AIBU to wonder why more people don’t use reusable nappies?

[KatyClaire]

I have a fairly new baby and I’m a little surprised at how few people I’ve encountered are using reusable nappies. I haven’t met anyone using them in my antenatal group / baby classes / local parents group etc. There has been such an explosion in the use of reusable products (sanitary products, straws, cups, make up wipes etc) that I had assumed it would have crossed into nappies as well.

I don’t know whether it’s a perception issue (people thinking they’re messy and hard to clean), the upfront cost, confusing information etc?

@Finfintytint

They are generally used by smug middle classes who still fly, drive a car, use a dishwasher, have a tumble dryer and bleach their house to death a la Hinch. Stop trying to shame people who are trying their hardest to do their best whilst knackered with a new baby.

I used them when a teenager on benefits. Because they were cheaper - well, at any rate, the standard terry towelling and pins combo was; the patterned and shaped ones, especially the nappy services, were no cheaper than disposables. I'd never flown anywhere (or gone anywhere further than the nearest seaside), didn't drive, didn't have a dishwasher, tumble dryer and Hinch was probably at primary school. They got dried on a clothes horse on the balcony.

I really wasn't some kind of middle class wannabe. I just wanted to save some money over the next 2 years. (Also the reasoning behind BF rather than bottles; I had to eat already and my boobs were free and didn't require an hour in a diluted bleach solution before use).

I used them when a teenager on benefits. Because they were cheaper

That's simply not true now though so whilst it was your experience it certainly wouldn't be possible now unless theirbwere Council grants in place.

Ok I will admit to the Mumsnet crime of not reading tft.
I'm not a "new mum" but a nana. My twins were born nearly 40 years ago and I had terry nappies.

Absolutely no way would I recommend them to anyone now!
Bulky and uncomfortable, prone to leaks and nappy rash (especially with DS) a constant problem.
I know the modern ones are "fitted" not squares held together with a huge nappy pin- but the washing and drying!
The horrible job of getting toddler poo off the fabric , the revolting bucket of napisan, running out because it's pissed it down and you can't get them dry, having to carry stinking poo'ed nappies round with you all allay when out, I can't think of one single benefit unless you count "saving the planet" and if you factor in the washing and initial production I'm not sure that counts-

It's the same as sanpro. Years ago DM, DGM and I had this conversation- what had been the most important change that made women's lives better.
There were three things: birth control that didn't depend on the man, leak proof disposable sanitary protection (DGM had 5 daughters) and modern washing machines.

@Laalaa78 - they have made me not dread my period as for once in my adult life I can just carry on as normal, not having to be uncomfortable (cramps aside!) or worried about leaking. I also have ModiBodi, I know cheeky wipes do them as well but I preferred the look and range of ModiBodi. I’m using linen cloths for make up removal/face cleaning, drying to cut down on as much single use products as possible. Except for the nappies, obviously! I could ask the baby to pee less but not sure they’d listen.

The last thing I needed in the throws of deep PND and post birth PTSD was an extra pile of bloody washing a day. Why anybody thinks that's what HEALTHY new moms want, let alone those who struggle is beyond me.

@TitusPullo I have found period pants to be life-changing too. For the first time ever it’s a form of sanitary protection that actually works for me instead of being a horrible compromise. I recommend them to everyone.

@callistography “used correctly”.

With disposables, there isn’t any bloody nuanced magic (all of which takes time to work out and get used to, several outfit changes later - more laundry) to getting them to work properly. I put them on my son’s arse and they work every single time.

The cloth nappy offer is just is not as effective as modern disposables. Why do so many put their kids in disposables at night while thinking reusable are ok for the daytime? Because they’re more effective absorbing the urine produced at night. They’re better at what they’re supposed to do!

@averylongtimeago - you are completely right about the washing machine www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_the_magic_washing_machine/up-next?language=en

I assume you are completely right about the other two as well but I don’t have a great TED talk to link for those!

This thread is a pretty good example of cloth nappies’ image problem, expense and labour aside. Some of the posts in support of cloth nappies are some of the most hateful, judgemental bile that you will find on MN (the rest is on the roast chicken thread). I truly hope that the posters who declared whole groups to be lazy and selfish are enjoying their little self-esteem boost because they have done precisely nothing to promote the benefits of cloth nappies to an audience who might otherwise be persuaded. It’s almost as if their sense of superiority is more important to them than helping others to make more sustainable choices. Well fucking done.

@Same4Walls

I used them when a teenager on benefits. Because they were cheaper

That's simply not true now though so whilst it was your experience it certainly wouldn't be possible now unless theirbwere Council grants in place.

Like I said, the fancy shaped ones that are traded for stupid prices now weren't a thing in the 90s and the nappy services were no cheaper than disposables.

I bought the pack of nappies for £22 from Mothercare and the pins were about £2, I think. I didn't buy the 'Gold' pack of slightly thicker nappies because they were about £26 and that extra £4 paid for a packet of 3 envelope neck vests.

I definitely spent less time dealing with leaks than my SIL did with Pampers the year before me.

I bought the pack of nappies for £22 from Mothercare and the pins were about £2

That's insanely cheap. See if they were only £20 odd quid to buy initially then people would absolutely be more likely to try them but when the cost is £150 + or upwards of £400 as one poster was quoted then it does nothing to encourage people to try as if it then doesn't work out you've wasted so much money.

I have found Tesco Fred and Flo nappies perfectly adequate and half the price of Pampers.

Disposable nappies are hideously ugly, give me a beautifully coloured bubble bum any time rather than cheap plastic tat

@Piglet89

I have found Tesco Fred and Flo nappies perfectly adequate and half the price of Pampers.

Agreed. I've honestly never met anyone who uses pampers. We've used Aldi nappies from day 1 and had no problems at all.

@JohnMiddleNameRedactedSwanson - thank you so much for this post. I wanted them to work, I really did. I was a new mum with a baby born in lockdown, failing miserably to breastfeed with no support available due to covid, hoping to at least make reusable nappies work and the smug self righteous twaddle were the exact kind of responses I was getting.

@Confusedcabbage

Disposable nappies are hideously ugly, give me a beautifully coloured bubble bum any time rather than cheap plastic tat

See this is exactly the kind of post the PP was talking about. Exactly what does that add to the discussion? These are items literally designed to be shat in genuinely who cares if it looks nice? That would be the absolute bottom of my criteria for a good nappy.

@Confusedcabbage I do love a fluffy bum ❤️ Babies’ bums in disposables now look weirdly flat to me 😬

@Same4Walls - I think it depends on the shape of your baby honestly. We tried Aldi and Lidl nappies and they leaked a lot, tried Eco by Naty ones and they leaked. Pampers are the only ones that don’t leak on my long skinny baby. I’d much rather pay the Aldi/Lidl prices. I will try them again when he is bigger.

@Same4Walls bottom of your criteria! I see what you did there 😂

The colour/pattern argument for reusables always seemed to me a rather spurious as aren’t the babies bottoms covered by, you know, clothes? It just seems a little odd.

I really feel for you, @TitusPullo. You’re doing a fantastic job in a really shit situation and you are exactly the mum that your baby needs. Good luck

Seriously who the heck has time to stare at dc's bottoms when they are in nappies?

If this is something you want there are lots of frilly pants that baby can wear. It will give a similar look.

@Confusedcabbage

Disposable nappies are hideously ugly, give me a beautifully coloured bubble bum any time rather than cheap plastic tat

I don’t really spend a lot of time looking at my baby in their nappy, they are normally wearing clothes over the top. Saves the environment by not having to have the heating so high.

@JohnMiddleNameRedactedSwanson - thank you

[quote ReggieKrait]@Same4Walls bottom of your criteria! I see what you did there 😂

The colour/pattern argument for reusables always seemed to me a rather spurious as aren’t the babies bottoms covered by, you know, clothes? It just seems a little odd.[/quote]
Haha I'm here all week . Seriously though it absolutely would not form any basis for which nappies I brought.

I’d much rather pay the Aldi/Lidl prices. I will try them again when he is bigger.

Definitely keep trying. There's so many other brands out there that are cheaper than pampers you'll find one that works eventually.

@Same4Walls - Thanks, I will, we were so relieved to not have to change outfits several times a day we are just going with what works for now! I haven’t actually tried the Tesco ones so I will do that.