So, you're thinking about nappies? Not everyone's favourite aspect of parenting, but they're a pretty much essential part of having a baby. This guide is here to help you learn more about the benefits of real nappies, as well as the realities of using washable nappies at home, so you'll be able to make an informed decision about what is right for you, your baby, lifestyle & our environment.

Real nappies have come a long way from meaning complicated folding, pins, scratchy plastic pants, boiling, soaking and hours of extra work. Like everything else in modern life, things have changed in the washable nappy world over the last 30 years.

• Save up to £1200 per bum washing real nappies at home(i)
• Soft, natural fibres against delicate skin(ii)
• Potty training up to 6 months earlier(iii)
• No nasty chemical content & no animal testing(iv)
• Use less energy & water, even including the washing(v)
• Save over a tonne of waste going to landfill sites(vi)
• No more struggling with bulky packs from the shops!

        Real nappies are also called washable nappies, cloth nappies, cotton nappies, and even old-fashioned terry nappies. For all these different names, they are basically the same idea: a nappy you wash & use again, rather than put in the bin, like a disposable or single use nappy.

        There are literally 100s of different styles & designs to choose from, and real nappies are fast becoming not just an eco-friendly choice, but a fashionable lifestyle choice, with greater choice to show off your wee one's style from their earliest days!

That's WHY more & more people choose real nappies, now you'll want to know: HOW?

      Well, while real nappies are not quite as self-explanatory as single use nappies, there isn't all that much to it. Just think about what you need a nappy to do, and the 3 basic 'bits' that make up a real nappy system make perfect sense – it's as easy as 1, 2, 3 ...

1. A LINER catches the poo,
   so it can be flushed easily.
   

1. 2. A NAPPY is the cotton bit
      that absorbs the wetness.

   
   

   3. A WRAP (or cover, or pants)
      the waterproof layer that protects clothes.

       Changing real nappies is just as simple as changing single use nappies, you just throw the nappy in a bucket, rather than in the bin – and no need to tie the nappy in a little bag to stop the house smelling of poo, because that bit gets flushed away!

        No need for boiling or soaking, just chuck the used nappy in a dry bucket and add them to any whites wash. If you line your bucket with a net laundry bag (or old pillow case!), then you throw the open bag straight into the washing machine without even touching the nappies. Simple.

A normal 60 degree wash cleans & sterilises your nappies, so no need for harsh chemicals, messy soaking or energy-draining boil washes.

       If washing at home isn't for you, then a gentle introduction to real nappies can be found with a nappy laundry service. Blooming Bottoms, a non-profit parents' co-op offers a subsidised nappy laundry service to Belfast, Co. Antrim & Down. No need to buy or wash anything, you hire everything you need, and once a week you leave your used nappies to be swapped for a fresh, clean supply of nappies sterilised to exceed NHS standards.

       Now you know the basics, you need to know how to get started using real nappies. There's more information about the types of nappy you can choose from on the following pages, here we'll help you decide what is the best way to introduce real nappies in your home.

     Some families dive straight in, and get a full set of nappies before their baby is even born. If you are going to do this, make sure you're not fooled by 'Birth to Potty Pack' offers, which might seem like great value, but do you really want to spend money on nappy & wrap sizes your baby is not going to fit for months, or even years, before you know if that system works for you?

     Many families successfully use real nappies part of the time to begin with, and build up to using more & more as their babies grow & they get more confident with their nappy system. Using real nappies doesn't have to be an 'all or nothing' choice, you can mix & match different nappies as suits you & your baby. The most important thing is how many real nappies your baby wears up to potty training, not how many you buy to start with!

     Some parents use a nappy laundry service for a couple of months to get used to using real nappies, while someone else is doing the laundry. This also means that you don't need to buy anything before you start, because with the NI laundry service, you hire everything. The laundry service costs around the same as disposable nappies, and has the added advantage of someone coming to your house each week if you have any questions!

     If you want to start washing at home straight away, then think about getting a trial pack, maybe 6-8 nappies & a couple of waterproof wraps, to get you started. Wraps don't need to be changed with every nappy, which is why you don't need as many wraps as nappies. You can build up your nappy kit as you go along, and try different types of nappy to make sure you get the right ones for you & your baby. A good idea is to try the more economical styles of nappy first, so you don't spend too much if the style doesn't suit you & your baby, but will save a lot if it does!

      You can find out more about the different types of nappy available on the following pages, but it can help to actually see the nappies for yourself. You can ask your midwife or health visitor if they hold a sample pack, contact your local council as some hold displays or samples, or call the Northern Ireland Nappy Line on 02890 894576 to find out where the nearest 'nappucino' to you is (that's a coffee morning with nappies), or to arrange a visit from a nappy advisor.

What do you want to do now?

Click here for an introduction to the different types of modern real nappy, with the main pros & cons of each.

Click here for an outline of what you will need for a wash at home kit, trial, part-time or full time.

Click here for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about real nappies.

Click here for a chart to work out which nappy type suits your priorities best. (And none of this recommending the most expensive style of nappy nonsense here!)