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

Cloth Diapering Myths: DEBUNKED!

Making the decision to cloth diaper can be quite exciting. You do research, you find all the cute diaper options available and you are ready and willing to get started. Then you start telling people your plans. Immediately it seems, someone has something negative to say. "Why would you use cloth? It's inconvenient/gross/expensive. Your baby will have rashes. You'll pay more in water bills. They still DO that!?" I'm sure many of us have heard one or all of these comments, right? The funny thing...most are coming from people who have absolutely no cloth diapering experience! So, don't get discouraged...take a look at these common cloth diapering myths, debunked!

The Myth: It's soooo much work.
The Reality: Okay, sure, in some ways cloth diapering might be a little more work. If you use pockets you'll have to stuff (easy!), you'll have an extra load or two of laundry, and maybe have to put them away once in awhile (though I'll admit I'm guilty of grabbing straight from the basket...). But you know what else is hard work? Getting little ones dressed and ready, loading them into the carseats, trying to leave the store without a basket of toys you don't need...for those inevitable trips when you run out of diapers! Both require different kinds of work, but personally I prefer the kind of work I can do in my jammies! As for the diapers themselves, there may be a small learning curve but if my seven year old son can put a diaper on his baby sister, ANYONE can do it! And if there's concern about pins and baby getting poked? Well, just show them a modern cloth diaper. No pins required.

The Myth: Your baby WILL get rashes.
The Reality: Cloth diapers or not, some babies are just prone to diaper rashes. Some babies DO have sensitivities to certain cloth diaper materials just as some babies have sensitivities to disposable diapers. But just because a baby uses cloth does not mean they will have rashes. My daughter has extremely sensitive skin...look at her funny and she gets a rash. BUT she's been in cloth since the beginning and has never had troubles with rashes!

The Myth: They leak. All the time.
The Reality: The great thing about cloth diapers is that you can usually adjust the absorbency to fit your child's needs. Some diapers may be prone to compression leaks if baby will be sitting a lot- switch to a different insert and you're set! Aside from that, if you find the diapers that provide a good fit for your little one and change as often as necessary, leaks should not be a problem!


The Myth: You'll be doing laundry all the time. Your water bill will skyrocket.
The Reality: Depending on your washer and wash routine, then you may see a slight increase in your water usage but in my experience personally, it's very minimal. I've compared our personal water usage to the same time period before we were using cloth and have found it stayed fairly constant. In fact, there were some months we used even less. Besides that, have you ever found a disposable diaper that can contain an exclusively breastfed blowout diaper? When my son was in disposable, we could not...and we tried them all. I was doing just as much laundry (and cleaning just as much poop) as we do using cloth!

The Myth: It's too expensive.
The Reality: It's no secret that cloth diapering is the cheaper option in the long run, but there's also no denying the startup cost is much heftier as well. Still, there are many ways to make cloth diapering fit any budget. From using prefolds and covers, entering blog giveaways, buying used or buying slowly before baby's arrival. Cloth diapering on a budget IS doable.

The Myth: It's Gross.
The Reality: Well, to be honest I'm not quite sure how to respond to this one...why is it so gross? Oh sure, there's the poop. And the pee. But did you see my above story about the blowouts in disposable? Chances are as parents, we are going to get peed and pooped on whether or not we use cloth anyway. Is it the washing that's gross? Do you toss out every pair of undies your child has an accident on while potty training? Or every outfit that gets soiled? I'm guessing not! They are perfectly clean after each wash...nothing gross about that!! Being a parent is all about the gross!

The Myth: You can't use cloth while travelling.
The Reality: You may find you prefer not to use cloth while on the go out of convenience, but if you choose to use cloth full time, it's certainly doable. Pack a few extra diapers and a wet bag or two and you're ready to go. If baby will be sitting awhile (carseat or stroller) consider absorbency options other than microfiber to avoid compression leaks. We travel to visit family quite often, and while our diapers may take up more space, we've never had any problems using them on the road! But again, you can also use disposable OR hybrid options as well! The possibilities are endless!


What cloth diaper myths have YOU heard?


Contributed by Randi!

Cloth Diapering Throughout the Seasons

In the summer months, cloth diapering is especially fun isn't it? No need for pants on those hot days, just throw on a little tee to match your little one's diaper and you're done! But summer is quickly ending which means cooler weather will soon arrive. It's time to cover those legs...and the bums! Unfortunately, some find that cloth diapering in cool weather can be a bit more difficult. Pants just don't fit as they should with those fluffy bottoms, which can lead to compression leaks and frustration. What's the cloth diapering mama to do? Here are a few tips to surviving cloth when the weather turns...

• Leg Warmers. It may be getting cooler, but there is still plenty of time for leg warmers! Until the frigid cold hits, they provide just the right amount of warmth (depending on your area of course!). Coordinate them with a cute top and let those diapers show for a few months longer!!
• Dresses for the Girls. I love putting my daughter in dresses all year long. First of all, they're ridiculously cute, but when cloth diapering, they're much easier as far as sizing goes! Leg warmers, tights or leggings add some extra warmth underneath, or on warmer fall days a longer dress should be just fine!
• Ditch the Jeans. For many babies, my daughter included. Jeans just will not work out. Between her chunky thighs and her fluffy bum...it's a losing battle. And one we decided just wasn't worth it. Even if we could get them on, the tight fit could lead to compression leaks...no fun for anyone! Instead, we opt to go for stretchier options. Stretch cotton leggings look adorable and leave more room for diapers!
• Made for Cloth Jeans. For us, ditching the jeans was not a big deal...but if you still prefer them, they DO make jeans specifically for the cloth diapered baby! Companies like Project Pomona offer a variety of jeans that leave more room for any type of diaper while giving that jean style that moms love!
• Size Up. Perhaps the easiest way to deal with fall baby fashion is to buy a size larger than you normally would. If baby is typically in 12 months but they don't fit well over the diaper (or you finding yourself dealing with leaks when using microfiber), try 18 months. That little extra bit of room can make all the difference!! If length should be an issue, just roll the hems...or hem them yourself if you're crafty!!

Cloth diapering in cooler weather may require a bit more planning, but that doesn't mean it you should give it up! Follow these easy suggestions and you'll be cloth diapering with ease all through the year!

What tips do YOU have for keeping baby in cloth during the cooler months?


Contributed by: Randi

CLOTH DIAPERING BEYOND THE NEWBORN STAGE

You’ve breezed through the newborn diapering phase with daily loads of laundry, many sleepless nights, and have mastered the perfect cloth diaper fit on your little one…and then s/he a.) becomes mobile, b.) starts eating solids, c.) becomes a heavy wetter, or d.) all of the above.  Never fear, help is here! 

Your baby’s milestones often tamper with your fine-tuned cloth diapering regimen, but with a few tweaks, you can cloth diaper with confidence again!

HEAVY WETTERS
At some point, your little one will likely need more absorption in his/her diaper, whether nighttime, naptime, or throughout the day.  While many cloth diapering families are able to adjust their diaper absorbency by adding additional inserts, adding some natural fibers to your cloth diaper routine may give you the additional absorbency you need, keeping your little one dry and comfortable.  Smarti Pants Smart Sleeves inserts can help give an additional absorbency boost to your cloth diapers.

Heavy wetting often leads to accidents while out and about.  Don’t forget to pack an additional wet bag, along with a spare change of clothing, so that you’re prepared for the inevitable accident while out.  I can’t count the number of times I had to get creative because I wasn’t prepared for a diaper accident while out with my son.  Stock up on extra Smarti Pants Smart Tote wet bags (you can thank me later).

INTRODUCING SOLIDS
The introduction of solid foods into your little one’s diet is a cloth diapering game changer.  Once your little one begins eating solid foods, your days of simply throwing soiled diapers into the diaper pail, without rinsing or removing solids, are over.  A cloth diaper sprayer, or diaper liners, are a great help in tackling soiled cloth diapers at this point in the game.

MOBILITY
When my son became mobile, I had to change our entire cloth diapering process, as prefolds and snappis were becoming a challenge on the changing table.  Smartipants one-size cloth diapers allow you to easily change the fit and absorbency as your baby grows and becomes more mobile.


How has your cloth diapering regimen changed as your baby has grown older?


Contributed by: Lauren!

4 Reasons to Cloth Diaper with Natural Fibers

Allergies

I see concerned mothers posting about rashy bums all of the time in cloth diapering forums. Nine times out of ten, they’re using microfiber to cloth diaper...and their baby’s have a skin sensitivity to synthetic fibers. Microfiber is an affordable and inexpensive way to cloth diaper, but liners are often ineffective in preventing reactions to the synthetic fibers. Switching to natural fibers, such as bamboo, hemp, and wool, can often provide relief.

Absorbency

I never made much of a fuss over what fibers I used to cloth diaper my son in the first year I was diapering him, as we were diapering using mostly organic cotton prefolds and PUL covers (switching to wool in the summer). We switched to microfiber AIOs when my son was around a year old, but a couple months later he became a heavy wetter. I found myself frantically searching for diapers he couldn’tpee through. Bamboo fitteds, hemp inserts, and organic cotton AIOs and AI2s allowed me to effectively diaper my son without putting layer upon layer of padding into his diaper.

Antibacterial/Antimicrobial Properties

Both bamboo and wool fibers possess natural antibacterial properties, which makes them an excellent choice for having next to your baby’s skin. I consider wool to be a ‘miracle’ fiber because of it’s ability to absorb up to 30% of it’s own weight (before feeling damp), it has the amazing ability to cool in the summer and insulate in the winter, and it is self cleaning (when ammonia in urine mixes with lanolin it produces a ‘soap’). Hemp possesses antimicrobial and anti-mildew properties, in addition to it’s incredible absorbency.

Biodegradable

Many families make the choice to cloth diaper in an effort to cut down on landfill waste and reduce their carbon footprint. Microfiber diapers and inserts are made from synthetic fibers and are not typically biodegradable. Natural fibers, such as hemp and bamboo, are biodegradable and can also be recycled once they can no longer be used as diapers.


Do you diaper with natural fibers? What fiber(s) do you prefer?


Lauren is a former publishing rep-turned-WAHM to a rambunctious toddler. When she's not chasing her son, you can find Lauren blogging about all things natural parenting/living at lo-wren.com, sewing or knitting woolen goodies, or brainstorming ideas for the Infant/Toddler section in Tattle Magazine.

Tips for Preventing Heat Rash

Summertime...the season of swimming pools, barbecues, vacations, and fun in the sun! For many, the summer heat can also lead to heat rash. The diaper area can be a particularly prone area...after-all, cloth diapers are designed to keep the moisture in. And when hot humid weather strikes and baby starts sweating...it would only make sense, right?

Here in Indiana, we've had a fairly mild summer for the most part and have not had to deal with heat rash too much. Unfortunately, others are not nearly so lucky. If you have a little one who struggles with heat rash, consider these few tips to keep your baby cool and dry!



Change Often. Of course, it is always important to change your little one's diaper often, but even more so in the summer heat. Keeping baby's bottom dry will keep rashes of all kinds away!

Ditch the PUL. Again, we've never had any issues with PUL over the summertime, but if your child does, consider more breathable options instead...at least on the more extreme days! Wool or fleece covers can be a great alternatives. Or if you're staying home, just ditch the covers entirely! (You'll just want to be certain again to change baby frequently...with no waterproof covering, you could end up with a mess on your hands otherwise.)

Get Naked! Perhaps one thing that may have kept my daughter from developing heat rash is letting her air dry. After each diaper change I'll give her 5-10 minutes or so to just run around diaperless. She loves it, and I love that it helps keep her super cool and dry. I'll admit, we've ended up with a few puddles along the way, so be prepared for that. (And if your little one has an older brother- be prepared for the giggles and shouts of 'She's naked! or 'I see her BUTT!' Boys will be boys!!)

Go Swimming! Since heat rash is caused by sweat, keeping cool is the easiest way to prevent it from starting... but that's easier said than done in the summer heat (because who wants to be cooped up inside all day, right?). One of our favorite ways to cool down is a little time in the kiddie pool! Post swim time is also a great time to allow baby to have their naked time...no mess to clean up if they pee outside!!

Pants? Who Needs Them? I've said it once, and I'll say it again...cloth diapers are just entirely TOO cute to cover anyway, so why bother? Keeping clothing layers to a minimum helps baby stay cool, and allows you to show off their super cute fluff! My daughter's summer wardrobe consists almost entirely of cute dresses and tops that coordinate with her diapers! Adorable!

Heat rashes can be an annoyance, but they don't have to ruin your summer cloth experience! Keep dry, stay cool and baby will be rocking their fluff all summer long.

Has your little one struggled with summer heat rash in cloth? What tips and tricks have YOU found that worked for you?



Written by: Randi

REPURPOSING YOUR CLOTH DIAPERING ACCOUTREMENTS

If you’re like me, you started cloth diapering because you hated the thought of your hard-earned dollars literally being tossed in the trash and flushed down the toilet. There are added perks, such as leaving a smaller carbon footprint, putting natural fibers next your precious babe’s bum, and being able to amass a cloth diaper stash that can be used for multiple children (more savings, smaller carbon footprint, etc.).

We’re in the midst of potty training my son, who will turn two next month, and we have no baby on the horizon; these two things have made me think about alternate uses for our cloth diaper accoutrements, as I’ve spent almost three years amassing a comfortable cloth diaper stash and accessories. Many of these alternate uses can be concurrent with cloth diapering, but the point is to show you how your cloth diapering materials can continue to be used after your little one has ditched the diapers.

FLATS AND PREFOLDS

My favorite style of diapers (particularly during the newborn stage), flats and prefolds are likely the most useful of the cloth diaper styles available out there; in fact, many non-cloth diapering families use prefolds as burp cloths. If cloth diapering has caused you to be more aware of the waste your family produces, prefolds and flats make amazing unpaper towels for your household. I actually prefer using flour sack towels in my kitchen (which many people use as flat diapers), and you already know how absorbent prefolds are, so why wouldn't you put them to even more use in cleaning up spills and wiping down surfaces?

CLOTH WIPES

My cloth wipes have possibly been the handiest of all of my cloth diapering accessories (apart from the wet bag), as I have had many occasions to use them on places other than my son’s bum. I've used dry cloth wipes as a tissue in a pinch (for both my son and myself), and love using them to clean my little guy up when we’re eating out. I will likely continue to bring my mini wetbag with damp cloth wipes out with us, long after my son has potty trained. Lastly, for my hard-core unpaper sect, cloth wipes can be re-purposed (technically, it’s serving the same purpose) as family cloth. This option’s not for us, but more and more families are going paperless in their homes.

PAIL LINERS AND WET BAGS

Probably the most widely used cloth diapering item, in both cloth diapering circles and non, wet bags are also one of the more versatile cloth diapering accessories. If you’re looking to get continued use out of your pail liner after potty training, you can use it for kitchen cloths and dish towels as we do. Once my son started eating solids, I found myself going through our two dozen IKEA washcloths like water, and needed a place to store them before washing; I snagged one of my son’s pail liners and used an old wastebasket to convert it into our kitchen laundry basket (we use cloth napkins, so we produce a lot of kitchen linen laundry weekly). Your wet bags are the cloth diapering items that you’re going to want to hold onto, long after you’re done with diapers. There are SO many great uses for wet bags, apart from holding dirty diapers:

• accidents happen and wet bags are perfect for storing dirty clothing on-the-go
• great for storing wet towels and bathing suits after pool or beach time
• protect your electronics & valuables by placing in a wet bag
• keep damp cloth wipes in a small wet bag for messes out-and-about
• reuse your small wet bags for organizing items in your purse or holding snacks
• the list is endless – get creative!

SOAKERS AND INSERTS

Before you’re in the clear, you must pass through the potty training stage. Nighttime can be especially accident-prone while your little one is getting the hang of things, so don’t toss out those soakers! Many training pants have an envelope for you to adjust absorption by adding soakers, so your cloth diaper inserts will fit in them rather nicely. This may be a reach for some, but if you’re a mama cloth user, your child’s cloth diaper inserts will work well for postpartum bleeding.These are just a few of the ways you can repurpose your cloth diapering items. I’d love to hear your ideas for even more alternate uses – please share in the comments below!

Lauren is a former publishing rep-turned-WAHM to a rambunctious toddler. When she's not playing Susie Homemaker, you can find Lauren blogging about all things natural parenting/living at lo-wren.com, sewing or knitting woolen goodies, or scheming for companies as a freelance copywriter, blogger & marketing consultant.