Crucial Mistakes Every New Parent Needs To Avoid | No.8 Can Save You Hundreds

One of the most incredible shifts you’ll ever experience in your lifetime is the one that takes place the day you become a parent. Because, from that moment on, your sole responsibility becomes protecting and nourishing this perfect human being in any way possible including the nappies you ultimately select for them.

After all, it only comes naturally, that as your new baby lies in your arms, all you can think about is giving them the very best in life and making sure that the environment they grow up in is a healthy one.

From the food they eat to the crib they sleep in, every decision you make affects your little one in a pretty significant way. And the nappies you use for their tender little bottoms are certainly no exception. But the hard part is deciding which ones are right for you. So, our handy guide is designed to help you think through the whole disposable vs. cloth nappies option and make the best choice for your particular family.

1). Skin Irritation & Sleepless Nights

Skin irritation is a big concern for parents of babies and young toddlers. Being stuck in an ill-fitting, wet nappy for long periods of time can quickly cause a nappy rash in your baby’s most sensitive areas and that leads to tenderness, puffiness, itchiness, peeling, and flaking. Not only will your little one experience discomfort from a nappy rash, but they’ll also feel hot to the touch in many cases as well—which can leave you feeling pretty disconcerted as a parent.

All of these skin irritations also lead to an unhappy baby, leaving you sleepless through the night. There are so many factors contributing to having a fussy baby, so don’t let your choice of nappies be one of them.

2). Chemical Exposure 

Polychloro...what!?

Another consideration new parents must take into account are all of the chemicals found in your typical disposable nappy. With regular use, babies wearing disposable nappies experience an increased chemical exposure to substances like polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, phthalates, formaldehyde, pesticides, fragrances, and sodium polyacrylate, which changes into a gel-like substance when wet. 

While all of these chemicals are deemed safe for their skin in trace amounts, the chemical exposure over time is what is most alarming to discerning parents. So, doing your research on which particular chemicals are present in any disposable nappy product you’re considering is highly recommended. 

3). The Average Newborn Uses 12 Nappies A Day

8.5 Months of our lives are spent at the supermarket.

One of the major downsides to using all single-use products, including disposable nappies, is that you’re in a constant state of being a consumer. Not only are these products often made with cheap materials designed to be tossed in the bin, you also have to go out shopping more frequently. And this takes a lot of time and energy away from the things you’d rather be doing—like spending time with your family.

That’s why many people today are trying to limit the number of single-use items they buy and focus on purchasing more products that are actually made to last. Plus the prints are pretty cool too... Avocados !!!

Want to spend less time in the shopping line?

4). Environmental Impact 

If King Henry 8th wore disposables they might still be in the ground.

Modern parents are becoming more worried each day about the environmental impact taking place as a result of using disposable nappies. Roughly 3 billion disposable nappies are being tossed into UK landfills every year alone, and that number doesn’t appear to be decreasing anytime soon.

Besides the obvious rubbish problem this creates, disposable nappies are not biodegradable, they can leak chemicals into the surrounding environment, and they even make their way into bodies of water all around the world. Plus, they emit toxic gasses as they erode over a period of 500 years or more.

So if our Tudor kings & queens wore disposables... all that waste could be still lurking in a lanfill near you !

5). Money Talk

Throwing money away with every change.

Disposable nappies also come with a pretty considerable cost, even going so far as to make them unaffordable for families in many cases. While picking up a new box of nappies may not be hard on the wallet each time, the cost does add up. All this can make things a little tighter for families on a budget.

In fact, the average UK family spends roughly £25 per month on disposable nappies alone. That adds up to a minimum of £300 per year for each child. You literally throw money away with each change.

Disposable Nappies vs. Cloth Nappies: The Winner

With so many obvious downsides to using disposable nappies, one may wonder why this product is still on store shelves in the first place. And the obvious answer is simply convenience. While placing a disposable nappy on your child is, in fact, quicker than a cloth nappy in many situations, there are some pretty noticeable advantages to taking an extra moment or two and using cloth nappies instead.

Many parents have grown up with disposable nappies as an option, so they often report being pleasantly surprised by just how easy using cloth nappies are once you get the hang of it. For many experienced parents, all the ideas about cloth nappies being a hassle are gone once they actually start using them, especially when it comes to laundering them since you can simply throw the biodegradable bamboo liners straight in the rubbish. And this is an important consideration in the disposable nappies vs. cloth nappies debate.

6). Skin Care 

Nappy changes made easier than ever

Another big benefit to using reusable nappies is that they are often lined with hypoallergenic & natural materials such as bamboo. Babies who wear cloth nappies have fewer instances of nappy rash. It's important for a nappy to be able to remove and separate the moisture than simply just absorb. Some reusables even have a quick change system which lets you quickly tear off and replace a washable top layer - great for that midnight change . Layered nappies are ideal because it allows the fabric to breath, so when changing time happens you're less likely to be left with an Jackson Pollock masterpiece.

7). The Benefits of Bamboo 

Bamboo nappies, in particular, are an excellent choice because they’re buttery soft, highly absorbent, and leak-resistant. Additionally, bamboo nappies are thin, so you won’t struggle trying to pull tight clothes up and over a bulky nappy, making a quick nappy change before bed or in a public toilet even easier than before. 

And more importantly, bamboo nappies are entirely chemical-free. So, you never have to worry about the chemical exposure your child receives day and night simply by wearing a nappy. Bamboo is not only a safe alternative, it’s entirely natural.

8). Reusable

Torn between convenience and...convenience ?

Perhaps the best part of choosing reusable nappies is that they’re reusable, of course. When you make the switch, you’ll never have to worry about running out to the shops late at night again, or searching last minute at the airport before a vacation. You’ll be left with the peace of mind that not only are you saving both money and the environment, you're also creating a brighter future for your little one, one nappy at a time. 

Cloth nappies are an investment where you’ll enjoy their many benefits over the long run, and you won't have to spend all that time trying to find parking outside of the supermarket. Who knows, maybe we'll help save you on petrol too..

Save up to 40% off

9). Sustainability 

Panda's Like It Too

Unlike plastics made from synthetic, hard to pronounce materials, created out of long forgotten reptiles, Bamboo is considered to be sustainable plus pandas like it too. Who can't trust a panda right? Bamboo grows really quickly and can even regrow over and over in the same location.

That’s why your choice of liners matter. I think by now you've realised we're about cloth nappies (diapers), but not all reusables are equal. So it's important that the materials used are truly sustainable and not a cheap synthetic substitute. That's why we have proudly lined ours with 100% bamboo terry, oh and the liners are bamboo too..

10). Easier Than You Think

Victorian boiling methods not recommended.

Victorian boiling methods not recommended.

Not all parents realise just how much of a cost saver cloth nappies can actually be. Remember they can be used for more than just 1 child. Adjustable in size and made to last, wash after wash. 

We know what you're thinking... what about the laundry costs ??

While it's true that cloth nappies require washing, modern washing machines are designed to be energy and water-efficient. Additionally, when you bulk wash your cloth nappies, you considerably cut down on costs again. 

Find Out How You Can Save Up To 40%

Conclusion

Making the choice between selecting disposable nappies vs. cloth nappies has never been easier. With more focus being directed toward healthy skin, reducing chemical exposures, limiting the number of single-use products, lessening environmental impact, and stretching budgets further, more consumers each year are seeking alternatives to the once popular disposable nappies that have become so ubiquitous in our society. 

Thankfully, it’s never been more convenient to make the switch to all-natural, safe products for your baby or toddler like using cloth nappies. Bamboo cloth nappies, especially, are made to last, wick away moisture naturally, increase air circulation, and stay virtually unnoticeable under clothing. Lastly, they come in so many adorable colours and patterns that it’s hard not to buy them all.