Real Diaper Week: Day 1

Since Booty Buns Cloth Diapers decided to co-host the Great Cloth Diaper Change 2012, so many cool things have happened! I am so grateful to take part in such an amazing experience & help educate people about cloth diapering.

Real Diaper Week is the week right before the big event {April 21, 2012}. Everyday between April 16 & 21 there will be a new topic to blog about to help get our readers pumped for the record breaking event. If you want to blog during the Real Diaper Week, click here & add your blog to the linky, then pick a topic {or all of them} and start writing!

If you are in Orange County & would like to join us, please email Rose at {rose (at) rosieposiebaby (dot) com} with your name, your baby's name & baby's height. Even if you don't live in Orange County, CA you can still participate! Click here & search for a host near you. Just type in your zip code & look for some where to join in.

Today's Topic is:

 Real Simple Real Diapers Outreach – Cloth Diapering 101 

There are so many different things to discuss when it comes to Cloth Diapering 101. I can't cover all of them in one post; so, I will be discussing how to use a pocket style diaper, daily cloth diaper care, how to wash your cloth diapers, how to strip cloth diapers & tips for prolonging the life of the PUL on your cloth diapers.

HOW TO CLOTH DIAPER

Wash before first use as described below. Snap the riser snaps on the front of the diaper to the size that fits your baby.  Stuff the pocket with the inserts{s} and snap into place. If you are using the newborn insert as a doubler, it will not snap to the regular insert, but it will stay in the pocket. Place the 100% cotton flannel liner on top of the suedecloth layer of the diaper shell. Place your baby on the diaper just as you would with a disposable diaper and apply an ample amount of pure cornstarch baby powder to help keep baby dry. This step will help keep diaper rash at bay. Snap the diaper shut at the waist and hip snaps, and you're done!

***Flannel liner is unique to Booty Buns Cloth Diapers

DAILY CLOTH DIAPER CARE

After each BM, shake the solids from the liner into the toilet. If you are using enough baby powder, it should fall off the flannel with ease {teething BM require a little more work; but, the flannel is still easier to clean than suedecloth or fleece}. Rinse the flannel immediately, followed by a light scrub with your bathroom hand soap. If any BM found it's way onto the suedecloth, follow the same steps. Following these simple steps will ensure that your diapers stay stain free & new looking. DO NOT soak your diapers in your pail with soap, as this may ruin the PUL. We keep our diapers in 15 quart storage bin with a latch lid to contain any smells until we are ready to wash. On wash day, follow the same steps as mentioned below.

If you smell something, change your baby right away. We don't like to sit in wet clothing, neither do our babies. If you don't smell anything, its still a good idea to check every hour to hour and a half. You don't have to change your baby that often, but you should at least check. After you change your baby, apply an ample amount of pure cornstarch baby powder. It will help prevent chaffing and keep baby's skin dry. 

CARE FOR YOUR CLOTH DIAPERS

Unsnap the inserts from the pocket. There is no need to fully remove the inserts; because, it will agitate out in the wash. Throw all 4-5 pieces {diaper, insert(s), liner & wipe} into the wash. 

* Run a cold water rinse
* Followed by a warm wash
* Cold rinse cycle.

 We recommend that you not use a commercial detergent as they may build up in your diapers, which will cause you to have the need of stripping them more often. Instead, we recommend using a detergent made just for diaper washing. Cloth diapers should be line dried to preserve the PUL and help prevent rash. Dryers may be used, but should only be used as a last resort such as on a rainy or dark day since overuse may weaken the PUL. If you use a dryer, keep the heat to low-medium. I know it will take longer to dry, but it will save your diapers in the long run.

STRIPPING YOUR CLOTH DIAPERS

 You will need to strip your diapers if:

* They are brand new

* You have a commercial detergent build-up in them

* Your baby has an extra strong smell when soiled

* Your baby develops a rash

* Your diapers smell like ammonia after washing.

This is the method we recommend for stripping your cloth diapers:

* Double rinse with cold water
* 1 hour soak in warm water with double the recommended amount of cloth diaper soap
* Double rinse with cold water
* Line dry everything to let the sun work its' magic

Preserve The Life Of PUL In Your Cloth Diapers:

1. Hang the diapers to dry. When you line dry your cloth diapers you are doing 2 good things at the same time ~ you are saving the PUL from the heat of the dryer and sunning the suedecloth, which may help prevent diaper rash. 

Did you know that the most common reason that the PUL wears out or delaminates is heat? Its true! When washing your Booty Buns Cloth Diapers, please keep this in mind & make sure that the water temp does not exceed 86 F. If you are in pinch and need to through your cloth diapers in the dryer, please make sure that the temp is set to low or low medium.

2. Wash your cloth diapers in a cloth diaper friendly soap. Some laundry soaps contain harsh chemicals that can wear down the PUL; which is why it is important to make sure that the soap you are using is safe for cloth. Another thing to consider when using commercial laundry detergent is that it can cause a build up in the diaper; causing the diaper to smell really bad when your baby soils it. If the build occurs you will have to strip your cloth diapers. 

3. Don't soak your cloth diapers in the pail.  Soaking cloth diapers for long periods of time in a pail with soap can damage the PUL and cause it to delaminate or wear thin and tear. If you would like to soak your cloth diapers as part of your wash routine, please limit the soak time to 1 hour at most.


4. Wash your cloth diapers more often. I know the thought of only washing diapers once or twice a week may sound appealing; but, the longer the diaper sits, the longer the ammonia-based urine is able to sit and work on the PUL. You even may want to consider un-stuffing the pocket and rinsing the PUL before putting the diaper in the pail.


5. Let the inserts cool before stuffing them back in the pocket. When clothes come out of the dryer they are usually hot enough to be comfy. This is great if its cold out side and you want to warm up, or its late and you want to get cozy & fall asleep. Its very bad if you're PUL on a cloth diaper though! If you put hot inserts in a pocket of a cloth diaper you just lined dried, then you are putting heat you were trying to avoid directly on the PUL. It is best to let the inserts cool completely before stuffing the pocket.

6. Do not use bleach, vinegar or other additives in the wash. These things can damage the PUL very quickly. Bleach is, well bleach. Its a harsh caustic chemical that can cause burns to your skin. Imagine what it can do to a rubber-like film. Vinegar is very acidic and can also damage the PUL. Stick to a cloth diaper friendly soap. If you're diapers start to get stinky aver after washing, try the method of stripping found above.


* * * I realize that there are a lot people who swear by any or all of these things with their diaper; but, there are also many more who have used them thinking it was safe only to find later that their cloth diapers had delaminated. As with many things in life it is better to be safe than sorry. Please care for your cloth diapers properly so they can last you for the longest amount of time possible.