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!
Friday, May 30, 2014
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Baked Zucchini Fries
I really love breastfeeding, it's free and easy to pull out the boob whenever he's hungry. But it makes me so hungry and thirsty ALL the time! It totally makes sense when I look at Dominik, he's definitely growing! Last night, all of the sudden I was so hungry, but I didn't want to eat any more sugary or salty snacks...but I did have a beautiful looking zucchini in the fridge. Zucchini fries! A fry that's actually healthy!
Zucchini Fries
Ingredients:
-1 large or 2 small zucchinis, sliced into "matchsticks"
-3/4 cup flour
-1 cup almond milk or other unsweetened unflavored milk
-1 cup breadcrumbs
-1/2 cup nutritional yeast
-1 tsp paprika
-1 tsp salt
-1 tsp garlic powder
-1 tsp pepper
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 420 degrees F.
2Cut zucchini and prepare "stations" for dipping. One bowl of flour, one of milk, and the last with the bread crumbs, nutritional yeast, paprika, salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
3. A few at a time, dip the zucchini in the flour, then the milk, then the breadcrumb mixture and place side by side onto a cookie sheet.
4. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
5. Serve with ketchup or marinara sauce for dipping.
Zucchini Fries
Ingredients:
-1 large or 2 small zucchinis, sliced into "matchsticks"
-3/4 cup flour
-1 cup almond milk or other unsweetened unflavored milk
-1 cup breadcrumbs
-1/2 cup nutritional yeast
-1 tsp paprika
-1 tsp salt
-1 tsp garlic powder
-1 tsp pepper
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 420 degrees F.
2Cut zucchini and prepare "stations" for dipping. One bowl of flour, one of milk, and the last with the bread crumbs, nutritional yeast, paprika, salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
3. A few at a time, dip the zucchini in the flour, then the milk, then the breadcrumb mixture and place side by side onto a cookie sheet.
4. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
5. Serve with ketchup or marinara sauce for dipping.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Orange Soba with Tofu
Oh my has this been one crazy week! My mother in law as well as my grandmother in law came to stay with us from my birthday (Thursday, May 8th) through the following Monday (May 12th). I tried to get the house as clean as possible while caring for Dominik. The week before we had a heat wave on top of a case of mastitis that gave me an 103 F fever. That type of infection is no joke and I could do little more besides lay in bed shivering from the chills. Luckily, I was able to knock it out quickly by feeding mostly from the infected breast.
My birthday and first Mother's day were very busy, but nice. Both were spent at home with the visiting family, which is stressful but at the same time very nice to be surrounded by family. It was a bit overwhelming at times, especially for Dominik, because we did quite a bit of touristy things outside of the house. But he did great being carried around everywhere and now we are slowly getting back into a routine.
This week we have had another intense heat wave that has fueled NINE wildfires in my area. Yup, San Diego's on fire again. We can see the smoke billowing from our house, but the fires are still quite a ways in the distance (knock on wood). At this point all you can really do is keep the news on and hope that nothing starts in nearby. It's incredibly heartbreaking to see so many people loose everything they have. I am so grateful that no one has been seriously hurt and the fire department is staying so on top of everything.
With a particularly crazy and stressful week, I was even more inclined to do as little cooking as possible. And so this recipe was born! It's incredibly easy, very little prep and chopping (you could even substitute the chopped garlic with powdered and do no chopping at all).
Orange Soba:
Ingredients:
1 package soba noodles
1 package frozen vegetables
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 cloves garlic chopped finely
2 Tbsp arrowroot powder or cornstarch
2 Tbsp oil (either olive or canola will be fine)
*optional: a few Tbsp of sriracha
Directions:
1. Cook soba noodles according to package directions and set aside.
2. Mix orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, and arrowroot powder in a bowl.
3. Pour orange/soy mixture along with the frozen veggies and oil into a large pan and saute until vegetables are heated through and sauce has thickened.
4. Stir in the noodles and cook until everything is well combined and heated through. Serve with simple tofu.
Simple Tofu
Ingredients:
3-4 Tbsp oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tsp garlic powder
1 package firm tofu
Directions:
1. Slice tofu and arrange on an oven safe platter/pan.
2. Mix the rest of the ingredients and pour over tofu. Let marinate at least 30 minutes.
3. Bake at 375 F for about 20 minutes.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Cleaning Clean
When I was pregnant, I went through my "nesting" phase big time. Suddenly the dust on the baseboards were glaringly obvious and every little mess drove me insane. This is pretty common and I had many friends share the same experience. However, during this cleaning madness, I was careful about what I used. After all, I was growing a child that would be exposed to whatever was absorbed through my skin or inhaled through my lungs. I couldn't imagine bleach or ammonia based products being safe at all. Whether or not you're pregnant, caring for small children, or even just trying to care for yourself, the junk in cleaning products is seriously nasty and scary.
And it's not like there is just one chemical laden thing that's used, there's a bottle for everything: all-purpose cleaner, wood polish, toilet cleaner, bathroom and shower scrubs, cleanser for the sinks, drain cleaners, floor solutions, carpet cleaners, the list goes on. A top to bottom cleaning of the house? Hundreds of chemicals.
Some of these chemicals, sure, you're getting minimal exposure to. But over time, certain toxins can build up in fat cells, just kind of hanging out. Why on earth would anyone want a carcinogenic chemical stored in their hips?
Because there are so many chemicals that make up a typical cleaning product, let's just go through a few common ones:
Bleach: causes skin irritation, coughing, vomiting, fluid in the lungs, and death. Exposure over time causes failure of liver, kidney, and lungs.
Ammonia: Inhalation causes skin, eye, and lung irritation. Direct exposure can cause serious chemical burns.
Denatured ethanol: causes nausea, dizziness, blindness, and death
Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride: found in toilet bowl cleaners and has been found to kill fish and crustaceans. Toxic to the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and immune systems as well as to the skin and liver.
Even if I were to be VERY careful with these chemicals, wearing gloves and a mask, there is residue leftover on the surfaces. These are surfaces that are possibly touched by myself, my dogs, my husband, and my child. Yes, they are devoid of germs, but that in itself has devastating consequences. All of those "super bugs" that are resistant to antibiotics and medicine were created because of the overuse of both antibiotics and antibiotic cleaners. Besides, as long as the microbial count is under a certain amount, exposure to germs is good for our immune system. It's like taking your immune system to the gym everyday, exposure to germs keeps it strong and on it's toes!
After doing a ton of research, I found some effective yet natural and safe alternatives. I essentially only use distilled white vinegar, baking soda, Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds, and BacOut. Sal Suds is an awesome all natural disinfecting detergent and BacOut is the best thing for getting rid of smells.
All-Purpose Cleaner:
Mix half white vinegar (yes, it is a disinfectant) and half water in a spray bottle. Add some drops of a skin safe essential oil like lavender or tea tree for scent and added antimicrobial power. Can be used on pretty much anything: countertops, mirrors, shelves, sinks, etc.
Toilet Bowl Scrub:
Sprinkle baking soda in the bowl and scrub away with a brush. Pour in some vinegar and finish scrubbing.
Showers and tubs:
Use a baking soda paste (water and baking soda) to scrub soap scum and mildew. Wipe down with vinegar. To get rid of hard water buildup, let vinegar sit for 10 minutes first. I also use Sal Suds for a bit of extra power since we have very hard water that builds up quite fast.
Hard Floors:
Squirt a bit of Sal Suds in a bucket with mostly water (this stuff is reallllllyyyy concentrated) and mop away!
Smelly carpets and stains:
Let BacOut sit for about 10 minutes then vacuum or scrub up. We also use it in our carpet cleaner.
Garbage disposal:
Pour a bit of BacOut into the disposal and let sit for 10 minutes. Put some ice in the drain and let the disposal run. It's really loud but very effective. Chunks of lemon or lime work too.
Clogged drain:
For really clogged up drains I recommend getting one of those wire "snake" looking things too. It's gag worthy gross but way safer than chemicals. For mild clogs pour baking soda into the drain followed by enough vinegar to cause a ton of fizzing.
Get your spring cleaning on for both your house and your body! Happy clean cleaning!
And it's not like there is just one chemical laden thing that's used, there's a bottle for everything: all-purpose cleaner, wood polish, toilet cleaner, bathroom and shower scrubs, cleanser for the sinks, drain cleaners, floor solutions, carpet cleaners, the list goes on. A top to bottom cleaning of the house? Hundreds of chemicals.
Some of these chemicals, sure, you're getting minimal exposure to. But over time, certain toxins can build up in fat cells, just kind of hanging out. Why on earth would anyone want a carcinogenic chemical stored in their hips?
Because there are so many chemicals that make up a typical cleaning product, let's just go through a few common ones:
Bleach: causes skin irritation, coughing, vomiting, fluid in the lungs, and death. Exposure over time causes failure of liver, kidney, and lungs.
Ammonia: Inhalation causes skin, eye, and lung irritation. Direct exposure can cause serious chemical burns.
Denatured ethanol: causes nausea, dizziness, blindness, and death
Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride: found in toilet bowl cleaners and has been found to kill fish and crustaceans. Toxic to the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and immune systems as well as to the skin and liver.
Even if I were to be VERY careful with these chemicals, wearing gloves and a mask, there is residue leftover on the surfaces. These are surfaces that are possibly touched by myself, my dogs, my husband, and my child. Yes, they are devoid of germs, but that in itself has devastating consequences. All of those "super bugs" that are resistant to antibiotics and medicine were created because of the overuse of both antibiotics and antibiotic cleaners. Besides, as long as the microbial count is under a certain amount, exposure to germs is good for our immune system. It's like taking your immune system to the gym everyday, exposure to germs keeps it strong and on it's toes!
After doing a ton of research, I found some effective yet natural and safe alternatives. I essentially only use distilled white vinegar, baking soda, Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds, and BacOut. Sal Suds is an awesome all natural disinfecting detergent and BacOut is the best thing for getting rid of smells.
All-Purpose Cleaner:
Mix half white vinegar (yes, it is a disinfectant) and half water in a spray bottle. Add some drops of a skin safe essential oil like lavender or tea tree for scent and added antimicrobial power. Can be used on pretty much anything: countertops, mirrors, shelves, sinks, etc.
Toilet Bowl Scrub:
Sprinkle baking soda in the bowl and scrub away with a brush. Pour in some vinegar and finish scrubbing.
Showers and tubs:
Use a baking soda paste (water and baking soda) to scrub soap scum and mildew. Wipe down with vinegar. To get rid of hard water buildup, let vinegar sit for 10 minutes first. I also use Sal Suds for a bit of extra power since we have very hard water that builds up quite fast.
Hard Floors:
Squirt a bit of Sal Suds in a bucket with mostly water (this stuff is reallllllyyyy concentrated) and mop away!
Smelly carpets and stains:
Let BacOut sit for about 10 minutes then vacuum or scrub up. We also use it in our carpet cleaner.
Garbage disposal:
Pour a bit of BacOut into the disposal and let sit for 10 minutes. Put some ice in the drain and let the disposal run. It's really loud but very effective. Chunks of lemon or lime work too.
Clogged drain:
For really clogged up drains I recommend getting one of those wire "snake" looking things too. It's gag worthy gross but way safer than chemicals. For mild clogs pour baking soda into the drain followed by enough vinegar to cause a ton of fizzing.
Get your spring cleaning on for both your house and your body! Happy clean cleaning!
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
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?
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?
Monday, April 28, 2014
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!
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!
Friday, April 25, 2014
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!
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!
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