies actually make a good choice if you are looking for something to use as an insert. The pocket nappy itself works as a cover with a built in stay dry layer, that allows moisture to pass through to the insert, but feels dry against the skin.

Pros and cons of pocket nappies

Pros:

• Pocket nappies are easy to put on.
• They can be stuffed ready for use to make it quicker.
• It’s easy to add extra absorption to them to make them last longer.
• They fit a wide range of sizes.
• The waterproof layer is built in.
• They have a stay dry layer that feels dry against the skin.
• They come in a wide range of colours and designs.

Cons:

• They have to be stuffed before use.
• You have to wash the whole nappy after each use.
• Some come with inferior inserts, that don’t work as well.
• If they don’t have good elastics at the legs (ours have really good elastics and deep leg gussets) they can leak here.
• There are different types on the market, some of the cheaper ones don’t work as well.

Try pocket nappies

Our take on the pocket nappy is the dinky nappy. It comes with heaps of great features which make it a really reliable cloth nappy. It is also great value for money. Want to try one? You can find them here.