cloth diapering {a non-hippie's guide}

If you are like me 12 months ago and the thought of cloth diapers makes you roll your eyes, hear me out.  I am not worried about landfills filling up with used disposable diapers nor do the possible chemicals that make a disposable diaper work bother me.  However, mention saving almost $1200 a year and you have my attention.  I admit, this fact was my main motivation for choosing to use cloth diapers with the Spud.

This post is for those that want to save some money during that crazy expensive first year of your precious baby's life.

Purchasing Cloth Diapers

We got all of our cloth diapers from Zulilly or babysteals.com.  The most we spent on one diaper was $13, which is pretty good considering they can cost up to $25.  This takes some advanced planning, but well worth the saved money.  The total inital cost for 16 diapers (which has been PLENTY) was $250.  Seems like a lot to fork out at once, but when you look at how much you spend in disposable diapers, $250 is EASILY reached within the first few months.  We did not start using the cloth until the Spud was 3 months old, so we know how expensive those disposables get!

Pocket vs Snap in

I was completely in the dark when it came to this choice as I was purchasing our diapers.  Honestly, I had no clue the difference.  So, I got both.  Both have advantages and disadvantages.

Pocket 

 advantages 

•  flexible
• soft
• easily cleaned
• cheaper

disadvantages

• leak easier
• a little more work to assemble/disassmble (you have to actually put the diaper liner in and take it out)

Snap in

advantages

•  easy to assemble and disassemble (snap in, snap out)
• absorb well
• rarely leak

disadvantages

• can get stiff
• more expensive 

  

Really, either one you get works if you make it work.  We experimented with two types of pocket, Cloud and Jungle Roos.  We like the fit of the Jungle Roos better, but both work fine.  For the snap in, we got Bonnibuns and they work great.  Did not fit as well at first, but now that he has gotten a little bigger, they are awesome.

Cleaning

There are some pretty extensive blog posts out there about the washing and care of cloth diapers.  It can be overwhelming.  Here is what we do, and it has worked supremely:

1. Get a 5 gallon all purpose bucket from home depot
2. When removing diaper, if wet, just pull out the liner or unsnap the insert.  If poopy, dump the dump into the toilet, pull out liner or unsnap insert (if exclusively breast fed, no need to dump the dump.  Breastmilk waste is water soluble).
3. toss in bucket 
4. When clean diapers are used up, or about every 2-3 days, throw diapers into washing machine
5. Wash on a quick cold water cycle
6. Put in detergent, we use tide, a little vinegar and wash on sanitary cycle
7. Line dry or throw into the dryer.  Whatever works best for you.  Sun drying will remove stains and stinch if your diapers develop any.  We have dried ours in the dryer for months and don't have a problem with either.

That's it. No special detergents.  No special hypoallergenic, double lined, absorbent hamper.   No toilet sprayer.  Just clean diapers, on the cheap.

The "ICK" Factor

My husband was really concerned about having to deal with more poop and nastiness by using cloth.  To be honest, you really don't deal with that much more than disposable.  You're already in there wiping the goop off your kid's bum, what more is taking it to the bathroom to wipe it into the toilet?  As I mentioned before, when they are solely breastfed, there is no need to scrape off that yumminess.  It will all loosen in the wash on the cold cycle, then the sanitary cycle with super hot water will sanitize everything.  Both my husband and I have not really had complaints about this step.  

There you have it.  The non-hippie, just want to save some big pennies guide to cloth diapers.  Easy peasy.  It is worth it.  We have saved SO much money over the past 6 months.  We do use disposable on trips, at night or when the Spud is staying with a sitter, for ease and comfort.  Other than that, we use the cloth and really have not had many complaints.

are you ready for baby #2?!

We get this question a lot. This question used to bother me. A lot. Mainly because of the guilt I would feel as the unedited response in my head went something like, "Are you freaking crazy?! Why would you even ask that question? I can hardly keep it together with one, who, by the way is not even one!" I felt as though I was less of a woman or mother because I could not even fathom the idea of a second babes. That is until one of my best friends had her baby...

Monday, March 10th, roughly 7pm. A text came in of the first family picture with my bestie's newborn. Something started flickering in me. A little light of nostalgia. Yes, despite my dislike for the newborn stage, a part of me was a little envious. Now, don't get me wrong. By no means was this a, "Let's get busy on baby numero dos." This was more of a, "I can fathom the idea of having another one."

So, if you are in that stage where the thought of another child strikes fear and panic, that's okay. If the thought brings joy and anticipation, that's okay. If you are like me and are slightly warming up to the idea, that's okay.  If you have no desire for another and are just chill, that's okay. Wherever you are, whatever your feelings may be with the idea of adding another minion to your pack, is perfectly prefect for you. Tell that guilt monster to take a hike and give yourself a hug for being the best parent you can be, right now.

Coming up: how I probably made my first child the weird child

sensory box for the babes

I came across THIS awesome idea for a sensory bag on pinterest and rushed out the next day for all the materials from the dollar store.   Once I had made the bag, I dropped it on the ground where the Spud was whining at my feet (a favorite past time of his, lately.  9-month separation anxiety, anyone?!)  He ceased whining promptly and started giggling, pushing his face on it, gnawing on the bag and blowing bloopers on it.  As I watched him playing with his new best friend, I noticed that he kept losing interest when the bag would get too scrunched up or caught under his Buddha belly.  This struck a light bulb as I almost tripped over the Amazon box that has been sitting in our entryway, just waiting to be thrown out or turned into something fabulous.  Luckily, for this certain box, the later was it's fate.

I pulled out the zebra print Duct Tape along with an old brush, cabinet lining, fuzzy socks with grips on the bottom, candles, an old ispy book, sandpaper, puff paints, ribbon and an old mirror.  During the Spud's nap, his new favorite toy was created.  A sensory box. 

Once he woke up, I sat down with him next to his new toy and he immediately started turning the box around and around, feeling and exploring all the different sides. Granted the box is not one of those eye appealing sensations on pinterest.  It definitely has flaws.  Nevertheless, it was easy to make, cost a whopping $3, and fulfills the purpose I had in mind.  Plus, the Spud is one happy boy!

 

three words

Three words to describe who I am:

Simple

Not much wham and glam over here.  I am no makeup, fashionista guru who can make life changing artifacts to entertain the kiddies for days while whipping up a delectable dinner that doubles as breakfast and lunch.  I live life simply on a budget with grass and crayons to keep the children amused while cooking normal meals that satisfy.  Simple.

Listener

May seem odd to include listener since I am a blogger.   However, you will find that most of my topics are inspired by conversations I have had (or overheard…).  Listening to others in their times of sadness, joy and mundane bring me joy.

Stubborn

I come from a long line of stubborn.  Many may see being stubborn as an unattractive, negative trait.  Not me.   This gives me drive, determination, inspiration to grow, motivation to live everyday to the fullest.  So, yes, stubborn.

This blog is written for the simple in hopes of bringing a smile, or a tear, perspective and a break from the world as it crazily spins.