Comments on: Are real nappies really cheaper? Ethical Superstore explores.

By: Beverley Cook

Beverley Cook — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:37:54 +0000

I used re-usable terrytowelling nappies for all 6 of my babies [14-32],and always found them practical and cosy and cheap!!
Soak dirty nappies in cold saltwater,rinse and wash in soap-powder,rinse in vinegar or softner and linedry!!
The children did not have nappyrash ever as bum was coated with zinc and castor oil cream or petroleum jelly.
The secret was not to leave the baby in a dirty nappy!!
And I for one loved to see a line full of clean nappies drying outside[sun helps clean and brighten them also]
So bring back real nappies !!not the disposable ones that take forever to rot,so are polluting our planet!!
NAPPY_DAYS
Bev Cook [mum of 6]

By: kyra meeke

kyra meeke — Sun, 03 May 2009 18:28:15 +0000

I tried reusable nappies when my son was born. Basically a washable cotton sheet wrapped in the equivalent of tracing paper, stuffed in the bottom of waterproof pants. I found them bulky, uncomfortable for my son, they leaked, caused nappy rash, all in all – despite my hating conventional disposable nappies I chose to use them.

By: Jo Wilding

Jo Wilding — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:58:01 +0000

I’m expecting my second child, used washables for the first as well, and I managed to buy all my reusables second hand – I got some from the NCT Nearly New Sale, some through the Netmums website – http://www.netmums.com and some from the Friday Ad, which is the local free ads paper, so much reduced the outlay for the kit. And of course if you remember to soak the nappies in vinegar or tea tree and keep them reasonably stain-free, etc, then you can always sell them when you’ve finished with them and get some money back – can’t do that with disposables!
Another option though if you think you’ll struggle to wash and dry them, eg living in a tiny flat with no drying space, is to use a laundering service where the clean nappies are delivered to your door and the dirty ones taken away and washed by someone else. Although they obviously pick them up in a vehicle, the fact that they’re laundered on an industrial scale can actually mean energy efficiency is increased, though it would probably cost a bit more over the whole time you use nappies but then you don’t have the initial outlay of buying nappies.

By: SlayerKat

SlayerKat — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:57:49 +0000

It’s so easy to use modern washable nappies. I’ve used real nappies from birth with my youngest two and there is so little effort involved. You are washing clothes anyway so bunging in a few extra nappies is no more hassle. Disposable nappies should only be used in emergencies like broken washing machine or going on holiday a bit like you would only use disposable cutlery at a party.

By: Carl

Carl — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:58:46 +0000

I’m not sure I agree Lindy – I have just had a little boy and so far we have not found it a problem using reusables at all – we have occasionally used disposables when out or at night, but only because we were given some by friends. We have got into the routine of using reusables and they only require minimal extra effort. I have friends who haven’t been able to get into the habit of using them but I must say for us they are working great, and as we don’t drive it’s great not having to lug huge packs of nappies home from the shops too!

By: Lindy Clydesdale

Lindy Clydesdale — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:27:22 +0000

I appreciate the comments about disposable and non-disposable nappies and agree in so many ways. However – take one tired working mum/dad – long days and not much sleep, and dispoable nappies somehow seem so much better! Factor in a lot of extra work as well. We didn’t have the option of disposables but I remember those days well!