Hailee Mae Sleepin

We went for a walk and when we came home I striped Hailee down and set her on the couch so I could do a couple of things.  I checked on her after just a couple minutes because she was being so quiet and all that fresh air pooped her out, she passed out right on top of her cloth diaper.  They look like they were a great pillow though.  I love her so much!!!!!!

Cloth DIaper Adventure Part 1

So I received my first set of cloth diapers about a week ago from my Grandma.  She bought me 11 diapers to get started.  I have to say when I got them in the mail I couldn't wait to open them.  They come wrapped in their each individual package.  When looking online there are so many different choices for cloth diapers.  After months of reading reviews and comparing prices I decided to go with the Kawii Baby Diaper at http://www.theluvyourbaby.com/  The prices are very reasonable and if you order straight from them it is cheaper and they offer free shipping if you spend a certain amount.  They also have very cute designs, most other brands are solid colors.  The set I received from my Grandma were the one size snazzy minky, and I love them, they are so incredibly soft.  I also decided to go with the snaps instead of the Velcro because I feel that Velcro would wear out faster.

Once you get your diapers you have to wash them a few times before using them, this is to get out any residue that may be left on the diaper from the manufacture that can cause it to not absorb as well.  I only have access to a washer at the laundry mat so my routine may be a little different. 

Pre-Wash- I washed the full load of cloth diapers and their liners in the washer twice on cold with 1/4 the amount of detergent I would normally use.  Then I set the washer on cold wash and did not add any detergent.  You could probably just do a cold rinse but I don't have that option.  Also instead of drying them I hung them to dry on my shower rod, they actually dry quite quick.  This will allow your diapers to last longer.

When washing your diapers you want to be careful on what you wash them with, you do not want to use any bleach, fabric softener, borax, stain removers, liquid concentrates or anything that contains brighteners or fragrance.  These can damage your diapers and cause them to leak.  The colder the water you use the softer your diapers will be, and the longer they will last. 

I ordered some detergent specially for cloth diapers called Rocken Green, it has perfect reviews and also has different formulas depending on where you live.  Here in Texas we have very hard water so I got the Hard Rock one.  I will up date with a washing schedule as soon as I receive it.  I am also waiting on another set of cloth diapers that my dad ordered me, yay.  They recommend having at least 24 and you don't want to go longer than 3 days with out washing them.



Cloth Diaper Info

I did a lot of research before Hailee was born because I have always thought about using cloth diapers because there are so many benefits. 

-You will save your family at least $2,500 per child

 

-An estimated 10,000 diapers go into the landfill every day, by using cloth I will be cutting my part out, each family uses an average of 7,450 diapers per child (natural family)

 

-Babies have far less diaper rash, and usually only minor ones if they do get one

 

-Your baby wont be exposed to sodium polycralate, which are the crystals in disposable diapers that can cause skin reactions (Caldwell, Ginny)

 

-Disposable diapers contain Tributyl-tin (TBT) - a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals. (Diaper association)

 

-Disposable diapers contain traces of Dioxin, an extremely toxic by-product of the paper-bleaching process. It is a carcinogenic chemical, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals. It is banned in most countries, but not the U.S. (Diaper association)

 

-Using cloth gives your baby a less chance of developing asthma.  The Archives of Environmental Health tested 6 cloth and 6 disposable, finding that the disposible diapers had high enough amounts to give asthma to mice. (Environmental Health)

 

-In May 2000, the Archives of Disease in Childhood published research showing that scrotal temperature is increased in boys wearing disposable diapers, and that prolonged use of disposable diapers will blunt or completely abolish the physiological testicular cooling mechanism important for normal spermatogenesis.  (Diaper association)

 

- Over 300 pounds of wood, 50 pounds of petroleum feed stocks and 20 pounds of chlorine are used to produce disposable diapers for one baby EACH YEAR. (Diaper association)

 

-Using cloth diapers will help facilitate quicker potty training. During potty training time children who have been in cloth will recognize sooner when they are wet vs a baby in disposable diapers.  They are often potty trained up to a year earlier.

 

-Disposable diaper are the third largest single consumer item in landfills.  (Diaper association)

 

 

References

 

1.Natural family online

2.The Archives of Environmental Health, Acute Respiratory Effects of Diaper Emissions, Archives of Environmental Health, 54, October 1999

3.Caldwell, Ginny. "Diapers. Disposable or Cotton?," Eco-Baby Catalogue

4.Diaper association

 

 

For me, the chemicals alone that will not be absorbing into my baby's skin is enough for me to put in a little extra effort by switching to cloth diapers.  The added bonuses are, you will save a couple thousand dollars and reduce your carbon foot print.  They are also much cuter in pictures, a disposable diaper is never attractive.

 

 



Homemade baby wipes

I like to make my own baby wipes for a few reasons; they are cheaper, I know what is in them, they are great for babies with sensitive skin, like my baby, and I can make them as I need with just a few items in just a few minutes.  As long as you have some Bounty paper towel rolls on hand, you will be able to make them as needed because the other items will last a very long time.

You will need

Lavender essential oil

Tea Tree essential oil

A carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil

Bounty paper towels

and

a container big enough for half a roll of paper towels

 

 

Cut the paper towels in half, you will use half now, and the other half next time.  Use a sharp serrated knife or electric knife, they are a lot harder to cut than you would think.

 

 

In a large measuring cup or bowl put,

1 cup warm water

3 drops lavender essential oil

3 drops Tea Tree essential oil

1 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil, or another carrier oil

 

Pour mix over the half roll of paper towl in the container you have chosen

Allow to soak 10 minutes, then flip container upside down and let sit 10 more minutes

After it has soaked all the way through pull out the cardboard center

and wal-la, you have homemade baby wipes!

 

 

I store the other half of the paper towel roll in a zip lock bag to keep it clean and dust free, and it is ready to go for next time.