It’s time for a refreshing angle on nappies. The time is right. Environmental issues are finally gaining significant public support with everything from plastic bags to plastic straws getting the green treatment. Single Use / Disposable nappies are surely the next product to be targeted. A fact which seems to be confirmed by all the focus on Real Nappy Week which runs until Sunday, April 30.
The environmental cost of using disposable nappies is significant. One million tonnes of disposable nappies are being sent to UK landfill every year and each and every nappy takes an estimated 500 years to decompose. But it’s not just the eco-cost of using disposable nappies which is high. The financial cost to you as a parent is astronomical. With every child using between 4,000 and 6,000 nappies before they are potty trained, you could save money by switching to reusable nappies.
Despite many new parents knowing the cons of disposable nappies, there is still something that stops people from making that move to reusables. This is in large part because there is a real myth that this is a HUGE change that has to be made and from which there can be no turning back! This simply isn’t the case. Reusable nappies are something you can just give a try. See if they work for you. There need be no pressure, no judgement if they don’t suit you, but it’s worth just giving them a try for the eco and economic savings even if only part time use.
Reusables can be another tool to add to your nappy armoury! At home you can use reusables and for convenience when you’re on holiday or if you’re out and about, take disposals. This model makes reusables so much more accessible for the busy lifestyles of today’s mums and dads and makes it much more likely to people will use them. With the focus from Real Nappy Week it’s important to take this chance to stress the accessibility of using reusable nappies and how easy it is to just try them out.
Grandma was right about so many things; our current ‘make do and mend’ culture is testament to that and with our growing eco-awareness we are getting used to looking to the past for inspiration. Grandma used Terry Squares so don’t dismiss these. Terry Squares are very economical, quick to dry, easy and simple to use and there are the nifty alternatives to the pins that Grandma used available these days! A prefold nappy also offers a brilliant low budget reusable nappy that can be used with a modern cover.
I am adamant that trying out reusable nappies is the way to go. For this reason, at Muslinz, we won’t even sell a full kit to a mum-to-be at a baby show, instead we offer a trial kit which is enough for six changes and is the perfect way to try reusables and see if they work for you.
Much like breastfeeding, reusable nappies are something to try out to see if they fit you and your baby. If they make life with your new-born easier, are more comfortable for them, are cheaper for your purse strings, and give you that eco-friendly glow; then great!
Caroline Taylor is Managing Director from leading baby accessories specialist MerryGoRoundUK, which manufactures the popular brand, Muslinz, who supply both Terry Squares and prefold nappies
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