The cloth nappy of today is a far cry from those our parents used. Funky, colourful, easy to put on, easy to take off. Depending on the brand they retail between $10 – $40ish. There is a huge second-hand market online too; another great thing about cloth nappies is how long they last. If you have more than one child, you can use the same nappies, saving you even more.
The impact changing to cloth will have both on your pocket, and on our planet, cannot be understated. The average family will spend roughly $5,000 per child on disposable nappies. Per child. Every day in New Zealand 1 million disposable nappies go into our rubbish bins, destined for landfill. Those thrown away nappies will still be there, full of poo (which we should actually flush down the toilet before putting in the rubbish) over 400 years later.
Every day in New Zealand 1 million disposable nappies go into our rubbish bins, destined for landfill. Those thrown away nappies will still be there, full of poo (which we should actually flush down the toilet before putting in the rubbish) over 400 years later.
So take the “one a day” challenge. Use one cloth nappy a day. Do that for a year and that’s 365 nappies you’ve not bought nor thrown away.
I acknowledge cloth nappies are not for everyone. Not everyone has access to a washing machine. The up-front cost is a barrier for many people. And for some people, life is at capacity as it is, without taking on something that seems so overwhelming.
There is more washing. There will be leaks as you get used to it. There will be a few bumps along the way. So, to make this change you need to come into it wanting to make the change, and prepared to do a bit of reading to find the best system for you. There are avenues to help some situations; WINZ will accept cloth nappy quotes from a range of retailers including Nappy Heaven, Nappy Days, Tweedle Baby & Mum, and there is a Cloth Nappy Hire company too.
And if you join our PIF cloth nappy group, then we can help you with free, good quality secondhand nappies, plus all the online support you need.
It’s time to make changes to the way we’re living. This is one way.
One a day. See how you go.
NOTE: I’m not a Cloth Nappy retailer, just a parent who uses them and wants to help other parents use them too. I’ve blogged about our experience starting out, and also put together helpful tips and tricks for those considering it. The Nappy Group was the next logical step in spreading the word. But to get this out there, I need help to spread said word. So please, click back to Facebook and share this post with your coffee groups, antenatal classes and any new (or not so new) parents you know.
Em is the mum behind the popular Kiwi blog Raising Ziggy. Writer, gardener, mother of two and drinker of no-longer-mediocre coffee (plungers change lives), when she’s not blogging, or mumming, you can find her hiding in the toilet trying to read a book in peace. Join them on Facebook for daily posts and giveaways! They are also on Instagram and Patreon.
Photography: Imelda Louise Birth Photography
