Modern Cloth Nappies and Twins or More
If you are expecting four or more babies, you will probably be inundated by brands offering unlimited supplies of disposable nappies. If you are looking forward to twin or triplets, you might be collapsed on the floor laughing at the idea of using washable nappies. However, if you are ethically opposed to one-use nappies and their impact on the environment, you have previously used cloth for your children or you are on a low-income and are terrified at the expense of two or three babies times 8-10 nappies per day for two or three years … you might like to keep reading.
First of all, this is not an all or nothing decision to make. You can do a combination of reusable and disposable in whatever ratio works for your family. Reality is, your washing machine (and dryer too) are going to be busy and adding a few cloth nappies to a load won’t increase your workload at all.
If anyone offers you pre-loved cloth nappies, accept them. It is the ideal opportunity to try before you buy or buy at a much reduced cost. It is totally fine to use them, you will be doing a full sanitising clean before using them. You will likely be able to test out a range of different designs and see what you like, what you don’t like and what is life-changing.
Many people are surprised to discover that cloth nappies have come a long way from the old-style terry squares used when they were a baby and for generations before them. These days. cloth nappies are fitted and shaped like a disposable nappy and just as easy to put on and off. Your helpers will be fine using them and quickly work them out. And there are no buckets of soaking nappies sitting around: these can go straight into a hamper or wet bag. Breastmilk poo can go straight into the machine. Babies on formula or solids need their poo scraped into the toilet whatever type of nappy used (read the fine print for your household waste collection service) and it is no more work with cloth than it is paper. You can even getting a handy hose that connects to your toilet plumbing which makes it even easier - and means all he other garments which encounter a “poonami” can also be hosed down!!
More and more Australian Local Governments are recognising the impact of disposable nappies and period products on landfill and offering rebates on purchases of reusable alternatives. Ask yours if they do yet and if they don’t, ask them why not!!
Here are some great resources for you:
Cloth nappies for twins or triplets
