Baby Needs
Scroll down for Nappies, biodegradable nappy bags & wipes, baby creams, toys
The great nappy debate!
You may have heard that washing cloth nappies ends up on an eco-(non)friendly par with using disposable nappies. These studies have made gross assumptions, and have since been proven to be statisically inadequate but as the mainstream press accepted the studies without criticism, so have many of us.
Woodpulp and crude oil are just two of the unsustainable ingredients used to produce disposables, add their lack of easy breakdown (can take hundreds of years), and that they now make up 3-6% if landfill (a major contributor to greenhouse gasses).
The modern cloth nappy has come along way, they're much easier to wash and put on. Check out this really interesting NZ video at http://www.treemo.com/users/mrtrombone/channel/item/15203/
Scroll down for eco-disposables and more.
Cloth nappies
To find out about how the modern cloth nappy has changed, visit www.ozclothnappies.org. Their site is very informative, with a great section on (FAQ) frequently asked questions and discussion forums. They feature the modern nappy in all it's forms such as fitted, all-in-ones, pockets etc. There are bright coloured, fitted ones in organic fabrics that will really turn heads, and maybe even your opinion on cloth vs disposables.
Butt Natural, also in Brisbane, supplies natural baby products like organic cotton, wool and other natural fibre fitted nappies, boosters, covers and babyclothes. See www.buttnatural.com.au, or you can find them at the Michelton Farmer's markets on the last Sunday of every month from 6am- 12pm. They can even come to you!
NaturesChild.com.au at Byron Bay also stock a range of eco-friendly nappy options plus loads of other 'kid's stuff'.
"A NEW brisbane based website, called www.nappychoice.com.au features a modern cloth nappy, Fuzzibunz, which I've found really easy to use. They also feature some eco-disposable brands, including a new Aussie invented 100% biodegradable disposable "Safeties" developed by a Perth mother in conjuction with the CSIRO. Available March 2007". Desp. HW '07
Eco - Disposables
For travelling or other reasons there are some better choices in Disposables. The key words to look for on packaging are %biodegradable and compostable. And, I've noticed with tampons, that companies are getting clever with green, natural looking packaging claiming to be 'inspired by nature' etc - don't be fooled that can just mean they added cammomille (just what you need in a pad or tampon!)
Nappy bags & wipes also need to be biodegradable, otherwise your bag could be slowing down (by about 50 years) what you're trying to breakdown. The good news is - they are starting to become more available, see below.
A word on Poo
- Did you know most disposables recommend poo goes into the toilet. This cuts down on the smell, is more hygenic and safer for our environment.
- Jannine Barron, founder of Nature's Child recommends using a flushable or cloth nappy liner inside the disposable, to assist in removing poo for the loo.
Moltex are the best eco-disposables we've found. They don't leak and work just like any normal disposable, but use less bleach, less plastic and less chemicals, making them better for the environment - and your baby's skin. They can also be composted. - Ecoshop.com.au
www.ecodirect.com.au stock biodegradable plastic nappy bags, plus wipes, the Wotnot baby range and Moltex over 80% biodegradable nappies (put them in your worm farm or compost - take off the plastic tabs first).
In the Supermarkets - look for a brand called "Nature Babycare", they are a swedish company who do 70% biodegradable nappies, plus wipes, bags, sanitary napkins etc. Check out their site www.naty.com, I've seen them in both Coles & Woolies. Ecobots by BabyLove are about 60% biodegradable www.babyloveecobots.com.au.
Creams & other baby supplies
Handmade Naturals are made locally at West End, are absolutely luxurious to use, while being entirely free of chemicals that are harmful both to the skin and to the environment. There are products for baby (including the Moltex disposable nappies) and a line of non-toxic wall paints in a large range of colours. I recently painted a room in my house with them and was flabbergasted by the complete lack of fumes and the great quality of the paint - the room really does feel new and clean, not new in that toxic-smell, headachy kind of way.
7 Gladstone Rd Highgate Hill or the on-line shop at www.naturals.com.au.
Made in Carina, Brisbane is the Brubecks range of baby care products check out www.brubecks.com.au or
phone 3324 8855.
Toys
See this great PDF file from Western Australia's Play & Learning Program: - Home made Toys for 3-5 year olds.
More info to come...