Eight million non-biodegradable 'disposable' nappies are thrown away every day in the UK, mostly ending up in landfill sites. It’s estimated that disposable nappies take up to 500 years to decompose so every disposable nappy ever made is still lying in landfill sites. OneSuffolk visited the Suffolk Real Nappy Network to find out more about the benefits of using washable nappies…

The Suffolk Real Nappy Network (SRNN) shop is based in Ipswich town centre and provides free, impartial advice and guidance to parents who wish to use washable nappies on their babies. As well as advice, the shop is also a place for mums to feed and change baby and purchase washable nappies.

The Ipswich Real Nappy Network first started in November 2002, funding then enabled the employment of part-time staff and the Suffolk Real Nappy Network was created. The SRNN shop was opened to the public in April 2006 after refurbishing was complete. There are 4 part-time staff and many mums that volunteer their time working in the shop.

During our visit, Susan Phillips, along with her twin baby girls, was volunteering in the shop. “I chose to use real nappies with my first baby, mainly because of the cost-savings but also because I didn’t like the thought of all those disposable nappies going into landfill sites filled with poo! Since having twin girls, the cost savings have increased even more for me as I’m able to use the same nappies I used on my son.

“A lot of parents think it’s going to be really hard work having to wash nappies to use again the next day. But there is no need to soak and boil nappies like it used to be, the waste can be disposed of down the toilet, where it is meant to go, and the nappies can be washed on a hot wash at 60°C in your washing machine.”

Anthea Gibbs is the project manager (Job Share) for the SRNN, she tells us “I used real nappies myself because I didn’t like the thought of the hidden chemicals that can be found in disposable nappies. When I was pregnant, my mum naturally assumed I was going to use real nappies, just as she had done. I wasn’t sure to start with but after I had researched it I knew that real nappies were definitely the best way to go. They are so much kinder for baby as well as the environment”.

The SRNN shop is a ‘not for profit’ organisation and also rents out shelf space to local small businesses. Anthea explains, “The products we sell in the shop are all sourced in the UK and usually made by ‘stay at home mums’. We have a lovely range of baby toys, creams made from natural ingredients for combating nappy rash and fleece nappy liners for babies that have very sensitive skin. Even the organic tea we have in the shop comes from a local supplier.”

Real nappies can also help when potty training becomes as issue. Sue explains, “There are potty training ‘pull-up’ real nappies available and many mums believe that because real nappies feel wetter on the skin, potty training is easier as the child will recognise the feeling of ‘wetness’.

“There is no doubt you have to be more vigilant when using real nappies and make sure you change them at least every 4 hours. Some parents worry about reusable nappies leaking but when I moved house and had no washing machine, I used disposables for about a week to get me through and found that the disposables leaked more than the real nappies! There is no doubt that breastfeeding and real nappies go hand in hand together as they soak up liquids much better than a disposable will.”

For parents that are still, unsure about switching to reusable nappies, the shop can also provide trial kits. This is an excellent way to try out a selection of cloth nappies before making the financial commitment on the purchase of a whole nappy system. Trial kits cost as little as £15 for 1 week and contain a range of nappies and covers, including shaped, flat and all-in-ones.

The initial cost of buying real nappies can sometimes put parents off, however, with long-term savings of around £600 per child, there are schemes that can offer financial help. The Ipswich Suffolk credit union is one place that offers low cost small loans for parents wishing to purchase real nappies.

The SRNN shop is open, Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm and can be found in Westgate House, Museum Street, Ipswich.

Useful Websites

Suffolk Real Nappy Network - 0870 005 3985
http://www.suffolkrealnappynetwork.org.uk

Kittykins Cloth Nappies and Accessories
http://www.kittykins.co.uk

Lollipop Ipswich
http://www.lollipopipswich.co.uk

Purely Organic Tea
http://www.purely-organic.co.uk

Celebrations and Toys
http://www.celebrationsandtoys.co.uk

Ipswich Suffolk Credit Union
For help with the cost of buying Real Nappies, contact Ipswich Suffolk Credit Union Tel: 01473 690690