Cloth Diapers: Product Review- Sweet Iris Bamboo Cloth Luxury Flats

Have I sold you on flats yet?  If the easy washing, quick drying, and customizable fit haven’t convinced you, maybe you’re still thinking of flats as a boring, antiquated option that holds no appeal.  They certainly don’t have to be!  The absolute decadence of Sweet Iris Snug Bug Bamboo Cloth Luxury Flats took me a whole post to describe...

I’ve been using receiving blankets as diapers since my Alva pockets started leaking.  They work alright, especially when I add a microfiber insert, but I was pretty stoked when Dan told me I could order some real flats for Mother’s Day.  Funds were limited, so I wanted to make sure I spent them on something that met our needs perfectly.

Alice has a wisp of a waist, but she also has chubber thighs, so I definitely wanted a flat diaper with a little stretch for a snug fit.  I also wanted a bamboo or hemp content for more absorbency.  Finally, I knew I was going to be most pleased if the diapers were soft to the touch.  After doing a few days of research, I finally made my decision.  I wanted some Sweet Iris Snug Bugs.

Snug Bugs are made in the U.S.A. from imported materials.  They are 75% bamboo viscose, 20% organic cotton, and 5% spandex.  The spandex makes them nice and stretchy so that I can get a tight fit around Alice’s legs and waist.  They use a luxury brand of thread for the serged edges and tack the corners with a separate machine for durability.  One side is smooth, the other is a neat terry, and they are tagless for comfort.

Enough with the boring particulars.  I’m excited to tell you the story of receiving my package from Sweet Iris!  The cardboard box came wrapped in brown parcel paper that made satisfying crinkly sounds as I pulled it off.  From top to bottom the box was filled with fluffy, white tissue paper that floated like down to the ground as I eagerly dropped it in search of my prize.  The diapers were enclosed in pink tissue and tied with ribbon.  Waiting under the first gauzy pink layer was a handwritten note from the maker wishing me enjoyment of the diapers.  When I finally got to the flats themselves and ran my fingers over them, I wanted to curl up with them and take a nap!  In all, Sweet Iris clearly takes great care to make the experience special for each momma; the whole thing just drips with luxury.

The website instructs the customer to wash the diapers “at least once,” and that full absorbency will come with several more washings.  I certainly wasn’t going to be patient enough to wash more than once before trying them out, but it turns out that I didn’t need to.  My new Snug Bugs were unexpectedly tested during Alice’s first wear.  I happily wrapped her into the flat at about 9am and packed her up to visit my mom.  The weather was beginning to warm up, and I had included her beanie in the diaper bag, so Mom decided take her for a walk in the park.  They enjoyed the fresh air for about an hour and a half, which must have tired Alice out, because she conked out during the ten-minute car ride home.  I arrived to pick her up an hour later, and she awoke shortly thereafter.  After over three hours (my normal limit is one and a half), I expected to find a very leaky baby!  Nope.  That little flat wasn’t even soaked to capacity.  Who knew that a flat so trim and soft could be so functional?

Okay, okay.  I know what you’re thinking.  You’re skeptical because wetness isn’t a momma’s biggest challenge.  So let’s get down to business...poop.  You know how a baby will sometimes not, um, “go” for a couple of days?  And you know how messy it can be when it finally happens? Yeah.  Not to be graphic, but last week, after a forty-eight hour wait, we had a Play-Doh Fun Factory going down there!  It didn’t even phase my jelly rolled, diaper bag folded Snug Bug.  No blow out!

So, would I recommend the Sweet Iris Snug Bug Bamboo Cloth Luxury Flat?  Heck yes!!  Remember, you can certainly get by using receiving blankets, swaddles, t-shirts, etc, but Snug Bugs are a fabulous addition to your stash if you can afford a few spendier items.  I can’t wait to save up for more!

Cloth Diapers: Just Tell Me What to Buy- Combinations

Late in my pregnancy, Dan and I started discussing cloth diapering.  We both liked the idea, but didn’t know where to start.  I went to the blogosphere and spent hours reading “Cloth 101” posts.  I practically got a degree in the subject from YouTube University.  By the time I needed help crawling out of bed, I felt decently prepared to fold, wash, pin, and spray my way through fluff heaven.  I had only one question: “What EXACTLY do I need to buy?!”

No matter how long and hard I searched, I couldn’t find a simple shopping list.  There is, of course, an explanation for this.  You see, each family is different and has its own specific needs.  Your unique situation will pose unique challenges, to which there will be unique solutions.  So how could there be a single, perfect shopping list that works for everyone?  Answer: There can’t be, and isn’t.

What I am attempting to do is define some typical situations, then offer some suggestions for how to fit cloth diapering into them.  As I completed the draft, I realized that it was way too long for a single post.  I’ve decided to break it into a series.  Each post will begin with this introduction and the basics for any fluff momma, then follow with a more specific type of family in mind.  I’ll post a new entry each day until I’m out of ideas.  

We’ve addressed newborns, reluctant caregivers, night leaking, and green options.  So congratulations.  I know that you fit perfectly into one of these categories and… what’s that?  You don’t actually fit into one of these categories?  You mean, every fluff momma is unique and every family has their own, special needs?  Haha.  Ok.  Let me give you a couple of examples of how to combine styles…

The Combination:

You have a newborn who will be staying with your less-than-supportive aunt part time.

The Challenge:

You’ll need a thrifty diaper that can be changed like a disposable.

The Solution:

Go the prefold and cover route while Baby is with you, and purchase some used newborn AIOs for when she’s with her aunt.  You can find cloth diaper selling and trading all over the internet.  I suggest starting with the cloth diaper finder on the Dirty Diaper Laundry website.  There are also Facebook groups and consignment stores to search.  You’ll save money and your aunt will be happy.  Everyone wins!

The Shopping List:

• (1 AIO for every 2 hrs with Auntie) x 2 so that you can wash every other day
• 12 prefolds
• 4-5 PUL covers with aplix
• 2 Snappis

The Combination

You have a newborn, but you wish to go green and all-natural.

The Challenges:

• Find an easy, all-natural alternative to PUL covers
• Use less water and energy
• Save money on diapers you’ll not use for very long.

The Solution:

If you’d like the ease of a PUL cover without the petroleum, try a one-size wool cover with snaps or aplix that can grow with your baby.  It will go onto your baby exactly the same way, you’ll just need to hand wash instead of throwing them into the machine.  I’d get a couple extra covers because newborns tend to have explosive poos.  You’re likely to need to wash more often.  

Prefolds wash and dry pretty easily, but if you want to take it to the next level, flats are even cheaper and work great for newborns!  Buy small sizes, or if you’re concerned with bulk you can order half-flats.  Buy them in organic materials, and don’t forget your Snappis!

The Shopping List

• 30-40 organic flats
• 6 one-size wool covers with aplix or snaps
• 1 tube lanolin
• 1 container organic or all-natural baby or wool wash
• 2 Snappis

With either of these combinations, don’t forget your basics…

The (Basic) Situation:

You’ve decided to cloth diaper.  Congrats, Momma!  You’re going to have so much fun!

The Challenges:

Cover the basics that any fluff momma will need.

The Solution:

You’ll need a container to store dirty diapers until wash day, some waterproof bags for on-the-go changes, and some good detergent.  You may also want to have some dryer balls, some cloth diaper-safe rash cream, some cloth wipes, and a small spray bottle for wipes solution.

Try a laundry basket for your dirty diapers, as the airflow will prevent stink.  If you’d rather go with a closed system, you’ll need a couple of large wet bags to line the pail.  Two smaller wet bags will fit in the diaper bag for outings.  

Don’t waste your money on “cloth safe” detergents.  Whatever you use on your clothes is probably fine, unless it has fabric softener in it.  Fabric softener and dryer sheets are big no-nos for fluff, because they make your diapers repellent.  Most commercial diaper rash creams will do the same.  Wool dryer balls can replace your fabric softener, and there are some lovely cloth-safe creams on the market.

As long as you’re doing diaper laundry, you may as well use cloth wipes as well.  Purchase enough to get you from wash day to wash day, and get a small spray bottle to wet them with.  No need to buy special solution, as there are many recipes on Pinterest, or you can just use plain water.

The Shopping List:

• A tall laundry basket or diaper pail
• 2 large wetbags (if you choose a pail)
• 2 small wetbags
• A detergent without fabric softener
• At least 2 wool dryer balls
• A cloth safe diaper cream
• 30 cloth wipes or cheap baby washcloths
• A small spray bottle

I hope this article has helped you decide how to spend your stash money!  Do you have a specific situation that I didn’t cover?  Leave a comment below and I’ll address it!

Cloth Diapering: Just Tell Me What to Buy- Green Mommas

Late in my pregnancy, Dan and I started discussing cloth diapering.  We both liked the idea, but didn’t know where to start.  I went to the blogosphere and spent hours reading “Cloth 101” posts.  I practically got a degree in the subject from YouTube University.  By the time I needed help crawling out of bed, I felt decently prepared to fold, wash, pin, and spray my way through fluff heaven.  I had only one question: “What EXACTLY do I need to buy?!”

No matter how long and hard I searched, I couldn’t find a simple shopping list.  There is, of course, an explanation for this.  You see, each family is different and has its own specific needs.  Your unique situation will pose unique challenges, to which there will be unique solutions.  So how could there be a single, perfect shopping list that works for everyone?  Answer: There can’t be, and isn’t.

What I am attempting to do is define some typical situations, then offer some suggestions for how to fit cloth diapering into them.  As I completed the draft, I realized that it was way too long for a single post.  I’ve decided to break it into a series.  Each post will begin with this introduction and the basics for any fluff momma, then follow with a more specific type of family in mind.  I’ll post a new entry each day until I’m out of ideas.  Let me know if I miss something, I’d be happy to address it!

You can review yesterday's conversation about nighttime leaks here. We've also talked about reluctant caregivers.  You can read about it here.  The day before that we addressed newborns.  Read it here.  

The (Basic) Situation:

You’ve decided to cloth diaper.  Congrats, Momma!  You’re going to have so much fun!

The Challenges:

Cover the basics that any fluff momma will need.

The Solution:

You’ll need a container to store dirty diapers until wash day, some waterproof bags for on-the-go changes, and some good detergent.  You may also want to have some dryer balls, some cloth diaper-safe rash cream, some cloth wipes, and a small spray bottle for wipes solution.

Try a laundry basket for your dirty diapers, as the airflow will prevent stink.  If you’d rather go with a closed system, you’ll need a couple of large wet bags to line the pail.  Two smaller wet bags will fit in the diaper bag for outings.  

Don’t waste your money on “cloth safe” detergents.  Whatever you use on your clothes is probably fine, unless it has fabric softener in it.  Fabric softener and dryer sheets are big no-nos for fluff, because they make your diapers repellent.  Most commercial diaper rash creams will do the same.  Wool dryer balls can replace your fabric softener, and there are some lovely cloth-safe creams on the market.

As long as you’re doing diaper laundry, you may as well use cloth wipes as well.  Purchase enough to get you from wash day to wash day, and get a small spray bottle to wet them with.  No need to buy special solution, as there are many recipes on Pinterest, or you can just use plain water.

The Shopping List:

• A tall laundry basket or diaper pail
• 2 large wetbags (if you choose a pail)
• 2 small wetbags
• A detergent without fabric softener
• At least 2 wool dryer balls
• A cloth safe diaper cream
• 30 cloth wipes or cheap baby washcloths
• A small spray bottle

The Situation:

You’re a green momma!  You want to do fluff with as little environmental impact as possible.  All-natural?  All the better!

The Challenges:

• You wish to use as little water and energy as possible.
• You don’t love PUL or fleece because they are petroleum by-products.

The Solution:

If you’re a green momma, you’re about to give your heart to flats and wool covers.  I know, I know.  I’ve been beating the flats drum for three posts.  I’m gonna keep at it, too, until I bring you around!

Diapers can be murder to wash and dry.  It takes a ton of water to rinse waste out of all those layers, another ton to wash with detergent, and then still more to rinse away the soap.  If you use diapers with PUL backing the water can only get at the fabric from one side, making efficient cleaning well-nigh impossible.  What’s worse, diaper fabric is designed to be absorbent, so you can skyrocket your energy bill trying to dry all that bulk.

Flats eliminate the bulk and the layers.  Water can swish and flow right through them and back again, getting them squeaky clean without depleting the oceans.  They even wash well an HE washer.  It takes no time at all to run a dry cycle, but even better, you can hang them in the sun on a warm day and find them dry in an hour (the bonus to this is that the sun erases stains, too!).  Buy 24-40 of them in organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, or a combination thereof, or upcycle some swaddle or receiving blankets.  Double them up for extra absorbency when needed.  Don’t forget your trusty Snappis for diaper bag and changing table!

Using a wool cover is the only all-natural way of waterproofing your diapers.  It does have to be lanolized and hand-washed, but not very often.  When well-lanolized, wool is antimicrobial, so you can leave it to air dry, then put it right back on the baby.  It will only need to be washed every couple of weeks (unless it’s poopy) and lanolized every month or so (unless you’re having some leaking).  All this means you’ll be saving wash water and diapering with all-natural materials, all at the same time.  Good job, Green Momma!  You’ll want to have 4-5 wool covers so that you can be drying 2 and rotating 2 at any given time.

The Shopping List:

• 24-40 organic flats
• 2 Snappis
• 4-5 wool covers (choose regular covers with aplix or snaps, shorties, or longies, depending on your preference and the season)
• 1 tube lanolin
• 1 container organic or all-natural baby or wool wash

Cloth Diapers: Just Tell Me What to Buy- Nighttime Solutions

Late in my pregnancy, Dan and I started discussing cloth diapering.  We both liked the idea, but didn’t know where to start.  I went to the blogosphere and spent hours reading “Cloth 101” posts.  I practically got a degree in the subject from YouTube University.  By the time I needed help crawling out of bed, I felt decently prepared to fold, wash, pin, and spray my way through fluff heaven.  I had only one question: “What EXACTLY do I need to buy?!”

No matter how long and hard I searched, I couldn’t find a simple shopping list.  There is, of course, an explanation for this.  You see, each family is different and has its own specific needs.  Your unique situation will pose unique challenges, to which there will be unique solutions.  So how could there be a single, perfect shopping list that works for everyone?  Answer: There can’t be, and isn’t.

What I am attempting to do is define some typical situations, then offer some suggestions for how to fit cloth diapering into them.  As I completed the draft, I realized that it was way too long for a single post.  I’ve decided to break it into a series.  Each post will begin with this introduction and the basics for any fluff momma, then follow with a more specific type of family in mind.  I’ll post a new entry each day until I’m out of ideas.  Let me know if I miss something, I’d be happy to address it!

Yesterday we talked about reluctant caregivers.  You can read about it here.  The day before that we addressed newborns.  Read it here.  Today, let’s discuss leaky nighttime diapers!

The (Basic) Situation:

You’ve decided to cloth diaper.  Congrats, Momma!  You’re going to have so much fun!

The Challenges:

Cover the basics that any fluff momma will need.

The Solution:

You’ll need a container to store dirty diapers until wash day, some waterproof bags for on-the-go changes, and some good detergent.  You may also want to have some dryer balls, some cloth diaper-safe rash cream, some cloth wipes, and a small spray bottle for wipes solution.

Try a laundry basket for your dirty diapers, as the airflow will prevent stink.  If you’d rather go with a closed system, you’ll need a couple of large wet bags to line the pail.  Two smaller wet bags will fit in the diaper bag for outings.  

Don’t waste your money on “cloth safe” detergents.  Whatever you use on your clothes is probably fine, unless it has fabric softener in it.  Fabric softener and dryer sheets are big no-nos for fluff, because they make your diapers repellent.  Most commercial diaper rash creams will do the same.  Wool dryer balls can replace your fabric softener, and there are some lovely cloth-safe creams on the market.

As long as you’re doing diaper laundry, you may as well use cloth wipes as well.  Purchase enough to get you from wash day to wash day, and get a small spray bottle to wet them with.  No need to buy special solution, as there are many recipes on Pinterest, or you can just use plain water.

The Shopping List:

• A tall laundry basket or diaper pail
• 2 large wetbags (if you choose a pail)
• 2 small wetbags
• A detergent without fabric softener
• At least 2 wool dryer balls
• A cloth safe diaper cream
• 30 cloth wipes or cheap baby washcloths
• A small spray bottle

The Situation:

Your daytime system works great, but your baby is peeing through her nighttime diaper and waking up.  

The Challenge:

• Your baby is finally cutting you some slack and sleeping through the night, but her diaper isn’t absorbent enough to last that long.
• You really don’t want to have to use disposables at night.
• You have enough laundry to do without having to wash sheets every day.

The Solution:

Add absorbency and find a better containment system.  Microfiber is quick absorbing, but it doesn’t hold very much liquid.  Hemp and bamboo will take A LOT of peepee, but will leak if it’s poured on too fast.  Try a layer of microfiber over a layer of hemp or bamboo.  The microfiber will soak the liquid up fast, then slowly release it into the hemp or bamboo.  Cover the whole thing with a fleece soaker.  It’ll be just as waterproof as PUL, but it will also add absorbency.  

For just night time you’ll need two microfiber inserts, two hemp or bamboo doublers, and two fleece covers.  A word of caution: don’t put microfiber against Baby’s skin.  It sucks all the moisture out and causes irritation.

The Shopping List:

• 2 microfiber inserts
• 2 bamboo or hemp doublers
• 2 fleece soakers
• 2 cotton liners or the like to create a barrier between your baby’s bottom and the microfiber

Cloth Diapers: Just Tell Me What to Buy- Reluctant Caregivers

Late in my pregnancy, Dan and I started discussing cloth diapering.  We both liked the idea, but didn’t know where to start.  I went to the blogosphere and spent hours reading “Cloth 101” posts.  I practically got a degree in the subject from YouTube University.  By the time I needed help crawling out of bed, I felt decently prepared to fold, wash, pin, and spray my way through fluff heaven.  I had only one question: “What EXACTLY do I need to buy?!”

No matter how long and hard I searched, I couldn’t find a simple shopping list.  There is, of course, an explanation for this.  You see, each family is different and has its own specific needs.  Your unique situation will pose unique challenges, to which there will be unique solutions.  So how could there be a single, perfect shopping list that works for everyone?  Answer: There can’t be, and isn’t.

What I am attempting to do is define some typical situations, then offer some suggestions for how to fit cloth diapering into them.  As I completed the draft, I realized that it was way too long for a single post.  I’ve decided to break it into a series.  Each post will begin with this introduction and the basics for any fluff momma, then follow with a more specific type of family in mind.  I’ll post a new entry each day until I’m out of ideas.  Let me know if I miss something, I’d be happy to address it!

Yesterday we talked about newborns.  Read it here.  Today, let’s discuss reluctant caregivers!

The (Basic) Situation:

You’ve decided to cloth diaper.  Congrats, Momma!  You’re going to have so much fun!

The Challenges:

Cover the basics that any fluff momma will need.

The Solution:

You’ll need a container to store dirty diapers until wash day, some waterproof bags for on-the-go changes, and some good detergent.  You may also want to have some dryer balls, some cloth diaper-safe rash cream, some cloth wipes, and a small spray bottle for wipes solution.

Try a laundry basket for your dirty diapers, as the airflow will prevent stink.  If you’d rather go with a closed system, you’ll need a couple of large wet bags to line the pail.  Two smaller wet bags will fit in the diaper bag for outings.  

Don’t waste your money on “cloth safe” detergents.  Whatever you use on your clothes is probably fine, unless it has fabric softener in it.  Fabric softener and dryer sheets are big no-nos for fluff, because they make your diapers repellent.  Most commercial diaper rash creams will do the same.  Wool dryer balls can replace your fabric softener, and there are some lovely cloth-safe creams on the market.

As long as you’re doing diaper laundry, you may as well use cloth wipes as well.  Purchase enough to get you from wash day to wash day, and get a small spray bottle to wet them with.  No need to buy special solution, as there are many recipes on Pinterest, or you can just use plain water.

The Shopping List:

• A tall laundry basket or diaper pail
• 2 large wetbags (if you choose a pail)
• 2 small wetbags
• A detergent without fabric softener
• At least 2 wool dryer balls
• A cloth safe diaper cream
• 30 cloth wipes or cheap baby washcloths
• A small spray bottle

The Situation:

You have a reluctant caregiver who is intimidated by the “complexity” of cloth diapers.

The Challenges:

• Find a super-simple system that resembles non-scary disposables
• Still have money to send the kid to college

The Solution:

All-in-ones (AIOs), all-in-twos (AI2s), or pockets work much like disposables.  An AIO goes straight onto the baby, no muss, no fuss.  An AI2 needs to have an absorbent insert snapped in, then it can go on the baby.  A pocket needs to be stuffed with an absorbent insert before it goes on the baby.  You can pre-snap or pre-stuff to make it simpler for your caregiver if you choose an AI2 or pocket.

Why would you want to choose and AI2 or a pocket, though, if you have to do an extra step?  Two reasons.  They tend to be less spendy (depending on brand) and separating inserts from covers make them easier and quicker to wash and dry.  Whichever you choose, remember that aplix tends to be simpler than snaps, but snaps hold up better.  The decision can be made based on budget for replacement diapers.     

Most AI2s and pockets come with one insert for absorbency, usually made from microfiber.  If you feel you need more absorbency, you can buy extra inserts.  I recommend hemp doublers, but you won’t need many.  If you’re changing your baby often enough, you’ll only need doublers at nap and nighttime.  5 should do it.

The Shopping List:

• 24-30 AIOs, AI2s, or pockets with inserts (try different styles and brands before committing to a whole stash of one thing)
• 5 hemp doublers