You Asked

Today I posted on my Facebook status asking my friends what questions they had about cloth diapers. I am using their questions for a new series called "You Asked". Please feel free to comment below with any of your questions.

And the winner is...

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped us celebrate 6 months of cloth diapering in our home. I would also like to thank Diaper Junction for sponsoring the giveaway. The winner of the $25 gift certificate to Diaper Junction is entry #31, Maranda!

6 Month Celebration & Giveaway!!!

October 30th marks the 6 month anniversary of our family cloth diapering full-time. We have learned so much in the past few months, and a lot of it is due to the amazing network of cloth diapering families on the web. In celebration of this milestone, Diaper Junction is sponsoring a giveaway!!! The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to my favorite cloth diaper retailer, Diaper Junction!

There are 2 mandatory entries and 4 optional entries. You MUST leave separate comments for each entry. How to enter:

1. Follow this blog (mandatory). Leave a comment letting me know you're a follower.
2. "Like" Diaper Junction on Facebook (mandatory). Leave a comment letting me know you're a follower. http://www.facebook.com/DiaperJunction
3. Follow me on Twitter @MrsSABOtage. Leave a comment letting me know you're a follower with your Twitter name.
4. Follow Diaper Junction on Twitter @Diaper_Junction. Leave a comment letting me know you're a follower with your Twitter name.
5. Tweet about this giveaway, be sure to include #clothdiapers, @Diaper_Junction, and the link (http://bit.ly/cVnwjj). Leave a comment letting me know with your Twitter name (one entry per day).
6. Answer the following question in a comment: How long have you been cloth diapering?
   

Entries will be accepted through midnight on Saturday, October 30th. The winner will be chosen from Random.org and announced no later than 6pm on Sunday, October 31st. Good luck!

The honeymoon is over...well, sorta.

In the middle of August I posted and said I would not neglect my blog. Well...things didn't exactly go the way I had planned. In late August we traveled to Ohio to visit my husband's grandmother, but had to come home early due to my mother-in-law being hospitalized. She stayed with us for about a week once she was discharged, but then Hank and I were off to Alabama with my mother to visit my grandparents. The trip went well, but Hank started to act funny. I brushed off his fussiness and increased appetite to the stress of traveling, but it kept up once we got home. A quick check of the scales showed he put on two pounds in three weeks! It was just a growth spurt...well, it WAS just a growth spurt. Then came the cold. The horrific cold that had us both up at all hours of the night, sweaty and feverish. I was so excited when the cold passed--we made it through! We kept up with our cloth diapers through the trips, the added company, the growth spurt (more goes in, more comes out), and even being worn out by a cold. I was so proud of myself for keeping up with the laundry.

As most mom's know, though, many colds are followed by ear infections. Hank was diagnosed about 2 weeks after the onset of his cold, and the doctor mentioned it looked like he had a couple teeth that were trying to poke through. I don't know if y'all know what all that means in relation to cloth diapers, but I will clue you in. The germs that cause ear infections can also wreak havoc on little ones' tummies. The antibiotics used to treat ear infections can also cause a change in stool. All that drool from teething tends to soften things up, too. Okay, yes, add that all up...OH MY POOP! I had 2 weeks of the NASTIEST diapers in ALL of creation. I am not even kidding! We are talking 5-8 stinky diapers a day. It was SO SO SO gross--and this coming from somebody with a "eh, it's just poop" mentality. For the first time in 5 months I felt like cloth diapers were work. Every time somebody has told me they are too busy to try cloth I have said "Oh, it's only 3 loads of laundry a week. Hardly any work at all!" I could not believe I was feeling burdened by my son's bum. But have no fear, I remained diligent. I did not give up--not a single sposie was used. I have a package of Gro Via disposable inserts in our stash in case the power goes out, and I was so tempted...SO tempted.

I am really proud of myself, though. I didn't give in. My love affair with cloth diapers is nowhere near over, but I've come to the point in the relationship where things are predictable. Things got tough, and I stuck with it, but now things are ho-hum. So as far as I see it, there is only one thing I can do to spice up my relationship with cloth diapers and take me back to the honeymoon phase...buy more fluff!

Hank & Mema on her porch in Ohio

Hank & Gigi - first carousel ride in Alabama

Sick Hank passed out on the floor in the middle of his toys
(you can see his Flip cover peeking out!)

We're famous...ish.

Back in August Hank and I were featured in a segment on cloth diapers by our local Fox morning show. They also interviewed Bryana from Diaper Junction. I was so excited to be a party of this story...if you couldn't tell! LOL

How did that happen?

I have been so busy getting acclimated to life with an infant that I realize I have neglected this blog a bit. The ironic part is that I am constantly coming up with ideas for blog posts, but just haven't had the opportunity to sit down and really put my all into it. Now that Hank is nearing 6 months old (OMG it's next week!), I have found there is a bit of a comfortable routine around the house. I can't wait to start working on some of my ideas--they are good AND I promise to share!

By the way, our local Fox station interviewed Hank & I for a segment to air on the Hampton Roads Show later this week. I can't wait to see the story and to share it with you guys!

FLUFF Review: Flip Diaper System

I would like to present my first of many FLUFF Reviews. My FLUFF Review will examine five criteria: function, laundering, user-friendliness, fit, and funds.

The Flip Diaper System is a hybrid AI2 and consists of a one-size waterproof outer shell with an absorbent adjustable insert that is held in place by front and back contour flaps. The Flip System gives the option of a Stay-Dry insert, an organic insert, or a disposable insert. The Flip Diaper is designed to fit babies and toddlers weighing 7-35 pounds. This week's review is on the Flip Diaper System with Stay Dry insert.

Flip Diaper System w/ Stay-Dry insert
(shown in Ribbit)

Function: The Stay-Dry insert is absorbent and does stay relatively dry to the touch. My son tends to be a bit of a heavy-wetter and is able to wear the diaper comfortably when changed in a regular interval. He has worn it during an extended nap (up to 4 hours) on 2 occasions and did well, but I do not see the insert as having the absorbency to support overnight wear if used alone. The cover is able to accommodate a prefold, and is excellent in that capacity. The contour flaps inside the front and back of the cover are life-savers--no way anything is escaping out the waist of this diaper! I have been using the Flip regularly for one month and have not had any instances of leakage except once when my son had stomach sensitivities due to a change in formula. With that said, that single occurrence was minor and did not have any bearing on my overall impression of the diaper (as is proof in my recent acquisition of 3 more Flips!).

Laundering: Manufacturer recommends to wash hot, line dry cover, tumble dry insert, no laundry additives or softeners. These recommendations fall in line with my regular diaper routine, and I find them easy to care for. I sometimes have problems with poo stains around the legs of other covers, but the Flip cover seems resistant thus far.

User-friendly: This is a very easy system and the shell can be used for those who want to save costs with a reusable cover and inserts or prefolds. The snaps can be a little tricky for beginners, but you will get the hang of it quickly. It is simple to adjust the size of the insert--just fold along the sewn in guide-lines. I sent this diaper to the church nursery with my son and they caught on very quickly. Flips are great on the run because you just replace the insert and go--no need to use a fresh shell if there is no solid mess and you don't have to worry about a prefold and separate liner for dryness.

Fit: This system allows for a custom fit through a series of snaps on the rise and waist. My son has thick thighs and he seems to have a snug fit, but I could see newborn or skinny babies requiring something a bit more fitted.

Funds: Retails for $16.95. This is a good value considering the outer-shell should fit your child until potty learning; however you may find yourself needing additional inserts as he or she gets older and wets heavier.

The Low Down Dirty Fluff: I like this diaper and use it regularly (there are 4 in my stash). I would highly recommend the Flip cover for as a one-size option for use with prefolds. The Flip with Stay-Dry insert is my go-to diaper when we are away from home because it is one simple insert that keeps him feeling dry, and it doesn't take up your whole diaper bag.

Inner and outer views of Flip Shell
(shown in Moonbeam)

Shells & inserts shown in 3 rise sizes

Stay-Dry insert held inside Flip shell by contour flaps

Hank in his first Flip!