Organization - Kid's Playroom Part 2

Back to the kid's playroom for part 2, today we go inside the closet!  Now I'm not saying my way or organizing is the best or even the prettiest, but it works for us.

The right side of the closet has my daughter's dress up clothes.  I use a combination of regular hangers and multiple (3 and 4 tier) skirt hangers.  The tiered hangers work great for tiny clothes, wings and the outfits that tend to fall of regular hangers.

Up above in the right side are shelves all the way to the ceiling, I love that!  I used fabric box "drawers" to hold little items and toys that they haven't grown into yet.  There are a few toys, off season and odd sized books on the shelves as well.  

Down below on the floor I used shoe storage units to keep their puzzles.  On top are Lego boxes and tubs.  On the far right I use the space to keep odd shaped toys like a fabric tunnel and parachute.  There is a mirror behind that my daughter can use to admire her loveliness when she's playing dress up.

The left side of the closet.  On the floor is an Ikea organizer (wood composite) with plastic drawers.  On top I've got 2 big baskets that I picked up at TJMaxx a few years ago.  They've been all over my house for different uses.  We've considered removing the clothing bar and having another shelf put in to use the space better but haven't gotten around to it.  For now I have a lightweight metal/plastic storage system up there from the Container Store.  Up above in the closet I have off season books (Christmas, Spring, etc) and other random toys that they're either growing into or out of.

Here's a closer look at those Ikea plastic bin/drawers.  You won't be surprised to see that I keep vintage FPLP in most (3/4) of them.  :)

In Part 1 I showed you the armoire but forgot to show you what's inside!  Just a few of our vintage Fisher Price Little People sets.  We took a tv/entertainment armoire and made it into storage by putting wire shelves inside.  I can fit quite a few sets in there (6 big ones plus 2 smaller and a few vehicles underneath).  Also, don't forget the top, I've got a couple displayed up there as well.  

To see more of our Playroom go to Part 1

Go here to see how I use the armoire to Cloth Diaper a Toddler.

Cloth Diapering a Toddler

Hanging out with some freshly dried cloth diapers.

My "baby" will be 19 months next week.  How quickly time flies!  We're going strong with cloth diapering but a few things have changed since she was a tiny newborn.

Until about a month ago I used this changing table for baby-girl.  It had wonderful storage but was taking up too much space and was also a bit of a safety issue since she kept trying to launch herself off of it!

Around the same time she was growing out of the table we were also running out of storage for our children's books.  So we swapped out the table and small bookshelf for a much larger Ikea piece of furniture (more on that later).  I was happy to get rid of the changing table but I still need a place to change her!

Here's what I came up with:

I slipped the changing pad under the armoire.  See the three baskets underneath, I use the one on the far right for diaper accessories (liners, extra diaper pail liner, etc).  The diaper pail (aka - step trash can) is on the right.

The big drawer is where I keep all the diapers, organized by type of course.  

My storage caddy is kept in the closet right behind and is in easy reach if I need water, diaper wipes or creams.

Here we are in action.  This works so well but before I know it that little baby-girl will be potty-training.  I'm in no hurry though!

For more Info on Cloth Diapering check out:

Diaper Liner Reviews

cloth diapering 101

cloth diapering 102

cloth diapering 103

swim diaper options

and

confessions of a diaper swisher

Diaper Pail Deodorizer - Make Your Own Christmas Gift

My most popular post this last year has been an entry called Make Your Own Diaper Pail Deodorizer.  It is a great DIY project that works for either cloth or disposable diaper pails.  It's simple and effective.  Must be why it's so popular!

I decided to mix it up a little and make a Christmas version that can be gifted to the diaper changing people in your life.  Or you can make a festive version for yourself!

Christmas Diaper Pail Deodorizer 
Ingredients 
Baking Soda
Water
Mint Essential Oil (you can also use lavender, tea-tree, eucalyptus or lemon)
A container to put it in (a large spice container would work great)

Directions 
1. Take a medium bowl and put baking soda in. I used 1 cup b/c that's what my shaker held.
2. Add water slowly until it makes a thick paste.
3. Add a few drops of mint oil. I used about 5-7 drops.
4. Spoon the paste into a cupcake cup until it's about 1/2 inch full.

5. Wait 1-2 days for the mixture to dry out. Mine took only one day but I live in a very dry climate.
6. Break up the disks with a fork so that it is not too clumpy in the container.
7. Put the powder mix into your container.
8. Decorate the container with a Christmas gift label.  I decided to call mine "Mint Diaper Pail Magic".

Then shake in your diaper pail at changes or when needed.

Extra disks can be saved to refill the container or can be used by themselves in the bottom of the diaper pail (or anywhere you want to deodorize).  Another gifting option is to put the mixture into Christmas themed cupcake liners and stack the finished disks in a clear gift bag and wrap with a bow!

For more Info on Cloth Diapering check out:

Diaper Liner Reviews

cloth diapering 101

cloth diapering 102

cloth diapering 103

swim diaper options
and
confessions of a diaper swisher

Confessions of a diaper swisher.

Yes, it's true.  I must confess that I have become a dreaded (cloth) diaper swisher.  Not just here and there but pretty much everyday, sometimes multiple times a day.  Sigh.  Remember when I said that I would never swish diapers and even added a proud "yuck".  Well those days are over.  Turns out kids are different, who knew?

Warning: Don't read any further if you aren't interested in cloth diapering or poop removal.  Ha!

With Baby #1 I never ever needed to swish.  She had these lovely little poops that just fell into the toilet and in which my oh-so-tidy disposable liners worked fabulously with.  Baby #2 is a different baby.  I had no idea!  She is a pooper, many times a day and let's just say not-so-tidy.  I think it's because she is a super eater and eats everything, including lots of fruit and beans.  Anyway, this equals more of a diaper mess if you know-what-I-mean.  Those disposable liners help but don't help it all.  And wouldn't you know the times I don't put one in is when she poops.

Sigh.  So here's what I'm doing to adapt.  First, I toilet swish.  It's not so bad, especially if I'm just swishing the snap in liners (or covers) in my goodmama fitteds or the snap in liners in my Best Bottoms.  It gets a bit more complicated and hands-on when it's in a AIO.

I've found that my homemade micro fleece liners are VERY helpful.  I used them in almost every diaper now while before I saved them for when we used diaper cream, or for overnights (to keep her feeling more dry).   I highly recommend purchasing or making your own washable fleece liners.  They are a lot easier to swish then the entire diaper. :)

I spray each diaper with Bac Out before putting it in the diaper can.  I also sprinkle my homemade diaper pail deodorizer in the can on a more frequent basis these days.

Whew, glad I got that off my chest.

Baby girl wearing a goodmama fitted.

Keep Calm and Diaper On!

For more Info on Cloth Diapering check out:

Diaper Liner Reviews

cloth diapering 101

cloth diapering 102

cloth diapering 103

swim diaper options

and make your own diaper pail deodorizer

Traveling with gDiaper (cloth) Review

During our recent road-trip to Zion National Park I brought along a new cloth diaper to try out, the gDiaper.  The gDiaper setup is a cloth cover with a snap in plastic liner.  In this liner you stuff either a cloth insert or disposable (and sort-of flushable) liners.  I received 2 gPant covers with liners and a whole pack of disposable liners from a friend.  I thought a road trip would be the perfect time to give them a whirl.  Normally I (reluctantly) switch to disposable diapers during trips, since laundry while travel can be a bit iffy at best.  So this time I did a pack of disposables and the gDiaper cover w/disposable liners.

So what did I think?


The cover: super cute, flexible and looked comfortable for my baby girl (she wore a medium at 17 lbs).  I did have a bit of a learning curve as I put it on backwards at first, whoops.  It resembles my other covers but the velcro goes in the back instead of the front.  It still worked though!  It dries quick and is breathable.  The covers come in a variety of colors and they are also sized (sm, med or large).

Baby-Girl rocking the orange gDiaper cover on backwards.

The inserts: They are huge!  To be honest they reminded me a bit of those pads you use PP.  Ha!  That said they were absorbent and worked well for all-night wetting.  I can't imagine flushing them though!  I've read that you need to break them up well before flushing and I'm not interested in that much contact with a used diaper. :)  I love that they are biodegradable and are made without so many of the harsh chemicals present in regular diapers.

The snap in liner: Great!  Easy to snap in and out.  Easy to clean and hand wash.

Overall I think the gDiaper is a great travel system.  Unless...your child gets the runs.  Which mine did.  For almost the ENTIRE trip.  Then this system is not-so-great.  Let's just say you'd need a lot of covers to make it work, even with easy hand washing.  Since I only had two I was very grateful for that pack of disposable diapers I'd also brought.  In fact, about 1/2 the way thru the trip I gave up on the gDiapers and ended up buying more disposables.  Sigh.

Bottom Line: I highly recommend gDiaper as a part of your usual diaper stash (and travel stash), but make sure you have some other options for the times your baby has the runs. :)

Where to get them: All over the internet and in some stores like BRU.  I recommend buying from ecomom, they have great customer service.  

Diaper Liner Reviews

As you may know one of the "crunchy" things that I do is cloth diapering for my kids.  I've written about cloth diaper liners briefly here, but I thought I'd do a quick product review for you today.

I started using disposable diaper liners when my baby-girl began eating solid foods.  Once her poop switched from exclusively BF it was no longer washing-machine friendly (before that it really isn't a big deal).  In order to avoid the dreaded sprayer or swishing in the toilet (gasp) I use disposable and somewhat reusable biodegradable liners.  

Bumkins Flushable Diaper Liners:

These liners come in a box of 100.  They are biodegradable and flushable (but not recommended for septic tanks).  They cost about $9.95 a box and can be found many places online.

The Bumkins liner laying in a Best Bottom diaper with a medium insert.

Pros: Very soft.  The box makes them easy to access.  The liner is folded much like a kleenex, which makes it easy to put in the diaper.  This liner would also help protect a cloth diaper from non-safe diaper creams as it is thick.

Cons: Cannot be used more than once.  With other liners if the child only peed they can be washed (with the diapers) and reused at least 1-2 more times, but not these liners.  They become a ball of stretched out fluff that can't go back into a usable shape.  Another con is that they are made of viscose, and although it is biodegradable it is made using caustic chemicals that pollute, which isn't very earth friendly.

ImseVimse Bio Liners

The ImseVimse brand is the one I've used the longest.  They come in a long roll and are sized either for baby or toddler.  They are also biodegradable and flushable and made out of all natural paper products (no bleach).  They cost about $14 for 200 baby liners or $9 for 100 toddler size.  They can also be found many places online like Amazon for $13.95.

On the left is the toddler size and on the right the baby size.  I would recommend the baby size until your child is in a size large diaper.

Pros: Can be used more than once.  These wash beautifully (get softer) and can be used at least 2 more times if only with a pee diaper.  They have two sizes, which is helpful as baby grows.  I know one mommy that buys the toddler size and cuts them down, but I'm too lazy for that. :)  Another big pro for me is that they are all natural and made out of rice paper.

Cons: They are a little rough and resemble more of a dryer sheet.  They are not appropriate to  use with unsafe diaper creams as they are too transparent.

Make your own Fleece Liners

Before my first daughter was born I went to a local fabric store and bought a yard of micro fleece fabric.   I looked for the thinnest fleece I could find, as this is Arizona after all!  I then went home and cut it into rectangles that looked like they'd fit in my diapers.  It was all very imprecise but they work.  I laughed later at my fabric design choice, I'd selected a spotted paw print pattern that reminded me of our little dog.  Why my very-pregnant self decided this I have no idea b/c the pattern isn't exactly the best for a diaper if you get my drift.  The spots look like ah-hem something that belongs in the diaper.  Ha!

These liners are perfect for protecting cloth from unsafe diaper creams.  In fact I only use them these days if my daughter has a rash and needs cream.  They can also help with solids though, as it is easier to get off of the fleece then the diaper.  I used them more when my daughter was tiny as they kept BF poop from staining her cotton diapers (fleece doesn't stain).

Pros: Soft, can be used over and over (I'm still using the ones from my first daughter).  Cheap and you can select a pattern that you like.

Cons: Can't be tossed so you still have to deal with laundering them.

Bottom line, I prefer ImseVimse liners and will keep buying them.  As much as I loved how soft the Bumkins liners are and how convenient the box is I don't like that they are made with chemicals and can only be used once.  I'll also keep using my fleece liners when needed.

For more information on cloth diapering check out:

cloth diapering 101

cloth diapering 102

cloth diapering 103

swim diaper options

and make your own diaper pail deodorizer

Swim Diapers - Disposable and Reusable options

It's been awhile since we chatted about diapers.  We're still going strong over here using cloth on my almost 11 month old baby.  Now that it's summer we're also using swim diapers.  There are a few options for reusable swim diapers, and even the disposable ones can be reused.  Say What?  Yes, that's right, you don't have to toss them after each visit to the pool.  But more on that in a bit, lets go over the different options first.

Swim Diaper

You may have seen reusable options in the summer or swim sections at your local Target or Walmart.  These diapers are cloth with tight elastic around the legs and waist to keep any "waste" in. ;)  Some popular brands include Speedo and iPlay.  They range in price from $5-15.  I was able to find a Speedo diaper on clearance last year for only $3.  

Pros: Trim, inexpensive, can be worn alone or under a swimsuit.

Cons: Difficult (messy) to remove if she poops, need to buy different sizes as baby grows. 

Using a Cloth Diaper

If you already cloth diaper then another option is to use one of your diapers.  You could use a (empty) pocket or a cover.  All-in-ones, fitteds and wool would not be good options.  When my oldest daughter was in diapers I used a size small Bummis Super Whisper Wrap cover for her.  It had velcro so I could adjust it as she grew.  In fact I was able to use the same cover until she was potty trained!  I would recommend that you use only 1 diaper and that it be exclusive for the pool.  Once you expose it to chlorine and the sun it will not work as well as a regular cloth diaper.

Pros: You don't have to buy anything, adjustable so can be used longer, less messy to remove, easier to and from the pool (can slip a fitted into the cover and remove right before you get in the pool).

Cons: Not as cute (usually) when alone, may not be as trim, can't reuse later as a regular cloth diaper.

Disposable Swim Diaper

If you are using disposable swim diapers like Huggies Little Swimmers or Pampers Splashers you can still reuse them.  If they haven't been soiled you can let them dry out and then use them again.  

Pros: Cheap, can be tossed if soiled.

Cons: Bulky, disposable (I am a cloth diaper advocate after all), have to keep buying more.

One thing to remember is that all of these options do not work to keep urine in.  They only work to keep poop in.  Just think of it this way, no diaper is able to differentiate between pool water and urine. :)

So what do you use at the pool?  Any favorite cloth swim diaper brands or options?  

More about cloth diapering

Cloth Diapering 101 - Explanation of different types

Cloth Diapering 102  - Organizing and where to buy

Cloth Diapering 103 - Wash routine, storage, diaper creams and troubleshooting

You can also read about making your own diaper pail deodorizer here.

Make your own diaper pail deodorizer

It's been awhile since we talked about cloth diapering (CD).  In case you're new to my blog I have CD both of my kids.  My first daughter did cloth from newborn all the way through potty training (including overnight cloth pull-ups).  My second daughter is currently 9 months old and is going strong in size medium.

However, things have gotten a bit stinkier since she began eating solid foods.  As a result the dry diaper pail needs a little help.  In the past we used an air purifier in the changing table room, but right now that's been moved elsewhere.  So, I started looking into things to add to the pail.  I wanted something stronger than straight baking soda (which works too, just a sprinkle here and there).  Here's what I did with a little help from my 4 year old.

Diaper Pail Deodorizer

Ingredients
Baking Soda
Water
Essential Oil (lavender, tea-tree, eucalyptus, mint or lemon)
A container to put it in (a large spice container would work great)

Directions
1. Take a medium bowl and put baking soda in.  I used 1 cup b/c that's what my shaker held.
2. Add water slowly until it makes a thick paste.
3. Add a few drops of your chosen essential oil. I used about 5-7 drops.
4. Spoon the paste into a cupcake cup until it's about 1/2 inch full.

5. Wait 1-2 days for the mixture to dry out.  Mine took only one day but I live in a very dry climate.

6. Put the powder mix into your container and shake up to break up the clumps.  Then shake in your diaper pail at changes or when needed.

Another quicker option is to put a couple drops of an essential oil onto one of your cloth wipes and put it in the diaper pail.

Check out a Christmas Version of the deodorizer here.

Diaper Liners
And don't forget that using disposable and environmentally friendly rice-paper liners is helpful with the solids too.  That way if baby poops you can just throw the liner in the toilet instead of worrying about rinsing or even worse swishing in the toilet - yuck!  And if they haven't soiled the liner you can just throw it in the wash with the diapers and then use it again (2-3x before you need to toss it).

For more information on Cloth diapering check out my posts cloth diapering 101, cloth diapering 102, and cloth diapering 103.  I talk about my washing routine, what diapers I use, where to buy them and how I organize them.

What I love this week.

I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorites from this last week.  My friends and I chat all the time about what we love, so I thought I'd share it with you too!

1. Newborn size BabyLegs - I have this exact darling little set of babylegs and have been using them in heavy rotation lately.  This time of year in Phoenix it can be in the 50's in the morning and the 80's (or even 90's) in the afternoon.  So I can dress up the baby in a sweet summer outfit but make it weather appropriate in the am by adding these little leggings.  They also come in handy around the house since we do cloth diapering.  Changes are much swifter if you don't have to remove pants!  My baby may be 8 months old but she's still rocking the newborn size.  Yes, I make skinny legged children.
2. Beyond The Sling by Mayim Bialik, PhD - I briefly wrote about Mayim and her book yesterday.  I just got the book on Wednesday and I'm loving it so far.
3. Green Sprouts slicker - We've entered into the oh-so-fun but messy stage of eating with the baby.  Since she pretty much refuses to eat out of a spoon food ends up all over the place.  I bought this slicker on Zuilly a month ago and it arrived this week.  Just in time!  Although I bought the larger stage 4 (2t) size it is working pretty well for us.  I love the coverage, less to clean off of baby.  I'll post some photos of it in action soon.
4. Bluum - Have you heard of Bluum?  You purchase a subscription and every month you get a box of random samples or goodies targeted for parents of small children.  You never know what you're going to get, so it's a fun surprise.  This last month they had a Rabbit Organic baby food pouch, white tea sample, 2 Wedela travel size samples, a spritz (mine was for your pillow) and a chocolate.  Very fun to open but I have to admit that at $11 a month I'm not sure I'll keep my subscription past the 3 month intro I purchased from Plum District (for a steal of only $8 total).
5. Indestructibles Wiggle March  - I discovered this baby book while on our trip to CA.  If you have a small baby you must get this book!  It is thin like a magazine or big kid book (which babies are oh-so drawn to), but it's indestructible.  They claim to be chew proof, rip proof, non-toxic and washable.  My 8 month old is trying her hardest to destroy the book but so far it's still intact.  At $4.95 it's a great deal.  
6. Old Navy ruffled sleeve dress - I got this dress for my 4 year old at Old Navy for only $10 this week!  I think it will be on heavy rotation this spring and summer.
7. Mad Men - Season 5 just started on AMC.  I was able to see seasons 1-4 on Netflix after my baby was born.  Let's just say I saw all 60'ish episodes in a very short time period (on the iPad) thanks to being up all night with a newborn.  The season premier was on AMC.com, not sure what I'll do for the rest of the season since we don't have cable or live television.
8. Trader Joe's Movie Theatre Popcorn - This stuff is amazing.  It is all natural but somehow tastes just like the chemical laden movie theatre stuff.  I don't know how they do it but I am loving it.  At only $1.99 a bag it's a steal as well.  Let's just say that we can go through a few bags a week around here (I'm not the only fan).

So those are some of my favorites.  Do you love any of these products too?

Cloth diapering 103

For more information on cloth diapering including what brands I use and where to get them look here and here. Today I'd like to tell you about how I keep those tiny and cute diapers clean.  It's really not a big deal.  It's one of the most frequent reasons people give me for not doing cloth, the laundry.  Here is what I do.

Washing Routine

I should first tell you that I have a HE Front loading w/d.  However, I used to have a top loading (regular non-HE) w/d before and my routine has changed very little.

1. Short Wash - warm/cold - nothing added
2. Regular Wash - hot/cold with an extra rise added - soap only
3. Dry on hot - run thru twice

That's it!  I don't recommend doing cold water washes, I think the hot is necessary to keep the diapers clean and stink-free.  Speaking of stink-free, let's move on to detergents, soaps and extras.

Detergents

With my first daughter I carefully researched soaps and selected a cloth friendly detergent.  This is important because many detergents are bad for cloth diapers, they cause build up which = stink!  Or, they wear out the diapers sooner, destroying the water repellent properties, etc.  I found great information on what detergents are good on the site Pinstripes and Polkadots.  They have charts that assign scores for most brands out there.  I used Mountain Green baby with my first.  

So when it was time to diaper again I started researching and found that lo and behold people were talking on and on about using Tide.  Yes, Tide!  A very non-save-the-planet type of detergent.  On the pinstripes site it is only given 3 stars and is not highly recommended for use.  However, after hearing so many people rave about it I decided to try it.  So far it's worked great, no build up or other issues.  I use regular non-ultra Tide and also used the free and clear one.  The trick with detergent is the amount that you use.  You need FAR less detergent for diapers than with regular loads.  May seem counterintuitive but it's true!  Use 1/2 or even a 1/4 as much as you would with a regular load.  Otherwise the detergent builds up and creates stink.  However, I will add that not using enough detergent can cause it's own problems, naturally you need enough soap to get the job done.

What about Fabric Softener?
Fabric softener is not recommended for cloth as it can cause build-up on the diapers and/or irritation for the baby's skin.  However, if you diapers are a natural fabric like bamboo then there are a couple cloth safe options like Mrs Meyers or Ecover.  I use Ecover for my goodmama fitteds, but not on my covers or bum genius (microfiber).  The fabric softener makes them soft, squishy and silky.  I also used them on my newborn kissaluv fitteds.

Troubleshooting Stink

If your diapers don't look or smell clean there are options.  If they have stains (very common with baby poo) the best way to get them white again is to put them in the sun.  Really, the sun is a miracle bleach and disinfectant and oh-so-free.  Here in AZ we can do this pretty much every day.  Just so you know, even cloudy days work for sunning, but probably not rainy ones.  Ha!

If they smell stinky then here are some options:

1. Strip them using a squirt of blue Dawn in the first cycle (directly onto the diapers, not in the soap dispenser).  You may need an extra rinse cycle if soap/bubbles still appears in the wash after the regular routine.
2. Add baking soda to the main wash.  This is especially helpful in areas with hard water.
3. Add vinegar to the main wash.  This is especially helpful in areas with soft water.
4. Add tea-tree oil to the first or main wash.  This is what I do if my microfiber diapers have a stink to them.  Just a few drops in the first cycle make a HUGE difference.  
5. When desperate try bleach.  Some cloth diapering companies like Bum Genius actually recommend a once a month bleaching.  But go easy on this one b/c they can wear out your diapers (especially the elastics) if you do it too much.  

Storing dirty diapers

Back in the day our parents used wet pails to keep the dirty diapers until wash day.  I do not use a wet pail as I'm not interested in pee/poo diaper soup.  Yuck!  I use a dry pail which is basically a regular kitchen step can with a wet-bag liner inside.  These are great because on wash day I just pull out the whole bag and throw it all in the washer, no need to touch any dirty diapers!  I have two that I rotate.  The big pink bag on the left of the following photo is the liner.

When out and about I use a small zippered wet-bag.  They come in lots of pretty colors and prints and are a non-gross way to get your used diapers back to the house.  After you are done with cloth diapers you can use them for wet swimsuits or dirty laundry while traveling.  Wet bags come in a variety of sizes.  I used the medium sized one at home when my daughter was a newborn.  I had that one in my bedroom so I could keep her dirty diapers there without having to walk across the house to the regular changing table.  Mediums can also be helpful if you have a long day planned out of your house, or for trips.

What about poop?

Ah, the poop question.  So commonly asked.  When babies are only breast-fed their poo is really no big deal.  You just throw the diapers in, no fuss needed.  I do add a spray of Bac-Out before putting it in the can, but I do not rinse or spray them off with water.  Many people swear by their diaper sprayers that they hook up to the toilet but I am not interested in touching poopy diapers and carrying them around the house to spray off.  Yuck!

Now, once solid foods are introduced their poo gets ahem, more solid and a lot more stinky.  Sigh.  One of the main reasons I was trying to hold off giving my baby solid food.  However, there is hope.  It comes in the form of disposable diaper liners.  They are made out of rice-paper and sit neatly in the bottom of the diaper.  If your baby has a bowel movement then you simply pick up the liner and toss that in the toilet.  If they only peed then you wash the liner with your diapers and re-use it again.  They can be washed about 2x before they fall apart (since they're biodegradable).  Popular brands of flush able liners are Imse Vimse, Bummis, Osocozy and Grovia.  I get mine at Mom's Milk Boutique.

What about Rash Creams?

It is important to be careful when using diaper creams and cloth diapers.  Many of the most common brands can cause staining.  However, there are diaper safe options.  My favorites are Angel Baby Bottom Balm and plain old Coconut Oil.  Yes, the same oil you buy for use in the kitchen can also be used as a diaper cream.  It is all natural and doesn't smell or stain.  I just put some in a small container to keep at the changing table.  You know, because you don't want to mix diaper changes with cooking dinner. ;)

Well I think I about covered it.  Do you still have questions?  Please feel free to leave me a comment if there is something else you'd like to know!

Diapering 102

Now the ins and outs of my cloth diapering routine.  If you want more info you can find cloth 101 here.

I use a changing table I found off of craigslist to organize her diapers.  I have a basket for each type of diaper and one for accessories and extras.  I am a fan of being organized and find satisfaction in things being sorted by type and color.  Try not to judge me. ;)  The step can on the left is where the dirty diapers go until wash day.

This is my fitted stash, primarily Goodmama diapers.  They are one size fitteds, so they snap out to get bigger and can be worn from about 10 lbs to potty training.  They are made mostly out of bamboo velour.

Here is the baby wearing a goodmama (aka gm) fitted at her 4 month well-baby appointment.  Each of the diapers have fun names, and there are hundreds of different designs!  This one is called citrus fizz.  I have bought all of my goodmama diapers used.  Yes, used!  In fact I've bought at least half of my diapers used.  Goodmama diapers cost $28-$60 new (for just ONE!) but I can get them used for $10-$18.  For some reason purchasing used diapers has never made me squeamish, I just wash them well before my kids use them.  I also re-sell my diapers which is part of the reason they're so economical.  Some of my diapers I've been able to sell for the same price or even more than I paid for them.  There is a big market out there for reselling diapers.

Where to buy used:

diaperswappers In the for sale or trade section of their forums.  You'll need to register for the site and post a bit before buying or selling, but it's not too hard as there is a ton of information on there!  I've never sold through them but have bought quite a bit for both of my kids stashes.

spots corner on hyenacart Spots Corner is great b/c you just need an account and paypal to purchase here, no record of good feedback is necessary.  It is easy to sell as well (although I haven't).  They have a search function so if you know what kind of diaper you want it is easy to find.

I've also found diapers thru the cloth diapering forum on the bump.com, through a cloth diapering group on livejournal, on a local mom's meet-up group, and through a local yahoo diapering group here in Arizona.  

Don't discount craigslist either, they can be a great resource!  Also friends who are done with their diapers.  I've bought and sold from friends.

Where to buy new:

There are hundreds of different online options for buying cloth diapers.  I have bought from cottonbabies and Mom's Milk Boutique.  I prefer to find places that don't charge shipping!

Now back to my stash.  Here is a photo of my bum genius AIO size smalls.  My baby is just about ready to move up to the next size so then I'll be selling all of these and putting her in mediums. :)

This is what the Bum Genius AIO look like.  On the right you can see the inside, this diaper has an opening where you can add inserts to increase absorbency if you wish.  I prefer the trim look so haven't bothered except if used as an overnight diaper.

My Best Bottom and other covers stash.  The snap-in inserts with the green stitching are the size smalls, and I've just added mediums (like the white one at the end) to the rotation.  She fits the medium much better now, but I'm able to use the same shells since they just snap out to get bigger.  I've also just laid the inserts in other covers and they've worked just fine (very trim too).  In fact I found that the Best Bottom shells didn't fit very well on my baby's skinny legs until she was a few months old, other smaller sized covers fit better.

This is the inside of the best bottom shell and a few of the size small inserts.  I love this diaper b/c it is so trim and there is less to carry in the diaper bag for changes.  They have shells with snaps or velcro and they come in colors and designs (I have a brown one and a cute owl print).

At home I use cloth wipes.  I use baby washcloths and squirt water from a peri bottle onto them before using. Then I just throw the dirty wipe in with the dirty diapers.  Easy peasy!  When out and about I use disposable wipes and keep them with the dirty diapers.  They can be washed with the diapers and then thrown away, so no mess.

Diapering 102 has been a bit longer than I anticipated.  There is so much to say about diapers!  I'll write about my wash routine, detergents, diaper creams and have more tips up next in diapering 103. 

But first, a couple more photos. This tiny little newborn Star Baby Designs fitted was worn by my little baby when she was just a few weeks old.  Now only the little bear can fit it. :)

Cloth diapering 101

We do cloth diapers.  I started cloth with my first and am doing it again with my second.  I do it for a few reasons, in no particular order: the planet, the cuteness factor, my child not being exposed to chemicals and saving money.  With my first I did a combination of sized and one size pockets.  Does that sound like gibberish to you?  I'll explain.

pocket: Diaper that is stuffed with either microfiber, hemp or cotton inserts.  The pros are that they have adjustable absorbency.  The huge con for me was having to stuff them each time!

sized: diapers that come in extra small, small, medium, etc.  The pros are that they tend to be much trimmer, the cons that you have to keep buying the next size up.  Any type of diaper (fitted, pocket, AIO) can be sized.

one-size (OS): A diaper that works from newborn to potty training.  No really, it's true!  They have snaps that snap out/or in depending on the size you want to make them.  They can be closed with either velcro or snaps.  The major pro is one diaper for the whole diapering time!  The cons are they wear out more (especially velcro, also the elastics) and they don't always fit the little newborn/small stage despite the claim.  Also, they can be bulky as the inserts are designed to use for most ages.  This can be adjusted if it's a pocket.  Many brands make OS these days.  I had bum genius with my first child.  

I decided to get a new stash for baby #2 as I didn't want to stuff another pocket diaper ever again!  This time I went with sized AIO, fitted w/covers and a hybrid diaper.

AIO (all-in-one): A diaper that doesn't have to be stuffed, the insert is already sewn in.  Some AIO also have a pocket available if you want to put more absorbency in.  AIO can be sized or OS.  The major pro is the ease of use.  They are the closest to putting on a disposable.  The con I hear the most is that they take longer to dry.  I haven't found that to be a problem however.

fitted: A fabric fitted diaper (elastic around the legs and waist). Can be sized or OS.  They need a cover to be leak proof.  They are often made out of adorable fabrics which is part of the appeal.  At home you may skip a cover.

cover: A waterproof cover that goes around a fitted (or a flat, prefold, etc).  They can be sized or OS.  They can be made of wool or synthetic fabrics (pul for example).  They can be made out of cute fabrics or just plain colors.

hybrid: Also known as all-in-two (AI2).  These are new since I had my first baby and are very cool.  The ones I use have a cover with snap in-inserts.  The cover is OS but the inserts come in sizes, that helps the diaper stay trim.  They can also be used with disposable inserts for those that want them out and about, when traveling, etc.  Popular brands are: Flip, Best Bottom and G-Diaper.

Is your head spinning?  Here are some photos of the cuteness.

My baby in a newborn size (xs) bum genius AIO.  How cute is that?

My firstborn wearing a bum genius one-size pocket diaper.  It is the color blossom.  Her t-shirt so appropriately says "Does this diaper make my butt look big?"

Another newborn shot, this time in a xs bum genius contour.  No old-fashioned pins needed, it's fastened with a "snappi" which is a plastic thingamajig that has teeth to hold the diaper closed.

Next up I'll show photos of my stash, talk more about where I get the diapers, how I take care of them and perhaps a few hints and tips.  If you have any questions make a comment and I'll add that too.