Choosing nappies

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• Different types of nappy
• Ease and convenience
• Financial costs
• Environmental costs
• Effects on child development
• Health issues

Different types of nappy

Cloth and other reusables
There are several different types of reusable nappies:

• cloth squares: these are folded and fastened with pins or clips, and work best with a good quality waterproof cover/pilcher. They fit snugly and are made of fabric that absorbs liquid, usually cotton (terry, flannelette), and also hemp, bamboo or a blend. Hint for washing: detergent makes some cloth nappies go hard over time, so using a wool-mix is better. 
• all in ones: these have a waterproof layer on the outside or near the outside layer. They are as easy to use as disposables but a lot cheaper. They don’t need extensive soaking or bleaching and can be fastened with Velcro, snappi clips or press studs.
• pocket nappies: these have an outer fitted shell (water resistant) with a layer sewn to the shell along three sides and open at one end. You stuff absorbent inserts between the shell and the layer to absorb the liquid. You adjust absorbency level with inserts made of different absorbent material. 

Disposables

Disposable nappies generally consist of a plastic outer layer, a layer of super-absorbent chemicals and an inner liner. They come in different packet sizes and for different ages.

Biodegradable disposables are a relatively new product. They use a non-chemical absorption method and break down completely in landfill over time. These nappies are more expensive than non-biodegradable disposables.

Ease and convenience

When weighing up the pros and cons of disposable vs reusable nappies, consider questions such as:

• Will you want to wash nappies rather than throw them away? For example, you might consider the time spent washing vs the smell of soiled nappies in your bin.
• What about when you’re out and about – will you find reusables or disposables be more convenient? Does this matter?
• Which type of nappy will perform the best? Is one type likely to result in less leakage or fewer daily changes?
• What about cost? Cloth nappies are generally cheaper, but you might switch between types over the life of your baby, so it's is worth taking a look at the costs.

Financial costs

You can do your own breakdown of the cost differences between reusable and disposable nappies. (Remember that reusable nappies will need to be changed more frequently than highly absorbent disposable nappies.)

A calculation of cost could look like this (you could print this and do your own calculation on the right).

Environmental costs

It is difficult to compare the environmental costs of reusable and disposable nappies, because both have some environmental impact.

Reusables

• Some reusable nappies are made of cotton, and there is concern about the amount of pesticides and water used in the growing of this staple crop. Using a hemp or bamboo nappy can overcome this problem, or you could use hand-me-downs from a friend or family member. 
• Rinsing and washing nappies releases detergents into the environment, and hot water and energy are consumed in washing and drying.

Disposables

Disposable nappies:

• create hundreds of thousands of tonnes of landfill around the world every year
• use chemicals in their manufacture and disposal
• can cause fecal pollution on disposal.

Research on environmental impacts

One of the most widely quoted surveys assessing the environmental impact of disposables and reusables was done in 2005 by the UK Government Environment Agency. It found that overall no system clearly had a better or worse environmental performance; however, no study has been completed for nappies used in Australia.

Effects on child development

There are concerns about child development on either side of the nappy debate. Some parents feel that reusables are too bulky and uncomfortable. Some believe they cause bandy legs in newborns, but there is no research to support this.

Others argue that disposables don’t provide enough padding or absorption to newly mobile babies or unsteady toddlers, whereas reusables provide support that improves a child’s hip development. Again, this is not backed up by evidence.

Some parents worry that having baby in a super-absorbent disposable nappy will delay toilet training. The thinking is that, if having a very wet cloth nappy is bothersome for a baby, she will be motivated sooner to get out of nappies. There are few actual studies and little conclusive evidence, however.

Health issues

The production of disposable nappies creates a by-product called dioxin. This toxic substance is known to cause cancer, various diseases and other health risks. The amount of dioxin in the nappy itself is not enough to cause harm, unless your baby eats the nappy. But dioxin in the environmental may be harmful.

Two other concerns related to disposable nappies are impotence and testicular cancer. Some people believe that increased scrotal temperature in the warm plastic could cause impotence, and that there is an increased risk of testicular cancer in adulthood. Research has found no link with the use of disposable nappies and these health issues.

Another concern is that disposables can cause nappy rash. In fact nappy rash is a common condition for healthy children and researchers have found no conclusive evidence that disposables can either cause or cure the condition.

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