The age old debate - disposable - versus - reusable nappies.Discuss the nappy debate on our forums, right now! Or, post a comment below.A nappy war is raging between those who provide disposables and those who believe that switching to reusable cloth nappies is the only way forward. As a parent it can be incredibly difficult to know which nappies to use, especially with all the nappy propaganda flying about! Both sides claim their nappies are more environmentally friendly as well as being best for your baby and kinder to your wallet - but in this time of nappy confusion, which side should you support?
Disposable NappiesIt is currently estimated that between 80 and 90% of the nappies used in the UK are disposable and you can understand why. They are quick and easy to change, light to carry, available wherever you go in the world (within reason of course) and used nappies can simply be thrown away. Additionally, the technology which disposable nappy manufacturers use to keep your baby dry and comfortable is ever advancing, plus you're not forever tied to your washing machine like previous generations of mothers. From a convenience point of view disposable nappies can't be beaten. However, as with anything that seems too good to be true there is usually a catch and disposable nappies are no exception.
Approximately 8 million nappies are thrown away each day, contributing to about 4% if the UK's total waste. We are running out of room in landfill sites and as the plastic used in disposable nappies may take up to 500 years to degrade, the impact this 'convenience' product has on the environment is only just coming to light. Additionally, increasingly sophisticated chemicals are used in the production of nappies and although nappy manufacturers apply strict tests to ensure that their nappies are safe for public use, the long term effect of the chemicals used in disposables on children and the environment has not yet been established.
Biodegradable nappies with minimal chemicals are becoming more widely available and these can provide a convenient alternative to regular disposables for those with an ecological conscience but little time! These do tend to be more expensive though.
Reusable NappiesFor many, reusable nappies conjure up images of mothers slaving away soaking, bleaching and washing nappies. However, things have moved on a lot in recent years, both in terms of reusable nappies themselves and the way you wash them. Although traditional square terry towelling nappies are still widely available, pre-folded nappies used with washable or biodegradable liners and brightly coloured waterproof wraps are now the nappy choice for many.
Additionally, whether you choose to soak or not, modern washing machines will adequately clean even the dirtiest nappy at 60 degrees and soaked nappies at 40 degrees. By using an energy efficient washing machine and leaving nappies to dry naturally, you will not only save on your electricity bill, but also reduce the impact of your nappy cycle on the environment. By using eco-detergents in the wash and substituting regular fabric softener with white vinegar you will not only reduce the number of chemicals to which your baby is exposed, but will also have softer, more absorbent nappies.
One of the main reasons parents give for not using disposables is a lack of time. Although, initially reusable nappies may take longer to fit than disposables, once you are practiced this difference becomes minimal, especially as many cloth nappies now have poppers or Velcro fastenings to make this easier. Additionally, nappy laundry services are now widely available and involve a company picking up soiled nappies and dropping off clean ones once a week - taking all of the effort out of using reusables.
It is true that reusable nappies are initially more expensive to purchase, however research has found that even when the cost of washing and drying is taken into consideration, you could save over £500 over your baby's nappy wearing life when compared to disposables. When you consider that reusables can be used on other children or even sold (there is a surprisingly large market for second hand reusables) they become even more economical.
Recent research by the Environmental Agency found that in terms of environmental impact, there is no significant difference between the use of disposable and reusable nappies. However, the validity of this study is questionable due to small sample sizes, certain 'interesting' assumptions made about how people wash their nappies (would you iron your baby's nappies after each wash?) and little consideration of the fact that reusable nappies are passed on to siblings and friend's babies.
In ConclusionIn conclusion, in terms of 'the nappy debate' the evidence is inconclusive - there are clear advantages and disadvantages associated with both types of nappy. Although logic (although not the Environmental Agency) would dictate that reusable nappies are better for the environment, it's not always convenient to use cloth, especially when you are travelling or your baby is poorly.
Ultimately, the decision is yours - there is no clear winner and which type of nappy you choose to use will depend on your lifestyle and your child care philosophies. Many find that by using a combination of disposable and reusable nappies they are able to strike a balance between convenience and what's best for their baby, their wallet and the environment!
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So I have been investigating the options. One argument is that all the washing you have to do with reusable can cause pollution. I talked to my hubby who is definitely the one to ask as he does environmental impact assessments for a living. He reckons that s not only a problem that the landfills are filling up with nappies. What you have to consider is the life cycle of the nappy. e.g. the chemicals and bleaches in production ,the transport pollution, energy used to make them etc, etc and then it takes about 100 years for a nappy to biodegrade. Which brings us to another problem that effects the environment that is the harmful chemicals that are produced in landfill that pollute our air. Asking hubby about the daily washing he reckons that you can buy environmentally friendly washing powders and the water we used does go to treatments plants any way. You can also put your machine on at night to save on the electric bill. Not to say that I would never use a disposable and I have not got a clue what it will be like using reusable nappies. But I am going to give it a go. As I am bringing a child into the world I have to at least try to make it a good place to be. Hope this doesnt sound preachy and you find this informative. Good Luck what ever you choice is.
I have been using reusables for six months now and nothing could be easier. I simply put the dirty nappy in the dry bucket, chuck it all in the washing machine when full (about every two days) and then hang out to dry - about as much bother as going to the shop to buy a pack of disposables. My baby has only had nappy rash when she's been ill (thrush and diarrhoea), so I don't think reusables can be blamed for that - all the babies I know have had nappy rash from time to time. I have had the occasional leak, but then so have all the mum's using dispoable's that I know. The nappies I use never fall down and soak up the poo and wee just fine.
Personally, I wouldn't use a nappy washing service because the nappies they use (prefolds) don't wrap around the bum (I have used a few different brands and found Motherease the best) and therefore will be more likely to leak, also washing services usually come only once a week, which means having a lot of dirty nappies hanging around.
In my mum's day people did not have washing machines and had to use the laundrette, now I can fully appreiciate that that would be a pain, but if you have a washing machine then I really don't see what the problem is. I live in a flat with no outside drying space, and have not found using reusable nappies a problem - that fact that my daughter is continually throwing up (over herself, me, anyone else in the vague area, the sofa etc.) makes a lot more washing than the nappies.
Reusable nappies are cheaper than even the cheapest supermarket brands, so much so that using them saves enough money to pay for the washing machine, (and if you had a conscience you wouldn't shop at Tesco, but that's another matter), and erm... I'm not sure why Elizabeth thinks that disposibles are some how healthier for babies. Disposables work by having a heady concoction of chemicals right next to your baby's skin - I for one am not happy with these chemicals rubbing up against my daughter's skin. If you care about the world you are bringing your child into and the state of the world s/he will have to live in then you'll choose real nappies.
One last thing to say - you were looking for a cheap option, but what you don't consider is that by getting disposables that have to be collected by the council and landfilled at more cost, the savings you are making are paid for by all the people that live in your town through increased council tax, whether they use disposables or reusables, or even if they don't have chilldren at all. Is that a fair choice to make?
It was intresting to hear one very good friend of ours say that they decided to go with reusable nappies straight off when they had there baby, who was born around two months ago and they said it was okay at first they sent the dirty ones away to be cleaned and had clean ones sent back, so I thought brilliant we should go with those, then they said that after a while when the clean nappies came back they were poo stained still, so they complained and sent them back to be washed again and when they came back they were still stained. So now they have gone on to the disposable nappies, they tried the more popular brands such as huggies and pampers and yes they were fine but expensive in the long run, so they tried tescos own brand and apart from being cheaper the nappies were just as good as the more expensive brands.
So because there is less time, not alot of room in the house and money is rather sparss, the only conclusion is to use supermarket own brand dissposible nappies, yes it is adding to the landfill mass but until supermarkets make their own biodegradable nappies or the companies who make biodegradable nappies start bringing their prices down, we will have to go with the cheaper disposible nappies because money dosen't grow on trees and what is more important is that of the health of our babies and children.
Elizabeth, SW England