Now that I've got a newborn sized model, I can test the fit and absorbency on my stash of small nappies and covers.

During the review period, Billy was under two weeks old, and weighed between 3.7 and 4.5kg.

For newborns, absorbency is not usually an issue. But if you're lucky enough to have a heavy sleeper, here's the scoring scale:

* Bugger all absorbency. Suits daytime use only.

** Reasonably absorbent. Suits daytime or night time for most newborns.

*** Very absorbent. Suits a heavy wetter or a heavy sleeper.

Covers

Ekidna Designs Minky Cover

This cover is a small size to fit 3-8kg. It is one layer of minky fleece on the outer, and one layer of polar fleece inner. Snap fastening at the front. Can be tumble dried on low heat setting, but dries quickly on the line because polar fleece and minky don't absorb moisture.

• Fit - Great over fitted nappies. Fits over a terry square in the Jo Fold, but not the double triangle (see Terry Squares below).
• Waterproofing - Like all fleece covers, it repels moisture effectively until the nappy is completely saturated. Fine for up to four hours (the longest Billy slept as a newborn).

Bubba J PUL Cover

This is a size medium, to fit 6-12kg. Snap fastening at the sides.

Can be tumble dried on low heat setting without being destroyed, but dries in ten minutes on the line.

• Fit -Great over terry squares, too big over fitted nappies.
• Waterproofing - Like all PUL covers, completely waterproof. A little more sweaty than a fleece or wool cover as PUL isn't as breathable, but it's better than PVC plastic.

Plastic PVC Pants

These are the cheap plastic pants in supermarkets in sizes 000 to 2. Pull-on. They generally have cheap quality elastic. If tumble dried, the plastic gets too thin to be waterproof.

• Fit - Great over terry squares, too big over fitted nappies.
• Waterproofing - Completely waterproof, but not breathable so it can get very sweaty.

Fitted Nappies

Why would you use a nappy that needs a separate cover?

• Two layers of leg elastic (one in the nappy, one in the cover) means less chance of leg-hole leaks.
• Fitted nappies that need a separate cover tend to last longer than all-in-one or pocket nappies that have a PUL (polyurethane laminate) layer. If you plan to use the nappies for more than one child, you'll get better value for money.
• There are some very good one-size fitted nappies that will fit from birth to toilet training. This can be very economical, as you only need to buy covers when your baby grows. It also means you can use the same nappies on your newborn and your toddler if you have two in nappies.
• In summer, a fitted nappy with no cover is less sweaty and can reduce nappy rash.

Terry Squares

Cotton terry squares are the cheapest cloth nappy around, and will fit from birth to toilet training depending on how they're folded. When you're changing so many nappies a day, cheap is good.

• Fit - I tried the Jo Fold for newborns, and the standard double triable. The Jo Fold is a nice fit, and puts most of the absorbency at the front, where little boys need it. It also has very little padding at the back. The double triangle has huge leg-holes and is the bulkiest thing you can put on a newborn.
• Absorbency - ** for Jo Fold; * for double triangle.

Terry square in the Jo Fold

Bamboo Boosters

Bamboo is an environmentally friendly fibre crop, ultra absorbent, stays softer than cotton or hemp after line drying, and has natural anti-bacterial properties. Bamboo boosters can be folded in three to use as a pocket nappy insert, boosting other nappies, or lay it in a well-fitting cover as an absorbent pad.

• Fit - pad-folded inside a snug-fitting cover, it worked fine. But if you have an explosive #2, you may need to change the cover.
• Absorbency - ***

Bubba J Size 1

Bubba J nappies were one of the first commercially made Australian modern cloth nappies. They come in two sizes. Size 1 fits birth to 9kg, size 2 fits 9-18kg.

• Fit - Great. Fold down the front of the nappy to fit a newborn.
• Absorbency - ***

Mandy Mac one-size

Mandy Mac hemp nappies are made in China under sweatshop-free conditions - workers receive fair pay, and have safe working conditions. They have a built-in stay-dry liner, fasten with a snappi or nappy pin for infinite size adjustment from birth to toilet training, and the inner layer folds out for faster line drying. They also come with an additional booster for heavy wetters or overnight.

• Fit - Great. It amazes me that this nappy fits my two week old boy, and my almost two year old girl, equally well.
• Absorbency - ***

Flannelette Fitted newborn size

The nappies that I tested were made by Ekidna Designs, but many WAHM nappy makers are producing inexpensive newborn-sized nappies made entirely from flannelette, with velcro fastening. These nappies fit 2.5 to 5kg.

• Fit - Great, but outgrown within a few weeks.
• Absorbency - *

Erica and Bluegum Babies newborn size

These nappies are the same style as the flannelette fitted nappies, but are made with thicker cotton sherpa and hemp, and better quality touch tape/applix. Size range is 2.5kg to 5kg.

• Fit - Great, but outgrown within a few weeks.
• Absorbency - *

Terry fitted

Many WAHM nappy makers are producing inexpensive nappies with terry towelling inner and flannelette or cotton print outer, with velcro fastening. The ones I tested were from an unknown maker, and I guess would fit 5-10kg. They had no elastic around the legs or back.

• Fit - Leaks are a problem with no leg-hole elastic.
• Absorbency - *

Pocket Nappies

Pocket nappies with a layer of PUL (polyurethane laminate) in the outer don't need a separate cover, making them as easy to use as disposables. They can also be stuffed as absorbent as you need (even more absorbent than an expensive brand of disposable nappy). Taking the stuffing out and unfolding it to dry the nappy means quicker drying time, instead of drying through many layers in a fitted nappy. And if the nappy is just wet (not soiled), you may get away with changing only the absorbent stuffing rather than the whole nappy.

However, they are more likely to leak around the legs as there is only one layer of elastic (unlike a fitted + cover). PUL also doesn't last as long as other nappy-making materials, which means pocket nappies wear out sooner and are less likely to last for use on multiple children.

Princess Pockets size small

PUL outer, suedecloth or polar fleece inner, front-opening pocket, side snaps to fasten. Tested with the trifold hemp insert that came with the nappy.

Side snap design gives a good fit on beanpole babies. Front opening has no elastic, making it easy to tip out the stuffing without getting your hands dirty. Estimated weight range for small size 4-9kg.

• Fit - bit too big around the legs until 5kg.
• Absorbency - ***

Bright Bubba size small

Fleece inner and outer with hidden PUL layer, elasticised rear opening pocket, front velcro fastening. Estimated size range 3-6kg. Tested with the trifold hemp insert from a Princess Pockets nappy.

• Fit - perfect!
• Absorbency - ***

Rollicking Rascals one-size almost-in-one

PUL outer with fleece lining. Two shaped absorbent inserts (cotton towelling and microfibre) lay on top the outer shell, with a separate polar fleece liner on top. Front snap fastening. The outer shell folds down to fit newborns, but you'll want smaller sized absorbent inserts for a smaller baby.

• Fit - perfect from newborn to toddler.
• Absorbency - **

Bumwear one-size pocket nappy

PUL outer with fleece inner, elasticised rear opening, front snap fastening. Comes with a microfibre absorbent insert. Front of the nappy folds down to fit small babies. Size range 5kg to toilet training. Leg frill helps deal with blowouts around the leg holes. Best used as a cover over terry squares or with a pad-folded bamboo booster until baby is 5-6kg.

• Fit - too big around the leg holes until baby is over 5kg.
• Absorbency - **