Ok. maybe I shouldn't have titled this cloth 101, because I certainly don't know it all. However, Collins and I are beginning to be pros at this! I am still LOVING my choice to change to cloth. It really is simple and easy. My goal through this post is just to encourage others to think about change and stepping out of the box!
What I do know:
-Babies bottoms couldn't look any cuter than in a stylish cloth diaper.
-They REALLY DO work at night, I have yet to have any sort of leak.
-There are tons of different cloth/fabric inserts to absorb the pee. I like the birsdeye cloth folded during the day because its trim and does the trick. At night however I use a folded premium diaper cloth. It works for my super soaker, but is a little bulky. I went to the fabric store today and made an insert with thick natural cotton cloth and soft fleece. It is super trim and soft, he is napping now so only time will tell if that is going to work. It would be great if that works.
-Some Cloth diapers are bulky and some are not. All that depends on the brand you go with. That is much of the reason I went with Gdiapers. They are very trim, and they have the option to put a disposible liner in them. I have heard great things about BumGenuis and Fuzzi Bunz also.
-Since I use cloth diapers I also decided to go with cloth wipes. I just cut up an old flannel blanket in pieces that would fit in my wipe warmer. I mixed warm water with some baby wash and poured over the top, Voila!
-Poop... ok, sometimes this is simple, sometimes not. When its gross, I have to swish in toilet. Also dealing with a Yucky wipe is not great either. I think I might get some cottonelle flushable wipes so that when he poops I can wipe and flush it all.
- The Pail.. I just got a small plastic pail with lid. I have it by the changing table and just toss everything in there.
-Washing, I wash it all everyother day. I use a free and clear detergent and only half the recommened amount. Too much detergent will cut down on absorbabiltiy. Sometime when I open the pail to toss in the wash it can smell STRONG, but when is comes out it, it is fresh smelling and clean... suprises me everytime.
- Newborns... I have been asked often if this is something that could be done with a new baby. My answer is YES! However, having a newborn can be stressful. I would get comfortable with your baby and routine then implement cloth diapering. The good news is that breastfed babies poopies can be washed. No swooshing in toilet, just toss in the wash!!! I wouldn't suggest that for formula babies though.
- The best part about cloth is feeling like your doing something really good for the baby and environment! I feel empowered by taking action about getting my baby out of chlorine diapers. If we are waiting on the government to regulate it, we might be awhile. They are far to pre-occupied on IMPORTANT issues... you know... paying big bucks for crap cars ,and running our healthcare into the ground.
Let me know if you have questions, I am opening up my comments to everyone, not just bloggers!
Courtney
