Cloth diapering. Me gusta.
Here are some of my favorite things for diapering the mouse. I'm not all up in the acronym-filled cloth-diapering scene, so most of this stuff is just what I happened to find or copy - not stuff I spent a lot of time researching or anything. Yet still, I like this stuff.
Disclaimer: I recommend finding a local cloth diapering store, if you can. I frequent The Diapering Doula and I'm most definitely not paid to recommend Karissa or her store, but if you're in the Triangle you should check it out. Having a local resource is just so nice.
1. Diapers with snaps. I wasn't sure I'd like them at first, because the snaps are extra work. Admittedly, velcro is quick and easy. But it comes back to get you in the wash, which is when I remember how much I like snaps. No velcro tabs to worry about - just toss 'em in the wash. I think they look clean and might last longer than velcro would (though this last point is hotly debated among the diehard cloth diaper crowd).
2. Waterproof diaper pail liners, instead of big drawstring wet bags acting as diaper pail liners. So we've found that using a regular trash can (we went with this one) works just fine as a diaper pail. But I was annoyed with our big drawstring wet bag that I tried to cram around the lid of the trashcan. And then I discovered these elasticized diaper pail liners. Washable and made of the same waterproof material as the drawstring bag, but made specifically to line pails. Love them. The drawback is that you can't really use them as a wet bag in and of themselves... so we bought a big hanging wet/dry bag for Evelyn's daycare to use.
3. While we're discussing wet bags... we have 4. Technically 3, if you don't count the pail liner. And we love them all. We have two big ones (one drawstring that typically acts as a diaper pail liner) and one small one that lives in the diaper bag to act as a receptacle when we're out of the house. Then when I get home I simply empty it into the diaper pail or into the wash if it's that time. Lots of folks I've talked to don't do cloth when they're out and about, but I haven't found it to be difficult at all - maybe thanks to my wet bags? They're also reusable beyond the baby years for wet clothes, towels, etc.
4. Washable wipes. We have some of these and then a whole stack of handmade wipes as well. They are simple and they get the Mouse clean and we love 'em. We carry them dry and then spray as-needed with a solution of a couple drops of E's soap and then water to the top of one of those travel-sized plastic spray bottles from Target. You don't really have to worry about what kind of soap you use for the spray solution. You just need a couple drops. It does take a few sprays to get the wipes moist for wiping, but it's really no big deal. Then we just throw 'em in the wet bag or the diaper pail and wash right along with the diapers.
5. Line-drying. I can't say it enough. The sun is the best stain remover ever.
And there you have it. My cloth diapering faves. I think E likes 'em too.
Oh yeah, we're also having our first experience with diaper rash right now. At home we're using Angel Baby Bottom Balm and at school Evelyn gets Baby Bee Diaper Ointment. I'm not sure which is the most helpful since we're using them simultaneously, but I will say that so far both smell really good. :)
Here are some of my favorite things for diapering the mouse. I'm not all up in the acronym-filled cloth-diapering scene, so most of this stuff is just what I happened to find or copy - not stuff I spent a lot of time researching or anything. Yet still, I like this stuff.
Disclaimer: I recommend finding a local cloth diapering store, if you can. I frequent The Diapering Doula and I'm most definitely not paid to recommend Karissa or her store, but if you're in the Triangle you should check it out. Having a local resource is just so nice.
1. Diapers with snaps. I wasn't sure I'd like them at first, because the snaps are extra work. Admittedly, velcro is quick and easy. But it comes back to get you in the wash, which is when I remember how much I like snaps. No velcro tabs to worry about - just toss 'em in the wash. I think they look clean and might last longer than velcro would (though this last point is hotly debated among the diehard cloth diaper crowd).
2. Waterproof diaper pail liners, instead of big drawstring wet bags acting as diaper pail liners. So we've found that using a regular trash can (we went with this one) works just fine as a diaper pail. But I was annoyed with our big drawstring wet bag that I tried to cram around the lid of the trashcan. And then I discovered these elasticized diaper pail liners. Washable and made of the same waterproof material as the drawstring bag, but made specifically to line pails. Love them. The drawback is that you can't really use them as a wet bag in and of themselves... so we bought a big hanging wet/dry bag for Evelyn's daycare to use.
3. While we're discussing wet bags... we have 4. Technically 3, if you don't count the pail liner. And we love them all. We have two big ones (one drawstring that typically acts as a diaper pail liner) and one small one that lives in the diaper bag to act as a receptacle when we're out of the house. Then when I get home I simply empty it into the diaper pail or into the wash if it's that time. Lots of folks I've talked to don't do cloth when they're out and about, but I haven't found it to be difficult at all - maybe thanks to my wet bags? They're also reusable beyond the baby years for wet clothes, towels, etc.
4. Washable wipes. We have some of these and then a whole stack of handmade wipes as well. They are simple and they get the Mouse clean and we love 'em. We carry them dry and then spray as-needed with a solution of a couple drops of E's soap and then water to the top of one of those travel-sized plastic spray bottles from Target. You don't really have to worry about what kind of soap you use for the spray solution. You just need a couple drops. It does take a few sprays to get the wipes moist for wiping, but it's really no big deal. Then we just throw 'em in the wet bag or the diaper pail and wash right along with the diapers.
5. Line-drying. I can't say it enough. The sun is the best stain remover ever.
And there you have it. My cloth diapering faves. I think E likes 'em too.
Oh yeah, we're also having our first experience with diaper rash right now. At home we're using Angel Baby Bottom Balm and at school Evelyn gets Baby Bee Diaper Ointment. I'm not sure which is the most helpful since we're using them simultaneously, but I will say that so far both smell really good. :)
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And I know you shouldn't plant tomatoes all over the garden. And you should use a lot of compost if you have it. And sheep manure. Sheep manure is supposed to be the best, so if you can, start getting your garden ready this fall. Till it up and dump on sheep manure. By the time spring rolls around it will have mellowed into the most perfect fertilizer ever. (or so I am told) Don't put raw manure on in the spring because it will burn your plants. Composted manure is safe to use in the spring, though.
Wow. Where did all of that come from? :)
Ever.so.much.
xomomo