Lets talk about dipes...POCKETS

Pocket Diapers, How do I love thee? Let me count the ways....

I think it's safe to say that I adore pocket diapers. When I first got my first pocket diapers after using prefolds my first thought was, "These things are THE BOMB!". They are the simple, easy, and modern way to cloth diaper.

Pocket diapers are made up of a waterproof shell sewn to a super soft material that goes right up against your baby's skin to form a pocket. The pocket is generally in the back of the diaper and can be stuffed with as much or as little as you want depending on your needs. When purchased new, they usually come with a microfiber insert that is ultra absorbent.

They can come in "one size" which will usually fit from about 8lbs-35lbs depending on the diaper. Or sized, for a less bulky fit and more limited size range. Sized pocket diapers usually come in newborn/extra small, small, medium, and large.

pictures from bumGenius

I prefer "one size" because it's easier on my pocket book and because it's less to buy and I'm super cheap :). You can find one size diapers from $10 all the way up to $25 or more. It's not the cheapest way to cloth diaper but it can be affordable depending on the brand. The first pocket diapers I bought were Kawaii Baby. Right now I can't, in good conscience, recommend the retailer I bought them from, but Sew Crafty Baby sells them for $9.25 and with free shipping and discount codes for "liking" them on Facebook, you can snag a great deal. The diapers themselves are great though. They're still really soft and strong after all of these months. I have not had any issues with them so far.

I've recently fallen in love with probably one of the most popular cloth diaper brands out there, bumGenius. A friend of mine first sent me one while we did a "diaper exchange" (a great way to get with your other cloth diapering friends and try out new brands without spending the money!). It was the first pocket diaper I tried with aplix and I was hooked. I could get a much better fit with the aplix and it was so much faster! I found another one at a consignment store for $1.99! and that propelled my love for them. I had to have MORE! The aplix is a "must have" for this stage that we're at...you know, the one where your baby is screaming at every diaper change and attempting to barrel roll of the changing table. Each time I get the diaper secured on her I feel like throwing up my arms and yelling "time!" as if I were a calf roper.

We usually stuff our pocket diapers with one microfiber insert or one tri-folded prefold. For night time we stuff it with either two microfiber inserts, a prefold wrapped around one microfiber, or microfiber and hemp cotton. The possibilities are endless!


So without further ado...

 One size bumGenius 4.0 with micrifber insert. See how it snaps down for a custom fit?

 The pocket! bumGenius have a microsuede inner that is ultra-soft and stays that way for a long time.

 Just stuff the insert in the pocket and you're ready to place it on your baby.

 The aplix makes it so easy to use! It's just as easy as putting on a disposable. (I have this snapped down to the medium setting) Baby E is appx 19lbs and 27 inches long. 9months old.

 Another great brand, Fuzzi Bunz!

 Their version of the sizing is really cool and very clever! You pull the elastic to the button that corresponds with the number that best fits your baby. There are two openings to size it on the legs so they get pretty tiny.

 Sizing on the back is just as important to keep those messes in.

 I really like how soft and trim this diaper is. They don't come in aplix so that is a bit of a downfall for me right now, but I still love this diaper. It's the trimmest diaper we have by far. I also think it can be used sooner on newborn babies compared to other one size diapers. 

 bumGenius compared to the FuzziBunz. The BG is much longer but the FB has a lot more contour to it so its trimmer through the thighs.

 One size Kawaii minky bamboo. This diaper is a little different because it has an organic bamboo terry on the inside (so it feels similar to a bath towel, but still really soft) it does not wick away any moisture from your baby's skin so keep that in mind. It came with two bamboo inserts that are much thinner than microfiber. This is a great alternative for babies with ultra-sensitive skin or those of you that prefer organic or natural materials.

 Minky is very soft and cuddly

Baby E wearing her Kawaii diaper. It's still on the smallest rise setting so this diaper should last quite a while.


These are just a few of the brands I've tried and really liked. Pocket diapers really are the easy and modern way to cloth diapering. They are easy enough for dad and grandma to use and great for long trips, traveling, and everyday errands. Are you impressed yet?

As always, please share your favorite pocket diapers and your favorite way to stuff them!

Lets talk about dipes...FITTEDS

Fitteds are another type of diaper that makes the process just a little bit easier. Unlike prefolds they do not require any folding and usually secure in the front or side with velcro or snaps. They are great at keeping in messes with their elasticized legs and waist. They come in all different types of materials and sizes. They are not waterproof so you will need a waterproof diaper cover (you can use the same covers as you do with prefolds).

 I don't have many fitteds because I just haven't fallen in love with them quite yet

but look at how cute this one is!

 The super soft inside has this great snap in "booster" that adds another layer of absorbency

See? Super cute, right? Just throw on a diaper cover and you're good to go!

Like I mentioned before, I don't use fitteds that often. Because they are a thick cotton they take much longer to dry so they tend to throw off my washing and drying routine (and I just can't have that!). I have found that you can get fitteds in so many adorable and fun prints and styles though. I think it's safe to say that with fitteds you have the most variety when it comes to prints. 

So those of you that do use fitteds, share with me your reasons! Sell me on why I should use them more often!

Let's talk about dipes...Prefolds Pt 2

So now that you've seen the prefolds in action let me share a little bit more about them.


Prefolds are super durable and last forever. I've even heard of some moms using the same prefolds on their babies from when they were infants! They're really affordable and a good investment because they are so versatile.

Prefolds come in different fabrics, varieties, weights, and sizes. They have thick center for quick absorption. and can come bleached or unbleached. Most often they use peroxide to bleach the diapers not harmful bleach that you would normally use to whiten something. Both work really well, though some say that the unbleached last longer because they haven not been treated with the peroxide.

 I use Indian Cotton Unbleached prefolds purchased from HERE and HERE (I forgot to mention Green Mountain Diapers when I did my post about my favorite places to shop, they're another wonderful company that is super helpful! I love all of the pictures on their site of the diapers in action).
They're really a great way to get your foot in the door with cloth diapering, and because they last so long you can definitely use them for future babies.

They're a great (AFFORDABLE) way to diaper newborn babies since you can get about 2 dozen preemie sized (will fit roughly 3-10lbs) for around $30! Remember when you were going through almost 10-15 diapers in day? Imagine the savings! You can get a much better fit with an itty bitty prefold and a newborn cover vs. any one sized diaper.

They're also great to use as a "doubler" (a term used for something that adds absorption). At night time I can wrap a prefold that no longer fits baby E around one microfiber insert and stuff it in a pocket diaper and it will last all night, with no leaking!

Did I mention they're affordable? Who doesn't want to save money these days? Prefolds are definitely the way to go when you're pinching pennies. Especially with offers like the Econobum line where you can literally diaper your child for less than $100! Buying used covers is another way to save some ca$h. The prices to cover the prefolds to make them waterproof can certainly add up. They can range from $8-25 new, but if you're buying used (obviously you want to make sure they're in at least very good used condition) you can score some for just a few bucks.

Well, there you have it.  I hope that was at least somewhat informative and accurate, lol. I know there are so many different methods to this madness, feel free to share your own experiences!

What's you favorite type of cover and prefold combo?

Let's talk about dipes -PREFOLDS pt.1

There are so many options when it comes to cloth diapers. It's really fun to browse the different types and styles. It's always good to do a little research based on your baby's body type and budget. Baby E is long and lean, but she has one roll on her upper inner thigh (it's really quite cute) that makes CD's kinda tricky, so definitely ask around or browse different message boards dedicated to cloth diapering to help you find a good fit for your baby and budget.

 So lets talk about dipes...

PREFOLDS/FLATS
(please excuse the bad photos tonight, I was anxious to get this post up and sloppy lol)

These are what you mostly likely wore yourself as a baby and are considered a little more "dated" or "old fashioned". I have a special place in my heart for prefolds. There is just something about wrapping a little piece of rectangular cloth around your precious bundle and fastening it tight.

While prefolds have pretty much stayed the same the "accessories" have changed and have been modernized quite a bit! Behold the SNAPPI!

 

(photo courtesy of google image search)

The Snappi is this nifty little invention that replaces any need for those scary diaper pins (props to you moms and dads out there that still rock the pins!). It's super easy to use and really is quite genius. I have great love for the snappi's. Diaper covers have really come a long way too! No more icky plastic pants! You can find some super cute prints with velcro or snap closures. You can find them sized that will fit your baby for a certain amount of time based on their height/weight or you can find them one sized that grow with your baby!
Here's a little basic "how to" for using prefolds. This is the "Angel Wings" fold. there are several different types of folds out there, this is just what I used most often.

First lay your prefold down and fold it into thirds lengthwise. Separate the top to corners to form "wings"

Then lay your baby (or teddy bear, whichever is handy) and pull the diaper up and over the baby "bits"

Pull the wings together across baby's midsection

Then hook your Snappi into the diaper from the left and stretch it across to the right.

Once it is hooked into the right side of the diaper, pull the remaining tab down and secure it.

Wallah! There you have it. Now we just need a cover!

Fasten your super cute cover to meet your baby's size. Make sure its snug around the waist and thighs.

Check out this ridiculously cute fluffy butt! Cover is made by Gen-Y (holy cute prints Batman!)

This cover snaps on the side to allow for more generous sizing around the thighs while still getting snug around the waist.

Here is another example of diaper cover. This is a Thirsties Duo Size 1. This should fit babies from 6-18lbs according to their website. I found that Baby E grew out of it much sooner. Closer to 15lbs

See how the snaps adjust to grow with your baby?

Here is Baby E with her very first cloth diaper at two months old <3 She's wearing an infant size unbleached Indian prefold with a Thirsties Duo size 1 with aplix (velcro).

 Well there you have it folks, your first lesson on prefold diapers!! That's not so hard is it?  Please feel free to share your favorite types of covers or different tips and tricks for getting a good fit.

I've got to give credit where credit is due

I had a lot of help getting into cloth diapering. I wish I could say we started from the get go but we didn't (hey live and learn right?). When I first started questioning our "situation" with disposables I got a lot of feedback from great friends online. So here is my shout out to them! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your success, recommendations, and even your own experiences (good and bad) with cloth diapers! One friend in particular, Melanie, wrote a blog post on her personal blog about how easy it was to do CD's. I was intrigued to say the least! I couldn't believe how easy she made it sound :) So thank YOU, Mel for all of your help and encouragement through this journey so far!
::hugsies::

My favorite places to shop

There are TONS of online shops that sell wonderful cloth diapers and other eco friendly products but not all are created equal. I wanted to share some of my favorite places to shop online. I am in no way being endorsed by any of these companies. I know there are plenty more yet to be discovered, but I just wanted to share the places that I've dealt with personally. One of my biggest requirements when shopping online is to never pay for shipping, so unless otherwise noted, none of these stores charge for shipping. I would personally rather put the money for shipping into more CD goodness :)

www.AbbysLane.com
By far one of my favorite online retailers of all time. Stephanie and her team at Abby's Lane are by far some of the nicest and most helpful gals out there. Her customer service is incomparable. She responds very fast to any questions or concerns and is very helpful at finding a solution should you run into any problems. I had an issue with a used Ergo that I purchase from the website and she went above and beyond to rectify the mistake. I am always a very happy and satisfied customer when I shop with them. "Like" them on Facebook for lots of giveaways, tips, sales, news and more. You can also subscribe to the newsletter that includes a 5% off coupon code HERE. Abby's Lane also has a "rewards" program were you can earn "Abby's Lane Dollars" where every dollar spent is worth a point that can be redeemed for store credit. To find out more about this fun program goHERE.

www.SewCraftyBaby.com
I'm a little new to this site, but I've heard great things about them. I placed my first order with them yesterday and have been really pleased with their service so far. I had emailed back and forth a couple of times with Jennifer before I placed my order and she was very helpful and sweet. She has a 10% off coupon code for those that "like" the store on Facebook and just yesterday she posted a 15% off code for a limited time! I couldn't pass up a deal like that! She also carries a great deal of other fun products like Amber Teething Necklaces, samples, and TONS of baby leg warmers. They also sell gently used items at deep discounts. What I like most about SCB is the variety in items and price ranges. She carries a few really low cost diapers and accessories that make it really affordable, especially when you add on the coupon codes. They also do a rewards program similar to Abby's Lane but broken down into different price increments. Go HERE for more info on the Sew Crafty Baby Kickback Program

www.cottonbabies.com
Makers of BumGenius, Econobum, Flip Diaper System and more. They're leaders in the industry with lots of different products on their website. I personally, have only bought their "seconds" (i.e. slightly irregular), but they're at a great price and still excellent quality. It's best to become a fan on Facebook or sign up for their newsletters to be the first to know about their sales because they go FAST! You can easily google coupon codes for addition discounts.

http://hyenacart.com/Spots_corner/
Spots Corner is another favorite. You never know what you're going to find or what steal of a deal you're going to come across. Its a place where you can list your used CD's and other items for sale. It's really user friendly, and even though I haven't sold from there (yet!), I have bought quite a few things with great success. Be sure to compare prices to make sure you are getting a good deal. Many times the prices don't include shipping so make sure after all is said and done you're still getting your money's worth. Ask for more pictures if you are on the fence, and READ REVIEWS of the seller. www.diaperswappers.com is another popular site that is dedicated to selling and trading CD's but I haven't used it personally.

Well there you have it. Some of my favorite places to do my online diaper shopping (or daydreaming depending on what we can squeeze into the budget!). Feel free to comment on any of the stores I've mentioned or let me know about others, I'm always in search for the best deal! Happy shopping (or browsing) mama's!

So Why Cloth Diapers?

In the world we live in today, its all about convenience. Disposable diapers come in all shapes, sizes, and prices. They're readily available at big box stores, grocery stores, even gas stations.

So why cloth?
I'll tell you why, because it's just as available, there are  just as many varieties (if not more), its safer, cheaper, and well, lets face it, its much much cuter!

My main reason for switching to cloth was because of Baby E's skin. She's incredibly sensitive. She kept getting rashes and I was slathering cream after cream trying to rid her of the horrible red raised blisters that covered her little bottom. I'm not sure if it was the fragrances, chemicals used to bleach the diapers, materials, the weird gel like stuff that soaks up the pee or WHAT always caused the rashes, but even the 'natural' diapers caused her to breakout. I hated slathering who knows what all over her and crossing my fingers that it would clear up.

The poop. Oh my word, the explosive, messy, POOP! I was changing her outfit with just about every dirty disposable diaper. The question came up recently, "when did you first realize you were a mom?" and the first thing I thought of was, when baby E was about a month and a half old I was sitting on the couch with her. I heard her famous grunts that led to her famous messes and began to prepare myself for what was about to go down. I sat her up on my lap and it began. Before I could even comprehend what was happening, there I was catching poop that was spewing out of her little Huggies with MY HAND. I was more concerned about cleaning up the mess it would make on the carpet that I decided it was best if I "took one for the team". Luckily The Hubs was home and I called  screamed for his help.When he saw what had happened he stood there in the hallway knees half bent, hands up as if he were blocking someone in a game of one on one in basketball and rocking back and forth. He was as panicked as I was and I was hysterical at his reaction ha! When all that was said and done, my carpets were safe and I began to research cloth diapers haha! I have way too many poop stories to tell, sure they're hilarious, but I could have gone my whole life without experiencing them. I can tell you that Baby E has only had one leak the entire time she's been in cloth diapers. :)

The savings! Oh the savings!! The cost upfront for cloth diapers can be really daunting. I completely understand that.This was the first purchase I ever made for cloth diapers (copied and pasted from my order with Abby's Lane)

Qty	Item	Units	Price
2	Indian Unbleached Prefolds: Sizes-Infant Dozen	0	$27.99
3	New Snappi Diaper Fastener: Colors-Mint Green	0	$3.95
1	Size 1 Thirsties Duo Wrap: Color-White Aplix	0	$12.99
1	Size 1 Thirsties Duo Wrap: Color-Honeydew Snap	0	$12.99
1	Flower Craze All Day Wet Bag	0	$17.95
1	Bumgenius Flannel Wipes 12 Pack	0	$11.99
1	Pink Designs on Chocolate Mini Wet Bag	0	$8.95
1	Small Aqua Thirsties Cover	0	$11.50
1	Small Raspberry Thirsties Cover	0	$11.50
		Subtotal:	$ 147.91
		Voucher:	$ 0.00
		Discount:	$ 7.79
		Shipping:	$ 0.00
		Tax:	$ 0.00
		Total:	$ 147.91

I will admit that at the time I was really excited about cloth diapering, I should have done more research, and this wasn't the best purchase I've ever made. I don't use a majority of those items anymore as Baby E has grown out of them. I've sold some and saved some for future babies. Patience is a truly a virtue and when you are making a big step like this take more than just a few hours, built up frustration, and excitement, and sleep on it! Ask around, take your time researching the best deals. This wasn't a BAD purchase as it lasted us quite a while but I could have spent our money more wisely.
Overall though we have saved so much money. By buying used, scouring the web for coupons, waiting for sales, and buying items that will fit for a long period and possibly even more children, the investment was well worth it! It may be daunting but once you make the purchase you are done! All that you need to continue to buy is detergent and you use such a small amount that it lasts quite a while. THIS is a great resource to use to compare costs, its very eye opening to say the least!


A simple google search of "cloth vs disposables" will get you SO MANY amazing articles on the great debate. I just wanted to share with you OUR personal reasons for switching. So do a little research on your own and see for yourself why cloth is better. If you've already made the leap please share your reasons with me! I want to hear them! :)

Lastly, here is a more professional look on why you should choose cloth. This info is copyrighted so I can't copy and paste it, but please go and read what it has to say!
http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/diaperfacts.php



I do realize cloth diaper is just not for some people and I respect that. The great thing about being a parent/guardian is that you get to decide how to raise your child and what is best for you AND baby. What is great for some is a burden for others. So do what's best for your family, but hey it doesn't hurt to look into alternatives!