I just added some new equipment in my cloth diapering mission.  Say hello to the diaper sprayer from Bum Genius!  With this new purchase I thought it would be a good time to do a review about my experience with cloth diapers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cleaning.

Just wet diapers go in this bag that I made, and then go directly into the wash on wash day.  The bag is lined with a non-breathable material so the smell can’t escape.  ”Dirty” diapers get rinsed in the toilet with the help of the diaper sprayer.  Watch out, the sprayer has power!  Rinsed diapers then go into the bag as well to wait for wash day.  (Best to rinse dirty diapers right away.)  I do a load of diapers about every 3-5 days using a natural laundry detergent.  If I need some extra bleaching power, I put them out in the sun to dry–it really does work!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diapers. I use several different types…it makes it kind of fun.

Fuzzibunz.

Pros:

Great for overnight.

Seem very comfortable for baby.

Very absorbent

One size fits all

Cons:

I have to wash the entire diaper after 1 use

A bit bulky

Leak on occasion

 

 

 

 

Thirsties.

Pros:

Good price ($12ish)

I really like the inserts I make for them.  (I use Tony’s old t-shirts.)

NO leaking

Not as bulky

Can use covers multiple times before washing

Cons:

2 different sizes

Too wet on babies skin for overnight

 

 

Best Bottoms.

Pros:

Not as bulky

Can use overnight

Can use covers multiple times before washing

Inserts easily snap in covers

Cons:

A bit more spendy ($18ish for cover + cost of inserts)

Not as flexible around bigger babies waist

 

 

Wipes.

Check out my video on how to make wipes with paper towels!

I also use reusable wipes.  I have some exciting thoughts to share with you on these in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Butt rashes. Do NOT use normal diaper rash cream in cloth diapers!!!  It makes them non-absorbent.  Use a natural cloth diaper safe cream…or try a bit of corn starch on babies bum…or use a disposable cloth between babies bum and cloth diaper.

Cost. I have put about $300 into cloth diapers.  I am totally saving money after 1 year of using cloth and homemade wipes.

I really do enjoy cloth diapering–environmental and cost are the two biggies for me.  The transition to cloth was easy for me, but I am a stay at home mom.  As to the husbands involvement…well, he doesn’t do a lot with diapers unless he is home alone with Elias…I don’t mind, since it was the bargain I made with him when I convinced him to go cloth.  We didn’t start cloth right away with Elias, so I am anxious to see how I feel about using cloth with a newborn.  We will see…  My next cloth diapering adventure is trying a knit soaker cover–I’m excited!  I’m going to use the pattern Curly Purly Soaker Cover.

Let me know if you guys have any other questions!

Today it’s all about cloth diapers!  Before you think that there is no way you could ever try cloth, open your mind, watch the video, and think of all the CASH you’ll save!  Plus you can promise the reluctant spouse that you will take care of all the poopy diapers.  (It’s really not that bad.)  Below the video I give you some helpful links on cloth diapers and some additional info.  Enjoy!

Cloth Diapers from Ingrid Barlow on Vimeo.

Homemade Disposable Wipes

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Elegant Mommy–Shelly’s store in Sioux Falls, SD.  They would be happy to answer questions and totally get you on your way to being a successful cloth diaper user.  You can order your diapers online and they will send them your way!

SouleMama–cloth diapering section in her book “Handmade Home” plus other good advice and ideas

I really can’t say what I prefer, FuzziBunz or Thirsties.  They both have their own perks.  I do like the options.

FuzziBunz–one size fits all, great overnight, baby feels dry, snap closure.

Thirsties–cheaper but 2 different sizes, I can use the cover more than once before I wash it, will help with potty training, no leakage ever!

I will admit that I did not go the cloth route until Elias was about 2 months old.  With him being our first baby, the thought of trying to use cloth in the beginning was very overwhelming.  I was just trying to keep the child alive.  Once I gave cloth a try, it was a very easy transition and I would never dream of going back.

Snuck a little sewing in tonight.

Currently attempting cloth diapers.  Put Elias in the first one and he had the biggest BM he has ever had!  And of course it was when we weren’t at home…ahh!  I am using Thirsties covers with prefolds.  Funny that I asked the lady if I should avoid light colored covers and she said not to worry about it because poop should never touch the cover…hmmm…bad advice.  I am giving the cloth diaper attempt a solid week.  Here’s a homemade prefold.  I think I am going to like the homemade ones.

Fits into his little sweater vest I made.  Just in time for summer…

In other action.  Tony and I are playing co-ed softball this summer so Tony was giving me batting lessons tonight.  About halfway through I hit the ball and it hit me directly in the side of the head.  Tony said in all his baseball years he has never seen that happen.  It hurt.  I involuntarily ducked every time I hit the ball after that.  I’m not stupid.  Might be a problem though come game time.