Saturday, 19 February 2011
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An Experiment in Cloth Diapers: Flips vs. bumGenius
I am currently on Day 3 of cloth diapering my almost two year old to prepare for my next little one due in April. I am proud to say that I love it, and I am sold.
Here's the scoop on poop so far... (Warning: This is definitely a poop post)
First, I tried my hand at Flips with the organic insert. I put one on Hannah after she had already pooped for the day, hoping that I could ease my way into this whole cloth diaper thing. But of course, she decided to make Sunday a two-pooper. Even though I had the insert in correctly, she still managed to get her nasty peanut buttery poop all over legs of the cover. It didn't leak or anything, but I could not wipe the poop off of the cover and reuse. The whole thing was shot. And the poop absolutely would NOT plop into the toilet no matter what I did.
So because I am undecided whether to get a diaper sprayer or not, I followed another mom's suggestion and used a crappy "poop" spatula to scrape it off and then wiped the spatula with a disinfectant wipe.
Unfortunately, the poop stained the insert terribly (using bumGenius diaper detergent). I'd love to put it in the sun, but oh right, it's February in Michigan. Sunny days are few and far between, and a frozen block of a diaper insert won't do me much good. Hopefully I didn't permanently set the stains in by throwing the insert in the drier. So that's my first question for all you CD mom's out there: Will sunlight remove even old stains?
Another complaint with the Flips is that I thought the cover smelled like pee after only one use. Now, I admit I have an obnoxiously sensitive nose, but I was kind of grossed out to put this cover back on my kiddo. So by the time I pulled out my bumGenius 4.0, I knew I would like them better than the Flips even before I tried them. Now, admittedly, Hannah hasn't pooped in one yet, but since you throw the whole thing (cover and insert) in the diaper pail anyway, I don't care where her poop goes like I do with the Flips. That also takes care of the pee smell since you aren't reusing the cover.
I also feel like Flips would never work with runny breastfed poop, so I'm a bumGenius mom, all the way! Not to mention, the bumGenius inserts dry WAY faster than the organic Flip inserts. Even after 90 minutes in the drier, the 4 Flip inserts that I had in there STILL weren't dry, but the bumGenius were totally dry. Other than the additional laundry, I feel like bumGenius are practically just as convenient as using disposables!
Now I'm wondering about Hannah's diaper rash. She's had a rash on and off for a couple of months now and I have not been able to pinpoint the food (or drink) that is causing the rash. In disposables, it has cleared up in a few days after using Desitin but then always come back again, but it doesn't appear to be a yeast infection. It does seem to be something in her urine, not her BMs. The only thing I haven't tried cutting from her diet is apples/apple juice. Do you think apples could be the culprit?
But more importantly, besides changing her constantly, how do you deal with diaper rash in cloth diapers? And along those same lines, how often should I change Hannah now that she's in cloth compared to disposables? Rash vs. no rash? Maybe this is "cheating," but I put Hannah in a disposable diaper with Desitin tonight for bed, just so she wouldn't have to sit in a cloth diaper for 12 hours.
I'm still perfecting my system a bit, but now that I'm using the bumGenius, I can't believe how easy this is. I might even use cloth diapers as soon as they fit on kiddo #2!
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- From: mevlink@xanga
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Comments (26)
Do you scrape all of the poo off the cloth part before you wash it? Or does is just kind of...dissolve in the washer? Or do you prewash them in the sink? LOL, that is one of the things keeping me back from cloth.
@LupusInvictus@xanga - you took my questions :)
Also, I hate Desitin.. I find it does not work at all for diaper rashes, and it stinks (in my opinion). I use just a plain zinc cream (any store brand is good) and it clears even blistered rashes up with two days.
I am not sure how I feel about cloth diapers.. mostly because of the whole poop thing. I think when/if I have my own baby one day I might go the cloth route, but for right now we are kind of stuck using disposables for our fosterbabes.
I love hearing your adventures tho! :)
Mm, I hate dealing with poop in ANY kind of cloth diaper! I use diaper liners, or reuse baby wipes as liners, to help get some of the poop off and into the toilet. If the cover gets dirty, I spray the whole shebang with a liberal amount of stain remover before putting it into the wetbag. Even though there have been some nasty messes that I was SURE would stain, so far I've gotten away with only minor spots. Also, note that some diaper rash creams and lotions might ruin certain diapers, or at least hamper absorbancy, so check first before using them.
My 14-month-old doesn't usually get diaper rash, but recently he's had some sort of rash that I think is actually a patch of exzema. If one of my kids has some sort of rash, I try to air out the area... so for my little guy that means he's in a tee and babylegs and I keep him diaperless for a while. Then I slather on vaseline before putting on another diaper.
I've heard lots of people like bumgenius. I actually bought 1 of each of these and1 fuzzibunz to try once my baby arrives :)
Once the stain is set, it is set. When John was getting liquids only, I always pre-washed his poopy diapers. I didn't have liners, or I would have used those. Once he grew older, poop became more solid and didn't stain quite so badly.
If I have a diaper rash to deal with, I don't use cream. Most diaper creams end up forming a buildup on cloth diapers that reduces absorbency anyways. I check every hour to see if the diaper is wet and if it is, I change it. When weather is nice, I also let my child run around in his prefold without a cover so the diaper breathes more which seems to help. Fastening a prefold with a snappi will keep the poop off the cover much better if you feel like doing it. Some people do and some people don't.
In theory, you should be changing cloth and disposables just as frequently since the bacteria is already there even if the baby doesn't feel wet. I usually change two to three hours on a good day. My children aren't bothered by wetness so I will admit to forgetting on some days and going five or six hours in between changes. I also forgot to change my toddler before bed once and he spent twelve hours in a single prefold.
Sun does work well for stains when the weather actually cooperates. I just soaked a bunch of old diapers I am getting ready to sell in baking soda and cold water in the washer. The old stains were drastically reduced and some completely disappeared even though they had been set in already.
For nighttime, most people start out with disposables before they get the hang of it so it's not really cheating! I think we were four months in cloth diapering before I started using cloth at night.
@LupusInvictus@xanga - I just plop what I can and whatever doesn't come off just gets washed out in the washer. I don't bother with sprayers or flushable liners. Then when I do diaper laundry, I do a pre-rinse to get most of the gunk off before the actual wash cycle. I clean my washer every six months or so and haven't noticed any residual poop sticking to the drum or hoses, so I guess it's okay!
@LadyGwenivere@xanga - @LupusInvictus@xanga - Hannah had her first poop in the bumGenius today and it was MUCH easier to deal with than the Flips. I just plopped what I could into the toilet (which you are SUPPOSED to do with a disposable diaper anyway, although lots of people don't), and then just put the diaper in the diaper pail. Today was laundry day, so I prewashed cold and checked that particular diaper and the poop and stain had already come out, even before the actual wash! So I didn't have to do anything! I think there are some poops that are "scrape-worthy" though. But so far, the prewash alone has done an incredible job! No dunking or scraping in the sink for me. Also, with breastfed poop, it's completely water soluble, so you don't have to do anything but throw it straight in the wash, so I look forward to that with my next kiddo. I'm telling you, I never knew that cloth diapers could be so easy!
I agree with you LadyGwenivere that the Desitin stinks... I think it smells like an old man. But I've tried a bunch of other creams on Hannah and it has worked the best so far. But you can't use diaper creams on Flips or bumGenius or it ruins their absorbency...
@snarkius@xanga - @karlitacat@xanga - I did know that I can't use Desitin or any cream with the Flips or bumGenius, although my post doesn't make that very clear, sorry. That's why I was asking how to deal with the rash in cloth since my normal routine won't work anymore. I put her back in disposables for a few days to lather on the Desitin, all while cutting out apples and any juice that has even a hint of apple juice in it. Sure enough, the rash cleared up in a day or two, so now she's back in cloth and I set a timer to change her diaper every 2 hours. (What? I'm pregnant... I'd forget otherwise.) I am using cloth wipes too so I spray a little soapy water on the wipe and clean her really good, then pat her dry with the corners of the cloth and let her air dry for a few minutes before putting the diaper back on. So far the rash hasn't come back at all. Her skins looks beautiful! But now I'm not sure if it was the apple juice causing the rash or if I wasn't changing her often enough... So I might reintroduce the apple juice but keep changing her every 2 hours and see what happens. I still use a disposable overnight though, but I think I might be ready to try the cloth soon (with an extra insert, for sure).
@mevlink@xanga - cool thanks for the info.. makes me feel a little less hesitant about using cloth for my own... Though I was given a diaper-sprayer from a friend of mine who got two at her baby shower. She also gave me a few bumGenius that are sooo cute! (not something I ever thought I'd say about diapers LOL)
Is it any diaper cream you cant use or just the normal ones? The stuff I generally use is made by Method and is chemical free... you can buy it at Target.. It works pretty good too but I still rely on plain old zinc for bad rashes.
I think my SIL uses disposables when her little ones have diaper rashes, just until it clears up.
@mevlink@xanga - I hope it's not the apple juice. I had to stop giving my oldest apple juice and I swear he went into withdrawal!
@mevlink@xanga - lol, thanks, I don't know if I am convinced yet, but maybe! And, old man, that is hilarious
@LadyGwenivere@xanga - I think they make some cloth-diaper approved creams, but I'm not sure what those are yet. Since I always plan to have a few disposables on hand, I just plan to use Desitin with those whenever she gets super rashy, but they say that cloth diapers are actually better than disposables at preventing a rash (as long as you change them frequently enough, which is true of any diaper). Trying just a few cloth diapers from a friend is a GREAT way to get a feel for what they are like. I've been surprised how easy it is, honestly. I also know tons of cloth-diapering moms that SWEAR by their diaper sprayers; I'm just too cheap to buy one so I'm jealous of your freebie. I say try the few that you have, and if you hate it, at least you then you know! I happen to really like cloth diapering personally, but I don't plan to be one of those cloth-diaper evangelists...
@snarkius@xanga - No kidding! I didn't think it would be that big of a deal until I realized practically ALL of her juice has some apple juice in it! Even her "grape" juicebox has some apple juice in it. For now she's drinking some watered down 100% White Grape Juice and she loves it, so I don't think she notices, but I feel bad that there's no variety. I'll try to introduce the juice again in a few days and see if the rash comes back. I sure hope it's just that I wasn't changing her often enough (although that makes me feel a little guilty, but that's easy to fix).
Flips and BumGenius are both made by Cotton Babies, the Flips are the the cheeper version. So it would make perfect sense that you would like the BG more. I use BumGenius Elementals. I LOVE THEM. I use California baby rash cream as it isn't as hard on cloth diapers, it washes out easier. I change my baby AS SOON AS HES WET. As much as possible, except overnight. Over night I use a pocket diaper with two inserts. Also, I have used pre-folds a lot. They work MUCH better with a snappy, so the diaper is closed around the legs. Check out greenmountiandiapers.com they have awesome pre-folds and show lots of ways to fold them.
As for stains I soak my diapers in HOT water and it usually does the trick, I have a few that have stains that I can't get out, but for the most part a good soak does it. I also use Allan's Naturally detergant, and it works Fantastic! We use it on EVERYTHING! :D 1 bottles lasts us about 6 months! I have yet to line dry my diapers as my son was born in september, and we live in chicago...
We've used California Baby's diaper cream with our baby in cloth diapers and it is just fine (I read that that one is the recommended one for cloth diapers). I actually don't care much at all, and I use Aveeno as well as Boudreaux's Butt paste, even though I'm not supposed to with cloth. I just can't stand seeing diaper rash on her bottom, so whatever we have at the time is what I use. I haven't noticed any problems with absorbency.
The other diaper creams (Aveeno, Boudreaux's) left some white marks on the BumGenius but it's not a big deal to me. I don't really care about stains, either. It's a diaper, going on their butt. It looks good on the outside, it's only the inside that has the stains. So who cares? I know I'm a minority in that respect though.
@mevlink@xanga - Oh, also, have you tried a wipes warmer? I have the prince lionheart one - it's great for cloth wipes. I fold a stack of wipes, and then get the wipes really wet and put them in there. When she needs a wipe, they are very warm and wet. she never really cries for diaper time! (Also helps that I have some toys and colorful links hanging on the wall so she can look at them and try to reach for them.
@marzish@xanga - I've been debating whether or not to get a wipe warmer, because Hannah does squirm when I use the cold spray bottle solution (baby soap and water) I have on her wipes. Is it battery operated or do you plug it in? Otherwise, our changing station is right by the sink, so I might just get in the habit or letting the sink warm up before I wet the wipe. I love having it right on my bathroom counter though, because Hannah can see herself in the mirror and that has dramatically helped to distract her (because what almost two-year-old wants to take a time out from the fun to get a diaper change?).
@mevlink@xanga - It's plugged in. It will save you time and you won't have to waste water. you can plug it in to one of your bathroom outlets. If you're out of outlets you can get one of those 3-outlet plug things... I can't speak highly enough of these wipes warmers. I've never had any issues with ours. We got it from Target online. I got the cloth wipes from green mountain diapers and I looooove them so much.
I'm spoiled - when traveling and have to use regular wipes, it seems like a pain in the butt compared to the luxury of the very warm wet wipe! 
Calmoseptine cream is AMAZING! When I worked at the nursing home we used this on the residents and now its the only thing we use at home. Also, this stuff is great for workout chub rub well really any chub rub, children and adults. You have to ask the pharmacy for it, but you can buy it online too its pretty damn cheap too. (ps I know some large breasted women who use it under their breasts to rid irritation)
@mevlink@xanga - We had to avoid apple for a month during allergy testing and it is horrifying! Watered down pear juice, white grape (like you're doing), and cranberry juice were our best liked (mix them up for a different take lol)
i know my mom used cloth diapers on me and my brother, and she told us she soaked them in i believe it was vinegar after removing the solid stuff. then she put them in the washer. of course you'd need a a few diapers to interchange while the others are soaking. i hope this maaayy help
I started cloth diapering about two months ago now. We use Bummis prefolds. My 12 month old is still breastfed, but eats a lot of solids, so his poop is firm one day and looser the next. Right now he is on an antibiotic for an ear infection, so he has the trots and it gets ALL over. I am trying to vary how I fold the prefold by using a Snappi. So far it's helping to keep the poop off the cover.
As far as stains, I haven't had any problems. I was every other day, sometimes every day if he has pooped his covers(like he has recently). To wash, I do a cold rinse with about 1/2 cup of baking soda first. Then, I do a hot wash/cold rinse. I use about 1/8-1/4 TBSP of Charlie's Soap and then fill the fabric softner portion of the washer with vinegar. I do an extra rinse too.
For getting the poop off, I do a "dunk & swish". When the water in the toilet gets too poopy, I flush and dunk and swish again. I get the chunks (ewww) off and then into the diaper bag it goes. If my husband is going to be the one changing the babe next, I make sure to put a disposable liner in the diaper. My husband was NOT on board w/ cloth diapers, so he rarely changes them.
For diaper creams, I use a tiny amount of Aquaphor and then a disposable liner. This website has a bunch of reviews & suggestions on creams.
http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/diaperrashcreams.htm
Thanks for the reviews. After reading this I actually signed onto cotton babies and ordered myself some bumgenius (well, not myself, but the baby, lol). Can't wait!!
@careegroup@xanga - I'm about three weeks into cloth diapering now and I'm absolutely loving it! I can't believe how easy it is once you get used to it. I hope you like the bumGenius as much as I am!
CJ's BUTTer works great as an every day protectant for baby's bum. We still have to use desitin once in a while when she's had diarrhea or has eaten something to cause a rash. Sometimes you just have to put on a disposable and use the product that works to heal the rash! I always use a disposable diaper with desitin. Heed the warnings on cloth diapers and what products you can use with them! We tried cloth diapering with BGs when our baby was a couple of months old, but broke all the rules with detergent and rash creams and ended up with worthless diapers that leaked so bad we just gave up.
We have since found a system that has worked wonderfully for us: Prefolds inside flip covers. Early on we always snappied the prefold in order to try to contain the poop from getting on the cover. Now that poops are more solid and only happening 1-2 times a day it's not a big deal if the cover gets dirty. I chose prefolds over the flip/econobum inserts because they are cheaper and you can customize the sizing so that you don't have any more thickness than you need. Also the prefold can be spread out at the back and front of the cover so that it provides more coverage and a smoother look than just an insert squarely folded. Prefolds are also very forgiving if you use the wrong soap or cream!
As for nights: we still use disposables! They never leak for us and I just don't like having a wet prefold against her skin for that long.