The old moneysaving nappy debate

Galtizz

Although Jay-Jay has sneekily stuck the word 'old' in the title (nice try) I think this post would have more readers who would be able to help you if it was in Familes forum and so I'm going to move it there for you.

Loadsabob

nabby wrote:

Hi Loadsabob, you raise some interesting points. Is a more environmentally aware way of life something you're generally interested in as your knowledge is impressive? Or do you work in the sector?

I guess I ought to confess before this goes any further that I work for the very same consultants that the Environment Agency used for this study, indeed the person who did the study is one of my colleagues

I'm no life cycle expert though - I look at other far more interesting things to do with recycling...

If I told you any more I'd have to silence you

You have me intrigued with the last bit!! Sounds as though you might have an interesting job...!

No, I don't work in the sector (wish I did though, at least it would feel I was doing something useful with my days!! I'm admin in a university)

Ah, well, I thought your knowledge was impressive!

My interest is just general, over the years (since I was 13 I guess, and started to be aware of EVERYTHING), I have moved towards limiting my environmental impact where possible...just wish I could go live in a hut in a field, with chickens and a wind turbine!!! Not likely, but still...

take care!

John_M_Business

Hi there

We use re-usable nappies and although there is definite money saving to be had and, though SOME reports suggest that there is no ENERGY saving this is DIFFERENT from the fact that at the end of it all - you either fill a landfill, or you don't. You have to ask the question: "what's your legacy to your children / grandchildren?"

I was more anti them than my wife, because I thought they would be a complete pain, but once we got a routine in place, and a decent washing machine, we never looked back. After quite a bit of research we went with Motherease and they're fine - my brother and his wife use Cotton Bottoms and like them too. Most of the 'modern' ones are great.

The only thing we don't do is take these on holiday with us because the paraphenalia that goes with them won't fit (two buckets, soak powder, washing balls etc.)... however when we do we use Moltex nappies that are virtually ALL biodegradeable (they are much better than others I could mention). Therefore at least what we're putting into the landfill will 'go', unlike the plastics etc. in others.

jellyhead

i've had my sister going on at me today about this, i haven't heard the reports but she seems to be sneering at me for buying reusable nappies sorry if anyone disagrees but they certainly look cheaper to me, environmental issues aside. my baby isn't born yet. i've bought my nappies from ebay, mostly used although some have only been washed in anticipation and then not used. i was reading a report on costs by the womens environmental network today, i asked about nappies and my local council sent me a load of stuff printed off the internet (and it occurred to me that we don't have the same debate about sanitary towels lol!). money-wise the reusables certainly look cheaper (although i think they overestimate the cost of disposables, most of us would buy them on 3 for 2 with loads of boots points). mine have been very cheap. i've also been reading that soaking (can be done in bicarb, vinegar or a drop of tea tree) means washing times and temps can be lowered. some people use washing balls, so no detergent there. some even handwash and many washing machines are energy efficient (A rating is it?) and water saving - mine works out the weight of the washing and adds enough water. we don't all tumble dry either. apparently paper liners that are just wet can be washed and reused a few times, some people use washable liners anyhow. loads of people pass their nappies on for other children too, or sell them on ebay. i think some of the costs and environmental impacts associated with reusables might be exaggerated, or only apply to some people.

i used disposables for my first child and i'm sure it cost more in the first four months than i have spent on my kit which should last until at least a year old unless i have a lardy baby. i am planning on using disposables when we go on holiday, that's not very moneysaving but on the whole i think the washables are significantly cheaper for me.

Jay-Jay_4

Cor Blimey!!! It was getting a bit deep there

Ok...apologies first

I did say that the report stated that it wasn't moneysaving to use reuseables but my brain was on 'Moneysavingexpert' mode and my fingers typed it before I realised :rolleyes: sorry, it's more the environmental issues really. Doh...my brain wasn't switched on.

Galtizz.....same thing there...totally forgot about the Families board and your right...I did slip 'old' in there as I was hoping that it wouldn't be moved to discussions (perhaps that's why my brain mentioned moneysaving huh?)

Now then..... thanks for all those brilliant responses.

Jellyhead, FWIW I think that you're totally right to be going for reuseables. If I had thought about using them before I had my baby then I would've really liked to have used them.

It's one of those things that's MEGA important to some people and just NOT important to others. Like breast feeding and homebirths, I can't understand why anyone would ever want to have a baby in hospital or give them a bottle....it's beyond me...but to many people it's not something that they give a second thought to, they just go with the flow and they're happy with that.

I can see that some people think that disposables are totally horrendous, like I think that people dropping litter in the street is horrendous, I'm just not on that wave-length....yet

I'm sure that there's a feelgood factor with using reuseables, "I'm doing my bit for the planet, it's natural on my baby's bum" etc...makes you feel like a real 'old fashioned' Mum. I imagine I would feel proud to use them as other parents would think 'wow, she must be really organised to do all that reuseable stuff'

I was just contemplating having a little go with re-useables but as baby-sprog is already 16 months it's just not going to be cost effective. I'm still thinking about buying 'one' set, just to give it a go and form my own opinion. I just HATE not being able to comment on something because I haven't tried it for myself.

Londonsaver_3

Whatever the environmental debate, we are convinced that we have saved money with washables.
We have washed as large loads as possible at 60 and line or airer dried (I got much worse at this when I got a drier!). The washables resell on Ebay at 1/2 to 2/3 of original cost even when used. The ones that are too used to sell make great wipes (and save even more money).
Once the child only needs night time nappies, the nappies can be thrown in with the towels or sheets as they are only wet with urine. Provided the child doesn't have a urinary tract infection the urine is sterile. I've done very few extra loads once the children are only wet at night. Night time pull-ups are so expensive (I look every time I'm in the supermarket as this is so satisfying) that a night time washable nappy pays for itself in less than a month-even without resale value.
Some counties pay discounts for cloth nappies. If the nappies aren't new, Kent, I think, provides Boots vouchers.
Lots of saving!

jellyhead

because my baby isn't born yet i'll get more moneysaving out of using washables than you would i suppose. i've been called a hippy by my friends though, i don't know anyone who uses washables. i'm happy with being called a hippy though, i could be called worse

although i've bought a few types i'm looking at using kooshies long term if they suit (although they cost £8 each to buy new) and they come in 2 sizes. the first size fits up to 22lbs and the second size should do until out of nappies. they say the first size can be used for small babies of even 6lbs by crossing over the tabs somehow but somebody has posted that this wasn't the case with her baby so i don't know. my baby is expected to weigh around 6lbs but i've got some old cheap newborn bambino mios that should be okay, and 3 packs of newborn huggies courtesy of prima baby mag lol!

it might be worth your buying some size 2, boots also do their own in the same size ranges. it's an all in one but you need a liner to catch poo. depends how long you think you'll use them though, my thoughts of washables being cheaper are based on young spud still being in nappies after his third birthday, we got half of his nappies free once he'd turned 3 from the clinic because he had learning difficulties but i did know other 3 year olds still in nappies who didn't have learning difficulties. some friends had their children completely out of nappies day and night by 18 months though. i suppose it would be gutting if you bought some and didn't need them within a few weeks lol!

not sure why my friends and family are so against me using washables to be honest, i've had nothing but criticism for it except from mother-in-law who offered to buy me a birth to potty set, i got brownie points for already having bought washables my mum is being converted, she loves the jungle print motherease wraps and has bought one for little roo. they've both used terries on their own children though. must admit it hacks me off that i'm being criticised for making the choice to try washables - i wouldn't dream of criticising another mum for her choices! i'm actually really disorganised and scatty so it might all go horribly wrong lol!

jellyhead

Londonsaver wrote:

Some counties pay discounts for cloth nappies. If the nappies aren't new, Kent, I think, provides Boots vouchers.
Lots of saving!

some councils lend nappies or even provide them free. some have different types for you to try, etc. mine has an incentive of up to 3 payments of £10 but you can't register on the scheme until baby is born so i don't know if the £10 has to be spent in a particular shop etc. - still, maybe it can be used to buy swim nappies if i've already got everything i need. disposable swim nappies look expensive.

bylromarha

Don't feel passionate about what nappy I use one way or the other...go for reusables during the day and disposables at night and when we're out for most of the day. I bought reusables because most of my friends DO use reusables, so made me aware of their benefits. i know I would never have considered them if none of my friends used them.

Main benefits are cost for me...environmental benefits (if there are any according to the report) are just an added bonus. Would also like to point out that the survey assumed nappies were tumble dried, thus causing huge environmental impact. Can you see all us money savers using pricey electricity when the line and airers do the same job for free?!

Jay-Jay_4

Jellyhead, it's funny because now I think about it, the number of times that my Mum has said to me "what you want are PROPER nappies like you used to wear" she always goes on about the fact that she used to pick me up by my nappy :eek: in a nice way of course (she's a bit crackers my Mum). So there's always been positive encouragement from there. In fact if I ever leave my Mum looking after my youngest she won't do her nappy unless it's an emergency, as she just can't 'do' disposables.

Maybe if there was more information available for Mums then more people would gp for washables and not feel too afraid of all the washing involved.

I may just get baby-pud one washable to see what they're like :think: