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Some shocking statistics about disposable nappies:

• On average each child will go through 3,796 nappies in their lifetime
• It is estimated to take 300-500 years for a single used nappy to decompose in a landfill site. Bearing in mind that single-use nappies have only been about for about 75 years, not one single one has decomposed yet – if Henry VIII had worn disposable nappies, they would still be in a landfill site!
• By swapping out one single-use nappy for a reusable you could remove 912 nappies from the waste stream
• Seven million trees are cut down every year just to make disposable nappies for the UK

Source: The Nappy Lady

What is the problem with disposable nappies?

Why choose reusable nappies?

There are lots of benefits of using reusable nappies:

Kinder to baby

Babies in reusable nappies, which are made of less processed materials and plastics, generally experience less nappy rash. 

Money saving

By the time your baby is using the potty, you will have changed as many as 4500 nappies.  At an average cost of 11p per disposable, this can add up to a lot of money.  Recent research has shown that parents can save anything up to £1000 over the lifetime of using nappies, depending on their choice of nappies.  Savings stack up further when used on subsequent children.

Good for the environment

Reports have shown that a 40% carbon saving can be made through using reusable nappies compared to using disposables and yes, that includes all the washing!  There is no hard evidence of how long disposable nappies take to degrade in a landfill site (some people have said 500 years) due to all the plastic contained in them.  If nappies go to an Energy from Waste plant, like they do in Worcestershire, the burning of the nappies generates carbon which is emitted into the atmosphere.

Materials

Washing

New babies create a lot of washing whether you use reusable nappies or not!  The good news is that reusable nappies are more bombproof than disposables once you get the fit right and are really easy to wash. Just store nappies that need washing in a waterproof nappy bag or lidded bucket, no need to soak them anymore.

Pop them into the machine every two to three days on a 60° wash or 40° with sanitiser.  Fabric conditioner reduces absorbency and your usual non-Bio detergent is fine. Line dry where possible or on an airer.  Some nappies can be tumble dried but check first!

Check out our how to wash reusable nappies section for more information on washing and drying reusable nappies.

Cashback scheme

Starting out: https://www.thenappylady.co.uk/news/just-getting-started.html

Problem solving: https://www.thenappylady.co.uk/news/problem-solving.html

How to wash reusable nappies: https://www.thenappylady.co.uk/news/how-to-wash-reusable-nappies.html

Do reusable nappies really save you money? https://www.thenappylady.co.uk/news/do-reusable-nappies-really-save-you-money.html

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Not everyone is going to like what you cook, especially children, but if you get them involved in the whole process of buying and cooking they may feel more engaged and willing to try new things.

Turning leftover meals and ingredients into a tasty snack or whole new meal is one of the best ways to make food go further. 

Make sure to cool leftovers as quickly as possible. Then store them in the fridge or freezer (if saving for a later date). Eat them within two days if stored in the fridge (one for rice) and reheat until piping hot.

If eating the same meal two days in a row isn’t for you, try these tips to reimagine your leftover food into a brand-new meal:   

• Leftovers from a Sunday roast? Create a leftover chicken pie or add them to a curry.
• Cooked too much rice? Fry it with some leftover vegetables, soy sauce and an egg or two, heat thoroughly and you’ve got egg fried rice.
• Overdone it on the pasta? You can’t go far wrong with a pasta salad to bring it back to life. You can add in whatever is in your salad draw or fridge to use up those leftovers

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Use By Date is about safety 

Use By Dates relate to the food’s safety and are the most important date to remember! Foods can be eaten (and most can be frozen) up until the Use By Date, but not after. You will see Use By Dates on food that goes off quickly, such as meat products or ready-prepared salads. For the Use By to be a valid guide, you must carefully follow storage instructions. 

Best Before Date is about quality 

Best Before Dates relate to the quality of the food, not its safety. I.e., the food will be safe to eat after this date but may not be at its best in terms of texture or flavour. However, in many instances, food will taste the same after its Best Before Date. In some cases, these foods can be given a new lease of life with a quick culinary transformation. For example, vegetables that are bendy or withered can be cooked. Bread that is a little stale can be toasted. Biscuits that are a little soft can be put into puddings and cheese can be trimmed down or melted. 

The Best Before Dates appear on a wide range of fresh, frozen, dried and tinned foods. Like the Use By Date, the Best Before Date will only be accurate if the food is stored according to the instructions on the label and your fridge is at the correct temperature.

Four foods with “Best Before” dates and what to do with them:

Bakery items and confectionary

• biscuits, chocolates and confectionary can be used in a new dessert (tiffin, cheesecake base, refrigerator cake)
• bread can be toasted, made into breadcrumbs, croutons, crisps or classic dishes like Panzanella or Fattoush, or less conventional lasagnas or savoury steamed dishes
• croissants and buns make a luxury bread and butter or summer puddings
• flour is another common item with a Best Before Date, If it looks a normal colour and texture then it is fine to eat

Fruit and vegetables

• you should be able to clearly see and feel when fruit and veg are past their best
• you can cut around imperfections
• soak fruit or veg in a bowl of water or cook lightly to add extra life

Cheese

• many cheeses come with a Best Before Date
• moulds added to cheese to either create their rind, change their colour, taste or texture, will continue to grow but that doesn’t mean the cheese is not in good health
• most naturally occurring moulds that grow after a Best Before Date can either be simply scraped or cut off

Frozen food 

• you can freeze virtually all foods
• food can remain frozen indefinitely and technically be safe to eat, as bacteria will not grow
• however, over time all frozen food will deteriorate in quality and may become un-appetising to eat when defrosted
• the time it takes for this deterioration to happen varies between foods

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• lentils: these carry flavour and are a great meat replacement in a bolognaise or to bulk up a mince dish to save money and make the food go further
• frozen vegetables: frozen veg is picked and frozen at is prime and has no less nutritional value than fresh, they are usually prepped so you can use as much as you want and are ideal for stews, curries or soup
• frozen herbs: freeze from fresh or buy already frozen
• dried spices: having a good selection of dried spices such as curry powder, Turmeric, Paprika, chilli flakes or cumin can add an instant hit of flavour to a dish
• capers and gherkins: these can add a nice kick of salt to dishes, capers are great in pasta or panzanella
• sauces: siracha, soy or Worcestershire sauce will add loads of flavour to all sorts of dishes; from scrambled eggs to cheese on toast
• tinned beans: like lentils they are full of flavour and protein and can be used to bulk out a dish
• dried or vacuum-packed noodles: make a quick snack with noodles, soy sauce and leftover meat and vegetables, try a fridge forage stir fry using whatever is in your fridge
• packet rice: like the noodles, it can be used to make a quick meal; add eggs, vegetables and soy sauce and you have egg fried rice