Cloth Diapers: Our Newborn Stash

I wrote this post before baby arrived.  He is still in disposables at the moment, but we will start using cloth soon.  I'll be sure to snap some photos to post!

Esther's cloth diapers have all been through three kids and are about done for, so I bought new ones this time around.  I watched Black Friday sales and other deals and got these at great prices.  I'll admit the stash looks pretty boyish, but I couldn't very well buy pink in case we have a boy.  Blues and greens work either way.  If we have a girl I am going to order the lovelace print and a couple of pinks to round out the colors.

On the top shelf are mostly BumGenius one size snap pocket diapers.  On the right are size small Fuzzi Bunz and the tiny one in the front is an xsmall Fuzzi Bunz.  I have two of those and they are oh so cute!  The BumGenius are all set to the newborn size with just the newborn insert stuffed in them for now.

The bottom shelf holds prefolds, size one Seventh Generation disposables (for the first week), a couple of covers and fitted diapers, toddler size prefolds (to use as changing pads), and boxes of cloth and disposable wipes.  I am definitely a pocket diapering momma, but have prefolds and fitteds on hand just in case baby's tiny legs do not fit well in the pocket diapers at first.  I also like them for back-up, when diaper laundry is not done on time.  The prefolds are organic yellow edge GMDs, my absolute favorite.  I love how they are sized shorter than other prefolds and fit so much better.  The covers that I have are Thirsties Duo Wrap size one with snaps.

The BumGenius will last us all of baby's diapering years!  I have a couple of Medium Fuzzi Bunz that are probably still good that baby will use eventually too.  I have tried various sized fitteds and other brands over the years but am happy with our simple pocket stash now.  I love having all snap diapers - no more icky velcro that doesn't stay on and gets nasty in the wash.

If you're curious: I went through and added up my receipts from the various orders.  For 17 Bumgenius, 1 Thirsties cover, 2 xs Fuzzi Bunz, a pail liner, wet bag, and 5 small Fuzzi Bunz (like new from a friend) I spent a total of $297.26  Part of that was funded by selling other cloth diapers that I had and didn't want.  Everything but the small Fuzzi Bunz were purchased new from online stores.  I already had the prefolds, fitteds, and cloth wipes from last time.

Even if you were new to cloth diapering and had to purchase a few more items, you would still be saving sooo much money over disposables!  Oh, and I still have enough rewards money from Abby's Lane to get two free Bumgenius in pink if I end up needing them.  ;)  For a premium stash that will last all of baby's diapering years, I'm happy with the total.  Because the diapers are all new, I'm sure they'll last through one or two more children as well.  (That would cut the cost of diapering down to $150 or $100 per child!)

I think we're all set!  Now to have a baby to put these diapers on!  Of course I will post newborn fluffy bottom photos just as soon as I can.  :)

Baby Is Here!

Isaac Ross, 7lbs 9oz, 19 1/2 inches long, born at 8:10am Tuesday, 3-6-12

Baby Wearing

Several people commented on my What Does A 4th Baby Need? post, interested in the ring sling.  I am not a baby wearing expert, but have used a couple different carriers.  Here are my thoughts on what works for me:

Moby Wrap: many people love this one.  I tried it and found it to be very comfortable (you can read my full review here).  However, I did not end up reaching for it often because I felt like I was sort of drowning in all that fabric.  Also, it seemed like once I got the baby all wrapped up and snuggly, she wanted to nurse or needed a diaper change or I had to take her out for some reason.

Ergo:  I like wearing the Ergo on my back once baby is a bit older.  On my front it feels bulky and I can't bend over or sit while wearing it.  (I'm 5'5" and have a small frame.)  I didn't care for the infant insert for this reason, I just don't like the Ergo for a front carry around the house.  The infant insert also props the baby up higher and into my face a bit much.  If I'm out shopping and walking around, the Ergo is fine on my front.  I guess I'd call this one my "out and about" carrier.

Mei Tai: I made my own mei tai, similar to a Babyhawk.  It worked well for a back carry, but I made the body too large.  My babies felt a bit smothered when worn facing my front in the mei tai, they couldn't see out and the ties seemed to squish them.  I'm trying a Babyhawk this time around because I think the smaller body will work better.

Ring Sling:  I have a Maya Wrap ring sling that I really like wearing newborns in.  The upright carrying position is my favorite and seems to work well.  The rings on it are super heavy and the tail is long, so I purchased a new ring sling to use with the new baby.

With three other children to chase around, having plenty of baby wearing options is a good thing!  To recap: The ring sling is my go-to carrier at first when baby is tiny.  Once he/she has a bit of head control I will use the mei tai.  The Ergo is great for keeping in the car and using out and about as baby gets older.  There are plenty of other carriers out there that I haven't tried, these are just my thoughts on the few that I own.  I'll have to post an update after baby arrives and let you know what our new little bundle thinks of the carriers.  :)

Do you have a favorite baby carrier?  

Seventh Generation Training Pants (Includes Giveaway!)

Esther is potty training ...sort of, kind of.  I really wanted her out of diapers and tried putting her in panties one day.  After cleaning up a few messes we were doing okay, but by the third day she would just cry when she peed.  She also happened to run a fever that day and felt miserable, ending our panties trial.  I put the panties away for now, but I do sit her on the potty several times a day.  I figure its a good start and she will catch on more when she is ready.

Because her cloth diapers are pretty worn out, we've been using disposable diapers when we leave the house.  She is at the point where she pees a TON and ends up soaking through a cloth diaper fairly often.  If we're home I just change her clothes, but that is harder to plan for when we are in the car.

I was excited to have the chance to try out Seventh Generation's disposable training pants.  At this point, they are great for Esther.  She still needs the absorbency, but wants to be able to sit on the potty and pull up her diaper by herself.  She likes wearing them and we call them her "silly guy" diapers because of the Lorax on them.  The stretchy tear away sides are nice for when the diaper is messy.  The training pants have an absorbent core made with more renewable plant-based materials.  I also really like that Seventh Generation Free and Clear baby products do not contain chlorine, fragrance, petroleum-based lotions or latex, and are hypo-allergenic.

Seventh Generation recently decided to feature the Lorax on their diapers as a reminder of the environmental message of sustainability.  The pictures on the diapers are a bit hard to see, and the book is over Esther's head.  We are big Dr Seuss fans around here though, so her older sisters have enjoyed reading The Lorax.  It has a great message and an inspiring ending.  You can even register for a free The Lorax themed scrapbook with the purchase of three Free and Clear diaper products, while supplies last.

Seventh Generation is giving one of you a prize package containing one new Free and Clear diaper product and a copy of The Lorax book!  To enter you may do any or all of the following:

- leave a comment letting me know you follow my blog via email or Google Friend Connect
- leave a comment letting me know you are a fan of One Little Word She Knew on Facebook
- leave a comment letting me know: Which Seventh Generation Free and Clear diaper products are you most interested in trying with your family in an effort to be more eco-conscious?

You have a total of three possible entries.  The giveaway will end on March 9th at midnight (unless I'm having a baby that day!).  Be sure to leave an email address so that I can contact you.  :) *Now closed.  Congrats, Heather.*

Disclosure: The Seventh Generation Diapers prize pack, product, and information have been provided by Seventh Generation through MyBlogSpark.