Flats Challenge: DAY 5

I am participating in the 2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge, hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  I have pledged to use flats, and handwash them, for 7 days.  The Challenge was an idea that came about after numerous articles referenced the practice of reusing disposable diapers.  Families with no money for new diapers were scraping out the solid contents or using a hair dryer to dry the diapers for reuse.  Not only is this unsanitary but it is also extremely dangerous. {read the original article} It was the personal mission of Kim of DDL to educate others that, although not ideal, hand washing the inexpensive flat cloth diapers was an option to families who had no other way to diaper.  No baby should have to suffer when there are ways to diaper for less than $50.00.

A little Flats Challenge humor!
(not sure who made this to credit them)

DAY 5

UPDATE:  We have a TON to do today (shopping, packing, lunch, speech therapy, gymnastics, loading up the car, then a 6 hour car trip).  E woke up first thing with a nasty diaper, then another one soon after (where the receiving blanket leaked even his pee, but fortunately not the poop).  The last 2 days he's had nasty "teething poo", but he's not teething.  Not fun with flats, but I've dealt with it and just washed more often.  But today (and the next 2 days) I won't have time or be able to handwash diapers every few hours.  We don't have enough to go more than 5 diaper changes before I need to wash. 

So I cheated.  And not even with a regular cloth diaper.  I cheated with disposable inserts.  I have them to use on our trip once the Challenge was over, but I'm starting early.  I don't want to leave dirty cloth diapers here for 5 days, so it was the next best option. 

I am still handwashing the last batch of flats and covers.  I knew at this point I could have just thrown them in the washer, but I wanted to at least follow through with that part.  So, I think I am done with the Flats & Handwashing Challenge.  I really wanted to follow through, and I'm a little disappointed.  But, I'm still proud I even did the first 4 days with our busy week. 


The rest of this blog I wrote yesterday, since I wasn't sure I'd be able to sit and blog this morning.  So read on for things I've learned, and some helpful tips!

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I've learned a lot this week.  I've been cloth diapering for almost 2.5 years, done a TON of research, lead our local cloth diaper group, but I have never done anything quite like this challenge.

I'll be honest.... I was this close to backing out last minute.  I have had so much going on recently, and the next 5-6 weeks are just crazy busy.  I didn't want to add using "inconvenient" diapers, and the time to handwash diapers, to my list of things to do this week.  Not to mention the blog posts to go along with it.  And the fact that Day 5 we will be in the car for 6 hours, and Days 6-7 will be out of town.  There were too many good reasons NOT to take this challenge. 

But, I'm glad I did!  I'm glad I have stuck with it so far.  We'll see how things go when we hop in the car later, and spend the next couple of days out of town, but so far it has taught me a lot.



Here are just a few things I've learned so far:

• Pad folding inside a PUL cover is just like using an AI2 style diaper.
• Flats & handwashing are only as difficult as you make them out to be.  I took a simple approach, and found this challenge was much easier than I anticipated.  I think if I had over-thought it (or had a very negative attitude towards it) I would have just made it more difficult on myself.
• I really can cloth diaper my child with things found around the house.  Receiving blankets aren't my favorite diaper, but they work (sometimes;).  So do t-shirts.  Flour sack towels are my favorite.  Granted, not everyone has PUL or wool covers, but they are easy to get or make.  Baby washcloths make great wipes (but I already knew that!).  This is advice I frequently give, but never experienced first hand.  Now I have!
• In case of emergency, I will not have to worry about what to use as a diaper.  I can get creative.  I know how to wash them if I don't have access to a washing machine.
• Don't spend 30 minutes drying and straightening your hair, then wash the diapers.  You'll get sweaty and undo what you just did.... 

TIPS:

• Always have an extra change of clothes when running errands.  I've been lucky with our regular cloth diapers not to have to do this. 
• Be sure the cover goes over all of the flat.  I forgot a few times and the wet flat stuck out of the cover, causing leaks.
• Wash daily, or it's just more work.  I found that 5-8 items (covers and wetbags included) were the easiest for me to wash at one time.  I sometimes washed twice a day, but once a day was usually enough.
•  Line drying outside is much quicker than indoors.  Plus, the sun helps sanitize the diapers, while fading stains.  
• Flats are extremely versatile!  They can be used in ANY cloth diaper.  Plus, they make fantastic cleaning or burp rags.  Also good for spilled drinks!  
• It doesn't take much detergent when handwashing diapers.  I used 1-1.5 tsp to wash 5-8 items, with the bathtub filled about 1/4 of the way.
• When taking diapers off an outdoor clothesline, shake well to remove any bugs. 
• Beat, shake, and/or twist dry diapers to soften them up.
• Don't skimp on the agitating.  When agitating diapers by hand (or with a plunger),  it feels a lot longer than it is.  4-5 minutes worked well for me, then soak, then another 3-4 minutes of agitation before rinsing.  Diapers may stink if they don't get clean enough.
• Moisturize!  My hands have been very dry this week, so lotion has been my friend.  

I will try to update as soon as I am able with how the final days of this Challenge went while out of town.  If I have internet access, I will try to get at least one blog post up.  Here's hoping I don't give up on flats in the last 2 days of the challenge.  My only concern is finding time to handwash the diapers.  [insert sad face here]

Flats Challenge: DAY 4

I am participating in the 2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge, hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  I have pledged to use flats, and handwash them, for 7 days.  The Challenge was an idea that came about after numerous articles referenced the practice of reusing disposable diapers.  Families with no money for new diapers were scraping out the solid contents or using a hair dryer to dry the diapers for reuse.  Not only is this unsanitary but it is also extremely dangerous. {read the original article} It was the personal mission of Kim of DDL to educate others that, although not ideal, hand washing the inexpensive flat cloth diapers was an option to families who had no other way to diaper.  No baby should have to suffer when there are ways to diaper for less than $50.00.

DAY 4


Yesterday E definitely "challenged" me!  We had a playdate at the mall with a friend (who cloth diapers her LO's).  We happened to meet another cloth diapering mama there (her little girl was showing off a Zinnia BumGenius under her dress).  E was wearing a Clementine Flip cover over a pad folded receiving blanket.  While the "flat" wasn't soaked, he leaked out of the cover onto his shorts.  So after that he ran around in a Twilight Flip cover with a pad folded organic cotton flat.  So far, I'm not super impressed with receiving blankets as flats.

After playing, we had some lunch, then went to the car to head home.  As I was getting E in his carseat, he told me he pooped.  Of course he did, and it wasn't "clean". It was a big squishy mess. He had 4 of those yesterday.  Thanks, E. 

After the Flats Fail.

This is my first time to handwash diapers.  I am not a fan of handwashing anything!  I am one of those people who won't buy an item if it's handwash only.  The very few items I have, I still put in the washer on delicate cycle, and just line dry or lay flat to dry.  I don't do handwashing.  The only thing I wash by hand are E's wool diaper covers.  But that's super easy!

Which makes it even weirder (is that even a word?!) that I am taking this challenge!

I don't wash them in any fancy manor.  If he poops, I rinse well in the toilet to get as much off as I can, then add it to the wetbag or bucket until time to wash.  I don't own a sprayer, don't really care to.  I'm not afraid of poop.  I wash my hands anyway, so it doesn't bother me if my hands go in the toilet water a little.  If you're squeamish, then get a sprayer! 

Here's how I handwash in the bathtub:

~  Rinse all items with warm water under the faucet.  I tried the handheld shower head we have, but it's busted (thanks to the kids) and not spraying correctly.  Wring out excess water.

~  Fill tub to cover diapers.  It doesn't take much since I haven't washed many items at a time (about 5-8 total, including covers and maybe a wetbag).  I get the water as hot as I can stand.  Sprinkle 1 tsp detergent (my regular diaper detergent, Rockin' Green) over diapers.  Agitate by hand for about 5 minutes.  Let soak for 30 minutes, or so. I tend to forget, so a couple times it's been over an hour...

~  Check Facbeook, eat lunch, play a game with the kids...  Agitate diapers for another 3-4 minutes.  Drain water.

~  Rinse each item with warm water under the faucet until all suds are gone.  Wring out as much water as possible.

~  Line dry outside.  The sun kills any bacteria, speeds up dry time, and fades stains.  Flats and PUL covers are dry in less than an hour, wetbag and any night inserts used (bamboo) take a little longer.

Day 2 - First day to wash!  Diapers soaking in detergent.
5 flats, 1 small wetbag, 1 PUL cover, & 1 bamboo doubler.

It has been easier to handwash the diapers daily.  Fewer diapers makes it easier to rinse well.  I prefer to wash in the morning so I can line dry them in the sun. 

Had I thought about it ahead of time, I would have bought a cheap plunger to use to agitate so I could use HOT water, and not use my hands.  However, I already mentioned on Day 2 that I didn't prepare well for this.  I am only using items I already had, or needed to buy for future use.  I did not buy anything specifically for this challenge.  While we have a plunger, it grosses me out to think about using it to wash diapers.  I can't be the only one, right?!  If I were to handwash diapers on a regular basis, I would invest in a second plunger just for diapers. 


Handwashing diapers has not been as difficult as I thought it would be.  As with cloth diapering (and later, using wool covers), it was more intimidating than it actually is.  I was hesitant to try it, but then I quickly realized it is easier than anticipated!  That doesn't mean I would want to handwash diapers all the time.... I love my washing machine!  But, I know that I won't freak out if I'm ever without a washer.

Showing off his Cloth Diaper Advocacy Tee, ordered from Gnomes' Naturals.

Flats Challenge: DAY 3

I am participating in the 2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge, hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  I have pledged to use flats, and handwash them, for 7 days.  The Challenge was an idea that came about after numerous articles referenced the practice of reusing disposable diapers.  Families with no money for new diapers were scraping out the solid contents or using a hair dryer to dry the diapers for reuse.  Not only is this unsanitary but it is also extremely dangerous. {read the original article} It was the personal mission of Kim of DDL to educate others that, although not ideal, hand washing the inexpensive flat cloth diapers was an option to families who had no other way to diaper.  No baby should have to suffer when there are ways to diaper for less than $50.00.

DAY 3


My kids woke me up before 7:00 am today.  I knew I needed to wash diapers first thing so he will have some to wear later. Just fyi... 7:00 am is WAY too early to be handwashing diapers.  Or to do anything productive, for that matter.  

So no pics today.  It's too early and I'm too tired.  Plus, E doesn't like posing for me in his diapers anymore!


What is my favorite way to use flats so far?  I love either the Diaper Bag Fold or just a simple Pad Fold.  Or the best of both worlds:  A Diaper Bag fold with a Pad Folded flat as a doubler.  Score!

I am not a fan of using a Snappi or Boingo's with flats.  E is a big kid (a 35 lb 2.5 y/o who wears 3T clothes), so there isn't a lot of material on his hips.  The "claws" dig into his skin and leave marks, so I just don't use them with flats (I love them with fitteds!).  For some strange reason I like using pins with flats.  I can't stand pins with fitteds, or even the very very rare occasion I use prefolds. I find it strange (and unexplainable) that I like flats, but not prefolds.

I'm a conundrum, I know.

I'm hoping to blog the rest of the week, but since we are leaving town on Friday I'm not sure how much I'll be able to.  Vacations with young kids aren't exactly vacations!  They just take more planning, more work, and while fun... the kids are out of routine and get cranky.  But, I'm looking forward to spending time with family this Memorial Day weekend!

Flats Challenge: DAY 2

I am participating in the 2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge, hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  I have pledged to use flats, and handwash them, for 7 days.  The Challenge was an idea that came about after numerous articles referenced the practice of reusing disposable diapers.  Families with no money for new diapers were scraping out the solid contents or using a hair dryer to dry the diapers for reuse.  Not only is this unsanitary but it is also extremely dangerous. {read the original article} It was the personal mission of Kim of DDL to educate others that, although not ideal, hand washing the inexpensive flat cloth diapers was an option to families who had no other way to diaper.  No baby should have to suffer when there are ways to diaper for less than $50.00.


DAY 2

Night 1 in Flats went well!  Here is what he wore:

Organic flat, Diaper Bag fold, with a Sustainablebabyish organic bamboo doubler, and an organic Flat Pad folded.  All underneath Sustainablebabyish wool.  

I will be washing the diapers for the first time today!  Wish me luck!!

I should have been better prepared for the Flats & Handwashing Challenge.  However, I have been slightly preoccupied with planning my soon-to-be 5 year old's birthday party that is in less than 3 weeks.  And we are about to leave town for 5 days; my 2.5 y/o's speech evaluation we've waited 6 weeks for; dog-sitting this week; family is coming in 2.5 weeks so I must clean my house; and well, I have 2 kids under 5.  So this week just seemed to pop up out of nowhere!  I realized just this weekend I only have 5 actual flats (2 flour sack towels and 3 organic cotton flats).  And 2 PUL covers.  Yes, I have wool, but for under clothes PUL fits better. 

Sunday I made a trip to Target and still forgot to buy more flour sack towels.  Whoops.  Instead of going back, I'm just dealing with it.  I may go later this morning, but I had a headache yesterday (again - thanks to horrible allergies/sinuses) and didn't feel like it.  I did make it to a local CD Shop to buy a few more PUL covers (buy 2 get 1 free is awesome!).  I wouldn't have bought more PUL covers just for this, but they will also come in handy next week since I plan on using disposable inserts (for the first time since the water where I'm going is awful!).  So I feel it was worth the investment.

Here is what I have to use this week, as of now:

3 organic cotton flats
2 flour sack towels
3 receiving blankets (though I may pull out some more if needed)
t-shirts I pulled from my closet that I no longer wear
diaper pins
wool covers
PUL covers
wetbag for running errands
bucket to store dirties at home
Rockin Green Classic Rock detergent
clothesline outside (already there;)

That's it!  I am trying to keep it simple.  I didn't want to spend money to do this challenge for only 7 days.  I will be washing diapers in the bathtub, with good old fashioned elbow grease!  I plan on washing daily if I can, but there's a chance it will be every other day.  I am using the bucket to store dirties at home so I don't have to wash my large hanging wetbag that I normally use.  I don't use a diaper sprayer, it's plop/dunk/swish around here!  I do use flushable liners about 75% of the time, but not for this week. 

I finally told my hubby last night I am taking this challenge!  It just never occurred to me until last night to let him know I will be handwashing diapers in the tub all week. 

Flats & Handwashing Challenge: DAY 1

I am participating in the 2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge, hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  I have pledged to use flats, and handwash them, for 7 days.  The Challenge was an idea that came about after numerous articles referenced the practice of reusing disposable diapers.  Families with no money for new diapers were scraping out the solid contents or using a hair dryer to dry the diapers for reuse.  Not only is this unsanitary but it is also extremely dangerous. {read the original article} It was the personal mission of Kim of DDL to educate others that, although not ideal, hand washing the inexpensive flat cloth diapers was an option to families who had no other way to diaper.  No baby should have to suffer when there are ways to diaper for less than $50.00.



DAY 1

You may think it's a little weird to choose flats and handwashing when I have a perfectly "normal" stash of cloth diapers (a fairly large one, at that).  But I'm sure you think it's just insane to choose to handwash diapers for one full week, when my washer is in full working condition. 

So WHY? would I choose flats and handwashing for 7 full days?  Why would I choose to take the extra time when I am busy planning my soon-to-be 5 year old's birthday party?  Why, when I am planning a 5 day trip to visit family?  Day 5 of this challenge, we will be in the car for 6 hours.  Days 6-7 we will be staying with family.  Outside, at a lake, in the woods.  I already plan to use a hybrid system (for the 1st time) the remainder of our trip.  But the plan is to stay dedicated to the Flats Challenge. 

The first reason that comes to mind is so that I am able to share my personal experience with those who could benefit from using flats and handwashing full time.  As the founder of the DFW Cloth Diaper Project, I would love to be able to share my own tips and tricks.  As with all things cloth diapering, I like to be able to give my own opinion, since it adds a more personal touch.  How can I teach someone to handwash diapers if I've never done so myself? 

I recommend that people use flats and covers on trips, since they are easy to handwash.  Since the last 2.5 days of this challenge will be on vacation, I will also be able to give my personal experience with flats while traveling.

First Flat of the Challenge!
Flour Sack Towel, "diaper bag fold", with an organic flat as a doubler.
I only use pins with flats.
My poor little guy was attacked by ants and mosqitoes this weekend:(

Another reason is to simply prove to myself that I can do it.  I admit, I am nervous about handwashing.  I bought flats last year in preperation for the 1st Flats & Handwashing Challenge.  However, I was in a motorcycle accident about a month prior to the Challenge and was not able to participate.  I have never been a prefolds girl, I just don't like them.  But I discovered last year that I actually kinda like flats.  Not my favorite diaper, but there's something nostalgic about using flats and pins.

Another reason I'm participating is the good ol' Boy Scout motto:  Be Prepared!  I have been caught out of the house, running errands, with a poopy toddler... and NO DIAPER BAG.  I used the spare diaper (a Flip cover and stay dry insert) from the car, but he pooped again.  We were at the mall, so I went into a department store and bought some receiving blankets on clearance.  I felt so proud that I was able to think of that!  I can honestly tell you that if that had happened when we used disposables (we used them for 2.5 years before we knew about cloth) that I would have been poop out of luck (pun intended!).  I would have gotten nothing done and just gone home. 

We live in North Texas.  Tornadoes are not common, but also not rare.  Not too long ago we took shelter in our bathroom while tornadoes touched down all over the metroplex (the closest one less than 10 miles away).  If tragedy struck our home, I feel I would be well prepared to use items that are easily found (t-shirts, towels, blankets) as diapers.  This Challenge will give me the tools I need, so that diapering my child is one less thing to worry about in a terrible situation. 

So that's it!  The many reasons I want to participate in this Challenge.  E was actually dry all morning long in his first flat (though he wouldn't pee on the potty, despite several attempts)!  I finally changed him around 1:30, when he welcomed this Challenge with a BANG!  Oh, what fun it is to change nasty stinky diapers in the car....

Are you throwing money away?

Real Diaper Week is here!! The DFW Cloth Diaper Group is so excited to be participating in the Great Cloth Diaper Change again this year! For those of you who don't know, the GCDC is an event to raise awareness for cloth diapers. This year we are attempting to break last year's World Record of 5,026 babies simultaneously changed into a cloth diaper around the world.

We are participating in the Real Diaper Week Blog Hop!

This year, Real Diaper Week was introduced to help YOU advocate for cloth diapers in your local community. The theme is "Real Simple. Real Diapers." Each day this week we will focus on the daily topic, and we encourage you to share this with your friends and family!

A little over 2 years ago we had 2 kids in diapers.  That was expensive.  I was hoping that our oldest would potty train before his little brother was born, but alas, that did not happen.  He was 2.5 years, and Eli was 2 months old, when a friend asked if we had considered cloth diapers. 

"Oh, hell no!" was my initial reaction.

Then I clicked on the link (to see what craziness she wanted me to take part in), and instead of old prefolds and plastic pants, I saw the most adorable things a child can poop in!  I wasn't on board just yet... after all, I hate laundry.  But after doing the math, I decided it might be worth a try. 

$40 a week - $160 a month - was going in the trash.  But only after our kids pooped on it.  For us, that was a LOT of money.  We sure could use it for other necessities.  So I started my research.  I decided to only dip my toes in, and bought 3 diapers.  I was still skeptical, so I didn't want to jump in until we were sure.

But with the first diaper, I was hooked!  I knew we could do it.  I convinced hubby, and we slowly built up a stash big enough for 2 kids.  I was thrilled the first time I went to the store and did NOT have to buy diapers! 

I was standing in line at the store one day behind a young mother, with her 2 small children.  She placed the small amount of food on the counter (we were in the 20 items or less lane), and a package of diapers.  She didn't have enough money for all of it.  I told the cashier to just put the food that the woman put back on my bill, that I would pay for it.  But the cashier ignored me each time I said something (I was getting more than annoyed with her).  I tried to quickly pay for my items, planning on adding the left-behind food, but the young mother rushed out of the store before I was done.  She was gone.  I knew cloth diapers could have helped her so she wouldn't have to make that decision between food and diapers.

Source: jenniferlabit.files.wordpress.com via Brenda on Pinterest

I couldn't help that mom, but I wanted to help others.  I reached out to a local non-profit, but was quickly shut down.  They didn't think their families would be committed.  But they didn't even give those families the chance to decide for themselves.

I wasn't going to stop there, though I did put it on the back burner as I was starting up the DFW Cloth Diaper Group.  And then there was the motorcycle accident my husband and I were in.  But last summer, we took the right steps to start the DFW Cloth Diaper Project!  We collected diapers, stripped them, organized them, and finally, in November 2011, we were open for business! 

It has been so wonderful to be able to help local families!  The cost of diapers was once a major hinderance for us.  I know what it's like to not pay a bill, or cut down on groceries, so you can buy diapers.  We were "better off" than many other families (and have a very supportive family), but we still struggled.  I don't want other families to make that choice between food and diapers.

How YOU can help:

• Donate (diapers or money) to the DFW Cloth Diaper Project, or other cloth diaper charities.
• Help lead a class on how to make your own cloth diapers (coming soon to the DFW area; see HERE if you would like to help!).
• SHARE this post to raise awareness.

DFW Great Cloth Diaper Change

University Christian Church

Fellowship Hall

2420 S. University Dr

Fort Worth, TX 76109

Vendor Expo and GCDC Event!

10:00 - 1:00

Visit our website for more information!

My house no longer smells like a landfill.

Real Diaper Week is here!! The DFW Cloth Diaper Group is so excited to be participating in the Great Cloth Diaper Change again this year! For those of you who don't know, the GCDC is an event to raise awareness for cloth diapers. This year we are attempting to break last year's World Record of 5,026 babies simultaneously changed into a cloth diaper around the world. 

We are participating in the Real Diaper Week Blog Hop!

This year, Real Diaper Week was introduced to help YOU advocate for cloth diapers in your local community. The theme is "Real Simple. Real Diapers." Each day this week we will focus on the daily topic, and we encourage you to share this with your friends and family!

Want to know what 5,000 disposable diapers per child looks like?

Source: everythingcloth.com via Brenda on Pinterest

I was reminded of the awful wet disposable diaper smell at our church on Easter Sunday. We helped in for the toddler room, so I had to change some diapers. Two poops and one pee. The poopy ones you would expect to smell bad. It's poop. But I almost forgot just how bad the chemicals in the disposables smell when they mix with pee. I used to work in daycare (and had 1.2 kids of my own in disposables) and was once accustomed to the smell. But after 2 years of using cloth, it was not a pleasant aroma.

One of the things I love the most about cloth diapering is that my house no longer smells like a landfill. We used disposable diapers on our kids until Riley was 2.5 years and Eli was 2 months. We tried a Diaper Genie (but ours wasn't as fancy as this one) and the Diaper Champ, but our house still smelled like pee and poop, mixed with the chemicals in the diapers. Not to mention the cost of the refills for the Diaper Genie. They get expensive, especially on top of the cost of disposable diapers.

More and more money went in the trash. The smell in our house was a constant reminder.

Pail deoderizers, room fresheners, sprays, candles, bleach.... nothing worked. My hubby took the trash out every night. We thought we just had to deal with it until our kids were out of diapers.

Disposable diapers generate 7.6 BILLION pounds of garbage each year. Each child in disposables contributes 2,000 pounds of garbage in only 2 years.

I could throw out a ton of facts about how bad disposables are for our environment. But instead I will link to a post that I read this weekend, because they did such a great job. The eco-living blog Small Footprint Family did a wonderful post called Why Disposables are Dirty and Dangerous. I have been cloth diapering for a little over 2 years, I've done all the research, I run a local cloth diaper group, I know the numbers. And yet it still grosses me out.

One of the points I frequently share when people ask about the environmental impact of disposables is that it can take at least 500 years for just one disposable diaper to decompose in a landfill. At least. That means the first disposables ever invented are still on this earth.

I know this. But the Small Footprint Family's blog post put it in a way I haven't thought of before:

In other words, if Christopher Columbus had worn Pampers, his poop would still be intact in some landfill today.

That's not the environment I want my kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids to grow up in.

I want a safe, healthy world for my kids to grow up in.

We started using cloth diapers to save money. The other benefits (environmental, health, cute-factor, fewer-to-no leaks, fewer diaper rashes, better smelling house) were all just a huge bonus. However, we continue to cloth diaper for so many reasons. Environmental being a big one. I have always been a stickler for recycling, but now I find new ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle in our home. Now it's just a bonus that it saves us money.


Visit What A Waste and the Real Diaper Association's website for more information on how disposable diapers are impacting our planet. It's not pretty.

How can you help reduce disposable diaper waste?

• Ask an environmental group, municipal waste division, or government representative to support cloth diapers.
• Make the switch to cloth diapers, if you haven't already.
• If you use disposable inserts in your hybrid diapers, try replacing them with cloth inserts.
• Share this article with your friends and family.
• Take the Change 3 Things Challenge.

Source: change3things.com via Brenda on Pinterest

DFW Great Cloth Diaper Change

University Christian Church

Fellowship Hall

2420 S. University Dr

Fort Worth, TX 76109

Vendor Expo and GCDC Event!

10:00 - 1:00

For more information on our local event, please visit our website.

This post was written by Brenda.  She has an awesome hubby (for 5.5 years) and 2 energetic boys (4, 2; pictured above).  She is the founder of the DFW Cloth Diaper Group and the DFW Cloth Diaper Project.

Real Simple. Real Diapers: Outreach

Real Diaper Week is here!!  The DFW Cloth Diaper Group is so excited to be participating in the Great Cloth Diaper Change again this year!  For those of you who don't know, the GCDC is an event to raise awareness for cloth diapers.  This year we are attempting to break last year's World Record of 5,026 babies simultaneously changed into a cloth diaper around the world. 


We are participating in the Real Diaper Week Blog Hop! 

This year, Real Diaper Week was introduced to help YOU advocate for cloth diapers in your local community.  The theme is "Real Simple.  Real Diapers."  Each day this week we will focus on the daily topic, and we encourage you to share this with your friends and family!

Different types of cloth diapers.  This was for 2 kids in cloth full time.

Today we will focus on Types of Cloth Diapers.


Back in the day, cloth diapers were basic, without options.  Prefolds or flats under plastic pants were basically it.  Let's not forget about diaper pins!

Today, you can choose from pockets, AIO's, fitteds, prefolds, flats, contours, hybrids, synthetic or natural materials, wool, PUL, snaps, hook & loop, pins, Snappi, Boingo... so many options!  And that's not even getting into all of the brands or accessories!!

One of the things I hear the most from those researching cloth diapers is how overwhelmed they are by all of the choices.  I always tell them to a) take a deep breath, and b) to know that you don't have to commit to one style/brand of diapers.  Try what you think you will like, and go from there.

Pockets and AIO's (all in one's) are great for those who want a quick diaper change with an easy to use diaper.  These are also very user friendly for those who may be unfamiliar with cloth (such as grandparents, sitters, and daycare).

Hybrids (aka: AI2's - all in two's) are great for those who wish for a system where you can reuse the outer shell, but use a new insert.  These are a good alternative to prefolds.

Fitteds, prefolds, and flats are a great option for those who want more natural materials against baby's skin.  Under a wool or fleece cover, this is a fantastic, breathable night time diaper!  Prefolds and flats are also the most economical choice of cloth diapers.

Accessories.  Really, the only accessory you need is your baby.  However, there are some things that will make cloth diapering easier.  A wetbag for using cloth out of the house, a diaper pail to store dirty diapers at home, and wipes to clean them up (I love my cloth wipes more than disposable wipes!).  Any other accessories are optional.


HERE is a complete list with descriptions of the types of diapers, as well as a video made by Amanda of Old School Cool cloth diapers (a local wahm!). 

What does this have to do with outreach?  Easy!  SHARE this with your friends and family to let them know that cloth diapers aren't what they used to be! 

I have converted several friends to cloth by doing these basic steps:  Use cloth.  Share articles.  Be available.  Who knew it could be so easy?! 

If you are looking beyond the basics, here are a few more ways you can advocate for cloth diapers.  I challenge you to try at least one of these things:

• Wear a cloth diaper advocacy pin!  "Real Simple. Real Diapers." or "Ask me about cloth diapers!"  Available here and here. 
• Host a Cloth Diaper 101 class with your mom's group, at a hospital or birth center.  We are here to help you with this, and will hopefully be organizing classes in the coming months!
• Invite a friend to one of our monthly meetups.
• Invite a friend to the Great Cloth Diaper Change, and let them borrow a cloth diaper (or three!) to use. 

DFW Great Cloth Diaper Change!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

10:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Vendor Expo and GCDC Event!

University Christian Church

2720 S. University Dr

Ft Worth, TX 76109

For more information about our local Great Cloth Diaper Change, visit our website. 

This post was written by Brenda, founder of the DFW Cloth Diaper Group and the DFW Cloth Diaper Project.  She is wife to Ryan (5.5 years), mommy to two boys, Riley (4.5) and Eli (2).  She is looking forward to attending the GCDC for the first time, even though it is her second year planning.  She has been instructed NOT to get on a motorcycle again until after the GCDC.

CHALLENGE

I'm about to take a challenge.  I'm challenging YOU to do the same.  Read about the challenge HERE and HERE.  It will take place May 23-30.

Have you ever used flats?  Have you ever hand washed your diapers?  Yeah, me neither.  But I'm about to do both, and I'm super excited about it!

In response to this saddening article, a challenge has been made to prove that diapering can be done at an extremely low cost by using flats.  The challenge was also made to prove that cloth diapering IS possible, even without a washer and dryer.  When I read the above article about how some families are washing out and reusing disposable diapers, I was inspired to start a program that's been stewing in my mind for several months now.  I had planned on waiting until later this year when things settled down.  But let's face it: things will never settle down.   As I'm typing this, there are families who are having to choose between diapers and groceries.  I do not want any babies health to be at risk because their families can't afford both groceries and diapers.  Why wait?

Then I saw this challenge, and I'm all over it!  Contacts have been made to get things started with the program to help local families in cloth diapers who cannot afford it.  This challenge will help me be able to not only tell people it can be done very inexpensively and without a washer/dryer, but I can share my own personal experience. 

So, do you accept this challenge?