Nappy Buying Guide
It is a fact that the majority of babies will require nappies in the first couple of years of their life. You can do without them by following a process called Communication Elimination where you learn to recognise your child’s signals that she needs ‘to go’ and responding appropriately but for most people this is not something they will consider and so it comes down to which type of nappy to use.
Broadly these fall into two camps – Washable Nappies and Disposable Nappies. Both systems have pros and cons and there are very heated debates as to which are better. Those that favour cotton nappies will think cotton nappies are better and those that think disposables are better are unlikely to even look into the use of washable nappies. The environmental impact of either system is also hotly debated with each side citing their nappy system as more environmentally friendly.
There are a number of differences though that some people find compelling reasons to use one system over another:
- Cost – Usually washable nappies work out cheaper than a premium or ‘eco’ disposable nappy (but not always).
- Water Consumption –washing your nappies uses water and energy. However producing disposable nappies also uses a considerable amount of water and energy. Where you live and how you pay for your water and waste may affect you decision.
- Land Fill – disposable nappies needs to be disposed of and for most people in the UK this means sending them to landfill or incinerating them. Washable nappies have a longer life span and can often be used for subsequent children.
- Natural Resources / Raw Materials – both nappy systems use natural resources and raw materials. Both systems use energy to produce and transport them. When choosing washable nappies you have more choice over which materials have been used.
- Ease of Use – The convenience of using a nappy and disposing of it over washing it for reuse. For others the convenience of always having nappies and never running out and needing to run to the shops is compelling.
- Effectiveness – Everyone wants a nappy to keep its contents inside it. Both washable and disposable nappies come in a variety of styles, sizes and fit and it can take time to find a nappy that suits your baby and your lifestyle whichever style you use.
Washable or Reusable Nappies
Washable nappies are made from cloth usually cotton, bamboo or microfiber although other materials can be used e.g. Hemp, Silk, polyester. The type of fabric that is used to make a washable nappy can also have a significant environmental impact e.g. growing cotton can be intensive and use extreme pesticides, whereas bamboo is extremely fast growing and has a very high yield per acre.
Over the cloth part of the nappy you need a waterproof layer to ensure the nappy doesn’t leak. This layer is usually called a wrap.
Additional parts are sometimes required depending on the nappy system you use. Boosters to make your nappy more absorbent can be very useful, particularly for heavy wetting babies and night time use. You will also need to think about storing your dirty nappies so a large bucket or nappy bin is very useful.
Washable nappies need to fit your baby well to be effective. You will need to decide on whether you go for a nappy that is designed to fit from birth to potty training or whether you will buy nappies in different sizes to accommodate your growing baby. Both systems have pros and cons and it is very much a matter of choice as to which is best for you.
Bambino Mio Nappy Starter Pack (£65)
Pop-in Bamboo Starter Pack (£72.50)
Disposable Nappies
Disposable nappies are just that – disposable. You use them once and then throw them away. There are a huge variety of disposable nappies that are widely available on the high street. With the increased interest in a more ‘eco’ way of life there has also seen a rise in the number of Eco disposables available.
What makes an Eco Disposable environmentally friendly depends on the brand. Generally each Eco option has something that is considered more environmentally friendly than the standard high street brands. This could be to do with the production methods, the raw materials used, the biodegradability of the nappy, the packaging or a combination of these factors. What you consider important may be different to what others consider as important in considering Eco credentials.
Q. How many washable nappies will I need?
A. On average you will need around 20 nappies if you wish to use washable nappies full time but it does depend on how often you want to wash them.
Q. Do I need disposable liners when I use washable nappies?
A. Disposable liners can also be very useful for disposing of the contents that fill your nappy easily into the toilet but they are not essential.
Q. Which is cheaper, Washable Nappies or Disposable?
A. There is no easy answer to this – it depends on the type of nappy you use. If you want to compare costs you need to work on an average baby being in nappies for 2 ½ years using an average of 5 nappies a day (more when they are younger and less when they are older). Take the disposable brand you plan to use and calculate the cost of 4500 nappies then compare it to the cost of the washable you are considering. Then remember to add in around £60 a year for washing and drying costs. A premium disposable versus a budget washable will be more expensive. A budget disposable versus a premium washable will be cheaper.
Q. Does the type of nappy I use affect when my baby will potty train?
A. The anecdotal evidence on this is that yes it does. A baby wearing washable nappies will, on average, potty train earlier than a baby wearing disposable nappies. This is also supported by the increasing number of disposable training pant products available in ever increasing sizes.
Q. Is one type of nappy better for my baby than another?
A. There is no evidence to support either type of nappy being better for your baby. The occurrence of nappy rash has increased with the increase in using disposable nappies but this is largely attributed to people leaving their baby in the nappy too long, rather than the type of nappy the baby uses.
Bambo Nature Eco Disposable Nappies
Pack size from 132 nappies From £47.97
Beaming Baby Biodegradable Nappies
Pack size from 136 nappies £32
NCT Babychanging app
Out and about with your baby? Click here to visit the NCT website and learn more about the NCT Babychange app which contains information on thousands of locations with nappy changing facilities across the UK.