Get
Started With Cloth Diapers
By Arabella Greatorex
We all know that using cloth nappies
is best for the environment and for our baby's health (not to
mention our pockets), but just how easy are they to use? Here
are answers to some common questions to help get you started.
Are cloth nappies easy
to use? The short answer is yes! The more useful response
is to answer some common questions about real nappies.
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What do I do at change
time? If the nappy is simply wet, all you need to do
is take it off, throw the liner away (if disposable) and put the
nappy and reusable liner in your nappy bucket instead of the bin.
If the nappy is dirty, the poo can be flushed away down the loo
(far more hygienic than putting it in the bin) and the nappy put
in the bucket. Liquid poo can be washed off by holding the nappy
under the flush of the loo before being dealt with in your normal
way.
Are they difficult to put
on? Not at all. Shaped nappies or all-in-ones are the
easiest to use and require no folding. Simply put them on just
as you would a disposable. Flat or terry nappies do need to be
folded, but the fantastic invention of the Nappi Nippa (Snappi,
in the United States) means that you don't have to use a pin.
Will I have to do lots
of washing? All families have lots of washing, so to
add in a few nappies isn't really that much extra work. When you
are ready to do a normal wash, simply take the nappies out of
the bucket and put them in the washing machine. It is as simple
as that.
Putting nappies into a modern machine
with its fast spin is a far cry from having to put them through
the twin tub and mangle that your mother may have used. Nappies
can be washed at 60 degrees Centigrade, and some people even use
40 degree Centigrade with the odd hotter wash to keep the stains
at bay.
The best way to dry nappies is
on the line with the rest of your washing (or on a radiator during
the winter), but I like to fluff them by putting them in the dryer
for 10 minutes with the bath towels after taking them off the
line.
Will I get dirty putting
them in the washing machine? No. The poo will have been
disposed of, so you are only dealing with a little wee. If you
wet pail (see below), you can use a mesh
bag to store the nappies in, so you just need to pick that up
and put it in the machine. Dry pailing is even easier to do.
What is "pailing"?
Basically, storing used nappies in a bucket. Wet pailing involves
putting the nappies into a solution of water and nappy soak or
similar or just plain water.
Dry pailing is very easy. Simply
drop the used nappy into the bucket and replace the lid.
Will my house smell? Only
if you leave lots of dirty nappies hanging around for days. Just
think of how your bin smells with a couple day's worth of dirty
disposables in it. With real nappies, the poo is flushed down
the loo straight away, so you won't suffer from this problem.
If you like, you can put a few drops of essential oil on a cloth
that you keep on the top of the bucket to help with any smells.
Won't all the washing powders
harm the environment? Yes and no. Yes, to the extent
that all detergents cause some damage (this can be limited by
using non-bio or eco-friendly products), but no, to the extent
that this is still much better than using disposable nappies.
Will I have to change more
nappies? Not really. Guidelines state that you should
change your baby's nappy every four hours or more during the day
(more often for newborns), so this remains the same.
Won't my baby get nappy
rash? Nappy rash is caused by bacteria in the poo reacting
to the ammonia in wee. The best way to stop nappy rash is to change
frequently (every four hours or more) and allow fresh air to get
to the nappy area. The lock-away core in disposable nappies encourages
parents to change less often and their very design prevents air
from circulating. Most designs of real nappy are breathable, allowing
air to circulate, resulting in a healthier bottom.
Will they leak?
Not if they fit properly. A well fitting cloth nappy with wrap
(if appropriate) is no more likely to leak than a disposable.
It is a good idea to try a few sample kits to make sure you buy
the right nappy for your baby.
What about overnight? It
is perfectly possible to use cloth nappies overnight, maybe with
the addition of a cloth booster pad. Other parents opt for an
eco-disposable overnight.
What if I go out for the
day? Many parents use real nappies even when they go
out and just take a slightly bigger bag with them. Others have
a stock of eco-disposables to use for day trips or when they go
away.
What is a nappy laundry
service? A nappy laundry service will provide you with
a set of nappies and collect and wash the dirty nappies —
a real boon if you are pushed for time, but a little more expensive
than washing your own.
Will I really save money?
Yes. Figures vary, but you should expect to save over £500
for the first child in cloth nappies, plus you get to use them
again for subsequent children. Also, there is a thriving market
in secondhand nappies, so you could even recoup some of the initial
set-up costs.
Are they really better?
Certainly! Cloth nappies help prevent nappy rash, aid early potty
training and are much better for the environment. What are you
waiting for?
© Arabella Greatorex
Arabella Greatorex is the owner
of Natural
Nursery, an online store selling organic and fairly traded
products for families including organic clothing and bedding,
fairly traded toys, natural toiletries, cloth and eco-disposable
nappies and soft shoes.
