| Saving
baby from potential problems in the future
Aside from the 'disposable' nappy that doesn't go away, thereby
creating a huge future problem for our children as nappies
are currently rapidly filling up landfill sites, there are
other more serious issues.
Disposable nappies contain wood pulp and plastics
plus various chemical components. These chemicals are not,
as far as I am aware subject to any UK government controls
or independent testing, though some testing is done in the
USA but I'm not sure how our products differ from theirs.
Interestingly, when I was researching information about nappy
choices, I found I had to write twice to each of the main
nappy manufacturers when I asked what was in their disposables,
and in particular what chemicals were in them.
First replies did not say very much at all
merely extolled the virtues of their brand. So I wrote and
asked again, explaining their initial reply hadn't really
answered my question. One sent a general guide to disposable
nappies produced by the trade body AHPMA, which was more informative,
but not specific to that nappy brand.
The other mysteriously manged to get hold
of my phone number (not given!) and left a message on my answer
machine asking me to phone their freephone number (number
not left) so that they could let me know 'what we are able
to tell you'. My bank manager was here at the time and was
most amused! If anyone has been able to obtain a more definitve
answer to what exactly is in the major brands of disposable,
I'd love to hear.
One of the main components of modern day nappies,
particularly 'premium' nappies is crystals of the absorbent
gel, sodium polyacrylate, which are contained in the fluffed
wood pulp core, and these when wet swell to form a gel which
'locks away' the urine. Little beads of this gel sometimes
escape from the nappy on to the baby's bottom.
The gel is claimed to be non-toxic, but we
really don't know very much about it or if it has any long-term
effect from being in prolonged skin contact. Will there by
problems caused by this that come to light in later years?
The gel is a dessicant and will dry the skin very effectively,
but will it over-dry the skin and cause skin problems?
Furthermore, this gel could potentially be
lethal if swallowed, as it can absorb several times its own
weight of fluid. Babies and pets should perhaps not be left
alone with a disposable nappy in case they inadvertently split
open the nappy and swallow some of the inner core.
Even more worrying is the fact that some manufacturers
have now brought out new disposable products especially designed
for baby's sensitive skin claiming to have no perfumes, or
less additives and thus the implication that they are better
for baby than their previous (inferior) product.
Of course you have to pay a premium for these
new nappies, they are a lot more expensive than their ordinary
ones. Call me a cynic, but what was wrong with their usual
product? Why should you pay more for a nappy with less additives
in it ? Ah, you want the very best for your baby....so you
should expect to pay more for it?!
Whilst I'm being the cynic, I'd like to comment
on the pull-up nappy scenario. You'll no doubt notice the
heavy marketing for pull-up nappies, desinged to look like
pants. Surely if your baby is expecting to wear pants then
why not put your toddler in pants and attempt to potty train
rather than teach him or her that nappies pull up and down
like pants - which in turn may lead to product confusion when
it comes to potty training and the wearing of Real Pants.
Oh, and have you seen the price?!
Mentioning price also leads me to think of
throw-away changing mats, wich may sound very convenient until
you realise that the cost. After parting with the money for
two packs you could have bought a deluxe cotton covered washable
mat that folds up to a similar size and yet can be washed
again and again and is far softer.
Also, whilst on the topic of being cynical,
have you noticed how single use nappies are described as 'cloth
like'? Which implies to me that the manufacturers and consumers
want them to be like cloth, which leads me to summise that
cloth must surely by that definition be a superior more desirable
product! (Well would you wear paper pants with gel and wood
pulp inner and a plastic lining 24 hours a day??). In the
interests of a bit of unofficial market research, totally
unscientific but very interesting, I spent a lot of time trying
to ascertain which nappies my daughter liked and why.
She'd always been very communicative, saying
her first sentence at the age of one, so later, around the
age of 2, I found myself asking her to go and get a nappy
(from a drawer or the clothes airer) and being very interested
in what arrived back! Her favourite fabric was terry towelling
and her favourite nappy was a terry square, not sure why but
I wonder if they do up tighter in a reassuring, swaddling
sort of way?
When presented with a disposable nappy without
comment from me (we tried a few samples from time to time)
she was always very scathing, and didn't like the feel of
them, even to the extent of saying once 'that's not a nappy
that's all scratchy'. If you get a chance to compare the two
types of nappy, even these newer 'cloth like' types, you'll
feel exactly what she means!
What I find particularly concerning is that
we don't know exactly what is in disposable nappies, and we
don't know what, if any, will be the long term effects of
prolonged contact with the skin. We do know how effective
the skin is at absorbing things into the body - look at Nicorette
patches for example. We also know that a newborn baby's skin
is far thinner and more delicate than our own, and thus more
likely to be able to absorb chemicals. Maybe it might be best
to use a (non absorbent) polyester fleece liner between baby
and disposable just in case?
Whilst on the topic of 'what's in it', do
also spare a thought for the free samples of baby wipes you
may well have received. Take one out and clean your hands
with it. Then go and do a few household tasks and afterwards
smell your hands. Still smell it? I wonder too what the effect
of those lingering chemicals might be on a delicate baby bottom.
When I was a sales rep I used to keep a pot
of them stashed in the glove compartment (well OK never that
tidy, lurking in the passenger footwell). Very handy for wiping
sticky fingers after your sandwiches before going in to shake
a client's hand, but woe betide if you accidentally rubbed
your eye or licked you finger after using the wipe. Very nasty
chemically!
Your health professional will advise cotton
wool and water is best, but it is handy and tempting to use
the free samples. Do spare some thought for washable wipes
to go with your washable nappies - just use with water or
you can add a drop of baby lotion or your usual baby wash
if desired. After use just pop in with the dirty nappies.
Easy, kind to baby's skin, and will save you
money. You might be surprised to find you'll expect to pay
typically 2-4p or more EACH for a baby wipe. Washable wipes
are cheap or cheaper - you can make your own by cutting up
old soft flannelette sheets or towels. For out and about use
you can store a day's damp wipes in a small tupperware container,
or take a small spray bottle of liquid to spray on to help
you clean.
Real
Nappy Article | Nappy
Changing—What to Expect! | Washing
& Care Instructions |
Terminology—what
is what in the nappy world? | How
do I assemble a cloth nappy? |
Nappy
creams, barrier creams and nappy rash | Why
Choose Cloth Nappies 1 |
Why Choose
Cloth Nappies 2 | Why
Choose Cloth Nappies 3 | How
do I choose which nappies to use? |
How many
nappies will I need? | Washing
- Frequently Asked Questions | What
are Real Nappies |
Real
Nappy Project
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