subject: Choosing Which Nappies To Use [print this page] Let's just face it, nappies are expensiveLet's just face it, nappies are expensive. There really is no way around it, for the first few years of our children's lives we will be shelling out loads of money on nappies. The cost can really be the major factor in deciding what kind of diapers to use. There are other considerations as well though. Convenience may be an even bigger consideration than price. Of course, performance trumps every other consideration because if a nappy is convenient and affordable but it leaks, your just not going to use it. Our impact on the earth is also a factor that should not be overlooked. Do we really want a world with tidy, inexpensive, convenient little poo pockets nicely preserved for our future generation to find space for? There are pros and cons to the three options of disposable, biodegradable, and cloth.
disposable nappies are so readily available and generally dependable as far as leaks are concerned, they are by a far the most widely used type of nappy. The major brands offer points programmes and savings can always be found. Thousands will be spent on nappies over the life of a child but as far as price reliability and convenience are concerned there is no beating disposable nappies. The hugely negative impact on our environment is big enough that solely using disposable should never be considered an option.
Eco-friendly nappies are are widely available with biodegradable options available along side their unfriendly counterparts in most of the major retailers. So these are fairly convenient. The dependability of these brands is generally pretty good. They are, in some cases, not as absorbent as there counterparts meaning there can be a tendency to cause rashes in more sensitive babies and they need to be changed more often meaning you use more of them. They costs only slightly more than non biodegradable brands but when you have to use more of them this impacts the affordability factor. However, the lessened impact on the environment makes these a very happy compromise.
cloth nappies, to most parents today, seems an outdated, expensive and frankly a messy non-option. This need not be the case. With nappy services the convince can be hard to beat. If you are going to shell out for cloth nappies to launder yourself, the initial investment may be hefty but the ongoing costs are dramatically reduced. They are soft on sensitive bottoms and with cute nappy covers they are quite stylish too.
If it can be managed the best option is to use all three for different situations. It is always handy to have a few disposables tucked away for emergencies. Keep the changing bag stocked with biodegradables for convenience while on daily outings. And give cloth a try for around the house. Getting through nappies is going to be expensive but a reasonable balance of expense, convenience, and performance and environmental impact is achievable.
