Real Nappies (Cotton Nappies) or Disposables - The Debate

I'm sure you have heard some of the debate surrounding real nappies, whether you should use them, the environmental impact of disposables and so on. Well, this short summary provides, what I believe to be, a balanced view of the pros and cons of real nappies.

This is not designed to be a complete dissertation on real nappies v disposables, it is an overview ? succinct and to the point.

Advantages of Real Nappies

* Can reduce waste ? up to 50% of a "one-baby" households waste is made up of disposable nappies. In the UK alone over 8 million nappies are disposed of daily and traditional disposable nappies take hundreds of years to biodegrade.

* Estimates show that the cost of using real nappies are half that of using disposable nappies ? so if counting the pennies is a priority then this could be a worthwhile option.

* You can re-use real nappies for a second or third child and it is not uncommon to see real nappies being sold on the likes of ebay.

* There are lots of different styles, colours and sizes of nappies available therefore from an aesthetic point of view you have more choice with real nappies.

* Modern real nappies are just as quick to change as disposables, with no safety pins in sight as they come pre-shaped, with either poppers or Velcro.

Cons of Real Nappies

* Added washing ? which does take time (unless you use a nappy washing service).

* Space requirement for drying nappies ? either you use the tumble drier, hang them outside when the weather is good or pop them on a drying frame or radiator. Do remember that some nappies will dry quicker than others so do bear this in mind when making your buying decision.

* Upfront cost ? you are likely to have to make a slightly larger up from investment to buy real nappies ? although in the medium to long term they are the more economical option.

Do remember that it is not an all or nothing ? a lot of people choose to mix real nappies with eco-friendly biodegradable nappies, which can be a more convenient or effective option at night time or while travelling. Most importantly you need to be comfortable with your choice of nappy.

There are plenty of sites on the internet where you can buy real nappies, as well as eco-friendly biodegradable disposable nappies. Have a look at www.smileybaby.co.uk

Real nappies are also extremely comfy for your little one while taking part in their daily activities. To find out more about parent and baby activities in the UK have a look at www.busylittleones.

Graham Nicoll is a father of one, Toby, a keen entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast.

He enjoys writing and working with people to help them achieve greater success in their life. Whether this be overcoming mental roadblocks or helping them improve their health and wellbeing.

Toddler maths skills indicates future ability
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - 7 hours ago
... and blue dots on a computer screen and estimate which dots were more numerous, the kind of study that other teams has done with babies and toddlers. ...

Telegraph.co.uk
Oh baby you're amazing
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - 5 hours ago
When a toddler reaches the age of 15 months, a moment of truth arrives. He looks in the mirror, waves his hand, and the "other person" waves back in exactly ...

'The need is so great'
Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel, TX - 8 hours ago
"And look at her now, she's 22 months," she said, referring to the toddler who has been in their home since she was released from the hospital as an infant. ...

Examiner.com
Baby and Toddler Examiner
Examiner.com - Sep 4, 2008
Combining her research skills and her experiences with her own baby and toddler, she writes for all parents and grandparents out there looking for ideas to ...

Monster Baby Launches Punk Rock Clothing Range In Toddler And ...
PRLog.Org (press release), Romania - Sep 4, 2008
“Monster Baby has always been about edgy graphics-driven gear and funky, trendy clothes for babies, infants & toddlers, so it’sa natural extension to keep ...

Hey, cellphone mom: Your children are calling
Seattle Times, United States - 17 hours ago
"The social use of language, that's the piece that's getting lost," said Harpaz, who said she is seeing an increase in speech-delayed babies and toddlers. ...

Mom charged for leaving toddler in car
abc7.com, CA - Sep 5, 2008
A shopper outside Babies 'R' Us heard a child crying and saw a 2-year-old boy locked in a black Infiniti SUV. The shopper told store employees, ...

Worst nightmare: Babies stolen from their beds
MSNBC - Sep 4, 2008
More than two years later, Ysasaga says she’s still nervous about letting the toddler out of her sight. “My daughter is fine, but she’s not allowed outside ...

Pregnant In High School: Teens On How Parenting Changed Them
Tampa Tribune, FL - Sep 5, 2008
... parents proper discipline and interaction with their children, socialization and what is developmentally appropriate for their babies and toddlers. ...

ChattahBox
Baby Bottle Chemical Bysphenol A Not So Safe Anymore, Report Says
eFluxMedia - Sep 4, 2008
Hard polycarbonate plastic is used in baby bottles, toddler cups, water bottles and other recipients. There are many environmental groups that say the ...
Government Toxicologists Claim Bisphenol Might Be Harmful eFluxMedia
all 325 news articles

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Baby Sunglasses