nappy types

Modern fitted nappies are usually categorised in three types.

The two-part nappy system, the most popular type of nappy, consists of a shaped nappy that is very absorbent but does not have waterproof qualities. You will have to purchase a separate waterproof wrap (also called nappy cover) to use over the nappy.

The pocket nappy is made from a waterproof material that has a slot opening where an absorbent pad is inserted

The all-in-one nappy (AIO) is, as its name suggests, in one piece, rather like the disposable, whereby the nappy consists of layers of absorbent material and the outer layer is waterproof .

Other more traditional nappies are square terries and prefold nappies

NAPPIES CAN ALSO BE CATEGORISED by size-type:

Birth-to-potty nappies come in one size only. These nappies can be made smaller or larger by means of poppers or by folding them so that they will fit baby from birth till when she is out of nappies completely.

Multi-sized napppies normally come in two or three different sizes. When baby reaches a certain weight, she will need to wear the next size up. Some multi-sized nappies have extra special sizes that you might not need such as xsmall for premature/tiny newborn and xlarge for big toddlers
AND NAPPIES CAN ALSO BE CATEGORISED by the main fabric they are made from
Bamboo nappies made from bamboo fibers
Cotton nappies, hopefully unbleached or somewhat environmental, by having for example environmental dyes
Hemp nappies, a very sustainable fibre which growns well with not much water
Organic cotton nappies
Organic velour nappies

There can be a mix match of categories such as a birth to potty two part bamboo nappy, or a multi-sized AIO organic cotton nappy, ect. It is this various mixtures of categories that can lead to people being confused about cloth nappies, but I hope now you will no longer be confused and start to be a master in the cloth nappy jargon.

8 Million disposable nappies used every day in the UK

Nappies are a major problem for developed countries. Such large numbers are used that the authorities are now faced with the huge problem of disposing of them. In the UK alone eight million disposable nappies are used every day.

At present the majority are being placed in landfill sites. However, they are being filled so quickly that they are running out of space, and sites for new ones are simply not available.

Understandably, no one wants to live near a landfill site and yet we don't mind sending our rubbish to where other people live. London, for example, sends 71% of its waste to the countryside.

Disposable nappies when soiled are so heavy that rubbish collectors know straight away which houses have babies and the ones that don't. In Kent, for example, nappy waste accounts for 4% of the total waste, when only 10% of families have babies. Kent County Council spends £2 million a year disposing of this waste in landfill sites. It is like burying £2 million that could be spent in education and health. And the problem doesn't end here. Disposable nappies biodegrade so slowly, they can stay in the landfill for the next 500 years.

With cloth nappies, faeces go where they are supposed to go, into the sewage system. Here the waste water will be treated to reduce the environmental impact before it is released back into the environment. Cloth nappies can be used again and again, so the energy used to make them (energy, water, etc) is completely justified.

nappy reviews

coming soon...

website status

Welcome to the new Green Me website. We still have some empty pages (such as the organic baby clothes pages - sorry!) and some links might not yet be working. However, the new website has many more features. There are now blog-pages such as this one, where everyone can post a nappy review, or check what others say about the nappies we stock. We will also provide unbiased information on how best to use and care for cloth nappies with troubleshooting tips. We hope it will help you to make the most of your cloth nappies... and baby carriers.