Oldies but Goodies: Not Your Grandmothers Dipes!

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Guest post by Melanie Chamberland. Melanie blogs at Hedda Dabbler and is a mother of one. Her son is Signal is 3 years old.Melanie enjoys knitting and children’s literature.

“These aren’t your grandmother’s diapers!” It’s a phrase I see so often in today’s cloth diapering world, as diaper manufacturers compete to sell people on the idea of cloth diapering. However, I amhappy to say that my favourite cloth diapers are prefolds and flats. Just like my grandmother used!

My partner and I chose prefolds and flats when we started diapering primarily for the cost savings. For about $2 a diaper brand new, it was obvious that we‘d be saving a ton over the cost of disposables. Secondly, flats and prefolds are the lowest maintenance cloth diapers there are. No synthetics to cause repelling, no elastics to break down with use, no microfibre to lead to stink problems. Just all-natural cotton next to baby’s bum! We ordered our prefolds from Green Mountain Diapers and our flats from Little Lions Cloth Diapers. Both are excellent stores for those interested in more “basic” cloth diapering.

As with any cloth diaper, there is a learning curve involved. You’ll need to learn to fold the diapers to best fit your child. But with all the different folds out there, you’re bound to find one that works for you. And as your child grows and changes, you can constantly customize the fit of prefolds and flats. So handy. For our son, we learned that a doubler tucked inside the prefold helped up the absorbancy; he‘s a bit of a super soaker! There are also tons of waterproof covers to choose from. Among the brands we have tried, we especially like Thirsties and Booroi covers for fit and performance when it comes to PUL. Wool and fleece covers can also be used, providing a completely breathable yet waterproof diapering system. Got to love that!

With how inexpensive, easy to launder, and easy to use prefolds and flats are, I am honestly very surprised that they aren’t more widely loved. Are you thinking about cloth diapering but worried about the initial cost and the long term care? Give your grandmother’s diapers a try. She just might have been on to something all those years ago…

Totally Bummed

This is a guest/cross post by Stephanie Precourt from Adventures in Babywearing. Stephanie blogs about her daily life adventures on being a mom to 3 handsome little boys and 1 beautiful baby girl and of course, she also writes about babywearing and the like!

It’s been a little over two weeks now that we’ve been cloth diapering and I love it.
I think I still might be in the honeymoon period, as it’s new and fun and the diapers are oh so cute. But I do hope it lasts!
I can’t say that I suddenly feel better as a person for being more environmental friendly or crunchy or anything like that.

To be honest, by the fourth kid I was just finally tired of that plasticky crinkly diaper and all the leaks (and I really all this time thought that cloth diapers would be the worst with leaking and have to say that not once! have we had a leak and last night when I had her in a disposable, she leaked!!)

But, it is a great plus that I might be doing something more eco-conscious and better for my baby at the same time.

So, I started off with the Bum Genius 3.0 pocket diapers (pictured on Ivy) that are one size- they adjust as baby gets bigger thanks to snaps on the cover and insert. I love these. They are by far my favorite so far to use and clean and change and for her to wear. I bought 6 at first from Cottonbabies and then ordered a few more through Mom4Life because they had a big sale.

If you don’t want to wash diapers every single day you’ll definitely need 10 or more of these diapers- at least that’s my experience with a 3 month old.

In between using the Bum Genius I also use unbleached Indian prefold diapers with a Bummis Super Whisper Wrap or Thirsties cover. I started out trying to use a Snappi to hold the prefold in place but then lately have just been laying the prefold in the cover’s pocket and it’s stayed in place just fine. I think this is easier clean up, too. I am not sure how long it would stay in place, especially once she starts moving around. Then I might have to go back to using the Snappi. I bought all these items from Jillian’s Drawers and I have to say that they have great service as well as the best instructions with how to care for your diapers- all brands and kinds and etc. I found that incredibly helpful.

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Why is everyone so afraid of pins?

The following is a guest post…

Hi, my name is Denise. I blog at Fullnest & am a Mom of 6 kids. I’m ashamed to admit that I used disposable diapers exclusively for my first 5 kids. Last year, I discovered cloth diapering & I’m now really kicking myself for not trying it sooner.

One of the big things I’ve encountered when talking to other cloth diapering Moms is a pervasive fear of diaper pins. I really don’t understand what the big deal is about pins. Pocket diapers and All in Ones are very convenient, but it can be expensive to use them exclusively. Cloth diapering does save money, but laying down $400 all at once can be a budget buster for a lot of people. Using prefolds to pad out a diaper stash can really help when it comes to giving up disposables, on a budget. Pins are not the only way to secure a prefold, but if you’ve got an active toddler like I do, it is a GREAT option.

Today’s diaper pins have a locking head that prevents the baby from opening it. Pinning is the one closure method that always keeps my 2 yr old’s diaper on. Pinning also allows for the ultimate snug fit. I do understand the fear of poking the baby, but if you put your hand between the inside of the diaper & the baby, you only have to worry about poking yourself. My daughter is old enough that she understands that she must hold still when I’m pinning her diaper. With a younger baby, I would recommend having somebody else hold baby’s hands out of the way the first few times, but once you get the hang of pinning a diaper it is super quick & easy. The snappi is a cool new invention for fastening a prefold, but beware before buying one, there is a warning on the package that it is not safe to use without a cover. This means, if your baby can take off the cover, your baby shouldn’t wear a diaper fastened with a snappi.

Pins are really inexpensive, give them a try! You may just find that they are the Diaper Houdini solution you’ve been looking for!

Happy WW~ ToeFoo

Tristan decided this would be fun to do on the car ride home from Yosemite! It was so cute- I had to take a pic…dirty toe nails and all! LOL! btw- Those are Late July organic snack crackers.

An Intv. with Kimberly Rosas: Dirty Diaper Laundry

The following interview is with Kimberly from Dirty Diaper Laundry. Kim graduated from UNC Charlotte, with a B.A. in History. Kim has an 8 month old cutie, named Fletcher. Currently, she runs her blog and tries to live as green as possible!

Why did you start your blog Dirty Diaper Laundry?

I started my blog after I kept searching for blogs to read about my lifestyle (semi-crunchy, cloth diapering, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, young SAHM) and couldn’t find one that really appealed to me.  I was hoping to combine my interests in a blog, in hopes that possibly other people like me would find it.  Since starting it, the blog has taken a definite shift towards cloth diapering.  This is mostly because that is where I am in my life.  Plus, I have really begun getting into the cloth diaper video reviews.  Even though there are videos of cloth diapers out there, I haven’t found another site to compile them in one place.  My goal is to gather as many reviews as possible; to represent the gamut of cloth diapers, and to allow prospective cd’ers to “see” them. 

What kind of cloth diapering method do you prefer?

Well, this is an ever evolving answer.  If you had asked me 1 month into my journey, I would have answered “Bum Genius 3.0.”  I actually sold off all of my prefolds and covers to purchase more pockets.  I stuck with that for another month before the fluffy mail bug bit me!  I started buying different types of pockets and AIO’s from Diaperswappers.  I moved onto buying a couple of fitteds to try and see what all the hype was about.  Then, I came full circle and bought prefolds (granted, these are Organic Bamboo Velour prefolds, not DSQ).  Now I have a little bit of everything.  There are days I love prefolds, days I am all pockets, and days of AIO’s.  Variety is the spice of life!

What advice do you have for mom’s who want to start cloth diapering?

The one thing I tell everyone is this: try everything!  There are some great ways to try cloth diapers for very little money.  You can buy used, do a trial package, or sign up for a diaper service.  Also, diaper laundry sounds daunting but it isn’t.  My diaper routine takes 10 minutes or actual effort.  I made a video of my routine.  

Why did you decide to start cloth diapering?

When I was pregnant I came across a website about cloth diapers.  Like most people, I had no idea there were modern cloth diapers out there.  The moment I saw them I knew I would never use disposables.  I already knew they were terrible for the environment, but didn’t realize there was a way to prevent using them!

Do you practice EC?

I do practice EC, and have been since my son was 6 months old.

In your experience what has been the biggest advantage of ECing with your son?

Less laundry!  I used to wash diapers every 2-3 days, but not I can sometimes go as long as 4-5 days.  I have enough diapers to go longer, but I always wash when my pail is full.  I also see EC as a way to hopefully prevent my son from having a fear of potty training.  For those who don’t know what EC is, I have a lot of posts about it, including a review of The Diaper Free Baby, on my blog.  

Thanks for letting me share!

Pics from our trip!

Home from the Heavens

Hello!! I apologize for my absence. I wanted to blog- I also had guest posts I intended to have up for you. All of this flew out the window once I realized our cabin did not have wireless internet access. Unfortunately, I was not able to schedule any posts before I left either. Everything ran together and it seemed impossible to even think about blogging.

Quite honestly, the break from the lappy was really what I needed. Connecting with nature refreshed my senses and gave me some inspiration too! It’s amazing what a little outdoors time can do to your mind.

We were in Bass Lake for the first four days in a lake house and stayed in Yosemite for the next four days in a tent. It worked out great to cloth diaper because I knew that there was a washer and dryer in the lake house and a laundromat in Yosemite. We hiked, played outdoors, went boating, ate like we’d never heard of the raw foods diet (lol!) and enjoyed being with family. Camping with a 2yr. and 3 month old can be a little tough- but it’s completely worth it in the end.

Clark had the opportunity to experience some incredible sites and wonderful trails. He started teething at the beginning of the trip and all together he pulled through like a “Super Trooper”. He and Tristan are our little traveling buds. Tristan absolutely had a blast and was able to put everything we’ve read about nature together after visiting Yosemite and seeing a bear!!! Yes, we saw a bear the first day we arrived. A baby bear- but still!!! It was a site in itself. Tristan was estactic.

Bass Lake is beautiful and I’m looking forward to going back to the area and hiking back to more water holes in the future. It’s such a gorgeous area. Yosemite is by far my favorite place to visit. I’m completely filled with awe and wonderment every time I enter Yosemite National Park and am so thankful for Mother Earth.

The highlight of the trip was our hike up to Vernal Falls- we were in such a hurry to get to the top that we forgot the camera in the car! Doh!!! While we were up there I asked  to have our picture taken – I’m truly hoping this person will email the pic!

I wanted to update you all and let you  know that I will be posting up a few guest post on cloth diapering this week. Thank you for your patience while I was away!

Green Smoothie Rocket Pops!

I’m totally loving these popsicle molds by Tovelo. My son absolutely adores them too and has not stopped asking about them since they arrived at our door last week. We have some cheapie ones from Target as well but I’m afraid those aren’t BPA FREE. Which is why I bought these they’re not lined with BPA. Instead they’re made without the yuckies and they’re groovy.

These rocket pops remind me of the “bomb pops” I grew up on from the ice cream man.  Except that the mixtures that going into these rocket pops are100% natural! I made a green smoothie version and poured it right into the molds. Hooray for healthy treats! My mom let me borrow her VitaMix blender so I could pulverize some flax seeds and I decided I would take advantage of it’s mighty power and blend up the fresh strawberries we’d bought and make popsicles for Tristan.

Here’s what you need:

3-4 pineapples spears

1 1/2 cups of strawberries

1 banana

1 big handful of your favorite green- we used spinach and it was probably a little less than a handful. -

About a 1tsp of agave (optional)

ENJOY!

This is definitely something the kids will love to snack on for a treat. What makes it so great is that your kids will eat it right up and not care a bit about the greens AND it’s a perfect way to cool off in the summer.  My son LOVES this recipe.  Create your own and have fun with it!

What’s your favorite summer smoothie mixture?

Meatless Monday: Spanish Breakfast Scramble

It’s MEATLESS MONDAY!

That’s right kick the meat to the curb today and indulge in fresh veggies and fruits instead.

Recently, I mentioned my interest in the raw foods diet. Much of what I’ve been doing lately is fueling my brain with tons of information on becoming a raw foodie. I’m really drawn to this lifestyle of raw foods- it’s pretty fascinating to me. Not eating cook foods and getting the most nutrition out of a vegetable or fruit seems almost like a no-brainer, right? I know this diet may not be for everyone but so far from what I’ve been reading it seems like it goes right along with my who I am. I’m so hyped on the recipes- from nut cheeses to nut milks, rawasgna, to grawnola, and ice cream (dairy free) – anything is possible in the raw foods world. Pizza, mexican food- yes, that’s right tamales- and the kicker it’s HEALTHY for you!!!

It has totally made me rethink my eating habits and even having our chickens for eggs! Anyway, I’m super thrilled to share our first raw foods recipe with you. I decided to go simple and easy on our first take- I don’t want to overwhelm myself. I’ve yet to take to leap either and invest in a Vita-Mix. I really, really, really want one! Our blender just recently broke and the food processor does not do the job like the blender did. I’m not even sure when I’ll make that step but hopefully, soon. For now, I’ll borrow my mom’s blender and juice it up with our Jack Lalanne juicer. We have the one featured in the video.

I figure it can’t hurt to incorporate a few raw meals into our daily lives… so without further a do…

Spanish Breakfast Scramble an Ani Phyo recipe…

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We enjoyed this dish for dinner. This recipe is easy peasy! Most raw recipes don’t require a lot of time in the kitchen. Major plus. My husband absolutely loved it- NO JOKE. He asked for seconds and kept raving about how much he liked the textures of the spinach and nuts. He said he could just eat the “Love the Chicks” pate plain. He also kept saying it was the perfect food for the outdoors. I agree. Tonight, we’re having a Mushroom Walnut loaf- stayed tuned!

Oh, and btw- I wanted to share a book with you that inspired me to become a vegetarian years ago- I’ve recently taken it off the shelves again…

I highly recommend it.

The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Help Save Your Life and The World- by John Robbins.

Happy Meatless Monday!

Save Gas & The Planet: Cycle In Style!

OMG! OMG! OMG!

You have to check out this AWESOME giveaway going on at Madsen Cycles! Ever since we traveled abroad and visited Amsterdam; where practically everyone rides a bike…

I’ve wanted a bike that reminded me of our trip to Europe and Madsen Cycles does just that. It would be such a hoot to cycle the boys up to town on one. I can totally see myself now. Big huge sunglasses, a loose tank & capri shorts, hair tied back and the boys smiling happily in the bucket. Hopefully, they’d be blowing peace signs and kisses to everyone in the sunshine as we rode by.

How dreamy! Sounds like the perfect way to start the day. Fun! Fun! Fun! I want to be the one in the neighborhood with the hip, trendy, Madsen bike. Yes, I do! I’d wave everyone down with big grins and smiles while soaking in the sweet sunshine. Perfect for cruising the kids around. Can you see it, too!?

Make sure you check out Madsen Cycles!

Get there before July 15th to enter.

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