Run by The Washable Nappy Company, Nappuccino’s are an education in the various types of natural nappies on the market and a great idea! I went along to one of their demonstrations this week in Hackney. The Company is the collective brain of a married couple with twins. They promote a wide variety of nappy designs and in so doing give the pros and cons to each style option. There doesn’t seem to be one right answer to suit your baby’s bowel activity. Instead it’s a matter of parental choice over issues such as the environment, convenience, absorbency, speed of change, speed at which the nappy dries after washing and cost. There’s nappies for all sizes and stages of development. Today we were introduced amongst others to an award winning design created by a mum who’s baby was allergic to urine!
It’s a well thought out business and with an increasing number of people taking an interest in the environment, it’s also very fashionable supported by some funky designs. Our hosts seem to have tried and tested all the nappies on their twins; one boy and one girl so they were well equipped to give loads of advise and answer any questions… They took us through how to fit the nappies, how to store them, wash them and tips on drying. There’s some lovely cuddly fabrics to experience and the great thing is you can be touchy feely with all the nappies. I went along with my Real Nappies for London voucher and invested in a starter pack which includes up to 15 nappies of your choice and the necessary extras. The hosts were great at dealing with my indecision and helped me to think about the best options for mine and Freddie’s needs. Being a first time mum with Freddie there with me just three weeks old in the buggy, I also appreciated the friendly and welcoming atmosphere and felt totally at ease with breast feeding and changing his nappy in a discreet spot. If you’re keen to try natural/washable nappies, these events will give you the knowledge and confidence to get started.
February 28, 2008 – 10:23 pm
Meeting a destination at a specific hour (OF THE MORNING!) with a baby is no simple task. Freddie and I woke to brave a public demonstration about natural nappies this week - Needing an additional two hours prep time to achieve this goal made getting out of the house something of a military operation. Amazingly though, we arrived on location spot on time - “Sergeant Majooor!”
I marched through the main entrance of the venue; Stoke Newington Library and proudly wheeled Freddie up to the enquiries desk to ask where we needed to be for our ‘Nappuccino‘. A young, shy looking library assistant wearing the archetypal beige knitted pullover led the way. He took us through a heavy wooden door which immediately faced a tower of dusty archives. Slightly confused as to what this might promise, I distracted myself from any doubt by negotiating our buggy through the acute angle at which the door was barely able to open. We found ourselves on the other side of said door sandwiched between stacks of heavily loaded metal shelving and the boundary wall. My guide trotted off through the narrow passage ahead whose pathway was further challenged by an assembly of cardboard boxes, files and loose documents balanced amongst piles of newspapers from yesteryear… As he did this I watched the back of his shrinking head in disbelief realising that I had little chance of success in following his steps…
Determined to reach our final destination, I decided to take on the obstacle course by convincing myself that other mothers had made it through with their buggies and as a result were sitting waiting for the talk to start. As I took considered backward steps, reversing our ’second-hand, already taken a few knocks three-wheeler’ through the chaos, I managed to pick up and drag various paper piles with me until eventually the library assistant turned to see my struggle. I looked at him with a bemused, perspiring smile and decided to assert myself with the following statement: “Gosh this is tricky” until something akin to ‘health and safety’ or … ‘circus’ sprung to mind. He reacted with a nervous disposition and suggested we turn back. (You mean this route has not been tried and tested by the buggy brigade? You want me to befriend that door again?) He instructed me to walk around the outside of the library to access a side door which he will now open… and off he went. So there I was, abandoned in the middle of a stuffy back room with lovely Freddie, snugly unaware in his buggy with paper tags twisted in the wheel spokes - (What the hell was I doing in there with a three week old baby?! … Actually, WHAT THE HELL WAS I DOING THERE . ?)
I jostled my way around the heavy door for a second time. As I reappeared in the public domain befuddled, I managed to catch the eye of a passing gent and acknowledged his curious gaze with a clown like expression which I felt matched the Alice in Wonderland adventure I’d just left behind. I quickly gathered myself, reformed a sense of pride and picked up a smooth gliding speed across the seemingly expansive aisles and headed for the exit.
Finally a sign with an arrow entitled ‘Nappuccino’ clearly indicated where we needed to be. I followed instruction and found the gathering which was a little low on numbers but whose hosts were friendly and welcoming. Breast feeding I might be, but with the offer of herbal tea or filter coffee after such a bazaar experience, I’m afraid I took the shot.
January 16, 2008 – 9:39 pm
Hackney and participating boroughs are in on the scheme to provide washable nappies for London babies. So much so that they’re prepared to give each baby a free nappy voucher (worth approx 50.00) to test run their favourite poop catchers. There’s several types of natural nappy available, all sorts of shapes, sizes, colours, styles and fastenings. If you’re worried about the washing, there are laundry services available and if you can’t afford the initial outlay on natural nappies, you can source recyled nappies via various nappy exchanges - Not only do they save the environment and the pocket to considerable effect but they seem easy to use, and look amazingly cute too! Visit the Real Nappies for London Campaign or call the helpline t:020 7324 4709.
I’m all in to the idea. I’ve sent off for my voucher and can’t wait to start experimenting… How to make poo friendly and fun - It’s brilliant!
The campaign also links with The Washable Nappy Company who deliver ‘Nappuccino’s’ in participating boroughs - That’s demonstrations on the different bottom options for your baby with err… coffee and chat I guess. Got to be worth a go.