There are many reasons on why it is better to use cloth nappies over disposables.

• • • • Price
      • Convenience
      • Health and Environmental issues

Most people never realise just how much disposable nappies really cost. As it is a weekly expense and never a large outlay to begin with, it is hard to see the savings in using cloth. Once you do the figures you realise that disposable nappies will cost AUD $4,000 - $5,000 for one child from birth through to toilet training, and even more if your child is a bed wetter.

Modern Fitted Cloth Nappies for the same length of time for one baby, will cost approximately AUD $400 - $800. The advantage is that they can then be reused for a second or third child. There are cheaper options available that can cost as little as AUD $100 to set up.

Disadvantages are folding, pins and covers that aren’t breathable or long lasting.

Convenience

Modern Cloth Nappies are so easy to use, gone are the days of bleaching, soaking, pinning and folding of nappies. No more soggy wet nappies after one pee, plastic pants that don’t breath and fall apart after a few washes.

Our Modern Cloth Nappies are made from superior fabrics that are highly absorbent, thinner, longer lasting and eco friendly. No need to fold, they are already made to shape with gentle elastic to contain any messes. No pins, as they have either a soft Aplix or snap closures. No bleaching or soaking as today’s modern fabrics don’t need harsh chemicals to get them clean, nor do they then pollute our environment.

Many designs like our All In One Pocket Nappy, go on like a disposable, are similar by having an outer waterproof layer, absorbent inner and staydry lining. The only difference is the fact that they can be reused and washed hundreds of times, and passed on to other babies.

Health

Disposable nappies when first introduced were though of as a godsend, yet today more and more research is being done as to the actual effects these nappies are having on our babies.

Disposable nappies are made with

Recently, concern has been raised about the presence of Tributyl Tin (TBT) in disposable nappies. Research done has shown that there were significant levels of TBT in many brands of disposable nappy, including those on sale in Australia. Babies may be in contact with up to 3.6 times the estimated tolerable daily intake. TBT is an environmental pollutant which is used in anti-fouling ship paint. It is known to disrupt the endocrine and immune function of marine shellfish and there are international plans to phase out its use.

The super absorbent chemicals used include sodium polyacrylate crystals which forms a gel when in contact with urine. This gel can be seen on the skin in contact with it and there are particular concerns about this entering the body through broken skin in the nappy area. Sodium polyacrylate, along with other chemical constituents that increase absorbency, has been removed from tampons as it was associated with the development of Toxic Shock Syndrome. The inner liner has previously been shown to contain nonylphenyl ethoxylate, which acts as an oestrogen mimic, and dioxins.

In addition, the use of disposable nappies has important environmental consequences which may impact on a childs health. Manufacture of disposable nappies uses 3.5 times more energy, 8 times as many non-renewable resources, and 90 times as many renewable resources when compared with washable nappies. The description of such nappies as “disposable” is misleading. In this country, nappies make up approximately 4% of household waste (800 000 tonnes per year) and every disposable nappy and its contents ever used is still present in a landfill site.

There are environmentally friendly and safe alternatives to the disposable nappy. Modern Cloth Nappies are very different from the traditional idea of nappy buckets of white terry squares. There are now shaped hemp nappies with snap fastenings, alternatives to nappy pins, breathable covers, and washable inner liners. Concern that the incidence of nappy rash is higher with washable nappies is unfounded it has been shown that it is the length of contact of urine with the skin that is most important in the development of nappy rash and it may be that an infant in a disposable has more chance of developing nappy rash as they are often changed less frequently than an infant in washable nappies. In addition, there are cost savings both to individuals and organisations using washable nappies. Daycare centres, and corporate business are just a few besides hospitals that can have large savings.

More than 100 viruses are excreted in human faeces. Newly vaccinated babies excrete live polio vaccine for several weeks after the jab. Dumping human waste in the rubbish bin is against World Health Organisation guidelines.

There are many concerns about the use of disposable nappies in addition to increasing scrotal temperature that may impact on future fertility and general health. The disposable nappy consists of a plastic outer layer, a layer of super absorbent chemicals and inner liner. Nappies are not subject to government controls or independent testing and disposable nappy manufacturers do not need to disclose the contents.