I think some of the 'fully biodegradable' disposable nappies are just another advertising gimmick. If disposed of in the same way as most household rubbish, the majority if not all are still unable to break down.
My brother has experimented with a few and tried to break them down in compost and using various methods. Nothing, nada they still exist 12 months later.
If anyone has info to the contrary, i'd be happy to read it, but so far my interest in the biodegradable nappy has been dissappointing.
Thanks Jellybean for starting this thread, and bumping it til it generated some interest!
Thanks for the replies. I knew you chemical-savvy lasses were out there somewhere!!!
Kate08- interesting comment about the 'biodegradable' nappies. Apparently there are strict conditions for them to completely biodegrade- unfortunately I haven't looked into it- but I have thought about doing what you have done- just throwing one out the back garden and seeing how long it takes.
The nature babycare ones at least don't claim to be biodegradable- just chemical free- which is a step in the right direction at least!!
I found cloth hard in the early days when runny breastfed poos were so regular- but now that bub is a 1-poo-a-day-man, its too easy for me not to use them. Bit of wee just comes stright out in the wash!! Although, the eco disposies ARE really good for night time use......
I thought you'd like to know that this thread has made a difference to at least a couple of kiddies out there!
When DS was born I was quite passionate about keeping him as chemical-free as possible and I was using Gaia and Aromababy products on him. He got eczema at 6 weeks of age and I persisted with organic products, not wanting to use anything too "manufactured" for him. Spent a fortune and no real improvement.
It was with a real sense of defeat that I walked into the pharmacy to find something else. DS' skin cleared up quickly and beautifully with the use of petroleum and paraffin-based pharmacy products (Aveeno, Dermeze, Cetaphil) and when I went back to organic products his skin flared up again. (Apart from Aromababy Barrier Balm on his little bottom, ironically that was the only thing that kept nappy rash at bay - Bepanthen, Sudocrem etc did nothing).
So, generally speaking, I had grown quite cynical about organic products - and felt that I had prolonged his discomfort by sticking with my chemical-free philosophy. I have crossed swords with other BB members over this as well because it makes me angry that people simply won't consider something to relieve their baby's discomfort because it is not organic.
Anyway, fast forward 2 years and I now have a DD as well. Put her straight onto DS' skin care routine and her skin has been beautiful from the beginning. However after a couple of months I have found that she simply does not have the same kind of skin as DS - lucky for her. DS' skin is not as reactive as it was but that is also because we are vigilant about his skin maintenance.
So along comes your thread and it got me thinking - if DD doesn't have this same kind of skin and DS is not as sensitive as he was, I may as well go back to using the lovely organic products I prefer. If neither of them "need" the more synthetic products then why use them? I may as well lessen the chemical load where possible, right?
Obviously in my DS' case it was not practical to continue down the organic route when it was not helping him and I think it is important to remember that "man-made" doesn't necessarily mean bad. It may be less desirable for some of us but it may still have benefits that are for the greater good - in my case, allowing my DS to sleep soundly and feel comfortable in his skin.
I just thought I'd post this - it might inspire people to make small changes, that organic doesn't necessarily have to be an all or nothing approach. Changes made wherever practical still make a difference.
I have also decided to make my house more chemical free where possible. Vinegar and bicarb doesn't work for me but I can buy Method and Cinderella products instead of Spray and Wipe, Domestos and Windex. I can buy Eco Store instead of Palmolive soap. I'm not ready to give up my Drive washing powder, but we'll see...
i am constantly telling everyone i know about all of this - they shrug me off as a conspiracy nut, but if i get through to 1 in 5 at least that is something.
its very alarming (and grustrating) that most people i know shrug this off, especially the baby care products!
SJ - i have been given J&J stuff from people whom I have warned about all the crap in it! I have even told them that we only use certain brands!!!
I just smile politely (in one ear and out the other obviously) and chuck it out. Cant even give it to the salvos - i dont want to be the one responsible for some poor baby having that put on their skin!
Curly- I'm sorry to hear your little boy had a reaction to natural products. Firstly, can I just say that although they are free of the harshest chemicals, only few ingredients in the Gaia and Aroma Baby are actually certified organic (organic means nothing unless it is certified by a recognised certifying organisation such as NASSA or the ACO) and there are still some synthetic chemicals used in these brands. 100% certified organic brands are Miessence and Natures Child. There are other lesser known ones out there too.
It is also important to note that a child may be allergic to a particular natural ingredient (ie- herb or essential oil) and this would explain the skin reaction. Thankfully this is rare but it does occur. My husband has an allergy to almonds- and cannot use sweet almond oil on his skin - so we just buy organic products which do not contain this ingredient. (Although I use it alot!!)
It is also important to note that the external reaction on the skin is not the most important thing to consider when assessing the safety of a product. The skin is an organ, and highly porous- therefore what we put on it is absorbs into our blood steam. Whilst a child may not react externally to a product with synthetic chemicals, it is the long-term toxin accumulation of these chemicals in the cells of the body which is the greatest cause for concern amoungst scientists and toxicologists.
Conventional barrier balms also contain ingredients such as mineral oil- which is highly toxic. Mineral oil actually 'traps' moisture in the skin- giving the user the impression that their skin is softer and more hydrated, however it also works by blocking the pores of the skin from breathing- thus preventing the body from being able to excrete toxins via sweat. It is essential that a newborn infants skin is left free to 'breathe' and excrete toxins that it may be exposed to.
I do not intend to offend anyone with their choices (I too used to use loads of chemical stuff once), but it is my honest (and not so humble opinion) that it is better an infant use no product at all than these conventional chemical brands.The long term health risks and the increasing body of research indicates that it is just not worth it.
Besides, what did they use before all these chemicals and products were invented? Babies were just given a scrub down in the lake, surely?
SaraJane- I also was given some J&J's for my baby shower even though my Mum wrote on the invite that I only use natural or organic products!! Honestly, the brainwashing power these companies have is enormous....
I was not content to give the products to anyone, nor was I content to tip it down the sink, so it went straight in the bin!!!
I have just started getting interested in this stuff, and was researching on the net.
I thought that I would bump this thread so more people can read about what we are doing to our children. It is quite alarming! Really, there needs to be warnings put on these products.
There is a new book out called "Slow Death By Rubber Duck" by Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie. I am heading out to buy it today! Am very much looking forward to reading it and ridding my home of these harmful chemicals!
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I have even told them that we only use certain brands!!!
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