All About Cloth Nappies
by: Guest
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Word Count: 670
Cloth
nappies are usually thought of as a remote link to the past – some strange
throwback that our poor mothers had to cope with before disposables! Most
people are astounded when I tell them my son is cloth-bummed. People imagine
that I use old fashioned terry squares secured with a nappy pin; that my house
reeks of old nappies and my son walks like sumo wrestler! In fact, I don’t even
know how to fold a terry square, instead I use colourful shaped nappies made
from hemp, cotton and even bamboo. The nappies work exactly like disposables –
secured with poppers or velcro except you wash them, rather than throwing them
away! Cloth nappies are washed just like you wash your clothes and you don’t
even need to soak them anymore. Most cloth nappy moms put the dirty nappies in
a bin with no water at all and when the bin is full, transfer to the washing
machine where they are washed normally. Cloth nappies, also called “real”
nappies, washable nappies and reusable nappies, are fairly common in the US, Europe and the UK and they are starting to catch
on in SA too. To be honest, even if I weren’t convinced by the environmental or
health aspects of washable nappies, the shopaholic in me would be – they are
just so damn cute!
Cloth
nappies are an alternative to disposables for many parents because they may be
concerned about the powerful chemicals present in disposables and the potential
health implications these could have on their child. Disposables contain
chemicals such as sodium polyacralyte and dioxin. Sodium polyacralyte makes the
nappy super absorbent - when the baby urinates the powdered sodium polyacralyte
turns to a gel which can sometimes be seen on your child’s genitals. This
chemical caused haemorrhage, cardiovascular failure and death when injected
into rats. It has been banned from tampons since 1985 in the US because of its links to Toxic
Shock Syndrome. Dioxin is another
chemical present in disposables – it’s a cancer causing chemical that has been
called the most toxic substance ever produced and has been linked with birth
defects, genetic defects and skin/liver disease.
Other
parents are influenced by the enormous environmental impact of disposables.
Disposables don’t biodegrade, but are dumped in land fill sites where they are
literally mummified – retaining the original weight and volume. We are running out of space in land fill
sites – the alternatives are incinerating the nappies which further add to the
greenhouse effect. Each baby in disposables creates about 1 ton of garbage, assuming that the child would be in
nappies for 2 years. Using cloth nappies
for just one child would cut down on the waste of a household by 50%.
Disposable nappies are the 3rd largest single consumer item in landfills, and
represent 30% of non-biodegradable waste.
Cost is also a pretty convincing argument for using cloth
over disposables. It’s estimated that approximately 6, 500 disposable nappies
are used from birth to potty which will cost you about R12 000. Cloth nappies
will cost you less than half that amount – sounds like that could buy me a
lovely holiday! I love cloth nappies not only because they are a more natural
and environmentally friendly choice, but because I think they are so cuddly,
comfy and cute. I have a total nappy addiction and have lots of different
kinds, in a variety of colours, fabrics and designs. My “little addiction” has
cost me about R4 000.
A figure my husband initially balked at, but that’s an R8
000 saving and now I’m pregnant again my nappies will be used on baby number 2,
saving us an additional
R12 000. Enough for a trip to Mauritius you think? Disposables
may be more convenient, but the benefits of cloth for me are overwhelming.
Besides, that squidgy little bum in a fluffy nappy is too irresistible!
About the Author
Kelly is a mother and runs Natural Nappies, South Africa's supplier of cloth nappies. Visit her website at http://www.naturalnappies.co.za for useful information on using cloth nappies and general tips on baby care.
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