Choosing the Washable Nappy Option

 Cloth nappies are back! Look in any parenting magazine or website in the UK or USA and you will see the trend has shifted back towards washable or "real" nappies.   Many people feel apprehensive when they first hear the words “washable nappies” and think back to the old days of large terry toweling squares, nappy pins, folds and boiling on a stove.  The new breed of washable nappy couldn’t be further from this image.  There is no more soaking, folding or pinning. 

They go on and off like a disposable, and are made in the most luxurious soft fabrics you can ever imagine.  They are exciting and fun, coming in a whole rainbow of colours and patterns and are fast becoming a fashion statement for your baby or toddlers bum…don’t stop at the clothes! 

Over the time your baby is in nappies they will undergo an average of some 6000 nappy changes. You only have to do the maths to see how much you would be spending on disposables. With cloth nappies you need only make an initial investment, much like buying your stroller, car seat or cot and then just add an average of 50€ per year for washing. If you buy the minimum amount of nappies needed (around 15-18 for full time use) you will be looking at making a saving of up to and over 1000€ over the course of time your baby is in nappies. If these nappies are then used for a second baby then the savings for that baby are greater still.

The fabrics used nowadays are wonderfully soft organic cottons, plush micofleece or rich bamboo which has the advantages of natural anti-bacterial properties as well as being up to 60% more absorbent than cotton.  Think about what you would like to wear next to your intimate parts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for up to 3 years.  A pair of paper pants?!  Another huge advantage of washable nappies is the fabric which goes against the babies skin, not only is wonderfully soft but also wicks away any moisture quickly and locks it into the core so the baby stays clean and dry.

The nappies are so easy to care for and are as simple as putting on an extra load of laundry every 2-3 days.  They are dry stored in a bucket or waterproof bag after shaking any solids down the toilet.  You can also choose to use a 100% biodegradable fully flushable liner in the nappy to catch the solids, if you really can’t face the whole poop thing!

The nappies come in a range of styles from Two Parters where you use a waterproof wrap over the top, Pockets which you stuff to your required level of absorbency and All In Ones which are just like a disposable. Many of them are birth to potty and can be adjusted through a clever set of poppers at the front of the nappy to adjust the size from a newborn up to a toddler so one nappy will see you through. At EcoBebes.eu we are experienced washable nappy users and have put together a comprehensive guide to run you through the different styles with the advantages and disadvantages of each type.  We also have comprehensive sections about how to care for your nappies, storage, the reasons for choosing cloth and a section on the questions we are most frequently asked.  We also offer a free service to help you put together the ideal nappy system to suit your lifestyle and baby/toddler.

In summary, nobody loves disposable nappies. Parents may or may not feel guilty about using them but they are something you'd rather not have your little one wear given a choice. With cloth, a love affair begins! You get to wrap your precious bundle in the most luxurious fabrics, choose how you wash them much like their clothes and more importantly your baby is wearing something reliable and comfortable at last.