New Year's Resolutions

I recently read that parents should have resolutions for their kids...or that kids should have their own resolutions. I''ve also read that resolutions don't work, that you should instead have something that you can really follow and implement consistently.

With all these things in mind, I am resolved to the following for 2015:

Kiddo can play with any safe toy he wants. Pink. Turquoise. Bedazzled. Glitter coated. If he loves it and it is age appropriate, it's good.

I will continue to honor his preferences - however they may change or develop.

I will continue to cloth diaper...intermittently as his body's needs and our water shortage shift and change (this way I don't feel too guilty for using so much water on laundry or throwing away disposables).

I will try to expose him to a variety of good foods and hold off on junk as long as humanly possible (despite the mockery of various people in my life as I refuse to let him have chocolate etc).

Kiddo can have as many bananas as he wants.

We will have dance parties once a day to music like Pentatonix.

Kiddo can nurse as often as he likes.

I will continue to help him develop various skills by playing games, singing, talking, and reading with him.

Kiddo will continue to have routines, boundaries, and rules appropriate for his age.

I will make sure I get my needs met so I can be the best mom I can be.

We will snuggle at least twice a day.

Here's to a fantastic new year of reasonably raising an alien!

The New Fluff: Updates to Our Cloth

Well I got a few packages in the mail. WOOHOO!

From Amazon I got:
1 gallon Bac-out (not pictured)
3 Charcoal bamboo inserts
4 Thirsties hemp inserts
1 Planetwise medium size wetbag
1 Blueberry coverall diaper cover
1 Bummis whisper wrap (not pictured)
1 Bummis pull over wrap (not pictured)
1 Thirsties duo cover (not pictured)

From Nicki's Diapers I have:
2 Nicki's bamboo AIO
1 Nicki's pocket
1 Nicki's fitted cotton
1 Nicki's fitted bamboo
2 Imagine cotton flats
3 pairs baby legwarmers

Now let me explain my purchase choices. Bac-out is a magical stink and stain remover. I've used it on Christian's motorcycle clothes, Java's puke stains, and Kiddo's diapers. It's hard to find so it's cheaper to order a huge thing and just have it on hand.

I know I like hemp inserts, so I wanted to get a few of those to replace the bulky stuffing I have in my pockets (they still need another layer for them to work as they are just hemp). I wanted to try the bamboo because they are well loved. These bamboo inserts also have a layer of microfiber, so I shouldn't have to stuff them with anything additional unless I want to (for night for example).
The wetbag goes perfectly with our diaper bag (like...seriously matches...despite difference in brands) and will be used exclusively with the diaper bag.

As Kiddo is a big kid, I wanted a few covers that would work with his chunky legs. Blueberry coveralls have a reputation for working with bigger kids. I've had him wearing them the last couple days on the middle rise and there's plenty of room to add padding if need be. I may buy another in the future. The other covers, the Bummis and Thirsties I had in smaller sizes and used when Kiddo was little. They fit really well with Kiddo's unusual shape. I'm really excited to use them this time around.

As to the Nicki's purchases, I wanted to try their pocket diaper. I may be retiring some of my current pockets and so I will need replacements (because of leg hole size issues). I also wanted a few nighttime options. I can get Kiddo through a nap with his Kawaii pockets stuffed with hefty cotton prefolds, but night? I decided to try the AIOs for this purpose (wish me luck cuz Kiddo is wearing one RIGHT NOW AS HE SLEEPS!).

Because I finally will have covers that fit Kiddo, I felt comfortable ordering things that require them like fitteds. I personally lurve fitted diapers. They're my favorites, and I wanted to try a cheaper option than some of the others in my stash. If it works out, I'll probably get some more. They could be used for day or night, with added inserts etc.

Since I'm into variety and have covers to use, I really went far afield. I've been curious about using flats, so I thought I'd just get a couple to try out. I've heard they're very trim and they have the added benefit of being dirt cheap as well as fitting any size baby. Looking at them for the first time, they seem REALLY thin. I'm not sure how that will work with the Kiddo fountain, but we'll see. I have to practice a few fold configurations once they're fully prepped. If worse comes to worst, I'll use them as back-ups or pad-folded doublers.

I could have gotten another diaper... I could have, but I just hate pants when cloth diapering. Actually, I lied. I just hate pants. Baby legwarmers are kind of amazing. As I can't find my sewing machine in storage and have had some problems with getting the hand-sewn leggings through the wash intact (user error I think), I decided to get a couple pairs. Plus I got another pair free. Sweet.

Next cloth-diapering post I'll let you know about my prepping as well as the good, bad, and ugly of my new fluff.

Got any new fluff? Share some pics below! I lurve them!
 

Fluffing an Alien

If you read my last post, you know I have a problem. I need more cloth diapers. I want to be confident and cloth diaper in public. I want to confidently cloth diaper at night. Badly.

There are a few problems with this:

1. Kiddo has sensitive skin. He gets rashes whenever he stews in his own juices.
2. I have really bulky cloth diapers.
3. I only have a day and a half worth of cloth diapers that fit Kiddo.
4. I probably need a fourth wet bag.

I have some ideas about solutions to these problems!

1. Fleece and wool covers
2. Hemp/bamboo inserts/doublers
3. Flat diapers
4. Bigger covers

Of course, when you solve one problem, you create more (see: US federal legislation on...well...anything). These are not cheap (especially the covers!). The flats, while cheap in the world of cloth diapering, are not daddy friendly. There is a learning curve involving folds.

Aside: I don't know what it is about men and cloth diapering, but for some reason hook and loop pre-stuffed pockets and all-in-ones are the only things dads feel comfortable using.

So what's a girl to do? Well, I talked with Christian and finally decided on a path to correcting our cloth diaper situation. The result was two larger orders of a variety items from different retailers. Unfortunately there is no local retailer of cloth diapers (How poopy is that?! Don't. Say. Anything.). This means I had the luxury of shopping online. My first order was from Amazon, because they have retailers from all over selling there. Usually I can get the best price, and even if they don't have exactly what I'm looking for (specialty items generally aren't available on Amazon) they have *most* things.

I didn't want to pay for shipping from a thousand different places, so I took my time deciding what other retailer I wanted to patronize. In the end, I decided on Nicki's Diapers because their brand is very well respected and much more economical for the materials involved (plus they have some hard to find items and daily sale awesomeness!).

Rather than going home, I went big on these orders. I researched and I read reviews and I compared my own experience with cloth. When I get my fluff in the mail I'll take some pics and explain the reasoning behind my purchases because I think others will find it helpful (and they're coming on different days...so it'll be like Christmas for a week!).

What do you like to use for cloth diapering? What have been your concerns with your stash? Stay tuned for more adventures in fluffing an alien!

Updating Fluff

Oh for the days of smaller butts!

Everyone always has questions about cloth diapers. So to contribute to general knowledge and all that, I'll share what I know.

Firstly, here is my current stash:
7 Kawaii pockets
1 Bumgenius pocket
2 Babykicks pockets (each w/hemp/microfiber insert)
3 Thirsties all-in-ones
2 Motherease all-in-ones
4 Prowraps (note: These don't really fit Kiddo's thighs any more so I question including them at all in this list.).
1 Kushies fitted diaper
1 Kissaluvs contour
1 Kissaluvs fitted diaper
2 Babykicks hemp prefolds
1 Babykick premium hemp insert
18 cotton prefolds (too small to wear except padfolded/used as pocket stuffing)
10 Bummis fleece liners
A bagillion microfiber inserts (I don't use bc Kiddo is so active they ALWAYS result in compression leaks even when used with prefolds)
3 Snappis
2 Kanga medium wetbags
1 Planetwise large wetbag

Let's go over the pros in my stash: The usable diapers I have can be used by anyone. Grandparents can easily put Kiddo in the pockets and AIOs. Daddy is confident in putting these on Kiddo. Family members like them so much, they even become choosey about which colors they put on (have to match Kiddo's outfit!). And these things are good...however...

If you know anything about cloth, you know I have some problems with my stash. I have 5 diapers I can't really use (even though they are my current FAVORITES) because I don't have covers to go over them. I also don't really have a night/nap solution. AND I don't have enough diapers.

Cloth diapers, with the exception of flats and one-size (sort of), must be sized. I had a great stash for the first 3 months of Kiddo's life and then I started seeing it whittle away as he grew. Some great covers suddenly were too small. My prefolds barely fit around his waist and thighs much too quickly.

I've learned a few things about cloth and I would have changed some purchases knowing what I do now, lessons which I will graciously share.

I love hemp. Hemp is where it's at for heavy wetting. Mixing hemp with a prefold or microfiber is winning. Spending a bit more on a diaper or cover that will get used longer is okay. Fitted diapers are a great compromise between prefolds and pockets. I really love Motherease - it's an unsung hero in cloth, but there you go. I like to try things out. It's addicting. Hook and loop closures work best for us because of Kiddo's kind of an odd size. Cloth is easier for older babies because they poop less, but when they do, a sprayer or scraping implement better be close by. Cloth diapering is addicting.

I have to confess, thinking about cloth diapering makes me want to have another kid...just so I can do cloth from the beginning and revamp my stash. That's totally a normal response...right?

In my next CDing post I'll share what changes/improvements I would/will/have make/made to my older baby stash as well as my wish list. Stay tuned!

What's in your stash? What are some lessons you've learned about cloth diapering? What are some changes you'd make? Leave a comment below!

Upcycling for DIY Baby Leg Warmers

Now that kiddo is threatening to crawl we have come across a potential problem - rug burned knees.

The first option is for kiddo to wear pants ALL the time. This is impractical. He gets hot and at home we cloth diaper, which makes pants more than a little difficult.

There are knee guards you can buy but they're ugly and sort of pointless. I mean, thighs still get cold and these things are like little sweatbands for baby's knees.

There is another option - BabyLegs or rather, leg warmers. Now I did have these on my registry, but didn't get them. I could have purchased them, but I didn't really want to spend money on them because they seem a little overpriced for what they are so...

I made some out of unused socks.

Stay with me here...

First I selected some of Christian's and my socks that hadn't been used, didn't work, or didn't fit and would be long enough. Second I cut above the heel of the sock. This would become the leg of the baby leg. Third I cut the heel off and the toe. This piece I folded in on itself to become a cuff at kiddo's ankle.

If I had my sewing machine available, this next bit would have been a lot quicker...but I didn't. So I hand stitched the cuffs to the unfinished end of my baby leg warmers.

And...voila! 7 more times and I had 4 sets of baby legs using materials around my house (I should say I have another pair of partial leg warmers because I want to change out the cuff material.). I slipped kiddo into them immediately and I was more than a little excited; it's the first time he wore anything I made for him.

And how does kiddo like his new clothes? Let's just say the ventilation and knee protection combined with sweet style is perfect!

Projectile Poop - The Myth is Real!

I'm not putting any pictures...or video for this post. Seriously. You need to be able to eat later.

My dad says the scariest words in the English language are "projectile poop." I'm not sure if they're the scariest but they're certainly up there. There's nothing like being startled by a 9 lb wonder child jettisoning his poo through the air on to his surroundings in a great farty burst.

The first time this happened my parents were still here. My kid's poop went about 2 feet and landed on my poor father (who was attempting to change kiddo at the time) and the cement floor. In some ways that was a blessing. My dad just got it on his arm, which along with the cement floor, was easy to clean.

We were not so lucky last night.

Last night kiddo had already filled his diaper and needed to be changed. As I mentioned in a previous post, we're battling the chemical burns of diaper rash and so it's even more important to change soiled diapers immediately. The problem arises when the kiddo poops again. Breastfed infants poop a lot. It's just part of the deal...which of course means just as many diaper changes...and the possibility of kiddo pooping while being changed.

So I took off his diaper and began cleaning his tiny newborn bum. Then, just as I went for one more wipe, I heard the horrible farting sound that begins just before kiddo poops. In less than a second I jumped and screamed as kiddo's yellow feces flew through the air in a 4 foot arc across the room and sailed miraculously in the garbage can, with only minimal casualties.

Our carpet wasn't spared. Nor was our flat sheet...or my arm...or Christian's leg.

It was a poop spectacular. Really. Spectacular.

Diaper changes might need safety goggles, aprons, and gloves. Possibly a hazmat suit. Just saying. This is for real. You've been warned!

Do you have any diaper changing adventures? Share them below!

The Curious Case of Cloth in the Nighttime

I have about a thousand different things to post which makes it difficult to choose just one thing. For now however, I will limit it to one of the most important and annoying topics that every parent has to encounter - diapering.

If you read my blog earlier you know that I wanted to cloth diaper (or at least attempt it). I wanted to do this for several reasons:

1. It's cheaper than using 'sposies.
2. It involves fewer blow-outs than 'sposies (supposedly).
3. It's better for the environment.
4. It's better for baby's butt than 'sposies.

Well, I got my cloth diapering stash. I got my coconut oil. I got a changing pad and a bagillion baby washcloths (I even got disposable wipes to be safe). I was given several packages of disposables as gifts and I formulated a plan.

My plan was simple: after the tar-like meconium was passed by the end of kiddo's first week, we would start cloth diapering. This was met with moderate success because life got in the way - specifically diaper rash.

Like his dad, kiddo has pretty sensitive skin (though newborns have sensitive skin generally). This means we have to be quick about changing kiddo. During the day we had no problems with cloth diapers. Christian figured out how to use prefolds quickly, and I was even able to teach my parents about cloth's technological advances (Prefolds, pockets, wraps, and Snappis are innovations that occurred in the last 30 years.). We felt confident. We felt competent.

However, after one night of cloth diapering involving sleeping a little longer with a dirty diaper, the evil rash struck. We applied coconut oil liberally for a few days and it did nothing. Finally we had to give in. We broke out the zinc oxide ointment and the 'sposies in a desperate attempt to keep the rash from getting any worse (Note: Zinc oxide can't be used with cloth because it decreases the diaper's absorbency.).

It took almost a week for the rash to clear. My heart ached every time we put another disposable on him, but I couldn't let my kid's skin get worse.

Finally we put cloth on again. We figured out that pocket diapers with an insert and stay dry fleece lining at night would keep kiddo's butt from getting angry. The key was changing him three times over the course of the night. If we missed one change, things would go badly...which brings us to our current interval of disposables.

Sigh.

Hopefully we can master the world of nighttime cloth diapering so this doesn't happen again. I've ordered a bunch of pocket diapers and even some additional fleece liners to help keep kiddo feeling dry.

We're crossing our fingers our learning curve will be short lived.

If you've had adventures in cloth diapering or diaper rash - share your solutions below! I'd love to get some successful tips and tricks!

Fluff Mail: Starting with Cloth

In a few weeks I'm about to embark on a journey...a crazy journey...of cloth diapering.

I've been told by multiple people this is crazy and stupid. I've been told it is impossible to get said diapers clean. I've been told the water bill would be astronomical. I've been told basically, over and over again, this is folly and I shouldn't do it.

Of course, cloth diapers have a start up cost that might be frightening, and the idea of cleaning poop off of them regularly might be a little intimidating. That said, cloth diapers in the long run are 1000s of dollars cheaper than disposable (or sposies as they are called in the cloth diapering world). Apparently they're also cleaner - as in, they result in fewer blow outs (assuming you have the right system in place for your particular child). They're also supposed to result in fewer rashes and less skin irritation generally.

But they do have a learning curve. And require prep. And special care products. For example, you're supposed to prep all your cloth beforehand. Prefolds generally need to be washed at least 3 times before first use, and even that is on the low side. Regular diaper ointment just won't work with cloth - it forms a weird barrier that makes the diapers less absorbent. You have to use either special crazy expensive ointments OR olive oil OR coconut oil (I have a giant jar of coconut oil, or as Christian likes to call it, "skin crack" because it's so amazing for your skin.). Oh, and the diaper companies would tell you that it is necessary to use specialized detergent for diapers. This may be true. But I've read on my cloth diapering forums that Tide works amazingly well, even though cloth diapering companies would cringe at us low-lifes using such enzyme imbued agents (as such, I got the generic hypoallergenic version of Tide...and we'll see how that one goes).

So yes, it was both exciting and scary to get a giant box of fluff mail on Monday. And yes, I don't really know what I'm doing. I have everything ready that I need, and I am fully prepared to suck at it initially (I even have a few boxes of newborn sposies at the ready in case of spectacular failure). HOWEVER, I am also committed to the cause. I just need an apartment sized washer and I'll feel better about the whole enterprise. Hopefully we can find one on Craigslist for cheap, because I don't like the idea of carrying poopy diapers from my loft to the laundry room...especially if anyone sees me. They might complain or something (even though breast milk poop is water soluble...but that's just details!).

Whatever the case, it's going to be an adventure. We'll have to discover what works and what doesn't, and I'll have to get Christian a little more on board (I'm not the only one waking up at 3 am to change dipes!). So cross your fingers and wish us luck! We'll take all we can get!