10 Reasons to Choose Cloth Nappies

Dylan was about 2 months old when we discovered quite how far cloth nappies have come from the terry squares our grandparents used to boil.  Reusable nappies these days are easy to use, easy to clean and they looks pretty damn cute too! We have now been using cloth nappies for over five years and with two under two, I still have two little fluffy bums in this house.

I know many people won't even consider reusable nappies, but I wanted to write about why we love them, so here are our top 10 reasons for using them.

1. Disposable nappies take over 500 years to decompose, which means that had Henry VIII wore them, they would still be sitting in landfills now.  Cloth nappies last for years and we have some that have been worn by all four children and are still going strong. Their environmental impact is miniscule in comparison to their disposable counterparts.

2.  They save you money - the amount you save depends on how many children you have, but once you have paid out for an initial kit, there is nothing else to buy (unless like me you get tempted by pretty new prints).  They can also be sold on once you are done with them (you definitely can't do that with disposables!)

3. You never have that panic when you have run out.  We never have to do a last minute dash to the shops as we always have plenty of nappies, or we can just put on a wash when we are getting low.  For last minute people like us who have to run to the shops for milk far too often this is a great benefit.

4. They look pretty cute! I can't wait for the summer - Cora in pretty summer dresses with a cute cloth nappy poking out underneath.  There are so many gorgeous styles - The babies are wearing a print called Kaleidoscope from TotsBots in these pics and it is really stunning.  Our whole collection is colourful and fun.

5. One size fits most which means I can have one stash of nappies and use it on both the children, I just adjust the poppers at the front to get a smaller fit on Cora.  If we were using disposable nappies they would both need different sizes.

6. They aren't full of chemicals and I know exactly what is going next to my child's skin.  We have all seen those disposable nappy horror stories of children getting burnt - I know my babies have natural breathable fibres next to their little bums, most of ours have a bamboo core which actually keeps them cooler in the summer than a disposable would.

7. I don't have to empty the bins all the time.  Dirty nappies get tipped into the toilet and then left in a lidded bucket until they are washed.  Disposable nappies fill up the bin so easily (especially with two in them!) so we end up having to empty the bins daily which is just a hassle!

8. Newly mobile babies have a bit of cushioning! When Finn was learning to walk, I knew that falling over would be softened by his squishy cloth nappy!

9. It doesn't have to be all or nothing and you don't have to make a complete switch.  We still use disposables on holiday (and for the week we get home whilst I catch up on washing) and for long days out.  Even swapping one nappy a day to a cloth nappy makes a difference to your environmental impact.

10. They are as easy to use as disposables - gone are the days of having to fold  a terry square and pin everything into place, we use all in one nappies which means there are no fiddly parts, you just do them up around the baby exactly as you would a disposable nappy.

So there you have it, 10 reasons why we use cloth nappies.  It didn't take us long to slot them into our routine and after 5.5 years of having at least one child in nappies at all times it has become second nature!

Read more ⇨

G Nappies Review

We have been using cloth nappies since Dylan was two months old and as both boys are still in nappies, it is certainly the most economical option.  We have tried a variety of brands over this period and recently had the opportunity to try the Gnappies with disposable inserts.

Gnappies have an option to suit everyone with a choice of either cloth or disposable inserts.  The outer G pants are soft, stretchy cotton come in a variety of gorgeous colours and funky prints and contain a breathable, waterproof pouch which holds the insert.  The cloth insert can be washed and reused but the disposable insert is discarded much like a disposable nappy, but is much more biodegradable than a standard nappy and can even be home composted with the right equipment.

One great benefit of this design is that you can use cloth at home and disposable inserts for when on day trips or holidays when you may not want to carry the dirty inserts.  I tend to use disposable nappies if we are staying overnight or on holiday but this would be a great compromise.

I loved the design of the two nappies we were sent.  They were practical and would look great in the summer with just a T-shirt.  They were a much slimmer fit than most cloth nappies we have tried and having the velcro tabs do up at the back stops little hands trying to prise them open, as my cheeky 10 month old is prone to.

The nappies come in several sizes based on weight, from x small to x large and Archie is wearing Medium, with it being a great fit on him at 10 months, and plenty of growing space too.

I was dubious that just one disposable insert would be enough but I was really surprised when after 3 hours  we had no leaks.  I have been using these nappies for a few weeks now and have not had a single leak.  The waterproof pouch fits snugly and keeps everything contained and being able to dispose of the insert meant they were extremely practical.  The same Gpant can be used all day if it isn't soiled which would be great for little girls if you wanted to co-ordinate a nappy with a dress.

One thing I have found about these nappies is that they are definitely more expensive than other cloth nappies.  The disposable inserts work out far more expensive than using disposable nappies which I think will put people off making the change.  They are much better for the environment and kinder on your conscience but as mothers, many of us don't have the disposable income and are drawn to the cloth option partly for the frugal side.  

Using the cloth inserts does work out at quite a considerable outlay cost but I must admit that these nappies are lovely, and I would certainly consider buying more as the designs are great and they make cloth possible even with snug fitting clothes.  Their resale value is also quite high and they can last through several children so I do think they are worth investing in.

Overall I am really impressed with these nappies, their fit, absorbancy and style are brilliant and I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking to make the move to cloth, or wanting to use cloth from birth.  They are easy to use and wash very well.  The price is the only downside I can find but they are an investment, and something this cute can be justified!

Disclaimer:  I was sent two Gpants and some disposable inserts for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

Read more ⇨