Using Cloth Nappies
We all know that using cloth nappies is best for the environment and for our baby's health (not to mention our pockets) but just how easy are they to use?
Here are answers to some common questions to help get you started. Are cloth nappies easy to use?
The short answer, is YES. The more useful response is to answer some common questions about real nappies.
What do I do at change time?
If the nappy is simply wet, all you need to do is take it off, throw the liner away (if disposable) and put the nappy and reusable liner in your nappy bucket instead of the bin.
If the nappy is dirty, the poo can be flushed away down the loo (far more hygienic than putting it in the bin) and the nappy put in the bucket.
Liquid poo can be washed off by holding the nappy under the flush of the loo before being dealt with in your normal way.
Are they difficult to put on?
Not at all. Shaped nappies or all-in-ones are the easiest to use and require no folding - simply put them on just as you would a disposable. Flat or terry nappies do need to be folded but the fantastic invention of the Nappi Nippa means that you don't have to use a pin.
Will I have to do lots of washing?
All families have lots of washing, so to add in a few nappies isn't really that much extra work. When you are ready to do a normal wash, simply take the nappies out of the bucket and put them in the washing machine, it is as simple as that.
Putting nappies into a modern machine with its fast spin is a far cry from having to put them through the twin tub and mangle that your mother may have used. Nappies can be washed at 60c and some people even use 40c with the odd hotter wash to keep the stains at bay.
The best way to dry nappies is on the line with the rest of your washing (or on a radiator during the winter) but I like to fluff them by putting them in the dryer for 10 mins with the bath towels after taking them off the line.
Will I get dirty putting them in the washing machine?
No. The poo will have been disposed of, so you are only dealing with a little wee. If you wet pail (see below) you can use a mesh bag to store the nappies in, so you just need to pick that up and put it in the machine. Dry pailing is even easier to do.
What is "pailing"?
Basically, storing used nappies in a bucket. Wet pailing involves putting the nappies into a solution of water and nappy soak or similar or just plain water.
Dry pailing is very easy - simply drop the used nappy into the bucket and replace the lid.
Will my house smell?
Only if you leave lots of dirty nappies hanging around for days. Just think of how your bin smells with a couple day's worth of dirty disposables in it. With real nappies, the poo is flushed down the loo straight away, so you won't suffer from this problem. If you like, you can put a few drops of essential oil on a cloth that you keep on the top of the bucket to help with any smells.
Won't all the washing powders harm the environment?
Yes and no. Yes to the extent that all detergents cause some damage (this can be limited by using non-bio or eco-friendly products) but no to the extent that this is still much better than using disposable nappies. Will I have to change more nappies? Not really. Guidelines state that you should change your baby's nappy every 4 hours during the day (more often for new borns), so this remains the same.
Won't my baby get nappy rash?
Nappy rash is caused by bacteria in the poo reacting to the ammonia in wee. The best way to stop nappy rash is to change frequently (every 4 hours or so) and allow fresh air to get to the nappy area.
The lock away core in disposable nappies encourages parents to change less often and their very design prevents air from circulating. Most designs of real nappy are breathable, allowing air to circulate, resulting in a healthier bottom.
Will they leak?
Not if they fit properly. A well fitting cloth nappy with wrap if appropriate is no more likely to leak than a disposable. It is a good idea to try a few sample kits to make sure you buy the right nappy for your baby.
What about overnight?
It is perfectly possible to use cloth nappies overnight, maybe with the addition of a cloth booster pad. Other parents opt for an eco-disposable overnight.
What if I go out for the day?
Many parents use real nappies even when they go out and just take a slightly bigger bag with them. Others have a stock of eco-disposables to use for day trips or when they go away.
What is a nappy laundry services?
A nappy laundry service will provide you with a set of nappies and collect and wash the dirty nappies. A real boon if you are pushed for time but can be a little more expensive than washing your own.
Will I really save money?
Yes. Figures vary, but you should expect to save over £500 for the first child in cloth nappies, plus you get to use them again for subsequent children. Also, there is a thriving market in second hand nappies, so you could even recoup some of the initial set up costs.
Are they really better?
Certainly! Cloth nappies help prevent nappy rash, aid walking and early potty training and are much better for the environment. What are you waiting for?
Arabella Greatorex is the owner of http://www.naturalnursery.co.uk, an online store selling organic and fairly traded products for families including organic clothing and nappies, fairly traded toys and natural toiletries.
 Google News Updated : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:51:23 GMT Palin talks economic worries in Appalachian Ohio - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio (AP) - Sarah Palin told voters in southeastern Ohio on Sunday that she and running mate John McCain would bring jobs back to this economically depressed piece of Appalachia. John McCain and Sarah Palin try new tactics US-POLITICS Summary Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:11:58 GMT Tigers still seeking QB to turn season around - SportingNews.com
SportingNews.com - AP Sports Wri AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- The Auburn Tigers didn't figure they'd be in this position: Unranked, desperately trying to salvage a once-promising season and still seeking a quarterback solution seven games into the season. Tuberville And Tigers Trying To Regroup A Pig Sooie Shocker in Auburn Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:13:08 GMT Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Cancer survivor shares her story - Naples Daily News
Naples Daily News - By LIANE SMITH (Contact) She felt pain in her breasts. One of her aunt’s died in February from breast cancer. Another aunt, in her 60s now, has battled it on and off for more than a dozen years. Pink And Purple Join To Help Women Breast Cancer Awareness Month Should Be Prevention Month! Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:31:44 GMT Mighty Chihuahuas Eclipse DiCaprio and Crowe in Test of Star Power - New York Times New York Times - By BROOKS BARNES LOS ANGELES - This is how far movie stars have fallen in their ability to pull audiences into theaters, at least when the story revolves around Iraq and the messiness of the Middle East: A picture about talking dogs, “Beverly Hills ... Dogs rule: 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' No. 1 again 'Chihuahua' fetches $17.5M, remains top movie dog Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:18:44 GMT UPDATE 1-Tropical Storm Nana forms in Atlantic - Reuters Reuters - MIAMI, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Nana, the 14th of the Atlantic hurricane season, formed on Sunday in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Caribbean islands, the US National Hurricane Center said. Forecasters: Tropical Storm Nana forms in Atlantic Tropical Storm Nana Forms Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:29:57 GMT First Second-Generation Astronaut, Richard Garriott, Launched Into ... - AHN
AHN - Vienna, VA (AHN)-Space Adventures, Ltd, a company that provides space missions to the global community, announced that client Richard Garriott and his crew successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the International Space ... Video: Raw Video: US space tourist begins journey US game designer blasts into space with DNA cargo Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:28:36 GMT Falcons' Ryan is not your typical rookie QB - FOXSports.com
FOXSports.com - by Alex Marvez Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com. He's covered the NFL for 14 seasons as a beat writer and is the president of the Pro Football Writers of America. Falcons missed chances in red zone Bears rally late, fall to Falcons on last-second FG Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:14:27 GMT Increased Website Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of... Read More For every season, check, check, check, There is a chart,... Read More Many people consider plush toys great for children. They say... Read More Some children practically potty train themselves, while others struggle and... Read More There are millions of young children in this country who... Read More Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain... Read More Now I know that is not how the song goes,... Read More Have you ever experienced one of those days when you... Read More Creating and making special memories with your child is very... Read More MYTH: If you have not parented as well as you... Read More The time you will need to teach your children the... Read More All of us, including your child, entered this world equipped... Read More Though you can cover even very long distances by car... Read More Even though the "Stop and Think" movement in ADHD treatment... Read More Moms and dads, are there times you think that parenting... Read More Everyone knows that exercise is good for your health. Exercising... Read More One of the questions I ask in parenting presentations is... Read More How on earth can you help your family cope with... Read More Isn't it ironic that a country whose constitution allows for... Read More On a bright Sunday morning, a couple of weeks ago,... Read More It's back to school time again. Does the thought of... Read More There are only two ways to get more money:1) Increase... Read More 1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More When David was nine and Laura was twelve, the battles... Read More Sitterphobe "I never have a second to myself," this mother... Read More
Adsense
websites
Dexedrine, Cylert, and Adderall in the Treatment of ADHD
A Chart for Everything
Guide to Choosing Plush Toys for Children
Potty Training Battle of the Wills
Exposing the Damage: TV and Kids
Meningitis and Septicaemia
Stay at Home Mom You Need to Raise Cowboys
Lets Not Hurry Children Through Childhood
Mommies and Me Special Time
Parenting Your Teenager: 3 More Dangerous Myths
Parents --- Homeschooling Can Take a Lot Less Time Than You Think
5 Solid Reasons: Why Your Child Can Be An Achiever
Plane Trip with Kids
Teaching Problem Solving Skills to Children with ADHD
When Parents Disagree
Pregnancy and Excercising - 6 Reasons to Excercise During Pregnancy
Five Ways To Build Super-Strong Relationships With Your Children
Natural Disasters: Help Your Child Cope With The Anxiety
The Value of Play
What Values Are We Giving Our Children?
Getting through the School Daze
Raising Kids on a Budget
Top 20 Items To Pack In A Diaper Bag
How Two Quarelling Kids Helped Invent the Better Behavior Wheel
Every Mom Worries
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Homework Doesn?t Have to Be a Battle of Wills
Homework. It doesn't have to be a daily battle of... Read More
Raising a Tobacco-Free Kid
We begin forming healthy habits at a young age. With... Read More
Dexedrine, Cylert, and Adderall in the Treatment of ADHD
Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of... Read More
Watering Your Young Child?s Mind
Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With... Read More
Encouraging Your Child to Write
How in the world do you get your child to... Read More
Back to School Success Tips
Q. With the school year just beginning, what can we... Read More
Raising Happy Diabetic Kids Part III Help Your Child Develop Self-Control
This is the third and final article in a series... Read More
Raising Strong Daughters
When my daughter was born, I must admit there was... Read More
Raising a Self-Sufficient Teen
Teens don't learn responsibility overnight. If you haven't been working... Read More
Promoting Your Childs Heart Health
Cardiovascular endurance is one of the five health-related components of... Read More
Parenting Your Teenager: Self-Decorating or Self-Harm - How to Tell the Difference
Q. I need your help with a question about my... Read More
Home For The Holidays: Avoid Aging Parents Becoming A Burden
By not planning for the future we guarantee that we... Read More
5 Ways To Tell If A Preschooler Is Living In Your House
1. You reheated the same cup of coffee three times... Read More
How Useful Are Bed Wetting Alarms
Whenever parents discuss how to deal with bed wetting, the... Read More
Screaming Kids Driving You Nuts? Four Rules to Help You Keep Your Sanity!
Often I will hear parents say, "I just ignore Jr.... Read More
Youth In A Changing World
IntroductionChildren are the gifts of God to parents. That young... Read More
Hints on how to encourage children to read
Hints from Ruowen Wang? Keep a small basket filled with... Read More
Personal Honor
There are moments in a parent's or grandparent's life, when... Read More
Think Like Your Kids - And Understand Them More!
Seven-year old Michael was on a school trip to a... Read More
Is Your Child Ready For an Allowance?
Children think money grows on trees. Maybe not literally, but... Read More
Parenting Your Teenager: How to Say NO!
Q: Whenever we tell my daughter "no," she just bugs... Read More
Healthy Eating Alone Is Not The Answer
Along with eating healthier we need to be more active.... Read More
Child Safety at Home
Maintaining a safe home environment for your childrenAs adults and... Read More
Teach Your Children About the Importance of Water
The Flow of WaterWater is essential for life on the... Read More
How To Live With Your Teenagers Untidy Room
'Whose room is it anyway?'If you have a teenager, you're... Read More
Parenting |