Over the past few weeks, we have been noticing lots of words popping up when we are chatting to new parents who are interested in getting started with reusable nappies. Overwhelm is the word we hear the most. And it is a word that we can all relate to in all areas of life, but especially parenting.
We get overwhelmed with decisions, guilt and the never ending list of things to worry about. The definition of overwhelm is 'bury or drown beneath a huge mass of something'. We don't ever want that 'something' to be nappies. They have been designed to collect your baby's wee and poo in a way that is kinder for your baby and kinder to the planet. And that's it.
There is a huge amount of information out there about how to use them. Google washing them and you'd be forgiven for thinking you need a PhD in laundry techniques and need to change your lifestyle to start using them. Cue, the overwhelm.
We see it as our mission to help you be 'whelmed' with using nappies. Not overwhelmed. Not underwhelmed. Just whelmed. Where you use them as a functional product, just as you would a bib. You never hear of parents saying that bibs overwhelm them. A nappy should be as functional as a bib.
We totally get the overwhelm which can come from:
- Not knowing anyone else using them and it is never easy to be different. Especially when you are a new parent and you are trying to get used to your new identity.
- Thinking they are hard work and you have to add scrubbing nappies to your never ending to do list.
- It feels a step too far to wash a pooey nappy.
- You need to buy a whole system of nappies.
But if you flip all of that, which is always a good way to stop overwhelm:
- The reusable nappy community is so lovely and welcoming. Every question is welcomed and we have seen lifelong friendships form over reusable nappies.
- It is not hard work, it is different work. You are washing nappies instead of putting them in the bin. You are not having to empty your bins as much and your bins are not full of poop.
- It's no different than washing a vest that has been pooped on during a poo-explosion.
- Start with one. There’s nothing to say you have to use reusables all day, every day. Using just one reusable nappy a day will save about 900 single use nappies from being thrown away.
And just that last point alone is an incredible parenting win. We have mums who have told us that they have had bad days but they look at their baby's bum and feel like they have done some good that day.
To which we say, you are everything your baby needs. Overwhelm is a sibling of guilt. The true way to being 'whelmed' is to know that you are enough.