Why use cloth nappies?
There are a number of benefits to using cloth nappies – benefits for baby, parents and our planet! Most people who choose cloth do so for multiple reasons.
In Ireland 1.2 million disposable nappies go into landfill everyday – thats over 430 million single use nappies annually!!
From birth to potty training most babies will use on average 3,800 disposable nappies, which all end up either incinerated or in landfill and can take up to 500 years to break down.
In comparison just 24 cloth nappies are needed to get your baby from newborn to potty training and they can then be reused on subsequent siblings, or sold on when you’re finished with them.
More reasons to give Cloth a go!
- Many families choose cloth nappies for financial reasons. Disposable nappies and wipes can cost up to €1,500 per child from birth to potty training. Whereas using cloth nappies can cost anywhere from €250 – €500 which works out a lot less over time and savings are multiplied when nappies are used on another baby or if you buy preloved and thats before you take bin charges into consideration!
- Cloth nappies will not fill up your bins. It’s also worth noting that “poop-splosions” that can be common in disposable nappies are rare in cloth nappies: elastic at the back of a nappy is essential for reliable poo containment!
- Not many families switch to cloth for the sake of cuteness but it’s a nice little perk when you can save money, save the planet, have an effective, comfortable nappy and also win hands down in any cuteness competitions!
- The environment is a huge factor for many families. It’s hard to believe that 5 nappies a day, 365 days a year for 2.5 years tots up to almost 4,500 nappies. Disposable nappies are estimated to take 200-500 years to decompose in landfill: using even just one cloth nappy a day reduces that number by almost 1,000. Together we can make a huge difference!
Calculator: cost per month
Calculator: cost birth to potty
Calculator: cost per nappy