Cushie Tushies Couture reusable nappy review

The Cushie Tushies Couture range comes in a gorgeous range of ‘couture’ fabrics, and the nappies are designed to be ‘one-size-fits-most’. So while they may be a bit big for your baby in the early weeks of life, or a bit small if your child is still in nappies past the age of 3, their adjustable fit otherwise means they’ll grow with your child and can be used on babies or toddlers.

Cushie Tushies Couture are all-in-one reusables, which means that you don’t need a separate waterproof wrap to go over the top, you just pop the whole thing on and go. This makes them easy to use, but also means that they’re not as good value for money as a two-part nappy system where you can re-use the same wraps over several changes.

Cushie Tushies Couture have a soft cotton velour outer, and layers of absorbent bamboo inside. They also have a fleece lining, to keep dampness away from your baby’s skin. The booster fastens with poppers but comes out easily so that the nappy is less bulky when it comes to drying.

What we love

Cushie Tushies Couture definitely disprove the theory that reusable nappies are hard work. They’re really easy to use, with poppers along the front to do them up and a booster that fits inside with more poppers.

For a smaller baby, you simply fold the front down to make the rise of the nappy lower. I tried them on my 18-month-old, and they’re a fantastic fit, with plenty more room for growing. They also work brilliantly on my friend’s 6-month-old.

Cushie Tushies Couture definitely have the ‘wow’ factor, and I’ve had loads of compliments about how adorable my toddler looks in them. The range of designs is gorgeous, and includes girlie, boyish and unisex fabrics. My favourites are the Choc Lime Bubbles and the Bumble Bee.

The soft, tactile velour fabric washes really well, and several months down the line the nappies look as good as when I bought them. A lot of the designs also have a black fleece inner, which seemed a bit dark to begin with, but is actually a great idea as it doesn’t show any stains or marks. I was concerned that this colour might run in the wash and ruin my other, lighter coloured nappies, but this wasn’t a problem at all.

What to watch out for

Cushie Tushies Couture are very pricey, and are definitely a nappy designed for those who want their nappies to be eye catching and adorable rather than economical. They’re not as absorbent as many plainer, more practical nappies, and may well end up being the nappies that you buy just one or two of to show off on special occasions.

I found that Cushie Tushies Couture take quite a long time to dry, and that it can be hard to tell if they’re completely dry all through – the outer fleece can feel fine, but the layers of bamboo inside may still be damp. I also wouldn’t be comfortable using them overnight. They’re not absorbent enough to last more than a few hours, so you’d be best going for a two-part system or a night nappy.

My friend tried these nappies when her daughter Cliona was only a few weeks old and found that they gaped at the legs and leaked. They’re not designed to fit newborns, so you need to wait until around 12 weeks, when your baby’s filled out a bit. This is the case with virtually all so-called one-size nappies though, and with all my children I’ve had a set of teeny nappies that I’ve used until they’ve filled out enough for their one-sizes.

Who are Cushie Tushies Couture reusable nappies best for?

Mums after a head-turning eco option for daytime use.

MadeForMums verdict

Cushie Tushies Couture are a luxury buy. These are for those who want a beautiful, high-quality nappy and are using cloth as a lifestyle choice rather than a way of saving money. Being an all-in-one means they’re easy to use, though their drying time isn’t as fast as some other reusables around, and may not be absorbent enough for you little one’s overnight needs. That said, they do have a good resale value and are some of the most gorgeous nappies on the market.