I've been in a bit of a diaper battle of late.
I ran out of my Planet Detergent and since I can either only get it online or when my husband goes to Virginia on training I had to settle for Seventh Generation detergent instead.
I really am not thrilled with the stuff.
It seems I either end up with diapers that are still dirty or clean diapers that irritate my sons skin and are stiff with detergent residue. I've also had to strip my diapers twice since starting to use it.
But, while I'm waiting for the return of the Planet, it seems that's all I can really find.
In a moment of hurry and with an overwhelming amount of laundry to be done (both regular and diaper) I decided to try something new.
I went ahead and did a water only pre-rinse on my diapers as usual, but threw in a load of regular load of light colors on top. I used the Seventh Generation detergent and laundered as usual.
I threw it all in the drier and everything came out smelling fresh and clean and softer than usual (which was an added bonus).
I like this new system. It saves me time, trips into the basement and some energy. I think that even when my Planet gets here I'll continue to just wash it all together!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Wet vs Dry Pail
When it comes to diaper pails there are two camps. The wet pailers and the dry pailers.
I, myself, am I dry pailer but I will strive to be an objective party when giving the pros and cons of both.
So, what is a wet pail or dry pail? Very simply, a wet pail is a diaper pail that is filled half way with a water or water/detergent solution wherein you put soiled diapers until you have enough for a load. A dry pail is a diaper pail with no such solution added.
The camps between wet and dry pails are decidedly divided and the debate continues to rage on. Here's why:
Wet Pails Pros:
According to some, wet pails help eliminate stink and stains. Since I have no stink issues and rare staining I'm not sure how this is better than the dry pail, but I'll put it as a pro anyway because that's what I've heard.
No need to do a pre-rinse. Because you are essentially rinsing your diapers in the pail, many cloth diapers don't see the need to do a pre-rinse, they just spin out the water solution and then start their wash. Some still do a pre-rinse to be sure all ickies are rinsed, but I'm told it's not particularly necessary.
Wet Pail Cons:
The first and foremost con to the wet pail is the drowning hazard it produces to little children. Let's face it, you have a pail half full of water or some other solution just sitting there. While I'm sure you wouldn't just let your child play anywhere where there was a drowning hazard unattended, we all know how human we are and it's just one more thing to think about.
They are heavy. In my two-story home we keep the diaper pail on the main floor and a small pail (big enough for only two or three diapers) upstairs for the evening. Upon wash time I collect my wet bag from my pail and drag it down another flight of stairs into the basement where the washer and drier reside. One day I will have to weigh the bag to see how heavy it is but take my word for it, it has some weight to it. You are talking about twenty diapers or more, filled with poop and pee. If I were to do a wet pail method we'd be added at least two-four gallons of water and perhaps some other solution. That's a lot of weight to be dragging around the house.
I once read a very funny story about a mother who used a wet pail. While taking it down to her washer she tripped and dropped the pail. The entire pail filled with poopy diapers, urine and gallons of water spilled everywhere and soaked into everything. She was mortified. It took her forever to clean it up and she never again used a wet pail. It was this story that convinced me never to try it myself. I am not the world's most graceful woman and I can just see my wet pail bouncing down my basement stairs straying poopy water all over the walls and floor. That's enough for me to avoid wet pails all together.
Not to mention that pouring the contents of your wet bag into the washing machine can also be a big messy. Again, not the world's most graceful woman, I can see myself slipping and sloshing poopy water all over my basement. Yuck!
Water solutions (especially those that contain bleach) can be corrosive to diapers and wear on them faster. It was once believed that in order to be sanitary you needed to use a wet pail in which to store your dirty diapers with a half/half solution of bleach and water. People were wondering why their diapers didn't last six months before the elastic was shot, holes were appearing, snaps were falling off and thick, absorbent diapers became thin rags. It's because cleaning chemicals are made to corrode and eat at what they come in contact with. That's what helps them clean, not to mention the fact that water itself is also corrosive (think of the rocks in a stream worn smooth by the water). The best state for your diapers is clean and dry. If a wet pail must be used I would recommend plain water. If you feel a solution HAS to be added I would shoot for pH balance. Baking soda with some lemon juice, an alkaline with an acid to help neutralize each other. I would also go as natural as possible to avoid harsh chemicals getting stuck in the diapers and therefore left on my babies skin.
AVOID BLEACH AT ALL COSTS!!
The Wet Pail Alternative:
Fear not, oh people who would use wet pails, there is an alternative to the cons. Many people who choose to do a wet pail method simply use their washing machine as the pail. They put their machine on the soak cycle, fill it half way and add the diapers as they go. Once they have a load they simply start the spin cycle (or rinse cycle, however they choose) and there is no worries of spilling poopy water all over the floor.
The only con being, of course, you can't do any other laundry unless you have a second washing machine or you do your diaper laundry first.
Dry Pail Pros:
It's just easy. My dry pail is simply a metal trash can with a petal operated lid. I have two Planet Wise Wet Bags that I alternate as liners. The dirty diapers go in. Once the pail is full I pull out the liner, put the new one in and take the soiled diapers downstairs. Because there is elastic around the top of the bag that almost instantly seals everything off, if I were to drop it (which I have) I may get one diaper falling out but I never get a huge mess all over the place. The whole kit and caboodle goes into the washing machine and away we go.
Dry Pail Cons:
Some say that dry pails stink more than wet pails. I wouldn't really know of the comparison, but I do know that my dry pail doesn't stink. My diaper pail sits in my living room. Everyone assumes it's a trash can (my father even tried throwing his paper plate away in it until I stopped him) and no one has commented on a smell. You may think they are just being polite, but in truth, neither me nor my husband have ever had any odor issues from our pail. People who are extra paranoid about stink can sprinkle some baking soda into their dry pail which is considered a quick and easy solution to stink issues.
If the pail itself starts to get a little odorous a simple spritz with vinegar water and some fresh air cleans it up in about ten minutes.
If the diapers themselves seem to be smelly it is probably your wash routine that needs tweaking, not your pail.
I've often been tempted to try a wet pail, just to see how it goes, but I don't see the need or how it could be beneficial. My diapers are clean. There is minimal staining and absolutely no stink issues. I do what's best for them to give them the longevity I hope to get from them. There is no mess to worry about. I simply don't see the need to try a wet pail.
There is some more info on diaper pails here.
I, myself, am I dry pailer but I will strive to be an objective party when giving the pros and cons of both.
So, what is a wet pail or dry pail? Very simply, a wet pail is a diaper pail that is filled half way with a water or water/detergent solution wherein you put soiled diapers until you have enough for a load. A dry pail is a diaper pail with no such solution added.
The camps between wet and dry pails are decidedly divided and the debate continues to rage on. Here's why:
Wet Pails Pros:
According to some, wet pails help eliminate stink and stains. Since I have no stink issues and rare staining I'm not sure how this is better than the dry pail, but I'll put it as a pro anyway because that's what I've heard.
No need to do a pre-rinse. Because you are essentially rinsing your diapers in the pail, many cloth diapers don't see the need to do a pre-rinse, they just spin out the water solution and then start their wash. Some still do a pre-rinse to be sure all ickies are rinsed, but I'm told it's not particularly necessary.
Wet Pail Cons:
The first and foremost con to the wet pail is the drowning hazard it produces to little children. Let's face it, you have a pail half full of water or some other solution just sitting there. While I'm sure you wouldn't just let your child play anywhere where there was a drowning hazard unattended, we all know how human we are and it's just one more thing to think about.
They are heavy. In my two-story home we keep the diaper pail on the main floor and a small pail (big enough for only two or three diapers) upstairs for the evening. Upon wash time I collect my wet bag from my pail and drag it down another flight of stairs into the basement where the washer and drier reside. One day I will have to weigh the bag to see how heavy it is but take my word for it, it has some weight to it. You are talking about twenty diapers or more, filled with poop and pee. If I were to do a wet pail method we'd be added at least two-four gallons of water and perhaps some other solution. That's a lot of weight to be dragging around the house.
I once read a very funny story about a mother who used a wet pail. While taking it down to her washer she tripped and dropped the pail. The entire pail filled with poopy diapers, urine and gallons of water spilled everywhere and soaked into everything. She was mortified. It took her forever to clean it up and she never again used a wet pail. It was this story that convinced me never to try it myself. I am not the world's most graceful woman and I can just see my wet pail bouncing down my basement stairs straying poopy water all over the walls and floor. That's enough for me to avoid wet pails all together.
Not to mention that pouring the contents of your wet bag into the washing machine can also be a big messy. Again, not the world's most graceful woman, I can see myself slipping and sloshing poopy water all over my basement. Yuck!
Water solutions (especially those that contain bleach) can be corrosive to diapers and wear on them faster. It was once believed that in order to be sanitary you needed to use a wet pail in which to store your dirty diapers with a half/half solution of bleach and water. People were wondering why their diapers didn't last six months before the elastic was shot, holes were appearing, snaps were falling off and thick, absorbent diapers became thin rags. It's because cleaning chemicals are made to corrode and eat at what they come in contact with. That's what helps them clean, not to mention the fact that water itself is also corrosive (think of the rocks in a stream worn smooth by the water). The best state for your diapers is clean and dry. If a wet pail must be used I would recommend plain water. If you feel a solution HAS to be added I would shoot for pH balance. Baking soda with some lemon juice, an alkaline with an acid to help neutralize each other. I would also go as natural as possible to avoid harsh chemicals getting stuck in the diapers and therefore left on my babies skin.
AVOID BLEACH AT ALL COSTS!!
The Wet Pail Alternative:
Fear not, oh people who would use wet pails, there is an alternative to the cons. Many people who choose to do a wet pail method simply use their washing machine as the pail. They put their machine on the soak cycle, fill it half way and add the diapers as they go. Once they have a load they simply start the spin cycle (or rinse cycle, however they choose) and there is no worries of spilling poopy water all over the floor.
The only con being, of course, you can't do any other laundry unless you have a second washing machine or you do your diaper laundry first.
Dry Pail Pros:
It's just easy. My dry pail is simply a metal trash can with a petal operated lid. I have two Planet Wise Wet Bags that I alternate as liners. The dirty diapers go in. Once the pail is full I pull out the liner, put the new one in and take the soiled diapers downstairs. Because there is elastic around the top of the bag that almost instantly seals everything off, if I were to drop it (which I have) I may get one diaper falling out but I never get a huge mess all over the place. The whole kit and caboodle goes into the washing machine and away we go.
Dry Pail Cons:
Some say that dry pails stink more than wet pails. I wouldn't really know of the comparison, but I do know that my dry pail doesn't stink. My diaper pail sits in my living room. Everyone assumes it's a trash can (my father even tried throwing his paper plate away in it until I stopped him) and no one has commented on a smell. You may think they are just being polite, but in truth, neither me nor my husband have ever had any odor issues from our pail. People who are extra paranoid about stink can sprinkle some baking soda into their dry pail which is considered a quick and easy solution to stink issues.
If the pail itself starts to get a little odorous a simple spritz with vinegar water and some fresh air cleans it up in about ten minutes.
If the diapers themselves seem to be smelly it is probably your wash routine that needs tweaking, not your pail.
I've often been tempted to try a wet pail, just to see how it goes, but I don't see the need or how it could be beneficial. My diapers are clean. There is minimal staining and absolutely no stink issues. I do what's best for them to give them the longevity I hope to get from them. There is no mess to worry about. I simply don't see the need to try a wet pail.
There is some more info on diaper pails here.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Disposable Diaper Experiment
In a not-so-unusual turn of events, my son woke me up at one o'clock in the morning. He still hasn't figured out how to sleep through the night and I'm not bothered in the least by that fact. Any excuse to see him smile and cuddle him is fine with me.
Seeing he needed a diaper change I took him into the other room and there, on the floor, was a disposable diaper. It must have fallen out of the diaper bag on my way up the stairs or gotten knocked off the changing table by the cats. Whatever the reason, there it was.
My son hasn't been in a disposable diaper in some time. He usually ends up with a rash, but I wanted to see how it would hold up for the rest of the night with a wool cover over it.
I put him in the diaper, put the cover over it and we went back to bed.
Eight o'clock came and my son was fully awake. He cooed and kicked until I finally rolled over and to my not-so-surprise, I saw the spot on the bed.
I couldn't get mad because I kind of did this to myself, but I wanted to see exactly how much the wool cover had caught.
Let me just say, God bless wool.
From the outside there was one spot about the size of a silver dollar where both pee and poop had leaked through. It got on the sheets but thankfully was stopped by the wool pad between the sheets and the mattress.
I got him to the changing station, pulled off the cover and was rather put-off by finding at least four places on the cover that were just slathered in poop and wet with pee, his legs and waist were just covered.
I didn't even bother whipping him off. He went straight from the changing table to the bathtub.
Needless to say, I also had some wool washing to do as well.
I've heard a lot of people say that they continue to use disposables at night because they work better than cloth. I haven't had to change my sheets because of a cloth diaper leak in a very long time but I can't remember the last time I put him in a disposable and I HAVEN'T had to change the sheets.
In short, I'm really grateful I had that wool cover over him or it would have been so much worse. Thank goodness for cloth and wool.
Seeing he needed a diaper change I took him into the other room and there, on the floor, was a disposable diaper. It must have fallen out of the diaper bag on my way up the stairs or gotten knocked off the changing table by the cats. Whatever the reason, there it was.
My son hasn't been in a disposable diaper in some time. He usually ends up with a rash, but I wanted to see how it would hold up for the rest of the night with a wool cover over it.
I put him in the diaper, put the cover over it and we went back to bed.
Eight o'clock came and my son was fully awake. He cooed and kicked until I finally rolled over and to my not-so-surprise, I saw the spot on the bed.
I couldn't get mad because I kind of did this to myself, but I wanted to see exactly how much the wool cover had caught.
Let me just say, God bless wool.
From the outside there was one spot about the size of a silver dollar where both pee and poop had leaked through. It got on the sheets but thankfully was stopped by the wool pad between the sheets and the mattress.
I got him to the changing station, pulled off the cover and was rather put-off by finding at least four places on the cover that were just slathered in poop and wet with pee, his legs and waist were just covered.
I didn't even bother whipping him off. He went straight from the changing table to the bathtub.
Needless to say, I also had some wool washing to do as well.
I've heard a lot of people say that they continue to use disposables at night because they work better than cloth. I haven't had to change my sheets because of a cloth diaper leak in a very long time but I can't remember the last time I put him in a disposable and I HAVEN'T had to change the sheets.
In short, I'm really grateful I had that wool cover over him or it would have been so much worse. Thank goodness for cloth and wool.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Saving Money vs Laundry Costs
The question has been asked several times, "Am I really saving money by cloth diapering when I have to use more water and detergent than usual to wash the diapers?"
The answer to this question is not as straight forward as a yes or no. Indeed, it depends on many different variables such as the size of your stash, how often you do laundry, your laundry routine and even the settings you use on your washer or even what kind of washer you have.
True, you WILL be using more water and detergent than you normal would if you were not cloth diapering, that is kind of obvious, but how much you use and what it ultimately ends up costing you can be minimal compared to the cost of disposable diapers (not to mention the cost to the environment as they sit for hundreds of years in landfills).
Below, I have complied a few tips to help you get the most out of your water and detergent to keep the costs of cloth diapering as low as you would hope for them to be.
Stash:
People with small cloth diaper stashes must wash more often (sometimes once or twice a day). A good way to save some money on water and detergent is to build a decent stash that allows at least two days between washes. It may take some time to get to that point, but you'll see your water bill creep down once you are washing less frequently.
Routine:
Find a wash routine that is simple and effective, taking in account that you may have to adjust how much or little detergent you use. Washing diapers should not be more complicated than washing heavily soiled clothes. Multiple wash cycles, rinses, additives and routines should not be necessary and often can be the source of chemical irritation and excessive water and detergent waste. Keep it simple, save your time and money.
Water Settings:
Use the appropriate water level settings for your load. This may seem obvious but many people seem to forget that a majority of washing machines have adjustable load sizes that change the amount of water used. If you are washing a small or medium load of laundry (whether diapers or just clothing) use the appropriate water level and save on your next water bill.
Washing Machine:
Consider the age and energy efficiency of your washing machine. It's estimates that some older washing machines can use as much as forty gallons of water for a single load of laundry. That is a LOT of water. Consider trading in your old trusty for a newer water and energy efficient machine. Modern machines can also help you take the guess work out of evaluating the size of your load by automatically sensing how much water is needed cutting gallons of water from your wash.
Water Softener:
Consider having your water tested for hardness and purchasing a water softener for overly-hard water. Hard water leaves mineral deposits on clothes forcing you to use more detergent to have the same effect. Individuals with water softeners have reported using as little as one-forth the recommended amount of detergent and less water with the same, clean results. Imagine the money saved over time when you can stretch that bottle of detergent out for an additional two or three months.
Conserve Water Elsewhere:
If you are concerned about the cost of your water bill because of cloth diapering, consider ways to make up for the difference by conserving water elsewhere in your home. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or washing your face. Have leaking faucets repaired or replaced. Use stale drinking water to flush the toilet or feed household plants, etc. Find ways to conserve water.
Pay Attention to Water Bills and Appliances:
When you get your water bill, study it, see how many gallons or units of water your household has used, call your provider and ask for estimates on averages and see if your household use is within range or unusually high. Do a thorough check for things like externally burst or leaking pipes, yard hoses that have been left running or even neighbors stealing water. Check sinks and toilets for drips and leaks, replace or repair any flaws that you find.
When my husband and I moved into our home I contacted our water provider and got averages on the cost of water and sewer for a family of three, per month. She informed me that it was about $75 a month on a two-month billing cycle so your average family-of-three bill was around $150. Two things were in need of addressing when we first moved in and that was the washing machine was ancient and did not clean well making me do as many as four washes to get a single load of towels clean, and we had one dripping faucet in the bathroom.
It took us a couple of weeks but eventually we replaced the washing machine with a new, energy efficient model and repaired the leaking sink. Even with those two issues, our first water bill was $190. Only $40 more than average. That comes out to $20 more a month on water and sewer, not a huge increase even with the problems that we had. I'm anxious to get our next bill after having replaced the washer and repaired the sink to see how much more we can save. Not to mention the fact that I have been selling some diapers making my stash small enough where I must do diaper laundry every day.
In conclusion, the increase is minimal and, more importantly, manageable and certainly still cheaper than disposables.
The answer to this question is not as straight forward as a yes or no. Indeed, it depends on many different variables such as the size of your stash, how often you do laundry, your laundry routine and even the settings you use on your washer or even what kind of washer you have.
True, you WILL be using more water and detergent than you normal would if you were not cloth diapering, that is kind of obvious, but how much you use and what it ultimately ends up costing you can be minimal compared to the cost of disposable diapers (not to mention the cost to the environment as they sit for hundreds of years in landfills).
Below, I have complied a few tips to help you get the most out of your water and detergent to keep the costs of cloth diapering as low as you would hope for them to be.
Stash:
People with small cloth diaper stashes must wash more often (sometimes once or twice a day). A good way to save some money on water and detergent is to build a decent stash that allows at least two days between washes. It may take some time to get to that point, but you'll see your water bill creep down once you are washing less frequently.
Routine:
Find a wash routine that is simple and effective, taking in account that you may have to adjust how much or little detergent you use. Washing diapers should not be more complicated than washing heavily soiled clothes. Multiple wash cycles, rinses, additives and routines should not be necessary and often can be the source of chemical irritation and excessive water and detergent waste. Keep it simple, save your time and money.
Water Settings:
Use the appropriate water level settings for your load. This may seem obvious but many people seem to forget that a majority of washing machines have adjustable load sizes that change the amount of water used. If you are washing a small or medium load of laundry (whether diapers or just clothing) use the appropriate water level and save on your next water bill.
Washing Machine:
Consider the age and energy efficiency of your washing machine. It's estimates that some older washing machines can use as much as forty gallons of water for a single load of laundry. That is a LOT of water. Consider trading in your old trusty for a newer water and energy efficient machine. Modern machines can also help you take the guess work out of evaluating the size of your load by automatically sensing how much water is needed cutting gallons of water from your wash.
Water Softener:
Consider having your water tested for hardness and purchasing a water softener for overly-hard water. Hard water leaves mineral deposits on clothes forcing you to use more detergent to have the same effect. Individuals with water softeners have reported using as little as one-forth the recommended amount of detergent and less water with the same, clean results. Imagine the money saved over time when you can stretch that bottle of detergent out for an additional two or three months.
Conserve Water Elsewhere:
If you are concerned about the cost of your water bill because of cloth diapering, consider ways to make up for the difference by conserving water elsewhere in your home. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or washing your face. Have leaking faucets repaired or replaced. Use stale drinking water to flush the toilet or feed household plants, etc. Find ways to conserve water.
Pay Attention to Water Bills and Appliances:
When you get your water bill, study it, see how many gallons or units of water your household has used, call your provider and ask for estimates on averages and see if your household use is within range or unusually high. Do a thorough check for things like externally burst or leaking pipes, yard hoses that have been left running or even neighbors stealing water. Check sinks and toilets for drips and leaks, replace or repair any flaws that you find.
When my husband and I moved into our home I contacted our water provider and got averages on the cost of water and sewer for a family of three, per month. She informed me that it was about $75 a month on a two-month billing cycle so your average family-of-three bill was around $150. Two things were in need of addressing when we first moved in and that was the washing machine was ancient and did not clean well making me do as many as four washes to get a single load of towels clean, and we had one dripping faucet in the bathroom.
It took us a couple of weeks but eventually we replaced the washing machine with a new, energy efficient model and repaired the leaking sink. Even with those two issues, our first water bill was $190. Only $40 more than average. That comes out to $20 more a month on water and sewer, not a huge increase even with the problems that we had. I'm anxious to get our next bill after having replaced the washer and repaired the sink to see how much more we can save. Not to mention the fact that I have been selling some diapers making my stash small enough where I must do diaper laundry every day.
In conclusion, the increase is minimal and, more importantly, manageable and certainly still cheaper than disposables.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Wipes
Let's talk about wiping our kids' butts for a second.
When I first started getting into cloth diapering I was sure that I was also going to do cloth wipes. I mean, why not? As soon as I started looking for said wipes I started to see advertisements for wipe solutions. Naturally, I took a look.
There was everything from "make your own" home-style solutions, to fancy store bought ones with perfumes and this and that, there were also hypoallergenic solutions that sited they were the best for sensitive babies, etc, etc, etc.
When my son was finally born we used up the wipes that people had given us and when my little guy got his first diaper rash I learned that a way to treat it was to rinse his tush after every diaper change with pure water. We did that until his rash cleared up and when I introduced cloth wipes to him I did so with pure tap water.
Later, after weeks of just water and a cloth wipe, I went to a diaper store where wipe solutions were sold. After having a discussion with the owner she convinced me to try a sample of their wipe solution.
I took it home, tried it, and within a day my little boy broke out in a rash. I went back to tap water only and the rash went away.
Over the next couple of months I would try home remedies, store bought wipes and other "solutions" only to wonder why I even bothered at all as the only time his butt remained a healthy pink was with pure water.
So, I'm done trying fancy solutions and wipes, in my trial and error opinion, the best of all (and most sensitive) solution is the one God gave us: good old water!
When I first started getting into cloth diapering I was sure that I was also going to do cloth wipes. I mean, why not? As soon as I started looking for said wipes I started to see advertisements for wipe solutions. Naturally, I took a look.
There was everything from "make your own" home-style solutions, to fancy store bought ones with perfumes and this and that, there were also hypoallergenic solutions that sited they were the best for sensitive babies, etc, etc, etc.
When my son was finally born we used up the wipes that people had given us and when my little guy got his first diaper rash I learned that a way to treat it was to rinse his tush after every diaper change with pure water. We did that until his rash cleared up and when I introduced cloth wipes to him I did so with pure tap water.
Later, after weeks of just water and a cloth wipe, I went to a diaper store where wipe solutions were sold. After having a discussion with the owner she convinced me to try a sample of their wipe solution.
I took it home, tried it, and within a day my little boy broke out in a rash. I went back to tap water only and the rash went away.
Over the next couple of months I would try home remedies, store bought wipes and other "solutions" only to wonder why I even bothered at all as the only time his butt remained a healthy pink was with pure water.
So, I'm done trying fancy solutions and wipes, in my trial and error opinion, the best of all (and most sensitive) solution is the one God gave us: good old water!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Wool Works for Warm Weather
It's 80 plus degrees here today humid and generally beautiful. We don't have an air conditioner because of wiring problems and so all the windows are open and the fresh air is flowing through the house.
Me and the little man are sweating our butts off.
This morning I had him fully dressed in BumGenius 3.0, socks, pants and onesie. By noon he was down to a onesie and socks with diaper and by early afternoon it was just a onesie. But he was still sweating and cranky from the heat.
Finally it was nap time and I was dreading having to try to put him down.
I stripped him bare and upon taking off his diaper I found his entire diaper area to be soaked, not necessarily from pee but from sweat. He was so uncomfortable.
I needed a breathable option and what more breathable than my wool?
I put him in a hemp Crickett diaper and a Loveybums Crepe cover and laid him down for his nap with nothing but a light shirt.
In minutes he was fast asleep.
Two hours later I heard happy little chirps over the baby monitor and went to get him up. He was smiling and cooing and comfortably cool.
I left him in nothing but diaper and wool cover the rest of the day and he was back to his happy little self.
For those who are reserved to use wool in warm weather I urge you to reconsider. We've found it to be a lot more comfortable than PUL.
Me and the little man are sweating our butts off.
This morning I had him fully dressed in BumGenius 3.0, socks, pants and onesie. By noon he was down to a onesie and socks with diaper and by early afternoon it was just a onesie. But he was still sweating and cranky from the heat.
Finally it was nap time and I was dreading having to try to put him down.
I stripped him bare and upon taking off his diaper I found his entire diaper area to be soaked, not necessarily from pee but from sweat. He was so uncomfortable.
I needed a breathable option and what more breathable than my wool?
I put him in a hemp Crickett diaper and a Loveybums Crepe cover and laid him down for his nap with nothing but a light shirt.
In minutes he was fast asleep.
Two hours later I heard happy little chirps over the baby monitor and went to get him up. He was smiling and cooing and comfortably cool.
I left him in nothing but diaper and wool cover the rest of the day and he was back to his happy little self.
For those who are reserved to use wool in warm weather I urge you to reconsider. We've found it to be a lot more comfortable than PUL.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Solution to Co-Sleeping Leaks
The wonderful thing about baby crib mattresses is that most of them already have a waterproof layer on them. You may have to change the sheets if your little one soils them but you don't really have to worry about the mattress.
Not so for the cosleeping family. Should an accident happen in bed you are left with worrying about the sheets and the mattress.
And it's not just those baby blowouts. It's also leaking milk from a breastfeeding mommy. Not to mention, my son drools in his sleep.. A LOT.
We went out and got a waterproof mattress pad and HATED it. It made all three of us sweat like crazy, was crunchy and I couldn't stand it. I needed something that was waterproof but breathable. I was sick of feeling like I was sleeping on a plastic bag.
I found a wool changing pad online.
Knowing the wonderful properties of wool and how breathable but water resistant it is I didn't hesitate to purchase it for our bed.
It's not huge but is perfect for the small area of the bed that Garrett and I take up.
At first I put it over the sheet on the bed but any one of the three of us would move it out of place so I started putting it under the fitted sheet and our problem has been solved. It is so soft and breathable as well leaving me feel comfortable all night.
Breast leaks, the occasional diaper leak, nothing has gotten through the wool pad.
Even my husband agrees that it's the best money we've spent.
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