Nappies, Eco disposables, Re usables or can't decide???

[Geordie&Bairn]

Needing a little help with my decision

Who is going to use which and what our your reasons for doing so
listing pros and cons for both and why your came to that decision

Ive spent the last 9 months tooing and frowing between what to use and its driving me crazy there is such a thing as to much information and all the different products nappies re -usables around just make the decision even harder

Its hard to make a choice before hand as well you need to try them out to know which suits you and your baby what you buy could be usless and then you have to try something else trial and error with nappies is a costly buisness

I have decided to use enviromently friendly Nature babycare dispobables at first but do feel i sould do my bit for the enviroment and use re usables

My problem is cost and practicality of use and do they do there job properly for all 3 choices all 3 choices have pros and cons


And the normal nappies is a root ive chosen not to use though id be able to by dead cheap supermarket own brands i will go for the more costly echo dispsables

I will post my pro and cons for each in a mo i just wanted to hear what others our doing and thier imput

sarah

RE - USABLES
PROS
cost in long run is a lot less
buy the full 0 - potty kit and you dont need ot but anything further no running out to shops when you run out
Supposed to be more enviromently friendly
reported less nappy rash occurs using re usables then using disposables
helps the child to want to be potty trained earlier ?
The Council give you £30 off your re usable nappies as an insentive not to use land fill nastied disposables

CONS
Intital cost
not as eco as stated
washing at high temp and use of electricity adds to cost
bulky
hard to dry live in confined space bad weather could mean im stuck with drying loads on one radiator(no tumble dryer)
leak more?
need to change them more often as the y do not absorb
smell more due to the fact they do not absorb waste ? not very easy of use to carry when out and about

PLASTIC NAPPIES
PROS
can buy dirt cheap won brands at supermarket
absorb wee
range of sizes to fit all shapes and ages and sizes to suit you child
easy to purchase
easy to carry and about easy to change child when out and about

CONS
Chemical used in them have been researched but not confirmed to have potential negative side efftect
causes more nappy rash
VERY VERY VERY VERY BAD for the enviroment

ECO DISPOSABLES
PROS
More enviromently friendly
ease of carrige and use when out and about
diffrents sizes to suit child
can buy them in supermarkets so ease of purchase
No chemicals in the nappies
Kinder on babies bottom

CONS
Can be more costly for the nappy packs (no supermarket own brand eco nappies?)
not all brands are easy to locate
can leak
smell more due to less abosrbancy and no chemicals? though ive seen this refuted by the comapnies selling them (my nursery uses them and the staff told me they do smell more)
Cost over all as they have less absorbency then plastic nappies due to no chemicals therefore use more costs more


IM STILL UNDECIDED

 

[Charlie:-)]

I'm very much un-decided, like you I cant seem to make up my mind cause theres so much choice.

I have been buying nappies each week at the supermarket so I have a good supply of size 1's, 2's & 3's.

What I thought I would do is use these to start with till I get the hang of things then I intend on getting someone out to the house to go through the re-usable nappies. Hopefully then I will have all the info I need to be able to make a choice.

I would like to use the re-usable because of the environmentally friendly aspect of them but theres a small part of me that isn't sure, mainly because I do all my washing at 30oC because it uses less energy but I read that you have to wash the nappies at a very high temperature (I can understand why this is) but surely this is having a negative effect on the environment?

The jury is still out with me until I speak to an expert about it, I may even but a trial pack of re-usables before I totally make my mind up then I will be able to experience disposables and re-usables and then decide.

 

[daftscotslass]

We're going re-useables but haven't decided on which yet. It's hard to decide at the moment because it would cost us just as much at this stage to have the washing machine on twice a day as it would in eco disposables.

We've got a few samples from a local real nappy shop (www.pure-nappies.co.uk) but no idea yet which to go with. Will probably just go with cotton prefolds and wraps. They also do a laundry service which is quite tempting. They are lovely folk so if you need some advice give them a call - they have an online shop so buying from them isn't a problem.

At the moment we're using Nature babycare nappies and they're great. No chemicals though she does know when she's wet (which to be honest I prefer because of the chemicals in the likes of Pampers - they could be touching the ground on a toddler before they know they're wet) and they're no more expensive than the big brand disposables. We use them along with degradable nappy sacks from the above shop.

 

[Suzie and Faith]

I'm undecided too!
I like the concept of being eco-friendly and going with resuable but i'm not keen on the added washing. There are some places which do a laundry service - basically they provide you with nappies for a week (with spares) and you also get a 'bin' for them and then once a week they swap the dirty ones for clean ones. This seems easier to me but not necessarily a cheap option.

I have some 'normal' disposables as well as 2 different types of eco-disposable ones (asdas eco ones and nature babycare)

I have pampers, huggies and boots own brand in normal disposables.

You can get 'trial' resuable packs - which are like 2 nappies, some liners and a wrap - normally about £10-£15 which we might get to try resuables and see how we get on.

For the first few weeks we will use disposables (eco or otherwise) just until we get settled into life with a baby and then we'll see how we get on.

I love the convenience of disposables - and i think i'd always keep some in stock to save on hassle if we were out or something.


I've just realised i've not helped at all! Lol. My advice would be to try all three and see how you get on with each method! And maybe go with disposables just for the first couple of weeks. xx

 

[Geordie&Bairn]

Charlie
I looked into the tester re usables on line with a few brands and most testers our about £10 to £ 14 and most only have the one nappy wrap and inner cloth so not much of a trial to be honest and the price put me off too

Little Lamb Trial pack you only get one though so i dont see how that is an effective trial £8.50 - £9.50 this is the cheapest trial i could find
http://www.littlelamb.co.uk/itemlist.php/findclas/12

A day pack to use has 5 inners and and one cover £49.00 though
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl;jsess ... tegory=860


one good thing ive found is that a lot of local councils our giving money off the cost of the reubale packs (£30) as an insentive to get us away from disposables as it costs them more to put them in a landfill
http://www.realnappycampaign.com/nappyfinder/
My areas dose it i emailed them 2 weeks ago still waiting for a reply

Just found this site
if you get the money of with the council Kittykins have a starter pack for £30
http://www.kittykins.co.uk/kits/type/24/id/18

so mabye use the insentive to try out them though if they arnt any good you's have to pay to try another brands trial kit but at least its £30 less

Umm its all a mind filed of info when i looked up re usables the oterh week i was bonbarded by a thousand different brands and companies

 

[daftscotslass]

Ebay is a great place where you can get new nappies for little money if you're looking to try them out.

 

[Geordie&Bairn]

Ebay is a great place where you can get new nappies for little money if you're looking to try them out.

Yeah i looked into Ebay and the ones i was watching bamboo mio and a few others still went for quite a high price though saying that its still less then paying out for the original price

so it may be the root i undertake

found this on the price diffrence between disposables and re usables

Martins money making sceam you know that bloke of the telly who talks about financil savings
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/cheap-nappies
Dbates about both types

A Rash Of Savings The cost of 6 changes a day over 2 years
Disposable Cost Saving
Branded Nappies £970 -
Own Brand Nappies £750 £220
Re-usable(1)
With some disposables for holidays/nights(2) £390** £580
100% Re-usables £320** £655
Second hand re-usable nappies £240** £862
*Based on 6 changes per day for 2.5 years ** This includes £130 for home laundering costs based on 60° wash & B rate efficiency machine and without using a tumble drier (1) Based on x20 Motherease shaped nappies & x6 wraps (2) Assuming 4 weeks of disposable nappies used per year


So second hand re usables could be the way to go though the thought so usung nappies another chils pooed in even though yes thye our washed makes me think 'urgh'

 

[soulem]

I've bought my reusables from the used nappy auction website. Got enough to last til potty training and also a nappy pail and liners for £25!! I thought it was a bargain! If I decide they aren't for me then I won't feel I've wasted my money. I also have a pack of the eeco disposables in my hospital bag, but apart from them I've bought no other disposables!!

 

[Lulubelle]

My plan at the moment is to use disposables when we are out and it is likely that babe will need changing, I don;t fancy the idea of carrying around a heavy dirty cloth nappy. And to use terry nappies at home. We have gone for the terry nappies because my Hubby will be the primary carer for babe when I;m back at work in Spetember and those are what he wanted to do. The terry nappies are so cheap, and have so many other uses that even if we dont use them as nappies all the time, they are not a waste of money.

However, I did read in one of the baby magazines that nowadays, when you take into account the washing, tumble dryig and detergents when using reusable, there is nt a lot, environmentally to choose between reusables and disposables. I guess if you want to be environmentally friendly the best way to go is eco-disposables.

 

[fuffins1981]

I am trying the nature nappies first. I do not think that I will be able to budget for reusables, and feel in a lot of ways they are also no good for the environment. All the washing! And getting them dru if it is a wet day.

 

[Sydneysmum]

Mothercare have just launched their Smart Nappy. They are plastic reusable pants with either a disposible or reusable insert in them. They are much cheaper than most reusables and they give you some flexibility. I went into town the other day and asked to see one, which the sales assistants were quite happy to do and they seem very good although I've obviously not used one yet. The starter pack is about £40 but they also have smaller trial packs.

I'm thinking about using this nappy system although just after my c section when I'm not too good I'll probably be using disposibles.

Have a look at their website for more information:

http://www.mothercare.com/gp/node/n/616 ... 8&mcb=core

 

[keli]

I'm going to use reuseables my sister bought me the birth tp potty pck from little lambs £260. Have got pack of NB natures best to take to hospital with me for first couple of days xx

 

[Becky]

I have some re-usable nappies that I never used (it was a trial pack from Cotton Bottoms).

There are 3 Newborn (7-10lbs) wraps, 12 inners and a pack of Bio-Liners.
Unfortunately I don't have the instructions on the different boy/girl folds but if anyone would like me to send them I'm happy to. All I'd ask is for the postage (I'm guessing between £5-£10?)


As you can tell I never got round to using the re-usable nappies, due to various reasons and in the end I used disposable and plan to do the same this time.

 

[Geordie&Bairn]

I've bought my reusables from the used nappy auction website. Got enough to last til potty training and also a nappy pail and liners for £25!! I thought it was a bargain! If I decide they aren't for me then I won't feel I've wasted my money. I also have a pack of the eeco disposables in my hospital bag, but apart from them I've bought no other disposables!!

Good idea though im a bit ugh about the fact thy have been used on another child but im sure they our perfectly cleaned hygenic and safe

How much did it all come to??

Found a few sites that do auctions which one did you use???
http://www.bummdiddybaby.co.uk/links1.asp
http://www.plushpants.com/info/webring.php

I have some re-usable nappies that I never used (it was a trial pack from Cotton Bottoms).

There are 3 Newborn (7-10lbs) wraps, 12 inners and a pack of Bio-Liners.
Unfortunately I don't have the instructions on the different boy/girl folds but if anyone would like me to send them I'm happy to. All I'd ask is for the postage (I'm guessing between £5-£10?)


As you can tell I never got round to using the re-usable nappies, due to various reasons and in the end I used disposable and plan to do the same this time.

Thank you Becky i'll take you up on your offer

 

[kellysomer]

Just butting in to say that we use mothercare smart nappies and they are fab and never leak, every time i use a disposable it leaks! They are resonably priced and really absorbant and easy to use. Highly recommend them, i just use the odd huggies nappy in a emergency or if they arent washed.

 

[Geordie&Bairn]

Just butting in to say that we use mothercare smart nappies and they are fab and never leak, every time i use a disposable it leaks! They are resonably priced and really absorbant and easy to use. Highly recommend them, i just use the odd huggies nappy in a emergency or if they arent washed.

Thanks for this kelly (and Sydneysmum) for pointing me in there direction
i have seen them in mothercare but never investigated the prices closely

next time im in town i'll have a look

This is the best deal ive found on the whole kit and caboodle 0 to potty
http://www.nctsales.co.uk/prodshow.asp? ... revid=1149
£160 isnt bad for all that the whole kit on avearage costs £260
though they may have more in them this still gets you all the way through to potty training

 

[Geordie&Bairn]

However, I did read in one of the baby magazines that nowadays, when you take into account the washing, tumble dryig and detergents when using reusable, there is nt a lot, environmentally to choose between reusables and disposables. I guess if you want to be environmentally friendly the best way to go is eco-disposables.

Your right Lulu about this ive looked into it and found 3 sites that say wash at 60 degrees NOT ENVIROMENTLY FRIENDLY
http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.c ... t=c1001255
http://www.plushpants.com/category/Clot ... ppies.html
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/buying ... ofriendly/
this site also weights up the pros and cons and has tester reviews

Ive also found out from different sources that eco disposables are not as bio dagradable as stated and can not decompose in landfill enviroments
( http://www.wired.com/science/discoverie ... 4/04/63182
ive read of people composting them at home but im not sure if thats possiable all those nappies in one compost bin

Ive also found out the NATURE BABYCARE nappies are only 70% bio degradable
MOLTEX AND BAMBOO are 100% biodagradable (if youve got a compost bin )

I got these Free Samples of the web to try out last week
you can get one of each BAMBOO AND MOLTEX
http://www.spiritofnature.co.uk/acatalo ... ample.html
£1.99 Trial of MOLTEX
http://www.soorganic.com/product.php?pr ... t=0&page=1
Actually buying them on line costs more due to P&P and MOLTEX and BAMBOO are not as easy to get hold of as NATUR BABYCARE (supermarkets and mothercare stock them)
Though i have seem the MOLTEX brand at my local pharmacy they only had the large pack for Juniors but i may go back and see if they will stock newborns and 0-3 month

IVE DONE LOADS OF RESEARCH AND YOU KNOW WHAT IM EVEN MORE CONFUSED
I think im just going to let Coller be allowed to roam free and naked till hes potty trained

 

[beanie]

You don't have to wash at 60 degrees, I never have, I just pop in a few drops of either lavender oil or tea tree oil. Todays machines are much better in terms of water use. If it is enviromental issues that concern you then obviously get a more energy efficient washing machine and use local products if possible (less transport).

eco disposables are all well and good if you are going to compost the wet ones yourself but if not then tbh in terms of the landfill issue they aren't much better as the conditions in our tip are not great for composting them and they will still take a long time to degrade - especially if you have wrapped it in a nappy bag too.

I think the most enviromentally friendly way is elimination communication - not for me but no nappies

 

[Tina & Gabs]

You don't have to wash at 60 degrees, I never have, I just pop in a few drops of either lavender oil or tea tree oil. Todays machines are much better in terms of water use. If it is enviromental issues that concern you then obviously get a more energy efficient washing machine and use local products if possible (less transport).

eco disposables are all well and good if you are going to compost the wet ones yourself but if not then tbh in terms of the landfill issue they aren't much better as the conditions in our tip are not great for composting them and they will still take a long time to degrade - especially if you have wrapped it in a nappy bag too.

I think the most enviromentally friendly way is elimination communication - not for me but no nappies

I agree; I never wash mine at 60 either; unless they are really really soiled and washing machines are a lot more efficient these days.
I only use half a tablet or sometimes a quarter of a tablet too.

 

[beanie]

yep I hardly use any washing liquid as it just goes into the nappies, it is recommended that you only use half the normal amount, the nappies come out clean still. If they are still stained I just hang mine out in the sun (when we get it) and they disappear - sun is also great for getting out carrot stains