Since we have been using cloth for 8 months now, I thought it would be nice to share my love with everyone else!  I understand that cloth is not for everyone and some of you may not be interested in this post.  But I’ve had a lot of questions recently and I hope to answer them!  I will do several different “topics” over the next few weeks.  This will be the basics.

What kind of cloth diapers do you use?

Left to right: bumGenius 3.0 with velcro, bumGenius 4.0 with snaps, bumGenius Elemental, Smartipants

Most of my stash is bumGenius pockets.  “Pockets” means the diaper has a pocket where you can insert different absorbency.  I also have a few bumGenius Elementals and all in ones.  These diapers are all in ones (AIO) meaning the absorbency is attached to the diaper itself.  They are also all “one size” which means they fit from approximately 12 to 35 lbs.  There are many, many other types of cloth diapers including sized, fitteds, prefolds, and others.  I have a few other brands of pockets: Rumparooz, Smartipants and Kawaii.  I do not care for these diapers much at all, as they leak much more than my bumGenius.

Left to right: infant prefold, Artsy Fartsy Foo Foo Hemp insert, bumGenius infant insert, bumGenius microfiber insert

I use a variety of inserts in my pockets.  When Ethan was younger one infant insert did the trick.  Now I use either 2 infant inserts, 1 regular insert or 1 infant prefold.  For night I use one hemp insert and one infant insert.  His diaper is quite heavy in the morning but he rarely has leaks!

The hemp inserts can be trifolded to fit inside the diaper…

…or folded to add more absorbency to one side of the diaper.  I started folding them like this when Ethan started sleeping on his belly.

Where do you buy cloth diapers?

Unfortunately, there are not any local stores that sell cloth.  I have been lucky enough to visit the Cotton Babies store (the retailer of bumGenius), but most of my shopping is done online.  My favorite places are:

Kelly’s Closet – This is where I have bought most of my diapers.  They have a reward program (you get points that are redeemable for gift certificates) and almost always have a coupon.  They also offer free shipping over $49.

Artsy Fartsy Foo Foo – These hemp inserts are awesome.  Pick up some milk maids nursing pads while you are there!

Cotton Babies – The retail store for Bum Genius.  They also have some great baby products.  Free shipping on almost every order.

More information:

My favorite resource for cloth diapers is Jillian’s Drawers.  It covers everything you’ve ever wanted to know including the cost savings.

I also follow two blogs that have a lot of useful information: The Cloth Diaper Whisperer and Cloth Diapers.

Why did I decide to cloth diaper?

Before I had even thought about having a baby of my own, I bought some disposable diapers for a baby gift for a friend.  I tend to be very sensitive to smell, and the baby powder/chemically smell of the diapers was too much for me!  I also really, really hate to throw things in the trash (I blame my dad – he use to go through our trash and yell at us if we had recyclables in the trash!).  I stumbled upon cloth diapers, but initially thought there was no way in the world I would do that!  I looked at Gdiapers – cloth shells with disposable inserts that could be flushed down the toilet.  Sounded like a good idea, but they are expensive – more expensive than disposables.  So I kept looking, and kept coming back to cloth.  I started researching the different kinds and read a lot of reviews.  It seemed like moms that cloth diapered actually loved it!  The more I researched, the more appealing it became.  Cheaper, better for the environment, and cute fluffy butts.  I was sold!  Like I said before, I know it isn’t for everyone, but I think they are a great option for a lot of people.

One of the biggest questions people ask me: Isn’t the poop in your washing machine gross?

Well, not really.  I will talk about that more in another post, but let me tell you, if you have a baby, you WILL have poop in your washing machine!  One of the best things about cloth diapers is they hold in poop really well.  We’ve rarely had any leaks.  In disposables we have lots of leaks and explosions.  For example, Ethan came home from daycare with a new outfit one day (we have to use disposables at daycare).  I washed his onesie and didn’t think much of it.  When I took it out of the dryer, I found this:

We have never had that happen in cloth!  And proof that you will have poop in your washing machine if you have a baby!

Another great thing about cloth?  It’s so cute!

 

 

It’s no surprise that babies require a lot of stuff.  And anyone who walks into Babies r us for the first time knows how overwhelming it can be.  So I thought I would put together a list of my favorite baby items for those of you who are expecting or plan on starting a family soon!

1. Bumbleride Flyer

Hands down, my favorite baby item.  A lot of people start out with the “travel system” – a carseat and stroller that work together.  This wasn’t an option for me because the stroller was so heavy, I couldn’t pick it up!  Yes, I’m wimpy, I know.  I did a lot of research on strollers, and couldn’t be more pleased with our selection.  I’m hoping this will be the only stroller I ever own.  I love it because: it comes with an infant seat (carseat) attachment, it can be folded down with the carseat attachment on, it easily folds down tot he ground, the handle bar switches positions so you can push the stroller with the baby facing away from you or towards you (which is great to keep the baby out of the sun), the seat reclines to almost flat, and it’s super cute!  We have no need for a jogging stroller (goodness knows I don’t jog) but I’ve heard lots of great things about the Indie as well.  The flite is also a good cheaper option, but I really love my swivel handle.

2. Aden + Anais swaddle blankets

It’s hard to explain why a blanket is so awesome.  But it is.  I used to think that anything Aden + Anais was just overpriced and unnecessary.  Luckily I got a 4 pack of these blankets as a gift.  They are the perfect blanket and can be used for a variety of things.  They are big enough to cover a whole car seat, use as a nursing cover or swaddle a baby.  They are thin and breathable.  I loved them so much I ended up buying Ethan the security blankets (second picture).  He always loved to chew on these blankets when he was tiny, and now he sleeps with the lovey version every night.  And I’m very glad I ended up with these because without fail he ends up pulling it up in his face at night.  For our next baby I will definitely be investing in another set of these, just because.  Target sells them as well for a bit cheaper than you can get other places.

3. Cloth diapers

I will be doing a whole post on these – coming soon!

4.  Rock and Play sleeper

Ethan cried every time he was put down when he was a newborn – unless he was in his rock and play sleeper.  This is pretty much the only thing he would sleep in for about 3 months.  I probably would have died without this thing.

5.  Ergo Baby Carrier

I’m also pretty sure I would have died without this thing too.  When Ethan was a very fussy newborn, I would pop him in my Ergo, walk around, and he would calm down or fall asleep.  I used a Moby wrap when he was really small, but once he got bigger the Ergo was much easier to get on and more comfortable.  I would use it when we went to Target to grocery shop (because if he was asleep he would cry in the carseat) and he was happy as a clam.  I still use it when he is being fussy or I need to get something done around the house.  I can put him on my back now that he is bigger, and he thinks it’s pretty awesome.  If you are interested in any kind of baby carrier, I highly, highly recommend paying the price for this one!

 

For several months now I have been receiving most (if not all) of our produce from a service called farm fresh delivery.  Every other week (or every week if you choose) they deliver a bin of food to our door.  It is the perfect out of food for us.  They also have a variety of pantry items and perishables, including Traders Point Creamery products.  Also, the majority of the food is either organic, locally grown, or both, so I know I’m getting good quality, healthy food. It is a great way to try things I would never try and always have fruit and veggies around.  Here is how it works: On Thursdays, I get an email remind me I have a bin coming the next week, so I can go online and see what I’m getting.  If there is something I don’t like or want, I can just substitute it for something else.  I am very excited that it is getting closer to spring because the variety and selection is increasing.  This is an example of what is in my bin this week: asparagus, braising mix, jalapenos, kumquats, strawberries.  I will probably make a frittata with the asparagus, a mexican themed soup with the jalapenos, and chocolate fondue with the strawberries (I hope they are in season and ripe!)  I have no idea what I will do with the kumquats!  The email suggests a recipe with chicken and kumquats, so maybe I will try that.  So check out farmfreshdelivery.com and sign up yourself!