The NZS.com Cloth Nappies Versus Disposables article contains information for New Zealand parents about the advantages and disadvantages of cloth and disposable nappies.
Choosing Nappies in New Zealand
When you start a family there are many decisions to be made. One of those decisions is what kind of nappies to use for your baby. While the decision should be based on what works best for your family, there are a few factors that may help you with your choice.
While for many it comes down to cost and convenience in deciding whether to opt for cloth of disposable nappies, the environmental impact and chemicals associated with both options are also issues parents consider.
Which sort to choose?
There continue to be discussions about the merits of disposable and cloth nappies, and depending which side of the fence you are on there are reports in favour of both. There is no denying both types of nappies impact the planet for different reasons. Laundering nappies, both washing and drying, has an environmental impact, while the disposal of disposables also impacts on the planet.
Cost is an issue
Most babies need around 6000 nappy changes for the first two and half years of their life. Depending on the brand of disposable nappies you purchase this may equate to about $3000 per child, thrown into landfill, excluding the refuse cost.
In larger cities there are laundering services available for cloth nappies which cost about $25 per week. However, if you wash the cloth nappies yourself you will save over half of this. This includes laundry costs, and an initial $700 for nappies, over-pants or wraps, a bucket for between washes, and nappy liners. This cost is reduced dramatically when reused for additional children.
Please note these costs are estimates and can be reduced depending on the brand you buy, and if discounts are available at the time of purchase.
So what’s available?
Reusable nappies
Cloth nappies in New Zealand are colourful, easy to use and there are several companies providing different styles of nappies, and start up packs at reduced prices. Biodegradable and/or flushable liners are also available.
- Square cloth: the old originals which require a pin to secure and then overnaps. You will need to learn a couple of folds, but there are a lot of websites and books to demonstrate these. The overnap can be reused if not soiled.
- Prefolds: a waterproof outer which is secured with either domes, or Velcro, and a pad is inserted. The outer shells can be reused if not soiled, meaning only the insert needs to be changed each time.
- Pocket nappies: a waterproof shell which has a pocket to place a pad into. Both need to be changed each time.
- All in one: pad is already secured so it is most like a disposable. They require no folding.
Many of the modern cloth nappies do not have to be soaked in a bucket of water, just in a dry bucket. This alleviates some concerns about storage of buckets of water and young toddlers. Simple sprinkle with tea tree oil which has antibacterial properties.
Disposable nappies
Most disposable nappies contain artificial chemical absorbents to increase absorbency. This gel sometimes ends up on a baby's skin. There are also chemical additives contained within the plastic and perfumes. There is one brand on the market that has an absorbent core using corn starch.
- Conveniently packaged in different sizes, disposable nappies offer an instant solution with no folding, and easy clean up.
- Disposable nappies are a convenient and easy system to use.
Benefits of cloth nappies
Cloth nappies give you a more waste free home. Even though it is easy to wrap up a disposable when changing nappies, you still need to get rid of it. If your rubbish is only collected weekly or fortnightly you'll probably have some smelly nappies hanging around for a while. You can buy special disposal bins for nappies but the bags they use cost yet more money and you still need to put them into your rubbish to dispose of them.
By flushing the contents of cloth nappies down the toilet and washing them every day or so you'll keep from having a pile of unhygienic, dirty nappies around the house.
Cloth nappies also give you the feel-good aspect of contributing to a cleaner environment. It has been estimated that disposable nappies make up between 2 percent and 4 percent of all household waste. In a family with one baby disposable nappies make up 50 percent of the household waste.
What's more, disposable nappies can sit in a landfill for decades releasing methane gas, and not breaking down.
The cost of reusable or cloth nappies is also an advantage. Even the initial outlay is not that great when you consider all the things you buy when having a baby. Think of it as an investment, especially if you are planning on having more than one child.
An interesting benefit is that there have been some links between the use of cloth nappies and early toilet training. Some believe this is because the child is more aware of a wet nappy and learns more quickly how to control their bodily functions.
Finally, cloth nappies do not contain the chemicals and perfumes that disposable nappies do. They use natural fibres such as cotton, bamboo, or hemp, which allows skin to breathe.
Benefits of disposables
Convenience is probably the reason most people use disposable nappies. They are easy to change, and fold up neatly with little mess.
Absorbency is another advantage of disposable nappies. Leakage can be a problem with some cloth nappies, especially overnight or for heavy wetters. There are booster pads available for cloth nappies to compensate for this though.
The enviro-factor
The advances that have been made in the manufacture of disposable nappies mean fewer chemicals, and some biodegradable brands. However, the advances in cloth nappies, which will ultimately always be more environmentally friendly, are enormous.
Cloth nappies are now seen as a fashion accessory with a myriad of colours and fabrics, and home sewers can even get patterns to make their own.
There are a number of steps you can take, no matter which nappy option you choose, to reduce your environmental impact.
For cloth nappies...
- Use an energy efficient machine and washing in warm water. The jury is still out on whether soiled nappies should be washed in 60° C, but generally 40° C is suitable.
- Using an eco detergent. While it may be more expensive, you use less per wash so it lasts longer.
- Hang nappies out to dry rather than using a drier. This also helps to sterilise your nappies and whiten them.
- Reusing cloth nappies on another baby or sell them
- Purchase modern cloth nappies made from organic cotton, bamboo or hemp, and woollen over pants
For all nappies...
- Remove faeces from disposable nappies before putting them in the rubbish.
- Use biodegradable liners in your nappies.
- Use flushable wipes which are biodegradable
- Using a combination of disposable and reusable nappies. For example cloth during the day and a disposable at night.
While there are advantages and disadvantages for both cloth and disposable nappies, ultimately the decision all parents make should be based on their own circumstances and ethics. Deciding between cloth and disposable nappies can be a tricky choice to make for new parents, but if you do your homework beforehand, nappy changing will be a breeze and leave you more time for the fun things with your baby.
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