Ah, the age-old question which reusable nappy users have to ponder, whether to opt for popper (snap closing nappies or hook and loop (velcro) nappies. Thankfully we have moved on from nappy pins and nappy nippas (though some die-hards still use them!). To keep things simple for you, the first point I’d want to make is the most significant one. You get to decide what works best for you. This is true of all aspects of cloth, as well as of any other material. If what others do does not work for you, there is no purpose in following their lead. It’s pointless to struggle with poppers when you have a wriggler, or to struggle with velcro when you have a toddler who can undo it in a split second! Although I can sit here and walk you through each choice, the final decision must be one that works for you and your way of life, despite my efforts.
I have some of them and enjoy them both, but velcro is a little easier to use and can provide a slightly better fit because poppers can only be used in particular conditions. As soon as anyone else begins to have dd, I will leave her with velcro because it will be easier for people to use her as more of a disposable nappy than with snaps. Each to his or her own. I don’t choose nappies based on how they fasten; instead, I choose ones that match the clothes she is wearing.
Hook and Loop – Velcro Nappies
Hook and Loop (velcro is a brand name for hook and loop) is a simple concept that we are all familiar with.
You can put on a cloth nappy in seconds, take it off in seconds, and modify it to ensure that your baby is comfortable while sleeping.
It is ideal for those with squirming babies, those who have joint troubles or those who care for a newborn and find it difficult to put poppers on their clothes, and those who have writhing babies. It makes things easier… until you have a toddler who has mastered the art of undoing everything you’ve done. This is a concern shared by many parents who use disposable diapers, and I recall one specific pooey disaster I experienced with my first child while using a disposable nappy at the time.
For those who are using cloth nappies for the first time, for those who have a newborn, or for those who just want to get a feel for what cloth nappies are all about, a velcro option is a perfect option for you. Because it was all-in-one cotton nappy that also had velcro, we started with bumGenius as a base. If you are just getting started, there is no way to go wrong with this combination.
Velcro nappies are very similar in concept to disposable nappies so people can understand them quickly. On, close tabs, move on. This is a major bonus when considering using nappies in places like nurseries. You probably won’t need to explain them to all the new staff. Wherease with popper nappies you might need to explain the rise settings, which popper to use etc.
However, velcro is not long-lasting. They are buggers for catching literally everything in the wash if you forget to use the washing tabs, and let’s face it that will happen! The velcro tabs curl up and become distorted. I once had a very stressed mom asking if she could iron them…
Velcro nappies are much easier for newborn nappies and on a wriggly baby. Most cloth nappies come in a velcro option for newborn nappies, even when their larger sizes only have popper options.
However, what is a pro in newborns is a con in toddler nappies. Velcro is very easily undone, and toddlers soon learn to pull off their nappies if they are velcro options. I won’t tell you how many times I went into a toddler waving a pooey nappy at me (and this happens with disposables as well). Toddlers cannot pull the poppers undone.
Popper Cloth Nappies
Although popper cloth nappies appear to be the more difficult option when you first begin your cloth nappy journey, they are actually far less difficult than they appear.
In order to ensure a secure fit, you should attach the tabs to the main nappy using the three poppers on each of the tabs.
Risers are the other poppers that are lower down on the nappy and will allow the nappy to grow with the infant as the child grows. The majority of cloth nappies are referred to as birth to potty or onesize nappies, which implies they will last you for the duration of your baby’s nappy usage life.
Popper are hardwearing. Velcro is always the first thing to go on a nappy, so if you plan on using nappies for several children you should consider this. You won’t have the problem of the giant stuck together ball of velcro nappies.
Will my nursery use reusable nappies instead of disposable nappies?
It’s true that most people who only occasionally change nappies will prefer to use a velcro style cloth nappy. They are just much easier so it’s always worth having a stash of nappies for them that are velcro, even if you mainly use snap or popper nappies.
Used Cloth Nappy Values
If you are planning on selling your used nappies, then generally popper nappies will sell for more. Check out our guide to second-hand nappies, but overall as virtually all velcro will deteriorate over time, a popper used nappy is more desirable.
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).
