Special offers currently on Pop In and Tots Bots EasyFit 20 nappy sets until end of April 2011!!
When sensible laundry routines are followed and if these nappies are passed down to future children in the family then it has been proved that washable nappies (or real nappies or cloth nappies or re-usable nappies...) are 40% more environmentally friendly than main brand disposable nappies...and that is without looking into the landfill issue of disposables!
In the UK 8 million disposable nappies are thrown away every year and scientists estimate that it will take up to 500 years for these to decompose - that means that every disposable ever used is still rotting in a landfill site somewhere. Many parents do what I did with my oldest child and that is to wrap a soiled nappy up and put it with it's contents into the bin. This obviously isn't good and now I hear of health professionals advising to tip and flush.
Financially washable nappies can save a family vast amounts. The Guardian (February 16th 2006) estimated the costs of disposable nappies for a family was £1884 per baby. The average cost for washable nappies is £200-£300 and for many families these nappies can be used a 2nd and sometimes even a 3rd time! It is also worth looking at what your council offers as many now give some financial incentive to offset their costs to dispose of disposable nappies. Many will give you back £30 when you spend £50 which in effect is suggesting that you use the cost of 2-3 weeks worth of disposable nappies and see if washable nappies can save you £1500+
Q: How to choose what nappy?
A: Get some advice!
I made some expensive mistakes when I was choosing washable nappies for my 2nd child, following "best buy" articles in magazines or what a local major babyshop had on special deals etc. I finally got the system right for us and then I joined Lollipop Children's Products and became an expert on the different types, brands, fabrics of nappies as well as experience of the different problems which could arise and the simplest answers. During this period I worked in the management team for Lollipop training up advisors, working with councils, health professions and other outside bodies as well as being paid to present to Nappy Networks and major washable nappy companies. I've also organised and run 3 highly successful Real Nappy Fashion Show's for my local council and been instrumental in setting up the real nappy promotions and Nappaccino's in my county. Feel free to ring me at the shop or even better call in sometime and I will happily help you with your choices.
There really isn't anything better than seeing and feeling the fabrics and shapes and sizes of the nappies - how can you know what micro fleece or bamboo materials feel like when read about online? If you already have your baby then we can usually try some nappies on them so you can get an idea of the fit. Once you are up and going with your nappies you are still welcome to pop back in if you have any questions and we will happily go through a nappy change with you - before you think you are clever, we will only do 1 change per baby and only during the hours of opening....it's been asked before!!
Remember that disposable nappies were orginally designed with daytrips and holidays in mind and not for everyday usage. A bit like paper picnic plates and cups but as far as I'm aware we haven't started to use these everyday in the home to save on washing up....that would just be wasteful.....
