Go Green Mama

Unbelievable? We have cloth menstrual pad even before the disposable was invented. There are just too messy to use and stink... lots of problem until we have a disposable pad.

You have to trust me, the cloth menstrual pad today is so comfortable to use and stink-no-more! It is even better than disposable because it is good for your health! There are doctors reported that disposable pad somehow contribute to vagina infection and don't you think the increase number of cervical cancer got anything to do with disposable pad? There are minority cases caused by disposable pad and it doesn't mean this is not one of the factors to be left out. Worst if you use tampon which has report of getting toxic shock syndrome. (Google search and read out on this)

from left: Bamboo velour panty liner(orange); Hemp fleece panty liner (darker orange); Bamboo velour regular flow pad (yellow-red till hemp fleece red-white coloured pad); Bamboo velour heavy flow/overnight pad (yellow-red, white & blue colour), Bamboo velour Ultimate II whih is even suitable for postpatrum (pink)

okay, I'm not going lengthy about the benefits... let's concentrate on the usage in our life style.


1) Use it as if you are using your disposable, very simple. Just secure the snap behind the panty and off you go.

2) Change it every 5-8 hours depending on your flow. Surprisingly, it's not stinky like disposable.

3) Rinse and rub them under running water or in a small pail of water.

4) Just soak in water with a bit of detergent. Leave it overnight if you want.

5) Rinse again the next morning before you put them in washing machine.

Simple, isn't it?

Stink and smell?
To be frank, I used for 8 hours before the next change and it didn't smell at all! This is really amazing... even after I wash them and dry under the sun (yes direct sunlight!). They are totally smell fresh when I collected them back from the clothsline.

Leak?
Another amazing feature... none at all! Just make sure you get the pad in correct size and adjust it properly (you need some skills in doing this by practising). So, no worry and I can wear my white skirt confidently. I wear them to sleep too, so comfy and definitely all "locked" in a pad!

Bulky?
Actually none at all and you will feel like you are not wearing one. How's that? Since it is made of new fabric such as bamboo or hemp or even the all time available cotton, they have super great absorbency without adding any bulkiness. Moreover, they are not chemically made, they are all natural fiber!!!

Next to the skin?
As I mentioned just now, it is so soft and you won't be realizing that you are wearing one. Occasionally, the pad will move to sideway when you are walking or sitting (I bet you have this experience with disposable too, isn't it?) but it's not rough or stiff like the paper or plastic you are wearing. Much more comfortable, dear...

Cost?
Initial buying will be higher but when you can see it in using disposable pads for 10 or 20 years versus one time buying for approximately RM600... you make the choice. I dare not say cloth menstrual pad will last for 20 or 30 years but to be able to perform for 5 years already worth it!


A little story of mine:
I always have discharge after I delivered my dd one year ago and doctors couldn't find out what's the actual cause of it and I always have it back quite often after threated with medicine either to be taken orally, or applied or inserting. I used disposable panty liner very heavily back then and it seems quite bothering as I think it's not 100% cure yet.

When I first discovered about modern cloth diaper for my dd, I also discovered the cloth mama pad. So, I give it a try and since then I realise I don't need panty liner everyday and my condition improves. Reason? I'm using natural fiber and not chemically plastic pad! That's only when I use bamboo panty liner, not even going on full set. Therefore, I told myself I'm waiting for a day to have a set of cloth menstrul pad and voila! I'm lucky to receive them as my birthday gift.

I can't wait to spread this new findings to everyone, my mum was delighted that I found cloth mentrual pad with ease of use. She's been looking for this all the while because she believes the chemical in disposable pad is the culprit to alot of women illness. Right now even my younger sisters also converted to cloth with my mum together!

Updates:

1) This set shown above... I got from miabambina, it's an AIO.

2) Local stores that carry cloth menstrual pad:

i) femchoices

- carries HagRag - review from Diaperpin.com &

- carries Sckoon (the expensive cloth mama pad) - review from Diaperpin.com

* femchoices has AIO and insert type (e.g: just like CD with insert type)

ii) babyznmom

- carries MT's (Mother's Touch) cloth mama pad

- carries HH's (Happy Heiny's) cloth mama pad

- carries Pleasure Puss from Australia

Solution for Heavywetter (Night Diapering)?

Came across a few mamas with doubts or headache about using cloth diaper on their heavywetter baby / toddler. Well, I'm also one of them. So, I'm going to share a few possible solutions that I'd gone through here and you may find some your own solution that works for you and the little one too. So, keep on exploring and don't stop after you read my blog.

First of all, let's clarify about some terms used in cloth diapering. I'm not expert but I understand the term in my own word, so what I'm writing here is from a layman explanation. If you have doubts, feel free to ask me or any cloth diapering mama or guru you know.

Insert - normally refers to insert that used in stuffing the pocket diaper. It comes in a few material:
- microfiber
- hemp (very absorbent)
- bamboo (very absorbent)
- wool
- cotton

Boaster - additional insert that added to the pocket diaper or fitted diaper to boast its absorbency. It can be another smaller insert. Made of same material as Insert.

Clock wise from top is cotton babies sock, GAD hemp insert, microfiber insert and normal towel (yes, you can use it as boaster too!)

Note: I like to use cotton babies sock with hemp insert and regular microfiber as boaster and place it in Bummis cover. Alternative of using pocket diaper. This is only suitable for day time if you have heavywetter.

Ok, let's see how...

If you prefer pocket diaper:

1) hemp insert as addition to microfiber insert
-Microfiber absorb liquid fast but hemp store much more liquid than microfiber. So, if you combine them you have better absorbency than microfiber alone.
- My experience with my DD who is a heavy wetter found out this combination can last for max 5 hours. Different baby have different results, so test on your own for confirmation.

2) use 2 hemp insert
- this can be quite bulky and if you don't mind and you can add one small boaster (made of cotton or mirofiber) on top of the hemp which will be the first layer underneath the suedecloth/microfleece of the diaper. Remember microfiber draw the liquid faster. It is also not a problem if you don't add the small boaster.

3) use fleece pocket diaper
- I have one Drybees fleece pocket diaper for night time use. Fleece pocket is a better solution for heavy wetter as fleece is more breathable than PUL. Again I find it's bulky especially if I use No.2 as insert. (Somehow I still use this solution alternate day for my dd)
- the reason is fleece is able to allow the wetness in the insert to evaporate and therefore baby won't soak in wetness for the whole night sleep. I experienced that and when I checked on the hemp insert inside the fleece pocket, it became dry even it was like soaking wet before.

I found out this accidentally as I was about to change DD at one midnight since the hemp were all soaking wet but somehow due to too tired I slept back. By the time I woke up again and checked on her, my finger came out dry from the fleece pocket. How amazing! Therefore, I believe fleece pocket diaper is breathable otherwise the insert will still remain wet inside.

This solution works fine on my DD for 6-7 hours, so you got a good night sleep without checking all the time. Imagine I woke up at 3am every night for 2 months just to change my DD's cloth diaper, I nearly give up!

if you prefer fitted diaper

I would consider this as ultimate solution but you will need a cover for fitted. This is where I ended up now. Fitted diaper is more absorbent that any pocket diaper as the whole body of the diaper is absorbent.

1) Look for absorbent fitted diaper... we have quite a number of choices locally now! Happy Hempy is one good solution for heavywetter, it has opening to stuff insert, it's fitted pocket diaper.
Try to get the sewn in / internal soaker which is made of hemp/bamboo or consists of many layers such as Swaddlebees One Size Organic Velour Fitted or BabyBeehind. You definitely will need snap in / lay in boaster to add the absorbency. BTW, you can always use the hemp insert or little weeds in trifold as boaster in fitted diaper. As for stay dry feeling, use stay-dry doubler.

Example of snap in soaker - this is the Baby Greens Growing Green Hemp fitted

2) Use fleece or wool cover if possible. You still can use PUL cover such as bummis or imse vimse but I found that wool cover or fleece works wonder with fitted diaper. We also have fleece diaper cover locally, wool cover soon to be available.

Some good fitted that we have locally now is BabyBeehind, HappyHempy, Tot Bots and Cute Tooshies! I'm drooling over all of them becuase I'm a lover for fitted diapers! (wish to know more, feel free to browse through the list of online e-store on the left of the blog!!)

Anyhow, fitted diaper may stink if you don't wash well since it's more absorbent meaning it absorb alot more liquid but so far I try they hardly stink at all provided that you rinse once before the actual wash. So, let me know which one is your solution??

Contributors: Dewi, Sandra & Rebecca (thanks ladies, I learn alot from you all)

PUL Pocket Diaper

Alright, I wanted to start talking about diapers and nappies. Especially the type and material. I'll start with PUL pocket diaper.

I only have 5 PUL pocket diapers - 2 One size BumGenius (BG) , 1 medium long GAD and 2 large GAD. I was first introduced using Drybees (DB) but that time dd was having some fit issues with the diaper. Then later found out dd was in between size. M is too small for her and L is too big! I started to cloth diapering when dd was 12 months old. So, from that experience I never trust diaper with estimated baby weight as measurement. I always ask for the actual measurement of the diaper before I purchase.

So, BG has the greatest fit so I'm happy of having BG as it's great for outing as don't have to worry about the diaper gets wet. Then, I tried on GAD, this is another great fit pocket diaper but it's multi-size, not one size. To be frank, I never have any DB pocket diaper regardless of how cute the print is ,... except one fleece pocket diaper.

From top: Large white GAD with pink suedecloth; Medium long Aqua GAD with light blue sudecloth; Butternut BG and Light Blue DB fleece pocket diaper.

PUL cover is not meant for every baby. At least I know it’s not suitable for my gal especially wearing for long hours such as overnight. Yes, PUL is hot if the baby got heat sensitive. So, when I got BG and GAD, I found out they are not the solution for my heavy wetter and she keeps on having rashes if I use PUL overnight/ long hour. Plus pocket diaper will never enough for heavywetter as the inserts won't be enough to stuff in limited space opening. If you stuff 1 microfiber and 1 GAD hemp, both in large setting, probably can last for 3-5 hours on a toddler.

And again, find the best solution for your baby and your own lifestyle. Some baby is alright with PUL but some are not. I only use PUL when going out with dd and also for her nap time. Never and swear not to use it for night diapering since then.

There are other types of inserts which claimed to be very absorbent such as Hemp Stuffins from Happy Heinys and KND SuperDo Prewashed Inserts for Heavy Wetters and Overnight. I never try them but I hope one day I'll get enough budget to buy and test. Oh yes, I can't help trying so many types of inserts out there...

What is Dioxin?

My mum threw me this question early in the morning. I know it's something harmful to human but nothing much about it. Oh yes, my mum ordered and received her cloth menstrual pad and told me she found out a note that talk about dioxin together with her parcel. I guess it's the same note we all received from Sandra.

I goggled search in wikipedia, and anyone studied Chemistry? I did but forgot all by now. OK, this is taken from wikipedia:

Dioxin is the common name for the group of compounds classified as polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs). ( I also don't know what's that)- are members of the family of halogenated organic compounds, have been shown to bioaccumulate (accumulate over years) in humans and wildlife due to their lipophilic (fat-liking, refers to the ability of a chemical compunds to dissolve in fats, oils, lipids) properties, and are known teratogens, mutagens, and suspected human carcinogens.

Some interesting facts about dioxin:
- Dioxin enters the general population almost exclusively from ingestion of food, specifically through the consumption of fish, meat, and dairy products since dioxins are fat-soluble and readily climb the food chain. Thus create body burden.

- Children are passed substantial body burdens by their mothers, and breastfeeding increases the child's body burden[citation needed]. Children's body burdens are often many times above the amount implied by tolerable intakes which are based on body weight. Breast fed children usually have substantially higher dioxin body burdens than non breast fed children until they are about 8 to 10 years old. The WHO still recommends breast feeding for its other benefits.

- Dioxins are produced in small concentrations when organic material is burned in the presence of chlorine

- Dioxins are also generated in reactions that do not involve burning — such as bleaching fibers for paper or textiles, and in the manufacture of chlorinated phenols, particularly when reaction temperature is not well controlled.

Think about the disposable menstrual pad and diaper we use, which one doesn't go through bleaching??? And we are/were using it since ... the first day we got our period 15 or 20 years ago??!!

- Dioxins are present in minuscule amounts in a wide range of materials used by humans — including practically all substances manufactured using plastics, resins, or bleaches.[citation needed] Such materials include tampons, and a wide variety of food packaging substances.

However, it is disputed whether such exceptionally tiny exposures have any clinical relevance[citation needed]. It is even controversially discussed whether dioxins might have a non-linear dose-response curve with beneficial health effects in a certain lower dose range, a phenomenon called hormesis[citation needed].
Dietary sources of dioxin in the United States have been analyzed by the EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) and scientists from other organizations.

**********************************************************************************
Effects on Human?

Exposure to high levels of dioxin in humans causes a severe form of persistent acne, known as chlorance. Other effects in humans may include:
-Developmental abnormalities in the enamel of children's teeth
-Central and Peripheral Nervous System pathology
-Thyroid disorders
-Damage to the Immune systems
-Endometriosis
-Diabetes
Recent studies have shown that exposure to dioxin changes the ratio of male to female births among a population such that more females are born than males.


My conclusion - there is no firm evidence showing that Dioxin is extremely harmful to human in small quantity. But bear in mind that it will accumulate in human body from 7 -132 years! If you can avoid it, try to avoid. Read up more on the update from time to time as I think scientists & researchers also will take up a long time to do research on getting good evidene on effects of Dioxin on human body and the ecological system in our planet.

Misleading information on Motherhood magazine!

I feel bad after reading the article because there are lots of misleading information about using cloth diaper. I was in a newspaper stall during lunch time to browse about latest magazines and was attracked by the title on this month Motherhood cover page (Singapore mag). The reading displayed as "Cloth vs Disposable". I can't wait to flipped through the page right away, hoping to see some new information reveal about modern cloth diaper.

It compares between a few factors on Cloth vs Disposable, namely, Convenient, Cost, Hygience, Diaper Rash,... and others but I forgot. I was hoping to see some report on modern cloth diaper or maybe some pictures of lampin/muslin or modern cloth nappies. To my surprise only picture of a baby with disposable diaper.

The article mentioned about nowadays cloth diaper comes with velcro or diaper cover with velro which make changing cloth diaper more easy and convenient. I believe it refers to the modern cloth diaper but when comes to the factors of Hygiene and Diaper Rash, the way the information conveyed as if disposable is better if compare to using cloth. This is because cloth diaper may have washing issues whereby if not clean enough baby will develope rashes and if prolong never wash the diaper, it will have germs growing on the cloth diaper. This is true but how come it never mention using disposable too long also can cause baby develope rashes due to lack of breathability? Even disposable accumulate more germs in the gel as it cannot be wash away and worst part is it's chemically made which will cause landfill to our earth?? And yes disposable is use then throw method but disposable is toxic! Why it never mention??

Oh yes, just remember another factor on drying. It stated cloth won't dry fast if it's raining and as for the cost it pulled out the cost of water and electricity that use to wash cloth diaper. Comparatively, using cloth is not really save big bucks. Well, I would say you can always dry the cloth diaper in an air-con room or worst case under ceiling fan, that's how we dry our clothing if rain, isn't it? Better still you can always add more cloth diaper to your stash. There are debates on costing between using cloth diaper & disposable online. I think the cost used to produce disposable diaper is far way too high than the water and electricity used to wash the reusable diaper.

I read quickly just now as it already passed my lunch hour. I hope to read more but overall I think the information still lead people to think disposable is better and more convenient. No doubt disposable wins for its conveniency. Before I return the magazine to the shelf then I only saw on top of the article stated "brought to you by Pampers"! No wonder...

Wool Soaker for Younger Babies?

I've been wondering whether wool diaper cover is suitable for young babies who is still not yet able to turn?

As we all know wool is very breathable and it's a great solution for heavywetter as it can evaporate moisture. I think this is refer to babies who is able to turn while sleeping. Otherwise, how to overcome the compression issue?? Hmm... newborn or younger babies they sleep or sit in the same place for longer time such as in the car seat. Isn't this will cause compression and the seat will be wet?

Can anyone share on issues encountered when using wool diaper cover on newborn or young infant?

Outdoor Dryer

I was surprised that I found out I have an outdoor dryer! Well, it's not really a dryer, it's an air-conditioner. This is the older version, it is a window through units, not the one that mount on the wall. Yeah... a very old machine that still work today.

This is the look of the traditional air-con from inside the house. Quite old, isn't it? My room has a balcony and that's the place where I line dry the cloth diapers and dd's clothes since the balcony is not big. So, it's mainly reserve for dd's clothes and diaper. The bonus point is the morning sun shines in front of balcony, making it a great place to get direct sunlight too!

Whenever the air-con is switched on, I got hot air at the balcony. So, indirectly, the hot air might help in drying the cloth diapers that I wash at night and I tried to line dry some of them outside the balcony even at night since we switch on air-con for the whole night. Guess what... although it's not 100% dry in the next morning but it's almost 50%-70% dry plus direct sunlight right after that... don't you think it's a nice match??

More wash for greater absorbency

This is very true for fitted diaper. Since fitted diaper is made up of only fabric, (some may have some polyster mix) mostly the fabric is either cotton terry, hemp or bamboo. It need to be pre-wash at least 3-5 times before the diaper can reach its maximum absorbency.

I have sherpa fitted diaper, cotton fitted, bamboo fitted and newly added a hemp fitted. Hemp is supposed to be the most absorbent material and I had washed it for 4 times but I think that's not the peak of its absorbency yet. I read somewhere some fittef diaper need at least 10 times wash before you get what is expected. Oh yes... that 10x is refer to Tot Bots Bamboozle. Will be having Tot Bots in Malaysia soon!

As I have a heavy wetter dd, sherpa and cotton only can be used as daytime diaper unless I add boaster. I noticed my bamboo, which is Drybees Onesize Bamboo fitted perform better than the first month I newly use. It's much more absorbent now and if I don't add any additional boaster, using only the bamboo soaker that comes with it, can last for 6-7 hours at night.

The additional two that I addded to my stash is Baby Greens hemp fitted and Motherease(ME) Sandy's. Baby Greens is a one size (OS) fitted which can be used from birth till potty train while ME Sandy's that I have is a size 2. Sandy's is much more bigger than Baby Greens and claimed to hold 15oz of liquid. Sounds good to a heavywetter yeah... Since Baby Greens is made of hemp material, it shrink abit after wash and make it looks even smaller.

Washed Sandy's 3 times and still monitoring its absorbency. Sandy's is roomy enough for me to add boster for night time use. I think it still need a few more wash to get to its max. I used Baby Greens on dd for 2 hours plus after I go back from work coz I know it still unable to be used at night. Hemp material needs even more washing. Right now it only can hold 2 pee before the whole diaper was wet. Last night I encountered it was wet even with just 1 pee and dd was wearing with its hemp snap in soaker. Still got lots of washing to do...

NOTE:
While waiting for several wash before the diaper can reach its max absorbency, use them as day time diaper.

Care for Diaper Covers

Let's face it... I believe every cloth diaper user mums will invest on diaper covers. But actually how to extend the life span of a diaper cover? I've been wondering for some times and I accidentally found the suggestions and referenece online and wish to share it here.

These are the facts:
1. "How long a cover will last will depend on the type of material the cover is made of." - (think of PUL, wool, cotton,...)

2. "Also what type of soap or detergent you use, your washing method, if you use bleach or bleach alternatives, if you line-dry or use a dryer." - (in Malaysia, we hardly have a dryer, most are line dry...)

3. "How many covers you have to use in rotation, and how often you change them." - (well, I seldom rotate, normally between 2 only, change them at the end of the day)

Advise no.1:
If you are machine washing, don't wash your covers with the diapers, but with the baby's clothing, on a gentle setting. Use only warm water, and a gentle soap.

Advise no.2:
Dry your covers in the machine for only 10-20 minutes, and hang to dry the rest of the way, if they are still damp. Don't use bleach, as it can ruin the elastic, and damage the water-proofing of your covers.

Advise no.3:
Avoid rubbing detergent directly on the diaper cover. All these products can destroy the water-proofness of your covers.

Advise no.4:
Covers generally don't have to be washed as often as the diaper. It will depend on the material of the cover. If the cover is not soiled, you could just run tap water down the inside of the cover to rinse off any urine residue. Pat dry, or hang to dry and re-use.

Nylon/Vinyl - can be air-dried between changes.
* we have PUL in m'sia but nylon...??*

With cotton blend - need to be washed after every use.
*such as imse vimse organic cotton*

Wool - every 2 weeks or when necessary
*ask me, I'm using this :) *

Advise no.5:
If you can afford it, have at least 5-6 covers in each size to rotate. The less often you have to wash your covers, the longer they will last.

Still want to buy...

I really wish... and really long... to buy more cloth diapers. Even I told myself this will be my last purchase each time I placed an order but seems like the buying will be never ending. DH has been not happy with my spending lately as I seems like I want everything I saw!

Well, this is simply not healthy but this is the proof of any cloth diapers addict mama, true or not Sandra & Christene?














My next plan purchase will be Happy Hempy, Tot Bots & Baby Beehind. Yes, they are fitted diaper as I really in love with them now. But I have no idea when actually I will buy since I'm on tight budget too. Hehehe... I wish to get DH to carry back from US, so that I can save on shipping cost. The Happy Hempy & Heiny Huggers fitted diaper are on sale at US online store. The timing is not right as I don't think it will delivered on time because DH will be back in a few days time. So, I never place any order. Perhaps, next time. *Sigh*



Picture courtesy of Happy Heiny ~ http://www.happyheinys.com/

Dead Fish Smell

We all know cloth diaper smell and that's one reason why people prefer disposable. Come on, cloth diaper has no additive on eliminating odour, we smell too on sweating clothes, isn't it? Moreover, urine smell is natural compare to chemical smell from disposable. This is very common.

I first encounter this horrible smell last weekend when I asked my maid to help me rinse the soiled diaper & inserts and gather together so that I could wash them all at once. I have a few pocket diapers and I have lots of inserts... made of hemp, microfiber & cotton. The reason I need to wash in hot because I found out my maid been using lots of detergent to wash especially the insert even I informed her not to.

The next morning, I got the dead fish smell from the microfiber insert, very bad one and I think I nearly vomit! Then I realized my maid never squeeze out the exess water after she rinse for the first time and dump them all in the pail even it's not soaking. I have no choicec but to handwashed again in clean water 2-3 times before I wash everything in hot. It's not that bad anymore but they just don't smell fresh.

The culprit could probably due to using too much detergent before this and soaking too long before wash. I notice it's not neessary to soak so long before wash even the diaper was changed half a day before wash. So, most probably the detergent from previous wash still stay in the insert and it accumulated over time. No wonder I felt weird as how come the insert is getting even more smelly than before?

After getting advise from the guru and referring to websites, I decided to try a few attempts to wash again. From that day onwards, I swear to wash all the cloth diaper stash on my own!

OK, these are what I had done:

First attempt - wash in hot. Pocket diaper and some inserts smell fresh after this wash but those with dead fish smell still remain but reduced than before.

Second attempt - soak 15-30 minutes with baking soda and abit of dettol. I never use vinegar for this round but rinse with clean water. By this time, almost 90% of the smell gone.

Third attempt - only comes in when the smell is still not totally gone or the insert I used from the second attempt (washed, dried, then used on dd, got new pee on it) still reveal the weird odour, then I will repeat again with second attempt but this time add in vinegar rinse after the baking soda & dettol soak. After that, rinse again with clean water before transfer into washing machine.

Quite a lot of work, but that's how the trial and error apply for cloth diapering. Right now I wake up earlier to wash diapers and I also wash them when I'm back from work in the evening for the day. I just don't like to leave the soiled diaper till next morning especially with the smell. Even I'll put them into washing machine the next morning but I'll make sure I rinse out the urine or feces by evening.

Maybe you have better solutions to share? Do share with me how did you overcome the smell issue.

Rouen able to pull out the velcro!

Oh dear.... my nightmare is here! Finally my dd is able to pull the velcro of her diaper and purposely allow the diaper to drop on the floor! She did that at home and in the mall while we were shopping.

I wear her in a short dress with a BumGenius OS diaper. I have a pink one so it matched her pink dress. I noticed when she's watching others kid running around while she stood still, her hand was reaching to her diaper and pull, pull, pull... out the velcro! So embarassing when her diaper dropped!

Right now, I got to wear her another pants outside the diaper to prevent her from simply pulling the velcro.

Washing with Hot Water

Always thought that washing in hot goes with hemp items. Hemp needs to wash in hot before use in order to get rid of the natural oil that cover the insert or fitted diaper. Lately I realized wash in hot an be carried out if the insert or diaper doesn't smell good.

So, when to use hot water to wash? I personally use it when:

1. The insert seems not clean and stink abit after many wash
2. When you realise baby's bum starting to turn red or develope rashes
3. and of course for hemp pre-wash / prior to first use

From No.1 above, I try not to add any baking soda or do any strip wash first. I'll handwash them in hot water (not boiling hot, OK?). After a few rinse with clean water the insert should smell clean. the rinse part you still can use hot or cold water but preferably in hot.

NOTE:
Remember to check with the manufacturere label to see whether the diaper can wash in hot first. Some is not advisable. Bamboo fabric not advisable but I did it this morning since the smell is so strong and it turn out to be soft after washing in hot. Wiill update on the impact if there's any.

Here start the journey...

I have always wanted to post something about modern cloth diaper. I'm addicted like other mums but I'm not so fancy about the cute prints or "Oh! Looks how cute the nappy on baby's bum!" statement. I'm interested on how to use, how to care, how to adjust for our tropical lifestyle and most importantly how to include this in my very own life style. I'm sharing this out as a story, my experiences and my views on cloth diapers. I don't want to mislead people nor advertising for the nappy company. No, I created this blog simply because I just want to share and i want to tell you how much I'm in love with modern cloth diapers. It begins with my dear daughter who is going to be 17 months old soon.

In my society, we are all brought up using lampin, which is similar to muslin. A loosely woven cotton square/flat which normally needs at least 3 dozens for a new born. Everyone here is doing the same thing and lampin is the most economical solution. A lot of washing and changing work involced. Baby will cry as soon as he or she pee or poo. The more easier way out is no other than disposable diaper. The hot topic about dispo is which brand is the best, which one is more value for the money and etc.

I thought after my dd grows older, she will require less changing of lampin and I was right for half... yes, less changing but she has more volume when getting older and lampin seems like not enough to hold the volume as it always wet the floor. I also fpund out DD was playing her "water" with her hands! Secondly, dd is wringle much more compare to her younger age and when she is able to crawl, putting her on lampin seems like an impossible work. Pins cannot be used as it's too dangerous on baby always on the move... my mother invented the aplix rubber belt to hold the lampin but it's just a temporarily solution for a few months. Since dd output volume increase with age, once she pee the lampin also drop as it's too heavy to stay in place.

Ok... let's change to disposable, it can hold up nicely in the diaper without leak. True enough but she developed diaper rash. Well, this can be treated by changing back to lampin & diaper rash cream. So, back to square one. At night, dd definitely must be on dispo as this will make life easier for mummy and baby. Baby will sleeps soundly and mummy can get more rest at night. As for conveniency, yes dispo wins. Lampin at night? Will even make the hectic life horrible.

Potty train... yes, that comes in my mind when dd was 9 months old. We are still struggling with this even today. DD knows when she wants to pee but she seldom show us signal that she wants to loo. At the end, she did! But after she finished her "business"... her poo time is even terrible. She send signals that she's goiong to poo from her facial expression but when given a potty or bring her to restroom, she will quickly run away screaming like hell! Is it so scary to sit on the potty or go to the restroom? Maybe it's just not the right time yet. There were countless times, dd poo abit on each new and clean dispo that I just wear on her every night!!! Feel so wasted on the money because there is no pee.

At one time, I was so tired and stick to using dispo for quite a while until I notice a strong chemical smell from the dispo after changed it from dd. I don't like the smell as it's just too chemical (probably toxic) to baby's health. There was one suppose to be a very good brand of dispo but to my surprise, the gel in the diaper melted and attached to dd's belly like glue, sticky and yucks!! It's already proven the chemical contain in the diaper make nothing good to human but what choice do we have except changing brands from time to time? We are using it on newborn baby and toddler probably at least 1-2 years? I can't wait to potty train my dd sooner but I guess I'm not the lucky one.

Then, I came to know a cloth diaper e-store in Malaysia. I was wondering how this all can work (especially cloth diapering at night!) and I don't mind trying as long as it can help to solve my dd's problem. Yes, this is the answer to most of my diapering problems. I wish I know this earlier. But in Malaysia, this is yet a new trend and not many will consider as it is an expensive investment at the initial stage. My intention is very simple, I wish to get rid of all dispo that I'm using at night and outing on my dd. I can consider already a half cloth diaper user as I still maintain to use lampin before I got to know the modern cloth diaper. Right now, I have modern cloth diaper specially for dd's night time, naps and outing. Yes, I mix them and use everyday now. I personally think it's good to use it full time but not really necessary as I already have lampin too. Moreover, I'm interested in exploring the many choices and usage of each and other modern diapers available. So, buying in smaller quantity seems alright on tighter budget. Well, this is just my way.

Oh... I never give up on potty train my dd. I hope that she will learn to understand it sooner and I can't wait to get her cloth training pants instead of cloth diaper. And yet, I'm still going strong with cloth diapering choices... perhaps for the preparation of my future little one...