Thursday, May 26, 2011

The Pool & Swim Diapers

OK, Where did spring go? We are flip-flopping between 50 & 80! But, I am debating getting out our little pool for the hot days! My boys LOVE the pool. With pool weather, comes swim suits. I don't know about you, but I HATE disposable swim diapers. Even when I was a disposable mama, I hated swim diapers. They get all wet & droopy, and they have got to be one of the hardest things to put on a baby. So, when I started using a snap-on cloth swim diaper, I was in love with the benefits. Our 2 favorites are the Bummis Swimmi & the Apple Cheeks Swim Diaper. Let me also recommend the Summer Swim Set which includes a Wet/Dry bag and matching Changing Pad, and the Planet Wise Swim Bag which is a life saver at the pool!

First of all, let's discuss what a swim diaper is for. It is not to absorb urine or bowel movements the way a regular diaper does. This would weight your baby down in a pool full of water, creating a very unsafe situation. The only purpose is to keep the BMs contained long enough to remove your child from the water and change the diaper. I know, kind of gross, try not to focus on this part. Surfice it to say, cloth swim diapers are equal to disposable diapers with the task at hand.

Now, let me tell you the benefits of the cloth verison:
  1. Money Savings. Aren't we all looking for ways to save money without doing less? Here you have it. A cloth swim diaper which will last 1-2 summers depending on the size of your child costs between $12.75-18.99. A pack of 9-11 disposable swim diapers is $11.99. Think about how many you use, especially on vacation when you use 3 or 4 in one day.
  2. Less bulk under a swim suit. Both disposable and cloth swim diapers can be worn alone, although many parents prefer a traditional swim suit over the top. With only 2 layers of fabric and no inner material, the cloth swim diaper does not create any bulk under your babies suit.
  3. Snap on for easy on/off action. We frequent the lake during the summer, and that means swimming morning, noon & night with naps and eating in between. Trying to pull an 'underwear' style diaper on and off a crawler is the worst! Cloth Swimmies closure is similar to regular diapers in snap or hook & loop style. This is especially important if you have ever tried to remove a soiled disposable swim diaper, even ripping the sides seems to make a huge mess! 
  4. Always at the ready. Just like disposable diapers, you will eventually find yourself running to the store last minute to get the disposable swim diaper. With a cloth, just toss in the wash with your other pool laundry & it will be ready when you are.
  5. Cute, Cute, Cute! I will let this picture speak for itself. This is an Apple Cheeks Swim Diaper.




Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Monkey Head Winner Is...

True Random Number Generator 4 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

#4 ~ E said...
Following Nell's Natural Baby with GFC
Congrats "E" and Thanks to you all for getting in on the fun. Hopefully I will find something else to give away soon! I would love to add a pick to your little one in his/her new hat.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Prefolds & Covers Detailed

I got some great feedback about the Fuzzibunz post. So I thought I would continue to detail the types and brands of diapers for you. Let me know if you like it, or if you don't...I don't want to bore you with details you don't want.

Newborn Cloth Diaper Package: Prefolds/Kissaluvs Deluxe
Prefolds and Covers are the most inexpensive and versitile way to cloth diaper. These diapers will last child after child after child. With our Infant Prefold Package, and our Baby Prefold Package, you can have an entire cloth diapering carreer (for multiple children) for about $250. Think "Grandma's way", now, stop thinking that! Although this is the way that Grandma probably diapered your mom, it had come - A VERY LONG WAY!

Let's start at the beginning. What is a prefold diaper? A prefold is a rectangular piece of cloth that is sewn with several layers of cloth, usually cotton or hemp, in such a way as to have twice as many layers in the middle as there are on the side. A 4x8x4 would have 4 layers on each side and 8 down the middle, right where absorbtion is most needed. This is an important number to consider, as all prefolds are not created equal. Just as an FYI, a flat is a cousin of the prefold, but with the same number of layers across the entire diaper.

We prefer Indian Prefolds, as opossed to Chinese. As the name suggests, these are made in India instead of China. They generally are less pilly and shrink a bit more than Chinese prefolds. Unbleached Indians are softer, especially after the first few washes. The fabric on the Chinese is woven a little denser, so they will shrink slightly less and feel less soft. They ‘quilt up’ a little less than the Indian Diapers, the Indian diapers get a more ‘quilted’ appearance. Indian diapers having a softer weave, tend to have a more frayed appearance at the ends of the diapers and an occasional loose thread. This is normal and expected and does not affect the diapers durability or usability. Frayed edges do not make a defective diaper. We have heard many storys of Indian Diapers lasting through several children and then making the rounds as a cleaning rag for years after.

Bummis

Thirsties

Now, lets talk covers. The two most popular are Thirsties and Bummis. Flip Covers are a somewhat new cover from Cotton Babies, and they are catching on very quickly too. A cover is needed with all prefolds.This is the waterproofing layer. Although the prefold/cover may be a little much for the new sitter, you will get the hang of a prefold & cover system very quickly.

Flip Cover

Thirsties come in 2 sizes, and in both snap and hook and loop closure styles. Size 1 covers 6-18 pounds, and Size 2 is 18-40 pounds. Thirsties Duo Wrap Covers use only 2 sizes because they utilize the same snap structure on the front as a one-size. Bummis has 4 sizes. This is the cover I recommend for all preemies and tiny newborns. The newborn is 4-9 pounds, small 8-16 pounds, medium 15-30 pounds and large 27+ pounds. Bummis are only hook & loop closure. Flips Covers are one-size, and come in both snap and hook & loop closure syle. All covers wipe clean, meaning there is no cloth on the inside of the diaper. If it is wet or lightly soiled, it can be wiped clean and reused.

Here is the thing that scares most people off... There are tons of ways to fold a prefold. Don't panic! The simplest is to fold each side over the middle, lay it in the cover and snap onto baby. If you baby is tiny, fold in forths along the short side. But, if you are adventurous, and most of you will get there once you get the hang of prefolds, you can try different folds for different uses. You can find my blog on ways to prefold here: http://3babyboysandabusiness.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-to-fold-prefold-cloth-diaper.html

Snappi
Pins are a thing of the past! Snappis are used to secure prefolds on baby. But, these are optional! Some moms prefer to put on a prefold and allow the cover to keep it in place. Other moms like the security of the snappi holding the diaper in the correct position. Either way, pins are no longer needed with prefolds. If you choose to use a snappi, simply put on one side, stretch to the other and stetch the bottom down. That's it!

Overall, prefolds may be the most versitile and long-lasting way to cloth diaper. It is definately the most inexpensive. There is a huge following of devoted prefold parents out there, are you one?

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Daddy Time.

I had all intentions of detailing another diaper today since I feel a little biased about giving Fuzzibunz a review all of it's own.

But...sometimes I feel compelled to share the blessings of my life! Yesterday I was out playing with the boys in our new sandbox. Ben came out with us and eventually I had to go in and start dinner. I got dinner started and looked out my kitchen window. This is the view that greeted me. (I couldn't zoom any further & didn't want to interrupt them by getting closer.)



I am truly blessed with a wonderful husband and my children are blessed with a loving father. I think this may turn out to be one of my all time favorite photos ~ all my boys.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Details of the Fuzzibunz One Size Cloth Pocket Diaper

Since the announcment of the Buy 5 Get 1 Free Fuzzibunz Sale earlier this week, lots of questions have been coming our way about the Fuzzibunz One Size Cloth Diaper. I thought I would try to lay out all of the details to help unravel the mystery of Fuzzibunz One Size.

FuzziBunz® Diaper in Watermelon FuzziBunz® Diaper in Buttercream FuzziBunz® Diaper in Grape FuzziBunz® Diaper in Choco Truffle

I think the first thing that confuses everyone is the snaps on the front (or the lack of). Unlike other one-size cloth diapers, Fuzzibunz does not use a snap-up system on the front of the diaper. They have created a unique way of adjusting the cloth diaper by changing the length of the elastic on the legs and back. Although there are guidelines for the weight of the baby, it generally takes some adjusting to get the perfect fit on your baby. Once you figure out that fit, you won't have to change it until baby gains several pounds. Each diaper comes with a replacement set of elastic, and it literally takes 5 minutes to change out if your first set of elastic gets to warn.

The next difference that throws people off is the hip snap. This allows the diaper to be snapped more (or less) snuggly at the leg hole. Got a baby with chicken legs, or one whose thighs could rival the fat lady? This diaper is perfect for you. The snaps on these diapers are super durable. Sometimes it takes me a few tries to get the snaps on other diapers lined up when my little guy is moving all around. Not true with the Fuzzibunz. I do have one of those chicken legged babies, so I do have a little trouble getting the hip snapped now and then since it is closer to the middle. I do however love the snug fit on his legs.

FuzziBunz® Diaper in Cotton Candy FuzziBunz® Diaper in Mint FuzziBunz® Diaper in Big Sky FuzziBunz® Diaper in Crushed Berries

So, they look a little different and they fit a little different. They also feel a little different. The Fuzzibunz One Size Pocket Diaper had got to be one of the softest fabrics I have ever felt. I am thinking maybe I need a blanket made out of this stuff. The pocket liner (the part that touches your baby) is made entirely of Polar Fleece. It is sooooo soft! Even the leg elastic is covered by the fleece, so no red marks on baby's legs. The fleece is also a stay dry material. I sometimes have to check the inserts to be sure they are not wet. No kidding - it feels that dry. Which also means baby feels that dry. Another great thing about polar fleece is that dirties do not stick. If you hold your diaper over the toilet, the solid will fall right off. No need to rince, swirl, dip or spray! The off color of a poo comes right off in the washer.

Absorbancy is great with this cloth diaper. They come with both a small and large insert. Because they are so snug and so dry feeling, I love to use them at night. I put both inserts in at night to make sure my little one makes it through the night. I only have leak issues when I don't get the top fleece edge tucked in. That is probably my one complaint with the Fuzzibunz One Size Cloth Pocket Diaper. The pocket opens all the way at the top of the back and I am not always careful enough to make sure the extra fleece is not sticking out. But, because of this design, I can sometimes remove the inserts without having to touch them.

So, there you have it. We really like our Fuzzibunz!

FuzziBunz® Diaper in Apple Green FuzziBunz® Diaper in Kumquat FuzziBunz® Diaper in Tootie FrootieMac N Cheese 

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

A "Monkey Head" Giveaway!

I have gone back and forth about this giveaway, as I KNOW it is supposed to be Spring! But, the chilly, rainy season has kept me crocheting. I love the pattern for this super cute infant hat. My mother-in-law was cleaning out some yarn (she has an obession ;-) I snagged a bunch of schenes of thin cotton. The beautiful chocolate brown was one!

So, with all these events combined, I thought one of you would love to have my latest creation. When I finished, one of my little guys announced "Hey Mom, you made a Monkey Head!" So, it's for you... a Monkey Head. If you aren't expecting a little one anytime soon, this makes a great shower gift. Couple it with a bumGenius XS All-in-one diaper, or a Thirsties Duo Diaper Wrap for an awesome newborn photo!

Here it is:

How to get it:
         Mandatory Entry: Follow this blog (3 Baby Boys and a Business) & leave a comment!

         Extra Entries: (leave 1 comment per entry)
                         1.) 'like' Nell's Natural Baby on Facebook
                         2.) 'follow' Nell's Natural Baby with Google Friend Connect (lower left)
                         3.) blog about this giveaway
                         4.) 'follow' @nellsnatural on Twitter


Giveaway will end May 16th, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST. I will use Random.org to determine a winner. That winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. US entries only please. Good luck!