Sunday 24 November 2013

What to Choose Diaper cover or Pocket Diapers?



Pocket Diapers :

Pocket diapers are popular because it keeps your baby’s bottom dry.  
It has a cloth diaper shell (with a stay dry layer) and microfiber inserts. You simply stuff the insert(s) inside the shell.  The layer that touches baby’s bottom is made of soft fleece that keeps moisture away from the baby even when the insert inside the pocket diaper is completely wet.  

Best Night time diaper:
One of the best night time cloth diapering system. My son can wear the pocket diaper 6 -10 hours straight at night without leaking.  And it keeps his bottom dry the entire night! 

Day Usage:
Its also great for day time use, when you are battling a diaper rash or when you do not feel like changing diapers every time it is wet.   When I am running errands and cannot change diapers for 2-4 hours, I like to use pocket diapers.   It will keep him dry and comfortable even after he wets the inserts.   It is most convenient, because you do not have to change the diaper as soon as it gets wet.  Because it is easy to use and keeps my baby’s bottom dry, pocket diapers are my personal favourite. For short visits to grocery shops , malls, friends place I use this.

You can see how pocket diapers look.

Diaper Covers with Inserts :


This combination is easy to use.  Simply place the insert inside the diaper cover.  That’s it.  You need about 6 - 12 inserts  and 4-8 diaper covers for  one day usage.  You will need more diaper covers for newborns and less for older babies.  You do not need to replace the diaper cover with each diaper change, simply replace the wet insert.  There are times when I use 4 diaper covers a day and there are times when I can get by with using just 1 diaper cover a day, depending on how wet or soiled my diaper covers get.  I change the inserts every 1-2 hours as soon as I notice the wetness.

Inserts will stay a little bit wet on your baby’s bottom until a diaper change.  Only inserts to be used directly on the skin is Organic inserts. Micro fibre ones are big  NO No. Generally Bamboo, Charcoal bamboo.

One advantage is Covers could be reused for every diaper change unlike the pockets. 
More information on Covers.



Diaper Covers

  •   A diaper cover provides the waterproof layer needed to keep your child's clothing dry when using cloth diapers.
  • One Size Cloth Diaper Cover is designed to grow with your baby. Covers may be used multiple times before washing. Cover should be placed into the laundry if it become soiled. When wet, the Diaper Cover can be wiped dry.
  •                        One Size Cover = 4 Sizes in One!
  •  One Size Diaper Covers have 4 adjustable rise settings that are designed to  fit your baby from birth to potty training with 1 cover. Weight range of   cover stars at 2.7 kg and will fit up to 12kg .
  • Additional leg gussets to keep for a comfortable, stretchy fit, and leak proof seal.

TO USE:

• Snap cover rise to proper size setting.
• Select the type of bamboo or charcoal bamboo insert you would like to use as the absorbent diaper.
• Fasten diaper to baby!
• When a change is needed, wipe cover clean and use again or replace if it has become soiled.

Wash & Care:
Covers can be washed either separately, in 1 wash, or together with all your other diaper laundry.  


A diaper cover is not necessary if you are using Pocket Diapers.


Saturday 14 September 2013

How many diapers will I need?


https://www.facebook.com/clothdiapershop.in





It all depends on how often you will be doing laundry. With that in mind, here are some reasonable estimates of how many diapers you will need:
Newborn to 4 months - 20 - 24 diapers

Infant (4 to 10 months) - 16 - 20 diapers

Toddler (10 months to potty training) - 12 - 16 diapers


Please note quantities are based on an average sized baby and if you wash every other day. More diapers will be needed if you go longer between washings.



Thursday 12 September 2013

Washing Cloth Diapers as simple as 1, 2, 3


In India, most of us use cloth nappies and we maintain it so well. It is same with cloth diaper too. Cloth diaper needs to be absorbent, so we need to take little extra care, that’s it!
Before using diaper, Wash it!  :) You must wash ALL diapers & covers prior to first use 1-5 times

This must be done so your diaper can be at their full absorbency. Washing will remove the natural oils and waxes that will hinder your diaper absorbency.  Ideally it must be washed 5 times for efficient absorbency.  Just for getting that  10 -15 ml of extra absorbency why should we waste 100 L of water. As we use and wash absorbency will increase.


* Use your health facet to spray the poop in the toilet. Use a lidded bin to store all the soiled diaper until next wash
* “Sunning” would actually work on stains. Simply place stained diaper in the sun for drying them and you twill be amazed at how the stains will virtually disappear within hours.

Hand wash routine:  
Step 1- No detergent cold rinse  once or twice
Step 2-Use a tiny bit of cloth diaper safe laundry detergent in warm water (30 C ) and soak it  for 15 – 20 mins and wash it.
Caution : Don’t use Brush that’s used for washing clothes, Don’t beat the clothes to the floor or the washing stone (in case you have it in your house ;) )  Don’t use washing soap bars on the diaper.
Step 3-Extra rinse to ensure no soap residue
Machine wash routine:
Step 1- No detergent cold rinse 
Step 2-Use a ¼  amount of   cloth diaper safe laundry detergent in warm water in delicate/gentle mode. (1/4 for front-loading machines and ½ for top loading machine)
In case washing machine doesn’t have hot water option, add one-bucket hot water while washing
Step 3-Extra rinse cycles to ensure no soap residue
*In case if you use Dryers tumble-dry Low. 

*ONLY use cloth diaper safe detergents. Detergent can affect many aspects of your diaper: absorbency, odour, and how long your diaper will last.

Amway SA8 delicate, Surf Excel Gentle, Soap nut , Pigeon baby detergent are the best bet. Surf / Ariel / Tide has enzymes in it. Use 1/5 of the recommended detergent in case of Surf , Ariel ,tide etc  ( Not ideal to use, in case you still want to use

*Wash cloth diaper regularly. I suggest daily or  every 2-3 days. This will keep stains from setting in and will discourage mold growth.
*No fabric softeners, no optical whiteners or brighteners, & no enzymes. These will reduce the absorbency of the diaper

*Never use chlorine bleach on cloth diaper.


Sources:
http://www.surfexcel.in/how-to-do-laundry/the-right-detergent-formula/
http://www.scribd.com/doc/11523933/Enzymes-in-Detergents

In India, a few premium detergent brands presently available in the market like Ariel,Surf Ultra, Rin, Biolites, Revel Plus , Zymo contain enzymes in their formulations.
http://www.amway.in/Shopping/Products.aspx?pid=116513ID&ctg=SA8