The Flats and Handwashing Challenge

What is the Flats and Handwashing Challenge?  All the details are on Dirty Diaper Laundry's website, but basically, participants commit to using only flat cloth diapers and covers for one week, and agree to only hand wash and line-dry the diapers.  Kim Rosas of Dirty Diaper Laundry was inspired to start this challenge by families that were in such dire financial straits that they were washing and reusing disposable diapers.  There are cloth diaper banks, such as Giving Diapers, Giving Hope and Share the Love (which I volunteer for) that provide cloth diaper loans to families in need.  However, many families don't own a washer and dryer, and the expense of washing diapers at a laundromat can be cost prohibitive.  Flats, however, are very economical to purchase and easy to hand wash.  They're easy to find and many other cotton items can be repurposed as flat diapers (flannel receiving blankets, t-shirts, and flour sack towels, to name a few).

Why am I doing the challenge?

As a host site for Share the Love, I want to speak from personal experience when offering solutions in cloth diapering.  As a Diaper Parties consultant, I also want to be able to provide economical options for families on a tight budget, even if they aren't eligible for a cloth diaper loan.  Recently, a family asked me for advice on how to handle cloth diapering when traveling or on vacation.  I feel like this challenge is a great way to practice what to do when camping, on vacation, or during a power outage.

Sometimes, in the world of cloth diapers, we get super excited about cool new diapers or adorable prints. Limited releases crash websites and sometimes, cloth diapers become an investment game. There's nothing wrong with any of that, and it's great for getting people excited about modern cloth diapers.  It's also great that families can make their money back in a way that's totally impossible with disposable diapers.  But at the same time, it can be intimidating or off-putting for those who can't participate in that market. I want to help raise awareness that cloth diapering can truly be for everyone.  Simplicity can be just as good.

I have some hand me down flats and some OsoCozy flats, and I'll be spending the next two weeks figuring out just how many flats I'm going to need. I'm planning on supplementing with some of our old receiving blankets and possibly t-shirts, to get a true idea of what I can recommend.  My son will be eleven months during the challenge, and is a heavy wetter at night.  My daughter is currently in the process of potty training, and may or may not be in diapers during the day but will likely be diapered at night during the challenge.  We're also going to make a camp washer before the challenge starts.

This will be my first year participating, and I just can't wait!

My Week with Disposables

When I took my little guy for his six-month check-up, his pediatrician diagnosed his persistent diaper rash as a yeast infection.  This meant ten days of antibiotic cream and ten days with no cloth diapers, to let the infection clear up. Meanwhile, all the cloth diapers and cloth wipes were bleached.  That left us with disposable diapers and wipes for the ten day period.  After almost two and a half years of cloth diapering, it was quite eye opening.

Some things (I have to admit) were nice.  Disposable diapers have the advantage of being more compact.  I wouldn't need as large a diaper bag. Or I could fit even more into my diaper bag--like more wraps.  

On the other hand, I'm going to be really happy to get back into cloth. Here's why.  

1.  When we were out and baby boy pooped, I was unsure what to do with the diaper. Of course it was always at someone else's house. Or at the doctor's office where there is a big "no poopy diaper" sign on the trash can.  So, I ended up bagging it and bringing it back home. Not that different from cloth--except I was just carrying around straight trash.  And it was a lot messier than a cloth poopy diaper.  Which brings me to number 2 (pun intended). 

2.  The clothing changes.  Baby's spare clothes will stay in the diaper bag for weeks at a time--sometimes he even outgrows them without getting to use them.  But we had to change outfits for almost every poopy diaper.  Anyone who says they don't want to cloth diaper because they don't want poop in the washer doesn't know the power of the blowout.  

3. There's more about the poop.  It was harder to clean off with the disposable.  Slimier.  Ick.  I had to use way more wipes. 

4. Stink.  I discovered that I really dislike the combination of the smell of pee and plastic.  

5. I was naively surprised by the amount of trash.  We take our own trash to the landfill (country living), so we are super aware of the amount of trash we generate.  

6. It was inconvenient!  We were running low on disposables and snow was coming. Cue panic and sending of husband to the store, where he then had to text me with lots of questions because we've barely done this before.  Sure, we have to remember to wash diapers, but we always have back-up diapers.  

7. It was expensive.  We spent $20 on diapers for this ten day period. Granted, we have a few left over, but still!  We'd probably spend anywhere between $40 and $60 a month on diapers.  

Luckily, my son didn't react negatively to any of the disposable diapers we tried. My daughter broke out in a rash whenever she wore disposable diapers.  

The seventh reason is what really stands out in my mind.  We're really lucky that we can afford disposable diapers.  One in three families have to cut back on food or utilities to afford diapers.  This is why I have become a Share the Love host.  Share the Love is a cloth diaper donation bank run by Cotton Babies.  Local hosts collect donations and distribute them to families who just need a little bit of extra help.  If you have cloth diapers you are no longer using, I strongly encourage you to email sharethelove@cottonbabies.com 

JuJuBe Addiction

Diaper Parties started carrying Ju-Ju-Be diaper bags a few months ago. If you haven't heard of these diaper bags, you're in for a real treat.  And possible addiction. Here is what I love about these bags.

• Stylish prints.  These are all about mom's style and can serve double duty as purses or weekend bags without a baby or toddler in sight. 
• Light colored linings.  These make it really easy to find what you are looking for inside. 
• Metal hardware. It's going to last. 
• Lots of pockets.
• Machine washable.  This might be my favorite part, after the prints. 
• A range of sizes, styles, and prices.  

I have three JuJuBe bags now, and wanted to share with you how I use them.  

The Ju-Ju-Be Be Quick, which retails for $18, is the perfect bag for running into the grocery store.  

It's a very simple bag, with just one zipper pocket on the inside.  I use it when I think I won't need to do a diaper change, but know there's always a chance.  I also keep this bag inside a larger diaper bag so I can grab and go if I'm out running errands all day.

Here you see the contents of my Be Quick:

• Homemade lip balm
• iPhone
• Wallet
• Flip diaper cover
• OsoCozy Unbleached Flat Diaper with Snappi
• Plastic Bag (for soiled diapers/clothing)
• Planet Wise Wipes Pouch with BumGenius cotton flannel wipes

I like using flats diapers as backups because they can also double as a burp cloth or spit up rag.  They are super compact too. I just fold it before putting it into the bag so it's ready to go! Usually I use a reusable wet bag for dirty diapers, but here I use a plastic one because it's so compact.  This is my set-up for an hour's outing or less.  

  

The Ju-Ju-Be Be Light is the newest addition to my collection.  This is a great bag for a half-day out, and also makes a great large purse.  At $35, it's not a huge splurge to have in addition to a larger bag. 

I have a potty-learning two year-old and a six month old, and this bag is big enough for taking care of both of them. It has everything that I had in the Be Quick, with a couple of exceptions.  The plastic bag is gone, replaced by a reusable wet bag.  The flat diaper remains because of its dual purpose, but I took out the Snappi and cover in exchange for three other diapers.  Here's the breakdown: 

• CJ's BUTTer 1/2 oz pot (warm vanilla cake scent).  This is my favorite diaper cream, and it's cloth diaper safe!
• Lip balm
• iPhone
• Wallet
• Planet Wise Wipes Pouch
• Changing Pad
• Change of clothes for the toddler
• Grovia My Choice Trainer for the toddler
• Water bottle
• Planet Wise Wet Dry Bag
• 2 BumGenius 4.0 One Size Stay Dry Pocket Diapers 
• 1 BumGenius Freetime One Size All-in-One Diaper
• Change of clothes for the baby
• Osocozy Unbleached Flat Diaper

It folds up nice and small!

Finally, we have the Ju-Ju-Be Super Be.  When my son was born, my daughter was still in diapers.  And although I love cloth diapers, they aren't particularly compact.  Now that she's learning to use the potty, I only have cloth diapers for one but I often have to carry around multiple changes of pants (depending on the day--it's a long story).  This is the best bag for all day long, and I will be holding onto it as a weekend bag.  The bag itself is super lightweight, so you can really load it up.  I feel like this bag is the Mary Poppins bag of diaper bags.

A size comparison of the loaded up bags: Super Be, Be Light, and Be Quick

I have the Super Be folded up in the upper left hand corner to show how tiny it can be. It holds:

• Changing pad
• Pacifier Pod
• Water bottle
• Baby change of clothes
• Planet Wise wipes pouch
• Toddler change of clothes
• Grovia My Choice Trainer
• Wrapsody Stretch Hybrid Wrap 
• Six BumGenius diapers (4.0 and Freetime)
• Aden & Anais Classic Muslin Swaddle blanket
• iPhone
• CJ's BUTTer 1/2 oz pot
• Lip balm
• Wallet
• Large Planet Wise wet bag

I can go out for 12 hours with my bag packed like this. I love that I can hold a wrap or Tula in my diaper bag, with room to spare.  The best part about this large bag?  It's only $50 (slightly more for this print because it's a Legacy print).  

(In case you are curious about the prints, the Super Be is Marquess, the Be Light is First Lady, and the Be Quick is Royal Envy.  Marquess and First Lady are Legacy prints, which cost slightly more and have a gold label rather than a stitched label).

Whatever your diaper bag needs, Ju-Ju-Be is certain to have the right fit.  What appeals to you about these bags?


Note: I am a Diaper Parties consultant and work on commission.  These links are all affiliate links, and it helps me out if you purchase through these links and select me as your consultant at checkout!

Beyond Birth: Preparing for the Fourth Trimester

I'm excited to announce that along with Becky Peak-Marquez, Post-Partum Doula, I will be hosting a one time talk for new and expecting mamas, Beyond Birth: Preparing for the Fourth Trimester.

Join us to learn more about breastfeeding, babywearing, cloth diapering and what to expect in those early post-partum days.

I will bring some samples of baby carriers, cloth diapers and mama cloth, for attendees to peruse (with the possibility to order) and Becky will have her new line of Radiant Tea and Radiant Cookies, yummy treats for new mamas to help support a good milk supply.

For the Facebook event, click here.

Upcoming date:

Sunday 2nd November, 4pm - 6pm

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax,

Room 11, Program Building.

2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, VA. 22124-1614

MommyCon Philly Part 2

Now for the rest of the story:

We managed to sneak in a nap after the day's events, thanks to the exhaustion of our three young charges.  Then we headed out to dinner with some baby wearing friends from home.  The convention center was right next to Chinatown, so we had some fabulous Dim Sum.  Little girl was a unimpressed but sat fairly nicely through the meal.  Baby boy fell asleep nearly the moment I laid him on the bed while I made a cup of tea and slept for 12 hours straight. Little girl was happy to go to bed on her little cot, while I luxuriously stretched on my own bed!

Day 2!

We snagged breakfast at the hotel and headed over so my friend could head to her sleep consultation seminar and I caught the tail end of 8 Things the Slow Movement Can Teach You with Slow Mama.   (I would have heard the whole thing except that I had left my badge in our hotel room and had to go back for it).  What I heard was amazing.  The biggest thing that struck me was her encouragement to be yourself. She admitted that it sounded trite, but pointed out that even when we find a group we belong to, we are still tempted to change to fit in perfectly.  It gave me something to think about.  

After that, it was time for the Babywearing World Record.  Everyone crowded into the main ballroom.  It was amazing to see so many caregivers (moms, dads, grandparents, older siblings, and others) wearing their babies in every kind of carrier.  Some humor, some photos, and the exciting announcement of a Beco toddler carrier.  

There were so many great events that I had a hard time choosing: Play Based Learning, Babywearing Ballet, #ISupportYou with Jamie Lynn Grumet of I Am Not the Babysitter, and Attachment Theory with Dr. Henrik Norholt.  The only downside was having to chase the toddler instead of paying attention to all the great information coming my way.  There were also dozens of amazing vendors.  

At the end of it, MommyCon is incredibly uplifting, inspiring, and exhausting.  Just being around so many other families that are looking for the best way to raise their children is awesome.  Kids run amok and everyone looks out for them, women nurse their babies without fear of judgement, and lots of happy children are wrapped up with their beloved caregivers.  I loved seeing a 12 year old girl wearing her little baby sibling, happily kissing the top of the baby's head.  

Oh, and as for the swag bag?  It was absolutely incredible.  I got more and more excited with each item that I pulled out.  I could hardly believe the generosity of the sponsors.  

I more than got my money's worth out of the event, and I've been sharing about the amazing experience with everyone who will listen. 

MommyCon Philly

Last year, a friend and I took our eleven month olds to MommyCon Philly and had a great time.  We were hoping that the next event would be even better.  Spoiler alert: our expectations were far exceeded.

We opted for the VIP Package because we were interested in seeing The Honest Toddler's mom speak at the Saturday VIP event.  The VIP tickets included Saturday and Sunday events, two nights in a hotel, and a swag bag including a Beco Soleil baby carrier.  Was it worth it?

Absolutely.

We left our house at 5:00am and drove through the foggy morning up towards Philadelphia.  This time, instead of eleven month olds, we had two two year-olds and one three month old.  Surprisingly, none of them slept for more than 20 minutes on the four and a half hour drive.  It took a bit of driving around the block to figure out how to pull up to our hotel, but we finally figured it out.

In case you've never traveled with small children, packing light can be a bit tough.  We filled up two luggage carts.  We'd brought food, lots of changes of clothes for potty trained toddlers, cloth diapers for the baby, baby carriers, a pack and play, and a cot.  Finally, we got everything unloaded to the room, and rushed to registration at the Convention Center, right across the street from the hotel.

We got checked in, and the registration ladies were nice enough to give my little girl a lanyard as well.  We settled down in the back of the room to hear Honest Toddler's Mom (Bunmi Laditan) as she did giveaways via a game of "Who Has It Worst?" Prizes went to those who had gone the longest without showering, the most years without sleep, had the longest pregnancy, and the longest labors.  In between each prize, she had the audience in stitches with her keeping it real humor about motherhood.  She was even funnier in person than she is when writing in toddler persona.

The Leaky Boob was one of the biggest improvements over the previous year.  Jessica Martin-Weber is an inspiring speaker, but last year it felt a little bit like she was speaking to the choir about breast-feeding.  This year, she spoke about the measures we need to advocate for to support breastfeeding. She spoke about maternity leave, desexualizing breastfeeding, and education of health professionals.  I left feeling empowered to pursue those measures.

The day wrapped up with Baby Guy NYC doing a Q&A.  My favorite question was about what gift to splurge on for a new mom.  He recommended a good baby carrier or carseat, or a postpartum doula.

More tomorrow!

Announcements and More

Hello readers!  I know it's been awhile. There've been some changes around here.  As much as I enjoyed working with other moms to sell their products with Green Mama Life, I needed to make a change.  I am now a cloth diaper educator and sales consultant with Diaper Parties.

Here is why I love Diaper Parties: when I look in my kids' rooms and diaper bag, I see products that Diaper Parties carries.  My two year-old wore BumGenius 4.0 and Freetimes cloth diapers until she was potty trained.  I've wrapped both my babies in Aden & Anais swaddle blankets. We pack our lunches in Planet Wise snack and sandwich bags.  Since joining the Diaper Parties family last spring, I've been introduced to some fabulous new brands and products.  I'm madly in love with my new Ju-Ju-Be Super Be diaper bag (more on that soon).  We're trying out the Best Bottoms training pants for those days when my toddler is a bit too distracted to remember to get to the potty in time.  I'm loving my new Zen Rocks teething necklace.

Our customers get rewards points AND the individual touch of a personal consultant, all while paying standard retail prices for great products.

So, what's going to happen with this blog?

I'm going to continue sharing about green living and family life, with a sprinkle of information about Diaper Parties products.  Most Diaper Parties information will be on our Facebook Page.  Shopping is in the Diaper Parties store.  Just remember to select my name as your consultant at checkout!

Coming soon: the story of my adventures at MommyCon Philly!