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| real:real_nappies [2026/03/12 18:22] – [Related topics] Katja Durrani | real:real_nappies [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1 |
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| # Real nappies | This topic is part of [[gt:wellbeing|Wellbeing, home & relationships]]. |
| | ====== Real nappies ====== |
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| ## What are real nappies? | ===== What are real nappies? ===== |
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| They're washable nappies often made from 100% cotton or other natural materials. Real nappies are reusable, unlike the alternative - disposable nappies, which are thrown away after use. There are lots of different makes, styles, patterns and colours to choose from, and they usually come with a waterproof outer, and sometimes liners to catch solids - either fabric and washable or paper and flushable. | They're washable nappies often made from 100% cotton or other natural materials. Real nappies are reusable, unlike the alternative - disposable nappies, which are thrown away after use. There are lots of different makes, styles, patterns and colours to choose from, and they usually come with a waterproof outer, and sometimes liners to catch solids - either fabric and washable or paper and flushable. |
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> |
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| ## What are the benefits of real nappies? | ===== What are the benefits of real nappies? ===== |
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| ### Cost | ==== Cost ==== |
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| No contest. The [Women's Environmental Network](http://www.wen.org.uk/) found in 2006 that using disposables over 2.5 years costs between £600-£900, and washables (including washing) £200-£350; and [this detailed comparison](http://www.clothnappytree.com/info.php?article=6) in 2008 came up with figures of around £1600 for disposables and £400 for washables. And of course the cost benefits are greater if you use the same nappies for a subsequent child. They're designed to be used for at least 2 babies. | No contest. The [Women's Environmental Network](http://www.wen.org.uk/) found in 2006 that using disposables over 2.5 years costs between £600-£900, and washables (including washing) £200-£350; and [this detailed comparison](http://www.clothnappytree.com/info.php?article=6) in 2008 came up with figures of around £1600 for disposables and £400 for washables. And of course the cost benefits are greater if you use the same nappies for a subsequent child. They're designed to be used for at least 2 babies. |
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> |
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| ### For the child | ==== For the child ==== |
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| Using real nappies avoids the nasty synthetic chemicals in disposable nappies, such as polyacrylic acid (banned from tampons due to the link with toxic shock syndrome); tribulytin (damages the immune system and disrupts sex hormones); dioxins (carcinogenic); ethylbenzene (suspected respiratory toxin); styrene (suspected carcinogen); and many more. See [here](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1287722.stm) and [here](http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2010/05/28/f-disposable-diapers.html) for more information. | Using real nappies avoids the nasty synthetic chemicals in disposable nappies, such as polyacrylic acid (banned from tampons due to the link with toxic shock syndrome); tribulytin (damages the immune system and disrupts sex hormones); dioxins (carcinogenic); ethylbenzene (suspected respiratory toxin); styrene (suspected carcinogen); and many more. See [here](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1287722.stm) and [here](http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2010/05/28/f-disposable-diapers.html) for more information. |
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> |
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| ### Convenience | ==== Convenience ==== |
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| </WRAP> | </WRAP> |
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| ### Environment | ==== Environment ==== |
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| The excess raw materials, energy, transport and waste involved in constantly manufacturing, distributing and dumping disposables increase what's known as throughput, which is the source of all our [ecological problems](/ntre/nature). Also, the chemicals and concentrated fecal waste from disposables in landfill sites leach into groundwater. This causes toxicity problems for many plants and animals, including ourselves, as 35% of our drinking water comes from groundwater. Real nappies are a clear winner, and there are even more environmental benefits if the nappies are made from organic cotton, and if the same nappies are used for a subsequent child. | The excess raw materials, energy, transport and waste involved in constantly manufacturing, distributing and dumping disposables increase what's known as throughput, which is the source of all our [ecological problems](/ntre/nature). Also, the chemicals and concentrated fecal waste from disposables in landfill sites leach into groundwater. This causes toxicity problems for many plants and animals, including ourselves, as 35% of our drinking water comes from groundwater. Real nappies are a clear winner, and there are even more environmental benefits if the nappies are made from organic cotton, and if the same nappies are used for a subsequent child. |
| Why the EA did this is open to debate - but in response to criticism, they produced [another report in 2008](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/an-updated-lifecycle-assessment-for-disposable-and-reusable-nappies) that concluded that the average carbon emissions for disposables until a child is potty trained came out at about the same – around 560 kg over two-and-a-half years - but with scope to reduce this figure by 200 kg with reusables, via behaviour change - i.e. not ironing, using reusables for more than one child (which they accepted is the norm), having an energy-efficient washing machine, washing with fuller loads, not washing above 60°C and not using tumble-driers. We think people who use reusables are much more likely to do all of these things. But still they only looked at shaped nappies, which are heavier than terries. And finally, the toxicity of the chemicals used in disposables wasn't touched upon, and neither was the removal of habitat for the factories, car parks, roads etc for the perpetual manufacture and distribution of disposables. It's not all about carbon emissions. | Why the EA did this is open to debate - but in response to criticism, they produced [another report in 2008](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/an-updated-lifecycle-assessment-for-disposable-and-reusable-nappies) that concluded that the average carbon emissions for disposables until a child is potty trained came out at about the same – around 560 kg over two-and-a-half years - but with scope to reduce this figure by 200 kg with reusables, via behaviour change - i.e. not ironing, using reusables for more than one child (which they accepted is the norm), having an energy-efficient washing machine, washing with fuller loads, not washing above 60°C and not using tumble-driers. We think people who use reusables are much more likely to do all of these things. But still they only looked at shaped nappies, which are heavier than terries. And finally, the toxicity of the chemicals used in disposables wasn't touched upon, and neither was the removal of habitat for the factories, car parks, roads etc for the perpetual manufacture and distribution of disposables. It's not all about carbon emissions. |
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| ## What can I do? | ===== What can I do? ===== |
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| It's not really advisable to lecture new parents about how to bring up their nippers - it's a stressful time, and you won't necessarily find people at their most receptive to new ideas! But, if you're trying for a little one, and you're thinking that you'd like to do it in the greenest / healthiest / cheapest way you can, here are some tips. | It's not really advisable to lecture new parents about how to bring up their nippers - it's a stressful time, and you won't necessarily find people at their most receptive to new ideas! But, if you're trying for a little one, and you're thinking that you'd like to do it in the greenest / healthiest / cheapest way you can, here are some tips. |
| You can use a nappy washing service - although this will completely wipe out the cost benefits, and also the environmental benefits, due to the trucking around of soiled and clean nappies - so we can't really recommend this option any more than we would recommend disposables. | You can use a nappy washing service - although this will completely wipe out the cost benefits, and also the environmental benefits, due to the trucking around of soiled and clean nappies - so we can't really recommend this option any more than we would recommend disposables. |
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| ## Further resources | ===== Forum ===== |
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| | This topic belongs to the section [[gt:wellbeing|Wellbeing, home & relationships]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/wellbeing). |
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| | ===== Further resources ===== |
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| - [Real Nappy Information Service](https://www.goreal.org.uk/) | - [Real Nappy Information Service](https://www.goreal.org.uk/) |
| - [WRAP](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/Real-Nappies-Using-Guide-18022011-Doc01.pdf) - guide to using real nappies | - [WRAP](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/Real-Nappies-Using-Guide-18022011-Doc01.pdf) - guide to using real nappies |
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| ## Related topics | ===== Related topics ===== |
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| - [[ntpr:Natural parenting]] | - [[ntpr:Natural parenting]] |
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| ## Specialist curators of this topic | ===== Specialist curators of this topic ===== |
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