Real Nappies Real Nappies - ClacksWeb

Forth Valley Nappy Network
Real Nappies
The new nappy option for you and your baby
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Forth Valley Nappy Network aims to provide the choice and
increase the availability of washable reusable nappies as
a household waste prevention activity, with the support of
the three Forth Valley Councils and Scottish Environment
Protection Agency (SEPA).
For further information contact:
Clackmannanshire Council 0500 545540
Falkirk Council 01324 504444
Stirling Council 01786 443016
Scottish Environment Protection Agency 01786 457763

R e a l n a p p i e s
For a long time disposables and terry squares were the only nappy
options available. But these days there's a third choice - Real
Nappies.
Real Nappies are modern, re-usable, shaped and fitted cloth nappies.
They:
• are soft on the baby's skin.
• are fitted to a baby's shape, just like disposables.
• can be laundered at home and used again and again.
• come with stay-dry liners.
• use Velcro or popper fasteners.
• help reduce waste - and help the environment.
• can save money.
Real Nappies can help reduce by as much as half the amount of waste a
family produces. Disposable nappies take up a great deal of space in bins
- and they end up being dumped in landfill sites, which is bad news for
the environment. Switching to Real Nappies lets you reduce your waste,
and saves you money. Over, say, two and a half years you could save at
least £400 (see pages 5 and 6 for further details).
This leaflet gives you information on:
• the different types of cloth nappy available.
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• who to speak to for general advice on cloth nappies.
• where to buy cloth nappies.
• how to contact a local Nappy Laundry Service.
You'll also find lots of information about Real Nappies on the Internet.
A good place to start is the Edinburgh Real Nappy Network website at
www.ernn.org.uk.
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So, what are real nappies?
If you still think that washable nappies are all about stinking piles of
terry squares, soaking, sluicing and boiling, and crackly plastic pants, it's
time to think again!
Nowadays cloth nappies are designed to be easy to use and kind to
your baby's skin, using soft materials with no pins needed - most fasten
with poppers or Velcro, or a plastic gripper called a “Nappy Nipper”.
Waterproof wraps are made from soft fabrics with inner waterproof
laminates, and are elasticated for a snug fit.
One way liners can be placed inside the nappy. These retain solids
and protect your nappies, and help keep your baby's bottom dry. They
are biodegradable and so when soiled can simply be flushed down
the toilet, leaving the nappy itself more pleasant to handle! There are
different types of Real Nappy, all with their own advantages - it's simply
a matter of finding out which one suits you and your baby.
Flat nappy
Including terry squares and prefolds, these are quick drying and are the
most affordable types of nappy available. Prefolds are flat nappies made
from several layers of cotton, which you fold into shape and fit inside a
waterproof wrap.
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Some examples* of prefolds: Cotton Bottoms and Bambino Mio
Cottom Bottoms prefold with waterproof cover
Shaped Nappy
Fitted to the baby's shape, these are usually terry cotton or fleece
material, and fasten at the waist with Velcro or poppers. Simple to
put on, and easily washed and dried, these also require a separate
waterproof cover.
Some examples* of shaped nappies: Tots Bots and Mother-ease
Mother-ease shaped nappy with waterproof cover
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All-in-ones
Generally more expensive, these fitted nappies have a built-in
waterproof cover. They take longer to dry and are less hard-wearing
than the others, but are easiest to use. Some all-in-ones are ‘stuffable’,
with a ‘pocket’ for adding absorbency. These nappies dry very quickly.
Some examples* of all-in-one nappies:
Kushies and Nature Babies Stuffable
Nature Babies Stuffable nappy with waterproof outer
* Please note there are many other makes of Real Nappy. We do
not advocate the use of any particular brand, and the photos used
are purely to illustrate the different styles available.
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Comparing the costs of nappies
Assumptions:
• Child in nappies for 2.5 years, 6 changes per day, therefore 42 per
week. (Though there is much anecdotal evidence to show that
children in washables are out of nappies about 1year earlier than
children in disposables.)
• Although disposables are sold in various pack sizes, the average is 32.
• Cost of disposables is based on the cost of a pack of 32.
• Different brands of wipes vary from 64 to 80 wipes per pack, therefore
different numbers of packs are assumed to be used over the period of
a year.
Disposable Nappies
Pampers Huggies Boots Tesco
Cost per week £7.29 £7.16 £5.81 £5.81
Cost per year £379.08 £372.32 £302.12 £302.12
Wipes per year £91.60 £102.60 £79.60 £43.20
Nappy sacks £27.44 £27.44 £27.44 £27.44
Total annual cost £498.12 £502.36 £409.16 £372.76
Total 2 1 /2 yr cost £1,245.30 £1,255.90 £1,022.90 £931.90
There are many different washable nappy systems - the 4 illustrated
below are neither the cheapest, nor the most expensive, but popular.
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Washable Nappies
Pocket Dizzy Cotton
Tots Bots Mother-ease Diaper Bottoms
Nappies 18* stage 2 Nippa 18* one size = £135 18* one size 24* newborn
= £130.50 = £125.80 24* small
Boosters 3* £1.50 = £4.50 6* = £1.75 = £10.50 12* £1.50 = £18 nil
only required after
baby is 6 mths old
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18* medium
= £132
Wraps 4* size 0, 1, 2 3* sm, med, lge = £70 3* sm, med, lge 4* nb, sm, med
= £86 = £70 = £96
15 fleece liners £15 £15 £15 £15
Washable wipes (20) £20 £20 £20 £20
Nappy bucket £6.70 £6.70 £6.70 £6.70
Laundry* £124.90 £124.90 £124.90 £124.90
Total 2 1 /2 yr cost** £387.60 £382.10 £380.40 £394.60
* Cost calculated by Women's Environmental Network.
** Total price may be less if Birth to Potty pack purchased.
Comparing the cost of washables and disposables, and what nappy
choice you may make, think about how many children you may have.
Every child in disposables will cost the same again. With washables you
only need to pay the laundry cost again.
If you think you may have 2 children in nappies at once, choosing a
sized system will allow your youngest to be using the small size while
the older child is using the larger size. Using this system, the nappies
may well last 3 children. Using a One Size fits all system you will need
to buy extra nappies as you'll be getting through more each day if they
are both in nappies together and they may wear out after No2!
Prices correct at December 2005.

Local cloth nappy specialists
Mother-ease stockist
Snuggles Centre, Burgh Halls, Kirkgate, Linlithgow EH49 7AL. Tel: 01506
203175; Email: info@snuggles-centre.co.uk; Web: www.snuggles-centre.co.uk
Provides ongoing support and advice for anyone who uses, or is
considering using, real nappies. Runs the Snuggles Centre in Linlithgow,
an Eco Friendly children's activity centre and cafè, where you can view
many types of cloth nappy in the "hands on" Real Nappy display. Actively
promotes and sells Motherease nappies and accessories.
Nicer Nappies - washable nappy library service
Catherine Robertson. Tel: 01786 448599
Two week trial of a variety of washable nappy systems. Families can try
different types and find the one that suits them best before making any
financial commitment.
Local nappy laundry service
Pure Nappies Laundry Service and Nappy Shop
Unit 7, Block 5 Munro Road, Springkerse Industrial Estate, Stirling FK7 7UU.
Tel: 01786 448599; Email: info@pure-nappies.com;
Web: www.pure-nappies.com
Nappy laundry service providing hire of fresh, soft white nappies at a
cost which is no more than using premium disposables (average £8.99
per week). We also stock a large selection of nappies to wash at home
including Cotton Bottoms, Mother-ease, Tots Bots, Nature Babies and
nappy related items. Shop now open, drop in for advice for the best
nappies to suit you and baby.
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Local retailers stocking
real nappies
Peek-A-Boo - Mother-ease and Tots Bots
(also supply 'Nappy Nippas')
15 Bank Street, Falkirk. Contact Hayley Jamieson. Tel: 01324 670502
Sample nappies in store, nappies ordered for your baby on request.
Feel free to call or drop in for information or advice.
Stirling Pram Centre Ltd -
stockists of Bambino Mio & Terries Squares
42-44 Forth Street, Stirling. Tel: 01786 472392
Available from individual nappies or waterproof wraps right through to
a full 'birth to potty' pack. In-store washable nappy video available for
further information
Time2Change Real Nappies and Accessories
106 Wallace Street, Falkirk.
Stock a large range of all the top brands at great prices, visitors
welcome, by appointment. Tel: 01324 888810
Web: www.time2changeuk.com
Wee Angels (Scotland) Ltd
Brian and Christine Collie. 50 Main Street, Callander, Perthshire, FK17
8BD. Tel: 01877 339978; Email enquiries@weeangels.com; Web: www.
weeangels.com.
Stock Tots Bots nappies as well as many innovative and unique baby/
toddler products.

Scottish nappy manufacturers
Ella's House
Old Post Office, Bower, Wick, KW1 4TL. Contact Sarah Herrick. Tel: 01955
641358; Email: contact@ellashouse.com; Web: www.ellashouse.co.uk
Real cloth nappies and pads made in the UK in a range of colours and
patterns. They use hemp rather than cotton for maximum absorbency,
and state that customers are always surprised at how thin, absorbent and
comfortable Ella's House products are.
Nappies by Minki
Timbukthree, New Tolsta, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0NN. Contact Michaela Smith.
Tel: 01851 890402; Email: minki@nappiesbyminki.co.uk;
Web: www.nappiesbyminki.co.uk
The Minki is a washable, cloth, pocket nappy, made up of three layers:
an inner made of soft 100% polyester fleece; a waterproof breathable
layer; and an outer, just for fun, which can be plain/printed cotton,
fleece, or denim - whatever you fancy! Pad out the pocket to the level
of absorbency YOUR baby requires, then the Minki works just like an all in
one.
Tots Bots
23 Fleming St, Glasgow, G31. Contact Fiona King. Tel: 0141 5501514;
Email: info@totsbots.com; Web: www.totsbots.com
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Tots Bots are a range of shaped cloth nappies, made in Scotland from
soft GM-free terry. They are elasticated for a neat fit and have aplix
Velcro fastenings. The website is informative and includes short video
demonstrations and useful links.
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Forth Valley Nappy Network
Available in large print, braille or on tape.
Phone 0845 277 7000.
Designed and printed by Stirling Design & Print (Stirling Council) July 2006. 5995. Printed on 100% recycled paper.