Ah, nappies. Perhaps one of the most important baby purchases you’ll make. Over and over and over again (if you do disposable that is).
Regardless of whether you’re going the disposable nappy or reusable nappy route, we’ve done the dirty work and selected our favourite brands for both.
Our best nappies 2023 roundup features the best of the best in newborn nappies, reusable nappies, eco-nappies, disposable nappies, nappy pants and more. They tick all the best nappies boxes too – comfortable, affordable, absorbent and designed especially for those adorable sensitive little tooshies.
So step up right to Mum Central’s best nappies 2023 guide:
Nappy buying guide
What options do you have? Below we the various type of nappies you’ll uncover.
DISPOSABLE NAPPIES – These are the most common nappies that come with a plastic outer later, a layer of super-absorbent chemicals and an inner layer. They are easy to find (at every supermarket), easy to use and easy to deal with. Just chuck them out. However, they also take a long time to decompose and are not great for our planet. There are many disposable nappy brands out there and every family will have a different go-to brand.
BIODEGRADABLE DISPOSABLE NAPPIES – While disposable, these nappies are meant to decompose more quickly than ordinary disposable nappies. They are made from different materials such as bamboo and offer an eco-friendly option if you are going with disposable.
MODERN CLOTH NAPPIES (MCN) – More affordable and eco-friendly in the long run, modern cloth nappies are becoming more and more popular. There are several options including:
- ALL-IN-ONE: These nappies have a water resistant outer layer sewn together with an absorbent inner to form the nappy.
- ALL-IN-TWO or SNAP-IN-ONE: Nappies with a lined waterproof outer layer and absorbent lining layers which snap in with press studs. They come apart for laundering which means they dry quicker than traditional all-in-one styles.
- POCKET NAPPY: Again, these nappies have a waterproof outer layer sewn together with a soft lining that forms the nappy shell. Between these layers, there’s a pocket for absorbent inserts. Remove them for washing and quick-drying, then place them back.
- TERRY SQUARES: Flat, basic squares of soft terry towelling that can be folded to fit your bub’s shape and held together with a modern fastener (no nappy pins required!).
SWIM NAPPIES – Swim nappies are designed especially for water fun! They are great for the beach, creek, or pool (often required) and are designed to keep poop and pee contained in the nappy, not in the water. Some are more effective than others and you can also purchase both disposable (one-time) swim nappies as well as reusable swim nappies.
NAPPY PANTS – Nappy pants are another type of disposable nappy that pull up like big kid undies, but offer the same protection as a disposable nappy. They are great for wriggly infants and toddlers who often won’t sit still when it’s nappy changing time. They are also great to help kids make the transition to toilet training.
NIGHT TIME NAPPIES – These are specially designed for toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged kids who may be toilet trained during the day (or are close to it), but still need nappies at night. Nighttime nappies look like real underwear, are often called ‘pants’ and come in several sizes for little and big kids alike.
Best Nappies for 2023: 10 Nappy Brands We Love
Tooshies ECO Nappies with Organic Bamboo
PRICE: $26
WHERE TO BUY: Tooshies
TYPE: Biodegradable disposable nappies
WHAT WE ESPECIALLY LOVE: It’s a nappy that looks after the planet AND your baby
These nappies are gorgeous, feature unisex prints (hello cute pears, watermelons and whales) and are available in six sizes from Newborn through to Junior (16kgs+). Designed with strong and stretchy tabs to provide a soft and breathable, flexible fit for all little body shapes from lean beans to chunky monkeys, these nappies promise comfort.
Made with the environment in mind, Tooshies nappies have a 100% bamboo back sheet and blended bamboo core. They are naturally insulating and antimicrobial, free of fragrances and any nasties you don’t want to sit against sensitive skin. Tooshies also boast ultra-dry 12-hour leak-proof protection, making these nappies perfect for overnight. There’s also a wetness indicator for an easy-to-see preview of how dry (or not) your little one is!
Choose Tooshies ECO Nappies with Organic Bamboo, for a change that feels not only good but is better for your baby and the planet. Take advantage of the subscription service and save!
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER SAVE: 20% OFF ANY TOOSHIES ORDER CODE: MUMCENTRAL20 EXPIRES: 23 December 2023
Panda Baby Eco Boom Premium Bamboo Nappies
PRICE: $22.65
WHERE TO BUY: Panda Baby Supplies
TYPE: Biodegradable disposable nappies
WHAT WE ESPECIALLY LOVE: Biodegrade in just 147 days – amazing!
Panda Baby’s premium bamboo nappies are designed with your baby’s sensitive skin in mind and keep irritants at bay. These nappies contain no phthalates, latex, parabens, PBC, TBT, chlorine or antioxidants. Plus, they are pure white and OEKO-TEX certified, so you can trust that there are no toxic inks or dyes transferring onto your little one’s sensitive skin.
Available in sizes to fit from newborn through to 16kgs+, these Eco Boom nappies include a soft and comfy bamboo top and back sheets for breathability and are leak-free for 12 hours.
They’re wrapped snugly in compostable packaging too. Amazingly, Eco Boom nappies are fully and independently certified to biodegrade within 147 days.
You do good for your baby AND the planet when you buy from Panda Baby as 15% of their revenues go to fund essential Australian conservation activities such as Great Barrier Reef Legacy and Turtles in Trouble.
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER SAVE: $25 OFF FIRST ORDER OF $100 OR MORE CODE: MC25
Big Softies Terry Towelling Nappies
PRICE: $30 for 12 pack
WHERE TO BUY: Big W
TYPE: Terry towelling cloth nappy
WHAT WE ESPECIALLY LOVE: Versatile, comfortable and so affordable too!
If you love a big soft, white cloth nappy-covered baby bottom, Big Softies Terry Towelling Nappies are for you.
Big Softies nappies are made using 100% cotton terry towelling, giving you the softness that you can feel – change after change, wash after wash. These nappies won’t go scratchy and hard after washing – if anything, they get softer!
Measuring a generous 60cm x 60cm, these cotton terry towelling squares are designed to fit your baby for as long as nappies are needed. With proper folding, they’ll fit a toddler as snugly as they will a newborn infant. They provide brilliant absorbency where it is needed most.
Also, it’s worth mentioning just how handy Big Softies Terry Towelling Nappies are – they can double as burp cloths too! Australia’s number one nappy brand, Big Softies are available in a 12-pack, perfect for multi-purpose use.
My Little Gumnut Cloth Nappies
PRICE: $19.99
WHERE TO BUY: My Little Gumnut
TYPE: Modern cloth nappies
WHAT WE ESPECIALLY LOVE: The adorable, Aussie-crafted designs
The modern cloth nappy we all want and need, My Little Gumnut Cloth Nappies have been specifically designed for comfort, ease of use and effectiveness, the perfect choice for eco-conscious families.
My Little Gumnut is 100% an Australian-owned and operated company wanting to make using cloth nappies easy for modern families and something that they can stick to. Simple to use and simple to wash, there’s nothing complicated about using My Little Gumnut cloth nappies.
Beautifully crafted, unique and featuring high-quality fabrics and materials which have been ethically sourced and made. My Little Gumnut works alongside Australian and New Zealand artists to make sure your little one’s nappies are works of art (perfect for showing off in warmer months too!).
Comfortable, environmentally friendly, cost-effective and easy to use, My Little Gumnut cloth nappies are available in sizes to fit premmie/newborns 4 to 18kgs with their adjustable snap sizing designs. As absorbency matters, you should know single gusset nappies will offer two to three hours of protection against leaks, while double gusset nappies are a little thirstier with up to three to four hours of leak protection.
OK&CO. Premium Eco Nappies + Wipes
PRICE: $21 for 1 pack of nappies ($18.95 if choosing a subscription)
WHERE TO BUY: www.okandco.au
TYPE: Eco disposable nappies + wipes
WHAT WE ESPECIALLY LOVE: Eco-friendly + convenient
OK&CO. has taken traditional disposable nappies full of plastic and toxins that take anywhere from 150 to 500 years to break down, and eco disposables that tend to leak and fall apart, and created one amazing hybrid eco nappy that actually works.
We just love these nappies for so many reasons. They are great at keeping rashes away, are 70% plant-based, 70% biodegradable, toxin-free, cruelty-free, vegan friendly and did we mention super soft?
Couple their nappies with OK&CO.’s 100% bamboo compostable wipes and you’ve got yourself the best eco nappy and wipe combo available. For each pack of nappies purchased, OK&CO. also donate 4 nappies to Baby Give Back – committed to helping families in crisis.
Another cool thing about OK&CO. is that you can choose to buy one box at a time or opt for a nappy subscription which they will deliver to your door every 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks. How convenient is that?
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER SAVE: 30% off all orders over $50* CODE: MUMCENTRAL30 EXPIRES: 30 April 2023
*One-off purchase or subscription, limited to one use per customer
Close Pop-in V2 One Size AI2 Cloth Nappy
PRICE: $38.95
WHERE TO BUY: Close Parent
TYPE: Cloth nappy
WHAT WE ESPECIALLY LOVE: The simple design that is soft and absorbent with adorable prints
If it’s a pop-in cloth nappy that goes the distance and diverts waste from our landfills that you’re after, then the Close Pop-Ins are the best nappies for you! Not only do they put less in our landfills, but they are also made using recycled plastic bottles, with each nappy repurposing 2.5 bottles.
The Pop-in New Gen V2 reusable nappy has stretchy tabs just like a disposable nappy for a snug fit around baby every time with a soft waterproof shell that lets baby’s bottom breathe.
Close Parents have all sorts of cloth nappy options too – check out their Popper Nappies for cheeky toddlers who like to peel off the nappy tabs as well as their night-time booster pops, ideal for nights.
All their inserts and boosters are made with luxurious bamboo which is naturally antibacterial, breathable and incredibly absorbent. And those designs – super cute and inspired by the wonderfully beautiful creatures of the world, many of whom are currently endangered.
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER: SAVE: 25% OFF CODE: MUMCENTRAL
SimplyDry Eco-friendly bamboo nappies
PRICE: $75.00
WHERE TO BUY: SimplyDry
TYPE: Biodegradable disposable nappies
WHAT WE ESPECIALLY LOVE: Biodegradable, naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial
SimplyDry Eco-friendly bamboo nappies come with all the softness you want without any of the nasties. They contain no perfumes or lotions, no latex or PVC and are naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial. They are also free of alcohol, chlorine and phthalates.
Not only are they perfect for your baby’s bum, but they are also designed to be gentle on the environment, made from biodegradable bamboo for a more sustainable and greener future.
Comfort-wise, these nappies feature everything you want – a wetness indicator, triple strength tab, electric waistband and super absorbency. The quality of these nappies is fantastic and customer satisfaction is amazing too. Plus, they offer FREE delivery and a 100% money-back guarantee.
Available in three different sizes and for babies as little as 2kg, SimplyDry’s range of nappies won’t disappoint!
HUGGIES® Newborn Nappies
PRICE: $39
WHERE TO BUY: Huggies
TYPE: Disposable nappies
WHAT WE ESPECIALLY LOVE: Designed especially for newborns’ needs (and their crazy poops)
HUGGIES® Newborn Nappies are the #1 choice of Australian hospitals and are endorsed by the Australian College of Midwives, so it’s fair to say, HUGGIES® Newborn Nappies are a must-have necessity for babies weighing up to 5kg – the best nappies for your tiny pooping machine.
If you know how newborn babies poop, you’ll know that protection matters. Nappies are designed with a DryTouch® Layer to quickly absorbs away runny poop leaving baby’s skin cleaner and drier (and clothes hopefully cleaner).
The ultimate overnight protection gives 12 hours leakage protection, silk-soft side shields and an ultra-soft waistband that moulds to your bub’s back to help prevent leaks overnight.
It’s not all about leaks though, a soft, this slim-fitting nappy, the BREATHE DRY® technology still allows air to circulate around baby’s skin and is clinically proven to help prevent rash and gently protect baby’s delicate skin. It’s easy to see why HUGGIES® Newborn Nappies are a long-time favourite for keeping newborns cleaner and drier for longer!
Lovekins Dry Protect Nappy Range
PRICE: $27.50
WHERE TO BUY: Lovekins
TYPE: Disposable nappies and nappy pants
WHAT WE ESPECIALLY LOVE: Free from chlorine, fragrance and toxic dyes and made with natural Australian cotton
These best nappies are not only waving the Aussie flag, but they are also award-winners and loved by families and hospitals across Australia. Lovekin’s range of Premium and DryProtect™ Nappies and Nappy Pants will keep your baby dry and protected.
All of these nappies are vegan, non-toxic certified and free from nasty chemicals or dyes. But what we especially love is how they are made with Australian cotton and designed in Australia. Australian cotton is naturally absorbent, hypoallergenic, soft to the touch and breathable while discouraging bacterial growth.
Expect some serious absorbancy too – we’re talking 50x its weight and leak guard for up to 12 hours. Their nappies also come with a 360° Flexi-Bod stretchy elastic waistband for easy changes and a wetness indicator panel, plus all their nappies are designed and tested in Australia and made responsibly in China in a factory that their founder has personally reviewed.
There you have it, folks, all of our best nappies to fit the littlest bottoms in the family for 2023! Wondering what our other favourite items are? We’ve also got plenty of other guides to cater to all your shopping needs.
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