Nappy Facts Nappy FactsMore and more parents are saying no to disposable nappies as they realise that cotton nappies are a natural, easy and a cost-effective alternative to disposable nappies – and they don’t cost the earth! Did you know your baby will have approximately 2000 nappy changes a year? Just think this could be 5000 disposable nappies for your baby until potty trained. Cotton nappies are mainly made up of natural fibres with no chemical gels or paper pulp. Did you know: An estimated 200 million disposable nappies are thrown away in Wales every year. No disposable nappy is really disposable – once they reach landfill sites they take hundreds of years to break down. It is estimated one baby’s disposable nappy waste from its nappy years will fill 156 black rubbish bags. A family with one baby could cut their waste in half by switching to cotton nappies. Disposable nappies are a common form of litter in public places such as streets, parks, beaches and play areas. It’s a fact Modern cotton nappies come in a variety of shapes and styles with Velcro and popper fittings - gone are the days of folding and pins! Parents can save hundreds of pounds by using cotton nappies - the savings could be even greater for a second or third child. Washing cotton nappies is easy – there’s no need to boil or soak – just wash at 60 degrees For the ultimate convenience, nappy laundry services can collect soiled nappies and deliver freshly laundered ones direct to the door. There is no greater risk of nappy rash for babies in cotton nappies than in disposables – nappy rash can be caused by many factors such as diet and allergies. It’s time for a Real change! What types of real nappies are available? There is a wide range of nappies available, but the four main types are: Shaped nappies Cotton or stretch towelling nappies shaped to fit straight on the baby. The nappies require a separate waterproof cover. Both the nappy and cover fastens with Velcro or poppers. The advantage of this style is that it doesn’t have to be folded into a pad. Disadvantages are they can take longer to dry than the flat nappies, and they cost more than flat nappies. All-in-ones Shaped nappy with integral waterproof cover fastened with Velcro or poppers. The advantages with this is that it’s quick to put on a wriggly baby or toddler, but the disadvantages are that it takes longer to dry than a flat nappy or a shaped nappy. As the outer cover is washed every time it won’t last as long as the others, and it’s more expensive than the shaped or flat nappies. Flat nappies Rectangular-shaped cotton nappies. The nappy is simply folded into a pad and placed inside a cover, which is fastened with Velcro or poppers. The advantage of this system is its simplicity and cheapness compared to other Real nappy types. Stuffable nappy A flat cotton nappy is inserted inside the stuffable nappy and then the whole thing is put on the baby. The advantages are the same as the All-in-one, very easy to get on and off, but again the disadvantages are drying times, wear and tear from washing, and the cost compared to the flat nappy system. However, they are many styles of stuffable nappies. Fuzzi bunz’s have a soft breathable fleece lined cover and can be used as a nappy cover or as an all-in-one. Caring for cotton nappies is easy For those who choose not to use a nappy laundry service, or do not have one available to them, washing nappies at home has never been easier. Pre-washing Before using cotton nappies for the first time it is recommended to pre-wash them at least twice. This softens the nappy and ensures maximum absorbency. Soaking There is no need to soak cotton nappies – they can be stored in a dry bucket with a lid, although any soiling should be rinsed away first. Washing Cotton nappies can be washed hygienically at 60oC – there is no need to boil wash. Drying Most cotton nappies dry very quickly – either on the line or indoors – and many types can be tumble-dried. Nappy liners There are two types of liners. A re-useable liner is washed for re-use or a biodegradable liner is flushed down the toilet. Washing Real Nappies How many nappies will I need? If washing every two days a total of 18-20 nappies and 4 covers should be enough. How often should the nappy covers be washed? The covers do not need to be washed every nappy change unless they are badly soiled. If damp, they can be wiped over and aired. It may be necessary to wash the covers more frequently with a newborn than when they are weaned due to the frequency of bowel motions – and the mess! Do I need to soak the nappies? There is no need to soak real nappies – they can be stored in a dry bucket with a lid, although any soiling should be rinsed away first. The only time soaking may be necessary is with a newborn baby as the bowel movements can be quite explosive and messy! To prevent nappy stains at this stage there are a number of methods available to remove the stains. These include soaking the nappies in a bucket of water and adding one of the following: 1 tbs bicarbonate of soda 2-3 tbs white vinegar 5 drops of tea tree oil 2 tbs lemon juice You can also try rubbing a bar of white soap onto a wetted area, or simply hanging the nappies to dry in the sun, which will bleach stains. Commercial nappy sanitisers (such as nappy san) are also available in most supermarkets, but they are often biological and may ruin the elastic found in some modern nappies. However, a non-biological, antibacterial nappy sanitiser is also available called Nappy Fresh. It can be purchased via many nappy agents, Real Nappy retailers or via other baby product websites. What about the smell? A bin full of disposable nappies smells far worse than a bucket of used real nappies. If you are keeping nappies in a bucket for longer than 48 hours, soaking them in a solution will reduce any odours. General Real Nappy questions How much do nappies cost? A system of flat cotton nappies and covers to accommodate a baby from birth to potty costs as little as £135. Shaped and All-in-One nappies are more expensive and likely to cost up to £500. However, this is still significantly cheaper than disposable nappies, which will cost in the region of £1000 - and the savings are even greater when cotton nappies are used again on a second or third child. Nappies and covers can also be bought individually and prices vary according to the type and size of nappy. Nappy laundry services provide all the nappies a baby needs and charge between £7-£10 for a weekly service. Do the nappies come in different sizes? Yes, although it is also possible to buy one-size nappies, which have adjustable fastenings to grow with the baby. However, the more common cotton nappies come in several sizes to accommodate the baby’s growth from birth to a toddler. What nappy liners are available? There are two types of liners. Reusable liners and Biodegradable liners. Once any soiling has been tipped down the toilet Reusable liners can be washed along with the nappies. Biodegradable liners are made from thin, strong paper. The whole liner and any solid waste can be flushed down the toilet. What about leaking? Providing the nappy fits well and none of the nappy is showing outside the outer cover the nappy should not leak. If it does then there is a problem, it is that the nappy is oversaturated, in which case there may be a need for more frequent changing, or a thicker nappy/booster pad may help. It could also be that the outer cover is not fitting properly in which case another size should be tried. Health related questions What about nappy rash? Research carried out by Professor Jean Golding at Bristol University in 1997 found that babies who wore disposables were no better off then those wearing cotton nappies. As long as the nappy was changed frequently, the type of nappy used bore no relevance to the cause of nappy rash. Other factors such as change to diet, illness or infrequent nappy changes can cause nappy rash. The best ways to reduce the chances of nappy rash are frequent changing, thorough cleaning and exposure to fresh air. How often will I need to change the nappies? All babies are different. However a cotton nappy adequately padded should last up to four hours during the day and for twelve hours at night. Cotton nappies are made from natural breathable material. Research shows there is no direct link between the use of cotton nappies and nappy rash. Other factors such as changes to diet and infrequent nappy changes could cause nappy rash. Are Real Nappies hot for the baby? Most of the nappies are made from pure cotton, so are naturally breathable – much more so that the paper pulp and gels of disposables. Also, most of the modern waterproof nappy covers are made from breathable materials, obviously the more natural the material eg wool, organic cotton – the more breathable they are. What about barrier creams? There is no more need for barrier creams when using cotton nappies than with disposables. However, if a baby does have nappy rash then it is advisable to use a barrier cream. Other than this, the best thing for a baby’s bottom is to allow the air to get to it, and to change the nappies frequently. | 
