I have had so many friends and family members ask "how do I do it?" with cloth diapers. Well ladies and gents, this world has come a long way since your mom diapered your bum. So long are the pins and hanging it out on the line to dry. Its actually a breeze to cloth diaper once you get the hang of it.
The benefits of cloth diapering.
Anna's bum has less diaper rashes
They are environmentally better for the earth
They cost less ... way less.
If you are going to start cloth diapering however its a bit of a headache. There are literally thousands of options and how do you even start? Well, here's what I've been doing and it works.
My top 10 favorite cloth diapering essentials.
one. The Bambino Mio cloth diapering bucket. Keep this handy in a bathroom or in the nursery closet. After rinsing (get to that in a second) dump the diapers in here until wash. I usually wash every other day.
two. Bummis fleece liners. For the days Anna does have a diaper rash and CJ's butter just won't cut it. I'll use zincofax (the best diaper rash cream there is out there). However, zincofax does a number on cloth diapers. It actually makes them start repelling urine (a huge headache!). So, place a fleece liner between diaper and bum. The fleece feels nice next to the bum and it creates a barrier between the cream and the diaper.
three. Prince Lionheart cloth diaper warmier. I debated getting this since it is seen as a luxury item. However, my cloth wipes come out warm and Anna honestly likes them better than a cold one. Who could blame her? To keep my wipes wet I make up my own potion of witch hazel, water, and Kissluvs diaper lotion potion concentrate.
four. Bum Genius 4.0 diaper cover with velcro enclosures. The velcro is better than the snap (in my opinion) because you get a more custom fit. The BG diapers are a cover + insert system. Which means you'll need an insert (see ten) inside each of the covers. These BGs can fit 7-35lb babies with its adjustable snaps and stretchy tabs.
five. Bum Genius diaper sprayer is a must for cloth diapering. This is why cloth diapering is so easy. You install this to your toilet. Now you can spray your diapers off. When you are done spraying just hook the sprayer back onto the side of the toilet. Throw the diaper in the bucket and you are done. You can even do this at 3am with your eyes closed.
six. rockin' green detergent has some fun and deliciously smelling scents. Between this detergent and the occasional sun bleaching (yes, i do hang my diapers out on the line when its nice outside) I haven't had any trouble with smells or staining.
seven. CJ's butter is one of the best creams for cloth diapers. Its not super greasy or thick. It also has a lot of different purposes. It treats eczema, rashes, dry/chapped skin, rub burns, mechanics hands/cuticles, hang nails, leave in conditioner, a good barrier/relief for circumcision, therapeutic in the bath water, etc.
eight. Bio-Kleen bac-out for those super stinky, big blow out kind of days. After a good rinse with the sprayer this will aid as a "pretreatment" before washinging. Just spray and leave in the bucket until wash day.
nine. Green Mountain cloth-eeze are terry on one side and flannel on the other. I can fold and make two sections in my warmie of these. The terry is nice for more of a "scrub" on the bum and the flannel is nice for a gentle wipe.
ten. Thirsties hemp inserts are the most absorbent inserts I have found. They work much better than a microfleece insert. You may start with microfleece and work up to a hemp insert. My baby is a heavy wetter especially at night and I can place three of these inside her diaper cover. She'll sleep 13 hours and still be dry in the morning. I have heard charcoal bamboo inserts are also excellent but I have yet to try.
Please email me if you have any questions! Once you get the hang of it I promise it is so easy! Happy diapering!Labels: 10 favorite things, baby shanks, cloth diapering, motherhood
