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Sunday, September 23, 2012

Tips and Tools for Easier Breastfeeding

If I wasn't so passionate about the benefits of breastfeeding, I probably would have given up on it. I had so many problems right from the start. It did get easier, but I have still had periodic problems. I know some women find it easy, but it wasn't so for me. I did receive a lot of help and support from the lactation consultants at my hospital, and I found some products that really helped and made the experience better.

Helpful online resources include La Leche League and Kelly Mom.

My baby was born with a slight tongue-tie which combined with a laid back feeding attitude, made the  first couple weeks pretty difficult. The hospital lactation consultant set me up with a Medela Contact Nipple Shield, which made it easier for the baby to latch properly and avoided soreness and other problems from bad latching. I was able to wean my baby off of it after a few months when his tongue tie stretched out enough to latch properly.

The lactation consultant also recommended Motherlove Herbal Nipple Cream to sooth sore, cracked nipples. It is an all natural, healing salve. The period of transition from nipple shield to without was pretty painful, and this cream really helped. I used it through the whole breastfeeding period to keep nipples soft and avoid plugged pores. I also mixed in a few drops of  Nutribiotic Grapefruit Seed Extract  which is a natural disinfectant with antifungal properties, which fights and prevents yeast and thrush problems. 

I also had periods of low milk supply, mostly due to stress or cold viruses. I took Motherlove: More Milk Plus supplements to bring up my supply. They really do work and are all natural.

I also had regular issues with plugged ducts and a couple rounds of mastitis. It was very painful and not fun. I finally figured out what was going on and got the problems under control. After the first few difficult months, I only had about 1 or 2 plugged duct issues every month. I tried everything I could to clear the plugged ducts and nothing worked, until I realized that the plug was in a pore in the nipple. I realized that every time I had issues there was a white spot I could see on the nipple. Sometimes the baby feeding would open it up, but if it didn't clear up within a day I used a hot moist compress and a sterilized needle to open the pore and express the hard white plug. Relief was instant and the problem was gone. I don't know why I kept getting the plugs. I did start taking a Lecithin supplement, which the lactation consultant suggested to make milk less 'sticky' and thick. It seems to help.

I noticed that my two rounds of mastitis occurred after I had busy weekends with house guests. I was stressed and worked too hard cleaning the house and getting ready for guest. I had plugs that were not cleared out and the extra stress made me susceptible to the infection. Both times I had to take antibiotics, which I hated to do while breastfeeding. After the antibiotics I made sure to take Probiotic Acidophilus Pearls to reestablish the good bacteria in my body. This really helped me and the baby's digestion and immune system.

Pumping is not really fun, but it is nice to have milk in the freezer and fridge for when the baby is at the sitters or when we're out in public. I used the Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump  and it worked very well and was convenient and discreet for travelling. You can often find the Medela breast pumps at rummage sales and save money, but you need to get new parts that come in contact with milk. Medela sells a Breast Pump Accessory Set. I also found that a Hands-Free Breastpump Bra was very useful. It allows you to read or work on the computer while pumping.

I didn't like the idea of freezing milk in plastic, so I used glass bottles. The Evenflo Pack Classic Glass Bottle worked great. They fit right on the Medela pump and you can thaw out, heat up, and feed right to baby. My baby refused the bottle at 5 months, so I transitioned to a sippy cup. I tried a few different kinds, but the Born Free Trainer Cup was the best because the spout was soft and it was designed for easy transition from breast to cup.

Shopping for a nursing bra was also a long and difficult search for me. I have a small frame and above average size breasts, and I had a lot of trouble finding something that would fit and support. I was happy to finally find the Glamourmom Nursing Bra Full Bust Long Top. It fits great and is long enough to cover my post baby belly. The straps are nice and wide and the tank top is nice to wear under anything. You show very minimal skin when nursing. For women with average size breasts you can probably use the Glamourmom Nursing Bra Long Tank.

Another necessity is the nursing pad, in case of leaks. I preferred the washable kind because they were thinner and felt better on my skin. I wore them everyday to protect my clothes and avoid embarrassing wet spots. My favorite was the TL Care Organic Cotton Nursing Pads but I also had the Philips AVENT Washable Nursing Pads. The Avent pads were thicker and tended to get stuck to dried milk easier.

I'm glad I breastfed my baby for all the health benefits and the bonding time. He is a strong and happy boy, and did not have any problems with gas, colic, or colds. I know it was good for him, but it wasn't easy, and I'm glad I found some things that helped.

 

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Cloth Diapering Necessary Accessories

I spent almost as much time researching my cloth diaper accessories as I did the diapers themselves. It became almost an obsession for a while!

Wipes

As long as you are doing cloth diapers it makes sense to use cloth wipes as well. You can wash them right along with the diapers and it's better for their skin and the environment. I use them with straight warm water most of the time, because you don't want to add soaps or oils to your diaper wash. I purchased a package of Charlie Banana Organic Cotton Washable Baby Wipes, and they are very soft and good quality, but honestly my favorite wipes are ones I made out of old flannel receiving blankets. I cut the blankets into pieces, doubled them up to make a thicker wipe, and sewed a zigzag stitch around the edge. You can also use the cheap baby washcloths as wipes as long as you keep separate from other washcloths.
I also made homemade disposable wipes and a cleaning solution for when I needed more cleaning power. The wipes are made from thick recycled paper towel cut in half. If you remove the cardboard tube and put them in a plastic container with a hole in the lid it makes an easy dispenser. I tried having the soap solution in with the wipes, but they always became moldy after a week or so. Now I have a squirt bottle of solution next to the wipes that I use as needed. The cleaning solution is made of sterilized water, olive oil, and baby shampoo. It works great to remove sticky poop messes. 

I also tried a wipes warmer with my fabric wipes, but found that they became musty quickly, and it was hard to remember to keep adding water. I gave up and just used warm tap water. It really helped that I was able to put my changing table in our half bathroom, making the water easily accessible. This also made the next item an easy pick. 

Diaper Sprayer

I had a tip from another cloth diapering mom that a diaper sprayer would be essential. I'm glad I listened, because it makes life much easier. We purchased the bumGenius Diaper Sprayer, although there are instructions online to make your own if you're up for the challenge. It attaches to the water valve on your toilet, and it works great to clean off much of the mess, and you can flush it away. I have a toilet brush cup under the sprayer because it drips sometimes after using. I also have an old spatula there to clean off stubborn messes. 

Diaper Pail

Most people use the dry pail method for cloth diapers. The best accessory to have is a pail liner. I was able to find inexpensive nylon drawstring bags in the camping department of my local discount store, but you can buy a variety of ones online - Outdoor Products Dry SackThirsties Diaper Pail Liner, or Planet Wise Diaper Pail Liner. There are also instructions to make your own if you're handy and can find the fabric. 

My diaper pail is a plastic garbage can, the Sterilite White Ultra Touch-Top Wastebasket 28 Qt. It was inexpensive and has an easy to open and close lid. I put baking soda deodorizers in the bottom, and I've never had a problem with odors as long as I wash the diapers every 2 days. 

Washing Diapers

Figuring out your washing routine is the hardest part of cloth diapering because everyone's water and equipment is different. I have moderately hard water and a top load washer. After some trial and error, this is my routine...

1. Soak in cold water a couple hours or overnight
2. Rinse or Prewash cold water
3. Regular wash in hot water with 1/6 to 1/4 cup washing soda, 1/3 to 1/2 cup soap nuts liquid (depending on size of load), and 1 Tablespoon Calgon liquid. (Add a towel to load because my washer doesn't spin out all the water on small loads)
4. Line dry diaper covers, tumble dry liners on warm/hot

Soap nuts are not recommended by the diaper companies because they say they can leave a residue, but I have not had a problem as long as I use the washing soda and Calgon water softener. I buy the NaturOli Soap Nuts. I like that they are natural, safe for the environment, and hypoallergenic and fragrance free. I make the liquid in batches in my pressure canner, because the liquid is a perishable product, but it's an easy thing to do. I pour boiling water into sterilized jars with 5 soapnuts per pint and fasten lids, then process in the pressure canner for 15 minutes.  

When I used soap nuts alone, I did have problems with residues, stains and odors. I started using water conditioners and this made all the difference. I found Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda in the laundry aisle of my grocery store, and Calgon Water Softener Liquid. This adds a little more cost to the very inexpensive soap nuts, but I'm sure it's cheaper than the fancy diaper detergents you can buy and it works great for me.

If you don't want to spend the time making the soapnuts liquid, you can also get NaturOli EXTREME 18X Soap Nuts Liquid Laundry Detergent (96 Loads per 8-oz bottle). 

Drying Rack

A drying rack or clothesline is also essential for drying the diaper covers or shells. Line drying extends the life of the the diaper and sunlight is a great stain remover. I found a nice collapsible Folding Clothes Drying Rack that works great and can be easily stowed away when not in use. In the winter I put it up in front of a sunny window and I still get some of the sun's stain-fighting power. 

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

The Best Cloth Diapers and Supplies to Buy


I always knew I wanted to do cloth diapers, to save money and avoid sending a mountain of disposables to the landfill. My husband and I both have sensitive skin, and we figured our baby would too, so cloth diapers were definitely the way to go.

I spent hours researching what kind to get and how to do everything right, and I think I made some choices, because I love the cloth diapers and would not go back to disposables. I love how they have worked so far. I started my baby in the cloth diapers at about 3 weeks old, when he was big enough and also done with really icky early meconium diapers. There is a trial and error period where you figure out how to wash and use the diapers properly, but if you are patient and persistent, this is a great system. It is good for the baby's skin, you have less chance for diaper rash, you will save money, and it's better for the environment.

Most people that ask me about my cloth diapers have the same questions...

Don't they leak?  No, they don't leak if you wash them properly and they fit the baby (if you wash them wrong they can actually repel liquid). The new systems are nothing like the cloth diapers and plastic pants of the past. They are designed and fitted well. The microfiber liners are super absorbent, and the shells are PUL material, which keeps moisture in. Plus, you can get diaper doubler liners if you need more absorbency for a heavy wetter. The only time I had leaking was before I figured out my washing system, or if I went too long between diaper changes.

Isn't it Gross? I don't know how it's any more gross that what you deal with anyway. You may have slightly more contact with poop and pee, but I don't think it's that bad. Breastfed poop is water soluble so it rinses right out, and later on when it's more solid it comes right off. I use a dry pail with an open top in a closet and it's not noticeably smelly, even in summer. I wash every two days and use baking soda deodorizers, which helps with odors.

Isn't it a pain to wash them all the time? Except for when travelling, I don't find the washing routine to be too much trouble. Once you get in the habit, it's just something you do, and you get pretty fast. It helps if your washing machine has a pre-wash setting, and if you have a drying rack or clothesline for the covers. I suppose if you were working full time it would be more difficult, but I am home most of the time, so it doesn't upset my schedule.

What about rash? Diaper rash is far less common with cloth diapers, and if they do get rash it can be easily remedied by changing how you wash or adjusting sizes. The only times my baby had diaper rash was after I used disposables on him for vacation and when he was ready to move up the the next size adjustment and needed more room. If you do have rash, you're not supposed to used diaper creams unless you add a disposable liner, because they can cause the diapers to repel liquid. I was able to use a little olive oil on the rash overnight without any problems.

Aren't they bulky? The one size adjustable diapers are more bulky on a smaller baby, but they work great, and the cost savings and comfort benefit more than make up for any appearance problem. The baby doesn't care and I think they are cute with the different colors they offer. They can be work with just a shirt in the summer and look very cute and comfortable. The Flip system is probably the trimmest diaper option if that concerns you.

Aren't the fancy ones expensive?
You can do your own calculation here. I spent about $300 total on all my diapers and accessories, and compared the cost of disposables, I break even after 6 months of using cloth diapers. I will save over $700 if I use them for a year and a half. If I use them for a second child, I will save another $1000!

After reading countless reviews, I decided on the BumGenius brand of diapers by CottonBabies. They have great information on their website and you can sometimes get pretty good deals when they have sales or when they sell seconds.

Within the BumGenius line there are several styles to choose from. I went with a combination of the Flip and the BumGenius 4.0. I also picked up some used BumGenius 3.0 (older style). They are all adjustable one size diapers, which will allow me to use them from tiny baby up to potty training. I will outline the pros and cons of each below.

Snaps vs Hook and Loop
I chose mostly the snap style over the hook and loop because I felt they would last longer through washings, but I did get a few hook and loop to make it easier on dad and babysitters. I did learn a trick for tiny babies that makes the diaper fit better over the umbilical stump, and it works best with the hook and loop. You simply fold down the top and fasten with just the tabs (there is a youtube video I'm sure if you need more details). I heard in other reviews that bigger babies can figure out how to remove the hook and loop diapers easier.

BumGenius 3.0 and bumGenius 4.0
The 3.0 version is the older style, and from what I can tell it is slightly larger, which makes the 4.0 a better fit for smaller babies. The fabric on the 3.0 seems a little different, but I haven't noticed any difference in performance. I use the 4.0's for overnight, because I can stuff them with an extra liner so it lasts all night. It takes more time compared to the Flips to stuff the diapers after washing, and unstuff after use, but you get used to it. They are quicker than the Flips however, when changing diapers because they are all ready to go. This makes them more 'daddy friendly'. The microfiber one size liners are very absorbent, and easy to use with the snaps to adjust sizes. They also wash up and dry faster than the Flip liners.

Flip Diaper System
The Flip system was just released when I started shopping, and I thought it was a good option to try. The liner is separate from the PUL cover. The real benefit to the Flip system is that you can reuse the liner if you just have a wet diaper. This means less expense because you could potentially get by with 6 liners ($10 or so each) and a couple dozen liners ($3-4 each). With the 4.0 diapers ($15-18 each) you need a new diaper for each change. You can get even more economical with liners and Cotton Prefold Diapers as liners. I do like the Stay Dry Liners thought, they are very absorbent and soft. The liners are a little more difficult to get clean and dry compared to the 4.0's, but they hold more liquid. The Flips could also be more of a problem with wiggly babies, since there is nothing holding the liner in place besides flaps they are tucked into. The Flip also offers  Disposable Diaper Inserts for convenience, which I think could be useful for travelling.

Both styles are great in different ways, and I'm glad to have both options in my stash. There are other options offered by Cottonbabies including an organic cotton diaper, and many other brands including Fuzzibunz, Thirsties, gDiapers, and more.

My next post will be about the best and most cost effective diapering accessories, including diaper sprayers, cloth wipes, pail liners, and detergents.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Mini Cribs Save Space and Money



One of the first things I shopped for when I was pregnant was a crib and bassinet for my little one.

I had some requirements:
1. Affordable
2. Sturdy, Safe, and Practical
3. Multi purpose
4. Compact

I was able to find some products that met these requirements, and they have all worked well for me and my baby.

DaVinci Annabelle Mini Crib in Espresso
I decided to get a mini crib because we do not have much extra space in our 2 bedroom apartment for baby. We have a home office/guest bedroom in our second bedroom, so baby would have to share our bedroom for a while. The mini crib is a nice compact size, and can fit through doorways when assembled, which is something standard cribs cannot do.

It is a little harder finding a mattress and bedding (the thin pad that comes with it is not great), but the mini crib is worth it for the convenience and smaller size. The crib was easy to assemble, and it comes in several colors. It is solid wood but fairly soft, so it can be scratched or gouged. Most cribs are multipurpose these days, and this crib converts to a twin bed frame with the DaVinci Full/Twin Size Conversion Rail Kit. You can also find coordinating dresser, changing table, and toy box to outfit your nursery.

I wanted to get an organic mattress, but the selection is pretty slim for the mini crib size, so I went with the Crescent Mini Crib 50 Coil Mattress. It is made to fit the DaVinci crib, and it has worked great so far. I like that it is a more substantial mattress compared to the thin pads and was a pretty good price. To make myself feel better about not going organic, I wrapped it in polyethylene plastic, which is supposed to lessen the problems with chemical off gassing.

For bedding I purchased a couple Flannel Bassinet Pads, which wash up nice in case of accidents, and also add a little softness to the plastic mattress cover. Sheets for mini cribs are also hard to find, but I found these 100% Cotton Jersey Knit Porta-Crib Sheets fit just fine and were a decent price. I always get two of everything so I can put a set on while one is in the wash.

GracoTravel Lite Crib With Stages
In addition to a crib I wanted a bassinet for when baby is tiny that I can keep close to my bed for nighttime feedings. I found the travel lite crib, and it turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. It has adjustable heights, so the highest setting can be used as a bassinet. It is easy to set up and take down, and has wheels on one side so you can easily move around. The smaller size allows it to fit through doorways as well, so I was able to move from bedroom to living room and use for naps as well. It also works great for traveling, and the lower settings work well for a bigger baby. My little boy is pretty tall, so he may outgrow it soon as a travel crib, but I did get a lot of use out of it. I also used the Flannel Bassinet Pads, and I searched for sheets until I realized a standard pillowcase fits perfectly over the pad.