what's in your diaper bag?

I have always enjoyed seeing what other people keep in their diaper bag. I would consider myself somewhat of a "light" packer. But with that being said I have often found myself out and about with OUT something I have needed. One time, it was wipes and that was a really fun experience! ha.

Here is a glimpse into my bag that I bring to the store with me:

1. Dandelion Tote- I love the size of this bag because it isn't too big but keeps everything I need tucked inside. Not to mention it is super cute! 

2. Planet Wise Wet Bag (medium) Perfect size for the diaper bag- holds around 5-7 diapers. 

3. bumGenius Diapers - guess it was a bumGenius kind of day. 

4. Planet Wise Wipe Pouch and Flannel Wipes - I like to store my wipes dry so they don't get "funky." 

5. CJ's BUTTer Carcass Cleaner (in my own spray bottle mixed with water) and CJ's BUTTer Diaper Rash Cream (both in Oatmeal, Milk and Honey) 

6. Bummis Flushable Wipes - love these now that Jackson is eating more solid foods. 

7. Boba Air  - folds up perfect in my bag so I always have a carrier with me. 

8. Aden and Anais Swaddle Blanket - never hurts to have one of these on hand. 

9. Zebi Baby Burp Cloth - Jackson doesn't spit up much but I know if I didn't carry one he would have one of those days. 

10. My keys, sunglasses and wallet- can't leave home without these!

11. Jackson's keys by Green Toys - something small to keep him occupied. 

So, what's in your diaper bag?

xoxo, 
Kelly 

Cloth Diapering Accessories

Since we have covered the different types of cloth diapers we are going to discuss the "extras" you may need. I am going to list them in order of importance (my personal opinion- yours may vary!)

Detergent: Ask any cloth diapering mama what laundry detergent she uses for her diapers and you will get 10 different responses. This goes for wash routines as well but that is a whole separate blog entry! I have used Rockin' Green Detergent from the start and have had WONDERFUL luck with it. Jackson has very sensitive skin and it has never given him a rash or even made him red. I think they key to cloth diapering is a good detergent along with a good wash routine. Because of that I recommend Rockin' Green. Yes, your sister's husband's wife's cousin makes her own laundry detergent and has never had any issues but I will stick to my Rockin' Green. We use Bare Naked Babies (the unscented version.)  I use 2 tablespoons, wash every other day and 1 bag lasts me about 2- 2 1/2 months. For $17 bucks and no stink issues- I'll take it!

Wet Bag/ Pail Liner: Both of these have been a must for me. I carry a medium size Planet Wise wet bag in my diaper bag at all times. It holds between 5-7 diapers and has a zipper closure so it keeps the "stink" in.
                                    

I wash this every time I wash my diapers (every other day.) I dump all of the diapers into the wash, no need to touch them. Then throw the bag in the wash with the diapers. Simple as that! 

When we are at home, I use a Planet Wise Pail Liner because this holds more diapers. It fits right into a standard size kitchen trash can (lid and foot pedal are a definite plus!) I empty this the same way as my wet bag. Dump it and straight into the wash. 

Planet Wise also has a large size wet bag. It zippers closed and has a handle that can hook to the door knob/changing table. 

Some people use these instead of a pail liner. I did at first but once Jackson started to roll and I was more cautious about leaving him on the changing table unattended (I know.. I know.. bad mom) I switched to the liner with a trash can so I could do everything with one hand. 

Drying Rack: I try to sun my diapers as much as possible. The sun is amazing for getting out stains, removing stink, saving money, etc. I use a foldable drying rack that way I can hang them in the house if it is raining or easily move it to the back deck on a sunny day. Something like this works great!

Cloth Wipes/Solution: These are not a necessity but they really make things so much easier. I used to use disposable wipes while I was out but found it a real hassle having to separate the wipe from the wet  bag or finding a trash can if I wasn't changing him near a trash can. I used cloth wipes at home so I'm not sure why I waited to so long to use them out and about. I now use a Planet Wise Wipe Pouch and flannel wipes that I wash right along with my diapers. 

I store my wipes dry and use a diaper solution spray that I spray onto the cloth wipe right before I change him. Some people like to store their wipes wet, either way is fine and this bag is perfect for either option.

Flushable Liners: Flushable liners are a great solution for when baby starts solid foods and you must remove waste from the diaper before putting them in the wash. They lay on top of the diaper and you can flush them right down toilet. They are also great to use if you are fighting a stubborn diaper rash and have to use a cream that isn't cloth diaper safe. I also used them for the early days of the meconium poos that are notorious for staining your beautiful new diapers you have been waiting to try out. 

Diaper pins? Gone are the days that diaper pins are needed to secure a flat/prefold. We used Snappis, they worked great for us but I really became a fan of the trifold rather than using a Snappi. This is how a Snappi works:

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I recently found Boingos which are similar to Snappi but require less work and are a lot cuter! Also great for reflux or colicky babies because the tab does not stretch across their sensitive tummy. These will be at the store very soon and I will let you know what I think about them.  Here is how Boingos work:

Diaper Sprayer: This is another option for getting the solid waste our of a diaper before washing (instead of flushable liners.) It hooks to the back of your toilet so you can spray the diaper contents into the toilet. This is not on my must have list but some people can't live without them. You will find what works best for your family!  

                                               

Extra Inserts/Doublers: Extra inserts or doublers are great for naps/overnight/long car rides. They increase the absorbency in the diaper and help to prevent leaks. There are several different types: microfiber, bamboo, hemp, charcoal bamboo, etc. I have never had to purchase extra inserts as most pocket diapers come with two and that has always worked fine for us. I use two microfiber inserts in a pocket diaper at night or occasionally one bamboo and one microfiber and we don't have any leaks. Once again, you will find out what works best for your family. 

Now that we have discussed all of the "extras" we will move onto prepping/wash routines/stripping... stay tuned. 

Types of Cloth Diapers

After making the decision to use cloth diapers very early in my pregnancy I began my journey for information armed with Google and YouTube. After countless HOURS of searching the internet for every bit of cloth diapering information I could find (sorry, hunny.) My husband actually has a picture of me 8 months pregnant practicing my "diapering" skills on a stuffed bear at the dining room table. After much thought, I finally decided on pre-folds and covers for the early days then pockets and all-in-ones once he got a little older. If you aren't familiar with the cloth diaper lingo you may not have a clue what I am talking about. But I am here to help with that! To help make your journey into the cloth diapering world a little bit easier we are hosting a monthly "Curious About Cloth" class at the store (email me at espbabystore@gmail.com for more info.) But if you are anything like me, you need to know NOW so here are some of the basics.

All-In-One Cloth Diapers: Often abbreviated AIO. They are commonly referred to as the "daddy diaper." These are the closest cloth diaper to a disposable. The absorbency layer is sewn into the diaper and don't require any type of "stuffing." The entire diaper must be changed at each changing. They are the most convenient type of cloth diaper but often take the longest to dry and can be the most expensive. Example of an AIO diaper include bumGenius.

Pocket Cloth Diapers: Pocket diapers consist of three layers: 1. an outer, waterproof shell. 2. an attached inner layer (often made of fleece.) 3. a pocket opening where you stuff the absorbent layer (known as the insert.) Pockets are a great diaper because you can adjust the absorbency as needed. For instance I use one insert during the day since I am changing frequently but stuff them with two inserts for night time since he is (hopefully) sleeping longer. Once they are stuffed they are similar to an AIO in that the entire diaper must be changed at each changing. These dry much faster since you are able to dry the shell and the insert separately. Examples of a pocket diaper include: bumGenius 4.0 and Kawaii.

One Size Cloth Diapers: One size cloth diapers typically fit a baby from birth to potty training (8-35 lbs.) They have either a snap down rise on the front of the diaper or elastic on the inside of the diaper that is fully adjustable. These diapers are a great way to save money over the course of your cloth diapering journey but often people feel discouraged with diapering when their teeny tiny newborn doesn't fit into them right away. Jackson was about 10 lbs before they started to look like they were not swallowing him anymore. Examples of a one size diaper include: bumGenius and Kawaii.

All-In-Two Cloth Diapers: Often abbreviated as AI2. These diapers have removable inserts, similar to a pocket diaper, however the inserts lie on top of the diaper or snap into the shell. One of the benefits of this type of diaper is that if the shell is not soiled, you can just change the insert. This saves money as you don't have to purchase as many shells. Example of an All-In-Two diaper include: Best Bottoms.

Flats/Prefold Cloth Diapers: These are typically referred to as the "old school" cloth diapers. They are flat pieces of fabric (usually unbleached cotton) that are folded in order to fit the baby or inside the cover. These alone are not waterproof so they must be used with a waterproof cover. There are many different folds you can do, some must be fastened with a diaper fastener (Snappi or Boingo) or you can trifold them and lay them in the cover (this works best at 2am while running on 3 hours of sleep!) Example of a Prefold include: Bummis.

Fitted Cloth Diapers Sometimes referred to as contoured diapers. These are similar to prefolds in that they are not waterproof on their own and they require a cover. However, these have a contoured fit and have elastic in the legs and waist and a snap or velcro closure. Examples of of Fitted Diaper include: Kissaluvs.

Diaper Covers: Commonly referred to as covers. They are used as the outer waterproof layer that fits over the flat, prefold or fitted diaper. They come in several different options such as wool, fleece and PUL. Example of a diaper cover includes: Bummis super lite.

Okay, I won't overload you with any more information at this time. These are the basics of the types of cloth diapers. Let it process and then we will discuss accessories!

xoxo,
kelly