Reusable Nappies

Good reasons to use reusable (cloth) nappies rather than disposables

Minimal Ongoing Expense
Once you have bought reusable nappies there is minimal extra costs involved (other than say disposable liners which are not very expensive)

Convenience - instead of having to drive to the chemists/ supermarket to buy disposable nappies you simply buy your reusable nappies over the internet and get them delivered to your door.

Kinder to the Environment
Regular disposable nappies take a very long time to decompose. Landfill sites are increasingly being filled with nappies. If you consider that most babies go through one packet of disposable nappies a week, and stay in nappies until they are around 2 years old that is around 28x104 nappies that is nearly 3000 nappies that one child will use. The larger the family the greater quantity of nappies that you will use, if you have 3 children that is nearly 9000 nappies, sitting in landfill, from just one family. Shocking thought!

Kinder to your babies bottom as less chemicals will be in contact with their delicate skin Reusable nappies are made from natural materials. You can also choose what you launder them with, so you can choose eco-friendly washing powder.

Cloth Nappy Users are often Potty Trained earlier than Disposable Nappy Users!
Mums who use cloth nappies on their babies often find that their babies are slightly easier to potty train than their disposable nappied counterparts, probably because a small amount of wetness can be felt in a cloth nappy.

Reusable Nappy F.A.Q.s (Frequently Asked Questions)

What types of reusable nappies could I use?

Traditional Terry Nappies - squares of towelling material that you have to fold into a kite shape. Use with a waterproof outer and an inner
Advantages:- Absorbent, Cheap to buy, Can be folded to fit any size baby
Disadvantages:- Bulky, Need to be folded before use.
Pre-shaped Nappies. Need outer wrap and inner. Some come with poppers or velcro, but some may need nappy nippas. Nappies are a specific fit. Come in a range of sizes
Advantages:- Fit baby nicely, not bulky, easy to use.
Disadvantages:- Will possibly need to buy a bigger size when baby grows
More expensive to purchase initially than terries.
All in One Nappies. Outer layer is combined with fabric inner so no assembly necessary other than to add a liner to make disposal of solids easier.
Advantages less time consuming, and less fiddly as no assembly necessary.
Disadvantages- Quite expensive to buy initially. Still need liner.
Birth to Potty Sized nappies (one size) Could mean that you only buy one lot of nappies which will last you from birth to the time your baby is potty trained. However nappies could be too big for newborns giving an uncomfortable or leaky fit (unless you fold them!) Definitely use a trial pack of one size nappies to make sure they are fine for your family first.

I am worried about choosing reusable nappies, there is so much choice how do I know which is the right ones for me and my baby?
Most of the reusable nappy retailers will either come out and give you a demonstration so that you can see for yourself the different styles and types of nappy on offer, or will allow you to buy a trial pack for a small fee. This way you can try different styles and decide for yourself which suits your needs best.

Do reusable nappies come in one size? Some do, but some come in newborn size and toddler size. Make a point of checking this when buying. If you are planning on having a family close together you might find that having some small sized nappies is fine as you can pass these onto your next baby and buy your toddler some bigger nappies to fit him. If you are to buy a one size fits all type of nappy make sure you get the right system for you and are happy with it, or it could be an expensive mistake!!!!

Inners? Outers? What do I need?
Most reusable nappies (apart from the all-in ones) consist of a outer waterproof wrap, a cotton (or similar) main part and an inner liner which is useful for keeping poo off the cotton part. You can get either a flushable biodegradable inner or a washable inner.

Do I need nappy pins, or poppers or nappy nippas?
Most modern nappies come with either velcro, or nappy nippas or have poppers already installed in them. Usually you will see from the listings which of the different fastenings you need. Some companies offer a starter pack with all the different items you need in it such as liners and nappy nippas and outer covers. If you are in any doubt about what you need, contact the company you are thinking of buying from who will be happy to advise you

Where can I buy reusable nappies? Click here for a list of websites that sell reusable nappies

Will my baby be more prone to nappy rash with reusables?
Not necessarily! If you ensure that you change your baby regularly and use a good absorbent inner lining or booster you should find that your baby will be fine.

What can I do when I am out and about with my baby?
Using reusable nappies needn’t be more hassle than using a disposable whilst out, just ensure that you have a good size waterproof bag to put the nappies into. Flush any solid waste down the loo and pop your used nappy into a bag. If you prefer there are always environmentally kinder disposable nappies that you can use such as Nature Baby Care or Nature Botts.

I can’t face the thought of washing nappies, is it horrible?
Once you get used to it, it isn’t THAT bad, although if you prefer many areas offer a nappy laundering service. Ensure you flush any solids down the loo and then rinse and pop in a lidded bucket. When you get a full load (or a half load if your washing machine has a mini-load facility) pop on a wash (wash them separately from your other clothes) Hang them out to dry they don’t take that long to dry.

Can I use reusable nappies on my twins?
Of course! It can save you lots of money to use reusable nappies on your twins. It can work quite well as you will get into the habit of putting on a load of nappies several times a week. The only prohibitive thing may be the initial outlay of buying the nappies. It may suit you to buy reusables over a period of time to build up your stocks unless you can afford to buy them outright.

What about overnight? Can I use reusable nappies overnight?
You certainly can although you may need to use an absorbent booster to ensure that your baby is comfortable.

I am on a low budget but would like to use reusable nappies - can anyone help me?
Some local councils have an incentive scheme in place where you can get a grant towards the costs contact your local council to see if you have one in your area (or to request that one is put in place- if you don’t ask you don’t get!!!)

What can I do with my nappies now that my baby is potty trained?
The beauty of real nappies is that they can be handed down to your next baby. If your family is complete, you could sell them as they have a good resale value. If you use traditional terry nappies they come in very handy for sitting your child on whilst in the car -useful to absorb any “wee accidents”

Got a Reusable Nappy Question? email mail@dontwakethebaby.co.uk question mark in thought bubble02

Disclaimer: Any advice you take you do so because you believe in your own mind that it is right for you and you do so completely at your own risk. Always get immediate medical help if you have any health concerns.

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