Gone are the days when 'reusable nappies' meant stinking, toweling rags (though some people still swear by them, I'm told!) There is now a wealth of options for the eco-friendly parent who'd prefer not to spend every hour of the day thinking about poo.
Reusable nappies are now designed to be as hassle-free and leakproof as possible, which is good news really when you consider the sheer bulkiness of normal nappies and their tendency to clog up landfill something rotten.
Read on to find out about some of the new kids on the block in nappyland.
Related: Wam-bamboo eco nappies | gDiapers flushable nappies
New from Modern Baby is the Pop-in: a complete birth-to-potty nappy system made from naturally anti-bacterial and environmentally-friendly bamboo. The nappies are designed to grow with your baby, with a special 'popper system' that can be adjusted accordingly. The nappies are available in five colours (all with lovely names I can't resist sharing with you, including 'custard', 'pumpkin' and 'coconut'.
A 10-nappy multipack (which should, in theory, contain all the nappies your baby will ever need!) costs £123
The Econappi is a new reusable 'pocket nappy' from Swaddlebees. It's made from plush, organic cotton, and also has an adjustable 'one size' system to last until potty training. Pocket nappies are reusable, but require inserts which need to be laundered regularly. A single Econappi plus insert costs £14.44 as an introductory offer from Babykind.
Another approach is disposable nappies which biodegrade. Moltex nappies are a popular option for parents who want this option, which is also kinder to babies' skin than conventional disposables, which are more chemically-laden. This makes them ideal for babies with eczema. The nappies, which come in different sizes, are compostable, and 'proven to break down within 8 weeks in a wormery' -- though I have to admit I'd be surprised if many parents DID dispose of them this way! Moltex is a very popular brand, and has also been praised for its effectivity. If you'd like to give the nappies a try, you can order a free sample from Free Econappies!
The Moltex nappies that I put in my wormery 6 months ago are still fully intact. And they take more than a year to compost, according to incomplete trials by a friend.
Hi Karen
Wow, that doesn't sound good at all - especially since you've gone to the trouble of disposing of them using what's meant to be the most effective method. It's good to have your feedback -- have you tried any other brands that were effective in this way?
Abi (ed)
To be fair, I didn't buy them because I thought they would biodegrade; I knew that seemed unlikely. I bought them because of the lower chemical content and more eco-friendly production processes. It might be worth pointing out that since most dispos, whether eco or not, are sealed into plastic nappy bags and sent to landfill, they will *never* biodegrade because the conditions just aren't right.
I have never tried any eco dispos other than Moltex; we mainly use cloth - fab Tots Bots and Motherease washable nappies.
Just thought I'd add to this post and ask if people could check out our website for some great real nappy brands and accessories:
www.graceisgreen.com
We're a small family run business that offer clear and simple advise via the phone or through the website. We also donate some of our profits to charities. Please drop us an email if you have any questions, info@graceisgreen.com
Tim & Becky Johnson