Monster Bunz VS Katrina's (for woolies)

When I started with wool wraps, soakers, longies and shorties I went with Katrina's.  It was free and everybody raved about it and wool works so wonderfully and it was easy to use when up cycling.  Then my friend bought me the monster bunz pattern to make some non wool pants for Monkey.  I loved it.  Then  I made a pair of longies with the pattern and was blown away.  Next I made rompers, shorties and just got carried away modifying the pattern to my every whim.  Yes you have to pay for it and yes it is worth it and you will get your money back for all the woolies and clothes you will make with it for years to come. 

First we will look at 2 pics then a point form list (but the pics show my preference best).  

 This above pic is a pair of yellow shorties made with Monster Bunz (MB).  They fit great in the bum but notice they fit great in the front also, and the waist and well, just all over.

This is a pair of red shorties using Katrina's.  Notice the crotch droop?  Yes they cover his fluff bum but this pattern fits front and back the same and even a cloth diapered bum isn't as fluffy up front, even with the diapers soaker folded to catch boy pee.
*took both these pics this morning in the same diaper for best illustrations.

•MB is cut like pants but with a butt circle to accommodate a fluffy CD bum. The circle comes into the crotch to also accommodate fluff crotch (without droop).
Katrina's accommodates fluff bum by width.  

•MB is more narrow where you add the waist band this makes the waist band fit the waist better, especially if at the age where baby transitions to toddler and slims down in the tummy with all that running around.
Katrina's does not narrow at the waist and I always needed to re-size it. 

•MB grows with the child for a longer fitting time
Katrina's sizes are less accommodating

•Katrina's have an optional second layer in the wet zone
MB does not but I have added one.  It wasn't easy but it is doable for a more experienced seamstress or someone with a lot of patience.  Alternatively you could felt the wool (which will mean the item won't fit as long) or use a thicker sweater or interlock.  I have a pair if interlock shorties that didn't need the extra layer. 

Sleep talk

Ok well sleep rant lol. 

Everybody needs sleep (ask any mom with eye circles. 

Babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and primary aged kids need lots of it.  Naps (except for most primary aged) and early bed times are a must.  Melatonin is produced in our bodies in a cycle about 30 min before our young ones need sleep. 

Lights, TV, cell phones and tablets etc interrupt this.  Ban them as bed time nears. 

3 -  4 year olds hate sleep the most!! You must pull up your big girl/boy pants and parent to make it happen. 
Your child running around at 10pm "completely un-tired" is NOT the exception.  They are an example of a parent not insisting on a decent bed time.  They may appear super energized but the reality is they area over tired and you are screwing up their sleep schedule. 

Take the TV (etc) away.  Break your bad habits, and do not let them come out of that room.  No Excuses.  Do not use supplements (like melatonin from the drug store. 

Yes you might be camped outside their room for the next 6 months. It will be worth every penny

I converted a sposie mom to cloth this week

So I had a sposies diaper mom friend.  We get along great, both being older moms, in the Native community, breastfeeding, baby wearing... She was prime for this conversion lol. 

Her 2 month old baby had a persistent diaper rash.  She changed the sposies regularly (2 hours on average), creams etc.  She knew pampers cause rashes, but she wasn't using those. 

I was anxious to jump in but I waiting and she asked "could it be the perfumes, are there other chemicals?". You bet.  And I asked if she'd like to test out Monkeys prefolds.  I explained they'd likely only fit another month but that would be time to get working on a new stash. 

The rash cleared in under a day!  She looked online and is blown away by the money she will save.  And she is just thrilled all over.  I feel so excited.  And love her enthusiasm.  Another bum saved and another win for Grandmother Earth!

I'm still here

I haven't disappeared or given up on this blog.  Our family is having a health crisis (not the children) and that is taking much of my time at the moment. 

Monkey is growing up fast and is 14 months now.  I'm starting to plan my potty training approach and will be covering that in the very near future.  He still nurses lots, loves being in the mai tei and is rocking his cloth diapers.  Today we are sporting a cute diaper shirt over wool soakers.  I'll try to add a pic later but right now he is nursing.