<![CDATA[Bub Hub Pregnancy & Parenting Forum - Blogs - The Crunchy Mum]]> http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/blog.php?88165-The-Crunchy-Mum en Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:46:53 GMT vBulletin 10 http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/images/styles/BubHub/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[Bub Hub Pregnancy & Parenting Forum - Blogs - The Crunchy Mum]]> http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/blog.php?88165-The-Crunchy-Mum Share your favourite funky fluff http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?630-Share-your-favourite-funky-fluff Sun, 19 Aug 2012 07:15:59 GMT So we're enjoying a few more longer stretches of sunny days in Perth. I'm just aching for warmer weather to let my son's bum stand out in all its fluffy glory.
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Any chance some of you might care to share some photos of your favourite flunky fluff just to get us looking forward to summer? I would just love to see what is out there.
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Here's one of mine...
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Funky dinosaur print by a local WAHM brand ecobumba
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Share in the comments below or on the related forum thread.
]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?630-Share-your-favourite-funky-fluff Cloth for mama http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?602-Cloth-for-mama Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:41:33 GMT If you’re dabbled in using cloth nappies on your babies, chances are you might have heard of or even considered using menstrual cloth pads (also known as ‘mama cloth’) for yourself.I first came across it when I first started reading up on cloth nappies. The gorgeous fabrics and designs... If you’re dabbled in using cloth nappies on your babies, chances are you might have heard of or even considered using menstrual cloth pads (also known as ‘mama cloth’) for yourself.I first came across it when I first started reading up on cloth nappies. The gorgeous fabrics and designs were the biggest thing that drew me to the idea...

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But as I was caught with so many other new things at that time, I parked it aside and forgot about it after a while.Then one fateful day, I had an unexpected 'red day' and was caught totally unprepared. You can imagine my extreme irritation and frustration. I resorted to using (of all things) a breast pad (an extremely poor substitute) until I was able to pop out to the shops to restock.

That was the turning point for me.

There are many benefits to using cloth pads (also called ‘mama cloth’), including…
  • Comfort (trading plastic for velvety soft velour fabric? no brainer)
  • Better for sensitive skin (no more chemicals)
  • Less odour (that signature ‘period odour’ is actually from chemicals in disposable pads, not us)
  • Convenience (no running out of pads again)
  • Cost savings
  • Green/environmental benefits

My own main personal motivation is the convenience. Perhaps it’s because I’m not one of those super regular 28-days women, so stocking up is not an automatic thing for me. Hence having a never-fail stash ready to go is a big plus for my case.

Cost savings is not a major factor as the $5-10 per month on ‘sposies is not a real biggie, but it does add up in the long-term.

The increased comfort and reduced odour was a great bonus. Once I felt the difference for myself, there was no going back.

Plus the eye candy alone is enough to make anyone want to switch.

I know the whole idea might raise some eyebrows, particularly in relation to laundry. All the same principles on laundry for cloth nappies apply here as well: Use a good pre-wash rinse/soak method and have faith in the wonders of your modern washing machine.

A couple of other articles and posts that expand on the topic more:
To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my posts on cloth diapers at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?602-Cloth-for-mama 5 ways to build up a cloth nappy stash on a low budget http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?589-5-ways-to-build-up-a-cloth-nappy-stash-on-a-low-budget Fri, 20 Jul 2012 14:35:54 GMT As a big cloth nappy advocate, I frequently get asked questions by people considering using cloth on their babies. One big FAQ I get asked about cloth nappies is about getting around the cost. Off the rack, modern cloth nappies cost around $20-$40 a piece. For a full time user, a dozen pieces to... As a big cloth nappy advocate, I frequently get asked questions by people considering using cloth on their babies. One big FAQ I get asked about cloth nappies is about getting around the cost.

Off the rack, modern cloth nappies cost around $20-$40 a piece. For a full time user, a dozen pieces to start with can cost around $300-$400.

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Fluffy new MCNs are beautiful but can add up to quite a bit at $30 a pop (images from Bean Sprout Bubba)

This is a fairly large start-up cost for most people – although the initial investment will definitely pay-off in the long-term.

If you are a bargain hunter or simply need to find something to fit a tight budget, here are some tips and resources on how/where to get cheap cloth nappies:

Buy pre-loved nappies – buying second-hand is a no-brainer to saving costs. However many people are put-off the idea of buying something that’s been used by someone else before. But really, with modern conveniences like washing machines, easy access to hot water, and a wide range of detergent options, using pre-loved clothes shouldn’t be an issue. Here are some great places to find second-hand nappies:
Search for online deals and bargains – with the right search keywords and a few mouse clicks, you can score heaps of great bargains from various sellers and retailers. Why pay full price when you can find an item on sale or in the clearance bin? Here are some ways to uncover these sort of deals:
  • Google Shopping – use keywords like “cloth nappies” or “cloth diapers” and filter the price range according to your budget.
  • Nappycino WAHM promos and sales – a forum where WAHM selling cloth nappies post announcements on sales and promos they are currently having. You can score beautiful one-of-a-kind handmade MCNs this way.
To save costs of shipping, you can get together with friends or other parents in your area to bundle your purchases and share the shipping costs or even get free shipping if your purchases exceed a certain amount.

Go traditional – consider including prefolds or flats in your stash. It’s not that hard to learn how to use them, and they are much easier to clean and care for compared to MCNs. Many online cloth nappy retailers sell prefolds or you can pick up a pack of generic terry flats from Target or Big W for around $20. Don’t forget to get a few nappy covers or just re-use your MCN/pocket nappy shells as covers.

Go DIY – if you know how to sew and are itching for a project, you could try your hand at making your own cloth nappies. Here are some useful resources to get you started:
If all else fails – just hunt-up some old T-shirts and turn them into instant no-sew cloth nappies like this and this.

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my posts on cloth diapers at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?589-5-ways-to-build-up-a-cloth-nappy-stash-on-a-low-budget A thumbs up to the cloth diapering dads http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?288-A-thumbs-up-to-the-cloth-diapering-dads Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:10:40 GMT Recently while I was at a children’s party while I was chatting to some fellow cloth-diapering mums, the subject of their hubbies’ perspective of the whole cloth diapering business came up. I was curious to compare notes and funny anecdotes about the dads’ involvement in using cloth nappies... Recently while I was at a children’s party while I was chatting to some fellow cloth-diapering mums, the subject of their hubbies’ perspective of the whole cloth diapering business came up. I was curious to compare notes and funny anecdotes about the dads’ involvement in using cloth nappies and probe the subject further.

The main question was: were the hubbies as involved or enthusiastic in using cloth nappies as much as they (the mums) were?

The short answer: a resounding ‘NO’

It seems when it comes to cloth nappies, most husbands/fathers just aren’t as ‘turned on’ about cloth as mums. The most common laments I hear from the male perspective include:
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  • They are so complicated to use (lame excuse but most common)
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  • I hate dealing with the poop (don’t want to touch it, see it, smell it or be near it)
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  • It’s extravagant and unnecessary (it’s just more cutesy baby stuff luring mothers to spend more money)
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They might go as far as letting their dear little wife/partner 'splurge' on this baby stuff (yeah, cloth nappies whatever it's called)... but as for changing a nappy... errr, please keep a pack of 'sposies on the shelf, none of this em-see-en-watchamacallit for me, thank you very much.

So I thought to dedicate this post to acknowledge and appreciate my own DH and all other cloth diapering dads for their sincere support and enthusiasm for their wives/partners cloth nappy craze.

So thank you DH for…
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  1. Patiently listening to me wax lyrical on all the benefits of cloth and actually jumping on board with me
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  2. Agreeing to invest some money in building up our stash
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  3. Taking the time to learn about the different types of cloth nappy systems, including how to operate a prefold and snappi
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  4. Actually changing a cloth nappy – even the poopy ones!
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  5. Installing a nappy sprayer in the bathroom just for me
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  6. Commending me for the money we saved with the decision to use cloth
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  7. Letting me splurge on that new fluff I just had to have that one (or two) time(s) simpy because they were too cute to resist
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  8. Spontaneously remarking how cute that latest new fluff looks on our son’s little tushie
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If you have a wonderful cloth diapering hubby or partner you want to acknowledge and appreciate, please feel free to share their awesomeness with us here.

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my posts on cloth diapers at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?288-A-thumbs-up-to-the-cloth-diapering-dads A word on wool http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?274-A-word-on-wool Tue, 06 Mar 2012 01:59:37 GMT If you've dabbled into cloth nappying, chances are you would have taken on, considered or at least come across wool soakers/covers.

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I myself jumped onboard the wool train some time ago and love them for these top three reasons:
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  1. Wool fibre is naturally absorbent but is also able to ‘wick’ or pull away moisture and release it into the air
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  2. The natural lanolin in wool creates a natural waterproof barrier that also neutralises the ammonia in urine
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  3. Wool is is breathable and therefore cooling to use in summer, but also naturally insulating for winter time
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Friends who have seen my son toddling around in a wool cover often eye it dubiously. But despite their 'traditional' appearance, they are wonderfully effective as covers. Even more so due to their in-built moisture-wicking function which is an element that even the best synthetic materials cannot fully emulate.

I think the main reason why the use of wool covers is not widespread is because they require a little bit more care than PUL or even fleece covers. If they get dirty or soiled, you can't simply toss them into the washing machine with the rest of the laundry.

However wool actually doesn't need to be washed as often and can be reused over three weeks or even slightly longer as long as they are sufficiently 'aired' between uses. If they get soiled, a quick handwash is not really that arduous a task.

A few things to note when washing/cleaning wool:
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  • Keep the water temperature nice and lukewarmy - plunging it straight into very cold or very hot water might 'shock' the fibres and result in shrinking
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  • To clean spots and stains, gentle rubbing will do - vigorous scrubbing may cause the wool to 'felt up'
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  • Do not wring the wool fabric but simply squeeze out excess water to maintain the shape your wool cover well
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Wool covers need to be lanolised every now and then to restore the natural waterproof element of the material. Here are a couple of links I referred to for learning about the lanolising process for wool covers:
.To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my posts on cloth diapers at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?274-A-word-on-wool DIY babywearing http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?243-DIY-babywearing Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:46:12 GMT Something about me… I’m a sewing/crafting hobbyist. One of the great things about having a baby is having an excuse to make all sorts of cute baby stuff. I thought to show you guys a couple of my own DIY pieces and share some of the DIY links I’ve used to make these and others. My most... Something about me… I’m a sewing/crafting hobbyist. One of the great things about having a baby is having an excuse to make all sorts of cute baby stuff. I thought to show you guys a couple of my own DIY pieces and share some of the DIY links I’ve used to make these and others.

My most often used babywearing item is a pouch sling I made myself. I love using it because it’s compact, fits neatly into my bag and is easy to slip on quickly on the spot for instant babywearing. Plus I simply adore the choice of fabric and design I custom-made to my own taste.

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A recent addition to my collection is a Korean ‘podaegi’ which I also made myself. The podaegi is one of the latest trends in babywearing. Of course it’s not an entirely new invention as it has been used traditionally in Korea for generations. It takes a little more time to put on compared to pouch slings, but it’s great for longer stretches as it provides good support on the shoulders, back and waist. I love it as it’s a refreshing alternative to the standard soft-structured ergo-type carriers.

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If you’re into DIY and sewing or thinking of dabbling in it for fun, here are a few online tutorials I’ve found useful. There’s also a no-sew one for those of you who don’t have a sewing machine…
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Here is a great resource for many more instructions for other baby carriers, including the Mexican rebozo, Japanese onbuhimo etc: http://www.squidoo.com/baby-wraps

If you'd like to get to know or find out more about me, drop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com
]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?243-DIY-babywearing Safe and Healthy Babywearing http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?228-Safe-and-Healthy-Babywearing Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:21:57 GMT Seems like it’s the season for crunchy parenting to come under the radar. You might have seen the news about the babywearing dad who was stopped by the police (http://www.news.com.au/national/dad-cops-arrows-over-baby-sling/story-e6frfkvr-1226253079867) for wearing his child in ‘backpack’... Seems like it’s the season for crunchy parenting to come under the radar. You might have seen the news about the babywearing dad who was stopped by the police for wearing his child in ‘backpack’ style.

There’s been a big spotlight over safety concerns with baby carriers and slings, especially since the shocking news of the infant who died whilst being carried in a sling.

Since then there’s been ongoing discussions about the safety and even health concerns with babywearing. This article happened to mention the risk of Spondylolisthesis or hip dysplasia with SSC or BabyBjörn type carriers. It sounds pretty scary, doesn’t it?

Hip dysplasia is caused by excessive stress on the lower spine and hips which can interfere with the natural positioning and growth of baby’s hip joints. It can be caused not only by improper design or positioning of baby carriers and slings, but also car seats, walkers, bouncers, jumpers, swings or any moulded seating device etc.

Here is a good article on hip dysplasia which provides clear illustrations on the proper and healthy positioning to avoid the condition. I’ve borrowed a couple of example images taken from the article to give you a glimpse:

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The emphasis is on ensuring the design of the carrier or seat and positioning of the child allows baby's legs to spread out naturally and that they are supported evenly across their thighs (not just on the hip area).

Here are some further tips on babywearing safety – the key is to choose the right equipment, ensure proper positioning, and monitor baby regularly.

Happy and safe babywearing, folks!

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Living on the “wild side” – hubs ‘wearing’ our DS in backpack style

If you'd like to get to know or find out more about me, drop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com
]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?228-Safe-and-Healthy-Babywearing On the breastfeeding photo on Facebook ban http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?219-On-the-breastfeeding-photo-on-Facebook-ban Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:41:43 GMT Recently there has been a lot of debate happening over the Facebook ban on a mum’s photo depicting her breastfeeding her child (http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/milking-it-aussie-mothers-protest-facebook-for-removing-their-breastfeeding-images/story-e6freooo-1226262035543). The case... Recently there has been a lot of debate happening over the Facebook ban on a mum’s photo depicting her breastfeeding her child. The case has been receiving heaps of strong reactions from both sides of the fence.

It’s a complex issue. It is a question of ‘right’ or ‘wrong’? Or is it more an issue of differing perspectives?

Unfortunately Facebook is caught in the middle. How can they make a ‘fair’ decision in a mixed community of members from a myriad of different life experiences, backgrounds, values and preferences? Whatever decision they make, it’s bound to appease some members but outrage others. No matter what the decision, it inevitably puts Facebook in the spotlight on what values they appear to stand for. Even if they don’t care, they somehow are forced to choose a side.

This is actually not the first time something like this has happened. I came across an old Bub Hub forum thread on a similar issue from as far back as 2009. This quest for ‘normalising’ breastfeeding and increasing public awareness on the natural act of breastfeeding has been a long established ongoing pursuit by strong advocates.

It's difficult to say whether it is ‘wrong’ for a mother to post up a photo of her breastfeeding her child… but it evidently makes some people clearly uncomfortable. There are also different thresholds to the level of discomfort: some people are offended even at the mere idea of breastfeeding, some people are ok with blurry images of a mother bending discreetly over a nursing child, while other folks find a photo like this too confronting, even if there might be no controversy intended.

I personally tend more toward the side of discretion, I would say it is more a personality/upbringing factor, not because I am ashamed, embarrassed or anything like that. However some people take things more to heart or have stronger opinions on the matter or wish to take advantage of the situation to push their cause or need to seek validation for what they do.

It might be that the whole backlash and response to the situation is somewhat exaggerated by the media. The opinions of a few do not necessarily reflect the general opinion of the whole breastfeeding community. Still I can see why it must be hurtful for these mothers to receive remarks such as 'disgusting' and 'obscene'. I myself was on the receiving end of a remark labelling my breastfeeding as 'unhygienic'.

When all is said and done, whether we are for or against sharing our breastfeeding photos online, let’s just continue to power on and feed our babies the way nature intended us to.

If you're interested, here is Facebook's latest response to the issue.

(Quick caveat: I hope any comments, debate or discussion that result from this post remains good-natured, open-minded and healthy. Individual beliefs and perceptions can be held very personally, but it's still good to hear and learn from each other. I wish I could make my post as perfect as possible to reflect the full range of what I feel for all sides, but I'm not writing a book here, and words can only go so far. But I hope through some of your feedback and comments, we can continue to build the full picture here)

If you'd like to get to know or find out more about me, drop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?219-On-the-breastfeeding-photo-on-Facebook-ban Thoughts on night nappying http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?216-Thoughts-on-night-nappying Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:46:36 GMT Some time back I shared a conundrum I had with night nappying (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?104-Question-what-cloth-nappy-solution-do-you-use-at-night). I had been experimenting with different options but kept encountering glitches with leaks and unexplainable night-time... Some time back I shared a conundrum I had with night nappying. I had been experimenting with different options but kept encountering glitches with leaks and unexplainable night-time wakings. It was quite discouraging then - I felt bad every time I had to pull out another ‘sposie for the night.

Thanks to all the tips and advice from various Bub Hub members, I took heart and pressed on.

I knew every baby and situation is different, so even though I may not be able to apply every advice exactly as it was given, it inspired me to think out of the box to come out with my own solution.

Since then, I’m pleased to say that we have now been successfully 100% on cloth through the night – glitch free!

I currently circulate between the following combos for the night:
BBH bamboo fitted nappy with BBH PUL cover
Bitti Boo fitted nappy with BBH PUL cover
Peapods pocket nappy with extra bamboo booster trifold

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Here is a summary of the top things I learnt that helped me with my night time nappy system.

Use high performance material to cut down bulk
If your bub is a heavy wetter like mine, use ultra absorbent material like hemp and bamboo to provide maximum absorbency with minimal bulk. Cutting down the bulk is not only more comfortable but helps avoid gapes around leg gussets which could lead to leaks.

Use generously sized covers and shells
Trust me – it’ll make your life easier. No need to worry about keeping things trim and fit at night. The last thing you want is tucking things in and worrying if edges will peek through and wick out moisture. Big covers enclose everything securely around bub’s bum and legs without potential gapes. If you’re using pockets, try and use ones with a wider crotch so you can stuff extra inserts without causing gapes around the gussets.

Keep things comfortable for bub
Apart from using a combo that provides minimal bulk (may not be an issue for some bubs), consider using stay-dry or fleece liners to wick moisture away and keep bub’s bum nice and dry.

Don’t assume someone’s ‘perfect’ system is the one for you
Despite my efforts to push wool covers as the key ingredient for my night time nappy system, DS kept waking up in the middle of the night. On a whim one night I switched to a PUL cover. DS slept through without a peep that night. I figured the bulk of the wool cover was uncomfortable for my little tummy sleeper. I am all for wool covers, and I might try them again down the track. But the thing I learnt was not to ‘force’ a system just because everyone says it’s the best. What’s best for someone else may not be the best for you.

Be prepared to adjust your system along the way
Be it due to changing seasons or to align with baby’s growth and changing body shape, be prepared to review your system from time to time if needed and tweak it if necessary.

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my posts on cloth diapers at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?216-Thoughts-on-night-nappying Babywearing safety http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?212-Babywearing-safety Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:48:16 GMT Many of you might have read the tragic news of the baby boy in Adelaide who died whilst being carried in a baby sling (http://www.news.com.au/national/adelaide-baby-dies-while-carried-in-baby-sling/story-e6frfkvr-1226140461556). The news prompted a barrage of warnings on baby slings and potentially... Many of you might have read the tragic news of the baby boy in Adelaide who died whilst being carried in a baby sling. The news prompted a barrage of warnings on baby slings and potentially criticisms on babywearing.

It's important to note that the sling being used was the Infantino SlingRider which actually had been recalled by the manufacturer since March 2010.

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Example of the Infantino SlingRider which has been recalled in March 2010

Looking at images of the SlingRider, I can see why there are certainly some safety issues with the carrier - babies in the carrier appear curled up with little support for their heads; and design of carrier has a lot of fabric enclosing the baby inside, posing a suffocation risk due to lack of air circulation.

Despite the tragic loss suffered by the Adelaide family, hopefully the exposure on this helps raise more awareness around babywearing safety. This goes particularly more so for infants and young babies being carried in a cradle position and are likely to have poor neck and head control.

Here are some key starting points to take note on the subject:
  • When practising using a carrier/sling with baby for the first few times, stand next to a soft surface such as a couch or bed
  • Ensure baby's head is not curled up and pressed against their chest which will potentially block off their airway
  • Always check that baby's face/nose/mouth are exposed - e.g. not pressed against your body or having fabric covering their face
  • Baby should generally be carried fairly close and snug against you (of course not to the point where neither of you can breath) - otherwise you might run the risk of them tipping or falling out
  • For situations with tiny newborns or deep pouch carriers, place a tiny support pillow or a small rolled up towel behind baby's back at the base of their head to avoid their head tipping forward to press against their chest
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When choosing a sling, do ample research to make sure you are getting a good quality and reliable product. E.g. sling rings should be made with trusted quality rings such as SlingRings. It's a good idea to check this especially if you're buying them from craft markets or WAHM sellers.

If you're planning to make your own slings or baby carriers, ensure you choose the right fabric (e.g. fabric that provides good breath-ability, not too stretchy etc.) and invest in the right materials - e.g. for ring slings, avoid using things like wooden craft rings which can potentially crack under pressure.

For further details on babywearing safety, you can check out the following links:.
If you'd like to get to know or find out more about me, drop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?212-Babywearing-safety Travelling with cloth http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?208-Travelling-with-cloth Sat, 31 Dec 2011 02:27:37 GMT Phew, things have been happening non-stop for the past few weeks. After I finished unpacking, washing and cleaning after we got back from holiday, I barely had time for a breather before it was time to start thinking and planning for Christmas and New Years. So what does 2012 have in store? ... Phew, things have been happening non-stop for the past few weeks. After I finished unpacking, washing and cleaning after we got back from holiday, I barely had time for a breather before it was time to start thinking and planning for Christmas and New Years.

So what does 2012 have in store?

The first half of the year generally flies by pretty quickly as most of the public holidays are scattered around the first few months… which means plenty of family road trips, getaways and holidays to look forward to.

So I thought to kick-start this hiatus with a little round up some key tips on travelling with cloth. The first and foremost, most common question when planning to travel with cloth is: What to pack?

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For our 2-week holiday in Malaysia, I packed 8 muslin flats, 1 army nappy cover and 4 Pea Pods pocket nappies

I certainly found it a challenge deciding what types of nappies to pack. I had many favourites I wanted to include. However when considering things like luggage allowance and laundry, I knew I had to prioritise practicality over style.

Thanks to a suggestion I received on this forum thread, I opted for muslin flats as my primary holiday stash. Here are the key reasons why I recommend them for travelling:
  1. They are lightweight and take up very little room – they squish up very nicely and leave plenty of room to bring along a couple more of the other fashionable favourites
  2. They dry super quick – we found ourselves with no access to a washing machine at our first stopover. So I was doubly grateful that I had flats with me . They dried within half a day and were back into circulation right away… even on rainy days.
  3. They are easy to wash – I didn’t have to worry about having the ‘proper’ detergent or washing them exactly the ‘right’ way. All traces of pee and poo residue rolled right off, even with my dubious hand washings.
  4. They are highly versatile – apart from being used as a nappy, I also folded them up to use as inserts with pocket nappies. They were also handy for wiping messes, mopping spills, as pram cover and lightweight blankie.
Apart from flats, the other two cloth nappy options for travelling I would recommend would be:
  • Prefolds – similar benefits as flats, except with a slightly longer drying time.
  • Pockets – the shells can be re-used as covers by wearing them over a prefold/flat or laying inserts on them (instead of stuffing them). By using them this way, you can also save space circulating more inserts to between a few shells. They are also versatile in the fact that you can use anything as an impromptu insert in emergencies, e.g. flats/prefolds, washcloths or even old T-shirts.
The least practical options for me would be fitteds (take up too much room and take ages to dry) and AI2s (need to bring along the correct matching inserts). Also the cutest and favourite prints are among the AI2s, which would be heartbreaking to lose if anything bad were to happen while we were travelling. AIOs would be a convenient option if not for the fact that you need to bring a lot of them and they take longer to dry.

For further tips, I found this article helpful. You can also check out this forum thread if you want other ideas or would like to share any tips of your own.

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my other cloth nappy posts or stop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com

Happy new year everyone and hope you all have a great start to 2012! :celebrate: ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?208-Travelling-with-cloth Cloth nappy prewashing guide http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?163-Cloth-nappy-prewashing-guide Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:38:17 GMT So I finally sent out the Pea Pods nappy pack from my birthday giveaway. There's also been quite a number of Christmas sales and end-of-year clearances from various cloth nappy suppliers... it's been a challenge holding back on getting more cute fluff.

However I'm thinking that some of you might be welcoming new additions to your fluffy stash. With all that comes plenty of pre-washing as part of the routine with fluffy mail.

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Manufacturers usually recommend multiple washes of cloth nappies before you start using them. The number of pre-washes vary from 3-4 to sometimes 8-10 washes.
Why the need for pre-washing?
  • The first reason is for basic cleaning before use – you’ll want to remove any residue from the manufacturing process before you put that fluff on your bub’s bum
  • The second more important reason is to ‘prep’ the diaper before use – pre-washing removes any natural oils or waxes that might act as a barrier on the fabric, thus preventing it from absorbing moisture effectively

How many times to pre-wash?
Well it depends. I know it sounds cliché but it really does. As a general rule, the more washings the fabric undergoes, the better it is for boosting their absorbency. However if 8-10 pre-washes sounds excessive, you’re probably right.

Here are some general guidelines based on various articles I’ve read and discussions I’ve had to help you decide how many pre-washes you need:
  • Pocket shells, AI2 shells and covers only need to undergo one pre-wash just for general cleaning before use
  • Synthetic materials normally don’t really benefit much from multiple pre-washes, so microfiber inserts can be washed just once or twice before using
  • Natural materials like cotton, bamboo and hemp would require several washes to prep their absorbency. Hot water is recommended (but not always necessary)
  • Most manufacturers cite a quantity of 5-8 pre-washes but I personally reckon you can get away with 3-4 to start with and catch up on subsequent laundry loads
  • If you are thinking of doing slightly less numbers of pre-washes, just be a little more mindful of potential leaks when bub is wearing the nappy… subsequent laundry loads will eventually bring the nappies up to speed with their washes
  • Prefolds may require following through the recommended pre-washes to fluff and quilt them up and remove all the natural oils and waxy film
  • Drying between washes may not be necessary, so you can transfer the washed nappies straight into the next load if you happen to be doing another batch of laundry
  • With prefolds it’s normally recommended to dry them between washes to ‘quilt’ up the fabric and shrink them to their appropriate size

Is there a special way to do a pre-wash?
There is no particular ‘right’ way to do a pre-wash. I’ve heard many variations of the pre-wash routine, but the general ideal is all about cleaning and rinsing the nappies out. Here are some suggested ways you can do it:
  • Wash them with a standard load of baby clothes or your own clothes
  • Run one full load of all your new fluff, then remove the shells and covers to dry and run another wash with just the inserts/boosters/prefolds – toss in a few baby clothes if you have any to top up the load
  • Wash them with a load of your existing cloth nappies after running a pre-rinse cycle to rinse all the poo/pee residue off (or just toss everything together from the start, everything is going to get washed clean at the end anyway)
  • Divide the nappies into batches and wash them with your regular laundry loads throughout the week

Are there any special detergents or chemicals to use?
The general rule is: less is more
  • You probably only need to use about half of the amount of detergent you would normally use with the load you’re washing
  • Cloth nappy manufacturers will normally recommend no bleach, fragrance, fabric softener or enzymes to be added to the wash. All that stuff generally does more damage than good to your nappies
  • If you have hard water, you might need to top up the detergent a little more and possibly run an extra rinse – there are also special agents you can get to soften the water to optimise the wash
To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my other cloth nappy posts or stop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com

P.S. Remember to check back for my fluffy love giveaway. Look forward to sharing the details with you soon. ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?163-Cloth-nappy-prewashing-guide And my birthday giveaway pressie goes to... http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?201-And-my-birthday-giveaway-pressie-goes-to Fri, 25 Nov 2011 02:24:13 GMT As promised, I've finally sorted through your comments in my birthday givewaway and put them through the random number generator on random.org... and the winner is Arielle3 from NSW! Congratulations, Arielle. I'll be in touch with you shortly to organise getting the Pea Pods pack across to you.

Reading through all the comments, I'm really glad to hear that a number of you have decided to use cloth nappies. And it's encouraging to hear that some of the information I shared helped in some way. I hope to get more opportunities to share a bit of fluffy love you guys in the future.

Anyway, I'll finish off this post with a quick snapshot of me and my birthday cake (shared with my little one).

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Have a great weekend everyone!
]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?201-And-my-birthday-giveaway-pressie-goes-to The Crunchy Mum back from hols http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?195-The-Crunchy-Mum-back-from-hols Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:32:46 GMT Hi guys. This is just a short post to let you guys know I'm back and that I'll be picking a winner from the list of comments on my birthday giveaway soon. I'll ping the winner and post it up on my blog this week. Stay tuned!

Once I finish sorting through my luggage, unpack, get through the laundry and all, I'll also share my adventures on travelling with cloth.

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my other cloth nappy posts or stop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?195-The-Crunchy-Mum-back-from-hols The Crunchy Mum on vacation http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?188-The-Crunchy-Mum-on-vacation Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:45:01 GMT Hi all! Sorry for the little hiatus on my blog, I'm actually now well into my vacation enjoying the warm balmy weather in Malaysia. Thanks for all the comments and birthday wishes thus far on the giveaway post... they were a pleasure to read during all the waiting and transit times.

My bubby's first overseas vacation is turning out much better than expected thanks to all the great advice, tips and suggestions on using cloth while travelling and breastfeeding baby on the plane. The plane trip was completely drama free... bubby was so comfortable as I nursed him at takeoff that he dozed off for a good hour and woke up feeling fresh and perky...

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Travelling with cloth was a little bit more of an adventure during the first week of our holiday. The first place we stayed at turned out not to have a working washing machine (it's a long story which I'll save for next time). I've had to wash all the nappies by hand - I'm so glad I decided to bring flats along. We also had a pack of disposables handy which helped t ease the situation as well.

We're now at our second stopover which now not only has a washing machine but someone to do all our laundry for us as well. So now I'm totally into vacation mode. I'll share more of our adventures on using cloth on the road once I'm back.

In the meantime, don't forget that my birthday giveaway for the Pea Pods pocket nappy set is still open. If you haven't left a comment yet. you still have another week till 21st November. ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?188-The-Crunchy-Mum-on-vacation <![CDATA[The Crunchy Mum's Birthday Giveaway]]> http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?180-The-Crunchy-Mum-s-Birthday-Giveaway Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:25:15 GMT So we’re now into the month of November. A glorious month I must say… we’re well into the sunny weather by now and also starting to get that first whiff of the Christmas season. It also happens to be my birthday month! :celebrate: Another glorious reason to celebrate November, teehee! ^_^ ... So we’re now into the month of November. A glorious month I must say… we’re well into the sunny weather by now and also starting to get that first whiff of the Christmas season.
It also happens to be my birthday month! :celebrate: Another glorious reason to celebrate November, teehee! ^_^

As part of my birthday festivities, I decided to mix things up a bit and instead of just receiving pressies, I want to GIVE a present to someone as well.

So here it is folks…

My present to you: A Pea Pods Pocket Nappy Set

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The set comprises of a pocket nappy, a bamboo trifold insert, and a mini wet bag.

The pocket nappy features a PUL outer, stay-dry lining on the inside, and a double row of snaps. It’s a size medium designed for babies from 6 months up to 3 years old or 8-16 kg.

The trifold insert goes inside the pocket nappy or can also be used in a number of alternative ways besides just as a basic insert.

The wet bag is a PUL-lined drawstring bag perfectly sized to hold one nappy, or a couple of inserts, or several cloth wipes, or I’m sure you can think of other ways it might come in handy as well.

OK, so now it’s just a matter of putting your hand up to say you’d like to have it. I’m keeping it simple…

Leave a comment on this post.

That’s it! :yes:

Even if it's just a short "pick me!" that's fine. Just keep it nice of course.

No need for following or subscribing to anything because as I said, I just want to share the fluffy love with you guys.

Each person is entitled to one entry. So multiple comments from one person will still be considered as one entry. The winning comment will be picked randomly by me.

This giveaway is open to anyone in Australia. However if you are living overseas, you CAN still enter provided you designate a local Australian address to send it to – perhaps as a gift to someone living here.

Deadline for entry comments will be by noon 21 November 2011 (WST)

This is a personal giveaway and is not in any way commercially affiliated with Pea Pods or any other related parties or organisations. It is simply just me and myself wanting to share some fluffy love. No strings attached.

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my other cloth nappy posts or stop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?180-The-Crunchy-Mum-s-Birthday-Giveaway Sharing my new fluff http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?178-Sharing-my-new-fluff Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:38:17 GMT This is just a quick post to share some new fluff I acquired and received recently. The first lot (http://livingserenely.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-fluff.html) was from a cloth nappy party (http://livingserenely.blogspot.com/2011/10/cloth-nappy-party.html) I recently hosted. I had a few curious... This is just a quick post to share some new fluff I acquired and received recently.

The first lot was from a cloth nappy party I recently hosted. I had a few curious friends over to my place and invited a local cloth nappy stockist to give a little a demo of cloth nappies and give them the lowdown on what cloth was all about. We all had a great time just chatting, eating and ooh-ing over all the cute fluff on display.

I bought a few nappies (just couldn’t resist the cute prints) and scored a couple of little freebies as well.

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The second lot of fluff I scored was through the recent 31 Days of October series when I happened to be the lucky winner of a Pea Pods Starter Pack. I was so elated when I found out! I don’t remember every winning a prize or giveaway before.

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I really feel so sooo privileged to be able to receive the prize pack, so I’m planning a little giveaway of my own to share the fluffy love with you all. Stay tuned!

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my other cloth nappy posts or stop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?178-Sharing-my-new-fluff Deciding to travel with cloth http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?176-Deciding-to-travel-with-cloth Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:40:11 GMT So we have an upcoming holiday planned to visit family overseas.

As I'm planning, getting ready and packing for the trip, the inevitable question comes to mind: Should I travel with cloth?

I haven’t verbalised this thought to my hubby yet. But I can already anticipate his reaction: “There’s no need to, hon… we can just get a box of disposables for the trip, so don’t worry about it”.

My inclination to bring cloth on holiday is not about penny pinching or stretching our dollar (although that’s still a good reason). It won’t cost much just to buy that box of disposables. Certainly doing an extra load of laundry while on holiday is not the most exciting thing on the itinerary.

For me personally, it’s all about the challenge.

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After reading various stories and anecdotes of other families using cloth on their babies while travelling, I just feel like diving in and trying out the experience just for the thrill of it.

I can already picture the raised eyebrows on family members’ faces, probably thinking we’re crazy or shaking their heads of how stingy we must be.

Nevertheless I think I still want to do it. This would be almost sort of an ultimate test of the cloth to how ‘doable’ it really is.

On top of everything, this will be our first overseas trip with our baby (now 10 months old)… so pretty much everything will be a challenge – the flight, the sleeping arrangements, the naptime routines… the list goes on.

I would welcome any tips and suggestions on travelling with cloth and/or travelling with baby in general.

So far the articles I’ve been reading cite prefolds as the best bet for the cloth travel stash… but at the same time there are a few fluffy mcns I just can’t bear to part with. Any thoughts?

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my other cloth nappy posts or stop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?176-Deciding-to-travel-with-cloth What type of wipes user are you? http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?165-What-type-of-wipes-user-are-you Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:02:13 GMT So what type of wipes user are you? * *A: The Hunter/Scavenger* – you try to maximise the use of each and every wipe, meticulously folding it over and hunting for unsoiled spots to carry on your cleaning business. * *B: The Swiper* – you just swipe through one wipe after another, sometimes... So what type of wipes user are you?
  • A: The Hunter/Scavenger – you try to maximise the use of each and every wipe, meticulously folding it over and hunting for unsoiled spots to carry on your cleaning business.
  • B: The Swiper – you just swipe through one wipe after another, sometimes yanking out two or three at time… it doesn’t matter how many you use, you just want to get that mess cleaned up ASAP!
I admit I’m a bit of a Type A – I use every wipe to the max! Nevertheless, hunting all over for clean spots on each wipe is generally not my style. On the other hand, I always wince whenever I find myself pulling out wipe after wipe when having to deal with a HUGE pooey mess.

As I explored the world of cloth, I came across another ground-breaking idea (at least ground-breaking to me) – cloth wipes! Why didn’t I think of that before? It made so much sense. I was going to be washing a load of nappies every few days anyway, so might as well throw in reusable wipes as well.

I happily trawled through dozens of cloth wipe accessories on various cloth nappy websites and was tempted several times to purchase a pack of some lovely luxurious looking velour wipes. However due to budgetary constraints imposed by the hubby at that time, I had to put them on hold.

I then had a light-bulb moment, why couldn’t we just use ordinary washcloths? They served essentially the same purpose: wiping and cleaning up messes. I had a whole stash of old towels and washcloths we barely used – why not repurpose them into cloth wipes?

So armed with a pair of scissors and sewing machine, I cut the towels up into appropriately sized squares and zig-zag stitched around the edges – and voila! DIY cloth wipes!

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For the wipes solution, I found many variations and “recipes” for making your own solution. But the common factor across all of them were essentially a mixture of water and baby wash, with a few drops of essential oil as an optional extra.

My own wipes solution ratio was 1 cup water to 1 teaspoon baby wash and 2-3 drops of tea tree oil. All shaken together in a spray bottle I got for two dollars from Red Dot. Our cloth wipes system was now all locked, loaded and ready to go.

So now I feel at liberty to use as many wipes as I need for any messy clean ups. Just spritz, wipe and toss into the laundry pail. And I never have to worry about running out of wipes ever

If you’d like to make your own cloth wipes, apart from using terry cloth or towels, you can also use flannel, old cotton T-shirts/jersey material, or cotton/bamboo velour. Alternatively, you can also just use ordinary baby washcloths which are potentially cheaper alternatives to specialised cloth wipes.

Here are some links I found useful for making your own cloth wipes:
Tutorial for making a simple single-layer cloth wipes
Tutorial for making double-sided cloth wipes
Various “recipes” for making your own cloth wipe solution

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my other cloth nappy posts or stop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com
 ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?165-What-type-of-wipes-user-are-you Guest Post: Newborn cloth nappies (Part 2) http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?154-Guest-Post-Newborn-cloth-nappies-(Part-2) Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:45:52 GMT Hi everyone! Hope your week is going well. We're continuing on the series on newborn cloth nappies, Part 2 delves deeper into the different cloth nappy options for newborns.

Rebecca of Bean Sprout Bubba has written a very comprehensive guide, detailing the pros and cons of each system. I hope you guys find this a useful reference when comparing on the options to go for if you're considering using cloth on your newborn.

Newborn Cloth Nappy Options
In writing this section, I assume you already know what these nappy options mean (you can refer to this post on the different types of cloth nappy systems).

I'll start from the most basic nappy system and work my way through the more modern systems.

Flats/prefolds + cover
Terry/flannelette/muslin flats or prefolds (cotton or bamboo) and PUL nappy covers are an economical cloth nappy option for newborns. These can double as nappy absorbers when baby fits into bigger nappies. A variation of flats are contours, which are shaped like a fitted nappy but have no elastic.

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Bamboo trifold folded over back (to shorten rise and to form poo-gusset) and laid in nappy cover
  • Pros:
    • Economical
    • Quick drying
    • Easy to use, wash and care for
    • Can be reused as nappy absorbers (boosters) when bub outgrows them
  • Cons:
    • Some parents do not like the idea of a two piece system, but the actual implementation is very easy on a relatively immobile newborn
    • Flats may require some knowledge of nappy folds.
    • Need to learn a fastening system (pins or snappi)
    • best used with PUL covers (as polar fleece or wool covers may wick or get poo on them)
  • How many:
    • Aim for 24-36 flats or infant/small prefolds, and about 4-6 nappy covers
  • TIP: Use newborn-sized covers with prefolds, flanny flats and mussie flats for better fit; and use small-sized covers with terry flats to go over the bulk
Fitted + cover
These are the next step up from flats and prefolds are fitted nappies. Newborn fitted nappies are teeny tiny, generally have fewer layers than standard fitted nappies, and are cut to fit the tiny contours of a newborn. They are elasticated at the waist and legs, and when coupled with a nappy cover, provide the best protection against poo leaks.

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Very Baby Newborn nappies by ecobumba laid in nappy cover ready for use
  • Pros:
    • More absorbent than flats/prefold nappies. These are great for the minority of newborns that sleep through the night or who wet heavily
    • No folding required
    • Elasticated: fits baby better and prevents poo blowouts, especially when coupled with a nappy cover for double elastic defence against leaks
    • Can be used with PUL, polar fleece or wool covers.
    • The cuteness factor!
  • Cons:
    • ​Can be expensive if buying a newborn-sized fitted stash for one child (though some fitteds are one-size from birth to toilet training)
    • Does not dry as quickly as flat nappies due to the elastics
    • Some parents do not like the idea of a two piece system, but the actual implementation is very easy on a relatively immobile newborn
  • How many:
    • ​Aim for 24-36 fitted nappies, and about 4-6 nappy covers
    • You can also mix in some flats/prefolds to save money on your stash
  • TIP: Use newborn-sized covers with newborn sized fitted nappies for better fit; and use small-sized covers with one-size fitted nappies to go over the bulk
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Bubba J hemp/bamboo mini fitted nappy and cuddlefleece nappy cover

Pocket nappies
Pocket nappies can be used during the newborn stage, though they aren't the most ideal nappy for most newborns. Newborn sized pocket nappies (if available) are typically too narrow in the crotch to allow adult hands to stuff them properly, while some one-size fits most (OSFM) pocket nappies only fit newborns once they hit about 3.5-4kg minimum, when they grow a bit more chub on their thighs (around two to three weeks old or more). Note that a few bigger newborns will fit some smaller OSFM pocket nappies from birth.
  • Pros:
    • Convenient to use and wash (but will require pre-assembly/stuffing)
    • Can be used as nappy covers over a newborn prefold or fitted nappy
    • Plenty of cute designs and prints to choose from
  • Cons:
    • ​​Need many pocket nappies to make it worthwhile as they are each used once, before needing to be washed
    • May not fit the absolute newborn stage (but will fit later)
    • OSFM pocket nappies may seem bulky on newborns
  • How many:
    • ​For full time use it’s recommended to have 24-36 set
    • Quantity can be reduced to 12-18 full sets plus 12-18 extra inserts to help reduce cost
  • TIP: Try using small-sized pocket nappies as nappy covers initially (as long as leg fit is good), until bub's thigh circumference is big enough for them to be used as pocket nappies. This will help save money on extra pocket nappies as well.
AIO/AI2
The premium choice! AIOs go on like a disposable, and there is no folding, no separate cover and no assembling nappies after drying. AI2s are the same as AIOs, except the absorbent material snaps out to be dried separately from the shell.
  • Pros:
    • Easy to use: very daddy and carer friendly which allow easy transition to AIOs from disposables
    • No folding or assembly required (AI2s will require some assembly)
    • Elasticated: fits baby better; if gusseted at the legs it can also prevent poo blowouts
    • They are seriously cute!
  • Cons:
    • ​Most expensive option as all the absorbency and waterproofing is all in one nappy (though with AI2s you could get extra snap in inserts to use with fewer shells)
    • AIO may take longer time to dry compared to other nappy types.
    • May not be able to add extra absorbency if required as the newborn nappies are so small
  • How many:
    • ​For full time use it’s recommended to have 24-36 AIOs/AI2.
    • AI2s can be reduced to 12-18 full sets plus 12-18 extra inserts to help reduce cost
  • TIP: Look for AIO/AI2s with leg gussets which can help reduce poo blow-outs and leakage around the thighs
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Top: Bummis XS Superbrite cover over Very Baby fitted nappy
Bottom: Baby Beehinds Small Petite All-in-II

So why choose to use cloth on newborns?
Personally I feel cloth is better able to contain leaks in newborns than any disposable nappy, which tends to cause leaks onto clothing and bedding thus creating more laundry anyway.

Babies go through an insane number nappies, particularly during the newborn period. So it’s a no brainer that there are tremendous cost savings to be had from using cloth right from the start.

Some mums may choose to use disposable nappies during the newborn stage, then switch to cloth when bub is 2-3 months old or when bub hits 4.5-5kg. That is also fine.

Final word
If after all these tips, it's too difficult getting into the laundry routine, or battling with post-natal health issues, or not getting the hang of motherhood through the fog of sleep deprivation:
  1. Give yourself a few days to a couple of weeks to work out a good laundry system/routine. Some mums need more time to rest and recuperate, to set new routine and new lifestyle habits.
  2. It is a good idea to have a pack of disposables handy during the early days in case you need to use them. For example being involved in a medical emergency, having unexpected twins, or some other valid reason to rest up. Don’t feel the need to ditch the disposables or feel guilty about using them through the sleepless intense newborn days. Your health is important. Just remember to go back to cloth once the initial newborn period is over, and baby has used up or outgrown his newborn disposable nappies!
I hope these tips help mums to choose the most suitable newborn nappy for your baby.

You can check out Part 1 of the newborn cloth nappies series here.

If you want to get in touch with Rebecca, you can drop by her website and blog at www.beansproutbubba.com

 To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my other cloth nappy posts or stop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?154-Guest-Post-Newborn-cloth-nappies-(Part-2) Guest Post: Newborn cloth nappies (Part 1) http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?135-Guest-Post-Newborn-cloth-nappies-(Part-1) Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:21:29 GMT Lately there’s been a wave of new baby and pregnancy announcements among the people I know. With that I’ve been receiving a surge of questions and curious comments about why I decided to use cloth (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?32-How-I-started-using-cloth-nappies) and... Lately there’s been a wave of new baby and pregnancy announcements among the people I know. With that I’ve been receiving a surge of questions and curious comments about why I decided to use cloth and what’s so great about cloth. The best thing it all leads to is when I’m asked “so how do I get started?”

So for my next series of posts, I plan to focus on some pointers on where to begin with when choosing to go cloth, what to consider when building your stash, how to decide what cloth nappy system suits your situation best.

What better place to start than right at the beginning: newborn cloth nappying. For this topic I decided to get in a real expert – Rebecca is an avid cloth nappy user who started using cloth right from the newborn stage with her first bub and still going strong with her third, even venturing into her own business making and selling her own brand of MCNs.

She’s kindly agreed to write up a guest post with a detailed guide on newborn cloth nappies which I hope you guys, especially the newbies, will find really helpful…

It's October, the busiest time of the year for maternity wards and independent midwives throughout Australia. I myself have 2 October babies whose birthdays are coming up very soon!

Cloth nappying a newborn is slightly different to regular cloth nappying, but it is easy if you know what to do and how to troubleshoot common issues in newborn nappies.

Typical newborn characteristics
  • Typically, a newborn has a little bottom, a tiny rise and skinny legs that fill out after a month or so. Some newborns are born well-endowed with full thighs and munchable cheeks but they are exceptions to the norm
  • A typical newborn feeds every 1.5-3 hours, and is generally changed during or after each feed.
  • Newborns tend not to sleep through the night.
  • There are generally two patterns in newborn pooing – ones that poo 5 times or more per day on one end of the scale, to ones that poo every 10 days on the other extreme.
  • Serial pooers just need more frequent nappy changes, while once-in-10-days pooers need some serious poo containment in the form of well-fitting covers, or risk a poonami, or poosplosion!
Key considerations for newborn cloth nappies
  • Need to use a nappy that is small enough to fit around legs and waist:
    • Newborn size is usually best for smaller babies and for just-newborns under 3.5kg.
    • Small sizes may be too big around the thighs and may be too long for most newborns until about 2-3 months old.
    • Big newborns from about 4kg onwards may fit small size earlier or from birth.
  • Absorbent enough for the small newborn output every 2-3 hours:
    • At least 2-3 layers of microfiber or bamboo is good for the absolute newborn stage, up to 7-8 layers of absorbency for bigger and older newborns.
    • Thinner layers also mean shorter drying time, so crucial when changing nappies almost constantly.
  • Containing soft liquidy poo leakage is priority:
    • Nappies need to fit nice and snug around the legs and especially around the waist to prevent poo escaping up the back.
    • Additional gussets around the legs are great to prevent poo leaks.
    • Newborn sized nappy covers are fantastic over fitted nappies (two lines of elastic defence against any poo leak) or prefold nappies.
    • Use newborn sized nappy covers with gussets over prefold nappies.
    • If using old school terry flats, use small nappy covers instead of newborn size to go over the bulk of the flats.
  • Quick to dry, economical and easy to use, as newborns go through so many changes a day:
    • Cotton is by far the quickest drying of all the nappy materials, followed closely by microfiber.
    • If you use bamboo prefolds (a bit pricier than cotton), you can reuse newborn prefolds as absorbent inserts in pocket nappies, or add them as boosters to your baby’s future nappy stash.
Examples of various MCNs fit on newborns
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Top row left: Baby Beehinds Small Petite All-In-II on 3-week-old
Top row right: Bitti Tutto on 7-week-old
Middle row left: Bummis Small Superbrite Cover over a Baby Beehinds fitted nappy
Middle row right: EcoBumba one-size pocket nappy on 2-week-old
Bottom row left: Bubblebubs XS AIO on 2-week-old
Bottom row right: Bubba J Small pocket nappy on 2-week-old
(Images kindly provided by Bean Sprout Bubba)

How many nappies do I need
  • In summer I would recommend a minimum of 20-24 nappies, more if nappies contain bamboo to allow for longer drying time. For a comfortable newborn stash, aim to have between 26-36 nappies.
  • Factor in 10-12 changes per day, due to frequency of poos, and checking wet nappies for hydration. For me I changed nappies after every feed, or in between sides if breast feeding.
  • If this sounds like a lot of nappies upfront for a very short time, consider using prefolds and covers. A newborn only needs 2 newborn or small nappy covers minimum per day, so 4-6 nappy covers minimum in total to use with 24-36 prefolds is more economical.
  • Once your newborn outgrows the prefolds, they can be reused to stuff pocket nappies or boost absorbency of your child's nappies.
How do I wash newborn nappies
In exactly the same way as regular modern cloth nappies:
  1. Drypail, no need to rinse off newborn poo unless you want to
  2. Cold machine rinse followed by a warm 40-60 C wash.
  3. Line dry in the sunshine to remove stains
In Part 2, we'll get into the different newborn nappy options and the pros and cons of each one. If you want to get in touch with Rebecca, you can drop by her website and blog at www.beansproutbubba.com

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my other cloth nappy posts or stop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?135-Guest-Post-Newborn-cloth-nappies-(Part-1) Declining sales in disposable nappies - why? http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?136-Declining-sales-in-disposable-nappies-why Sun, 09 Oct 2011 12:43:02 GMT How did your weekend go? Was it too quick for you as it was for me?

Anyway, as I'm winding down for the night in preparation for the start of a new week, I'd like to share this blog post by PhD In Parenting commenting on a Wall Street Journal news article about the decline in disposable diaper sales.

It's a US based perspective but raises some controversial and interesting issues. Here's an excerpt from the news article and the blog post...

From the Wall Street Journal article:
...The volume of diapers sold in the U.S. slipped 1% in the four weeks ended Sept. 4 from a year earlier, extending a string of similar or steeper declines stretching back to August 2010, according to Consumer Edge Research, whose retail-sales tracking doesn't include Costco Wholesale Corp. or Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Dollar sales fell nearly 3%, indicating parents are both cutting back and trading down to cheaper private labels...

...Meantime, sales of diaper-rash ointment have increased 8% over the past year, according to market-research firm SymphonyIRI. Analysts and pediatricians say the higher sales likely reflect either less frequent changes or a shift to lower quality diapers.

From the PhD In Parenting blog post:
...So, what are the possible reasons for a decrease in sales of disposable diapers?
Parents Cannot Afford to Buy Diapers: Certainly, as WSJ suggested, one reason for the decline in sales of disposable diapers could be that people cannot afford them. Unfortunately, low income parents do not appear to be able to access diapers through programs like WIC in the United States in the same way that they can access food. Some families have apparently been trying to re-use disposable diapers and there has been an increase in cases of diaper rash in low income areas

I found it shocking that some parents would consider cutting back on the frequency of nappy changes, even with the rising costs of baby supplies and all. But I can imagine how desperate situations might drive some parents to resort to such practices. However with recent surge of media exposure to cloth nappies in Australia, hopefully this will increase people's awareness of cloth nappy options to relieve the cost burden of purchasing nappies, even at least on a part time basis.

Have a good week ahead everyone!

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my other cloth nappy posts or stop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?136-Declining-sales-in-disposable-nappies-why Some tips for nursing in public http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?121-Some-tips-for-nursing-in-public Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:54:13 GMT I'm sure everyone is excited about a whole month of prizes up for grabs in the 31 Days of October series. I was drooling over all the gorgeous dresses in the Melke breastfeeding dress giveaway hoping I could win one.

Every breastfeeding mum would love to have a whole wardrobe of beautiful designer breastfeeding dresses and tops to wear every day. However even if you don't have a full collection of specialised nursing wear, you can still customise existing staples in your wardrobe to breastfeed discreetly in public.

Here are some tips to get you started:
.
  1. Layering Version 1 - Slip a tube top or low-cut tank top underneath another top to create your own nursing outfit. When it's time to nurse bub, just pull up the outer top and pull down the tube or tank top. No one else will be the wiser!
    .
  2. Layering Version 2 - With a tube top or tank top worn underneath a cardi, jacket or wrap top, all you need to do is to pull up the inner tube/tank and adjust the outer cardi/jacket/wrap to cover the sides and tum area.
    .
  3. Invest in a good nursing bra - These are definitely almost essential items for most nursing mums to enable them to have quick and easy one-snap access to the breast. They don't have to be the most expensive, but they should feel comfortable and be simple to unclasp. Alternatively you can wear a strapless bra - but of course they may not provide the best support for everyone. If you're into DIY, you can also consider converting your existing bras into nursing bras with some basic sewing skills.
    .
  4. Nurse baby in your sling - This may take a bit of practice for some but can be easily mastered. And whilst baby is nursing contently there, most people don't even know what's happening and normally assume you're just carrying a sleeping baby or don't even realise there's actually a baby in there.
    .
  5. Nursing covers - This probably wouldn't strictly be classified as a discreet nursing method. But many mums feel more at ease having something that ensures everything is fully covered up while they try to get baby to latch on properly and get into a comfortable nursing position - especially if they are nursing a very young baby who's still learning the ropes. I myself find using a nursing cover to be helpful and found that a lot of people are actually pretty clueless as to what it is - many people thought it was just part of my outfit or assumed I was just covering a sleeping baby.
    .
  6. Confidence and respect - Yes, wear your confidence proudly! If anyone glances across at you, just give them a smile. It's the best way to start establishing a sense of natural-ness about the whole act of breastfeeding as long as you maintain a respectful and courteous attitude about you. When you're cool and confident, people learn that there's really no big deal and may even admire what you're doing.
.
If you'd like to get to know or find out more about me, drop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com
]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?121-Some-tips-for-nursing-in-public Going out with cloth http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?112-Going-out-with-cloth Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:08:55 GMT Thanks for all the input and suggestions on night nappy systems (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?426210-Best-night-nappy-system). I’ve been experimenting with some of the ideas to come up with my own tried and tested method. Keep the tips coming! I’ve just come out... Thanks for all the input and suggestions on night nappy systems. I’ve been experimenting with some of the ideas to come up with my own tried and tested method. Keep the tips coming!

I’ve just come out of a busy weekend packed with outings and get-togethers with friends. It’s always great to get out of the house and be out and about, especially with the warmer, sunnier weather we’ve been enjoying these days.

I always view outings as an opportune time to show off my cute fluff on bub. Here’s a snapshot of some of my current favourites in the stash…

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I love the bright colours and cute prints and always enjoy pairing one of these with Nathan’s outfit for the day’s itinerary.

However perhaps some cloth diapering newbies may find the idea of lugging cloth in the nappy bag a little daunting and prefer to keep the cloth nappy routine for the home and switch to disposables when going out for the ‘convenience’.

It’s true that taking cloth outside the home may take a little bit more thought and preparation, but like everything else with cloth will soon become second nature. Plus those cute fluffies are just begging to be shown off, so if you’ve hesitated before, why not try it out for one short outing and see how it goes. You’ll probably be surprised at how easy it actually is.

I thought I’d share what I prepare when heading out of the house armed with cloth.

When deciding what nappies to take with me, I always pick the most easy-to-use MCNs for obvious reasons. At home I can fiddle around with snappis and folds, but on the go I like to keep things quick and simple.

So into the nappy bag, I’ll throw in…

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A couple of the fluffy favs – pictured above are a bitti d’lish snap-in-one and a WAHM made ecobumba ooga booga print pocket nappy (already pre-stuffed).

I also like to pack at least one or two (or a couple more depending on how long we’re out) Snazzipants All-In-Ones because they are so compact and take up very little room in the bag. I also find it helpful to have at least one or two nappies with applix attachments for moments when I happen to be in a tight spot or really need to make a super duper quick nappy change on the go.

Another very important item I include is a wet bag. I guess the main difference between using cloth (as opposed to ‘sposies) when out and about is that you simply need to have a place to keep the soiled nappies in. A good wet bag is great for containing any messes and smells in effectively until I get home. Then all I need to do is to unzip the bag, tip the soiled nappies into the nappy pail along with the wet bag, all ready to be washed come laundry time.

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For the clean ups, I bring along a pack of ‘sposie wipes (I’m not quite 100% there with cloth wipes yet), but I do include a couple of washcloths/cloth wipes which I would use if I’m in a place with access to a fully decked out parents’ room where every change station has an adjacent sink - I'd quickly run the cloth wipe under the tap and use it to freshen bub’s bum. Even if I don’t use these as ‘wipes’ per say, they are still handy items for cleaning up miscellaneous messes and spills.

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With all that, I still have plenty of room left for a spare T-shirt, shorts, food and snacks, sippy cup, camera, wallet, phone, nursing cover, baby sling and various other small essentials for myself.

If you're curious to have a peek into the whole suite of items I stuff into my bag, you can check out my what's in your diaper bag post at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?112-Going-out-with-cloth Question: what cloth nappy solution do you use at night? http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?104-Question-what-cloth-nappy-solution-do-you-use-at-night Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:04:54 GMT So far my posts have been functioning as an informative guide on cloth nappies and other related crunchy topics. I do enjoy sharing my experiences and hearing your feedback very much.

However this time I'm actually turning the tables to get some advice and tips from you!

You see I started taking my hardcore cloth diapering to the ultimate level by taking it all the way to the night time department. It's been a couple of months now since I ventured into the night time area and overall it's been great to be able to turn up my full time cloth nappy use close to the exclusive level. However I've been encountering a few glitches here and there... occasional leaks as well as some random midnight wakings which I'm not always sure what I can attribute to.

So far I've tried two types of cloth nappies for night time:

1. JamTots Berry Plush hemp snap-in-one with an extra microfiber booster insert - it's a pretty good nappy but its not my favourite as it ends up rather bulky and looks rather uncomfortable, which is why I worry is the reason why he sometimes wakes up but can never be sure as occasionally he also wakes up at night while using a 'sposie

2. BBH bamboo fitted with a wool cover - loved this one, but don't have enough super absorbent fitteds like this one to circulate till laundry day :(

I've also considered using a premium prefold boosted with a newborn prefold inserted inside as depicted here but not sure how it will hold up for a heavy wetter. Also thought of stuffing pockets with extra inserts, but concerned about the bulk and comfort for bub.

I would really LOVE to get any sort of advice and suggestions on this, so if you have any experience with night time diapering, please leave a comment on this post or you can also reply to the forum thread I've started on this topic.

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my posts on cloth diapers at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?104-Question-what-cloth-nappy-solution-do-you-use-at-night Baby Beehinds Bamboo Fitted Nappy Review http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?99-Baby-Beehinds-Bamboo-Fitted-Nappy-Review Tue, 20 Sep 2011 05:30:53 GMT Been having a busy period but I finally managed to sit down and finish the review on the other nappy in my Baby Beehinds sample pack (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?77-First-things-to-do-when-you-get-fluffy-mail). As explained in my 101 post on the basic cloth nappy systems... Been having a busy period but I finally managed to sit down and finish the review on the other nappy in my Baby Beehinds sample pack.

As explained in my 101 post on the basic cloth nappy systems, a fitted nappy is made of absorbent material sewn together into a shape to mould around baby’s bum.

So let’s get into the review of the Baby Beehinds Bamboo Fitted Nappy

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Design and appearance: 4 out of 5 stars
  • As I removed the nappy from the packaging, the first thing that impressed me about this nappy was how soft the material felt with almost a velvety-like texture
  • At first I thought that this was simply due to the fact that it was brand new straight from the manufacturer – but after going through a number of washes over the past couple of weeks, the material continued to retain it’s soft velvety texture
  • The ruffles on the leg gussets were a nice touch.
Trimness and fit: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • After prewashing, I tried on the nappy on my little model to see how it looked.
  • The nappy is a OSFM (One Size Fits Most) design with the ability to adjust the nappy to different snap settings.
  • I was able to get a secure fit around my bub’s waist and legs. There is a little bit of bulk but nothing unmanageable.
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Absorbency and performance: 5 out of 5 stars
  • The nappy comes with two snap-in inserts – one small one and another extra-long one. Combined together, the whole nappy provides really amazing absorbency.
  • I tested it out at naptime and found it held up with hardly any wetness penetrating through for two hours. I also tried it on DS for an extended period out and about for four hours – the only reason I had to change it was when DS did a poo.
  • From the way it performed with hardly any wetness coming through for almost a whole afternoon, I decided to put through an overnight test. I paired it with a wool cover and put bub down for the night at 7.30pm.
  • DS didn’t stir until 7.00am the next morning and the bedclothes and pyjamas stayed nice and dry. The nappy itself, though wet was surprisingly not really soaked through. I was really amazed at absorbency of the bamboo fleece material.
  • So in terms of absorbency, this nappy is definitely a winner.

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Ease of use 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Being a fitted nappy, it doesn't come built in with a waterproof outer layer, so it will need to be used in tandem with a nappy cover.
  • There will just be an additional step at nappy change time to add the cover over the nappy.
  • I myself don’t find adding a cover an issue but it may be a little confusing for other carers, so I probably won't include this nappy in a bag I’m handing over to another carer.
Drying time 3 out of 5 stars
  • One downside of this nappy is the longer drying time required. However the nappy is made up of detachable inserts which can be dried separately to speed up the drying time.
  • The bamboo fleece material has a lightweight feel to it and I found it actually dried faster compared to my other fitted nappies.
Value for money: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • The RRP price is relatively reasonable at $26 - around the average point.
  • You will need to take into account that you will also need to get a nappy cover if you don’t already have one.
  • However nappy covers can be circulated between several fitted nappies so it generally can still work out to be a fairly economical option compared to other types of MCNs.
.
Overall, the Baby Beehinds Bamboo Fitted is a lovely nappy that feels super soft and comfortable for baby which I would not hesitate to wear on baby for extended periods with the right nappy cover for it's comfort, breathability and great absorbency.

Here is a parting snapshot of my DS sporting the BBH PUL Cover over the Bamboo Fitted.

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To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my posts on cloth diapers at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?99-Baby-Beehinds-Bamboo-Fitted-Nappy-Review Cloth Nappies 101: Flat Nappies http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?98-Cloth-Nappies-101-Flat-Nappies Sat, 17 Sep 2011 01:44:07 GMT Continuing on my topic on old school cloth nappy systems (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?80-Cloth-Nappies-101-Prefolds). Today I decided to get into something a lot more traditional - Flat Nappies. Flat nappies come in a variety of different materials, such as cotton terry... Continuing on my topic on old school cloth nappy systems. Today I decided to get into something a lot more traditional - Flat Nappies.

Flat nappies come in a variety of different materials, such as cotton terry towelling, bamboo terry towelling, flannelette and muslin.

I use both terrycloth and muslin flats, but prefer the latter for it's breathability. However all flat nappies in general offer better breathability and comfort for baby. Flats are by far the most economical of all cloth nappy options and are the easiest to wash and dry in a flash. After washing and hanging up a load of flats, they'll be good to go again in an hour or two, even when line-drying inside the house. They've proven to be a lifesaver for me many a time this winter on rainy days when every MCN in my stash was still sitting on the drying rack in front of the heater.

Just like it's cousin the prefold, flats are highly versatile items and can double up for use as a burp cloth, washcloth, blankie, pram screen, changing pad or even an emergency nursing cover.

With flats, there are a few more twists and turns required to prep the nappy for use. But nothing impossible. I used to avoid them because I was all about efficiency and speed with getting through rudimentary baby tasks. But over time I learnt to treasure those moments at nappy change time, and marvelling over each chubby thigh and every tiny toe as I folded the nappy lovingly over my son's cute little tushie. I found this article to be really inspirational on this subject.

So let's revisit the lost art of folding flat nappies - I've selected two types of folds to demostrate today...

I'll start with one known as the Chinese or Origami fold

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1. You start with the flat nappy folded in half (into a rectangle)
2. Pull one corner across to the other, creating a 'triangle' shape
2. Turn the nappy over and fold the straight edge inward into a little strip down the middle

This fold is quite clever in that it creates a little layered strip in the middle with 'wings' on each side to fold around baby's bum and waist. However I found this fold to be rather over-generous in size for my baby. Nevertheless it continues to be a popular folding method and perhaps I might use this fold more often as my baby gets bigger.

My current favourite folding method is the Jo Fold

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It basically involves folding each corner of the nappy toward the centre, slightly overlapping them over each other as you go. Then folding the two lower corners toward the middle in a similar fashion to the angel wing fold as with a prefold.

I like this method as I find it concentrates the absorbent layers toward the front middle section where it's needed most for boys and provides a fairly trim finish with minimal bulk. It's also easy to adjust the size and fit by adjusting the amount of overlap when folding the corners toward the centre.

After that it's just a matter of wrapping the piece around baby's bum and securing it with a snappi. And don't forget the nappy cover.

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If all that appears to be a little overwhelming to begin with, you can try out this super simple fold I invented and laying it flat in the nappy cover - no need for fiddling around with snappis or pins. With a good nappy cover, there should be no issues with leakages or blowouts.

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There are heaps of folding methods for flats, so feel free to experiment with different methods to find the one you feel most comfortable with and provides the best fit for your bub.

To read more on using flat nappies, you can check out my post on how I use traditional muslin flats as nappies at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?98-Cloth-Nappies-101-Flat-Nappies Cloth nappies may slow me down - but I love that it does! http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?91-Cloth-nappies-may-slow-me-down-but-I-love-that-it-does! Tue, 13 Sep 2011 02:00:05 GMT One of the most common rebuttals I get whenever I tell others about my using cloth is "where do you find the time? I'm so busy!". And it's true. We mums are busy people. Too many times the minutes and hours in my day just tick on as I conscientiously follow through all my tasks, routines and to-do lists.

I recently read a beautiful post from another fellow cloth nappy mum which was a much needed reminder for me to slow down, pause and take it all in.

Using cloth nappies do in fact slow me down a little... but really, it's actually a good thing. This excerpt from the inspiring post explains it excellently...
.
....Its easy to rush through all the seemingly mundane tasks of their care-taking, such as diaper changes, or the feeding(and cleaning up) of yet another meal, and forget that its in each of these very tasks that I find my meaning as a mama.

Because their diapers are not disposable, and because they require my care, they beg my attention. In the time and effort that goes into caring for the diapers, I am reminded to slow down, be present and be intentional in the way that I care for my family.

There is honor in loving your dear ones well, in being intentional in your living. There is something to the ritual of hanging diapers outside in the bright sunshine that makes cloth diapering my little ones enjoyable. It physically connects me to the present day. It brings my attention to the clouds, and an awareness of the weather, and appreciation of sunshine. The simple pleasures of cloth diapers are found in all the details...

...Its too easy for me to get lost in my agenda and hurry through a diaper change. Its too easy to forget that these little ones need to be tickled and kissed and delighted in with each diaper change. No part of them should be rushed or hurried past. Because, its all so fleeting...
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"Being intentional in the way I care for my family". I love that!

Cloth nappies truly help me with being intentional in my parenting. And I will go on to carry on that philosophy to all other aspects of my life, be it with my family, friendships and work.

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my posts on cloth diapers at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?91-Cloth-nappies-may-slow-me-down-but-I-love-that-it-does! Baby Beehinds Multi-Fit Pocket Review http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?89-Baby-Beehinds-Multi-Fit-Pocket-Review Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:27:45 GMT Thanks to kind people at Baby Beehinds (http://www.babybeehinds.com.au), I recently received a couple of fluffies (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?77-First-things-to-do-when-you-get-fluffy-mail) from their collection to test out and review. Attachment 17740... Thanks to kind people at Baby Beehinds, I recently received a couple of fluffies from their collection to test out and review.

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The pack consisted of a Magic-Alls Multi-Fit Pocket Nappy, Bamboo Fitted Nappy and a PUL Nappy Cover.

Okay, so after all the all important admiring and prewashing of my new fluff, I finally could get into road testing the fluff.

First, let’s take on the Multi-Fit Pocket Nappy…

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Design and appearance: 5 out of 5 stars
  • The first thing that struck me was the luxurious plush exterior and the soft texture of the stay-dry suedecloth inner lining. My DS’s bum would definitely feel super comfy against that suedecloth – I would too if I were him.
  • I was also very pleased with the colour choice they sent me, Twilight Purple – very apt colour description! Terrific eye candy for baby’s bum – I can’t wait for the warmer weather to come so I can show off Nathan’s cute fluffy bum in this nappy.

Trimness and fit: 4 out of 5 stars
  • The nappy also has multiple rows of snaps to provide four different size settings customise the sizing and fit to different settings as needed. After quickly trying out the different size settings, I snapped them on my little DS and found the fit to be really quite trim for a one-size-fits-all (OSFA) nappy.
  • Baby Beehinds does flag that their Multi-Fit Pocket is not as trim compared to their sized nappies. However by my standards I found the fit to be pretty good as I’ve tried other OFSA nappies that are even bulkier and puffier compared to this one. My DS is on the lower end of the percentile range in weight at 8 months, so I am definitely very familiar with the puffy-butt situation.

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Absorbency and performance: 5 out of 5 stars
  • The set comes with two bamboo inserts – one standard sized insert and a larger one which folds into a triple layer insert.
  • I took the nappy out on it’s first spin on a Saturday afternoon outing. I snapped it on DS at 4.00pm just before we left the house. Normally on a trip out I would change DS’s nappy at least once just to ensure he stayed dry and comfortable all throughout – but I decided to push it a little to see how far the nappy would last.
  • We didn’t get home until 7.00pm and I can report that the nappy held up all the way without even a hint of a leak. The inserts were not overly wet which showed that they could still potentially last much longer (provided you don’t encounter a poo situation).
  • Also very importantly – no sign of any rash or redness at all. The fact that DS didn’t kick up any fuss all afternoon showed that the suedecloth lining was really comfortable for him and kept him feeling nice and dry.

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Ease of use 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • My rating for this aspect is mostly due to the fact that I’m generally not a big fan of pockets due to the need to pre-stuff the inserts and remove them afterwards.
  • Also just take note that you might have to fiddle around with the various snap settings at first to get the right fit for your baby.
  • However pockets are still a top choice among MCN users so the whole pre-stuffing and removing of inserts is probably just a drop in the ocean of all the great benefits of pockets. As for the snap settings, once you figure out the right settings to use you van pretty much leave them as is until it’s time for the next size up.

Drying time 5 out of 5 stars
  • Beehinds highlights that this product is their quickest drying nappy in their range. This was a big wow factor for me as I was amazed at how fast the inserts dried indoors (it was rainy that day).
  • Granted the fact that the big insert folds out to a bigger flat piece is a big help in speeding up the drying time. But somehow the inserts had this lightweight feel despite their amazing absorbency power.
  • So if you’re non-dryer user like me, these MCNS would definitely get back into circulation pretty quickly even over a stretch of rainy days.

Value for money: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • At the retail price of $34 I would say the price of the nappy is somewhat above the average point on the scale – not overly expensive, but not the cheapest option in the market.
  • However this is definitely one of those nappies that make up all the fun and joy of using cloth nappies. It’s also one worth spending a bit more on to have in the stash – especially to help last a longer stretch outside the house, or to potentially use as a night-time nappy (just add extra inserts as needed), or simply just to jazz up and show off baby’s fluffy bum.

Overall the Multi-Fit Pocket is a terrific nappy which was hard to find fault with. I found it held up to all it’s promises to last the distance and remain comfortable for baby whilst looking absolutely yummy on baby’s bum.

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my posts on cloth diapers at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?89-Baby-Beehinds-Multi-Fit-Pocket-Review Cloth Nappies 101: Prefolds http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?80-Cloth-Nappies-101-Prefolds Tue, 06 Sep 2011 08:16:40 GMT I hope you guys found that initial introduction to the basic types of cloth nappy systems (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?75-Cloth-Nappies-101-the-four-basic-nappy-systems) useful. Following a reader request, I thought it would be a good idea to delve a little further into some... I hope you guys found that initial introduction to the basic types of cloth nappy systems useful. Following a reader request, I thought it would be a good idea to delve a little further into some of the various cloth nappy systems.

Now I'm all for Modern Cloth Nappies (MCNs) as the way to go these days due the fact that they provide the convenience and ease-of-use of ‘sposies whilst retaining the many benefits of using cloth. Nevertheless once you get into cloth, it’s usually natural that you start exploring the whole suite of cloth nappy systems. For today, I decided to go a little old school and look at one of the more back-to-basics type of cloth nappies: Prefolds.

So what is a prefold?

A prefold is essentially a flat rectangular nappy which has several layers of cloth sewn together in a single piece. The presewn layers provide great absorbency and minimise the folding steps required when using the nappy (compared to the really traditional flats).

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Prefolds are an economical way to expand your cloth nappy stash and are great for helping you last a long stretch of rainy days due to their quick drying time. In addition to that, they can go through a lot more wear and tear compared to MCNs and would definitely stand the test of time over the nappy years of several babies.

They are also a useful item to have around as they can double up as burp cloths, an impromptu changing pad, pocket nappy insert and even as a washcloth or wipe. When baby is past the nappy phase, they can be recycled into cleaning rags or dusters for around the house.

Some people may find prefolds a little too back-to-basics and may even be a little daunted at first as to how to use them. Now there are a couple of steps needed to fold the cloth into a shape you can use as a nappy, but trust me they are easy to master and quickly become second nature once you’ve tried them once or twice.

My husband is a walking testimony that using prefold is easy-peasy business. Plus my mum who’s visiting me this week has never used a prefold before, but after just talking her through the steps and giving her a quick demo, she was able to handle one quite easily.

There are a variety of different ways to fold a prefold. The easiest and most basic way is to simply fold them into thirds and lay them inside a nappy cover like this. I'm no stranger to this method and can testify to it's effectiveness as long as you have a good quality nappy cover.

My personal favourite method of folding the prefold is called the newspaper fold. Here's how it goes...

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Step 1: Step 1: Fold the bottom section up about a third of the way.
Step 2: Fold one bottom corner over
Step 3: Fold the other bottom corner and tuck it into the 'pocket formed by the first fold

A variation of this fold is called the angel wing fold which basically skips Step 1. This would usually apply to situations with a smaller sized prefold or with a bigger baby.

Here's a guide on how the angel wing fold goes and also to show you how to put a prefold nappy on baby...

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Step 1: Fold the two bottom corners across each other
Step 2: Bring the folded lower section up across baby's crotch
Step 3: Bring the two top corners across toward the middle
Step 4: Snap on a snappi and you're done!

The final thing to remember is just to put on a nappy cover to keep all the wetness contained inside.

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Doesn't look scary at all, does it?

If you are interested, another folding method you can check out is the bikini twist fold. Some people prefer this fold on girls or on babies with chunkier thighs. Just keep experimenting with different folds or even invent your own method! The possibilities are endless.

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my posts on cloth diapers at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?80-Cloth-Nappies-101-Prefolds First things to do when you get fluffy mail http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?77-First-things-to-do-when-you-get-fluffy-mail Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:34:02 GMT I'm so excited today as I have just received a pack of fluffy mail of some samples from Baby Beehinds to review.

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The pack consists of a Magic-Alls Multi-Fit Pocket Nappy and a Bamboo Fitted Nappy with a PUL Nappy Cover. I'm eager to start using them but I can't just yet as there are a few initial steps to go through first.

If you've decided to take the cloth plunge and are expecting or just received some fluffy mail in the post, here are some initial steps you should go through first before snapping the fluff on baby's bum...

#1. Admire, touch and feel your new fluff while they're still their new and pristine condition. These fluffs are gonna get well loved and well used over time - which is what they're made for anyway. Still it's always nice to enjoy them new and fresh before breaking them in.

#2. Thoroughly read through any instructions and care guides for your new fluff. You'll want to know the correct way to adjust the different snap settings, understand the different combinations of inserts and learn how to care for your nappies properly. Trust me, this is all part of the joy and excitement of receiving new fluff.

And most importantly...

#3. Prewash, prewash and prewash. This is an essential preparatory step before using your cloth nappies for the first time. Prewashing necessary not just for MCNs but for prefolds and flats as well to remove any natural oils or chemical residue in order for the nappies to be able to absorb well. Most cloth nappy suppliers recommend running them through a hot wash at least 3-5 times. Minimal or no detergent is required as the prewashing is basically all about rinsing everything out.

Tomorrow is my laundry day, so once I'm thoroughly finished with admiring my new fluff, I'll be conscientiously prewashing the nappies so I can start using them as soon as possible!

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my posts on cloth diapers at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?77-First-things-to-do-when-you-get-fluffy-mail Cloth Nappies 101 - the four basic nappy systems http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?75-Cloth-Nappies-101-the-four-basic-nappy-systems Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:04:24 GMT This post took some time to compose, but I decided at this stage it was necessary to get deeper into the whole nappy 101. So for those of you curious folks who are wondering what’s the deal with cloth these days, here’s a mini guide to the four basic types of cloth nappy systems available... This post took some time to compose, but I decided at this stage it was necessary to get deeper into the whole nappy 101. So for those of you curious folks who are wondering what’s the deal with cloth these days, here’s a mini guide to the four basic types of cloth nappy systems available today…

First, the Rolls Royce of modern cloth nappy systems today: The All-In-One (a.k.a. AIO)

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Baby Beehinds Magic-Alls AIO and Petite All-In-II

These nappies basically function pretty much exactly the same way as your typical disposable. All the absorbent layers are sewn-in or attached together with a waterproof later outside. So at nappy change time, it’s just a matter of grabbing one of these and velcro-ing or snapping them on baby – totally idiot proof.

There are myriads of material choices from cotton to bamboo, hemp and microfiber. The nappy inserts typically have a stay-dry layer which helps to ‘pull’ moisture away from baby’s bum to keep the area comfy and dry. Sounds exactly like features of a ‘sposie doesn’t it? With such features in MCNs these days, there’s hardly any excuse not to switch across.

The variation to the AIO is commonly referred to as All-In-Twos (AI2s) which have removable inserts that either snap/stuff/flip-in and out for faster drying time after washing or for versatility in adding additional absorbent layers as needed.

Next, a key favourite among modern cloth diaperers today is: The Pocket Nappy

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Baby Beehinds Multi-Fit Pocket

As per the name, these nappies are designed with an opening to stuff in the absorbent inserts. Like the AIOs, pocket inserts come in all sorts of material and design choices. The pocket nappy itself would have a stay-dry lining inside with a water-proof layer on the outside.

MCN users commonly like pockets for their great versatility with adding extra absorbency as needed, and the ability to completely remove the inserts for quicker drying time after washing.

Then we have: The Fitted Nappy + Nappy Cover

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Baby Beehinds bamboo fitted and PUL cover

The fitted nappy looks pretty much like an AIO except that it does not have a water-proof layer – the whole nappy is one big absorbent piece. As with all MCN options, there are different materials available to choose from like cotton, bamboo, hemp etc.

Fitted nappies would need to be used in tandem with a waterproof nappy cover. There are circumstances where some people might choose to use the fitted nappy just on its own, but that’s another story for next time.

And finally the classic: Flats and Prefolds (which need a nappy cover too)

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These have stood the test of time through the ages. Granted they take a little practice at first to learn how to use but they work just as well.

So there you have it, the four basic cloth nappy systems. Next time I’ll delve deeper into the pros and cons of the different systems and why some people might choose one over another.

*MCN pictures kindly provided by Baby Beehinds

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my posts on cloth diapers at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?75-Cloth-Nappies-101-the-four-basic-nappy-systems Breastfeeding in public http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?62-Breastfeeding-in-public Fri, 26 Aug 2011 03:30:40 GMT Being a crunchy mum, I was determined from the start to breastfeed Nathan for as long as possible. It’s been quite a journey and I’m proud to say that it’s now been 8 months and I’m still going strong. However as I pause to reflect on my breastfeeding journey, there have been some struggles... Being a crunchy mum, I was determined from the start to breastfeed Nathan for as long as possible. It’s been quite a journey and I’m proud to say that it’s now been 8 months and I’m still going strong. However as I pause to reflect on my breastfeeding journey, there have been some struggles and difficulties I had to learn to deal with in the early days – one of which is learning to nurse on the go or in public.

I think all new mums feel a little uncomfortable and intimidated with nursing in public at first. I myself was very self conscious in those early days especially since I was still generally new at the whole breastfeeding thing and still learning to latch baby on and hold him comfortably as I nursed.

I believe Australian society is generally quite accepting about mothers nursing their babies in public (as long as they are sensible and respectful in the way they do it, of course). Unfortunately I did encounter one bad experience that shook my confidence quite a bit…

Nathan was just around 2 months old at that time. I decided to venture outside with him to run some errands and do some shopping. We were inside a major departmental store when Nathan started to fuss. I knew it was close to his next feeding time so I looked around for a parent’s room or a place where I could nurse him. I asked one of the staff members for help and she directed me to their “parent’s room” which actually turned out to be a disabled toilet which had a change table attached to one of the walls. Needless to say, I walked straight back out.

Being a weekday morning, the place was not busy at all, so I decided to ask if I could use one of their changing rooms instead. The response I got was “no you can’t do that for hygienic reasons”. I was taken aback. Hygienic reasons? Is breastfeeding supposed to be some kind of disgusting act? So I asked her what I should do since my son was hungry and I needed to feed him so I could continue shopping at their store. The staff member told me to try somewhere else and suggested another departmental store located just down the street.

You can imagine my embarrassment. But I decided not to create scene and walked out. However after my burning cheeks cooled down and I was able to think clearly, I knew that it was wrong of the staff member to treat me that way. When I got home, I wrote an email to that departmental store via the feedback page on their website. I never received a response from them until now but I decided not to pursue the matter.

Although the experience shook me a little, I have not allowed it to hold me back. If you are a new mum, I hope you never have to go through the same experience as I did. But rest assured, you can breastfeed in public – really you can, as federal laws have now made it illegal to discriminate against breastfeeding mothers. Nevertheless, I doubt most women want to be that angry mum making a scene loudly demanding her right to feed her baby whilst citing the Federal Sex Discrimination Act. So if you do encounter such an experience, do not allow it to discourage you.

Since that incident, I don’t visit that store anymore. Perhaps my one email was not enough to make a difference to them and perhaps a single customer’s patronage can’t make that much of an impact on their business. However I just thought I’d rather not visit a store that doesn’t have the facilities and support for a breastfeeding mother like me.

Thankfully that was the one and only really bad experience I've had with breastfeeding in public. I'm glad to say that most Australians are very understanding, supportive and sensible people. So if you're a nursing mother don't stay cooped up at home but get out there with your baby - here are some tips on nursing in public to get you started.

If you'd like to get to know or find out more about me, drop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?62-Breastfeeding-in-public Some interesting facts and trivia on cloth http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?60-Some-interesting-facts-and-trivia-on-cloth Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:59:53 GMT As much as cloth nappies are making a comeback today, majority babies in Australia are still in disposables. Most people are just so conditioned to view disposables as the norm that the thought of going cloth has never crossed their mind - cloth nappies are simply viewed as a relic of the past. I... As much as cloth nappies are making a comeback today, majority babies in Australia are still in disposables. Most people are just so conditioned to view disposables as the norm that the thought of going cloth has never crossed their mind - cloth nappies are simply viewed as a relic of the past. I guess it’s hard to imagine living in a time without washing machines, velcro and plastic. So I thought I’d share some interesting articles on the history of cloth nappies to see how far we've come.

(*US context but still plenty of interesting trivia)
Some key snippets from the various articles to highlight include:
  • In Elizabethan times, babies were treated to a fresh diaper every four days
  • In pioneer days, wet diapers weren’t washed - they were simply hung to dry in front of the fire
  • The first disposable diaper was invented in 1946 by housewife Marion Donovan from a shower curtain stuffed with absorbent padding
  • In 1955 – 100% of babies wore cloth and 7 % experienced diaper rash*
  • In 1991 – 90 % of babies wore disposables and 78 % experienced diaper rash*
(*Based on US figures)
Happy reading folks!

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my posts on cloth diapers at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?60-Some-interesting-facts-and-trivia-on-cloth 6 Ways to save money on cloth nappies http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?57-6-Ways-to-save-money-on-cloth-nappies Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:26:54 GMT I mentioned in an earlier post that one of the barriers some people have of switching to cloth is the initial start up costs. It certainly can seem daunting to spend $20 to $30 for a brand new Modern Cloth Nappy (MCN) when you can get a whole box of 7-8 dozen disposables for about the same price.... I mentioned in an earlier post that one of the barriers some people have of switching to cloth is the initial start up costs. It certainly can seem daunting to spend $20 to $30 for a brand new Modern Cloth Nappy (MCN) when you can get a whole box of 7-8 dozen disposables for about the same price. However there are definitely long term savings to be had for investing a little bit more in a good cloth nappy stash to begin with. Nevertheless I can totally relate to the slight hesitation on clicking the ‘add to shopping cart’ button when you’re building up your stash.

So here are a few tips to not bust the bank when you’re just getting into cloth:
  1. Buy them second hand – yes it’s perfectly fine to do that. Just wash them thoroughly before you use them and add a few drops of tea tree oil as a natural disinfectant if you want to further allay any fears. A lot of the nappies in my stash are pre-loved ones and I haven’t had any issues with them at all. Gumtree and Nappycino are good places to start.
  2. Leverage the recycling network – I stumbled across some awesome finds on Freecycle including top brand Llamajama woollen longies and soakers/nappy covers. There are lots of people out there doing their spring cleaning and would love some help with de-cluttering. If you’re hunting around, it doesn’t hurt to check it out.
  3. Keep a look out for bargains and deals – most cloth nappy shops have a website or Facebook page which you can follow or “like” to access special promotions, sales, discounts, clearances, contests and giveaways. These are definitely a classic way to save some dollars when doing your fluffy shopping.
  4. Research alternative brands – initial internet searches generally bring up the usual big brand names in the market whose nappies are normally priced around the $20-$30 mark. But there are many other new brands in the market offering options for up to half that amount. If you’re concerned about their performance, post a question on the Bub Hub network or browse through customer reviews.
  5. Don’t buy a whole stash in one go – sometimes shopper’s regret over a nappy that doesn’t fit or perform well can put them off cloth. I don’t think this is a common problem but it can happen. If you’re worried about shopper’s regret, get a few to try out first to see if you like the way they work and fit on your baby. There are situations where some nappies just don’t happen to fit well on certain babies who may be of the cuddlier or skinnier side. if that happens, don’t swear off the brand or cloth nappies altogether. Babies are constantly growing and changing so a nappy that doesn’t fit well at first may fit them perfectly as they get older. Alternatively you can sell them and use the money to invest in a different one.
  6. Consider traditional flats or prefolds – I know those fancy MCNs are the key thing that make using cloth so much fun. However you can vary your stash with these simpler and cheaper options to use at home and save the cute MCNs for going out.
Once you get into cloth, you’ll be well on your way to saving more money and there are further ways to save some more money while you’re using cloth. I’ll share more on that next time.

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my posts on cloth diapers at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?57-6-Ways-to-save-money-on-cloth-nappies The main types of baby carriers I use http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?51-The-main-types-of-baby-carriers-I-use Sun, 21 Aug 2011 09:07:10 GMT There are a wide range of options available to babywearers today… ring slings, pouch slings, wraps, mei tais, onbuhimos, soft structured carriers and the like. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. There are heaps of resources out there which go into great detail on the various types... There are a wide range of options available to babywearers today… ring slings, pouch slings, wraps, mei tais, onbuhimos, soft structured carriers and the like. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin.

There are heaps of resources out there which go into great detail on the various types of baby carriers, their pros and cons and how to decide which one is right for you. I would recommend this site as a good place to start.

For today, I’ll talk about my thought process on how I decided what type of baby carriers to go for and why I like them.

In my post on how I first got into babywearing, I mentioned the key reason for getting a baby carrier was to find something to help my stay mobile while still being able to stay close to my baby.

The very first type of carrier we actually had was a mei-tai style or soft-structured-carrier which was given to us by a friend. The very first time I tried to use with Nathan, I realise how fragile and tiny he was and how this type of carrier would not be able to provide as much support as I’d like. I found myself fiddling around with the buckles and attach the thingy at the top for supporting his head. It was also less compact to carry around if we were not using it while we were out.

(However the soft-structured-carrier proved to be useful when Nathan was a little older – this was my hubby’s preferred carrier choice and it’s good for babywearing for extended periods as the baby’s weight would be evenly distributed across both shoulders)

The next type of carrier I considered was a wrap style carrier. I’m a big fan of highly versatile and multi-function items and rom what I read, wrap style carriers are certainly the most versatile type of baby carriers in the market. With wraps you can carry newborn babies in a close ‘womb-like’ or tummy-to-tummy position, cradle/hammock/reclining positions as well as kangaroo-carry, side-carry, hip-carry-and even piggy-back-carry when they get older. Plus the wrap can be positioned across both shoulders for comfort.

However, the thing that made me hesitate on getting the wrap was the fact that it would be a little more complicated to manipulate 5 meters of fabric (typical length of a baby wrap) into all those different carrying positions. The other thing was that a wrap would likely be less compact compared to other carriers – I can imagine the challenge with stuffing 5 meters of fabric into my diaper bag.

So my next consideration was the ring sling. It definitely looked much more compact than a wrap but still offered plenty of versatility in carrying positions. Supported by my friend who was all thumbs up about it, I decided to get one. It was one of my favourite baby items to have both at home and while we were out. I also love the more flowy and natural look of the sling compared to the modern soft-structured-carriers (probably the granola side of me surfacing in that aspect).

As I delved deeper into babywearing, I considered making my own sling just for fun. I decided on a pouch sling as it was something I hadn’t tried before. I did plenty of research beforehand, bought the fabric and crafted my very own pouch sling. It was a proud moment for me when I tried it out with Nathan for the first time.

I love the sleek and fashionable look of pouches, the fact that’s they’re easy to use (no need for adjusting rings, ties, knots, buckles or anything), and the fact that they are so compact (they take up so much less room in the diaper bag). Pouches have a few less options for carrying styles but they’re fine for quick basic positions for when you’re on the go. However as they are made to measure, hubby can’t use them (unless I make one for him) but he’s perfectly fine without donning one as a baby fashion statement.

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One of my new pouch slings

So in my babywearing world right now, my baby has the luxury of three types of baby carriers – the ring sling for sometimes when we’re at home, the pouch sling for when I’m out and about with him, and the soft-structured-carrier/mei-tai for extended outings (in which case, his daddy would play the role of papa-kangaroo).

If you'd like to get to know or find out more about me, drop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?51-The-main-types-of-baby-carriers-I-use Cloth nappies – easy or hard? http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?50-Cloth-nappies-–-easy-or-hard Fri, 19 Aug 2011 14:16:36 GMT Mums I meet often say I must be some kind of super woman for using cloth. I honesty tell them I’m not “super”, I‘m just an ordinary mum like them. The topic usually ends something like “I don’t have time” or “I’m too busy”. So the question is, are cloth nappies really that... Mums I meet often say I must be some kind of super woman for using cloth. I honesty tell them I’m not “super”, I‘m just an ordinary mum like them. The topic usually ends something like “I don’t have time” or “I’m too busy”.

So the question is, are cloth nappies really that hard?

I think the answer is twofold. There are two main aspects of cloth diapering that can scare some people off.

The first aspect is the first impression that cloth nappies are complicated to operate. Most people who have never seen an modern cloth nappy (MCN) before probably still have a mental image of traditional style flats, complicated folding methods and fiddling with pins.

We need to break that impression. I wrote a post about how I use muslin flats which really are not as hard as you think. But for those that want something completely idiot-proof, there are a whole myriad of new MCN options available which velcro or snap-on in one-step exactly the same way as a disposable. I’ll talk more about the different types of MCNs next time.

And yes, I'm also aware some folks are just icky about the poo. Once you get into it, you'll find out that there are a number of solutions like using a sprayer attached to the toilet or using flushable liners which allow you to lift everything out in one go to dump it in the toilet.

The second thing which scares people is: The Laundry. It’s true that using cloth nappies means doing a little bit more laundry than usual. They are probably imagining me bent over a big tub of water, scrubbing poo stains out from soggy nappies. Come on, what era do you think I live in? Because it’s really not as hard as you think.

I wrote about my cloth nappy laundry system in detail in this post - the key takeaway is my secret weapon: The Washing Machine. Just dump a load in, press a few buttons and away you go. After that you can transfer them to the dryer or opt to line dry them like I do. I choose to line dry because I prefer to harness the natural sun-bleaching agents and I enjoy making it part of Nathan’s routine.

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Nathan’s way of helping with taking down the laundry

So the conclusion: cloth nappies do involve some changes to the way you do things, but really, it ain’t as hard as you think.

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my posts on cloth diapers at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?50-Cloth-nappies-–-easy-or-hard <![CDATA[How babywearing helped with baby's routine]]> http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?45-How-babywearing-helped-with-baby-s-routine Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:07:29 GMT In my one of my last post where I touched on the topic of babywearing (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?35-On-getting-into-babywearing), I talked about how babywearing played a key role with helping establish a stable eat-wake-play routine with my baby. I think some people might... In my one of my last post where I touched on the topic of babywearing, I talked about how babywearing played a key role with helping establish a stable eat-wake-play routine with my baby. I think some people might be curious about that, so I’ll share a little bit more on it.

When we first brought Nathan home, our daily routine was kinda frazzled as it usually is with newborns. He would wake up intermittently throughout the day (and night) for feeds. Sometimes he would fall asleep while nursing or could barely keep awake. Gradually we gently encouraged some simple wake-time activities after each feed, like singing a song or two, nuzzling him or just gazing deeply into each other’s eyes.

Then came the next challenge, getting him down for a nap. The problem kind of started when we had plenty of helpful visitors around the first few weeks who were happy to rock Nathan for extended periods until he was fast sleep before putting him down in his cot. When the visitors all left, things became a bit more challenging for me in that department. I tried different ways to soothe him to sleep, but he seemed to enjoy being cuddled and rocked so much that sometimes he would refuse to be put down in his cot at all.

Things kept on going like to the point I wasn’t able to get much else done between naps because it took ages to get him to sleep (and stay asleep). I wanted a bit of naptime too to make up for the lack of sleep due to night time feedings.

Everything started to change after I received my ring sling. The first time I managed to get Nathan tucked in it comfortably, I could see he really liked it. I continued to let him stay there as I pottered around the house while he watched everything I did intently. After a while, his eyes slowly started to droop and he soon nodded off. I carried him to his cot and gently lay him down for his nap where he slept soundly until his next feed.

Soon that became part of the routine, after each feed and some wake time activities like tummy time or singing or watching his mobile, I would pop Nathan into my sling and do whatever needed to be done around the house, whether it was clearing the dishes, dumping clothes into the washer, putting folded clothes away etc. Nathan would just watch me and slowly nod off.

As I also wanted to avoid the sling becoming too much of a sleep prop, I slowly started to adjust my approach by observing when Nathan started to get drowsy so I could put him down in the cot while he was still awake but sleepy. There were some hiccups along the way, but eventually Nathan was happy to drift off to sleep in his cot by himself after some sling time.

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Sleepy Nathan in my ring sling

This approach really helped Nathan settle into a predictable routine with a smooth transition to naptime where he was able to sleep soundly hours until the next cycle. I found it also a great way to vary his routine and include him in my daily activities as part of his wake time. I'm certain he was learning a lot just by watching me and taking in everything he saw me do around the house.

Now at close to 8 months, we have long since weaned him off the sling to wind him down for naptime. He’s also old enough to play with his own toys happily during his wake time or can watch me move around the house from his chair. But I sometimes look fondly back at those moments when he was still such a tiny thing snuggling up to me in my sling and gazing up at me like a little baby kangaroo.

This approach may not work exactly the same for everyone, but it’s just what I found helpful for me.

You can also check out my post on how my ring sling became my secret weapon on my blog livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?45-How-babywearing-helped-with-baby-s-routine What does it mean to be crunchy? http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?41-What-does-it-mean-to-be-crunchy Wed, 17 Aug 2011 01:11:18 GMT So what’s the deal with the term ‘crunchy’ (a.k.a. granola eating hippie) (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=granola) style parenting? ^_^ I guess the term originated from the mental image of hippie mums in flowy robes slinging a baby on one hip (while simultaneously... So what’s the deal with the term ‘crunchy’ (a.k.a. granola eating hippie) style parenting? ^_^

I guess the term originated from the mental image of hippie mums in flowy robes slinging a baby on one hip (while simultaneously breastfeeding a toddler on the other.

Well in a nutshell, it basically means making alternative choices to opt for a more natural style of parenting. This can include things like cloth diapering, babywearing, breastfeeding, homebirth or natural birth, co-sleeping, homeschooling; as well as making choices from a broader aspect like opting for organic/natural foods, recycling, or being more eco-conscious.

I’m not sure I embody everything aspect of that image (although on some mornings I can look like a hippie with the flyaway/uncombed hair and baggy pants). But I definitely embrace certain aspects of the ‘crunchy’ side of parenting.

Despite the hippie stereotypes, not all crunchy parents need to be hippies. Even if you’re mostly ‘creamy’ you can still choose to add a bit of crunch to your lifestyle for some variety.

So why not sprinkle some of that granola on? Who knows you just might like it!

Here are a couple of other related tidbits on the subject....
If you'd like to get to know or find out more about me, drop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?41-What-does-it-mean-to-be-crunchy Five reasons why I love cloth http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?38-Five-reasons-why-I-love-cloth Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:35:00 GMT So on the topic of cloth nappies, why do I do it? Most people I meet who find out I use cloth can’t help blurting out the inevitable “But WHY???”. Well here are the top reasons I and many other parents are choosing the way of the cloth… *#1. It saves money* This is easily the top... So on the topic of cloth nappies, why do I do it? Most people I meet who find out I use cloth can’t help blurting out the inevitable “But WHY???”. Well here are the top reasons I and many other parents are choosing the way of the cloth…

#1. It saves money

This is easily the top reason for choosing cloth. The figures easily speak for themselves. A pack of disposables normally costs around $30 and lasts for 1.5 to 2 weeks. The annual costs would add up to at least $1,000 to $1,500 per year. That doesn’t even factor in the cost of wipes, nappy rash creams and the like. That’s a lot of money in my opinion. Even if you stock them up on the cheap or use budget store brands or try and stretch the use of each nappy (not advisable) the cost still adds up over the years and multiple kids.

Nevertheless one of the most daunting things which people find about switching to a modern cloth nappy (MCN) system is the set up costs. Hence there is a perception that MCNs are only for celebrities and ‘rich people’. Well at $30 a pop, it sure can seem that way. However if you compare the initial investment of between $300 to $900 for a full set of brand new MCNs which can be reused for subsequent kids, it’s a no-brainer – cloth definitely saves you money in the long term.

Furthermore, there are numerous solutions for the budget conscious like getting them secondhand, including them in your baby gift registry, or opting to include cheaper options such as traditional flats or prefolds.

#2. It’s better for baby

This is definitely a key reason I personally vouch for as it was one of the main motivating factors for pushing me to consider cloth. When we first stocking up on baby essentials, we had a whole stash of Huggies nappies prepared. I was all ready to go with the usual disposables (that was the ‘norm’ after all).

But within the first few days my baby’s perfect satin bum started to develop red dots all over. With the myriads of chemicals in each disposable nappy, it’s no wonder. I was told that it was normal for every baby to have rashes – that’s what nappy rash cream is for, right? But somehow I couldn’t accept these rashes as ‘normal’ – if it’s so normal, why are we constantly battling it with nappy rash creams, powders and ointments to get it back to it’s original state? There had to be a better way. And I found the solution in cloth.

Within just a day or two after the switch, my baby’s rashes settled down and since then rashes have pretty much become a non-issue. Sure there’s the occasional reddish mark when I don’t manage to catch a poo in time, but these flare ups are few and far between.

#3. It’s hygienic and smells less

Yes you read that right! One of the common responses I get when I tell people I use cloth is “eeeewwwww, isn’t that gross?”. Far from it. On the contrary I challenge you to think about disposables and how it is in fact more unhygienic.

Whenever baby does a poo (which is pretty often, especially in the early weeks) what do you do? You pull out a wipe or two, give baby’s bum a thorough clean, then roll it up in the nappy together with the poo and toss it in the bin. Did I get that right? I used to do exactly the same thing. Although this is generally the normal acceptable way of doing things, did you know that the proper way of disposing human faeces is to empty the contents of the nappy into the toilet so that human waste can be properly treated?

When I was using disposables, one of the major downsides I found was the incredible stink. Sure we had a covered bin, but every time we open it I had to hold my breath as I quickly tossed the soiled nappy in before shutting it again. My brother who was visiting at that time remarked how my son’s room had this distinct “puppy” smell which I knew were the whiffs from the bin even though we tried to empty the contents daily. I know there are many modern nappy disposable systems which help contain the smell, but the job of emptying it regularly sure must stink.

Now that I use cloth, I meticulously empty baby’s excrement into the toilet after each poo before placing the soiled nappy in a covered bucket. I can honestly say that the stink issue improved dramatically since we made the switch. Sure we have to deal with a little stink at nappy change time (as all parents do) but there is no more lingering pooey smell and I feel so much better I no longer have a container of human faeces sitting around in baby’s room.

#4. It’s good for the environment

In Australia, over 2 million disposable nappy are thrown out every day. No one knows exactly how long it takes for a disposable nappy to decompose but it’s estimated that it would take 250-500 years for it to break down. This means that every nappy that has ever existed is still sitting in landfill. That’s a scary thought or it should be.

Also, as most people using disposables just dispose of the poo together with the soiled nappy in the garbage (instead of flushing it down the toilet), that means all these babies’ fecal matter are going into landfills where it could seep into our groundwater instead of getting treated in the sewage system the proper way.

Most people are fairly indifferent or apathetic to these facts. After all, how much difference can one person make? Well it’s this sort of thinking that would result in environmental issues adding up for future generations to pay. I’d like to think my decision to use cloth will help contribute a little bit to the environment that my children will live in and I hope more parents can do the same for the sake of our future generation.

#5. It’s cuter on baby’s bum

Some parents are choosing cloth for this very reason. And I can’t agree with them more. After all, if you compare a plush minky piece dotted with super cute prints with a piece of plastic, there is no competition.

I know all mothers out there love dressing up their little ones and would find it hard to resist getting the latest cutest outfits at the store whenever they’re out shopping. MCNs provide another perfect outlet for this innate desire to play barbie (and ken) dolls with our bubs.

I find every nappy change time no longer a chore but an opportunity to express my creativity. Which nappy should I use this time? Which nappy would match his outfit for going out? I can get so much more interactive with my son with this too as each nappy change is so much more than strapping a standard-designed plastic on him.

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(Nathan in his Blueberry minky army nappy)

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my posts on cloth diapers at livingserenely.blogspot.com

References and further reading:
http://labyrinth.net.au/~obsidian/cl...alculator.html
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/...e-diapers.html
http://www.babyzone.com/baby/care/di...iapers-reasons ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?38-Five-reasons-why-I-love-cloth On getting into babywearing http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?35-On-getting-into-babywearing Mon, 15 Aug 2011 01:45:00 GMT First off, what is babywearing? Well babywearing is simply the practice of carrying your baby in a sling or carrier close your body. The term is also often associated with ‘attachment parenting’ which is actually a more holistic term to include various practices to keep baby as close as... First off, what is babywearing? Well babywearing is simply the practice of carrying your baby in a sling or carrier close your body. The term is also often associated with ‘attachment parenting’ which is actually a more holistic term to include various practices to keep baby as close as possible to the parent, especially in the early weeks, through breastfeeding, co-sleeping and of course babywearing.

I wouldn’t say I practice every single aspect of attachment parenting, but I am definitely a babywearer. I'd thought I'd kick-off this topic with a bit of background on how I first got into it.

When we first brought Nathan home, it was of course normal for him to need a lot of carrying and cuddles during the early weeks as he was adjusting to basically the world in general. It was alright at the beginning as I was taking it easy and was happy to hold him or lie close to him whenever he needed it.

As the days went by and I gradually became more active around the house again, I started to consider getting an easy to use sling or carrier so I could move about the house with Nathan. So I did some research on the internet to see what options were available out there.

I was met with a wide variety of options from modern soft structured carriers and mei-tais, to wraps, ring slings and pouch slings. So I pinged a friend on Facebook whom I knew frequently used a baby carrier at home to ask for her advice. She told me she was a big fan of ring slings, recommended a brand for me to check out and even offered me one as a gift.

I was so excited to try out the ring sling she gave me and duly read through all the literature and watched the instructional videos. Then making sure I was safely positioned near a bed and ensuring baby was fed, burped and content, I eased him gently into a cradle carrying position.

It was awkward at first, but after a few practice rounds I soon mastered a couple more carrying styles like the tummy-to-tummy and reclining position. Soon I was able to pop my baby into the sling quickly and move easily about the house. I found it liberating to be keep my baby close to me and be able to get all sorts of things done around the house.

I wouldn't say I'm one of those ulta-marsupial mums that carry their baby 16 hours a day. But I definitely do use it to help soothe my baby whenever he's fussy, found it helpful with including my baby in my daily activities right from the very early weeks and even used it as a key tool to support the establishment of a steady eat-wake-sleep routine.

There are numerous articles on the benefits of babywearing from a baby developmental perspective. However on my part, the biggest benefit for me has been the convenience and freedom it has allowed me to have. I’ll share more on this next time

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(Nathan in my ring sling at 8 weeks)

If you'd like to get to know or find out more about me, drop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com
]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?35-On-getting-into-babywearing How I started using cloth nappies http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?32-How-I-started-using-cloth-nappies Sun, 14 Aug 2011 02:12:17 GMT When we were first preparing for the arrival of our baby, we armed ourselves with the normal essentials including a full stash of disposable nappies. I had heard of cloth nappies but in my mind it was just alternative for people from the traditional line of thinking or people who just wanted to be... When we were first preparing for the arrival of our baby, we armed ourselves with the normal essentials including a full stash of disposable nappies. I had heard of cloth nappies but in my mind it was just alternative for people from the traditional line of thinking or people who just wanted to be different.

With the joyous arrival of our brand new baby came the endless poops, pees and nappy changes. It was insane the amount of times he went every day (and night!). Then came the inevitable rashes – I was mortified to see my baby’s perfect satiny smooth bum dotted with red spots. I lathered on the nappy rash cream, changed him as often as I could, but still the rash persisted.

It was my mother who then got me thinking about cloth more seriously when she talked about how she never encountered rash issues when she used muslin flats on me as a baby.

I started doing some reading and research on the internet and was amazed at the ton of information I found on the benefits of using cloth. I spent countless hours surfing and sifting through the information. There was so much to discover – nappies have come a long way from the muslin flats our parents used to the wide variety of modern cloth nappy (MCN) choices today.

My first dipstick test into cloth started with some muslins and a few MCNs a friend had given me. I tried on a Itti Bitti D’lish on my baby and experimented with a few muslin nappy folds with a nappy cover. I was delighted to discover that it was not as hard as I expected at all. I loved how cute my baby looked in the bright colours and was impressed with the soft luxurious feel of the plush minky fabric.

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With all the information I had read on the benefits of cloth and the tremendous financial savings it could provide, I finally decided to take the plunge. I knew my husband would not be able to handle a full upfront investment in a full stash of brand new MCNs. But with a few mouse clicks I was able to track down some great bargains on Gumtree and checked out Freecycle for freebie pre-loved nappies.

I was all set and ready to go and jumped straight in. Since then I’ve never looked back and look upon this decision as one of the smartest and most liberating choices I’ve ever made.

To read more on my cloth nappy journey, you can also check out my posts on cloth diapers at livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?32-How-I-started-using-cloth-nappies Introducing The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?31-Introducing-The-Crunchy-Mum Sat, 13 Aug 2011 06:40:32 GMT Hi! My name is Serene and I’m a first time mum to a lovely baby boy. Since becoming a parent, my life has changed completely. I found myself doing things I never thought I could and taking on new interests I never imagine I would – among of which include newly discovered “crunchy” a.k.a.... Hi! My name is Serene and I’m a first time mum to a lovely baby boy. Since becoming a parent, my life has changed completely. I found myself doing things I never thought I could and taking on new interests I never imagine I would – among of which include newly discovered “crunchy” a.k.a. natural parenting pursuits such as cloth diapering, babywearing and breastfeeding.

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In this blog I’ll be sharing my learnings and experiences with using cloth nappies, “wearing” your baby and breastfeeding. I hope to generate interest in this and get your feedback and thoughts to learn from each other.

If you'd like to get to know or find out more about me, drop by my personal blog livingserenely.blogspot.com ]]> The Crunchy Mum http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?31-Introducing-The-Crunchy-Mum