What shall I choose? Paci or Shoe.... decisions, decisions, decisions.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
My Flips Diaper Trial and Review
I trialed the Flip on my 8 1/2 month old son Logan. We tried both the stay-dry inserts and the organic inserts. We have tried the system for a week and a half--4 full days/overnight and 5 evenings/overnight. (During the week, we were using disposables at daycare.) Here are my thoughts and my review of the Flip Diaper All-In-2 system.
The flip diaper and stay-dry insert together (in my opinion) are similar in size to the Kirkland (Costco brand similar to Huggies) disposables we normally use. The fit is similar and the width of the stay-dry liner is similar to the width of the disposable. The flip does get a little bit bulkier using the organic insert instead of the stay-dry insert. They fit fine under his clothes...we did not have to upsize at all.
I really like the cover. It has a snap system with a 2 rows of snaps in a butterfly close system at the waist. Many snap covers I saw only have one row of snaps at the waist. I like the snaps instead of velcro. Velcro gets annoying to me. I was able to find a good fit for Logan--Medium rise setting and 4 snaps over from the side around the waist. While others found the covers a little thin, I found they were just fine. They are not bulky and I feel they are sturdy. I don't feel the snaps are going to pull off. I do occasionally have "trouble" getting the diaper on him, but that is because on our downstairs "changing table"--the guest bed--Logan is a complete wiggly worm and I have issues putting disposables on him in there too. When I use the changing table in his room, I don't have this issue. Despite this wriggling around, the inserts--neither kind--did not bunch up. It does not take me any longer to put on the cloth diapers than it does to put on the disposables.
Logan's bum did stay dry and the stay-dry liners (from here on out this will be SDL) have a good absorbency. We had no leaks with the SDL. I chalk that up to the sizing on the cover. The cover fit very snug...not too tight, but just right (as Goldie Locks would say). However, Logan did develop a rash from the SDL. We switched to the Flip Organic Inserts (OI) and tried those for a few days once his rash went away. We now use only the OI and have not had any rash issues due to the diapers.
The OI are like prefolds (I am assuming from what I gathered from my research online.) You can fold them in 2 different directions depending upon the size you made the cover. I found folding them for small made them a little wider and similar in width to the SDL (which I think was a perfect width.) The OI seem just a tad bulkier than the SDL. But I didn't notice that much of a difference. When loading the OI it seemed to slide around a little bit--something that the SDL didn't (at least I didn't notice that it did). I feel the OI hold more moisture than the SDL. We use the OI overnight and they are uber-absorbent. We had to switch to a different sposie for Logan was leaking overnight in the Kirklands. I was worried that the OI would leak. And, I really didn't want to double the SDL. But, the OI worked like a charm...the sheets were dry, no leaks, Logan was happy, and man was that OI full (but that was to be expected). Just for reference--Logan slept around 11 hours for this first "experiment".
The one thing I haven't tried are the disposable liners. I have read very bad reviews on them and I don't think I will be trying them when we go on our trip. I will figure something out. There are other disposable/flushable liners I could try. I might just suck it up and fill my wet bag with gross diapers and them wash them when I get to my mom's.
When it came time to change him, I found having 2 covers was key. I would have the 2nd cover ready and loaded so all I had to do was take off the used and put on a new. I would then take a wipe and give the first cover a little swipe, then it was good to use again for the next diaper change. If the diaper was not just wet (which if it was I could easily flip the liner out of the cover into the wet bag/dry pail), I would first put Logan in a safe place then go and deal with the poo issue--after changing him of course. (I am sure someone had an image of a naked Logan just rolling around waiting to be diapered...lol.) By holding onto the liner through the cover I could just shake (with a little gusto if needed) the poo into the toilet, then flip the liner into the bag. Again, I would then give the cover a swipe with a wipe and it was good to use again.
I do not have a sprayer and at the moment, but I do plan on getting one. Logan is eating solids and is formula fed, so the majority of his poos are a good consistency. We did have one "runny" poo while on this trial, what could be called a blow-out, if you will. Everything was contained. While some did get into the cover, it did not leave the cover. I just had to use a new cover and put the old one (once washed out) into the wet bag. To me it seemed not that much worse than when he would have a blow-out in a disposable--either way it's gross. I figure it doesn't matter how you diaper--you can't avoid a blow-out and will have to deal with it one way or another.
The flip diaper and stay-dry insert together (in my opinion) are similar in size to the Kirkland (Costco brand similar to Huggies) disposables we normally use. The fit is similar and the width of the stay-dry liner is similar to the width of the disposable. The flip does get a little bit bulkier using the organic insert instead of the stay-dry insert. They fit fine under his clothes...we did not have to upsize at all.
I really like the cover. It has a snap system with a 2 rows of snaps in a butterfly close system at the waist. Many snap covers I saw only have one row of snaps at the waist. I like the snaps instead of velcro. Velcro gets annoying to me. I was able to find a good fit for Logan--Medium rise setting and 4 snaps over from the side around the waist. While others found the covers a little thin, I found they were just fine. They are not bulky and I feel they are sturdy. I don't feel the snaps are going to pull off. I do occasionally have "trouble" getting the diaper on him, but that is because on our downstairs "changing table"--the guest bed--Logan is a complete wiggly worm and I have issues putting disposables on him in there too. When I use the changing table in his room, I don't have this issue. Despite this wriggling around, the inserts--neither kind--did not bunch up. It does not take me any longer to put on the cloth diapers than it does to put on the disposables.
Logan's bum did stay dry and the stay-dry liners (from here on out this will be SDL) have a good absorbency. We had no leaks with the SDL. I chalk that up to the sizing on the cover. The cover fit very snug...not too tight, but just right (as Goldie Locks would say). However, Logan did develop a rash from the SDL. We switched to the Flip Organic Inserts (OI) and tried those for a few days once his rash went away. We now use only the OI and have not had any rash issues due to the diapers.
The OI are like prefolds (I am assuming from what I gathered from my research online.) You can fold them in 2 different directions depending upon the size you made the cover. I found folding them for small made them a little wider and similar in width to the SDL (which I think was a perfect width.) The OI seem just a tad bulkier than the SDL. But I didn't notice that much of a difference. When loading the OI it seemed to slide around a little bit--something that the SDL didn't (at least I didn't notice that it did). I feel the OI hold more moisture than the SDL. We use the OI overnight and they are uber-absorbent. We had to switch to a different sposie for Logan was leaking overnight in the Kirklands. I was worried that the OI would leak. And, I really didn't want to double the SDL. But, the OI worked like a charm...the sheets were dry, no leaks, Logan was happy, and man was that OI full (but that was to be expected). Just for reference--Logan slept around 11 hours for this first "experiment".
The one thing I haven't tried are the disposable liners. I have read very bad reviews on them and I don't think I will be trying them when we go on our trip. I will figure something out. There are other disposable/flushable liners I could try. I might just suck it up and fill my wet bag with gross diapers and them wash them when I get to my mom's.
When it came time to change him, I found having 2 covers was key. I would have the 2nd cover ready and loaded so all I had to do was take off the used and put on a new. I would then take a wipe and give the first cover a little swipe, then it was good to use again for the next diaper change. If the diaper was not just wet (which if it was I could easily flip the liner out of the cover into the wet bag/dry pail), I would first put Logan in a safe place then go and deal with the poo issue--after changing him of course. (I am sure someone had an image of a naked Logan just rolling around waiting to be diapered...lol.) By holding onto the liner through the cover I could just shake (with a little gusto if needed) the poo into the toilet, then flip the liner into the bag. Again, I would then give the cover a swipe with a wipe and it was good to use again.
I do not have a sprayer and at the moment, but I do plan on getting one. Logan is eating solids and is formula fed, so the majority of his poos are a good consistency. We did have one "runny" poo while on this trial, what could be called a blow-out, if you will. Everything was contained. While some did get into the cover, it did not leave the cover. I just had to use a new cover and put the old one (once washed out) into the wet bag. To me it seemed not that much worse than when he would have a blow-out in a disposable--either way it's gross. I figure it doesn't matter how you diaper--you can't avoid a blow-out and will have to deal with it one way or another.
I hope the flip system will continue to work for us because so far, it's been good.
ETA: We have bought a sprayer and it is great. It really makes a difference with the poo. Also, turns out Logan is sensitive to the stay-dry liner fabric. We have switched to using ONLY the organic inserts. Much, much better...no more rashes. Lastly, I said that I wish the back flap was bigger. Scratch that, I don't put the liner under the flap anymore...it's easier, and the poo doesn't get on the cover in the back if he has a runnier poo day.
ETA: We have bought a sprayer and it is great. It really makes a difference with the poo. Also, turns out Logan is sensitive to the stay-dry liner fabric. We have switched to using ONLY the organic inserts. Much, much better...no more rashes. Lastly, I said that I wish the back flap was bigger. Scratch that, I don't put the liner under the flap anymore...it's easier, and the poo doesn't get on the cover in the back if he has a runnier poo day.
Why Cloth Diapers and Cost Breakdown
You probably are asking why are you cloth diapering and why did you wait. I don't know why I waited...perhaps it has to do with being educated on cloth diapering and the environmental/cost issues associated with it. That, and not really being intrigued to do so until recently. In retrospect, I don't think it was terribly bad that I waited. Yes I could have saved some bucks, but hey, better late than never.
Why am I doing this? Like I said, I was intrigued by them. I did some research and found that I if I CDed, I could lessen my carbon footprint. I know the washing will be more work for me, but I guess that is the price I will pay. For Kevin, part of it is about the money...can we get our money back? I think with the flip system, especially now that daycare is on board, we can get our money back by the end of the summer.
So, here's a cost break down:
This is the investment for the cloth diapers:
We are still using disposable wipes, so that cost won't go away. We buy a bulk box from Costco. Maybe I can use washcloths sometimes, but I don't count on it. But here is what we spend on disposable diapers/~month (A box of 208 gets us through almost a month, but not quite. Soon he will move up to size 4 and there are less in a box):
Well, I am off to wash a load of diapers. I find that washing them is not as bad as I thought it would be--nor as hard. I am kind of liking cloth diapering...I hope the "shine" doesn't wear off.
ETA: I have decided to go with the baby wash cloths for wipes. I think after we finish the box from Costco, we won't get any more wipes. We will just use water and washcloths. Also, we won't be using the Pampers overnight either. So we will lose that expense.
So, here's a cost break down:
This is the investment for the cloth diapers:
- 4 Flip day pack (2 covers/6 stay-dry liners/pack): $203.93
- 6 organic inserts: $47.70
- 4 wet bags: $35.50
- 2 garbage cans: $22.99
- laundry detergent: $17.50
- diaper rash cream: $9.99
- 3 baskets to hold it all: $17.97
- diaper sprayer: $34.90
- 18 organic inserts $120.60
- TOTAL: $511.08
We are still using disposable wipes, so that cost won't go away. We buy a bulk box from Costco. Maybe I can use washcloths sometimes, but I don't count on it. But here is what we spend on disposable diapers/~month (A box of 208 gets us through almost a month, but not quite. Soon he will move up to size 4 and there are less in a box):
- box of 208 size 3 Kirkland disposables: $49.95
- package of Pampers baby dry (overnight): $10.00
- diaper ring (X2) for diaper Genie: $ 9.00
- TOTAL $68.95-ish/~month
Well, I am off to wash a load of diapers. I find that washing them is not as bad as I thought it would be--nor as hard. I am kind of liking cloth diapering...I hope the "shine" doesn't wear off.
ETA: I have decided to go with the baby wash cloths for wipes. I think after we finish the box from Costco, we won't get any more wipes. We will just use water and washcloths. Also, we won't be using the Pampers overnight either. So we will lose that expense.
Daycare Gives the Thumbs Up
I emailed Cathy at the CDC and asked if the center would accommodate us and continue to cloth diaper there. She said she checked all the information and couldn't find a reason why not. She said they would send the diapers home with the poop still in them, and I said that is fine, I will deal with that when I get home. It's one extra step, but a step worth doing. Yay we get to cloth diaper!!! So, thumbs up to daycare!!!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Diaper Blow Out
So, we had our first diaper blow out in the flips tonight. It was all over the diaper and in the cover. It was bound to happen...I mean how could you avoid it--no matter what diaper you use. If you tell me your child never had a blow out in a cloth diaper...I would laugh in your face. Thank gawd we had another cover and Logan was about to take a bath. Cleaning the insert and cover sucked and I decided right then and there that we needed a sprayer.
Sort of off-topic, but not really. We told Mandy that we were cloth diapering and I think she thinks we are crazy. She asked what you do when baby has a blow out and we said that you put it in the toilet...funny how that not too long after that we had that blow out--WTF? Did she know?
Sort of off-topic, but not really. We told Mandy that we were cloth diapering and I think she thinks we are crazy. She asked what you do when baby has a blow out and we said that you put it in the toilet...funny how that not too long after that we had that blow out--WTF? Did she know?
Friday, March 19, 2010
Flip Diapers Day 2
Well, the redness near his little Logan junk was much less this morning. I just changed him and it seemed the same as when he woke up. Maybe it's the liner, maybe it was the Tide that I pre-washed the liners with...I can't believe that a few sources said that Tide was okay. I washed last night with the Country Save...Hopefully that will help. I do plan on getting some organic liners anyway as they are supposedly Uber-Absorbent and that would be great overnight.
My thing today is the best way to change poopie diapers. The diaper today I flipped into the bag (which I really need to get a few wet bags and stop using shopping bags...but it is only day 2 so...)with the poo still on it so I didn't have to touch it. After re-diapering Logan and putting him somewhere safe, I took the bag into the bathroom and held the liner by the bag and got the poo off that way. There has to be a better way. When I figure that out, I will let you know.
I am still liking the CD-ing, even though it's only day 2. I feel better that we only went through 2 disposables yesterday--one after we went through the 6 liners and one for overnight.
I got to try these diapers out and about this afternoon. I had to change him at a restaurant. It was an experience...but only a little more than normal with disposables. It is difficult on those koala trays no matter what. Thank god the belt was working. I figured that I just have to put the whole insert--poop and all--into the wetbag and scrape it out when we get home. I guess my biggest issue was the wipes. I am so used to putting the used wipes into the used diaper, now I have to change my routine. But, I suppose that is to be expected. All-in-all the experience wasn't that bad. It took a little longer than usual, but I think the more I do it, I will get faster. Not sure I am into scraping the poop, but again, I think that deals with the issue I mentioned 2 paragraphs earlier.
So, around mid afternoon, we stopped with the staydry liner. I am pretty sure--98%--that the liner is the cause of the irritation on Logan. We've been using disposables and putting the butt paste on him. I hope it clears up quickly. I feel bad that I "caused" this for him. I ran out and purchased some organic liners at Baby Earth. I am in the process of pre-washing them (as per directions from cottonbabies). My poor little boy. I hope the organic helps and causes no more irritation.
My thing today is the best way to change poopie diapers. The diaper today I flipped into the bag (which I really need to get a few wet bags and stop using shopping bags...but it is only day 2 so...)with the poo still on it so I didn't have to touch it. After re-diapering Logan and putting him somewhere safe, I took the bag into the bathroom and held the liner by the bag and got the poo off that way. There has to be a better way. When I figure that out, I will let you know.
I am still liking the CD-ing, even though it's only day 2. I feel better that we only went through 2 disposables yesterday--one after we went through the 6 liners and one for overnight.
I got to try these diapers out and about this afternoon. I had to change him at a restaurant. It was an experience...but only a little more than normal with disposables. It is difficult on those koala trays no matter what. Thank god the belt was working. I figured that I just have to put the whole insert--poop and all--into the wetbag and scrape it out when we get home. I guess my biggest issue was the wipes. I am so used to putting the used wipes into the used diaper, now I have to change my routine. But, I suppose that is to be expected. All-in-all the experience wasn't that bad. It took a little longer than usual, but I think the more I do it, I will get faster. Not sure I am into scraping the poop, but again, I think that deals with the issue I mentioned 2 paragraphs earlier.
So, around mid afternoon, we stopped with the staydry liner. I am pretty sure--98%--that the liner is the cause of the irritation on Logan. We've been using disposables and putting the butt paste on him. I hope it clears up quickly. I feel bad that I "caused" this for him. I ran out and purchased some organic liners at Baby Earth. I am in the process of pre-washing them (as per directions from cottonbabies). My poor little boy. I hope the organic helps and causes no more irritation.
Option for Changing those Dreaded Poopie Diapers
I don't know why it didn't occur to me before. I have more than one cover. I can just put a new cover/liner on Logan and once he's in a safe place, I can take the old one over to the toilet, shake/scrape out the poo and then toss in the wetbag...easy peasy, no touchy of the gross liner. Then if the cover is "clean"...just wipe and put aside for next poopie diaper or wash...whichever comes first.
DUH...
DUH...
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Flip Diapers One Day at a Time
So, as stated in a previous post, Logan and I have embarked on a new journey. We are trialing a cloth diapering system called Flip. It is a all-in-2 system...meaning, there is a cover and a liner. We bought a day pack which contained 2 covers in blue and 6 stay dry microfiber liners.
This is a picture of the cover. On the left is the outside. On the right is the inside.
This is a picture of the stay dry liners. You can see the two different sides...the suede side goes up.
First I had to pre-wash the both the covers and the liners. I pre-washed the covers twice to help with the bleeding of the dye. The package said to do it 6 times. I think I will just wash them separately a few more times. Here is a picture of them hanging outside in the sun to dry.
Today (March 18, 2010) is day one of our trial. When he woke up this morning I had already set the two covers to two different setting...one was small, one was medium. I tried the small first; it was a no go. The medium fit perfectly. I put the closure snaps on the 4th set in from the side. This was also a great fit. The diaper is very trim...not any more bulky than a disposable. In fact, it might be a little trimmer. In his clothing, you can't tell the difference. Here is Logan in his Flip diaper.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
A New Adventure
I don't know what caused it, but I suddenly found myself intrigued by cloth diapering. So, I did some research, and after much consideration I decided we are going to try it. I don't think that daycare will do the cloth diapering for us, so we will still use some disposables there. However, if we like it...and by we, I mean me...I will do it in the evenings/over night, on weekends, and over the summer.
For now we are trialing a brand called Flip. I found this system to be something that I could do. It has an outer cover that supposedly you can wipe down after removing the liner and reuse with a new liner. With other systems you have to change the cover too. I would have to do laundry every 2-3 days with this. I still need a dry pail for the liners. I am a little nervous about keeping up with the laundry, but all I need is a little faith in myself and to keep reminding myself that it's best for the environment and for Logan's future world.
I bought a day pack which contains 2 blue covers and 6 stay-dry liners. The price was fair and I think it will be fairly easy to recoup the money. If it works out, I will buy some more covers and liners.
I will keep you updated with my trial run at cloth diapering.
For now we are trialing a brand called Flip. I found this system to be something that I could do. It has an outer cover that supposedly you can wipe down after removing the liner and reuse with a new liner. With other systems you have to change the cover too. I would have to do laundry every 2-3 days with this. I still need a dry pail for the liners. I am a little nervous about keeping up with the laundry, but all I need is a little faith in myself and to keep reminding myself that it's best for the environment and for Logan's future world.
I bought a day pack which contains 2 blue covers and 6 stay-dry liners. The price was fair and I think it will be fairly easy to recoup the money. If it works out, I will buy some more covers and liners.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
So close, yet so far...
So, it seems that Logan is on the verge of two things as we just are a day past his 8 month birthday.
First thing, Logan is just days away, so it seems, from crawling. He can spin around on his tummy like no tomorrow. He gets very far that way on our floor mats. Today at daycare, they said he was so close to getting up on his hands and knees. I can feel it...any day now.
Second thing, Logan finally might be getting a tooth. He has a few of the signs...fussiness occasionally; a slight fever; and excess drooling. Who knows. I'll keep things posted.
First thing, Logan is just days away, so it seems, from crawling. He can spin around on his tummy like no tomorrow. He gets very far that way on our floor mats. Today at daycare, they said he was so close to getting up on his hands and knees. I can feel it...any day now.
Second thing, Logan finally might be getting a tooth. He has a few of the signs...fussiness occasionally; a slight fever; and excess drooling. Who knows. I'll keep things posted.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)