The great nappy divide: Disposable or reusable?
Waste not or wash not, make an informed decision
Since the advent of disposable nappies thousands upon thousands of parents have opted for the pin-free, wash-free versions, so much so that many parents to be don’t even consider cloth nappies for a moment. But cloth nappies aren’t what they used to be - gone are the pins and in are the pre-shaped and liners, and there can be a clear environmental benefit to using them so let’s have a closer look at how the two measure up on the five key issues of: ease of use, disposal, cost, environmental impact and space.
1) Ease of use
Disposable
Disposable nappies are pretty straightforward to use. They don't require any folding and fasten easily with sticky tabs. After use they need to be wrapped in a plastic bag and put in the bin.
Cloth
There are many different types of cloth nappy nowadays and in terms of ease of use, some of them work much the same as disposable nappies. Pre-shaped nappies (available in different sizes) don’t require folding and usually fasten with Velcro strips. Some pre-shaped nappies require you to put a pair of re-usable and washable plastic pants over the top, others are all-in-one nappies, these are the most like disposables in usage terms. Non-shaped nappies will need to be folded, but this is really very quick and easy. It’s a good idea to use disposable liners with cloth nappies so that you can dispose of most of the soil down the toilet and leave less of a mess for washing.
Which wins?
With modern cloth nappies shaped much like disposable ones this one is too close to call, both can be easy to use.
2)Disposal
Disposable
You’ll need to wrap up the used nappy in a plastic bag and put it in the bin. Disposables are particularly useful when you’re out and about with baby so you don’t have to cart used nappies around with you.
Cloth
This is where the work comes in with cloth nappies. If you use nappy liners you may find that you don’t need to soak your nappies first. You can soak them in a nappy bin until you're ready for a wash, or dry pail nappies (you can get waterproof laundry bags that go straight into the washer with the nappies) and disinfect the bucket with tea tree or lavendar oil, which also banishes the pooey smell. Many modern nappies recommend washing at 40 degrees, but you might find you need to run a hotter wash or use some kind of nappy sanitiser to avoid a lingering smell. You'll then need to dry them of course, which will require space and time if you don’t have a drier or prefer not to use one.
As ThinkBaby member Kim points out, in some areas you'll be able to find a nappy service where they wash the nappies for you and deliver clean ones.
Which wins?
There’s no arguing with disposable nappies being easier on this count. On the plus side for cloth though, if you use liners and flush most of the soil down the loo then you’ll have less of a problem of stinky nappies sitting round in a bin or bucket than you do with disposables.
3) Cost
Disposable
Cost ultimately depends on how long your child stays in nappies, but disposable nappies don’t come cheap and you’re going to use LOTS of them, even if you potty train early.
Cloth
Cloth nappies aren’t cheap either, but it goes without saying that you’ll be able to use them over and over, and for the next children if you plan on having more. You’ll have to weigh up the costs of washing your cloth nappies too, and that will vary depending on how efficient your machine is and what size loads you put on.
Which wins?
Unless you’re very inefficient with washing cloth nappies should be substantially cheaper than disposable nappies, particularly when you have more than one child.
4) Environmental cost
Disposables
There’s no doubt that disposables have a high environmental toll. Once your nappy is finished with and sent off to a landfill it’s going to be around for a long, long, time. There’s also a possibility of pollutants from the nappy waste making its way into water sources and causing infection. Before that there are all the raw materials and resources required for production (energy, paper pulp, chemicals, absorbent gels and plastics), and when you think how many nappies your baby is going to need… More than eight million disposable nappies go into landfill sites every day in the UK alone.
You can now get ‘green disposables’ designed to biodegrade far more rapidly, but these still have the production demands of other disposables.
Cloth
Cloth nappies also have an environmental cost when it comes to washing them, you can minimise this by: using disposable and biodegradable nappy liners to cope with most of the soiling (they can be flushed away), using the most environment-friendly washing liquid you can find, being economic with your washing cycle, using an efficient machine and line drying rather than tumble drying. However uneconomic you are with your washing though, you won’t be contributing to the enormous problem of waste and landfills.
Which wins?
Cloth nappies win the environmental points: There are several things you can do to minimise the environmental impact of washing and you won’t be adding to the toxic waste mountain.
5) Space
Disposables
Disposables are bulky, which is something you need to bear in mind as you’ll need lots of them. You’ll need good storage space and you’ll have to get them home from the supermarket.
Cloth
Once you’re set up with the number of nappies you need you won’t have to keep hauling bulky nappy packs back from the supermarket, and the cloth nappies will take up a lot less home storage space too. Where cloth nappies take up space is when you line dry them as you’ll have nappies drying more or less constantly.
Which wins?
This is a close contest but we think the cloth nappies have pipped it with the storage space and not requiring regular lugging home from the shops.
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The overall winner?
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The overall winner depends very much on your own lifestyle and priorities. If you’re concerned about the environment but really can’t face the thought of washing nappies then the new, more environmentally friendly disposables might be your answer.
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Discuss this story
MG's Mum here - please read MG's blog on re-usable nappies. She's not looked back.
As an "old timer" who stayed away from re-usables because of the old fashioned squares with my children (now producing children of their own, of course)- I was frightened of pins, hard, scratchy plastic pants for delicate skin and huge bulky bums that leaked everywhere.
I regularly look after Jacob, and have been very impressed with the ease and convenience of re-usables; shaped, fantastic wraps to keep baby dry, fleece inners - I would definitely recommend them to any one. Drying can be a bit of an issue, but there are plenty that are "quick drying" and if you can finish them off in a tumble drier (eco friendly, of course Scribbler - good luck with the pregnancy by the by, watching with interest on the gallery) then so much the better. It's really no hassle dealing with the messy stuff, and the designs are so much fun, you want to display them!
Good luck with whatever you choose to use
Posted: 27/01/2006 20:21
Hello i have just had my third child two weeks ago and i have bought the bambino mio birth to potty pack. I am using the nappies for the first time as i shamefully used disposables with my first two for ease. (No excuses!) I am keen to make the most of the re-usables and the concept seems great but i must admit they are bulky and i am concerend that my newborn is uncomfortable. This is mainly due to the fact that the nappy is so long i have had to fold the end over to make it fit in the outer cover. This is good in one way as little boys may need more padding in the front, but it all looks huge on my 10lb baby! Any ideas if i am doing this right? Tips would be greatfuly received!
Posted: 08/02/2008 14:08
we use cotton bottoms and they are excellent fleece liners can be snapped over the toilet and the poo falls off cleanly and then a quick rinse and they are good to go in the next load of laundry - we use a nappy pail to hold them with a few drops of tea tree oil and completely cold water
Posted: 08/02/2008 22:26
Hi All, Fab debate! I'm only 12 weeks, but decided a while ago that I will be using the re-useables. One suggestion for those who are toying with the idea but not sure which ones to go for is that many manufacturers do trials pack, which include a nappy, a wrap, a booster pad and some liners. Buy 3 or 4 trial packs of different nappies and see which ones work the best for your baby...as we all know, the little darlings come in all shapes and sizes, so some nappies will fit better than others! One make I haven't seen mentioned on here are the Little Lambs. From what I have read about them, they look fab. Come in both cotton and bamboo....my choice is bamboo, as it is super absorbent, naturally anti-bacterial for bums and for those who are environmentally driven, is ecologically sound in its production cuz its fast growing and doesn't require any pesticides or other chemicals. Also, for a birth to potty nappy, consider Baby Beehinds. Again, either bamboo or hemp which is as absorbent....and both are organic! Great colours, too! The other thing to consider about disposables is that because they are non-breathable, the temperature within the nappy is higher....so NOT good for little boys' future fertility!!!...as well as all the nasty chemicals! Hope my 2 pennies worth has helped! Ciao...Kat x
Posted: 09/02/2008 18:52
thanx girls i find the bambino mio nappies get soaking after a couple of hours, alright when i am at home and can change him every wo hours but not so good for being out and about or at bed times  so i am going to try some trial packs as suggested. Where is best to buy?
Posted: 09/02/2008 20:14
Hi p2baby, the Little Lambs website sells trial packs as well as larger sets. http://familyfrench.co.uk/nappies/ this website is quite good for information about lots of different nappies, as they have tried most out! http://www.twinkleontheweb.co.uk/ more information and they also sell a variety of nappies, although I have never bought from them myself. In my area, there are a couple of shops which sell real nappies. 1 sells the Baby Beehinds, and the other 1 I have yet to check out, but I have looked at their website, so will soon be paying them a visit to "grope" a few nappies!!! Ciao...Kat x
Posted: 09/02/2008 21:41
Sorry, forgot to add the addy for the other local shop - they also do on-line shopping!!! its www.weegreenies.co.uk ciao...Kat x
Posted: 10/02/2008 14:54
I'm going to be using both! Disposables for when we're out & about, especially when over at friends, etc. and reusable the rest of the time. Also, my local Council will give me £30 for using the reusable nappies - might be worth checking in case yours does this too. You will need to ask them for a pack & then you send your receipt (proof of purchase) and a copy of the birth certificate & they'll send you a cheque. I'm thinking of using Mothercare terry nappies - great starter kit for £29.99 which has: Nappy Pail: Use to soak soiled terry nappies until their next wash. Space-saving flat-back design to sit neatly against a wall. Strong carry handle. Easy-pour front. Secure lid to prevent odours escaping and spillages Terry Nappies: Pack of 6 ultra-absorbent and super-soft, pure cotton terry nappies Waterproof Pants: Pack of 6. Place over the terry nappy to help prevent leaks Disposable Nappy Liners: Pack of 100 flushable one-way liners that let liquids pass through whilst solids are retained. Biodegradable. Environmentally friendly. Can be used with sceptic tanks Nappy Pins: Pack of 12 super-safe snap-lock pins. With double action safety catch specially designed for use with terry nappies. Stainless steel Nappy Sacks: Pack of 75 scented sacks with odour neutraliser. Compatible with Mothercare nappy bin Nappy Soak 500g: Antibacterial nappy cleanser to freshen, deodorise, sanitise and sterilise all reusable textile nappies. No boiling, just soak and rinse. Hypoallergenic, perfume free, enzyme free, chlorine bleach free, biodegradeable This was all you will need to buy are more waterproof pants (these don't last forever & will need to buy larger sizes) and more liners, etc - the cost will work out far better in the long run! Sue
Posted: 14/02/2008 13:17
Hi Sue i have been to boots today and bought some terry nappies and pants and pins. I have a nappy bucket and liners already so i will give them ago. The bambino mio nappies have not impressed me so far, the baby is soaking wet as are all of his clothes after just 2 hours! I have also bought some extra absorbant pads to pop in the re-useables to see if that helps but they look so bulky on a 10lb baby LOL I will perserver though until i find some that work i am determained to use real nappies! Kat i am also going to order some trial packs from those sites. the bamboo ones look and sound fab! Thank you
Posted: 14/02/2008 20:35
Hi p2baby, Glad I could help! I went to Wee Greenies yesterday and spent quite a while chatting to the owner - Fiona, I think her name is. Very helpful in explaining the different nappies she sells. Why not give her a ring and explain the soaking 10lb baby issue! I'm sure she'll be able to advise you. Indeed, she started her business 8 yrs ago cuz she wanted to go re-useable with her 3rd baby, but there was very little out there. She only sells nappies which she has used and is happy with! (er, the nappies are new...not used!!! - LOL) Oh, and the bamboo Bambineos are sooooooooooooo soft!!! Let me know how you get on and if you give her a call! Ciao...Kat x
Posted: 15/02/2008 19:44
Hi, my son is just over 4 months and I have used reusables on him nearly from birth (he was in hospital for a week so we used disposables). I am so glad we have gone down the reusable route. I do find sometimes that his clothes get a little damp but it's usually when he has wee'd for England and the insert in the stuffable nappies I use are absolutely soaking wet - more padding in the form of cut up terry squares is great for extra stuffing though. We did begin using disposables when we went out but to be honest all-in-ones (AIO's) are just as easy to use as disposables so we stick with reusables unless we are staying overnight. When I was looking in to reusables I spoke to my local real nappy network and they said what you need to bear in mind with the eco-disposables is that they are still going into a landfill with no air so they are still going to take quite a long time to rot down. There are plenty of resuable nappies out there that take the liquid away from the skin so your baby needn't be left feeling wet p2baby, the stuffables are good for this including Wonderoos, BumGenius or some other nappy I can't remember! There are also nappies out there that aren't as bulky as some nappies so you may be able to find some that don't look so big on your baby. I love the look of my little boy in his real nappies (I think I have a photo of him in one on here) and as they start to get older they do look far less bulky anyway. I think the main problem is trousers because they are now all designed for disposables so he was in 3-6 trousers by around 2 months and we have to pick trousers with really elasticated waists! We have gone down the AIO route as we were lucky to get a bunch of them half the usual price as there was a new version of them coming out, but they generally are the more expensive of reusable nappies. You could always buy a few AIOs for going out and about and then use 2 part nappies when you're at home. It is definately worth trying out a range of nappies though - there are reusable nappies out there that will suit your shape and size of baby and your need. I feel like an ambassador for reusables!!!
Posted: 15/02/2008 21:31
Well i have spoken to bambino mio and they have recomended some different folds for the nappies for heavy wetters and guess what! Jack is now in his bambino mio nappies all day! The customer services were fab. I am also getting a trial of a bamboo nappy as i like the sound of them, slim, absorbant, sustainable etc. Rach i have even used them when i have been out and about and your right, they are simple to use. I have ordered some fleece liners to go inside for bedtimes to make them more absorbant as i find he is soaking wet after 2-3 hours. Sue i have tried our local council, they dont offer any incentives at all for using reuseable nappies (practically the only ones that dont) but do promote them!!!???
Posted: 19/02/2008 21:27
I Know i was gutted, but i had bought the nappies anyway so i am not fussed. I have been chatting to my pregnant sister about re-useables. She has a 2 year old who is just starting potty training and the baby is due in the summer so we have been chatting about the different typse of nappies etc. OIt was her who told me about this site so i think she will be on it soon! LOL
Posted: 21/02/2008 17:12
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