Cloth Diaper Love - Our Journey & Helpful Information

Yep, we're a CD'ing family.

That's CLOTH DIAPERING. For all you soon-to-be crunchies out there. And there were the nay-sayers. The "we tried it but it smelled HORRIBLE after two days so we switched" (specific example...I think they're germophobes.) And the "oh you're a good one, just wait till you see how much work..."

Well, its been 9 months. Correction. 9 months and 1 day. And I'm SO OBSESSED with getting new fluff for my little one that the only thing that stops me is that, well, we're supposed to be SAVING money while doing it! Hahahaha, which we totally are, but how can I resist new fluff???

***feel free to skip the journey and head to the useful bits that begin after the last photo***

(pictured below - new sweetly pre-used fluff and delicious 9 month baby chunks)

So, what is the discerning mom to do???

Shop smart. Take top-notch care of the fluff you do have so that it retains value (YEP - for resale one day). We started with newborn diapers. Just 6 of them, which I loved (Rumparooz Lil Joeys). I figured hey, every claims babies grow so fast we'll need them for a week or two tops. Well around week 4 I bought 2 more new ones (probably getting these pre-owned for #2, unless a pattern catches my eye) because keeping up with when to wash was too much with our breastfeeding troubles. Those two diapers bought me a few more hours!!! AND we apparently make tiny babies, so my son technically never got to grow out of them! At 2 months old, we switched to our OS (one size) diapers because he was wetting completely through the Lil Joeys EVERY TIME HE PEED. His bladder outgrew the diapers before his body!

Well next we tried the pretty cool (and expensive new) G-Diapers. Let me first mention that there is a VERY cool consignment shop about 20 minutes from where we live that carries CLOTH DIAPERS. Gently loved and love the prices! So I picked up 3 G-diapers in size small and about 5 inserts to fit. These are some pretty cool concept diapers, and we loved them while our son was still a little too small for the OS (skinny little dude) and too heavy wetting for the newborn. The best part? Just lift out the wet insert and lay in another! (pictures to come later) Very very easy and convenient...until his bladder outgrew those too.

At this point some would size up, but I also figured out that my little guy was a VERY heavy wetter, so I wanted something bulletproof. Well, I thought the $8/each used G-diapers were my best purchase. Nope.

I found a BestBottom stash that blew my mind. It was a chunk of money, but not when you added up the goods: 6 covers, 15 small inserts, 11 medium inserts, and a large and a small wetbag. WHAT?! Score of the year!!! 

Needless to say, it's still LOVE for our BestBottoms. We just sized up to the medium inserts, and we use BumGenius pockets at night, with 2 inserts (no nighttime changes). If we ever need the large inserts, I'm sure eBay will do me one good! We also are looking into trying a Sustainablebabyish fitted diaper with the BestBottoms cover or maybe a Workhorse fitted. I'm intrigued. We have 1 Bumkins AIO we just got as well (pictured at top, reserving judgement, seems to have a rather short rise) and 1 Applecheeks size 1 which will only fit him for a couple more weeks but it's LOVE (pictured below).

So...I suppose I'll provide a summary of the relevant points:

Our Favorite Diapers...

Rumparooz Lil' Joeys (newborn)

G-diapers with G-cloth inserts

BumGenius 2.0 Pocket (with 2 inserts for bedtime)

BumGenius Freetime (no inserts needed, also good for bedtime)

BestBottoms covers & BestBottoms snap-in inserts

Applecheeks Pocket

Now here's the real good stuff - Helpful Information!

Cloth Diaper Glossary of Useful Terms & Abbreviations - i.e. the "Lingo"

• CD - cloth diaper(s)
• OS - one size (for 8-24+ lbs)
• AIO - all in one (1 piece - no stuffing or adding required - just put on and take off)
• AI2 - all in two (2 pieces - can have a snap or lay in insert but no "stuffing")
• Pocket - has an inner pocket to "stuff" an insert inside
• Prefold - old school cloth with pre-marked folding pattern in some way; requires a cover
• Flat - also an old school diaper but resembles a "flat" piece of cloth, no guidance there! Requires a cover.
• Fitted - a cloth diaper that is NOT liquid-proof and should have a cover or woolies work over it to prevent leakage
• Insert - the absorptive multi-layered fabric that can be used to "stuff" a pocket diaper, or increase absorbency for any type of diaper
• Soaker - Similar to an insert but with fewer layers, intended to be laid on the inside of a diaper and touching baby to increase absorbancy. More often used with fitteds than pockets.
• Liner - A single layer of fabric or disposable material laid inside a diaper usually to protect the diaper from potential poo stains
• Cover - liquid-proof "shell" that is needed for diapers that are not already liquid-proof
• PUL - Polyurethane laminate. Basically the fabric process that results in those adorable and liquid-proof diapers. You can see and feel the PUL on the inside of a cover or pocket diaper, but you cannot access the PUL in an AIO diaper - but believe me, it's there.
• Snappi - a really cool device that was thought up to hold together flats, prefolds, and snapless fitteds without safelty pins. Its basically hard plastic "teeth" attached to silicone that hold the diaper together.

Ways to Strip Your Cloth Diapers - i.e. remove the "stink" or fix leaking

1. The Rinsing Method - basically this means wash your diapers as usual, but with no detergent, over and over and over and...well repeat about 5 or 6 times.
2. Original Blue Dawn - if you decide to go this route, just remember a little goes a LONG way. 1 tablespoon for regular or 1 teaspoon for HE washers. Rinse at least 2-3 time and keep on going until there are NO MORE SUDS.
3. Bleach - my personal go-to for pre-loved diapers since it stips AND disinfects. 1/2 cup of bleach in the liquid bleach compartment, or in the washer once the water is full and BEFORE adding the diapers, not directly onto the diapers. Do a few rinses to be sure all is removed before putting back on baby.
4. RLR - while I haven't done this one yet, people swear by it. One packet into a hot wash with no detergent, rinse until there are no more suds.
5. Bac-Out - simply add during the wash cycle per their instructitons. Another I haven't used yet but have heard good things about.
6. Rockin' Green Funk Rock - besides cool packaging, it's the one I probably use the most. 4 tablespoons in a hot soak, preferably for a few hours, then wash. 

Spilled Milk Indeed

Obviously, this sign was not run by the breastfeeding moms that have pumped milk before.

Even our babies were acting weird over it! Alex thought it was hilarious, while Jayden was sincerely concerned about anyone spilling his booby milk.

So we left. And went to a bookstore for some fun reading. I came across these books that I would willingly BURN if I ever see them in a friend's house that has a new baby. In a fire pit. With singing and dancing. Perhaps I'll do a post on why. (HINT: it has to do with breastfeeding.)

But before all of these shenanigans, I made a very yummy breakfast and DEVOURED IT. And had to take a picture because it was pretty good looking too.

How was your day?

My Keys to Succeeding at Breastfeeding

No, I'm not a professional of any kind, nor have I written any books or personally conducted any studies. I am however a breastfeeding mother. An educated breastfeeding mother. One that did not have everything "click" and go smoothly somehow from day one. One that struggled, was given MANY professional opinions, and had to dig through the research and sleeplessness with the support of my husband.

But, we made it. My 8 month old son is happily breastfed on demand and is the most adorable chunk I ever did meet. Below are some of the ways we succeeded, and hopefully they can help YOU succeed too!

1. ASK FOR HELP. Quickly. Breastfeeding should not be painful. There may be some new mom discomfort, the equivalent of chapped lips on a chilly day. More than a minute of PAIN and you should seek help, before bigger problems ensue.
2. HAVE A LOW PAIN THRESHOLD. Seriously. See #1.
3. ASK QUESTIONS. Don't just listen and obey the pros. Ask questions. Contradict them. Ask for proof or research to support their proposed course of action. Tell them when/if another professional suggested something else. Find out where their breastfeeding "expertise" is from. 
4. DO YOUR RESEARCH. There are plenty of actually useful breastfeeding help sites and forums with supportive moms willing to help. If an answer seems confusing or wrong, or you just can't get one, chances are the answer is out there, even if it isn't in person. You may be exhausted and nursing at all hours, maybe some helpful reading will make you feel better. And, you know, help.
5. ACCEPT YOUR SITUATION - THEN CHANGE IT IF NECESSARY. I know it can be really really hard to accept that it's just not working, or its exhausting, or not what you imagined. But you NEED to accept it. The sooner you do, the sooner you can relax, or seek help if something is wrong. The long long nights won't seem so long when you stop waiting for sleep and it just happens. The pains will be less painful when you know that you will seek help and they won't last much longer. But first you have to accept your situation. Sometimes denial can bite you - hard.
6. GET REFERENCES. Not all help is equal. Not all professionals are experts in every aspect of their field. If you think you have a specific issue, find out from those in your area who was most helpful, and what personalities would mesh best with yours. You may learn that you don't like being ordered how to treat your child, or you're not willing to accept being told to just learn better positioning. Parenting and breastfeeding groups or forums are a good resource here.
7. TRUST YOURSELF. Stand up for yourself. Be willing to get a second, third, fourth, fifth, etc opinion. Read my breastfeeding story here. I was told so many conflicting things. Once I analyzed my meeting with each professional, I either dismissed them and their opinions or saw them again (if necessary). Of the group, there ended up being only two that felt right. Plenty that disagreed with me. But I learned to trust myself as the only mother of my son, and I alone ultimately knew what felt right for our breastfeeding relationship. And it applies in oh so many other areas of parenthood (which is helping me NOT be a first-time helicopter mom hahaha).
8. BE PREPARED. Something I was not. I wasn't prepared for nothing to go right with breastfeeding. So I prepared myself to do whatever necessary when it did. Through the blood, tears, sleepless nights, crying, conflicts, appointments...we did it. WE DID IT. Because when I wasn't prepared, I changed that.
9. HAVE SUPPORT. We wouldn't have succeeded at it without it. You had support for your birth, right? What makes breastfeeding - something still so taboo in our society - any easier? I'd give birth again over having such a hard start breastfeeding, but I wouldn't give breastfeeding up. If it weren't for all the all-night texting and calling and emailing and Facebook-ing...I would've lost it. I needed that social/emotional/mental support. And my husband was pretty dang AMAZING too. Get support people. Kick out the non-supporters until your breastfeeding foundation is firm and smooth. Surround and immerse yourself in your support. 

I had clogged milk ducts...again

A few days ago my little one's first cold hit its peak and he was so congested it was heartbreaking. A positive point of this was that unlike his first stuffy nose, he does now have the ability to breathe out of his mouth, an ability newborns DO NOT HAVE as they are obligate nasal breathers.

Well, the flip side of this benefit is that he was only using his nose while nursing...meaning that it became incredibly congested in between and made nursing for any length of time difficult. Thanks to my strong letdown (i.e. milk ejection reflex) he wasn't going hungry, but he also wasn't putting much effort into sucking. Which brings us to my problem.

The lack of my sweet boy's desire to suck meant that my breasts did not get properly emptied. After a couple days of uncomfortable nighttime soreness, it began to extend into the day. So I tried pumping while massaging, twice. The first time after about half an hour of vigorous massage it was softened enough - not completely but enough. The second time it barely softened at all. It was at this point that it crossed my mind that the was getting ANOTHER plugged duct. Well, it was my husband that pushed me into action - he told me to do something to fix it because he did NOT want me sick again. Well, remembering the 103 fever from my almost mastitis, I agreed.

Well, I decided to do an overnight run of one treatment that I didn't put much effort into before - especially since heat wasn't helping. So I did an alternative castor oil pack. Specifically, I

1) soaked a cotton ball in castor oil
2) placed it over the plugged duct
3) covered the cotton ball with a disposable breast pad
4) made sure that the pad was nicely tucked into a comfy bra to be held in place while I slept
5) applied heat over the area until bedtime

*It's important to note that the oil should NOT be allowed to come into contact with your nursling.

Well...lo and behold, it WORKED! I woke up with a wonderfully empty breast from my little one's improved night nursing and the disappearance of my clog. A little sore from my vigorous massage, but I'll nurse on!

♥

"You're freaking nasty"

Yep, you read it. That's a direct quote from my instagram. And what could it be in response to? A photo of my umbilical cord keepsake from Jayden's birth. Which I will include below.

But seriously? "Freaking nasty"?! I actually understand things like "ewww" and "gross" and "weird". Normal reactions for people who are so far removed from the ideas of natural birth, parenting, and living. The same people think "gross" and "indecent" when seeing a breastfeeding mother in public not cover up... which also includes me. Yet those same people are ok with teenage girls wearing what looks like denim underwear for pants and a brassiere for a shirt.

No, I don't think that everyone should just jump on the all natural bandwagon. It's a decision that should be well thought out. You have to determine if it's something that belongs in your own life, and to what degree. Eating organic? No GMOs? Only grass fed beef? Vegetarian? Vegan? Natural remedies? Birth? No chemicals or solvents in your home? There are many aspects and we are far from following them all in our home. You need the money, time, and dedication.  Of course I think it would be awesome if everyone did incorporate natural aspects into their lives, but that isn't really the topic here.

The problem is judging people for living and doing differently from yourself. Something we all do to some degree, try as we may not to. But to follow through with judging something you don't understand? Well...to me that's a bit childish.  Maybe it isn't for you.  Maybe you think it's disgusting. That doesn't mean anyone else has to agree, or that you have to bash that person.

And no, it's not a big deal that someone thinks my umbilical cord keepsake is "freaking nasty". But I'm sure someone also thinks that about my uncovered breastfeeding, my placenta encapsulation, or my water birth. Sometimes what is so different and "nasty" is actually what's natural and rooted in the history that has kept our species alive...

Food for thought.

Featured on the Birth Without Fear {BWF} Facebook Page!

Total awesomeness!!! A bit of our breastfeeding story can be found HERE on the BWF Facebook page! -the story is either below or beside our photo - I'm so honored to have our story featured among the many strong Mommas out there to share and support others. Be sure to like their page and check out the BWF blog as well! It's full of amazing stories of strong women...I pour over the birth stories whenever I want a good emotional read :-)

Also, if you haven't read our FULL breastfeeding story yet, the post can be found HERE. Our birth story can be found HERE as well.

Have a great day! (below is my nice & fat breastfed boy...I love those chins!)

16 Ways I Blew My Marriage

Hahaha, no silly, we're not divorced already! But I came across this blog post by a guy and took a look at it....let's just say he's found some wisdom after his two divorces. I'd say EVERY MAN that is or wants to be married...even the women...should memorize this list. And remember it. And carry it out. So far I think we're doing pretty good. But I wont re-write it here and take his views, the link to the blog post is below :-)

16 Ways I Blew My Marriage