Homemade Toys and Gifts

I used to get really frustrated searching for toys for Dominik. One would think that finding simple, safe toys would be totally easy and not break the bank. Most toys that are easy to find and on the cheaper side are plastic, electronic, and obnoxious in some way. It seemed like everything had a character or a face. Around this time last year, we had a hard time finding one of those outdoor ride-in cars without a face. Mass produced wood toys are gaining popularity and appear quite nice, but the paint often chips and I just wasn't comfortable giving my baby something like that. With some searching, there are some safe and truly beautiful toys out there. Have you ever seen Grimm's?

Grimm's Spiel and Holz Toys

Most of these boutique toys had everything we were looking for: safe (no paint chipping and no plastic when possible), open-ended (not battery operated and could be used in more than a few ways), and beautiful (characters and faces on everything was just too much). But they are really expensive. We are very fortunate and have bought and received toys by Grimm's, Plan Toys, Holztiger, and Camden Rose. Are they worth the money? In my opinion, absolutely. But a child's toy box does not need to be filled with expensive things. In fact, if you are crafty, it's possible to fill a child's toy box with safe, open-ended, and beautiful toys that are handmade or at the very least re-purposed.

Woodworking

Handmade Wooden Puzzle

With a bit of practice and the right tools, these boutique toys can be nearly replicated at home. There are tutorials all over pinterest on how to make various wood toys and dolls. My husband is good at working with wood, so we combined our talents to make Dominik some wooden animals. We bought the wood, popular and maple, from Home Depot and I drew on the shapes of the animals. My husband cut them out and gave them a good sanding. Then I used nontoxic liquid watercolor (you can find that here) to paint them. A few coats of the following wood finish and they were good to go!

Handmade Farm Animals

Wood Finish:

-1/3 cup beeswax
-1 cup coconut oil

Melt the ingredients in a double boiler (I used a stainless steel mixing bowl over a pot of simmering water). Stir well and pour into a clean glass container. Mix every now and then until cool and hard to prevent separating. *Can also be used as lotion and lip balm

Crafted and Sewn Toys

Quiet Book

There are also plenty of toys that are easy to make with a sewing machine, a needle and thread, or just with some crafty know-how. A few months ago, I sewed a "quiet book" for Dominik. It's basically a fabric book that has a little activity on each page. It could be as simple as different textures or skill practice like using buttons or even matching games.

The possibilities that can be crafted or sewn are endless. Mobiles can be easily put together with paper, sticks, and string. Play food can be sewn with felt. The easiest that is the most played with around here? Bean bags! A great way to use up fabric scraps and they can be used as a sensory item or for playing games. Fabric doesn't have to match.

Bean Bags

Bean Bags:

-10 squares of 6"x6" fabric
-5 different dried beans or grains (ex.: chickpeas, black beans, rice, lentils, barley)
-sewing machine or just needle and thread

Sew two squares together, the wrong side of the fabric facing out, leaving about a quarter of an inch border. Only sew three sides. Turn inside out and fill with one of the dried foods. Fold the raw edges into the beanbag and pin shut. Sew an even border around all four sides.

Re-Purposed Toys:

Not crafty? No problem! Some paper towel cardboard rolls and craft pom-poms make a great toy. Tape the rolls to the wall so that the pom-poms are dropped through. Or fill a tub with water or sand or rice and let your child using different cups to pour and fill. Measuring cups make great stacking cups. Old clothes, shoes, and handbags are perfect for dress up. Cardboard boxes are forts or castles or just a simple item for baby to put things in and take things out.

The best, easiest, most beneficial toy that is also free? Items found in nature! Sticks, pine cones, rocks, shells, leaves, flowers, wood, and even plain old dirt. These items are as open-ended as you can get and provide a child with loads of sensory opportunities. Imagine the difference between a light, cold, hard piece of electronic plastic and the rough, heavy, light smooth, soft, smelly, fragile, sturdy items found in your backyard.

Dominik's Favorite Toys

Nature Box:

-Box or bag or really any safe container
-Rocks, pine cones, shells, sticks, leaves, etc. Things found outside in nature

This is very simple and easy. Go somewhere in nature. Doesn't have to be all at once, these things can be collected over time. Collect things and put them in the box, that's it! *Items will vary depending on your child's age. Children under the age of 3 should not be given small rocks or other choking hazards. Use your best judgement and avoid items that are sharp, poisonous, too small, or hazardous in any way.

Less is More

Kids don't need very much. They have done great for many generations with little to no toys, so having a full toy box is unnecessary. To be honest, they would rather play with real, grown up things. After all, they are learning how to live and be future adults. Dominik loves to sweep the floors, mix and prepare food, and fold laundry. Kids can also learn a great deal from just running around outside. Young children are still learning basic physics while older children can pretend to be whatever they wish to be.

Dominik has fancy toys, cheap toys, noisy toys, etc. But the handmade ones get the most play. I'd like to think it is because they are imprinted with love, but it's probably because they are simple and open-ended.

Toddler

Toddler.

Until recently, you were still a baby in so many ways to me. But now, you are 19 months old and suddenly truly a toddler. You used to rely completely and totally on me. Helpless. We did everything together; sleep, cry, eat. You were almost an extension of me. But now I see that you are gaining independence and that you are becoming your own person.

You have big and scary feelings, many that happen all at once. You have opinions that often clash with one another. You are developing likes and dislikes, dreams and fears, and your memory improves daily. You want to see, explore, taste, touch, smell, throw, and play with everything that is around you. You still want the comfort of mother when it all becomes too much. You are you in every way.

This is difficult for both of us. As you transition from infancy to childhood, there are so many things to learn about the world around you. There are so many things to learn about yourself. You will frustrate me over and over, but I will patiently help you to understand. You will assert your independence from me, but I will remain your rock and your home base. You will take out those scary feelings on me, but I will remain your source of unconditional love.

In so many ways, you are still my baby. You nurse, you stay up all night, you just want to be held. But I am seeing sparks of you as a child. You are talking to me and repeating words. You love to play outside. You have a sense of humor. You want to do everything yourself.

During this transition, this scary, awkward, emotional, and difficult transition, there is something that I know we are both sure of. That you will always be my son, my sun, my earth, my moon, my stars, my everything. 

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding... such a simple, beautiful thing. It provides babies with everything they need to grow and thrive and even provides benefits the mother as well. However, it seems to be the source of quite a lot of frustration and discrimination.

In most cultures around the world, breastfeeding was something that was completely normal. You just fed your kid. If you weren't able to, the baby was fed from a wet nurse (another lactating female) or with another type of milk (such as goat's). In Western societies, royalty often used wet nurses because breastfeeding was considered "too common". Around the 18th century, as modern medicine began to flourish, breastfeeding awareness was reaching an all time high and the benefits were beginning to be discovered.

Around the time of the "baby boom" following WWII, infant formula grew tremendously popular. This was largely due to aggressive advertising as well as the move of birth and postpartum care from the home to the modern hospital. Formula was advertised as best because it was developed by "modern medicine". Doctors and hospitals were able to develop a uniform schedule that fit nicely into the procedural culture that modern medicine is all about even today. Around the 1950's, it was still a common view that breastfeeding was only something you did if you could not afford formula. In fact, it was quite the norm to believe it to be unpleasant.

After birth rates went back down, breastfeeding began making a comeback. Industrialized countries focused on promoting breastfeeding and people in the 1970's were all about returning to what was natural. Breastfeeding was finally widely encouraged and touted as being the absolute best for baby.

And it really is the best if you are looking at the facts. Breastfeeding benefits both the child and the mother. Breastfeeding....
...boosts IQ
...lowers the chance of SIDS
...is easily digested, leading to more comfortable babies
...boosts baby's immune system
...lowers risk of allergies and asthma
...keeps babies on a more healthy weight gain and growth scale
...changes throughout the day and throughout infancy to adapt to baby's needs. Breastmilk produced for a premature infant is much different than that produced for a toddler.
...encourages skin to skin contact, which has many calming and stabilizing benefits of it's own
...may help protect against certain cancers and diseases like diabetes
...lowers breast cancer risk for mom
......and much more!

Even though breastfeeding and now fully promoted, we face two major issues.

The first is that, despite the positive views on breastfeeding, new mothers often face obstacles that prevent a successful breastfeeding experience. The high rate of c-sections often prevent mother and child from beginning breastfeeding until much later after birth. Immediate post-birth breastfeeding leads to higher success rates than of births that led to a delayed attempt. Another road-block is a lack of access to someone who can help with breastfeeding, especially once at home. Another problem is the the lack of knowledge on lip and tongue ties, which can often make or break the breastfeeding relationship. And sometimes, breastfeeding is discouraged altogether. Doctors and nurses still sometimes will prefer formula because it is more easily measured and controlled. Well meaning relatives often suggest formula if they see the mother struggling, or if they want to feed the baby themselves. But perhaps the largest issue is the fact that many mother's need to return to work after the short 6 weeks that is maternity leave here in the U.S. Pumping is difficult, time consuming, and sometimes subtly discouraged by employers. Breastfeeding is hard and painful, the above roadblocks certainly do nothing to help.

Another major issue is the stigma surrounding breastfeeding. Mother's are told "breast is best", yet when they attempt to breastfeed in public, they are sometimes shamed, asked to leave, or to "feed in the bathroom". It's difficult enough breastfeeding a small infant without having to worry about using a cover or accidentally offending someone. On the flip side, mother's who formula feed can feel guilty for not breastfeeding or have to deal with the comments of others on how "breast is best". And thus, the "breastfeeding vs. formula" war continues. It is okay to choose formula without having to justify the reasons for it. As long as baby is fed and healthy, why should it matter?

For more resources on breastfeeding, check out your local La Leche League chapter. As mother's, we should be encouraging each other, sharing stories, and most importantly, leaving the judgement behind.

Safe Toys

Father's Day was yesterday and it was nice. I made the hubby breakfast in bed in the morning, using his brand new "World's Greatest Dad" coffee mug. As another small gift, I gave him a framed photo of Dominik wearing one of his daddy's favorite shirts. I'm thinking that every year I'll take a photo of Dominik wearing it. Later in the day we went to my mom's house for dinner, so it was an overall mellow and relaxing day.

The past week or so, Dominik has really been trying to grasp items and brings everything to his mouth. I can see a few teeth trying to poke through on the bottom, so I imagine he is realizing that chewing makes it feel better. He is still too young, in my opinion, to try certain teething remedies (although I was thinking of getting an amber necklace) so I've been giving him things to chew. Most of baby items are made of plastic and I can't help but think about how much of those chemicals are making their way into my baby's body. 

I get why baby's toys would be made of plastic. It's durable, cheap, colorful, and it won't shatter so it's safe in that sense. Plastics often contain phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors. This chemical has been linked to hormone imbalance, hyperactivity, cancer, and obesity. Because plastics with phthalates are flexible, these are often found in plastic teethers. Another endocrine disruptor you've probably heard of is BPA, but luckily this chemical is being phased out of baby products. However, just because most baby bottles don't have BPA doesn't mean the same rules apply to toys. BPA is most often in hard plastics and has been linked to behavioral issues as well as diabetes. Plastics have a number marking on the bottom of the product. Try to avoid #3 and #7 since these contain the above harmful endocrine disruptors.

Those are not the only chemicals in plastic or in toys in general. Soft toys are often treated with flame retardants or can "off gas" fumes from the production process. It seems like every synthetic chemical is being linked to or causes some kind of detrimental effect on the human body. Adults may be able to filter out chemicals more efficiently but kids and babies can accumulate things and retain them in their bodies in much higher quantities. 

I know it's nearly impossible to avoid all toxins, but I try to make smarter choices when purchasing toys and teethers for Dominik. Choosing teethers made of pure rubber or hospital grade silicone or toys made of wood and food safe paints/dyes. These items, particularly the wood toys are of much higher quality considering the materials used and the fact that these companies often have very strict regulations. They are more expensive, but I figure it's better for Dominik to have a few safe, quality toys than mountains of cheap, toxic toys that don't withstand the test of time.

Here are some companies I recommend:

Apple Park

Melissa and Doug

Hape Toys

HABA Toys

PlanToys

Natursutten Pacifiers

Hevea Pacifiers and Teethers

Rice Cereal and Solids

I'm a member on one of those "birth club" blogs (epic entertainment and drama) and it's interesting seeing the trends in posts. Mid-pregnancy, it was all of the gender and baby kicks posts, then towards March it was "how do I get this giant baby out" threads, and lately, it's been all about rice cereal. A lot of people are really confused about if and when they should give their baby cereal because of all the conflicting advice. Like all other baby-rearing advice, a ton has changed over the years.

Giving babies pureed/mashed/liquified food is historically and culturally common. Grains and starches are the center of every large society's diet (and have been since the agricultural revolution) so it's no surprise that these nutritious foods are often a baby's first.

Starting with the rise of scientific thinking in the late 1800's and early 1900's, lab produced foods and doctor recommendations gained steam. Infant formula was an important outcome as many scientists began exploring "better" ways to feed people. But advice on infant weaning was scattered and while some infants were exclusively breastfed until 6 months to a year, others were given solid food at just a few weeks old.

By the mid 1900's, companies were aggressively advertising for commercially made baby foods and cereals, highlighting "convenience" (TV dinners and other convenience foods were also big). It was even recommended to give up formula or breastfeeding by 6 months in favor of cow's milk and baby food. Armed with no scientific evidence, baby food companies pushed rice cereal as the perfect first food for baby.

The 1950's were also a time when doctor's recommended giving solid food as young as 3 weeks because it was viewed as a milestone. This continued to be common well into the 70's, with most infants being given cereal and pureed foods starting at 3 or 4 weeks.

As giving baby bottles was popular and accepted, particularly 60 years ago, so was the notion of putting cereal in the bottles. The opinions on this were that baby would sleep better, gain weight, and be more satisfied. In fact, my mother in law told me that she put cereal in my husbands bottle as a baby because "he wasn't satisfied". This was pretty common even until recently. However, this was often dangerous, as babies inhaled the cereal which cause respiratory issues.

 It has been a common belief that breastmilk was an inadequate source of nutrition by 6 months, a misconception that has since been disproven. Starting in the 1980's, pediatric committees in the US pushed the age to between 3 and 4 months as a good age to start solids. Eventually, with TONS of studies coming out on infant weaning, the recommendation in 2003 was to exclusively breast or formula feed until 6 months. So why the wait?

Infant's digestive system is still developing well into their first six months and do not tolerate solid foods well. In fact, infants that were given solids before 6 months were twice as likely to have tummy upsets and have to see a GI specialist. It also leads to higher body fat, respiratory problems, and allergies. However, there is still lots of dispute over the "perfect" age to start solids because, in all honesty, every baby is different. Doctors generally seem to agree between 4 and 6 months as the right time.

So what to start with? Rice cereal? Jarred baby food?

Jarred baby food is a convenience food. Like grown up convenience foods, they are processed and not really nutritious. Particularly in the past, they were often laced with sugar and salt to make them more appealing.

Rice cereal is pretty nutritionally void as well. It is a simple carbohydrate, so it's the equivalent of giving a baby table sugar. Sure, it has added nutrients like iron, but those nutrients are not absorbed well, especially because a baby's gut is still developing. In fact, a baby cannot absorb iron if breastmilk is mixed with solid food in the small intestine. It's also getting to be controversial lately because it is being connected to obesity and poor eating habits later in life. Although the American diet in general causes obesity, it does make sense. Getting a child used to simple carbohydrates like rice cereal could set them up for having a taste for such foods later on. It also messes with an infants own hunger-fullness cues. They take in way too many calories which in turn sets them up for overeating.

Yes, rice cereal for babies is easily digested, mushy enough to avoid choking, and is not an allergenic food. This is where many people jump on the cereal wagon. However, it is becoming clear in recent years, as we watch our waistlines expand, that starting baby on something that turn into sugar in the body probably is not the best idea. Plus, why start baby on the blandest thing possible?

It seems to be common sense to give baby different textures and flavors so that their taste palette is used to them. What we give our kids to eat when they are young is what they will crave when they are older and want "comfort food". When I am having a rough day, I crave my mom's grilled cheese or homemade pasta sauce because my own tastes developed from these. So mush up the peas! Blend that spinach! Chop up zucchini spears! It's way cheaper to make your own baby food, whether you feed with purees or practice baby led weaning. Food should be fun anyways, not bland and mushy.

Dominik's Birth Story

Everyone loves a good birth story. I mean, what's not to love? A story about new life coming into the world? Yes, please :)
So here's the story of how my love was born:

Dominik’s Birth Story

Monday March 10th, 2014 started like every morning the last few weeks had. I was several days away from my March 13th due date and was getting more and more anxious. I was huge and uncomfortable and had been doing everything I could to jumpstart labor. For the majority of pregnancy, I had been having contractions like crazy, often becoming regular and lasting for hours. So when I started having uncomfortable contractions the night of March 9th, I brushed it off as Braxton Hicks. But by the next morning they still had not fizzled out. But I still wasn’t convinced.

I went to the chiropractor in the morning and came back home to relax and eat. After eating, at about 12:45pm I was laying in bed when suddenly I felt like I was peeing in my pants. So I jumped out of bed and realized my water was breaking. I ran to the bathroom as my water gushed everywhere and waited for it to stop. When I called my husband, the first thing he asked was if I “had popped yet”. Finally I got to answer with a yes and told him to come home. My water gushed an additional two times before we left for the hospital so I sat on a garbage bag on the way there. It was around this time that the contractions I had brushed off as Braxton Hicks were beginning to feel painful. When we arrived at the hospital, it was getting difficult to speak through them.

After checking in around 2:00pm, we were led to a room where they confirmed that it was my water that broke and checked my progress. I was only at a 1 centimeter so we assumed it was going to be a long day and night. They monitored my contractions as well as the baby’s heartbeat while they prepared to give me a hep lock. My contractions were already going off of the charts and were a steady 2 minutes apart. But despite desperately wanted to get up and move through my contractions, I was stuck in bed while two different nurses and an anesthesiologist tried to find a vein. When they FINALLY found my vein I was finally able to get up and move around. My favorite doctor was there that night so I was so excited to be able to birth with her. She was leaving on a break from 6:00pm to 11:00pm but we were sure that I would deliver much later than 11:00pm.

I labored for the next few hours in a variety of positions and places. Sometimes I paced the room and swayed through contractions while leaning over the bed. My husband would help move my hips or massage my back, which helped immensely. It was now impossible to speak through them, so my nurse got me a birthing ball to try sitting on. I loved sitting on the birthing ball because I could more easily get into the most comfortable position. When I felt the contraction in my back, I would lean over the bed as Kelley massaged my back. If I felt it more in my lower abdomen I would lean back onto Kelley. Most of the contractions were felt in my lower abdomen, like severe menstrual cramps so the majority of the time I was sitting on the ball, leaning onto Kelley, and would put my feet up on the bed. 

Around 5:00pm I moved to the shower. The nurse (who was wonderful, sweet, and supportive) put the ball in the shower and helped me in. I labored for about an hour in the shower, sitting on the ball while Kelley moved the shower head over my back or belly. My mom arrived sometime during this time and switched off with Kelley so that he could get some dinner. 

It was starting to feel like the contractions were closer together, sometimes not really letting up, so we moved the ball back to next to the bed. As I labored on the ball, I couldn’t help but shake from the pain and was beginning to lose the ability to think and see clearly. Around 6:30pm or so it felt like one giant never ending contraction. The breaks I relied on to regain my composure were nonexistent and I wasn’t sure I could go much longer without losing it or passing out. I was only at 4 centimeters so, expecting to be in labor for the rest of the night, I decided it was time for an epidural. I wanted to birth without one, but the pain was unrelenting and getting stronger. 

When the epidural was finally given, it only worked on my right side. It had also caused the baby’s heart rate to drop, which sent the nurses into a panic. I was given oxygen and rolled over to my side until the heart rate stabilized. The on call doctor came in and reassured us that this was a common reaction to the epidural but that all seemed fine now. My blood pressure was low, however, so I had to remain flat on the bed. But since the epidural only worked on one side, I writhed in pain. Laying down had made the contractions even more intense and I was no longer able to see clearly. 

The doctor was working on making my left side numb when I suddenly felt pressure, like I needed to go to the bathroom. All I had to say to the nurse was the word pressure and she rolled me over to check. Much to her and all of our surprise, I was complete and ready to push, and it was only 8:30! 

My epidural was finally kicking in, but it was making it difficult to push correctly. So for almost two hours, I slowly pushed his head down while Kelley and my mom each held one of my legs. Kelley counted through each push so that I would push for long enough, but I was getting exhausted. Feeling the baby’s head gave me the motivated to push harder, so I slowly progressed. The best position was on my side, but my nurse kept insisting that I lay on my back while holding on to my legs. I protested because it did not help at all, and eventually ignored everyone's suggestions so I could do what felt right.

They finally called the doctor in when I was close to crowning. I was then told that because his head was facing sideways, instead of down, it was taking longer to push. Already having torn in two different spots, the doctor asked if he could give me an episiotomy to prevent a worse tear and speed things up. I knew episiotomies weren't ideal, but I kept hearing Dominik's heart rate drop on the monitor so I agreed. After that, it took two more pushes and he was out! They placed him on my chest and I sobbed out of joy as I kissed and held my new baby boy. A minute later, he pooped ALL OVER me. Even the doctor was surprised and impressed, saying he'd never seen a baby poop so much. After we were cleaned up a bit, I latched him to my breast where he ate like a champ for 40 minutes!
Dominik was 8lbs 3 oz and 19.5 inches long. Perfect :)

The Minimalist Guide to Baby Gear

I really hate clutter. I don't mind mess, my years working with small children and growing up with two younger siblings made me immune to mess. But too much stuff? Drives me crazy? It almost makes me a bit stressed out seeing things that are just hanging out unused with no purpose.

When it was time to create a baby gift registry, I was way overwhelmed by the HUGE amount of baby products out there. There is seriously a product or gadget for EVERYTHING. And it seemed like everything was a necessity. I still hear things like, "What do you mean you don't have a swing? You NEED a swing." or "Don't you have an infant car seat? What do you do with him when you are out of the house?"

Instead of relying on the lists of hundreds of items that I needed, I decided to make my own based on what a baby needs. I didn't want tons of stuff that I either hardly used or was left sitting in a corner and I wanted to save money for all of the items I knew had to be purchased in the future (bigger clothes, more books, etc.) So here is my minimalist guide to baby gear, broken down by basic subjects:


Feeding:
If you are breastfeeding:
-Reusable/washable breastpads (the softer the better, and at least enough to last a week)
-5-6 nursing tank tops (I found the bras to be less useful, tanks can go under anything)
-boppy pillow (multi-functioning pillow of awesomeness... can be used later to prop baby up)
*optional:
-breastpump (check to see if your insurance covers it, I got mine for free)
-2-3 small bottles and 2-3 large bottles

If you are formula feeding:
-7-10 small bottles
-5-6 large bottles
-bottle brush (because cleaning bottles is a pain)

Bathtime:
-Baby bath tub (Some just say to omit this and bathe with baby instead, but I had a tricky recovery and was not allowed a bath for 8 weeks)
-Gentle soap like Dr. Bronner's (Johnson's is filled with nasty ingredients, plus baby doesn't really need soap until they start crawling around and getting dirty)
*you do no need extra baby towels, they are so thin that they really don't work anyway. Just use the same towels and washcloths you use

Clothing:
-2-3 newborn size outfits (you may not even need this size, so wait on it. Dominik was too big for newborn sized clothes)

Spring/summer baby:
-5-6 onesies
-4-5 long sleeve pajamas (if nighttime is cool enough)
-1 hat (one that will protect from sun)
-5-6 pairs socks
-2-3 pairs of pants and/or shorts
-1-2 jackets
-swim diaper

Fall/winter baby:
*same as above just take away swimsuit and shorts and add:
-3-4 more hats, beanie style
-3-4 long sleeve onesies
-2-3 more pants
-If needed: a few heavier coats/jackets

*You do not need shoes yet. Unnecessary and prevents baby from experiencing touch and movement with their feet. Also, a ton of hats are also not needed. The smell of your baby's head helps you to release the proper hormones for milk production and bonding. Plus, leaving their head bare inside will help develop their temperature control. Most of the time, Dominik is in a onesie and that's it.

Diapering:
-Changing pad
-2-3 changing pad covers
-5-6 cheap prefolds to protect changing pad (sooooo much easier to switch out that the whole cover)
-1 diaper bag (one that comes with a changing pad is a bonus!)

If using cloth diapers:
-24 prefolds, 5 covers, 3 snappies OR 24 pocket/all-in-one diapers
-40-50 cloth wipes
-2 large wet bags
-2 small wet bags

If using disposable diapers:
-1 box of diapers
-1 container of wipes
-any trashcan for diapers (maintaining airflow actually helps with smell)
*The reason I advise only 1 box of diapers/wipes is your baby may need a different diaper for these reasons: that brand may cause a rash, they may need a different size, or it may leak because of a poor fit. I know it's hard, but wait for baby)

Sleeping:
-Some sort of bassinet so baby has a safe place to sleep (Co-sleepers are great!)
-Crib*
*If you are bedsharing, the crib really isn't necessary

Travel:
-1 diaper bag (one that comes with a changing pad is a bonus!)
-Convertible car seat (Because it's not safe to leave baby in a car seat for too long, plus convertible car seats last longer and are safer)
-baby carrier (wraps, slings, and other carriers are used instead of toting around a heavy carseat. Waaay safer and more developmentally appropriate for baby)
*Optional:
-Stroller (more useful when they are older, but nice for longer outings when babywearing gets hot and uncomfortable)

Miscellaneous:
-5-6 swaddling blankets (Aden + Anais blankets are worth every penny)
-2-3 heavier blankets
-7-8 burp cloths (prefolds work perfectly)
-Activity center for play and tummy time
-3-4 pacifiers (even if you swear you'll never use them...desperate times call for desperate measures!)
-a rock and play type seat (for times you need a safe spot for baby so you can use the bathroom or eat. I like Tiny Love's Rocker Napper)

That's it! That's really all I use! It still seems like quite a lot, but it's the bare minimum to care for a baby comfortably in my opinion. :)
Happy baby shopping!

Coconut Oil

I have something that can be used in food, for beauty purposes and hygiene, as well as a cure-all for various baby skin ailments:

Coconut Oil

I really never have less than three jars of this goodness in my house because of how many different things I can use it for. It's packed full of healthy fats that have a nice list of health benefits when consumed. It was previously thought that because coconut oil is high in saturated fat, that it should be avoided altogether. But recent evidence has shown that the fats in this oil are metabolized differently than other saturated fats and it does not harbor the same detrimental effects. Coconut oil can: lower cholesterol, help burn fat, keep your energy up, help to stave off infections, keep you satisfied longer, and boost brain function. Plus, it's not only good at keeping you healthy, it's got a long list of uses as well:

Baby:
-slathered on a baby's bottom can help cure diaper rash (cloth diaper friendly, yay!)
-cradle cap? no problem! Rub it on, let soak in, then use a baby hairbrush to brush away scales
-instead of using icky lanolin (often contains traces of pesticides), try coconut oil on sore, cracked, and bleeding nipples when breastfeeding
-helps with stubborn yeast rashes on baby's bottom and mama's nipples
-because it is natural and so gentle, can be used on baby's skin if dry
-because of it's antibacterial qualities, is a great way to help boo-boos heal faster

Beauty and Hygiene:
-ditch the nasty deodorant: mix coconut oil with baking soda, arrowroot powder, and some essential oils for a natural way to beat the stink
-coconut oil is great for dry skin and chapped lips, just slather it on!
-can be used for a detox practice called "oil pulling": fill up your mouth and "pull" and swish through your teeth for several minutes, then spit out
-a great option for cleaning your face (yes it can help!) Massage onto skin for a few minutes, then wipe off with a warm washcloth
-beat the stretchmarks by rubbing it on your pregnant belly a few times a day
-lovely eye makeup remover
-natural SPF 4 sunscreen
-rub into your hair to stop frizz in it's tracks

In the Kitchen:
-coconut oil makes a great option in baking and sweet treats because it enhances sweetness
-oils like olive are heat sensitive and will be altered with high heat cooking. Coconut oil can withstand higher heats without it's chemical structure altered
-wood cutting board? Treat it with coconut oil instead of gross petroleum products...your food goes there!
-season your cast iron too!
-can pretty much be used in anything for a healthy boost!

In the Bedroom:
-makes a great alternative to lube
-use for a yummy smelling massage oil

Any other uses I'm missing?

Cloth Diapering a Newborn...and other FAQs

I've tried to cover as much about cloth diapering as I know so far but I thought that I would create a separate post about  cloth diapering a newborn as well as other FAQs about the subject. Before Dominik was born, I did a ton of research not only on what types of diapers to use and how to care for them, but how to even start.

Cloth Diapering a Newborn
Babies are born in a shapes and sizes, even when born full term. It seems like the average is anywhere between 6 and 10 pounds...and that's a fairly large difference. And honestly, there's no way to know how big your baby will be before they are born, even if the doctor "estimates" a weight. As someone who is fairly petite, I would have never guessed my baby would be over 8 pounds. So as you await the birth of your bundle of joy, I know it's tempting to stock up on a ton of adorable diapers, but here are three tips:
1. Your one-size diapers probably will not fit right for at least the first several weeks, so chances are that you will need something smaller for that time
2. Wait until your baby is born to stock up on diapers for this beginning phase, you may not need newborn sized diapers at all
3. Try out a few different brands before investing in too many. Different brands fit some better than others, and you don't want to be stuck with 20 diapers that leak every time you use them.
Dominik was only in the newborn size prefolds for 3 weeks, but they fit so nicely during that time. Now I use the newborn sizes as backup and to stuff the few pockets that I have. I am glad that I invested in the next size up right away because it was almost as if Dominik woke up one morning too small for the newborns.

Dealing with Poop
This is a major question that I was given when people found out I was cloth diapering. People typically believed that I would be handling poop more so than I would with disposables. But honestly, the opposite has been true. Because I never get blowouts, I really never have to deal with poop up the back and all over clothes. But there are a few things regarding poop that I need to keep in mind.
Babies who are exclusively breastfed have poop that is water soluble, which means everything will rinse away with water in the wash. However, formula fed babies and those that are given any solid food have poop that needs to be dumped in the toilet before washing. This is actually true of disposable diapers as well (it's a sanitary issue in landfills), but no one really follows that rule. There are a few ways to go about this. You could just scrape and dump the poop, use a diaper sprayer to wash over the toilet, or use a flushable diaper liner and flush that. It really is personal preference. Dominik is still only breastfed, so I do not have experience or a preference as of yet. I do plan on trying out the flushable liners as well as the diaper sprayer to see what I like.

Traveling with Cloth Diapers
Traveling with cloth diapers is really not as bad as it sounds, but it can pose some problems. With disposables, you can just throw those away so there's no worries about carrying them around. Also, when you need more, you can just run to the store. If you would like to travel while only using cloth, be sure to bring more diapers than you think you need, plenty of cloth wipes, and a wet bag that will be large enough to carry the soiled diapers (one that zips). Also, depending on how long you will be away from home, consider how you will store and/or wash the diapers.
This can often be stressful so there are two alternatives: investing in a hybrid that uses disposable inserts or just use disposables for the time you will be away from home. Investing in a hybrid is the more ecologically friendly choice, but honestly, there's nothing wrong with baby using disposables for a little while. Traveling with kids is stressful enough, so don't feel bad. When we travel, we use disposables because hybrids don't fit into our budget. We do try to use the most natural and organic disposable diapers we can find to keep nasty chemicals away from Dominik's skin.

Beating the Stink of Microfiber
Microfiber is great in that it is cheap and super absorbent. But one of the most common complaints with this material is that it often becomes stinky after some use. This is usually because the microfiber is not being properly washed, usually due to the lack of water in high efficiency machines, hard water, or the wrong type of detergent. Here are some tips to getting diapers fresh again:
-For HE washing machines, try adding a wet towel to the diaper load to trick the machine into adding more water. This will help to ensure all detergent and waste is washed completely out.
-Try adding an extra rinse and spin
-Let your diapers dry outside in the sun. The sun is a great natural form of bleach so your diapers will air out, freshen up, and look white again
-Try switching detergents
-If you have hard water, you could try to add a softener like Calgon. Hard water prevents detergent from completely rinsing

When Diapers Repel
Microfiber can also sometimes repel moisture instead of absorbing it. This can be from a buildup of detergent or if a substance that's not cloth diaper friendly finds it's way onto the dipes (like petroleum jelly). For this, you need to "strip" the diapers. Some people add things like Dawn dish soap or bleach to their wash cycles for this, but you really don't need to. To strip your diapers, all you really need to do is wash them on hot for several cycles. This is kind of a way to "reset" the diapers.

Prepping Prefolds
Yay your fluff mail is finally here! You rip open the package to find perfectly flat and square prefolds that are waaay larger than you thought. In order to use them, they need to look smaller and have pillowy bumps all over them so it's time to prep them. Prepping natural fibers gets the natural oils washed away so that they are left being super absorbent and soft. To prep:
-Wash diapers on COLD with no detergent to rinse away factory gunk
-Wash diapers on HOT with detergent
-Dry diapers on HOT in dryer
-Repeat 4 more times
*Do not wash natural fibers with microfiber until AFTER they have been prepped. The natural oils will cause your microfiber to repel. If it accidentally happens, no worries, but you may have to strip the microfiber.

Happy Diapering!

Clothing Diapering: Washing and Care

So now that we've covered why people cloth diaper in the first place and the different kinds of cloth diapers, what happens when you are actually cloth diapering? Today we work out how to wash, care, and manage daily use of cloth diapers. Let's do this by going through the motions of a typical cycle of using and washing cloth diapers:

Changing and Storing:
It's time for the baby to be changed...again. The soiled diapers are taken off the baby and put into a wet bag. These are basically bags made of the same material as a diaper cover, so that they are waterproof and will not leak. Some people buy large bags to line a trash can. I use a bag with handles by Planetwise (I like the handles because I am able to use those to carry and empty the bag). Diaper covers can either be reused or thrown right into the wet bag with the diaper. I have seen that there are people who use wet pails to store dirty diapers before washing. These are basically buckets filled with water that allow the diaper to soak before washing. Personally, I really don't think presoaking is all that necessary. Also, having a bucket filled with water and dirty diapers is pretty gross and both a sanitary and safety hazard, particularly if there are small children and pets around. The wet bags go right into the wash with the diapers, so everything stays nice and clean. I own two hanging wet bags so that when one is in the wash, I have another to use. Cloth wipes also go right into the wet bag.

Wipes and Solutions:
Some people use disposable wipes, but using cloth is honestly way easier since it all goes right into the wet bag (as opposed to separating between a trash and a wet bag). Plus, disposable wipes are soaked in all kinds of chemicals and fragrances (most are carcinogenic, allergenic, and/or hormone disrupting) that are irritating to baby's skin.

When you use cloth wipes, there are tons of different solutions you can add to make them wet and cleaning efficient. Most of the time, I use plain water. I just keep a bottle of water with my wipes and squirt one down. This avoids the mold problem that sometimes arises when storing cloth wipes in water. If it's an especially dirty bottom I need to clean, I have two solutions in spray bottles that I spray directly onto the wipe: 1. half water and half witch hazel and 2. 3/4 water with 1/4 California Baby Diaper Area Wash. I have also seen tons of recipes out there that basically consist of water, an oil, castile soap, and either tea tree oil or lavender oil. It really depends on personal preference and baby's skin sensitivity. Also, if you are battling yeast rash, different solution recipes are out there to help.

Washing and Drying:
The wet bag is full and clean diapers are running low... it's time to wash! Out of all the research I did on cloth diapers, this seemed to be the most daunting. I can only use certain detergents? On which cycle? What? But it turned out to be a fairly smooth process.

Your washing routine will depend on the type of diaper that you use. For just prefolds, washing with whatever detergent you have is fine; prefolds are pretty darn hard to screw up in the wash. But anything with microfiber requires detergent, ointments, and wipes solutions that are cloth diaper friendly. For example, petroleum jelly will make microfiber repel moisture. Oh and also, the "sanitary" cycle option is totally not necessary and will probably ruin anything with a waterproof layer. Wool cannot be washed with your diapers but instead needs to be hand washed. If they need lanolin, I just use the kind meant for nipples. Anyways, here seems to be the most recommended routine:

-Put all diapers, covers, and bags into the machine. run a COLD rinse with no detergent
-Now add detergent and run a HOT cycle (I use the bulky option)
-Optional: an additional COLD rinse and drain
-Dry prefolds and wipes on hot (I use the bulky option again)
-Everything else needs to either be dried on a lower setting or air dried to preserve the waterproof layer

Next time: Cloth diapering a newborn and other FAQs!

Cloth Diapering: Hybrids, Pockets, and All-in-Ones

So last time we covered prefolds and covers, and today: pockets, hybrids, and all-in-ones. I decided to condense all three of these types of diapers because they are fairly straight forward.

Hybrids

Hybrid diapers are very similar to prefolds and covers. You have a diaper cover and an insert that gets changed out with each soiled diaper. There are two differences, however. The first is that you have the choice between a disposable or reusable insert. The disposable inserts, though disposable, are most often biodegradable and a great compromise for parents not able/wanting to go the full cloth diaper route. The second difference is that the inserts are just laid right into the diaper (most have a way to snap it in) instead of folding it onto the baby.

Good hybrid diapers usually go for around $12- $20 for a cover and around $5 for 18 disposable inserts or about $2-$5 per reusable insert. Pricier than prefolds and covers but super convenient. I don't have any hybrids, but as my stash continues to grow, I'm sure I will add a few to try out.

Pockets:

Bumgenius 4.0 with microfiber insert

Bumgenius 4.0

Pocket diapers are pretty close to how you would use a disposable, but there are a few steps to using them. They are like a basic diaper cover, but with a lining (usually fleece) sewn right onto them. The absorbent layer is a separate pad of microfiber that you stuff in between the lining and the cover. Because the lining is attached to the cover, the entire diaper goes into the wet bag when it is soiled. You also have to remove the insert before placing both pieces into the bag.

These diapers seem to be the most popular. They are cheaper than all-in-ones but are very similar to a disposable. No folding and pinning, just stuff and put on the baby. Also what's nice about this type of diaper is that you can essentially stuff it with whatever material you want. Microfiber inserts usually come with the pockets and are super absorbant. However, they are often hard to care for. Microfiber requires a cloth diaper friendly laundry detergent and ALOT of water when washed. Not an option for us with a high efficiency front loader. But, you can always stuff the pockets with prefolds or inserts made of cotton, hemp, or bamboo (which are much easier to care for).

Because you need a whole new diaper with each change, these are more expensive than prefolds. Especially if you are buying separate inserts, the price goes up fairly quick. A typical pocket costs about $15 and you would need at least 24 one sizes, or 24 of each size. That's a lot of diapers. But if you can afford it, they are SOOOOOO darn cute, much trimmer than prefolds/covers, and very versatile due to the fact that you can stuff them with whatever and how ever much your child needs. The downside is that you need to re-stuff before putting the diaper onto the baby.

All-in-Ones

Bumgenius Freetime All-in-One

Inside of the Freetime

All-in-ones are pretty self explanatory. This is as close to a disposable as you can get. All the absorbent layers are sewn into the diaper and it goes onto the baby just like a disposable. They are ultra-convenient but are expensive and not as versatile. They also take forever and a half to dry because of the multitude of pieces. All-in-ones are the most expensive and will run for about $20-$25 per diaper and you will need about 24 of each size (unless you use one size, but those are often too big on a newborn).

Next time in the cloth diapering series: washing and care!

Cloth Diapering: Prefolds and Covers

So last time we went over the cloth diapering basics and why people do it. Today we start to dive a bit deeper into the types of cloth diapers. Let's start with the most basic and old school type of diaper: the prefold.

Green Mountain Diapers unbleached infant size

Prefolds are the diaper that people most often think of when they hear someone mention "cloth diapers". Luckily, plastic pants are a thing of the past and adorable covers are the new norm. These are the kind of diaper we use on a regular basis and has been, in my opinion, the easiest. It is also the most affordable out of all of the options.

Prefolds are essentially a square of fabric that is thicker down the middle for more absorption. There are tons of brands and fabrics used (cotton, hemp, and bamboo, etc.) I use the Green Mountain Diaper brand, which I have heard is the best you can get. This particular brand comes in sizes priced to about $25 to $30 a dozen.

Pins are not essential and the alternative is a Snappi. It's basically a plastic piece with "claws" that hold the diaper in place:

There are several different ways you can get it on the baby, with these being the most common:

You can use the angel wing fold (this is what I use) where you only fold the portion that comes up over their tummy:

The jelly roll fold where you roll the edges inward before folding up (good for those liquidy poops and babies that like to blow out of their diapers):

The bikini twist where you twist and then fold up over their tummy:

Or you can simply trifold the prefold and place it right into the cover (the easiest, but most likely to get poop on your covers):

Once the prefold is on the baby, a waterproof cover is used to keep the moisture in. Whenever we have had any blowouts with prefolds, the cover always has contained the mess. If the cover has no poop on it, it can be reused several times. The soiled prefold simply goes into the wetbag and waits to be washed.

Here is Dominik in a few of our covers when he is around 12 lbs:

Dominik with the angel fold

Thirsties Duo diaper cover size 1

Flip one size diaper cover

There are sooooo many different types of covers out there. Basically there are sized and one-size covers that are typically made of either PUL or wool/fleece. The sizes depend on budget and build of your baby. If you can afford different sizes, these are the best fit but one size options are available. PUL diapers are basically a cover with a waterproof lining. Wool/fleece covers are the most natural and breathable but are typically very expensive.

Care for the diaper depends on the type of fabric the prefold. I use cotton prefolds which hold up great with frequent washing in hot water. They are definitely the easiest to care for because microfiber can be difficult to wash and often gets stinky. We have hard water PLUS an high efficiency front loading washer (notorious for being difficult to wash diapers with) so cotton prefolds work perfectly with our situation. Covers are just washed with the diapers but are dried outside to prolong the waterproof lining.

If you are washing every other day, a typical prefold and cover stash include:

24 prefolds (total per size)

6-8 covers (you could probably get away with 3-4)

3-4 Snappis

3-4 dozen cloth wipes (cheap washcloths or cut up fabric are a great economical options)

Next time: Pockets and hybrids!

Cloth Diapering Basics

Happy Earth Week! In honor of this very important holiday, I am going to post a series about cloth diapering.

1. Cloth diapering basics
2. Prefolds and covers
3. Pockets, all-in-ones, and hybrids
4. Washing and care
5. Cloth diapering a newborn

Today, the basics!

Alright. So I know many reactions to cloth diapers are those of surprise, awe, and quite possibly disgust. I know when people found out that I planned on cloth diapering, I got a whole range of reactions, but it was mostly because many people really don't know that much about cloth diapering. The majority think that cloth diapering still involves prefolds, pins, and plastic pants. How they are washed and dealing with poop were also popular responses and questions I received. But guess what?

Cloth diapering is really not that scary. Or gross. Or difficult.

I promise.

Disposables are yucky, but I totally understand how awesomely convenient they are. In fact, we used disposables the first week of life for Dominik because I was still way to sore and tired to tackle something new. And if we are out and about for longer than an hour or two, we bring disposables to minimize the amount of dirty diapers we carry around. And honestly, there are a great many people who, for them, cloth diapering is just not a good option if the resources aren't there. For example, if you are washing your clothes at a laundry mat or outside of where you live, I highly doubt it would be appealing to lug dirty diapers to one every other day. Disposables are definitely there for a good reason and I would never judge someone for choosing them. If it's an option, cloth diapering is honestly fun and beneficial.

So first, why use cloth diapers in the first place? Babies pee and poop, a lot. Disposable diapers really are wonderful because they are convenient, especially since babies go through so many. However, disposable diapers do not just magically disappear with the garbage, they stick around in landfills. In fact, they are the third largest consumer item in landfills. About 27.4 billion diapers end up in landfills in the U.S. alone each year and those diapers are estimated to require up to 500 years to decompose. The process of making diapers is not any better. It requires over 300 pounds of wood, 50 pounds of petroleum supplies, and 20 pounds of chlorine to make diapers for just one infant... each year.

And all that chlorine and other chemicals (like dioxin, a known carcinogen) in the diapers? Against a baby's soft and brand new bottom. I know that Dominik gets instant rashes if he needs to wear a disposable, even with the "organic" brands.

Still not convinced? Remember how infants go through a TON of diapers? Disposables require a new diaper with each change. That adds up to almost $2000 to put one baby through diapers. Cloth diapering costs anywhere from around $200 to $1000 (depending on the kind) and will last through more than one child. In the long run, that at least a grand saved.

In a nutshell: cloth diapering will conserve resources and be nice to the environment, are safer for your baby's skin/body, and will SAVE YOU MONEY. (That last one was what convinced my husband) Plus, they are really darn cute.

I swear it's really not bad. My mom, who was a skeptic and requested I buy disposables for her, loves her grandson's adorable cloth diapers. And it's honestly not any messier than using disposables; in fact, I never have leaks or blowouts unless he is wearing a disposable. When he done with a diaper, I put the diaper into a wet bag instead of a trashcan, that's really the only difference. Breastfed babies have poop that washes right out in the wash. Solid food poop needs to be dumped in the toilet, but honestly that's what people are supposed to do with disposables too. Worried about washing poopy things in the washing machine? If your child gets poop onto his clothes or vomits in his bed, that goes into the machine, and cloth diapers aren't much different. They come out clean and your washer will still be clean enough for normal laundry.

Okay, so what kinds of cloth diapers are out there? Some are easier than others and they come in a wide variety of prices. There are prefolds, pockets, hybrids, and all-in-ones. I will post about each kind coming up!