Why one woman got real

Environmental concerns led former teacher Ali Malone to choose real nappies for her children Maddie (three-and-a-half) and Finn (two).

"Washing nappies has never been a problem for me," she says. "I fitted it into my routine and have had no difficulty coping with the extra washing. You do need a nappy bucket, but it's got a lid so you don't have to keep looking at dirty nappies."

"I decided on real nappies for environmental reasons but I was also pleased to find out that I saved money as well."

Ali, who lives in Newton Abbot, Devon, began with shaped nappies, but moved on to a folded system that fit into outer pants. She says: "You do sometimes get leaks and they're not full of chemicals so they're not as absorbent as disposables and need to be changed more often."

Ali now works as an agent for Lollipop Children's Products, who supply a range of real nappy systems.

Real Nappy contacts

For a list of nappy washing services ring the National Association of Nappy Services (NANS) on 0121 693 4519 or visit Nappy Laundry Services.

For advice, real nappy stockists and a health professionals' pack send a large sae with two second class stamps to: 
Women's Environmental Network Real Nappy Project 
PO Box 3704 
London SE26 4RX 

Alternatively, ring the Real Nappy Association on 020 8299 4519 or visit the Real Nappy website.

For more information on using real nappies, visit www.thenappylady.co.uk, www.cuddlebabes.co.uk or www.twinkleontheweb.co.uk