reduce reuse recycle – Motherhood after IVF

I had great intentions to create many blogs related to plastic free July- yet here I am on the 20th writing the first one!

I feel ‘plastic free’ or eco intentions have the same fate often; it’s an effort we often mean to make, but never quite get there! I thought I’d create a short read on some of my favourite eco products to help get you started on your plastic free journey this July….. or any month.

Rowdy Kind If you have kids then these clean and care products are awesome. Rowdy Kind was founded by Kate and Anne Marie who are sister in laws! The two mums shared the concept of Rowdy Kind and before they knew it were officially on a joint plastic free bath time mission. Rowdy Kind was launched in 2020 and now stock a full range of plastic free body care for children. I love them because the bright colours, great scents and funky design make them appealing to kids- but also because they’re plastic free, vegan and palm oil free too. Shop at Rowdy Kind use ninja10 for a nice discount.

FFS I love this brand, not only because ffs is something I often say (😆) but also because my shave routine was one of the things I struggled to make eco friendly, and they really helped.

FFS, are on a mission to be kind to your skin and the planet. That’s why their deliveries will be packaged in 100% FSC Approved Recyclable cardboard! Once finished with, you can either pop this in your recycling bin or use them to store used blades by sending them back to ffs to be recycled!

They have several complimentary products to help improve your shave, all of which are cruelty and paraben free and come in tubes made from Sugarcane polythene, which means they are also 100% recyclable.

Yes that’s personalised engraving on my razor handle!! Love it- shop at FFS to get your own eco shave routine. Use JULYSAVE20 for discount

Foamie has long been one of my fave eco brands, but now they have a new product! The most awesome dry shampoo. It’s available for dark and light hair, smells awesome and leasts no powdery residue- it’s available to buy here at Holland&Barrett

In the past few years my approach to periods has really changed; it started gradually, but now I’m totally plastic free, with a range of products that I love and get me through that time of the month.

I have a short cycle, 19 days, so have more periods than most, its sucks a bit. So that’s 19 periods a year, bleeding 5 days a time- 95days bleeding per year (eeeek!) In ‘old money’ that would be 380 pads or tampons per year!!!!! Not only is that lots of ££££ (which could be better spent on new shoes) but alllllll the waste: plastic wrappers, pads, tampons, boxes.

So I thought I’d introduce you to my ways; I use a range of different products, so hopefully something to suit everyone, or at least something you may be willing to give a try.

Period Cup I’ve tried a few different cups, all have a very similar design; a simple silicone cup, with a ‘wick’ at the bottom to aid removal, and a flexible silicone ring at the top. The favourite cup I’ve used, and I’m sticking with is the CUP IT kit from Secret Whispers. This kit is great becomes it comes with two cups; a smaller blue one and a larger pink one- so you have the option to try both, instead of wasting your money on the wrong size. Most cup brands offer a couple of cup sizes- one for younger women and/or those that have not had a vaginal birth, and a second for (you guessed it) older women and/or those that have had a vaginal birth, but this is obviously just a guide, and you may find you need the other side.

Cups are simple enough to use, but take a little practice: but by the end of my second period I had no leaks. Whilst experimenting with cups I’d advise to also ‘double up’ with a pair of period pants or a reusable pad (see below). You only need one cup, take out; empty (rinse/wipe), and reinsert. The cup it kit comes with a small material bag to keep your cup in your bag whilst expecting your period.

My tips for cups are:

Fold the cup ring in half, squish between your thumb and index finger of your dominant hand an insert- try and push a tiny bit further up.
You may need to ‘trim the wick’ for comfort
When removing, squeeze the base of the cup (so there’s no vacuum) before gently pulling the wick
Try both sizes to see what suits best
Stick with it for 2/3 periods before you decide whether its for you.
if you don’t get on with one brand, try another
Enjoy the £££ you save

Shop at secret whispers use ‘ivfninja-10’ for discount

Period Pants I held off trying period pants for ages, as I just didn’t get how they could be effective. I always preferred tampons to pads, so a cup felt more my ‘normal’. Then Wuka (Wake Up Kick Ass) sent me some pants to try ~(AD-pr product)- and WOW!!

There are lots of different brands available, but I’ve only tried WUKA and couldn’t pick fault with them, so haven’t tried others. They have a range of different pants from thong, to high leg bikini, to shorts, and they come in different absorbencies too; their super heavy can hold 60 mls of blood!

They are super comfy, absorb the blood away from your body, so you don’t feel sticky and stinky, and they’re really discreet too. on a ‘normal’ flow day I wear one pair all day and then change for the night- yes, they’re that good, they keep me sorted for a 12.5 hr shift on my feet. Shop at Wuka

My tips for period pants:

Wear when expecting your period to avoid any ‘oh no moments’
Buy a range of fits and absorbencies to suit your flow
great for post partum
use with a cup whilst getting used to it
Try with your daughters as easier/less daunting then a cup

Reusable/washable pads Probably the easiest of swaps, as you literally swap disposables for these much prettier and eco friendly version.

I was really apprehensive again, but after being gifted some Bloom and Nora pads I love them. Great for extra reassurance when wearing a cup (or tampon) or on their own.

They come in a range of shapes and sizes for everyday of your cycle-and they wash easily and retain their colour. Bloom and Nora do a great wet/dry bag as well, so you can store used pads with no mess or smell.

Shop at Bloom & Nora

Let me know what you think?

Tag: reduce reuse recycle

Great intentions- Plastic Free July

Plastic Free Periods