Mums can't get enough of coloured eco-diapers

What they don't know about compostable baby wipes you could write on the back of a Jaffa Cake (his favourite biscuit).

The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change got into deep doo-doo by admitting to using disposable nappies to swaddle the bottom of his six-month-old son Daniel, saying: "An Environment Agency report from 2005 said that when you take into account the use of energy in washing and drying nappies, it evens out."

Well, four years is a long time in the evolution of the diaper, Ed.

Real nappies are now not only markedly greener but a whole lot more desirable than in 2005.

In fact, mothers are now buying washables as a fashion statement - earning eco-points comes a poor second to the style status of baby's bottom.

There's a whole menu of nappies to choose from, with melt-in-the-mouth names like Cushie Tushies, which is launching a bumblebee-striped one in January, Swaddlebees, Lollipop Pop'*'gro and Bumgenius.

But top of bots for London's yummiest mummies is the Itti Bitti D'lish, a soft-as-velvet nappy that comes in jewel-like colours.

"Itti Bitti has a massive following," says Tom Scrambler, spokesman for London's stylish eco-shop Green Baby. "People go crazy for them because of the design. They love the colours and the soft minky fabric."

When I, as an idealistic first-time mum-to-be, recently sought real nappy advice at the Angel branch of Green Baby, I was told that since their introduction to the UK from Australia, chi-chi Islington mothers can't get enough of the Bitti D'lish, and the most mouthwatering colours keep selling out.

"We sold 352 Itti Bittis at our launch in March, " says Scrambler. "Last month we sold 1,008 of them wholesale and online, not including our shops."

On looks alone, I am convinced enough to try them. Even though a single nappy costs £14 (and I'll need about a dozen).

One style maven and mum described them as fast becoming "the Bugaboo of nappies", while a design-conscious dad complimented the Bitti D'Lish as being such "a metrosexual diaper you can happily put your baby boy in a shocking pink one".

How do they measure up, convenience-wise, to their disposable counterparts? Forget all notions of scratchy towelling and big pins.

Today's real nappy is a cuddly, quick drying, all-in-one with popper fastening that you can sling in the washing machine without even soaking.

"They are as close as you can get to a disposable nappy while still being reusable," says Tom Scrambler of the Itti Bitti, which doesn't require outer plastic pants.

"They are slimmer than ordinary washable nappies and easier to fit under normal clothing. The pull-apart design makes them quick drying, but they're easy to reassemble, even for dads, as the poppers are colour-coded." Mr Miliband take note.

Find out about real nappy grants, laundry services, nappy demos and suppliers at www.realnappiesforlondon.org.uk

Five bottom-licious real nappies

ITTI BITTI D'LISH
Yummy London's diaper of choice, from £14 per nappy, available only from www.greenbaby.co.uk

BUMGENIUS
Award-winning microfleece one-size pocket nappy in ice-cream colours. £14.75 from www.fill-your-pants.com

BLUEBERRY MINKY
In camouflage, zebra or polka dot, this snap-fastening, microfibre and hemp creation is the poshest — and priciest — pair of pants you can put a baby in. £21.97 from www.fill-your-pants.com

SWADDLEBEES ECO-NAPPI
Organic velour nappies with popper or velcro fastening and detachable lining. £13 from www.fill-your-pants.com

ECOBOTTS
An great-value slimline nappy in 100 per cent organic cotton in animal prints. From £4.50, www.greenbaby.co.uk