Real Nappy Week 2012

I would like to introduce. . . . . The Bloke, doing a guest post on the blog  about Cloth nappies for Real Nappy Week 2012. 

As it is Real Nappy Week, I have a few things to say.

Real nappies work much better than imaginary nappies.  We have tried imaginary nappies once or twice.  They smell better than real nappies but they leak quite a lot.  Definitely not the best option to use overnight.

As with many (but not all) dads, nappies have been forced in to my life.  My relationship with nappies is a bit love/hate.  I do hate nappies.  But I couldn't live without them.  Since having a baby, The Mrs has decided to swap her girly obsession of buying new handbags and shoes, and replaced it with an insatiable addiction to cloth nappies.

The idea was first put to me as a 'save the world' thing.  Which it kind of is.  I have noticed that our bins need emptying a little less often since the big switch over.

Also as a money saving idea.  Why have an additional weekly expense of nappies when you can pay a little money up front and save loads of money over the next few years.  OK, so now I'm swayed.  Lets get some.

So we purchased some pretty looking nappies.  Nice funky designs.  And of course very soft and fluffy.  Very similar to many of her handbags, scarves and other miscellaneous piles of clothing she hoards.

At first (much like any addiction), it started with "Oh this one is so pretty.  Can we buy this one?  The Boy NEEDS this one.  Pleeeeeeease?"  So the cost effectiveness was reduced a little.  But the variety and The Mrs' apparent happiness has increased significantly.  £20 for a happy relationship is a cost I am prepared to pay.

However, now several months into her addiction, we have a collection.  We have all sorts.  We have TotsBots Easy fits, custom designs from Weenotions.com, Close Parent Pop In, TotsBots Bamboozle Stretch and Flexi Wraps and a whole world of nappy brands I couldn't possibly name them all.  They have Velcro, they have poppers, they have build in bits, removable bits, washable bits, and all kinds of extravagant designs and fluffy technologies that make the bum happy, but the mind boggle.

A small number from our giant collection

The use of the nappies is about as pleasant as any nappy.  They still contain the same vital ingredients.  They still require changing just as often.  It's true that you do need to get rid of the gooey brown centre.  One benefit is that once you have disposed of the brown nugget, or chocolate mash, or whatever variety your offspring may produce, it doesnt sit around in your bin stinking out the house.  And it will work out cheaper... It will.  It definitely will... one day... I hope... If we don't buy any more... OK it may not work out cheaper at all.

One other highly noticeable thing that I have got over these months, is a lot of nappy love coming from me.  It crept in reluctantly.  It sneaked past my logic, my wallet, and found a home in some bizarre part of my heart.  I realised just how far in a few months ago when we all trotted off to The Baby Show in London.  I found myself surrounded by stalls all showcasing various fluffy cloth nappies, most of which are very familiar to me.  I ran around enthusiastically looking at all of the nappies, judging them all and comparing them to my favourites (TotsBots East Fits) and deciding which ones to buy.

The Boy still hasnt started crawling.  I put this down to one thing.  Sitting on his bum is too comfortable.  Why would you crawl around on your knees when your bum is so comfy.  I guess its a bit like being a couch potato but for babies.  And similarly he is piling on the pounds, chubbing out from his belly to his finger tips.

So clearly The Boy is very fond of them.  His world truly is a happier place to pee in.  And I do sometimes wonder if I am missing out.  But although adult nappies do exist, they do not come in such an array of wonderful styles.

Now you might think that my enthusiasm towards nappies is so great that you can picture me sat at home all day changing The Boys bum at every opportunity.  Since you dont know any better, lets say that this wonderful notion is the fairly tale it pretends to be.  After all, I'm a dad that loves cloth nappies.  It makes sense.

If you have written a blog post for RNW12, or there is a favourite one you would like to link up, go ahead! Please comment on this one and I will come and view yours too.