New To Real Nappies?

Thinking about nappies? We know it's a bit alarming, but they're a pretty much essential part of having a baby.

This guide is here to help you learn more about
Real Nappies - how they work and the basics of using them in the real world… it's a lot easier and cleaner than you might imagine!

It'll also tell you how much it'll cost you (a lot less than disposables!) and how you can receive
£30 off your nappies from Bristol City Council.

Here at Venus we love Real Nappies, but we don't expect you simply to take our word for it - the guide points to sources of independent information on the subject, so you'll be equipped to make an informed decision about what's right for you, your baby, your lifestyle and our environment.

What are Real Nappies?

Real Nappies are also called washable nappies, cloth nappies, cotton nappies, and even old-fashioned terry nappies. They are basically a nappy you wash & use again, rather than put in the bin, like a disposable. We stock shaped nappies - they offer the most convenience, the least hassle, the best fit & the least leakage!

Nappies - made of cotton, fleece or bamboo, to absorb wetness; and
Wraps - waterproof covers worn over the nappy to keep wetness inside!

You can also use flushable, degradable liners to keep the nappy clean & make disposing of poo quick, easy & hygienic. We offer nappies made of cotton, fleece or bamboo – offering you great choice whether your priority is the feel of the fabric, cost, drying time or absorbency.

Changing Real Nappies is as simple as changing disposables, you just throw the nappy into the wash rather than in the bin (now only collected fortnightly…) but there’s no unpleasant smell hanging around because the poo gets flushed away!

No boiling or soaking either - with today’s powerful washing machines you just add nappies to any whites wash. If you line your nappy bin with a net laundry bag, you can put the bag straight into the washing machine without even touching the nappies – and a normal 40° wash cleans your nappies – no need for boil washes. Simple.

Your Questions Answered

Q – Why Real Nappies?

A - Well, there’s no soaking, boiling, folding or pins these days for a start! The essential advantages of Real Nappies are:

• Soft, natural fibres next to baby’s skin
• Less than half the cost of disposables ;
  (saving over £500 for the first baby alone)
• Ease of use - home washing is a breeze!
• Disposables Cause A Stink!
  Who wants nappies in your bin for up to a fortnight?
• Reducing the 8,000,000 disposables sent to landfill every day in the UK.

Q - What are the different types like?

A - We stock shaped nappies because they offer the most convenience, the least hassle, the best fit and the least leakage! You can use a flushable paper liner too if you wish, to keep the nappy clean. Based on our own experience, we expect you’ll need around 15 nappies and 5 wraps at any one time.

We stock Mother-ease® One Size Dry™ – they will adjust to fit from birth to potty, or you can try our TotsBots nappies that come in 2 sizes as your baby needs them (more on sizes below). Either way, they are covered with a breathable waterproof wrap. The nappies and the covers to go on top cost about £8 each.

Q – How many nappies will I need?

A - If you plan to wash daily you will need 15 nappies and 4 wraps and the same again once your baby is ready to move into the second size, unless you choose a ‘one size’ style. If you want to wash every second day we recommend you buy another 5 nappies and 2 wraps.

Q - Are Real Nappies easy to wash and dry?

A -You do not need to soak, scrub or boil your nappies. Put the dirty paper liner down the loo and then wash your nappies and covers at 40-60 degrees. Do not use fabric conditioner. You can dry them in the same way as any other washing, including in a tumble dryer (use a low temperature for covers though).

Q - Do I have to wash them before use?

A – Yes. All our manufacturers recommend you wash your nappies a few times prior to use to increase the absorbency of the towelling. In fact Bamboozles need 10 washes to get them to full absorbency but if you really can’t wait, you can use them after a couple of washes.

Q - Are Real Nappies more leaky than disposables?

A – If you use well fitting wraps, Real Nappies will not leak any more than disposables. Plus you can increase absorbency (at night, for instance) by using a booster pad. Simply check the nappy is tucked inside the cover and when buying that next size of wrap check the weight range.

Q - Will my baby be more likely to suffer from nappy rash?

The type of nappy chosen does not affect the incidence of nappy rash. It is important to change any type of nappy frequently and make sure the baby’s skin is kept clean and healthy. A recent survey conducted by Bristol University concluded that “disposable nappies give little protection” and that “the type of nappy worn did not emerge as a significant factor”.

Q - Can I really save money with Real Nappies?

A - Whichever type of Real Nappies you use you will save at least £500 by washing them at home,
& greater savings if you use them for a second baby!

• Disposable nappies cost around £10 per week for approximately 2½ years - approx £1200!
  That's more than half their weekly child allowance literally thrown in the bin!
• A birth to potty set of Real Nappies costs around £300 and you are unlikely to ever spend more than £400 for your first child even including estimated costs for washing and depreciation of the washing machine! Once you have bought your Real Nappies, all nappy changes are free and you can start saving money, especially with subsequent children.

But don’t just take our word for it – detailed price comparisons are available from the Recycling Consortium (www.recyclingconsortium.org.uk). Don’t forget you can spread the cost by buying your nappies gradually and save £30 through the Bristol City Council’s Real Nappy Incentive Scheme.

Q - A note about sizes

Some of our nappies are ‘One Size’, designed to fit from birth to potty, others have guideline weight ranges, based on average weights and builds of babies. If you are unsure which size to go for, ask us for advice or just buy one to try:

• Size 1 - Will fit up to 18lbs, sometime from 5 -12 months
• Size 2 - Usually fit from 6 months to potty training

Q - How do I decide which nappies are best for me?

• If you prefer a slim fitting nappy with extra absorbency choose Bamboozles - plus it’s the ‘greenest’ (least resource hungry) option.
• If drying time is most important choose Fluffles
• If you like the idea of a one size nappy, we recommend Motherease OneSize.

Try buying two or three nappies in different styles to see which you like best.