The top five mistakes parents make when buying nappies
Choosing the right nappy for your little one can seem like such a minor decision, however, it can make a world of difference to your baby’s comfort and health - particularly when your child will spend the first two years of their life in nappies! With so much baby advice available in Australia, new parents are often bamboozled with incorrect information about how to choose the best nappy. We have taken the headache out of nappy choice, so you can spend less time worrying and more time cuddling your precious bub!
Here are the top five mistakes parents make when buying nappies:
1. Choosing the wrong sized nappy – The correct nappy size is absolutely essential. If the nappy is too tight, your little one will be uncomfortable (queue tears!), and if the nappy is too loose, you are likely to experience some unpleasant leaks. Ideally, you want a snug, comfortable fit that offers ultimate protection. Note that if using eco-friendly nappies, it is a good idea to step up into the next size nappy (compared to conventional disposable nappies). The top sheet of conventional disposable nappies is made from a family of chemicals called Phalates. These chemicals are a plasticizer, which makes the top sheet stretchy. Eco-friendly nappies, such as the PlanetCare nappies are made from bamboo fibre, which is safer but not as stretchy as conventional nappies.
2. Choosing nappies with harsh chemical and ingredients – Many disposable nappies contain harmful chemicals, plus other ingredients that can damage your baby’s delicate skin. The health of your newborn is the highest priority, and as such, they should avoid unnecessary and prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals. Therefore, choose a nappy that is free from chlorine, alcohol, nasty preservatives, phthalates, fragrance, latex, PVC, TBT, formaldehyde and antioxidants*.
3. Buying too many nappies in the one size – While it’s tempting to purchase nappies in bulk when they are on sale, it is best to only purchase what you need for the immediate future. Newborns and babies outgrow their nappies at a surprising rate, and during this time will need to transition into larger sized nappies.
4. Committing to a particular nappy style without first experimenting - disposable or cloth nappies – it’s an age-old debate that continues year after year. Of course, each of the nappy styles has its own unique benefit. For example, the cost of reusable cloth nappies exponentially decreases per wear over time; however, the financial and environmental cost of electricity and water to clean the nappies needs to be considered. Disposable nappies, on the other hand, give new parents more freedom and ease when they are out with their child.
5. Not considering the environmental impact - Did you know that the average child will need approximately 7,000 nappies before they are toilet trained? With so many nappies required and an environment already strained by waste, choosing a nappy with a higher content of biodegradable materials is the right choice. Biodegradable nappies are generally plastic-free, made with organic materials and can be composted. There are plenty of biodegradable nappies currently available in the market, such as the Progeny nappies and the PlanetCare nappies which are both biodegradable. It’s a win for your baby, and for the environment!
*Generally, when we talk about antioxidants, we are referring to those food groups high in antioxidants and, their associated health benefits. However, there are actually two vastly different groups of antioxidants. Firstly, those naturally
occurring compounds occurring in food with their associated health benefits and, secondly industrial chemicals that are added to products to prevent oxidation. Industrial antioxidants are added to food and cosmetics as a preservative, and to substances such as rubber and synthetic plastics to inhibit oxidation and extend their lives.
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