There is often confusion between boosters and liners however they actually serve very different purposes. This guide is designed to give you an insight into their differences.
-Inserts are placed in the pocket of a nappy cover
-Boosters are placed on top of your baby’s nappy and sit between your baby’s skin & the absorbent layers underneath
-Liners are usually made from synthetic materials that go straight against your babies bum
What’s the difference between Liners & Boosters?
Liners absorb the wetness and keep your baby’s skin dry or catch the baby poop. Boosters add extra absorption to your reusable nappies for when you need it most!
Inserts are basically boosters that you insert into a pocket nappy. They are usually the size and shape of the pocket.
Nappy Boosters FAQ
What are nappy boosters?
Quite simply boosters are used to boost the absorbency of your nappy. They are made from natural fibres such as bamboo, hemp and cotton. Nappy boosters make nappies last for a longer period of time without having to change them as often or you can use fewer nappies because the boost absorbs more liquid. This means it’s good value for money too!
What kind of booster should I choose?
If you struggle with nappies leaking then the bamboo boosters are perfect because they’re super absorbent. If your baby seems to wet a lot overnight or for their afternoon nap then hemp is recommended as it’s also very absorbent and still features anti-bacterial properties that will help prevent any rash from occurring on your little one too!
What is the most absorbent nappy booster?
The most absorbent nappy booster is the hemp booster. It’s also very soft and you can add up to three in your little one’s nappy without any problems.
Bamboo charcoal boosters are also becoming popular although there is no evidence to suggest they are more absorbent than regular bamboo boosters.
Bamboo Boosters
If you need extra absorbency just simply add more boosters. Bambino Mio boosters are made from microfibre and whilst they absorb quickly they are not great boosters for night time but they do stay soft.
Boosters can help a normal nappy turn into night time nappies to last the night. It doesn’t really matter what size nappies you have, the booster can go in any size.
There are lots of other boosters available that will suit different needs.
Where do nappy boosters go?
For a fitted nappy you lay the booster on top. You can put it more towards the front for a boy and towards the back for a girl.
Nappy Inserts FAQ
What are nappy inserts?
Inserts are basically boosters that you insert into a pocket nappy. They are usually the size and shape of the pocket. Inserts can be made from natural fibres such as bamboo, hemp or cotton or they can come in microfibre too. Bamboo inserts are great for very heavy wetters!
What kind of insert should I choose for pocket nappies?
Most nappies will be sold with the matching insert, however recently some pocket nappies are sold without inserts. If your baby is a heavy wetter, then you should choose inserts made from natural fibres such as bamboo. They’re super-absorbent and will help to prevent any leaks or blowouts!
Exactly what is microfibre?
Microfiber is one of the least absorbent fabrics but it absorbs liquid quickly making them perfect for a front insert or newborn nappies. Never have microfibre next to baby’s skin as they are an irritant. Microfibre inserts can be used with natural fibre inserts to boost absorbency. A microfibre insert will be super quick drying.
Bamboo Inserts
Bamboo inserts are super soft and have great absorption. They also keep moisture away from the baby’s skin which is perfect for sensitive bums! You can just put two layers together to double up for full absorbency.
How many inserts do you put in a pocket diaper?
This depends on your baby. Start with one, then put a second one if you find one is lasting long enough. If it’s just a quick day time change, then one might work.
Nappy Liners FAQ
Liners are usually made from fleece or a stay dry suede cloth. Fleece liners allow the moisture to go through and keep the baby nice and dry.
Disposable Liners for your cloth nappy
Alternatively, you can use paper liners instead, these will catch any solids but do not have the stay dry powers.
What do you do with nappy liners?
Nappy liners are placed between the nappy and the baby’s bum. They are optional and are there to catch the solids. When the nappy needs to be changed you can shake the solids down the toilet.
Do I need to use nappy liners?
No, they are optional. With fleece-lined nappies you don’t need an extra liner layer as the fleece will do the same job. With younger breastfed children, where the poo is very very runny, often a paper liner will just get in the way.
How do you use a disposable nappy liner?
The same as a reusable. They can’t be flushed so will need to go into your bin.
When should I start using nappy liners?
Once your baby is no longer having very runny poo’s you can use a nappy liner then.
Where can I buy boosters and liners?
You can purchase reusable nappy liners on any cloth nappy retailer. You’ll find almost every kind of booster you require for your pocket nappies here too! They’re very convenient as they come in small packs rather than having to buy a large pack. I like to keep some in the nappy bag and at home too! What material should my reusable boosters be?
How to wash boosters & liners
Just throw any boosters in with the dirty nappies and wash with them. Line dry or you can put them in the tumble dryer.
Take Away
The nappy inserts and boosters we’ve covered here are a great way to help you get the most out of your cloth diapering experience. From choosing materials to caring for them, there’s nothing quite like having reusable diapers that can be washed with ease! We hope this guide has been helpful as it is our goal to provide parents with all the information they need when making decisions about their baby’s health and well-being.
This article was written by: Gian MIller – Full-Time Writer, Baby Whisperer & Dad of 3.
Gian spends a lot of his time writing. A self-proclaimed baby whisperer, Gian has been through it all with his own children and is passionate about sharing his hard-won wisdom with other parents. When he’s not writing or changing diapers, you can find him playing the guitar or watching baseball (or preferably both at the same time).
