This is the first blog entry of a series of three - newborn, older baby and toddler. I will try to go through different diapering systems, and leave you my advice on how they may work as your baby grows. If you are totally new to cloth diapering and all this cloth diaper addict lingo confuses you, I suggest you also read this page on our main site.
Newborn:
I think there are three main considerations when you start your cloth diapering adventure with a newborn.
1. Blow-out containment.
2. Ease of use, since a lot of new parents are new at diapering all together.
3. Frequent changes
The containment factor: Here we go, the very graphic part of the story!
Because newborn poop is very runny and can be quite… dare I say… explosive, elastics are really nice. Really, really nice…. I also liked to have the two layers of protection that a fitted or snappied prefold and a separate cover gave me. If the diaper did not contain it all, the cover caught the balance before it made it on the clothing. For the records, we only had to deal with a tiny baby’s major blow-out on clothing while using disposable diapers (and once only in a pocket diaper.) As far as my experience goes, pocket diapers do contain runny poop much better than a disposable, but not as well as a separate diaper and cover do. We had a few pocket dipes on hand and liked to have them in the bag on outings, and also at night since our baby was a daytime-only pooper.
Which bring us to ease of use. Magic word for new parents: Hook and loop (i.e. Velcro!). It is nice, not intimidating and easy for daddy to deal with in the middle of the night. Be warned here, as this series of posts progresses though, you might not like Velcro forever… Other great choices for the ease of use are pockets and all-in-ones. However, for the reasons above, I do not recommend a complete stash of pocket and all-in-one diapers to start, but do try them, a lot of parent just swear by them so they might work out great for your family as well.
The ease of use is also linked to the frequent changes. Newborns seem constantly wet and they poop a lot too. You may have to change a diaper 16 times a day, including night, so you will want to make sure it is easy.
Another side consideration is the umbilical stump for the first few days or weeks, depending on when it falls. We really disliked a PUL cover rubbing on our tiny baby’s stump, so for most of the time, we just kept her in a fitted diaper without a cover, laid her to sleep with a lap pad underneath her and changed the clothing with the diaper for the first little bit. We were given gazillions tiny sleepers anyway. Since then though, I have learned to use fleece and wool, and my next baby will most likely be wrapped in wool from the start.
The last thing to keep in mind is that newborn diapers won’t fit for long. Buy good quality diapers but please do not spend too much on newborn/small size. A lot of parents who do fancier diapers in bigger sizes prefer to do cheaper options for the newborn.
Some parents use cloth in the hospital, some don’t. A huge benefit of using cloth from the get go is that you can feel those wet diapers right away rather than guessing if a disposable is wet. These first wet diapers are quite an important indicator if baby is getting milk and believe me, it is not fun to take a disposable apart to figure if it was actually wet! And yes, worried first time parents do silly things like that! A downside of dealing with cloth in the hospital is to bring them back home for a wash, but really you can see it as a first experience in traveling with cloth diapers. If you like cloth diapering you will probably end up doing several overnight travels with them anyway so one more or less won’t make a big difference in the end. You will also have to wash the meconium, which is not as bad as you might think. It does wash fine; no special pre-treatment is needed and doesn’t stain any more than other bowel movements. If you are really worried about it, you can just put a disposable liner in the diaper.
My personal recommendation for a newborn is to get fitted diapers and PUL or wool/fleece covers as a main system for those first months, a few pocket/AIO diapers to see if you like them too, as well as a dozen or two of good quality infant size prefolds as a back up in between wash days while you figure out how to use them and see if you actually like to use them as a main diaper. Prefolds are cheap and versatile, so having some on hand from the start is just great. They will be useful in the future as inserts/doublers in bigger diapers or to wipe the slide at the park, wash the car, and one of our team member can even turn them into training pants for you.
I also recommend a big stack of cloth wipes. They will be a lifesaver and some of them can even be folded in a tiny diaper as a doubler.
On this note I will congratulate you on your new baby - you are not reading this just for fun, are you? :-)
Happy babymoon!
- To be continued with the older baby/crawler part soon…
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
LilBees now has Velour!
"Autumn Joy" Diaper Duobecause how could autumn be anything BUT joyful with velour on your little ones bum?!
Velour has recently become a popular diaper fabric, so I decided to try it out. WOW! It is so soft, I just want to sit and snuggle with it all day. It does not wick or 'stay dry' like microfleece does, but because of the pile (the fuzz) it does leave skin feeling dry, which is nearly the same! Furthermore, it remains soft through many washings--not many fabrics do that!
I have recently gotten in several colors of velour, and am starting to stock velour-inner AIOs and fitted diapers at LilBees.
Come check them out!
Is your baby a Breezy Baby?
Hi, My name is Andrea and I am the WAHM behind Breezy Babies.
It looks like fall is just around the corner! My favorite time of the year. Cozy Recycled wool longies and New wool longies will be in the shop soon. I think they will be a hit.
I make great fitting bamboo diapers that dry quickly and fit a wide range of sizes.
I am so exited to be making these and selling them. I am a mom of 4 and have tried many many kinds of diapers. I finally came up with something that combined everything that I liked. My goal is to provide comfort and breathability at an affordable price.
It looks like fall is just around the corner! My favorite time of the year. Cozy Recycled wool longies and New wool longies will be in the shop soon. I think they will be a hit.
I have recently added a new version of my Pinnable Fitted to the shop called Prefold Shells.
They are great if you want to keep your prefolds, prevent blowouts and have a super quick drying system. I have also added my favorite goats milk soap. Its super creamy and gentle for you and baby. Lots more goodies to come.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Petit Mouton on Etsy. My first post on this blog!
Hi everyone!
My Etsy store is called Petit Mouton.
I have been member of this team for a few months but had not posted here yet... I make crocheted wool soakers using the Ladybugz licensed pattern. I have a shop blog too, check it out.
So first a little bit about myself and how my store started:
I have been knitting for at least 10 years now, and I learned to crochet about 5-6 years ago. Self taught at sewing when I decided to make diapers for my little one. Technically I am not a WHAM, since I work out of the house, but I have a long daily commute and I love to crochet in public transit! With my daughter, we use wool soakers over training pants during daytime since she is an EC'ed baby. I modify the patterns to make the butt smaller in order to fit a less bulky trainer. These also work great for sposie babies, so I have also made a couple cotton ones for moms not sold to cloth... But I intend to stock my store mostly with "regular cloth cut" wools. Too bad I had not discovered wool when our DD was littler, I guess it will be for the next one.
A few months ago we also started to use wool at night and we love it. It took a couple trial and error to find the "right" diaper to wear under, but we got it. A snappied premium prefold and a hemp doubler work like a charm for us under a pair of "full bum" shorties. She wakes up in a dry bed and without the "stinky bum" smell that the PUL pockets used to give her.
Why PetitMouton? Well, I am French Canadian expat in BC, Canada and it means "little sheep" in French, so I thought the name was perfect for woolies.
I like to work with wool, and also to include some alpaca blend in my woolies. Alpaca tends to be warmer than wool, but it is also very soft. For this reason, I like to use a yarn with just a touch of Alpaca. Check out the shorties and longies with a skirt that I have made with it.
I would like to eventually add bamboo wipes and cloth diapers to my lines, but I do not know when... Maybe if someone installs a sewing machine on the train line I take I could squeeze time for that...
My Etsy store is called Petit Mouton.
I have been member of this team for a few months but had not posted here yet... I make crocheted wool soakers using the Ladybugz licensed pattern. I have a shop blog too, check it out.
So first a little bit about myself and how my store started:
I have been knitting for at least 10 years now, and I learned to crochet about 5-6 years ago. Self taught at sewing when I decided to make diapers for my little one. Technically I am not a WHAM, since I work out of the house, but I have a long daily commute and I love to crochet in public transit! With my daughter, we use wool soakers over training pants during daytime since she is an EC'ed baby. I modify the patterns to make the butt smaller in order to fit a less bulky trainer. These also work great for sposie babies, so I have also made a couple cotton ones for moms not sold to cloth... But I intend to stock my store mostly with "regular cloth cut" wools. Too bad I had not discovered wool when our DD was littler, I guess it will be for the next one.
A few months ago we also started to use wool at night and we love it. It took a couple trial and error to find the "right" diaper to wear under, but we got it. A snappied premium prefold and a hemp doubler work like a charm for us under a pair of "full bum" shorties. She wakes up in a dry bed and without the "stinky bum" smell that the PUL pockets used to give her.
Why PetitMouton? Well, I am French Canadian expat in BC, Canada and it means "little sheep" in French, so I thought the name was perfect for woolies.
I like to work with wool, and also to include some alpaca blend in my woolies. Alpaca tends to be warmer than wool, but it is also very soft. For this reason, I like to use a yarn with just a touch of Alpaca. Check out the shorties and longies with a skirt that I have made with it.
I would like to eventually add bamboo wipes and cloth diapers to my lines, but I do not know when... Maybe if someone installs a sewing machine on the train line I take I could squeeze time for that...
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Diapering with Wool
I was skeptical about this at first. I mean, it's wool...it's scratchy, it's handwash, and you want me to use it as a diaper cover?! Won't it be terribly leaky anyway?
Since then I have learned a few things about wool!
1) Wool is a natural fiber, and it breathes. This is nice for kiddos with sensitive skin! This article explains how wool's natural properties (yes, its very molecular structure) are perfect for diapering.
2) Lanolin
Sheep produce something called lanolin on their skin and in their wool. Lanolin is something like the natural oils on our skin, only it happens to be waterproof. Yup, those sheep standing out in the rain in Ireland are not actually soaked through--their wool is sortof like a natural raincoat because of the lanolin!
This same lanolin then makes a marvelous diaper cover! The wool itself is absorbent (and can absorb up to three times its own weight) but it is also quite waterproof...so when used as a diaper cover, wool absorbs from the inside, while blocking leaks from getting to the outside.
Lanolin is also naturally antibacterial. How perfect is that for a diaper cover?!
3) Isn't it scratchy?
Most wool covers are made with softer wools, such as lambswool or merino. Different makers have different standards for what wools they use, so if you are concerned about a child with sensitive skin, feel free to ask the seller about their fiber content. For my sensitive-skinned child, I stick to lambswool whenever possible.
For those who are allergic to wool, something to consider: most wool allergies are not true *wool* allergies, but actually allergies to either the chemicals used to treat wool (to make it machine washable, for example), or to the roughness of the fiber. Properly washed and lanolized wool does not have these chemicals, and wool covers are typically made from the softest wools, so while wool is not perfect for everyone, it will work just fine for most children.
4) What is a soaker, longies, or shorties?
These are all names for wool covers that double as outerwear. Longies are pants, shorties are shorts, and the term 'soaker' can apply to any wool cover. They come in two main types--hand knit/hand crochet, and recycled (which means they are made from old sweaters or other wool garments). Some soakers are also made from new yardage of plain wool fabric.
5) Doesn't it leak?
Yes, technically it can--if the child is left in the same diaper for a long time, or the cover is compressed (as in a carseat or snug outfit) then moisture can get through. But it doesn't leak very often under normal conditions. The best solution is to change the child frequently, and use doublers or extra-absorbency diapers for heavy-wetters.
Personally, I had not been able to find a diaper that was sufficient for my son at night, and then I started using wool longies. His diaper absorbs almost everything, but that wool is a second line of defense just in case...no more wet sheets!
6) But it's handwash!
Yes, it is, BUT you don't have to wash it very often! Even when it absorbs some urine, the lanolin interacts with the urine to neutralize it, leaving odor-free covers. Those who use wool full time usually have 2-3 covers in use at once, and allow each to fully air-dry between uses. This gives them time to dry out and for the lanolin to work its magic.
If aired out between uses, wool covers only need to be washed when they actually become soiled (on the inside or outside), or when they begin to smell (which means that the lanolin has been used up). Most wool users wash several covers at once by swishing them in tepid water with appropriate soap, and then putting them in the washer on a spin cycle (to get out excess water) and hanging to dry. I was really worried about this part, but I have found that I can wash several longies in just a few minutes, and then after a good spin cycle, they dry out in about a day (and I live in the humid rainforest!)
7) So where can I get those special wool washes?
There are many soaps which are safe for wool and can be found in places that sell wool yarns or products. In addition to a wool wash, you will need to apply lanolin periodically. This is available from a number of shops that sell wool diapering products.
One option (my favorite) is to use a wool wash bar, which is specifically formulated for washing wool covers, and actually has lanolin in it! Using one of these bars saves you the trouble of separate lanolizing, although many wool-users still like to use a lanolin spray to 'reinforce' the covers from time to time. I got my wool wash bar and lanolin spray from Blue House Soaps on etsy, and have been very happy with them (they smell wonderful too!)
Here are a few more informative links:
One mother's story of the wonders of wool.
A very detailed article that covers everything I just explained, only in a lot more depth.
Wool's Cool another article with some helpful information.
Team members who offer wool (you can visit their shops via the shop links at the left):
Adorabubble, Ariana'sClothesline, BabyBearBums, BeanandBeagle, Betriska, BundlesofJoy, BabyCakesKnits, BeBops, BoulevardDesigns, CussinCrafter, DutchBabyDudz, GreenMountain, Greensprout, GreenWayBabywear, Handmadebymama, HandmadeCreations, KristieLynn, KathleenThomas, KristinJayd, kaboogie, LilLambCreations, LuckyFishes, MamaMadeThreads, MammaHenerin, MunchkinKnitworks, MandyMartinCreations, MacaroniAndCheese, NorasKnickers, Natural Blue Cloud, NaturalPunk, PinkPug, PetitMouton, Purple Ducks, TinyPetals,TuliptreeBaby, Wollagins, WoolenPhoenix, YarnIt
Since then I have learned a few things about wool!
1) Wool is a natural fiber, and it breathes. This is nice for kiddos with sensitive skin! This article explains how wool's natural properties (yes, its very molecular structure) are perfect for diapering.
2) Lanolin
Sheep produce something called lanolin on their skin and in their wool. Lanolin is something like the natural oils on our skin, only it happens to be waterproof. Yup, those sheep standing out in the rain in Ireland are not actually soaked through--their wool is sortof like a natural raincoat because of the lanolin!
This same lanolin then makes a marvelous diaper cover! The wool itself is absorbent (and can absorb up to three times its own weight) but it is also quite waterproof...so when used as a diaper cover, wool absorbs from the inside, while blocking leaks from getting to the outside.
Lanolin is also naturally antibacterial. How perfect is that for a diaper cover?!
3) Isn't it scratchy?
Most wool covers are made with softer wools, such as lambswool or merino. Different makers have different standards for what wools they use, so if you are concerned about a child with sensitive skin, feel free to ask the seller about their fiber content. For my sensitive-skinned child, I stick to lambswool whenever possible.
For those who are allergic to wool, something to consider: most wool allergies are not true *wool* allergies, but actually allergies to either the chemicals used to treat wool (to make it machine washable, for example), or to the roughness of the fiber. Properly washed and lanolized wool does not have these chemicals, and wool covers are typically made from the softest wools, so while wool is not perfect for everyone, it will work just fine for most children.
4) What is a soaker, longies, or shorties?
These are all names for wool covers that double as outerwear. Longies are pants, shorties are shorts, and the term 'soaker' can apply to any wool cover. They come in two main types--hand knit/hand crochet, and recycled (which means they are made from old sweaters or other wool garments). Some soakers are also made from new yardage of plain wool fabric.
5) Doesn't it leak?
Yes, technically it can--if the child is left in the same diaper for a long time, or the cover is compressed (as in a carseat or snug outfit) then moisture can get through. But it doesn't leak very often under normal conditions. The best solution is to change the child frequently, and use doublers or extra-absorbency diapers for heavy-wetters.
Personally, I had not been able to find a diaper that was sufficient for my son at night, and then I started using wool longies. His diaper absorbs almost everything, but that wool is a second line of defense just in case...no more wet sheets!
6) But it's handwash!
Yes, it is, BUT you don't have to wash it very often! Even when it absorbs some urine, the lanolin interacts with the urine to neutralize it, leaving odor-free covers. Those who use wool full time usually have 2-3 covers in use at once, and allow each to fully air-dry between uses. This gives them time to dry out and for the lanolin to work its magic.
If aired out between uses, wool covers only need to be washed when they actually become soiled (on the inside or outside), or when they begin to smell (which means that the lanolin has been used up). Most wool users wash several covers at once by swishing them in tepid water with appropriate soap, and then putting them in the washer on a spin cycle (to get out excess water) and hanging to dry. I was really worried about this part, but I have found that I can wash several longies in just a few minutes, and then after a good spin cycle, they dry out in about a day (and I live in the humid rainforest!)
7) So where can I get those special wool washes?
There are many soaps which are safe for wool and can be found in places that sell wool yarns or products. In addition to a wool wash, you will need to apply lanolin periodically. This is available from a number of shops that sell wool diapering products.
One option (my favorite) is to use a wool wash bar, which is specifically formulated for washing wool covers, and actually has lanolin in it! Using one of these bars saves you the trouble of separate lanolizing, although many wool-users still like to use a lanolin spray to 'reinforce' the covers from time to time. I got my wool wash bar and lanolin spray from Blue House Soaps on etsy, and have been very happy with them (they smell wonderful too!)
Here are a few more informative links:
One mother's story of the wonders of wool.
A very detailed article that covers everything I just explained, only in a lot more depth.
Wool's Cool another article with some helpful information.
Team members who offer wool (you can visit their shops via the shop links at the left):
Adorabubble, Ariana'sClothesline, BabyBearBums, BeanandBeagle, Betriska, BundlesofJoy, BabyCakesKnits, BeBops, BoulevardDesigns, CussinCrafter, DutchBabyDudz, GreenMountain, Greensprout, GreenWayBabywear, Handmadebymama, HandmadeCreations, KristieLynn, KathleenThomas, KristinJayd, kaboogie, LilLambCreations, LuckyFishes, MamaMadeThreads, MammaHenerin, MunchkinKnitworks, MandyMartinCreations, MacaroniAndCheese, NorasKnickers, Natural Blue Cloud, NaturalPunk, PinkPug, PetitMouton, Purple Ducks, TinyPetals,TuliptreeBaby, Wollagins, WoolenPhoenix, YarnIt
Friday, August 22, 2008
Visit Laina's Laundry Oct 4th in Littleton, CO!
Laina's Laundry will be selling baby leggings, cloth diapers, and baby/toddler dresses at the Craft Fair in Littleton, CO on October 4th (at Ketring Park). If anyone is in the area, please stop by and say "hi" and check out our stuff, along with bibs and burpies by Stella Bini! We will be in booth #21. We look forward to seeing you there!
If you can't make it to the fair, all remaining items will be posted on our Etsy shops after October 4th so be sure to check back then!
If you can't make it to the fair, all remaining items will be posted on our Etsy shops after October 4th so be sure to check back then!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Last of the Summer Shorties at Dutch Baby Dudz!
I recently listed the last of my shorties for this season. I'll soon be stocking more longies for fall. Get your shorties while they last!
~Kelley
Dutch Baby Dudz
~Kelley
Dutch Baby Dudz
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