Sized vs One Sized

Sized Diapers
Pros:

•  Better fit
•  Used for shorter periods of time, better shape to use on another child or to sell
•  Most babies use only the small and medium sized diapers, many potty train before they are big enough to use large diapers.
•  You will use fewer diapers in each size up, so you don't need as many mediums as small diapers 

Cons:

•  Must buy multiple sizes

One Sized Diapers
Pros:

•  Buy one set of diapers and in many cases they will last from birth to potty training.
•  Can use the same diapers on two children at the same time(infant & toddler)

Cons:

• May mean no size fits now 
• Can be bulky
• Washed more often, may wear out. (not last to use on another child)
• Using the same diapers day after day for years can get boring

Many parents choose to have about one third of their diaper stash in sized diapers and the rest in one size diapers so they have plenty of choices as their baby grows.

Diaper Types Part 2 (AIO and AI2)

An all-in-one (AIO) is a diaper with an outer waterproof layer and several inner absorbant layers.  The "soaker" (the absorbant part) can be sewn in, laid in, snapped or velcroed in.  AIOs have velcro or snap closures.  AIOs are the closest thing to disposable diapers.  Everything is all in one piece and easy to use! Examples: Bottombumpers, GroVia AIO

AI2: These diapers are All in Ones that allow for the removal of the soaker material, the part that absorbs. This makes cleaning and drying much faster. When the two separate parts are paired, they form one diaper.

Advantages of AI2 Cloth Diapers:

• No separate cover required
• Remove the soaker material and reuse the cover
• Great for transitioning from disposables to cloth - easy to use
• Available in lots of cute colors and prints
• You can always get a new soaker or doubler if the original needs to be replaced
• Can use 'disposable' insert when traveling, at daycare or when you need to use diaper creams

Examples: SoftBums, GroVia AI2/Hybrid, gDiapers

Diaper Types Part 1 (Pockets, Prefolds, Covers)

A pocket diaper has an outer layer of waterproof material (usually PUL - polyurethane laminate) and an inner layer of microfleece or suedecloth. There is an opening (usually at the waist) where you slide the insert or absorbant part of the diaper in.  Examples are BumGenuis, FuzziBunz, Happy Heinys, Thirsties Duo Diapers

A prefold is a rectangular shaped diaper with 3 'sections' divided by seams. The center section has more layers than the outer sections. This is referred to as ply (i.e. 4x8x4). A prefold can be pinned or simply folded and placed inside a waterproof cover. These are a great choice for newborns - many moms agree!  This is your 'grandmothers' diaper.  Prefolds combined with covers are the MOST cost effective way to cloth diaper.

A diaper cover or wrap is made of a waterproof layer of material. These are used to cover prefolds, flats, fitted or contour diapers. Diaper covers can have a snap or velcro closure.  Covers can be a wrap (fastens at the waist) or pull up type - common with wool and fleece covers.

Not Me Monday

 

My first NOT ME Monday post!! After reading them at MckMama's blog (http://www.mycharmingkids.net/) for over a year I'm finally writing my own.

        I DID NOT eat the rest of the package of chocolate chip cookie dough from the fridge last night after the kids went to bed.
       I DID NOT go grocery shopping with the kids and allow DD to wear her pajamas to the store and post a picture on FaceBook.

      I DID NOT tell my DH he was being mean to DD and take both kids for a 2.5 excursion to get away from him - when I was on the first day of my period.

Stripping Your Diapers

Build up refers to residue left by detergents, fabric softeners, and other substances used to clean diapers. In rare instances, baking soda will react with certain minerals in water and also cause build up. If you notice a decrease in the functionality of your diapers, build up may be the culprit.

Stripping refers to the removal of residue on diapers. There are a few different options for you to try:
Option 1: Repeat the following process twice (standard top-loading washer):
· Run your covers and diapers through a wash with only hot water (if allowed by manufacturer’s washing instructions).
· Run a second wash using 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar in this second wash.
· 1/2 cup vinegar again in first rinse cycle.
· Run a second rinse cycle with plain hot water.
· Dry covers/diapers in dryer.


Option 2: To strip diapers, simply hand wash your diaper with your regular dish soap (gets the oils out), add a bit of dish soap to the fleece, either rub the fleece vigoriously together or use a medium bristle dish brush or hard bristle toothbrush to scrub the fleece. Turn inside out and repeat on this side. Rinse very good, making sure that the water runs clear. You may use this method at any time you feel that the diaper may be repelling or as a preventative measure once a week.

Option 3: If you are still having problems, special cleaning agents may be used to strip diapers. These options include a very hot wash using 2 scoops Oxiclean or you may also try a hot wash with 1 ball of RLR

How do I wash my cloth diapers?

Standard Top Loading Machine

1. Set washer to highest water setting for a big load of diapers.
2. Run a Cold Rinse Cycle.
3. Wash Warm or Hot (as recommended by manufacturer) with about 1/4 cup of detergent.
4. Rinse well to ensure all detergent is removed from diapers.
5. You can dry your diapers & inserts in the dryer on Medium or High heat (as recommended by manufacturer) -or- you can air dry them outside.  Sunlight acts as a 'bleaching' agent and will keep your diapers & inserts looking fresh & white -- naturally!

HE or Front Loading Machine

1. Run a Rinse/Drain cycle with no spin.
2. Run Warm or Hot wash cycle (as recommended by manufacturer) with 1 scoop of Charlie's Soap (recommended for its low-sudsing wash).
3. Rinse well to ensure all detergent is removed from diapers.  (We run an extra rinse!)
4. Spin on High to reduce drying time!
5. You can dry your diapers & inserts in the dryer on Medium or High heat (as recommended by manufacturer) -or- you can air dry them outside.  Sunlight acts as a 'bleaching' agent and will keep your diapers & inserts looking fresh & white -- naturally!

"Dumping Disposable Diapers" a Great Read for Those Considering Cloth

If you've never wandered over to Mothering.com then you're really missing out. Not only is it full of tons of great info from from topics like home birth, breastfeeding, vaccines and cooking to cloth diapering! The Mothering crew really has a love for cloth and they've got some great articles that are really worth reading.
One such article is Dumping Disposable Diapers, by Lindsay Evans. Lindasy shares with readers her thought process on making the switch, how the idea came about and why it works for her.

"as my stock of disposables dwindled and Amelia and I settled in to our new life together, the thought of continuously buying—and supporting the makers of—disposable diapers made me sick."

She covers the different styles of cloth diapers, their cost, how to care for them, and more in this great article. She even discusses traveling with cloth diapers and the environmental debate, cloth vs. disposables.

This is a perfect article if your a newbie, or considering making the switch to cloth. Head on over to Mothering and check it out!

Also check out the Diapering forum in the Community Area.