Preparing for Baby: Easy Newborn Cloth Diapers

I always see people ask the seasoned cloth veterans what advice would you give a newbie just starting out? I am sure there are things we all would do differently, some things we would do again and products we learned about too late.

I began my cloth journey with a newborn starter kit from Bummies and a stack of Kushies all-in-ones. My husband had reservations, but kindly kept them to himself. I remember lugging my pre-folds up and down the stairs to our communal laundry room as I was prepping the diapers - determined that I could keep it up. The plastic Kushies with scratchy aplix all but did me in. They never fit right and broke down quickly. My son ended up being cloth diapered on and off, mainly when money was tight or he developed a diaper rash on his sensitive skin.

This time around I have a combined 5 years of diapering under my belt and have found some great new products to even help my intimidated husband. Okay, he has been an awesome sport, but in my quest to find the perfect diapering solution I accumulated quite a varied stash. I have to admit that knowing what to do with which diapers can be overwhelming. Fitted, pocked, AIO, hybrid, covers and flats, oh my! So, for his sake I invested in some great Cloth-eez Workhorse Diapers, a simple snap fitted diapers made out of pre folds and some great covers. I found these through Green Mountain Diapers (not an affiliate, nor is this a sponsored post!) and love how easy they are to use.

Above you can see part of my stash being prepped for it's first use. Elliot won't be here for another 7 weeks, but I don't want to leave all my diapers till the last minute.

Prepping is easy! These diapers come with natural oils in the fiber and won't absorb as well till they are washed and dried a few times. Most diapers suggest 3 times or more for a good wash and then dry. It goes something like this:

1. Cold Water Wash
2. Dry
3. Hot Water Wash
4. Dry
5. Hot Water Wash
6. Dry

I fluffed mine once in the dryer, but on a gorgeous day I can't help but sun them. The more you wash them the softer the fabric becomes and  unbleached fabric will start to lighten in the sun.

These fitted diapers are very cost effective. Newborn size starts at just $5.50 and $9.95 for the rest. They do cost more than a flat diaper and pre folds, but will be easy for my husband to put on and take off without any extra steps, pins or headache. I am really excited to use these for my newborn since they are soft, simple and dry quickly.

I will also be using some pre folds and pocket diapers for later on. I can't wait to share more of my new stash with you and how I am planning to overcome my past cloth diapering problems.

Did you cloth diaper your children? What was or would be your biggest obstacle?

Potty Training Time: Bummis Potty Pants Instill Toddler Confidence

When I started cloth diapering, almost 6 years ago, the first cloth diapers I invested in were part of a bummis cloth diapering kit. I still have those covers and well-loved prefolds and plan on using them with baby #3 later this Spring. Now that my daughter is almost out of diapers I have been having some cloth diapering withdrawals  I just hadn't found a great solution for reusable trainers to use during potty training.

I have tried the classic "plastic pants" which were a little like my daughter wearing a balloon. They were noisy and not comfortable for her. Then we went straight to underwear which lead to a lot of spot carpet cleaning. I was searching for a product to try for this in-between stage. She was ready to train, but not ready to go cold turkey.

So I was excited to hear that bummis had a Potty Pant. My daughter is 3 1/2, so I appreciated the trim design, fun colors and little bit of added absorbent padding. She still has an occasional accident, but these were a great way to help instill confidence during this important developmental milestone. Plus, she liked the ways these looked and felt. Her picky vote was very important for success.

I was sent a L/G size Potty Pant in Pistachio Dot for my daughter to try. She is almost 33 lbs, so right in between the suggested 30- 35 lbs range.

Inside there is an absorbent layer, one layer of cotton terry and one of microfiber, but I appreciate that it isn't too thick. My daughter isn't accustomed to cloth diapers anymore and this is nice mid-step between cloth and regular big girl underwear. In fact they look like underwear and only a savvy mom would know the difference. They are a pull-up style which she found easy enough to put on herself. There were no scratchy tabs or buttons for her to mess with. They also are made with an outer layer of waterproof fabric but she doesn't sound like a rustling plastic bag when she walks.

The material is stretchy enough to put on easily. My daughter is around the 50th percentile for her height and weight and we found these just a little snug around the legs. They were not uncomfortable or left red marks on her skin, but she did mention they were, "Not too big". For added accident protection, I appreciate that they were not too loose.

They fit around her waist comfortably and didn't come up too high. That is a bonus for wearing underneath her favorite pants and jeans without adding any extra bulk or "fluff".

You can see in this picture they are a little snug on her legs. These also come in XL, 35 lbs and up, which I would like to try for her next. Every child has a different body shape so I know fit may vary slightly from child to child, but I am still impressed with this training pant option and it will save me a lot in disposable pants.

Overall I wish I had these when my son was potty training! I would love to see more color options available in the future so I could have a whole variety available when my next child is up to bat for training time. If your toddler has chubbier legs I would suggest the next size up, but my daughter was able to use hers for 2 weeks without a problem. I enjoy that when my daughter has an accident these give her instant feedback without wetting her clothing or our furniture.

Again, I am thrilled with another bummis product and recommend this one for anyone else getting started potty training. Have you tried reusable potty training pants for your children?

Connect with bummis on Twitter, Facebook and on their Pinterest page for more product information and cloth diapering ideas. You can purchase these online through their site's Find a Retailer tab.

*Disclaimer - I was sent a pair of Potty Pants to facilitate an honest review. I was not required to post a postive review and all opinions and experiences are my own.

Switch to Cloth Giveaway Event! $450+ in prizes - Ends 3/14

Welcome to the Switch to Cloth Giveaway Event hosted by SAHM of Drama Queens & a Prince, My Cloth Diaper Stash, A Year With Mom and Dad, Mommy of One and Counting and Adventures of Mommyhood. 

Together we are bringing one lucky winner a cloth diaper prize pack worth over $450. Yeah, excited yet?  Below is a list of everything you can win! Rockin Green - Rockin Bundle (winner's choice of formula), Funk Rock and a Diaper Sprayer Glowbugs - 4 pack of winner's choice Girl or Boy/Gender Neutral - Read Karine's review and Shannon's review

Mother's Day Cloth Diaper Giveaway Hop! #ClothDiaperHop

Mother's Day is almost here and we are celebrating with our love for cloth diapers!

Welcome to the Mother's Day Cloth Diaper Giveaway Hop hosted by Daily Mothering!

Nearly 100 blogs have linked up to bring you dozens and dozens of exciting cloth diaper giveaways. Enter my giveaway below and then hop to the other blogs listed at the bottom of this post to enter their fluffy giveaways too! Each blog has a cloth diaper prize valued at $15 or more, and many blogs have prize packs worth over $100.

And, don't forget to enter the GRAND PRIZE giveaway at Daily Mothering for your chance to win this amazing $1300 Cloth Diaper Prize Pack!

And I also have a great cloth diaper package you can win right here!! Remember my Booty Buns Cloth Diaper Review? 

Well, you can win a cloth diaper from Booty Buns just like I received above.

Also, I have a $30 Gift Card to Red Barn Cloth Diapers, I am self sponsoring, so you can choose your favorite fabric and style of diaper. They carry the Nifty Nappy Diaper that I loved with my son.

Giveaway Time!!

Enter below on the Rafflecopter widget. One lucky reader will win 1 Booty Buns Cloth Diaper and a $30 GC to Red Barn Cloth Diapers to choose your favorite. This would be a great addition to any stash or a great way to get started in cloth. Giveaway ends May 12th, 2012.

Sponsor Spotlight! Booty Bums #Review #ClothDiaperHop

My big girl is almost out of diapers, but I still have a little time left with fluff for her. I am already getting a stash built up for the next baby we are planning on.

Starting May 1st I will be part of the Mother's Day Cloth Diaper Giveaway Hop and one of my sponsors will be Booty Buns Cloth Diapers.

I fell in love with Shannon's diapers! I first started using cloth when my son was born almost 5 years ago. It amazes me how far cloth has come!

Easier to use, easier to clean and more comfortable for my kids. My daughter actually asks for her "soft diapers" instead of disposable. I love how Moms have really taken cloth diapers and made them exactly what they wanted.

Booty Buns began in 2010 by a stay-at-home Mom looking to save money. Shannon wanted to make a diaper that would truly grow with a child. Who wants to invest in sizes? I know I have stacks of cloth diapers my kids seemed to wear once or twice. Shannon began selling her diapers this year in January and her innovative, patent-pending design makes for a great cloth diapering experience for both Mother and child.

I was very surprised when my fluffy mail arrived! This was the first diaper that came with a whole kit of supplies. This one-size pocket cloth diaper comes with 4 different components: shell, insert, liner and now matching cloth wipe. I recieved the "Love Booty" in red. I loved not having to buy all the components separately. In the past I would buy a shell and basic insert. Additional inserts, liners and wipes were all separate.

Pocket diapers are my favorite because they are so easy for even my husband to use and understand. The opening is large enough to easily stuff.

I like to fold my insert slightly with one hand, hold the shell with my other hand and push into the diaper. This shell has an opening at each end which makes it very easy to adjust.

I love the double gussets. It used to be that leg gussets were a luxury on a cloth diaper. Does that date me? This one fits well enough that I don't have to worry about toddler blowouts. Oh, those are the worst!

I was also impressed with the liner and cloth wipe. The liner is a great way to save wear and tear on the actual diaper by catching the solids. This piece is thin enough for a good thorough cleaning. The wipe is something I fell in love with my second child. Most people don't realize all they need to clean a bottom is water and a soft cloth. Even after changing wet diapers a nice pat will keep the skin from getting too moist and really helped me with diaper rash issues.

I can't wait to try Booty Buns out on a newborn, but for my 2-year old it was perfect. She approved of the feel and I loved the bright color and easy use. Now I just need about 20 more of these for the next baby.

Okay, I hope you are excited about the chance to win one of these Booty Buns Cloth Diapers!  You can get a head start on the entries by connected with me (on the right sidebar) and the sponsor on social media:

Booty Buns on Facebook

Booty Buns Blog 

Don't forget to come back May 1st for the Mother's Day Cloth Diaper Giveaway Hop for this giveaway and many other fluffy goodies!

Oh Baby Baby Hop - $30 GC #Giveaway

 

Welcome to the Oh Baby Baby Giveaway Hop hosted by The Shopping Duck! After entering this giveaway, be sure to enter the Grand Prize Giveaway where you can win a prize pack worth over $250 or an $80 Babies R Us Gift Card! Each participating blogger is also hosting a prize worth at least $25. Be sure to visit each participating blog listed in the linky below and enter to win!

I was a proud cloth diapering Mama with my two children. I loved trying new brands, finding new fabrics and sharing my love of fluff with our friends.

We went through a lot of fluff in 4 years. The first thing I learned was there is no perfect cloth diaper. Babies come in so many sizes. I found different brands that worked best for each of my children. My son was long and thin, while his sister was shorter and rounder.

In honor of the diverse stash of cloth diaper brands that I love, I am giving away a Gift Certificate to Kelly's Closet for $30 so you can find something to perfectly fit your baby.

Kelly's Closet is one of my favorite online shops to browse. They have everything to get you started from prefolds to all in ones, diaper sprayers to swim diapers. They offer great sales and if you look around, you might even qualify for a free diaper!

Giveaway Time!!

One lucky reader will win a $30 Gift Certificate to use at kellyscloset.com. Giveaway ends April 15th. Enter on the rafflecopter form below.

Booty Buns Giveaway Event - Starts Now!

Welcome to the Go Green ♥ Give Charity Cloth Diaper Giveaway Event sponsored by Booty Buns Cloth Diapers! Over 175 blogs have teamed up to present this amazing cloth diaper giveaway hosted by Daily Mothering.

Here's your chance to win an entire stash of one-size cloth diapers!

This amazing cloth diaper prize pack includes:

20 Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diapers

(these true one-size cloth diapers fit 3-45 lbs!)

20 matching flannel/terry cloth wipes

40 microfiber inserts

20 cotton flannel liners

(picture does not show inserts or liners also included)

First, a little about Booty Buns...

In case you haven't heard about them, Booty Buns Cloth Diapers are incredible one-size cloth diapers that truly fit from birth to potty training! They feature a snap-down rise with 5 different snap settings (most one-size diapers only have 3!) and a waist with 10 regular snap settings plus 2 crossover snap settings. The diapers have hip snaps to prevent wing droop on smaller sizes. The incredible size range of this diaper fits from 3-45 lbs!

Booty Buns Cloth Diapers are pocket diapers and each diaper includes 2 snap-on microfiber inserts that can be stuffed into the diaper or laid on top with the included cotton flannel liner against your child's skin. The diapers have a waterproof PUL outer and a soft suedecloth inner with dual gussets on the inner lining to ensure everything stays IN the diaper! Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diapers come in an assortment of bright colors and each diaper includes a matching handmade flannel/terry wipe. You can find out more about the diapers at Booty Buns, or check out the detailed Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diaper Review at Daily Mothering!

Booty Buns is dedicated to encouraging others to "go green" and "give charity." Shannon, the owner of Booty Buns Cloth Diapers, leads by example. For every diaper that Booty Buns sells, she donates one Booty Buns Cloth Diaper to a child in need in the US and third-world countries. Booty Buns is the exclusive cloth diapers donator for Operation Showers Of Appreciation, and they are also donating diapers to babies that have severe medical issues here in the US. Shannon hopes to donate a lifetime supply of cloth diapers {20 diapers} to every baby in need around the globe. You can join in this effort by purchasing your own set of Booty Buns Cloth Diapers and telling your friends about Booty Buns!

Make sure to stop by and follow Booty Buns via Facebook, Twitter and Blog for news and giveaways!

And now for the giveaway!!

ONE WINNER will receive this gigantic cloth diaper prize pack valued at $546!

And, the winner will get to select their choice of diaper colors!

This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada.

Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

Sign in using your Facebook account OR your name and email address.

Click "Do It" for instructions on how to complete each entry.

There is no mandatory entry. Complete as many entries as you wish.

The more entries you submit, the better odds you have of winning!

Are You Ready for the Flats Challenge?

I love a good challenge... and since I am potty training my oldest, I see the end of my fluffy years just around the corner. Kim Rosas from Dirty Diaper Laundry has posed a challenge to Moms using cloth diapers, use flats for a week and the catch is, you can't use the washer or dryer.

I jumped at the chance. Call it a last fluffy "hoorah!", call it a change of perspective, but when I started in cloth diapering I took a giant leap. I spent $300 I didn't really have on a pre-fold and cover package. My husband was skeptical, but my love of cloth grew. I learned a lot and added to my stash. But that initial investment was a HUGE issue. At the time we shared a washer with 4 other tenants and my real use of cloth didn't start till we moved and had our own washer & dryer. When I talk to people about cloth diapers they are either shocked by the investment (I know if you add up all the sposies...) or all the gadgets involved! I do not own a sprayer and have always hand rinsed before washing, so this should be right up my alley!

Why all the extra work? Many families would love to try cloth diapers but either don't have money to get started in cloth diapering (all of my favorite cloth diapers run $18-$30 each!), and/or they don't have access to a washer and dryer.

So the week of May 23rd - 30th, a brave group of ladies, almost 200!,  will be taking the Flats & Handwashing Challenge. Learn to fold and pin a flat diaper and learn to wash and dry them by hand. Flat diapers are unbleached Birdseye Cotton diapers that cost about $16/dozen. Quite a savings!

I am up for it, what about you?

The Diaper Junction generously provided flat diapers to some participants and I was lucky enough to be one. I have to admit that when I signed up for this challenge, I thought I had "flat diapers". Actually I had been using prefolds. Flats are much thinner, so should dry much faster.

My package arrived and so did a set of of Snappi fasteners I ordered to get me out of using diaper pins. Who knows, I am not counting pins out, but I want to try the "stickless" alternatives first. I will still be using covers and different cloth diapers for nighttime.

And my test subjects?

Well, they seem eager. Now I just have to practice my diaper folding... Pad fold? Kite fold? Origami fold? I have much to learn.

I will be blogging about my journey with flats, so check back here in May to see how my week goes. At the end of the challenge all of the Moms will be taking surveys to see what we can learn about the collective journey. Just remember that if you want to cloth diaper, there is probably a way to do it.. even on a budget!

*Disclaimer - I was provided a set (12) flat diapers from Diaper Junction as support for the challenge, and to help me participate. No other compensation was received  and all opinions are my own.

Pampers Dry Max Problems - I Switched & Why

Oh, Pampers, be careful how big of a hole you dig yourself into. I don't know if you have been following the whole mess, but their have been customer complaints and the company has denied it could be their diapers. They have gone as far as to bash cloth diapering. Now Canada is looking into the complaints. I hope the CPSC follows suit.

Now, I have been a Pampers customer since my son was born. I guess you could say that I have had a foot on either side of the diapering fence. I did buy cloth diapers, but it took a long time for my son to grow into them... and after buying almost $200 in covers, prefolds and AIOs before he was born, I wasn't about to spend more money. Add to this my son's long and lean body type and Pampers were the diapers that worked for us.

Now as he grew, he grew into those cloth diapers and they became all I trusted for overnight. But, with clinic visits once a month for my son and time spent at relatives (I didn't have a wet bag), I leaned towards disposables. Yes, a little bit of lazy kinda set in. So, Pampers... you were my go to! You were there for me when my son was very sick and for months was a runny mess.

Then my daughter was born. I know that everyone told me siblings could not be more different, but she proved it in ways I never could have imagined. She was a chunky little girl who didn't fit well in those Pampers... and she was big enough to fit into my cloth stash right away. I think I am also a more confident cloth diapering Mama now, and can work those pre-fold like nobodies business! So, my daughter has with been mainly cloth diapered. We still have disposables for visiting family. She has never had diaper rash, and other than a normal newborn blow-out or two, she has been well contained in her very modern Fuzzi Bunz, bumGenius & Thirsties Duo Diapers. Since this has worked well for her, we added to the stash. My son was still using both Pampers & cloth.

Then it happened. First we had yeast. His bum had angry red bumps getting bigger by the day! I never had that problem before. Then he developed a sore around his privates... then right on the tip! I was mortified. The skin being very thin and soft just seemed to be sloughing off! My son even woke up at night and from his naps complaining that it hurt. About this time I started hearing reports that Pampers Dry Max was giving kids sores. Seems that amazingly absorbent gel worked a little too well.

So I told my DH that we were switching. I had just tried those Dry Max diapers before these problems struck. We began cloth diapering him exclusively and kept him as dry as we could. I leaned towards prefolds to help keep down my laundry pile. I could change the prefold every hour or two and reuse the cover longer. We even set an alarm to change him every three hours at night. Lastly we used a tiny amount of diaper rash cream, Burts Bees has a great one, just on the persistent sore. This wetness barrier did the trick. Everything on his bum, including all his self-inflicted scratches from being so uncomfortable, cleared up. I can't say for sure that it was the Dry Max, but no one will convince me otherwise. I never had this problem till they switched formula and I bought a new bag of diapers. My son was so miserable, I never want to go through that again!

So this story has had a happy ending. This was finally the kick in the pants to get me to switch permanently. I am still always looking for the newest and best cloth diaper out there and will try to document my discoveries here with you, dear readers. I still have two in diapers but still so much to learn. I am excited to announce that EcoMom will be sponsoring a review here in the near future. I am dying to try this new fitted diaper out. I also want to share some of my favorites along with tips and tricks I have found through trial... though, mainly error.

Yes, I am a cloth diapering Mama... and proud of it! I have officially made the switch and there is no looking back.

Diaper Event Coming Up!

My Nifty Nappy
Otter Babies
Happy Heinys
Rumparooz
Best Bottoms from Nicki’s Diapers
Apple Cheeks
Mama Marsh’s Creations
Tot Wraps Dream Diapers
iCandy from Urban Fluff
Sustainable Babyish SLOOMB
Kissaluvs
Sweet Pea
LolliDo
Rockin’ Green
Baby Legs

Wouldn't you love to see all these sponsors in a single giveaway event? Well, not only that but it is a Daddy Diapering Event! Yes, Dad tested and Dad approved for your cloth diapering pleasure. Mama Dweeb's event will begin February 1st, and if you post her button and blog about it now, she will give you 10 extra entries into all her giveaways! Head over now because you don't want to miss out.

Diaper Giveaway at RockerByeBaby!

I do love a good giveaway! ...especially one that is for a cloth diaper I have not tried out yet.. My stash is not particularly large (I have to launder diapers almost every day!) and I am always looking for new ways to add to that. I was lucky enough to stumble upon a new site, RockerByeBaby.com, and she is currently having a wonderful giveaway for a Large AIO OsoCozy diaper. This giveaway is kindly being done by the fabulouse Thanks Mama shop.



So, do I have your attention? Well, I always get even more excited when I hear that a diaper can be trusted overnight. The OsoCozy was given that high of praise! ...yes, any cloth diapering Mama worth her salt knows that a leak free, worry free overnight is the holy grail of cloth diapers. Well, sometimes just diapers in general if you have a heavy wetter like I do.

There are several super simple ways to enter but the contest ends soon. So, head on over and check out her Etzy Shop while you are at it. darling stuff! ENTER HERE

Tiny Tush cloth diaper giveaway

I am a huge fan of cloth diapers and as a cloth diapering mama I wanted to share with you a great giveaway opportunity over at Dirty Diaper Laundry blog.

With 2 currently in diapers I am a big fan of one sized diapers. I just hate to rifle around to find a proper size diaper. This giveaway will give 3 lucky readers their own Tiny Tush Elite diaper. I have not had the chance to use this particular brand, but I did hear from a friend of mine that these are her diapers of choice. She swears by them, so I want one even more.

Head on over to Dirty Diaper Laundry to enter this giveaway and also get some great cloth diapering info. Giveaway ends January 18th.