What's a Wet Bag?

Wet bags I find are an essential piece to cloth diapering, however, when you're first starting out there can be a lot of information to take in. There's a variety of bags you can use with your diapers (or just a grocery sack if you're going super cheap) and today I'll help you decide which one is best for you and your family! 

These waterproof bags make toting dirty diapers easier than ever. Store dirty diapers between laundering at home in our waterproof stink-free "Smart Pail". These are best for in the home where you can hang them in one spot until it's time to do the diaper laundry. Best of all, after dumping all diapers in to the washer, the pail goes right in with it! These pails have features like being waterproof and leak free, zippered opening for stink-free storage in-between uses, and a snap handle to allow for hanging anywhere! They're 24 inches tall by 15 inches wide and come in three color shades.

Like the Smart Pail above, these "Smart Tote" bags offer the same ease as I mentioned above, but they're a little smaller and more ideal for on the go use! These are 14 inches tall by by 13 inches wide and fit nicely in a diaper bag or even your purse when you're out and about. Some people like to carry two bags, one for clean diapers and one for dirty diapers, because they're nice and organized and kept together. If you know you'll be out of the house for several hours or going to family's, these bags are nice to keep the smell hidden while being able to have comfort in using cloth diapers outside of the home. If you have a small diaper stash you can use these in the home as well because they also offer a snap handle to hang from door knobs or what have you. 

If you're new to cloth diapering or you're trying to build up a good stash of diapers, make sure you hop on over to our website for our 24 & 36 pack of  One Size diapers. Not only do these come with a very nice bulk savings, but you also get a Tote with it! 

Angelina: Why She Started Cloth Diapering

Before I started having children one of my dear friends started using cloth diapers. I was very intrigued because they were nothing like I was picturing; (a piece of cloth with two pins on each side). No, these "modern" cloth diapers had the cutest prints and seemed so easy to use with snaps and Velcro. I asked her a million and one questions and decided I'd cloth diaper my future children.

Fast forward 7 years later and I'm due with my first child! I talked to my husband about wanting to cloth diaper and he thankfully was immediately on board! Being budget conscious,  I will admit I was nervous to tell him the initial cost of cloth diapers, but we made a plan to buy a little at a time throughout the pregnancy. I also took this time to enter a bunch of giveaways through blogs and Facebook in hopes to win even a couple to help with the cost. 

18 months later and we love cloth diapering! My husband knows how to wash and care for the diapers just as much as I do and he finds it easy! Whenever we go out of town and don't have washer/dryer accessibility we'll buy a pack of disposables. I'll never forget the first time we used disposables, my husband said, "I hate these things!" LOL 

Now that my son is a toddler, he's a heavy wetter at night. We use plastic pants at night and doubled up on liners to help absorb him and not wake up wet. I have a large variety of brands and over time I've learned certain diapers hold better than others, or fit differently with certain clothes which helps at night. We have figured out which diaper for which occasion and love them all for different things! 

Written by Angelina, a budget mom! 

Shower Gifts for the Cloth Mama!

Let's talk shower gifts!

Perhaps one of the most common shower gifts that we all receive in abundance is diapers! It makes sense...it's something that all babies need and go through in abundance, so it's always a safe bet!

But what if you're cloth diapering? Or attending a shower for someone who is? What gifts are appropriate for the cloth diapering mama or mama to be? Today I'm sharing a few ideas:

Cloth Diapers. 
Of course, the most obvious gift is cloth diapers! I can assure you that any cloth diapering mama would love to receive cloth diapers as a shower gift- as more often than not we actually hear discouragement about the decision to use cloth. Not sure where to start? Ask the mom to be if she has any preferences, or buy a few different types if your budget allows. Not all diaper work the same for all babies, so it is nice to give mom a variety to try out.

Cloth Part Time? Of Course!!

"I know cloth diapering can save a ton of money, BUT I can't do it. Our daycare won't allow it. We travel too much. It just won't work for us."

Does this sound like you? Or perhaps someone you know? It's a complaint that I have heard far too often. People love the idea of cloth diapers, but just cannot see how cloth diapering full time can fit into their schedule or their lifestyle. And for those who depend on others to provide childcare during anytime during their child's day, this is a very real concern.

But who says it has to be all or nothing?

Why can't cloth diapering be only part time? Why can't you do both? Today I'm sharing how cloth diapering part time can STILL be beneficial.

Pros & Cons of the Varieties of Cloth Diapers

When you begin looking into cloth, one of the first things you're likely to discover is that there are a LOT of options available. Pockets, all in ones, all in twos...what do they all mean and which is best? Today, I will share what each type is and the pros and cons of each.

Pocket Diapers

Pockets are perhaps one of the more common types of cloth diapers and for good reason. Pocket diapers feature an opening in the diaper in which you 'stuff' your absorbent material. Inserts can be made from microfiber, hemp, bamboo or a combination, though microfiber is most common.

Smarti Pants Newborn Diapers

I'm here today to focus on the other side of Smarti Pants, with their "Little Smarti" diapers. These are newborn cloth diapers that fit from 5-12 lbs, have elastic at the legs and back to contain messes, and is a complete all-in-one with an enclosed microfiber pad offering great absorbency.

Most One Size diapers start at 7lbs and I know that one size may not fit right away for people that have smaller or petite children. 

HOWEVER, these newborn diapers retail for $3 MORE than the One Size diaper Smarti Pants also sells. If you're willing to buy, you can always save for future children or sell after baby outgrows for part of your money back. 

I will add that Smarti Pants offers bundle packages so you can buy one diaper for $17.95 or a three pack for $49.95. They come in pink, blue, or white.

Courtesy of Michelle @ Mama's Baby Cupcakes

Cloth Diapering And Hospitals

While reviewing the Kelly Wels book, I came upon a subject I had never thought about... cloth diapering while in the hospital. I just assumed that it's your baby so you can have them wear whatever you want. I mean, they let you bring in your own clothes as well as your own baby clothes and blankets, so why not cloth diapers?

According to "Changing Diapers: The Hip Mom's Guide to Cloth Diapering" it is necessary to check with your hospital to make sure cloth diapering is even allowed. If they're not allowed, you can always advocate and see if they change their mind.

• Take in samples of cloth diapers, especially AIO (All In Ones) or pockets to your childbirth class and let them see just how simple a cloth diaper can be.
• Let them know you and your family are willing to change ALL DIAPERS!
• Possibly ask a local retailer to help you contact your hospital, and they could even get business out of it, like a cloth diapering class at the hospital. (That would be AMAZING!)
• Contact the Real Diaper Association for helpful tips as well. They also offer advocacy pamphlets on their website that you can print out and take with you. You can visit the advocacy group on their blog, Cloth Diapers In Hospitals, and they even have a Facebook page.

Did you cloth diaper in the hospital?

Did anyone try to tell you it wasn't allowed?

Michelle @ Mama's Baby Cupcakes blog