Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do I wash my cloth diapers? TOP
Washing is super easy! Some people have more involved routines, but I prefer to keep it simple:
Empty your dirty diaper pail into the washer.
Run a cold wash with no detergent. This prevents stains from setting.
Next add your wet diaper pail into the washer of dirties which are now clean.
Run a cold wash with no detergent again. This should have removed all the feces and urine so now your diapers are ready to wash.
Run a Hot wash (with warm rinse) with about 1/4 of the recommended amount of detergent. Do not use anything with fabric softener, pure soap, or anything with citrus. Do not use bleach! If you have hard water you should probably use a water softner so you don't get smells that attach themselves to the hard minerals left in the clothes.
Run the extra rinse in warm if your washer gives you that option.
Dry in a HOT dryer, or hang on line. If drying in the dryer, DO NOT use a fabric softener sheet. It will coat your diapers and cause them to repel rather than absorb.
That's it!
What do I need to start? TOP
First, decide what system you would like to use. I recommend trying a sampler package first just to see what fits your family's lifestyle the best. For each system, I have listed what I recommend to start with an infant. A newborn will need about a dozen diapers a day.
All Pocket Diapers (Fuzzi Bunz,Happy Heinys, Drybees):
3 dozen pocket diapers and inserts (you can get by on 2 dozen, but then you will need to be sure and wash at every second day- sometimes difficult with a new baby!) (2 dozen would be sufficient for a toddler)
3 dozen cloth wipes (though you can never really have too many of these)
Large nylon pail liner
Small or medium wet bag for outings
All Chinese Prefold Cloth Diapers (most economical way):
3 dozen prefolds (2 dozen for toddler)
4-6 diaper covers (either PUL, fleece, or wool)
3 dozen cloth wipes
Large nylon pail liner
Small or medium wet bag for outings
If using wool, you will also need some wool wash
All Fitted Diapers/Contour Diapers:
3 dozen diapers (2 dozen for toddler)
4-6 diaper covers (either PUL, fleece, or wool)
3 dozen cloth wipes
Large nylon pail liner
Small or medium wet bag for outings
If using wool, you will also need some wool wash
A mixture so you don't get bored:
12 pocket diapers and inserts for outings
12 Chinese Prefolds
12 Fitted/Contour cloth diapers
2 PUL covers (Renegade Baby, Thirsties)
1 Fleece Cover ()
1 Wool Cover ( Tiny Tush, Woollybottoms)
3 dozen cloth wipes
Large nylon pail liner
Small or medium wet bag for outings
Wool wash
What's the difference between the diapers? TOP
All-in-one Diapers
Also
known as AIO's, all-in-ones are fitted diapers that have an outer
waterproof layer. Often they have fewer absorbant layers than their
counterparts. These diapers are ideal for out of home use. They are not
practical for daily use since frequent washing and drying reduces the
effectiveness of the waterproof outer layer.
Diaper Covers
Like
diapers, covers come in many forms. Like fitted diapers they may be contoured
shaped and can fasten with snaps or velcro. Some covers resemble
underwear. Either are made of polyester or vinyl to prevent wetness from getting
on baby's clothing. These are ideal for covering your child's diaper during
the daytime.
For the baby with senstive skin there are also wool
and polar fleece diaper covers. These too may be contoured shaped with snap or
velcro fasteners. Others come in "boxer-like" shape. Some prefer these
covers for night-time use because they breathe.
Diaper Service Quality (DSQ)
Diaper Service Quality refers to a higher end quality of pre-folds. When purchasing prefolds for use as diapers,
make sure they state the description: Diaper Service Quality or DSQ.
Otherwise they will not be durable or absorbant enough for cloth diaper use.
Non-DSQ pre-folds can be used as burp rags.
Doublers
This term is often used interchangably with liners perhaps because they
do overlap from time to time. Doublers are thick rectangular pads that can
be inserted between your baby's bottom and the diaper to provide extra absorbency.
These are great for heavy wetters or for night-time use.
Fitted Diapers
Fitted
diapers resemble disposable diapers. They have a contoured shape and have
gathered edges around the legs. Instead of tape, they are fastened with
either velcro or snaps. A waterproof diaper
cover is necessary when using fitted. See AIO.
Fitted diapers are more expensive than pre-folds ranging from $4
to $11 each. However they are much easier to use. If you purchase those
with velcro closures, look for wide velcro strips.
Flat or Square Diapers
Flat diapers refer to the single-ply square shaped diapers that resemble
the diapers our mothers and grandmothers used. The types that you find in
a store are not effective for use as cloth
diapers but they make great liners, burp rags
or cleaning rags.
Hemp
Hemp is a course fiber made from the inner bark of the hemp
plant. It is becoming increasingly popular for use in diapers
because of its durability, absorbancy and natural anti-microbial
properties.
Liners
Liners are thin material used between a baby's bottom
and the diaper itself. Most liners are used to keep stool
away from diapers for easy clean up. Many cloth diaper
businesses carry flushable biodegradable liners which
are the perect fit for this purchase. As an alternative you can use flat diaper to keep costs down and still keep
natural soft fabrics against your baby's skin. Another
type of liner which is fast becoming popular is the polar fleece one. These are thicker than their paper/flat sheet counterparts
and are great for keeping the baby's bottom dry.
Polar Fleece
Fleece's ability to wick
moisture away from the skin makes it a great fabric for covers. Also,
since fleece has the ability to allow a jet of water (such as pee)
shoot through it and not penetrate back, it works as a wonderful stay
dry liner. Fleece liners are great for night-time wear.
Some do not like fleece liners because it is a synthetic material. Still others
love it and it is fast becoming a popular fabric
for soakers since it can be easily thrown in the
washer or dryer or can be hung dry.
Pre-folds
Pre-fold diapers are rectangular shaped diapers that are divided lengthwise in 3
sections. The outer sections usually have a thickness of 4 layers. The middle section can have
6 or 8 layers. This gives pre-folds absorbancy where it is needed most, in the middle.
You will often see prefolds defined as 4-6-4, 4-8-4 or more rarely 2-4-2. These numbers
refer to the layers of cloth in each section from left to right. Pre-folds are the cheapest
alternative in diapers. They can be enclosed in a velcro or snap fastened diaper or they can be
pinned with safety pins or snappi fasteners.
Pocket Diapers
Pocket diapers are the newest type of diapers to hit the cloth diapering world. The first
pocket diaper, Fuzzi Bunz created by Tereson of Mother of Eden in 1998.
Pocket diapers are two piece diapering system typically with a piece of
fleece that makes up the inner portion of fabric and a waterproof layer
that makes up the outermost portion. An absorbent material is placed
inside of the two pieces making the whole system act as an all in one
system that keeps babies dry.
Sherpa
Sherpa Terry is knit terry fabric, just like a baby towel, that has
been brushed and washed to raise the fibers and give a fluffy super
soft feel. Many loops of the terry remain, and absorbency is not
compromised. Generally the Sherpa Terry that is used in diapers has a
high cotton content, and a small polyester content. Sherpa terry that
is 75% cotton and 25% polyester, to 80% cotton and 20% polyester is
most commonly used in diapers. The cotton content is found in the loops
of the fabric, while the polyester content is found in the backing and
lends durability to the finished product. Snap-to-Fit Diapers
Snap to fit diapers are fitted diapers with added
snaps to provide a flexible fit for babies and toddlers. The snaps are
located just below the fasteners with tops and bottoms lined up
vertically. This allows you to adjust the size of a diaper as the baby
grows.
This feature of fitted diapers allows you to purchase fewer
sizes than the regular fitted diapers. While the regulars may come in 4
different sizes, Snap-to-fits come in two. You will only have to buy half
as many diapers.
Soakers
The term soaker is used for two different things. First,
this word refers to the middle layer of the diaper. Often this layer
is made of a different fabric than the rest of the diaper, one that is
more absorbant. The term soaker is also use in reference to wool or polar fleece diaper covers. Unlike
other diaper covers, wool and polar fleece are water resistent,
rather than waterproof. They do allow some wetness to wick through
from the diaper but still manage to keep babies' clothes dry.
Wool
Wool is a fabric made of fleece of sheep or lamb. Its
water repelling properties and breathability are what make it
popular for use as a diaper cover. Most cloth diaperers save
their wool covers for night-time use since it is bulkier than
their vinyl or polyester counterparts. Many choose wool because
it is natural.
Take special care when washing and drying your wool products or they will dry out and become stiff. Read How to Care for Wool
for tips on wool care.
How do I fold a Prefold? TOP
Newspaper Fold
1.) Lay the prefold out
flat. 2.) Fold into thirds lengthwise. 3.) Place one half under the
baby's bottom and fold up. 4.) Cover the prefold with a wrap style
diaper cover to secure.
Angel Wings Fold
1.) Lay the prefold out
flat. 2.) Fold into thirds lengthwise. 3.) Pull the top edges out to
form "wings". 4.) Place one half under the baby's bottom and fold
up. 4.) Pull the "wing" tips over the bottom half that is now folded
over the baby and secure with pins or a snappi.
Bikini Twist Fold
1.) Lay the prefold out
flat. 2.) Fold into thirds lengthwise. 3.) Take the top and bottom
halves and twist. 4.) Place one half under the baby's bottom and
fold up. 4.) Pull the "wing" tips over the bottom half that is now
folded over the baby and secure with pins or a snappi.
Why Choose Organic? TOP
Why
choose organic cotton?
*Cotton facts from the
Organic Trade Association
Fiber Council.
Is It Really Cheaper To Use Cloth? TOP
Is
it really cheaper to use
cloth vs. disposables?
-
Yes, it's true. Most
people can save $1700+ by
using cloth diapers, this
includes using organic
cotton diapers!
Oftentimes, the diapers
will make it through 2
children, cutting the cost
even more!
Which Insers/Doublers And Fabrics Are More Absorbant? TOP
Well I wondered this too so I put the inserts and doublers to the test. Here's how I conducted the experiment. First I used water and dribbled it in the area that a child would normally use. In other words, I didn't move around because that's not how a child uses their diapers. So for a boy I used the front and for a girl I used the middle. Next I dribbled an amount that a child would normally pee and then waited. I continued dribbling and waiting a couple of minutes between dribbles until the fabric couldn't absorb anymore. Here's my results:
Medium Microfiber 8 oz
Tiny Tush Cotton Doubler (small) 4 oz
Medium Bamboo Doubler/Insert 8 oz
Medium Hemp Fleece Insert 8 oz
Needless to say I was surprised at the results especially the hemp which is touted as soooo absorbant when in reality it's the same or less absorbant than cotton and costs more. I don't actually carry the bamboo insert, it's one that I made myself but if you're interested I can get them made for you. However I think that everyone should know that bamboo is made with VERY caustic chemicals....it's you're choice what you want near your baby's bottom.
Another thing I found interesting was that all the fabrics had pooling where the dribbling was going on. Meaning that the fabric couldn't keep up with the normal flow of urine but it would absorb with time....which explains why so many of us get leaking at the legs.
Is It True That Cloth Diapered Children Potty Train Faster? TOP
Is
it true that cloth diapered
children potty train faster?
-
Yes. The child feels the
wetness and is able to
associate it with the full
bladder feeling prior to
feeling wet after he/she
urinates.
-
It has been said that they
train, on average, 6
months faster. So, they
do learn quicker.
Isn't Wool Hot & Itchy For A Cover? TOP
Wool diaper covers were used for centuries to keep babies dry and
comfortable. Then rubber and plastic pants were invented and wool was
abandoned as old-fashioned and messy. Fast forward a few decades and
you'll find cloth diapering moms and dads in the know using wool diaper
covers to keep their babies dry. Why do they choose wool?
Wool is a natural, renewable resource. Sheared from sheep in the spring
after it has done its job keeping the sheep warm all winter, wool is
biodegradable and can be easy on the environment depending on how the
sheep are raised. Because wool grows continually, like hair, the sheep
is not harmed in the process of harvesting wool.
Wool has a number of unique properties that make it perfect for diaper
covers. Wool is extremely flexible and resilient. Wool fibers can bend
20,000 times or more before breaking. Compare this with just a few
thousand times for cotton and you get some idea how long a well made
wool diaper cover will last. In fact, properly cared for wool diaper
covers will still be working hard for your children's children.
Wool is not hot, as many people believe. Instead, wool is the perfect
climatre control. Because wool is breathable, wool diaper covers keep
your baby warm in winter and cool in summer. If you want to test this
theory, wrap one of your hands in a synthetic diaper cover and one in a
wool cover on a hot day. Pretty soon one of your hands will be hot and
sweaty, while the wool covered hand will still be comfortable.
Another remarkable aspect of wool is the ability to absorb up to 30% of
its weight in moisture before it feels damp. Coupled with the ability
to let moisture evaporate, your wool covers will allow a lot of
moisture to evaporate while it is still on your baby. This is
especially helpful at night to keep your baby dry all night or during the day in areas where it's hot. Many
parents swear that a hemp diaper and wool cover are the only way they
can keep their heavy-wetting babies dry overnight.
The lanolin in wool will react with urine to create a kind of mild
soap. This keeps your wool diaper cover smelling fresh for a week or
more at a time, reducing your washing time. You will of course need to wash them right away if they get soiled.
My Wool Cover Is Getting Damp, What Do I Do? TOP
It's probably one of two things:
1. You need to relanolize it or
2. Time to up the absorbancy of your diaper by adding doublers or changing more frequently. As children get older the amount of urine they produce goes up dramatically.
How Do I Lanolize A Wool Cover? TOP
Well if you're using the Euclan Wool Wash you won't need to do anything besides wash your covers with it.
I really don't recommend some of the other techniques I've seen elsewhere of using lanolin in water because I've seen lanolin smeared on the crotch area which repels the urine. If you're repeling it...it's going somewhere which is why alot of people get leaks around the legs.
Here's a simple recipe that works great:
1. Wash covers as normal
2. To lanolize squeeze a pea size drop of lanolin into a cup of hot (almost
boiling water) to dissolve.
3. Add a bit of Euclan or baby shampoo
to the cup to disperse the lanolin throughout the liquid and shake. Using an old baby food jar is good for this.
4. Add
this cup of solution to a tub or sink of tepid water and then add your
covers.
5. Let them sit 10 minutes before draining.
6. Lay wool item between two towels and roll to remove excess water.
7. Hang dry
My Pockets Are Starting To Wick, What Do I Do? TOP
You'll probably need to strip your inner fabric whether it's suede cloth or microfleece. You do that by using warm water and original (blue) dawn. Place your pockets in a sink of warm water then take your pockets one by one and add a little dawn to the inside fabric and scrub. Rinse in warm water until there are no more bubbles.
Buildup occurs when you use too much detergent when you wash (review the washing instructions above) and when you're water is hard and the minerals don't rinse out and attach themselves to the inner fabric.
The next possible answer is that your child is wetting more and needs more absorbancy in the pocket. Try adding another insert and see if it stops.
What Do I Do When My Child Is Between Sizes? TOP
Most people will automatically buy the larger diaper hoping it will last longer but what usually happens is that it doesn't fit properly and they get wicking around the legs. I recommend not using the weight chart but acutally measuring your child (rise, waist, leg) and then buying the diaper size that is closest to that size. Obviously if the rise is so low that there is crackage it's too small but again it shouldn't be halfway down between their crotch and knees either. If you still are not sure email us or call us with the measurements and diapers that you are thinking of getting and we'll help you figure out the best size.
What is Homeopathy? TOP
Homeopathy is a natural approach to medicine that works without
contraindications (interference with other medications you may be taking) or
side effects to stimulate the body's curative responses so the body heals
itself.
Here's a little more detail:
Your body has the ability to heal itself. When you are ill, your body produces
symptoms, which is how we know that the body has recognized that something is
wrong and is actively working to heal itself. This "natural regulator" is your
body's auto-regulatory mechanism and it works to keep your body in balance - or
in a state of homeostasis.
Here's an example of how this works. Think of your "natural regulator" as your
internal temperature gauge. If you go outside and it is very hot, your body will
recognize it is too hot and begin to perspire. Your homeostatic mechanism is
producing a symptom - perspiration - in an effort to cool down the body. If you
go outside and it is very cold, the symptom is shivering. Your homeostatic
mechanism is trying to warm the body up by shivering to produce heat.
Think about the last time you were shivering. You could not control it, and you
did not stop until you were warm. It is the same way with homeopathic medicines.
If you are ill and your body is showing symptoms, the symptoms will not
disappear until the source of the symptoms has disappeared.
Homeopathic medicines stimulate your body's homeostatic mechanism so your body
heals itself by dealing with the sources of your symptoms.
Homeopathy is different from conventional medicine because conventional medicine
simply defines health as the lack of symptoms (if you dry up a runny nose, is
your cold gone and are you healthy?). Homeopathy defines health as the lack of
disease (if you get rid of the source of the runny nose in the process of
dealing with the source, the runny nose will disappear on its own.) How do you take Homeopathic Medicine? TOP
How do you take Homeopathic medicines?
Homeopathic medicines should be placed under the tongue of adults and children
or in the cheek of an infant where they will dissolve. It is preferable that
there be nothing in the mouth to eat or drink 15 minutes before or after taking
homeopathic medicines.
Here's a little more detail:
Look under your tongue. It is an environment full of capillaries (blood vessels)
surrounded by very soft tissue. If you want something to be absorbed directly
into the human body, what better place to do it than somewhere that is rich in
blood vessels that carry blood throughout your system rapidly!
Homeopathic products are very clean-meaning they have no binders, fillers or
coatings. The soft molded lactose tablets are made to dissolve almost instantly
when placed in the mouth. Because the remedies dissolve in the mouth, they are
absorbed by the mucous membranes in the mouth and carried directly into your
system. For this reason, the remedies work faster than conventional medicines
because conventional medicines are usually coated and don't get absorbed into
the system until the coating is dissolved by the stomach acid, and that
generally takes about twenty minutes.
Homeopathic medicated pellets take longer to dissolve, but they don't taste bad
so it is worth the wait. Dilutions are liquid and should be dropped directly
under the tongue.
Because the remedies are very clean and fragile, avoid handling them. It is
preferable to drop the tablets or pellets into the cap of the bottle, and pour
them from the cap into your mouth. If more than four pour into the cap, take
four-don't put the pills back into the bottle.
You cannot overdose on homeopathic medicines. If you take fifteen tablets or
five tablets (or 100 tablets for that matter) AT ONE TIME it is one dose. You
will stimulate your curative response one time. So, it is not a tragedy if more
than six tablets fall into the cap, just take them rather than risk putting a
contaminated pill back into the bottle to contaminate the others in the bottle.
Finally, some homeopathic medicines may be antidoted by things like mint,
caffeine or other remedies. In order to help prevent antidotes, take your
remedies one at a time, with a "clean mouth". It is best not to eat or
drink 15 minutes before or after taking the remedies. Help! My diapers stink! (smell like ammonia, icky..etc) TOP
Diapers that smell can be caused by two different things. One is detergent build up and the other is ammonia bacteria. Using proper washing techniques should stop the smell. Please look here to see how to properly wash your diapers. In the meantime, If it's detergent buildup you'll need to wash your diapers in hot with no detergent until there are no more bubbles. This could be several washes. If it's ammonia bacteria you'll need to either boil your diapers and then let them cool so you don't stretch the elastic or add a capful of bleach to a hot wash with no detergent then wash like normal.
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