Why size matters...

I was thinking some more about night-time leaks, and leaks in general. It's not just the material or abosorbancy that's important. It's the size and fit. This is especially important for Pocket nappies and All-in-Ones. It can be pretty confusing when chosing the correct size for your baby. Not all sizes are the same! For example, what may be labelled a "Medium" in one, may be closer to a "Large" in another. There can be a great variety in sizing across brands, and also vaying degrees of overlap. For example, a size 1 in Totsbots is up to 18lbs, while a size 1 Little Lamb is up to 20lbs (in theory at least!). Also, the choice of closure is important. Nippa closing nappies usually offer more flexibility in sizing. For example, a size 2 Totsbots Fluffle, Nippa closing, can easily be folded to fit a newborn and so act as a one-size nappy.
On the subject of one-size nappies, these are often advertised as fitting from "Birth-to-Potty". But often they are too big for a small newborn and too small for a large toddler. You can, however, buy Nappy Extenders, to increase the size range of certain nappies.
I found my tiny babies too small when newborn for any of the one-size options. Recently, however, I came across Wahmies nappies. These close with hooks rather than poppers or aplix and seem to fit a huge range of sizes. They may possibly be a true "Birth-to-Potty" nappy and are even advertised as fitting preemies!
Fit can be as important as size. Babies with extra skinny or chubby thighs often have trouble finding pocket nappies that dont leak. Some nappies are cut in unusual shapes, such as Wonderoos (which seem extra wide) or Swaddlebees ( which seem extra narrow).
Again, it usually comes down to a process of trial and error. What fits one baby like a glove, may gape horribly on another. Another great reason to use my nappy rental service and "try before you buy"!