Cloth nappies were almost exclusively used during the decades before 1950. They had to be washed, dried and reused. Many mothers were very busy dealing with this task. Diseases such as nappy rash were difficult to deal with.

Disposable nappies rose in popularity, but were still considered a novelty in many circles. There was a slow but steady shift toward this alternative.

While disposable nappies became the norm in developed nations, a growing awareness of their environmental impact spurred a resurgence in reusable alternatives and calls for more sustainable solutions. This is still the situation in the 2020s.