Saving money on nappies

laurmurf

I'm with disposables all the way... I have 4 children all of whom have had, or still have, renal problems which means they still wear them at the age of 8. They feel they keep their dignity with 'pull-ups' in a way they couldn't with 'old fashioned' nappies.

Outrageously expensive though! I rely on fixtureferrets.co.uk for updates on cheap disposables... a site that Martin Lewis put me onto from this website. Thanks Martin, from the whole family!

Trix

Laurmurf - aren't you entitled to free nappies/incontinence products? My daughter is disabled and was entitled to them from the age of three as this is the age the majority of children are considered to be out of nappies. She only needed them for another year after that but they were Pampers she got - not dodgy bulky cheap things. Your health visitor should help you out on this one.

laurmurf

Thanks for that! I will get in touch with my health visitor straight away; it's never been mentioned to me!

Trix

That's OK ;D

As far as I know this applies to anyone with a medical condition that requires the use of nappies/incontinence products over the age of three years old.

If this does apply to you - it's a disgrace that your health visitor or paediatrician hasn't pointed it out, especially as it has been with all four of your kids. What a waste of YOUR money!

Let me know how you get on out of interest - either post here or pm me- good luck!

Trix

Free sample of eco-disposable nappies at this website http://www.spiritofnature.co.uk/acatalog/sect7290.html

Free sample in mini, midi, maxi and junior. It's only one nappy in a sample but get all your family & friends to send for one and you might get a couple of days worth ;D You get a £1 coupon in the sample as well as far as I could tell.

Scroll down and each size has a free sample under the priced product.

They also do washable nappies!

Caterina

Of course, parents, don't forget that as the weather gets warmer, (or if you have a well-heated, draught-proofed house) it is possible to let the baby kick freely with no nappy on (disposable or otherwise). To avoid too much mess you just put the baby on a thick, old towel on the floor or other safe surface (changing mat ok provided it is not high up). DO NOT LEAVE BABY UNATTENDED ON A HIGH SURFACE, EVEN IF VERY YOUNG!

Babies (except, perhaps, newborns, who need a bit of cocooning before getting used to being 'out in the big world') love being naked and enjoy the nappy-free freedom. It is also a good preventative against nappy rash.

Ciao from your friendly doula

Caterina

System

I know that disposable nappies are a financial rip off,but I can tell you definitively, based on 17 years experience as a consultant dermatologist that the risk of nappy rash is much much greater with towelling nappies than with disposables, and that anyone who has ever seen a baby screaming in pain through a severe nappy rash would never use them again.
Disposables have solved what used to be a common and very distressing problem

Sorry to be negative, but I am afraid that it is true.
By the way disposables are much cheaper in the French hypermarkets, so next time you are on a booze cruise, buy some padding to stop the bottles rattling

I disagree. There has been no real evidence to prove that a particular type of nappy causes nappy rash. According to an independent study published in the British Journal of General Practise in 1997 "infrequent changes could cause nappy rash in any nappy type" and they go on to say that "nappy rash may also be a symptom of teething, or a reaction to new food that the baby's digestive system isn't ready for, or to perfumes, detergents and other chemicals"

Of course problems may arise in babies with sensitive skin when wearing the old fashioned plastic pants but plastic pants have long been a thing of the past. Modern reusable cloth nappies are now worn with breathable fleece wraps or breathable PUL (Polyuerthane Laminate) waterproof wraps and I would argue that having used both disposables and modern resuable nappies that neither are 'better' at preventing nappy rash.

Kat xxx

System

I agree with Kat.
We have less nappy rash in coth than in disposables.
Also regarding dignity : to me modern cloth nappies = underwear but papaer disposables = paper knickers - I know which I prefer.
Karen

ladyjane_4

My son had terrible nappy rash so I switched to cloth and put in a silk liner - and rash disappeared
I am now addicted to cloth nappies and NO WAY would I got back to dispicables!

Galstonian

3 children, all disposables. Sorry, know the arguments but went for the "easier" option. If we were able to use one of the nappy services then perhaps we might have gone that way but none operate(d) close enough.

Anyway my point is, no nappy rash except while teething, worst for girl. Does this prove anything? Probably not, like has been said already, more frequent changing and a bit for nudie time on the carpet is more likely to help nappy rash than get caught up in the cloth/disposable argument.

(Karen, when was the last time you wore paper knickers?!)