Another Cloth Diaper Giveaway!
Posted by Camille , Wednesday, May 19, 2010 9:28 AM
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Granola Bits of the Day: Prefolds and Covers
Posted by Camille , Tuesday, May 18, 2010 2:32 PM
Today I will show you how to use prefold cloth diapers (PF) and polyurethane laminate (PUL) diaper covers. Prefolds and covers are a great option for cost conscious families, and are honestly, just as easy as other cloth diapering options. You will need about 4-6 covers and 30-36 prefolds if you prefer to wash every 3 days, less if you wash more often.
Prefolds are most commonly made of cotton, though they can be purchased in bamboo and hemp. A washed (prepped) high quality cotton prefold should look like this:
When you buy prefolds they start out looking smooth, you have to wash and dry them 4-5 times to 'prep' them. Prepping means you are making the fabric so that it will absorb more moisture. Most natural fibers reach FULL absorbency after 10 or so washes. You don't need to use detergent for the prepping process and you can throw a dry towel in the dryer each cycle to shorten the dry time. Once they are prepped they are ready to use. There are several sizes of prefold. I have here a preemie, infant, and premium sized prefold. You really only need to worry about the rise of the PF unless you plan to actually pin the diaper on the baby. In most cases you don't need to do that, you can just fold the diaper like a brochure as picture in the next few steps.
Pictured below: preemie, and infant sized prepped prefolds:
PUL covers come in several sizes and types as well. I have here a Thirsties Duo Wrap and a Blueberry One-Size cover.
You do not have to wash a cover every time you use it. Simply wipe it out and use it again, unless it is soiled. I generally use my 4-5 times before washing them.
When you wash an aplix cover don't forget to fasten the laundry tabs!
Once you pick which size you need and prep your diapers, you simply fold the diaper into a 'burrito' or 'brochure' shape. Since I have a girl I turn my PF and fold it so that the thickest part is concentrated so that I have about 18 layers of cotton where she pees the most. After you fold the diaper, you simple place it in the cover and put it on the baby just like a disposable diaper.
If you prefer to pin or snappi the diaper on you can do several different folds. This link shows how to do the bikini twist.
Putting on the diaper:
Fold prefold:
For extra absorbency you can try folding a smaller PF inside your larger PF like so:
Fold in the same manner pictured above.
Place folded PF in your diaper cover:
Prefolds do not wick moisture away from the baby's skin so if you want a drier bottom but still like the cost of PF's and covers, you can use a stay-dry liner of some sort. I purchased these bumGenius! stay dry liners from Mom's Milk Boutique. You can also buy fleece and make your own. Simply lay the liner on top of the PF.
Place baby on the diaper and apply diaper just like a disposable!
I'm going out of town so check back next Monday for how-to wash cloth diapers!
Fluffy Mail Monday!
Posted by Camille , Monday, May 17, 2010 2:16 PM
I got a couple things in the mail today I wanted to brag on. Three super cute BSRBs and some wool longies!!
Granola Bits of the Day: Pocket Diapers
Posted by Camille , Sunday, May 16, 2010 10:57 PM
Today I'm going to show how to use pocket diapers. Pocket diapers come in aplix(another brand of velcro-like material) or snaps and normally consist of a sleeve-like "pocket" (outer-PUL, inner-stay dry material like suede cloth) and some sort of insert, generally microfiber, that stuffs inside the pocket to soak up liquid. Many pockets come with two inserts but if yours only come with one you can stuff it with an prefold or something of that sort to add extra absorbency. I don't have any aplix pockets but I will show a side-snapping and a front snapping diaper.
(Left to right: Knickernappies One Size, FuzziBunz One Size) 
This is what the inside of a pocket generally looks like, the insert is made of microfiber.
The insert is easily removed by either pulling or shaking out into the diaper pail. 
When putting the insert in the pocket DO NOT DO THIS:
Microfiber has been said to cause blistering on sensitive skin so it is necessary to have a barrier between the microfiber and bottom. If you don't want to use microfiber there are a plethora of natural fiber inserts you can substitute with.
Once you have stuffed the pocket diaper, I like to stuff all of them straight out of the dryer so they are ready to use, the diaper is applied much like a disposable except it has snaps! You may want to count over on the snaps to get an even fit. Fuzzibunz one size change size with and adjustable elastic in the legs and back, there is a size guide on the Fuzzibunz website. *Ignore my horrible manicure ;)*
Knickernappies are classic snapping one size diapers, here it is fully expanded, as you can see it gets quite large.
To put on a snap-rise one size, first button the rise to the appropriate height for your baby.
Pull the diaper so that it is tight around the thigh and snap each side so it is snug and comfy for baby.
For night time diapering you may want to use 2 inserts, as pictured below. Again, if you only have one insert you can use a small prefold or other such cloth as extra protection.
The Breastfeeding Saga Ends.
Posted by Camille 9:26 PM
I've come to the end of the road. I feel good about my decision at this point. I feel like my mental health is much more important. Rosie needs a happy mommy. I'll still nurse her when she really needs it but I'm done trying to force my body to do something it just isn't willing to do. I really appreciate all of the support my friends and family have shown me throughout my struggle. On to better and bigger things!
Granola Bits of the Day: Wool and Fitteds
Posted by Camille , Thursday, May 13, 2010 10:47 AM
A lot of my friends have been converting to cloth diapering and have a ton of questions, with good reason, it can be confusing with all the different options these days. Today I'm going to talk about wool and fitted diapers!
First of all, you have to know that fitteds all require covers as they are not waterproof. With a high quality fitted you might be able to go a couple of hours without a cover, I do it frequently but I don't have a very heavy wetter. Fitteds can be made with snaps, aplix, or nothing (requires a pin or snappi). Here are some examples of fitteds:
(Clockwise from left: Bagshot Row Bamboo Ultimate Fit, Goodmama Simple.Good, Tots Bots Bamboozle, Guerilla Fluff prefitted)
To put the fitted on you need a baby, some pins or a snappi, and your choice of cover, which I'll discuss later. Lay the baby on the diaper, and fold the inner soakers to the baby's wettest area, which is different for girls and boys. 
Close the diaper, and fold down the rise to fit your baby.
Pull the wings closed as tight as you can (comfortably for your baby) and either snappi or pin the diaper. When using pins be sure to put your hand inside the diaper to protect the baby from getting stuck. To help you pin slide through the fabric easier and avoid pinholes in fabric, run the pin through your hair a couple of times to lubricate it. 
You CAN use a PUL cover over a fitted, no problem with that. Something like a Thirsties Duo Wrap or a Blueberry One Size cover would be great because of the adjustable sizing. My favorite choice over a fitted is wool, wool covers are also known as soakers, longies, and shorties. Wool has several amazing qualities. It's naturally anti-bacterial, a natural and breathable material, it can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling wet, keeps the skin cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and you just need to air it out between uses, washing every 2-3 weeks (unless soiled). Plus they are super cute!!! This wool cover was purchased from OweWhoaWhen.
(Clockwise from left: OweWhoaWhen, Blueberry, Thirsties)
So after you have put the fitted on your baby, you slip on some wool pants (short, long, whatever you got!) and you are good to go! This can be used during the day and overnight. So far I've gone 9hrs with Rosie in wool and a fitted with no leaks, the fitted was barely damp on the outer layer! 
PUL cover over a fitted:
Now that you know how to use your wool and fitted, there are some care instructions you need to know for wool. Go to this site to learn how to wash and lanolize your wool the inexpensive way!
The Breastfeeding Saga Continues...
Posted by Camille 10:30 AM
The Reglan seems to be working!! I haven't had to use a bottle since the 3am feeding, which is pretty great. Rosie just went down for a nap without any supplement, which is also pretty great! Her tummy seems a lot happier today, I'm glad cause I was worried about her. I made my mom let me use my car today so that I can get out later, I get depressed if I am stuck in the house for too long. Sometimes a mom just needs to go to Starbucks, KWIM? If I can just get over this breastfeeding hurdle I can move on to all the million other things I need to work on!!
The Breastfeeding Saga..
Posted by Camille , Wednesday, May 12, 2010 5:13 PM
I'm still uncertain about quitting. I just don't want to, but at the same time it is getting to be more of a frustration than anything else. I thought Reglan would be my magic cure but it doesn't seem to be doing much. I just don't know what to do. I'm getting really depressed about it but I don't know if stopping with ease my depression or make it worse. This decision is so hard for me, I've tried so hard to make it work and it's just not. :/ I still haven't made a decision.
Laughs
Posted by Camille , Tuesday, May 11, 2010 9:37 PM
Rosie started laughing this week. I got her a bear from Guerilla Fluff with, of course, a matching fitted. As soon as I showed her the bear her face lit up and she let out a squeal! It's the best sound I've ever heard. It's amazing how she has changed in such a short time. The first month or so she was a little unfamiliar screaming worm-like creature, and now she is this beautiful, bright, happy little girl and I couldn't imagine my life without her. 
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