Real nappies
The natural choice.
So, you’re thinking about nappies? Not everyone’s favourite aspect of parenting, but they’re pretty much an essential part of having a baby. This guide provides information about the benefits of real nappies, as well as the realities of using washable nappies at home, so you’ll be able to make an informed decision about what is right for you, your baby, your lifestyle and our environment.
Why real nappies?
Real nappies have come a long way from meaning complicated folding, pins, scratchy plastic pants, boiling, soaking and hours of extra work. Like almost everything else in modern life, things have changed in the washable nappy world over the last 30 years. Cloth nappies:
- Save up to £1200 per bum by washing real nappies at home
- Soft, natural fibres against delicate skin
- Potty training up to 6 months earlier
- No nasty chemical content & no animal testing
- Use less energy & water, even including the washing
- Save over a tonne of waste going to landfill sites
- No more struggling with bulky packs from the shops!
What are real nappies?
Real nappies are also called washable nappies, cloth nappies, cotton nappies, and even old-fashioned terry nappies. For all these different names, they are basically the same idea: a nappy you wash & use again, rather than put in the bin, like a disposable or single use nappy.
There are literally 100s of different styles & designs to choose from, and real nappies are fast becoming not just an eco-friendly choice, but a fashionable lifestyle choice, with greater choice to show off your wee one’s style from their earliest days!
That’s WHY more & more people choose real nappies, next you’ll want to know:
How?
Well, while real nappies are not quite as self-explanatory as single use nappies, there isn’t all that much to it. Just think about what you need a nappy to do, and the 3 basic ‘bits’ that make up a real nappy system make perfect sense – it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3 … .
1. A LINER catches the poo, so it can be flushed easily
2. A NAPPY is the cotton bit that absorbs the wetness.
3. A WRAP (or cover, or pants) is the waterproof layer that protects clothes.
Washing and storing real nappies
Changing real nappies is just as simple as changing single use nappies, you just throw the nappy in a bucket, rather than in the bin – and no need to tie the nappy in a little bag to stop the house smelling of poo, because that bit gets flushed away! No need for boiling or soaking, just chuck the used nappy in a dry bucket and add them to any whites wash. If you line your bucket with a net laundry bag (or old pillow case!), then you throw the open bag straight into the washing machine without even touching the nappies - simple. A normal 60 degree wash cleans & sterilises your nappies, so no need for harsh chemicals, messy soaking or energy-draining boil washes.
