Real Nappies…..Real Change
Happy nappies is the name of the game this week as the Devon Real Nappy Project joins in the celebrations for Real Nappy Week (15-21 April).
This national annual event is designed to raise awareness, promote the benefits and show parents how easy modern real nappies are to use. This year’s theme is Real Nappies…..Real Change! to inspire a new generation of parents to make the change and go real.
Real nappies –also called washable, reusable or cloth - are around £500 cheaper than disposables, up to 40% better for the environment and don’t contain chemicals or gels found in disposable nappies.
They are also a lot easier to use than people imagine as the most popular nappies are shaped and slim fitting with no folding involved, just like disposables.
Exeter mum and real nappy user, Maria, says “A lot of people think real nappies are "too much trouble" and disposables are easier but once you get into a wash and wear routine this is certainly not the case.”
Velcro and popper fastenings have long since replaced old fashioned pins and now parents can choose from a range of colours, styles and fabrics which is proving popular.
Washing is a breeze too. A load of real nappies can be machine washed every few days, then either line dried or left on an indoor airer. Microfibre and fleece nappies can dry within a couple of hours.
The environmental benefits of real nappies are widely known. By the time your baby is potty trained he or she could have had as many as 6,000 nappy changes. In Devon alone, over 28 million disposable nappies are thrown away every year and each one takes hundreds of years to rot away in landfill. Even part time use can make a big difference.
As well as saving waste, parents can save an estimated £500 on the cost of nappies for one baby. Disposable nappies can cost, on average, £1,200 from birth to potty, whereas real nappies can range from £200 to £800 (including washing costs) depending on the type chosen. Many parents choose real nappies for this reason as it gives them control over finances. Further savings can be achieved by using the same set of nappies for a second baby, or selling them after use through second hand websites or local sales.
Real Nappy Week is an ideal time to find out more about the benefits of real nappies. The Devon Real Nappy Project is holding a range of events across the county, open to anyone interested in real nappies and wanting to find out more. Information about informal drop in sessions, free demos and second hand sales can be found at www.recycledevon.org/nappies
The Devon Real Nappy Project also offers a free one month trial which enables parents to try a range of different nappies at home and a 20% discount (conditions apply).
For more information, please contact The Devon Real Nappy Project on 0800 328 8175, nappies@devon.org/nappies or visit www.recycledevon.org/nappies
Click here for Real Nappy Week events taking place in the East Devon area.
