Parents encouraged to get real when it comes to nappy use

Wednesday 25 April 2018

With Guernsey's new waste charges coming in next year, parents are encouraged to consider washable nappies, with a number of economic and environmental benefits claimed.

A 'Nappychino' is being held on Thursday 26 April where parents and other carers can discuss the pros and cons with 'real nappy' users while looking at examples available locally and online.

A ‘Nappychino’ is described as being like a coffee morning where real nappy advisers serve up nappy advice alongside tea and cake, with trial kits, including different styled nappies from the Guernsey Real Nappy Network available to enable families to try before they buy. 

There will also be advice available about the States run incentive scheme to encourage parents to try real nappies. Under this scheme, a £35.00 voucher is available to new or expectant parents which is redeemable following nappy purchase. 

Pictured: A selection of reusable nappies. Image from the Guernsey Real Nappy Network Facebook page

GRNN said there is now a huge choice of "easy to use and extremely cute real, washable nappies" which some people may be surprised by: "Most people think of the traditional and let’s face it, old fashioned, terry cloth nappy and the iconic nappy pin. These days washable nappies are colourful, shaped, easy to use and easy to wash, even at 40 degrees. They can also save you around £500.00 or more for your first child and even more after that!"

A number of local parents have made the  switch already, including Mrs Saunders, who said "It is estimated that in the two or three years most babies will spend in nappies they will go through, on average, approximately 6,500, which is the equivalent of 40 black sacks full per year, per baby!"

Fellow mum and real nappy user Helen Young said she has also saved money and room in her rubbish bags: "I have been using real nappies since my daughter (pictured above) was a few weeks old and I am so impressed with how easy it is. There are a lot of misconceptions about it being hard work, which couldn't be further from the truth. The idea that you will be doing loads of extra washing is also wrong, I do two or three nappy washes a week and have the peace of mind that I am not putting out sackfuls of nappies for landfill. I would encourage anyone to give the trial pack a go."

Charmaine Hill also said she loves using real nappies: "They are simple to use, easy to care for and they look after babies bum! I would definitely have used cloth with my first two children had I known then what I do now. They are well worth considering and trying out."

For anyone who wants to find out more, the 'Nappychino' is being held at the Bright Beginnings Children's Centre, at the old St Sampson's Infants School) on Thursday 26 April between 10:00 and 12:00, with information also available all week at Beau Sejour.

For further information on cloth real nappies you can email: guernseyrealnappynetwork@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page.

For information on how to apply for the States voucher, call the recycling team on 202245 or email recycle@gov.gg 

Pictured above: Helen Young's daughter Olive modelling a reusable nappy