Submit your birth story by sending us an 
Sun, Sand and Swimming with Little Ones, We review the Monkey Doodlez Swim Nappy.
A day out swimming is the perfect past time especially during the hot summer months. However, taking a toddler swimming can be difficult at the best of times, make your day a little less stressful by investing in a reusable swim nappy.
Why reuse?
Would you throw away your swimming costume after you had used it only once? No… So why waste money upon disposable swim nappies when you could offer your child a comfortable and more affordable option?
Let’s look at the comparisons
| Disposable Swim Nappies | Reusable Swim Nappies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you plan on swimming regularly with your child then the benefits of using reusable swim nappies far outweigh those of disposable swim nappies. Mums Baby Magazine put the Monkey Doodlez Blowfish Swim Nappy to the ultimate test:
We took two toddlers (one wearing a disposable swim nappy and the other wearing a Monkey Doodlez reusable nappy), a paddling pool and a range of floating toys out on a sunny day in the UK. Firstly, we ensured that both children were wearing children’s waterproof SPF Factor 50 sun protecting lotion, we then fitted the nappies onto the toddlers and added sunglasses, a protective sun shirt/ swim suit and sun hats. We then put up an oversized parasol to ensure that the toddlers were shaded during the afternoons play in the sunshine and then filled the paddling pool with floating toys to keep the little ones entertained while we watched and waited…
Disposable VS Reusable Swim Nappies at play
The first toddler (wearing a disposable swim nappy) entered the paddling pool with little hesitation, within minutes she decided that she wished to get out of the pool for a play in the sandpit. However, the disposable swim nappy was soaked and due to the ‘absorbent core’ in the nappy the nappy remained wet until removed five minutes later.
The second toddler (wearing a reusable Monkey Doodlez swim nappy) entered the paddling pool with and sat down in his reusable nappy. Upon noticing that his companion had left him for a sandpit, he decided to follow his friend and he too had a rather ‘wet bum’. However, after five minutes the reusable nappy had dried and the toddler wearing this item was able to continue water and sand play outside without being changed.
Disposable VS Reusable Swim Nappies when in water
The first toddler (wearing a disposable swim nappy) had now been changed into a new disposable swim nappy and once again wished to enter the padding pool to fill her watering can. We took this opportunity to take a closer look at the disposable nappy when in water and found that it seemed quite stiff and uncomfortable. We also found that it seemed to become bulkier when in water.
The second toddler (wearing a reusable Monkey Doodlez swim nappy) once again entered the paddling pool and sat down enabling us to investigate the reusable swim nappy when in water. We found that the material of the Monkey Doodlez Swim Nappy (bathing suit material) still felt soft and had plenty of give so that the toddler was able to move around happily without discomfort.
After twenty minutes of water and sand play, we took both children inside to get changed. We put two disposable swim nappies into the bin and then we took the reusable swim nappy and popped it into a waterproof bag along with the protective tee-shirts and hats ready for the wash.
What’s the difference between Disposable and Reusable Swim Nappies in terms of design?
It is worth considering that neither disposable or reusable swim nappies are designed to absorb urine, as if either of these nappies were to absorb moisture they would become heavier in the water, thus weighing the child down. Disposable swim nappies do have some absorbency but will not absorb swimming pool water. Some reusable nappies have a waterproof layer (similar to pair of plastic pants within the nappy) to try and withhold fluids whereas others have a simple mesh layer which allow fluid through but retain any solid materials from escaping. Both the disposable and reusable swim nappies are designed to contain solids.
What do I need my child’s swim nappy to do?
Swim nappies need to have snug-fitting leg gussets and waistbands in order to contain any solid materials when in the water.
What are the price comparisons?
|
Disposable Swim Nappies (Pack of 12) |
Reusable Swim Nappy x 1 |
|
|
If we were to imagine that you took your child swimming every week for three months then the average price comparison per week between disposable swim nappies and reusable swim nappies would be a saving of £6.45 if you chose to use reusable swim nappies!
| Disposable Swim Nappy | Reusable Swim Nappy |
|
|
Mums Baby Magazine were impressed with the Monkey Doodlez Swim Nappy. The toddler who wore this Monkey Doodlez Reusable Swim Nappy (Blow Fish Design) seemed to get along swimmingly in comparison with the toddler who wore the disposable swim nappy and required several changes which interrupted play and therefore got the thumbs down both us and our little tester!
The sizing of the Monkey Doodlez Swim Nappy seems accurate, the leg gussets are elasticated and soft for comfort and protection. The designs are bright and colourful, the nappy inner is lined with soft polyester mesh fabric to prevent any ‘little accidents’ from escaping and the Monkey Doodlez Swim Nappies can be washed easily along with other laundry at forty degrees Celsius.
Mums Baby Magazine give the Monkey Doodlez Swim Nappy 10/10 for comfort and protection in the pool. The Monkey Doodlez Swim Nappies are available in a wide range of sizes, colours and designs. Monkey Doodlez is a Canadian brand. However, this brand of Reusable Swim Nappies can now be purchased in the UK for £12.50 per swim nappy through www.cheeksandcherries.co.uk
Cloth VS Disposable: The Great Nappy Debate
It’s entirely up to you what type of nappies to use on your child, it’s the parents decision and is down to individual choice. Before making your decision try to read up on the facts and ensure that you make the right decision for your little one.
Cloth Nappies are now widely available upon the market, there are literally thousands of websites and shops which retail cloth nappies for a reasonable price. There are also a wide range of sizes, designs and particular types (such as all in one, stuffer nappies, popper nappies and two part nappies). Often parents become bamboozled when first looking into using reusable nappies as they find themselves perplexed with the many varieties that are now available.
Before you spend any money on nappies for your little one, take into consideration some of the facts included with each option and be sure to make a ‘Happy Nappy’ choice.
|
The Argument for Reusable Nappies |
The Argument for Disposable Nappies
|
|
Using reusable nappies can be costly initially (when first buying your nappies, wraps, inserts, liners, washing bucket etc). However, once the initial purchase has been made you can now begin to save your pennies! |
Cloth nappies also require inserts or liners, sometimes cloth nappies also require boosters and wraps so have more parts to them than a disposable nappy. |
|
Disposable nappies do not biodegrade easily and can take literally hundreds of years to degrade. |
Disposable nappies do not require electricity or water for cleaning. You therefore have lower electricity and water bills than cloth nappy users. |
|
Landfill sites are filled every year with disposable nappies. |
Disposable nappies do not take time to wash, dry and sort. |
|
Cloth nappies are more breathable thus reduce nappy rash. |
Disposable nappies have specific sizes on the packets which are easy to understand in regard to the weight and size of the baby. |
|
Cloth nappies DO NOT contain chemicals. |
Disposable nappies can also be covered (if the parent wishes to do so) with funky wraps. |
|
Cloth nappies are as absorbent, if not more so than disposable nappies depending upon which material you choose to purchase. Bamboo is said to be the most absorbent material for cloth nappies. |
A disposable nappy is said to take less changing time. This all depends upon whether the tabs snap! |
|
A parent requires 20-25 reusable nappies per child, this is 5,525 nappies less than disposable nappy users! |
Once used a disposable nappy can go straight into the bin, there is no need to wash and dry a disposable nappy. |
|
It costs as little as £300 to wash cloth nappies, as apposed to £800 spent upon disposable nappies. |
When out and about disposable nappies can be put straight into a bin once used unlike cloth nappies which are then stored in a wet bag until you arrive home and are able to wash the nappy. |
|
Two tonnes of landfill are used PER CHILD when using disposable nappies. |
|
|
It takes between 200-500 years for a disposable nappy to degrade! |
|
|
Disposable nappies contain perfumes, bleaches, dyes and chemicals which can cause nasty reactions and even chemical burns when against your child’s skin. |
|
|
You no longer need to soak cloth nappies, simply wash them at 50 degrees Celsius! |
|
|
Reusable cloth nappies now come in a range of colours and patterns to suit individuals needs. Cloth nappies are now very cute! |
|
|
Cloth nappies are softer on baby’s skin. |
|
|
Wearing disposable nappies can cause baby’s skin to sweat. |
|
|
On average a child is in nappies for approximately 2.5 years. During this time you will use up to 5,500 nappies! That’s an awful lot of rubbish to put into the bin and a large amount of landfill site where toxins will degrade. It’s also a hefty bill too! |
|
|
Reusable nappies no longer require origami folding techniques. Although traditional towels are still available for sale, cloth nappies are now shaped just like a disposable nappy. |
|
| Cloth Nappies have easy to use size systems, nappies can be purchased to fit size birth right through potty training. Sizes can be altered using poppers saving even more money! | |
|
Reusable nappies can now be purchased at a reduced price as local councils are offering voucher schemes for those parents who choose to be more environmentally friendly. |
|
|
Cloth nappies do not have tabs which rip or snap like many disposable nappies do. Cloth nappies are strong and stretchy. |
|
|
You no longer need to use safety pins to fasten a cloth nappy. ‘Nappy Nipper/ Grippers’ are far safer and have replaced the traditional pin. There is now no risk of accidentally pricking your child whilst putting on a cloth nappy. |
|
|
Children who use cloth nappies are far easier to potty train as they are more aware of their bodily functions. |
|
|
Many children who use cloth nappies can begin the process of EC (elimination communication) at an early age and are far more independent with their bodily functions. |
Wrap it and sack it! Sarah Collins, July’s Top Tester reviews the Tommee Tippee Nappy Wrapper.
Sarah Collins (34 from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire) is Mum to Eva (2 years, 5 months) and Daniel (10 weeks). Sarah tells MBM more about the Tommee Tippee Nappy Wrapper.
“Having used nappy sacks for the first few weeks when my daughter was born and trying to juggle nappy, cotton wool and wipes going successfully into the nappy sack and then remembering to take it downstairs and out to the bin after every nappy change I quickly looked for an alternative and found this. It’s not the most expensive baby gadget we bought, but now with baby number two on the scene and my daughter just about still in nappies, it has been the best investment and addition to the nursery.”
Suitable from birth until your child is potty trained, The Tommee Tippee Nappy Wrapper is available from www.kiddicare.com for only £9.99, the triple refill packs are £12.99 and well worth their value, Sarah explains further benefits of this product to MBM:
The Tommee Tippee Nappy Wrapper is easy to use.- The Nappy Wrapper doesn’t take up a great deal of space
- By using the Nappy Wrapper, it makes the process of getting rid of used nappies hygienic.
- The Tommee Tippee Nappy Wrapper stores up to twenty eight nappies at a time
- Each refill cassette can last last up to one month
- There is no need to fill your outside bin with mounds of individually wrapped nappies.
- The Tommee Tippee Nappy Wrapper makes the disposal of waste products such as wipes, cotton wool and the nappy itself easy and quick, there is no juggling nappy sacks.
- The product is great value for money in comparison with using standard nappy sacks
- The Tommee Tippee Nappy Wrapper saves multiple trips out to the bin to dispose of used nappies.
- The Tommee Tippee Nappy Wrapper is odour free.
- It only takes on simple twist to seal each wrapper.
- An Internal blade in the lid is used to cut the plastic wrapper when you need to empty the tub.
Sarah found it difficult to identify many drawbacks to this product. The only two negative aspects that she could identify were:
- Sometimes the blade does not always cut the plastic so you have to do this manually
- There is no indication when the cassette is going to run out, so you need to have a spare one in the house all times.
Sarah strongly recommends this product to all parents who are struggling with the struggle which nappy sacks can cause. MBM would like to thank Sarah for her time.
Follow Us!