Most disposable nappies are filled with a moisture-absorbing gel that soaks up the urine and keeps the layer of nappy next to baby’s skin, which helps to avoid nappy rash says Babycentre. Nappies come in a number of sizes; to select the right one, your customer should be guided by weight and development.

As many as 12 nappies a day are needed for a newborn and six to eight a day for toddlers. Though they tend to be more expensive, eco-disposables use less or no chemical gels or bleaches and break down more quickly in landfill sites.

For those who have opted to go down the disposable route, it makes sense to link the sale. Baby wipes and cases to carry them in, together with nappy sacks, disposable changing mats and nappy bins, should be promoted alongside a disposable nappy range.

There are, however, a number of ethical issues associated with the use of disposables. Though in the past perceived as a 'hippy thing', the green issue has moved into the mainstream; parents today are increasingly concerned with the environment and want to use more sustainable products in every aspect of their lives. The organic revolution took hold some years ago in the food industry and has since spread into other product categories, with positive effects on our shopping habits and the environment.

In the UK it is estimated that about 9 million nappies are disposed of daily, ending up in landfill sites where they take an estimated 500 years to decompose. Not only do disposable nappies account for about 4% of all household waste, 7 million trees are felled in the UK alone in their production.

Purchased only once and re-used until potty training, fabric nappies are far more economical and thankfully, have evolved from the old terry towel cloths with safety pins into a comfortable and hygienic alternative.

Modern cloth nappies are shaped much like disposables and fastened with buttons or Velcro, with no excess material to contend with. Today's fabric nappies come with a breathable, yet waterproof cover and are available in a number of colours and designs. Re-usable nappy wipes should be sold alongside to reflect the care for the environment expressed by your customer.

There are a number of nappy laundering services available that can help to reduce your customer's impact on the environment further and perhaps even save them money. It might be worth you advertising these services in store, as without a doubt, it is often the idea of having to put dirty nappies through the wash that deters parents from the more sustainable option. In that sense, something as small as this will make a big difference to your customer and the world baby is to grow up in.

Nappy rash can occur whether your customer uses disposable or fabric nappies. “While most babies fare well with either cloth or disposable nappies some babies with sensitive skin may experience problems with one or the other, adds Baby and Pregnancy. “In disposables, parents sometimes find that by experimenting with different brands, they can find one that doesn’t irritate baby’s skin. Parents who choose fabric nappies usually find that if there is any skin irritation, it is due to the detergent used in laundering the nappies and by switching brands, the problem is typically eliminated. Either way, it is worth selling a range of barrier creams, including natural and organic, to help alleviate the problem.

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---