Janie Pengilly

Real nappies have come a long way since folded terry towels and safety pins, and you no longer have to soak nappies for days before you can wash them.

I never even considered using real nappies on either of my children. In fact, the thought of it made me cringe. But since running Lincoln Mums and the research I have done, my eyes have been opened to many things, real nappies being one of them.

We’re lucky here to have access to the Lincolnshire Real Nappy Network. This is a charity run by a group of volunteers that are passionate about real nappies and it has the backing of the Lincolnshire County Council. They are running a real nappy campaign so if you spend £50 or more on real nappies then the council will give you £30 cash back.

So real nappies, let’s bust some myths!

Using real nappies is practical, they come in funky colours and designs, they’re easy to use and to wash and sanitise, they’re obviously more environmentally friendly and they will save you money.

There are lots of different companies out there that do different designs and systems but there are 3 main types of real nappies:

• Flat nappies – such as your traditional terry square, folded to make the pad secured with a plastic fastening with a waterproof wrap on top. You can also buy this type of nappy as a pre-fold, to make things slightly easier. This type of nappy is the least expensive and retails from £2.
• The shaped nappy – this is designed to fit your baby snuggly some sizes go from birth to potty. They also require a waterproof outer wrap. This type can cost anything from £7.50.
• The all-in-one – this type is the most practical (if I was using real nappies this is what I would choose) these include a cotton liner and a waterproof cover with fastenings. This type retails from £10.

Like all things in life you get what you pay for, the more money you spend the easier they are going to be to use and the less likely they are to leak.

From talking to both the Lincolnshire Real Nappy Network volunteers and some Lincoln mums, it is a lot like disposables, not all nappies suit all parents or babies. Some nappies will leak on some babies, and yet other parents will swear by them.

As for washing there is no need for the nappies to sit a bucket of water to soak like back in the day. You can have a bucket by your washing machine that has a lid on it and a drawstring bag inside. When the nappies are used you then put the nappy in the drawstring bag and then put the lid back on. Once you have a full load or every (2-3 days) you then put the bag straight into the washing machine. Do a cold rinse and then with a new washing powder that sanitises you can wash as low as 30 degrees.

The Lincolnshire Real Nappy Network have trial buckets. These buckets include everything you would need to see whether real nappies are for you, with a range of sizes types and brands of nappies. It means you can try each one out and see what works for you.

There are full sets of instructions and a Facebook page, as well as being provided a telephone number for your local volunteer in case you have any questions or want a general chit-chat about the nappies and where you go from here.  If you are interested in getting more information on the trial buckets then please contact the volunteers via Facebook.

There is also a national real nappy information service available called Go Real, where you can find lots of information on the site about different types of real nappies.

There is obviously the impact that disposable nappies have on the environment. As a country we need to find a way to be more sustainable and by using real nappies we are tackling our county’s waste issues – in the UK alone 8 million nappies are thrown away every day.

So what will you choose? I’d love to hear from more of you trialling real nappies, and also on the Lincoln Mums Facebook page.

— Janie Pengilly is a Lincoln mum of two, both under the age of 4, that keep her busy. As well as being a stay-at-home mum, she is also the editor of the new online magazine, Lincoln Mums. In this column, Janie provides tips on finding a great swimming pool for your family.

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I think that all parents want their children to learn to swim as early as possible. Swimming can be great fun for the kids, they love being able to splash, blow bubbles and play, so the freedom the water gives them is great.

Lincoln has many companies offering swimming lessons for pre-school children, usually taught on a one child to one parent basis. Puddle Ducks, Waterspirtes as well as Total Fitness and Yarborough Leisure Centre all offer pre-school swimming lessons, with differing approaches.

For me, a mum with two children under four, these swimming lessons aren’t practical – I can’t give both children my support and attention in the water and don’t have childcare to be able to take one at a time. So how do you make sure your child still gets the water interaction and fun? I’ve developed ten tips to try and make your experience as well as your munchkins’ a pleasurable one.

Make sure the swimming pool has good changing facilities – more than 1 or 2 cubicles with children’s changing tables, so that even when it’s busy you don’t wait too long.
Time it right – only you know your child and their habits, so turning up just before nap or snack time can prove to make the whole experience that bit more stressful. Though also make sure you know the swimming times and be prepared that there might be a wait if you only want to swim in the baby pool.
I always put on my costume before going and even my son (once he was out of nappies!), which means it is quicker getting into the pool and makes life easier if you have impatient little ones like mine.
Bring different bags with you – one for wet clothes and towels and one for dry clothes. That way there is no putting on wet clothes after swimming.
Make sure they don’t get too cold – take a towel and shampoo to the poolside, this way you don’t have to go back to the locker to get stuff.
Bring a snack and a drink — once they are dry and dressed they are occupied, so you can dress yourself without being harassed.
Pack enough, but not too much — I often feel when I go swimming with my two a bit like a cart horse; swimmers, towels, shampoo, clothes, snack, drink and sometimes lunch. Make sure you only bring what you need, so abandon your normal handbag and pack just what you need for the trip to the pool.
Keep a spare £1 coin in your swimming bag — there’s nothing worse than getting to the locker to find you can’t lock it, and then have to try and get change from somewhere once you are all dressed and ready to go.
Swimming is always easier in pairs — if you can go with a friend things are always less stressful!
Always stop for a drink and a piece of cake afterwards — that way you always finish on a good note, no matter how the swimming expedition turned out!

All in all, I am true believer that swimming with your children at your local pool can be fun and a stress free event, as long as you are organised and have everything sorted before you leave. You have to remember how much the kids love it once they are in the water, and that it is also great bonding time for all of you.