Debunking The Myths About Cloth Nappies

Myth one: They’re expensive

On average a baby’s nappy will be changed six times a day. Over the course of two and a half years years, baby will have approximately 5,000 nappy changes. From just £53 - £195 our flexible nappy packs are the most economical way to get your cloth journey started and will set you up for both daytime and night-time use. Instead of sending 5,000 disposable you could use just 16 reusables, this would be enough to cloth nappy full time. To make washing and drying times more manageable though we recommend two middle boxes or 20 Pop-in's . In spite of rising energy cost you can definately still acheive a worthwhile saving by choosing to reuse. In fact did you know you will only spend an extra £70 in energy and detergent this year versus last year considering all price increases, so that means a family can still up to £700 in comparison to disposables over the first 2.5 years - and even more if you use them with subsequent children or sell them on pre-loved amazing right! For an even lower cost way to get started, we recommend checking if your local authority offers reusable nappy incentive vouchers or hiring a kit from your local cloth nappy library to try before you buy.

Myth two: They’re complicated

We pride ourselves on creating inspired, simple to use nappies that are just as convenient and easy to use as a disposable. But we understand that when you first take a look at a birth-to-potty cloth nappy, the number of rise adjusters (poppers) may seem a little daunting. That’s why we’ve created some helpful videos to show you your way around our Pop-in nappies. Plus, we’ve been told our hook and loop fastening nappy wraps are particularly helpful for those parents looking to make the switch from disposables to reusables as they feel very similar to fasten as a disposable nappy.

Myth three: They smell worse

Disposable nappies contain a mix of polymers and chemicals (super absorbers) which retain moisture and hold liquids away from baby’s skin, whilst some are even scented to mask the smell of a nappy’s contents (which we believe can actually make the smell worse!). Our Pop-in nappy soakers and boosters are naturally absorbent, the material is derived from bamboo which contains its own anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. With good care, and regular changing and laundering, your reusable nappies can be used for many years (and with many children!) without ever having to rely on chemicals and perfumes to stop any smells. Our Reusable Nappy Instructions has all you need to know to help keep your Pop-in nappies in tip top condition. Modern Cloth Nappies just aren't as messy as you might think to use liners, either reusable or biodegrable help keep the nappy covered in use. 

Myth four: They’re more work

We like to say that it’s a trade-off in time when you choose reusables, not ‘more work’. From frequent trips to the shops and regularly putting out the bin, to switching the washing machine on and hanging a few extra loads out to dry, both scenarios are jobs that need to be done as parents should you be using disposables or reusables. However, with cloth nappies you are safe in the knowledge you won’t need to do a midnight supermarket dash because you’ve run out of disposables, or have a bin so heavy you can’t drag it to the curb alone. Some parents have even told us they find the alone time preparing cloth nappies therapeutic and a chance to practice mindfulness on an otherwise hectic day.

Myth five: They always leak

The most common reasons for a nappy to leak is because it has reached saturation point or isn’t fitted well and this can happen in both a disposable and a reusable nappy. It is worth bearing in mind that both disposables and reusables are there to absorb urine and contain poo.  (Explosive newborn poo is definitely a test for any nappy!) Our tried and tested Pop-in  leak-proof double gusset offers the best protection against leaky legs, while our soft elasticated waist also supports good containment and should mean you will fare better in a Pop-in nappy should a poonami occur! But please, don't be shy if you have questions around leaks - drop an email to hello@closeparent.com or jump onto our online chat: most leaking issues are normally easily fixable and we'll be happy to help with any problems or queries you might have we pride our aftercare. 

Myth six: They don’t work at night

The bliss of a baby who sleeps through the night is something no parent will want to interrupt for a nappy change. But going from changing a real nappy every three to four hours to wearing a nappy for up to 12 hours is a big leap. Our night-time nappy boosters (included in our middle boxes) and available to buy seperately. They are designed to give the increased absorbency required for that jump without having to add a totally different type of nappy just for nights. Our boosters are shaped to fit and made from a unique combination bamboo and fleece for ultimate mix of absorbency and dryness; it’s the stuff of sweet dreams.

Myth seven: They’re difficult to put under clothes

Over the past twenty years, as increased awareness for the environmental and health benefits of cloth nappies has grown, and with more parents opting to use them at some point, a boom in children’s clothing retailers has followed suit. There are some fantastic brands on the market now catering specifically for ‘cloth bums’ in sustainably produced fabrics and ethically manufactured environments, whilst high street shops have a range of pant shapes that are ideal for boosted nappies . Keep an eye out for drop-crotch and ‘u-shaped’ inner leg seams for a comfortable fit. and failing that you can always size up from high street brands (Don’t forget, for baby vests which popper in the crotch, a simple ‘vest extender’ can be your best friend for those night-time nappies.)

Myth eight: They can’t be used outside the home

Choosing a nursery or childcare provider can be an overwhelming experience for new parents, but rest assured, not many nurseries will refuse cloth nappies. A childcare provider may have some requests - like asking for disposable liners or a wet bag instead of a nappy bucket - but they will be keen to work with you, particularly as reusable nappies help businesses reduce their waste costs. The same goes for using cloth nappies on holiday - simply check there are adequate washing facilities where you’re staying before you travel.

Myth nine: Myth nine: They’re old fashioned

Modern cloth nappies are a far cry from washable nappies of the past! Gone are the days when reusables were associated with compromise and seen as ‘alternative’ Modern cloth nappies are so much easier and cleaner to use.  Thanks to new material technology and huge steps forward in design reusables like Pop-in can provide the ultimate in nappy comfort and reliability from birth to potty. Millennial parents are more conscious than ever about the environmental impact of the products ( 49% of those under 24 have avoided a product or service due to its negative environmental impact ) and we only expect the intolerance of single use to grow. Finally, there is the small but totally undeniable fact that reusables are way cuter than any disposable out there.

Myth ten: They’re not that eco

In the UK, three billion single-use nappies are disposed of every year,  (representing 2-3% of all household waste). Disposable nappies are still the 3rd biggest contributor to landfill. In February 2020, Zero Waste Europe published a report looking at the impact of wet wipes and baby nappies on the environment and laid out core findings on the debate: are reusable nappies better for the environment than disposables? Fundamentally, they concluded the answer is yes, they are. You can reduce your family’s carbon footprint by 40% (even considering the washing) by choosing to reuse full time.  But it doesn’t need to be all or nothing; part time, sometimes, every reusable helps. If you were to simply use one cloth nappy a day, you would still divert 912 disposable nappies from birth to potty. 

But there’s much more that can be done and here at Close we’ve are continually working hard to further reduce our environmental impact. In 2020, we began changing our laminate to RPET (recycled polyester made from discarded bottles) and we have also developed the worlds greenest nappy, using a bio laminate which, unlike standard TPU, uses 20-30% renewable plant based ingredients. This helps to conserve precious non-renewable energy sources and reduce greenhouse emissions. We hope by the end of 2022 or before all our nappies  and products with be be made from 80% recycled materials We are making these important steps because we believe a 'green' product from a Ethical brand should always have sustainability at its heart! This is also why we made the decision back in 2018 to join the 1% for the Planet network, and give back 1% of the proceeds from all Pop-in nappy sales to amazing socially driven causing. So why dispose when you can Pop-in? This Reusable Nappy week 

We’d love to see what you’re up to for this year’s #reusablenappyweek so if you are already a Close Pop-in fan tag us on Facebook or Instagram . If you are new to cloth and simply want to know more drop us a DM or jump on oour online chat and speak to our lovely customer Services team who will be happy to answer any queries.