I was having a phone conversation with a friend of mine the other evening and I mentioned the mom group I'm in and how many of them are a bit "granola" or "crunchy" and how I fall in line with a number of the things they do. He asked if I was always like that or if I had gotten worse since he knew me in high school. Despite being a member of my high school's environmental club, I told him it may have gotten a little worse. Then I got to thinking about it as we talked a bit more. See, I'm not necessarily idealistic. So, while I may adhere to many of the "natural parenting" habits that many other "crunchy" mamas have (and you've probably seen it before if you've read previous blog posts); my personal reasons for being "crunchy" are often much more mainstream and at times, just plain selfish. Keep reading to see what I mean. Here are some examples of my "crunchy" parenting and my less than noble motives:
Breastfeeding:
This is one area where I get pretty crunchy. I'm a huge breastfeeding advocate and I do truly believe/know that it is what is best for babes. I'm even mildly anti-formula and fall in line with the recommendation that formula be the 4th option when it comes to baby feeding. I know in some cases it's necessary so I'm glad it's available; but, most moms can feed their babies by nursing and all too often they fall victim to "booby traps," have poor education or support, and/or have a lack of discipline and/or determination. As a bonus, breastfeeding is cheap, as in free, so that works out great for me too. But that's just a cherry on top.
Co-sleeping/Bed-sharing:
While some moms are fans of bed-sharing (all too often confused with co-sleeping) because it brings them closer to the baby for bonding or because of studies that have shown a decrease in SIDs, I do it because I'm just plain lazy. Yep, that's right. If the baby is right there with a boob in his face, I don't have to get up when he awakens me at night. I just plug him in and go back to sleep. I actually used to be against bed-sharing and thought that it was dangerous and it was likely that I'd smother the baby in my sleep. After falling asleep nursing from sheer exhaustion multiple times with my first, I finally gave in and let him sleep in the bed on purpose. I also did some more research and learned that many doctors actually recommend it as long as you follow certain safety measures to prevent accidental suffocation. So, after having my fears relieved a bit by my research (and discovering that I literally do not move when I sleep next to the baby), I let my laziness take over as well as my desire to get some sleep at night. With baby number two, I thought of having him co-sleep (in the room but on a separate surface) but my laziness took over and I just let him sleep in the bed.
Cloth Diapering:
Save the earth! Don't fill up the landfills with non-biodegradable petroleum based diapers! Don't put those chemicals on your sweet sensitive babies! Meh. Sorry, I can't say that any of that motivated my decision to cloth diaper. My husband actually suggested it and I agreed. Our reason? It's cheap. Yep, that's right. We looked at the bottom line. While we could probably swing paying for disposables, it would put a strain on our pocket books from time to time and prevent us from making other purchases or payments. So, while other mamas are looking out for the earth, we are looking out for our finances. It really isn't much of an inconvenience even with the extra laundry so that's a non-issue, and no, it doesn't impact our water bill either. I've heard cloth diapered babies potty train sooner, so that's cool, makes my life easier - lazy me. =)
No Baby Food:
No, I don't worry about all the preservatives in artificial foods (ok, maybe some...). Again, I'm cheap. I had intended to make my own baby food. I'm too lazy for that. Starting some at 6 mo but really picking up around 8 mo when my oldest really started showing an interest in foods, we just fed him whatever we had on our plates (we did make sure to introduce new things one at a time though). Sure, I prepared foods that were softer or easier to chew at first or overcooked the veggies to make them squishy, but puree? Nah, too much trouble. I've heard that feeding this way makes it easier to introduce regular foods with varying textures. Ok, bonus, but really, I'm just cheap and lazy.
Baby-wearing:
Research says that baby-wearing comforts babies and makes them more secure by keeping them close to mama or papa. It also says that babies that are worn, learn to be more sociable since they are carried higher up and see more faces as they are carried around in public. For me, these facts are all bonuses. I like to baby-wear because it makes my life easier. See that laziness popping up again? Here are some examples: At the grocery store, I don't have to lug around that heavy car seat carrier and I don't have to worry about leaving my kid in the cart when I reach for something on the shelf. When going to the park, for a walk, or to a craft fair or similar event, I don't have to mess with that bulky stroller. Sure the carrier and stroller have their uses, but if I can just strap the baby to me, I know they are safe and I can be hands free without excessive weight to lug around. Even better, now that I have two, my stretchy wrap is a life-saver so I can wear the infant and chase my toddler.
So, yeah, in many ways I fit in with the "crunchy" moms in my mom group. I'm glad for all the benefits my kiddos get from the choices I've made, but I'd be lying if I said those were my primary motivations for doing a bunch of these things. Let's be honest, we all want what's best for our kids, but sometimes our own motives get in the way. I lucked out in some of these ways where I can be cheap and lazy and my kiddos still get some great benefits. =)
Showing posts with label Cloth Diapers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cloth Diapers. Show all posts
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
On Washing Diapers
In various forums and discussion groups (both live and online) the topic of diaper care has come up and there seems to be a lot that goes into it and a lot that can confuse people. We hear that cloth diapering is better for a number of reasons related to baby health, financial ease, environmental factors, etc., but then when the conversation comes up about caring for those diapers, everything seems to get really confusing. There are special detergents, special diaper creams to use for the baby that are safe on the diapers, line drying, stripping, and more that comes up and it can seem almost overwhelming to the point where you'd want to throw in the towel just based on that! I hope here I can simplify things a bit to make it seem less cumbersome.
First off, don't get too worried about what others are doing to care for their diapers compared to what you are doing. The reason? Most people like different types of diapers (and these days the variety of cloth diapers is astounding). Different diapers have different care instructions. So, consider that before you worry that you aren't doing all the stuff that someone else is. Consider first what diapers they have versus what you use. That in and of itself may make a big difference.
When purchasing diapers, take note of the care instructions. Take these things into consideration when chosing diapers and caring for those that you have purchased:
- Do you need to pre-wash before use? How many times?
- What kind of pail should be used? Wet or dry?
- Do you need to use particular detergents for cleaning?
- Will you need to line dry or can you use a traditional dryer?
- Should certain diaper rash creams be avoided when using these diapers?
- What stain removers are safe to use? Is bleach allowed?
- Are there different care instructions for covers, diapers, AIOs, or pockets made by the same manufacturer?
Try not to get overwhelmed, but prepare yourself with how to care for the diapers. Take note also, if the instructions vary if you choose several different types of diapers to use. How you care for your diapers can affect how long they last, so make sure you follow recommendations.
Here is a more detailed write up of how I care for my diapers:
- First off the diapers - I use Mother-ease cotton terry OS (one-size) fitted snap closure diapers, snap-in cotton terry liners, and Mother-ease Air Flow covers. I also use bamboo terry wipes.
- The pail - I use a 5 gallon bucket from a local home improvement store. Nothing fancy. I add a splash of vinegar and a splash of Clorox 2 (it's bleach free) and fill the bucket about 2/3rds full. Used diapers are emptied of solids in the toilet and placed directly into the pail to soak before washing which is roughly 2-3 days max.
For the diapers:
- Washing - Sometimes I pour off the excess water from the bucket in the toilet, other times the whole thing goes into the washer (I have a top loader). The water level is set as I would for a normal load based on how many diapers I'm washing. I first run the diapers, liners, and wipes through a double rinse cycle (I start the cycle on the rinse setting of a normal wash and have the extra rinse cycle function turned on). When the two rinses are complete, I then add detergent - I use Tide liquid in the same amount as I would any other similar sized load - and run a regular wash cycle on the casual setting (with the extra rinse cycle still on). I will then reset the washer for another double rinse like I did at the beginning. If the diapers are particularly malodorous, I will add a splash of vinegar before the final double rinse cycle.
- Drying - All of my diapers and liners go into the dryer if they have been washed clean. I do not put anything in the dryer that has staining on it. I dry the diapers and liners on a medium heat setting. According to the care instructions for the wipes, they do not go into the dryer. I'll leave them damp and place them back in the warmer adding excess water if necessary.
- For stains - For the diapers, liners, and wipes that have staining, I treat directly with Clorox 2 (as mentioned, it's bleach free) and spread it to coat the entire stained area - this must be done quickly since the diapers and liners will start absorbing the stain remover making it harder to spread out. I let them sit for at least 15 minutes. They are then washed again as mentioned above without the initial double rinse.
For the covers:
- My covers are washed with the rest of the baby laundry. I use Tide liquid detergent, wash on a gentle cycle, and tumble dry on low. Similar to the diapers if there is staining, they are pre-treated and washed again before being dried in the dryer.
So, in a nutshell for me, the process is: Rinse, wash, rinse. Don't dry if stained.
One more note: Stripping
- Many moms notice that their diapers begin to have decreased absorbency after some use. Occasionally this happens because of build-up of detergent, stain removers, or creams on the diapers. "Stripping" is simply a series of rinses to wash away any impurities that may have built up over time and could be affecting the absorbency of the diapers or causing irritation to the baby's bottom. Some times this needs to be done every couple of months or so, but is usually done on an as needed basis. I'm not sure if it's because of the type of diapers I use or the excess rinses I run on my diapers (admittedly it's a lot of rinse cycles) but I have never had to strip and have never noticed a decrease in performance.
I'm sorry if this is long, but I hope it's useful. If you do run into problems, seek the advice of the manufacturer or other moms that use the same types of diapers you do. It will be the most helpful!
First off, don't get too worried about what others are doing to care for their diapers compared to what you are doing. The reason? Most people like different types of diapers (and these days the variety of cloth diapers is astounding). Different diapers have different care instructions. So, consider that before you worry that you aren't doing all the stuff that someone else is. Consider first what diapers they have versus what you use. That in and of itself may make a big difference.
When purchasing diapers, take note of the care instructions. Take these things into consideration when chosing diapers and caring for those that you have purchased:
- Do you need to pre-wash before use? How many times?
- What kind of pail should be used? Wet or dry?
- Do you need to use particular detergents for cleaning?
- Will you need to line dry or can you use a traditional dryer?
- Should certain diaper rash creams be avoided when using these diapers?
- What stain removers are safe to use? Is bleach allowed?
- Are there different care instructions for covers, diapers, AIOs, or pockets made by the same manufacturer?
Try not to get overwhelmed, but prepare yourself with how to care for the diapers. Take note also, if the instructions vary if you choose several different types of diapers to use. How you care for your diapers can affect how long they last, so make sure you follow recommendations.
Here is a more detailed write up of how I care for my diapers:
- First off the diapers - I use Mother-ease cotton terry OS (one-size) fitted snap closure diapers, snap-in cotton terry liners, and Mother-ease Air Flow covers. I also use bamboo terry wipes.
- The pail - I use a 5 gallon bucket from a local home improvement store. Nothing fancy. I add a splash of vinegar and a splash of Clorox 2 (it's bleach free) and fill the bucket about 2/3rds full. Used diapers are emptied of solids in the toilet and placed directly into the pail to soak before washing which is roughly 2-3 days max.
For the diapers:
- Washing - Sometimes I pour off the excess water from the bucket in the toilet, other times the whole thing goes into the washer (I have a top loader). The water level is set as I would for a normal load based on how many diapers I'm washing. I first run the diapers, liners, and wipes through a double rinse cycle (I start the cycle on the rinse setting of a normal wash and have the extra rinse cycle function turned on). When the two rinses are complete, I then add detergent - I use Tide liquid in the same amount as I would any other similar sized load - and run a regular wash cycle on the casual setting (with the extra rinse cycle still on). I will then reset the washer for another double rinse like I did at the beginning. If the diapers are particularly malodorous, I will add a splash of vinegar before the final double rinse cycle.
- Drying - All of my diapers and liners go into the dryer if they have been washed clean. I do not put anything in the dryer that has staining on it. I dry the diapers and liners on a medium heat setting. According to the care instructions for the wipes, they do not go into the dryer. I'll leave them damp and place them back in the warmer adding excess water if necessary.
- For stains - For the diapers, liners, and wipes that have staining, I treat directly with Clorox 2 (as mentioned, it's bleach free) and spread it to coat the entire stained area - this must be done quickly since the diapers and liners will start absorbing the stain remover making it harder to spread out. I let them sit for at least 15 minutes. They are then washed again as mentioned above without the initial double rinse.
For the covers:
- My covers are washed with the rest of the baby laundry. I use Tide liquid detergent, wash on a gentle cycle, and tumble dry on low. Similar to the diapers if there is staining, they are pre-treated and washed again before being dried in the dryer.
So, in a nutshell for me, the process is: Rinse, wash, rinse. Don't dry if stained.
One more note: Stripping
- Many moms notice that their diapers begin to have decreased absorbency after some use. Occasionally this happens because of build-up of detergent, stain removers, or creams on the diapers. "Stripping" is simply a series of rinses to wash away any impurities that may have built up over time and could be affecting the absorbency of the diapers or causing irritation to the baby's bottom. Some times this needs to be done every couple of months or so, but is usually done on an as needed basis. I'm not sure if it's because of the type of diapers I use or the excess rinses I run on my diapers (admittedly it's a lot of rinse cycles) but I have never had to strip and have never noticed a decrease in performance.
I'm sorry if this is long, but I hope it's useful. If you do run into problems, seek the advice of the manufacturer or other moms that use the same types of diapers you do. It will be the most helpful!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
On Cloth Diapering - On the Go
If ever there was something I wouldn't find myself doing it is cloth diapering on the go. Now, I use cloth diapers at home and I love them. Sure, I have to do laundry more often, but that is way better than taking the trash out all of the time. Aside from that, it really isn't much different than using disposables. When the baby is wet or dirty, you change the diaper. And while I know that I have two things to put on (diaper and cover) as opposed to a single all-in-one diaper/cover option, those are still available.
In any case, I did use disposables while out and about because I figured it was easier than carrying around a dirty diaper. I noticed however, that when I went to the grocery store, my yoga class, or my mommy group meetings that I wasn't always changing his diaper. I'd get home and leave him in the disposable until it was time to change him. I started feeling like it was a waste to change him to a disposable just because we were going out. This got me to thinking that maybe keeping him in a cloth diaper wasn't that difficult.
Under the direction of a fellow cloth diapering mom, I picked up a camping bag at a local store which is way cheaper than using a wet bag made specifically for diapers. With this bag, I can carry around wet or soiled diapers and keep the mess contained. The bag is also completely washable so if it gets dirty from the diapers, I can just throw it in the laundry with the diapers. When I purchased the bag, I chose a package of three bags so if one is dirty or in the laundry, I always have a back up.
This is great for my day-to-day life. I no longer worry about putting a new disposable diaper on him every time we leave just in case I have to change him. I just make sure to have diapers along with me. I do carry extra disposables in his diaper bag just in case I run out, but that hardly happens.
I am also going to add some more plain baby wash cloths to my collection to use as travel wipes, after all, I use cloth wipes at home too. These wipes will be carried dry and moistened in a sink one at a time. I'll carry them in a small cosmetic bag and put them in the wet bag with the diaper after use.
Now, at this point, I'm not brave enough to cloth diaper on trips. We'll see if my opinion changes over time. For now, if I'm carrying around a dirty diaper for a couple hours I figure it's not that big of a deal. I don't really want to do it for a couple of days. In any case, this works for me for now. I hope you are encouraged to try it yourself!
In any case, I did use disposables while out and about because I figured it was easier than carrying around a dirty diaper. I noticed however, that when I went to the grocery store, my yoga class, or my mommy group meetings that I wasn't always changing his diaper. I'd get home and leave him in the disposable until it was time to change him. I started feeling like it was a waste to change him to a disposable just because we were going out. This got me to thinking that maybe keeping him in a cloth diaper wasn't that difficult.
Under the direction of a fellow cloth diapering mom, I picked up a camping bag at a local store which is way cheaper than using a wet bag made specifically for diapers. With this bag, I can carry around wet or soiled diapers and keep the mess contained. The bag is also completely washable so if it gets dirty from the diapers, I can just throw it in the laundry with the diapers. When I purchased the bag, I chose a package of three bags so if one is dirty or in the laundry, I always have a back up.
This is great for my day-to-day life. I no longer worry about putting a new disposable diaper on him every time we leave just in case I have to change him. I just make sure to have diapers along with me. I do carry extra disposables in his diaper bag just in case I run out, but that hardly happens.
I am also going to add some more plain baby wash cloths to my collection to use as travel wipes, after all, I use cloth wipes at home too. These wipes will be carried dry and moistened in a sink one at a time. I'll carry them in a small cosmetic bag and put them in the wet bag with the diaper after use.
Now, at this point, I'm not brave enough to cloth diaper on trips. We'll see if my opinion changes over time. For now, if I'm carrying around a dirty diaper for a couple hours I figure it's not that big of a deal. I don't really want to do it for a couple of days. In any case, this works for me for now. I hope you are encouraged to try it yourself!
Monday, April 19, 2010
On Laundry
Before my baby was born, a small bottle of Baby All appeared on the shelf in my laundry room. I think it was a gift from my in-laws, but I'm not really sure. What I do know is that it was used to wash all of the baby clothes before he arrived and gave them that fantastic baby smell that we all love. It did make me think though, is it really necessary?
A friend of mine had a baby about a year older than mine and I remember him telling me about the added cost of the expensive baby detergent. He said it was necessary because it is gentler on the skin. Advertisements for different baby specific detergents advertise fewer dyes and fragrances. My mom never used any special detergent, but then, they weren't available when I was a baby. So, I was a bit confused.
Another friend gave me the best advice, in my opinion. See if your baby is sensitive to the regular stuff first, then if you notice he is, buy the more expensive baby detergent. This worked out for me.
I use Tide, though I did hear from another fellow mom, that this is one of the milder ones out there. I haven't had any issues with breaking out with its use. I do make sure all of my laundry goes through and extra rinse cycle though. I'm not sure if this has any impact or not, but I do it anyway.
I'll typically wash the baby clothing, blankets, spit rags, etc. together on the hand wash cycle. Given that they are made for short periods of wear, I'm not sure how sturdy they stand up to heavier wash cycles, call me paranoid. I tend not to separate them out by color like I would with my own, but I haven't had issues with too many colors running. I have noticed sometimes that spit-up doesn't always rinse out the first time and occasionally I throw those items in for a second wash. I then dry on low. I wash all of my diapers separately (the details are in my "On Cloth Diapering" blog entry) on casual setting, they are terry cloth so they seem sturdier than some of the other fabrics. Occasionally they go through a second wash if they need to be treated with Clorox 2 (spot treat and let sit at least 5 minutes before washing), after which I do a second extra rinse cycle to make sure everything is rinsed out of them. The diapers I dry on medium.
Along with the Tide, I use a splash of vinegar in my wash cycles as it is great for odors and, so I've heard, helps protect colors and keep them from bleeding. For stains, including those on my cloth diapers, I use Clorox 2, quite liberally might I add. I typically avoid fabric softener on the baby laundry, mostly because the instructions on the diapers say not to (I think it affects absorbency) and I've heard it can be detrimental to fire resistancy they put on some children's clothing, like pajamas.
I have had no issues with rashes or irritated skin with this combination of products. I don't know if it is because of the products I have chosen to use or if it has more to do with my baby individually. Either way, it works, so I'm passing it along!
A friend of mine had a baby about a year older than mine and I remember him telling me about the added cost of the expensive baby detergent. He said it was necessary because it is gentler on the skin. Advertisements for different baby specific detergents advertise fewer dyes and fragrances. My mom never used any special detergent, but then, they weren't available when I was a baby. So, I was a bit confused.
Another friend gave me the best advice, in my opinion. See if your baby is sensitive to the regular stuff first, then if you notice he is, buy the more expensive baby detergent. This worked out for me.
I use Tide, though I did hear from another fellow mom, that this is one of the milder ones out there. I haven't had any issues with breaking out with its use. I do make sure all of my laundry goes through and extra rinse cycle though. I'm not sure if this has any impact or not, but I do it anyway.
I'll typically wash the baby clothing, blankets, spit rags, etc. together on the hand wash cycle. Given that they are made for short periods of wear, I'm not sure how sturdy they stand up to heavier wash cycles, call me paranoid. I tend not to separate them out by color like I would with my own, but I haven't had issues with too many colors running. I have noticed sometimes that spit-up doesn't always rinse out the first time and occasionally I throw those items in for a second wash. I then dry on low. I wash all of my diapers separately (the details are in my "On Cloth Diapering" blog entry) on casual setting, they are terry cloth so they seem sturdier than some of the other fabrics. Occasionally they go through a second wash if they need to be treated with Clorox 2 (spot treat and let sit at least 5 minutes before washing), after which I do a second extra rinse cycle to make sure everything is rinsed out of them. The diapers I dry on medium.
Along with the Tide, I use a splash of vinegar in my wash cycles as it is great for odors and, so I've heard, helps protect colors and keep them from bleeding. For stains, including those on my cloth diapers, I use Clorox 2, quite liberally might I add. I typically avoid fabric softener on the baby laundry, mostly because the instructions on the diapers say not to (I think it affects absorbency) and I've heard it can be detrimental to fire resistancy they put on some children's clothing, like pajamas.
I have had no issues with rashes or irritated skin with this combination of products. I don't know if it is because of the products I have chosen to use or if it has more to do with my baby individually. Either way, it works, so I'm passing it along!
Monday, March 1, 2010
On Cloth Diapering
Telling people you are cloth diapering gets all kinds of responses. I was excited to discover that more people are supportive of it than not, even if most people don't use cloth diapers themselves. Most people just ask how it's working for us. I have gotten some negative feedback with people that seem to think that I couldn't keep it up or that I'm crazy for doing it, but I truly believe it has saved us money and it is not all that difficult... once you have it figured out.
Let me start by saying, I do not do cloth diapering full time. We are part time cloth diaper users and it works well for us. Since I stay at home, cloth diapering is easy when we are at home, but we do use disposable when we go out or run errands. This makes it easy to change a diaper when we are in public and just toss it. That way we don't worry about carrying the dirty or wet diaper with us. It also makes it easier to leave the baby with child care at places like the YMCA where I take my yoga classes.
There are so many options out there when you choose to use cloth diapers. At first I was lost. I didn't know what supplies I'd need or even what diapers to get. I tried to read in forums and such, but was confused by words like pocket diapers, all in ones (AIO), and prefolds. In the end, I chose a diapering system based on a sample pack that my mother-in-law sent me (it had a diaper, liner, and cover) and it seemed pretty basic. More research on the company website made me feel comfortable with their products and their care so I ordered a whole set of 24 diapers, 12 liners, and four covers.
This is my diapering system:
Washing: Washing the diapers can be a little challenging/frustrating. I haven't figured out a good way to rinse the diapers before putting them in the pail, so they go in and soak as is. When time comes to wash them, I simply pour the dirty water down the toilet. I then wash the diapers in a regular cycle with regular detergent. I do make sure that an extra rinse cycle runs. Because I am very particular about stains, nothing goes in the dryer that isn't spot free. I use Clorox 2 to spot treat stains that didn't come out and let it set for at least 5 minutes. If I have enough diapers that didn't come clean the first time, I let them set and rewash. If there are just a few, I'll let them set and put them back in the pail until it is full again. I rarely have to send diapers through three or more washes.
Flat fold - flat fold diapers are just a piece of flat cloth. They must be folded to size and pinned into place with diaper pins. These were more commonly used many years ago. (I use these for burp rags, they are great for that purpose!) These diapers need a cover or "rubber" pants to protect clothing.
Let me start by saying, I do not do cloth diapering full time. We are part time cloth diaper users and it works well for us. Since I stay at home, cloth diapering is easy when we are at home, but we do use disposable when we go out or run errands. This makes it easy to change a diaper when we are in public and just toss it. That way we don't worry about carrying the dirty or wet diaper with us. It also makes it easier to leave the baby with child care at places like the YMCA where I take my yoga classes.
There are so many options out there when you choose to use cloth diapers. At first I was lost. I didn't know what supplies I'd need or even what diapers to get. I tried to read in forums and such, but was confused by words like pocket diapers, all in ones (AIO), and prefolds. In the end, I chose a diapering system based on a sample pack that my mother-in-law sent me (it had a diaper, liner, and cover) and it seemed pretty basic. More research on the company website made me feel comfortable with their products and their care so I ordered a whole set of 24 diapers, 12 liners, and four covers.
This is my diapering system:
I use Mother-Ease diapers. The diapers are one-size (OS) that close with snaps so I don't have to deal with pins. They are a terry cloth material, so they are kind of like towels. The liners snap into the inside of the diapers for added absorption. The covers have elastic edges and a plastic type lining that keep messes in. I actually have fewer leaks with the cloth diapers than I have experienced with the disposable - and that goes for wet and dirty leaks - and brand doesn't seem to make much difference.
My diaper pail:
Who needs a fancy diaper pail? With the diapers I have, I can have a wet pail. We just went and picked up a 5 gallon bucket with a lid at the hardware store. It works great. I fill the bucket about 2/3-3/4 full of water and add some stain fighter. The diapers soak until the bucket is full and it is time to wash. This happens about every 2-3 days. Some cloth diapers do not allow the use of a wet pail, so they use a dry pail. The same type of bucket can be used, just line it with a mesh bag to keep the diapers in until they are ready to wash. The mesh liner bag helps to aerate the diapers and is a must if you have a dry pail.
My wipes:
I figured since I was using cloth diapers I might as well use cloth wipes too. This system is pretty cool. The wipes are kept wet in the warmer so they are moist and warm for wiping dirty and wet bottoms. The warmer has a pad that goes in the bottom to keep bacteria, mold, and mildew from growing and gets changed every three months. As long as the liner is kept wet too, it all works out. The wipes are bamboo, but washcloths can be used too. The bamboo ones don't go in the dryer so as soon as they are done washing with the diapers, they get rolled and put back in the warmer.
Washing: Washing the diapers can be a little challenging/frustrating. I haven't figured out a good way to rinse the diapers before putting them in the pail, so they go in and soak as is. When time comes to wash them, I simply pour the dirty water down the toilet. I then wash the diapers in a regular cycle with regular detergent. I do make sure that an extra rinse cycle runs. Because I am very particular about stains, nothing goes in the dryer that isn't spot free. I use Clorox 2 to spot treat stains that didn't come out and let it set for at least 5 minutes. If I have enough diapers that didn't come clean the first time, I let them set and rewash. If there are just a few, I'll let them set and put them back in the pail until it is full again. I rarely have to send diapers through three or more washes.
So, that is how I do it. I'll go ahead and share some info that I have learned from my research and from talking to other moms. First, a guide to the different type of diapers!
Flat fold - flat fold diapers are just a piece of flat cloth. They must be folded to size and pinned into place with diaper pins. These were more commonly used many years ago. (I use these for burp rags, they are great for that purpose!) These diapers need a cover or "rubber" pants to protect clothing.
Prefold - prefold diapers are sewn with a thicker area down the center for absorbency and can just be pinned in place without folding for sizing. Sizes vary and you will probably need to have a variety of sizes and change as the baby grows.
One-size (OS) - one-size diapers grow with the baby. They are adjustable for size to fit the baby at any stage of growth. Newer one-size diapers have plastic snaps around the legs or waist for easy adjustment as the baby grows to achieve the best fit for whatever size the baby is.
Pocket diapers - pocket diapers have a space sewn in between layers to add a liner for added absorbency. This keeps the liner from moving or shifting.
All-in-One (AIO) - all-in-one diapers are very popular for modern cloth diapering moms. These diapers have the cover incorporated into the diaper so a separate protective cover is not needed. They will protect leaks all on their own. These diapers typically can not be soaked in a wet pail.
Modern cloth diapers often have velcro or snaps for closures so pins aren't always needed, but they are still available for flat fold and prefold diaper users.
There are many brands out there that are available, but they can be hard to find. They can be ordered online or found at smaller boutiques or consignment shops. One type, G-diapers, are available at baby and grocery stores. They are midway between cloth and disposable use since they have a reusable cover and a disposable liner.
I am happy with the choice I made about the diapers I use. If you are interested, I'd talk to other moms and try different types to see what you like. Most of the moms that I talk to on a regular basis have tried different ones before finding the brand and style they like. Good luck!
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