EYFS: Parent and Carer Blog; Real Nappy Scheme

  

Havering Real Nappy Scheme

Benefits

Real nappies are made out of natural or synthetic materials and contain less chemicals than disposable nappies.

When using real nappies you can reduce your babies exposure to chemicals by using an eco-detergent, avoiding PVC-wraps, using organic cotton, hemp or bamboo products and avoid sanitiser. Tea tree oil is a good natural agent which you can use to soak in if you decide to do so.

Chemicals and gels used in disposable nappies are not subject to UK government controls or testing.

For more information you can log onto the Real Nappies For London or Go Real National Nappy Campaign websites.

Many families are suffering financial hardship and the Real Nappies for London blog gives you some helpful tips on how you can spend less money on disposable nappies and help reduce waste.

Real nappies can save you money in the long term and help benefit the environment too.

Facts and figures

Disposable nappies can take over 300 years to breakdown in landfill – this produces methane gas which adds to global warming

With the average baby getting through 4 – 6,000 disposable nappies by the time they’re potty trained, and with disposable nappies being one of the worst sources of contamination in recycled waste, reusable nappies significantly reduce material in the waste system.

Using just one reusable nappy in place of a disposable every day could save 1000 nappies from landfill during the early stages of a child’s life.

The average daily plastic consumption of single-use nappies is equivalent to throwing away seven supermarket plastic bags per day per person.

Real nappy packs

There are several types of cloth nappies, and a wide range of brands and styles available to suit your needs or material preferences.  You can purchase cloth nappies through many online retailers and in some stores.

Our free sample nappy packs are available to Havering parents/parents to be/carers with children less than 18 months old (limited to one pack per child). The pack contains everything you need for trying out two different types of cloth nappies, and include:

• 1 x pocket nappy with two bamboo booster pads

• 1 x all-in-one nappy 

• 1 x pack nappy liners (100 liners per pack)

• 2 x washable cotton cheeky wipes

Both nappies are ‘Birth to Potty’ nappies so can be used from birth although they fit much better on a baby of around 3 months and will expand with your growing baby until they are ready to change to regular underwear.

However, if you are keen to start from birth and want a better fitting nappy for a newborn then we do offer a small size shaped nappy as an alternative to the birth to potty shaped nappy, so just let us know.

Nappy pack applications

Due to the outbreak of Covid 19, the delivery of nappy packs will be delayed until the lifting of the current Government lockdown.

You may still apply for a nappy pack and your application will be processed once normal services resume.

Click here to apply.

Guide to real nappies

For more detailed information about Real Nappies, including types of nappies, accessories and useful tips download our Real Nappies Guide.

For more information on washable wipes and Toilet Training visit the Havering Real Nappies page here.