Disposable versus washable

angelpye · 30 July 2009 at 4:47PM

Hi all, I am writing to get a kind of poll type opinion on washable versus disposable nappies. I keep reading conflicting information about their merits so wondered how you all felt?

Now, what I have read is that the cash cost of washing powder, water, electricity etc for washables is not much less than for disposable. also the environmental cost is not much better either due to the above except that it does cut down on landfill site impact. Although I have seen some disposables claiming to be environmentally friendly?

I am due to have junior in December and need to make a decision in order to start picking up the deals I have seen. I would be grateful for any opinions! Many thanks!

LilacPixie · 30 July 2009 at 5:01PM

I have two kids. a 12 month old and a 32 month old. IMO disposables are much more costly.

I use reusables in the home/with us but childcare dictates disposables. My 32 month old is potty trained and has been since 18 months during day and 30 months at night.

wash loads I do a half load wednesday and a full load on the weekend. they dry quickly when hung on a screen and if i had another baby i would be using reusables again

angelpye · 30 July 2009 at 5:08PM

Thanks Lilac Pixie, how many did you need at first? Have you found any particular brand better then the other? Are yours all in one things or do you use more traditional types? Also, what is the storing, soaking, washing routine? I have an 11 year old and used disposables then so have no idea but want to give it real consideration for my pocket and the planet!

CLARABEL · 30 July 2009 at 5:35PM

Hi there

washable nappies don't cost anywhere near as much as disposables, and the research you're referring to , as I remember, was sponsored by one of the big disposable nappy companies to try and put people off washables.

I only used washies with my son, the light didn't hit me with my first child, but they are fab!!
Give them a chance, you won't regret it!
:T
Clara.x

CLARABEL · 30 July 2009 at 5:37PM

Sorry, back to that research, I'm sure it made assumptions to get it's numbers from things liek

People iron nappies, soak them in litres and litres of water, wash them on the longest cycle at 95 degrees etc etc

I thinik you get the picture.

For a new user, there is loads of advice out there, contact a locla group ( NCT is a good place to start) to get more info!

Clara.x

Bunny200 · 30 July 2009 at 7:01PM

I think its a very objective thing, even with the whole finance/environmental viewpoint. I started using washables with DD1 because I wanted to save money, be more 'green' etc etc but IMHO it didn't work, I found it very inconvient whenever I went out the house. She was fine here and they used the same system at nursery so she was fine there but when we went out as a family or shopping etc etc I found it very impractical. I'm sure you will get many opinions saying its fine but in MY experience it was just awkward. I ended up carrying around so much stuff as the nappies take up quite a bit of room and even more so when they are wet/dirty. Disposibles became popular because of their convience as I can relate to that. I ended up using washables in the house/nursery and 'green' disposibles when we went out til she was about 9 months and then nursery switched to 'green' disposibles so I stopped using the washables altogther. I then sold them on ebay and never even considered it for DD2! I'm sure if I'd tried harder then I could have found a way to make it work but at the time it wasn't top of my list of priorities. Its like many things when you have a baby you don't know if you need something until you use it and find it it fits in with your life/family/priorities!

You'll get many opinions to the contrary but I thought I would put in my view.

angelpye · 30 July 2009 at 7:40PM

Thanks Clarabel - I do question any research i read but then where do I get the answers I need? I have been pondering for ages about this but need to make a decision. my local council do a scheme where you get four freebies and then four more bigger ones when its older.
Bunny - I totally get the whole convenience thing as I hate housework as it is! And I don't like the thought of carrying around dirties but I do like the idea of doing what I can for the environment and saving pennies!

Many thanks for the replies so far - any suggestions about how many you would need etc?

mothsinmywallet_2 · 30 July 2009 at 7:48PM

The basic amount recommended is 24, and I found this about right. 4 waterproof outers I think. I would definitely advise using the squares rather than prefolds as they dry really quickly and don't go quite so rough. you can get things called nappy nippas which you use instead of pins. I would also say that you can use disposables when convenient - don't beat yourself up about it. We used washables with our daughter and then disposables with our son and I have really noticed how much we have spent on nappies this time round. There is anecdotal evidence that babies who use washables potty train faster as they can feel the difference between wet and dry but I don't know if this is true or not (although having said that our daughter was potty trained at 19 months and our son is three and not done yet!!). I am 17 weeks pregnant with number three and fully intend to use washables again. Good luck with the baby, whatever nappies it's in!

mum26 · 30 July 2009 at 7:51PM

Hi, I used to have three in cloth at one point (mostly bumbles, with a few tots bots and motherease sandys) and once you get into a routine it's fine, I also used to take disposibles out if we were off for the day as three babies worth of nappies to carry around was a bit silly, lol!

I was also a nappy agent for a time and if you are unfamiliar with cloth nappies my basic suggestions are:

1) wait a little while, don't feel you have to rush into a decision and buy them right now, don't get carried away with the nesting instinct

2) Also if you wait a while you won't be fiddling around with newborn washables - some people are fine with them but my babies all had such skinny little bums and I was busy enough, also cuts down on what you need to buy depending on what sort of nappies you go for.

3) How much storage space do you have? May be less of an issue with one baby than I had with my lot but my nappy collection took up quite a bit of space.

4)try a few out first, there are lots of very different types out there, buy one of a few types - second hand maybe - and see what suits your baby and you best before you buy a whole system.

5) you can mix and match too remember

angelpye · 30 July 2009 at 7:57PM

Thank you, I am now thinking that i will maybe have some disposables in, try out the freebies and maybe a few extras and then whatever i need to go out and buy i can decide after a short trial.

mothsinmywallet_2 · 30 July 2009 at 8:06PM

I should add that their bottoms look deliciously fat in washables but I don't think that will help the decision! Scrumptious though......

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Disposable versus washable

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