Diaper Notes

Newborns are different to diaper than chubby 3-4 month olds, my newborn weighed ~7# but gained so quickly that I switched up to next size from newborn prefolds by the end of first month.  Higher frequency of changes mean necessary 24 minimum on hand, and ideally fit is key though leaks are rare 'cause there's just not that much production yet.  (see also my blogged diaper discoveries Pt 1 & Pt 2)

Happily, in my eclectic Bin O'Diapers, are 2 bumGenius stuffable All-In-Ones, and 1 bumGenuis pocket, all three I am loving for night-time. The fit is good, stretchy tabs at snaps, good elastic, these will fit for months and months.

A friend gifted me 2 Imse Vimse wraps that of course work well with the dipes of same brand, a terry organic cotton contour (ergonomic) fit, have been great for this newborn and will work great up until he outgrows them (just as his sister did).

Grandma gifted 2 RumpARooz Lil' Joeys, not sure a more perfect diaper for newborns exists.  These are the only fitted diapers I've ever owned, everything else is effectively One-Size and it's been an adventure finding what "one-size" truly means per brand.  Anyway, RumpARooz patented inner gusset is super functional, there's a snap down for umbilical, these work just like a 'sposie.  My Boy started wetting through these at about 1 month though.  Poly-fleece, while popular for it's "stay-dry" aspect simply isn't as absorbent as natural fiber.

Yet another friend gifted several WeeHugger wraps with a mountain of g-Diaper's disposable and reusable inserts.  I'd read about Wee Hugger but not tried them, and I'm pleased with the fit and versatility. The disposable g-Inserts I'm familiar with, though we'd never tried the reusables.  These are fleece backed with (best guess) hemp/cotton blend, after Baby Boy started soaking through one fleece insert I simply added another, and the doubled inserts have been working well in the pocket dipes. These wraps have also been accommodating for pre-folds as well.

And a New Find at the gently used section of GGB---Gen-Y wraps.  A short snap-over design, hip fabric with a nice thick PUL layer, and deep outer gussets.  Both the WeeHugger and Gen-Y become damp or even soaked depending on time worn, so they're not exactly "wipe clean", but generally I can use one wrap all day much like the RumpARooz wrap I purchased for Baby as well.

Incidentally when perusing gently used diaper merchandise here are tips:

• look closely for stains, if it's breastmilk sunlight will take care of it easily, though if otherwise beware
• listen to elastic, if it's creaky when stretched, it's old, in a heated dryer too often and won't last too much longer
• look at seams with PUL lining, if its cracking or pealing it's been in the hot dryer too often, expect wicking
• carefully consider the new price vs. used price, in my opinion a used diaper item should be half or less than half of the full price new---unless it is really in stellar un-used condition, i.e. washed once never used

Some great huge gratitudes for community we've gained, the main reason I can expound yet again on subject of diapering.  LOVE!

Ichkies

Earlier this week, Miss Monkey started vomiting after a class, the following day she was completely checked out with fever and toilet trips, relegated to the couch watching movies.

Last night the Monka-Doodle began moaning, complaining "my tummy t-aches", shortly after that she walked to my side in the kitchen, took my hand, and popped purple mess all over the tile.  She then proceeded to decorate her bed and blankets in her sleep.

This morning again the Firstborn complains of terrible tummy, the younger has a decent fever, and so they're having saltines, water, and low-cal gatorade for breakfast.

Things to be grateful for in this....
No vomit on the carpet.
No ichky-sicky poop on the carpet, or beds.
Teachable moments re: keeping hands & our selves clean, not sharing utensils, cups, food, etc.
I'm not vomiting. Based on the timeline, if I make it through today and tomorrow without vomiting then I think I will escape it.
Extra clothes, blankets, sheets, in the closets.
A warm house in which to convalesce, and incredibly so, the homescreen such that the Littles might be still and quiet in the perpetual hypnotic state it produces.
A working washer and dryer.
HOT running water in my home.
Disinfectant.

edited to add:  I didn't escape totally, though I didn't totally re-boot (grateful), I did get a wicked fever, with dehydration, as did The Man

Dirty Diaper Business on Display

The Giggling Green Bean's Denver, CO store window.  AWEsome, no?


I love this store. Had it not been for scheduling difficulties I could be working there.  This photo has gone viral, HOORAY!  It's an incredible visual.
AND with busy sites like Dirty Diaper Laundry blogging about them I'm excited for their exposure, I had to share it on my little blog as you well know how big an advocate for cloth I am.

Happy happy happy diapering!
: )
A

Blissed

I got to take advantage of a free yoga class last night at the shala I have been coveting from afar since we moved here. I will take their teacher training some day soon.  Whatever was bothering me before that practice was miniscule by my blissed countenance afterward.

I have a God box, wherein I place prayers as I have done for more than a few years.  It is knocked behind my bedside table periodically by rampaging cats. When I found it today I thought I'd play my "what did God take care of?" Game.  I shake the tube until some prior prayer falls out, take a look at what I wrote, then marvel at all the prayers answered.  This time I kept at it and realized there were much more in there answered than not, so I figured I'd do a little god-box purge.  It's pure peaceful joy seeing how everything really does turn out well, I am cared for, I am loved.  Everything I put to God is well taken care of, all time every time.  And when I come to a scribbled prayer I consider needing more time, or it's for some one I still hold in love, I read it consciously and give it right back to the god-box.

And then a toddler pooped on the floor, and my bliss was detoured somewhat. Geewillikers, do I dislike carpet!

So it goes. Happy day!

: ) 

Glittery Germs and Toileting

So there exists a lack of hand-washing and toilet flushing in this house.  Miss Monkey has issues flushing the toilet at home for some reason.  It is also difficult to make sure she is washing her hands after toileting or after being outside.

I read somewhere a hand-washing teaching technique:  Put glitter all over child's hands.  Tell child to go play. Explaining that the glitter is germs, and look for wherever the glitter came off, that's where the germs spread because the hands were unwashed.  Then, only a good soapy, running water wash will remove all the glitter.

Miss Monkey didn't even want to go play with glitter on her hands, and then in her attempts to shake it off, rub her dry hands together she actually became rather frustrated with the ineffectiveness of her technique.  Her hand washing was perfect this one time. I drove the point home a little farther in an agreement that if she chooses not to wash her hands, the consequence will be an extensive "wipe-down" chore, i.e. wiping every single toy in the play room.

Now, for the lack of toilet flushing.  If it's urine, that's not such an issue.  I mean, I don't walk into the bathroom and get an "EW!uagh!" shock if it's only pee. She'll flush in public bathrooms, at other people's houses and many other places.  It seems home is the problem.  I just made a deal with her...she doesn't have to flush, but she can only use the upstairs "kid" bathroom, and she must shut the lid.  And I simply won't use that toilet anymore except for spraying diapers.  UPDATE: With some thought it's decided that this isn't the safest tactic 'cause E is pretty interested in the toilets.  Explaining this to big sister, about safety and cleanliness, and letting go of results...well there's been improvement.  Though I still find myself hollering for F to come flush while I wait outside the washroom door.  At least it's not as often, I think she was really getting a kick out of my gross-out reactions.

Maybe she's trying to save water? and toilet paper?  Wiping the bottom is yet another issue, and only time will help with that.  I know if I insinuate my "help" there, it only serves to enable and demean.  Yet another one of my control issues that I've to let go of.  There will be natural consequences with that particular habitual lack of cleanliness, consequences that I can't teach by talking at her endlessly.

In fact, I've already learned, and am coming to greater and greater acceptance every day, that no monologue, no diatribe, no pleading or screaming, will teach better than real life experience.

Poop and Other Goop

For some reason I've yet to delve into I have never ever thought it "okay" or "part of the care and feeding" of a dog to pick up poop from the ground.  I grew up where the family dogs were mostly outdoors and only came inside for short periods or when it was really cold out.  The dogs always pooped in the woods or elsewhere, as we didn't live in a cookie cutter neighborhood with manicured grass, it didn't matter where they went.  There is something really deep within me that considered picking up dog poo a degrading, insulting thing.  I think it's a race memory issue as I cannot recall an exact incident that might cause such a reaction.

Anyway, as a Momma I have been able to adjust my tolerance for poop and goo, booger, vomit, and baby spit-up.  It simply doesn't bother me near as much as it might have in the past---though admittedly I can't say as I was in the habit of wiping other people's bottoms, cleaning up their vomit, or aspirating their noses when stuffed up.  I tend to think that women are rather hardwired for the gore of life, we do have to deal with it once a month or so.  Men on the other hand, not so much.  It is too too funny to me that for all the sophomoric humor that males spout, they have a difficult time dealing with their own offspring's dirty diaper.  It's just poop afterall, it washes off, and with a little antimicrobial something, all is good as new.  As a Momma I've learned to deal with unexpected poopsplosions in public bathrooms like a champ.  During a Miss Toddler-Monkey diaper change, I once caught a poop in my hand rather than have to clean the carpet.  A diaper-less child having a bowel movement, much like a vomiting child, should not be moved....because rather than one simple spot, there's a trail to clean.

Newest Fluff on the Block

I purchased new diapers.  Specifically, 4 one-size pocket style diapers so The Man would might not be so opposed to aiding changes.  Not a moment too soon it seems, since we've been back from Texas there has been a terrible rash on Baby E's bum.  Not a screaming rash, but definitely an itchy red issue that must be uncomfortable.  I can only guess that it's yeast and I've taken steps to rid my pre-folds of it.  With the somewhat begrudging use of stay-dry poly-fiber inserts, her bum is looking more normal.

I wanted to purchase diapers that would accommodate a prefold as an insert.  I'd rather have purchased sans insert but the retailer wouldn't sell them separately and wouldn't work with me to trade the poly-fiber inserts for hemp.  After some perusal online I had decided I needed to get hands on a Blueberry one size pocket. While I was in the store, I hit upon Rocky Mountain, locally made & owned.  I got 2 of each label, and happily headed home. 

Blueberry I had my eye on 'cause their Coverall wrap is so stellar (much better than Thirsties, in my opinion), I am pleased.  The manufacture is strong, looks and feels like it will last, the fleece is soft, the print is cute, and the pocket easily fits a prefold (the generously cut dipe can be used as a wrap over a prefold, as well).  The Rocky Mountain pocket diapers are a slightly different style, relying on an inner snap-adjustment to make them one-size with dual in-line snaps 'round the waistline, a lower rise to the fit than the Blueberry.  So far, Blueberry has not leaked one bit.  Rocky Mountain suffered an overload one afternoon when Baby E sipped her way through an entire bottle of water.  I don't blame the diaper though, it was Big Sister that gave her the bike bottle.  I think the Rocky Mountain diaper does better with a hemp insert than a poly fiber.  The Blueberry it doesn't seem to matter much at all what that diaper is stuffed with. 

I can highly recommend both.

*Incidentally, back in the pocket diaper posse, I noticed I still feel the same about these diapering systems.  I really enjoy the ease of pockets, but dislike having to wash the whole diaper every time, the same with all-in-ones. Pre-folds + wrap make sense, as a wrap can be used over and over until it's pooped---seems smarter I think.

D.I.Y. Diaper Sprayer

I shopped them, I even asked a local store if they were going to stock them.  The store called me when the sprayer arrived, and I balked at the price. $45?

In Home Depot, taking advantage of a gift card, on yet another trip to the potty for someone or other in our party, I passed through the plumbing aisle. Hmmm, I thought as I spotted the sink sprayers.  On our way back through I snagged the paid plumber assistant fellow, and he perused the stock looking for all the right pieces. Plumbing has always fascinated me, all the metal and machining involved with making water travel to distant places is neat-O.  Anyway, I told him what I wanted to do, and happily followed him around while he gathered the pieces.  After memorizing the order in which the pieces should be attached, I added them to our haul.

Excited as I was, this was a little project that would have to wait until after we returned from the Epic Texas Trip. On our first full day home it was one of the premier projects that I completed.

Tools?  Pair of right sized pliers.

The plumber's picks?  A valve adapter (add 1/4" comp. outlet to a valve), an Ice Maker Supply Line, a standard sink sprayer with hose, and a Compression Connector (1/4"OD x 1/4" MIP w/ insert).

They're attached in that exact order from the water supply at the wall.

I turned off the water at the wall.  I unscrewed the existing hose to the toilet, added the valve adapter, re-attached the toilet water line, then screwed on the Ice Maker Supply line to the new valve. 

Then came the compression connector... 

and the sprayer itself.

Voila!  Diaper Sprayer!  I laughed with triumph!

Total Cost?  ~$20 and less than half an hour installation.

What I've learned so far:

• There is a learning curve with a diaper sprayer, you might, as I did, spray pooplets all around the intended toilet bowl.  Beware the splattering ricochet.
• Spray close, very close.  Spray down, almost straight down the diaper.
• The water pressure surprised me, hence the poopletsplosion.
• Pocket diapers are best sprayed front to back, or pocket opening downward toward the bowl.
• Prefolds can be challenging if poo is outside the imagined boundary of a liner, but diaper sprayer definitely wins over "swishing" method.
• The water is cold, so unless you enjoy torturing your children (and your own eardrums), sprayer is not for use on dirty naked children in the tub.

For My Birthday

I got happy-patted on the face by chubby hands first thing.  And loving phone calls from Mom and The Man.

Baby E pooped in the toilet....only 'cause she was crawling 'round the place naked and I caught her up and placed her on the toilet before she did too much damage, she was perfectly happy and trusting to sit there and finish her business.

Miss Monkey announced that she's stopping her thumb-sucking today, as my birthday gift, totally her idea.  She also had a massive breakdown 'cause the vacuum cleaner cord was too tangled for her skills.  If one is familiar with her character, this is the first time she has ever vacuumed.  She'd been mortally terrified of the vacuum since she was an infant so this is a huge step for her.  Before there are any ideas about child labor, vacuuming the carpet under the table is an extra chore she chose to do in order to earn back toys that I have picked up for her.  Lovin' & Logickin'.  She needed a lot of empathy in order to calm herself 'cause the cord wasn't wrapped "straight up and down".

Maybe I'll make it to the gym in a reasonable amount of time, maybe I'll get my entire workout in today?  maybe I'll just stick around the house and end up sewing something else or baking goodies just for fun.  The Man is out of town, otherwise I might be able to take the day off in the sense that moms ever get days off.  ; )
Always an adventure, Happy Day!

Oh! The Diapers We Tried! Pt. 1

Disposables

meh.  Pay for something that I'm going to throw away almost immediately. And by the way, the poop really is supposed to go in the toilet, especially the real poop after baby starts eating solids.

All-in-One by Bum Genius

Like most all in ones, took too long in the dryer, and I got tired of washing the entire diaper when I knew only the cloth needed it.  A cute diaper though.  I hear of TotsBots making an all-in-one diaper that has an easy-stuff insert and that dries easily.  As I'm staying away from man-made fibers though I've yet to try one.

gDiapers' hybrid

Neato diaper, flush and done or compostable (very cool). Cute stuff and innovative design with a "wipe-clean" snap in liner covered with cloth-like outer(g-pant).  The g-pants' velcro didn't wear well. Definitely more expensive than bulk disposables.  Can be used with a g-cloth insert instead of the biodegradable/flushable insert.

Fuzzi Bunz pocket

Fuzzi Bunz I used mostly with Miss Monkey. However, the exclusivity of the wash was annoying. Meaning: they recommend not to wash the polyfleece pockets with any natural fibers (hemp or cotton, etc.) because it causes the fleece to pill and not to wash the polyester microfiber inserts with naturals as it supposedly has adverse effect for absorbency. Either way, it was a nuisance to find a washcloth accidentally mixed in, and have fiber strings from static sticking to the inserts and the diapers.

Furthermore, when Miss Monkey learned nighttime pottying, she would argue with me in the mornings about whether her diaper was dry or not. She insisted it was still dry 'cause she couldn't feel it was wet---a drawback of the "stay dry insert".  Baby E has always had a specific "I'm uncomfortable with my bottom!" cry, and now that she's on the move she'll pester me until I check and change her.

---continued with Part 2---

Oh! The Diapers We Tried! Pt. 2

Bum Genius pocket

I enjoyed the Bum Genius pockets, though again, those polyfiber inserts that I don't care for.  Might get a couple more, sans insert, for The Man, these diapers work all right with prefolds as stuffin'.

Gerber prefold with Bumkins wrap

The Gerber prefolds sold at Target, the problem with them is they're "stuffed" with poly fill (gauze) instead of extra cotton layers, so they're less absorbent than they could be.  They work fine for newborns 'cause there isn't much to absorb, but past point of newborn I only recommend them as a doubler if at all.  These did get softer and softer with every wash.  The Bumkins wrap, a wipe clean material, worked well for it's simplistic design, there are nice tabs to protect the velcro with every wash, the small size didn't fit over Baby E's chubster thighs.  Once we came close to a total blowout with the mediums I knew it was time to upsize.

GroVia's (formerly GroBaby) hybrid 

I was unimpressed with their netting lining the wrap, not a wipe-clean surface like other wraps, so ended up washing them more often than I wanted, and their aplix did not react well when accidentally dried. I did however like their disposable insert, and when sitters are here, or Gary's feeling challenged by diapering they're still available for use.  Supposedly these inserts are flushable, also.

Babykicks Bumboo w/ hemp insert

I dislike the snap-over design. I tried some and when Baby E pooped it was a total mess with the flaps flopping around every.single.time. Their bamboo cotton mix lining has a terrible pill-ing problem, also. Didn't care for the hemp insert, too long to dry and seemed to smell funky too soon, nice leg gussets though.  I just used that dipe (minus insert) as a swim diaper today.

Unbleached various prefolds with Sweet Pea/Blueberry/Thirsties Duo wraps

A flannel liner for poo removal/disposal, and a newborn prefold as a doubler at night.  For versatility and economy pre-folds can.not.be.beat.  Consider the methods of folding alone to accomodate different babies, consider the possibility of using pre-folds as inserts if necessary, consider that prefolds range ~$1.50-$2.75 each, add a $10 wrap that can be reused often...it's the best.  Once my hands learned the pattern of "fold-snappi-wrap" it's quick, also.  With cotton dipes, I can rinse them a couple times and add whatever else needs to be washed without a second thought.  All my wraps are "wipe-clean" surface.  The Sweet Pea has a stretch to it, and nice deep gussets. The Blueberry coverall, my favorite nighttime wrap, never has issues covering the pre-fold, nice gussets, as well.  The Thirsties Duo I was disappointed with what they profess as a size 1 to fit up to 18# baby, did not fit Baby E, had to switch to size 2 immediately.

I have yet to try wool, though I appreciate the sustainability of it, the exclusivity of laundry looms with the idea of lanolizing, etc.  I dream of a gusseted pocket diaper made with PUL that is reclaimed plastic, a sweet natural fiber flannel/fleece next to the bum, that has it's own contoured cotton insert or will accommodate good prefold.

Attack of the Migrating Super Poo

She hadn't gone in a day or so, and it happens when I least expect it.  Thinking it was just any ole' diaper change, maybe a bit bigger than normal I was totally unprepared for what I unwrapped.  At least I had presence of mind to start the process in the bathroom.

Pulled off baby's pants to discover poop smeared down her leg.

Um, okay.  Guess I'll revamp my approach.

Un-snap the turtle neck of her shirt, peek down her back, and see more mess squished up and out of the diaper.

Hmm, well lets see how bad the damage really is.

Upon unsnapping the diaper wrap I.am.amazed.  SO MUCH POOP.  I had already handed Baby E something to keep her little hands busy whilst I attempted to mitigated the mess, I know that poop washes off it's still unnerving to find poop-icing wisp here and there as I'm trying to keep little one still long enough to frame a counter attack, all the while the main goal is to keep the poop away from her mouth. 

Meanwhile she is happy as a clam and only fusses when I make negative "AaaGH!" noises 'cause I didn't move the decimated diaper out of arm's reach fast enough and her chubby paw now smeared with sticky poop.

Okay, measuring my options now. The bathroom floor is littered with poopie pants, poopie towel, uber-poopie diaper splayed open, poopie baby shirt, and a barely manageable squirming poo-smeared 9 month old.  Keeping a wary eye on that poo smeared hand, I step over everything to the tub and start the water---wait! remove the sticky tub-mat, I don't want to clean every suction cup individually after this fiasco.  

Water running?  check.

Water temp okay? check.

Poo-Baby okay?  check.

Wait! poopie-water pooling in shallow end!

SIT baby at other end.

Baby slippy-slides on her bottom leaving a poopie trail, back to the pooling water.

Move baby again to opposite end.

Slippy-slidey baby flips over and crawlslips back to running water to play!

Aagh! Move baby again, re-check water temp....START SHOWER! yeah, that's it, I'll start the shower!

No shower curtain hanging up, but that isn't stopping me now.

She is still a happy baby even as I'm holding her up to the shower spraying off as much poop as possible.

Eventually back in the running-water bath, I finish cleaning out the chubby creases, give her a good wash n' rinse with a cup, and then holler for Miss Monkey to assist with clean towel retrieval, who is very prompt and helpful, and summarily entertained by the whole escapade.  She whooped with laughter as did I alternately with exclamations about the shear amount of poo to suddenly come from such a little body.

Started to think, what kind of diaper would have contained this?  The answer is none, this was utter diaper overload.  The Poo That Will Not Be Contained pays a visit to every Momma, then she can share her Legendary Poop story for years to come. 

So, I'm off to finish rinsing out the leftovers and get some much needed laundry started.