Why Choose Cloth Nappies?

[Fiona]

Here are some interesting points to help you decide between using cloth and disposable nappies. Remember that you can use a combination of cloth and disposable nappies which will still save you money and be gentler on the environment.

• Australians currently use over 1 billion disposable nappies per year!
• Babies need an average of 6-8 changes per day from birth to toilet training
• Disposable nappies cost from 30-60 cents per nappy (not counting the new bedwetting or "pant" pull-up nappies that can cost up to $1.40 each)
• The average child is in nappies for 2 to 3.5 years
• Based on the above it will cost you a minimum of $2700 for just one child using disposable nappies full-time (and this is a conservative figure!)
• Cloth nappies are no longer just terry towelling squares held together with pins. Fitted cloth nappies are a modern alternative that are easy to use, don't leak and provide a comfortable experience for your baby, click here for a demo to see how easy Mother-ease One Size nappies are to use http://www.ebubs.com.au/demo.avi (may take a minute to load)
• A full time system of modern cloth nappies can last for more than one child (not only do you save money for the first child, the savings continue!)
• Washing modern cloth nappies is very simple and quick. There is no longer any need for expensive bleaches or nappy sanitizing liquid with the modern cloth nappies (please see article regarding washing instructions for further details)
• No chemical/gel residue when using cloth nappies (Some gel crystals were left on my baby's bot when I used a popular disposable brand while in hospital, eww!)
• Disposable nappies not only cost you a lot more money, they cost the environment through bleaches and chemicals (including petrochemicals) used during the manufacturing processes, they lead to a disposable society and end in landfill which takes years and years to break down
• A common misconception is that cloth nappies require bleach, lots of detergent, soaking in buckets, all of which impact upon the environment. The truth is modern cloth nappies have changed from their dated predecessors. You don't need to soak modern cloth nappies, there's no need to hand wash dirty, soiled cloth nappies and you don't need to use harsh bleaches. In fact you only need about about half the detergent you'd use on a regular wash! They really are a MUCH better choice finanicially and environmentally
• Disposable nappies require more water, more energy, more raw materials and more land to produce than do cloth nappies
• Cloth nappies are more comfortable. Natural cotton, bamboo and wool allow your baby's skin to breathe, preventing irritation. And because there are many different types and combinations of reusable nappies, you are more likely to find one best suited to your own baby's individual body shape and preference.
• It's a myth that reusable nappies leak. In fact, a well-fitting reusable will give even better protection than a disposable nappy.
• Nappy pins have been replaced with Velcro and poppers.
• Disposable nappies contain super-absorbent gel, the effects of which on baby's skin and genitalia have yet to be researched.
• Disposable nappies contain up to 200 chemicals. It is still unknown how many are absorbed through a baby's skin.
• A study in 2000 found that disposable nappies keep babies' testicles at higher than normal temperatures, which may affect future fertility.
• The average baby will go through 5,000 disposable nappies.
• Disposable nappies use three and a half times more energy than real nappies to produce, eight times more non-renewable materials and 90 times more renewable resources.
• For night-time or babies that are heavy wetters you can add booster pads to modern cloth nappies for extra absorbency.

A study conducted by Landbank Consultancy provided the following findings; per Infant per Year

Resource	Cloth	Disposable
Energy	2532MJ	8900MJ
Waste Water	12.4 cubic mts	28 cubic mts
Raw Materials: renewable	25kg	208kg
Raw Materials: non-renewable	4kg	361kg
Domestic Solid Waste	4kg	240kg
Land for Raw Materials	1,150-6,800ha	29,500-32,300ha

Source: (2003) Disposable nappies: a case study in waste prevention. Women's Environment Network.

[Polly]

Hi - I've decided to make the switch from disposable to cloth nappies (for all the reasons that you've listed!) and have commenced the rather daunting task of researching brands. I've found one brand that seems to be great GreenKids Australia and which as received good (independent reviews) from other users.  What is your experience with the different brands? Is there a great variation in performance? Are the types with 'inserts' more absorbent/leak proof that other types?

Any advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

[Fiona]

Dear Polly,

It's lovely to hear that you have decided to give cloth nappies a go! Apart from the benefit to the environment they'll also save you a lot of money and are really easy and convenient to use with the modern styles available.

I'm not familiar with the GreenKids range however there are many brands and styles available so the choice is really which appeals to you, which you prefer the style of and of course pricing. The material that the nappies are made of will influence the weight of the nappy, absorbency and also the softness or feel for your bub. Bamboo for example is highly absorbent while still being soft and gentle.

Inserts and boosters do increase absorbency and can be especially useful for nights to help extend night sleeps so your bub doesn't wake up early because they have a soaking nappy. Let's face it, we don't get enough sleep as it is, so anything that helps our little angels to sleep comfortably is worth considering. However in terms of leak proofing this really comes down to the fit. If it's a snug fit then cloth nappies wont leak which is just the same as disposables.

Hope that helps and good luck with your new cloth nappies! 

Kind Regards,
Fiona.

[Louise]

Hi Polly,

I'd also like to congratulate you on making the switch! Good work.

Regards,
Louise.