Let me just tell how excited I am about my new Hava sling. I was having a hard time with the one I had, so I trucked over to Nurtured Family (link below) to get some help. Turns out that the one I had was too big for me, and I needed the petite size. This made me laugh because I am 30 lbs over petite right now, but they insisted. :o) They exchanged my old one for a new one, and now I can roam around hands free with my little buddy! He loves being close and so do I, and now my leg gets a rest from all the bouncing! What could be better?
On to cloth diapers...
I have to admit that at first the idea of cloth diapering scared me. I had never thought about using cloth diapers as a mom, but for some reason, it immediately became something I wanted to do once I heard about them. Cloth diapers equals less trash for everyone and plus they're so cute! At first, I was really confused and overwhelmed by all the options and types, but thanks to friends, family, and Nurtured Family, I became more at ease and picked the route I was going to take.
Start with:
- 24 Fuzzibunz one size pocket diapers
- 20 Fuzzibunz cloth wipes
- 2 Fuzzibunz diaper bags (one for upstairs and one for downstairs)
- Homemade diaper spray in various bottles for at home and away
Next:
Assemble the diaper. My friends helped me adjust these diapers to fit a newborn. There is elastic at the waist and legs that you tighten for a perfect fit. Slip the insert into the pocket and you're good to go!
All you need for a quick diaper change: cloth diaper with insert, one wipe (that's all you need! One side is fleece and is super absorbent), diaper spray, and, for boys, a peepee teepee...which doesn't really work all the time, but hey, it's cute! Use the plethora of snaps to get a snug fit.
A spray bottle filled with diaper spray. You can use water, but I got this recipe for a cleaner bum from Aaron's cousin, Crissy (thank you!): 1 cup water, 1/4 cup baby oil , & 1/4 cup baby bodywash
After a diaper has been soiled, take it over to your diaper bag. Take the insert out of the pocket and throw the wipe, insert, and diaper into the bag. When Isaac starts eating solids, I'll dispose of his stools in the toilet by either using a diaper sprayer or liners (haven't decided which I'll use). For now, his poos are water soluble so I'm able to just throw the whole diaper into the wash as is.
I posted the washing instructions over the washer so I wouldn't forget. When you wash, simply take the whole bag over to the washer, unzip the zipper at the bottom and let all the diapers fall out, and then drop the bag into the wash as well. Once they're all clean, put inserts into the pockets and you're set!
A spray bottle filled with diaper spray. You can use water, but I got this recipe for a cleaner bum from Aaron's cousin, Crissy (thank you!): 1 cup water, 1/4 cup baby oil , & 1/4 cup baby bodywash
After a diaper has been soiled, take it over to your diaper bag. Take the insert out of the pocket and throw the wipe, insert, and diaper into the bag. When Isaac starts eating solids, I'll dispose of his stools in the toilet by either using a diaper sprayer or liners (haven't decided which I'll use). For now, his poos are water soluble so I'm able to just throw the whole diaper into the wash as is.
I posted the washing instructions over the washer so I wouldn't forget. When you wash, simply take the whole bag over to the washer, unzip the zipper at the bottom and let all the diapers fall out, and then drop the bag into the wash as well. Once they're all clean, put inserts into the pockets and you're set!
Now, I wasn't sure how it was all going to go, so I kept a little log during our first week using them. We waited to use the diapers until his circumcision healed, so I had a few disposable wipes to finish up. Since this log, I have used cloth wipes and love them. You only have to use one and they just feel better when you wipe...kind of hard to explain. Also, I started using the liners but found out I didn't have to until he started solids, so I stopped. Then he had some redness, so I used some cream which meant I had to use the liners again (cream ruins the fleece in the diaper). Since then, I have found a diaper rash ointment that I can use with the cloth diapers sans lining. On to the log!
Day 1: Started cd at 3 pm and went through about 6 or 7 by the end of the day. Using disp. wipes so they don't dry out. Liner not catching all the poop. Trying to figure out the snaps. Getting used to the different look.
Day 2: Pee has leaked out of the diapers three times, but did this with disposable diapers too. Washed a load of diapers out of fear of running out. Eyed the disp but said NO! Love all the colors! Diaper count: 11 used in24 hr period
Day 3: All poop came out in wash - no stains! Quick and easy; just have to put in inserts. 10 diapers used in 24 hr period.
Day 4: washing another load. Read that liners are only really needed for when solids are introduced, so didn't use them for a few diapers to see if poop stained. Snaps are getting easier. Almost ready for cloth wipes! Feel like I always have to pull diapers up to prevent sagging. Stayed away from pairing an orange diaper w a& m outfit.
Day 5: Slept 5 hours and got diaper rash, so back to liners so we can use cream. Changed cloth diaper on the go and went well. Adjusted waist band to allow more room. Diaper fills out outfits a lot more.
We solved the leaking problem - turns out we had to readjust the diapers because he had grown!
All in all, I really do love them. You have to be aware of how many are left so you can wash them in time, but that's not a big deal. Yes, you have to wash them but you're washing baby clothes and blankets every few days anyway! We are washing the diapers about every other day, sometimes two days. Once he gets older, this'll die down.
I have yet to learn:
Work that camera!
Day 1: Started cd at 3 pm and went through about 6 or 7 by the end of the day. Using disp. wipes so they don't dry out. Liner not catching all the poop. Trying to figure out the snaps. Getting used to the different look.
Day 2: Pee has leaked out of the diapers three times, but did this with disposable diapers too. Washed a load of diapers out of fear of running out. Eyed the disp but said NO! Love all the colors! Diaper count: 11 used in24 hr period
Day 3: All poop came out in wash - no stains! Quick and easy; just have to put in inserts. 10 diapers used in 24 hr period.
Day 4: washing another load. Read that liners are only really needed for when solids are introduced, so didn't use them for a few diapers to see if poop stained. Snaps are getting easier. Almost ready for cloth wipes! Feel like I always have to pull diapers up to prevent sagging. Stayed away from pairing an orange diaper w a& m outfit.
Day 5: Slept 5 hours and got diaper rash, so back to liners so we can use cream. Changed cloth diaper on the go and went well. Adjusted waist band to allow more room. Diaper fills out outfits a lot more.
We solved the leaking problem - turns out we had to readjust the diapers because he had grown!
All in all, I really do love them. You have to be aware of how many are left so you can wash them in time, but that's not a big deal. Yes, you have to wash them but you're washing baby clothes and blankets every few days anyway! We are washing the diapers about every other day, sometimes two days. Once he gets older, this'll die down.
I have yet to learn:
- How can I tell when he's peed? I was told I can tell by the feel of the diaper, so I need to practice that.
- Snaps - there are so many! How do I know when to adjust the snaps or adjust the diaper?
- Will I survive the switch to solid foods?
Work that camera!
