Does anyone stand around and wait for their nappies to dry?

I was astounded to read recently that two disposable companies have been implying that parents using cloth nappies would have no time to spend with their families because they would have to spend so much time washing nappies and standing at the washing line.

What is really so hard about putting nappies in the washing machine and turning it on. With small babies, we all use our washing machines daily! The hardest thing sometimes is to get into a routine - many people simply alternate clothes washes with nappy washes and some people just throw it all in together!

Modern cloth nappies are shaped to fit just like disposables. Sometimes the wrap is separate from the nappy but one needs to dress baby in a number of items of clothing every day so one extra item of clothing makes very little difference.

Another common complaint is ’having to handle the poo when you using cloth’. I am amazed at the number of parents I have spoken to, who have not read the small print on disposables where it quite clearly states that any solids must be disposed of down the toilet. It appears that most parents just wrap up the nappy, poo and all, and dispose of it into the bin to go into our landfills – just because it is a disposable nappy. This is potentially very dangerous as there could well be tonnes of untreated human waste sitting in our landfills.

By using flushable liners in re-usable nappies, we don't have to deal with any of the nasty stuff, you simply just flush it away!

With our economy the way it is and with the price of disposable nappies increasing, disposables may actually cost your family more time than you think. Consider how many extra hours a parent may need to work each week just to pay for the $50 worth of disposable nappies their baby is likely to use per week. The amount of time the parent would have to work to earn enought to purchase their disposable nappies would far out weigh the amount of time it would take for mum to turn on the washing machine 3-4 times a week and to hang out 4 loads of washing.

Modern cloth nappies have become easy, low cost, eco friendly alternatives to disposables and will not cost a family any more time than what their daily washing routine already does.

Nappy Workshops in Hamilton

More Nappy Workshops for 2009
Overview of Nappy Workshop Itinerary for 2009

• 20th February at 7pm @ Parents Place 87 Boundary Road Hamilton
• 21th February at 10am @ Parents Place 87 Boundary Road Hamilton
• 27th March at 7pm @ Parents Place 87 Boundary Road Hamilton
• 28th March at 10am @ Parents Place 87 Boundary Road Hamilton

The cost of attending is $15 per couple or individual. Limited numbers available.

Huge interest and positive feedback from last year's workshops has led to four more workshops being scheduled for early 2009. Hamilton parents have raved about how informative these seminars are and how it totally took the mystery out of choosing modern cloth nappies.
Both workshops will be presented myself.

These have proven to be very popular especially considering parents want to learn the benefits of cloth nappies for their baby and also how they can save families $1000's and reduce their household’s carbon footprint.

To begin with there will be a 45-55 minute presentation. I will cover:

• The 5 Main nappy options available to parents today – Disposables, Pre-folds with covers, Pocket nappies, Fitted nappies with covers and All in Ones.
• Liners and boosters – what are they and why would you use one
• Fabrics – what modern nappy fabrics are available today?
• How to choose your nappies – Which one will be suitable for your baby
• Washing your nappies – You wash your underwear it’s no different
  

Then I will go through in detail the main styles of cloth nappies available in New Zealand. I explain what is involved in using each system and show how each brand and style is different.

Parents will then have the unique opportunity to try the different nappies for themselves on dolls supplied at 4 nappy stations and I will be open for questions through this time. Parents will be given tips on choosing which system will suit them and their baby.

Best of all, each pregnant mum attending will take home a free pack of nappies that has been supplied by one of the NZNA members and is funded by the Hamilton council. Each pack will be valued at around $70.00.

They will be fun, enlightening and educational workshops. You learn something new everyday so why not come and learn about nappies.

There is a limit of 10 pregnant women plus support person/partner per workshop so registrations are essential. To register please contact me on 07 549 2955 or 027 22 11 242.

Proven - Cloth are better for the enviroment

Washable Nappies Are Best for the Environment

It's official. A new governmet report comparing the environmental impact of reusable versus disposable nappies has concluded that reusable nappies are up to 40% better for the environment than their disposable counterparts. The key finding of the report shows that the environmental benefits are achieved by following simple washing guidelines like:

avoiding tumble drying nappies

using A-rated appliances and

washing in full loads at no more than 60 degrees

These are all measures we recommend and are commonly used by parents . The report highlights that unlike disposables, washable nappies put parents in control of the impact they have on the environment. Parents using cloth nappies will also be financially better off. It has long been known that real nappies save parents hundreds of pounds and now this advice on washing methods, which are supported and promoted by the NZ Nappy Alliance, will help reduce fuel bills too.

Hamilton Nappy Workshops

Hi everyone,

Just a quick note to let you know that I have another 2 Hamilton Workshops coming up at the end of November. The date is the 29th and we have 2 sessions running, one at 10am and the another at 1pm.

Bookings are a must as there are only 10 spaces available per session and the cost is $15 per couple and each couple takes home over $70 worth of free nappies.

Go to the website and contact me for more details.

Have a nappy day

Kate

Nappies Nappies and more Nappies!!

Modern Cloth Nappy Information

Thank you for taking the time to come along and look at my blog. I hope that the information I will pass on to you will help you make the right decision for you.

There is a lot to take in so it's often useful to have the information all in one place to refer back to.

Those of us who are familiar with cloth nappies often forget that the jargon can be very confusing and intimidating to start with. This can cause people to think that it is all too hard so they decide to stick with disposables. It pays to remember that cloth nappies are not harder than disposables, as some would lead you to believe, they are just different. We have been so educated through advertising media about the ease and convenience of disposables that the world has passed by the fact that cloth nappies have evolved and there are easy, convenient cloth options available. And as I have said today, there are huge benefits to using cloth nappies - your baby's comfort, the environment and your pocket!

In order to make the right choice you need to consider your needs and preferences. For example you may prefer your baby to be in nappies made from man made / synthetic fabrics or perhaps you would rather use more natural fabrics. Personal preferences are important to consider to ensure you get the nappies that will fit into your lifestyle. This information I am going to provide to you will hopefully help you decide what is most important to you when choosing a nappy.

If you have any questions you need answering or if you get overwhelmed please just ask and I will be happy to help you. Also if you have any suggestions or information you think I have missed out, please contact me directly as I would love to hear from you.

Happy Nappy Hunting



Kate Meads
NappyDays Limited