AD / 5 Reasons To Use Reusable Nappies

 This post contains gifted products, all views my own.

Our reusable nappy journey began when Bobby was one week old and we switched to them during the day only, continuing to use disposables at night. We started using them overnight when he was about three weeks old, and have a pack of standby disposables in case we run out. 

If you're about to become a parent and are planning on using reusable nappies I'd definitely recommend using disposables at the hospital and while you adjust to parenthood (that first week is intense!); any time you use a reusable over a disposable makes a difference so I tried not to beat myself up too much when I saw just how many disposable nappies we were putting in our bin every day. Being a parent is difficult enough without piling the green guilt on yourself and as with any sustainable change, small steps stick easier than big ones!

We've been using the one size Miosolo nappies from Bambino Mio; after trying a few different brands these are the ones that work best for us. If you're on the fence about whether you want to try using reusable nappies, or switching to them, I've put together some reasons why they're a bloody good idea:

1. They're better for the planet. The obvious one; using reusable nappies is better for the planet than using disposable ones even when washing them is taken into account. Disposable nappies take hundreds of years to decompose in landfill and when you think about how many babies there are and just how many nappies they go through every day, that's a lot of nappies sitting in landfill! Using reusable nappies is 40% better for the environment (source) and that can be reduced even further if you go on to use them for a second child or pass them on to someone else/a nappy library. 

2. They're better for your pocket. Reusable nappies seem expensive upfront, but they work out much cheaper in the long run (again, even when washing them is taken into account), much like any sustainable purchase. This may make it difficult to afford at the onset, especially when there is already a lot to buy for a baby, but there are a lot of schemes to help; Bambino Mio offer payment in instalments and also work with some local councils to offer vouchers and incentives. You could also search for your local nappy library.

3. They're not as difficult to use as you think. People are put off reusable nappies for a number of reasons; the hassle of washing them, the fact that they might not be as leak-proof as disposables and some people simply find the idea a bit gross. Firstly, I'd say that popping your nappies in the washing machine takes just as much time, or less, as popping to the shops to buy a new pack of disposable ones. In terms of leaks, we've experienced them both in reusable nappies and disposable ones. I'd recommend trialling or at least researching a few different brands of reusable nappies to find the ones that work best for you; we've found Bambino Mio the most leak-proof of the brands we've tried. There is also plenty of information available online to help you achieve the right fit for your baby. If you do find the idea of reusable nappies a bit gross, just remember that you don't throw away clothes (both your baby's and yours!) that get poo, wee or sick on them so surely washing reusable nappies is simply the same as washing those. 

4. They look better. A bit of a shallow point, but the fact that reusable nappies come in lots of cute prints and designs has to be a selling point right? On those days when your baby/toddler is running around in nothing but their nappy, rest assured they're going to look extremely cute.  

5. They're kinder to your baby's skin. There are none of the nasty chemicals in reusables that are in disposables, plus you can feel for yourself how much softer they are and therefore presumably how much more comfortable for your baby they are. Babies are less likely to get nappy rash or soreness in reusable nappies, which has to be a win right? 

You can get 15% off Bambino Mio with the code AmyE15 until 05/03/2023.