A Note to All Co-Sleepers

Be sure that your spouse puts a diaper on your potty-learning toddler before putting them to bed.  I assure you that 4:00 am is just not the same without one.

The upside is that you can try to sneak in some nap time snuggles and eye resting, which will totally rock.  And really, is there anything better than kiddo snuggles?

Happy Thursday!

#ClothDiapers: The Good, The Bad - The Honest

If you've looked around the internet for information on cloth diapers, you've likely found many articles and posts that read something like the land of unicorns, rainbows and smiling puppy dogs.  Cloth is cute, there's really no denying it.  Cute patterns, fluffy butts and let's face it, fabric is just prettier than plastic.  Though it's cute, it must be washed, and that comes with many reservations for parents new to the idea, and to those who haven't tried cloth.  Many often have one of the following first reactions:

....................#1 Reusing something that your child poops in is just gross!
....................#2 Putting dirty diapers in the washing machine is gross!
....................#3 Touching poop is gross!

Okay, so I think we see a pattern forming here, and honestly I can relate.  I was there once, but I didn't really know what cloth was all about.  After the initial thought of "gross" these thoughts typically follow:

....................#4 It's more laundry.
....................#5 Cloth diapers are expensive and/or won't really save me money.
....................#6 Cloth diapers aren't convenient and/or are too much work.
....................#7 Cloth is so new to me, I just don't know where to start or what to expect.

I'm sure there are more too, if you have one that you'd like covered, leave it in the comments section and I'll do a follow up!  For now, let's tackle this list.

#1, #2 & #3 - It's gross!

The beautiful baby that you gave birth to, the one that lights up a room with his beautiful smile and sweet giggles... yea he poops and pees... a lot.  So here's the deal, you're going to have to deal with bodily waste, no matter what diapering method you choose, it's as simple as that.  Disposables are known for blowouts!  Before I knew more, I just assumed that blowouts were one of those funny things that parents all had in common and joked about.

Mom #1: "Janie had the most insane blowout!"

Mom #2: "Oh my gosh, my Jack did too!  You should have seen it!"

*mommy laughter ensues*

If you've had a baby and have not dealt with many poop explosions, you are one very luck individual (or you use cloth!)  Seriously, I have never had to clean up so much poop in my life, than when I used disposable diapers.  I was constantly, desperately scrubbing clothing, blankets, swing covers, car seat covers and many other items trying to keep them from being permanently stained and ruined by mustard yellow poops.  It was terrible, and sadly, this is just one of the realities of disposable diapers.

Bottom Line?
With cloth you know where the poop is going to go, and you don't have to touch it or scrub it out.  When your child starts solid foods you will need to plop, scrape, or spray poop into a toilet, but that's far better than hands-all-in and praying that it doesn't stain the too-cute outfit you just bought for your bundle of joy!  Want an easier option?  Try flushable liners for a truly easy cloth diapering + poo experience.

#4 - Laundry
Parents already have plenty of laundry to do, right?  I mean we're washing ours, his and now baby's too!  The last thing most people want to do is wash more laundry.

So here's the deal.  You will have to wash diapers if you use cloth.  Most cloth diapering parents wash diapers 2 times a week.  Some do less, some do more, but twice a week works well for most families.  Unlike standard laundry, diapers don't require a lot of attention.  Your baby's bottom won't care if they are wrinkly and you don't even have to fold them if you don't want to!

Also consider that cloth diapering will save you time!  

• With cloth there is no running to the store just to get diapers.  
• Cloth diapered babies tend to get rashes less, which means you won't be running out for rash creams or to the doctor as often for rashes you have no clue what to do with.
• Cloth diapered babies learn to use the potty an average of 12 months sooner than their disposable diapered playmates.  Babies in cloth know when they go because they can feel when they are wet.
• As mentioned in our 1st point, you'll also spend less time scrubbing fecal matter from items that you really don't want it on, like clothes, blankets, car seats, swings and more.

What about those that only have access to community laundry facilities?

It can be done!  Many families do use cloth with limited access to washing machines.  I recommend going with a simpler diaper like prefolds and/or a hybrid system like Flip.  The covers can be wiped out or hand washed easily and the durable inserts may handle being washed just once a week better than more complex diapering systems.

If a laundromat is out of the question, you might check out this great video by Kim at Dirty Diaper Laundry.  In it she shows how to make a camp style washing machine suitable for washing small loads of diapers.  It's not the ideal set up, but it is affordable and makes cloth possible for someone in a tight spot.

Bottom Line?
Cloth diapers do come with washing laundry, but it more than makes up for it the other areas discussed above.  When there are times that laundry isn't an option, consider a hybrid system or other type of healthier disposable option.

#5 - Expense

When parents are first interested in cloth, an $18 or $25 price tag can throw them for a loop.  Money doesn't come easy and even a $10 diaper cost can really add up.  Consider this, the average baby is changed just over 6 times per day over their diapering career.  If a baby is potty trained by 30 months (the average) that baby will have gone through approximately 5,600 diaper changes.  If the average disposable costs $0.25 that's $1400 for one child.  Keep in mind that disposables can cost up to twice that and many children potty train far beyond a year and a half!

This is what 5,600 unused disposable diapers looks like.

Image them expanded to many times their own weight!

Now you may be wondering what 5,600 cloth diaper changes look like.  Let me share my stash!

You can't see them all, but there are approximately three dozen bumGenius Elemental diapers in there.  They are a favorite of ours from Cotton Babies.  You can buy these in dozens to save money, making them approximately $22.08 each.  That's $795 for three dozen diapers, or just $0.14 per diaper change, based on 5,600 changes.

Want to save some real change?!  Use a diapering system like Econobum and slash that cost to just $147 for 3 dozen diapers, which is just less than $.03 per diaper change!  WOW.  Can it really get any better than that?!

Yea, it gets better.
Cloth is reusable right?  You can use the diapers you buy for not only your first child, but for any after that!  They might need repairs along the way, like elastic or new velcro (though I recommend snap diapers for durability!).  If you don't want to hang on to your diapers until the next baby comes, you can even sell them!  Sites like DiaperSwappers and HyenaCart make it easy, even Ebay!  Most used diapers sell for 50-75% of the price new.  That is an amazing return, making your savings that much sweeter.


Bottom Line?
There's just no comparison, cloth wins this one hands down, head over heels, etc. etc.  Cloth is a money saver!  Not thrilled about the initial investment?  Buy what you can afford, as you can afford it.  It's well worth the effort!

#6 - Cloth Is Work
Take a look at questions #1-5.  Cloth does require work, but so do disposable diapers.  It's all about learning a new system, but once you've got it down, you'll see that cloth is actually easier.

Diapering in any form comes with potential 'problems'.  When babies have poop and moisture against their skin rashes can occur no matter what diapering system you use.  Cloth requires a little bit of relearning as you'll want to use creams that are safe for cloth diapers (and really better for your baby's bottom too!)  I'm a huge fan of salve type rash ointments.  They heal quickly and are generally safe for cloth diapers.

You may have even heard scary terms like "ammonia" or "yeast".  I promise that your diapers aren't ruined and everything is fixable!  It would take a lot to truly ruin cloth diapers, so have no fear.  In most cases a hot wash with original Dawn dish soap will fix the issue (followed by several no-soap rinses).  This is called stripping.  Worst case, you use a little bleach.  I'm not a fan of bleach in general, but sometimes it can come in handy and you do what you've gotta do, right?

If full time cloth is just too much to jump into, try a hybrid system that gives you the option of cloth or disposable pads.  You'll be surprised by how easy it really is.

Bottom Line?
You can do it, and chances are you'll be thrilled that you did.  I know a lot of cloth diapering parents, and very few say that it just didn't work for them.  Also, cloth can be flexible, it doesn't have to be all or nothing.  Even using cloth part time saves you money and makes a big impact on the environment!

#7 - The Unknown
Trying something new can be a hard hurdle to jump.  We all like familiarity, it's comforting and predictable, but just because it's familiar doesn't mean that it's the best way for us.  Trying new things is a great way to explore the world around us and discover what works for us and our families.

Thanks to the internet there are so many amazing resources.  I offer a Cloth Diaper FAQ, but there are so many more great sites.  Try the following for a great start!

Dirty Diaper Laundry: Not sure what diaper brand might work for you?  Kim offers wonderfully detailed reviews and even a handy Cloth Diaper Finder to narrow your search based on the features you want.

Eco Chic Parties: If you love fluff and being social you won't want to miss the twitter parties that Calley puts on.  They can get crazy with so many attendees, but they are well organized and are a great resource for having fun and your cloth diaper questions answered in real time.

The Cloth Diaper Whisperer: This is a great resource for all sorts of cloth diaper information, tips on great diaper deals and fun cloth diaper giveaways!

#ClothDiapers Twitter Chat: This isn't a website, but each Monday night at 9pm EST Cotton Babies hosts a cloth diaper chat for new cloth users and old to spark conversation, share information and answer questions.  It's always an enjoyable chat and open to everyone, so feel free to stop by and join the conversation.  New to Twitter chats?  Try this handy guide.


Want something on paper?  Try this free, handy printable guide or pick up a copy of Changing Diapers: The Hip Mom's Guide to Modern Cloth Diapering.

Have a favorite resource? Leave it in the comments for others to discover!

Bottom Line?
I love cloth and can't imagine it any other way.  I used disposables with our first child and then to start out with our second.  I used cloth exclusively on our third, who is nearly fully potty trained (with the exception of nights).  Life with three children is infinitely hectic, but using cloth is just one way that I can simplify and help keep everything manageable, affordable and under control.

-------------------------------------

This blog post was inspired by Jennifer Labit's blog post "All I want for Christmas... is to tell the world about cloth diapers!".  I was not compensated for this post and it will be entered in a writing contest.  The winning blogger gets to a choose a person who commented on their post to receive a gift of 12 bumGenius One-Size Cloth Diapers and will also receive a gift of 12 bumGenius One-Size Cloth Diapers, which I would be thrilled to give to a family in need.

I hope that you have found this post helpful and I encourage you to share your cloth diapering stories and experiences in the comments section (remember, if I win you might too!)  Share on your own blog or Facebook page too.  Sharing your story may inspire others to try cloth as well!  


Together we can make a HUGE impact!

Grandma El's: A #FluffyXmas Highlight!

Sometimes, no matter what we do, our little ones get diaper rashes, though using cloth diapers is a big help.  In my experience, it is most often food related, and sometimes figuring out the cause was not so simple!  We once had a somewhat persistent irritation that turned out to be all of the apples our daughter was eating.  Who would have thought?

So what's a parent to do - especially a cloth diapering parent?  We all know that you can't just slap on any rash cream, and if we have to put something on our baby we want it to be safe, effective and, of course, cloth diaper safe - Grandma El's fits the bill!

Grandma El's Diaper Rash Remedy & Prevention does not contain phthalates, parabens, dyes, or any harmful ingredients whatsoever.  It's also hypo-allergenic!  To top it off, a little really goes a long way.  Apply a thin layer of Grandma El's and rub in gently to aid the healing of your baby's irritation.  Grandma El's is a salve like cream (not a thick white cream) with a gentle, natural scent.  In addition to being a great rash cream, Grandma El's is great for use on eczema, heat rash, burns, sun burns, cradle cap and chapped lips or cheeks.

This stuff is super gentle and it works.  It was one of the very first cloth diaper safe rash creams that I ever tried when I first started cloth.  I was so pleased at the results and I am happy to be sharing it now, with you!

Be sure to come back here December 1st for a chance to win your own tube of Grandma El's during the Merry Fluffy Christmas event!

AppleCheeks Diapers! A #FluffyXmas Highlight!

I love cloth diapers and finding a new brand that makes it's way into my heart and permanent stash is no easy task!  I love a good fit, easy to use, appealing design and full functionality.  I have plenty of favorites, so joining those ranks requires a pretty great diaper.  Lucky for me, and you, AppleCheeks diapers fit the bill!

While at the ABC Kids Expo this past September, I was able to get my hands on one of these adorable diapers to try out for myself.  Not only were the AppleCheeks ladies super sweet, but their diapers rock.  I am so in love with their Little Bundle with bamboo insert in the Delicious print (as seen below).  It is so adorable and works great!  I like to be risky and put diapers to the 'real test' right away - overnights that is.  If a diaper doesn't work for me overnight, it's not going to make it's way into my permanent stash, simple as that.

The night came and I laid my bamboo insert inside of the cover.  To accommodate my two year old I used a second insert under the bamboo insert, but I found in the morning that it wasn't need.  The bamboo insert worked beautifully, though each baby is different and some can soak even the thickest diapers, so do what you need for your little one, but know that this cover worked well.  I have use it both as a cover and as a pocket type diaper and I had zero leaking either way.

AppleCheeks diapers come in two sizes - 1 & 2.  Size 1 fits approx. 7 - 18lbs, and Size 2 fits approx. 18 - 35lbs.  We are using size 2 with room to grow on our two year old.

To the right you can see the inside of the AppleCheeks design.  It has a super soft micro-fleece lining, all snaps (love snaps!), an easy to use pocket opening and, of course, a waterproof outer shell.  Due to the positioning and size of their envelope design, you do not need to remove inserts before washing.

You will love this diaper.  If you aren't already a fan, I highly recommend fanning AppleCheeks on facebook!  They are closing in on 10k fans and will be having a huge fan celebration that will include a ton of their retailers (with LOTS of chances to win diapers and other awesome items!)

Be sure to come back here December 1st for a chance to win your very own Little Bundle from AppleCheeks during the Merry Fluffy Christmas event!

EcoSprout Detergent: A #FluffyXmas Highlight!

#FluffyXmas?  Oh yes!  If you haven't heard yet, there is a huge Merry Fluffy Christmas blogging event that will be kicking off December 1st.  There are more than 40 blogs participating, and at each one you will have the chance to enter for some amazing fluff packages.  Over the next couple of weeks, I'm going to be telling you about my sponsors in these #FluffyXmas Highlights!  You'll learn about some great products, and then have a chance to come back during the event to win my Merry Fluffy Christmas package.

Today I am introducing you to Eco Sprout's 100% natural & biodegradable cloth diaper detergent.  It is also is free from dyes, brighteners, enzymes, phosphates and is SLS free.  

I have to admit that when they contacted me about a review, I was way more than skeptical.  I've used a lot of detergents and more times than not we end up with a rash, ammonia burn, stinky diapers or repelling (back when I used microfiber).  I am always nervous when I try out a new detergent, and this time was no different... until I used my first overnight diaper!

G's diapers had been in need of a good washing, as she is older now and ammonia seems to sneak up on us from time to time due to random foods she eats.  Every few washes or so I tend to add an extra hot wash or rinse, which does the trick, but Eco Sprout kicked it out all on it's own, no extras!  I put a very thick overnight diaper on her that night and when she woke in the morning, there was not a scent to be found, and her diaper was FULL of pee.  I'm talking this girl had to go!  I'm such a skeptic, I never really expect to love a detergent, but I was amazed by Eco Sprout.  I can tell you in no uncertain terms, that this rarely happens.  

Washing was simple.  I followed my regular routine, cold wash with or without detergent, depending on if they are really dirty or not and then my hot wash with detergent.  With Eco Sprout I use 2-3 scoops in my top loading machine, sometimes I'll use a scoop or two in the cold wash if I've gone too long between washes.  I have been using Eco Sprout now for a couple of months and it has worked well and predictably.  I would recommend it to anyone.  

As with any detergent, especially if you are having diaper issues, you're going to want to do a good heavy wash the first time to get rid of the issues caused by your previous detergent.  Eco Sprout includes instructions with this in mind, as well as easy to follow standard wash instructions.  I have found this detergent to be very easy to use, no fussing and worrying over using enough or too much.  I've had others where a flat scoop vs a rounded scoop would make a difference, so this is a welcome change.

Eco Sprout runs $24.98 for 192 HE loads, and there are other sizes available as well.  The detergent comes in unscented and scented varieties (Not sure which to get? Get a sampler!).  The scents are gentle and pleasant, and won't scent your diapers (you really don't want leftovers!)  While you're browsing, be sure to check out their Pail Freshener, Bottom Balm & Bottom Spray.  I haven't had the chance to try them, but if they are have as well thought out as the detergent, I'm sure they'll be great!

I hope you try Eco Sprout's detergent, I am loving it and I'm sure you will too!

Be sure to come back December 1st for your chance to win a 24oz bag of Eco Sprout Detergent during the Merry Fluffy Christmas event!

If you have any questions, please post them below and I will be sure to answer them.

YAY for newborn diapers!

If you've been around here long or attending one of my classes, you've probably heard me rave about Nanipoo newborn diapers.  They are a fitted diaper, which means that they require a cover.  They were/are made by a mom on Hyena Cart.

About two years ago she stopped making diapers.  Of course, I found out after I sold all of mine from G being born.  Since then I've been buying one or two, here and there as I found them.  I always share them at my classes and tell people that if they can find them used, grab some.  Well, today I am happy to say that Nanipoo is back in business!  She listed newborn diapers this morning and says that she hopes to restock again in November.

These diapers fit G right from the start at just under 6 lbs and they were among the diapers that fit her the longest too - around 12 lbs or so.  They are a great fit and offer more absorbency than some other popular fitteds.

If you're expecting a newborn, I highly recommend grabbing some!

Shop @GroViaDiaper for a Cure!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and GroVia is doing their part to support awareness and find a cure.  We all know someone who has been touched by this disease and right now you can do your part while helping the environment and supporting cloth diapers.

When you purchase a GroVia Cosmo (pink) colored diaper now through October 30, 2011, you will receive 30% off of your purchase and GroVia will donate 10% to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  Choose from the Cosmos All-in-one, Newborn All-in-One and Hybrid Shells (snap or hook & loop!)  There are even convenient 6 and 12-packs of the Cosmos All-in-One and Cosmos Newborn All-in-One.

Enjoy the sale and do your part in finding a cure!

What kind of cloth diapers should I get?

When you think about cloth diapering the options are seemingly endless.  Everyone has a favorite, which means that you will get lots of very different opinions.  For those new to cloth, it can be very overwhelming.  When it comes down to it, you want the system that is going to work best for your lifestyle.

There are four main categories of diapers.  All-in-one diapers, pocket diapers, hybrid diapers (sometimes called all-in-twos) and diapers that require covers.  The confusing part comes in the fact that there are countless brands of diapers and most offer some sort of special 'feature'.  The bottom line is that as long as the diaper works (read reviews!), the choice is up to you!  The biggest three questions you want to ask yourself are #1 Does it fit your lifestyle?  #2 Is it in your budget? and #3 Is it your style?  That brings me to the point of this post. When you're done here, you're going to have a better idea of what you want!

The most important question here is #1 Does it fit your lifestyle?

Cloth diapering is easy, but not every style of diaper is for every family.  You want a diaper that is going to be convenient and easy for you to both use and wash.

In my opinion All-in-one Diapers are going to be the easiest diaper to use.  They include cover and absorbency all in a single piece diaper - much like a disposable.  You simply put the diaper on, and when baby has soiled you remove it and toss it into the pail.  From there it can go directly into the wash, assuming you don't have solids to rinse away first.  All-in-one diapers typically cost $20+.  I recommend a minimum of 24 diapers, though more is truly advised (36 is a great number to give your stash some rotation).  Look for package deals to save!

If the simplicity of an All-in-one appeals to you, you might consider these from bumGenius (a new all-in-one coming soon!), GroVia, Itti Bitti and Thirsties (coming soon!).

Close behind All-in-one Diapers would be the Hybrid Diapers (sometimes called All-in-twos).  Hybrid diapers offer parents the simplicity of a Cover or Shell and some sort of simple insert.  Most inserts require no folding and are either rectangular or hourglass shaped.  Inserts can be made of cotton, hemp, bamboo, microfiber and any combination thereof.  They can come with or without a stay dry top layer (to keep baby feeling dry).  There are many choices, but basically you're going to choose a natural fiber or a synthetic, the fiber content will simply vary by brand.

In addition to washable inserts, most Hybrid systems come with the option to use a disposable insert.  Due to the eco-friendly nature of cloth diapers, many companies choose to make their disposable liners biodegradable.

Hybrid systems are simple to use.  Simply toss in and insert, put it on baby and when they have soiled you remove the insert and toss it into the pail.  Most covers can be wiped off and reused unless they get soiled.  They typically cost $18+ and because these utilize a cover or shell, you can typically get by with less covers than inserts, saving you more money when you consider your diaper stash as a whole.

If you feel like Hybrid Diapers are for you, you might consider these from GroVia, Flip or gDiapers.

Next up are Pocket Diapers.  I am placing these after Hybrids because the insert on these diapers is not simply laid in.  It must be 'stuffed' in to a pocket, and generally removed before washing.  Pocket diapers are great in that they are typically very affordable costing anywhere from $13 to $18 on average, though some go higher.  In general, most pocket diapers come with microfiber inserts (a synthetic fiber).  All pockets have a stay-dry layer that is typically micro-fleece or suedecloth.  Pocket diapers are easy on, and somewhat easy off.  You will need to remove the insert before washing on most all pocket diapers.  There are a few 'sleeve' style pocket diapers that have an opening at both the front and back of the diaper.  Generally these inserts will come out in the wash.  I suggest having a pair of rubber gloves in your laundry room to remove the inserts before washing.

If you think that Pocket Diapers are your thing, you might consider these from Applecheeks (which can also be used as a cover), bumGenius, Thirsties, Fuzzibunz or Smartipants.



We've discussed All-in-one diapers, Hybrid diapers and Pocket Diapers.  Each of these types includes a cover.  Now I want to talk to you about diapers that Require a Cover.  These types of diapers are great for many reasons, but usually because they can be quite affordable, though not always!  There are some super cute Fitted style diapers that many ladies just love to collect - oh yes, it's practically a sport!

To get started I should probably discuss covers.  These are not rubber pants.  They have come a long way and are super soft, easy to use and boy can they hold in messes!  Most are made from a polyester fabric with PUL (or polyurethane laminate) to keep it from leaking.

Some great cover options are Thirsties, Bummis, Applecheeks (which are also envelope style 'pocket' diapers) Flip or Econobum.

If you'd like a more natural route, you can go with wool covers.  Wool is more expensive, but it looks great as part of an outfit, and if you're the crafty type you can even make it yourself - knit, crochet or repurpose an old wool sweater!  Wool comes in wraps (similar to the PUL cover shown above), soakers (to your left) and longies - which look like pants.  If you're like to know more about wool, check out this post all about wool covers.

I love wool and if you think you might too, you may consider these soakers from Sustainablebabyish or their longies (they come in great colors - love SBish!!!) or these from soakers from Kissaluvs.

Now that you have a cover you need something to put in it.  First up we have a Fitted Diapers.  Fitted Diapers look like a normal diaper (pictured to the rigt) yet they require a cover because the body of the diaper does not contain any sort of waterproof layer.  They are almost always a natural fiber, though some have a natural fiber outter and a microfiber inner.

Fitteds are great because they offer a lot of absorbency and are notoriously good for heavy wetters and nighttime use.  Due to their high absorbency, they can often be used around the house without a cover to let baby's bottom get some air.  Fitteds are easy to change and in my experience, are pretty great at containing messes.  Another benefit of fitteds is that they are great to use with wool covers (which I'll mention in a moment).  Fitteds run anywhere from $10 to $35+ and require just a few covers or more depending on your baby's age.  Fitteds make a great addition to any diaper stash!

If you want to try out Fitteds you might consider these from Blueberry, Sustainablebabyish, Thirsties, Kissaluvs or Kiwi Pie.

Last but not least we have the plain old Prefold Diaper.  Prefolds are very basic diapers.  They are most commonly cotton, but can also be bamboo, hemp or some combination.  Typically prefolds are fit onto the baby with various methods of folding, you can see how to do that here.  Prefolds are the single most economical option when it comes to cloth diapering.  A dozen prefolds can run you anywhere from $25-$35, toss in a few covers and you're good to go!  These diapers require the most skill and time when it comes to cloth diapering and generally these are not consider 'easy' for Dad, grandparents or day care centers

There are several brands of prefold style diapers, but you might consider these from Bummis, OsoCozy or this hemp/cotton option from Thirsties.  I do NOT recommend Gerber prefolds, they are usually a very light weave fabric and are not nearly as absorbent as high quality prefolds.

One you decide what type of diaper fits your lifestyle you'll want to buy a few to try out, and maybe try a few of your next favorite style just to see how you like them.  This is where cost and style are going to come in.  I've listed several brands of diapers here.  I have had experience with most and overall they are all very popular and well rated.  Take a look around and just see what appeals to you.  It might be that it's snaps or hook and loop closures, or perhaps you like the cute print of a certain brand.  As long as you buy quality diapers, you're going to be happy with what you get.  Now not ever diaper will fit every baby, but if you try a few you're bound to find one you love!

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to post here or email me!  I'm happy to help and there are many cloth diaper pros around that can chime in too!

Cloth Diaper Detergent : How-To

If you've been around here long, I'm sure that you've come across my DIY Cloth Diaper Detergent at one point or another.  You might use it, or perhaps you've toyed with the idea of making it, but thought it would be too much work.  Have no fear, it's both affordable and easy to make!




This method of mixing can be applied to the Laundry Detergent Recipe as well.

I have a diaper problem.

If you have a child that keeps a diaper on, I am so jealous!  Our first daughter was always taking her clothes off, but the diapers stayed on for the most part.  G is just insane.  She is constantly taking her diapers off.  When she was about 7 months old I switched from hook and loop closures to snaps.  I thought that would be the end of it.  More than a year later, I've decided that helping her learn to use the potty full time is my only refuge.

The funniest part about all of this is where I find diapers.  I find them on our porch, in the play room, in our bedrooms and pretty much any other place that she can squeeze into.  The sound of the snaps coming undone just cracks me up - "pop-pop....pop-pop".  Thankfully she's pretty good about going to the potty, so accidents are minimal.

In the past month her diaperless obsession has become worse.  We bed share... yes, you can see where this is going.  To get started, our bed set up is somewhat unusual.  We have a queen sized bed, with an open faced crib set up on my side.  Something like a co-sleeper set-up but with an awesome Naturepedic mattress.  My husband sleeps on his side of the bed, I have mine and then G sleeps on her bed, as it attaches to my side of the bed.... well she starts there anyhow.  The point is, G has a lot of room to roll around - which is where her nighttime escapades begin.

She has this move, if you can picture this - she's laying on her back, zonked.. sleeping like an angel.  Suddenly I am woken up to "pop-pop....pop-pop".  She's opened up her diaper, flipped it down between her legs and in one swift move she rolls away from me onto her belly... fast asleep, her soaked diaper left between us.  If it weren't so darn funny I'd be more upset.  I can't tell you the unpleasant surprises I've had before I realized what she was up to.  Lately she's also taken to flinging it and then rolling over to go back to sleep.  For the first time since she was a newborn, I am a pro at diapering her while practically asleep.

I've tried putting pajamas on her, but she doesn't sleep well when clothed for some reason.  She's nuts.  I'd love to hear how you keep diapers on your little Houdini.

Diapers!!!

I haven't been this excited about cloth diapers in a long time.  Don't get me wrong, I love my cloth diapers, but getting super excited over 'a' diaper is not all that common of an occurrence for me.  Well this morning, I, like many, woke up to big news from Cotton Babies, the makers of bumGenius, Flip and Econobum products.  BumGenius and Flip have both launched brand new products.... Colors! and Prints!!!  Too exciting.  Let's check them out!

First up we have have prints and colors!  Meet Lovelace, Albert, Sassy, Dazzle and Mirror.  Personally I can't wait to get Dazzle on my daughter's bum.  Okay, I think most of them will end up there.

These colors will be available on Flip & bumGenius products.

Next up are two exciting NEW products!
If you recall, when they decided to discontinue the beloved bumGenius pocket all-in-ones diapers a while back there were some very unhappy campers.  Well, they've got something better!  Welcome bumGenius Freetime!

Freetime is an all-in-one diaper made with two soaker layers that are each attached at an end to make washing a breeze and customization an option!  The soaker layers are a microfiber with stay-dry top like what you see with the Flip stay-dry insert.  This diaper is one-size, adjustable using a snap rise.  These will retail for $19.95 each

Last, but certainly not least!, we have the brand new product for the Flip line - the Flip Potty Trainer.  This trainer looks like underpants and has stretchy sides to make pulling on, and off, easy for little ones. The side panels are fully adjustable and are designed to keep the snaps off of your toddler's skin.  The soaker layer for these is ALL NATURAL!!!  Your toddler will be able to feel when they are wet, aiding in the learning process.  This pad attaches to the inside of the cover with hook and loop to keep it from shifting around.  These trainers fit from 20 lbs to 50 lbs using an adjustable snap rise.

In addition to the stretchy tabs being adjustable, they are also replaceable, making the color combo choices truly unique to you and your toddler!  These retail in a combo pack consisting of 1 trainer and 5 organic cotton pads for $24.95

Keep an eye out at your favorite retailers to get these on preorder!  I'm pretty darn excited about these myself.  What do you think?!  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Haven't seen the video yet?  Check it out!

Great deal on GroVia cloth diapers!

This summer, fashionistas who to strut the best styles are finding the best deals on Gilt Groupe  - the web's leading outlet for mark downs on fashion must-haves. This July, Gilt has teamed up with all natural cloth diaper company GroVia to make it possible for even the smallest trend setter to be ready for the summer season!

Starting today (July 25th), Gilt will host a 5 day members-only sale offering a huge discount on GroVia products. From All-in-One cloth diapers to hybrid diaper kits, and the super convenient natural disposable BioDiapers - parents won't want to miss out on huge savings from GroVia, as customers never come across mark downs directly from the brand. Each GroVia diaper system is designed to give parents the tools they need to provide their children with modern, chic, eco-friendly, and easy-to-use diapering systems. From the deal seekers to high-fashion mamas, GroVia provides a diaper for every family to simplify the way parents nurture baby, naturally.

Visit the GroVia sale on Gilt first thing Monday morning, as items go QUICK! Gilt is open to members only, so sign up before the sale starts to get your Vogue on at Gilt!

For more information about GroVia, visit: www.gro-via.com

Cloth Diapering TV Segment!

A couple of months ago, I had the amazing opportunity to tape several segments for our local tv station.  We covered a variety of eco-friendly topics and the clips have aired about twice a month.  When I initially contacted the station it was to share cloth diapers and I am pleased to say that the first cloth diaper clip has aired!

If you are new to our site and want more information on cloth diapers, please visit our Cloth Diaper FAQ, it covers pretty much anything you could want to know.  If you still have questions, please feel free to email me.

Share the cloth love with a printable guide!

So I've mentioned it before (a lot!) that I've been working on offering classes locally.  We held our first real class last month, along with some great local promotions and it was great! (Farmers' market, local tv, newspaper, hospital, etc!) I really enjoyed the class and am looking forward to our next class this July.  It was a lot of fun meeting new moms and sharing something that I care so much about.

For my class I made up a six page handout for attendees to take home and be able to reference.  A lot of work has gone into this, and I want to share that with you so that you can share and use this too.

This is a PDF version of my handout.  I encourage you to hold classes of your own and to share this with friends, family or anyone else interested in trying cloth.  Know someone having a baby shower?  Include it with their gift.  Be sure to print double sided to save paper!

Cloth Diaper Info Packet PDF

The sheet covers environmental facts, health facts, explanations of the different types of diapers, how to wash (our detergent recipe too!), what's needed and a whole lot more.

If you are interested in holding your own class you might use this simple flyer design.  Simply write in your date, location and contact info (email or phone, whatever you're comfortable with!)

General Class Flyer PDF

If you have any questions or need help, please let me know!  I'm happy to help!  You can reach me in the comments below or by emailing me at amanda@theecofriendlyfamily.com

Also!  Be on the lookout, I am offering an Intro to Natural Feminine Care class later this month and will have an info sheet packet for it as well!

Why I love natural fibers.

I'm always talking about how much I prefer natural fiber diapers and inserts over microfiber.  It's not just because I like natural fibers best as principal, but more that they work better in my opinion.  Here are just a few of my thoughts and experiences.

Natural fibers wash well.
I find that natural fibers are much more forgiving in the wash when compared to microfiber.  Microfiber's build seems to allow it to get buildup easier, which can cause it stink, not to absorb as it should or even repel.  Natural fibers do tend to stain more, but that's related more to their ability to absorb and retain colors.  This is easy to fix with some sun!

Natural fibers absorb faster.
I'm always surprised when I read that microfiber absorbs faster.  That is quite the opposite of my experiences.  Let me show you.  The video below is a comparison of a hemp insert and a microfiber insert.  You'll also see the hemp when compared to bamboo, bamboo with zorb and cotton - all of which absorb very quickly.



Based on my experience, and the video, I recommend that if you use both microfiber and natural fiber inserts at night, you should put the natural fiber closest to baby.  It will pull moisture in quickly and the microfiber can work as backup!

It's natural and breathable.
Natural fibers allow more air to make it to your baby's bottom.  Consider the difference if you were to wear a cotton t-shirt or a polyester t-shirt.  Which would keep you coolest?  The cotton, of course.  The same holds true with baby.  Natural fibers offer pleasant conditions in diaper land.

What about volume?!
Like numbers?  Let's see how they compare:
I gathered up some inserts and prefolds (for the cotton) and got to playing with my scale and a bowl of water.

Here's what I did:
First I weighed each insert for a dry starting weight.  Then I fully wet the insert in a bowl of water.  To get a wet weight, I pulled out each insert (one at a time to weigh), held it over the bowl until it came to a slow drip - not squeezing out any water, then placed it on the scale.  Below is how they measured up.

	Cotton Insert	Microfiber Insert	Hemp Insert	Bamboo Insert
Dry Weight	2.4 ounces	2.5 ounces	2.5 ounces	2.5 ounces
Wet Weight	12.9 ounces	13.3 ounces	10.75 ounces	10.6 ounces
% of Water Absorbed Based on Dry Weight	538%	532%	430%	424%

While the percentages between the cotton/microfiber and hemp/bamboo look like there is a big difference, keep in mind that we're talking about a small bit of fabric.  Based on inserts that are the same approx. size and thickness (not same weight), the difference in what they absorb amounts to approximately a tablespoon of liquid.

What's all of this mean?
When using quality materials, they all seem to absorb virtually the same (keep in mind that we're talking about diaper inserts, so the amount of fabric being used is small).

I would buy an insert based on it's other qualities (do you like the shape? thickness? washability? other feature?)  If you want to use cotton, stick with a dense fabric (not airy birdseye for example) to get more absorbency in a thinner insert.

Need diapers? Emergency or no cash? No problem!

I saw this amazing idea on a blog post this weekend.  The post is from the Cotton Babies blog.  In it Jenn Labit, creator, shares her story and journey with cloth from humble beginnings.  At the end of the post there are some great links for options on what to do when you simply don't have a diaper or can't afford to buy any.  One struck me as pure genius!  I love it and so I wanted to share it with you.  I'll can't wait to show this example at my cloth diaper classes.



The great thing about this idea, to me, is that t-shirts are so common place.  You can get shirts for next to nothing, or even free possibly from some organizations.  Wash them as you would any cloth diapers to increase absorbency.  My DIY recipe is very economical and can even be used on clothes.  I even prefer to use this on my towels to keep them absorbing well.

If you need a cover, many popular branded covers are inexpensive if you just need a couple.  Another option is to buy used or make your own from fleece or wool (buy something from a used shop and repurpose it!)

Need a closure?  Diaper pins are inexpensive, as are Snappis, but if you don't have a diaper store nearby you might have to order them.  If you're really in a pinch, get some large safety pins or even use a ribbon or scrap fabric to tie around baby's waist like a belt.  Just be sure to keep it loose enough for comfort.

Have other ideas?  I'd love to hear them!

Best Bottom Diapers - Review & Giveaway!

Earlier this year I was introduced to a new-to-me brand of cloth diapers.  Best Bottom diapers have many of my favorite features and are made in the US.  I was so excited to have the opportunity to try it out, and you'll have the chance to too!

The Best Bottom diaper system is a one-size diaper system, sort of.  The covers are one-size, with an adjustable rise for birth to 35lbs.  They feature two full layers of PUL, making them very durable.  Unlike other double layered PUL covers, the inside is the shiny side, making it easy to wipe out.  They have fantastic double leg gussets, which are great for containing messes.  The Best Bottom covers come in your choice of snaps or hook & loop.  They come in some great colors and adorable patterns.

The part of the system that is not one-size is the inserts.  With the Best Bottom system you use inserts for the size your child is currently wearing (small, medium & large).  This makes for a very trim diaper.  The inserts snap into place to keep them from shifting and bunching.  The Best Bottom inserts come in your choice of microfiber with a stay dry topper or hemp/organic cotton.  I love that this company offers a natural insert option!  They also have an overnight insert option.  I would definitely suggest this for an older baby especially.  I tried the standard stay dry insert at night and was not successful.  When I added a hemp insert on top, it worked beautifully every time.  I would suggest going with the hemp/organic cotton inserts with the overnight insert for nights, or even two hemp/organic cotton inserts.

As for fit, I have no complaints.  Our daughter is 18 months old right now and fits comfortably in the diaper with room to grow.  I am very happy with the trimness of the system as well.  The system is said to work from birth to 35 lbs.  I don't have a newborn to try this on, so I can't speak to that.  The adjustable rise has four adjustment settings.  You can see a comparison below of the diaper set to the smallest setting and to the largest.  Notice the waist adjustments and the size of the leg holes.  I think that's where it's easiest to see the sizing differences well.

Want a closer look?  Check out the video below to get an 'in person' overview along with a bit of an action shot.





Are you ready to try one out for yourself?  Best Bottom wants to give one of you that chance.  Enter below for your chance to win!

----Update! We have our winner!----

The giveaway portion is over :) Thank you to everyone that participated!

Congratulations to lar1203!

Enter to win!

Please leave a separate comment for each entry in order to have it counted.

This entry is mandatory! If you do not do this, your other entries will not count!

Follow our blog and tell me what Best Bottom feature you like best!  Include your email address (if it's not on your profile) and the words "Live Green" somewhere in your comment.

Want more entries?

*Follow EFFBlog & Best Bottom Diapers and tweet this giveaway! Please tweet, "Win the @Best_Bottom diaper system @EFFblog http://bit.ly/1jtGb1 #clothdiapers #giveaway" Comment with a link to your tweet. Tweet daily for more entries!

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*Tell others about this giveaway on your blog or other social media (message boards, Facebook, etc!). Leave a comment with a link. One entry for each way you share!

and as always, Good Luck and Enjoy!

US Only. Giveaway ends April 8th.  I'll use random.org to pick a winner. I will email the winner. If I do not hear back within 48 hours a new winner will be picked.

FCC Disclaimer: I was provided the product mentioned to review. All reviews are my own and honest opinions. Review & Ad Information, Giveaway Guidelines