We often get asked how many nappies you need to get started to use reusables. There is often surprise at our answer.
There is an overwhelming amount of well meaning information online about how to get started with reusable nappies. If you google 'How to get started with reusable nappies', there are over 12 million results. Once you start to look into those, there are the different types of nappies, differing advice on washing and lists of what you need to get started. There is a high chance that after a few clicks and scrolls, you are feeling overwhelmed with it all. We know because we take calls and receive emails from flustered parents to be and new parents.
When we are asked how to get started, we often say - you only need one nappy. That's all you need. We sell starter kits and big bundles of nappies but we don't always start here with our advice. Just using one can make a difference.
Lots of parents we speak to feel guilty every time they put a single-use nappy in the bin. Yet they think that moving to reusables is just too much hassle. We get that. Completely.
Changing habits is hard. There is a disconnect between what we think we should do and what we actually do. And we blame ourselves for it. The shame kicks in. We failed. We must go to the gym more, stop eating chocolate, come off social media. But the majority of us never do. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, says that 9 out 10 of New Years Resolutions fail.
This is why we find change hard because we have such negative experiences of trying and failing. But what if we stop judging ourselves? And instead of reaching for big change, break it down into tiny changes.
Using one reusable nappy a day is a tiny change. Use it when you are having a day at home or at the weekend. It is one less nappy you have put in the bin that day, so you can ease your guilt that day.
Getting started with one reusable nappy means you can spread the cost too. You can add more nappies into your stash monthly as you get more confident with them.
That tiny change could lead to more tiny changes. We see this time and again in our community. Starting small can lead to more sustainable swaps. This blog from Laura talks about how one swap led to another. It's a lovely read.
Do you know someone who would like to switch to reusables but is overwhelmed? We have 20 nappy and small bag sets to giveaway and we would love to send it to parents to be or parents who want to give them a go. Nominate for yourself or someone else. To enter, simply comment below telling us about why you would like to win.
Competition terms are here.
EDIT: This competition is now closed and the winners have been notified.
103 comments
My friend Kate, who’s had a tricky time, but is a fabulous mum to her wonderful baby girl!
I’d like to recommend my very special friend Sarah Jones, who has just had a beautiful boy called Barnaby. I think she’ll love the gorgeous patterns from Baba and Boo and she’s a fan of bright colours and designs. Sarah has been working hard in the nhs during her pregnancy and during the pandemic and this would be a nice little perk at the beginning of her maternity leave. 😃 xx
I would nominate my friend Magda who is expecting a baby for early January. She is quite keen to start this journey but overwhelmed by the amount of options and also the money investment they need to do in the beginning. So I know this would be perfect for her and her baby to start this beautiful journey :)
I would like to nominate my sister and her new son Dylan. She’s tried reuseable before with her previous sons, but they leaked. Obviously not B&Bs!
I would like to nominate myself & my husband. Our little one is 7weeks old and we would love to start our reusable journey as soon as we can! We are conscious everyday of what we add to landfill and have been looking into reusables, there are so many on the market though (which we didn’t realise!) so it’s a bit of a mindfield for which company to choose !