Did you know that in the 1950s, it's estimated that 95% of babies were potty trained by 18 months! However, today only about 10% of babies are potty trained by this time. Can you guess what has changed? In the 1950s, nearly all babies wore cloth nappies, while today, 95% of babies wear disposable nappies.
Disposable nappies are made with an absorbent pad containing synthetic polymers, gels and fibrous materials like wood pulp. This spongy layer is designed to turn liquid into solids and keep baby dry. Unfortunately, this technology also means it isn't easy for bub to notice when they are wet.
On the other hand, reusable cloth nappies simply absorb the wee into the liner, giving it a naturally damp feel. So your little one can tune in to their own body more efficiently. As their awareness grows, they start to build a connection between a full bladder, weeing, and the eventual discomfort of wearing a wet nappy. This awareness helps them learn and understand when they might need to go.
A rise in demand for convenience over the last few decades has meant more and more families made the switch to disposables. As a result, we now have an average potty training age of about 36 months. This increased time in disposable nappies has significant environmental consequences, especially when your little ones can go through 2000+ nappies a year!
Give reusable cloth nappies a try and see the difference it makes in your household around potty training. We recommend setting up your nappy on an AI2 setting (or snapping on the inserts vs. stuffing them in) so that the natural bamboo fibre sits next to their skin. This will give your little one better awareness of when they feel wet and support their potty training journey.
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