Adventures in Cloth Diapering: Part Two

I had started our diapering journey during Isabelle's infancy.  Being a babe with extremely sensitive skin we had so many issues with disposable diapers("sposies"). Some brands would make her poor bottom break out in acne almost instantly.  We finally settled on Huggies diapers, pre-fold cloth diapers with diaper pins, and the occasional homemade cloth diaper.

Isabelle in her homemade cloth diaper made by her Mimi (my Mom).

I used the pre-folds for as long as I could bear it, my fear of diaper pins never lessened.  Always so terrified I would actually prick that sweet baby skin I was very hesitant to use pre-folds whenever we left the house.

Isabelle is potty trained now but since Fiona's arrival I had made a commitment to cloth diaper full time and I did so for many reasons:

1. Fiona is allergic to ALL disposables.
2. In trying to raise a family as healthy as possible I find it better to stay away from artificial products.
3. It's better for the environment.  I've read that disposable diapers can last up to 300-500 years in landfills. No thank you.
4. Saving money.  It's a one time purchase and although it may seem like a lot up front, if you're changing diapers as regularly as you should it's estimated that you can save up to $4800 per child.
5. They can be used on more than one child.
6. Cloth diapers are very often sold in gently used condition.  I've joined some cloth diaper swap sites and it's incredible what you can recoup out of diapers once you're done with them.

Fiona had some gastrointestinal issues that required some medicine that would ruin cloth diapers so we had to make due until then.  But, now that we have those issues cleared up we have been in cloth full time!

They are of course more maintenance that sposies, they have very specific methods for care and washing but that's a whole separate post.  I'm fully enjoying all the money we're saving and the idea of never buying another diaper.  But most of all, I love Fiona's perfect, happy, baby bottom.  

Sweet baby Fi, 3 months.

Fiona being super cheesy, 4 months old!

Favorite Things: Newborn

1. Bordeaux's All Natural Butt Paste
2. Pack - n- Play (with elevated sleep surface)
3. Wipe warmer
4. Moby wrap
5. 100% cotton flannel extra large receiving blankets
6. Medela Freestyle breast pump
7. Lanolin
8. Mother's Milk Tea
9. Boppy pillow
10. Infant swing

1. All Natural Butt Paste:  Simply the best diaper ointment out there.  We tried them all and this is by far the best!  And I'm sorry, but there is absolutely no excuse for diaper rash.  I am a well documented diaper changing fiend.  If your baby is wet, change them.  Guess what happens if you don't change them frequently enough? Yep, diaper rash.  Muffin never had it and I vow this baby won't have it either.  I've watched too many babies with it and it breaks my heart.  Stop being lazy and change your kids diaper.  Buy extra diapers and lots of ointment, change frequently. *steps down from soap box*
2. Pack-n-play with sleeper:  Our cheaper version of a co-sleeper.  I would love love and Arm's Reach Co-sleeper, but I'm not about to shell out for a crib plus a co-sleeper.  I breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months so having the baby right next to me at night time is a must. (Not to mention wonderful<3)  I'm a strong believer in extended breastfeeding, keeping baby/toddler close makes this so much easier.
3. Wipe warmer:  Seasoned moms can laugh all they want, every time my baby nurses at night, I change their diaper.  Newborns have a habit of tinkling when they eat and falling asleep during the burping process, so a wipe warmer to keep from startling a baby with a cold wipe is worth it to me.  (Again, you can probably file this under: Diaper changing fiend).
4. Moby wrap:  I adore wearing my daughter.  I bought an expensive Boba carrier just so I can carry her now that she's a toddler.  Babies are meant to be next to Momma, it's been scientifically proven beneficial for both mom and baby.  (Not to mention it feels so absolutely wonderful).
5. Extra large receiving blankets: Save your money on those expensive swaddler things in the store and just use a huge flannel receiving blanket.
6. Medela pump:  It's expensive but you really get what you pay for here.  Pumping isn't fun and it's not the most comfortable even with the best pump money can buy.  So get the most effective one for your money.
7. Lanolin: Yeah, if you're pumping, nursing, or both you'll need this.  A lot of this.  Lansinoh sells 100% pure lanolin completely safe for babes.  (Other brands have additives- I'd stick to the pure stuff).
8. Mother's Milk Tea:  All natural tea that helps me keep my milk supply up.  Muffin was a really lazy nurser, constantly falling asleep at the breast.  She'd wake up and be hungry again in 15 minutes.  The child was affixed to my boob but because she wasn't eating full feedings it made my supply all wonky; the tea was a life saver.
9. Boppy: Not always necessary but it can give you a more secure hold on the baby if you're super sleepy while nursing.
10. Infant swing:  I don't really put babies placed in my arms down.  (You can ask family members, I'm not keen on sharing them either).  But when I do need to do something like shower or get something out of the oven, a swing comes in handy.

A lot of these fall under our attachment parenting style.  Just remembering all of the newborn moments with our little girl makes me so excited for this baby on the way!

Adventures in Diapering: Part One

Our Diapering Journey:

I’m a nut about dirty diapers, if I think it’s the slightest bit wet, it’s changed.  I have a real fear of diaper rash, I have watched other children before having my own and I have seen first hand how awful diaper rash is for little babes.  I was/am absolutely adamant about the fact that if my Muffin gets any kind of rash on her hiney, it would not be because she wasn’t changed and cleaned often enough.

We have sensitive skin, super sensitive skin!  My heritage is mostly Irish, leaving me with auburn hair, light eyes, and pale skin speckled with freckles.  My husband is handsomely tan, dark hair, brown eyes, and no freckles.  What we do both have in common is very finicky skin.  I react to certain detergents, soaps, and lotions and the hubby reacts to more environmental elements like pollen, mold, grass etc.  So Muffin didn’t have much of a chance.

In the hospital they gave us Pampers brand diapers and when we came home, thanks to the wonderful baby shower gifts from loved ones, we had other boxes of name brand diapers ready to go.  After trying what we had been given, we noticed what looked like acne on her bum!  I was crushed, I had literally been changing her diaper every thirty minutes with the exception of nighttime – every hour or so then.  I called my Mom crying first, (isn’t Mom always the go to with “HELP!?” questions?) and after explaining I was doing nothing wrong, she told me that she had the same problem with me when I was brand new.  I later called Muffin's Pediatrician and he reinforced what Mom had told me.  So what this led to was our scouring stores to try every brand and find one that works, we finally settled on a Huggies brand knock off that we could buy in bulk and haven’t had a skin irritation issue since.

But, after having lots of success with our store bought diapers, I started to dread how much we were spending.  (Admittedly probably more than what is normally spent because I am so annoyingly particular about diaper changes).  I also read that disposable diapers take anywhere from 300 to 500 years to decompose in landfills!  Given those two reasons plus her sensitive skin, I began exploring the world of cloth diapering…