Joan Mutinda

Mums Started Using Cloth Nappies and Never Went Back Once you hear about cloth nappies, what comes to mind? Maybe you visualize filth. However, some moms are well informed that there are improvements in today's cloth nappies. Developments on cloth nappies have made them easy to use and an excellent choice for the baby, parent, and the environment. In the 1950s, only a few parents used cloth nappies. Those who did often paid more than they needed to because disposables were not very affordable then. On average, contemporary parents spend less on nappy costs with the arrival of cloth nappies and report less leakage! Those with children who do not use cloth nappies pay more. The use of cloth nappies is rising in popularity. The 2015 UK National Nappy Survey found that over 80% of parents are now using them instead of the 10% users 50 decades ago. The current nappy market is flooded with hundreds of fabrics that guarantee a comfortable, pleasant experience for the baby, prompting the mothers to never think of other available alternatives like disposables. Here are the primary reasons why mums are now using cloth nappies without looking back: They are safe for the baby It's the goal of every mother that their babies remain safe, and with the cloth nappies guaranteeing this, moms cannot avoid them. Studies have found that disposable nappy manufacturers often use ingredients like polyacrylate (a type of plastic) which can cause allergic reactions for some babies. On the other hand, cloth nappies are usually made from cotton or bamboo. Therefore, they do not contain the toxic chemicals and bleach that can cause skin irritations in babies, present in the disposable ones. Besides, if your baby's skin is sensitive, cloth nappies work better for them because they breathe better, and you can change them as often as you need to. A mom with the reusable one can choose a suitable nappy material for her little one's sensitive skin protecting it from allergies or harm. Most mothers found that cloth nappies feel softer and more natural against a baby's skin. Furthermore, a comfortable baby is a happy baby. As a mother, you wouldn't wish to see your child cry all the time for reasons you can control. Not only are the cloth nappies tender on a baby's sensitive skin, but you can also quickly tell when there is pee or poo. It'll be something that can help develop your little one's sensing and movements while they're in their nappy - instead of their disposable counterparts. They are pollution-free. The world is currently facing many issues resulting from climate change. It has affected every person in one way or another through allergies, droughts, etc. As a result, most people are conscious of the environment, and moms are not an exception, especially considering that newborns require clean air. Research indicates that the most significant percentage of disposable nappies are dumped in landfills. The UK Environment Agency put out a study which found that disposable nappies impact 5.5 kg CO2/kg used compared to reusable ones, which only have an effect of 2.8 kg CO2/kg used. In other words, switching from disposable diapers to reusable ones can significantly reduce emissions. Furthermore, landfills are not to handle this matter, and therefore depositing it on them compromises their effectiveness and makes it easier for the waste to flow in the drainage systems. This endangers flora and fauna. When the matter flows into forests, this denies us the benefits of woods, such as rain, clean air, etc. Cloth nappies are also good for the environment as they are reusable and can be thrown into the washing machine rather than filling up landfills or incinerators. They don't contain harmful chemicals like chlorine assimilated in disposable nappies to kill bacteria and decompose waste products. Overall, mums are becoming more environmentally conscious, which is one of the main reasons they switch. Simple usage Modern cloth nappies in today's market are a marvel of engineering and design. Gone are the days of using old toweling squares and chunky pins, requiring bleaching, scouring, or soaking! Using snap, Velcro, or even sticky buttons and zips, modern cloth nappy manufacturers have come up with ingenious ways to ensure that their products last more than just one child. Careful blending of ultra-soft natural fibers creates an absorbency and beautiful water-resistant outer coverings that compete with disposables and make cleaning easier. Some cloth nappies can be used for newborns while still holding enough absorbency for older toddlers with adjustable elastic bands attached to what amount to booster pads. Whether it be the latest ecological friendly style or simply out-of-budget concerns, cloth nappies have something to offer your growing family. Price reductions New mothers require a lot of additional resources throughout their motherhood. Using cloth nappies when it's time to change the baby may be one way to help save some coins. These options can economically benefit a mom because she can recycle the nappies, so she won't need to buy new ones as the baby develops. These cloth nappies are also great for protecting against diaper rash, so moms wouldn't have to spend additional cash on expensive creams for their baby's sensitive skin. Cleaning cloth nappies is a breeze: When it comes to washing your cloth nappies, just remember that you'll need at least 20 minutes plus a little more time if you have a large load to wash and dry. That's because cloth nappies take a little longer to dry than their disposable counterparts, which generally come out of the machine dry (which is excellent). So all it takes is around 25 minutes to pop your fabric nappies in the wash after grabbing them from the laundry basket. Then you spend about 10-15 minutes hanging up your wet cloth nappies to air on the line or drying rack before spending 5-10 minutes placing them back in their drawers where they belong. Keep in mind that every cycle counts – when using two different settings like delicate and regular – each one will require a separate five-minute duration. Use the extra time to fold any small clothing items or pick up toys! Doing laundry might seem like a lot of extra work, but when you set up a simple routine for doing it regularly, you'll be amazed at how much more naturally it comes to you after some time. With the current invention of a new cloth nappy system that comes in the form of convenient reusable cloth nappies, it is easier and more convenient for mothers to choose reusable cloth nappies rather than their smelly, expensive, tear apart disposable counterparts. Conclusion: We were limited to either cloth or disposable in the past, and the choice was often made for us. However, we are very fortunate to have individual choices in the modern-day and age. Cloth Nappy is here to stay in the world of parenting. Yes, there's a learning curve, but cloth diapers won't impact your budget too much, and you'll save more than enough money after washing them than how much it would cost you to use disposables every day. Our prints on fabric diapers are inspired by the magic of childhood — and this is what makes them so much more special than clinical-looking disposables. Also, our design will make change time becomes playtime. References https://www.researchgate.net/publication/-_Environmentally_friendly_parenting_Are_clo th_nappies_a_step_too_far https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/ 291130/scho0808boir-e-e.pdf https://realnappies.co.nz/blogs/news/history-of-cloth-nappies https://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/marshall/4I10/Nappies.pdf