Top Reasons Randi loves Cloth Diapers

It's February...the month of love, where we all celebrate the people and things we love. And today I'm celebrating my love of cloth. Oh, cloth diapers...how do I love thee!? Let me count the ways:

• The savings! Let's start with the most practical reason to love cloth- how much money can be saved!! With that extra money we're not spending on diapers each week/month, we can feel free to buy more things we love! (Even if that means more cloth diapers!)
• Better for Earth, Better for Baby! Another logical reason to love cloth! I love knowing that I'm producing less waste in the landfills and giving my baby the healthiest alternatives! With her delicate baby skin, that's a GREAT thing!
• They're adorable! A little less practical reason, but nonetheless true! There is something super adorable about a fluffy bottom. The bright colors, the fun prints...you don't get that with a disposable now, do you?
• They're worry free. As I write this, we have a snowstorm heading our way...but am I worried about running out of diapers? Absolutely not. We've got our cloth diapers and our washing machine...and we're prepared for anything! Snowstorm? No problem! Car troubles? No problem! Zombie apocalypse? No problem! (Well, not with diapers anyway!)
• The community! Oh, what a wonderful world this cloth diapering community is! There may be a few bad apples, but overall I have met some wonderful people through our cloth diapering experience! Like minded mommies bonding over what's on their babies bottom? Yes, please!
• Fluff Mail. Is there a cloth diapering mama out there who doesn't enjoy getting fluff in the mail? I didn't think so! It's not NEARLY as exciting to post a photo of the package of disposables you just bought, is it?

Yes, there are certainly a million and one reasons to love cloth! From the practical to the frivolous...what's not to love!

How about you? Why do YOU love cloth diapers?

Cloth Diapering in a Pinch

I’ll never forget the time I was caught diaperless, something fervent cloth diaperers 

vow won’t happen, and one of the wonderful things about using cloth. Well, it 

happened to me. My son and I were out running errands (he was around two 

months old at the time) and decided to make an impromptu stop at my husband’s 

office (about 45 minutes away from home). My son was still in the breastfeeding 

blowout stage, so we were going through at least twelve diapers a day. Needless to 

say, I had not prepared accordingly and we were caught without a diaper.

Thankfully, I was a full-time prefold diaper user at the time, so I was able to pull out 

a spare cover and use…a receiving blanket to fashion into a makeshift diaper. From 

that time on, I made sure to always keep a spare Snappi and cover in my diaper bag 

for those “just in case” kind of moments. Over time, I was better able to anticipate 

the number of diapers we would need for outings, always packing one or two extra, 

but I did find myself caught another time or two once my son entered toddlerhood 

(and diaper changes became more ‘predictable’). 

If you’re adept at cloth diapering, then you’ll find you can be very creative in 

‘emergency’ situations. We all seem to be gifted an insane number of receiving 

blankets, so keeping a few spare blankets in your car isn’t a bad idea. After 

forgetting to pack a wet bag in my diaper bag (they were still on the drying rack at 

home), I fished a spare disposable grocery bag from my car to contain a dirty diaper; 

I would later add that bag to my diaper bag, again, for “just in case” moments (and 

my spare bag came in handy on multiple occasions).

Even if you don’t diaper with flats, fitteds, or prefolds, I suggest purchasing a one-

size cover to keep on-hand in your diaper bag – you never know when it might come 

in handy! You know those cute bloomers people use over disposable diapers? I was 

gifted a few at my baby shower, and kept them, despite not knowing what I would 

ever use them for (especially because I have a boy who doesn’t wear pretty dresses). 

Those bloomers came in handy when my son had a nasty diaper rash; I folded a 

prefold or added an insert into the bloomers to give added security against messes 

while my son was able to “air out” his tush. 

So, when a cloth diaper emergency situation arises, remain calm and remind 

yourself that, by nature of cloth diapering, you’re able to become a Cloth Diaper 

McGyver – you’ve got this!

A freelance writer and skilled ghostwriter, Lauren Stevens proudly, and dually, wears 

the hats of both toddler-wrangler and wordsmith. You can find Lauren’s writing in The 

Huffington Post and Scary Mommy, in addition to her blog, lo-wren.com.

Cloth Diapers: Trail & Error

You did the research, you bought the diapers, and you jumped in head first...ready to rock this cloth diapering business! But after a few months, you probably came to discover what most of us cloth diapering parents have had to discover at one point or another...cloth diapering is all about the trial and error! No matter how researched or well-prepared you think you are, some things can only be learned by experience! To ease the learning curve, here are a few quick lessons cloth diapering moms have learned firsthand:


Fit is Everything...and One Size Does Not Fit All.
When it comes to cloth diapering without leaks, having the proper fit is everything. You don't want gaps around the waist or legs, but don't want anything tight either...both can cause issues. So, you asked your cloth diapering friend for her suggestions on the best fitting diaper, bought an entire stash and discovered...they don't work for you little one at ALL! The reality is, what works well for one baby may not be what works best for another- like adults babies are all built differently and diapers must be adjusted accordingly. It's great to ask around for some starting points to try out, but don't buy an entire stash on just one type. Buy several varieties to try and wait to buy the entire stash until you have the chance to learn what works. (For troubleshooting fit issues, YouTube can be a GREAT resource.)

All Inserts Are Not Created Equal.
Just as all diapers don't work the same for all babies, the same is true for inserts. For some, one microfiber liner is all you will need. Others may need a little extra boost like an additional microfiber booster, or something with a little more umph like hemp. A heavy wetter may pee right through the microfiber, and a fast wetter may pee quicker than the hemp can absorb. We have personally found the ideal solution for us has been microfiber on top of hemp...the microfiber absorbs quickly and the hemp absorbs more. Some babies may also be senstive to various types of inserts as well. Again, try several varieties to discover what works best for your baby!

Washing...It's Not THAT Complicated!

Perhaps the most overwhelming aspect of cloth diapering for many new cloth diapering parents is the laundry...I mean why would it NOT be with all of the crazy wash routines you see online!? The last thing you want are diapers that smell, but how are you supposed to keep track of all these steps? In my experience I have found there really is no need to make it that complicated. This is again an issue where there may be some trial and error involved as no two wash routines are alike (different water types, different washers, etc all factor into what detergents will work best and how diapers should be washed).  Play around until you find what works for you, but I've found to avoid issues the two most common problems are too little water or (more commonly it seems) too little detergent. Find the best detergent for your area and machine, make sure you have enough water and chances are your wash routine will become fairly simple.

The Don'ts: Just Say No To Ointments & Fabric Softener.
Oh sure, if you look up cloth diaper don'ts on the web, you'll probably find many more...and many of those may even be true or partly true as well, but these are certainly the big ones. Let's start with the ointments. When your little one has a rash, of course you want to provide relief for them. The problem? Typical rash creams contain ingredients which can cause staining and repelling- leaving your diapers pretty well useless! If you really need to use the creams, a liner can be a great solution. Still, I have personally found the best solution for diaper rashes is something many of us have in our pantries- coconut oil! It's cloth diaper safe and smells great too! Fabric softeners can also cause absorbency issues and should be avoided as well. Wool dryer balls are a great alternative. And while we're on the subject of laundy, one more quick don't worth mentioning: Do NOT use the santize cycle. Sure, this sounds like it'd be a great fit for diapers, but the reality is they can do more harm than good. This cycles uses extremely hot water which can actually damage your diapers. They may not be ruined after just one use, but such extreme temperatures will certainly wear your diapers much faster if you do.

Buying Used? Do Your Research!
Most of our trial and errors have been about fit and laundry, but one mistake that many new moms have faced has been overpaying for used diapers. In fact, many newbie moms have found themselves paying even MORE for a 'china cheapie' than what they could have purchased it for brand new. If you plan to purchase your diapers used, be sure to know the value of said diaper new!

Have you learned any cloth diapering lessons the hard way? What advice would YOU share?

WOOL: IT’S NOT JUST FOR WINTER

Wool and cloth diapering, often the cause of fear and avoidance, are a natural 

combination. Despite common misconceptions, wool is actually pretty easy to care 

for and can require less maintenance than your PUL covers, pocket diapers, or all-in-

ones. What if I was to tell you that you need only wash your wool covers/longies 

every couple of weeks (given that you have no blowouts)? You need only air out 

your wool covers between uses, as the lanolin in wool possesses self-cleaning 

properties. After a couple of weeks of use, or if a blowout occurs, simply hand wash 

your cover in lukewarm water with a mild soap (no “special” wool wash needed), 

and air dry. Honestly, it’s that easy!

Wool really is an incredibly natural fiber, lending itself to cloth diapering. Wool can 

absorb twice it’s weight, is able to both repel and wick away moisture, and regulates 

temperature like a champ! Because of it’s ability to both absorb liquid, and repel 

with lanolin, wool is an ideal choice for tricky overnight diapering. Paired with a 

prefold, fitted diaper, and/or inserts, wool covers and longies are a wonderful 

solution to overnight leaks with most commercial diapers. If you don’t want to give 

up your favorite diaper, simply place a wool cover over your pocket or all-in-one 

diaper to prevent leaks.

While many people associate wool with colder temperatures (think longies for little 

ones), wool is also an excellent fiber to cloth diaper with in the summer, when 

temperatures soar. When I was using prefolds and fitteds exclusively, my son lived 

in wool covers, longies, and shorties in the summer. Not only did the wool allow for 

greater air flow than PUL covers, diaper changes were much easier with longies and 

shorties doubling as both a diaper cover and bottoms (no need for extra steps).

If you’re interested in exploring more cloth diapering options, or are having 

difficulty finding a nighttime cloth diaper solution, I would strongly encourage you 

to give wool a try. If finances are tight, many work at home moms offer upcycled 

wool soakers, longies, and shorties for a fraction of the price of commercially cound 

wool. So, what are you waiting for?

Disposable Diapers VS Cloth Diapers

Googled image, found on Pampers site

The cost of cloth vs disposable was a big issue for my husband. Yes, the $60 a month we were spending was a lot of money, but in troubling times, coming up with $280 to have a 24 piece stash was impossible!

I know everyone has their pros and cons of disposable vs cloth and I'm not here to dispute that. This post is based off pure facts, and what works for some may not work for others, but if anything, I hope that whoever reads this information, gains SOMETHING from it!

The costs calculated below for disposable, single use diapers are based on two of the most popular brands, using a store known for its value pricing.

The newborn pkg. (up to 10 lb.) contains 48 diapers @ $16.23 = $0.34 each . The average number of changes for a newborn is 12-16 times per day for the first 2 weeks.14x7x2=196 diapers @ $0.34 =$66.64

The Infant # 1 pkg. contains 104 diapers up to 14 lb. @ 0.22 ea. An average baby requires 10-12 changes per day for the first 3 months 11x30x2.5 =825 diapers @ $.22 each = $181.50

The Infant # 2 pkg. 12-18 lb. contains 88 diapers @ $0.26 each. An average baby 3-6 months old requires 10-12 changes a day 11x30x3 =990 diapers @ $0.26= $257.40 Mega pack pricing was used for the balance of the packages as it is the least expensive. Each Mega Pack was $28.92+$2.02 GST For a total of $30.94 / pkg.

The Infant #3 pkg. 16-18 lb. contains 96 diapers @ $0.32 ea. A 6-9 month old baby requires 8-10 changes per day 9x30x3= 810 diapers @ $0.32 ea. = $259.20

The Infant # 4 pkg. 22-27 lb. contains 64 diapers @ $0.37 ea. A 9-12 month old child requires 8 changes per day 8x30x3 = 720 diapers @ $0.37 = $266.40

The toddler pkg. # 5 over 27 lb. contains 58 diapers @ $0.41 each. An average 12-18 month old child requires 6-8 changes a day. 7x30x6=1260 diapers @ $0.41 ea. = $516.60

The child #6 pkg. over 35 lb. contains 48 training diapers @ $23.00 =$0.45 each. An average 18-30 month old child requires 6-8 changes per day. 7x 364 = 2548 diapers @ $0.45= $1146.60

Total estimated average cost $2694.54 for 7,349 disposable, single use diapers.

Pricing above was googled and found HERE

Depending on the style of cloth you use, how often you choose to do laundry, and other factors like cloth wipes, wet bags, diaper sprayer and other accessories, you can spend on the HIGH side of $500 to cloth diaper from newborn-potty training BUT then you can put them away and they're ready for your next child, which means you spend NO money after your initial big purchase unless you decide to add more.

Googled Image

It's recommended to have 24 cloth diapers from the newborn stage, if you do laundry every other day, and a company like Smartipants is currently charging $280 for a 24 pack of One Size (8-35+lb) cloth diapers, available in thirteen different colors. Smartipants Packages also allow you a discount for the more you buy and come in 3, 12, 24 packs if you like to save!

KellyWels.com

Using chlorine to bleach paper releases dioxins, which are one of the most potent cancer-causing chemicals out there. Dioxin exposure can also cause reproductive problems - and disposable diapers put dioxins right next to your baby's reproductive organs. Those little gel beads that absorb the liquid can actually cause asthma and airway restriction.

When you no longer need cloth diapers, you can sell them for a portion of your money back! On average, cloth diapers retain about 60% of their value. Since you need fewer diapers as your baby grows, you can trade up in sizes (fitted diapers) without spending any more money! Diaper Swappers is the main website where diapers are bought, sold and traded. Buying used diapers can also be a great way to try the many different styles and brands before settling on one particular company and possibly being disappointed later if they don't meet your standards. I consider myself lucky to have gotten in to giveaways because I have a huge variety of brands, styles, and closures, and it really helps see where you'll get your most money's worth.

So there you have it, a little information on disposables vs cloth. As a family that's used both, I can honestly say sometimes I do miss the convenience of a disposable, and I know my husband prefers them because they're so quick (he needs AIO with velcro!) BUT the money we save is amazing, no running out of diapers at 2am, and I KNOW they're better for my child.

Contributed by Michelle

Randi Talks about Traveling with Cloth Diapers!

November has arrived! The holidays are coming up quickly and for many of us, that means traveling. For the cloth diapering family, this often leads to many questions. Is it possible to use cloth while traveling? What will I need? How many will I need? How do I wash them? To be honest, many choose to not bother with the extra hassle and choose to use disposables during their trips.Others choose to use hybrid options that allow them to use disposable inserts in cloth covers giving them the best of both worlds. Both are great options, but for those who choose to stick with cloth (be it due to need or choice), using cloth does NOT mean you must give up your holiday travels...it simply takes a bit more planning ahead. Here are a few quick tips to help you cloth on the go:

• Know Your Destination. Figure out what laundry options are going to be available. Personally when we travel, we always stay with family, which means I always have access to their washers. If you're staying in a hotel or don't otherwise have easy access to a washer at your destination, you may consider other options.Will it be worth the extra effort of going to the laundromat? Is hand washing an option? Will you be gone long enough that you will NEED to wash? Take all of these factors into consideration.
• Choose Your Diapers. Personally, I find that our all in twos are much easier for travelling as they tend to take up less space for more diapers, but choose what works best for your needs. Again, you might consider disposable inserts to make things a little easier as well. Or disposable for the road, cloth when you reach your destination. There truly is no wrong way to go. If you will be spending many hours on the road, consider insert options as well. Microfiber can often lead to compression leaks when sitting for too long, so other options may be necessary. I typically go for hemp for these long drives and prepare much as I would for a nighttime diaper.
• Don't Be Afraid to Overpack. I'm an overpacker in general, but have tried to get better about this...except when it comes to diapers. We personally have a stash that would allow us to go nearly a whole week between washes, and I always bring each and every one...even if only for the weekend. It's better to have too many than not enough...this is especially true during the holidays when it seems to be busy, busy, busy! I never want to worry that I won't have time to wash when needed.  
• Don't Forget The Extras. Wet bags are an absolute must when travelling with cloth, but they're not the only things to be certain to pack. Bring plenty of wipes, liners (if you use them), etc. Many areas don't have places to purchase these if you realize you forgot/need them, so plan ahead. I also always try to bring my own detergent as well...premeasured to make it easy! Even while staying with family, I don't always know what detergents they will have available so I want to be sure I have something appropriate for our diapers! If you hang dry your diapers, know ahead of time what options are available. We have an octopus hanger from Ikea that we take with us every time.

Do you travel with cloth diapers? What tips do you have?


Contributed by Randi!

CLOTH DIAPERING, FROM BIRTH TO POTTY TRAINING: ROUND TWO

Today I’m sharing “if I knew then, what I know now” thoughts on cloth diapering, as we’re expecting our second baby in the spring.  This time, I feel like a cloth diapering professional, and am even more prepared to have a smooth and successful cloth diapering experience from the very beginning.
I plan to start simple again, but make some changes to the routine I created when I was new to cloth with my son.  For starters, I won’t be using a wet pail.  Using a wet pail seemed like a great idea (especially for using prefolds), but soaking my diaper covers in a wet pail of a vinegar water solution relaxed the elastics on my small covers.  The reason I used a wet pail was because I was concerned about my unbleached prefolds getting stained (don’t ask me what I was thinking).  This time around, we’re ditching the wet pail, sticking with the dry pail, and saving ourselves the hassle; you live and you learn, right?
While I am still a huge fan of flats and prefolds for cloth diapering during those early newborn days (they’re easy to clean, quick to dry, and an inexpensive option when you’re going through 18 diapers a day), I’ll be adding some newborn all-in-ones (AIO) this time around.  There are many reasons why newborn diapers come in incredibly handy, and for me, having a small baby and other [non-cloth experienced] caregivers are two great reasons.
 Some of you may be familiar with the whole guestimating baby’s weight in the womb trick, and now that my son is here, I can honestly say that I’ve never heard of a case that was spot-on.  My first-time pregnant, gullible self was convinced that I was going to have a nine pound baby, so much so, that I only purchased zero to three month clothing to start; imagine my surprise when we left the hospital with our little man weighing a hair over six pounds!  Thankfully, I had purchased a dozen preemie prefolds, as they were a godsend for cloth diapering our little guy; while the preemie prefolds fit, our covers were a little big.  This time around, I plan to have newborn-sized AIOs on hand, in the event we have another little baby.
Newborn diapers are also great to have on hand for caregivers, other than your partner and yourself.  I remember how intimidated some family and friends were, when faced with changing a prefold.  Save yourself the trouble, and buy some newborn diapers with velcro enclosures, you’ll thank me later!
Apart from the wet pail and lack of newborn diapers, I wouldn’t change much about my cloth diapering routine from the start.  I got into cloth diapering in an effort to save money and produce less waste, and kept my routine very simple as a result.  If you keep things simple, you can’t go wrong!

What did you change about your cloth diaper routine, if anything, the second (third or fourth) time around?


Contributed by Lauren