home
why choose cloth
using cloth
products
home demonstrations
myth busting!
contact
links
Cloth nappy myths.....corrected!
There is lots of incorrect information branded about regarding cloth nappies - they'll make your baby bow
legged, they always leak, blah, blah, blah. Please read on so you can be reliably informed by someone
who has actually used cloth nappies...
once you take all the washing and drying into account they're no better for the environment
than disposables....
Obviously doing a few extra washes a week does have some environmental impact, but you are in control
as to how much. If you wash all your nappies at 90 degrees and always tumble dry them you are going to
be using a lot more energy than I do! I wash all our nappies at 40 degrees on an A rated cycle using
soapnuts and tea-tree oil. We don't have a tumble drier so they are always air dried. Even if you do wash
your nappies on a hotter wash and occasionally tumble dry them it is unlikely that you would use as much
energy as is used making and disposing of disposables.
babies in cloth nappies are more likely to suffer from nappy rash....
Nappy rash is not caused by wetness; it is caused by the ammonia produced when stale urine comes into
contact with bacteria in poo, which happens whatever type of nappy a baby is wearing. Babies in cloth
nappies are probably less likely to suffer from nappy rash as parents are more likely to be aware of the
need to clean the whole nappy area thoroughly.
cloth nappies are so bulky my baby will not be able to walk properly....
Cloth nappies are bulkier than disposables; they have to be as it is the fabric of the nappy that absorbs the
wee! Disposables rely on super absorbent chemicals to do this. The bulkiness doesnot affect how your
baby walks though! In fact it provides a much softer landing for your little ones bottom while they master
those all important first steps. If the bulkiness does worry you then you can always go for one of the
slimmer fitting nappies.
cloth nappies are more likely to leak....
Nonsense! Cloth nappies are, in my experience, much less likely to leak. Especially if you use a two
part system as even if the poo gets out of the nappy it is unlikely to escape the wrap. I can honestly say
it is extremely rare that I have had problems with my little girls' nappies leaking, even in the days of runny
newborn poo! It can take a little bit of time to get used to using cloth nappies: for example, if you are using
a two part system you have to make sure all the nappy is inside the wrap or the wet cloth of the nappy will
wet your little ones clothes. Similarly very tight fitting clothes around the nappy can cause the wetness to
seep through. But once you've got the knack you willnot have any problem with leaks!
