Real Nappies or Disposable Nappies
The decision to use real nappies or disposable nappies on your twins will be largely based upon cost, workload and how you feel about the impact of both products on the environment. Considering each child has approximately 4,500 nappy changes in say a 2 year period, as a twin mum you are definitely looking for convenience. You are going to be changing approximately 9,000 nappies within that 2 year time frame! With that number in mind you are also going to be looking at cost!
I have two sets of twins and used disposable nappies both times. I chose to use disposables with my first set of twins (9 years ago now) without giving it a second thought. With my second set of twins, I had already learned just how busy life with baby twins actually is and using washable nappies didn’t seem like a good practical solution. In truth, it seemed like another load of work that as a twin mum you could well do without. Having said that, I did briefly consider the implications of using real nappies as an alternative purely from a desire to be more eco-friendly. When the girls arrived prematurely and our family became 6 there was little time to give it any real further thought so I continued down the disposable nappy route.
If I had my time again with baby twins, I would definitely reconsider the possibility of using cloth nappies both from the point of view of saving money but definitely as doing something positive for the planet.
So, what are the issues for twin parents to consider when choosing real nappies or disposables?
Disposables Nappies
Pro’s
- They are more convenient as well as time saving.
- They are better for preventing nappy rash as they contain moisture absorbing gel which soaks up urine thus minimising nappy rash.
- As your baby twins become toddler twins, disposable pull up pants are a really easy and convenient option.
Con’s
- Disposable nappies whilst convenient are wasteful and go to landfill sites. There is no definite answer as to how long they take to decompose. We know it’s in the hundreds of year’s region and even now it is likely that the first nappies are still yet to decompose.
- They also contain chemicals or bleaches that are harmful to the environment.
- They are more expensive than reusable nappies in the long run.
Pro’s
- The initial cost for reusable nappies is expensive but in the long run you will save money.
- They are better for the environment as they do not get dumped in landfill sites and it doesn’t take 4-5 trees to be chopped down just to make the fillings for one child’s nappy supply.
Con’s
- You are going to have more washing and drying which means if you want to really help keep the carbon foot print down you are going to need to refrain from using the tumble dryer and only wash on low temperatures. Washing these nappies in small quantities, on high temperatures and drying in a tumble drier actually takes away from the good you are trying to do by using reusable nappies in the first place.
- Not ideal when you are out and about and you have to carry soiled nappies about with you.
A Compromise – Eco Friendly Disposable Nappies or perhaps part time using of Real Nappies
The best option for a twin mum could be to select an eco-disposable nappy or use reusable nappies on a part time basis. Eco-Friendly nappies are made from renewable resources and are free from chlorine, bleach and other chemicals. It means that have no bleaching agents in them so do not pollute the environment during manufacture or during decomposition.
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