The idea was spotted by Helen and Mark Burr, who run the Wales-based family business babykind.co.uk. They were so impressed by the Wonderoo nappies after using them on their second baby, they decided to give up their day jobs to set up their company in order to promote and sell them, and other brands, themselves.
A starter kit will cost you £55.99, and contains three nappies (soft polyester knit outer) and microterry inserts, three reusable terry/fleece baby wipes, 100 flushable liners and a small wet nappy storage bag.
What we love
The Wonderoo V2 works by combining a waterproof outer shell with removable absorbent pads. The material used feels incredibly soft and the outer lining comes in several designs, including ‘minky’, which is a bit like faux fur. I have no doubt they felt lovely against my son Kasper’s skin and were certainly more comfortable than the towel-style reusable nappies he normally wears, which have become slightly rough over more than a year of use.
I was also impressed that the design, using inserted pads, seems to leave the part of the nappy next to Kasper’s skin far drier than the cloth nappies I usually use. The Wonderoo V2 had a feeling comparable to disposables, which tend to ‘lock in’ moisture. And unlike my mum friends who use disposables, I’ve never had any problems with nappy rash when using washables, including the Wonderoo V2.
The two inserts can be used individually, or together, with one made from bamboo fabric and the other from terry towelling. As the Wonderoo V2 nappies come in one size, this dual system is ideal for making the nappies less bulky for newborns, as well as ensuring there’s enough absorbency as your baby grows.
I found it easy to work out how to fit the inserts into the outer cover – with different attachments used depending on whether you have a girl or a boy – and was amazed to find that they kept my 15-month-old dry throughout the night without a single leak, something I’d only been able to achieve using disposables in the past.
Another clever bit about using separate pads is that drying after washing is much quicker - and vital for busy parents coping with the British weather! I also found the nappies came out of the washing machine in sparkling form, without any stains.
What to watch out for
Considerable initial investment is needed to buy a full kit of Wonderoos, which costs from £244.99, although you should save money in the long run against the price of disposables. Being one-size nappies, Wonderoos should fit your baby pretty much from birth up to approximately 3 years. However, my 15-month-old son, who is of average size, is already on the last fitting popper on the outer cover so it remains to be seen whether or not they’ll see him through to potty training.
I also find it frustrating that you have to buy paper liners to use with these and other reusable nappies. Although you’re equipped with some in the full time kits, you inevitably need to buy more and I’ve yet to find them on the high street. They’re not terribly expensive, but they’re another cost and inconvenience to factor in when deciding which nappies to use.
Finally, although I found the nappies easy to assemble, the rather wordy instruction leaflet made it all sound more complicated and difficult than it was and actually put me off trying them out for a few days.
Who are the Wonderoo V2 reusable nappies best for?
Environment-conscious mums who want the performance of a disposable without the waste.
If it’s reusable nappies you’re after, thee Wonderoo V2 will be hard to beat. However, you’ll need to be prepared to pay out a large lump sum and only time will tell if the nappies really can fit your baby from birth to potty.
