Real Nappies
Let’s get down to the nitty gritty… baby poo. There’s a whole world of nappies out there – washable, disposable, fancy and plain. Fiona Michael gives us the low-down.
Our daughter wears washable nappies. I'm cautious about telling you simply because of the mixed reaction I receive which goes something like this, "Oh I wouldn't use washable nappies, they cause nappy rash." or "My child got nappy rash from wearing disposables so he always wears washables," And then "... all that washing, you're making hard work for yourself," to "You must use them – think of the landfill."
All shapes and sizes
I went to a demonstration from the Real Nappy Network who came with boxes and trolleys full of nappies. There were cow print furry ones, good old fashioned terry towelling squares, boy ones, girl ones, unisex ones, fitted and unfitted, ones with wraps, all-in-one's. I was completely taken aback at the sheer variety of washable nappies available. I watched with fascination as one lady, with a flick of the wrist, demonstrated how you fold a thick square cloth into something that fits inside a wrap that goes around your child.
Starting out
I didn't buy any before the birth because I didn't know which ones to buy. I had taken a particular liking to the micro-fibre fleecy all in one thing and decided I would try it out when the baby arrived. But I had to use disposables until she was 10 weeks old because she was too small to wear washables. They are more bulky than disposables and the nappy was bigger than she was. There was no way this nappy which was too loose at the back and legs was going work.
My mother in law bought me a trial pack of the unfitted ones which I eyed with suspicion until I read the instructions on how to fold them into the wrap. And hey presto, at ten weeks she fitted the nappy and it didn't leak at all. I had two nappies on the go every three days. I got braver and bought more innards, and then when I didn't have too many disasters I got a bargain on ebay and bought a set for £70 rather than £200. I'd already spent over £35 in the past ten weeks on disposables so this was a good deal. And that's how I started using washable nappies.
The money issue
I soak and then wash them every three days and sometimes I give them a tumble dry so I'm not sure about reducing my carbon footprint. But what is reducing is my monthly outgoings. I don't use them exclusively. She wears disposables at night and if we're on long days out. But I only buy a pack of disposables about once a month now, rather than once a week. Admittedly they are not for everyone, and I've yet to try them on an escaping toddler, but I think they are a great money saver.
Some Councils run incentive schemes and give out free trial packs to encourage the use of washable nappies. Although paying £200 initially is a lot of money for a washable set they can be reused, and your local credit union may offer a low interest rate loan so you don't have to fork out all that money in one go. Certain areas operate a collection service where they collect soiled washable nappies, launder them and give them back to you clean (no excuse!).Or buy them on ebay (would suggest only buying new sets) as it saves a fortune. Look on your council web site for details of Real Nappy Networks. Warning- if you're looking for nappies on line you must type in the name of the nappies you want or could end up on an adult fetish site!!
Useful websites
www.bambinomio.com
www.LittleLamb.co.uk
www.daisiesonline.co.uk
Written by Fiona Michael.
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