Getting it to stay on...

As I have been cloth diapering Daniel I have had a few learning curves. One of them has been figuring out how to put on the diaper snugly enough that it stays on! I've been using a fold called an angel fold which has kind-of worked, but the bootie comes loose easily and sometimes the front wings work their way out. I realize that some of this may be resolved with practice. I feel that I haven't been doing this long enough to really get the hang of it. However, my sister-in-law (to whom I go to for much of my advice if you hadn't figured that out already) suggested that I might try this fold. This lady claims to be an expert" at getting a trim fit - we'll see - that would be nice though b/c I have had issues with his pants fitting!

Encouraging Potty Use

Many people use candy or some other type of edible reward for going to the potty. We're no different. We use Craisins as a reward. Daniel doesn't eat candy and so Craisins are a really yummy treat for him. We generally don't give them to him at other times so it remains something special. Tailor the treat to you're kids taste, candy is by no means a necessity!

Since we have just started potty training, Daniel gets a treat for just sitting on the potty. I actually give it to him while he's sitting there to hopefully better make the connection that he only gets it when he sits on the potty. In the future we'll just give it to him when he goes etc. So far he just sits there for a few seconds, 10-20 maybe. So we'll work on increasing that.

We've also been teaching him the sign for potty, holding your fist up in the air and shaking it back and forth. He has actually started doing it some, though he just holds his hand up and shakes it at the wrist, he hasn't figured out how to make the fist yet.

If you've started potty training or have potty trained your children young feel free to post any tips or suggestions in the comments area. I'll try to post some pictures soon of Daniel in his new dipes!

And so it begins...

I've been cloth diapering Daniel for 3 days now and have to say that I am liking it so far. He doesn't seem to be bothered at all by the additional bulk. I've been letting him run around in just the diaper and a shirt and he looks so, so cute with his little diapered bootie. I think he likes being generally less encubmered by clothing too!

It's a bit of a learning curve to figure out how to put on the cloth diapers, my first attempts wer falling off! But I think that I'm getting the hang of it now. The Bummis Super Whisper Wraps are great and the Snappi's are amazing too. I'm so glad that I don't have to use pins! You do have to change the diapers mkore frequently than disposables. Babies are more prone to rashes if you don't b/c a cloth diaper does not wick away the moisture as well as a disposable. So far I'm happy with the switch!

Diaper Rash Creams and Cloth Diapers

So I am now learning about diaper rash creams with cloth diapers. Some are apparently better than others. Here's a great listing of various types and their compatibility with cloth diapers. Angel Baby Bottom Balm, Baby Bottom Butter, California Baby, Claymazing Powder, Grandma El's, Northern Essence Better Butter Cream or Diaper Salve have the highest recommendations. I've also read that Palmer's Bottom Butter is safe for cloth diapers.

Potty Training here we come!

I've been planning to start potty training Daniel around 1 year old for some time now. Originally I thought that it would work best if he were already walking on his own. However, since he doesn't seem interested in taking more than a few steps right now I've decided to start right in, walking or not.

I placed my order for cloth diapers and accessories today. The theory is that since he's young and has only ever been in disposables we need to teach him what it means to have wetness on your bum. So hence the cloth diapers. I've spent a lot of time talking with my sister-in-law about this and she has had success with this method with her son. And, I don't have any desire to wait until he's older and then be handling potty training as well as the "terrible twos" battle for independence at the same time!

Daniel has had a potty since Christmas and has learned to sit on it. Actually, he sits on it for a minute or so to play with a toy or read a book, and then he uses it as a stepping stool to attempt to climb on to whatever is nearby that he normally can't reach -- such as the papers/books on the table, or the candle atop the toilet. :-D He is a boy after all and climbing is definitely in his genes! {BTW - We love this potty, it is the perfect size for little booties and no frills which means easy to clean and less distraction from the TP, lid, shield etc. while attempting to learn to use it!)

So here is what I've ordered as my starting kit for cloth diapering:

1. 24 Chinese premium prefolds, 4x8x4, bleached white
2. 4 Bummis Super Whisper Wraps (diaper covers)
3. 3 Snappi's (great new invention that eliminates diaper pins!)
4. Diaper pail deodorizers

I found a great website, softclothbunz.com, that has Chinese prefolds on clearance right now so I got a good deal. And if you sign up for their newsletter you get a 10% off coupon code so that offset some of the shipping costs.

I still need to collect a few things such as a diaper pail (i.e. 5 gallon bucket and lid from Dad) and appropriate detergent, but then I hope I will be set to begin this new adventure.

I'll let you know how it goes and how Daniel (and I) respond! Yeah :-)

Inagural Post

Last week I suddenly got the urge to finally start our family blog which Josue and I have talked about doing since Daniel was born over a year ago. Well, I've never really felt up to it, but I had sudden motivation, so we created the blog. Two days later I promptly forgot about it. :-) So here I am now trying this out. We hope to post about family happenings and events, all the funny things that Daniel does, and about our lives in general. We hope that you will read, enjoy, comment and be encouraged through this forum.