Okay. Herewith follows a disclaimer: This post may be a little OTT. If you’re a male friend, or my dad, stop reading. Come back tomorrow. This is girl talk.
For those of you still here, welcome! I want to tell you about a new product I’ve discovered. It’s called Natracare. An organic and natural feminine hygiene brand. Now, with a by-line of ‘living naturally’ I’m afraid to say, I’m not as crunchy as some, and I don’t do the DivaCup thing just yet. After two years of no periods, thank you 9 months of pregnancy and 15 months of breastfeeding (well, I still breastfeed, but when the night nursing slowed down, the menses returned), I have finally found my little friend again. Can’t say I missed her. But hey ho.
Now, for the very reason I love reusable nappies over disposables, I like Natracare: there’s not a trace of plastic, they’re biodegradable, they’re chemical free and made from organic cotton.
Being chlorine free, Natracare products are free of Dioxin – a pollutant that is found in most sanitary products and that is stored in our fat cells forever. Being 100% organic cotton, Natracare can also bring relief to women who suffer from itchiness, skin irritation or eczema, which might be worse during their periods due to the chlorine, rayon, binders, plastics, surfactants, latex and fragrances, nor do they have the polyacrylate (the stuff that makes nappies and pads absorbent and can cause irritation of the skin.)
Of course, there is also the environmental factor. Here I am, using reusable nappies so as to save the landfills from the mountain of, quite literally, crap that will take 500 years to decompose, but I’ve never even considered what becomes of sanitary pads and tampons. Well, according to Natracare’s informational leaflet, 45 billion sanitary pads (not including tampons) are thrown out. Placed end to end, they would stretch all the way to the sun. To bury them would take a hole 300 feet deep and 300 feet wide. Every year. Natracare products are between 90 and 100% biodegradable and compostable.
Personally, I think they are great. My preference are pads with wings. They stick fine and last me as long as ordinary versions, and I don’t feel a pang of guilt when I drop it in the bin.  They are thinner than ‘normal’ pads, but I have not noticed an absorbency problem at all, nor had any leakage. And… and this is a big and…. They don’t rustle. I know that may sound weird, but the rustle of plastic normally makes me feel really self- conscious. These have no plastic, so they don’t rustle. Love it.
The Green Familia says of the cotton wipes, “These cotton wipes are hugely superior to the wipes you can buy more commonly. Once you’ve used these you’ll never want to put all those horrible chemical-laden wipes near your children, or yourself again!
An Amazon review for the maternity pads says the absorbency is more than adequate post birth, and (although more expensive than other brands) she would buy them again.
For the giveaway, we have a fantastic ‘new mums pack’ specifically selected for Diary of a First Child. Of course, it’s not just for new mums – there’s plenty in there for any mums, really! There are maternity pads for the post-ÂpartÂum bleed (or if you have really heavy periods, these will be fab), nursing pads – and if you’re not nursing, I’m sure you’ll find use for good quality cotton pads – cotton baby pads, and cotton baby wipes. All you have to do to enter this competition is head over to Hushabye Baby, sponsors of our giveaway, and list one of the 32 other brands they stock that isn’t Natracare.
For an additional entry ‘like’ Hushabye Baby on Facebook – a great idea anyway, since they have regular competitions on their fan page (and while you’re there, let them know I sent you, and then like Diary of a First Child too!). Remember to leave a comment here to say that you’re a fan.
Competition closes at noon on the 9th of May. The winner will be drawn using Random.org.
The Winner is Cheryll H – thanks to everyone for entering!
You do not have to tweet or share this competition to enter, but doing so helps ensure that I can keep bringing you giveaways! You can subscribe to Diary of a First Child by RSS or email. You can also follow us on Facebook or on Twitter. We hope to see you back again soon!
I have liked Hushabye Babay facebook page
JASON
Beaming baby
Bossanova Baby
Also a fan of Hushabye baby on Facebook!
Green People
I already like Hushabye Baby on Facebook
Beaming Baby
Have liked on Facebook!
Weleda Baby
liked on FB
Beaming Baby
baby buds
Weleda Baby
Beaming Baby
I ‘like’ Hushabye Baby on Facebook.
Answer: Viridian
yes im a fan
x
gNappies
PS I’m liking Hushabye Baby on Facebook too x
Weleda Baby
Liked and shared
gNappies
I have liked both pages on FB, and let them know that you sent me. I have also tweeted as @joanneblunt
Another brand they stock is Green People.
Baby Buds
Lavera and liked facebook page to !! 🙂
Green People
Green People
Baby buds
I’ve liked on FB x
Another brand is Floradix x
Green Baby
Beaming Baby
I’ve liked on facebook as well xx
Bentley Organic
Baby Buds Baby Bum Balm
Beaming baby
Green People
Also have liked on FB 🙂
Bentley
Baby Buds 🙂
Boo Boos
Have liked on FB x
Emma Oldfield
Beaming Baby x
Liked on FB 🙂
gNappies 🙂
@Cheryll H, Congratulations on winnning this Natracare Set, Cheryll.
Baby Buds 🙂
Baby Buds
Also a fan on fb x
gnappies
New Era
Beaming Baby :o)
Green Baby
Baby Buds
Baby Buds
gNappies
Green Baby
Beaming Baby
Liked Hushabyebaby on Facebook (Megan MSE Adams) 🙂
green people
liked you on facebook
Baby Buds
Beaming Baby
Earth’s Best 🙂
Green Baby
Weleda – one of my favourite brands!
I like Hushabye Baby on Facebook
Green Baby
Interesting site which I have liked and followd
have become a fan of the fb page too
Bentley Organic
weleda baby
have liked the facebook page too
have liked their facebook page too twinklenicci cowdell-murray
green people 🙂
Baby Buds 🙂
baby buds X
Baby Buds
Answer: Green People
Also liked on facebook
xx
Boo Boo
Liking Hush- Byebaby on Facebook!! another product mentioned is Weleda!!! Off to follow on twitter now @kimc43
Little Green Radicals
Liked and Tweeted and Following @aesop57
LIKED TWEETED loppys1234
baby buds
I already like both you and Husha-Byebaby on facebook
Maison Boo
Beaming Baby
I like on FB
Organic Monkey
Solgar xx
baby buds
Organic Monkey
Baby Buds
Weleda 😀
Weleda
Baby Buds 🙂
Organic Monkey!
baby buds
Babybuds
Boo Boo
thanks for the fab giveaway 🙂
Green People
Balm Balm is another brand
I already liked Hushabye Baby on Facebook
I have liked your FB page and follow you on Twitter
baby buds
Another brand they carry is Alva
danielleaknapp at gmail dot com
Thanks for the chance.
weleda
I already like Hushabye Baby on Facebook as Marzena Sz
my answer: Organic Monkey
Little Green Radicals
Liked of Facebook.
Fab prize – good luck everyone xx
product: organic monkey; already a fan of hushabye baby on fb
Weleda
Liked on Hushabye Baby on Facebook
Weleda products
Beaming Baby
Have liked on FB too 😀
“Boo boo” *Giggles*
Baby buds
Like Hushabye Baby on Facebook
Beaming Baby
green people
Organic Monkey
Green people, I like on FB liked and followed 🙂 @anna8301
Weleda
liked and followed
baby buds
Baby buds 😉
Am a fan.
Baby Buds