Why we love using modern cloth nappies
There are many reasons why cloth nappies are better for the environment, your baby and yourself.
The main reasons we emphasise include:
1. Saving the planet from at least 1,700 kilograms of waste per child.
We are sure you're aware that household waste is becoming a serious issue in Australia. The harsh impacts on our environment and wildlife taking years, if ever, to break down. Disposable nappies take approximately 150 years to break down and Aussies currently use a staggering 3.75 million disposable nappies EVERY DAY!
Sadly, one day, there may be no where left for all this waste to go and we may have to start pouring it into our oceans, parks, reserves, farms and homes. As per the plastic bag ban, now is the time to start taking responsibility and reduce your contribution to landfill.
2. The chemicals
It's not secret that most single use, disposable nappies contain synthetics and chemicals. The amount, degree and consequence of these chemicals on skin, organs and general health varies and is constantly being reviewed and studied although given that synthetic nappies are so new to society, little about the effects of long term use is known. Chemicals found in plastic nappies may include: dioxins, volatile organic compounds, Tributyl-tins (TBT), Sodium Polyacrylamides, dyes, fragrances, plastics and petrolatum's.
Here is a direct quote from Livestrong.com that summarises dioxins, one substance found in disposables.
"Most disposable diapers are bleached white with chlorine, resulting in a byproduct called dioxins that leach into the environment and the diapers. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), dioxins are among the most toxic chemicals known to science and are listed by the EPA as highly carcinogenic chemicals. According to the World Health Organisation, exposure to dioxins may cause skin reactions and altered liver function, as well as impairments to the immune system, nervous system, endocrine system and reproductive functions."
Furthermore, a recently, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, published an Opinion based on a report conducted on the contents of some disposable nappies brands and revealed that several chemicals inside these nappies were exceeding safety thresholds.
3. The cost
Research suggests that on average people spend between $1800 to $3000 per child on single use nappies, that's roughly 6000+ nappies.
$3500 - $99 = $3401 - That's a major saving!! Plus you can use our nappies on all of your children so the savings just keep adding up.
Every time you feel challenged or find a reason to avoid using cloth nappies, remember it was only one generation ago (our parents!!) that didn't have any alternatives!!
4. For Health
A study conducted in 2000 suggested that the additional heating of baby boys' testicles that can occur when wearing a disposable nappy, may be linked to infertility later in life for those boys. It is true that plastics and some synthetic materials can at times significantly raise the temperature of the scrotum and in turn, have short-term effects on fertility in adult men. Less is known about the female reproductive consequences of long term disposable nappy use but this area is also currently being review.
5. Convenience
It is so much easier to have your nappies at home than constantly be going to the shops to stock up.
Not only that, there is some evidence to suggest that baby who wear cloth nappies and easier and quicker to be toilet trained.
Additional reading can be found here
A recap with the top reasons WHY cloth nappies are a must!!!
✓ Save the planet from 1.7 tonne of landfill per child
✓ Natural, cloth materials so you can avoid chemicals and nasty synthetic materials
✓ Save yourself at least $1700-$3000 per child
✓ One sized nappy from birth to 2.5 years
✓ So convenient and save you hours not having to go out and buy nappies every week
✓ Better for skin and bums with breathable materials. Some research suggests that long term use of plastic nappies may be doing harm to babies reproductive systems.
✓ They look great – make a fashion statement kid!
✓ Save on energy use as production of cloth nappies is far less than disposable
✓ Teach children from a young age the importance of caring for the land and using the sun to dry and clean