Why I Will Limit Disposable Nappy Use With My Babies
When I became a parent, I didn’t think much about nappies beyond which ones would leak the least. But once I started digging into the research, I realised nappies aren’t just about convenience. From textiles, to chemicals, there are issues worth knowing about.
This post isn’t about fear or finger-pointing. It’s about questioning the status quo. The science isn’t clear-cut, but what we do know has made me think twice, and choose to limit disposable nappy use with my own babies.
What Are The Issues?
Textiles Affecting Reproduction
A handful of studies have looked at how the materials we put next to the body might affect reproductive health. Researchers have suggested that synthetic textiles – especially those that trap heat or change the microenvironment around the skin – could play a role in genital function.¹˒²
One often-cited study found that disposable plastic-lined nappies raised testicular temperature in infant boys compared to cotton nappies.³ Since testicular cooling is important for healthy sperm production later in life, this raised a question: could nappies worn in early childhood have a long-term impact?
Since sperm is not produced during infancy, the effect of high genital temperature during infancy on fertility in adulthood has not yet been studied. However, a key stage of puberty maturation occurs at 2–3 months old. At this stage, sperm precursor cells develop — and these cells are vulnerable to heat stress. It has, therefore, been suggested that healthy sperm development in adulthood is linked to events in infancy.¹
Another body of research comes from studies by Shafik, who explored how synthetic textiles affect reproduction in animals. In one of his studies, female dogs were divided into groups wearing 100% polyester, 100% cotton, 100% wool or a polyester–cotton blend over a 12 month period. Only 29% of the dogs wearing 100% polyester got pregnant during those 12 months, and had significantly lower progesterone levels. In contrast, 100% of the dogs in the cotton and wool groups conceived.²
It is worth noting:
the study had a small sample size,
these findings have not been independently replicated
the study subject were dogs so any implications for human infants remain purely speculative.
Chemical Exposure Risk
Another concern lies in the chemical composition of nappies. In 2019, a study tested dozens of popular disposable nappy brands. Certain fragrances and some PAHs exceeded recommended limits, while other substances – such as PCBs, dioxins, furans, and formaldehyde – were detected at trace levels, generally below regulatory thresholds. Overall, this raises several potential concerns:⁴
Allergic reactions and rashes: Some fragrances can trigger skin sensitisation.
Endocrine (hormone) function: Certain fragrances and PAHs are suspected endocrine disruptors, which could theoretically affect growth, development, or reproductive function.
Cumulative exposure: Even chemicals below regulatory thresholds may be concerning because babies’ delicate skin is exposed constantly for long periods each day.
These results raised regulatory alarms. In response, France proposed a restriction under the European Union's REACH Regulation to limit or prohibit the use of these hazardous substances in disposable nappies. The European Commission has acknowledged the potential risks associated with these chemicals but has not yet implemented EU or UK regulations.
Environmental (and Biological) Cost
Disposable nappies are a global environmental problem; one of the biggest contributors to plastic waste.⁵
167 billion nappies are produced every year, using 250 million barrels of crude oil⁶
More than 300,000 nappies are discarded very minute⁵
Most nappies end up in landfill where they can take hundreds of years to break down, all the while releasing microplastics into the environment. Others are sent to incineration which release greenhouse gases and other pollutants into the air.
But it’s not just the plastics. Every disposable nappy also contains human waste. Faeces can carry viruses, bacteria and parasites, yet when wrapped in a nappy, they’re simply binned with general rubbish. Unlike hospital waste, nappies aren’t treated as hazardous, meaning untreated human waste is effectively being landfilled on an industrial scale. In landfill this contributes to methane emissions (a potent greenhouse gas) and leachate (contaminated liquid run-off), adding to the environmental burden.
Why This Matters to Me
None of these findings are a reason to panic but peek under the surface of these nappies and you’ll find they carry more than just a little mess.
From heat, to chemicals, to waste, putting the evidence together makes me rethink our disposable nappy use. I want to protect my babies from potential harms and I want to protect the planet for their future.
That’s why I’m choosing to limit disposable use. For me, it’s less about an all-or-nothing stance and more about balance: using disposables when life demands it but favouring natural fibres and practising Elimination Communication (EC) to reduce our use of nappies, whether disposable or reusable.
Better Options
Reusable cloth nappies: Brands like Little Lovebum, Easy Peasy and Bear Bott use natural fibres like cotton, bamboo, hemp and TENCEL™. Fewer chemicals, less landfill. Sometimes people worry about the water and energy used in washing reusable nappies, but actually more energy and water is required to manufacture each disposable nappy.
Training pants (cotton): These are brilliant, especially for those practising EC or just giving babies a break from bulk and plastic without worrying about puddles and poop on the floor.
Eco disposables: If I do use disposables, I prefer brands that minimise synthetics and avoid unnecessary additives. In the UK, Beaming Baby and Mama Bamboo are good examples. They aren’t plastic-free (most still use polypropylene or polyethylene), but they often use FSC-certified pulp and bio materials where possible.
References
Girsh, E. (2024). Disposable diapers in infancy and their potential detrimental impact on male fertility in adulthood. Clinical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 7(3), 84–92.
Shafik, A. (2008). An experimental study on the effect of different types of textiles on conception. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 28(2), 213–216.
Partsch, C. J., Aukamp, M., & Sippell, W. G. (2000). Scrotal temperature is increased in disposable plastic-lined nappies. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 83(4), 364–368.
ANSES. (2019). Sécurité des couches pour bébé à usage unique (Saisine n°2017-SA-0019). Retrieved from https://www.anses.fr/fr/system/files/CONSO2017SA0019Ra.pdf
Edmond, C. (2023, August 23). Disposable nappies are one of the biggest contributors to plastic waste – but how green are the alternatives? World Economic Forum. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/stories/2023/08/disposable-nappies-landfill-plastic-circular-economy/
Paddison, L. (2021, November 20). Reuse? Compost? Dump? Solving the eco-conundrum of nappies. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/20/disposable-nappies-plastic-waste-diapers
