10 Truths About Real Nappies

1. They’re expensive - On average a baby’s nappy will be changed six times a day. Over the course of two years, that’s 4,368 nappy changes. Around 20 nappies are enough to cloth nappy full time, saving families up to £1,000 in comparison to disposables over two and a half years - and even more if you use them with subsequent children! And for an even lower cost way to get started, we recommend checking if your local authority offers reusable nappy incentive vouchers or hiring a kit from your local cloth nappy library to try before you buy.
   
2. They’re complicated - There are so many simple to use nappies that are just as convenient and easy to use as a disposable available now – even on the high street! When you first take a look at a birth-to-potty cloth nappy, the number of rise adjusters (poppers) may seem a little daunting. Try the hook and loop fastening nappy wraps, which are particularly helpful for those parents looking to make the switch from disposables to reusables as they feel very similar to fasten to a disposable nappy.
   
3. They’re more work - You could view it as a trade-off in time when you choose reusables, not ‘more work’. From frequent trips to the shops and regularly putting out the bin, to switching the washing machine on and hanging a few extra loads out to dry, both scenarios are jobs that need to be done as parents should you be using disposables or reusables. However, with cloth nappies you are safe in the knowledge you won’t need to do a midnight supermarket dash because you’ve run out of disposables, or have a bin so heavy you can’t drag it to the curb alone. Some parents have even said they find preparing cloth nappies therapeutic and a chance to practice mindfulness on an otherwise hectic day. Plus you’re almost guaranteed earlier (and easier) potty training so less time trying to master that milestone with your little one.
   
4. They smell worse - Disposable nappies contain a mix of polymers and chemicals (super absorbers) which retain moisture and hold liquids away from baby’s skin, whilst some are even scented to mask the smell of a nappy’s contents (which we believe can actually make the smell worse!). We love nappy soakers and boosters that are made from bamboo because it is naturally antibacterial, antifungal and even hypoallergenic. With good care, and regular changing and laundering, your reusable nappies can be used for many years (and with many children!) without ever having to rely on chemicals and perfumes to stop any smells.
   
5. They always leak - The most common reasons for a nappy to leak is because it has reached saturation point or isn’t fitted well and this can happen in both a disposable and a reusable nappy. It is worth bearing in mind that both disposables and reusables are there to absorb urine and contain poo. (Explosive newborn poo is definitely a test for any nappy!) Contact the manufacturer if you have any problems and they’ll usually be able to trouble-shoot the issue with you!
   
6. They don’t work at night - The bliss of a baby who sleeps through the night is something no parent will want to interrupt for a nappy change. But going from changing a real nappy every three to four hours to wearing a nappy for up to 12 hours is a big leap. Try a night-time nappy booster, which are designed to give the increased absorbency required for that jump without having to add a whole new type of nappy just for nights to your collection. Some are made from a bamboo and fleece mix which is seven times more absorbent than cotton and naturally antibacterial; it’s the stuff of sweet dreams.
   
7. They’re difficult and bulky under clothes - Over the past twenty years, as increased awareness for the environmental and health benefits of cloth nappies has grown, and with more parents opting to use them at some point, a boom in children’s clothing retailers has followed suit. There are some fantastic brands on the market now catering specifically for ‘cloth bums’ in sustainably produced fabrics and ethically manufactured environments, whilst high street shops have a range of pant shapes that are ideal for boosted nappies. Keep an eye out for drop-crotch and ‘u-shaped’ inner leg seams for a comfortable fit. We love baby yoga trousers for this reason! (And don’t forget, for baby vests which popper in the crotch, a simple ‘vest extender’ can be your best friend for those night-time nappies.)
   
8. They can’t be used outside the home - Using cloth nappies on holiday can be really easy - simply check there are adequate washing facilities where you’re staying before you travel.
   
9. They’re old fashioned - Modern cloth nappies are a far cry from washable nappies of the past! Gone are the days when reusables were associated with compromise and seen as ‘alternative’. Modern cloth nappies are so much easier and cleaner to use. Thanks to new material technology and huge steps forward in design reusables can provide the ultimate in nappy comfort and reliability from birth to potty. Millennial parents are more conscious than ever about the environmental impact of the products (49% of those under 24 have avoided a product or service due to its negative environmental impact) and we only expect the intolerance of single use to grow. Finally, there is the small but totally undeniable fact that they are way cuter than any disposable out there.
   
10. They’re not that eco - In the UK, three billion single-use nappies are disposed of every year, representing 2-3% of all household waste. In February 2020, Zero Waste Europe published a report looking at the impact of wet wipes and baby nappies on the environment and laid out core findings on the debate: are reusable nappies better for the environment than disposables? Fundamentally, they concluded the answer is yes, they are. You can reduce your family’s carbon footprint by 40% (even considering the washing) by choosing to reuse full time. But it doesn’t need to be all or nothing; part time, sometimes, every reusable helps. If you were to simply use one cloth nappy a day, you would still divert 912 reusable nappies from birth to potty.
    

Photos: pimpamshop.co.uk • instagram.com/pimpamreusable