Faq PArtou Parents
About
The Billie Wonder HQ is based in Amsterdam.
I am Steef Fleur, the founder of Billie Wonder. Born and raised in Amsterdam, originally a documentary photographer and a mother of two.
I felt the world of washable diapers deserved to be seen in a new light, in terms of production, imagery, and design.
On occasion I do. For example, the day before vacation when you don’t want to leave the house with dirty laundry.
My initial answer is no. But that’s because I am used to it after two kids. Honestly, it does take some getting used to. Give yourself that time. Experiment at home first and venture out as you get more comfortable. Keep in mind, leakages can and will happen in the beginning, regardless of your choice of diapers, and it’s ok. After a couple of days you know what to do. After 2 weeks, you’re a pro. In a month, it’s part of your routine and everything is automatic.
Our logo was cleverly designed by Smörgåsbord Studio to mimic the look, feel, and versatility of cloth - playfully forming letters, a bosom, or a bottom.
General
In 2023, Partou ordered no less than 7.8 million disposable diapers. These diapers account for about half of all waste at Partou's daycare locations (220 full garbage trucks!). Because diapers are hardly recyclable, these 7.8 million pieces end up in residual waste, which is an enormous burden on the environment. Moreover, there is only one small factory in the Netherlands that recycles disposable diapers, so the diapers cannot be processed.
Disposable diapers also contribute to later toilet training, as children don't feel when they have urinated, which can lead to bladder problems or constipation. Additionally, diapers are a significant cost item, both for Partou as an organization and for parents at home.
Partou therefore finds it important to find a sustainable solution. By investing in washable diapers and sharing the gained experience and knowledge, Partou hopes to make a big impact both for themselves as an organization and for the rest of the sector, and ultimately to inspire parents as well. Together, we can significantly reduce the burden on the environment and improve toilet training in children.
At Partou, the washable diapers are fully managed by the daycare center. As a parent, you don't have to worry about this. Employees are trained in the use of these diapers, which are available in various sizes, from the smallest babies to almost toilet-trained toddlers. The sizing system is aligned with common disposable diapers so that the diapers fit perfectly without adjusting the routine of the employees. The design of the Billie Wonder diapers is such that it does not interfere with your child's development.
The washable diapers from Billie Wonder are designed to prevent leaks. They have a snug fit with elastic edges that ensure the diaper fits well to the child's body. In combination with absorbent inserts, moisture is quickly drained, minimizing the chance of leaks. The Partou locations participating in the pilot have indicated that there were hardly any leaking diapers. The design also ensures that explosive diapers are well caught and minimized.
No, as a parent you don't need to switch to washable diapers at home. Partou takes care of everything during the daycare hours. You bring your child as you're used to, with a disposable diaper or washable diaper from home, and Partou ensures that your child wears Billie Wonder washable diapers throughout the day. When picking up, your child will again have a clean disposable diaper (or washable diaper from home) on. If you're interested in using Billie Wonder diapers at home, you get a discount as a Partou parent on the purchase of a Partou Kit.
The new generation of washable diapers is really different from the past. Different materials and thoughtful design make the Billie Wonder diapers much easier to use without extra mess.
To begin with, it's important to know that a new diaper is used at every diaper change. After use, the diapers go into special odor-resistant bags. These are picked up several times a week by the professional laundry service and cleaned in separate machines with their own protocol for maximum hygiene, thus preventing the possible spread of viruses and infections. There is also a separate cleaning protocol in case of a virus or infection outbreak. Cleaned diapers are tested by the laundry service for cleanliness according to applicable legal standards.
This way, you can be sure that your child is always in a clean and safe diaper.
The diapers from Billie Wonder are made of natural, breathable materials such as hemp and organic cotton. These materials are gentle on the skin and contain no harmful chemicals and prevent direct skin contact with plastics. This makes them ideal for babies' sensitive skin, and they reduce the chance of skin irritation or diaper rash compared to disposable diapers.
Yes, according to the experience of parents and daycare centers, children who wear washable diapers become toilet trained faster on average. This is because they feel the wetness better, which helps them make a connection between urinating and a wet diaper more quickly. This stimulates faster toilet training, which ultimately contributes to the children's self-confidence, and earlier removes an element that requires extra time and money in the daily lives of parents.
Washable diapers from Billie Wonder are designed to fit comfortably without restricting your child's freedom of movement. The elastic and shape ensure that the diapers fit well without being too tight or hindering the child in their movements. Thanks to the sizing system, there is always a good size available for your child.
The washable diapers from Billie Wonder are produced in China, as this country is almost the only one worldwide that consistently has hemp fiber (one of the most important materials in our diapers) suitable for textile production available. This makes the production chain the shortest, which reduces the environmental impact. We chose hemp from a regenerative perspective: it nourishes the soil on which it grows, removes more CO2 from the air than trees, and needs no pesticides and barely any water to grow well. This extremely low environmental impact, together with the fact that hemp is easy to recycle or can be naturally broken down, makes it an easy choice for us.
The factory where the Billie Wonder diapers are made has the expertise and infrastructure to deliver a high-quality product on a large scale that meets our vision and strict environmental standards. We regularly visit our factories and maintain good contact with them. The factory operates according to high quality and care standards for their personnel. This way, we can make diapers of the best quality, while keeping our social responsibility in mind and minimizing our ecological footprint. In the long term, we hope to start producing in Europe. We compensate for the impact of transporting the diapers to the Netherlands via a so-called 'fuel switch' from Goodshipping. For every container that comes to the Netherlands, a ship in Europe is filled with Bio Fuel.