The Truth About Using Real Nappies
Using Cloth Diapers As A Real Alternative To Disposables
With the majority of parents automatically reaching for the disposable nappies, this article looks at the benefits and practicalities of using real nappies.
Popular opinion is that real nappies are difficult to use. Many parents who attempt to use them soon give up, claiming that they leak and take too much time to launder. There are many real nappy events for parents to attend, where they can discover how to use them. With well organised laundering, it doesn’t take much time to wash the nappies. Hence neither time taken to wash the nappies or difficulty using them should hinder the parent from using them. Many people go straight for the disposable option, without even seriously considering the fact that they have another alternative.
Disposable Nappies and Landfill
Using real nappies offers obvious benefits to the environment. One of the most talked about environmental problems is the amount of landfill refuse that is mounting up. Disposable nappies are responsible for a huge percentage of the rubbish that is disposed of each year. They also take many hundreds of years to degrade.
Many argue that the damage to the environment caused by washing real nappies is just as great as discarding the disposables. However it should not be forgotten that disposable nappies have to be manufactured in the first place, which also uses fossil fuels.
Real Nappies Save Money
Not only is the cost to the environment reduced by using real nappies, but the financial cost to the parent is also cut. It is a lot cheaper to put down the initial outlay to buy the things needed to use real nappies and run the washing machine than it is to buy endless packs of disposable nappies. People don’t go out to buy disposable plates to use every day, instead of crockery, so that they don’t have to spend time washing up filling the dish washer, so why do they with nappies?
Real nappies are in many respects more natural for the baby, as they are free from the chemicals that are used in disposables.
Early Potty Training
Many parents would appreciate the fact that babies are more likely to potty train earlier when they wear real nappies. The baby is more aware of what is happening in a real nappy and will be keen to move onto using a potty quickly.
Setting Up To Use Real Nappies
Getting set up initially to use cloth nappies is simple. All that is needed for the baby to wear are cloth nappies, nappy liners and waterproof pants. Once taken off the baby, the nappy will need to be placed into a bucket. It is useful to have a pair of tongs by the bucket to begin cleaning the nappy and rubber gloves are needed to remove it from the bucket to be washed.
Real nappies are no longer the headache that they used to be in days gone by when everything had to be hand washed. Parents need to believe that choosing not to use disposables is a real option. This is crucial for the future of a cleaner environment.
