5 Reusable products perfect for new parents.

^{[This is a guest post from Emma Reed]}

As a new parent, you may find yourself inundated with information, coupons, leaflets and the latest must-have products but having now had 2 children I can hand on heart say that the simple options are the best both for yourself and for the environment. Here are my top 5 reusable products that are perfect for new parents.

^{[Photo by Picsea on Unsplash]}

5 Reusable products for new parents.

Reusable Nappies

Disposable nappies have long been sold to us all as being more convenient but is creating waste, running out and always having to pay out really the most convenient option? Having used both disposable and reusable options I personally believe that reusable are far superior.

Did you know that disposable nappies contain chemicals, bleach plus plastic and that they can be a huge contributor towards nappy rash? On top of this, every single disposable nappy that has ever been used is still here because they will take around 500 years to breakdown. Whereas on the flipside, reusable nappies are made mostly from natural materials including cotton, hemp and bamboo which are gentle and safe for tiny bottoms. They work in the same way as a disposable nappy but without any of those chemicals or waste.

So, how do you use them? The insert inside the nappy absorbs the urine and draws it away from your baby’s bottom. When it comes to changing your baby, you carry out the task in the same way but instead of putting the nappy into a bin you pop into a wetbag or a nappy bucket until you have enough for a full wash. Once they are washed and dried, you simply reuse them! As for poo, a newborn has water-soluble faeces so this can go straight into the wash, however, once you begin weaning, this will change. You can tip a solid poo into the toilet or you can use wipes, a shower or some toilet roll to clean the majority off the nappy before it goes into the washing machine. The wash routine should be carried out every 2-3 days and I can assure you that your machine will get them clean. For my full washing tips check out this blog here.

The joy of reusable nappies is that you never run out, you save money in the long run, your baby will be more comfortable.

Reusable Wipes

When you use reusable nappies you tend to naturally begin to use reusable wipes alongside them because it just makes perfect sense. The wipes and nappies can be both placed into a nappy bucket before the wash and then can all be washed together. Just like with reusable nappies, you will be saving yourself money in the long term and you won’t be putting any skin drying chemicals or perfumes onto your baby’s bottom. Reusable wipes don’t have to be anything fancy, they can be an old cut up towel, flannels etc. As long as they are gentle, can tackle the job and be washed, they will be fine. Just add water and you are ready to go.

Wetbags

Plastic nappy sacks are, in my opinion, completely overused. They serve very little purpose when it comes to changing a disposable nappy – they just add to our plastic problem – and they are such a waste when soiled clothing gets put in them home from nursery or pre-school. Why spend more money for these to end up in the bin when you could go for the reusable option in the form of a wetbag? This is a waterproof, thin and light bag which is designed to hold items such as your reusable nappies and wipes, dirty clothing, swimwear and so on. They secure at the top with a zip which will keep all smells and mess contained until you come to pop the items into the washing machine. The wetbag can also be washed with them and reused time and time again.

Reusable Breastpads

Single-use breastpads are very commonly used but there is also a reusable option for these too. I found these to be far more comfortable, they don’t fold over and get stuck, they don’t have sticky tabs that leave marks on your bra, they don’t contain plastic and they can be washed and reused, preventing more waste going to landfill and keeping your money firmly in your pocket!

Reusable Coffee Cup

And finally, what new parent doesn’t need their coffee or tea to hand?! Those sleepless nights certainly take their toll but this shouldn’t cost you or the earth more. Instead of opting for that disposable coffee cup, why not go out prepared with a reusable one? You could fill it before you leave or take a flask with you if you wanted to save more money or simply ask your coffee shop to fill the cup you have. With 2.5 billion coffee cups being binned every single year in the UK alone, you don’t want to add to that number.

All of these reusable products will make life feel simpler, help your wallet whilst helping the environment and they will mean you will never be caught out.

Emma Reed is a Mother and Blogger who lives in Hampshire with her 2 children, Jake (8) and William (4), and her husband, Rob. She began her parenting blog back in 2016 when she self-published a book on baby teething. Her blog is inevitably what led her to begin living a more eco-friendly lifestyle and she now uses her platforms to show others how they can also adapt their own lives to incorporate these changes. You can read her blog over at www.emmareed.net or follow her on Instagram over at @emmareed_writes