Hippyshopper guide to reusable nappies
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.
Posted by: Karen | July 8, 2008 2:37 PM