Switching

It's been so long I never blog here... DS already 3 years old and only wearing on nappy for his night time. Totally in control for his pee and poo very well at day time. Besids that, he is also good at complaining which led to refuse to wear bulky CD compare to slim and sleek Pampers! (aka Disposable diaper).

I was so sad at the beginning knowing that DS won't be using any fitted diapers as well as my handknitted wool soaker or shorties. At the beginning he was alright if I put him on CD for afternoon nap. Then, he complained pain here and there and thus hubby and MIL said he didn't feel comfortable to wear CD. Well, not using that on him for nap time and we changed to disposable even sometimes he ever pee during his nap.

A few months later, maybe 2 months or so he refuse to put on fitted diaper and wool soaker at night. I will leave him on his pyjamas, wearing the fitted diaper and wool soaker after he felt asleep. That was about 11-1am. Ever since I started to work, I was unable to cope with this type of lifestyle since I am so tired after whole day working. My mind keeps reminds me to stay awake but my body switched to "OFF" mode. Well, to play safe, we have to switch to disposable diaper. DS is happy to wear on the pull-up disposable pants as if he's wearing his underwear. So no battle before bed and I get back my sanity. It's just a real fact that DS did complain his "pull up pants" is hot and I found his butt sweating.... Imagine wearing a plastic over your head! LOL....

How to determine your child is a heavywetter or lightwetter?

Sounds tricky but it is true that you will be able to find out after you switch to using CD. This is especially more obvious when you use CD at night time... or leave the CD on the child for 2-3 hours... then you can find out.

In fact, I realized there are many factors that can contribute to having a heavywetter baby. Well, at least this is more obvious when your baby becomes a toddler.

During daytime
This is more tricky as during the day, they tends to have different fluid / milk intake and when baby was soaking wet with a normal pocket diaper with microfiber insert for less than 2 hours then probably you need to boost with hemp or bamboo and see the difference.

During nighttime
1) Drink milk / water just before bed. Or ask (including mummy offer milk for breastfed baby) for milk during midnight.
2) Never pee before going to bed.

Guess what... there were a few nights which my DS refused to wear either CD or disposable to bed and I, being a good sleeper mummy forgot to check on him after he slept. Normally I can feel the wet bed sheet after 1-2 hours he visits the La-la-land. Then the next pee will be somewhere around 6-7am. This is also the same scenario with my DD last time. When they grow older into toddler-hood, I have difficulties getting a super absorbent fitted diapers with minimal layers because their volume already increase with a better control of the bladder system. I still remember I need to change my DD's fitted diaper and the wool cover every morning around 6 or 7am into fleece or PUL pocket diaper. In other words, more work is needed.

Come to think of it if I were using disposable diapers on her, I don't think I will realized her "pee habit" so fast. This is particularly important and helpful in later when you decide to potty train your child at night because you need to know the timing.

Now, about lightwetter? I think if the child never meets the above conditions, then most probably he or she is a medium or lightwetter. Please share with me the facts about lightwetter child if you know any... Most welcome to hear others' stories too...

Time to say goodbye...

Yeah... been neglecting this blog for quite a long time and guess what! My dear son already nappy-less for daytime except nap and he's already able to tell us when he needs to pee and poo. Great achievement for parent who is looking forward for moment like this... Woo hoo!!!

There had been many episodes during the few months where my family members and myself were trying continuously to potty-train my DS until we felt so fed-up and frustrated. He's 29 months old now... almost 3 years old. Many told me boys tend to be slower than girls for toilet-training or I should agree that it's even harder to get him up wee wee at night. He's one bad temper guy who dislike people disturb him when he's in his dreamland.

At age like this, he outgrew many cloth diapers and fitted nappies mostly due to low rise or the fit is somehow not hugging nicely on him. Yes, he rejected to wear CD, especially bulky CD to go to bed. Lately, he refuse to wear any dipes before go to sleep! Guess he realized he's a big boy now... well, a boy who still wet his bed though. Not very fond in wearing woolies as well... Last resort, I need to use disposable diapers when nothing seems right to him.

These are some I'm letting go as second. Am going to update in Diaperswap Forum too. You found any interested CD for your little one? Let me know, ok? :)

 Fitted Diapers

Fleece Pocket Diaper

 PUL Pocket Diaper

Diaper Cover

Ideas... sharing... on "recycling" CD?

Picture on the left is the many inserts that I have in my stash even I only have... let's see after selling / trading some... only left 4 fleece pocket diapers, 2 GAD medium long pocket diapers, 2 HH OS pocket diapers, 2 large Snap-Ez pocket diapers, 1 almost torn Haute OS pocket diaper and 1 local brand Bouncing Baby OS (velcro) pocket diaper. Seriously I have too many inserts than pocket diapers...

Okay, basically, 12 pocket diapers that I have in stash to rotate everyday and I may seems having not enough if it's raining and all the CD is still in laundry. 

Luckily I have 4 Cotton Babies insert sock (pic top right) which I bought long long time ago... well, back in year 2007 which I can stuff inserts in and lay them in PUL diaper cover for use. (just like pic above) Oh, at the moment still using 4 medium Bummis covers with insert socks and another 2 Large diaper cover with fitted diapers at night ever since my DS rejects to put on any wool longies and soaker. (So heartache...)

Guess what, I used to think that I need to buy fleece liner to use in fitted diaper until I discovered I still have the insert sock which also can be used as stay dry liner. Moreover, it's more wider than the standard fleece liner so it covers a big portion of the internal in fitted diaper. Unexpected bonus usage!

On top of that, who is still using lampin??!! Well, I do. It feel so comfortable especially on hot hot sunny day when my DS sweat alot! Furthermore, he is now able to hold his pee longer or sometimes no pee for the whole evening due to less liquid intake... I can save one CD when he's on maybe 1-2 lampin as the volume of urine was little.  Or I will bring him to the toilet for wee wee once I notice he's still dry after a long period. Normally, it works! Yay!!! Some great achievement for toilet training...

Stack of lampin

So. need any expensive training pants? Well, just like last time with my DD, in my opinion, I still think it's unnecessary even I was almost considering to order them. Now, I realized we can live without it. Once the child gets older, the CD laundry will be lesser. I only have 2-3 CD laundry per week comapre to last time - everyday..
Oh yes... if you wonder how I use lampin on toddler with higher volume of urine, do check out my No Sew Prefold.

Last but not least, I'm glad that I am able to convinced myself not to buy any new CD now by thinking and doing some mix and matching on the current CD stash that I have. Yes, reuse is recycle...

Blog Interviewer Arrived!

Been so please and honour that my diapering blog appeared in Blog Interviewer! To be frank, I thought it was a spam website at the beginning... Opps... sorry for that.

Thanks for the support over years and hope CD users can benefit from this blog too!!!

He's Ready!!!

Yes, finally my DS at the age of 17 months old show his awareness of potty-traninig! He is now able to inform us whenever he did his big business... he will goes like:" Errrgh... errgh..." sounds even he has done his business with a diaper on.

I haven't really start to train him to pee in potty even I already noticed he has better bladder control now. There's one night whereby he slept quite late, after 11.30pm and woke up at 8.30am the next morning with a whole DRY fitted nappy!!! I should lead him to the potty after he woke up but I didn't, I guess I miss one golden opportunity.

Need to remind myself to take initiative on potty training him as much as I could... hopefully to teach him accept on using potty for all his "personal businesses". :)

Some thoughts to share

Read about this from Bean Sprout Bubba and it's an awareness that everyone of us shall practise. Do you do the same too?

A broken Snappi

Can you imagine Snappi broke?? Well, I use Snappi so often on lampin, fitted (nippa design) and can't live without Snappi eversince I discovered the no sew prefold... LOL!

Maybe it's time to change new one and I'm lucky as a relative gave me another set of 2 which she never use on her son. I NEED Snappi!!!

DIY: Non-Sew Prefold

Guess what? You can make this out using 2 pieces of lampin!

Can't wait to share with you all the new found method that I had tried and now using this everyday (except nap and outing of course) on my boy! It is easy and can hold up to at least 2-3 pees till all wet... So, no need to be restless in changing lampin after 1 pee. As I always say, don't throw away your old lampin, they are still very useful.

The picture below show you what you need to have... sorry as I forgot to include a Snappi as well.

Here goes:

2x lampin
1 or 2 nappy liner (for baby's bum to feel dry)
1 Snappi

Optional - 1 diaper cover




Fold one lampin (the first lampin) into rectangular, it's tri-folded. This is as the center, the absorbent part.

Open up wide the other lampin ( the second lampin) and place the rectangular lampin at the center of it.

Fold down the top and bottom layers of the second lampin as shown in the pic above.

Fold up the edge of the left of the second lampin to form the "wing". Do the same for the right side.

Then, fold again on the "wing" one more time to make it longer and trimmer. In fact you can do wahtever way you like with the wing. Do share with me if you find other better method. I fold it again because I want a more thicker wing.

Basically it is the second lampin "hugging" the first lampin. LOL...

This is the look after the "wing" that I desire been folded up (turn your head to your right... sorry as I forgot to change the rotation of the pic) and I placed the nappy liner at the center. It looks like Optimus Prime from Transformers, isn't it? LOL... just joking...

Put baby at the center and pull up the center part.

The "wing" is a bit tricky as I will do a twist to it when the "wing" comes to the center. It's not easy to explain here but you can try it out and see.

Pull on the other side of the "wing" and twist it down at the center.

Fasten with Snappi. Can you see how I twisted the right "wing" down?

Closer look...

The side of the legs... I have to admit it's quite big and not snuggly. But very breathable as air can flow in.. LOL! Therefore this non-sew prefold is NOT SUITABLE for baby with explosive breastfeed poo poo.


Advantages of this non-sewn prefold:

1. Can use with Snappi and free of scratchy and poke from the sharp "teeth" of Snappi. Better than 1 lampin with Snappi.

2. More absorbent than 1 lampin and can change baby after 2-3 pees.

3. Breathable if not cover-up, good for daytime when baby is awake.

4. Reuse the traditional cloth with modern inspiration so that you don't throw away your existing lampin.

Need more absorbency? Try to add this at the center of the first lampin.

Enjoy and let me know what do you think...

QUOTE: Can you suggest which CD to use...

I had been received lots of mama asking to recommend which CD is good to use. Well, I know this is going to be a routine questions as we are having many new mothers trying out modern cloth diapers nowadays. I'm not bored with the questions BUT please read my ~RECOMMENDATION~!

First and foremost, there must be a reason why you want to use CD, right? Before junping into what brand to use PLEASE IDENTIFY:

1. Why you want to use CD? Everyone have a reason why they want to convert to CD. Mine is here and read through as a sharing with you all.

2. What are you looking for from the modern CD? To be used daytime, nighttime, to replace dispo eventually...

3. Who is going to put it on the baby? The mother? Caregiver?

4. Do you have any specific requirements? Long hours, plan to use on 2 kids who are not yet potty train, on tight budget, ...

Basically I can help to suggest a system to try out but the decision is always yours. If your reason is to promote Green Earth, you can just try every brands or types available but do bear in mind IN ORDER TO BE GREENER, WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO REUSE, REDUCE (buy less if you can) & RECYCLE (don't forget lampin if you already have them!)!!!

Finished handknitted woolies!

A pair of longies

A pair of shorties (miscalculated the stitches, it's an XL!)

I knitted, undone, re-knitted, changed pattern,... and lots more through trial and errors. Finally, they are done BUT still big and long on my DS! Arrgh... nevermind, still can be use. All I need now is more wool yarns as I'm seriously addicted... thinking to crochet a soaker or a shorties! Aww... the skirty is soooo cute! But my girl already out of diaper!

I think I'm going nuts about knitting these woolies...

Another pair of longies

p/s: Please don't ask me to knit for sale becasue I don't create the pattern on my own. Even some are free patterns but they have copyright from the pattern owner. But the "biggest" reason is I don't have time to knit nowadays!

Good design for boys or girls?

Ever wonder whether there are any specialty design fitted diapers for girls and boys? For example, as for boys the front part will be more absorbent. Maybe adjustable inner soaker will be one of them, such as the Baby Beehind fited diaper.

Any recommendation as would love to know more about this type of fitted diaper if you came across before.

Thanks for sharing...

Debate! Cloth diapers in fact is not really a frugal way of living...

What say you? I wish to know what other mamas voices since I lately found out if not planning properly, buying cloth diapers will be way more expensive than buying disposable diapers!

Y0u will be saying it's better for the environment, less pollution for the world...
TRUE!

You will be saying can pass down to second, third, and... child ....
What if we only have 2 kids? and only use it when the elder already half potty train? Will you swear you never use a single piece of disposable at all?

You will be saying it's for the health of the baby...
Many complaint baby got rashes or skin problem when using cloth and the condition is still on and off... therefore, went to see paed or skin specialist (Did you include the fees charged?)

You will be saying cloth is more comfortable...
Or course but there is still no super absorbent material that's less bulky for heavywetter, it's not comfortable especially when you need to stuff in layers after layers...

In order to use cloth diapers, you must use wetbags... then will be even better if can use cloth wipes, change your normal detergent to the one that is good for CD, some even change or buy a new washing machine...
Did you add in those expenses besides just buying cloth diapers?

Whether it's overpriced, it's up to you!

Snappi with napkin (aka lampin)

This is possible! Provided the lampin is thick and it hooked on very well... Checked for the sharp edges from Snappi is not hurting baby. Therefore, Snappi is much more easier to use after much practise compare to traditional "pin".

Should post the pictures if I remember to snap with a camera (yeah.... now snapped in the mind). :P

9 to 9!

That's Dream-Ez fitted diaper!!! Super absorbent!!! I use size M on my 3 months old DS and it lasted from 9pm till 9am or 11pm till 11am. Furthermore, it's not even all wet eventhough he's a heavywetter. Oh yes, DS sleeping time varies from day to day but I'm so relieved if he's on Dream-Ez fitted with wool longies.

Tried out Baby Beehind bamboo fitted with the longest doubler that comes with it but only can last for 7-8 hours. What's your favourite thirsty fitted diaper?

Babylegs... Leg warmies...

Discovered the goodness of baby leg warmies just recently... well, I knitted wool soakers and longies to be used with fitted diapers. In real life, it is bulky to use on small baby who is a heavywetter. Oh... I love to add booster or doubler for my heavywetter baby. Therefore, the bum looks so big with the diaper & wool cover. It looks so uncomfortable when the bum is higher than the head. Get what I mean?

If you have baby leg warmies or babylegs as some of you known, it is a great alternative solution while waiting baby to grow big.

Thank god I knitted a pair to try out. DS will be warm with them when wearing fitted diaper with cover (be it PUL or wool). I'm knitting another pair now...

How to wash CD with breastfed baby's poo poo?

Can dear CD mummies share with me what is your routine or how do you wash the CD with those yellowish stain on CD? Most of the CD manufacturer mentioned no need to soak CD but I realized the poo poo stain is not easily to wash off. At least soaking for half day then only can ensure it's 100% clean after spin and dry in washing machine.

Besides that, I found out laying a piece or two nappy liner on top of CD reduce the staining directly on the fleece and it ease the washing too. Mind to share your tips?

Oh before I forgot I don't use CD whole day... only 2-3 piece of pocket + fitted. Therefore, I never do spin and rinse in the washing machine before full wash. Or... maybe I should?

Why Disposable Diaper?

Because it's already available since so long ago and everyone can't live without it. Quite true for today's lifestyle. Sometimes it is unavoidable and I have to admit that I'm using it while still finding solutions to convert to cloth with my second bub.

Convenient
I bet you know what I mean here, people nowadays use money to buy technology and convenient. Agree?

Non-bulky
As for my case, having now 2 heavywetter babies, I experimented different types of solutions for night time and daytime. It won't last long if I never add boaster or extra doubler. Therefore, the CD (be it pocket or fitted) will be thicker or bulkier. Wool is good for heavywetter when pair with absorbent fitted diaper but wool is not thin though. On the other hand, no worry about this with sposies.

Absorbency
I'm not sure about other brestfeed mothers but it's quite terrible for me to use CD when my baby No.2 is here as I was struggling and stress out with breasfeeding. I was so weak and tired to explore about what to use for CDing for more absorbency for my newborn (DS) due to not enough rest. (Maybe I have too many CD's options to think of?) At least disposable can be used for at least 8-10 hours without leak, so that I can concentrate to breastfeed.

My elder child (DD) is supposed to potty-train at night but since I am taking care of DS, MIL helps me to take care of her now. MIL is not really supportive on CD as those I used on my DD are too bulky for her. Maybe it's true as DD already able to tell and always asked us to take off CD at mid-night. DD sometimes refuse to wake up and pee at night, so for "safety" purpose and in order to absorb pee from a heavywetter toddler MIL uses disposable on her even during naptime.

Stay-Dry Layer
I'm doubt about my DS developed very serious skin allergy when using CD in the first 2 weeks but it's fine and even better when using disposable. This must be the chemical material used in sposies that keep the bum dry. CD uses cloths and probably clothes will become damp after too many wettings. Therefore, the skin that in contact with damp CD is definitely not a wonderful thing. Frequent changing is also important even for modern CD. Do you know what they use in sposies to keep baby's bum dry?

I'm not promoting disposable diaper. I'm comparing the pro and con from both CD and sposies. I hope there are even thinner fitted diapers or inserts available so that to minus off the bulkiness. What features do you hope to have from disposable that can turn into modern CD in the future?

Small Size?

This is the reason why I said my newborn baby fit in GAD pocket diaper so well! It's so tiny compare to other brands such as Fuzzi Bunz in the pic. I wonder whether there's any standard for cloth diaper sizing?

Oh... the Small size of Fuzzi Bunz is actually same as the Medium of GAD pocket. My baby boy is 5.1kg now at 7 weeks old and Small GAD seems a little tight on him as I'm already using the most front snaps for both waist and thigh (as you can see from the pic above). Feel not so satisfy with the thigh's snaps because even I snap on the most front (due to baby has chubby thigh), it still leaks when baby sleeps sideway.

In fact, it's not necessary to invest too much on Newborn size CD as baby grows too fast before you realized they are unable to fit in anymore. Anyway, remember to check on what brands that you wish to invest as different brands of CD carry different sizing.

Stick to Lampin!

Well, thought I will be using more of the modern cloth nappies but ended up still have to stick to the flat and square cotton gauze... our traditional lampin! The main reason is my baby boy developed sensitive and allergy skin, he has red patches and white bumps all over the genital area, especially the inner thighs. You will feel so pity towards this little fellow when you see the affected area.

The first week we actually use OS PUL and small insert for night time and I never know that my boy is a heavywetter even he's fully breastfeed! I have Happy Heinys OS pocket, Haute OS pocket, Rumparooz OS pocket GAD small pocket. I guess I never change him at night and this contributed to the allergy skin later on. Reminder - never use PUL for long hours as it traps heat... this is true for both my children. So, I gotto save PUL pocket for outing use or short nap. Oh, I never mention those OS pockets are huge on newborn BUT GAD small pocket fit newborn like a glove!!! My boy was 3.5kg at birth...

I thought I will not be using any pins as I have diaper covers but since paed advise to let the affected area air dry, lampin is the best to offer optimum "air-ventilation". Sometimes, I let baby go bottomless for a while during nappy changing time. So, pins are still back in action. Occasionally, I will use diaper cover or PUL pocket if I'm lazy to change lampin so frequent.

Fitted diapers... yes, I used them but they are also quite thick especially OS. I only rotate 4 OS fitted diapers, namely, Baby Beehinds bamboo OS and hemp OS, Drybees bamboo OS, and Going Green hemp OS during daytime (occasionally too) top with a fleece liner. Still, I find that it is hot for my baby's case. The thickest will be the Baby Beehinds bamboo OS. I use them all without diaper cover as they seldom wet the bedsheet.

Well, guess I have to wait till baby's skin recover or maybe he's older (grows bigger) in order to enjoy CDing with those stash of modern cloth nappies... Last but not least, lampin is still No.1 in breathability but lots of washing involve... tired...