What about leaks?

The right real nappy system for your baby won't leak any more than a disposable nappy, and is less likely to experience those 'poo-up-the-back' explosions famous with disposables on very young babies, because there's more protection around the waist. If a real nappy is leaking it needs more absorbency, to be changed more often, or a different style of waterproof wrap, small things that are all easily solved. Call the NI Nappy Line on 02890894576 for advice.

What about nappy rash?

The makers of disposable nappies would love us to believe that we need all that chemical muck to prevent nappy rash, but we don't, and the chemical gels, perfumes and lotions in disposable nappies or wipes can be the cause of irritation. No study has ever shown that disposables prevent nappy rash, and some show that the rate of nappy rash has massively increased since disposables were introduced to the market place.ⁱ The most important thing to prevent nappy rash is keeping your baby's bottom clean, not just feeling dry. It's really easy to know when a real nappy needs to be changed, not so easy for a disposable that always feels dry, and changing your baby as soon as possible is the key to avoiding nappy rash. Many of the real nappy parents we know saw hardly any nappy rash, and only then when their babies were ill or teething. Nappies made from natural fibres, with a breathable wrap over the top allow much more air to circulate, keeping skin cooler and less irritated than a combination of paper pulp, chemicals and a non-breathable plastic layer.

What about comfort?

Would you choose chemically treated paper pants over natural cotton ones? Would your baby? Real nappies are soft and comfortable, let skin breath and reduce the possibility of irritation from added chemicals. Babies have been in real nappies for hundreds of years, without all the modern styles of nappies, with no problems at all. It's only adverts for disposables that make us think that they must be more comfortable, common sense tells us otherwise!

Again, adverts for disposables would have us believe that no baby ever learnt to walk before the new, hyper-slim-fitting disposables were invented, and we all know that's rubbish, literally. Many physiotherapists actually recommend that babies with 'clicky hips' wear real nappies because, right from birth, they give better postural support than disposables. While some real nappies may look a little bulky at first, it's just a matter of what you are used to, and of course a nice soft, comfy cotton nappy gives lots of padding when the little ones land on it when they're learning to walk.

What about hygiene?

What's hygienic about putting poo in the bin? Human waste belongs in the sewer system, where it can be properly treated, and not in a landfill site where it can leach out pathogens, viruses and emits methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. If soiled nappies are washed at 60 degrees, then real nappies are far more hygienic than putting poo in a bin. With any kind of nappy, store used ones sensibly, and out of reach of toddlers.

What about childcare?

A lot of people worry about what their child-carer will say about real nappies. No registered child-care provider should have a problem with using real nappies. After all, you are paying them to care for your child, and if they have a problem with your choice of nappies, what else might you disagree on? Some child-carers need just a little bit of advice and support, and they will be changing real nappies along with the best! If your child minder or nursery needs some more information on using real nappies in a child care setting then ask them to get in touch with the NI Nappy Line on 02890894576.

In fact, more and more nurseries in Scotland, England and Wales are using ONLY real nappies to prevent waste and reduce the costs of disposing of single use nappies.

What about going out?

Going out & about with just real nappies for the first time can be a bit daunting, particularly if you've used disposables before, but it's really not a problem. All you need is a waterproof bag to store the nappies in until you get home, when you can throw them in the bucket. For days at nursery or overnight stays you'll want a bigger bag, or a couple of smaller ones. If you're using flat nappies, it can be handy to have a couple folded & ready to put on in your nappy bag. If your nappy arsenal includes any shaped or fitted nappies, when you're trying to balance your baby on one of those teeny public changing stations, they can come in handy.

Changing real nappies, like every bit of being a parent, comes with practice, none of us are experts to start with, but it doesn't take long to be winning nappy-change races against those who haven't cottoned on to real nappies yet!

What about nights?

Those pesky ads again! Babies have been sleeping through the night for generations before sodium-polyacrylate was invented (that the nasty gel which absorbs all the wee & can absorb vital moisture from delicate skin). There are millions of parents around the world who get a good night's sleep with a baby in real nappies! Disposable nappies don't make babies more intelligent, sleep better or for longer, eat better, or able to do somersaults at the age of 2, that's all just marketing designed to get parents to spend £100s on rubbish, literally.

When using real nappies at night time, an extra booster to add absorbency can help. ANd fleece liners keep babies feeling dry, which isn't important unless that is what your baby is used to, so if you're switching from disposables, they might help.

What about breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is best for you and your baby, and the benefits increase the longer you are able to breastfeed for. There is lots of help and support available in all areas of NI, so ask your midwife or health visitor for more information on local support groups & advice.

Breastfeeding is only a nappy-issue for the first months, before introducing solid food. Because breast milk is exactly what your baby needs, so much of it is digested that the resulting poo can be quite runny, so you'll want to think about what nappy system will hold it in. Any nappy, flat or fitted, made from terry material will hold on to the poo best, the bigger the loop, the better the poo-handling. Get in touch for more advice.

What about potty training?

Children today are potty training 6-12 months later than they did 50 years ago, and many parents using cloth nappies see their children potty trained by 2 years. Cloth nappies allow babies to feel when they are going to the toilet, and so they do not have to learn a whole new set of sensations when training. Choosing wraps or nappies which close with poppers for this size can help, as they can be pulled up & down like pants.