Cloth diaper report: one year later

It was the last week in July 2009 when our first package of  (six) cloth diapers arrived and I mad-dashed to get them prewashed and on Raymond. A few weeks later we ordered twelve more and jumped in with both feet.

Since my last report I've gone from Fuzzibunz to homemade. We've battled the Yeast Monster and the dreaded Ammonia Smell. I've had my doctor fumble over the snaps (as we're his only cloth diapering patients) and gotten a few weird stares from neighbors as they look curiously at my diapers hanging on the line outside my apartment.

But all in all, I'm still on the bandwagon. Still glad we made the decision to go cloth.

It's funny to me that during probably the worst part of "how do I get this stink out of my diapers/bathroom/house" I also started cutting out some 30-40 more diapers. Still confident that I would figure it all out and that gearing up for the next sizes was the only option.

Let me remind you that I am not on a convert-the-world-to-cloth crusade. By any means. But for those of you curious about the whole program, here's my one year report:

My thoughts after a year

• At some point all cloth diapering mothers will talk/complain about the dreaded Ammonia Stink. Wow. Watch out. This has been harder to get rid of that I would have thought. Partly because everyone has a different opinion about how to do it. I think I've finally gotten rid of it (mostly) with 7 consecutive hot washes (sans detergent) to strip them clean of bacterias and residue. I've also been experimenting with Tea Tree Oil in the wash. We'll see if the TTO works in the future or if I have to do the multiwash again. Either way, from what I understand this is something I should be doing roughly once a month.
• I've also changed my diaper pail set up to help eliminate stink. We are using a regular kitchen trash can with a flip lid and a liner made from PUL fabric (the same fabric I use to make the outer shell of my diapers). When I throw the diapers in the wash, in goes the liner as well. I have also sews in a little piece of terry cloth to the liner to put some Tea Tree Oil on to help cut odors as well. The pail contains the stink pretty good when the lid is closed... but watch out if you leave it open! (But isn't that the same with disposables??). I'd also love to try this odor spray sometime.  So far this system is working. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with the Little Lady's diapers as I probably will not be changing her as much in Raymond's room with easy access to that pail. I'm considering making a hanging diaper pail (much like this one) to put in my bedroom. We'll see.
• I've learned that yeast infections (or any diaper rash for that matter) and cloth diapers don't mix too well. Part of the problem is that most diaper creams you can buy at the grocery store will coat the diapers and cause repelling and staining. So you have to use liners or do disposables or use a cloth diaper friendly cream (I just bought this brand and so far am happy). The bigger problem is, however, that the yeast can continue to live in the diaper--even after it's been washed--and reinfect the baby if the diapers aren't cleaned and treated correctly. There are many suggested ways of doing this. I've even boiled the suckers. Let's all cross our fingers the yeast is officially dead (I think it is). In the meantime, I'm really happy to have a cloth-diaper friendly cream for everyday little rashes.
• While I am super glad to be making my own cloth diapers--and happy with the results (much much trimmer, much more cost effective, not too difficult, pretty cute still)--they are time consuming. It's taken me hours just to do the cutting out... let alone the sewing! But I guess I am making a lot of diapers, so that's to be expected. It sounds pretty easy to just order them though. But I'm saving hundreds of dollars by making my own, so can't complain there!
• Speaking of sewing my own, I am really happy with the pattern I bought. The diapers are probably the trimmest you can get (without doing disposables) and yet I've never had a blowout. Ever. Yes, they've leaked some when he's super wet (but that is more a problem of repelling or insert fabric choices), but no stinky diaper blow outs. The pattern designer has also been more than willing to email back and forth with me as I've worked on getting just the right fit. Seriously great customer service. The pattern is easy to read and understand and has lots of pictures. I know you can get a few free patterns online, but seriously, this one is worth every penny if you are thinking about making your own.
• I think they are much more comfortable for Raymond. While we were battling the yeast infection and in and out of disposables for about three weeks trying to get rid of it,  it seemed like the poor kid was sweating to death. Not to mention cloth are cuter. I really do think so (oh you should see the newborns I'm making. Really, they are darling).
• While I really am in this for the money saving aspects, I find that I do really feel good about the environmental benefits. I guess I'm granola that way.
• I still don't think it's that much more work to wash and fold them.My routine has changed a bit from my six month report however. Even though Raymond goes through considerably less diapers than he used to, I still like to wash every two days. Up until about a month ago this meant that every other day I threw the diapers in the wash right after putting Raymond to bed, did the cold rinse, hot wash (now using Sun Free and Clear soap, not Tide... still debating getting a cloth diaper specific brand). Then I would hang dry the diapers and throw the inserts and wipe in the dryer. While I still (mostly) follow this routine, I find I like drying the diapers in the sun because of the bacteria-killing effects, so have started washing during the day rather than at night. I'll admit, the night routine was easier. But I like the sun bleaching, so for the next few weeks I'm sticking with the day-time routine.

And there you have it. The One Year Cloth Diaper Report.

Feel free to leave a comment or even email me if you have more questions! (carlyjane35@gmail.com)

To each his own

Late Tuesday morning a big box from Wazoodle Fabrics arrived at our doorstep with my name on it.  And since then I've been in a diaper making frenzy.  After the big disappointment of the diapers I ordered (remember?) falling through (the company I ordered from was closed); after much debate, deliberation, and research; after weeks of waiting for my supplies to arrive... I've embarked on the adventure of sewing with elastic. (Which is, by the way, the worst part of the process in my opinion).

As as side note, I would just like to say that I do not have a convert-the-whole-world-to-cloth-diapers agenda. I just don't. I use them and am pretty happy with them. But if you don't, hey, don't feel too guilty. There are plenty of things in life to feel guilty about (aka sin). If this isn't a battle you've deemed worthy of fighting, you have my blessing.

And to second that, I definitely don't have an agenda to convince you to make your cloth diapers (should you choose to use them). In fact, if I could justify buying what I want (about 18 (swaddlebees) diapers in four or five different sizes), I just might have done it. But our savings accounts just couldn't take the beating. You've got to choose your battles. I knew I didn't want to be using big bulky one-size diapers for the next fifteen years (even when I could get them really cheap off ebay... check these out... wow) or I might just give up on the whole thing as soon as I could afford out.

So, I went with something I was pretty sure I would be happy with in ten years. Making my own.

The truth is, it's been sort of a fun little project for me. Since my fabrics showed up on Tuesday I've made eight diapers and fifteen inserts, with more in the making.  I seriously am cranking them out as fast as I possibly can (while still trying to make adjustments to get them just right).  So far that's enough to get us through one day (roughly)... but I hope to have a full set done by the end of next week at the latest.  All poor Jeremy hears about these days is diapers, diapers, diapers (seriously for weeks). Anyhow, as life-consuming as it's been, I'm pretty sure I'm made the right choice to make my own. They look pretty good, huh?

Here's a side-by-side comparison for you. On the left is a small fuzzibunz diaper. I can no longer do up the hip snaps on Raymond without the leg holes making little red rings around his legs.He started wearing this diaper (doesn't it look huge?!) at 2 months.    

On the right is a medium homemade diaper (with a whole inch added into the width of the pattern, I kid you not). It should theoretically fit him for the next 8-12 months (although some claim their children have worn mediums of this pattern well into their second year. Wow.). Neither diaper pictured has an insert in it. Do you see what I mean about unnecessary bulk?

And in case anyone else is as crazy as I am:

• I bought my fabric from here (although next time I think I'll go here even if it is a bit more expensive... customer service is sometimes worth more). PUL as my outer fabric, microfleece as my inner fabric, and inserts made of bamboo fleece and zorb.  We'll have to see if I'm happy with the absorbency in a few weeks, I guess.
• I bought snaps pliers rather than a press (considerably cheaper route) from this company
• I'm using this pattern (with some adjustments... it was just a little too trim (believe it or not), and I didn't think it would perform its function). The creator has been very helpful as she has been willing to email back and forth with me. I'm all about good customer service.

If you have more questions... feel free to email me (carlyjane35@gmail.com)

(Outtakes of trying to get a picture of one on Raymond... not working so much)

(I've since made smaller inserts, so they aren't as bulky as shown here. Notice he's headed straight toward that big overflowing box of diaper-making fabric. Ah microfleece.)

(this is the latest "crying" face he makes, producing a sort of nasal-y cry... He really wants that camera I'm holding. You can't see them, but the boy officially has four more teeth this week. Good times.)

So much going on, so little to say

Seriously, has it almost been a week since I last posted? Goodness. It's not for lack of excitement around these parts, that's for sure.

Valentine's are underway (although I hate to say it, but I'm only semi- in the mood this year. Can't seem to get motivated enough to finish and mail them. Maybe it's because I haven't bought any conversations hearts yet. That must be it.)

Cloth diapers are causing a fiasco around these parts (the store I bought them from a week and half ago was actually closed. Who know? Not me, obviously. Thank goodness for pay pal and getting a refund. It's just now left me in a debate over which brand to buy (all over again) as I can't get the kind I want as cheap anywhere else. I've starting looking (seriously) into making them myself. It would get me over my fear of sewing with elastic, that's for sure. But going in I would have to buy a snap press and supplies (about $115) (and NO, I'm just not willing to do velcro, no matter how much cheaper it would be) and the fabric is actually pretty pricey, plus the time it would take to make them all. The next batch wouldn't be much cheaper than buying them. But then the next size up (or down for a newborn) would. Sigh. Decisions decisions.

A beautiful fog rolled in last night. We love the fog around here. There is something almost edible about it. Mmmm.

Oh yeah, the LSAT happened. We'll see how it went. The next test is in June and well, it's always an option. Although, he does feel pretty good about it (usually) and hopes he won't have to go that route.

Um, lets see. And Raymond is still pretty much about the best (and cutest) thing that ever happened around these parts. His favorite thing to do lately is read books (makes my English Teacher heart melt). The funny thing is, he's pretty picky. He only likes about 2/3 of his books (and we don't have that many). He'll turn his head and refuse to turn teh pages and crawl off my lap if I try to read him a book he doesn't approve of. Pretty much I've read Polar Bear Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? more times than I can count.

Alright, that's all for now folks. Maybe some (Valentine's) brownies will grace this house later today. All I want is chocolate this week (but somehow feel it is more justified than other weeks, don't you agree?)

Hasta

cj

Cloth Diapering Report

Well, six months later we're still using cloth diapers (and just made our big purchase of the next size up!). While I know that almost none of you (who regularly read this blog) use cloth diapers, I still wanted to give my six month review and tell you what I've learned.

Some background:
The first batch of diapers we bought were Fuzzibunz (that's a brand) sized pocket diapers. Not knowing cloth diaper lingo, you probably have no idea what that means. Here's a picture:

The outside is made of PUL--a waterproof polyester, and the inside lining is make of (some sort of fancy not-the-kind-you-buy-at-Walmart) fleece.  It's called a pocket diaper because at the back there's an opening between the PUL and the fleece (a pocket, so to speak) where you stuff an insert

We bought sized diapers, meaning they come in small, medium, large, etc. This is compared to one size diapers that "grow" with your baby (either through an extend-able snap system or buttoned elastic in the leg gussets).  We purposefully chose not to do one size (abbreviated OS in the cloth diaper world) because we want to be able to use our diapers on multiple kids. If Raymond is still in diapers when baby #2 comes along (and likely he will be) then we would have to buy all new diapers for the baby. With sized, we'll have to buy diapers of each size, but then multiple kids can be using our diapers all at once (does that make sense?). I am also SUPER glad we veered away from OS because they are so dang bulky. And I have a right to say that because we did buy 3 fuzzibunz OS diapers and pretty much I hate them. Raymond only wears them at night. I can't ever get the size just right and I won't even tell you how low they drag in his crotch (ok, almost to knees!).

We also purposefully bought fuzzibunz as they are one of the most highly recommended brands and they use snaps. I love the snaps. They are more durable than velcro, cleaner, and make it easy to adjust the diaper to fit the both around the waist and around the thighs.

Last, but not least, we chose fuzzibunz because they supposably run big and thus many babies can go through their whole diaper faze in just two sizes (small and medium). Funny how I didn't think about how this might affect the multiple kids in the same diapers problem I addressed at the beginning.) It's true, however: they do run big.

OK, so all that said, here's my thoughts six months later.

1. I'm still sold enough to keep using them! I am grateful we use cloth every time I have to buy disposables for trips. He can go through a pack (of 42) in roughly a week, and I am grateful I don't have to buy them all that often. Seriously.
2. I am glad we went with pocket diapers. Super glad. I still have no desire to try the prefolds and covers method. Stuffing isn't hard and now that I have a wash system down (back to that in a minute); I hardly notice the time it takes to stuff the diapers after they're done being washed.
3. I am SUPER glad we didn't do OS diapers. My biggest drawback (I must be very vain) with cloth diapers is how bulky they are. It bugs me that I can't always get clothes that fit loose when he's wearing disposables to fit nicely when he's wearing cloth. I think they make him look chunkier than he is (see, I really am vain I guess).  I can't tell if the bulk of his diaper is making it harder for him to learn to crawl or not.  Fact: he crawls the fastest when he's in just in birthday suit, so I assume they are. For this reason I have decided to change diaper brands (more on that in a minute).
4. Washing is not as scary as you might think it is. Now that Raymond eats solids, I do have to dispose of his stool (ie shake or (not my favorite) scrape what I can in to the toilet). Luckily for me, there is a bathroom connected to Raymond's room and really this isn't hard. Most of his stools are solid enough to shake and them put the diaper in my diaper pail without complaint. I do, however, have a plastic spatula in that bathroom for those extra loose stools that need some help coming off his diaper. That might gross you all out, but I rarely do this and pretty much I can suck it up for the other benefits of cloth diapering. Everyone picks their battles.
5. It is sort of a bummer that you have to be picky about your laundry soap. Most cloth diaper distributors recommend fancy-smancy soaps (and the truth is, you have to use something geared towards cloth diapers or they will get buildup and leak. That's the last thing anyone wants). I use Tide Clear (the one in the white and green box that is more expensive than any other Tide. Funny how you have to pay more to get less dyes and softeners etc). I use it with all my laundry and have been perfectly happy with it as far as cleaning my diapers goes. About once a month I run them through an additional HOT wash (called stripping  your diapers) to make sure any buildup is rinsed out, but again, not hard.
6. After about a month of washing my diapers 3 times a week, I noticed that in two of my diapers the PUL was warping--in other the words the plastic waterproof part (on the inside of the pocket) was shrinking. They recommend you dry your diapers on low. Unfortunately I don't have a low setting, so I've opted to line dry instead. I have a cheap (from Walmart) clothes rack that I keep by my washer an dryer. I dry the inserts in the drier and line dry the diapers. It means I have to plan a little bit more ahead as they take about 3 hours to dry (vs 45 minutes or less in the dryer), but I have been surprised at how non-intrusive this step has been. I do have some disposables on had in case my diapers still aren't dry and Raymond needs a change, but also not a big deal.
7. Raymond rarely has a diaper rash (usually only if he's been wearing a disposable), seems content, and the truth is, they're cute. For the most part, I've been super happy with our decision to do cloth.

What I'm going to do next:
Because I was frustrated with the bulk of fuzzibunz, I've done quite a bit of researching and review-reading online and have finally decided for the next size up to switch to Swaddlebees Original Snap Pocket diapers.

The price is very comparable to Fuzzibunz, they are a pocket diaper made with PUL and use snaps (although theirs are on the side rather than the front--I'll have to see how I like that). What really sold me on their diaper is that it is widely proclaimed as the trimmest diaper on the market. If you scroll back up and look at the fuzzibunz vs the swaddlebees, it's obvious that the swaddlebees has been cut narrow in the crotch. Their inserts are also contoured

in order to help eliminate the bulk. And, from most of the reviews I've read, their a favorite in most people's diaper stash. We'll see if I agree!

So, long story short (anyone still reading??): I'm still a cloth diaper user and supporter. 

(note: if you have any experience with either of these two brands, let me know what you think!)

True confessions of a granola addict.

It has been a long-standing joke between Mr. Christiansen and myself that I am (a-hem) a little bit "granola." Now I know this term has multiple connotations--depending on who you are talking too--so I definitely don't mean to offend anyone. In fact, that's the joke. Mr. C sometimes calls me "granola" a wee bit accusatory (all in good fun) and I take it as a compliment. Here's a handful of reasons why, perhaps, he's right:

• I don't wear much (any?) make up. I don't even own much. When I do put some on (the occasional Sunday event) Mr. C compares it to adding salt to food. A little goes a long way in flavor... and too much can do the opposite. "Oh," he says, "you've sprinkled on some salt today!"
• I don't watch TV. We don't own a TV, in fact. Now I want you to know I have no problem with you owning and watching TV. Really, I don't. I don't think TVs are morally wrong (although for sure some of their shows are), I just don't want one. I'd much rather read a book, find out about the world on the internet, or watch a DVD on my laptop.
• I like to wear skirts. Mid week, in fact. Flowy, comfortable ones that look equally good with slip-on mary janes or flip flops (And I wish I currently had a few more that fit since my capris still aren't making the postpartum cut. Sigh.)
• I believe in whole foods. You know, lots of fruits and veggies. I think there is something morally wrong about Kraft singles cheese slices. Gross.
• I was super adamant about having a separate engagement ring and wedding band. Truth be told, that vast majority of the time I am a wedding-band-only kind of girl. I love the simplicity of it. How can I wash the dishes and change dirty diapers and (someday) weed the garden with a diamond getting dirty on my finger? (It definitely makes the diamond oh so special when I do where it)
  
• I have a hard time remembering to shave my legs ("AH!" you scream, "that is going too far!" The truth is, however, I am just not a hairy person. The fuzz I get after, oh, three weeks is often comparable to someone going three days. It's light and soft and hardly noticeable. I try to remember once a week. Really, if I didn't, you wouldn't know the difference. If I were hairy, I would shave.)
• Yes I did have a backyard wedding reception with daisies and vintage table clothes and handmade doilies on the tables. And I LOVED it. How did I walk away from that reception without a single vintage tablecloth, however? Someone tell mom I want one for my birthday this year too.
• I love the transcendentalists. Emerson. Thoreau. Annie Dillard (ok, so she wasn't an original transcendentalist, but Tinker Creek was practically Walden Pond. Oh how I love woods-romping ways!)
  
• I am a bit old fashioned sometimes. I like to dress Raymond in "day gowns." Or what Jeremy refers to as Man Dresses. They are just so smart. I love the homemade day gown Aunt Chris made. If I knew where my camera was I would take a picture for you. It's so beautiful I hardly want to put it on him.
• You've already learned that I've joined the cloth diaper revolution (although my main reason is much more for the economics than the environment... it does do my heart good to know of the environment saving benefits as well)
• Someday I really really want to live somewhere where there are multiple trees in my backyard, perhaps a small stream, some chickens, a trail or two. And wide open air to see the stars. Pretty pretty please. I pick Virginia, but there are other such nice places, I'm sure.
• I'm not afraid to take public transportation or to get where I need to go on my own two feet. I rode the bus in Provo for years. I loved the rickety old buses in Honduras. And I have actually walked to work the past 4 years more than driven (in Provo, Blanding, and Cedar City).
  
• For some reason that I have hard time articulating (even to myself), I felt very very strongly about wanting to have Raymond naturally. Not that I have any problem at all with epidurals (power to you)... I just could never imagine myself doing it. I really really needed to experience and be 100% a part of Raymond's birth. And holy smokes was it intense. But so very worth it. Even the nurse in the hospital refered to me as "100% whole wheat"!! Haha, Mr. C got a kick out of that one!
  
• I own chacos. They are by far the most comfortable sandle I've ever owned. What can beat high arch support while getting total breatheability?
  
• And yes, I actually eat granola. On a daily basis, in fact. And here's my favorite recipe for it:
  

toss:
6 cups oats
3/4 cups wheat germ (or some other hot cereal. I use Red Mill 10 grain)
1/2 cup oat bran
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup coconut (optional)
1 cup nuts of choice (I rarely have any on hand, so this is optional too, I guess)
1 1/2 cups dried fruit (usually craisins and raisins for me... although when I can afford it I add dried blueberries, mangoes, and/or pineapples)

heat separately:
2/3 cup oil
2/3 cup honey
2 T water
1 1/2 t. vanilla

Mix it all together thoroughly. Bake on a large cookie sheet @300 degrees. Stir every 10 minutes for 30 minutes (although lately I have been stiring every 12-15 minutes for 40-45 to get a slightly crunchier granola. Mmmm)

ps. Did I really just share all these brutally honest things about myself? Can we still be friends?

Brace yourselves...

After much debate, deliberation (and too many Wal-mart runs) we've officially gone cloth. As in Cloth diapers.

Keep breathing.

A lot of factors played into this decision. Way back in pregnancy days Jeremy had come across a spreadsheet indicating cost saving benefits of cloth diapers. At the time my only experience with cloth was what I saw in Honduras. It was highly ineffective and quite frankly a mess. I wasn't so interested in joining that club anytime soon. I saw a few modern, American versions on the internet sometime thereafter and was appeased that it didn't have to be the pre-folded, safety-pinned version... but I still didn't give it much thought.

Then Raymond arrived. And in about 2 weeks our supply of gifted disposable diapers was quickly coming to an end. We made our first Wal-mart run for diapers. The pack of 92 lasted no more than two weeks. I started taking the idea of cloth seriously. Honestly, who can afford roughly $40 a month in diapers? Who wants to?

I started doing some serious research. Most of my early searching started from this blog: theclothdiaperreport.com. She gives a lot of basic information about different types of cloth diapers, brands, etc. Since I was completely novice, I started at the beginning.

There are a wide variety of cloth diapers out there: prefolds, pocket, all-in-ones, one size... the list goes on. That is not to mention brands. Wow. Who knew? I spent seriously a full week doing internet searches and trying to figure out what would work best for us.

In the end, we have purchased Fuzzibunz sized diapers. They are pocket diapers--meaning there is an insert that I stuff inside the diaper before use. The beautiful thing about Fuzzibunz is that I do not have to de-stuff the diaper before washing. I simply throw it in the washer and the rest is history.

Oh wait... that's the part about this whole thing that grosses most people out: the washing. So far, I must say it's pretty easy. I do not need to rinse or soak these bad boys. Like I said, I simply throw them in. Someday when Raymond has more solid bowel movements I will need to dump it in the toilet before stowing the diaper in my diaper bin awaiting wash. But that's all. From there I do a cold pre-rinse, and a regular wash cycle. And I only use 1/4-1/2 the detergent. Since we've bought the lower end of the recommended number to have on hand, I plan on washing about every other day. Not so bad.

They seem to do ok with leeks so far. They do need the recommended initial 5-6 washings to be the most leak proof... but they still only leak about as much as the disposables.

And the best part? Besides saving the land fills from billions of diapers... there will be no more Wal-mart runs in the near future.