| Staffordshire New Nappy Network | |
| Questions |
| How much do they cost? | Around £2 per nappy for flat nappies. Shaped nappies cost from £7 and all-in ones cost from around £10 per nappy. Wraps cost from £3 each |
| How many nappies will I need? | This will vary on which type you mainly use, how often you wash and how you dry. Most people could get by with 12 but for non-daily washing 20 takes the pressure off drying them quickly. |
| Isn't it unhygenic? | Using flushable nappy liners means the poo is flushed away into the sewer system. Modern washing machines mean we can launder nappies to a very high standard. Hygiene isn't compromised by using cloth nappies. |
| Do I need to soak them? | Personal choice. Some do, some don't. Different families have different routines with their nappies. A bucket with a lid is handy if you are not washing daily but some people put them straight in the machine and let the machine do a rinse first before washing (or just a wash). |
| What about nappy rash? | Nappy rash is caused by the ammonia in urine reacting with bacteria that naturally lives on the skin. Frequency of changing is the main issue with nappy rash. Other rashes occur with upset stomachs (and stingy poo) but again, the cotton will not have a detrimantal effect. Some people report a great benefit on skin that has suffered from eczema. |
| Do I need a tumble dryer? | If you need a fast turn around on your laundry then you will benefit from one. Many families get by fine without though. Line drying outside, racks in the house and radiators can dry nappies very quickly. |
| I'm overwhelmed with laundry as it is, how will I cope? | The local laundry service supplies you with fresh laundered nappies weekly and a flip bin to put your dirty ones in. This is a very appealing option for some families (details in suppliers page). Other families find they get into a routine with washing quite quickly. Some put the nappy wash on before bed and get out to hang them in the morning, other families wash every 2 or 3 days and find that fitting it in with the clothing and bedding laundry works well for them. |
| Are they very bulky around my baby's bottom? | Cotton nappies are bulkier than disposables and some clothing is not cut to fit a baby with a real nappy on. They are very comfortable for babies though and for a newborn, having a cotton nappy can be beneficial for their hips as it splays their legs more. A baby's mobility is not impeded by cotton nappies and the extra padding comes in handy within the early days of walking! |
| Promoting
real nappies, for real
people, with real concerns |