If you're preparing for a new baby and looking into cloth nappies, one of the first questions you're likely to ask is:
Do I actually need newborn cloth nappies, or can I just use one-size nappies from birth?
It's a really good question.
One-size-fits-most nappies are designed to grow with your baby, which makes them an appealing option. Why buy a smaller set of nappies that your baby will eventually grow out of if you can buy one set and use it for years?
The answer is: it depends.
Some newborn babies can wear certain one-size nappies from birth. Others will be much better suited to a newborn-specific nappy for those first few weeks or months.
The baby's size, shape, the particular nappy and your own preferences all play a part.
So let's look at the difference between newborn and one-size cloth nappies and work out which option might make sense for your family.
What is a newborn cloth nappy?
A newborn cloth nappy is specifically designed to fit a newborn baby.
Newborn nappies are generally:
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Smaller overall
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Narrower through the crotch
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Smaller around the legs
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Smaller around the waist
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Shorter in the rise
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Designed around newborn proportions
They're intended to provide a better fit on a smaller baby than a standard one-size-fits-most nappy.
Newborn nappies aren't necessarily designed to last as long as one-size nappies. Instead, their purpose is to give you a better-fitting, less bulky option during those early weeks or months.
Different newborn nappies have different minimum and maximum weight recommendations, so always check the sizing information for the particular nappy you're considering.
What is a one-size cloth nappy?
A one-size cloth nappy, often called OSFM (one-size-fits-most), is designed to adjust as your baby grows.
The nappy typically has multiple snap settings or other adjustments that allow you to make the nappy smaller for a young baby and gradually increase the size as they grow.
The idea is that one nappy can take your baby from relatively small through to toddlerhood.
That's a pretty appealing concept!
Instead of buying several different sizes, you can build a stash of one-size nappies and use them for a much longer period.
However, there's an important catch.
One-size doesn't necessarily mean one-size-from-birth.
The smallest setting on a one-size nappy may still be too large for a very small newborn.
Why can newborns be tricky in one-size nappies?
Newborn babies are tiny.
And they're not just smaller versions of toddlers.
Their proportions are different too.
A standard one-size nappy may have been designed to fit a baby weighing several kilograms more than a newborn, even when it's adjusted down to its smallest setting.
This can result in:
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Gaps around the legs
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A bulky fit
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Too much fabric between the baby's legs
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The nappy sitting too high
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Difficulty getting a snug waist fit
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Leaks, particularly around the legs
This doesn't mean one-size nappies are bad for newborns.
It simply means that the fit needs to be right.
If the nappy is too large for your baby, adjusting it to the smallest setting doesn't magically make the entire nappy smaller.
The rise may still be too long, the crotch may still be too wide and the overall shape may not suit a tiny newborn.
When can one-size nappies work from birth?
Some babies can wear one-size nappies from birth.
This is particularly true if:
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Your baby is on the larger side
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The particular one-size nappy has a small minimum size
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Your baby has a body shape that suits the nappy
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You're happy with a slightly bulkier fit
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You're comfortable adjusting the nappy carefully
For example, a larger newborn may fit into a particular OSFM nappy much more successfully than a small 2.5kg baby.
This is why you'll sometimes hear one parent say:
"We used one-size nappies from birth!"
while another says:
"Our newborn couldn't fit into them for months."
Both can be true.
It's not necessarily the nappy that's different. It can simply be the baby.
Weight ranges aren't the whole story
One of the biggest mistakes parents can make when choosing cloth nappies is looking only at the weight range.
Weight is useful.
But weight isn't everything when it comes to nappy fit.
Two babies can weigh exactly the same and have completely different body shapes.
One baby might be long and slim.
Another might have chunky thighs.
Another might have a rounder tummy.
Another might have a very petite frame.
All of those babies could weigh 4kg, but they won't necessarily fit the same nappy in the same way.
That's why we always recommend considering both weight and shape when choosing a newborn nappy.
Why does baby's shape matter?
The leg fit is particularly important.
A cloth nappy needs to sit snugly around the baby's legs without being uncomfortably tight.
If the leg opening is too large, you can end up with gaps.
And gaps can mean leaks.
If the nappy is too wide or bulky through the crotch, it can also be uncomfortable and make it harder to get a good fit.
A newborn-specific nappy is designed with these smaller proportions in mind.
That doesn't automatically mean every newborn nappy will fit every newborn perfectly either.
Different brands have different shapes.
Some suit long, slim babies.
Others work particularly well for babies with chunkier thighs.
This is one of the reasons having a range of brands and styles available can be so helpful when you're trying to find the right fit.
What about the umbilical cord area?
Another consideration during those first few weeks is your baby's umbilical cord stump.
Newborn-specific nappies may have features designed to sit lower on the baby's tummy, leaving more space around the cord area.
This can be particularly useful when you're changing a tiny newborn several times a day.
Some newborn nappies have a specific dip or lower rise designed to avoid covering the cord stump.
Not every newborn nappy has this feature, though, so it's worth checking the design before purchasing.
As the cord stump dries and falls away, this becomes much less of a consideration.
When do babies usually move into one-size nappies?
There's no single age when every baby will fit into one-size nappies.
It depends on:
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Your baby's birth size
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How quickly they gain weight
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Their body shape
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The brand of one-size nappy
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The design and minimum size of the nappy
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How you like your nappies to fit
Some babies may fit a particular OSFM nappy from birth.
Others may need newborn nappies for several weeks.
Some may use newborn nappies for a few months before moving into their one-size stash.
This is why it's much more useful to think about fit rather than age.
Your baby is ready to move into their one-size nappies when you can get a comfortable, secure fit around the legs and waist without excessive bulk or gaps.
Is buying newborn nappies worth it?
This is probably the biggest question you're asking.
And honestly?
Sometimes yes, and sometimes no.
Newborn nappies are worth considering if you:
Want to use cloth from birth
If your goal is to start using cloth nappies as soon as your baby arrives, newborn nappies can make those early days much easier.
You don't have to wait for your baby to grow into their larger nappies.
Are expecting a small baby
If you're expecting a smaller baby, a newborn-specific nappy is much more likely to give you an appropriate fit from the beginning.
Want a less bulky newborn fit
Newborn nappies are designed for newborn proportions, which can mean less bulk than trying to force a larger one-size nappy onto a tiny baby.
Want to practise with cloth gradually
The newborn stage can be a great time to learn how your nappies work.
You're already changing nappies frequently, so it can be useful to become comfortable with fitting, washing and managing cloth before your baby starts sleeping for longer periods.
Want to reduce disposable nappy use from the beginning
If avoiding disposables is important to you, having a newborn stash means you don't need to wait until your baby fits into OSFM nappies.
When might you skip newborn nappies?
There are also perfectly good reasons not to buy newborn nappies.
You may decide to skip them if:
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You're happy to use disposables initially
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You're expecting a larger baby
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Your preferred OSFM nappies have a suitable minimum size
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You don't mind waiting until your baby fits your one-size stash
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You want to keep your initial cloth nappy investment smaller
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You don't want to buy nappies that your baby will eventually outgrow
There is no wrong answer.
Cloth nappies are supposed to make your life easier, not create another source of pressure before your baby arrives.
Can you use newborn and one-size nappies together?
Absolutely.
In fact, this is a really popular approach.
You can start with a smaller newborn stash and gradually introduce your one-size nappies as your baby grows.
For example, you might use newborn nappies during the first few weeks while your baby is tiny, then gradually add your OSFM nappies once they start fitting properly.
There may also be a period where you use both sizes.
Perhaps your smallest newborn nappies still fit beautifully, while some of your larger one-size nappies are starting to work.
That's completely fine.
You don't need to make a dramatic switch from one size to the other overnight.
So, should you buy newborn or one-size nappies?
There's no universal answer.
But here's our recommendation:
If you're expecting a particularly small baby, want the best fit from birth, or simply want to start cloth straight away, newborn-specific nappies are worth considering.
If you're happy to use disposables initially and move into cloth once your baby is bigger, you may choose to skip the newborn stage altogether.
And if you're somewhere in the middle?
You can absolutely do both.
A smaller newborn stash combined with one-size nappies can give you the best of both worlds.
You get a comfortable fit during those tiny newborn days, while your one-size nappies are ready to take over as your baby grows.
If you're still trying to understand the different systems available, our guide to different types of newborn cloth nappies breaks down AIOs, AI2s, pockets, fitted nappies, preflats and flats.
There's no one right way to do cloth
One of the things we love about cloth nappies is that there isn't a single way to do it.
Some families use newborn nappies exclusively for the first few months.
Some start with one-size nappies straight away.
Some use disposables overnight and cloth during the day.
Some use a mixture of different brands and styles.
And some families start with a small stash, work out what they love, and build from there.
They're all valid approaches.
The most important thing is finding a system that works for your baby and your family.
If you're not sure whether newborn nappies are right for you, we're always happy to help.
At Darlings Downunder, we stock a range of newborn and one-size cloth nappies from different brands, so we can help you compare the options based on your baby's expected size, shape and your own preferences. We also have a range of packages, allowing you to try multiple brands for a discounted price.
You don't need to buy everything before your baby arrives. And you don't need to have it all figured out.
Start with what makes sense for your family, and go from there.