Another Reason Disposable Diapers Discust me

In a perfect world everyone reduces, reuses and recycles.  The majority of us however still do make garbage at varying levels.  And when make garbage we all know it belongs in the trash and littering is wrong.  However we have all at some point been a bad steward of this Earth and littered at least once. 

Maybe we justified that it was compostable. Or that some park or sidewalk cleaner would be picking up.  Whatever out justification, we knew better. 

Of course some just don't care: junkies tossing needles, those people who toss a used condom and skanky panties late at night in a playground (who are these people)....and people who toss disposable diapers as litter. 

Harsh comparison? Not when you consider they are tossing human waste and harsh chemicals.  That makes it a pretty even comparison.  Baby poop isn't magical gold, its ecoli carrying feces.  Nasty

Mai Tei orders and fabrics

This post is for those local (southeast Ontario) looking to order a mai tei.  The mai tei has two fabrics, structural and decorative.

Structural
It takes 2m canvas bark cloth. Its soft, organic, and 9 oz weight (can carry a preschooler).  It cost me $45

Decorative
It takes me 1/2 meter organic knit this cost $10.  The left over will make up the carry bag. 

Here are a few organic wovens (1/2m for $10 also) that match a few of the bark cloth fabrics better. 

Shipping to me is $9, plus thread and shoulder padding and tax

With it costing me $75 CND (first time I added up cost I forgot to include tax and exchangr rate on one of the fabrics) to make, I carge $105.  If you wish to order one out of less expensive, non organics fabrics I can make for $60.  The structural fabric will likely be twill or denim and the decorative panel would be a quilters cotton.  I would purchase these from fabricland.  Your need to tell me your preferred colours and print types.  If you can text while I'm  there so we can have fabric confirmation prior to me purchasing.

To order email mamamossdiapers@gmail.com with a title "mai tei order".  In the email include screen shot of fabric choice, fabric combo name or description of a fabricland order.  Include text and name if possible.
$75 is required upfront for an organic, or $35 for fabricland.  When complete (1week tops) I'll send pic.  You will have two weeks to pay remainder.  Pick up is in Kingston unless you wish to pay for shipping.

Some fabric combo ideas

                          Owl Nesting

                         Forest Party

                    Meadows blue-gold

             Birds of a Feather; Sun Splash

                 Crack of Dawn Wood's

                     Turquoise Splash

                          Knotty Owls

                               Foxy

Peacock Blooms

                      Apples and Vines

                            Girl Roar

                        Chic bubbles

Girly whirly

Bird song

Classy

                        Under the Sea

                         Knot Garden

Birds of a Feather; Earth & Sky

Candy Land Woods

 And many more combinations you discover.

*unpaid for items will be put up for resale to re-coup labour.

Summer rompers

Today I made a light weight knit romper for the summer.  Its the one piece back snap romper in the tutorial section but the legs are shorter and without cuffs and there are no sleeves.  I added a fish applique to the bum.  

You'll notice how short the inseam is.  Babies have very short inseams and monkey is long legged.  Its hard to believe this is a long short on him lol.  

Monkey needs more clothes (growth spurt)

So I was shocked when the size 2 clothes from grandparents fit.  Then i was shocked when his romper was to small.  I threw on. Size 3 outfit the other day...the fit was baggy but pants stayed up.  Apparently monkey had a growth spurt, no biggie.  At the park i hear "can you tell him to share" "can you make him hurry up the steps" (to the slide) "oh he isn't talking yet??". To which I keep explaining he is one....his birthday was only a couple weeks ago....yes just had his first bday".  It's frustrating.  He's my perfect monkey.  I'm the mama who doesn't want her little baby criticized.  All us moms feel that way.  And so he was weighed and measured.  26lbs.  That didn't sound right, he's slimmed down and not that chunky.  34 1/2 inches.  Wait; what?  Thirty-four and a half inches?  Where is that on the chart.  Doctor doesn't use chart for Native Breastfed babies, WHO charts don't include First Nations.  OK. But if you used it where would that be.  Above the 100th percentile, average size of a 2 year old.  100th percentile for am 18month old.  Well that explains the comments....sort of.  He babbles like a baby.  He's a solid walker but walks like a newly turned toddler. Not a 2yr old.  I have to say its hard to swallow that my lil monkey is that big....and how to tell Daddy that we need all new clothes (more fabric)?. 

I have a suggestion moms.  Watch comments and pay attention.  The baby with eating and dress....likely a girl.  The brown tiddler with a braid and daddy's little slugger shirt... Likely a boy.  Baby not walking. Make a cute comment.  My solution to such a convos the other day was telling the adoring mama that such a beauty of a princess knows she should be carried instead if walking like the commoners.  She laughed and smiled and showed be the sparkly little shoes she just bought her.  And the waddling, babbling lil Monkey on the play ground is likely just a big busting baby, not and under developed 2 year old. 

Does Water Testing Fabrics & Diapers Work?

A lot of people water test diapers for absorbency to see how well they preform.  Another common water test is to see if a mystery fabric or a fleece wicks, absorbs or repels.  So today we are going to discuss water testing, of the fabric variety (not water testing for hard or soft water, that's another subject). 

Water testing fleece:
So say you have some fleece and you want to know if it wicks, repels or absorbs?  First off know your fleeces, which fleece decides which job it does.  I have a blog post called "understanding the fleeces".  You can pretty much tell which fleece is which by look and feel.  Cotton, hemp and bamboo-rayon fleece are the absorbers and are the type of fabric your sweat pants are made of; knit one one side and fuzzy on the other.  Water resistant fleeces are fuzzy on booth sides with a thick pile like a polar fleece jacket.  And micro fleece is thin, fuzzy on both sides with a smooth short pile.  Go to your fabric store and check out each type just to see and understand.  You can probably ask for a sample swatch.  I recommend this for new seamstresses to keep a sewing journal.  Its a great learning and reference tool and I talk about it on my post "How Do I Learn My Fabrics". And if you've ever asked "what is this fabric" or "what fabric do I use" etc I recommend reading this short post and trying out these tips. 

So obviously your now wondering do I ever need to water test my fleece?  The answer is; maybe, sometimes.  Sometimes a fleece that should be water resistance isn't so much, or at all.  Generally I find this only with anti-pil fleece.  I have had great success with blizzard fleece.  If the fleece is a blanket from the store, you'll probably need to test it.  You can check the label first.  If its not 100% poly, its not going to be water resistant. 

To water test a water resistant fleece you need to wash it first. Many don't repel well until washed.  Likewise many wicking and absorbing fabrics do repel until washed.  Its a mixed bag.  So wash then water test.  If it beads you have water resistant. 

Water testing mystery fabric:
Generally I don't recommend using mystery fabric.  You just can't be sure what it is your putting in baby's private parts and that worries me.  Some are not worried by this. So if your comfortable using mystery fabric here is the down low on water testing.  First you have to wash the fabric.  Many fabrics don't do their designated job properly till washed.  So if you wash a fabric that is a repelling fabric or wicking fabric and then test, you'll get an accurate test.  If the fabric is an absorbing fabric your not going to always get an accurate test till it has been washed 3-6 times (fabric dependant).    So you can see the problem with this approach.  You wash, test and it repels or wicks.  Your super thrilled, make a boat load of diapers with it, prep them 3-8 times and find out they absorb.  Your gonna be totally bummed at best.  At worst you go online to see why they stopped working and get told to try 20 different wash routines, strip, re-prep, it all still doesn't function and you give up.  Best to use a fabric you know. 

Water testing diapers prior to baby's arrival:  I've done this.  That nesting instinct just kicks our poor mommy emotions and senses.  We want to touch and cuddle and use and wash and organize all our precious baby items and be 110% ready, know all is perfect and just have a reason to have the baby items in hand while we anxiously wait for our lil monkey's to arrive.  It can really drive us nuts.  And we see all these other moms water testing their newly made diaper stash and we so want to as well. 

They aren't accurate.  I tried cuz I saw everyone else online doing it.  I've been cloth diapering forever but all that info plays with your mommy brain.  Its just impossible to make it accurate.  Water is different then pee, even warm water.  The stream if urine is not the same as pouring.  The pressure from your hand, or books or whatever isn't the same as the pressure if a newborn in a diaper, or an older baby who is sitting, or walking etc.  You get the point?  Wanna know what is a good test?  Using an insert in your panties to catch  the pee when you sneeze while pregnant (I was desperate one day lol, but they worked).  There is if course no harm in testing to occupy yourself while pregnant.  Go ahead and make those days pass more quickly any way you possibly can. 

What I ask though is please be aware its not accurate and don't go  telling other moms that you specific fabric choice, layers and combos have such and such a result based on your test.  Doing so is providing inaccurate info and is not helpful.  The internet is full if way to many over night experts.

Also keep this in mind when buying diapers.  Don't buy on a water test result!  Buy on the recommendation of real life testers and moms who have been using cloth diapers long term. 

So what's the best way to pick your fabrics and number of layers?  Ask advice of those  who have a lot of varied experience, who know fabrics.  Read by fabric reference page (listed on the right) and buy known fabrics.  Enjoy! 

My Fitted Leg Prefold - a look back

Monkey's newborn diapers were flannel prefolds.  But I mod'd them of course.  I added elastic along the core in the middle 2 quarters of the diaper length.  And I added Velcro for dad.  The fitted leg and Velcro did limit folding options but since i always used angel folsor jelly roll, that was irrelevant cyz rhis diaper is perfect for that.

My prefolds were 2/4/2.  This means 2 layers thick in the sides ans 4 layers thick in the middle.  I also made each diaper a doubler that was 3 layers flannel so they were plenty thick.  I used them with wool covers but you can also use pul, tpu or fleece (water resistant).

This is the diaper opened up.  You can see the elastic along the core.  This diapers measure 14x16, so the core and sides are each just over 5inches wide.  I sewed the top and bottom (topstitch).  Zigzagged down each side of the core.  Opened the sides to tack the elastic.  Pinned the sides closed.  Cased the elastic.  Top stitched the sides.

To angel fold I fold the sides in winging out at the top.  Lay doubled in top of center.  Fold up and do up velcro tabs.

For jelly roll place the doubler in the center.  Roll the sides and do up the diaper.  Jelly roll is great for stopping infant ebf (exclusively breastfed poop).  Additionally folding the back down and winging out the sides stops ebf from coming up the back.  Infact it is called the poop catcher.

Another addition you could add to your prefold to stop infant ebf wohld be a waistband like seen in the thirsties duo hemp prefold.  A knit would do this best.

I always put away my prefolds folded so I don't have to do that while changing.  Hubby learned to fold prefolds by helping with laundry folding and help from my 14 year old.  

Part Time Cloth Diapers For Disposable Diapering Families

I was at playgroup this week and had a discussion with a Mom who uses disposables but has cloth on hand, another mom joined in and both agreed I could make the discussion into a blog post.  If you read this blog regularly you may know that I have some strong feelings about disposable diapers but I left that out of the conversation and so out of this post.  The second moms responses were a real surprise to me so read on!  Alright, here we go. 

Me: As a disposable diapering mom how many cloth diapers do you own and what kind?

Mom of 3:  I own 10 Kushies fitted diapers.

Kushies fitted, now kushies classic, 100% cotton flannel amd the vast majority of my original diaper stashes with my first 5 kids

Me: Kushies Fitted's? How long have you owned these?
*note to readers Kushies no longer makes their Fitted's due to the popularity of their aio's (all in ones).
**went to their site at end of this for links and the fitted is back, called the classic. 
 
Mom of 3 (mo3): I received them as a shower gift when I was pregnant with my oldest who will be 12 shortly.  My mom gave them to me and told me that although I planned on using disposables it was always good to have some cloth on hand just in case. 

Me: I forgot to ask, how many covers and what kind?

Mo3: No covers, my mom gave me a couple covers but I never used them and they disappeared over the years.

Me: So tell me about how and when you use cloth as a disposable diapering mom. 

Mo3: Well using disposables means you always have to buy more and inevitably I sometimes forget or don't notice that I'm low on diapers (as my mom wisely realized).  Having those 10 means I don't have to rush out of the house, it gives me about 24 hours to pick up more.  Usually that means calling my husband and asking him to bring some on the way home from work and we only have one car   He works 12 hour shifts so it can be a long wait.  Or if I run out the day before he gets paid, this happens more often then I'd like lol. 

Me: yeah, that would be a worry for me if I used disposables.  So having a days worth of cloth takes the stress off. 

Mo3: it sure does. 

Me: you said you don't use the covers, can you tell me about that?

Mo3: well if I run out I just throw on the cloth diaper and a T-shirt because his clothes don't really fit over the cloth diapers.  They did with my oldest, but not with my younger two. 

Me: I know, the jeans issue wasn't an issue with my older kids either.  So where do you keep your cloth diapers for your just in case events?

Mo3: in the linen closet.  Well I keep 8 in the linen closet and 2 in my diaper bag. 

Me: for those just in case moments out and about? 

Mo3: yes, but also for if we stop by the splash pad.  I hate how disposables react to water lol.  So if we stop by the splash pad I throw on a cloth diaper. 

Me: I have to ask why you don't use cloth full time? 

Mo3: I figured you would lol.  My husband hates the cloth.  Stupid reasons that would make you rant for sure.  That and I really don't like that you have to change them like all the time!  Disposables last longer. 

Me:  thanks for letting me do this :). Alright, now we got our next part time cloth mom.  

Me: as a part time cloth diaper mom how many cloth diapers and covers do you have and what kind?

First Time Mom (ftm): 1 dozen thirsties hemp prefolds and 3 wool sleep sacks. 

Two layers hemp jersey this has got to dry and wash as easybas a flat.  Hemp is an amazing absorber too.  And notice the waist band?, what a smart idea

Me: :0 (yeah I think I was shocked lol and maybe jealous, that's a sweet diaper). Wow, ok, not the answer I was expecting, I have lots of questions but let me try to do this in order.

Ftm: ok lol

Me: so since you said sleep sacks I'm assuming your using them at night?

Ftm: yes, just at night.

Omg, that's adorable!  It makes my ovaries hurt for a girl to put in this! 

Me: how did you come to use cloth just at night? 

Ftm: well I really had no interest in cloth diapering.  Its just not my thing.  I'm not into all that hippy all natural stuff and they don't fit under the clothes I like for her.  I like designer stuff. 

(I totally believe this statement as she bottle feeds her 7th month old and the two of them are dressed to the nines.  And they always arrive with baby in a car seat so I'm guessing they drive and I've never seen her with a baby carrier in her huge but gorgeous jujube diaper bag)

Ftm: but she frequently woke up with an exploded diaper and these weird clear bead things coming out of it.  It was gross and a lot of laundry.  So I asked around and the only person with a solution was a mom like you who said cloth diapers with wool.  She said it was bullet proof. 

Me: it is.

Ftm: so I went online and found Kelly's closet.  They looked like the best choice.  I found disana wool sleep sacs on Ava's appletree.  We've never looked back, they were an excellent choice. 

Me:  what fold do you use?

Ftm: bikini twist. 

Me: that's an excellent choice.  Do you use snappi's or boingos? 

Ftm: I started with snappi's but they tore the  jersey a little so I ordered more, sold the old ones and found pins on eBay like you suggested.

Me: lol I thought you wanted them for a shower game or something

Ftm: yeah I figured but I didn't want to say anything and have you try and talk me into cloth full time.

Me: K, I'll try not to but I have to ask if they work so well why don't you use them during the day, cuz I'm sure anyone reading this will wonder why also. 

Ftm:  I don't want a full load of diaper laundry every other day plus like I said the issue of them fitting under her clothes or giving her a bubble butt. 

Me: ok.  I've got to say its a very trim diaper choice, I bet a wool side snap cover would be trim, but yeah still bigger then a disposable.. A little.  Alright, are the hemp jersey prefolds as soft as they claim?

Ftm: Yes!  In fact so soft I bought hemp Jersey sheets for my bed.

Me: lol, that's awesome.  I'd like to make a dress out of hemp jersey.  One more question for both of you; do poopslpotions not make you think of switching to cloth full time?

Mo3: we still get the rare poopslpotion. 

Me: ah yes, the old Kushies fitted had no back elastic, the cover stopped the poopslpions mostly plus I added back elastic to mine (*note I'm wondering if the new ones have back elastic)

Ftm: I bought this thing like a belly band for babies that goes over the disposable to stop poopslpotions.

Me: does it work?

Ftm: yes and its cute, but I have had a few get ruined stopping the poop, but it didn't get on her clothes. 

Me: and that doesn't add to the laundry?

Ftm: I threw the ruined ones out. 

Me: well mama's thank-you for doing this with me.  Its been interesting.  I knew some cloth moms used disposables part time, but not the other way around. 
-------------------------------------------------------------
If your interested in the cloth these disposable moms use here are some links. 

Thirsties Duo Hemp prefolds from Kelly's closet here. And check out other items from Kelly's.

Kushies Classic here.  Also check out their other items (including clothes that fit cloth diaper bums.  And I have to say their clothes are super soft and cuddly.

And wool sleep sacks on Ava's Apple tree here. And of course other products.