Why Use Modern Cloth Nappies?

There are many different reasons why you should consider using re-usable cloth nappies:

• Eco-friendly, reduces the waste that ends up in landfills.
• Cost effective, initial cost may seem expensive but the savings made from not having to purchase disposables each week will be beneficial to your finances in the long run.
• Soft fabrics that lay next to babies skin which may help reduce the risk of rashes.
• Easily machine washable - no different to laundering your own clothing.  Modern re-usable nappies don't require soaking or scrubbing.
• Can be used for further children.
• No need to worry about what to do with a soiled re-usable nappy when out and about, just take it home with you and wash.
• A range of fun colours, styles and budgets to suit everyones needs.

Some information about disposable nappies:

Environmental impact of using disposable nappies

4.5 trees are felled to make the pulp used in disposable nappies for ONE baby over 2.5 years (1.3 Million trees for New Zealand babies per annum).

One cup of crude oil is used to make one disposable nappy. This goes into making the polyethylene in a disposable which makes up the outer layer and water-repellant layer.

A study done indicated that disposables produce 2.3 times more water waste and use 3.5 times more energy than cloth nappies.

Disposable nappies are one of highest wastes that contribute to landfills. One baby using disposables can contribute up to 1 ton of that landfill. In a household with one baby, disposables will make up 50% of the total household waste!

Potential health risks of using disposable nappies

Sodium Polyacrylate (the absorbent part a disposable and the chemical that creates those little beads of gel that you may find on your babies bottom) not only absorbs urine but can also absorb the natural oils of your baby’s skin which may cause skin irritations. This nasty chemical has been banned from tampons because of its link to TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome).

Research has shown that disposables could maintain boys' testicles at higher than normal temperatures, which may have an effect on fertility.

A higher rate of nappy rash is seen in babies who wear disposables as opposed to Modern Cloth Nappies. Why? Chemicals used in disposables may lead to irritation of baby’s delicate skin. Disposable users tend to change nappies less as the Sodium Polyacrylate absorbs so much leading parents to think that they don’t need to change as often.

The price of disposables versus the price for modern cloth nappies

The average child will be in nappies for 2 & ½ years. Again, working on averages, there would be 5 changes per day equating to 4550 nappies. At an average price of $0.40 per nappy the cost of disposables is $1820.00 This figure doesn’t include scented plastic bags or the cost to dispose of them.

Most cloth users will buy a set of approx 15 to 20 cloth nappies per child. The price range of these varies a lot but it is estimated that cloth nappies will be at least a third of the cost of disposables.

The average cost to wash cloth nappies is estimated at $50.00 per annum. Using a dryer will obviously add to this cost but line drying or placing nappies by a mild heat source such as a fire place or hot water box doesn’t cost anything.

Planning more children? Another great advantage of Modern Cloth Nappies are as they are washable, you can use them again on your next child, essentially costing you nothing for any children thereafter.

Resources

www.zerowaste.co.nz/default,507.sm
www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s188562.htm
archive.greenpeace.org/pressreleases/toxics/2000may152.html
www.cutofcloth.com/article_diaperdrama4.asp
www.thediaperhyena.com/diaper_drama_scene3_health.htm