The Dirty Truth About Nappies and Baby Health
A picture of a baby wearing a nappy
Picture this: you're in the middle of a well-earned cuppa (finally, right?), and then—BRAAAP! Your baby's nappy has betrayed you—a blowout of catastrophic proportions.
Now, you're wrestling a wriggly toddler while scrubbing surfaces and desperately trying to keep them from touching anything. Sound familiar?
If you're a parent, you've probably lived this frustration. But there's a darker side to nappy disasters beyond the mess: it can be a serious health issue for babies.
Let's Talk Nappy Rash
Did you know that an estimated 65% of nappy rash cases are caused by contact with harmful bacteria in poo [1,2,3]? At any given time in the UK, approximately 9% of infants—around 61,000 little ones—need medical help for severe nappy rash [4,5].
That's not just an extra tub of cream; it's red, raw little bottoms, doctor visits, sleepless nights, and plenty of tears along the way.
The culprit? The nappies we use. They're not just failing to contain the mess; they're compromising our baby's delicate skin. And while nappy rash might seem like a mild inconvenience for many, for at least 12% of parents, it's a constant concern that deserves attention. [6]
The Rotavirus Riddle
If you thought the nappy rash was nasty, brace yourself for this: cleaning up after a blowout doesn't just leave you with stained clothes and frayed nerves.
It also increases the risk of faecal-oral contamination (yes, it's every bit as bad as it sounds). Harmful bacteria can easily find their way into a baby's system—thanks to the mess, wriggling, and those ever-curious little hands during nappy changes. This unfortunate scenario is the sneaky culprit behind 90% of infant rotavirus infections [7].
What is rotavirus, you ask? It's a concerning infection that causes vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration. Despite rotavirus vaccinations, each year, an estimated 35,000 UK babies end up contracting rotavirus. Of those, 31,000 will visit their GP, and around 4000 will be admitted to hospital with severe symptoms [8].
A simple nappy change shouldn't lead to this, should it?
A Fresh Perspective on Prevention
It doesn't have to be like this. At Otti's Botti®, we've spent sleepless nights (just like you!) tackling these very problems.
Our innovative nappy doesn't just absorb mess—it isolates it, keeping poo (and that nasty bacteria) far away from your baby's skin. We're on a mission to stop poo explosions, reduce nappy rash by 65%, and dramatically cut the risks of rotavirus.
We're working hard to make this a reality because let's face it—parenting is tough enough without all that poo!
Otti's Botti® is here to rewrite the rules of nappy care. Watch this space for updates as we bring this vision to life!
References
Dermatology Nursing. Coughlin KJ, Eichenfield LF. "Diaper dermatitis: A review and update. | 2003
Paediatric Dermatology. Atherton DJ. "Understanding irritant napkin dermatitis." | 2004
American Academy of Paediatrics. Brooks D, Levy ML. "Diaper dermatitis." In: "Paediatric Dermatology: A Quick Reference Guide." | 2009
Wiley Paediatric Dermatology. “Prevention and treatment of diaper dermatitis”. | 2018
United Nations (UN). "Child Health Statistics." | 2022.
Strateva Group Ltd. YouGuv. Survey Insights from 272 UK parents who have children under 3 years old who currently wear nappies, The sample size reflects the UK market, with a 95% confidence level. Nov 2024
World Health Organisation. Rotavirus Surveillance Standards. 2017
Gov.UK. Rotavirus vaccination programme: information for healthcare professionals. 2024