Flats are definitely the most versatile and economical option when using cloth nappies. ‘Flats’ often conjures up images of bulky cotton, ill-fitting nappies. However, Bubblebubs offers options for flats that definitely reduce the bulk and you get a better fit through different styles of flats. These are:
Bamboo Terry Flats
This style of flat resembles the cotton terry flats most people associate with traditional cloth nappies. My favourite feature of this particular style is the bamboo fibre. It’s so silky soft! Drying this nappy in the dryer give you a silky cloud-like feeling nappy, while dying on the line will also still give soft results. If line drying give the nappy a few sharp flicks and dry out of direct sunlight, if the nappy feels a bit rough scrunching the dry nappy up will soften the bamboo fibres. Overall it is the smallest flat Bubblebubs sell (after shrinkage), yet is easily the most absorbent. The terry isn’t as bulky as traditional cotton terry and I was even able to fit it under a Candie shell on a toddler. Drying times are the longest of the flats, yet still much much quicker than a modern cloth nappy.
Organic Cotton Muslin Flats
Using organic cotton avoids exposure to pesticides used to grow the fibre. Cotton isn’t quite as soft as bamboo, but I find it fluffs up a bit more. Muslin flats have many different uses from baby swaddles, to play mats to nappies. They are by far the fastest flat (or nappy for that matter) to dry and are the most trim style of flat. Cotton is more durable than bamboo but not quite as absorbent. As they are so trim, they lend themselves to being pad folded either as the entire nappy or as additional boosting to another nappy (eg. Night nappy).
Bamboo Muslin Flats
Bamboo muslin flats utilise the incredibly soft fibres of bamboo and combine it with the thin, yet absorbent style of muslin nappies. This nappy is similar to the Organic Cotton Muslin Flat, but much softer. It has comparable trimness and drying times to the cotton version.
Birdseye Flats
The small diamond weave pattern is what gives birdseye flats their name. They are a popular style of flat in North America and are very durable and thin. Over time the cotton washes to become very soft and fluffs up a little bit. After shrinkage it is the most square shaped flat nappy I have and also the largest. As the fabric is quite thin, I find it easy to fold over sections of the nappy to create more layers without compromising trimness. This style of flat is the second quickest to dry.
| Nappy | Materials | Size off shelf | Size after shrinkage |
Drying times
(1-3, 1 the fastest) |
Absorbency
(1-3, 1 the most absorbent) |
Accessories needed |
| Bamboo Terry Flats | Bamboo Cotton blend | 60x60cm | 56x57cm | 3 | 1 | Nappy fastener (e.g., Snappi), nappy cover |
| Organic Cotton Muslin Flats | 100% Organic Cotton | 63x59 cm | 1 | 3 |
Nappy fastener (e.g., Snappi)*, nappy cover *if pad folding you won’t require a fastener |
|
| Bamboo Muslin Flats | Bamboo Cotton blend | 64x66 cm | 1 | 3 |
Nappy fastener (e.g., Snappi)*, nappy cover *if pad folding you won’t require a fastener |
|
| Birdseye Flats | 100% Unbleached Cotton | 76x76cm | 2 | 2 |
Nappy fastener (e.g., Snappi)*, nappy cover *as this nappy is quite large you can tuck the corners of the nappy into the nappy itself |
As for the best flat? It really depends on what you want to use the nappy for on your child. Bamboo Terry Flats, boosted with a muslin flat make a great night nappy. Birdseye flats are what you are after if drying time and absorbency is a priority (travelling, climates with high humidity or little sun), they are also great if you have a larger child or toddler as they are a very generous size. Muslin flats are fantastic and economical to have as ‘emergency nappies’, boosting, and general baby-life things (swaddles, clean up rags, play mats).