Choosing what nappy to put around your baby's bottom is no longer the simple matter of a couple of decades ago - you now have an almost mind-boggling selection to decide between.
And once you've got that settled you'll want to get to grips with bottom care, as well as finding out what's normal and what's not when it comes to what's inside your baby's nappy. Here's where to start for everything nappy...
What nappy?
Even before your baby arrives you'll probably spend time wondering what nappy you'll be using. You may not have even thought of it yet, but your first decision will be whether to go cloth or disposable. With many modern cloth nappies now rivalling disposables for ease-of-use and absorbency while beating them firmly on cost, cuteness and green credentials, this is no longer the clear-cut choice of a decade ago.
Disposables
Disposable nappies are still the choice of the majority of UK mums, and there are several big-name brands out there, as well as plenty of in-house store brands. If you're shopping for a newborn then most brands will do a special newborn nappy - you might want to check that your chosen brand is specially low-cut on the front for the umbilical stump for the early days.
For older babies there is a plethora of choice out there, so if you've spent too long scratching your head in front of the rows or 'easy', 'active', 'flex', 'extra dry' and 'pullups', then start by narrowing your choice down according to your baby's weight, developmental stage and individual needs - such as whether she's a very wriggly/active baby, or a heavy-wetter. Then head over to our nappy review section to see how other parents rate the top-selling nappies. And when you've tried some nappies out, don't forget to add your own opinions to help out others. ThinkBaby has regular news and reviews of the latest in disposable nappies and watch out also for regular give-aways and competitions from our site sponsors Pampers.
If being green is important to you, but you can't face the thought of nappy washing, or if you need disposables when you're travelling and can't easily wash cloth nappies, then eco-disposables are a very good option, and they are now usually stocked in supermarkets and bigger chemists.
Bear in mind that these aren't all created equal in terms of their green credentials and their absorbency/fit, so just as with other disposables you may need to try a few before you get the right nappy for your baby. Things to look out for include: the percentage of the nappy that biodegrades or can be recycled, biodegradable wrapping, chlorine, dye and perfume-free (according to your baby's sensitivities). There's a try-before-you-buy scheme featuring four different eco-nappies provided by so organic.com
Cloth nappies
If you're considering using cloth nappies then you might want to read up on the experiences of other mums, such as Shellie Young and pros and cons of cloth versus disposable. Once you've decided you now face a dazzling array of choice in terms of materials, shapes, systems, complexity, absorbency and so on. And as the initial outlay for cloth nappies can be quite expensive (you'll re-coup the money and then some over time), you want to make sure you buy several of a nappy only when you're sure they're a good match for you and your baby's needs. A good place to start finding the right cloth nappy is our buyer's guide. You'll also want to read up on how best to care for your cloth nappies.
ThinkBaby has reviewed many of the top brands of reusable nappies, as have many parents so make sure you check out our review section.
Look out too for information on 'Nappucinos' in your area, which are meetings for mums to explain real nappy use and let you get your hands on different kinds, as well as exhange info and ideas with other mums.
Accessories
No matter what kind of nappy you're using, you'll need somewhere to store the dirty nappies until you either wash them or take them outside to the bin - unless you want to traipse out with every dirty nappy that is. These days there are a wide range of nappy bins and sacks to choose from, with several designed to cut down on poopy smells and potential mess. We recommend that you have a think about what your personal needs are and find out other parents' opinions before you hit the shops looking.
Bottom care
Before your baby arrives you may not have ever changed a nappy before and beginners can start by checking they have the equipment and know-how for changing your baby. The basics are the same, but there are a couple of differences if you're changing a cloth nappy.
The key to avoiding nappy rash is to change your baby's nappies frequently, no matter what kind of nappy you are using. You may also want to keep note of any dietary changes that affect your baby's pooh, both in your own diet while breastfeeding, and baby's diet once you've started weaning. If your baby does get the odd red and sore botty, then follow our 5 ways to beat nappy rash and invest in a good bottom cream or oil (note though that oils and creams can affect the performance of fleece cloth nappy liners).
What's in a nappy?
The contents of your baby's first nappies can be quite startling to the uninitiated and your baby's liquid diet will make for some eyebrow-raising changes over the first six months. Luckily though, early baby pooh doesn't smell nearly so bad as it looks if you're breastfeeding.
With weaning, the changes to your baby's diet will bring changes to her nappy contents. And as she eats more solids you will sooner or later find something in there that resembles what you used to think of as a normal stool.
