How to choose the right nappy
Too tight or too loose, should it be higher on the waist or looser around the legs? It is not always easy to tell if the nappy you choose is going to be right. Depending on your child’s age, there are different nappies to choose between – we guide you through the various styles and give you tips on what to look out for.
As a parent of a small baby, nappies and nappy changes take up quite a lot of your time. Which is not surprising – a nappy that fits well and does what it’s supposed to do may not be something you think much about, until the opposite happens and you have to deal with the consequences. In general, it is important to choose a nappy that is gentle on the baby’s skin, does not contain perfume and is breathable to reduce the risk of nappy rash. You and your baby will also end up going through quite a few nappies over the years, so it’s a good idea to try and choose an eco-labelled nappy. Libero’s nappies are Nordic Swan eco-labelled and FSC certified, and we are constantly working to reduce the climate impact of both our packaging and our nappies. The latest step is our new climate-smart hybrid nappy, developed in collaboration with babies and their parents. It’s called Libero Touch Hybrid, and is a two-piece nappy with a textile part and an absorbent insert. This will help you use and throw away less material, and also mean less material is transported. Overall, Libero Touch Hybrid has a 35% lower climate impact than a standard Libero nappy. Sounds good, right?
Libero Touch Hybrid with a 35% lower CO2 footprint compared to a standard Libero nappy.
Open nappies for younger babies
For younger babies, you use what are known as open nappies, where you adjust the tightness of the nappy at the waist with a Velcro fastener. These nappies come in sizes small enough to fit even premature babies, and they are also designed to protect the delicate little belly button. Our nappies have a built-in wetness indicator, which is a line at the front of the nappy that changes colour when it gets wet – so you’ll know if your baby has peed. And now Libero Touch nappies (sizes 1 and 2) have a small pocket at the back to stop those poo explosions from leaking out and up your baby’s back. We call it the Capture Pocket™, and it simply makes things easier for young and old alike with less mess, less washing and fewer complicated nappy changes!
Libero Touch with extra protection against poo accidents!
Pull-up nappies for active children
As your little one grows, you’ll probably notice that they become more mobile on the changing table – and pretty soon they’ll be able to move around on their own even on the floor. Lying still on a changing table is not much fun for a baby who has just discovered the world. This poses new challenges for both nappies and nappy changing. Nappies should be easy to put on and take off, and stay in place whether the baby is sitting, lying down, rolling over, crawling or standing.
Up&Go or Touch pull-up nappies are available from around 5 kg and are wonderfully easy to put on and flexible for babies who don’t want to stay still. You (simply…) need to catch your baby, and remove the nappy by tearing the side. Then you pull on the new nappy, unfold the leakage barriers and let the little explorer get back to playing. If you want to see more about how to change pull-up nappies, you can do so here. When it’s time for potty training, pull-up nappies are great because they act more like underwear that your child can pull up and down on their own.
Nappies that don’t leak at night
Dry babies sleep best, so finding a nappy that works well throughout the night is especially important. All of Libero’s nappies are made to stay dry throughout the night, and as long as your baby hasn’t pooped, you shouldn’t have to change them. But if you find that the nappy leaks at night, it may be worth checking if the nappy is too small, both in terms of fitting well against the body and being able to catch the amount of pee. This is because older babies pee more. It might be wise to try a larger nappy since they contain more superabsorbents – the material that absorbs and encapsulates the pee. It is also important to put the nappy on correctly, and not forget to fold out the leakage barriers properly.
The type of nappy can also sometimes play a role. Lots of parents use pull-up nappies at night and think they work fine, while others choose to continue using Velcro nappies a while longer. This is a case of trial and error to find the best fit – the one that gives you all the best sleep.
How to find the right nappy size
Just like adults, children have different body types, so it’s good to know that the age and weight information on the packet is just a guideline rather than a rule. Two babies of the same weight but different heights may need different sizes. You should make sure that the nappy fits snugly so that it doesn’t gape anywhere around the legs, but it shouldn’t be so tight that it leaves marks. And once again, if you find that the nappy is leaking, try going up a size as larger sizes catch more pee.
Please note that all information above is based on Swedish recommendations.
