Fleece covers work on a different principle from PUL covers (like the Tots Bots covers). Fleece is extremely breathable and the excellent airflow through the nappy actually gets rid of moisture, instead of just containing it. And the evaporation of the moisture also has a cooling effect (imagine the effect of wind on a wet shirt), so that this is one of the coolest options in summer. (I know it's weird to wear fleece to keep cool, but remember it's being worn over something wet.)

The evaporation effect makes the fleece covers especially well suited for overnight nappies - particularly for heavy wetters. By getting rid of the moisture throughout the night, the nappy can actually last for longer. In any case, fleece is such a beautiful, soft, cuddly fabric to wrap your baby's bottom in, that it's hard to go back to ordinary covers at night-time. There's nothing better than putting a freshly bathed baby to bed in a fluffy nappy under a supersoft fleece cover!

I'm often asked whether fleece can work effectively through the layers of pyjamas and bedding that will inevitably cover it. The answer is: yes. It's hard to believe that there can be all that much airflow through layers of clothing and blankets, but there really is. Try it and see!

The covers are made with a double layer in the crotch area where it is needed. It is Aplix-fastening with crossover tabs at the waist, which (like the other Tots covers) allows the cover to fit over a wider weight range than 'officially' provided for.

You can use the fleece covers day or night, and they have some real advantages. Fleece is a really tough fabric and will not be damaged by a baby that is bum-shuffling around on concrete all day, or grubbing around in a sandpit. PUL is a bit less robust, which doesn't matter since it's usually covered by clothing. However, little girls in summer dresses can be very hard on their covers, and babies in very hot climates who go through the day just in nappy and singlet may well be better off with hard-wearing fleece.

I do, however, warn customers that they can be a bit temperamental for use by day. Since the effectiveness of the cover relies on air flow, they may cause problems where air flow is restricted (eg a long period in a carseat or pram). This is easily managed by just keeping a close eye on how wet the nappy underneath is, but for some people, this is enough to mean fleece is kept for overnight. That view is reinforced by the fact that the fleece covers are bulkier than the Tots PUL covers, which makes it more suitable for overnight.

The covers can be washed at 40 degrees (ie a warm wash). You should wash separately for a week or two initially, but after that they can be washed together with the nappies without discolouration.