Cloth Diapering for Two: Harder Than I Bargained For

My economical, earth friendly plight has reached a turning point.  I would say our cloth diaper status is currently at about 20% and less if I'm really lazy.

We did a good job keeping Rowan in CDs until we switched to his new day care, {which we LOVE, by the way}.  I have to admit, I never asked if they would do cloth diapers.  I just felt like since it is a home-based day care at such a reasonable price, I shouldn’t give them the extra hassle of cloth.  They do require more frequent changes and a little extra time at the changing station.

Since we also use disposable diapers at night, there really isn’t much room at all during the day for Rowan to use CDs.  We were doing cloth on the weekends for a while, but we’ve been noticing that our GroVia hybrids haven’t been fitting Rowan so well.  They’ve gotten harder and harder to get on and I finally threw in the towel.  I was a little disappointed since I thought the diapers would fit until Rowan was potty trained.  Maybe they would fit most babies.  At 17 months, Rowan is pretty big for his age.  We just got a little toilet for the Cub and I think he’s going to catch on fast {fingers crossed}.  At this point, I don’t want to invest any more money trying to find a new cloth diaper that fits. For Rowan, disposos it is, until he can wear real undies.

For Cid, I’ve been using the Thirsties covers with pre-fold inserts.  The thing is, we burn through the inserts in a single day and I’m just not as on top of the laundry as I was with just Rowan. I swear those inserts have been slowly disappearing just like socks!  And sue me if I want to get in a few loads of my own clothes and take a break every once in a while.  

I may or may not buy a few more prefolds.  But mostly, I'll just continue to use what we have the best we can.  I keep telling myself that at least using a few less disposos is doing something good.

Anyone else CDing for two? I love to hear thoughts or tips.

Image Source: earthycrunchymama.com

Stripping

No, not that kind of stripping, pervs! Although we could always use the extra $$$, I think I'll stick to the only kind of stripping that I might have a shot at {and that's debatable} - diaper stripping.

Let's see, it's been a little over a month since my cloth diapers suddenly went waterproof. After doing some internet research, I tried dishsoap to rid the diapers of diaper rash cream {the prime suspect}. 

The jury's still out on whether or not it actually worked. 

{Sorry, I wish I could be more helpful}

But, I mean, it's hard to tell, since we didn't really experience the issue very much to begin with.  

I have a feeling only a few inserts fell victim.  I never pinpointed which ones.  And now daycare is doubling up on the inserts {I have also been providing Gro Via Booster Pads, which work great!}, so they don't really have a problem anymore either.  Though, I really don't think they need to be doubling up......I think they need to change him more often.  This has been politely suggested, but I'm pretty sure the teachers have selective hearing.

When I get around to it, I think I'll give stripping another try.  I think I'll use a hospital nail scrubber this time to help.   



Whoops! CDs and Diaper Rash Cream Don't Mix!

We LOVE our Gro Via Hybrid cloth diapers.  I can't say there's been anything to complain about {except the time it takes to dry them, but during summer, I just leave them out all day on the rack and that works perfect}.  So we've been surprised that lately, the daycare has been complaining that Rowan leaks right through his cloth diapers.  They've tried a number of their own methods for trying to fix this, including putting the pad in backwards, and just not using cloth diapers at all.  However, we've been skeptical because we NEVER have this problem at home...

Until today.

I picked Rowan up from daycare at 11:30 am to go to our company picnic.  They had just put him in a clean CD and I didn't change it during the picnic {he didn't seem to be fussing or wet}.  As I was carrying him towards the car, at 2pm, all o'sudden I felt a big wet spot on my shirt.  Lo and behold, his entire pee had soaked right through the diaper!  WTF??

I was seriously starting to panic a little.  I mean, we spent a small fortune on these diapers.  What the hell is going on?

The whole drive back home, my brain was turning.  How did we ruin our diapers?  I ONLY use Charlie's Soap for ALL our laundry.  Then it dawned on me!  Daycare uses a shit-ton of diaper rash cream {I can't blame them, since I actually authorized use of diaper rash cream, though I didn't expect them to use it as liberally as they do}.  Diaper rash cream is water repellent.  Diaper rash cream + cloth diaper = water repellent diaper. SHIT.  Over time, the diaper rash cream has worked it's way into the Gro Via inserts, making them, basically useless!!!

So why don't we have this problem at home?  Well, we don't use much diaper rash cream at home for starters and when we do, it's pretty much only at night, with a disposable diaper.  Also, we mostly use prefolds inserted into the Gro Via shell {we spare the Gro Via inserts for daycare since they're easier}.  I guess when we do use the Gro Via inserts at home, we've just lucked out using ones that weren't as contaminated with diaper rash cream.

I was still upset.  Solving the puzzle didn't make me feel any better about my whole {$$$} stash of CDs that don't work anymore.  So I got online, of course, and searched for ways to clean diaper rash cream from cloth diapers. I mean, this HAS to be a common problem.  And lucky for me, it is.  There's a whole bunch of info about stripping diapers of unwanted contaminates.  You have to be careful though, 'cause some methods don't jive with certain brands.  That's why I went straight to the Gro Via website for my info.

I smothered five of my inserts with dish soap and hot water and scrubbed away.  Then I rinsed. Then I soaked them in boiling water.  I'm still planning on running them through a hot, detergent free wash cycle. I am crossing my fingers that this will work.  I think I'll cry if it doesn't.

AND, from now on, we and daycare are on strict orders to use ONLY the Gro Via Magic Stick diaper rash cream, {which is made by Gro Via, for Gro Via} so this doesn't happen again!

Cloth Diapers - GroVia AI2

Okay, so I know I said we made the big decision when it came to which CD system to go with.  But we all know I have a hard time committing, and besides, this is an iterative process right?

I bought some more Thirsties, as diaper covers, a few days ago.  But then I found the GroVia AI2 Hybrid.  The GroVia AI2 (all in two) is what I was looking for all along!  Can this be true? How did I miss it?

And to make my decision to buy and try even easier, Costco.com has a super deal on a starter pack right now!  And I got to order online, so I can avoid those crazy Costco cart drivers!

Image Source: www.wishingpenny.blogspot.com

The GroVia AI2 is a diaper cover, with a snap in insert.  BUT, you can also use the cover over prefolds or disposable inserts!  There are both hook/loop and snap closure options.  Also, the GroVia AI2 is a one size fits all, so unlike Thirsties, you {shouldn't} have to keep buying up.

I am so excited to get my GroVia diapers.  I can't wait to get them and tell y'all all how they work!

Cloth Diapers - We're Back on Board

We took a break for a few weeks because Rowan had grown out of his Thirsties diaper cover, and we weren't sure which diaper system we wanted to go with. {We originally registered for Fuzzibuns, but it became apparent very early that this wasn't the right choice for us, I'll explain why later}.

Yesterday we attended a cloth diapering workshop at Tiny Tots.  First of all, we were the ONLY parents there who already had our kid! {Guess we were a little late in the research department}. The workshop was mostly about they're diaper service, so since we're not doing that, I kind of yawned through that part.  The more worthwhile part for me was getting to see the various diapers/diaper systems they offered and what they were good for, and the helpful tips.  For instance, you shouldn't use their disposable inserts with polyurethane lined diaper covers, because the adhesive on the insert will ruin the cover liner, and things like that.

In the end, we opted to continue with Thirsties.  Here's why:

 

Thirsties Duo Wrap

Image Source: Amazon.com

1. It's a cloth diaper COVER.  Not a diaper system.  It's waterproof, so it keeps the "dirty" contained, but you do not have to wash the cover with every soil.  This is big for me, because I don't want to be glued to the washer and dryer.  Plus, I'm not sure where, but at some point, the water, electricity and gas usage from laundering all the time makes the economic and environmental reasons for CD-ing moot. AND, I like having the cloth diaper prefolds around.  They're useful for a lot of things.


2.  They're cheap.  {$12} They fit our modest budget.  Not the cheapest, but compared to Fuzzibuns or BumGenius, they're cheap.  Because you only have to buy a few {like 4}, as opposed to 15-25. A mom at the diaper class, recommended going with the cheapest option first, because not all diapers work with all babies.  So you could invest in the most expensive and come to find that you have to start all over...so start with the cheapest option and work up if you have to. 

3. The Gussets.  We already know that Thirsties work pretty well for Rowan.  I like the gussets in the leg hole that help keep seal up the diaper. 

4. Drying Time. Washing and drying Thirsties are a cinch.

The down-sides:

What I don't LOVE about Thirsties, are that they velcro {although snap ones are available, just not at Tiny Tots}, they don't grow with the baby {you have to keep buying bigger sizes}, and we do get leaks out the top/sides every now and then {but we got that with disposos and Fuzzibuns too. Also, you have to be diligent about changing because the baby definitely feels the wet diaper {which btw, is supposed to help with potty training in the future}.

I have to admit, it's hard to pass up those super-cool, super-soft, and super-cute diaper systems.  AND there are SO many options to choose from.  I had to talk myself down from the expensive all-in-ones, even though I knew from experience that I didn't like them at much! {Talk about social and media influence at work}  Ultimately, they just didn't seem that practical. 

We are glad that we have a few Fuzzibuns, because it was recommended to use them at night for a dryer sleep.  One thing though, you may want to wait until Baby isn't pooping during the night, because your Fuzzibuns will get stained.


We also didn't go hog wild, yet.  We got 4 covers in Rowan's size, and we'll continue to get a few more as he grows.  I decided to go with color coordination by size {xsmall = celery green, size one = ocean blue, size two = probably mango orange}.


Happy Cloth Diapering!

Embarrassing Mommy {and Daddy} Moments - We Ran Out of Diapers!

We mostly keep our diaper bag in the car

{because I'm always worried I'll forget it if I bring it back and forth}.  I'm usually pretty good at keeping it stocked, but I must have been preoccupied lately because a couple nights ago we ran out of diapers while at a friend's housewarming party. 

Uhh...what do you do?

Thank goodness we had a {not entirely clean}Fuzzibuns cover in there that I had forgotten to remove! We stuffed it with one of Rowan's spare outfits.  Then we promptly said our "goodbyes", so we could get his tiny little butt into something more appropriate. 

Not very glamorous, but it worked okay.

Can anyone relate?  What experiences have you had with lack of diaper supply and how did you deal?

Every Three Minutes {which turns into a Costco vs Target rant, er...comparision}

In the last ten minutes, I changed Rowan's diaper 3 times!!  He's tearing through them like there's no tomorrow!  Not only is my guilty conscience setting in every time I toss another disposo in the trash bucket, but its also posing a serious threat to my wallet and my free/running errands time!

It definitely means I have to take another trip to Costco, or maybe Target - Costco in the San Jose/Santa Clara area is a veritable clusterf@#%.  A trip to Costco for dipes will turn into a full afternoon of dodging crazy cart drivers and their equally as unaware crazy cart drivers in training {aka their kids}. Seriously, it's like Costco shoppers have built in homing devices that target your cart, or maybe they think it's a game of bumper cars.  Costco should just turn it into the real deal and put rubber bumpers and flashing lights on the carts.  Then I could buy into the "fun".

Target is looking better and better as I type.  Besides, last time I bought the Target brand diapers {Up & Up}, they cost $0.15/diaper.  That's one cent cheaper, per dipe, than the Kirkland brand at Costco.  AND, at Target, I can print instant pics of my favorite little man, plus get Starbucks.

There you have it.  Target is better AND cheaper than Costco {except when it comes to tires}!

Anyway, back to the point; We really have to get back on the CD bandwagon.  After a CD workshop this weekend at Tiny Tots, I hope we'll be informed enough to make the big decision!

Cloth Diapers - A Hiatus

We've taken sort of a break from cloth diapers.  It's not entirely out of convenience though.  Rowan outgrew his x-small Thirsties diaper cover and I can't find the larger one that I already bought.  He still can wear the small Fuzzibuns {we have two of those}, so we use them when they're clean.  Unlike the Thirsties cover {which fits OVER a cloth diaper}, Fuzzibuns come with an insert and the entire all-in-one is meant to be washed every time the diaper is soiled.  It doesn't really work to use Fuzzibuns as a cloth diaper cover becasue the soft lining of the Fuzzibuns gets damp.

We're still on the cloth diaper boat, but I'm still undecided which brand cloth diaper I want to continue with.  So before we invest a bunch more money into them, Rogér and I are taking a class at Tiny Tots, in Campbell, CA.  Hopefully we'll learn about the different diapers available, so we know which ones we want to go forward with.  I'll keep you posted!

Cloth Diapers - So Far, So Good (with a little help)

We've had a pretty good run with cloth diapers so far.  Right now, we only have one diaper cover (the x-small Thirsties) that's small enough for our little, tiny man.  I'm not sure whether I should buy another one, or wait, since he won't be this small for long :(

The Thirsties cover has been great!  The only snaffoo we had was that the soaked up the wetness from a pee pee diaper, and it spread out from there.  I read about that on Amazon, so it's not surprising.  The Amazon user said the easy solution is to cut out the tag, but she pointed out that then you lose the washing/drying information.  We'll have to find a place to save the tag, that we'll remember.

The only other thing is that the prefolded cloth diapers from Gerber seem a little big.  I feel like it squishes him all up and doesn't allow air in.  Probably could've avoided this from buying less generic diapers and getting a smaller size from a place like this.  Also, possibly related to the bulky size, I think that his little bum isn't getting aired out enough with the cloth diapers.  Disposables are better at wicking away moisture.

One more thing, right now, we're folding the diapers in thirds (long ways), and then fanning out the back, like the Flying Angel Wing, shown here.

As we fumble through figuring out the diaper thing, it's been great to have a few disposables on hand, especially since we only have one cover. If you're totally against this, an option might be biodegradable disposables. 

-Sarah

Cloth Diapers - Easing Our Way Into It

We've planned to try this cloth diaper thing.  Friends of ours have done it and said it wasn't so bad, so we figured we'd give it a shot.  It's cheaper, and it saves the landfills.  We're not going to be all high and mighty about it though.  Don't even know if we'll be able to pull it off.  Plus, we'll probably end up using some combination of cloth and disposables.  For instance, I don't think daycare will do cloth diapers for us, and on road trips, I think disposables are key.

We gave ourselves a little break and used the infant disposable diapers that the hospital stocked us with.  But two days ago, with a little nudge from our friend, Lisa G, we decided to dive into cloth diapers!

Here's the skinny.

We invested in a few Fuzzibunz,

and a couple Thirsties,

plus Gerber Pre-Folded Cloth Diapers. 

The Fuzzibunz seem too big for our little fella right now, and I haven't quite figured out how I want to use them yet (yeah, should've figured it out before, but didn't, okay?).  So we started last night with a cloth diaper covered with the x-small Thirsties cover.  So far, so good.  He's had two pees and a three poopies, and no leaks.  Of course, he hasn't had a huge blowout shart yet, but I'm still happy that the cloth diapers seem to be working for the normal-sized pees and poos.

I haven't washed a load yet. I'll let you know how it goes when I do.  I did buy some special detergent called Charlie's Soap, which I read is safe for baby skin and good for cloth diapers.