The Green Familia » real nappies

Guest Post: Cloth nappies = happy environment

Brenda — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 11:00:42 +0000

No one really knows how long it takes a diaper to decompose I was told many years ago it can take between 250- 500 years! I was determined to help the environment once I knew I was expecting and started using the cloth nappies. I thought at first it was going to be always washing them, drying them etc. but they are just disposable nappies that you can pop in your washing machine J an extra load a week on a cold wash isn’t that demanding.

Deciding whether or not to use cloth nappies is a tough decision and the choices available out there can be a little overwhelming for new mothers. However there are nappies to cover every budget and taste! You can mix and match nappies to suit your day/lifestyle/childcare situation which means just because you switch to cloth nappies you may need to use the odd disposable here and there but don’t worry you are still doing your bit for the environment!

They are made from a variety of materials that allow your baby’s skin to breathe as well as your pockets

Top tips to get you started:

Don’t worry if you experience some leaks here and there, it will take time to get the exact fitting right and for your baby’s bottom to adjust to the them
See if your local council offers an incentive scheme for using cloth nappies
Do mix and match with disposables in the beginning until you are confident to use cloth nappies permanently
If you need more information there are various blogs and websites dedicated to cloth nappies so don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Don’t be worry about the cloth nappy terminology here are some help understanding what it all means:

Liner – gets placed inside the nappy to make it easier to flush solids away and comes in one use or flushable
Minky – a type of fabric which feels a bit like a plush soft toy. Generally used on the outside of nappies
PUL – The waterproof fabric that are used in cloth nappies to keep the wetness inside.
Stink bag – a waterproof bag which you use to keep wet or dirty nappies in while you are out and about
Mesh bag – a bag inside the nappy bin that you can just throw in the washing machine.
Two-part system/nappy – a nappy made up of two bits: an absorbent nappy which is then covered by a waterproof outer wrap
Pocket nappy – a nappy with an elasticated pocket into which you stuff the inserts

Written by Eman Hauari – happy cloth nappy user, mother of one and Sales & Marketing Executive of Crèche on Location – a mobile crèche that allows event organisers the confidence to offer childcare services to their guests without the hassle of regulations, staffing and health and safety. www.crecheonlocation.co.uk

Smartipants – Smart Start 3pk

Brenda — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:00:39 +0000

If you are thinking about using real nappies with your baby, then why not try the Smartipants – Smart Start 3pk. At only £38 and available from Fill Your Pants it is a good option to start your real nappy journey.

The Smartipants Smart Start 3 Pack is just as it sounds- a perfect introduction to modern cloth nappies at an affordable price. This pack gives you the opportunity to give cloth a go, and then when you love it (as we are confident that you will!) you can stash up with the Smart Deal or Smart Choice packages. Job done!

bumGenius One Size Nappy V4 from Natural Nursery

Brenda — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

There are lots of my friends having babies this month and a couple are asking about real nappies. Have a look at the bumGenius One Size Nappy V4 available to buy from Natural Nursery.

One size, pocket nappy that adjusts from birth to potty training.

Bulk buy discount option, no further discounts available.

1-4 nappies £15.95 each

5-9 nappies £15.19 each

10 plus nappies £14.79 each

Free UK First Class Postage for this item.

Featured Retailer: Green Mums

Brenda — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 11:00:32 +0000

Who are you and what is your position?

Tracy Dixon, Managing Director of Green Mums

The reason for starting the company?

To provide a real nappy advice service to new parents. When looking into cloth nappies with my first child I found the whole thing very confusing! So many choices, so much terminology for different nappy types. I wanted to make the process easier for parents, lets face it, there is enough other stuff to think about when you are expecting!

How long have you been in business?

4 years

Tell us about your products.

We now stock organic clothing for babies and childre and a range of natural or organic toiletries for babies, children and mums.
Our initial stock of cloth nappies has now expanded and includes a pretty wide range. We do however only recommend nappies that we have tried and tested on our own children. We also offer some products which may not necessarily be organic or natural but we highly recommend to parents because we love them!

What is your favourite green luxury item?

Burts Bees Line Diminishing Day Cream

What is your top green tip?

Tricky… there are so many small things you can do to be more environmentally friendly. I guess it would have to be to “Use real nappies. With over 4,500 disposable nappies going to landfill per child, that is a huge nappy mountain we are creating. I can’t bear the thought of it still being there in hundreds of years!

What do you do to relax?

Walk by the sea or on the moors. We are lucky enough to live near both.

Nappy Ever After needs you!

Brenda — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:00:38 +0000

Nappy Ever After needs you!

Are you passionate about Real (cloth) nappies and want to spread the word about how easy and great they are to use?

Do you have experience using Real nappies on your own child/ren?

Earn money promoting and selling Real nappies at regular ‘Nappuccino’ events across London!

Real Nappy Advisors needed in 10 London Boroughs, to give demonstrations and make sales at local community events set up and marketed by Nappy Ever After (NEA). Advisors will be trained by Nappy Ever After (NEA) to provide quality advice and sales.

This is a great opportunity for mums to get into part-time work that fits around their family commitments.

For more information and a Job Spec, please contact Jemima Hoadley, geeminor@mac.com 07989 558663

Interested applicants should apply in writing, stating which London Borough you live in, your reasons for being interested and any personal or work related experience that may qualify you for this role, to:

Jemima Hoadley

Interim Manager – Nappy Ever After

24 Hastings House

Hastings Street

London

WC1H 9DT

Application deadline 5 January 2011

Interviews to be held 13 & 14 January 2011

Training mid-end January

Buy 3 or more itti bitti d’lish nappies from Dam Tam & get 10% off

Brenda — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 08:00:40 +0000

Dam Tam have a great offer on at the moment with the very fab itti bitti d’lish nappies.

Buy 3 or more and get 10% off! They come in a wonderful array of bright colours, you have 6 to choose from. Available in sizes small, medium or large. A friend of mine recently tried one of these nappies and she said they were the best she had tried on her little girl. She said they were really easy to use, which would be useful for nervous first time mums, brilliantly designed so as to prevent leakages and ultra important they dried quickly which in this climate is very important.

So if you are looking to try out some real nappies or fancy a change, head over to Dam Tam now and pick yourself up a discount.

Our Real Nappy Choices for July

Brenda — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:00:30 +0000

This month our favourite real nappies include the following:

itti bitti d´lish nappies – available from Dam Tam. With the wonders of modern fabric and clever design, itti bitti have made a very clever nappy. No need for rubber wraps or a degree in origami.The outer bits are man-made and super-fast drying. The inner bits are made of organic cotton and bamboo, making them highly absorbent and ideal to go next to baby’s skin. They come in 3 sizes, small, medium and large. Price is £14 and if you buy 3 or more you will get 10% off.

Real Easy Nappies from HipHip Baby! - available from Babykind, prices starting from £10.99.

Tots Bots Easyfit V2 – available from Lizzie’s Real Nappies, price is £17.09.

Bambinex Bamboo Nappies – available from The Nappy Lady, price is £9.25.

One Size Essential Wrap by Nature Babies – available from Kittykins, price is £6.50.

Wonderoo Pocket Nappy V2 – available from Plush Pants, price is £11.95.

Fuzzi Bunz Perfect Size – available from Twinkle Twinkle, price is £13.75.

Real Nappies – Bulk Buy Offers!

Brenda — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:00:47 +0000

Many companies offer you bulk buy offers on real nappies, so here are a few for you to check out.

Itti Bitti D’Lish Nappy Bulk Offer - available from Cheeky Wipes. Save £23 with this bulk nappy pack which offers terrific value. Containing 6 complete nappy sets and 8 additional boosters, this should be sufficient nappies for your little one if you wash every other day – depending on your drying situation and how often your wee one poo’s! Economical, smart, eco-friendly, reusable, washable nappies! Note: Extra Booster sets and fleece liners sold separately. Price is £113.

Imse Vimse One-Size Organic Cotton Full Time Kit - available from Babykind for £99.99.

Wonderoos Full Time Kit – available from Stratford Nappies for £184.

Lollipop Nappy Sets - available from Real Choice Nappies for £200.

Econobum Starter Kit – available from Bebeco for £44.95.

Eco Nappy Buc-Kit - available from Twinkle Twinkle for £50.

TGF Likes…Wonderoos Pocket Nappy Full Kit

Brenda — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 08:00:08 +0000

Today TGF likes…the Wonderoos Pocket Nappy Full Kit. If you are thinking of using reusuable nappies for your newborn, this would make a lot of financial sense to buy a pack like this. Great idea to get a group of work colleagus or family members to each chip in and buy you this set, rather than receive lots of individual pressies that you may in reality not want or use!

The full kit includes:

15 x easy to use one size pocket nappies
15 x 2-in-1 booster inserts
15 x reusuable wipes
1 x pack of biodegradable liners
1 x fully reusuable large wet nappy bag.

All you need to take you from birth to potty in a cost effective way.

Available from Natural Nursery for £229.99.

Real Nappy Round Up

Brenda — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:00:19 +0000

We are big supporters of the real nappy brigade here on TGF. Here are some more gorgeous real nappies for you to check out and trial on your gorgeous baby.

Coolababy one size pocket nappy, available from Baby Bots for £6.25 each. Choose from 12 bright colours.

Blueberry Minky one size, available from Cotton Baby for £19.99 each. Available in the Lemon and Lime colour.

Bum Genius Organic Single Nappy, available from Babipur for £17.99 each. Choose from 9 funky colours.

Motherease one size nappy Bamboo, available from Natural Nursery for £9.25 each. Made from the lovely anti-bacterial Bamboo material.

Ecobots Single Nappy, available from Green Baby was £7.99 now £4.50 each. Choose from 2 prints and sizes s,m or l.

If you have a personal favourite and want to share it, please get in touch!