25 January 2005
Plunket should tell new parents about all nappy options
Green MP Mike Ward says Plunket should not allow its sponsorship by a disposable nappy company to stand in the way of
providing parents with information about the modern, reusable nappies.
Plunket is primarily supported by Government funding and public appeals, but also counts disposable nappy makers Huggies
amongst its sponsors.
"The Royal New Zealand Plunket Society is a great organisation that has been entrusted by many generations of New
Zealanders with ensuring all babies and preschoolers are thriving and healthy and I fully endorse and support their work
and efforts," said Mr Ward, a father of three and the Greens' Waste-free Spokesperson. "It is precisely because it is
such a trusted organisation with such a proud history that Plunket must be scrupulous about the information it
provides."
"I'd like them to step back and have another look at their support for disposable nappies and reconsider their limited
willingness to inform new parents of the far more environmentally sound, but cheaper and just-as-convenient,
alternatives that are now available.
"Having your toddler in a modern cloth nappy is the latest in eco-chic."
Mr Ward's call follows Plunket turning down a request from The Nappy Network, a group of parents who promote and use
modern cloth nappies, that the Society's educational material be modernised to include information about the latest
reusable nappies. At present their 'Thriving Under Five' book given to all new parents actively promotes the use of
disposable nappies, and contains only limited information on the reusables. The Plunket logo appears on Huggies'
packets.
Sarah Jones, a successful promoter of reusable nappies in Nelson said, "Parents need up-to-date information about what
styles of reusable nappies are available. Fabric technologies and design improvements mean cloth nappies are now
super-dry and absorbent and washable like laundry. Nearly all styles require no pins, no origami folds and definitely no
ironing, and they are no more likely to leak or result in nappy rash."
In May 2004, Plunket responded to the Government's Working for Families budget by saying that "poverty (is) one of the
single biggest contributors to poor health and wellbeing amongst the nation's children."
Mr Ward: "A new solo parent will spend up to 10 per cent of their DPB on disposable nappies. Plunket recommends about
eight nappy changes a day on an infant, their sponsor's product cost about 45 cents a nappy, so that equals over $25 a
week. Even comparing the most expensive modern-style reusable nappy the cost is only $7.50 a week, including all washing
and drying costs. The traditional cloth nappies discussed by Plunket in their material bears little resemblance to the
modern cloth nappy with velcro and a stay-dry lining. By encouraging new parents to use the new cloth nappies, Plunket
could make a substantial contribution to easing the financial stress on families. Many parents are happy to do an extra
load of laundry twice a week if they can save such a substantial amount of money."
For information about modern cloth nappies www.zerowaste.co.nz , http://www.thenappynetwork.org.nz .
ENDS