April 18, 2012
It’s Real Nappy Week, so Rebecca Seal from Washables is going to talk nappies – washables, cloth nappies, real nappies and re-usable nappies…
When you’re expecting a new baby it seems there a million decisions to be made. Surely using washable nappies instead of disposables is going to make your life even more difficult, right? WRONG!
Nappies are revolting, that’s the plain and simple truth no matter what you choose. To be honest as a new parent you get used to the poo, you even get interested in it. Is my baby pooing too much? Too little? Is it the right consistency? Colour? The contents of a washable nappy are no more or less disgusting than a disposable nappy so let’s track a pooey nappy from that point on.
I am a DISPOSABLE…you will probably wrap me in an individual plastic nappy sack and throw me in the corner of a room until I go outside to the wheely bin because I’m too stinky to put in the normal bin. I cost an average of about 9 pence and you’ll probably use about 6000 of me on one child. Which means you’ll be about a grand or so poorer. I also don’t biodegrade so every disposable nappy EVER used is still in landfill sites. In fact, you alone will probably throw away enough disposable nappies a year to fill a skip.
I am a WASHABLE… When you take me off your babies bottom, put me in a nappy pail (anything plastic with a lid) and when you are ready sling me in the machine at 60°. That’s it. No boiling, no soaking, no fuss. The machine does all the work. You can dry me on the line, the clothes horse or in the tumble drier and there are different varieties of nappy to suit each family. Cost-wise you can get all you need for between £200-£400, even less if you buy pre-loved nappies. And of course if you have another baby you can use me again for free.
Two of the main reasons that parents choose real nappies is that they feel that using them is better for their baby…
- Babies are less likely to get nappy rash because real nappies are soft and breathable with no chemicals, which helps prevent nappy rash.
- A baby using washable nappies is more likely to potty train earlier and have better bladder control. This is because your toddler will feel wet in their cloth nappies and therefore associate weeing with the wetness they feel in their nappy. Babies in disposables don’t make this association as the gel in the nappy absorbs the liquids.
And the environment…
- 8 million disposable nappies are thrown away in Britain every day. They take between 200-500 years to decompose, so the first disposable ever worn still exists!
- Before potty training about 6,000 disposable nappies will be used by one baby as opposed to re-using the same 24-50 real nappies
- One cup of crude oil is needed to make just one disposable nappy
- To keep one baby in disposable nappies for two and a half years, four and a half trees will be cut down to produce the nappies
Washable nappies are easy to use, they look and feel lovely and they are hardly any extra work at all…
“ I reckon it adds on an extra half an hour to my week – washing and drying the cloth nappies. With a baby I’m doing loads of washing anyway, what’s one more load!”
“I used them and looooooved them!! The main reason for trying them was due to the absolutely astonishing amount of plastic waste from disposables. The reusables are gorgeous and I don’t think it adds anything to the laundry, they don’t need boiling so a normal wash was perfect!
“I used them and loved them. I used them cause they sounded good (environment and all) but they also looked fab! You may need to research before and try different styles to find the right ones for your baby but they are very easy to use!”
“I bought a second hand birth-to-potty set when I was pregnant for about £40. I combine with disposables when life’s a little complicated or we are on holiday but they are so easy to wash and they dry overnight on an airer. I am really surprised at how easy they are as I thought I wouldn’t be able to handle it!”
And another reason to use them is that they are so cute…
I have sold washable nappies for about ten years now. I have used them on my own two children and I use them every day in my job as a childminder. I encourage all my washable nappy customers to get in touch with me if they ever come across any problems as most can be solved very easily. And customers say how easy the nappies are to get used to.
For a free washable nappy demonstration please get in touch so you can make an informed decision about whether washable nappies are right for you. I’m happy to do groups such as antenatal classes or a one-to-one session.
Rebecca Seal
07884 400467
Posted by Janine Rudin in Baby, washable nappies Tags: nappies, Real nappies, washables
