A page for health professionals and
people caring for infants in nappies

This page is specifically for health professionals and those involved in caring for babies and infants in nappies. Thank you for visiting this page. We understand that your time is precious and we appreciate any help you can offer.

Government at all levels has now got the message that disposable nappies are a waste of resources and a nightmare for landfill/incineration. However we need your help to get the message across to parents. YOU are the people who influence; YOU are the people that first-time parents trust.

Parents have the right to choose, but at the moment very few are informed of alternatives to disposable nappies. What we would like you to do is invite us to give short demonstrations of modern cloth nappies – this can take as little as five minutes. Alternatively we can supply leaflets and/or postcards. We also attend stalls at fairs and information events.

Nappy Ever After is contracted by several London boroughs to show people what modern cloth nappies look like and to let them know that home washing can save them money and is not difficult if you have a washing machine and drying facilities. Alternatively, a laundry service is available which can be especially useful during the first few months.

These are the messages about cloth nappies, which health and childcare professionals can put across:

• There should be unbiased information available to parents on the alternatives to disposable nappies.
• Cloth nappies are highly absorbent and do not need to be changed more frequently than any nappy should be.
• Cloth nappies also have the benefit of indicating whether the baby is drinking enough or is getting dehydrated – during fever, for example.
• Bare bottom time is a happy and healthy time for the baby – just put a few cloth nappies under baby's bottom.
• Parents can save money on home washing.
• It is important to promote the nappy washing service as a norm rather than a luxury. In particular we do not want to encourage people to take on home-washing nappies if it will be difficult and cause additional stress.
• The fact that cloth nappies get wet helps the parent judge when the toddler is gaining bladder control and when s/he is ready for potty. This can make potty training far more effective, easier and less stressful for parent/carer and child.
• Using cloth nappies is no longer messy and time consuming; a biodegradable liner makes it easy to put the poo down the loo and modern washing machines make home washing quick and easy.
• Many nurseries, childminders and carers are happy to use cloth nappies.

For more information on the use of cloth nappies contact Go Real, the national real nappy association.