Friday 21 October 2011

Is it safe to wash nappies at low temperatures?

There was a piece about the health risks that may arise from washing clothes and bedding at low temperatures in the Daily Mail. It received lots of comments and is very interesting so do take a look.

At RNfL we are keen to hear about your experience of washing nappies at less than 60c. Have you found the balance between washing with low environmental impacts and ensuring there is no risk of the spread of bugs?

Our understanding is that most bacteria and fungi are destroyed at 60c It is only necessary to wash at temperatures over 70c if baby has an infection or the nappies are used by more than one baby eg a nappy laundry service, nursery or hospital. We also understand that as long as a baby/toddler does not chew a nappy washing nappies at 40c is quite safe for healthy babies.

Over the last decade or so there has been an increasing awareness that to develop healthy immune systems we should expose our families to a certain level of micro-organisms and not live in a completely sterile environment. The rise of MRSA and other Superbugs, both in hospitals and in the community has taught us this.

But what is your experience? What works for you? Let's share scientific knowledge but also what you know from direct experience. Lets try to establish how to manage health and low impact living.

Monday 17 October 2011

Partnerships to prevent as much nappy waste as we can

Last week Real Nappies for London attended an inspiring partnership roundtable discussion at St Thomas’ Hospital where Sustainability Managers from London Hospitals shared ideas with Local Authority Sustainability managers.

On the ‘Waste’ table the need to find an alternative to the incineration and landfill of nappy waste was seen as a high priority. The recycling of this waste is still some years away in London and a very expensive option so everyone was very keen to hear about Real Nappies for London and what we are doing to reduce London’s disposable nappy waste, especially as this something that is already happening and needs no additional infrastructure.

Tuesday 4 October 2011

It doesn't have to be all or nothing

You know real nappy users have a secret. They like to keep it quiet but I’m going to share it with you. Most real nappy users also use disposables some of the time. In fact many real nappy users use a disposable at night. Typically around 6 months when babies are about to be weaned and they are on a liquid diet. They tend to drink a lot and that means they pee a lot. So real nappy users, not being quite the martyrs they’re supposed to be use a disposable because cloth just isn’t up to the job. Some will get through this with extra cloth and bamboo boosters but I can reveal, from extensive research that many do use disposables at night during this phase.

Also, many real nappy users will put a disposable on their baby when they are out and about-especially when they know it’s not going to be easy finding somewhere to change their baby. It’s true. So don’t be put off using real nappies because you think it’s all or nothing. Parenting is tough sometimes, well a lot of the time actually and you know what’s right for you and when. No one is judging you, or if they are they’re not worth worrying about.

Do what feels good for you and your baby. And if the time is right turn away from this screen and go look at your baby: smile, kiss, laugh, hug, sing, wink, flirt, blow raspberries and just get high on your beautiful baby. And if this sounds nuts and you don’t have these feelings - a lot of the time - then please go and speak to your GP or health visitor urgently. This is a special time and you should be enjoying your baby and if you’re not then there is help out there, there's no need to be ashamed, but you need to tell someone.

You may also like this post: Remember the Waste Hierarchy