Step 1 in avoiding nappy rash is to keep your little one's skin dry. Bamboo fibre is naturally super absorbent - it wicks moisture away from your little one's skin. Bamboo has been shown to be 20% more absorbent than cotton.
Unlike a traditional disposable, a bamboo nappy lets the skin breathe. Most nappies are made from oil-based plastic materials such as polypropylene, quite simply if you wore 'plastic' pants do you think your skin could breathe?
Bamboo is not only naturally 'breathable' but it is temperature regulating too.
Commonly used in activewear and expensive sports socks, bamboo is well known to be an exceptionally soft material. So whilst keeping baby's skin dry, the nappy itself is super soft. As your newborn baby gets more mobile you simply don't want anything to rub against their skin.
Chlorine is the main ingredient in bleach and yet many nappies still contain chlorine as it is often used to whiten the material and pulp. There is simply no need for us to use chlorine in our nappies.
Alcohol, sometimes described as ethanol (as then you might not realise what it is) is used in most supermarket nappies even though it can dry out babies' skin and lead to irritation.
A little known 'nasty' in many nappy ranges are phthalates. These are added to soften plastic to make it more flexible and durable. In the past few years, researchers have linked phthalates to asthma, ADHD, breast cancer, neuro-developmental issues, amongst others. Not enough is known about the effects of phthalates, yet many companies use them in baby products ranges and in personal cosmetics.
When you choose a nappy that is free from chlorine, alcohol, Latex, PVC, phthalates you will reduce the chances of your baby's skin reacting and becoming inflamed and sore.
Sure, the plastic nappies are cheap but you're probably going to need to buy a pot of nappy cream as well.
Nappy rash cream is big business. At any one time a third of babies and toddlers have nappy rash. In 2011 sales of nappy creams rose* as parents switched to cheaper supermarket brands - no coincidence that the recession led to more parents switching to cheaper nappies made from plastic, using more ingredients such as chlorine and latex.
Bamboo is more expensive to use in our production than plastic materials and cheap cotton, but you shouldn't need nappy rash cream.
We won't put the pictures here (because they make us cry), but google 'nappy rash' and you'll see why at Mama Bamboo we would simply do anything to prevent you and your babies' from this awful condition.
Putting the many environmental benefits of using bamboo aside, what we do (and don't) use in our nappies and wipes will ensure your baby has the cutest, peachy bottom, naturally... saving you the heartache and the pennies on buying and trying multiple nappy rash creams!
Here are just a few snippets from our most recent TrustPilot reviews.
"Our baby has never had nappy rash in her 10 months using the products"
"Our little girl has never had nappy rash and seems to be very comfortable wearing them."
"They never give my baby a rash unlike some popular brands."
"...always a lovely soft bum, no nappy rash or rub marks"
"Soft nappies that do not leak or give nappy rash (both pampers and Aldi ones leaked and/or gave our baby a rash)"
"No Nappy rashes.
The BEST NAPPYS EVER, my daughter-in-law loves them."
* Source: US Business Advisor
We can't abide greenwashing and lip service to social and environmental responsibility. So we decided to put ourselves through the rigorous assessment process to achieve B CorpTM accreditation. And WE DID IT! Joining some of the worlds most pioneering, environmentally conscious brands.
Anyone can call their product 'eco' - clever branding and careful choice of words is often all that is needed. And, sometimes the smallest % of cotton is enough to make you think you are making a really good environmentally friendly choice. We think all parents should know what is in the nappies their baby is wearing. Here's what to know.