Cloth Diaper: April 2016

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Cloth Diapering Basics

The decision to cloth diaper can be a daunting one. Where does one start?

Since most of us have had little to no experience with them, we aren't familiar with how they work. Most of us know where to buy disposable diapers and can figure out how to put them on a baby, but what about cloth? I have to admit: I researched cloth diapers for probably six months before I took the plunge and really got serious about using them. I graduated from a research-based university seven years ago, and it's amazing to me how the skills I learned are now being used to figure out the intricacies of diapers. Who would have thought, right?

My goal for the rest of you is to give you a one-stop place to find everything you need to get started cloth diapering...without the months of research I had to do! First, a little background to set the stage.

Why Cloth Diaper?

I hear this question a zillion times. In fact, my baby's neurologist asked this very question in an incredulous tone. "Are you doing it for green reasons," he inquired. "Yes, and a few other reasons as well," I answered. There are a few of them, actually.

1. Money

The bottom line is that you're going to save literally thousands of dollars (on just one kid) cloth diapering. The savings is really that profound.

Now, if you go on to have more kids, you can use the cloth diapering "stash" you already have and save even more money. Do you see how great the money-saving aspect is? Moving onwards.

2. Environment

Regardless of your views on things like global warming and environmental issues, I think we can all agree that a healthy, clean, safe environment is in the best interest of us all. The environmental impact of disposable diapers is disturbing, and yet it is relatively unknown by most unsuspecting consumers.

Here are the basic arguments:

Cloth: laundering requires the use of water and detergent which can have an impact on the environment. It also requires energy (hot water) for washing.

Disposables: uses tons of resources to make. Sits in landfills for hundreds of years, breeding nasty things. Costs a lot of money. Cuts down trees. Uses chemicals and potentially toxic ingredients that may be bad for the baby's skin in the long-run.

How to make sure your cloth diapering leaves a minimal environmental footprint? Use biodegradable, earth-friendly detergent, and dry diapers on a clothes line (sunshine is better for getting stains out anyway).

3. Gentler on Sensitive Skin

Many families use cloth diapers simply because their children had allergic reactions to disposable diapers.

Common Objections to Cloth Diapering

1. It's too messy. Let's be real. When you have a baby, dealing with poop becomes as normal to you as breathing, walking, talking... But the good news is that breast milk poop is water-soluble, so you simply have to throw the poopy diapers in the wash and that's it. Yes, that's really it. Many people have difficulty wrapping their minds around this one.

Toddler poop or anything other than breast milk poop will need to be dunked (like in a toilet), but that shouldn't be too difficult. They sell sprayers that can be attached to your toilet to make it super simple. If you have a diaper service, this objection obviously won't be a problem at all. I also want to add that the only "blow-out" I've had so far was with a disposable.

2. It's too hard

I put a cloth diaper on my preemie in two seconds flat. If you don't want to fold a diaper and hassle with a pin or snappi, you can use all-in-ones that are as easy as using a disposable. We'll talk about all of these in a bit.

3. It's too expensive to start

You can start with just what you need; that's what I did! I got enough to diaper my newborn and slowly built my stash. Also, you can join cloth diapering groups online and buy second-hand diapers. This is an excellent way to build your stash cheaply.

If you're able to sew, you can also make your own cloth diapers. There are many options. I'll give you some nifty links later on.

Different Types of Cloth Diapers

Prefolds: flat and require a cover and a snappi or clothes pin. It requires folding, but is the easiest to dry.

All-in-Ones: just like a disposable diaper, only it's reusable! These are the easiest and most "daddy friendly." They don't require using a prefold and a cover. Just put it on and there you go!

One-Size: There are one-size covers and one-size all-in-ones. This simply refers to the fact that this type of diaper will grow with your baby, making it the economical choice for your cloth diapering experience.

Pocket: can be "stuffed" with extra padding to make it more absorbent.

Diaper Cover: Waterproof cover you put over a cloth diaper or a prefold to prevent leakage.

Cloth Diaper: easy to put on (usually with snaps or Velcro), but requires a cover.

How to Get Started:

Frugal Budget (to start):

If you don't want to spend too much, here's what I recommend:

- Newborn prefolds. I use about 10 a day. I'd plan for 15 a day to be safe. Figure out how often you want to do laundry (usually people will do it about every 2-3 days) to determine how many you will buy. You will have to buy bigger sized prefolds once your baby weighs 15lbs or more.

- Diaper covers. I like to rotate about 5-8. They can be wiped down easily. You might not even need that many. To save money, invest in a one-size diaper cover. You can use these as your baby grows, saving money. I like Thirsties Duo Cover Wraps. They come in two sizes: Size One: 6-18 lbs (3-8 kg) 0-9 months, and Size Two: 18-40 lbs (8-18 kg) 9-36+ months. I personally have had good experiences. In fact, I put a size one on my 5 lb preemie and it worked well! They offer snaps or velcro closure. Also, there are a few color options. Colors are vibrant and cute.

- Snappis to hold together the prefold. I have 5, but personally I think I could have gotten away with 2.

Big Budget:

If you're in the position to spend more money on your cloth diapers, or perhaps you just want to added convenience of the more expensive diapers, here's your plan:

- Bumgenius one-size. They're all you need. They also come in a few color options.

How To Clean Diapers

Option #1: Use a diaper service (will require you to use prefolds)

Option #2: Wash them yourself

In short, you want to do a cold rinse, then a hot one.

Don't use detergents that are scented.

To save money, line-dry the diapers outside. The sun is great for getting stains out too.

If your baby is breastfed, you can throw the entire diaper into the washer without dunking them. Breast milk poop is water-soluble.

Recommended soap includes Charlie's Soap, Allen's Naturally, Mountain Green Free and Clear, Planet, and others.

Storing Dirty Diapers

1) At home: if you have a diaper service, they'll provide you with a trash can. Otherwise, the best method is to get a trash can with a cover. Line it with a bag. If you're worried about smell, put a little baking soda at the bottom of the trashcan. Otherwise, you shouldn't really have any problems.

2) On the go: wetbags are designed to hold dirty cloth diapers. They are washable and very convenient.

Using Ointments:

Ointments cannot have direct contact with your cloth diapers, as it will affect he diaper's absorbency. You can place a strip of fleece in the diaper to avoid this problem. These can be purchased or made.

To make them, simply cut strips that will fit inside the diaper. It's that simple!

Other Cloth Diapering Goodies

Inserts: used with pockets for extra absorbency

Diaper Liners: biodegradable lining that makes cloth diapering that much easier

Biosoft Flushable Diaper Liners - Large 12×7.5 Inch Sheets

Cloth Wipes: you'll go through disposable wipes so fast. If you're going to be doing laundry anyway, why not use cloth wipes and save money? All you need to do is moisten them with water. It's that easy!

Cloth Diaper Sprayer: This attaches to your toilet and allows you to spray down dirty diapers (when your baby starts eating solids, or if your baby takes formula). Super easy.

Making Your Own Cloth Diapers (the cheapest way to cloth diaper)

If you're brave, you can make your own cloth diapers. Many patterns can be made with recycled materials in your own home.

I hope this will help you get started. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me and I will do my best to help! Sometimes it's nice just to have someone encourage you and relate to your experience.

For more information, check out the cloth diapering tabs on [http://www.preparingforthebaby.com].

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How to Wash and Maintain Modern Cloth Diaper

Cloth diapers are an environmentally friendly and economical alternative to disposable diapers. Regardless of the individual or household's skill level on laundry task, modern cloth diapers are always easier to care for than you might expect. It is as simple as doing one or two extra laundry in a day. Normally, you have to wash the dirty cloth diapers every 2-3 days. Waiting longer will eventually cause diaper stink to set in and you need extra work and effort to wash out everything. For machine washing, you should not wash too many diapers in one go, as washing machine can handle about two dozen of diapers in average to ensure a good cleaning result.

It is noteworthy to address that certain new cloth diapers and its inserts shall be washed and tumble dried before the very first usage. This is to remove the chemical finish coated on top, which purposely applied to please consumers with a sensible feeling of "new fabric". Upon removing this water-repellent finish, typically up to three complete wash/dry cycles, the ability of diaper absorption should be improving substantially.

Before placing the dirty diapers in the pail, solids have to be cleaned off as much as possible and flushed away in the toilet. There is a great trend to place disposable liners inside the cloth diapers in making this easier. You may put dirty diapers in a half-filled diaper pail. It is always a good practice to unfold the diapers to facilitate a complete cleaning. If you are washing cloth diapers frequently, you can put them in a dry pail. However, it is always reminded to keep the diaper pail out of the reach of your children, especially for wet pail which filled with water and detergent. Cloth Diapers can be soaked with a mixture of water and 1/4 cup of additive free detergent. Presoaking of diapers helps a lot to loosen stains before the actual wash cycle. Half cup of baking soda can also be added into the presoak cycle, as it will neutralize the alkalinity of urine while whitening the diapers.

When you are almost ready to wash them, excess liquid shall be drained off prior to washing process. For machine washing, you may simply use the programmed spin cycle to help you to remove the soaking solution.It is highly recommended to place cloth diapers into the zipped laundry bag. All diapers (especially for Hook-and-Loop or Velcro closure) have to be fastened completely on their fold back tabs. This is to prevent deformation of diapers' edge and chaining of stuck diapers during the spinning process.

For machine washed cloth diapers, they should always be started with a cold rinse cycle with detergent. Detergents containing scented additives, softeners or bleach shall be avoided at all time. Heavily scented detergents, with artificial fragrances usually made from petroleum, will irritate your baby's skin and eye. They do not degrade in the environment upon draining off from your home and may have toxic effects on natural habitats. Fabric softeners are used to prevent static cling and make fabric softer. Through the formation of thin chemical layer, they will prevent the buildup of static electricity and improving the stain resistance and minimize cloth wrinkles. However, this sheet-form waxy layer will cause cloth diapers to repel water instead of absorbing liquid, and also deteriorate the quality of water-proof laminate on diaper covers. Alternatively, baking soda and some eco-friendly softeners which are hypoallergenic can be used to create similar softening effect.

Once the cold wash cycle is completed, 2 warm rinse cycles will be carried out to rinse out any residue left in the diapers. The residue can lead to repelling of liquid, skin rashes and irritation, stinky diapers and color fading for fabric. They are either caused by unidentified additives such as brighteners, enzymes, fabric softeners, natural extracts like citrus or grape seed, soaps and stain guards. They might be beneficial to normal clothes, but unfavorable for cloth diapers.

Brighteners are tiny particles that stick to the surface of diapers in making them brighter by absorbing invisible ultraviolet light and re-emitting it as white light. Optically, this UV enhancer makes your diapers brighter by commanding blue tones to hide away brown and yellow tones. But the chemical residues would consequently cause skin irritation or allergies to your baby. Enzymes are originally added into the detergent to break down any organic stains like oil, blood or grass. However, they are also attacking organic compounds that are lingering on baby's skin in the presence of moisture, like urine or feces. They will eventually cause painful blistering, sores and rashes depending on the skin sensitivity of your baby. On the other hand, pure soaps, even being labeled as natural choice, will also leave a residue by the formation of soap scum on your diapers and covers. This oily scum will conversely weaken the functional effect of both diaper and its cover, i.e. making diapers repel moisture and making diaper covers absorb water. Stain guards are normally protecting fabric fiber with a layer of impermeable coat to prevent stains. While repelling stains, it also repel wetness and bring adverse effect on the required absorbency of cloth diapers.

After cloth diapers are rinsed, it is advisable for you to smell your diapers prior to drying process. If they smell stinky, you ought to use additional detergent at an optimum level. If they smell more like the added detergent, then you have to do another thorough rinse to get rid of the residue. Meanwhile, stubborn stain has to be visually inspected before drying the diapers. Those stains can still be removed easily if they are detected prior to drying process. Most cloth diapers can be dried under hot mode (high heat) in the dryer or line-dried under direct sunlight. Sunshine is indeed a powerful stain remover in keeping the cloth diapers white and smelling fresh.

In fact, a thorough drying process is crucial for cloth diapers as the addictive free detergent can only cleaned but not disinfect diapers. Without the addition of chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide or iodine which is harsh on the clothes and baby's skin, the bacteria and viruses cannot be disinfected during the washing process of diapers. For diaper covers, they can actually be air-dried or dried at low mode in the dryer. Excessive heat exposure may affect their waterproofing performance and associated wear resistance. You may always refer to the washing instructions of diaper covers from respective manufacturers.

By Ding

http://www.FamilyDiaperBag.com

Ding is the founder of FamilyDiaperBag.com, the comprehensive online shopping mall for top quality diaper bags, cloth diapers, natural remedies and baby products for family outing and household requirements. His website also offers wide range of ebooks, magazines and articles for your informative readings.

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Friday, April 29, 2016

Cloth Diapers Vs Disposable Diapers - This Might Surprise You

Reusable diapers or cloth diapers as they are commonly known have obviously been around a lot longer than disposable diapers. There is no doubt that disposables may seem to be more convenient for the busy family, but this is not necessarily the case.

When looking at the pros and cons of cloth diapers vs. disposable diapers, it is important to understand that today's cloth diapers are nothing like the reusable diapers of past generations. Modern cloth diapers are not only extremely cute; they are actually designed to help ensure that they are every bit as convenient as the throw-a-ways. In fact, in some ways, they may be even more convenient than disposables.

The biggest issue most people have with using cloth diapers is the laundering issue. Well, to be honest, very few of us today are still washing clothes by hand or using a wringer washer. Almost everyone I know has the convenience of modern washers/dryers in their home. This makes washing diapers almost effortless.

There are many different ways to deal with dirty diapers, but the process most people use seems to go something like this: Half fill a diaper pail with warm water and add a little Borax or other deodorizing/cleansing agent. After each diaper change, soiled diapers get rinsed off in the toilet... and yes, there is even a handy little bidet gadget that makes this job VERY easy. In fact, most people don't realize this, but if you read the package for disposable diapers they also list this important step BEFORE throwing the diaper in the trash. Disposing of human waste in the trash or landfill is not allowed. So, this is something that should be done regardless of which type of diaper you choose.

At this point the only additional work we've done is filling a diaper pail. Whether we throw the diaper in the pail or trash is really inconsequential. Now the biggest factor is what to do with that pail full of wet diapers. It's really quite simple; dump the entire bucket including water, diapers, and liners into the washing machine. Put the machine on spin to drain off the excess water, and then run the diapers through a hot wash. You've done a load of laundry; that wasn't so difficult was it? You don't even have to touch the diapers! Toss them in the dryer and they come out wonderfully fluffy, soft and snuggly.

Now look at that soft cloth diaper and look at one of those hard, crinkly, plastic coated diapers and decide which one you would rather sleep in. Not only do cloth diapers feel softer, they do not have all the chemicals and other irritants of disposables and they allow baby's bottom to breathe freer because it isn't wrapped in plastic. This means fewer diaper rashes; in fact, diaper rashes are rare with babies who use cloth diapers.

Disposable diapers may on the surface seem to be the ultimate in convenience, but some basics of diapering are needed regardless of which path you choose to take. When you go out, you need to bring a diaper bag which will include various diapering essentials, wipes, diapers, lotions, etc. When you use cloth diapers, you need these same items, plus a convenient mess-free way to bring the soiled diaper back home for laundering. This is really not that big of a deal. There are many very cute "wet bags" which make ideal moisture-proof, odor-proof bags for this purpose. It might be an extra step, but so is running to the store to purchase another bag of disposables.

One last thing that needs to be factored in is the cost. No matter how we look at it, the cost of diapers translates to a given number of hours you need to work to earn that amount of money. It's definitely a trade off and some people choose to use a mixture of both methods. Cloth diapers for use at home, or on the weekends, or maybe just for bedtime and then disposables for daycare, on the go, travelling or busy weeknights. Choose the diapering solution that works best for your family, but understand that cloth diapering may not be as difficult as you once thought.

Come see all the wonderful options available for cloth diapers [http://clothdiapersreview.com/] and how easy it can be. Today's reusable diapers are so cute, they are literally high-end boutique items! Give your baby the nice, soft, cuddly feel of cloth diapers and you will both be happier for it.

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Cloth Diapers - Different Kinds of Cloth Diapers

Imagine a tiny toddler trying to walk wearing a diaper!! How cute the baby looks, right? A new born baby or even a toddler needs care especially when it comes to the potty and urine. It should be comfortable and this is what all the parents strive to do when they use diapers for their babies. This clothing absorbs water and moisture quickly and makes the toddler feel nice and comfortable.

Initially only cotton diapers were used but in the present times there are advanced diapers which are available in the market. These days' parents use a combination of both the cloth as well as disposable diapers. While at home during the day the cloth diapers can be used while in the night or any outside location, the disposable diapers prove much more useful. This is in fact a perfect balance so that there is no need to use one kind of clothing all the time.
Cloth diapers are made from pure 100% cotton, Chinese cotton, bleached cotton, flannel or a cotton blend. Whatever the fabric is, it should stand the test of continuous and consistent soiling, washing and drying. It should also be absorbent enough and at the same time should be soft on your baby's sensitive skin.

There have been many changes in the shapes and sizes of this piece of clothing over all these years. Earlier people used non-breathable rubber pants and pins. The introduction of cloth diapers has brought about a revolution in baby care. It made diapering easy, effective and quite inexpensive.

Cloth diapers are more popular because they are environmental friendly. There is a lesser chance of the baby getting rashes due to the cotton material and the porous feature it has. As compared to the disposable diapers it is quite inexpensive. The most important feature is that this kind of diaper is reusable; you can wash it and use it again and again. The diaper soaks up the water completely and leaves your baby dry and comfortable. There are different types of cloth diapers available in the market.

Flat cloth diapers, as the name suggests, are simply a square or rectangular piece of material that can be folded to any size to fit around your newborn, baby or toddler. They don't have any fasteners so either pins or diaper fastener can be used, or for that matter a diaper cover will help keep it in place. These can be the most difficult of cloth diaper types but at the same time they are the most economical. These diapers have a multi-purpose functional utility as they can also be used as inserts, wipes, burp pads, change pads and any time you may need a cloth around.

Pre-folds are rectangular cloth diapers that have several layers sewn together. Usually an absorbent insert is also sewn in at the middle section. Generally pre-folded diapers are made from 4-ply cotton which is of the best quality and has a higher absorbent capacity. These kinds of diapers are more useful because they can be easily fitted around your baby for a snug fit. These can also be fastened with pins or fasteners. You have to use a diaper cover for this kind of clothing.

Fitted Cloth Diapers are as the name suggests designed to fit around your baby or toddler. They don't require any folding. Instead they have snaps or Velcro to fasten it. These kinds of nappies make for convenient use as they make changing them an easy task. Most of the brands have elastic at the waist and around the legs so that no mess can pour down.

Pocket Cloth Diapers come with an inside pocket where you can insert padding, has a waterproof outer layer and closures. These are very easy to use. The diaper cover is sewn to the inner layer and hence helps in absorbing the moisture quickly.

All-in-One Diapers are the perfect solution to your child's nappy problems. The name says it all and indeed they have every feature that the parent's expect for their tiny tot. These diapers have an inner absorbent core, waterproof cover, front closure and an extremely snug fit around the legs and waist. They don't need to folded, pinned, stuffed or wrapped. Given all these wonderful features, they are also expensive as compared to others.

Thus, there are multiple choices when it comes to baby nappies and it is entirely up to the parents to decide as to what type of diaper would be suitable for their child.

For more information on Cloth Diaper Reviews [http://www.babyshowerclub.com/] and Different Kinds of Cloth Diapers [http://www.babyshowerclub.com/diapers-and-diaper-services.html] please visit our website.

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Cloth Diapers and Child Care - Can They Get Along?

Choosing a child care program can be difficult for parents. Many parents feel guilt over leaving their child in the care of others, and worry about the quality of care their child will receive. Added to this dilemma, parents may worry that their chosen child care program will not accept cloth diapers, or will use them reluctantly.

Being faced with a parent who wants to use cloth diapers can be intimidating for child care providers. They may worry that the diapers will be hard to use or will leak constantly. They may not know what to do with soiled cloth diapers, and be reluctant to approach parents with their concerns.

Children's Health is the Main Concern

Parents choose to use cloth diapers for various reasons. Saving money and environmental concerns are popular arguments in the cloth vs disposables debate, but the foremost concern of most cloth diapering parents is their child's health.

Ironically it is the health of children that causes many child care programs to be reluctant to use cloth diapers. Due to the mass marketing campaigns of disposable diaper companies and popular misconceptions, many people feel that cloth diapers are hard to use and unsanitary. However, there is evidence to the contrary. According to a study led by Family and Health Systems Nursing, School of Nursing, Peabody College: "Analysis of the results of comparisons between cloth and paper diapers showed no significant difference in the frequency or the intensity of fecal contamination in child day care centers." Assuming the child care program's diaper-changing procedures are followed, cloth diapering systems can easily be used along with disposable diapers without compromising a sanitary environment.

Diaper Changing Procedure is Most Important

According to the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care, a diaper must be "able to contain urine and stool and minimize fecal contamination of the children, caregivers, environmental surfaces, and objects in the child care setting." Both disposable and cloth diapers meet this standard, although of all the modern cloth diaper systems, the All in One and Pocket styles may be the best choices to fulfill this requirement. In any case, the actual diapering procedure is more vital for the promotion of sanitary conditions than the actual diaper used.

Regulated (licensed or certified) child care programs are required to have diaper changing procedures that fulfill state or county regulations. These regulations are set up to minimize illness, especially those of the small intestine, by promoting healthy and sanitary conditions. Because the vast majority of small intestine illnesses in the child care setting are spread by fecal contamination, proper sanitation procedures are essential to stop the spread of diseases like Hepatitis A, Rotavirus, Giardia, E. Coli, and Shingella. I'm sure we can all agree that we don't want these diseases spread to our children!

Although the regulations covering diaper changes may differ from state to state, a good diaper changing policy will include:

Handwashing of the caregiver both before and after the diaper change
A dedicated space used only for diaper changes with a hard, washable surface and close to a sink that is not used for food preparation
Hygienic disposal of paper diapers or storage of cloth diapers in an inaccessible covered container
Washing and disinfecting the changing surface after every use
Washing the child's hands after the diaper change
In addition, children should always wear clothing over diapers
Some programs also use a disposable barrier like a waterproof pad under the child's bare bottom and require that their staff wear disposable gloves during the diaper changes for added protection against fecal contamination. This is not necessary as long as hands are properly washed and surfaces thoroughly washed and disinfected.

Don't assume that every child care has, or follows, sanitary diaper changing procedures, especially if your child care provider is unregulated. I know of unregulated providers who change diapers on the bed, couch, or floor surrounded by the other children. One that I know of even asks toddlers to throw other children's soiled diapers into the garbage can! Be sure to ask your child care provider what her diaper changing procedures are.

Cloth Diapers and Child Care CAN Get Along Together

Parents who want their child care program to use cloth should familiarize themselves with their state's rules and regulations concerning diapering in child care settings. Contact your local Resource and Referral agency or Department of Health and Family for a copy of your state's child care regulations. Be sure to choose an easy to use system of cloth diapers, and teach your child's provider how to use them. Also remember to show appreciation for the child care provider's willingness to step out of her comfort zone. A simple "Thank you" can go a long way.

Child care providers who are faced with a parent requesting the use of cloth diapers should familiarize themselves with the cloth diaper system presented by the parent. Be sure to ask any questions you have, and share any concerns or difficulties you may experience. Keep an open mind, you may enjoy the bright colors and soft feel of cloth diapers in comparison to the institutional

As stated earlier, the type of diaper used is less important than proper diaper changing procedure. Both cloth and disposable diapers can spread disease to children and child care workers if handled improperly; both cloth and disposable diapers can be convenient and hygienic when handled properly. It's easy to see that cloth diapers and child care do go together!

Amy Nogar is the mother of six who's had her cloth diapered children in child care, and has cared for cloth diapered children in her own child care program. By day she's the child care provider behind Amy & Kids Co. Family Child Care and by night she create boutique cloth diapers for Zany Zebra Designs In her free time she blogs snapshots of a happy crazy life as mother, child care provider and diaper seamstress. It is her hope that you found this article helpful.

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Thursday, April 28, 2016

Why Cloth Diaper?

Cloth diapering seems so... gross, right? Why would anyone WANT to use cloth when we have the modern convenience of disposable diapers?

As it turns out, there are many great reasons to go the more natural route:

1. Cloth is better for your baby. There is less incidence of diaper rash when babies are cloth diapered.

2. Cloth diapered children potty train earlier. On average, babies in cloth train a year earlier due to the ability to know what's going on in the diaper. The chemical crystals in disposables cause a baby to always feel "dry," even when they are not.

3. Healthier bottoms, healthier babies. Disposable diapers have been implicated in a number of undesirable outcomes, including asthma, decreased male fertility, and toxic shock syndrome.

4. Cloth diapering is better for the environment. Every diaper change with cloth means one less disposable packed into our landfills, to sit and drain into the groundwater for MILLIONS of years.

5. Cloth diapering uses less resources. Overall, from manufacture to disposal, cloth diapering is much more eco-friendly, especially if the diapers are line-dried. This does take into account the entire process, from harvesting crops for cotton diapers, cutting down trees for disposables, petroleum-based ingredients in disposables, manufacture, shipment, packaging, and delivery for both, wash cycles for cloth, re-usability, and the end of the life cycle for both. For disposables this is the landfill, where they will sit next to EVERY disposable diaper ever made. Not one of them has biodegraded yet. For cloth, this is likely use throughout multiple children, then recycling the diapers into household rags.

6. Cloth diapering is economical. With the current sharp rise in gas prices, disposable diapers are also going up. Diaper makers have already slightly increased their retail pricing, with more increases projected for the near future. Cotton is already at a high and measures are being taken worldwide to plant more crops to lower prices. This means that cloth diapering becomes even MORE economical than it already is while disposables will be going up, likely permanently.

7. Cloth is convenient. An extra couple of washloads a week don't even compare to the middle-of-the-night drugstore runs to pay even higher prices because you ran out of diapers, or the extra trips in the heat and snow, carting the baby to the store just to pick up more diapers that will be tossed after one use. With a diaper service it is even easier: you toss the soiled diapers directly into a bag and leave it on the porch for them to do the rest!

7. Cloth diapers smell better than disposables. Ask anyone who has experienced both, and they will tell you that there is an extremely unpleasant odor associated with a wet disposable diaper. It's some kind of chemical-y, rotten stink that festers in your trash can until garbage day. Cloth diapers do not stink. Baby pee has no odor, and poo is washed away before there is a chance for a stink to grow. Diaper services provide waterproof, smell-proof wet bags so there is no odor to the diapers as long as the bag is kept sealed until the service pick-up.

8. Cloth diapering is adorable, and even fun! Yes, we said it. There's nothing cuter than a baby in just a diaper, especially when that diaper is made of cotton with a fun print on the cover, instead of a plain plastic sack that droops when it is wet. There are endless possibilities for cover designs and types of cloth diapers, one of which is right for your family.

Ask yourself: which would you rather have next to your baby's delicate bottom; a plastic single-use diaper or a simple, soft, and sustainable square of cotton? Which is really more convenient?

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Getting Started With Cloth Diapers

Cloth diapers are making a bit of a comeback. More and more parents are choosing cloth diapers for a variety of reasons. Some consider the impact disposable diapers have on the environment and others do not want their baby exposed to all the chemicals that are used in disposable diapers. I love them for both of those reasons. The cloth diapers of today are nothing like what our mothers used. They are easy to use, easy to wash, and are virtually leak free! Here are some things you need to know if your considering cloth diapering.

It will require a bit of an investment in the beginning but you will be saving money in the long run since you won't have the weekly expense of buying disposables. You will need at least 2 dozen diapers, 3 or 4 covers, and a diaper pail to put diapers in until you wash them. To help with the initial cost you can look for used diapers on the Internet or craigslist or you could ask for cloth diapers as shower gifts. Another idea is to buy a little at a time over the course of your pregnancy. If you can't afford diapers go on line and look up Miracle Diapers. They are a non-profit organization that help provide diapers to those who can't afford the initial investment.

Some of the terminology associated with cloth diapers are:

AIO All in One Diapers - These diapers are a cloth diaper that does not need any type of cover. You would use this diaper just like a disposable except of course you would wash and re use it. These are very easy to use but tend to cost a bit more and some people do not like the fact that these diapers usually take longer to dry.

Pocket Diapers - Pocket diapers are diapers that have a pocket on the inside that you place an insert in. The great thing about these diapers is that you can make them more or less absorbent depending on your babies age and gender and time of day. So if you have an older baby boy who wets a lot at night time then you can add extra inserts at night to make them more absorbent so that you won't have any leaks. They also dry faster since you can take the inserts out when you launder them.

Prefold Diapers - Prefold diapers are what people usually think of when they think of cloth diapers. The prefolds that most parents use today though are not the ones you can get at Walmart or Target. If you buy the cloth diapers from there the only thing they will be good for are burp cloths or cleaning cloths. There are Chinese or Indian prefolds and bleached or unbleached. You can buy these on the Internet or at some specialty baby stores. These diapers have to be washed a number of times before they are ready for use. The more you wash them the more absorbent they become. You also need to have a cover over these and also diaper pins or what most moms use nowadays which is a snappi. These diapers are cheaper to buy but you will have to buy them in different sizes. So you will need newborn ones, regular ones, and toddler ones. They are easy to wash and they dry fast.

Covers- Covers are what goes over the diaper to prevent leaks. They are not like the old plastic pants that our moms used. These come in a variety of colors and sizes and usually have snaps or Velcro.

Snappi- is a Y shaped fastener that replace diaper pins to secure the prefold diapers in place.

Here are some of my favorite diapers.

For Newborns:

Swaddlebees covers with unbleached cotton prefolds and a snappi to hold it together. The Swaddlebees covers are very good at containing leaks. I haven't had any blow outs with these covers and just an occasional small leak which is much better than any disposable I have ever used! I love all the different colors that Swaddlebees comes in. We have taken some really cute baby pictures of our baby with her Swaddlbees on. Check them out at http://swaddlebees.com

For 3 months to 2 years:

Mother-ease diapers and covers. I LOVE Mother-ease diapers! They are easy to use, a breeze to wash, dry super fast , and they are so well made you can use them for multiple children. Mother-ease claims you can use their diapers from birth to potty training but I disagree a bit. If you try and use them for a newborn they are way to bulky and once your child reaches 2 they will be too small. So I recommend them from the time your baby is about 3 or 4 months old until age two. You will save money since you won't have to buy different sizes of diapers. You will need to buy covers in sizes small, medium, and large but you only need about 3 or 4 covers in each size. The covers are not bulky at all and yet really hold in wetness. You will be amazed at how well these cloth diapers are at holding everything in. They are much better than any disposable. The covers are not the cutest things on the market but I still would choose their covers over anything else. Check them out at www.motherease.com

2 years to 3 years:

For naps and night time I used Mother-ease XL covers with Indian cotton prefolds.

I hope some of this information on cloth diapering has been helpful to you. I have just scratched the surface but the Internet has a wealth of information on cloth diapering including a bunch of YouTube videos showing you how to put the diapers on your child. So take your time, read reviews, do some research, and then just try it. You may find you love cloth diapering as much as I do!

Sarah has been a mother for the last 20 years and is an advocate of motherhood, breast feeding, home-schooling, and family. It is her hope that she can be an encouragement to other mothers as they strive to raise their children. Sarah has 3 teenagers, 2 elementary aged girls, a toddler, and a newborn baby.

[http://www.themanicmommyblog.com]

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Cloth Diapering Basics

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Get to the Bottom of Cloth Diapering: The Bare Facts Explained

If you are like many new parents, you are interested in saving money. Diapers is one of those areas where you can save money. More and more people are returning to using cloth diapers. But the ones available now are not the same as those your mother or grandmother used. Concerns for the environment and for fashion has combined to create numerous options for using cloth diapers on your baby.

The basics

So we are all speaking the same language, let's explain some of the terms used in the new world of cloth diapers. There are basically 2 parts to these systems: the diaper and the outer wrap. The diaper itself can be prefolded or not. It can be laid on or inserted into a pocket in the outer wrap. So, you will find the cloth part of the diaper system referred to as prefold, inserts or pocket diapers.

The wrap goes over the cloth part (or the diaper is inserted into it) and is designed to contain leaks. Think of it as the successor of those pastel rubber or plastic pants babies used to wear over diapers. These now close primarily by Velcro (also called loop and hook) or by snaps. The outer cover is reusable and it is hoped that it doesn't have to be changed every time the diaper is changed. This comes down to whether the diaper was just urine, whether the liner was soiled and personal preference.

Some diaper systems offer optional diaper liners. While these are usually offered by certain manufacturers, they can be used with any system and most parents find them worth the cost. These liners are designed to serve 2 purposes, to catch solid waste and to be disposable, usually by flushing. They greatly reduce the mess associated with reusable diapers.

Features

Reusable diapers come in many materials. Most are made of durable cloth but some are even made of hemp or wool. For purposes of this discussion on cheap cloth diapers, we will focus on cotton diapers.

It's the outer wrap where things get interesting. Outer diaper wraps are available in any number of designer prints and colors. But, try to put function before fashion and pay particular attention to how the diaper closes, be sure it is designed to contain leaks and to be comfortable for your baby. Some covers offer a set of snaps, as well as a loop and hook closure. Combined, these make for a custom adjustable and pretty leakproof fit for babies of many sizes.

Considerations

Your first consideration should be whether you are going to be content with the laundering aspect of cloth diapers. Cloth diapers need to have the solids removed, either by use of a liner or by rinsing in the toilet. They must be stored away from other laundry and can't sit too long before washing. Ammonia and all kinds of other bacteria and bad smells with result from dirty cloth diapers that have sat too long without washing.

Consider the size of your baby when choosing a cheap cloth diaper. This is where you might notice a difference. Some cloth diapers are very bulky and a preemie may not be comfortable with a diaper of that size. Some wraps stay snapped better than others and some contain leaks better than others. If you aren't crazy about having to wash solid wastes from diapers, you should consider a cloth diaper system with a disposable liner. Read on to hear our recommendations on cheap cloth diapers.

Traveling with a baby using cloth diapers takes some added planning, but certainly is doable. Bring a waterproof bag to put dirty diapers in and rinse as soon as you can.

So how many diapers will you need?

Well, most estimates are that newborns are changed 12 times a day. You will find that as the baby grows, you will change him/her less often. Since these also have to be laundered, you should factor in that some will be out of service (i.e., in the laundry). It is usually recommended that you stock 3 dozen cloth diapers and at least 6 outer covers. Since this is a big outlay of money, we have some suggestions so keep reading.

Are cloth diapers really better?

The landfills in the US are rapidly becoming full with used disposable diapers. The plastic on disposable diapers is estimated to take hundreds of years to decompose. The human waste associated with them is yet another irony, whereby we don't allow any other human waste to simply be put onto or into the ground, yet disposable diapers are acceptable.

Since cloth diapers are reusable, waste is reduced. However, more water and energy is used to launder them so that must be considered.

If you run out of disposables and have cloth diapers, a diaper change isn't a crisis. At most, you might have to wash a load of clothes, but if the nearest store is closed, your baby can still be dry and clean. Most parents find that to be comforting thought.

Recommendations

If you are starting out, we recommend the Flip diaper system. This has a one-size cover and three choices in absorbent inserts. The cover is a hybrid with snap as well as hook and loop closures that enable a custom individualized fit. This makes for a very flexible cloth diaper system so you can create a diaper that works for you and your baby. And you can try different inserts in this one kit.

Flip diapers are easy to use. You just remove the used diaper insert and replace it with a clean one. The cover is reusable. Since the one-size cover and insert adjusts to fit most babies weighing 7 to 35 pounds, it works for most new parents.

Eventually, you will need to purchase enough so that you don't have to worry about running out or doing laundry every day. Once you do that, you don't have to worry about buying disposable diapers over and over and over...and throwing your money away with the diapers.

Check out this blog for more information on choosing the right cheap cloth diapers [http://cheapclothdiapers.net/flip-diapers] to keep your baby dry and comfortable and your budget happy.

Click here [http://cheapclothdiapers.net/flip-diapers] for great deals on top-rated, parent recommended cheap cloth diapers.

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Cloth Diapering Is Gross!

Is Cloth Diapering Gross?

The first time I ever encountered a fellow mom who cloth diapered, my first child was 6 months old. Having experienced my share of diaper blow outs, I couldn't fathom why anyone would want to deal with cotton prefolds, diaper pins and plastic pants. Clothing, in my mind, was too much effort and not nearly enough containment, which to me was just plain gross. Thus, my first daughter remained in her disposable diapers, until she was two, when we switched to the even more expensive pull-ups. When she was potty trained during the day, we still used pull-ups at night until she was at least 3-years old. Looking back, I probably easily spent between $2,000-$3,000 dollars on diapers and wipes, even more if you figure the gas I used driving to the store on emergency diaper runs.

When my second child was born, I was forced to take a closer look at our diapering method. Our family was struck by the sluggish economy like many other hardworking Americans. My husband's company was going bankrupt, and as low man on the totem pole, he was facing a layoff. Thankfully another job opportunity opened up for him, but it was on the other side of the country, and I had to leave my family (built in daycare) and my job behind. We were a two-income family, forced to survive on a single income until I was able to go back to work. Cloth diapers were just one of the many ways I was hoping to save money. I learned that on average diapers cost $0.28 each, and most Americans spend close to $3,000 on diapering by the time their child is fully potty trained. $3,000 is a lot of money to just throw away! Cloth, on the other hand, range from $300-$1300, depending on if you want simple or the Mercedes-Benz of cloth diapers. The more I learned about clothing, the more I was convinced that this was something I could do. All in all, I spent a total of $300 on my diapers, and have bought detergent twice since I began cloth diapering almost 15 months ago. I've been pleasantly surprised by how much money I'm saving and how simple and hygienic it can be. Allow me to elaborate:

Cloth Diapering Has Evolved Over The Years

The leaky plastic pants and diaper pins, they are all gone now! You can still go the route of prefolds and diaper covers if you so choose, but the diaper pins have been replaced by a handy rubber fastener called a snappy, and the plastic pants, now have improved leg gussets and Velcro/snap closures making leaks a lot less likely. Also, there are so many different kinds of absorbent baby diaper inserts that you can hand tailor your diapers to your infant. For instance, if your baby is a soaker, you can add hemp or bamboo to your diapers to increase absorbency. I personally elected to go with the Bum Genius 4.0 pocket diaper with snap closures. I liked it for the following 5 reasons:

1. It is extremely durable, I can pass these diapers on to subsequent children

2. It accommodates babies from 7-35 pounds using a 3x3 snap down that allows you to adjust the diaper to fit your child, meaning this is the only diaper you will ever need.

3. They are easy to wash and care for

4. They are extremely absorbant

5. Pocket diapers have the appearance of a disposable baby diaper, so for someone who is not accustomed to cloth diapers they are very easy to fasten and put on baby.

How Do You Deal With Dunking Cloth Diapers?

Honestly, In almost 15 months of cloth diapering, I have only had to rinse off my diapers 2-3 times ever. Breast milk poop is completely water soluble. Thus, when baby has messy diaper, take the entire diaper, pull the insert out and put it directly in the diaper pail, no dunking. When my daughter started solids, most of the time I could just tip the diaper contents directly to the toilet. If the thought of dunking a nasty diaper grosses you out, you can always purchase a diaper sprayer from Amazon. The sprayer connects directly to your toilet and makes it even simpler to clean off solids. I had horrifying thoughts of doing this, but when it came down to it, it really wasn't that gross, and it sure beat scrubbing baby poop out of a cute outfit that a disposable diaper was unable to contain!

How Do I Wash My Diapers?

Bum Genius has some particular detergents that they recommend. My particular favorite is Rockin Green Bare Naked Baby detergent. It's amazing. I have no stains on my diapers, no lingering odor. They smell great. I simply:

1. Cold wash

2. Hot wash with 2 TBSP of Rockin Green detergent

3. Rinse-Rinse

Dry the inserts, hang the covers. It's easy to do, and even with the extra laundry cycles each week you'll see major savings.

Thus, I, the cloth diaper skeptic has become a major cloth supporter. I no longer fear the unknown, and since converting to cloth, I have never had an up the back uncontained diaper blow out, I have never had poop staining on my clothes, my overall diapering situation and satisfaction has improved. I would definitely encourage anyone to try cloth diapering. If I can do it... you definitely can do it, take it from a busy working mother of two small girls.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also enjoy reading:

Cloth Diapering To Save

My name is Jennifer Zielinski, I am an RN specializing wound care and a hardworking mother of two young children. The RN side of me appreciates the fact that with cloth diapers we have seen fewer instances of diaper rash and skin irritation, and early recognition of bladder control and potty-training. Cloth diapering has been an amazing diapering system for our busy family. If you are interested in saving money, preserving the environment, and on leading your young child into early potty training, take the time to learn more about cloth diapering today. To check out more information on cloth diapering, please visit my website:

[http://www.levelonenetwork.com/bloggingqueen/cloth-diapering/]

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Five Types of Cloth Diapers

Cloth diapers aren't like they used to be. The days of safety pins, plastic pants, and leaks are gone. Today's cloth diapers are engineered to be as effortless to use as disposables. Flushable liners, hook and loop closures and high-tech textiles provide more comfortable and dependable diapers which are easy to use. Easy-to-use features along with the eco-friendly nature of cloth can certainly make them the right choice for parents, regardless of their earnings. Through the years, there's been a heightened interest in cloth diapers as a result of the many benefits they offer.

There are five major kinds of cloth diapers, with varying degrees of simplicity and price. The objective of this post is to simply break down the different cloth diaper styles and investigate the main advantages of each kind.

All in Ones

Using an all-in-one cloth diaper, or AIO, is much easier than using any other types of cloth-diapering techniques, given that there is a single piece. There is nothing to fold and there's nothing to include or remove. It usually has a fast and easy fastening method, like hook-and-loop or Velcro, of course, it's machine washable.

AIO diapers are a one piece diaper that include a number of absorbent layers (generally two, in some cases hourglass shaped) that have been sewn inside of an outer waterproof cover. They are practical for convenient changes, are widely used by lots of modern young families as the main portion of their diapering method, and along with a supplementary diaper booster inside can perform effectively over night. Major disadvantages of AIO diapers may include longer drying times (some brands) and also the "one wear, one wash" process which is used. Main advantages of AIO diapers are the sheer simplicity of the design, the sleek fit (of some brands), and that they are an excellent overall solution which can be in virtually any situation.

All-in-ones are definitely the simplest to operate for those who are not familiar with cloth diapering. Since the diaper and the cover are stitched to one another, they can be as simple to use as a disposable. This makes these diapers an outstanding method to use at a babysitter's or grandparent's house. Nobody will become scared of the fold/tuck/pin/cover procedure for various other cloth diaper designs.

Hybrid

Sometimes called an All In Two (or AI2) cloth diaper, Hybrid diapers are designed as a system to make it relatively easy for parents to diaper their babies naturally. Hybrid diapers include a shell (or diaper cover) into which you insert a variety of absorbency layers. The Hybrid style took its name because the absorbency layers used may be either cloth or disposable, chosen dependent upon the location. For instance, you may choose to implement cloth absorbency when in the home, but use a disposable or flushable liner when going to day care or traveling. Hybrid systems can come in a sized approach (meaning further expenses when your baby gets bigger) or in a one-size alternative (which grows along with your baby).

Key disadvantages of Hybrid diapers is that they can appear to be complicated (however, with very little experience, this concern typically disappears).

Key advantages of Hybrid diapers are the level of flexibility that they introduce to cloth diapering, the ability to change how many absorbency layers (less for day, more for night) and the fact that some brands are purposefully designed to enable multiple wearings of outer shells between washes.

Pocket

A pocket diaper comes up with an external watertight layer made from polyurethane laminate (PUL) which is attached to a cloth part which goes next to the skin, and you'll find a gap left in the back between the two. You'll see the pocket in the photograph.

You put an absorbent fabric insert inside that opening. Once the diaper is changed, you remove the insert to wash toss the insert and diaper both into the laundry together. A lot of styles include their unique inserts, but you can use prefolds or find more inserts. The complete diaper fastens with either Velcro or snaps. We use these at night, too, and they're quite absorbent.

This method is straightforward and convenient. If your baby is a wiggler, you can easily put the inserts into the diapers earlier and change the baby fairly quickly. It is additionally very simple for babysitters and grandparents. Since you take the insert out of the diaper before you launder it, it gets quite clean and dries more quickly than all in ones.

Regrettably, they can be more expensive, somewhat more expensive than other cloth diapers. Additionally, they don't ordinarily have natural fibers in the cloth that contacts the baby's sensitive tush. Usually the cloth is a polyester microfiber that wicks mositure from the skin. It is possible to find natural fiber pocket diapers, but they're tougher to locate.

Fitted

Fitted diapers, commonly referred to as Fitteds, are ingenious cloth diapers which combine simplicity of use and freedom. Fitted diapers bear resemblance to the size and shape of disposable diapers. The selection of super absorbing and breathable cloth from which to choose these are hands-down one of the best cloth diapering possibilities to suit your little one's unique requirements.

Fitted diapers are diapers that contain numerous layers of absorbent cloth, have back and leg elastic, and fasten on baby with snaps or hook and loop closures. Fitted diapers do NOT have a water resistant outer surface, and therefore will need some sort of waterproof cover. Fitted diapers are hourglass shaped and do not involve folding. Most fitted diapers are sized and therefore call for that you must purchase larger sizes as your baby gets bigger. However, some brand names (including the Kiwi Pie one-size pima cotton fitted diaper) have introduced one-size fitted diapers that use snaps on the front rise of the diapers to enable them to grow along with your child.

Although fitted diapers are not water-proof and do require the use of a diaper cover, herein lies undoubtedly one of their strengths! You select: wool, fleece, or PUL covers; some parents even opt to go coverless (generally when indoors or when trying to eliminate a diaper rash).

Prefold

Prefold cloth diapers are the cloth diapers our mothers and/or grandmothers used. For everybody who is with limited funds, prefolds are an economical cloth diapering method, although perhaps not as effortless as a few of the other choices. Prefolds are rectangular and flat. They require that you fold them into a preferred shape, and after that fasten on the infant and put a cover on top. Covers could be basic and traditional as wool pull-ons, or as scientifically advanced as water-resistant and quick-dry diaper shells. Flats need little storage space and can even be washed by hand if laundry facilities are inaccessible. Flats tend to be just one single layer of fabric that usually can be folded to create more absorbency and dry out quickly. Disadvantages of prefolds are that you'll need to acquire larger sizes as your baby grows, they might be bulky, and require a fastener and cover. Merits of prefolds are that they are usually very versatile, quite easy to dry and clean, and tend to be low-cost.

Stephanie is a stay at home mom to four kids who has been keeping them in cloth diapers for seven years now.

Read more of her cloth diaper articles at Cloth Diaper Help

You can also find her on Twitter

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Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Top 3 Benefits of Using Cloth Diapers on Your Baby

The Benefits of Cloth Diapers

The cloth diaper has evolved over the last few decades. There have been many changes in the cloth diaper that have made them just as easy to use and practical as a disposable diaper. Using cloth on your baby has great benefits compared to using more modern disposable diapers.

1. Physical Benefits

One of the benefits of CDing is they are healthier for your baby. Disposable diapers manufactured today are made with chemicals and materials that have been linked to different physical problems such as asthma. Cloth also reduce the risk of diaper rash because there is a lack of proper air flow in disposable diapers and babies stay in wet disposable diapers longer than they would cotton diapers. It has also been shown that some children will have allergic reactions to disposable diapers due to the chemicals used to mask odor.

2. Environmental Benefits

The environment also benefits from the use of cloth diaper. This is because a CD is going to be reused. The average lifespan of a quality CD is approximately 80 - 100 washes.

Did you know that an estimated 10,00 tons of disposable diapers enter landfills each day! A disposable diaper can take almost 500 years to decompose. Talk about taking up a lot of space! Did you also know the over 80% of American households use disposable diapers. Another benefit of cloth baby diapers is they can be saved for the next child, even be resold, or just used as rags after their lifespan has run out.

3. Cost Benefits

Overall cost is another one of the benefits of cloth baby diapers. Cloth baby diapers are expensive initially, but in the long run save you a lot of money. The average child goes through 8,000 diaper changes before being potty-trained; at 25 cents a diaper, that adds up to $2,000. So the money you invest in cloth saves you quite a bit in the long run, particularly if you plan on using cloth for two or more children.

Studies have been done comparing all the costs associated with using a cloth diaper like: diaper cost, energy costs, etc. With all these factors taking into consideration, cloth is still an economical way to cover your babies bottom.

Are you beginning to think that cloth diapers are the best choice for your baby, find the trendiest baby diapers at http://trendybabydiapers.com Not only will you be doing a GREAT thing for your baby but you will also be doing a great the for the environment and your more importantly your wallet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jennifer_Stolic/156365

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Cloth Diapering 101

Newcomer cloth diaper moms have one hundred and one questions. My partner and I had about a gazillion when we went the cloth diapering way:

'How do I fold this big handkerchief thingy (flat diaper) and make it fit on the baby's bum?'

'What's this other smaller handkerchief thingy (liner) and does it go over or under? What does it do anyway?'

'How do I stick this safety pin into the diaper without sticking it into the baby (Yikes!)? Why is it called a safety pin anyway, it does not look safe to me.'

Believe me when I say we were both more clueless than a snowman in the Sahara desert.

But to keep it short and sweet (although diapers and sweet do not belong in the same sentence), today I will answer ten of the most commonly asked questions in our Cloth Diapering 101 class.

1. How Many Diapers Do I Need?

The number of diapers you need primarily depends on the age and weight of your baby. Newborns go through more diapers than toddlers. With a newborn, you will need a minimum two dozen diapers, but as few as one dozen will be sufficient for a toddler. Other factors that will come into play are whether your baby is a heavy wetter, the absorbency of your diapers, and the materials from which your diapers are made.

2. How Do I Strip My Cloth Diapers?

Stripping is one of those necessary evils of being a cloth diaper mom. Hate it or love it, you MUST do it every now and again. A detailed guide on how to strip cloth diapers is available here. When stripping, keep in mind that you should NOT add any detergent to your diapers, as this beats the purpose - you want to get traces of detergent out. When stripping, you should also know whether you have hard or soft water as this determines what you can add to your load (stain remover, baking soda, vinegar, etc.) and how effective it will be.

3. Which Are the Best Cloth Diaper Brands?

There is no 'best' just what works well for you and your baby. When choosing diaper brands, consider size, absorbency, washing, lifetime of the diaper and your budget. If you are just starting out, you can buy a few of each brand and then buy more of what works best for you. Some popular diaper brands are: Osocozy, BumGenius, Kawaii and Rumparoos.

4. How Do I Choose My Cloth Diaper Detergent?

If a detergent is indicated to be safe for your baby's clothes, it is not necessarily safe for his or her diapers. Choose a very gentle, natural cloth diaper detergent that is free of any additives. If your baby gets a rash and you suspect it is because of your detergent, change it. You should also try using less detergent when washing your cloth diapers.

5. Is it Advisable to Use Cloth Diapers through the Night?

Yes it is! You may worry that since cloth diapers wet faster, your little one may not sleep comfortably all night because of leaks. With newborns, you will need to change the diaper three or four times which is okay because it will probably correspond with his or her feeds too. For older babies who sleep through the night, add a doubler under the diaper and you and your baby get a restful, dry night. You can also choose more absorbent diaper brands (like one with a suede or fleece booster and a wool cover) to guarantee a dryer night for your baby.

6. What are the Differences between Flats and Prefolds?

The most basic diaper is the flat; it is the big white handkerchief-like thingamy your parents probably used. You fold it into a triangular shape, fit the baby's bum into the center of this triangle, gather the 'points' of the triangle at the baby's front and then pin it into place (with safety pins) at the baby's hips. A prefold is just like flat, but eliminates the folding stage because this has already been done for you and sewn in place so that it does not unfold. The primary advantage of prefolds over flats is that prefolds have more layers at the center where absorbency is needed the most to keep your baby dry.

7. What are the Differences Between All-in-Ones and All-in-Twos?

An 'all-in' diaper combines the diaper itself and the waterproof cover so that you do not have to put them on the baby separately. The diaper and the cover come sewn together and you just have to snap it or Velcro it in place on the baby's waist. All-in-ones have the inner absorbent cloth and the outer waterproof cover and that's it. All-in-twos are fashioned such that you can remove the inner absorbent cloth from the outer waterproof cover. Its advantage is that you can re-use the waterproof cover with a fresh diaper and it makes for easier laundering.

8. What are the Differences Between Inserts and Doublers?

Inserts are used with pocket diapers for extra absorbency. Pocket diapers are basically like all-in-twos but with an allowance beneath the inner absorbent layer and the outer waterproof material where you can add another layer of cloth (the insert) so your baby can go drier for longer. Doublers are thick, rectangular cloth pads that are also added for absorbency and used with the traditional flats or with prefolds. They are fixed between the diaper and the waterproof diaper cover.

9. How Do I Wash My Cloth Diapers?

Wash your diapers every two to three days. In between washes, keep your diapers in a diaper pail and add a sprinkle of baking soda into the dirty diaper pail to keep away the stunk. The standard diaper wash is: one cold wash, one hot wash with your cloth diaper detergent, and then a cold and warm rinse. You can add an extra rinse if you still see bubbles in the wash.

10. How Do I Stop/Control Diaper Rash?

If your baby has never, ever had a diaper rash, I salute you; you are officially the Best Mom in the universe. Also, would you please let me in on the secret? Now, to the rest of us ordinary moms, to limit the probability of your baby getting diaper rush, you can take these preventive steps:

Change your baby as soon as they get wet. This does not mean that you can feel or see the wetness on may start crying or fidgeting when they are wet. Check every two hours for newborns, and at least every four hours for older babies.

Use alcohol-free wipes as they may cause irritation on baby's skin. Choose baby-friendly wipes or use cloth wipes instead.

Dry baby's skin well before putting on a diaper. Humidity encourages bacteria and formation of rash/yeast infections.

Use a cream or ointment on baby's skin with every diaper change. Plain petroleum jelly or zinc oxide work well. Your cream of choice should be mild and baby-friendly.

Clean diapers very thoroughly and make sure to rinse out all detergent with every wash. Left over detergent can irritate baby's skin.
Get more information on cloth diapers and lots of reviews on Thebestclothdiapersguide.com.

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Cloth Diapering 101 - Learn All You Need to Get Started in Cloth Diapers and Discover the Benefits

I have talked with lots of people about Cloth Diapers and I know one frustration of many people that are just getting into cloth is the "Lingo" that the cloth diapering community uses. There is nothing worse than trying to find information just to have it all in a secret code!

Here is your Lingo 101 crash course:

CD: CD stands for Cloth Diapers. So we have CD'ers and CD'ing, cloth diaper-ers and cloth diaper-ing.

Stash: a stash is the collection of cloth diapers that a person has. Some stashes are small and just fill the needs of the family, and some stashes are literally a collection of cloth diapers.

Closures: the way a diaper is done up to stay on baby, types include: snap, velcro, pin, snappie, or wrap style cover.

OS diaper: One Size diaper, made to fit all sizes of kids from birth to potty training.

AIO: All in one diaper, a diaper that is diaper and cover in one, with snap or velcro closures.

AI2: All in two diaper, a diaper that is a diaper and cover with and insert added in, with snap or velcro closures.

Pocket: a diaper that is a shell with a pocket that you stuff with an absorbent insert, with snap or velcro closures.

Fitted: an absorbent, breathable diaper that needs a cover, with snap, velcro or pin closures.

Flat: a flat square of absorbent fabric that you can fold into a diaper, requires pins or some other method of closure.

Prefold: a flat diaper that has been "pre-folded" and sewn so the middle is more absorbent, requires pins or other method of closure.

Contour diaper: a prefold that has been sewn into a contoured shape to fit more easily without all the folding, requires pins of other method of closure.

Covers: a covering for a fitted, contoured, flat or prefold diaper that is usually fleece, PUL (polyurethane laminate: waterproof fabric) or wool.

Wrap: style of cover that wraps around the baby like the diaper holding the diaper in place, has either snap of velcro closure.

Soaker or Longies: Pull up covers usually fleece or wool, longies are pant style covers.

Insert or Booster: more absorbency layers you can simply add to the diaper.

WAHM: Work At Home Mom

Sposies: disposable diapers

Diaper Sprayer: a sprayer you attach to your toilet to spray off your diapers.

So now that we have the basic lingo let's talk why cloth is better...

I am biased I know, but I have three reasons I cloth diapered. I will share them with you.

Eco-Friendly:

This one is kind of obvious I think. Pro-disposable advocates have for years used the water argument. That the amount of water used to wash cloth diapers is is as hard on the environment as the production and disposal of disposable diapers. So, how about some numbers...

It is estimated that every year 2 billion tons of urine, feces, plastic and paper are added to landfills. Also did you know that it takes around 80,000 pounds of plastic and over 200,000 trees a year to manufacture the disposable diapers that just the babies in the US use. Now I know some disposables are presented as biodegradable, but in order for this process to work them must be exposed to the sun. This does not happen since we cover our landfills. It can take several hundred years for them to decompose, and some of the plastics never do decompose.

As to the claim that we are wasting water with flushing the waste and washing cloth diapers, did you realize that the water that we use to flush and to wash our diaper is sent into the waste-water plants and then treated. It is then much more environmentally friendly than dumping untreated soiled disposable diapers into a landfill.

So we agree they are better for the environment, how about your baby?

Healthy Lifestyle:

In our lifestyles today we are becoming more and more aware of the chemicals and such that are being added to everything around us. Our food, our water, our kids' toys, and even our pesticides and fertilizers. We are demanding that we want more organic lifestyles. We want things to be healthier and better for us. Why then should this not carry over to the diapers we put on our baby's bum? Does your baby get rashes? Most babies get rashes from one thing or another. There are a few things that are added to disposable diapers that are not very healthy or at all natural. Dyes, sodium polyacrylate (the super absorbent gel), and dioxin, which is a by-product of bleaching paper are just some thing found in disposable diapers. Also a big concern is Sodium polyacrylate which has been linked in the past to toxic shock syndrome and allergic reactions, this is no longer allowed in Tampons, but is still used in disposable diapers.

Some of the problems reported to the CPA (Consumer Protection Agency) regarding disposable diapers include, chemical burns, noxious chemical and insecticide odors, babies pulling disposables apart and putting pieces of plastic into their noses and mouth and choking on them, plastic melting onto the skin, and ink staining the skin. That sounds just dandy huh? I put cloth diapers on my babies because I knew exactly what was going on their bum, and I knew exactly what was in the diapers. I also had total control over what was used on them in the cleaning process. Did you know that disposable diapers do NOT have to list their ingredient lists? They don't want you to know what they put in them, what chemicals you are bringing into your home and putting on their precious little bums. Did that all sound like mumbo jumbo? Well if it did, then this last sentence is all you need to remember from this section. In the end cloth diapers worn and changed regularly are simply better for your baby's adorable little behind.

So if this all isn't enough what about the cost? Is it really cheaper to cloth diaper?

Cost of Cloth Diapers VS Disposable Diapers:

Disposable diaper estimates run between $60 to $80 a month depending on the brand of choice. That is between $750-$960 a year for diapering one child... how many of you have or will have more than one in diapers? I did! I have 6 kids that is $7,500! Can you imagine that? Did I just want to throw away that much money? You better believe I did NOT!

So how much will a stash of cloth diapers cost you? And do you really save money?

There are so many brands of diapers out there and the the cost is differing. From cheap Prefolds at $12 for a 6 pack to Fitted's that will cost you upwards of $40 a diaper. I make and sell Cloth Diapers and my diapers are in the middle of the range of the cost of Cloth Diapers. My diapers cost $23.50 a diaper. We will use the cost of my Nifty Nappy Cloth Diapers to figure out the cost of a stash.

20 diapers = $470

3 woolie wrap covers = $75

2 longie wool covers = $40

diaper pail = $3 (Ace 2 gallon bucket)

Diaper sprayer = $29 - $40

TOTAL: $580-$600

This was my stash minus the diaper sprayer, which I did survive all 10 years of cloth diapering without! I know that that seems like a lot! BUT it is less than you would spend for one year of disposable diapers. AND you can diaper that child through all diapering years with that stash. PLUS other children that follow as well! The "care of" does add a bit of a cost. With some extra batches of laundry a week and the extra electricity. I just convinced my sister to use cloth diapers and she is on her last child. She now wishes she had used them the whole time. She says that she honestly is NOT doing more laundry with cloth than she was doing before. She says my cloth diapers contain messes that used to blow right up and out of the disposable diapers. She has to wash the baby's actual clothes less because there are less blowouts which in turn has made her baby clothes last longer also.

I diapered two kiddos in cloth with 20 diapers washing every other day. I also used the same set of diapers for my four youngest children. I did one wash in hot water and then hung them out to dry as much as possible cutting down on the cost of drying... since the sun is free! So to me the cost difference was a big part in my decision to cloth diaper.

So what do you think? Would you consider it now? I know that it seem a little overwhelming, but there is lots of help to be had. There are amazing cloth diapering mamas on Twitter and Facebook that would offer support and advice. I would love to help you join in the wonderful world of cloth. So take a minute and consider how much better cloth diapering would be for your family and your baby.

Vilate is a WAHM with 6 kiddos. She has perfected her cloth diaper design over the 11 years she has been using cloth diapers. Vilate is also very excited to announce that she has branched out to retail. She now sells her cloth diapers in online shops and through retailers. She has some very dedicated cloth diaper retailers which you can find on her Were to Buy page.

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The Cloth Diaper Debate

It's true that for many of us diapers are not a critical aspect of daily life. Even parents of young children only address dithering needs for a few short years. Interestingly, the impact of the disposable diaper however affects each of us and is a long-lasting trouble. It is currently estimated that 10,000 tons of disposable diapers are tossed into landfills each day. Each of these 10,000 diapers take up to 500 years to decompose, at best. Not to mention that the manufacture of disposables uses over 1 million metric tons of wood pulp and 75,000 metric tons of plastic each year. Disposable are the diaper of choice for over 80% of North American parents despite these grisly statistics. Why is this? As a cloth diapering mama, I am quite familiar with cloth diapers and truly the only thing I can come up with is that the general public is simply unaware of their options and the ease of this economical and ecofriendly diapering option.

Benefits of Cloth Diapers A Healthier Option for Baby: Disposables are laden with dangerous chemicals. These chemicals have long been associated with various physical issues and ailments. Furthermore, diaper rash also increases with disposable diaper use due to allergies to these nasty chemicals, poor air flow and longer time spent in wet diapers which feel dry when actually wet.

Advantageous to Our Earth: Cloth diapers are reusable. Quality cotton diapers will hold up for a minimum of 100 washings and can be saved for the next child. I, personally, was able to diaper both my daughter and son in the same set. I cannot tell you how many washings those diapers held together for. Although energy is required for washing diapers, it is a fraction of the energy used for production, manufacturing, transportation and disposal of disposable diapers. Cloth diapers are also recyclable; making excellent dust cloths and rags after baby grows out of them.

Easy on the Purse-strings: Many studies have compared the costs of disposable diapers versus cloth washed at home and cloth diapers provided by commercial diaper services. The consensus is that cloth diapers, home laundered are considerably cheaper than busying disposables. By using cloth diapers your family will save approximately $2500 per child. Diaper services offer the same health and environmental benefits. They are comparable in cost to disposable diapers. Frugal eco-mamas should note this.

Not Your Mother's Diaper Today's diapers are not at all like yesterdays. My mother's diapers were homemade flannel flat diapers, held together with pins and fitted with a hot sticky plastic pant. This was the only option for parents at the time. Today's parents have plenty of choices:

Flat: Flat diapers are the classic cotton square (mentioned above) which is folded to fit the baby and secured with diaper pins. These are the least expensive option currently available costing approximately $10-20 per dozen. Prefolded diapers are similar to flat diapers however are already folded and offer added padding in the center. Contoured diapers are similar to prefolds but more form-fitting. Contours are less bulky under clothing. Flat, prefolded and contoured diapers all require waterproof outer covers which are available in many options discussed later on.

Fitted diapers are similar to the contour diapers but also use elastic throughout the waistband and leg area to reduce leakage and provide a snug fit. Fitted diapers also have built-in closures such as snaps or Velcro. No pins needed! Similar to the Flat designs fitted diapers require the addition of waterproof outer covers. These diapers are more expensive than flat designs ranging approximately $60-$75 per dozen.

All-in-ones: This style is the Gucci of diapers. It offers a waterproof cover built-in. They are incredibly convenient because only one item is needed for diaper changes. Most nervous Daddy's, in my experience, have even felt comfort in these diapers. All-in-ones have snap or Velcro closures are adjustable for size. This style is the most suitable for babysitters, day care centers and quick on-the-go changes. It is also the most expensive with diapers ranging in price between $25-30 per diaper.

Diapering Accessories Diaper covers: Waterproof covers are used over flat or fitted diapers. These are crucial. The most common cover is the plastic pull up which is inexpensive and lightweight but not breathable. They are also susceptible to tearing and cracking, especially if put through the dryer. Nylon diaper covers are another option. This is the option I personally prefer and truly have fallen in love with my diaper covers. Nylon covers are a bit more expensive, are also lightweight and not nearly as prone to tearing. Ensure that all nylon covers have brushed or coated elastic around the leg and waist. Wool covers are yet another option. They are breathable, very comfortable and water-resistant. They are also pricey and not water-proof. Fleece covers are a relatively new option. They are very similar to wool covers but are appropriate for those with wool sensitivities. Lastly, polyester covers are waterproof, breathable and very long-lasting. They are very soft and comfortable. They are also quite pricey. Polyester, wool, fleece and some nylon covers come with snap or Velcro closures thereby eliminating the need to pull them up over the feet and legs. This is handy in when baby has pants and shoes on and in very cold weather. These covers also come in a variety of colors and designs so the little one stays as stylish as always, even in just diapers!

Liners: Liners can be added to diaper, on the inside for extra absorbency. This is useful for overnights, naps and long car trips when diaper changes might be farther apart. Liners are available as re-usable or as disposables. Reusable liners sometimes offer a facing of polyester which helps prevent diaper rash because they stay drier against the skin.

Inserts: Inserts are pads which can double the absorbency of the diaper. They are bulkier than liners and also very useful for longer periods between diaper changes.

Cloth Diapering Care Diapers are simple to care for. First obtain a diaper pail with fitted lid. In my experience, kitchen garbage bins work much better than the tiny wimpy diaper genies department stores market to parents. Keep your pail dry and away from heat sources or direct sunlight. Some may disagree with this part. In times before, it was often recommended to have a solution inside the diaper pail soaking at all times. Personally, I believe all this does is create a pail of filthy soup. I have been unable to see any difference in diaper cleanliness, appearance or texture. When baby needs a diaper change simply take the cloth diaper out and put into the pail. The cover may be hand washed, rinsed and hung up to dry. (my shower was a haven for diaper covers for a while). If there is any solid contributions in the diaper, simply flip them into the toilet and then deposit soiled diaper in pail. If you feel a burning desire to pre-treat or attempt stain removal, please do so. I never have simply because they are diapers after all and are only going to immediately be pooped on. Literally. When your pail is full or you are ready to wash, put all the diapers in the washing machine. The first load wash with a cup of vinegar. This is a natural way to rid the diapers of the urea and acid in the urine. Avoid using bleach or other harsh chemicals. The second load wash with regular detergent. Do the same for the third and final wash although add on an extra rinse after. It is recommended to line dry diapers if possible. Many moms will line dry them for most of the time and then pop them in the dryer for 15 minutes to soften them up. Do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets. Always hand wash and dry covers. They will last much, much longer. When unsure simply consult your diaper company's website for care advice.

Top 10 Reasons to Convert to Cloth
1. Cloth diapers equal big savings for your pocketbook and our planet
2. By using cloth diapers your family will NOT contribute an additional 1 ton of landfill waste
3. Less diaper rashes
4. No exposure to sodium polyacralate
5. Your family will not have to fuss with getting 1-2 bags of disposable diaper trash to the curb for the garbage man
6. Your baby may avoid asthma. The Archives of Environmental Health tested six leading cloth diapers and six leading disposable diapers and discovered the emissions from one disposable diaper were high enough to produce asthma-like symptoms in mice
7. Your family will reduce your carbon footprint.
8. Faster potty training. Children in cloth diapers recognize sooner when they are wet versus babies in disposable diapers
9. Cloth diapers are easy and adorable!
10. No more late night runs to the store for diapers! Out of diapers? Simply throw a load in the wash.

Cloth diapers are a great way to provide healthy, efficient, and adorable diapers to the benefit of both your baby but also your ecosystem. As you can see, cloth diapers are simply not as frightening as their reputation would imply. Diapers have changed a lot and suddenly moms have plenty of options. My suggestion to you is to buy a variety of different styles, types, and brands. Try eBay or Craigslist to keep the cost down. Then, you can see for yourself what you like, and what you don't before sinking a pile of money into this adventure. Also remember you don't have to cloth diaper exclusively. While my family decided it was best for us, many others cloth diaper part time and reserve disposables for travel and day cares. If you absolutely must use disposables, try Seventh Generation, Broody, Nature or Earth's Best organic disposable diapers. As a reminder, check your Craigslist, eBay, and always watch the thrift stores as well. Then you will have the satisfaction of reducing and reusing those precious cloth diapers.

Judith is a freelance writer, aromatherapist and soap maker. You can visit her at Natural from Home.

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Cloth Diaper

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Cloth Diapering Basics

How to Wash and Maintain Modern Cloth Diaper

Friday, April 29, 2016

Cloth Diapers Vs Disposable Diapers - This Might Surprise You

Cloth Diapers - Different Kinds of Cloth Diapers

Cloth Diapers and Child Care - Can They Get Along?

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Why Cloth Diaper?

Getting Started With Cloth Diapers

Cloth Diapering Basics

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Get to the Bottom of Cloth Diapering: The Bare Facts Explained

Cloth Diapering Is Gross!

Five Types of Cloth Diapers

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Top 3 Benefits of Using Cloth Diapers on Your Baby

Cloth Diapering 101

Cloth Diapering 101 - Learn All You Need to Get Started in Cloth Diapers and Discover the Benefits

The Cloth Diaper Debate

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