Are these the eco superheroes of the nappy world?

Nappies. For something that’s destined to end up in landfill, or endlessly dripping on the washing line, they don’t half generate debate. As a friend once pointed out, had Henry VIII worn nappies, they’d still be decomposing now. Which is quite a thought. But washables? I’ve younger siblings, and still shudder when I remember the fetid nappy pail sitting in our bathroom (no doubt next to the avocado three-piece).

So what to do? Many of us have stories about mothers or grandmothers who swear their child was potty trained by a year old. A neighbour’s mother-in-law even proudly produced a picture of her son (and therefore neighbour’s husband) sitting in a playpen tied up to a potty. Neither of which would get you very far today, unless it was to Social Services. And the great washable debate? I confess I used them first time around. I inherited a stash of Kushies from my brother, who inherited them from my sister. We all felt a warm glow of reduce/reuse/recyle smugness, until second babes came along, and the Kushies bit the dust. It wasn’t that they weren’t good, but in my case, first babe was born in the spring. The weather was warm, and I didn’t mind a pile of Kushies gently drying on an airer in the kitchen. It was a different story with second babe. He was born at the end of the autumn, the weather was freezing, and by that stage I had my hands full with an 18-month-old. I guess I could have tumbledried them, but that seemed to rather undo the whole eco point. So I’ve compromised with baby three, use Nature Babycare, and try to use as few as possible. I usually get through two a day (I’ve three children, and only the youngest is still in nappies). Which might sound a bit ‘bleugh’ to the change-every-few-hours brigade, but he’s never had nappy rash, and doesn’t seem to care too much about a soggy nappy. And yes, I do change him when he has a poo!

I’ve had friends who use a washables home collection service, and swear by it. I’ve even one who uses the Terry’s nappies her mother used on her, complete with those plastic pants and giant nappy pins. But her children are always so soggy that no-one ever wants to lift them up, and each has suffered from horrendous nappy wash. And the friend is endless washing and (tumble) drying nappies – my leave-em-on approach definitely doesn’t work when it comes to cotton towelling. Most people I know use a big brand disposable. They’re a lot lighter, much cheaper, and I know they’re more absorbent (I’ve borrowed them, and bought them abroad when I’ve run out). But they make me feel guilty.

I recently read about Bitti d’Lish Snap in One on the Green Baby website. Admittedly, it sounds like a girl band on Britain’s Got Talent, but it’s a range of brightly coloured, and highly absorbent, washable nappies. Bitti d’Lish claim up to four hours without a change (though that’s not going to take a heavy wetter long through the night?) Anyway, they might be worth a try, if only because the funky colours mean you might be able to get away with no skirt or trousers on during the summer, which will cut down on washing. A set costs £14, and the Bitti d’Lish come in three sizes. You’ll need about six sets per size if you wash every day, which still works out much cheaper than buying disposables. And if you plan on using them again, they really are cost effective.

Anyway, I’d genuinely love to know what you think. I’m aghast at those who don’t use eco nappies. Many friends think they don’t work, while others think they’re a greenwashing con. I wish I had the patience to try washables again. In the meantime, I’m off to tie the baby to the potty. Don’t be appalled, it’s for the good of the planet.

Tags: The Urchin Rants

1. rachel pattisson says:

   December 7, 2009 at 21:10

   I was blogging about this just the other day: http://rachelpattisson.blogspot.com/2009/11/nappies-reusable-or-disposable.html
   and am currently running a poll to see how many people actually are using reusables or eco nappies as opposed to contributing to land-fill. At the moment, the numbers of each are pretty equal but it would be great if more people would come and ‘click’ to say which type of nappy they use. I think, economically, re-usables must be cheapest in the long run but as far as the environment goes. I think eco-disposables must be a close contender. Like you, I am sad to see people still using ordinary disposable nappies. I think this is a very important topic: thanks for raising/continuing the discussion!
2. MrShev says:

   December 8, 2009 at 09:27

   We used eco-nappies for a while (we just couldn’t keep up using washables) and I started to think…so these biodegrade?…but they go inside a black bin liner? That doesn’t biodegarde and that goes in a landfill?

   So, what do you do with eco nappies? Compost them? That would be a compost heap I’d like to give a wide berth.
3. angels&urchinsblog says:

   December 8, 2009 at 17:35

   Rachel – thanks for this. Great idea to draw everyone’s attention to the evils of the nappy, especially with the climate change conference happening in Copenhagen this week.

   MrShev – I know. Greenwashing, handwashing, brainwashing? A friend does compost hers, but she lives on a farm where there are dung heaps everywhere.
4. Brrrrrrr chilly Mummy says:

   December 8, 2009 at 20:00

   Am afraid to admit to using disposables all the way – no where to hang re-usables up to dry and I wasn’t allowed a tumble dryer (got my wicked way now and have one thank goodness). That said, anyone I know who used/uses re-usables swears by them.
5. Green Baby says:

   December 9, 2009 at 17:24

   Hello! we’ve just been talking about this post in the Green Baby ofice, and the horror of the playpen, ah, I actually remember being in one! (or is that some sort of assisted memory thing?!)

   Like Rachel, after reading Ed Miliband’s faux pas re disposables on Mumsnet last week, I also ‘blogged’ http://bit.ly/86KmSP on Green Baby’s facebook site. I think one should at least try real nappies, and the new nappies you mention, Bitti D’Lish all-in-ones have the booster set sewn in, so you simply rinse’em and bung’em in the washing machine, no pins, no velcro no snapping in, (ooh, I’m sounding a bit like Jamie Oliver, do excuse me).

   These are pretty quick to dry too (the Bitti D’Lish snap-in-ones are quicker, obviously, as they come apart, giving you the flexibility to use the minky coloured outer again if it’s not wet).

   I’d say give one a go, just like a disposable, but washable! what more could you want (less wee and poo? A good night’s sleep, a massive bar of green&blacks….ok, enough said!)

   give me a shout if you have any questions ;>)
   Ali at Green Baby x
6. angels&urchinsblog says:

   December 9, 2009 at 20:17

   Chilly Mummy – never too late to change, unless, of course, you’re already out of the nappy years, In which case, lucky you. Now you’ve just got the environmental dilemmas of cars, holidays, central heating, water consumption to worry about…

   Green Baby – thanks for the inside track on this. Those Bitti D’Lish sound very easy to use, especially if they don’t leak. And yes, less wee and poo and more chocolate and sleep would both be great. Pre-budget report mentioned neither. Then again, didn’t mention anything about nappies, either, despite Millbank’s faux pas. What were they saying about the next election being won or lost at the school gate?
7. Natalie says:

   December 10, 2009 at 12:01

   Great post – I love the honesty of it. I’ve gone through a lot of brain ache as I felt I should ‘try’ to switch over – too frickin stressful and I really feel that there is a lack of information provided about nappies ‘with’ the nappies. I don’t want to have to go and do research into what to do and how to take care of them – considering the price, every last drop of information should be provided *with* them to ensure that they’re used successfully. I know a few wet babies myself…I don’t understand why parents do that because the fact that your child is in a sodden cloth nappy doesn’t make it any better and they *do* cause horrible nappy rashes. Incidentally, one of the lovely ladies from Green Baby who I met a Bubble a few months back is responsible for my no stress attitude about real nappies as she highlighted how much we stress ourselves about trying to be perfect and make a total switch when even if we were using one a day, it makes a difference.
8. Green Baby says:

   December 10, 2009 at 12:22

   Hi A&U and Natalie, I agree re the ‘lack of information’ when I had my two, I felt that it was all too overwhelming, and was delighted this week to see the videos our friend Sue at Itti Bitti has put together for our nappies. Here’s a link to the YouTube vids (don’t for heaven’s sake search for just ‘Bitti’ on YouTube, you get ALL SORTS of dodgy things, teehee).

   http://www.youtube.com/user/ittibittinappyco#g/c/F952D8DED10E0238

   there are five videos on there, and pretty much apply to a lot of the all-in-ones out there on the market, so have a look, you’ll get the gist, (obviously I favour the Bitti D’Lish brand! x)
9. angels&urchinsblog says:

   December 10, 2009 at 15:06

   Thanks Natalie. I know exactly what you mean about brain ache. There is so much to feel guilty about when you bring a child into this overcrowded planet that sometimes it’s a case of doing a little bit, just like Green Baby say.

   Green Baby – Thanks for the YouTube link, and the steer clear mention for the search engines!!
10. Green Baby says:

    December 10, 2009 at 15:11

    tee hee, indeed, re the ‘search’ not the sort of thing you would want your mother to stumble upon!
    lol x
11. Shamika Detamore says:

    January 7, 2010 at 11:19

    Now I know why so many people love this site, nice contribution. Thanks
12. maggy woodley says:

    January 7, 2010 at 15:26

    I think reusables are the way to go. Once you get the hang of them, they are not “that much of a bother”. We are on child number 2 and still using them. Woohoo. Follow our potty training progress on http://thegoodlifebloggers.wordpress.com/ or http://www.twitter.com/redtedart or read about me on redtedart.com

    Maggy x
13. Meg Ocallaghan says:

    January 24, 2010 at 14:08

    Hi, what a wonderful blog you have. I found it on Bing while looking for some baby items. Thanks and best wishes.