Guest Blog: All Things Diapers

Liz Wickoren is a breastfeeding and cloth diapering mom of four who works at All Things Diapers in Blaine, Minnesota. Being at a store like this gives her a unique opportunity to observe things from the other side of the nursing world. She gets to experience and embrace all kinds of mamas that come through her store. What a treat! Thanks for sharing a peak of your world with us Liz! 

My most favorite part of working at a diaper store is being around all the moms and babies.  Sure we get some dads coming in and a grandma or auntie now and then, but the majority of our customers are moms, usually with little ones in tow.  So being at work ends up being strangely similar to being at home.  I chat about cloth diapers and baby carriers with fellow moms, kids run around and throw stuff on the floor, and poop happens.  It’s fun.  

There’s also lots of nursing going on.  You hang around babies long enough and they’re bound to get hungry, right?  I’m very proud to be working at a store that really embraces breastfeeding.  No one will be staging a nurse-in there, that’s for sure.  We have a section of breastfeeding supplies like reusable nursing pads, natural nipple balm, and nursing covers.  We’ve got a private nursing area with a comfy chair and a privacy curtain, and we’ve also got rocking chairs, an arm chair, and a couch out in the open in the store and adjoining classroom.  We’re ready to accommodate any kind of nursing mothers and we really do see it all.

Some moms are more private and quietly retire to the nursing area for some alone time with baby.  Others use the nursing area, but don’t seem to require as much privacy.  One mom in particular I remember had a very slow eater and so was nursing for quite a while.  She made good use of the time though.  She kept chatting with me through the curtain and I brought diapers over to her to look at.

Still others use nursing covers to get the privacy they need while out in the store.  Who knew they came in so many beautiful prints?  And of course there are those who just use baby’s blanket to cover up.

On the other end of the spectrum are the more casual moms.  They skip the covers and curtains and just take a load off in the rocking chair or on the bench to nurse their baby.  Some don’t even sit down but just latch baby on and walk around and keep shopping.  The most impressive though was the mom who latched baby on in her baby carrier and kept shopping hands free while baby ate!

I have been very surprised to see that there doesn’t seem to be much of a pattern or trend when it comes to how people nurse in our store.  I think the rocking chair sees just as much breastfeeding action as the nursing area does.  Lots of moms cover up and lots more don’t.  It’s very interesting.  

The big trend I do see though seems to be that most cloth diapering moms breastfeed their babies.  I often ask expectant moms, “Are you planning to breastfeed or use formula?”  No, I’m not being nosy, it makes a big difference when it comes to diapers.  Breastfed newborns have poop that is really easy to take care of.  It’s water soluble so it just dissolves in the washing machine - no diaper sprayer or liners required for a no-muss-no-fuss diaper change.  Sprayers and liners are great, but if you’re planning on breastfeeding, there’s no need to buy them for the first six months or more, not until you introduce solids or formula.  So when we’re talking about what accessories to buy or how to wash the diapers, I always ask - breastmilk or formula.  And I can’t remember the last time someone answered, “formula”.  I also don’t see moms pulling out bottles nearly as often as I see them sitting down to nurse.  

So something about cloth diapers and breastfeeding seem to go together.  I suppose it makes sense.  Cloth diapers are inexpensive and natural, just like breastmilk.

About the Author:  Liz Wickoren is a breastfeeding and cloth diapering mom of four who works at All Things Diapers in Blaine, MN.  Stop by the store to say “hi” and pick up some breastfeeding supplies, cloth diapers, baby carriers and more.

Product Review: 'Sew Is Your Baby' Cloth Diaper *****

Chicken Little was feeling a little shy!

Sew Is Your Baby is a work-at-home-mom who makes the most adorable cloth diapers, animal pants, and baby leggings. I tested out a one-size sage green minky pocket diaper with microfiber insert. I used it on both my almost 3 year old son and my 9 month old daughter to find out just how well the one-size would work... and I'll say... color me impressed! After about three weeks of use with each kid this diaper still looks brand new, and the only leak we ever had was the first time when I forgot my son had a cloth diaper on (we're still kinda new at this) and we went for more than three hours. My toddler also tends to be a major soaker, so I was pleasantly surprised when he couldn't flood this diaper even with only one insert.

You can order her diapers with or without a microfiber insert, which can be a bonus for those of us that need hefty bamboo, hemp, or other materials for super soakers. Her prices are very comparable to big name companies, and I'd much rather support a local mama. She has free shipping at any order amount for US and Canada folks. Hip hip hurray!!

Chunky Chicklett sporting her first cloth diaper moment!

Sew Is Your Baby's owner Michelle was also more than willing to work around scheduling a delivery to be when my husband wouldn't be home... gotta sneak new diapers in sometimes. BWHAHAHA! Thanks Michelle! I cannot wait for my cloth wipes, minky travel wetbag, and more diapers. I was so impressed I went on a shopping spree.

There JUST MIGHT BE (hint hint, wink wink, nudge nudge) a giveaway of one of these diapers very very soon.... keep your eyes peeled!

Sew Is Your Baby received The Good Letdown's highest score of FIVE DRIPS!

Why Cloth Diapering - Off Topic Tuesday

"Why on earth would you CHOOSE to cloth diaper?" and "Why would you ever use CLOTH PADS?!"

I asked these two questions to my online doula community colleagues 3 years ago. Today, I'll tell you why I chose cloth diapers following lots of discussion, contemplating, researching, and eventually...convincing of my husband. 

When I was three or four months pregnant I asked my doula friends in-the-know, why they used cloth diapers...wasn't it outdated? hard? messy? nasty? stinky? gross? come to find out, I was thinking of the wrong cloth diapers my friends! 

Pre-folds
These are your grandmother's cloth diapers!

This is what I was picturing...fluffy, bulky, cotton squares which I would have to twist, fold, pin, put plasticky covers over, and stuff onto a squirmy baby. These were the diapers my mom wore...prefolds and flats...pinned onto the baby. I have a picture of my mother, probably about 1.5 years old, with one of these beauties hanging half off her toddler booty. The picture is 63 years old...why would I put such outdated digs on MY modern day baby? Because, unless you PREFER these diapers...diapers have come a LONG way in the 63 years since my mother toddled her Wisconsin sidewalks in these.

Cloth diapers are better for baby's skin. I'm sure it's hard to imagine that all of the mystery chemicals in Pampers, Huggies, and Luvs, that make that paper thin diaper soak up loads of baby pee without leaking and turning it into a squishy beast 6 times it's original size. Chlorine, plastics, chemicals, gels...you name it, it's in there. There are compounds in disposable diapers that were banned in the 80s from being used in tampons because it was causing Toxic Shock Syndrome. This is what is against your baby's butt. Babies have a higher instance of diaper rashes and allergic reactions in disposable diapers. But cloth diapers, my friend, are just cotton, some have fleece, and some have PUL as a waterproof layer, but they are all just fabric...no goofy, potentially dangerous compounds, no fragrances, no paper or plastic. Cloth Diapered baby bums have fewer rashes, don't get chemical burns, and are waaaaay cuter. That's the last reason on our list...we'll talk about it later. 

Cloth is cheaper as long as you don't get sucked into that last reason of "cuteness" which is entirely possible. I'm in no mood to crunch numbers for you...but look at it this way...a small size fuzzibunz as been on my 6 month old's bum since he was 1 month old. I own 15 of them. That's $270, divide it by 2 because Aiden also wore them...in fact he wore them for 8 months...figure that Chase will do the same, that's 16 months of diapers for $270. Shoot, add in that I loaned them to a friend who also cloth diapered HER son for 8 months and we have 24 months of diapering for only $270...that sounds pretty good right?! Now go add up an average of 8 to 10 of your preferred diapers per day, and figure 24 months of that, for me it would be huggies and 24 months of diapers would cost me about $1700. Big difference right? Ok, but let me be honest, I have 6 bumgenius diapers as well...but those are one size...Aiden wore them from age 1 month until a few weeks ago when I potty trained him. So 21 diapers for 2 years, and now Chase is wearing them...I'm not good at compound math, but what I DO know is that I saved a ton doing it...and so will you. Switch to cloth wipes (pretty easy!) and you'll save even more. Some argue "What about the cost of washing/drying the diapers," but it's not $1400, not even close...some website I found while researching broke it down per load...but I don't remember what it was or where to find it so you are on your own. The energy cost is just as low and has a lower impact on the environment than disposabales. That brings me to a third point...

Cloth is better for the planet. Regardless of whether you think Global Warming/Climate change is a political issue to be believed in or not...it NEVER hurts to think about the future. Disposable diapers with all their plastics and gels take 500 years to decompose...then add that they are almost always bundled up in some kind of plastic bags...pretty much indestructable by the time it's all said an done. So when the argument that the use of water (hot water specifically) and detergents offsets the environmental benefit of cloth diapering, I beg people to consider those  numbers...500 years! Do I need to say more? In my house we use 7th Generation Free & Clear Detergent and HE washer and dryer. I know Mama Christa uses green laundry detergents, and that she hangs hers to dry on a clothesline during the summer. Even if we were using Tide and old machines, there isn't 500 years worth of impact in that.

Cloth is easy! Surprisingly, it's not that hard...people ask me..."WHAT ABOUT THE POOOOP?!" Here's the short story: if it's not solid enough to just be knocked off into the toilet, then it's soft enough to just dissolve in the wash. I know this grosses you out...but it shouldn't. The wash routine breaks down to a cold rinse, a hot, heavy wash, and two rinses...trust me...your delicates won't be swimming with poop. If you still are unsure there are biodegradable and flushable liners to lay inside the diaper...pee passes through, poop stays on top! Then you just put the diaper in your pail...this is no different than putting a disposable in a diaper genie or the trash. In the life of a mom, what's a couple or three extra loads of laundry per week huh? So no dunking, scrubbing on a washboard...none of that! It's super easy and...

Cloth is CUUUUTE! Who ever saw a baby in a pampers and said "wow, what a cute diaper?!" No one. That's who!

I'm totally buying this...

and probably this...

if I had a girl, I'd get this...

and I totally love this

Do I need to share more? Why don't you take some time to check out some of our favorites until our next cloth diapering post about types of diapers. 

Kawaii Diapers - probably our top choice right now...pocket diapers with cute prints, snap closures or hook & loop closures, one size...all as good as Fuzzibunz and BumGenius but at less than half the price. Thank Mama Christa for this one!

BumGenius - one size pocket diapers, easy to use and popular!

Fuzzibunz - both one size and perfect size cloth diapers, snap closures...super soft, nice fit, fun colors. 

Green Mountain Diapers - Mama Christa LOVES their pre-folds (yea, she uses pre-folds and covers...to each her own eh?!) 

So stay tuned, another OTT post will go further into this! 

Off Topic Tuesday - Elimination Communication

So, I'm the slacker of our trio and haven't done much in the world of cloth diapering. I had full intentions when pregnant with Chicken Little back in 2008... but hard laughter and "yeah rights" from my mom and uncertainty/lack of support from Rooster just made me turn to chlorine free disposable diapers. Sure, they're better than your average disposable... but still... creating waste.

Around 9 months of age with Chicken Little I got ahold of a handful of Bum Genius cloth diapers and began to use them part time. He was consistent with having a "morning constitutional" (i.e. taking a dump), so I would just wait for that to happen in a disposable and switch to cloth diapers after that. It actually worked pretty well! I was able to do the whole thing without Rooster even knowing about it! Tee hee!

I would rinse and wring them out at diaper time and leave them hanging in my shower. Usually I would wring them so dry that they wouldn't even drip. Come laundry time (usually every other day in this house) I would toss them in with the rest of the clothing. I have no idea if I was doing any of this "right" but they appeared to be clean and nothing ever got ruined... so good enough I suppose.

At some point I fell behind in my routine, birthdays happened, holidays happened, and then I broke my kneecap and was unable to go down the stairs for about three months to do laundry. Once I could go up and down the stairs, I was sometime in the second trimester of pregnancy with Chicklett, and because of risk/fear of falling down the stairs I limited it to "only when Rooster was around" so someone could help me if the worst were to happen. So... the cloth diapering officially ended.

Come now to end of 2010 with few week old baby Chicklett. I, once again, was surrounded by friends with children in adorable cloth diapers, but stuck with chlorine free disposables. I felt guilty, but obviously not guilty enough to just make our household be a cloth diapering one (which had I done Rooster would have supported me).

I observed pretty early on that Chicklett would have almost dry diapers after her 2-3 hour naps (I know, don't hate me... I make sleepy children). I made several joking comments about her being potty trained before her big brother. Sometime around the 2-month mark she started to have dry diapers overnight from about 8pm-5am. I was thinking it was just a boy/girl difference, but when asking around my baby seemed to be the only one doing this!

I had heard of Elimination Communication (EC) at a playdate about a year ago. As we were loading up to leave I noticed a mom hissing at her baby. Being confused and curious I asked her what on earth she was doing. She explained that they do elimination communication and that her baby had signaled that it was time to go, and since they were out in public without a potty she was just having her go in the diaper... but that she used the trigger noise of hissing to tell her daughter that it was okay to go.

Huh?? Are you crazy lady??

Well folks... now I'm the crazy lady. In January I sat my little rolly polly squishy 3-month old baby girl on the potty chair... and ... tada... she went potty. Not only did she just naturally go within seconds of sitting there... she laughed, smiled, and kicked her chunky little legs with glee the entire time. I was shocked. The girl loved it!!

Potty snap shot my daughter will hate me for later... sorry honey... it's too cute...

Online I was connected up with Emma Kwasnica who I was told is a EC guru. Her 15 month old daughter has been diaper free since BIRTH. She recommended I obtain a copy of Ingrid Bauer's Diaper Free book at the library and visit www.diaperfreebaby.org

I'm not sure how involved we are going to be in this whole journey, but for now we catch her after every nap time and have cut way down on our diaper usage. So long as she is happy and having fun, we'll continue. We ran into a snag a few days into it of her crying, and after asking around for advice we realized she wasn't liking the cold toilet touching her. Now we're careful about making sure she's covered and it's back to happy potty land!