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FAQS
How do I store my dirty diapers? TOP
This is really a personal preference. You'll definitely want to keep your soiled diapers separate from your wet diapers. We keep two diaper pails in our bathroom, next to the toilet. You can maintain a 'dry pail' method or a 'wet pail' method. The dry pail method is just how it sounds - you'll keep the soiled diapers in one pail and the wet in another (remember to remove the inserts/doublers/liners from the diapers and fasten the velcro). If you want to use the wet pail method, you'll keep one pail 1/2 full of cold water and baking soda. You'll put the soiled diapers in the wet pail so they soak until its time for wash day. The wet diapers will still go into a separate dry pail. We keep our wet diapers in our Bummis& WahmiesDiaper pail liners.
If your baby is breastfed, you can just throw the soiled diapers in the pail. If your baby is eating solids, you'll need to dump the poop into the toilet before placing into the soiled pail. If your baby's poop isn't easy to dump or you can't remove it completely, you can 'swish' the diaper in the toilet or use a diaper shower.
On wash day, it's all dumped into the washer! See our Care Instructions Pagefor more detailed information on washing your cloth diapers. Can I put anything in the washer to get rid of the urine odor? TOP
Every now and again, we find that even after a cycle or two in the wash, the diapers will still have a urine odor. If an ammonia odor remains on your diapers, the most likely culprit is leftover detergent on the diapers. Try adding an extra rinse. If there are any suds left in the washing machine after you are done washing the diapers, you need to do an extra rinse. You can also add about 1/2 cup of baking soda in the wash or soak cycle of your washing machine. I have found that running an extra rinse and/or adding the baking soda works every time. What about stains? How do you get them out? TOP
Laying your diapers out in the sun for a few hours will fade the most toughest stains.
Don't skip the cold cycle in the beginning of your wash cycles. This prevents the stains from setting (hot water sets them in!). I find that if I pull out the diapers after the 1st cold cycle and they're still slightly stained, I run another cold rinse. 9 times out of 10, the stains are completely gone after the 2nd rinse.
Don't forget to leave the pockets and covers open (with velcros attached) when throwing them in the washer. I made the mistake in the beginning of closing the diaper like it was on my baby and throwing them in the wash. They should be opened, with the velcro attached to itself or to the pad on the back of the diaper.
Do not use bleach or other harsh chemicals as not only are these things bad for your baby but they also decrease the life span of the cloth diapers. How many diapers do I need to buy? TOP
This all depends on the age of your child(ren) and how often you plan to wash.
If you are just starting out in cloth diapering, I advise that you don't buy your complete diaper system with one brand/type. What you may find works for others, may not work for you and your family. Some babies leak through certain diapers while others never have a problem. I suggest trying a mix of different pre-folds/covers and pockets. Once you find a system that works for you, then you can come back and finish up purchasing the rest of the system! We hope to offer our own sample starter packs. For now, we do offer the Bummi's starter pack.
The chart below offers some basic recommendations on cloth diapering systems and is based on washing every 3rd day.
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Age |
Pocket/AIO's
(most expensive method) |
Prefolds/Diaper Covers**
(most economical method) |
Mix of both Pockets & Prefolds** |
|
Newborn |
36-40 Diapers/Inserts |
36-40 Pre-Folds/6-10 diaper covers |
12 Pockets/AIO's, 12 Pre-folds, 12 Fitted Diapers/4-6 diaper covers |
|
Infant |
26-30 Diapers/Inserts |
26-30 Pre-Folds/6-8 diaper covers |
12 Pockets/AIO's, 6-8 Pre-folds, 6-8 Fitted/2-4 diaper covers |
|
Toddler |
20-24 Diapers/Inserts |
20-24 Pre-Folds/4-6 diaper covers |
8 Pockets/AIO's, 6-8 Pre-Folds, 6-8 Fitted/2-4 diaper covers |
**You can substitute fitted/contoured diapers for prefolds**
I would also recommend the following for all diaper systems:
2-3 dozen cloth wipes
2-4 Snappis or Diaper Pins
1-2 large nylon pail liners
1-2 small/medium wet bags for outings/traveling
6-12 doublers or extra inserts - even if you're using only prefolds/fitted diapers. These work wonderfully at nap and bed time.
Wool wash (check out Eucalan) if you're using wool covers (which sound odd, but believe us - they're as soft as a t-shirt!)
With all the diaper systems - you can get away with a little less or a little more. It all depends on how often you want to wash (and if your babe is anything like mine, he loves to go poopy as soon as we change him into a fresh one : ). It's best to start off with a minimum and adjust according to the schedule and routine you and your baby naturally find.
Doesn't the diaper pail smell? TOP
No! It doesn't have to! We personally use diaper pails without lids. We find this works really well. Some people prefer to use lids and that works for them! You can try it either way and see which works for you. We keep a deo-disk in the dry pail and spray the wet diapers with BumGenius' Deoderizing Spray. We keep our soiled diapers in cold water and a little baking soda. We also wash every 2nd-3rd day (usually the 3rd day) and we haven't had any issues with odor. We do keep the pails in a bathroom, right next to the toilet.
You can sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom of your dry pail.
You can add a satchet of lavender oils or baking soda to your pails.
Remember to dump as much poop from the soiled diapers into the toilet!
Can I use cloth diapers when away from home? TOP
Yes! It's not much different than using disposables when away from home. Make sure to pack your diapering essentials - small/medium wet bag, wipes, changing pad and extra diapers. The wet bag is waterproof, so you can put the wet/soiled diapers/wipes in the wet bag and not worry about leaking or contaminating anything else in the diaper bag.
A lot of parents use pockets/aio's just for this purpose since they are so convenient and are as easy to put on a baby as a disposable.
Flushable liners can also be handy in this situation. Isn't it a lot of extra work and a pain to cloth diaper? TOP
Cloth diapering is nothing like it was when our parents and grandparents were doing it. Cloth diapering manufacturers (who are moms and dads, just like you and I!) have made cloth diapering so easy and convenient. You already have to do laundry - and lots of it if you have kids - so an extra load or two a week really goes unnoticed. A lot of times, we do it at night before bed, and when we wake up, they're in the dryer ready to be used again!
It's a great feeling knowing that you're doing something that benefits your baby and the environment. Once you start, you'll wonder how you ever used disposables and why you didn't start cloth diapering sooner! How do I fold my diapers? TOP
Rather than re-invent the wheel - here is an excellent website to help you learn the different folding technques. There are pictorials to help!
What is Babywearing? TOP
Babywearing is the practice of wearing or carrying a baby or child in a sling or other form of carrier. Babywearing is far from new and has been practised for many years around the world. In the industrialized world babywearing has gained popularity, partly under influence of advocates of attachment parenting, however, not all parents who babywear consider themselves attachment parents. Babywearing is a form of baby transport. What are the benefits of Babywearing? TOP
The following benefits may be experienced when appropriate baby slings are used:
- Freedom to use hands
- Eases back and shoulder pain if worn correctly
- Allows view for child
- May allow hands-free breastfeeding or "nursing on the go"
- Helps parents meet the needs of babies and older children simultaneously
- Reduces arm pain for parents who carry heavy babies
- May reduce fussiness by increasing "in arms" time
- Allows for less awkward use of public transport (compared with stroller use)
How soon can I start wearing my baby? TOP
Most newborns can be carried as soon as they're born! There are many different positions to hold your baby from infancy through toddler years. If your baby has any health issues or was premature (or if you're even remotely unsure) check with your health practioner.
Can I Breastfeed while babywearing? TOP
Breastfeeding and babywearing often go hand in hand. Many baby slings and other carriers offer mothers privacy and for many mothers, the option of nursing hands-free while tending to other activities or household chores. Not all mothers can nurse hands-free in a baby carrier.
Not all parents find breastfeeding in a sling or carrier easy. It is important, before attempting to breastfeed in a carrier, to first master the art of breastfeeding without a carrier. Latch and position are vital, and it is important to establish these first before adding a carrier to the mix. Where breastfeeding difficulties exist, babywearing can simplify the other tasks of parenting by allowing a parent free hands to deal with breastpumps, bottles and other supplementation devices.
Where breastfeeding fails or is not possible, babywearing can aid attachment by encouraging closeness during bottle feeding and freeing at least one hand. Daycare providers and foster parents often find that babywearing allows them to better meet the needs of multiple children by freeing hands during times when babies need to be held. How Do I Care for my Maya Wrap? TOP
All of Maya Wrap products are machine washable. They should be washed in cold water and line dried. How do I care for my BellaBabyWrap? TOP
Cotton Slings: Wash on cold in a gentle cycle and it is best to line dry. You may tumble dry on low if you would like the sling to shrink a little.
Silk Slings: Hand wash silk slings or use a delicate cycle and line dry.
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