Wipes Warmer

I didn't plan on using a wipes warmer because I think sometimes they can be unnecessary. However, I decided to get one after having an October baby [meaning lots of winter diaper changes coming up] and realizing that it would also help with keeping cloth wipes wet.

I didn't really like using a bottle of water or wipes solution to wet each wipe when I needed to change her so I ordered the Prince Lionheart Warmies Wipes Warmer:

 

I can't believe how easy it is to fold the clean wipes, wet them with water, and throw them in to warm for future use. I have 40 flannel wipes that I got from a seller on Etsy [more about them in this post] and they work really well in it. A note: It comes with a spongy "pillow" that you're supposed to keep in the bottom and replace every few months. Well, it started to smell weird and once I threw away the pillow the smell went away.

I also use it when I give Bay a sponge bath every night on her changing pad. I wet two wash cloths and put them straight into the warmer so that by the time I need them they're still warm. I highly recommend it for anyone using cloth wipes and if you use disposable wipes, they have one for that, too!

My Cloth Diapering Experience So Far

So it's been about 2 months since we started using cloth diapers. I had done quite a bit of research on all the different types and it seemed there wasn't one type that everyone preferred. Because of that, I decided to try a combination and see what I liked best. We have used a combination of:

Mother-ease Sandy's fitteds
Prefolds
Fleece covers
Thirsties covers
Bummis Super Whisper Wrap covers
BumGenius one-size AIOs
Dream-eze AIOs
and
BumGenius one-size pockets

While I've had success with all of them and any of them would be preferable to disposables in terms of price, convenience, and leaking issues, I now have a much clearer idea of what I plan to use for my next child. I have some friends who plan to use cloth in the future so it was important to me that I get it right and have a few different suggestions for them depending upon their budgets.

Cheapest
Prefolds with either fleece or wrap-style covers. I got 2 fleece ones to try from a WAHM on Etsy [Cornersewn] and once they're on, they work really well and can be used several times before washing. The only thing that can be annoying is that you have to pull them on like underwear, which can be difficult with a squirming baby. As far as wrap-style covers, I much prefer Bummis to Thirsties in terms of quality.

You could probably get away with 24-36 prefolds in newborn size and 18-24 in infant size, it just depends upon how often you do laundry. The majority of the cost will be in the covers. I have 4 of each size and if you use Snappis, that should be sufficient. If not, you might need more because once they get poop on them, you have to put them in the laundry.

Middle of the Road
Fitted diapers in at least 2 sizes with your choice of covers. You won't need as many covers with fitteds because you shouldn't have many leaks, if any at all. I haven't had a leak yet. I have Sandy's fitteds in XS and S and while Bay can wear the XS with the bottom snaps left undone [she's 13+ pounds], we could have skipped the XS size altogether. Unless you're expecting a preemie, I would go straight to size S.

Most Expensive
One-size all-in-ones and a few one-size pockets for nighttime. Even though this is the priciest option, it is still way cheaper than disposables, especially when you factor in subsequent children and/ or resale value. I plan on doing this with the rest of my children because it's so convenient and you only buy one set of diapers that work from birth to potty training.

I have only used BumGenius, which I absolutely recommend, and one Dream-eze diaper because it was on sale. Dream-eze, to my knowledge, only sells sized diapers and it leaked several times with my [slightly chunky] baby. They seem to be good quality and may work better with smaller babies but I won't be using them again. Plus, I just love the one-size option.

As far as BumGenius, I started with two each of AIOs with snaps and pockets with Aplix. The snaps aren't any less convenient for me and they will last longer so I will be buying those from now on. I also like that the AIOs are organic cotton. The pockets are synthetic and have a "Stay-dri" insert that is amazing at soaking up any moisture so I use them exclusively as overnight diapers.

I am slowly building up my stash of AIOs and plan to use them exclusively once Bay grows out of her size S Bummis covers. They are the most expensive option but can be found at a discounted price online when you buy in larger quantities. 36 with 2-3 pockets for night would be an excellent stash but you could probably get away with 24 AIOs if you do laundry every other day. Anyway, I highly recommend them and they are surprisingly slim-fitting even on a newborn. If you want to go this route but don't like the BumGenius or have a tighter budget, there are lots of cheaper AIOs available.

2 Months

1 Month

Postpartum Care

This is just a basic FYI for anyone who may end up with stitches due to tearing or an episiotomy. After a med-free birth that required several stitches [I didn't want to know how many at the time and now S says he thinks it was 8], I did not expect the most painful/ uncomfortable part to be the recovery period. These were the basic things that helped me a lot:

Maxi pads:
For the first few days, I put a couple of tablespoons of water in several of them and put them in the freezer. It was almost as good as the ice packs they gave me in the hospital.

Witch hazel pads:
The CVS brand had the highest percentage of witch hazel but you can also use tucks or something similar. I didn't put them in the refrigerator but I have read some posts online that it helps. Wiping with them and even putting them in my underwear over the maxi pad helped with my discomfort. If you can find pure witch hazel, just get that and use it on the maxi pads instead of water.

Pantyliners:
These are great for when the bleeding slows down. 

Ibuprofen:
I didn't want to take any medication at all. I made it until day 4-5 when I had some discomfort with breastfeeding [more specifically, my armpits were completely swollen and very sore- I didn't realize that was going to happen!] and it made a big difference.

Something soft to sit on:
I actually used my nursing pillow for a couple of days but I know they sell "donut" rings for this purpose as well.

Peri bottle:
This thing was my best friend for the first week. I was pretty freaked out about having had stitches so I may have been overly careful but warm water helped so much at the beginning. When planning our house we're going to build, I always told S that we had to have bidets in the bathrooms. After the peri bottle experience, I think we both realize it's definitely a must.

Dermoplast:
I didn't use it after I got home because of the toxicity issue with benzocaine and the fact that there are no studies showing whether it gets into breastmilk. If you're not breastfeeding, that might not be as much of a concern, though, so it's another option. It's just a spray that I'm sure you can get at any pharmacy and it helps with itching and pain. FYI, the hospital gave me the regular kind with the blue cap.

Another thing: Walking around helped a lot with the soreness but if I overdid it, my bleeding would increase. I think getting up a few times a day and walking for several minutes is probably sufficient for the first few days.

Ok, now here are some more [grainy, cellphone-camera] pictures of Bay:

The cake S made the first night she was home:

I'm pretty sure it was mostly for him!

My Baby is Here!

I wanted to record my birth story while I was thinking about it. Last Wednesday at my 39 week appointment, I was dilated almost 5cm and was 90% effaced. My doctor said I probably wouldn't make it to my next appointment and that she would love it if I could deliver the baby on 10/10/10. Not only did she think it would be a great birthday, Sunday is a slow day at the hospital because they don't schedule C-sections or inductions that day. I couldn't have cared less about the birthdate so I was just like ok, sure, I'll see what I can do to accommodate that.

Thursday went by: uneventful.

Friday morning I woke up at 6:30am with a dull back ache, just like I had every day for the past week. I hadn't had any noticeable contractions at all but I couldn't go back to sleep so I just sat up in bed and listened to my Hypnobirthing audio on my iPod.

At 7:15, I went to the bathroom and saw a tiny bit of blood [I recorded everything pregnancy-related in a memo on my iPod and this was the last entry]. I told S and he got in the shower. A few minutes later, I started having ridiculous contractions. I had downloaded an iPod application to time contractions a month or so ago and that came in very handy. It said the contractions were 1-2 minutes apart and 30-45 seconds each. Surely I did it wrong because that's so close so soon and typically only happens at the end of labor, right? I started getting really difficult at that point, telling S he was annoying, to shut up, and that he was making things worse.

He called our doula who said to time some more to make sure they were that close and she'd call back in 20 minutes. Longest 20 minutes ever! Well, maybe the longest up until that point. Right before she called, I had a contraction standing up against the bed and my water broke on the floor. S answered the phone and the doula said to go to the hospital and she'd meet us there. I rinsed off quickly in the shower, put on a tube dress, stuffed a towel between my legs, and got in the car. I also screamed my way [with the car door open because I felt hot] through a couple of contractions while waiting for S to grab my hospital bag and guess what? Not one of our neighbors even looked outside to check on the person being fatally stabbed to death in the street [or at least that's what I would have assumed from the horrible noise I was making].

We drove the 5 minutes to the hospital. The car ride was by far the worst part because I had nothing to distract myself. FYI, I literally felt like I was going to crap out a bowling ball and -at certain points- thought I might just die. It was all very dramatic and laced with 4-letter words. I rolled my window all the way down, stuck my head out like a dog, and screamed/ slammed my fist on the car door through each contraction. Good thing we weren't in my car! After being behind the slowest truck ever all the way up the parking garage to the 6th floor, we pulled into a spot at 8:55am. S went to get a wheelchair and I jumped out with no shoes on, restuffed the towel, and waddled into the hospital myself.

After a contraction, I sat in the wheelchair and was rushed directly to labor and delivery. I literally traumatized the entire waiting room with my ridiculous screaming and probably flashed them all my blue underwear. I definitely should have practiced Hypnobirthing more! In the delivery room I was fully dilated and went up on the bed on all fours to scream the loudest I ever have and use the F word more than the Sopranos. Here's what a contraction was like:

1. Ow.

2. Oh no!

3. F*CKKKKKKKKK!

Number 3 would be as loud as possible and last at least 30 seconds. Then during the last one where the nurses were telling me to push, I said I can't do this anymore. What I didn't realize was that her head was already out so I didn't have a choice. Thank God for my doula [who got there just in time] because she was the only person I would listen to and she was very helpful in getting me to push and do what the doctor was telling me to do.

I had my daughter [a great surprise to everyone since we didn't know the sex] 34 minutes after we pulled into the parking garage. Luckily, I probably wouldn't have had time for drugs if I'd wanted them. When I think back, I still can't believe I made it through that. It was just the most intense experience I've ever had.

She weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 19.5 inches long. We had planned all along to allow the umbilical cord stop pulsing before cutting it [not that we had time to even take the copies of my birth plan out of my bag]. My doctor did wait a bit but the cord was so short that she had to cut it before I could hold the baby and put her on my chest. She nursed an hour or so later and seemed to know just what to do. I'm very lucky and even though I thought I wanted to die for a little while, she is so worth it!

I know that short of a labor is very uncommon -especially for a first birth- and while I was so happy after it ended, I think I would have been much better [less profane/ terrifying] if I'd had time and some lighter contractions to lead up to it. To anyone planning a natural birth: If I can do it you definitely can, just be as mentally prepared as possible.

By the way, her name is Bayard McConnell, nickname Bay. We love her!

One of Those Surveys

I figured this can serve as an intro post, since I would never get around to doing one otherwise and it would be really boring because I wouldn't know what to say. The reason the blog is called XIXMMX is because I'm the worst at coming up with titles for things. Because I knew I couldn't think of a non-embarrassing title of my own, I chose my due date [11 October 2010].

Anyway, I saw one of these surveys on another blog and decided that since I won't be knocked up much longer, I might as well be cheesy and fill it out.

How far along? I'll be 37 weeks on Monday.

How big is baby? At my ultrasound this week, they estimated 18+ inches long and 5 pounds, 11 ounces.

Maternity clothes? No, I think I lucked out big time with that. I didn't want to waste money on clothes I'd never wear again unless I had to, so I have a Bella Band and that's it. Luckily, I don't normally wear supertight stripper clothes, so everything still fits [with the exception of a few shorts that won't button]. I could even button and zip up my JBrand legging jeans on Monday!

Stretch marks? Nope. Since everything I read said it's totally genetic, I decided not to even use lotions or anything. Nobody in my mom's family back to my great-grandmother had stretch marks, so I figured I'd just hope for the best.

Sleep? I'm still sleeping really soundly like I always have. The only thing is I have to deal with about 15 minutes of kicks and shifts from the baby when I lie down and then I can go to sleep. I'm hoping my deep sleeping will miraculously continue with a baby, but I'm not betting on it.

Best moment this week? My mom and husband, S, both admitted that my vegan chocolate chip cookies are better than non-vegan ones. S hates the idea of egg substitutes [I use corn starch and water for cookies] so I know he probably didn't like having to say that.

Food cravings? I have eaten the same things I ate pre-pregnancy this whole time. I was actually hoping for some weird cravings but I have always had a few strange food habits so maybe I was already ahead of myself.

Gender? We will find out when the baby gets here. I'm not sure why not knowing elicits such strong opinions from people, but it's driving almost everyone else crazy. Oddly, I generally hate surprises but I never even considered finding out the sex of the baby.

Also, strangers keep coming up to me out of nowhere and telling me what the baby will be. All of them have guessed girl so far but my mom is really hoping for a boy. There are only girls between her and my uncle and on my dad's side there are 8 girls and only 2 boys. Nearly everyone I know who has had or is having a baby this year is having a boy so I don't know what that means for my odds either way.

Belly button in or out? It's flat but starting to stick out a tiny bit. I'm wondering if it will ever stick out all the way [and kind of hoping it doesn't].

Movement: Yes. While it's stronger now that the kicks are in my ribs and the punches feel like they're going through my abdomen, it isn't as frequent as it was the past several months.

What I miss: Being skinny and having the ability to bend over. Oh and it was really cool back when I could sit at a table and not bump into it with my huge body.

What I'm looking forward to: Having the baby. It's so weird knowing it could happen at any time but not having any idea when it actually will. I also can't wait to find out how it all goes for me, especially doing it in the hospital and all.

I also can't wait to see how our 3 dogs are with the baby. Two of them [Great Pyrenees and German Shepherd] absolutely love babies and kids and the other [a Lab] keeps his distance, I think he's confused by them.

Weekly wisdom: When people are annoying you, tell them they are and hopefully they'll stop. If not, at least they'll know why you started ignoring them. This worked well for me when my mom kept referring to the baby as 'he' and then when she was harassing me about letting her find out the sex, even though we both know she couldn't keep it a secret.

Milestones: Monday will be full term, in theory. Due to my heart-shaped uterus [my mom had the same thing and had issues with me and my sister], I was worried I wouldn't make it past viability. Then, I just wanted to make it to 28 weeks. Now, it looks like everything is going to be fine so I keep telling myself that even if I go past 42 weeks, I won't complain about it.

Have a great weekend!

Nursing Pillow and Covers

This is inspired by another adorable Etsy find. I have heard for years that a nursing pillow is a must-have, even for those who don't plan to breastfeed because you can use it when the baby's older to prop him up [before he can sit on his own]. For my baby shower, I was very happy to receive a nursing pillow from one of my parents' friends. It's cute but the pattern and colors were kind of loud and I almost always keep everything plain so I started looking for some covers for it. Oh and also, I imagine they get all kinds of gross things all over them so it can't be a bad idea to have a couple of covers on hand.

My nursing pillow is not made by Boppy so I was unsure if the Boppy covers would fit. The pillow manufacturer never answered my email regarding the size -rude!- so when I was at Target one day and they had the cream organic Boppy cover [very soft, I recommend it],I figured I'd try it. It fit! I guess there is some sort of standard size for nursing pillows, which is very convenient because I came across Lauren Grace's Etsy store where she sells custom nursing pillow covers.

The owner, Karen, makes them to fit a Boppy so once I knew that would fit, I contacted her to see if she still had the alphabet flannel I had seen in one of her listings. She did, but just enough for one side. I already knew I had to have it, so I asked her to set up a custom listing for one cover with pale blue on the back. She doesn't have the original listing up at this time [just convo her for a custom listing] and obviously she could change her prices at any point, but when I ordered she told me it would cost $5 for one cover or $8 for two plus $6 priority shipping.

I just wanted one for now [to alternate with the Boppy cover] so my total was only $11. I could hardly wait to get my cover and see how cute the fabric was in person, so her fast shipping was helpful. I don't know how she even sewed it that quickly! Here's the finished product:

I'm already contemplating ordering another one but making myself wait until the baby is here [I think]. Karen has an assortment of cute printed and solid fabrics [I'm sure she will send you photos of them if you ask] from which to choose, so if you're in need of a cute shower gift or an additional cover for yourself, check out her store! You can't beat her prices. Thanks to this cover, I am now even more excited to use my pillow once my baby gets here!

Note: I just wanted to add that these covers are zippered, unlike many other slip-on styles I found when browsing Etsy. That definitely makes a difference for me!

Cloth Wipes

If you're cloth diapering, these are a must. Even if you're not, these soft cloths can be used to wipe noses, faces, and sticky little hands. I don't sew, so I originally planned to order some organic cotton flannel and use pinking shears to cut it into cloth wipes and hope that they didn't fray much. Since I've read mixed reviews about whether they actually would fray, I went to Etsy [which just happens to be one of my more recent online addictions] to see what affordable organic options there were.

I'm not going to lie, some of the items I came across were a huge rip-off and others were really ugly. While I am more concerned with function than having really cute butt wipes, I didn't want to get something that I would hate looking at, especially considering how much I'll be using them. I also really wanted to pay less than $1 per wipe and when you add in the organic factor, that really narrows the choices down.

Luckily, I came across these wipes by Milk Made Momma and I sent the owner, Becca, a message to see if she could do a custom order. She [currently] sells them in sets of 8 for $7.98 plus $1.60 shipping. I wanted 40 wipes so she set up a custom listing for $30 and $5 shipping. I got my adorable wipes a few days later and all for about 88 cents each. Bonus: I also received a free sample of her Green Tush baby wipe spray with my order so I can't wait to try that out.

If you can sew, you might have already made your own wipes, but for those who are challenged in that area like I am or would rather let someone else do the hard part, check out this Etsy shop! Becca is very friendly and seems more than willing to accommodate custom orders. I got 8 of each color and design she offers but if you want all one color or design, she can do that as well. Here's a close up of the designs [click on the photo for more detail]:

In case you're wondering, the wipes came to me already extremely soft and just as cute as expected [the hearts and shamrocks are my favorites]. I washed and dried them the other day and have them stacked on the dresser in the baby's room. I cannot wait to use them so I just had to give her a plug because I am so impressed with the price and how they turned out.

By the way, it just dawned on me that a set of these would make [or complete] a fantastic gift for a new or soon-to-be mom. In fact, I'm bookmarking them now as a go-to baby gift for the future. I always try to give something educational and something practical as well so these are a great addition to my list. Have a great weekend!

Baby Shower Photos

Nontoxic Toys: Plan

Whatever happened to old-fashioned wooden toys? Luckily, there has been a resurgence [and huge improvement] in that area lately, at least partially due to the recent "green" movement.

I don't even have a baby yet and I am already collecting these awesome toys. While I disagree with certain parts of the Montessori method, I definitely agree with their approach in regard to giving kids access to toys and objects that teach them practical life skills and enhance their creative sides. Plan is a green company as well, meaning they are environmentally conscious throughout the entire process of making their products.

 

The toys are also non-toxic, unlike almost all of the most popular products available for children today. They have so many great things to choose from but my favorites are probably the fruit and vegetables or the cooking utensils set. They're so cute and have got to be more practical and better at provoking children's creativity than all that battery-operated, light up crap.

Side note: It's so incredibly important to research everything before you even think about buying, using, or eating, and especially before giving it to your kids. Don't buy into the "my parents did this and I turned out just fine" BS, that's just something lazy people make up so they don't have to stop being ignorant.

Oh, I just remembered this adorable drum I must buy. I'm sure I'll totally regret it once my baby is old enough to hit it with the drumstick and it will probably be one of those things that gets "accidentally left" somewhere or stays at my mom's house for brief, occasional use. For now, though, it will look so cute in the nursery:

Anyway, check out Plan's website here. They are in tons of stores even here in Oklahoma so I get the impression they're everywhere now. I highly recommend them for all ages for educational fun that will surely last longer than any plastic toys. Not to mention they don't look so cheap strewn around the house.

Cloth Diaper Basics

Disclaimer: I am by no means an expert on any of this. I have done extensive research for the past year or so on all things cloth diapering and this is some of what I have found. I do plan to do follow-up reviews on all of the products I use once I have a real live baby on which to try them.

For anyone interested, here is a good place to learn about the different types of diapers:
Green Mountain Diapers they also sell diapers [they have the largest selection of prefold sizes I know of] but the page I linked has an overview of the different types of cloth diapers so you can see what you thing would work best for you.

The basic types are:
Flat: This is the giant square of fabric that our grandparents used. You have to fold them up and either use a pin or Snappi to close them. They require a cover to avoid leaks. I guess when you're using them with a cover you don't have to fasten them but I'm sure it's less of a mess when it's time for a change. These are the most economical way to cloth diaper but I think most people avoid them nowadays because they require some work. They also dry the fastest because they are so thin.

Photo: Cloth-Diaper-Mom.com

Prefold: My grandmother actually used these on my youngest uncle when they first came out. They're the same concept as a flat diaper, only they are already "folded" or multi-layered so you can skip the step of folding them yourself. The two main types are Chinese and Indian Prefolds [and you can get them in white or unbleached, organic or regular]. Chinese are more durable but aren't as soft. The Indian ones are softer but don't last as long, although I doubt that would be an issue until you use them with subsequent children. These are another economical way to cloth diaper and still require a cover. If you are interested in prefolds but want to spice things up, a lot of people dye them. Do a Google search to find out the best way to do it, because I definitely don't know.

Photo: Wallypop.net

Contour: This is similar to a prefold except it is smaller because it's cut out at the legs. It is sort of shaped like a maxipad and you put it inside the cover. I don't know much about these but it seems like it might lead to more leaks than other types of diapers just because there is less material [but what do I know?]. You can also use them with or without fasteners.

 

Photo: Amazon.com

Fitted: These are a little more expensive but can still be one of the least costly options. There are sized fitteds that fit from certain weight ranges, etc. and there are One-Size fitteds that, like Natalia said, grow with your baby. They have snaps and/ or Velcro-like closures [if you use that, you want Aplix, it's more durable than Velcro] and adjust to your baby's size. Different brands are recommended by different people and it seems like it all depends on the size and shape of the baby. They also require covers to be leak-proof but seem to contain messes better than the previous options because the legs usually have some sort of elastic to hold it all in.

I settled on using a combination of Mother-Ease Sandy's and One-Size. They are an affordable brand that is very highly recommended. They're made in Canada and they also have a lot of colors and materials to choose. My plan may actually change, though, because with some thinner babies the Sandy's small size fits much longer than for others so it might make more sense to skip the One-Size altogether at that point, especially as I plan to do EC so I might not even need the larger size.

As far as Mother-Ease goes, their Sandy's fitteds come in 3 sizes: Newborn [which most people seem to forgo altogether and just use prefolds or the small size], Small, and Large. The One-Size may be bulkier at first but if you use them, in theory you only have to buy one set of diapers to use the whole time.

There are many brands of fitted diapers that get good reviews but I have seen lots of recommendations for Kissaluvs, Thirsties, and Swaddlebees. Many people also like to support work at home moms who sell their items online [there are a lot on Etsy under WAHM]. If you're crafty, there are a lot of instructions online about how to sew your own.

Photo: MotherEase.com

All-in-One: These are essentially the same as fitted diapers except they require no cover because the cover is built right in. They are the closest to the look and ease-of-use of disposables and the most convenient to use on the go. They do take longer to dry because of the extra materials and they cost more than other options. There are also pocket diapers, which similar to AIOs except there is a pocket inside with a removable absorbent insert so they take less time to dry.

Photo: NaturesCrib.com

G-Diapers: These are kind of a hybrid so I wasn't sure where to mention these. They are essentially a reusable outer layer/ cover with a disposable, biodegradable insert. These would be a great alternative to disposables and would require less laundry than cloth options. It also might be a good way to ease into cloth diapering without fully committing. I bought them a couple of years ago for my cousin from Amazon for a good price on a starter kit.

Photo: Inhabitots.com

Cloth Diaper Accessories:
Covers [Also called Soakers]: These have been the most difficult decision for me. There are so many kinds and it seems like everyone has a different favorite brand. Generally, they are made of some sort of synthetic PUL water-resistant material, fleece, or wool. Wool is the most expensive but you only have to wash them -in some cases- every couple of weeks so you can use the same one many times in a row and don't need to buy as many. The lanolin in wool apparently neutralizes the ammonia in urine [some people say that it creates a natural "soap"]. Once the cover begins to smell, the lanolin has been used up and the cover needs to be washed, re-lanolized [lanolin is an additional cost], and it can take a few days for them to dry. Many people prefer to use wool at night over other covers because of the absorbency and the fact that they keep the baby comfortable and dry. I almost forgot to mention that wool can be used year-round because it keeps babies warm in the winter and cool in the summer [I assume due to its breathability].

Fleece also wicks moisture away from the baby's skin similar to how wool works, only it is more affordable and can be washed and dried normally. I found a seller on Etsy who sells them for $18 for 3 covers, you pick the colors and free shipping [her name is Londonware but there are tons if you just search "fleece diaper cover" or "fleece soaker"]. I'm sure these would be easy to make if you know how to do that kind of thing.

The PUL diaper covers seem to be the most recommended, probably because there are so many different brands, colors, and styles. The two I see reviewed most are by Thirsties and Bummis. I have both and they are very similar in design so I'm sure it just, again, depends on the size and shape of your baby. I am going to start out with Thirsties, Bummis, and fleece covers and see what works best.

Photo: TinyTapir.Wordpress.com

Doublers: These are inserts that can be used for added absorbency. Some people just need them at night and some use them during the day as well. Many reviewers online use prefolds as doublers as well, so if you plan on using prefolds, you might be able to use them later on with your other diapers if your baby is a heavy wetter. In that case, you would just fold the prefold in thirds and place it into the diaper.

Disposable Liners: You can buy these at Babies R Us or I'm sure any Target or Walmart. They can be used with disposables or cloth diapers and are basically a thin piece of paper-like material that can make cleanup less messy. You just pick up the liner and dispose of it when changing the diaper. I don't know that I will try them but some people swear by them.

Laundry Detergent: Charlie's Soap is supposed to be a great and affordable laundry detergent [for babies or otherwise]. It's available in liquid and powder form and they also sell an all-purpose cleaner. The only thing I will say is check their site for instructions first. When you switch to it, it supposedly foams up as it cleans the buildup and residue from previous detergents so you don't want bubbles all over the place! Another good thing is you can use it in HE [High Efficiency] washing machines, you just use a smaller amount. The cheapest I found the powder detergent is on Amazon and depending upon how much you want to buy at once [they offer a 5 gallon bucket that will last for 1280 loads], it looks like you can get a great deal.

Photo: CharlieSoap.com

Another brand, Cal-Ben's, is a natural pure soap that is recommended in Baby Bargains as a good laundry detergent that doubles as bath/ hand soap but I don't know all that much about it other than that. They also apparently make a dish soap.

I've come very close to buying Soap Nuts but still have yet to try it. They have them at Whole Foods and you basically use the natural soap for a certain number of washes before replacing them.

I just got this link in an email from a girl in my childbirth classes, which is a website that helps you choose a laundry detergent based on what you do and don't want [fabric softeners, fragrances, etc.] so check that out if you're on the fence about a certain type.


FYI, if you want to try out a certain brand or even many brands of diapers/ covers before committing to one, most online stores that sell cloth diapers and even the manufacturers' websites have introductory packages. I know some will offer a certain number of diapers and covers for a discounted price. Other stores like Granola Babies, Cotton Babies, and others have sampler kits where you can try one of each brand and send back the ones you don't like for a partial refund.