When I became a mum, I had grand visions of being the kind of woman who used only cloth nappies, baked organic snacks from scratch, and never raised her voice. Spoiler alert: I became the kind of woman who used cloth nappies and disposable ones, who occasionally served biscuits for breakfast, and who absolutely does shout sometimes. And do you know what? That’s okay.
Let’s talk nappies. I used both cloth and disposable nappies with my daughters, and I’m glad I did. There’s so much pressure these days to “pick a side” with parenting decisions — natural birth vs. medicated, breast vs. bottle, puree vs. baby-led weaning. But honestly? The best parenting style is the one that works for you, your baby, and your real-life circumstances. That includes nappy choices.
Why I Chose Cloth Nappies (Most of the Time)
Cloth nappies won my heart for a lot of reasons. First, the environmental benefits are hard to ignore. The idea that I could reduce the amount of waste we were sending to landfill felt empowering, especially in a world where so much feels out of our control. I loved knowing I was doing something — even if it was small — to care for the planet my daughters would inherit.
There was also something strangely satisfying about washing, drying, and folding the cloth nappies. They felt soft, colourful, and almost… cute? Maybe that’s weird, but when you’re knee-deep in the monotony of newborn life, you find joy in the oddest things.
Cost was another big factor. Once you’ve built your stash of cloth nappies, the savings do start to add up. And because I planned on using them with future children (or passing them on), it felt like an investment — both financially and sustainably.
…And Why I Also Used Disposables (Without Guilt)
That said, cloth nappies aren’t always the most practical option. There were times — days out, overnight trips, illness, or just pure exhaustion — when reaching for a disposable nappy was the right choice for me and my baby. And I don’t regret those moments for a second.
Disposables were reliable, convenient, and easy. There were plenty of long nights when I was beyond shattered, and the thought of rinsing and washing nappies was enough to make me cry. So I gave myself permission to use what worked in that moment.
And that’s really the key, isn’t it? Giving ourselves permission — to change our minds, to adapt, to not feel guilty for doing what we need to survive a hard day. Parenting isn’t a contest of who can do it the most perfectly. It’s about connection, presence, and figuring it out as we go.
There’s Room for All Choices
I’ve had conversations with parents who felt ashamed for not using cloth, or who felt judged for choosing disposables. I’ve also known cloth nappy advocates who were met with eye-rolls or patronising comments. But here’s my take: there’s space for every kind of parent in this messy, beautiful world.
Using cloth nappies doesn’t make someone better. Using disposables doesn’t make someone lazy. What matters is the love, care, and intention we bring to our choices — whether that’s about nappies, feeding, sleep, or anything else.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a cloth nappy lover, I see you. If you’re a full-time disposable user, I see you too. And if you’re somewhere in the middle — like I was — just know that there is no one right way to do this parenting thing.
We’re all just trying our best, one nappy change at a time.
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