Flats and Handwashing Challenge: The Conclusion

Well, I/we did it for a whole week... Matt asked "are we doing it again next year?"  Well, the jury is still out on that one.  It was a bit crazy because I had an "extracurricular" activity that week so the hand washing was rough that night.  Here are some of my final thoughts on the challenge:

Handwashing was definitely not as hard as I thought it would be, but I did get frustrated with trying to get poo off of diapers.  I had stains on ever poo diaper and that just worried me that I wasn't getting them clean enough.  I know that's silly because even my washing machine doesn't always get the poo stains off of diapers (or onesies from the days of Jack's newborn poo explosions).  I could do it if I had to... but I don't think it is right for my family.  We're lucky enough to have a washer and dryer and I will continue to use them for our diapers.  I did enjoy the one day (Saturday) I was able to wash diapers first thing in the morning and put them outside to dry.  The flats were dry in less than 2 hours and the covers and pockets were dry in less than 6 (but more than 2).

Using flats, I think I will absolutely use flats more often.  They were less bulky than any prefold I had tried using before and I was able to make sure they fit Christopher really well!  I was always impressed with how trim they were.  I used both pins and Snappis with the flats and using a pin through a flat was way easier than the other diapers with which I had tried to use pins.  I am currently debating on whether or not to use them while traveling in the future.  They dry so quickly and are trim enough to be packed.  Maybe I'll get (and use) newborn sized flats if and when we're ever blessed with another baby.

Flats and Handwashing Challenge: Day 4 - Musings on Handwashing

I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For a week I will be using only flat cloth diapers (in covers or stuffed in pocket diapers) and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants internationally!  


Today's topic hosted by Kim at DDL is: Thoughts on Handwashing (so far)


Handwashing overall has not been too bad.  In fact, the routine takes less time than our usual wash routine but I attribute that to the fact that I'm doing smaller loads of diapers and apply the caveat that I'm not entirely sure how well I'm actually getting them rinsed.  At this point I am just feeling extremely grateful to have a washer and dryer to use the rest of the time.  My arms and back are getting a bit tired, but maybe that's the fact that I just finished a load of diapers that's making me say that.... Maybe this post should've been titled "Dear W/D, I miss you."


Matt helped me make a camp style washer to use, but in all reality I just use the plunger and the bucket.  The lid seemed to be more hassle then it was worth to me.

My 5 gallon bucket with diapers being washed... "Soap cycle"

Last night I had to do 2 loads of diapers because Christopher went through so many... tonight it was one small load.  I think what gave me more of a benefit on tonight's wash is that I got into a good routine of letting covers air dry and rotating throughout the day because I was home from work this afternoon and doing all of the diaper changes. 

Flats and Handwashing: Day 3 - Favorite Uses

I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For a week I will be using only flat cloth diapers (in covers or stuffed in pocket diapers) and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants internationally!  


Today's topic hosted by Kim at DDL is: Favorite Way to Use Flats

If you would've asked me what my favorite use for flat cloth diapers a month ago, I would've immediately imagined the tiny things you can buy made by Gerber and would've answered "burp cloths."

At this point I know, I am not crazy about using them as pad folded in a cover or in a pocket so far.  They are REALLY bulky this way at least on Christopher (almost 7 months old and ~19 lbs.).  On a bigger baby or toddler maybe they wouldn't look so bulky.

So far, my favorite fold is the Happy Anteater.  It is very trim and easy to do... in fact I can actually use a pin to secure it, but in all reality I do not need to secure the flat I could just as easily put the cover on top.

The Happy Anteater, before it goes on baby's bum!

For those of you who have used flat cloth diapers, what is your favorite use?

Flats and Handwashing Challenge: Day 2 - Suppplies

I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For a week I will be using only flat cloth diapers (in covers or stuffed in pocket diapers) and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants internationally!  


Today's topic hosted by Kim at Dirty Diaper Laundry is: What Supplies I am Using

• Cloth-eez Square Birdseye Flat Cloth Diapers from Green Mountain Diapers unbleached in size large.  I had to purchase these because we didn't have flat cloth diapers and my cost plus shipping for 1 dozen was $33.75 (which is less than a jumbo box of name-brand disposable diapers from Babies R Us).
• A very basic camp style washer made for me by my husband out of a 5 gallon bucket and a plunger from Home Depot.  We basically used Kim's instructions found here.
• Existing covers and pockets; no cost to me at this point but I am using an assortment of Flip, Best Bottoms, Rumparooz, BumGenius, Happy Heiny's and Kawaii covers/pockets which you can find pretty much every online cloth diaper retailer.  I plan on sharing my favorite of these to use with flats at the end of the challenge.
• 2 night time diapers (only 1 per night) in rotation if needed.  My favorite nighttime diapers for Christopher are Sustainablebabyish snapless multi-fitteds.
• Snappis (and pins, though I doubt I will use these often I just have some from a baby shower).
• Rockin' Green Classic Rock
• Towel to press as much moisture out of the diapers as possible.
• Drying rack, clip pants hangers, and clothes pins if I have the chance to dry outside.
• Maybe an iron to sanitize and speed dry some flats

Mommy pinned a flat diaper on me... and didn't poke either one of us!

I use hangers to hang the covers & pockets!

Flats and Handwashing Challenge: Day 1 - Expectations

I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For a week I will be using only flat cloth diapers (in covers or stuffed in pocket diapers) and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants internationally!  


Today's topic hosted by Kim at Dirty Diaper Laundry is: What do I Expect to Learn?

I hope to learn how to hand wash laundry using a camp style washer and a few flat cloth diaper folds... and honestly I am hoping to learn if I can hack it.  Let's be real, my life is busy enough with kids but add cloth diapers to the mix it got a little busier... add the fact that I'll be hand washing them this week and needless to say, I'm a bit intimidated.  It is for a good cause though.


Last night I started a little early so I could attempt a couple of flat diaper folds for "fun".  (Yes, this is what happens when you're a cloth diapering mom, diaper challenges and diaper folds are fun.)  I changed Christopher into a flat with a cover to try a fold called the "diaper bag fold".  I for his last diaper change before he was changed into a nighttime diaper was using the "happy anteater" fold.  I don't know who names diaper folds, but I personally enjoy just saying Christopher's wearing a "happy anteater" diaper.


Starting to use flats a little early also gave me the opportunity to stop using our pockets with multi-layer inserts (typically microfiber) & all-in-one diapers and get the last machine washed load finished before packing our usual diapers away for a week.  I also washed the two flat diapers and covers that were used Sunday... wow, I am going to have some toned arms considering that is going to be half of a typical load for this week.  Yikes!

These were easily dry this morning!

Challenge... Accepted!

(Anyone get my "How I Met Your Mother" reference?)  If being a mother of 2 that works full-time outside the home doesn't keep my evenings and weekends busy enough I did something a little crazy...

I signed up for the 2012 Flats and Handwashing Challenge that starts May 21st and goes through May 27th. You can read the rules (and sign up if you want to participate) here.  Basically it means no washer or dryer and nothing with more than 1 layer of absorbency.  A number of participants are making their own flats out of old t shirts or receiving blankets.

I think part of me is interested to see if I could hack it if the power ever went out or if we took our cloth diapers on the road/camping. I was probably also motivated by all of these historical novels set in the late 1800s I've been reading on my Nook as of late... I know I'm a nerd [for multiple reasons]!

Another wonderful part of this week is to raise awareness about cloth diapers that are a very real option for low-income families that may not be able to afford disposable diapers.  Central Ohio has a wonderful organization that provides cloth diapers to low-income families in our area.  Be sure to check them out on Facebook!

Now I have committed to doing the washing, but Matt said he'll help me make a camp style washer.  Also, since I work full-time outside of the home and my mom watches our boys during the day we will be using flats as inserts pockets most of the time.  I am interested in trying some of the different folds out there when I'm the one doing the diaper changes, but we'll see how much I actually end up doing.  It will definitely be a challenge!

I'll also be trying to post daily on different topics of hand washing, types of flat diaper folds, the economics of this challenge, etc.  Let me know if you have any suggestions on what you'd like me to write about this coming week!

Cloth Diaper Covers for a Newborn

There are about as many options out there for cloth diaper covers as the actual diapers themselves... maybe even more!  Diaper covers are extremely simplistic in my opinion and our the experience with all of the ones we have has been a positive one.  Here are the diaper covers we've tried.

Bummis Super Brite Newborn Cover
These are the smallest covers we have and they worked fine over every fitted diaper we have when the umbilical snap-down was used.  They have a notch for the umbilical stump which easily fit under the belly button.  Once we no longer needed to snap that part down they didn't fit any more.  I continued to use them after the umbilical stump had fallen off but it wasn't quite healed.  These are a PUL simple cover that works well on smaller babies.

Final verdict: A couple of these will probably stick around for the next baby, but since they only last for the first few weeks maybe one or two would do.  I do have other diaper covers that I prefer.

Thirsties XS Diaper Cover
These are another basic PUL diaper cover and the only difference between this cover and the next is the fact that this cover does not have an adjustable rise.  It has double leg gussets which is huge benefit for diapering an exclusively breastfed baby.  There is also a small notch for the umbilical stump similar to the Bummis cover, but this cover is slightly larger than the Bummis so it rubbed on the stump for Christopher.  This cover only comes in aplix which is perfect for getting the fit needed.  This cover still works after we stopped using the snap down on the fitted diapers.  I do like that this cover has elastic at the top of the front, great for little boys and/or tummy sleepers.

Final verdict: We will keep this cover because it works during most of the newborn period and it has the double gussets!

Thirsties Duo Diaper Cover (Size 1)
Just like the Thirsties XS cover this cover has the double gussets.  The only difference is that this cover has a snap down rise and should fit a larger baby.  We have this cover in snap closure but it also comes in aplix.  We have not had an issue getting a good fit around Christopher, but having aplix would allow for a tighter fit in most cases.  Christopher is still using this cover with the rise snapped down so I am sure we will be able to use this for a decent amount of time!  Again, this also has the elastic top which is nice for little boys & tummy sleepers.

Final verdict: We will keep this cover because it works over a longer period of time and it has the double gussets.  I might get one in aplix closure in the future.

Rumparooz Newborn Diaper Cover
Just like the Thirsties Duo cover this cover has a snap down rise, but it has an additional row of snaps than the Duo.  Because of the extra flexibility in rise, I think it would fit a smaller baby just fine, but we didn't buy this until after Christopher was born so I can not speak to how it would do with the umbilical stump.  Like the Thirsties covers, this cover has the elastic at the top of the front.

I have two of these in aplix closures, but it also comes in snaps.  Rumparooz also has a great range of colors and prints.  If you're using cloth diapers might as well have some fun with it!

Final verdict:  We will keep this cover because it works over a longer period of time and it has the double gussets.

Sustainablebabyish XS Wool Cover and LongiesI really wanted to try wool covers with this baby and when you start reading about wool in the cloth diapering word the number 1 brand I kept reading great things about was Sustainablebabyish (a.k.a. Sloomb a.k.a. Sbish).  Wool covers are expensive in general, but just as using a coupon code with the fitted diapers I used it on their wool as well.



The wool pieces I ordered were so thick and comfy!  I lanolized these pieces (which is really a simple process after you do it once) before Christopher was born.  I was definitely skeptical of wool making a good cover and it really is an amazing cover.  Christopher has used this cover over a diaper all night without a single leak!

The downside to using these covers is that it is a stand alone piece, you should not use them under clothes.  The longies are just pants that would be used instead of other pants.  The inseam of the longies we have is pretty long and Christopher's feet still don't stick out of the bottom of them.  The waist is pretty stretchy so we will continue to try to use these longer.  It is very difficult, in my experience, to find shirts in a newborn or 0-3 month sizes, most of what is out there are onsies, so the benefit might be lost in the smaller newborn size (at least for daytime use).  The cover can be used under a gown, because it would not cause any compression of the wool which can lead to leakage.

There is a bit more maintenance and special care necessary for wool, but it is well worth it.  Wool only needs to be washed if they are soiled (i.e. by poo) or every couple weeks to wash and re-lanolize them.  I just turn them inside out to let them dry and air out between uses when they don't need to be washed.

Final verdict:  I will definitely be keeping these pieces for future babies.  They have washed and worn very well and they will continue to be in good shape.  Another big benefit is that if these are kept in good shape the resale value can be very high when I am ready to get rid of them.

Hope you've enjoyed my series on cloth diapering a newborn!  Feel free to comment or email with any questions about our experience through these

Fitted Diapers

A fitted diaper with a cover is by far and away my favorite newborn diapering option.  The fitted diaper keeps the poo off the covers (most of the time) so are almost guaranteed the ability to air out & reuse the cover once or twice before having to wash it.  We have a number of different fitted diapers and covers in our "stash" so I'll provide you with those details.

Goodmama Newborn
These diapers are one of my favorites with lots of positives and only a few bad things about these diapers.  I only have two and I like them a lot!  First negative, and the reason why I only have two, is the fact that they are so darn expensive!  I kind of hated spending the money on these two initially, but I'm glad I did.  These diapers all come in snaps (with a snap down for the umbilical stump), but what I found strange is that the two diapers I purchased, the snap configuration is slightly different between them.  That being said, I've never had any issues getting a good fit on Christopher so I would not say it is a deal breaker (at least for us), it is just strange.  Also, the two diapers I have do not have a cross-over snap option for skinny babies, but I think they diaper gets pretty skinny without that possibility.

The extra inserts that come with this diaper just lie in the diaper, they do not snap in like the Sustainablebabyish fitted diapers.  It isn't necessarily a good or bad thing.  They have potential to shift, which would not be good, but they also can be positioned in whatever way you need (i.e. since I have a little boy more towards the front) and you can use either one or both.  We typically used both layers of inserts and the absorbency was perfect for 2-3 hours between changes (and probably longer), but I feel like Christopher is more of a heavy wetter than I expected.  Some mom's swear you can use these diapers around the house without a cover so baby's bum could breathe a bit more but I don't think I would've been that brave (and I have a toddler to distract me from changing the baby as soon as the diaper is damp on the outside).  I would not personally recommend using this diaper without at least one of the extra inserts because this diaper does have exposed plastic from the backside of some of the snaps uses on the front.

The two diapers I purchased have velor against baby's skin and it has stayed so very soft... I think it has to be the most comfortable fitted diaper for Christopher.  That is just a guess based on what I'd want wrapped around my legs.  Again, not a big deal (especially because you have to cover these for the waterproof layer) the prints and colors available are adorable!  I kept hearing different things about these diapers selling out, but it tends to be the larger one-size diapers in crazy prints that sell out quickly for those who collect.  Since I was not picky on colors or pattern I ordered and received them quickly.  As far as sizing, they say they fit up to 12 pounds... They are currently still fitting Christopher and he is around 12 pounds and I think they will last us a bit longer.

Final verdict: We'll definitely be keeping these and I might order a few more for the next baby (when that time comes).

Sustainablebabyish XS Organic Bamboo Fitted
Most of what you can read about this diaper they use words like "bullet proof" in the description and they are certainly correct.  We've never even used the doublers that come with these diapers and they have lasted all night on Christopher.  I only have two negative things I can say about these diapers.  The fact that you have to use the thicker (double layer) insert to snap in, instead of having the option to just do a single layer (like the doubler that comes with the diaper).  Also, after 6 weeks of using and washing these diapers, they become stiff!  I am currently trying to strip them and hopefully get the softness back.  Some users of these diapers would even recommend a special fabric softener to get the softness back without affecting absorbency, but I am not sure if I want to go there yet.  Oh, and these diapers stain really easily which is pretty standard for a "natural fiber" diaper!  Being that it is winter I haven't had a chance to sun our diapers but I am hoping this takes care of the stains.  The stains are not a big deal to me because I know they're clean, but if I ever want to sell them I would like to get the stains out.

The size chart on the website says that the extra small fits until 11 pounds.  Christopher is about 12 pounds and these still fit him... barely.  They are definitely pretty snug at this point!  When I drafted this they still fit him, but they do not fit him anymore.  We're also running out of room on the snaps, so they are definitely true to their sizing.  The XS is the only size with the snap down for the umbilical stump otherwise I might have ventured into only the small size.  These only come with snaps, but there is the crossover snapping option if you have a super skinny baby.

These are another pricey diaper, but not quite as pricey as the Goodmama diapers.  The mom who runs this company almost always has a coupon out there for about 10% off and I actually ordered these diapers over a holiday weekend where it was buy 4 get 1 free.  Also, to get these diapers you have two choices 1) preorder months in advance of your need (ship dates are usually a month or two out from when you place your order) or 2) buy used from another mom (which is a great option for all newborn diapers since they aren't used too much).

Final Verdict: I will definitely keep some of these diapers... I might sell a couple because I don't think we need that many of these diapers, or I might not.  I am really holding out hope that I can get them to soften back up for a future baby!

Green Mountain/Clotheez Workhorse Diaper (size small)
If it weren't for this diaper I would have been a believer that when it comes to newborn cloth diapers you get what you pay for... but this fitted option is a very good choice for those who don't want to deal with prefolds (or have helpers who don't want to) but need something economical.  Naming it a "workhorse" diaper couldn't be more accurate!  It is essentially prefold fabric that is sewn into a fitted diaper.  The small (and all bigger sizes) have a built in doubled layer in the middle that is stitched on one side but is just a flap for easier drying.  Because it is essentially prefold fabric I would not say they're great for going longer stretches but they are great during the day!  What is interesting about this diaper is that you can order it with snaps or without (which is slightly less expensive).  If you get it without you would need to use pins or a Snappi to fit it around the diaper.  We have two with snaps in small (I also purchased a few medium for the future and a few in a XL for Jack), but I think I would be open to having some more without snaps to get a more "custom" fit on a baby next time.  Not a huge deal because these need a cover to go over them.

The extra-small has a snap down for the umbilical cord and doesn't have the extra layer or absorbency, but I have not tried these.  You can order a doubler for the newborn but it isn't sewn in like the larger sizes.  I ordered the smalls because the weight guideline starts at 9 pounds and I figured it wouldn't be long before my baby was that big (that was before I had a 6 1/2 pound baby).

I don't think we've ever had poo leak from these on to a cover, and they do not seem to be holding any stains.  The weight limit for the small says it can go up to 15 pounds and Christopher is definitely still able to fit into these.

Final verdict: I will definitely be keeping these and hopefully ordering more in this and different sizes.  The price and function simply can not be beat!

Thirsties Duo Fab Fitted
We really like this diaper!  It has an adjustable rise (similar to the way a pocket diaper can have) to fit bigger and smaller babies.  When snapped all the way down in the rise it easily fit under the umbilical stump for Christopher.  The absorbent center is only sewn in select spots so that they can dry quicker and it can also be stuffed with extra absorbency (i.e. a hemp insert) when baby needs it.  They have a stay dry lining against baby which is a big plus for a baby (*cough*Christopher*cough*) would really does not like being wet!  This diaper is very soft and has continued to wash well and I'm sure it feels nice when stretched around Christopher's legs.

The absorbency of this diaper alone is plenty during the day for a couple of hours.  I'm sure that if a hemp insert was added it would be great for an older baby or overnight.  My only issue with the absorbency is that this is microfiber... which tends to have issues with stink more often.  Luckily newborn diapers are not used as long as one-size diapers so hopefully that does not become an issue. 

We have two of these diapers in snap closures, but it also comes with the option of velcro.  I just went with snaps for increased lifespan for future kids (and avoiding of the diaper chain issue).  The snaps do have the cross-over snapping option for the skinny babies.

Final verdict:  We will be keeping these diapers and will possibly get one or two more in the future.  I hope they last us for a while on Christopher as the weight limit goes up to 18 pounds!

Kissaluvs Size 0
This is a diaper that most people talk about for newborns and I bought a couple.  I'm simply not impressed.  It works but it is just ok.  It has the umbilical snap down which is key for newborns, but the other snap configurations seem kind of strange to me.  I have never had any issues getting a fit around Christopher though. 

The absorbency of this diaper is probably the worst of all the diapers we have for pee, but we have had very few leaks (on to the cover) of poo.  Christopher soaks through it in about 30 minutes.  Maybe that's just dumb luck because we always change him around feeding (either before or after), but because he is so sensitive to feeling wet he's never in this diaper long.  The inside of the diaper also has exposed backs of snaps which I personally do not want against my baby.  They're smooth so I doubt they cause any pain, but I'd just rather fabric against his skin.  I'm sure this could be rectified by using a fleece liner between baby and the diaper, which would also help avoid the wet feeling but would not add absorbency.  Also, they have gotten a bit rough and stiffer with washing and wearing so I doubt they are as comfortable as they were when we first bought them.  I am hoping that stripping them will help that issue because these were super soft when I first bought them.

Final verdict: I plan on selling these at the swap at the local store we go to... they simply do not work for us.

Very Baby XS
These are easily the teeny tiniest little fitted diapers I have ever seen!  Oh, they are so cute!  These diapers were actually purchased used at the local swap sale but besides the outside fabric being a bit faded from washing they are in perfect condition.  They have a  snap in booster (that you have to use because otherwise you would have the male end of a snap against baby) which is lined with velor.  Well, the entire inside of the diaper is lined with velor.  The absorbency was great for day-time diaper changes and only felt soaked if we went too long between diaper changes.

The fabrics used may vary with where you purchase this diaper though because Very Cutey actually only sells the pattern and lists manufacturers/sellers on their website; a couple I checked out are on Etsy.  The pattern they sell has a variety of options for closure (i.e. front snapping versus side snapping or aplix) but I have ones that are turned & top-stitched with front snapping closures.  This might lead to variability in quality and fabrics associated with this brand, but I am happy with the diapers we have.  They have the umbilical snap-down in the XS size that we have.  These diapers were the first ones of which Christopher outgrew even though the website says it goes up to 12 pounds, they did not last that long for us.  I am grateful that I purchased them even though they looked small because I ended up having a peanut of a baby!

Final verdict:  I will plan on keeping these in case of a smaller baby in the future.  Part of me wants to contact one of the Etsy shops to see if they would do the small size with the umbilical snap-down because other than it being so small these diapers worked great.

Sustainablebabyish Small Bamboo Terry Flats
Okay, this is not a fitted diaper... in fact it fits in better in the prefold post, but I forgot to put it in there.  Whoops!  I would also claim that this diaper is so easy to fit around baby that it might as well be a fitted... ha ha!  I actually purchased three of these used because I am looking for more natural fiber inserts for our pocket diapers to get rid of the microfiber stink issues, but I digress.  I also have some in the medium size I purchased brand new but have not used yet.

These are super soft and even though they are called flats, you do not have to fold the the flat in crazy configurations in order to add absorbency.  It can just be folded around baby just like a prefold.  I have had far better luck with these as opposed to cotton prefolds because 1) they're bigger then the prefolds I personally bought and 2) these have stretch to them that really help me get a tight fit around baby and his legs.  I use a Snappi to secure them and it grips the fabric really well.  These are also a really good size for trifolding stuffing in one-size pocket diapers.  They are on the pricey end for a flat or prefold or even for pocket inserts, but they hold a lot of moisture and are easy to use!  These are still a cheaper option, especially if buying used, then going with all pockets or all-in-one diapers.

Final verdict: I will definitely be keeping these and may order more for inserts in our one-size diapers if we keep having stink issue with microfiber.

Stay tuned for the next post on diaper covers we have used!  If you have any questions on this or any of my other posts on cloth diapering, feel free to leave a comment below or email me so I can answer it for you!

Pocket/All-in-One Diapers - Part 2

Now on to the newborn pocket diapers that we have tried.  As I explained in my previous post, these have very similar pros and cons as their larger counter parts, but I am focused more on the specific diapers we tried on Christopher.

FuzziBunz XS
We have the ones with aplix closures and if it weren't for that these might be our favorite pocket newborn diaper.  You may be wondering, why didn't you just get the ones with snaps... well, its because I'm cheap and I got most of them on sale or for free.  Okay, okay that's not the only reason... I also wanted to like this one because I prefer aplix for getting a more custom fit.  I kept reading that getting a custom fit was key in cloth diapering a newborn, so I really wanted these to work. 

And they do... until you do laundry.  Even my sweet, mild-mannered husband told me he hated the velcro on these diapers.  It is a very frustrating situation when you fold them over onto the non-existent laundry tabs to prevent the dreaded "diaper chain" when pulling diapers out of the washer.  Well, not only is the diaper chain not prevented it becomes even more frustrating when you try to unstick them and it is so hard to unstick these tabs.  You would think that if they are so hard to unstick from their quasi-laundry tabs they would not wreak such havoc by creating the chain.  It is quite the conundrum.

The absorbency is good (although it only comes with one insert) and, as with all pockets, you can add hemp or another type of insert for more absorbency if needed. The fit is good, once you get past the sticky aplix, but we didn't use these when Christopher still had his umbilical cord stump so I can not speak to how high the rise was (it looked too high to me which is why we didn't use it right away).

Final verdict: I am not sure if I will sell these at the next swap at our local store or try to get them converted to snaps. 

Happy Heinys Mini One-Size
Now, why it is called a "mini one-size" I understand, but it still seems kind of silly.  This is a newborn pocket diaper that has a snap down rise.  The adjustable rise allowed us to use this diaper when the umbilical stump was still on and we got a great fit!  Similar to the Lil Joey's, I feel like we went through a weird phase when the adjustable rise wasn't working for us.  Christopher must have been between rises, that is the only way I can explain why we went through a funky fit period. 

This one is slightly more bulky than the FuzziBunz, Tiny Tush and Lil Joey's, but I really like this diaper.  It does only come in aplix closure, but we did not always experience the diaper chain when washing (although it did occur a few times).  The cross-over tabs look very nice when you need to cross them over.  The thicker band/tabs always make me feel like diaper is on securely.  While not a big deal, I feel like a really nice aspect of Happy Heiny's are the fact that you have a lot of options in colors & patterns... if you like showing off a cloth diaper bum, these are a great option!  Ha ha!

Final verdict:  We will be keeping this one and I might order a couple more because they will fit Christopher as he gets bigger and not be as bulky as the one-size diapers we have.

Tiny Tush Elite Mini
These are the pocket diapers that we have had the least amount of time, but are one of my favorites so far.  Like the Happy Heiny these diapers have an adjustable rise, but it is far more adjustable by having more levels to snap down.  We never went down to the smallest rise, and I'm not sure if Christopher was ever small enough for it, but this diaper would easily fit a tiny baby.  Even on the second to smallest rise it was very trim on Christopher.  The reason I purchased these diapers a little later (he was about 2 weeks old) is because I quickly realized I am not a huge fan of trying to put these huge one-size pockets on him as a 10 pound baby... I wanted some options to last him until he was a little bigger and be trim.

It comes with a more unique microfiber insert which is flat and you fold it to insert it into the pocket.  I have not played around with it but it looks like you could fold it in half for longer coverage or into thirds (what we do).  As we get into higher rise settings we will probably move to folding it in half, but will likely need to add a hemp insert at that point to give more layers of absorbency.

We have some in snaps and some in aplix.  I like both closure options for different reasons.  The snaps wash & wear better (as with all cloth diapers with snaps), but the aplix gives a better fit and will likely last us longer as Christopher gets bigger.  The way the snaps are arranged (two across) will likely run out of room meaning one snap would be against his skin (which I am not ok with) if we try to go to wide.  My little guy has a big belly, so the aplix will allow us to use this diaper longer.  Also, the laundry tabs that are on these diapers (the ones with aplix closures) hold up really well.  So far, they have not caused any diaper chains!

Final verdict: We will be keeping these!

We also have one Thirsties Duo Size 1 diaper that I am currently prepping to be used for the first time.  We love these in the larger size so I am excited to try the size one version.  In my humble opinion, if you have boys and/or a tummy sleeper the Thirsties Duo diaper is great because of the front elastic!

Stay tuned for fitted diapers and Sustainablebabyish "flats"!  If you have any questions on this or any of my other posts on cloth diapering, feel free to leave a comment below or email me so I can answer it for you!

Pocket/All-in-One Newborn Diapers - Part 1

We have a variety of newborn AIO and pocket diapers... maybe too much of a variety, maybe not.  Overall these are our favorite for the sake of ease of use (Daddy and grandparent friendly... I do not mind any of our options but I have done all of the research.)  Pocket newborn diapers have the same pros v. cons as their one-size or sized counter parts in larger sizes. 
Pros:

• Easy to put on/take off of baby
• Wash easily and dry quickly
• Trim (relatively speaking)
• Adjustable absorbency (you can add more to the pocket)

Cons:

• Putting them together after washing/drying (probably the most frustrating for the helpers I have around)
• Not bullet-proof (we have had some leaks)

As far as all-in-ones go (we only had one type) I can say the same thing as far as being identical to their bigger/one-size counterparts.
Pros:

• Nothing to assemble
• Easy to put on/take off baby
• Trim

Cons:

• No adjusting absorbency (we used Lil Joey's by Rumparooz)
• Extra time to dry
• Not bullet-proof (we have had some leaks)

Now I will go through the brands and types that we've used.

Rumparooz Lil' Joeys AIO
This was the first type of cloth diaper Christopher ever wore (as we were leaving the hospital).  I have mixed feeling about this diaper honestly.  It fit him great when he was teeny, tiny (born at 6 1/2 pounds).  I am not crazy about the snap down part for the umbilical cord stump of this diaper, which is one of its big perks when you read about it.  When you snap it down the inside of the diaper is exposed and we experienced leaks if it wasn't changed frequently enough (and we were changing him every couple of hours).  I also have a theory that this is because we have a little boy and when he wets a diaper he wets the front, so there's less distance to travel to leak up the front.  Then Christopher experienced a somewhat awkward period when it came to the fit of this diaper and I just could not snap it in a configuration that worked for his big belly and chicken legs.  Now, I like the diaper again...

Biggest downside: not being able to add absorbency (i.e. a hemp insert) for overnight wear.  If you're listening Rumparooz folks: having an opening in the back to add absorbency would be a HUGE benefit!

As you can tell its a very hit or miss diaper for us.  You will also see that when you read other reviews; I couldn't quite understand the mixed reviews when I read them, until now.  I had these, and will keep them, because we have to have an all-in-one option in our house.

Final verdict: We will keep these and I might get two more for when the next baby is born.

GroVia Newborn All-in-One
This diaper came out this year and I thought "Great!  A new diaper for me to try!"  The design looked like a good one and I bought a couple for a gift for a friend who was having a baby.  I waited for her review and she said she was not crazy about them but mentioned that the fit wasn't great for her son.  These diapers in two colors went on sale (buy 2 get 1 free) so I went ahead and purchased three to try.

I am not crazy about these all-in-one diapers.  These diapers have a snap down rise (one row of snaps) which does allow for the diaper to fit under the umbilical stump.  When you snap it down I found that I needed to fold down the sewn in booster.  Not a big deal because folding down, and thus doubling the absorbency, in the front for a boy can only help.  This diaper definitely fits when baby's legs are chunkier.  When Christopher still had his newborn chicken legs we had several occurrences where poo ran out of the leg and down the leg of his clothes.  They have finally started to really fit and contain the poo when his legs chunked up, around 10 pounds or so, but because he has a bigger belly we're already running out of snaps around the waist. Also, at the leg and at the top of the diaper the absorbent cotton is somewhat exposed and it lead to a lot of wicking (of moisture) issues for us.

Final verdict: I will probably sell these, the limited use time for Christopher does not bode well because even if I have a bigger baby they probably wouldn't last long for us again.  They probably work better for a baby with thicker thighs and a tinier tummy.

Another AIO option that many people choose is the BumGenius XS All-in-One.  I chose not to purchase these because I'm not crazy about the ones we have in large for our son.  I love our BumGenius 4.0 pocket diapers, but their AIO (which is now discontinued in larger sizes) is not a favorite as far as how it has fared in our year and a half of use.

Stay tuned for the pocket diapers!  If you have any questions on this or any of my other posts on cloth diapering, feel free to leave a comment below or email me so I can answer it for you!

"Everyone's Favorite Newborn Diaper"

The prefold... the old-fashioned diaper everyone thinks of when you hear someone say they use cloth diapers.  Reading and doing a lot of research on cloth diapering a newborn it seemed like everyone said prefolds were a "must have".

Well, they really did not work for us.  It's not that they didn't actually work, only that we really did not like them.  We had a dozen of the preemie/newborn Bummis prefolds from the newborn pack.  I simply wasn't crazy about them (and never convinced my husband to use them).  Not to mention, at 2 weeks (~8 pounds) they definitely weren't able to fit around my son (and he was only 6 1/2 pounds at birth).  Maybe I chose the wrong size prefolds to use?

When they were too small to be snappied around Christopher, I tried the whole trifolding and laying it in a cover.  I don't know how anyone only uses 6 covers when using this method of newborn diapering.  Breastfed baby poo got on the cover every time.  Maybe I'm the "lazy" mom who did not want to wipe the cover clean... I wanted to drop it in the washer with the rest of the diapers.

One thing I have noticed about Christopher is that he is very sensitive to being wet (who wouldn't be?) and will definitely cry to be changed when he feels wet.  (This is different then Jack, but then again we used disposables and then went straight to cloth diapers with a stay-dry liner.)  The issue I noticed about prefolds was the fact that once he peed, the diaper was soaked and he was ready to be changed!

I am glad that we had them around for the times that other diapers were being washed or still drying, but they are definitely the last diaper to be grabbed for diaper changes in our house.  I think I will try to repurpose them as inserts into the one-size pocket diapers once we get into those for a trimmer insert (instead of using larger one-size inserts).

At an average of $1.34 each they are by far the least expensive part of our newborn diaper stash which is a huge benefit.  I can't say they don't work for others, but they are not our favorite option.

Stay tuned for posts on the pockets and all in one diapers!  If you have any questions on this or any of my other posts on cloth diapering, feel free to leave a comment below or email me so I can answer it for you!

Cloth Diapering a Newborn - The 1st Month

Have we exclusively cloth diapered so far?  No... but we have definitely used cloth for the majority of the time Christopher has been with us.

We used the disposable diapers in the hospital and we had a "back-up" package of disposable newborn diapers at home (which were used sparingly when we miscalculated laundering/drying time).  Because we started cloth diapering after Jack was over a year old I had no idea how I we would handle the diaper laundry when we were going through 8-12 diapers a day for the baby, plus about 6 for our toddler, especially when I had no idea how my labor & delivery would go.  I don't outline any of this as an "excuse" but just as a way to explain that cloth diapering for us isn't an "all or nothing" situation... I am realistic to the situation where cloth might not fit in our lives.  Luckily, that wasn't the case at all... adjusting to two in cloth diapers has been pretty easy (as easy as adjusting to having two children can be).  I should say that my wonderful husband has been a huge support for this; just last weekend he had both boys in the living room while letting me get some sleep and he managed to catch up on all of the pocket diaper stuffing that had gotten away from me in a couple of days.

I posted a few months ago on our "complete" newborn cloth diaper stash.  Well, I may have added a couple of pocket diapers & covers since that post, but not many.  I'm going to try to give an overview of our experiences so far with cloth diapering a newborn over the next few days/weeks.

Overall, our experience has been great!  I wouldn't go so far as saying "we never have a leak or poo explosion" that I've heard people say about cloth diapering, but we have had less than I remember having with Jack (or at least less severe). 

We have a dozen infant/preemie prefolds because they're the least expensive way to build a newborn stash... honestly, they're not for us.  At 3 weeks old, they were unable to be snappied around Christopher and when I just trifolded them to lay them in the cover, poo would always get on the cover (therefore I had to wash it before the cover could be used again).

My favorite combination by far has been a fitted diaper and cover!  We've had the fewest leaks and [I think] no poo leaks with this system.  As far as which fitteds and covers I've liked the best I'll break that down in a later post.

I think we will always like the pocket and all-in-one systems out there, so naturally we liked the simplicity of these diapers.  The trickiest part about these during the newborn phase has been the fit.  Christopher has kinda skinny legs with quite the belly so being able to get a good fit around both areas has not been easy.  With a few of our diapers we went through phases where they fit, then did not fit, then started fitting again... seemed kind of counter-intuitive to me, but that has been our experience!

Stay tuned for more posts with details about our experience with cloth diapering a newborn!

Less than 10 Weeks Until...

Baby #2's due date!  I'm definitely starting to get more physically exhausted as the days go on... even the swelling is starting to kick in.  I'm grateful that its not been too bad so far.  I am attributing it to the fact that I've been much better this pregnancy about drinking my water!  Here's a belly shot of me at 30 weeks pregnant:

August 17, 2011 (30 weeks pregnant)

I'm very happy to say that my net weight gain so far is less than where I was with my pregnancy for Jack.  This pregnancy I am definitely carrying much lower (my doctor has commented recently) which has led to a bit more back pain at this point.  I even wear a pregnancy support belt most days, especially to work.  It helps some I believe, even though wearing the belt itself is not the most comfortable thing. 

Laying on my side (as your supposed to in pregnancy) has proven very difficult more recently.  I noticed during the 2nd trimester that my hips already felt very "loose"... not that I was surprised since it is my second.  After laying on my side for any amount of time, trying to get up to either a sitting or eventually standing position has been painful.  I brought it up at my last doctors appointment and after she examined my alignment told me my alignment looks good and my hips don't hurt when walking around, it might be a bit of arthritis brought on by pregnancy.  (She asked if I had noticed any postpartum joint pain after Jack, I said no, but I wasn't sure if I would've noticed since I was recovering from fourth degree tearing.)  Right now my options are heat (i.e. a warm bath or compress) and/or Tylenol at bed to try and take the edge off of the pain every time I switch sides and when I get up in the morning.  If these things aren't helping or things get worse, she might lean towards some steroid treatment.  I really don't want to medicate myself nightly for the next 9 weeks or start steroids, but we might get to that point...

In more fun topics, our newborn cloth diaper stash is COMPLETE!  At least as complete as it is going to be until the baby is born (we will learn what fits and what doesn't at that point).  The only thing we might get more of would be a few more covers, but we're within the "guidelines" I've read online.  Here are pictures of our complete newborn stash:

A picture of our whole stash! (34 diapers total)

5 pocket diapers and 5 all-in-ones

12 prefolds (you know, the old fashioned kind), 12 fitted diapers, 5 wrap style diaper covers, and 1 wool pull on diaper cover.

Yes, we have more than the "recommended" 24 diapers but mainly because I highly doubt everything will fit during the newborn phase.  I'm very thankful that once we figure out what doesn't work I will be able to sell some of those at the next swap our local cloth diapering store does twice a year.

Feeling very excited for the baby to make his or her appearance in October!  Jack has been saying the past couple of days "baby come out Mommy belly" and rubbing my belly... he's such a sweet boy!  I can't wait to see him as a big brother!

**CLOSED** Rockin' Green Detergent New Remix Formula: Review & Giveaway!

I was recently presented with the opportunity to review a new product from my favorite cloth diaper detergent company, Rockin' Green!  They're known for having the perfect detergent for cloth diapers, no matter what your water conditions (hard v. soft)!  Many cloth diapering parents will "Rock the Soak" when diapers are not absorbing as well as they have.  When we were using another detergent and couldn't get rid of the smells, we used this technique and it helped immensely... we had gotten to the point where we were stripping diapers every time we were washing!  They recently came out with a new product "Funk Rock" that is meant for when your cloth diapers start smelling funky!  I haven't tried it, but people say it works wonders!

Well, the latest new product from Rockin' Green (RnG) is their Remix formula!  I received 3 samples of the remixed Classic Rock formula in the scents: Rage Against the Raspberries, Lavender Mint Revival, and Bare Naked Babies (unscented, this is what we currently use in the "old" formula).  I wanted to try some of their scents, because I am always so paranoid of how Jack will react to using scented detergents.  Here's an overview of how they've changed the formula (information in black summarized from Rockin' Green's website; I've added my own thoughts & opinions in green):

• Remix has a lower pH to be gentler on your diapers in the long run!  Let's be honest, all clothing wears out eventually after repeated washing!  Diapers are the part of baby clothes that are washed more often... in my house a diaper will be washed about 2 times a week due to the size of our stash!  I want these diapers to last through baby #2 and beyond if I can keep them in good shape.
• Safer for sensitive skin; this formula underwent cosmetic testing to see if it caused any irritation (this was done with the Bare Naked Babies, unscented, version).  My guess as to the reason why testing wasn't done on the scented versions is because there's going to be more variation due to different perfumes used (this is pretty typical of any scented product: deodorant, detergent, baby wipes).  I know Jack has sensitive skin, so we've always gone the safe route with unscented products!
• Better cleaning power per scoop to take care of stains with less detergent!  Due to all of the rain in the Midwest this spring I haven't been able to sun my diapers to try and reduce stains.  Jack was on antibiotics a week ago, the effects caused a decent poo stain that I really wanted to get out (see below) because its on one of my favorite diapers!

The first sample I tried is Rage Against the Raspberries Remixed Classic Rock, and I love it!  I love the fruity scent... you need something pleasant smelling when dealing with dirty diapers.  Its a very subtle scent, at least with my allergy stuffed nose, but that's good in my opinion!  My first load of diapers, I decided to change up my wash routine and see how the diapers fared.  Instead of doing my normal routine (cold-cold rinse, warm-warm wash with 1-2 tbsp. of RnG, and at least 2 warm-cold rinses) I chose to shorten the routine and use the approximate same amount of detergent (this amount varies based on the number of diapers I'm washing).  I did one cold-cold rinse followed by my warm-warm wash with 1.5 tablespoons of the remixed formula, then only one warm-cold rinse.... in my high efficiency front loader.  Duh, duh, duh... I took a rinse cycle out and I use a front loader.  I must have felt like living on the edge that day!  Well, my diapers got the sniff test after I took them out of the washer to be dried and hey, no scent!  As opposed to when you're washing clothes or something with a scented fabric softener, this is a good thing when using a scented cloth diaper detergent.  This led me to believe that there was no (or at least very little) detergent residue after my wash routine!

I went to wash my 2nd load of cloth diapers a couple days later (we typically wash every other day) and expected to smell the large scent of ammonia I typically smell after diapers have set in my wetbag for over 36 hours.  Well, this pregnant mama's nose was not overwhelmed by ammonia as is the usual situation (and I'm a chemist, so for chemical smells to bug me, it must be pretty strong).  I did smell some, but I don't know how many diapers were actually washed with the remix formula in the load before (we've got 3 people changing diapers around here, just one variable of which I wasn't going to keep track.)  I'm hoping that the reduced ammonia smell keeps up (and maybe even gets better) because that would really be a sign of the increased cleaning power of the new formula!

For my second load of diapers using the same scent and wash routine as above, I wanted to see how one of my favorite diapers fared.  This diaper was stained by my son's pretty nasty poo brought on by antibiotics last week.  This stained diaper had already been washed once, maybe twice before the pictures I'm going to show next.

You can see the darker stain right in the middle.  This is before I put it in the wash, it was slightly damp with pee and my laundry area is on the darker side & I left the flash off, so there is very little "bleaching" of the photo due to light.

This is after one cycle with the remixed formula, the stain has already been reduced pretty significantly.  This picture was taken on our drying rack (the diaper was slightly damp) and the light was more plentiful than in our shadowy laundry area (I still left the flash off) so that might attribute to the diaper looking as great in this picture, but when I am looking at this diaper in darker conditions I can tell the difference!  Since the weather is nice this weekend, I'm going to stick the diapers outside in the sun to dry to see if that takes care of the stain even more!

Rockin' Green is also currently running a series called "52 Weeks of Clean" where you can receive a tip a week on other ways to use Rockin' Green detergent!  This detergent doesn't have to be just be used for clothes or cloth diapers.  You can get a tip a week via text or via email for one year.

So, on to the fun part... a giveaway!!  Rockin' Green has allowed me to offer one lucky reader a 45/90 load bag of remixed formula in their choice of scent and appropriate formula (Hard, Classic, or Soft).  Here are the details!

Giveaway will end July 3rd, 2011 at 11:00 p.m. EST.

Mandatory entry: You must leave a comment below with what scent you would like to try... and there are certainly some great options: Smashing Watermelons, Rage Against the Raspberries, Motley Clean, Earth, Wind & Orchids, Lavender Mint Revival, Mighty Marshmallow, and Bare Naked Babies (unscented)! 

**Note: All comments must be made with a Blogger account, not anonymously**

Additional entries (leave an additional comment per extra entry):

• Leave a comment (not anonymous) stating which formula you need (Classic, Soft, or Hard); you can use the excellent map from RnG for help if you don't know your water quality. (1 extra entry per giveaway, not per day)
• Be a fan of Rockin' Green Cloth Diaper Detergent on Facebook; leave a comment with your Facebook ID (1 extra entry per giveaway, not per day).
• Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect and make a comment stating this fact. (1 extra entry per giveaway, not per day)
• Follow my blog on Facebook via Networked Blogs; leave your Facebook ID in your comment. (1 extra entry per giveaway, not per day)
• Follow my blog via email subscription (right-hand side) and leave a comment with your email address. (1 extra entry per giveaway, not per day)
• Promote this giveaway via Twitter or your own blog, leave a link to the post or your Twitter ID and the contents of the Tweet below. (1 extra entry per day)

Winner will chosen via Random.org and be announced by 12:00 a.m. EST on July 5th and will have 48 hours to contact me via email.

Disclaimer:  I contacted Rockin' Green after seeing a request from Rockin' Green for bloggers to test and host a giveaway for the new Remix formula.  I received 3 samples of the remixed formula and asked to provide a review on my blog; I was not otherwise compensated in any way for this post.  All comments and observations are my own and based off of my own experiences, your experience may differ.  If the first winner does not contact me within 48 hours of the announcement, a runner-up will be chosen and so-on.  Only the winner's contact information will shared with Rockin' Green so they can ship the prize.  The prize of a 45/90 load of detergent is solely the responsibility of Rockin' Green.

Shopping Tips for Baby Shower Gifts

Here are a few things that I've compiled as a list of helpful hints when shopping for a baby shower or the parents to be.  I know, I'm only expecting baby number two and some of these things should seem to be common sense, but I thought I'd type them up anyway!

• Always start with the registry (this goes for wedding gifts too), even if there isn't a store location convenient to you!  Odds are that you can still purchase something off of their registry (just from a different store or using online shopping).  As a person who read many reviews when registering (both for wedding & baby registries), it is always good to assume that the parent(s)-to-be have a reason for choosing X product or brand.  Never assume you know better than those who registered, remember new products come out all of the time so they may have newer information.
• If the new parents left items off of their registry that you enjoy purchasing for new babies or you feel are a "must-have", then feel free to purchase it!  Always include a gift receipt (this goes for all gifts) in case the parents have already purchased or received something similar (hence why it wasn't on their registry).
• Avoid the urge to go crazy over newborn or 0-3 month sized clothing (its okay to get one outfit because they're so cute & tiny) because everyone gets sucked into the teeny tiny clothes.  A great option are onsies the 12 month to 18 month range because they can be layered up or left alone depending on the season.  Believe me, parents will be grateful to have some 12-18 month size onsies once they realize baby has completely outgrown the 9-12 month clothes!  Maybe I just randomly shrank onsies, but I know Jack seemed to fit fine in something one day & the next couldn't squeeze him into it!
• Find out if the parents have chosen to use cloth or disposable diapers and get them some that they can use!
• Maybe go a little more unique and give the gift of memories.  My good friend Brooke (owner of Cherished Moments Photography) offers gift packages for either maternity shots or newborn sessions!  Her newborn sessions are done in the home in the first week (or two) of baby's life outside of the womb and are a beautiful way to capture those early days of baby being a part of your life!  Feel free to check out her website linked above or her business' Facebook page.

Now onto my most recent newborn purchase, and it wasn't for our baby number 2!  I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I purchased a baby shower gift for a good friend of mine.  Well, Jack and I went to Texas last weekend for her shower and now I can spill the beans about what we got for Baby E!  (I failed as a blogger and didn't take a picture of the actual purchased items, but I've linked them.)

• Two wet bags; because she & her husband registered at Babies R Us and I knew they were planning on using cloth diapers I asked her if there was anything cloth diapering related that she couldn't register for and this is what she mentioned.  I got her a large Planet Wise hanging wet bag for everyday storage of dirty diapers (it even has a dry storage for clean diapers) and a smaller Bummis wet bag for packing in the diaper bag!
• Two newborn all-in-one diapers; she already has built herself a great stash of newborn prefolds and diaper covers because she's so economical!  I wanted to get her some newborn diapers because a) they're so cute and b) I wanted to splurge on her a little.  I choose two GroVia Newborn All-in-Ones, in "Ice" (a light blue) and the "Nature" print.  Selfishly, I can't wait to hear how they work for her to see if I should purchase some for our baby #2.
• Flushable diaper liners or as my husband calls them "crap catchers"!  This was Matt's idea for the baby shower gift.  Newborn poop isn't a big deal (especially breastfed poop) for cloth diapers, but as soon as baby starts solids its a whole other ball game.  These will hopefully be helpful at least for their diaper bag in the future!

I hope you've enjoyed this post!  I love buying baby gifts and have a number of other baby showers to go to in the coming months for which I can't wait to purchase baby gifts!

Building our Newborn Cloth Diaper Stash

We're looking forward to welcoming baby #2 to our family this fall.  I have been obsessing over what cloth diapers to buy for the itty-bitty baby we'll be cloth diapering.  Because we've been having issues with our wash routine, having diapers that wash easily is my number 1 priority.  I had posted before about that we ordered a Happy Heiny Mini-OS and two Rumparooz Lil' Joey.  The recommendations out there say 20-24 cloth diapers for the newborn phase.  Here are things that I'm planning on (or wishing) adding to the stash:

• Sustainablebabyish (Sloomb) Organic Fleece Fitted: a fitted diaper with snaps (XS); these need a cover.  (I got a great deal over Memorial Day Weekend and used a buy 4 get 1 free coupon!)
• Goodmama Newborn Diapers: These get rave reviews over at All About Cloth Diapers so I'm very excited to try them.  I've ordered two and they're pretty expensive for newborn diapers, so I don't know if I'll order any more.  They are made in the US by stay at home moms, so I could justify the expense for a couple of diapers!
• Newborn prefolds (at least a half dozen, but likely at least dozen): either traditional cotton, hemp, or terry 
• Bummis Super Lite Diaper Cover (6)
• Best Bottoms with small inserts (1-2 covers with 4-6 inserts): I've heard their gussets are excellent for keeping newborn breastfed poop contained.
• Some knit or fleece diaper covers; I ordered two Sloomb covers, one knit wool cover and one pair of knit "longies" (essentially pants that work as a diaper cover).

I have never used wool, but I know the brand I purchased has great resale value so if I don't like them I can get rid of them easily in the future!  People swear by using wool for breathable and preventing diaper rash, so it can't hurt to try.  The "longies" can be used as regular pants too if I don't like them as a cover.

The totals up there will add up to approximately 24 diapers.  Anyone have any other suggestions or reviews?

Pregnancy Update!

Finally into the second trimester and it feels so good! 

I am starting to get my energy back.  This is easier said than done with a toddler who loves to be outside and is constantly on the go.  I am much better than I was the first trimester as far as my energy level.  My nausea was pretty much a constant during the first trimester and it has gone away for the most part.  I still get nauseous if I don't eat for an extended period of time.  That doesn't happen often because I feel like I'm ALWAYS hungry the past week or so.  I've started to pop out a bit and its uncomfortable to sleep on my back (due to the extra weight on my spine) or stomach.  Here's a side-shot Matt took this evening:

I'm about 14.5 weeks today.  Please excuse the messy hair...

With all things in motherhood, the things I've learned (or so I'd like to think) from having one child, I'm trying to apply to the one I have yet to give birth to.  Namely, I've become obsessed with looking at newborn cloth diapers!  I simply can not resist researching and looking at the teeny, tiny little things!  Yes, I've even purchased a few... and I did so way too early in my pregnancy, but oh well!  Here's the beginning of our newborn diaper stash:

Rumparooz Lil' Joeys... They come in two-packs!  How cute is that?!  They are all-in-one diapers, so that kind of makes me nervous because I prefer pockets.  They have a snap down for the umbilical cord stump so I feel as though I should give them a shot!  Plus, my favorite color is green, illustrated by my green shirt in the picture above.

This is a pocket newborn diaper, that snaps down to two different rises.  This might help with the umbilical cord stump.  I've read good reviews, better than the ones for Happy Heiny's one-size pocket diapers, so I'm hoping they'll work for us!

I also plan on getting a number of prefolds and covers for the newborn days too.  The reason I want at least some pockets/all-in-ones is because I think they're much more convenient for trips outside the house.  If I'm going to have a toddler and a newborn outside the house, I need convenience!  I've also heard rave reviews about fitted diapers with wool diaper covers.  I have a friend who will be trying some with her newborn this summer so I can't wait to hear how she likes them!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!