Cloth diapers. The very words send fear through many a parents' heart - but a lot of what you think you know about cloth diapers is probably not true. Old-fashioned rubber pants, fiddling with diaper pins and leaky rectangles of cloth are usually what people have in mind when they think about cloth diapers. Oh, how the world of diapering has changed!
Of course, many of these myths about about cloth are perpetuated by the disposable diaper industry - after all, protecting their share of this billion dollar market is important to them. According to the Real Diaper Association, 18 billion disposable diapers are used in the US every year. At an average cost of 25 cents each, that is a lot of money and a lot of landfill space.
Here are some common myths about using "real diapers:"
* They leak! Any diaper that is not changed often enough will leak. However, modern diaper covers and pocket diapers (a diaper that holds an absorbent insert in a special pocket opening) make leaks a rare occurrence. In fact, most moms tell me that after switching to cloth they see far fewer leaks and "blowouts" than with disposables. Elastic is a good thing!
* They are hard to clean! Well, I spend about 30 seconds cleaning a dirty diaper since I use either a flushable diaper liner or a diaper sprayer attached to the toilet to rinse off any mess. Wet diapers go straight in the diaper pail until wash day. Modern fabrics are much easier to clean than the rubber pants of old!
* They are hard to wash! It takes me about 6 minutes, three times a week, to dump a load of diapers into the wash and run a cold rinse. I then run a hot wash and a cold rinse again. Ta da! Clean diapers. I never even have to touch them between the diaper pail and time to put them in the dryer. Thanks to the cool, new-fangled invention of the washing machine, washing diapers is a cinch!
* All that water, electricity and soap will cost as much as disposables! Seriously, this argument is weak at best. I use a special biodegradable, additive free detergent and it STILL only costs me 10 cents per load. Running three wash and dry cycles a week just does not make a noticeable dent in our electric bill. If you are really worried about it, try using a high efficiency machine and line drying your diapers.
* You can't use them away from home. I use a simple zippered wet bag to keep used cloth diapers in our diaper bag until we get home. It's like camping, you simply pack out what you pack in. Now that my baby is on solids most of the time, I use a flushable liner when we go out. With a flushable liner, I can dump any mess in the toilet and I only have to deal with wet dipes when we get home.
See, cloth diapers are so much easier than you have probably been lead to believe! You can get started with cloth for a small investment to see if you like them and start saving your family money every week. I'll warn you though, a lot of parents are soon addicted to finding the cutest diapers for their babies!
Julie R. Holland is an attachment parenting author and owner of One Lucky Mama cloth diapers. Subscribe to the free One Lucky Mama newsletter for cloth diaper savings and more great articles like this one. Visit http://www.littlefornow.com for lots of great tips for getting started with cloth diapers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Julie_R._Holland/65269
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3101577
Showing posts with label basic types. Show all posts
Showing posts with label basic types. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Monday, May 2, 2016
Cloth Diapering - The Incomparable Benefits
Making the decision to cloth diaper can be a daunting one, but the benefits certainly outweigh the minor drawbacks. I never thought I'd be a cloth diapering mom until I gathered a wealth of knowledge on the advantages. Initially, cloth diapering was a deterrent as family and friend alike tried to talk me out of it, convinced that even if I tried it, I wouldn't last long. I made the decision to put my baby in cloth, and a year later, I'm loving it. It's one of the best decisions I've made for my baby and our budget.
Choosing the type of diaper was the most difficult part as a soon-to-be new mother. There are prefolds, fitted diapers, covers, one-size diapers, pocket diapers and all-in-ones (AIO's). Where to begin? Fortunately, I had the time to research and read tons of product reviews and chose the solution that was rated most highly by other parents. However, you need to choose a diaper based on your needs.
I knew I needed a diaper that was versatile and easy to use, so I chose a one-size cloth diaper. It was the most most user-friendly not only for me, but also for the friends, family members and potential daycare providers that could take over without being confused by the cloth diapering process. After all, my goal was to keep my baby in cloth 100% of the time. If my cloth diaper system was confusing for others, it would have been more difficult to be successful.
Cloth diapering has been a satisfying experience for both of us this past year. It's been a little messy at times since baby has begun solids and I had to use a diaper sprayer to clean out the mess before throwing the diaper into the washer, but the benefits we've both had from this experience have been tremendous. Now that I'm a full-time stay-at-home mom, I've found that using the prefolds with covers have made washing preparation even easier than my beloved pocket diapers.
There have, of course, been several occasions where my baby has been in disposables and my experience with them always confirms my devotion to cloth. Sure, disposables are less bulky than the cloth, but there are so many cloth diapers that are slimmer and incredibly simpler than the old-fashioned pin and cover cloth diaper that is well-known.
Not only have my cloth diapers contained blow-outs better, they've kept baby drier overnight (the disposables have always leaked for me even though I've tried various brands), and they've kept diaper rash at bay. Also, they're much more economical. The average family can save approximately $1,500 to $2,000 per child using cloth. As an added bonus, cloth diapers are environmentally-friendly and free from potentially harmful chemicals found in so many disposable diapers.
I highly recommend cloth diapering to any caregiver. It's been such a breeze and I enjoy knowing that my baby is happy, we're doing something sustainable for the environment, and to top it all of, we're saving money.
Stephanie shares additional tips, resources, and writings on a variety of interesting topics. Visit Variety is the Spice of Life for information on a sprinkling of informative topics you'll want to read!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stephanie_Bill/493057
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3370867
Choosing the type of diaper was the most difficult part as a soon-to-be new mother. There are prefolds, fitted diapers, covers, one-size diapers, pocket diapers and all-in-ones (AIO's). Where to begin? Fortunately, I had the time to research and read tons of product reviews and chose the solution that was rated most highly by other parents. However, you need to choose a diaper based on your needs.
I knew I needed a diaper that was versatile and easy to use, so I chose a one-size cloth diaper. It was the most most user-friendly not only for me, but also for the friends, family members and potential daycare providers that could take over without being confused by the cloth diapering process. After all, my goal was to keep my baby in cloth 100% of the time. If my cloth diaper system was confusing for others, it would have been more difficult to be successful.
Cloth diapering has been a satisfying experience for both of us this past year. It's been a little messy at times since baby has begun solids and I had to use a diaper sprayer to clean out the mess before throwing the diaper into the washer, but the benefits we've both had from this experience have been tremendous. Now that I'm a full-time stay-at-home mom, I've found that using the prefolds with covers have made washing preparation even easier than my beloved pocket diapers.
There have, of course, been several occasions where my baby has been in disposables and my experience with them always confirms my devotion to cloth. Sure, disposables are less bulky than the cloth, but there are so many cloth diapers that are slimmer and incredibly simpler than the old-fashioned pin and cover cloth diaper that is well-known.
Not only have my cloth diapers contained blow-outs better, they've kept baby drier overnight (the disposables have always leaked for me even though I've tried various brands), and they've kept diaper rash at bay. Also, they're much more economical. The average family can save approximately $1,500 to $2,000 per child using cloth. As an added bonus, cloth diapers are environmentally-friendly and free from potentially harmful chemicals found in so many disposable diapers.
I highly recommend cloth diapering to any caregiver. It's been such a breeze and I enjoy knowing that my baby is happy, we're doing something sustainable for the environment, and to top it all of, we're saving money.
Stephanie shares additional tips, resources, and writings on a variety of interesting topics. Visit Variety is the Spice of Life for information on a sprinkling of informative topics you'll want to read!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stephanie_Bill/493057
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3370867
Cloth Diapers - Flat and Pre-Fold Diapers
Cloth diapers can be confusing. Gone are the days when the only diapers on the market were white terry squares. These days, there's a proliferation of different types, shapes, sizes, colours and systems. And with more and more diapers coming on to the market every year, it can all seem a bit bewildering.
So here is an introduction to the basic kinds of cloth diaper you will find today.
This first article looks at
Flat diapers
Pre-fold diapers
The next article will look other types on the market. Remember that you don't have to stick to one brand. Mix and match your diaper stash to get the right combination of cloth diapers for you, your baby, and your family's lifestyle.
1. Flat diapers.
These, basically, are the old-fashioned terry squares (though you can get them in different colours these days). You fold it, then fasten it snugly around your baby. There are many different ways to fold a flat diaper, from a simple triangle to what can only be described as diaper-origami. For newborn babies, you can also use a square of muslin folded in the same way, which cuts out the bulkiness. The diaper is the absorbent part, so you need to use a separate waterproof wrap over the top.
Flat diapers are the cheapest you can get. It might be worth stocking up on these, which will save you a considerable amount of money compared to the more expensive cloth diapers, so that you can afford better waterproof wraps.
And don't be fooled by the fact that flat diapers are so cheap. Once you get the hang of how you use them, they can work as well as (if not better than) any other kind of premium cloth diaper. Practise different folds until you work out which you like best, and you can tweak, tighten and tuck the diaper so that it moulds your baby's unique shape absolutely perfectly.
Parents who start off using shaped diapers for their first baby often end up 'graduating' to flat diapers for subsequent babies, because they've realised how versatile and reliable they are. Once you're an expert at folding and fitting a flat diaper, they'll withstand any amount of wriggling. Nothing will escape from the diaper - not even the baby!
The other advantage of flat diapers is that they dry so fast. Because they unfold into a single layer of cloth, they will usually dry in a matter of hours. Other, thicker, shaped diapers, with several layers of cloth, take longer.
You need something to secure the diaper in place. In the past, this used to be safety pins. These days, you can get clever little stretchy devices with tiny 'teeth' that hook into the fabric and do the same job.
The only real disadvantage of flat diapers is that they can be a bit bulkier than some of the more expensive brands. Shops tend to sell baby clothes to go over disposable diapers, not cloth ones. But if you dress your baby in stretchy clothes, though, this shouldn't be a problem. So it's worth having a stash of these, even if you only use them at home.
2. Pre-fold diapers.
These are pretty much like flat diapers, except that they consist of a couple of layers of absorbent material, with a pre-stitched 'fold' line. Think of a three-fold leaflet - that's how you fold a pre-fold diaper, to make what is basically a rectangular wad of cloth. The waterproof wrap holds this in place. The only real advantage of this diaper over the flat terry squares is simply that you don't have to mess about with any folding.
Pre-folds work well with smaller, less mobile babies. You may find, though, that as your baby starts crawling around, pre-fold diapers might start to slip out of place.
Some parents swear by pre-folds as a perfectly workable compromise between cost and convenience. They're still pretty cheap, but you don't have to mess about learning any folding. So, if you really, really, really can't stand the idea of folding a diaper, but you still want to keep your costs down, consider pre-folds.
But do yourself a favour - just have a few tries with a standard flat diaper as well, just in case you change mind. Who knows? You might find (as many parents have before you) that you enjoy the art of folding diapers - and even become something of an expert.
If you enjoyed reading this article by Tamsin Constable, a professional, BBC-trained writer, and you would like free tips on how to improve your own writing, please feel free to mosey along to Tamsin's blog at http://www.tamsinconstable.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tamsin_Constable/515092
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3537647
So here is an introduction to the basic kinds of cloth diaper you will find today.
This first article looks at
Flat diapers
Pre-fold diapers
The next article will look other types on the market. Remember that you don't have to stick to one brand. Mix and match your diaper stash to get the right combination of cloth diapers for you, your baby, and your family's lifestyle.
1. Flat diapers.
These, basically, are the old-fashioned terry squares (though you can get them in different colours these days). You fold it, then fasten it snugly around your baby. There are many different ways to fold a flat diaper, from a simple triangle to what can only be described as diaper-origami. For newborn babies, you can also use a square of muslin folded in the same way, which cuts out the bulkiness. The diaper is the absorbent part, so you need to use a separate waterproof wrap over the top.
Flat diapers are the cheapest you can get. It might be worth stocking up on these, which will save you a considerable amount of money compared to the more expensive cloth diapers, so that you can afford better waterproof wraps.
And don't be fooled by the fact that flat diapers are so cheap. Once you get the hang of how you use them, they can work as well as (if not better than) any other kind of premium cloth diaper. Practise different folds until you work out which you like best, and you can tweak, tighten and tuck the diaper so that it moulds your baby's unique shape absolutely perfectly.
Parents who start off using shaped diapers for their first baby often end up 'graduating' to flat diapers for subsequent babies, because they've realised how versatile and reliable they are. Once you're an expert at folding and fitting a flat diaper, they'll withstand any amount of wriggling. Nothing will escape from the diaper - not even the baby!
The other advantage of flat diapers is that they dry so fast. Because they unfold into a single layer of cloth, they will usually dry in a matter of hours. Other, thicker, shaped diapers, with several layers of cloth, take longer.
You need something to secure the diaper in place. In the past, this used to be safety pins. These days, you can get clever little stretchy devices with tiny 'teeth' that hook into the fabric and do the same job.
The only real disadvantage of flat diapers is that they can be a bit bulkier than some of the more expensive brands. Shops tend to sell baby clothes to go over disposable diapers, not cloth ones. But if you dress your baby in stretchy clothes, though, this shouldn't be a problem. So it's worth having a stash of these, even if you only use them at home.
2. Pre-fold diapers.
These are pretty much like flat diapers, except that they consist of a couple of layers of absorbent material, with a pre-stitched 'fold' line. Think of a three-fold leaflet - that's how you fold a pre-fold diaper, to make what is basically a rectangular wad of cloth. The waterproof wrap holds this in place. The only real advantage of this diaper over the flat terry squares is simply that you don't have to mess about with any folding.
Pre-folds work well with smaller, less mobile babies. You may find, though, that as your baby starts crawling around, pre-fold diapers might start to slip out of place.
Some parents swear by pre-folds as a perfectly workable compromise between cost and convenience. They're still pretty cheap, but you don't have to mess about learning any folding. So, if you really, really, really can't stand the idea of folding a diaper, but you still want to keep your costs down, consider pre-folds.
But do yourself a favour - just have a few tries with a standard flat diaper as well, just in case you change mind. Who knows? You might find (as many parents have before you) that you enjoy the art of folding diapers - and even become something of an expert.
If you enjoyed reading this article by Tamsin Constable, a professional, BBC-trained writer, and you would like free tips on how to improve your own writing, please feel free to mosey along to Tamsin's blog at http://www.tamsinconstable.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tamsin_Constable/515092
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3537647
Sunday, May 1, 2016
One-Size Cloth Diapers - Everything You Need to Know
One of the most popular things that people looking into using cloth on their kids want to know are the pros and cons of sized diapers (small, med, large) versus a one size diaper. The idea of only having to buy one set of diapers is not only ideal from a convenience standpoint but certainly from a financial standpoint. Lots of parents think that they can purchase a certain number of one-size diapers and then recycling them through 2-3 or more kids - which may not be realistic. This seems like a perfect plan before thinking about some of the factors that are worth considering.
There are several factors that influence that life of a cloth diaper. The most important thing would be the washing routine. If you read the directions for washing on most cloth diapers, they say something similar to - wash on hot with a mild, additive free detergent, follow up with a cold rinse and then either tumble dry low or hang to dry (some people like to do an initial cold rinse to help with stains as well). Also, depending on your lifestyle and the size of your diaper stash, it may not always be feasible to hang your diapers to dry each and every time - line drying will greatly increase the life of your diapers. Even if you plan on line drying, also plan on having to use the dryer every once in awhile when you are in a rush! The last factor is the actual number of diapers you have, which directly influences the number of times you have to wash your diapers per week which in turn will influence how long they last. For example - a dozen one size diapers that are washed every 1.5-2 days for 2 years are going to wear out twice as fast than if you had 2 dozen diapers and washed just twice a week (on average that is the difference between 100 and 200 trips through the washer per year.)
The next thing to consider is the actual diapering needs of infants v. toddlers. As seasoned parents can attest to, the older the child, generally, the less diaper changes needed. In those early infant weeks and months, when babe is likely needing changing all the time, you will certainly go through twice as many diapers than say a 10-12 month old child. The need to change so often starts spacing out substantially as the child gets older - especially when solids are introduced. We generally recommend 2-3 dozen diapers for a newborn (or more if you don't like to wash as often), this would be way more than one would necessarily need for an older child - this certainly lends itself to thinking that it might make the most sense to have a separate nb/sm stash of 2-3 dozen diapers and then moving up to a smaller stash of medium diapers or one-size diapers when the babe grows out of the smaller collection. This also would allow families of multiple, different aged children to cycle through the sizes - especially if you plan on having several children and using cloth on all of them. The wear on one set of one size diapers through 2 or more children is going to be quite substantial and you could be disappointed when they begin to wear out earlier than you had hoped. Although you will most likely get quite a bit of wear out of a one size diaper, it may not be feasible to expect any piece of cloth to withstand being washed every other day for upwards of 2 years.
Another thing to consider is the resale value. There is a good market for well taken care of, but used cloth diapers - so if you do end up with more in a particular size than you need or if they still have some life in them once your own kids are done with them, you quite possibly could recoup some of your investment.
If you do choose to have a stash consisting mainly of one size diapers, you want to make sure that it is large enough that you only wash a couple times a week and really properly care for them to extend their life. Our recommendation is that if you know you want to have 2 or more children, sized diapers may be your better choice atleast for some of your stash - 2-3 dozen newborn or small, 1-2 dozen mediums and some kiddies don't even need large as they potty train before they grow out of the mediums. If you are having your children close together, having 6-12 one size diapers added to the mix might be good for outings and to streamline a little bit and make the diaper bag easier to tote around! It's important to make sure your expectations for any wear product is realistic and want to make sure that everyone finds the type of diaper that will suit their family.
The author is Katie Ham and she is an expert on clothdiapering and natural family living. She writes for Maine Cloth Diaper Company out of Damariscotta, Maine which is a small boutique both off and online that specializes in baby and toddler items including cloth diapers, cloth diaper supplies, clothes, safe toys, safe feeding items, nursing bras and covers, baby carriers and more. Both Katie and Maine Cloth Diaper's mission is to spread the word about cloth diapers and how how easy and healthy they are for both the environment and your child.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Katie_C_Ham/544306
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3679289
Cloth Diapering Systems and What Each Type is Good For - What Cloth Diaper Should I Buy?
Cloth diapers might seem like a step back in time but in reality we need to become more conscious of our environment and this is one step parents can take to start the process and ensure our next generations have a place left to move forward.
There are several different options when it comes to cloth diapers. There is the pocket cloth diaper, the all-in-one, the one size fits all and the two part pre folds. They all have some strong environmental advantages but some types make more sense in practicality, convenience, and cost.
Pocket cloth diapers are designed for ease of use. The cloth diaper is stuffed inside a pocket before hand and put onto the child quickly. This form is quick, easy, and convenient. The downside to this is that once the diaper is soiled the whole thing is soiled as well. The cloth diaper cannot just be removed from the pocket and stuffed with another because the cover is wet. Not to mention that you will need a lot of diapers to keep up with the baby's wetting cycle which in turn will cost more money. So this isn't really the best idea unless you have lots of money to spend.
Next is the all in one cloth diaper which is both diaper and wrap in one. This is much like the pocket design except there is no pocket to stuff as the diaper comes pre stuffed. Similar to the pocket diaper these are easy to use in the sense that they go on very quick. The down side is once this diaper is soiled it is soiled and it will need a full wash and dry before it is usable again. In turn this creates a lot of wear and tear which means you will need to own a lot of diapers and in turn spend more money.
The one size fits all style cloth diapers are designed to be the the one and only cloth diaper you will need. They can come in all in one or pocket style and have a great amount of adjust-ability to fit children from newborn to toddler. The downside to this style of diaper is that no matter what the manufacturer says there is simply no way one size can fit all. The amount of liquid a newborn produces is clearly different than that of a toddler.
The final and most superior diapering system on the market is the two-part pre-fold type of system made popular by Real Nappies. With Real Nappies the cloth diaper is separate from the cover. This way the diaper cover is unaffected by soiling and only the inside cloth needs to be replaced. This translates not only into less washing but also less supplies to carry around. Also this system has different size covers and diapers for each stage of your child's growth. This way you have a perfect fit from new born to toddler. Also the wear is spread over four different sizes so that one set of Nappies can be used for on two separate children of different ages at the same time. Over all the the diaper system made popular by Real Nappies cloth diapers seems to be the best overall option when it comes to price, practicality, and environmental impact.
Francis Frost is the owner of Module Marketing. Module is based in Auckland New Zealand. Frost has a 10 week old baby and is an advocate of the Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag. For more information on Merino sleep sacks in the USA go to Babysleepbags.com and for more information or to purchase in the rest of the world go to Babysleepbags.co.uk [http://www.babysleepbags.co.uk].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Francis_Frost/413936
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3613048
There are several different options when it comes to cloth diapers. There is the pocket cloth diaper, the all-in-one, the one size fits all and the two part pre folds. They all have some strong environmental advantages but some types make more sense in practicality, convenience, and cost.
Pocket cloth diapers are designed for ease of use. The cloth diaper is stuffed inside a pocket before hand and put onto the child quickly. This form is quick, easy, and convenient. The downside to this is that once the diaper is soiled the whole thing is soiled as well. The cloth diaper cannot just be removed from the pocket and stuffed with another because the cover is wet. Not to mention that you will need a lot of diapers to keep up with the baby's wetting cycle which in turn will cost more money. So this isn't really the best idea unless you have lots of money to spend.
Next is the all in one cloth diaper which is both diaper and wrap in one. This is much like the pocket design except there is no pocket to stuff as the diaper comes pre stuffed. Similar to the pocket diaper these are easy to use in the sense that they go on very quick. The down side is once this diaper is soiled it is soiled and it will need a full wash and dry before it is usable again. In turn this creates a lot of wear and tear which means you will need to own a lot of diapers and in turn spend more money.
The one size fits all style cloth diapers are designed to be the the one and only cloth diaper you will need. They can come in all in one or pocket style and have a great amount of adjust-ability to fit children from newborn to toddler. The downside to this style of diaper is that no matter what the manufacturer says there is simply no way one size can fit all. The amount of liquid a newborn produces is clearly different than that of a toddler.
The final and most superior diapering system on the market is the two-part pre-fold type of system made popular by Real Nappies. With Real Nappies the cloth diaper is separate from the cover. This way the diaper cover is unaffected by soiling and only the inside cloth needs to be replaced. This translates not only into less washing but also less supplies to carry around. Also this system has different size covers and diapers for each stage of your child's growth. This way you have a perfect fit from new born to toddler. Also the wear is spread over four different sizes so that one set of Nappies can be used for on two separate children of different ages at the same time. Over all the the diaper system made popular by Real Nappies cloth diapers seems to be the best overall option when it comes to price, practicality, and environmental impact.
Francis Frost is the owner of Module Marketing. Module is based in Auckland New Zealand. Frost has a 10 week old baby and is an advocate of the Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag. For more information on Merino sleep sacks in the USA go to Babysleepbags.com and for more information or to purchase in the rest of the world go to Babysleepbags.co.uk [http://www.babysleepbags.co.uk].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Francis_Frost/413936
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3613048
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].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tess_Moran/603105
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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.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/CK_Ding/742090
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Friday, April 29, 2016
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.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sapna_Kale/719208
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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.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Amy_Nogar/22985
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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?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Marie_Reilly/1055562
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6257733
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?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Marie_Reilly/1055562
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6257733
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stephanie_Collins/1919606
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8545559
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.
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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stephanie_Collins/1919606
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8545559
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The Four Basic Types Of Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapers of today are not the cloth diapers of your grandmother's era. And for those who are trying to live in a more environmentally conscious way, this is good news. With babies, who need to have their diapers changed ten or more times a day, using cloth just makes economical and environmental sense. And with today's cloth diapers, which are much easier to put on and take off, easier to clean and quite stylish, why wouldn't anyone switch?
What other reasons should a mother look at cloth diapers? Lets look at the health factors. To start, disposable diapers contain traces of Dioxin, an extremely toxic by-product of the paper-bleaching process. It is a carcinogenic chemical, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals and is banned in most countries, but not the U.S
Another chemical in disposable diapers is Tributyl-tin (TBT) - a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals. Disposable diapers also contain sodium polyacrylate, a type of super absorbent polymer (SAP), which becomes a gel-like substance when wet. In May 2000, the Archives of Disease in Childhood published research showing that scrotal temperature is increased in boys wearing disposable diapers, and that prolonged use of disposable diapers will blunt or completely abolish the physiological testicular cooling mechanism important for normal spermatogenesis.
And of course there is the problem with plastic diapers and the slow rate at which they It takes around 80,000 pounds of plastic and over 200,000 trees a year to manufacture the disposable diapers for American babies alone.
In the world of diapers, there are primarily four main types. Those include:
1. Prefolds - The prefold diaper is one of the more popular choices among parents. This diaper is made up of multiple layers with more layering in the middle. Prefolds are also referred to as 2x6x2's, 4x6x4's, 4x8x4's etc. These numbers refer to the number of layers in the sides and middle of the diaper (i.e., 4x6x4's have 4 layers in the sides and 6 in the middle). The stitching on the edges of the prefolds are coded to tell you the size (for example, dark green = infant, white = regular, dark blue = premium).
Prefolds come in bleached or unbleached (abbreviated as BCPF or UBCPF). Prefolds are like traditional diapers in that they need to be pinned or you can fold them into a wrap cover. If you want your baby to have a hip prefold diaper, they do come in hemp. This diaper is a little more costly though. Prefolds store easily, dry quickly, fit a wide range of body types and sizes, don't have elastic/snaps/velcro to wear out and are very absorbent.
2. Fitted Diapers - The fitted diapers have elastic at the legs and back, in this they look a lot like a disposable diaper. While disposable diapers have tape to hold them in place, fitted diapers use Velcro or snap fasteners. These diapers are also made of a variety of materials such as organic cotton or hemp.
3. All In Ones (AIOS) -All-in-ones are the absorbent part of the diaper and the cover combined into a single diaper, just like disposables. These cloth diapers are the easiest and most leak proof diapers to use and have a built in diaper cover sewn into the cotton or fleece layer. They fasten with snaps or velcro and work like the ease of a disposable. There are many varieties of the All In Ones. There is the easy to use, bumGenius!, Thirsties, OsoCozy, Imse Vimse, and Dream-Eze.
4. Pocket Diapers - There's one other category of diapers called the pocket diaper. These have a layer of fleece sewn to a cover (either fleece or PUL) with an opening in the back so that the inside of the diaper can be stuffed with any absorbent layer. The three main components of the "Pocket Diapers" are the waterproof outer barrier fabric that is sewn to the second component, and then the inner moisture-wicking fabric that keeps the skin feeling dry. The biggest manufacturer of this style of diaper is Mother of Eden, which makes Fuzzi Bunz (FB). Fuzzi Bunz diapers are a pocket diaper that fits from birth to potty training. The pocket diapers come in a large variety of colors and prints and are quite stylish. The downside? The pocket diapers can be a little tricky to care for.
When it comes to cleaning any of your cloth diapers, there are also a variety of approaches. Many people use what are called doublers or liners. Doublers are not only easy to dispose of but they also are used to add absorbency to your diapers. Using a doubler helps with overnight or naptime situations. Some cloth diapers, such as Prefold, may not need doublers during naps - you may have to experiment.
When it comes to liners, these can help you keep your baby's butt drier than having their skin against wet cotton. Liners are easy to dispose of as well, they peel away from the diaper and are easily flushed. Flannel liners may be a better choice over polyester if your baby's skin is sensitive.
Yes, the cloth diaper world has changed, and for the better, with more and more options, for the picky and conscientious mother to choose from.Kelly's Closet is committed to providing high quality products and superior customer service that is unmatched in the cloth diaper industry. Trusted brands such as Fuzzi Bunz, Bumgenius and Happy Heinys are available along with a wide range of associated baby gear. Visit online today.
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1012969_80.html
What other reasons should a mother look at cloth diapers? Lets look at the health factors. To start, disposable diapers contain traces of Dioxin, an extremely toxic by-product of the paper-bleaching process. It is a carcinogenic chemical, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals and is banned in most countries, but not the U.S
Another chemical in disposable diapers is Tributyl-tin (TBT) - a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals. Disposable diapers also contain sodium polyacrylate, a type of super absorbent polymer (SAP), which becomes a gel-like substance when wet. In May 2000, the Archives of Disease in Childhood published research showing that scrotal temperature is increased in boys wearing disposable diapers, and that prolonged use of disposable diapers will blunt or completely abolish the physiological testicular cooling mechanism important for normal spermatogenesis.
And of course there is the problem with plastic diapers and the slow rate at which they It takes around 80,000 pounds of plastic and over 200,000 trees a year to manufacture the disposable diapers for American babies alone.
In the world of diapers, there are primarily four main types. Those include:
1. Prefolds - The prefold diaper is one of the more popular choices among parents. This diaper is made up of multiple layers with more layering in the middle. Prefolds are also referred to as 2x6x2's, 4x6x4's, 4x8x4's etc. These numbers refer to the number of layers in the sides and middle of the diaper (i.e., 4x6x4's have 4 layers in the sides and 6 in the middle). The stitching on the edges of the prefolds are coded to tell you the size (for example, dark green = infant, white = regular, dark blue = premium).
Prefolds come in bleached or unbleached (abbreviated as BCPF or UBCPF). Prefolds are like traditional diapers in that they need to be pinned or you can fold them into a wrap cover. If you want your baby to have a hip prefold diaper, they do come in hemp. This diaper is a little more costly though. Prefolds store easily, dry quickly, fit a wide range of body types and sizes, don't have elastic/snaps/velcro to wear out and are very absorbent.
2. Fitted Diapers - The fitted diapers have elastic at the legs and back, in this they look a lot like a disposable diaper. While disposable diapers have tape to hold them in place, fitted diapers use Velcro or snap fasteners. These diapers are also made of a variety of materials such as organic cotton or hemp.
3. All In Ones (AIOS) -All-in-ones are the absorbent part of the diaper and the cover combined into a single diaper, just like disposables. These cloth diapers are the easiest and most leak proof diapers to use and have a built in diaper cover sewn into the cotton or fleece layer. They fasten with snaps or velcro and work like the ease of a disposable. There are many varieties of the All In Ones. There is the easy to use, bumGenius!, Thirsties, OsoCozy, Imse Vimse, and Dream-Eze.
4. Pocket Diapers - There's one other category of diapers called the pocket diaper. These have a layer of fleece sewn to a cover (either fleece or PUL) with an opening in the back so that the inside of the diaper can be stuffed with any absorbent layer. The three main components of the "Pocket Diapers" are the waterproof outer barrier fabric that is sewn to the second component, and then the inner moisture-wicking fabric that keeps the skin feeling dry. The biggest manufacturer of this style of diaper is Mother of Eden, which makes Fuzzi Bunz (FB). Fuzzi Bunz diapers are a pocket diaper that fits from birth to potty training. The pocket diapers come in a large variety of colors and prints and are quite stylish. The downside? The pocket diapers can be a little tricky to care for.
When it comes to cleaning any of your cloth diapers, there are also a variety of approaches. Many people use what are called doublers or liners. Doublers are not only easy to dispose of but they also are used to add absorbency to your diapers. Using a doubler helps with overnight or naptime situations. Some cloth diapers, such as Prefold, may not need doublers during naps - you may have to experiment.
When it comes to liners, these can help you keep your baby's butt drier than having their skin against wet cotton. Liners are easy to dispose of as well, they peel away from the diaper and are easily flushed. Flannel liners may be a better choice over polyester if your baby's skin is sensitive.
Yes, the cloth diaper world has changed, and for the better, with more and more options, for the picky and conscientious mother to choose from.Kelly's Closet is committed to providing high quality products and superior customer service that is unmatched in the cloth diaper industry. Trusted brands such as Fuzzi Bunz, Bumgenius and Happy Heinys are available along with a wide range of associated baby gear. Visit online today.
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1012969_80.html
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