Since bringing these diapers in over a year ago, we’ve gotten nothing but rave reviews about this mini-me diaper.  It blends a few things together to push it high up on the list of faves:

1. It actually fits the tiniest of tinies, from 5-13lbs.
2. Natrual bamboo (ever-so-soft) next to baby’s skin in the “wet-zone”
3. Absorbent & waterproof layer sewn together to make it a one step on, one step off diaper
4. Absorbent layers are designed to be only two layers at any point during the washing and drying steps, so this process is thorough and quick
5. This diaper comes with an additional absorbency pad that can be put inside the diaper when your baby needs it, ie getting towards the bigger end of the size range, going through a growth spurt or sleeping through the night (or at least a good few hours in a row!).  The option of not having the extra pad in the diaper allows for a trimmer fit when the diaper’s absorbency doesn’t need to be maxed out.
6. The diaper fastens with velcro.  For new parents and for the many shapes and sizes that newborns come in, this is a good thing.  It’s super easy and super adjustable.
7. It’s made in Scotland.

The only downside that we see with this little diaper is that it’s rise (how high it comes up on the tummy) may be a tich too high for smaller newborns during their “umbilical stump” stage which can last anywhere from 4 days to two weeks.  For some babies, this is not an issue.

Some families choose to use these for their entire diaper collection, keeping things uniform and simple.  Other families will choose to  a very simple, prefold system with these diapers as their “easy diaper”.  A typical amount of diapers for a newborn collection is 24, with a two day washing cycle.

Go and check these diapers out.  On the New & Green Site you’ll find them on the product page with their big sister, the Easy Fit which we recommend for babies from 10-35lbs.

Have you used a TiniFit for your little?  Mamas over on our Facebook Page have and they LOVE it!

We asked our customers why they love working with New & Green and this is just one of our very kind reviews:

 ”I was first introduced to New and Green when my sister enrolled me in a cloth diaper workshop. The workshop turned out to be the most informative prenatal class I took. The woman who ran the course was so knowledgeable! I was totally convinced cloth diapers would be the way for us to go. I was also convinced that there could be no better service in the lower mainland. I also appreciated the fact that when I would go to pick up the diapers, I was able to ask questions and get great explanations. New and Green has the best customer service!”

Thank you L.  We are happy to help and to provide you with all the information you need to put little D into cloth diapers! 

Baby E. is wearing one of our favourite night time choices – the Aristocrats Wool diaper cover.  These 100% wool covers are naturally absorbent and breatheable, allowing for dry beds and happy mornings!  Pair this cover with a bamboo or hemp fitted diaper for a super trim and ultra thirsty combination.

Photo Credit:  Vairdy Photography.  Vairdy is a Vancouver Photographer who works with newborns, children & families.

This year, we are going to continue to bring you lots of great diapering info to help you along your way but thought we’d also draw on some of the experts that we’ve met over the years.  We’ve got some great information lined up for you to help you with your day to day parenting.  We can’t wati to share!

First up, we’d like to introduce you to Chloe Dierkes of Urban Doula.  We chatted with Chloe and asked her to share with us some common themes from her experiences working with brand new parents.

N&G: When working with parents to be, what are the top 3 things that you tell them to expect in the first weeks with a newborn?

Chloe:

1. Expect breast-feeding to take some time to establish.  Read a book on breast-feeding during pregnancy so that you are not trying to learn while caring for your newborn (you will not have the time!).  Attend a local Le Leche League meeting (http://www.lllc.ca/get-help) before the birth so you can talk with and observe breast-feeding moms.  Be sure to get lots of support immediately following your birth.
2. Expect your sleeping patterns to change drastically.  Newborns are often awake more at night than during the day.  This will soon reverse, but until it does, you will have to make up for lost sleep with many naps throughout the day (your total sleep time should add up to the same number of hours as before).
3. Expect your emotions to be fragile.  Be gentle with yourself and your partner.

N&G: When visiting a family post-partum, what are the top 3 things that families tell you they were surprised about?

Chloe:

1. How quickly newborns change.  This requires constant adaptation since every solution is temporary and often once new parents feel things are figured out, something else becomes difficult.
2. How nervous and unprepared they felt.
3. How difficult it is to get 3 meals and enough sleep in each day.

N&G: What is your favourite piece of wisdom to share with parents to be about the first days and weeks with their new baby?

Chloe: Before your baby arrives, arrange for support from friends, family and/or a postpartum doula.   In our society it is custom to shower new parents with lots of toys, clothes and physical gifts, but in retrospect parents often feel that practical support would have been much more beneficial.   Have a close friend arrange a “meal train” for you, where each night for the first few weeks you have someone deliver you a healthy meal.  Set your own parameters based on what you like to eat and make sure you have boundaries outlining the rules (for example, “please come at 5:30pm, stay for no longer that 15 minutes and do some tidying before you leave”).  Set up your support systems before baby arrives.

About Urban Doula: Chloe Dierkes is a birth and postpartum doula in Vancouver, BC who offers guidance and care for pregnancy, birth and newborn families.  She has worked in childcare for almost a decade and thoroughly enjoys supporting families and helping them to find creative solutions.

Find out more: www.urbandoula.com

We want to test the theory that basic can be beautiful.  And simple.  Prefolds have been the workhorse of cloth diapers for decades and among all the new innovations, they still remain one of the most popular choices for simplicity and economics. We have the fabulous organic cotton prefolds from Bummis on our shelves and we’re looking for 6 families with babies between 8-30lbs and at least 4 weeks old to test these products for us.

If you’re interested, fill out an application by clicking on the link below. You must be an {avid} facebook user and be available over the next few weeks to participate.

Thanks so much; we really appreciate working with our Parent Review Panelists.

Apply here to be a part of our parent review panel.

Keep up with the reviews on Facebook or check back on http://www.newandgreen.com in a couple weeks for real-time reviews of the products.

Gift-giving can be one of the joys of the Christmas holiday and it’s always fun to discover just the right gift for a friend or family member.

In that spirit, we have put together a gift guide with a few ideas for the people on your list. If you know soon-to-be new parents, parents of young children, or are a parent yourself, be sure to check out our list. There’s something for everyone and for every budget!

We here at New & Green wish you and your families all the best during this holiday season.

Parent Favorites

	EasyFit All-in-Ones (+TiniFits for your favorite newborn!) EasyFits are one of the perennial favorites among New & Green parents and the highest rated by parent reviews on our website. They offer a great fit, good absorbancy (bamboo and microfibre together make a thirsty combo!), stunning colours made from Oeko-Tex certified dyes, and high quality hook-and-loop closures. They’re also made by Tots Bots, a Scottish company that makes every effort for ethical and sustainable production methods.
	Stretch Bamboozle Fitted Bamboo Diaper The Bamboozle is touted among parents as one of the most absorbent diapers available and is popular especially for naptimes and nighttime. It’s also popular among parents who want natural fibres against their baby’s skin. Bamboo is a sustainable fibre and scrumptiously soft!
	The FLIP Diaper The Flip is a popular option merely due to the variety of ways in which you can use it, as well as it’s a simple, no-fuss, well-fitting cover for babies of every shape and size. You get to choose either an organic cotton or microfibre insert or purchase it alone to use as a standard cover for other fitted diapers and prefolds.
	AMP Duo Pocket Diaper The AMP Duo is manufactured in Winnipeg by a conscientious mom-run business. This pocket in particular is popular because of its high quality and its superb fit on both lean and chubby babies. The diaper is available in a small size for newborns up to 15 lbs and a one-size option for larger babies.
	BumGenius One Size 4.0 BumGenius diapers are one of the most recognized and well-loved diapers on the market today. These one-size pocket diapers come stocked with an adjustable full-size insert as well as a newborn insert that also doubles as a doubler to increase absorbancy for car trips, nap times, and nighttime usage. You can now also choose either a velcro closure or snaps, depending on your preference and what works best for your family. The stretch-to-fit tabs help ensure a great fit every time and the diaper can be used from 8-35 lbs.
	Aristocrats Wool Covers Wool covers are hailed as a wonder-cover for babies who struggle with diaper rash, for parents who want to use natural fibres, and for babies who need help sleeping through the night. (The breathability of wool allows moisture to evaporate off the baby’s skin as they sleep, thus not waking them due to the sensation of being wet.) Aristocrats covers are manufactured here in BC and so also satisfy parents wanting to buy local!

Great Options for Getting Started

	Bummis Organic Cotton Prefold Kit This diapering-kit-in-a-box provides parents all the basics needed to get started with cloth diapering. The kit includes 24 organic cotton prefolds, 6 covers, 3 rolls of Bio-Soft liners, 5 reusable stay-dry liners, and 1 large wet bag. That’s enough diapers for at least two full days of diapering! Prefolds are a very easy and practical way to get started with cloth and are especially popular among parents who are budget-savvy.
	Large Fabulous Storage and Wet Bags These brightly colored pail liners and tote-able wetbags will cheerfully hold several days of dirty diapers. They’re an essential part of setting up your diaper pail system and a must-have item for parents who are just getting started.
	Rockin’ Green Cloth Diaper Laundry Detergent Rockin’ Green has revolutionized cloth diaper laundry and makes the chore… dare we say, an utter delight. It gets diapers truly clean while leaving no residue, it’s eco-friendly, and you have your choice of a number of yummy scents that don’t linger on the diapers. For parents who are just getting started, this detergent will help make the new routine downright enjoyable.
	Bummis Tankinis These oh-so-cute tankinis are perfect for your pool-side babe. They are designed to be paired with the ever-popular Swimmi swim diaper, and even if you don’t cloth diaper, this is a great way to be both sustainable and chic at the swimming pool all year round.

Great Options for Newborns

	Bummis Organic Cotton Newborn Pack Nothing fits quite as well as a diaper that is designed specifically with the newborn in mind – both for fit and for comfort. This pack bridges the gap between birth and one-size or small size diapers and parents have raved about difference it makes. The pack includes 1-dozen soft organic cotton prefolds and two perfect-size covers – enough for one day’s worth of diapering. This combo is one of the most cost effective ways of managing the early days when you are changing a lot of diapers!
	Kissaluvs+ Newborn Pack Everything you need to get started from Day 1! This package features literally everything you need to cloth diaper your newborn starting from Day 1 and features some of the best products on the market for quality, fit, and chic-cuteness. The pack even includes wipes, storage bags, and detergent! Talk about getting everything you need in one convenient package…
	Taslie Cheeky Bum Wash Your baby’s poo in the first few weeks can get a little…. well, sticky, and this bum spray is a great way to keep your baby’s cheeks fresh and well-cleaned!
	BeautifulBASIC Infant Starter Kit This box is a great way for parents to try out prefolds without investing in large quantities of diapers. The kit includes three organic cotton prefolds and one wrap cover – just tri-fold the prefold and lay it in the cover and voila! you have a lovely, absorbent diaper ready to go.
	Kissaluvs Size 0 Cotton Sherpa Fitted Diaper These tiny diapers are possibly the most popular diapers among parents who are cloth diapering newborns, as they keep all those newborn messes exactly where they should be. They feature a snap-down front to go around the umbilical stump and snug-but-comfy elastic around the back and legs to ensure a great fit.

Great Options for Toddlers

Bummis Training Pants Cloth trainers catch the dribbles and little messes that are inevitable while potty training, they help provide feedback to the child who is learning about wet and dry sensations, and they save parents money! Bummis pants in particular are easy for the child to pull up and down and offer a secure, comfortable fit.

BabyKicks 3G One-Size Pocket Diaper The 3G pocket diaper is designed as a diaper but works superbly well as a training pant. By snapping the wings shut, you create an easy-up, easy-down pant for the child, but in case of a messy accident, the wings snap open like a diaper in order to get the training pant off without creating more mess. Also, by having a pocket opening, you can adjust the absorbancy according to your child’s need or leave out the insert completely.

Must-Have Diapering Accessories (aka Fabulous Stocking Stuffers)

	Bum Bum Balm Organic Diapering Salve This fabulous diaper salve is hand-made right here in BC! Each batch is lovingly made with the highest quality, organic ingredients. This is a zinc-free diaper salve that uses naturals to gently soothe and heal your little one’s skin. It smells great too! We know toddlers who love it so much that they pack it themselves in the diaper bag…
	Kissaluvs Premium Organic Cloth Wipes Irresistible fashion prints in the softest flannel on one side and a sumptuous organic cotton velour on the other make these wipes Hip, Green and Gorgeous. Choose from a dreamy Mermaid, a yummy Two Scoops or a mod Lots of Dots.
	Bummis Super Whisper Wrap Covers These covers in delightful prints have been popular among cloth diapering parents for several years running. They offer a great fit, high quality construction, and cover any fitted or prefold diaper. Very useful and multi-functional.
	Snappi Diaper Fasteners Snappis are an ingenious little invention that make diaper pins obsolete. They come in a variety of colors and are made from a stretchable non-toxic material, which is T-shaped with grips on each end. These grips hook into the diaper fabric to ensure a snug-fitting diaper with enough natural movement for the baby. Pick up several to give to all your cloth diapering friends!
	Small and Medium Fabulous Wet Bags These zippered, toss-n’-go wet bags make going out with cloth diapers easy. (They’re great for daycare or the swimming pool too!) The small size holds 2-4 dirty diapers and the medium one holds 4-6 dirties. These make great stocking stuffers because even if you already have a stash of wetbags, these repurpose well for carrying cosmetics, as gym bags, for travel, and so much more!
	New & Green Gift Certificates Still don’t know what to get that special someone or just aren’t sure what would be most helpful for those soon-to-be new parents? New & Green has gift certificates available in any denomination!

Photo Credit – Stephen Jones

If you’ve ever hunted for information about cloth diapering, you’ve likely run across the instruction to “strip your diapers.” Some sources make this sound like a dire emergency, while other sources ignore it completely. So we thought we’d take a quick look at what stripping is and when it’s useful.

What is Stripping?

“Stripping” merely refers to an easy process that strips any lingering residues from the surface of your diapers.  Residues can build up if you use a detergent that has additives or fabric softeners, if diapers aren’t fully rinsed after each wash, or if you have hard water in your area.

Why Should I Strip? (And How Often?)

Stripping isn’t a routine maintenance sort of thing – it’s only something you need to do if your normally soft and absorbent diapers are suddenly leaking or if there’s an undesirable odor that lingers in your diapers even after they’ve been washed and dried.

So, HOW Do I Strip?

There are various methods for stripping your diapers depending on your type of machine. And obviously, regardless of method, start with non-dirty diapers or you’ll have a whole new set of problems to deal with!

HOT water with no detergent (top-loader): Wash your diapers in the longest cycle your machine will allow using the HOT wash cycle and either HOT or WARM rinse. Lift the lid every once in a while to check for soap bubbles -  you need to rinse until you no longer see soap bubbles or a film on top of the water during the rinse, which may take as many as 3-4 rinses. But once the soap bubbles no longer appear, your diapers are fresh and fully stripped!

Rock-a-Soak (top-loader & HE): This is a super-super-effective way to get rid of lingering funk and residues. In a top-loader, fill the tub with hot water, add 3-4 tablespoons of Funk Rock Ammonia Bouncer, toss in your diapers, and let them sit for an hour or so. After the soak, run them through a hot wash and rinse cycle 2-3 times.

In a front-loader, add your diapers to the basket and put 3-4 tablespoons of Funk Rock in the detergent area of the detergent drawer. Start a quick wash cycle and hit “stop” or “pause” as soon as you notice that the Funk Rock has been washed into the basket and the water has been added in the cycle. Let this sit for an hour or so, then start a long, hot wash and rinse without adding anything else. You will likely need to wash and rinse 2-3 times.

Vinegar (top-loader & HE): You can also add 1/4 – 1/2 cup of vinegar to one of the rinse cycles. This is a gentle way to neutralize the acids and odors lingering on your diapers and it will help lift away the residues. You can add this via the detergent drawer or if you have a Downy ball, just place the vinegar inside and toss it in on top of the diapers.

Dawn dishwashing liquid (top-loader only): In a top-loader, you may also add one squirt of Original Dawn dishwashing liquid to the wash cycle. Dawn has been formulated as a degreaser, so it does very well in lifting off oily residues. (If your child has recently discovered Vaseline or petroleum-based diaper creams and smeared them all over his or her diapers, Dawn is also a very effective way to deal with that laundry issue!) Dawn creates lots of suds, however, so if you want to use this method with a front-loader, you’ll need to scrub the diapers with Dawn by hand and rinse them out before putting them into the washer. As with all the other methods, once the diapers are in the machine, wash on hot and – you guessed it – rinse, rinse, rinse.

So, as you can see, stripping your diapers doesn’t take much more effort than a regular load of laundry and doesn’t need to happen often. The best way to prevent needing to strip in the first place is just to make sure you’re using a long rinse in your normal wash routine or by occasionally adding a second rinse to your routine.

Happy diapering!

Photo Credit – Brooklyn

A diaper pail is an essential part of cloth diapering, although unlike its counterpart for disposable diapers, a diaper pail in a cloth system doesn’t need to be anything more than a pail with a lid. (Simple is good!)

Today we’ll walk through a few considerations to keep in mind as you set up your diaper pail system.

why dry pail

In bygone days, it was standard procedure to toss dirty diapers in a pail of water to allow the diapers to presoak. However, with modern washing machines that do a bang-up job of pre-rinsing diapers, it is no longer necessary to lug that heavy pail to the wash or have “poop soup” sitting around. Also, many modern cloth diapers have synthetic parts (elastics, velcro, PUL, etc), which break down by sitting in water.

Thus, we merely recommend “dry pailing” your diapers. Just place a waterproof bag in your pail, toss in the dirties as you go (dumping solids in the toilet first, of course), and then let the washing machine do the work of rinsing and prepping your diapers at the beginning of the wash cycle.

choosing a pail

You don’t need anything fancy for a pail – any container with a lid large enough to hold 2-3 days of diapers will do. Tall garbage can-size totes and round plastic storage bins with a lid and locking handles are especially popular among parents. These can be found inexpensively at any local general store or mass merchandiser.

where to put your pail

Put your pail where it’s convenient and a bit out of the way. Some people put it next to the change area, some put in the washroom next to the toilet or under the sink, and some have a small pail in each location. You just want to choose a place where it’s convenient for you and where pets and toddlers can’t get into it.

use a bag

If you’re in a small space or don’t have room for a pail, consider using a hanging bag instead. A “hanging pail” can be hung on a doorknob or wall hook and frees up floor space. A zipper replaces the need for a lid and keeps everything tidy. Large hanging wet bags can be part of your decor, too, as they come in various fun colors!

Setting up an organized system to deal with the dirties is easy and inexpensive. What tips do you have for keeping it simple?

Photo Credit – Vancouver photographer Amber Strocel who crafts a beautiful parenting blog, too.

We’ve talked lots here on the New & Green blog about organizing your diaper bag and how to cloth diaper when you’re away from home, but what about those times (that we all dread) when you’re caught unexpectedly and you aren’t prepared to change a dirty diaper when your baby really needs it?

An emergency diaper change kit to keep in your car is an excellent solution. Here’s a list of items to keep in your emergency diaper kit and a few tips for keeping it ready.

What to Stock in Your Emergency Change Kit

First, get a waterproof storage container. You’ll need somewhere to store all the items that will stay clean and dry no matter what the conditions in your vehicle. Containers such as a gallon-size Ziploc or a plastic storage container with a tight-fitting lid are excellent choices.

Inside your storage container make sure you pack:

• a travel-size wetbag
• a bottle of water (for wetting wipes and for an emergency drinking supply!)
• a few wipes
• 1 diaper per child
• a change pad

Tips

Choose an older diaper to keep in your kit. Remember this is just for the times when you are left unprepared, so this doesn’t need to be fancy (just practical) and can be an excellent use for a diaper that’s seen better days but isn’t ready to face retirement yet.

Keep the kit “up to date” with the right size diaper. If you put a small diaper in the kit when your child is 3-months-old, but don’t end up using the kit for nearly a year, the diaper in the kit will be too small for your baby. Make sure you check it every month or so to keep the right size in stock. This can also be a great place to use a one-size diaper – that way you can be assured you’ll always have a diaper that will fit adequately without having to double check regularly.

Make sure to replace anything that gets used. If you use the wipes to clean sticky, melted ice cream off your child’s hands, make sure the kit is re-stocked with new dry wipes. If the diaper is used, put a new diaper in its place. This may seem obvious, but sometimes in the shuffle of a busy life, it’s easy to forget these little details, but that’s not so helpful the next time you’re in need of a clean diaper and there is none to be found.

If you’ve got more than one child in diapers, make sure your emergency kit has one diaper per child. Whether you use sized diapers (small, medium, large) or one-size diapers, make sure there’s one diaper per child. You may be caught in a situation where both children need to be changed, and you’ll want to be prepared.

Consider keeping a large prefold as a change pad in the kit, as it can double as a diaper if you’re really stuck for a long period of time!

Have you ever been caught unawares while away from home and had to do some “creative diapering”? We’d love to hear your story!

Keeping your diaper bag stocked and ready to go makes outings easy, yet we all have those days when we find ourselves madly sorting through the laundry basket looking for a clean cover as we’re trying to get out the door.

In an effort to make life simpler and more organized, here’s a list of items we recommend you make sure you toss in your diaper bag (or preferably, pack ahead of time) – just to make life easy.

Diapers: You should always have 1-2 diapers in your diaper bag ready to grab, but if you’re going to be away from home for more than an hour or two, we suggest tossing in a few more to cover you (or better said, your babe!) for as long as you’ll be out.

Also, make sure these are your easiest-to-use diapers! (All-in-ones and pre-loaded pockets are especially popular.) You never know where you’re going to end up changing your baby when you’re out and about – be in a public washroom, the back of your car, or a living room floor – and you need to be able to change quickly. If your baby is old enough to be rolling or finds the change area to be fascinating, you may also need to be able to change the diaper one-handed.

A change pad: Since you don’t know where you’ll be changing your baby during each outing, it’s a great idea to keep a change pad in your diaper bag to use under your baby. This can be as simple as  a prefold diaper or it can be pad specifically designed for that purpose – some diaper bags come with a change pad included.

Wipes: Wipes are an absolute necessity! Not only are they handy for diaper change time – sticky hands and runny noses benefit from having a stash of wipes on hand, too!  Pack as many as will fit in your wipes container – a repurposed travel-size disposable wipes container or an extra travel-size wetbag both work well. You can choose to wet them ahead of time or use them dry.

A note however – if you tend to keep the wipes ready-to-go in your diaper bag and you also like to keep them wet, make sure you change them out every 2-3 days, as otherwise they may mold. If you want to wet your diapers as you go, this is a great time to stock up on Taslie Cheeky Bum Wash – you just spray the mild wash solution directly on your baby’s bum and wipe it off. No worry about keeping wet wipes on hand and you’ve always got a spray for making sure all the uric acid and other rash-inducing substances actually get cleaned off the skin!

A travel-size wetbag: Travel-size wetbags make bringing home the dirties a cinch. If you keep two on hand, it ensures that you’ve always got a clean one ready to go in the diaper bag. Toss the dirty one into your diaper pail along with the dirty diapers when you get home and replace it with clean wetbag and you’ll never be hunting for a plastic bag to use when you’re out and about.

Extra accessories: It’s not necessary, but it’s definitely handy to keep extra accessories on hand specifically for keeping your diaper bag stocked. If you keep an extra Snappi and an extra tin of diaper balm in your bag, you’ll never be left wanting when you’re away from home and neither will you ever have to rummage around once you’re back home and half-way through a diaper change before you remember you left the Snappi or Bum Bum Balm in the diaper bag.

A toy or other diversion: Once again, since sometimes you end up changing your babe in an unexpected location, have a little toy or other distraction item in your bag ready in case your baby isn’t that excited about being changed in a new place. A familiar or at least distracting toy can give you the minute or two you need to complete the change without having to wrestle a fussy babe.

Here’s hoping your diaper bag gets to go with you on some amazing life adventures! Do you have any tips to share with the larger New & Green community for keeping your diaper bag organized? Please leave a comment!

Photo Credit – jencu

We recently did a Parent Review Panel on our Facebook Wall with a group of parents who tested out adding Taslie Cheeky Bum Wash + AMP Hemp Wipes to their clean up collection on their change table.  We had a range of age of babies (ahem: poop scenarios) and a range of parents who were using various wipes systems including disposable wipes.  Our Parent review panel provided some valuable feedback about the cleaning power and convenience of using this system.  We also got a sneak peek at their diaper change stations to see how they setup and organize their space with cloth wipes.

Some feedback that stood out for us here at New & Green:

• parents found that they could spray the Taslie Bum Wash directly on their babies bum and then use a wet or a dry cloth
• parents reported that the Taslie Bum wash really “cut” through the mess well
• parents liked the light grapefruit scent of the Taslie Bum Wash
• one mom reported forgetting to take it one day on a trip out, using “natural” disposable wipes and being quite overwhelmed with the chemical smell of the disposable wipes after having used cloth wipes and Taslie for a few days in a row
• all the parents loved the softness of the AMP wipes and found them to be effective at cleaning up
• most parents found that they needed to use 2 wipes at a change as the AMP Hemp Wipes were a little smaller than what they typically used (good thing we’re just re-washing them and not tossing!)
• some parents reported that the wipes rolled up out of the wash; one parent found that after a week or so of use this didn’t happen as much and folding was easier

Overall, our parent review panel gave both the AMP Hemp Wipes and the Taslie Bum Wash a high recommendation to add to your cloth diapering system as an easy and effective, waste-free way to clean up.

Read parent reviews for Taslie Bum Wash.

Read parent reviews for AMP Hemp Wipes.

As a thank you to our parent review panel and to you for reading, we’d like to offer you 10% off Taslie Cheeky Bum Wash and AMP Hemp Wipes.  Use the code AMPWipesTasliePRP during checkout for your discount.  Offer valid on in stock items only and until November 25th, 2011.

We’ll be doing another Parent Review Panel soon; stay tuned for your opportunity to help other parents learn about the products offered here at New & Green.

Today our featured mom is Gina.

How old are you?
I’m 30

What did you do (from a working perspective) before your baby arrived?
I was an auditor and just received my CA (accountant certification) before going on mat leave.

Are you currently at home with your baby/children or working in/out of the home?
I am currently a stay at home mom and am working towards becoming a Hypnobabies instructor and doula.

How old is your baby?
Kaiden is 8 months

When did you decide to cloth diaper?
I started researching cloth diapers when I first got pregnant and decided that we would cloth diaper after taking the 101 workshop in my 2nd trimester.

When did you start cloth diapering?
Kaiden has been cloth diapered since day 1, the only disposable he has worn was the one the nurse put on him when he was born.

What is your favourite diaper(s)?
My favorite diaper changes all the time   Right now it’s my Bum Genius 4.0′s.

My day in a nutshell
Here is a peek into what a day looks like for us.  We don’t keep to a schedule so all times are definitely approximate!

6:30 am – Kaiden wakes me up, I roll over and am greeted by a big smile!  Then dad gets up with him, changes his diaper and gets him dressed.  After that he keeps Dad company while he gets ready for work and I get a little more sleep.  Dad puts the diapers in the dryer (they were washed after dinner the night before).

7:30 am – Kaiden joins me in bed again and it’s breakfast time.  He still has no interest in solids so he is still powered mostly by mommy milk.  Dad leaves for work.

8:00 am – Kaiden hangs out in the bathroom with me while I get ready for the day. I have perfected the art of showering and getting ready before Kaiden gets bored, which doesn’t take too long.

8:15 am – Time for another diaper change and a little hang out naked time.  Kaiden LOVES being naked.

8:30 am – Now we have some fun.  Sometimes we play, sometimes we go for a walk, and sometimes we do both.

10:00 am – Kaiden and I hop into bed, he has another bite to eat, and I lay with him until he falls asleep.

10:20 am – Now I get to have a bite to eat, prep some food for dinner, and get as many other tasks that I can done before Kaiden wakes up.

10:50 am – Kaiden gets up and we chill for a bit in bed and then change his diaper.

11:00 am – This is where things get switched up.  Some days we just go for walks & play, sometimes we get adjusted by our chiropractor, sometimes we go to a La Leche League meeting or meet up with friends to visit, go for walks, snowshoe – it is always something fun and exciting!

1:00 pm – Kaiden will have another meal and nap while we are out.  Sometimes he skips this nap, sometimes he doesn’t.  But it’s definitely time for another diaper change.

2:00 pm – We’re usually home by around this time and you guessed it, it’s time to hang out and play again.  The dogs are also a great source of amusement in the early afternoon.

4:00 pm – Back into bed for another meal and nap after another diaper change.

4:20 pm – Sometimes I’ll nap with him but if I sneak away I’ll try to get in some computer time.

4:50 pm – Kaiden gets up and we’ll play or hang out in the kitchen while I prep some more food for dinner.

5:40 pm – We suit up, go for a walk and meet dad at the train station.  If we have time we’ll pop into the library on our way and read some books.

6:15 pm – Dad and Kaiden hang out and play for a bit.  This usually involves a ton of giggling and smiles, dad is way more amusing than I am. 

6:35 pm – Kaiden gets ready for bed and we put him in his night diaper.

6:45 pm – Kaiden and I read Good Night Vancouver.

7:00 pm – Time for bed and the final meal for the day (well, except for the 4 snacks he’ll have throughout the night, hehe).  Once he’s fallen asleep I’ll sneak out.

7:30 pm – Mom and Dad make dinner, eat, and catch up on each others’ day.

8:15 pm – Take the diapers out of the dryer and fold them together (ok, I should probably be completely honest, Dad does 95% of the diaper washing and folding)

8:30 pm – Before relaxing for the evening I get some work done.

10:30 pm – Time to go join Kaiden in bed.

This interview was submitted on March 11, 2011.

It may seem from our title that we’re talking about food today, but as is inevitable in any conversation about diapers, today we’re actually discussing poo. (Sorry if we got your hopes up….) As any pediatrician or naturopath will tell you, watching your infant’s stools change from liquid to solid is an important, significant transition, and sometimes that can mean changing your diaper selection as well.

The Newborn Days

In the early days of life, your baby’s gut is immature. For the first few days, it’s excreting all the lovely, tarry meconium that is a by-product of life in the womb, and for the first few weeks is incapable of holding food for long. And obviously, the only food intake is in liquid form, so with all these factors together, you can count on a liquid-y, poopy diaper after every meal. (Diaper liners are a welcome accessory during this period!)

As for color and texture, due to the colonization of the gut with all the good bacteria it needs for nutrient absorption, you can watch the stool go from black to various shades of yellow and green. Your doctor or midwife will likely ask you at some point about the stool’s color and consistency as an indication of the baby’s health, especially if the baby has been jaundiced.

In terms of diapering, all of this liquid stool in the early days means that the most important factor to consider in choosing diapers is containment. You need a diaper or a cover that has good, snug elastic around the legs and waist to keep all the poo exactly where it belongs. Popular choices from New & Green parents tend to be a prefold, Snappi, and cover combo, a Kissaluvs size 0 + cover combo, and the (super cute) TiniFit All-in-One.

Regularity

At about 6-8 weeks of age, your baby’s stools will begin to change. While at the beginning poo tends to be runny, at this point it will begin to hold together and take on a firmer, more tacky texture. The upside to this is that the stool can be easier to shake off into the toilet, as well as that food is now moving more slowly through the gut, so it’s entirely possible that your baby will only move his or her bowels once or twice a day, sometimes at the same time each day. (Wahoo!) And as the months go by and as your baby begins to eat solid food, the poo will continue to solidify.

So as poo becomes more – shall we say, regular – containment is no longer the highest priority for a diaper, but absorbancy. Poo may not be as frequent, but the baby’s bladder is getting bigger and he or she is eating more.

Thus, parents’ favorite diapers tend to change: many still love the prefold + cover combo and the EasyFit All-in-One, but other favorites for this period include the Bamboozle bamboo fitted, the AMP hemp fitted, and BumGenius pocket diapers.

Watching your baby grow and change can be an incredible, joyful experience. We certainly hope that cloth diapering on that journey helps you celebrate the joy of watching your child grow and seeing the miracle of all the changes that your baby’s body goes through, including the myriad type of messy diapers.

And care to share your experiences? We welcome hearing your stories about how you have dealt with your “poo problems,” as questions about how to deal with poop are among our most frequent at our Cloth Diapering 101 workshops and here on the blog. Real-life stories are fantastic!

November 6 – Cloth Diaper 101 Workshop at Gymboree North Van- Register Here

November 14 – Cloth Diaper 101 Workshop at Pomegranate Midwives in East Van- Register Here

November 15- Pregnant in East Van Open House at Pomegranate Midwives in East Van- More Info

November 22 – Cloth Diaper PlayDate at Gymboree North Van – RSVP Here

November 30 – Cloth Diaper 101 Workshop at Optimum Chiropractic in SuterBrook Village, Port Moody – Register Here

A sneak peek into our workshops:

We asked parents why they loved working with New & Green and this is what the Dad of this family told us:

“New and Green offers a fantastic mix of informative and responsive customer service and great products.  We attended the Diapering 101 course and then did a follow up with one of the staff to help us find the best options for our family and lifestyle.  We appreciated the guidance and ease of the service.”

Thanks D, T and Baby E.  We love the opportunity to work with families like you!

Baby E is sporting an infant sized Organic Cotton Prefold Cloth Diaper with a Royal Blue Snappi.  In this photo Baby is just a couple weeks old.  Organic Cotton Prefolds are the absorbent part of your two piece diapering system.  Baby E needs a waterproof cover over top to complete the system.

Photo Credit:  Vairdy Photography.  Vairdy is a Vancouver Photographer who works with newborns, children & families.

This post was inspired by an article in our Learning Centre. If you haven’t checked out the Learning Centre or Diaper Care library recently, put it on your list – it’s packed with great information!

Occasional diaper rash is a normal occurrence for babies. When those sweet baby cheeks are inside of a diaper 24/7 for upwards of two-and-a-half years, you are bound to have a rash every now and again.

Some common reasons for rashes:

• Staying in a wet or dirty diaper too long
• Change in Mama’s diet (for nursing babies)
• Change in baby’s diet (watch food introductions)
• Teething
• Sensitivity to detergent and/or buildup of detergent in diaper fabric

So with that in mind, here are six tips for preventing a rash or decreasing the incidence of rashes:

Give your baby diaper-free time every day.

Allow your baby’s skin to air out at least once a day for more than 10 minutes and preferably, expose the skin to sunshine. Rashes only flare up and proliferate in dark, humid, acidic environments – air and sunshine are the perfect antidote.

Cleanse your baby’s diaper area with just warm water and a cloth.

Make sure you wipe your baby’s bum at every diaper change, even if the diaper was only wet. While the urine itself on the skin will evaporate, irritating uric acid crystals will be left behind. By just wiping the skin clean with a cloth wipe and warm water, you’ll get rid of any residues, leaving your baby’s skin soft and irritant-free.

Make sure your baby’s diaper area is dry before you put on a fresh diaper.

Closing up wet skin in a watertight environment can be a recipe for a rash, so let the skin dry before you put on the new diaper.

These couple of extra minutes can be a really enjoyable bonding time between parent and child – often times newborns and young babies are alert at diaper change time and that’s when they’re cooing and looking around. Older babies sometimes love the routines that are associated with diaper change time – it’s the time when they get to play with a special toy or have a “conversation” with Mommy or Daddy. The minute or two that it takes for the skin to dry can become a lovely interactive time.

Change your baby often.

Leaving a wet or poopy diaper next to the skin for a prolonged period of time is a sure way to set off a rash. Although “prolonged” is relative – some sensitive-skin babies react to the presence of uric acid within minutes while others could go significantly longer before complaining. Regardless of length of time, however, the skin will flare up under these conditions, so it’s definitely in the best interest of both you and your baby to change the diaper as soon as possible once it’s soiled.

Create a stay dry layer.

If your baby seems especially sensitive to wetness, using a non-absorbent layer between your baby’s skin and the wet diaper can be a great way to minimize the skin’s exposure to all that dampness. Either choose a diaper that has fleece right next to the skin, such a pocket diaper, or add a stay dry layer by laying a liner in any diaper you use – fleece and raw silk are the most popular in this case.

Use wool.

If your baby is suffering from a rash and needs healing or in order to prevent a rash when your baby has to stay in his or her diaper for an extended period of time (ie nighttime), consider using a wool cover. Wool offers the best breathability and allows moisture on the skin to evaporate, even when up against a wet diaper. We’ve heard it from parents again and again (and experienced it ourselves) – switching to a wool cover is the fastest, surest way to zap a rash when it starts.

Here’s to healthy, happy babies (and to all you mamas and papas who love them so well!).