Christian Mothering - Naturally

Babywearing Safety Tips

2010-03-11T06:06:00.000-08:00

There has been a lot in the media about the safety of babywearing, especially in America, due to a report published after several babies suffocated in 'bag style' slings. These slings, also known as pouches, are the ones that hang around the belly button area of the wearing parent, and bunch the baby up into a C shape, which can obstruct their airways.

The thing to remember is that ALL babywearing CAN be unsafe, so practice, keep checking, and generally treat it with the same caution that you would anything with your child.

Some basics 'rules' to use as a guideline:

Your baby's head should be close enough to kiss
Your baby should never have his head resting on his chest (you should be able to fit two fingers between his neck and chin.)
Your baby's head should be above the rest of his body.
Your baby's knees should be higher than their bottom in the sling/wrap.
Your baby's head should be fully supported right the way up to their earlobes.
Your baby's face should not be covered by fabric.

This is an excellent video guide to the tune of the above:

Cloth Nappy Adventures - Washing Your Nappies

2010-03-04T06:07:00.000-08:00

Your Brand New Nappies

For new any brand new nappies that you buy, you should wash them at least 2-3 times before use to remove any fabric coatings used by manufacturers and to bump up their absorbency. Certain fabrics, like hemp and bamboo, will usually need at least 5-6 washes beforehand, however you can use them after 2-3 washes, just be aware that they won’t be ‘at their best’.

With all pre-washes, it is important to follow the usual washing instructions, however there is no need to dry the nappies in between each wash. Also note that you might want to wash deep or darkly coloured nappies separately to lighter/white nappies for the first few washes to ensure the dye doesn’t run!

Storing Dirty Nappies

When a nappy is soiled, dispose of any pooh down the toilet by either flushing your disposable liner or sluicing the reusable liner in the flush.

Modern washing machines are very efficient and so the days of soaking of terry nappies are past and nappies can be 'dry pailed' without soaking solution in a lidded bucket or a waterproof wet bag. You can still soak if you wish, however please do note that some PUL wraps may not last so well if soaked. It is important if choosing to soak to keep the bucket out of reach of young children (ideally use one with a lockable lid) and change the soaking solution frequently.

A nappy mesh can be used inside a bucket to reduce handling of the nappies and, if you are soaking, can help with the draining of the bucket before changing the soaking solution or before washing. When your bucket is full (or you want/need to do a wash!) pop the mesh open into the machine to allow the nappies to tumble out when washing. A few drops of tea tree oil or lavender oil on a muslin cloth in the bucket can be included to minimise smells.

Washing Your Nappies

So – you have your pile of dirty nappies ready to wash? Excellent! First off, spot treat any stains as you wish to – many mums I have spoken to swear by the Vanish bar. Next, make sure you have secured any aplix fastenings either together (with the nappy turned inside out works best) or attach to laundry tabs if your nappies have them. Ideally, you’ll get into the habit of doing this before popping the nappy in the bucket and so save yourself that extra task come wash time.

Most nappies wash at 40 or 60^oC, and you only need use between one third to one half of the usual amount of non-biological detergent you normally would to prevent build up of the detergent in the nappies. (In hard water areas you may need to experiment to find the level of detergent that is effective for you.) I used 2 tblsps of Fairy Non Bio.

Do NOT use fabric conditioner, as this coats the fibres of the nappies and drastically reduces absorbency (not something you want!). If you are concerned about your nappies going a bit hard, try using a splash of white vinegar in the conditioner drawer (don’t worry, your nappies will NOT smell vinegary). This is especially good for hard water areas. You can add a few drops of a chosen essential oil to the drawer too, if you wish.

There is only one type of combined detergent and conditioner that can be used for nappy washes, so if you’re really struggling to maintain softness you may want to give it a try – it is Bold 2 in 1, and it is a clay based softener and so shouldn’t coat the fabrics in the same way as regular conditioners.

All of your boosters and reusable liners should be suitable for laundering together, however if you do very hot washes do keep any bamboo separate as heat cooks the fibres and makes it less effective. Nappy wraps (except wool wraps) can generally be included with the cloth nappy wash.

You may wish to do a prewash or cold rinse cycle prior to the main cycle if you dry pail your nappies, or if they are particularly soiled as this helps remove stains when hot water can sometimes set them.

For wool nappy wraps, hand wash using wool shampoo and re-lanolise afterwards by soaking in a dilute solution of wool cure (lanoliser) overnight. Air dry wool nappy outers without rinsing the lanolin from the fabric. Wool wraps do not require washing and lanolising after each use - just air dry and reuse then wash every one to two weeks or sooner if the waterproof properties fail.

Drying Your Nappies

Air drying cloth nappies is the most environmentally friendly option (if that’s the reason you got into cloth in the first place) but for me, best of all, it’s free! An airier or ceiling rack can be used for winter, or almost every season in this country when sun without rain is a rarity and so line drying is difficult! Don’t put PUL nappy wraps, pocket/all in two outers or all in one nappies directly on a radiator as their waterproof properties may be affected, and the same goes for tumble drying them.

A tumble dryer on a low heat can generally be used for nappies (however, you should always check washing instructions label). Tumble drying occasionally can be an effective way to soften up nappies that have hardened slightly. You CAN also do this manually by banging the nappies against a wall or pretending to ring out a dry nappy and rubbing the fibres together, too!

Stains and Smells

I was recommended the usual Vanish bar for stains and it works a treat. Also, for some reason hanging nappies on the line will bleach out stains (or you can pop them on a windowsill in direct sunlight)…I have no idea why this works, but it ACTUALLY does.

Sometimes nappies can become a bit whiffy. Often, this is due to a build of detergent in the fabric, and never fear, there is a simple solution known as a ‘strip wash’. This basically means doing a hot wash with your nappies with a normal amount of detergent, and you can add a sanitiser if you like although there is no actual need. Then do a quick wash or rinse with no detergent, and then keep the machine on rinse (most ladies report that on average it takes around 3 rinses) until you can see NO bubbles in the machine. It’s this rinsing until there are no bubbles that ‘strips’ the nappies of any build up. Some like to do a strip wash every month, others only when the nappies get whiffy – you can be the judge!

Tie Dye Nappy Fun!

2010-03-03T13:27:00.000-08:00

So, I had a bit of an experiment with dyeing and tie-dyeing nappies the other day!

I bought some Dylon machine wash, pre-washed the items to be dyed as per instructions, put the dye and salt in the machine and added my items (some with elastic bands strategically wrapped around them) and here are the results...!

There are cotton terries, muslin squares, Bambino Mio wraps, Proraps, Mother Ease and Nature Babies wraps there. The wraps that took best and so photographed the darker colour were the Bambino Mios, these also tie dyed well. The other wraps did not tie dye well but took some colour. I liked the result on the Nature Babies because, previously to dyeing, the inner and gussets had been creamish and discoloured, wheras the dye just made them look a beautifully different and interesting colour.

I'm now very excited to try dyeing in other colours and maybe other items, too! Nathan absolutely loved them and wants me to do a black dye next so we can refresh a few of his older black tshirts, so maybe we'll have some funky black and white tie-dyed baby gros and Bambino Mio wraps, too!

My Cloth Nappy Guides

2010-03-01T16:58:00.000-08:00

Here is a link page for all of my various cloth nappy guides, I hope that this helps someone!

The Basics
The Types of Nappy Available
Jargon Busting
Types of Fastenings for Nappies
Nappy Type & Age
Sized Versus One Sized Nappies
A Sample Shopping List of Essentials
Nappy Washing & Care
Where To Buy

Cloth Nappy Adventures - To Buy Sized or One Sized?

2010-03-01T16:51:00.000-08:00

So, even once you’ve decided what system will work best, not only will you face an overwhelming array of brands, but also whether to choose One size (or Birth to Potty) nappies, or sized ones!

It here comes down to aesthetics versus economy.

One sized nappies will last your child from birth to potty, however because of this they are likely to look bulky on a newborn. They are also very useful if you are going to have two children in nappies at the same time, as you can use the same nappy on your small baby as on your toddler.

Sized nappies have a much slimmer, neater fit, which can fit better under clothing and also provide better containment for some children, however you will need to buy around three different sizes (small, medium and large) from birth to potty training.

A note on long-term economy – the more you use nappies, the more tatty they are likely to become as with clothing, even with loving care. Therefore if you ARE intending to re-use your nappies on subsequent children, you may in the long-run be better buying sized nappies as they will get less overall wear.

Cloth Nappy Adventures - Fastenings?

2010-03-01T16:48:00.000-08:00

For every kind of nappy, there are three basic kinds of fastening; aplix (aka. Velcro), poppers and nippas.

Aplix

This is the modern nappy velcro equivalent fastening, and is also known as 'hoop and loop'. The better aplix nappies come with ‘laundry tabs’ in order that you can fold the sticky Velcro part down to prevent it snagging on your lovely soft nappies. This fastening is considered to be one of the best to obtain a snug fit however is not as long-lasting as poppers and can grey in the wash. Aplix can be easier for toddlers to undo.

Poppers (aka. press studs)

Usually plastic poppers are used, and modern nappies use a butterfly closing in order to obtain a more snug fit. Poppers are harder for toddlers to undo and harder wearing.

Nippas

Nappy nippas are the modern equivalent of a nappy pin. They consist of three ‘arms’ which have teeth to snag into the towelling fabric (creating a hook and loop idea) and can be adjusted to fit any size of baby. They are very safe, and the best comparison I can think of to explain to you is the same way in which a hair comb catches and remains in your hair.

Cloth Nappy Adventures - Nappy Type & Age

2010-03-01T16:45:00.000-08:00

Another factor to consider in choosing your nappies is the age of your child/children.

Newborn babies on average need to be changed 12 times a day. For this reason, you’ll need a nappy you’re happy with and enough nappies for how frequently you decide to wash. Because of frequent changes, absorbency is rarely an issue. At this time choose super-soft fabrics and experiment with different styles.

Babies from around 2 – 6 months old are capable of producing the most incredibly explosive liquid poohs, and so your major nappy concern at this point will be containment! The general consensus is that the best system for containment is a two part system, so using either flat or shaped nappies and a wrap to form two lines of defence against this wave of pooh! However, this system is only as good as the wrap you use. Pockets and All in Ones can also work well if they have good enough leg and waist elastic and fit the size of your baby well.

Babies who are 6 months and upwards are usually being weaned, so their pooh begins to change to more solid and explosive poohs become more rare. However, these babies drink LOTS of liquid, and so absorbency is a major concern. This is where pocket nappies and All In One nappies and effective stuffing/boosting can be very useful.

Cloth Nappy Adventures - The Types Available

2010-03-01T16:37:00.000-08:00

The basic types of nappies

Flat nappies (terry squares and prefolds) and Shaped nappies – these require separate waterproof wraps and can also be called ‘two part systems’. The inner nappy part represents the absorbency and the outer wrap the waterproof barrier.

Pocket nappies – these nappies have a ‘pocket’ in the back where you stuff an insert (or a variety of inserts) for absorbency as needed. The outer of the nappy is waterproof and so does not require a separate wrap.

All In One nappies – these nappies are most similar to a disposable nappy as they come in one piece. They require no separate inserts or wraps.

Flat nappy facts

The most economical way to nappy your child
Some people find the notion of ‘folds’ as overwhelming, however the ‘degree in origami’ theory is a MYTH!
Fast drying as they can be ‘spread out’
No pins any more: use a ‘nippa’ or the wrap to hold in place
Good at keeping pooh explosions in – two lines of defense along with wrap!
Good as stuffing for pocket nappies later
Wrap can be wiped down and re-used if not soiled, plus take no time at all to dry

Shaped nappy facts

Good at keeping pooh explosions in – two lines of defense along with wrap!
Easier to use that flat nappies as no special folds needed
Wrap can be wiped down and re-used if not soiled, plus take no time at all to dry
Drying time varies depending on material and size of the nappy

Pocket nappy facts

These are said to be one of the easiest kinds to put on a wriggly baby at changing time
Can be pre-stuffed ready for days out, nurseries etc.
Easy to boost
Quite slim-line
The most popular style of reusable overall

All In One nappy facts

The easiest type of nappy to use – if you can put on a disposable and take it off, you can manage these!
More expensive as there is no chance of reusing this nappy once soiled, it must be washed, therefore you need more of them or to do more frequent washes.
Can be slow drying, however new versions known as ‘All In Two’s or Snap In One’s’ break apart to speed drying (but are colour coded to be foolproof!)

Cloth Nappy Adventures - Nappy Basics

2010-03-01T16:35:00.000-08:00

Choosing your nappies is very much dependent upon your lifestyle, your budget, the age of your baby and how simple you’d like your system to be. I’ll attempt to provide information for each of these topics in order to assist you towards making a choice, however I would not recommend investing in just one system but trying several. Think of nappies as you do your own underwear – do you opt for comfort, for economy, for fit, for fabric? Apply these same rules when you’re reading about the different kinds of nappies and it should help to guide you as to where your money might best be spent.

For all nappies, the basic idea to remember is that you need three things: absorbency, waterproofing and lining.

Absorbency – whatever the nappy is made of/stuffed with.
Absorbency can be added to any nappy by way of a ‘booster’, which is laid inside the nappy between the nappy itself and the liner.
Materials for absorbency commonly include cotton/terry, microfibre, hemp and bamboo. Cotton/terry is economical and easy to launder as it is fast-drying. Microfibre is an economical manmade substance which remains very soft and is very fast-drying. Hemp and bamboo are considered to be the most eco-friendly and absorbent, however take longer to dry.

Waterproofing – usually this will refer to PUL (Polyurethane Laminate) in either the wrap or a layer which can be hidden within the nappy itself. However, there are also wool and fleece wraps available, commonly used for night to be more ‘breathable’ which use lanolin from sheep’s wool for waterproofing.

Lining – the liner is designed to wick away moisture from direct skin contact and to protect the inserts/boosters from pooh staining. The two most common types are flushable ‘paper’ liners and washable fleece-topped liners.

Cloth Nappy Adventures - A Happy Nappy Shopping List

2010-03-01T16:27:00.000-08:00

This is intended as a very basic guide as to what you should need in venturing into the world of cloth, however this is by no means comprehensive and I'd definitely advise you to read up on the different types of nappy available etc. before purchasing.
Happy nappy shopping!

Essentials

16-20 flat OR AIO nappies

The number of nappies you will actually need depends on how fast you want your washing turn around to be. If you plan to wash every day, for example, you will need less nappies than if you plan to only wash every three days. Also remember to take in account the drying times for your chosen nappy type, especially if you don’t have a tumble dryer.

Around 6 nappy wraps per size

You will only need these with a two-part nappy system (for the flat nappies). I’d estimate that you should have around 6 wraps in case of accidents, however again you could get away with less if you wash more frequently. PUL wraps are practically dry out of the machine and can also be wiped clean between uses, so you do not need to change the wrap every time you change the nappy unless it is soiled.

OR Around 10 Pocket nappies

Pocket nappies dry faster and 10 will be enough if you wash every night.

Nappy liners

You have the choice here between disposable liners that can either be flushed or binned (dependent upon make) or reusable ones. The reusables tend to be made of fleece, and for these you should aim to have around twenty. Paper liners can be cut in half for smaller nappies and can also be washed a couple of times if only wet before they begin to disintegrate. Many users report that paper liners reduce the staining of breastfed pooh, whereas fleece is better for weaned babies.

Nappy bucket & mesh

Used for the storing of soiled nappies. The mesh fits inside the lidded bucket and makes transferring to the washing machine a lot more pleasant. Not many people soak nappies these days, and indeed there are some modern cloth nappies that you should not soak, so the nappies go straight into the bucket with no additives. Some folk keep their bucket fresh by popping a muslin with a few drops of essential oil on top of the nappies.

Boosters

You will probably need these for increasing the absorbency at night once baby is about 6 months old. 4 boosters should be enough, however many people prefer to have more to vary them up at different stages etc. The better materials for absorbency overnight are considered to be bamboo and hemp as well as microfibre.

Nappy nippas

These are a must if you are using fasten free nappies and are excellent for tightening up a fit even on an applix or poppered nappy, too. A packet usually contains three and this should be plenty.

Accessories to consider

Storage
Something essential to consider is exactly where you want to store your nappies. Ideas have included wicker storage baskets, traditional nappy stackers, changing units, suspended cloth storage hangers usually meant for shoes and chest of drawers.

Wet Bag
To put dirty cotton nappies in when you are out and about. They can just be popped in the wash with the other nappies.

Washable wipes
These are small pieces of material that can be used to clean a baby's bottom at nappy changes instead of disposable wipes. Plain water or a mild solution including essential oils can be used. Wipes come in a variety of materials and are also simple to make at home.

Essential oils
Lavender and Tea Tree are both antibacterial and can be used on a muslin cloth in your nappy bucket to keep things smelling fresh, a few drops in the wash or in a solution mixture for your washable wipes.

Cloth Nappy Adventures - Jargon Busting!

2010-03-01T16:18:00.000-08:00

The world of cloth nappy-ing is so wonderfully varied that there are many terms thrown around, especially abbreviations, that can be confusing to a beginner. Here is a basic guide to the terms you might come across on forums, in shops etc:

AIO’s

Abbreviated term for All In One nappies, which are nappies that require no separate insert or wrap and so function most like a disposable.

Aplix

A type of Velcro fastening for nappies.

BTP (aka. Birth to potty, One sized)

Nappies designed to fit baby right the way through from birth to potty training by using sizing adjustments built into the nappy to alter fit as baby grows.

Booster

This is the extra padding for adding into nappies to increase absorbency. Boosters are available in a range of fabrics dependent upon need and nappy type, and usually nappy companies make their own specifically to fit their own brand (however, these are very easily interchangeable for most types).

BOV

Abbreviated term for bamboo organic velour material, a wonderfully soft and absorbent material often found in more ‘designer’ nappies.

Clothie

A person who loves using cloth nappies on their child and extolling the benefits to others.

Cover (wrap)

The waterproof outer shell part of a nappy.

Dry Pailing

Refers to the storing of used/dirty nappies in a lidded bucket without soaking, which is the way most modern cloth nappy users store their nappies until wash day thanks to the advances in modern washing machines.

Depends on what context this is used in – for goods it is the abbreviated term for ‘Excellent Condition’. In general nappy-ing chat it will most likely refer to Elimination Communication, which is a term coined for parents watching for their children’s signals to go to the toilet and this eliminating the need for nappies.

EUC

Abbreviated term for ‘Excellent Used Condition’ in sales.

Flannel

This is a cotton material that is densely woven and then brushed which makes it very soft.

Flat nappies

Nappies that open out flat – usually muslins, terry squares or prefolds. These require folding, securing and a waterproof wrap.

Fleece

A fabric (normally acrylic or polyester) used to make liners and wraps. Some nappies are fleece lined to give a stay-dry layer.

Flongies

Shorts/trousers made of fleece, lanolised for waterproofing and used as an alternative to a PUL wrap. These are especially good overnight.

Insert

The absorbent part added to a pocket nappy. These can be made from a variety of materials and are usually made specific to brands of nappies, however as with boosters they are very much interchangeable.

Lanolin

A product made from sheep’s wool used to treat wool/fleece wraps and covers to keep them waterproof.

Liners

The layer next to the baby’s skin, helping to keep them dry. Sometimes these are flushable paper liners; sometimes they are washable and made from fleece or even silk.

Longies

Woolly trousers used in place of a PUL wrap, lanolised for waterproofing. These are especially good over night but can only be used over natural fibred nappies.

Merino

This is a popular and very soft wool used for making longies and other wool covers.

Microfibre

This is a man-made fabric used in real nappies or inserts. It holds the liquid between the fibres rather than absorbing it.

Nappy nippa (nappi nippa, snappi)

A plastic T shaped gripper to hold nappies without other fastenings together, used instead of the traditional nappy pin.

Nappy mesh

This is a mesh bag which is used to line the bucket containing dirty nappies so they are more easily transferable from bucket to machine.

Abbreviated term for One sized or Birth to Potty nappies.

Abbreviated term for organic velour, a material used in nappies which is beautifully soft.

Pocket nappies (aka. stuffables)

These are basically a waterproof wrap with a lining often made from fleece. Absorbency is added by stuffing the nappy with inserts.

Prefolds

Absorbent square nappies with a padded centre section. Usually just held in place by a close fitting gusseted wrap but also can be nappy nippa-ed for extra security. These are very popular in America.

PUL (Polyurethane Laminate)

The waterproof material used in many wraps, pockets and all-in-ones. PUL has become the modern, softer and more hard-wearing replacement for traditional plastic/rubber pants.

Pull-on pants (aka. Trainer pants)

These are wraps without side openings used for potty training that pull on like ordinary pants.

Shaped / fitted nappies

These nappies are shaped to fit the baby without folding and usually have elasticated waist and legs. They require a waterproof wrap.

Shorties

Woolly shorts used to cover a nappy in place of a PUL wrap, lanolised for waterproofing. These are especially good overnight but can only be used over natural fibred nappies.

Sized nappy

A nappy that comes in various sizes that need to be purchased as the child grows.

Skirtie

A wool cover that looks like a skirt, lanolised for waterproofing and used in place of a PUL wrap.

Soaker

Another name for a fleece or wool wrap, which is lanolised for waterproofing and good for overnight use.

Soaking

Putting dirty nappies into a bucket of water before washing to prevent staining. Most modern cloth nappies do not require soaking due to advances in washing machines and products, however some people do prefer this method.

Abbreviated term for side snap fastening, where a nappy or cover has poppers at the side, rather than at the front. Particularly handy for toddlers as they find them harder to open, but also this fastening allows many wraps to be used like training pants for potty training.

Terry squares

The traditional nappy! Terry squares are simply squares of towelling material which are folded specifically to fit the baby, usually fastened with a nappy nippa (or pins) and then covered by a wrap. Modern terries also can be found in bamboo which is more absorbent and softer.

Two part nappy system

This is where the cotton, absorbent part and the wrap are separate.

WAHM

This stands for "work at home mum", usually referencing mums who make things such as nappies etc. at home to support their families.

Washable Wipes

These are small pieces of material that can be used to clean a baby's bottom at nappy changes instead of disposable wipes. Plain water or a mild solution including essential oils can be used. Wipes come in a variety of materials and are also simple to make at home.

Wet Bag

Usually this refers to an ‘out and about’ bag to go inside the changing bag in which to store soiled nappies whilst away from home, however some do use a wet bag in place of a bucket in between washing at home. Wet bags have a waterproof layer and can be drawstring or zippered.

Wick/Wicking

The term used to describe wetness or moisture as it seeps though fabric. Sometimes this is due to wetness being squeezed through a nappy wrap(compression wicking) due to a vest top being done up too tightly or a child sat putting pressure on an area of the nappy for a prolonged time period. Wicking is more common with fleece or wool wraps.

Wrap (cover)

The waterproof outer part of a nappy. Sometimes they are attached (all-in-ones and pocket nappies) sometimes they are separate (two part nappy). Separate wraps can be made from PUL waterproof material, wool or fleece.

Stash!

2010-03-01T12:19:00.000-08:00

So, here it is officially, my 'stash' before birth...

One sized things...nappies, prefolds, terries...

Newborn and small nappies, wraps, terries, muslins...

Medium wraps and nappies...

And finally Large wraps and nappies...

The Mama Pack

2010-02-24T12:33:00.000-08:00

So, after disappointment with the Bounty packs I decided to order, for delivery charge only, The Mama Pack.

I received it this afternoon and it truly brightened up my day - it was like getting a special eco-mum present!
I wanted to review it for anyone reading in case you're deliberating whether to get one - I'd personally say go for it - the contents is WELL worth the delivery cost.

Sorry for the rubbishy photo quality - it's an old camera phone and very bright lights combined with a shiny floor!

In my box I got:

A 100ml sample (full size is 250ml but this LOOKS full size) of Maclaren's Beginning Protecting Nappy Change Balm.
4 The Ginger People's GinGins Double Strength Ginger Hard Candy sweets
1 Lillipops Iced Soothies in Lemon & Mint
A 70g sample of Rude Health's The Ultimate Organic Muesli
A sample of 8 half-shell soapnuts and a small mesh bag with instructions from In A Soapnut Shell
A sample bamboo cloth wipe from the Nappy Makers
2 sample eco-friendly disposable breast pads, 1 maternity pad and 1 pantyliner from Natracare
A sachet sample of Weleda Baby Calendula Nappy Change Cream
A sachet sample of Pregnacare Cream
WAHM News Autumn/Winter magazine
A handful of promotional leaflets and some promotional business cards

The pack is a nice size and comes all sealed up in its own carboard box, which is the size of an 'average giftbox' I'd say. It has pretty tissue paper in the top and the leaflets etc. are in the bottom, with the samples scattered in between. I'd estimate that the samples are worth in total around £7.00. There isn't too much promotional material, which is good as I always hate throwing lots away, however I would change the fact that some of it is contained in plastic sheeting/polybags.

If I could add anything to the Mama pack it would be a sample of some sort of snack that you could pop into your labour bag and some raspberry leaf tea or similar sample.

My favourite sample is a tie between three - the nappy change balm, the soap nuts and the bamboo cloth wipe (which fits nicely into my other cloth wipes box!). I think of all of the items sampled I am most likely to buy more soap nuts if they work well for me.

I hope that this may have helped someone! I'm just very excited and feel almost as though it's my birthday - I got given my friend's lovely purple TENS machine to borrow today and have just ordered some replacement pads for it, and I've placed a custom order for amber teething and nursing necklaces which I shall write more about another time!

Cloth Nappy Adventures - Where To Buy

2010-02-17T18:47:00.000-08:00

I thought it might be useful to share my preparations for having a cloth bummed baby in the house and how I've gone about obtaining my 'stash'.

According to various sources, I estimate that for a decent birth to potty package of nappies you're looking at spending around £350 minimum new - this is really more for someone who wants to try several types, but trust me, once you fall into the wonderful world of cloth you will NOT be able to resist.

This is where I've found pre-loved nappies to be an absolute bargain. You need to hunt around, but if you do your research and cast your nets wide you can haul in something pretty special. I wanted to obtain a varied selection myself in order to work out what works best for Daniel and for us. Hopefully I will be updating with my progress and a break down of each nappy type as we use it soon!

If you want to know more about the MONEY SAVING joys of cloth nappies as opposed to disposables, please have a read of this. I'm not personally going down the cloth nappy route for environmental reasons, but the idea of pooh going down the toilet where it belongs instead of festering in a landfill and messing up the water table is definitely a plus point!

I will make my next post more of a consolidation of what, through lots of research, I have found out to be the nappies whose praises are most highly sung. For now, I'll give you a list of places to ferret out your first cloth bargains!

First up, I highly recommend you join this lively forum ANYWAY for advice, support etc.
This is in the natural parenting section, where the ladies are absolutely fantastic and, if you're reading this, are sure to be very like-minded to you! The nappy sales on here are from ladies who truly LOVE their nappies and don't sell for profit. Swaps also available.

For job lots and some incredibly cheap deals, try The Nappy Site. No joining required.

An Ebay-like site devoted entirely to cloth nappies, The Used Nappy Company is reliable but popular, so deals aren't as easy to come by. You have to join, but you only pay to sell.

Another excellent resource including forums is The Cloth Nappy Tree. Nappies are sold in sections by type (I will explain more about the different types in my next entry, but there is lots of information on there too). Again, full of ladies who love nappies, and there is also an excellent WAHM community for any special personalisation/making requests.

Another great forum is Natural Mamas - they also have an excellent section on babywearing and second-hand slings, too!

The usual suspects for anything second-hand, Ebay and Preloved. Ebay have in the past banned used nappy sales, however currently are allowing them. Preloved has rare listings, but it's worth keeping an eye out.

Other places that I haven't personally used are UK Parents Lounge and Mumsnet. Mumsnet is free to sign up for but the catch is that it costs to advertise and to contact other members/allow them to contact you.

For seconds and reductions/old stock, go to 'Bargains' at Babykind, Little Pants and Twinkle.

For full priced nappies there are LOTS of websites to choose from out there, and really I think it's a matter of personal preference. My votes presently go to Fill Your Pants and Babipur. Both have wonderful customer service, a great range, regular offers and deliver promptly.

Tushie Tuesdays Competition

2010-02-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

From the lovely folk at Fillyourpants comes this wonderful weekly competition!
This week, enter for your chance to win 3 x Pairs of Babylegs Leg Warmers! (in colours of your choice).

See the competition and more here!

Babywearing Beginnings

2010-02-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

So, what is babywearing?
It sounds almost like a crazy London fashion designer's next collection but is, in fact, an ancient worldwide art/skill/practice. It involves carrying your infant in a sling or special carrier for large portions of the day. Babywearing is a term coined because the sling/carrier becomes so much a part of your essential wardrobe, as indeed does babywearing itself become so much a part of your parenting philosophy.

I'd personally like to suggest that babywearing can and should be for all. Even if it is just for transportation purposes, the simple fact is that it is a lot easier to board a bus with your hands free and baby in a carrier than it is to attempt the same whilst wielding a buggy! Plus, with the wide range of carriers on offer, there is a carrier available to suit every lifestyle and budget.

Basically speaking, there are six types of carrier readily available in the UK, however, not all of these are easy to locate on the average high street, so internet shopping is required for the time being.

1. The structured carrier/backpack style carrier
Examples: The Baby Bjorn type carriers
Retailers: Widely available on the high street and online

Pros: A great introduction into the world and benefits of babywearing, allowing parents to see if it really is for them. Promotes close parent-baby contact.
Cons: I personally would not recommend this style of baby carrier, especially for little boys, as the infant is suspended by their groin which could cause discomfort and even developmental problems over time.

2. The soft structured carrier
Examples: Patapum Baby Carrier, Connecta Baby Carrier, Close Baby Carrier, Yamo Baby Carrier
Retailers: John Lewis & Mothercare stock some, also online.

Pros: Buckles are easily adjustable and an excellent safety feature, especially for beginners. These carriers are very Dad-friendly as they don't look 'too girly'. They support the babies' body correctly, unlike the harder backpack style carriers and promote body-to-body contact.
Cons: Can be fiddly and not so easy to 'pop the baby out of' as other styles of carrier, not the best for breastfeeding.

3. The Mei Tai or Asian Style Carrier
Examples: Kozy Carrier, Ellaroo Mei Tai, BabyHawk Mei Tai
Retailers: Mainly available online.

Pros: These carriers distribute the weight evenly and can be used for front or back carries. They are easy to put on and take off quickly and are available in a wide range of beautiful colours and fabrics.
Cons: These have to be undone to 'pop the baby out' and can be a 'bit girly' for Dads!

4. The Wrap
Examples: Stretchy: Moby, Calin Bleu, Wrapsody, Kari-Me. Woven: Ellaroo, BB-Sein, Girasol.
Retailers: Mainly available online.

Pros: These carriers are basically a long piece of special fabric which requires wrapping around the body in order to distribute the weight evenly and can be used for front or back carries. They are very versatile, great for breastfeeding and are available in a wide range of beautiful colours and fabrics. The baby is easily 'popped out', especially with the stretchy wraps, without needing to undo anything. The stretchy wraps are more forgiving for beginners.
Cons: These require time and patience to learn and practice the basic wrapping techniques. Not so good for nervous parents who are not confident in their ability to tie the wrap correctly.

5. The Ring Sling
Examples: Ellaroo, Rockin' Baby, BB-Sling, Storchenwiege, Didymos, Sakura Bloom.
Retailers: Mainly available online, some stocked by independent baby retailers.

Pros: These carriers take the weight across one shoulder and can be used for front carries. They are easy to put on and take off quickly with an adjustable ring pulley-type system to get the best fit for parent and baby. They are available in a wide range of beautiful colours and fabrics, are very quick to pop baby in and out of once adjusted and are one of the best for discreet breastfeeding.
Cons: The adjustment system can take some getting used to, and they are not good for long periods of babywearing due to the strain on one shoulder (this can be minimized by swapping sides).

6. The Pouch
Examples: Hotslings, Rockin' Baby, Eesti, Lifft.
Retailers: Mainly available online.

Pros: These carriers take the weight across one shoulder and can be used for front carries only. They are easy to put on and take off quickly with NO buckles/straps/wrapping required and are available in a wide range of beautiful colours and fabrics. Think of the pouch as a 'baby bag'! They are easy access and very quick to pop baby in and out of.
Cons: These are obviously non-adjustable, so will work differently for differently sized babies and parents. These do not offer much coverage for breastfeeding.

*****

I hope that this has given an overview (albeit basic) of the kinds of carrier available in today's market. For more information I highly recommend the following sites...

Everything you'll ever need to know about babywearing:
Wear Your Baby.com
The Baby Wearer

Online UK resource and list of local meet-up groups:
Sling Meet

UK online Retailers:
Big Mama Slings
Sasa Slings
Tree Hugger Mums

In the beginning...

2010-02-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

Hello to anyone who might stumble across this little corner of the web!

I'm a young, Christian housewife who, at the time of writing, is 6 weeks away from her due date! I live in the Peak District with my darling husband, who is a great man of God, and I know will make an excellent father. Our baby boy is called Daniel James and we can't wait to welcome him into the world!

I'm pro-life and am leaning towards the philosophies of 'attachment parenting'. This encompasses a lot of so-called 'hippy' practices which are, in fact, very common sense based and ancient ideas. Such things as babywearing, baby led weaning, co-sleeping, breastfeeding and the use of cloth nappies.
Through my research and personal forays into these ideas I hope to produce a guide of sorts to assist any other parents or prospective parents in their choices.

Disclaimer: Please note that all opinions are entirely my own, and that they therefore will reflect my own bias and preferences. I don't believe that there is a 'one size fits all' parenting model, and would hope that no one views any content here as judgmental or slanderous in what it speaks for (or even, on occasion, silently against).