Eco Baby : Why You Should Swap to Cloth Nappies

If you've been following us for a while, you might have seen that our Founders Em + Fred have just had their first bub! We're so thrilled to welcome little Archie to the Kappi family ♡

As Zero-Wasters, Fred and Em have been incredibly conscious with all the mess + waste that comes with having a newborn. 

A baby will go through approximately 2500 disposable nappies in their first year of life alone. These same nappies will sit in landfill for up to 500 years! That simply wasn't an option for Fred + Em, and that's when they discovered EcoNaps. 

If you haven't heard of EcoNaps, they make it easy for families to choose an environmentally conscious option without compromising on style.

From manufacturers and materials, to packaging and postage, every decision is made with sustainability in mind and we're so thrilled about that mindset!

So how do Cloth Nappies work?

In the past, cloth nappies were a bulky piece of towelling that is folded and pinned onto your little one. Many people still think of these old-school nappies when they hear the words 'cloth nappy', but these babies (accidental pun) are new and improved for the modern bub. 

Modern cloth nappies generally contain two elements; a waterproof cover and an absorbent insert. EcoNaps covers are made a of a breathable TPU fabric thats lined with ultra soft wicking suede to keep your little one dry and comfortable. 


How do I wash Cloth Nappies?

It's actually easier than you might think, we promise! There'll be no soaking or scrubbing involved, and you'll only need to do a load of washing every second day or so. EcoNaps have a full guide on how to wash their nappies over here


How many do I need?

Many families start slow and use just one or two cloth nappies a day while at home. This approach lets you get familiar with using cloth nappies on your little one before investing in a full set. It’s a great approach and still diverts plenty of disposables from landfill. 

These recommendations are based on you doing a load of washing every second day. These numbers factor in a few extra nappies to get you through rainy days too (because sometimes your nappies might need a little extra drying time).

• 8 to 10 cloth nappies is enough for part-time use of 2-3 per day.
• 12 to 18 cloth nappies is enough for full-time day use of 4-6 per day.
• 24 to 28 cloth nappies is enough to use full time both day and night.

How do I use them when out + about?

So many cloth nappy newbies are unsure how to use them when out and about. But honestly parents, it's really, really easy. The secret? A wet bag!

Here’s how it’s done:

Change bub as you normally would. If you happen to be near a toilet, tip any solids in (if not, no biggie, just skip this part), roll up your cloth nappy and fasten with a snap. Store any dirty nappies in your leak proof and odour proof wet bag until you get home then wash as normal.

Want to know more? Shop our Eco Baby Collection here, or head to EcoNaps' Resource Hub here for all their best tips + tricks!