North London parents share the realities of reusable nappies

Parents from across north London have shared their real-life accounts of using reusable nappies in a new myth-busting video.

Commissioned by North London Waste Authority (NLWA) in partnership with Real Nappies for London, the video features honest interviews with four mothers from Hackney, Islington, Enfield and Barnet.

It explores common misconceptions around reusable nappies, particularly in relation to the mess and effort often thought to be involved in washing them.

Sruthi Ramesh, a mum-of-one from Islington, explained: “I would 100% recommend using reusable nappies. It’s way easier than I thought it was going to be. Washing them is way easier than I thought it was going to be.”

While using just one reusable nappy in place of a disposable every day could save a staggering 912 nappies from going to waste, the video explores many other benefits beyond the environment. These include nappy rash prevention, increased comfort and a tailored fit for your baby.

Marguerite Williams, a mum-of-three from Hackney who works as a midwife across north London, said: “When we’ve used disposables we’ve found that we’ve had more nappy rash, and I’m not sure if it’s a reaction to the chemicals in the nappies.

“I cannot get a disposable nappy to fit well enough to keep everything in, whereas my reusables are bombproof.”

The parents also gave their top tips for starting out – from not putting too much pressure on yourself, trying out different styles of reusable nappies and finding a support network.

Expectant parents or those with a baby under 18 months can claim a £70 voucher, which can be redeemed against a pack of reusable nappies or a trial laundry service.