why doesnt everyone use cloth nappies?

[misdee]

sort of carry on from the breastfeeding thread.

pros and cons of cloth nappies to be discussed lol.

I'm happy to hear that, though is a bit late as eczema is almost gone, curious that the only place he didn't get any flares (and believe me he was the walking-cracked-flare) was in the nappy area. So I followed the advice so used for keeping babies calm, if he is OK don't move it! (or change him for this matter). But please, I don't have anything against reusable nappy mothers, it was just a question . However I'm glad I have provided a good oportunity for mooncups to be discussed

I use nature baby disposables, which are 70% biodegradable- which is better than nothing. I too have enough washing. I have some cloth nappies but have yet to try them YET.Now moved to a bigger house should try them, i know they are better in many ways.

a comman theroy in why most babies dont get ezcema in the nappy area is because the area is usually damp anyway and ezcema doesnt get a chance to flare up there. dd2 reacted to loads od different types of disposables, dnephew reacted the pampers due to the lotion etc etc. it all too chemical for me now!!

aloha- why do Tampax need to be bleached? Yes the cotton is eventually bidegradeable, but they first have to be fished out of the sewage and pulped.(Of course some get thrown into the rubbish then landfill). Then there's the manufacturing process, packaging, transport to point of sale. All in all ,I would think that reusables damage the environment less.

Oh dear, what if he was reacting to the 100% cotton surrounding the rest of the body??? Nah... just kidding, the truth is that I'm a lazy cow and I found the disposables more practical , however.... I still wonder why we don't debate about the advantages of washable sanitary pads... I don't even know where to get them !!!

having said that... he reacted to the border of huggies nappies...

Well done with this thread misdee! I was thinking exactly the same thing myself.
I don't need anyone to admire me for using reusable nappies. They are simply great. They are easy, cute, feel lovely and I am absolutely convinced that my babys' bottom is much better for it.
To be very very honest, I am mystified why more people don't.
The Guardian wrote an article this weekend saying all the 'hip' parents are using cloth nappies now

Here it is hip parents
However, I do have a problem with his comment on this; Obviously they didn't know about fleece liners or totsbots! So he doesn't know that much then

the worst thing about tampons and sanitary towels is that most are flushed away and end up polluting the sea, killing wildlife and upsetting surfers (DP is a keen member of Surfers against Sewage!). if put in bin they are not so bad.

I just happen to like the mooncup, didn't really have anything against tampons.

Ah, but because of our horrid grindy thing in the loo I do put most of my tampons in the bin! Green points at last!
BTW the bleaching doesn't make dioxins or anything, and isn't just to make them white, it's the process that removes rough fibres to make them absorbent otherwise they wouldn't be clean and wouldn't work.
And I made a mistake about Tampax, they are cotton and rayon - which is a natural product of wood pulp, and also 100% biodegradeable. Still not sure why tampons are worse than, say, loo paper.
Do accept that nappies are better for environment if reusable, though unconvinced better for ds or me! Selfish or what?

Was wondering when the mooncup thing might start again.I'm sure it's six months since we posted about it before. I'm sure there must be a few newbies out there now wondering what one is

I'm a new mum-to-be (due April) and I'd really like to use cloth nappies, but I just have a question about washing them. Those people that use them, do you put them in the wash with clothes and things or do you have to do a separate wash? People keep telling me that the washing machine will be permanently on with a new baby in the house (but they're so small - how on earth can they get through a load a day!) and I wondered if I'd have to do an additional wash for nappies or could just shove them in with the other stuff. Is it just a matter of personal preference? And do you just do them at 40 degrees?
Thanks!

Raindog, we washed our nappies with other things...if pooey, I did a cold rinse first to get rid of any remaining solid, then washed the nappies at 40 degrees with anything else that needed doing. If you want your naps to stay white, I'd avoid dark coloured loads though!

I've seen some places recommend washing at 60, but I think it's only really necessary if your baby has thrush, or diarrhoea or if you have 2 in nappies-(not sure why on that one,babies share the rest of their germs, so why not the bottom ones? )

"Napisan" or other sanitising agents aren't necessary, and I'd recommend dry pailing, i.e. not soaking. I had a Caesarian , and couldn't have lifted a nappy bucket full of water as well as nappies, and the smell is worse if you soak.

HTH

Raindog - I wash nappies at 60C, either on their own if enough, or throw them in with other whites if the nappy bin isn't full. The wraps that I use wash at 40C, and they go in with whatever else I have at the same temp. This usually applies to wet ones rather than dirty ones. I wash nappies every 3 days on average.

What a peach of a question Raindog?
Dry pail them in mesh nappy bag inside a nappy bin. Launch the entire nappy bag into the washing machine every othe day. Wash them at 60 or 40 (if they're not too soiled)with non-bio and white vinegar/soad crystals, stick them in the tumble dryer (if you have totsbots) for 10-20 minutes and hang them up to dry or stick them in the airing cupboard. Hey presto!!
Easy as.....

Thanks for all the tips! Well, if the washing machine is going to be on anyway, it might as well be as full as possible! If only I had a tumble dryer... Still, I've got enough space for things to dry I think.

In answer to the original question, I think that most people don't ever hear about reusable nappies. As a mum-to-be I'm getting lots of promotional stuff about breastfeeding (in the bounty pack, from the doctors etc) but nothing about nappies at all (well, there are samples from Pampers etc but nothing on the environmental impact that 1 tonne of non-degradable rubbish has). You have to want to use them in the first place, and then spend a long time researching them (unless you stumble across mumsnet which is incredibly helpful !)

And they don't sell them in supermarkets which is a place I guess a lot of mums hang out!

Hi dont normally post but couldnt resist this thread. Why cloth nappies? Easy to use once you get used to them. Must be better for baby than sitting in chemical gel filled plastic and paper for 24 hours a day. And it saves you a fortune.
Ive used cloth on all my 9 children (still using cloth on my 16month old). Used and still use terries and think they're great. I'm still using some of the terry nappies that I used for my 17 year old when he was a baby. And yes I have used disposables but always went back to cloth. In recent years the shaped cloth nappies have improved beyond belief- so easy. And the wraps that are available are a million times better than the old plastic pants.
Washing - cant see the problem, you have to wash all your other clothes so why not nappies? At one point I had 3 in cloth at the same time.
I store them in a lidded bucket and have never had a problem with smells. Save them up and when you've enough throw them in the washer. I wash twice a week when using terries and every third day if using shaped. As for poo, well once you've got children you have to get used to sick and poo and all that yucky stuff. A pair of marigolds might come in handy for the particularly squeamish and its not as if you're up to you're elbows in the stuff. Most usually falls off into the toilet. I really cant see what the big deal is.
As for cloth sanitary pads, again much more comfortable. Easy to use. Modern ones are very discreet. Just like disposable ones with wings only you can wash them and I love the feeling that Im not handing my cash over every month for being female.
Wow - got a bit carried away with that one. Will disappear off again now. ))
Julie (not sure how to do the smiley things)

hi julie. 9 kids wow!!! your catching up withmy nan lol.

Misdee:O

she had 11 kids, not sure if she used cloth for all of them.

YEs, but where do you get them???? the towels, not the nappies

yeah do tell us!!

dinosaur, there is no need for you to feel bad on the nappy front. In my view anyone with a kid who has a health issue or s/n is exempt from feeling they have to do their bit in this respect.
You have more than enough on you plate.
(and you should be supplied with them free.)

aloha, cotton isn't bad per se but the effects of growing it are rather worrying. It requires huge huge amounts of water to grow it and to process it. The enormous Aral Sea (a lake) in Uzbekhistan) has nearly dried up because of it.

I have seen reusable sanitary towels in the green baby catalogue I think.

PS What the hell is a mooncup?! Sounds most appropriate for me

Senorapostrophe, Iwill love to take you up on your offer as I am expecting twins and intend to use reusables. Ta
Chris
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See? I told you. Someone was going to ask what a mooncup was?