Our switch to Cloth Diapers

"Why would you use cloth diapers?'' I keep getting this question, since we decided to switch from disposables to cloth. When our first son was born we bought some cloth diapers and thought we were trying to be "green". We did not do our research and the brand that we bought was not very high quality. We used them for only a short while and then gave up.

Now I have 3 kids and at the time we made the switch, two were in diapers. We were spending about $80/month on diapers. I kept thinking, there has to be a better way. So I spent some time looking on the internet and talking to some other Moms who I knew used cloth diapers. We bought 5 to start because I was still a little unsure. This time we made the switch not only to be green, but to save a little green as well! It's been just over a month and we are loving cloth diapers!

We decided to buy "One size" diapers since we had two who would be using them. Again, at first I was skeptical, how could one diaper fit my 5 month old and 2 1/2 year old? These diapers have lots of snaps on the front of them to make them adjustable. They really will fit your baby until potty training time. They are also AIO or all-in-one diapers, meaning that you don't need a separate cover. They have a waterproof layer sewn on the outside.

The best part about switching, honestly isn't that we're saving hundreds of diapers from going into the landfill, or that we're saving money every month, BUT that my 2 year old hated them. That's right, he kept asking to wear the old disposables. He hated them so much he started using the toilet, and is now completely potty trained! He could feel that he was wet in the cloth diapers, and it motivated him to get to the potty.

Now, to take things one step further, we are using cloth baby wipes! At first, again, I didn't like this idea, but it only makes sense that as you are wiping baby, you want to put the dirty wipe inside the diaper. Now I can put the cloth wipe inside the diaper and throw the whole thing in the wash. (See older post with recipe for making your own cloth wipe solution).

Hospital, Birthing Center, Home?

Have you given thought to your options for the PLACE where you will give birth? Most women in the US give birth in a hospital. But have you considered your other options? A Birthing Center can be part of a hospital or freestanding. And there is always a home birth, just like great, great, great, great grandma! In the last few years the number of home and birth center births has been climbing. Why are more women choosing to have their birth outside of a hospital? Women who choose to have a home birth or a birthing center birth do so because they see birth as a natural and normal process. They feel that a hospital is a place to go if you are sick. By choosing a home birth or birthing center, you have more options for how your birth will take place, who will be there and the atmosphere you will be birthing in. A woman can choose to have a water birth, can choose to have her birth in a place where she feels safe and relaxed, and is free to move around and use many positions for birth. Is this safe? Yes. Midwives are trained to recognize signs of a problem and to intervene early before a problem arises. For instance, any woman who is seen as high risk during pregnancy will be referred to an OB/GYN and will probably have her birth in a hospital as this is the safest option for her. Freestanding birthing centers are usually located close to a hospital so that if a woman needs to be transferred during labor it can be done quickly and safely. The majority of births are normal and uncomplicated, it is truly the minority who need to have a hospital birth or a cesarean section, not the majority. Consider all your options, and visit www.motherfriendly.org for a list of 10 questions to ask your care provider.

Women's Fair & Pampering Day

We will have a table at the Women's Fair & Pampering Day at the Roxborough Marketplace on May 23 from 9am to 1 pm.
Please join us!
8357 N Rampart Range Rd, Littleton, CO 80125, Roxborough Marketplace

Working while Breastfeeding

Is is possible to keep up a good milk supply and work outside the home? The answer is, yes! I am currently breastfeeding my 3rd baby, and have worked part time outside the home with all 3 babies. My youngest is 6 months old now.

There are a few important things to remember: breastfeeding works on supply and demand. The more baby nurses the more milk you will have. Also the reverse is true: the less baby nurses, the less milk you will have. In order to be successful, you should not supplement with formula. Every feeding that you use formula is one less time that baby is nursing, and therefore will decrease your supply of milk. Before going back to work, pump at home to store up a supply of milk in your freezer. Date the bottles with a small sticker, so you can use the oldest milk first.

Once you are at work, you should try to pump as often as baby is feeding, usually every 3 hours. Again, the principles of supply and demand apply. If you are not pumping as often as baby would be nursing, you are decreasing your supply. It is also very helpful to nurse on demand at home and not put baby on a strict feeding schedule. Babies use "cluster feeding" to increase your milk supply, especially if they are having a growth spurt. It is best to follow baby's cues and nurse when he or she wants to nurse. Your baby will also learn to self regulate how much he or she eats.

Like I said, I'm nursing my third baby and we have never had to use formula, not once!

Blog in transition

I'm creating a new website, so I'm transitioning this to be more of a typical blog. I will be updating this more regularly, and keeping my class info in my new website
www.passion4birth.com
hope you like the new format!

PLEASE VISIT MY NEW WEBSITE

www.passion4birth.com/