Green nappies - help!!

[oubykh]

As announced a while ago on another board, and got loads of good advice :D,  we're due a baby later this year. We really do not want to use disposable nappies and i'm looking into the alternatives.
So far - i've trawled through a few sites selling products and am now very confused! ???
I've emailed the local council as some i  believe offer schemes to encourge less domestic waste ie. disposables - but i dont hold out much hope, found nothing on their website.
Has anyone used them on this site? pro's/con's. Recommend brands?
Not really looking to go down the composting nappies route, would if i could but not pratical here.
I noticed some products use liners, some dont - any preference?

HELP!!!! ;D

[oubykh]

[wattapain]

Hi , I'm so glad to hear you're going to use reusables - I'm a midwife and  have spent a bit of time trying to spread the word about the perils of so called 'disposable ' nappies. Actually i prefer to call them 'throwaways' as they are not really disposed of - just left in landfill piling up and left there for 500+ years never to decompose - all those layers of plastic and the wood pulp in the filling - yuk!
There are also major  health concerns  associated with  the continuous use of disposables. These include  the increased risk  of infertility,  due to raised  scrotal temperatures, and also the use of various toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process, with as yet unknown, un-researched effects.

They also contain  around 85 tonnes nationally, of human excrement , which then goes into landfill sites, with the potential to  contaminate groundwater supplies.


There are laots of sites and info re real nappies,
Try www.wen.org.uk
www.realnappy.com
http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/vip8/ecc/ECCWebsite/content/binaries/documents/so_nappies.pdf

( or obviously try your local county council.)

Mother & baby magazines sometimes do pieces and trials on the various kinds.
there must be forums on these parenting mag websites, re reusable nappies.

[tim]

I wondered how your name derived - now I know!! After 4 children & 8 g'children, I've seen it!

Before your post came in, I was going to say 'bide a wee - I'm asking a user'.

I await a reply.

[Glyn]

"Cotton Nappies.... Wash em"  I did. Say no more.

;D ;D ;D ;D

[honeybee]

I too stuck with the terry towelling nappies rather than disposables and can still remember the stares and look of horror on the other mums faces when my secret was revealed at baby weigh in days at the clinic  ;) :o

They may be not as effective at containing the 'fall out' but well worth the effort, knowing how long it takes for one single nappy to break down, and i only wish that many more people cared as much as yourself in looking at all the available options.

Well done to you and good luck with your pregnancy  ;D

[oubykh]

thanks for the responses guys... and the links wattapain. i noticed thats its real nappy week in june so will keep eye out for more information around the time.
The realnappy.com  site seems to be inactive unfortuantly.

i've always been aware of the 'cost' of people using throwaways but looking at it from another angle, the babies health, i'm even more determined to not use them.
Anyone else used them?

[wattapain]

Hi oub, glad to be of help - here's another good link
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/refcap/559767.html


Also , during real nappy week, councils often give out freebies - starter packs of nappies for instance so it really is worth getting in touch with the council.

Terri

[jewelflower]

I used a brand called Bambino Mio for my dd who is now almost 6, I bought a package that was for birth to 2 and had all the various sized wraps.with 48 cotton prefolds (rectangle with padding on centre 3rd)small and large. They came to about £180. These were then used for my second daughter and then passed on to others.

Mind you had to often fish nappies out of bin where helpful mother-in-law had "disposed" of them  ::)

HTH

[NattyEm]

another fantastic site is http://www.thenappylady.co.uk I think off the top of my head. 

I used washables 80% of the time for my twins.  Its not hard work.  Its better for the environment.

There are lots of choices, I used a mixture of plain old terry squares (these get very bulky though) kooshies ultra all-in-ones I wouldn't really recommend them though but I was given them for free! And tots bots which I found the best.  Good luck with it all x

[Bionic Wellies]

Why did you choose the title "Green Nappies"? - it conjurs up some revolting images.

[westsussexlottie]

Our council waste and recycling team offers cheap starter packs. Worth giving yours a call!

[oubykh]

well the coucil got back to me - surprise - no scheme insitu :(

did find this webpage with detailed nappy guide its very good - i know abit more now!
http://www.spiritofnature.co.uk/acatalog/nappy_guide.html

Bionic Wellies - yes i thought that while typing ;D

thanks for your help guys, my wife and i will have to attend the Green Baby Fair during real nappy week in june in cardiff