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??