Im officially addicted to cloth!

I've just been online doing a bit of 'research' (from my sofa might i add!) & came across a couple of the most perfect cloth nappies ever!

* Alvababy color snap/C series diaper
 &
* Squishy Butts OS XL


I'll start with the Alvababy!


I've just ordered 26 of the Alvababy after researching, reading/watching reviews & chatting to other mums who use & love them!..

I spoke to the american mums on a 'cloth diapering' forum i'm a part of to ask them if anyone had used it & they all raved about it, one mum said that it was the only nappy that contained everything when her son had a horrible tummy bug with explosive liquid poop.

She also said the sizing was really good & runs bigger then most MCN on the market.

* It has 4 adjustable sizes & fits newborns-toddler (3kg-15kg, most only fit from 4-6 weeks)
* Double leg gussets to contain any messes
* A double row of snaps so you can adjust the waist/thighs
* A hip snap to stop the waist band from untucking

Here are some reviews from a stay at home Mum who uses the Alvababy nappy on both of her children..

She compares it against a more expensive nappy the 'Go green champ 2.0' which the the EXACT same, but retails for $15.99 US instead of $6.99 US.

You can find them at this website for $6.99 US - $6.59 AU per nappy
http://www.alvababy.com/Supply-color-snap-diapers-c-series_c59
OR
Alternatively buy a pack of 7 for $45.99 US - that works out to be $43 AU dollars at $6.14 per nappy.
http://www.alvababy.com/7-baby-ai2-color-snap-reusable-cloth-diaper-nappy7-inserts-co7_p265.html?cPath=37

It all adds up when you buy in bulk!
I bought 21... 3 of the 7 packs and paid $137.97 US which worked out to be $130.20 AU
PLUS 
One of their regular spongebob nappies.. (I couldn't resist, it was only like $4?)

+ a few more colour snap nappies
(I've ordered multiple of all colours except red)

& a cute waterproof camo 'wet bag' to keep everything in & contain smells when we are out & about..

They also have FREE SHIPPING on ANY order.. or, if you purchase 20+ nappies they will EXPRESS ship it to you for FREE..

Which means my nappies should be here in a about a weeks time! YAY!



Now for the Squishy Butt OS XL!! 


Sabrinas online shop link!!! 
http://hyenacart.com/stores/SquishyButts/
*** For every $60 spent you will receive a FREE personalised small blankie!!***


Everyone is raving about how amazing these nappies are and just from looking at Sabrina's photos you can tell the quality is impeccable!

http://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=100000717176130

** Choose the folders named 'Things i've created ____' to browse her gorgeous selection of personalised nappies she has made for other mummies! 

She makes these herself from the comfort of her own home & puts so much time & effort into making sure these are perfect before she sends them out.

They have all of the same features as the Alvababy color snap diaper basically (If you go on Sabrina's shop page or Facebook page you will be able to customise your own order & decide what kind of nappy you would like)

I was a little hesitant to try these at first.. simply because they are more expensive then the alternative & more affordable ones made in China etc, but the fact that the proceeds go to a stay at home Mum who has dedicated her time/talents into personally trailing/customising/sewing this for me was well worth every dollar spent!

The prints etc are gorgeous as well!... Sooo.... I indulged a little! :)

I've ordered a 3 extra large one size nappies, which means it will fit from 6kg-20kg instead of the regular 'one size' nappy which fits from 4kg-15kg. Simply because Kees is a big baby & is out of the smaller size already & i have a MASSIVE stash of Alvababy nappies on its way that will fit from newborn+.

These are the prints I have selected from her fabric swatches & diaper styles etc that she is going to custom make for me, if you want any of her nappies please buy them NOW as she is going on maternity leave/having baby shortly & won't be doing as many orders until she is feeling up to it.

* The brown/cream damask in the XL OS, it is a pocket diaper with a 'stay dry' micro fleece lining, microfiber insert & double leg gussets.

* Green owl, in the exact same style etc as the above nappy
(although this one is the OS, with extra snaps for the varied size settings)

And finally! ...
* BATMAN!!
- Also in the exact same style as the green owl nappy..

I've double checked to see if she can get this fabric in.. if she can I'm totally ordering a nappy made out of it! Its gorgeous!!!

*Mint & black damask

Now each nappy cost $29 each NOT including shipping.. per nappy i think its around $7-$9 for shipping? The prices will vary obviously & you will need to double check with Sabrina before placing an order if you want to double check.

It all depends on what kind of nappy you choose, wether or not you choose to get double leg gussets (for me this is a MUST to keep poopy explosions contained!).. Wether or not you choose a minky fabric, PUL or cotton/PUL combination etc..


DISPOSABLE NAPPY LINERS!!!


Now if you have been following my blog you will know i've been using re-usable/washable nappy liners to make 'poop duty easy' while at home.. I've decided i'd like the added luxury of clean up being easy while out & about instead of carrying a poopy liner around in my nappy bag until we get home.

 I've gone ahead & ordered some disposable bamboo nappy liners!

When bubbie poops you simply take it out of the nappy & discard in the nappy disposal units provided or flush it down the toilet.

I got bamboo because it is naturally anti-bacterial..

The link is listed below for those of you who would like to invest in some.

I bought 200 for $22.95, the cheapest i could find for bamboo..

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/180764255109?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_1685wt_985


Once all of my nappies have arrived i'll most likely do a video review on them or blog on here!..

Keep an eye out and let me know if you'd like any extra info!!
:)

Good-bye disposables!

I've been using cloth during the day & disposables at night as Kees is a heavy wetter & i didn't want to try cloth at night until my super absorbent bamboo inserts arrived..

Well, they arrived yesterday morning! :)

I had to 'prep' them which included washing them in a hot wash 5 times and then doing an extra rinse cycle at the end.. the idea is that it strips the bamboo of any natural oils that may repel moisture & fluffs up the fibres of the insert so it becomes more absorbent.

I tried the new bamboo inserts last night in a cloth nappy with a microfiber insert on top (microfiber absorbs VERY quickly, but is prone to compression leaks over long periods of time).

SUCESS!!

Kees slept through the night from 7pm-5am for the first time in 3 weeks!

In the morning the inside of his nappy felt dry, i then took the inserts out & they were damp, but had absorbed HEAPS & could of actually absorbed much more. Yay!!

I think its safe to say i'll be using cloth 24/7 from now on, i'm more then happy to kick my old 'trusty' disposables to the curb after a much relished success with modern cloth.



A few handy tips!

* I rinse my nappies out after each use, it isn't essential but i'd rather have a freshly rinsed nappy to pop in my nappy bucket then a smelly/wet one.

* They say to wash every 2 days, depending on how many nappies you initially have.. I wash every night and line/stuff my nappies at night while watching TV.. just incase we get a bout of bad weather etc, that way i've got plenty of nappies to use.

* I use 'stay dry' fleece liners in my nappies to make poop duty a breeze! ... Simply take it out of the nappy & shake solids off into the toilet.. If its a mucky poopie then flush the toilet while holding the liner in the running water from the top.

* I run a rinse cycle before actually washing my nappies, it gets rid of any dirty residue before i go ahead & actually 'clean' the nappies.

* I occasionally (every 2nd rinse cycle) add 2 drops of tea tree oil to the rinse. Its got natural antibacterial properties & freshens everything up before i wash the nappies/inserts.
- Don't add any more then 1-2 drops as it is very potent & can leave a film on your nappies/liners which may affect absorbency.

* I hang my nappies in the sun whenever possible the sun is a natural disinfectant & also helps to get rid of any stains you may encounter (because i use liners i don't get any stubborn stains, everything washes straight out)

* When you are going out in public while using modern cloth you may want to invest in disposable liners to make poop clean up a breeze.. you simply pop the liner in the nappy & when its soiled lift it out, put it into the nappy disposal units supplied (as you would a disposable nappy), pop your wet cloth nappy in a 'wet bag' or nappy sack and when you get home rinse it (if you want) & put it in the nappy bucket until wash time.

* If smelly nappies is an issue when you put them into your nappy bucket you can add 2 drops of tea tree oil to the bottom of you bucket or lightly sprinkle baking soda onto your nappies before they go into the nappy bucket.

* DO NOT use any creams, lotions etc on baby's bottom unless its 'cloth friendly' regular rash creams will leave a moisture repellent film in your nappies & you will end up with leaks galore!

* I use a corn starch powder on baby's bottom to keep him dry & to keep rashes at bay.

* You'll need a special detergent with no 'nasties' in it.. (enzymes etc), the stuff we use on our clothes repels moisture & you'll end up with leaks. Planet ark is suppose to be really good, its available at coles, woolies & kmart.

* Sometimes the kind of water you have will affect the way you should structure your wash routine.. check with the water council to see what kind you have before you start using cloth.. If you have any questions feel free to ask!

* I don't use an actual nappy bucket/pail! .. They are so expensive! Instead I invested in a small rubbish bin from red dot, it costed me $8 on special, they come in a rainbow of colours & i simply line it with a scented bin liner and put all of my rinsed nappies in there until wash time. It has a lid & will keep any possible odours at bay.

Enjoy!

Weight-loss & my weekly meal plan!

Its time to kick my butt into shape & to get back to my pre-pregnancy/pre-wifey body... I've got 30kg to loose!

Haha at the moment i'm twice the woman Dallin married ;)... LOL not quite.. but almost!

There is a million kilo challenge amongst Australians that starts on the 30th Jan & whoever joins up is aiming to loose 10kg in 10 weeks.. they send you a weekly meal plan, shopping list etc and you have all the support you need.

I've joined up and can't wait!! .. how easy is that?!

All you have to do is cook their recipes and buy from the shopping list they send you. Here is the link if your interested! There is no time like the present.. procrastination never got me anywhere except fat haha!! http://www.1millionkilochallenge.com.au/home

I started eating healthily and doing light exercise about 3 - 3 1/2 weeks ago and to date have lost just over 4kg.. WOOHOO!!

Its such a nice feeling when you start to feel results, i haven't noticed a huge difference 'looks' wise.. maybe a little bit less of my post baby 'jelly belly', but I'm feeling so much more energetic & fresh, its been really nice!

This week I have put together my own meal plan based off the million kilo challenge website & a few i had on hand .. heres what we will be having!

- Keep in mind I'm trying to eat carbs once a day only & limit my bread intake as much as possible
- Another one of my 'rules' is avoiding all juices and soft drinks... WATER ONLY!

:) 

Breakfast variations:

* Porridge, berries, low fat - low sugar yoghurt
* Wholegrain toast, low fat cottage cheese, tomato, diced spring onion
* Whole bran cereal, HI LO milk & 1/2 banana
* Egg omlette with mixed garden vegies - use herbs to add flavour, garlic etc.
* Poached egg, wholegrain toast, cottage cheese & sliced tomato
* Fruit & yoghurt with a few nuts/sunflower/pumpkin seeds
* Sliced pear, ricotta & honey on fruit toast

- Or anything else healthy that you have on hand

Lunch variations:
* Flavoured low fat tuna, brown rice & mixed garden veggies
* Chicken, avocado, salad sandwich on wholegrain bread
* Salad wrap with low fat ham
* Tofu lentil cakes with a side salad
* Egg salad
* Chicken salad
* Salad sandwich
* Wholemeal pasta with ricotta, spinach, basil, sundried tomato & chicken tossed through - add more herbs if wanted

Dinner variations:
* Marinated laksa pork cutlets & salad
* Lemon pepper chicken
* Salad & beef burrito - wholegrain wraps
* Balsamic honey chicken & salad
* Italian parmesan chicken with green beans & zucchini
* Mexican salsa chicken

Snacks:
* Apple & a couple of nuts
* Carrot sticks with hummus
* Pear, ricotta & honey on a couple of crackers
* A couple of crackers with cottage cheese/tomato
* Very small portion of fruit salad or one piece of fruit
* Small tub of yoghurt with a few nuts

** Snacks should be kept SMALL, they aren't to fill you up, but to keep hunger at bay.

Thats it for me this week!

If you would like any of the recipes or would like to recommend extra things you'd like me to blog about please Facebook me & i'll reply to you as soon as I can...

Alternatively you could checkout this website (this is a direct link to the food section i've been browsing) http://www.1millionkilochallenge.com.au/recipes and find something yummy!

If you have children who are fussy eaters when it comes to eating their veggies, try looking at Jessica Seinfeld's book 'Deceptively delicious' .. It has amazing recipes that are healthy & delicious, kids & adults will love them!

TONIGHTS DINNER:

Marinated laksa pork cutlets & salad..
Mmmmmmm!!

Up and running!

Kees' stash of 24 modern cloth nappies arrived a few days ago, i've prepped them all and have been using them for a couple of days now... I love them and he does too!

(Prepping.. It means washing them before hand, the amount of prepping depends on what kind of nappy you use.. my outers needed to be washed once & then put in the drier for 30mins to seal the PUL - just to make sure any stitching holes e.g., around the leg, were closed up... the inserts were washed 4-5 times and put in the drier once to 'fluff' them up and make them more absorbent.. from now on i'll be line drying.. my bamboo inserts will need to be washed separately 5+ times to wash out any natural oils that may repel moisture & to increase absorbency) 

Below is my little fluffy bum getting into mischief..

They fit perfectly & are so amazingly soft & absorbent. The ladies i bought my nappies, liners & wipes off did such an amazing job, the quality is impeccable and i can't recommend them highly enough. 

Tonight I folded all of his cloth wipes and put them in his wipe dispenser so that they pop up like regular wipes when i pull one out.. pretty snazzy! Here is the link for those who would like to know how to fold them to achieve the same result... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMC6LHfuldY

I also made up my own wipe solution and will post the 'recipe' below for those who want it, you can of course change it up to what suits you & your baby's skin. The one i made tonight smells divine! 

You will need..

3 cups warm water 

2 tbsp baby lotion (I used 'eco store' aromatherapy) 

3 tbsp baby oil 

3 tbsp soap free baby wash (I used Johnsons aromatherapy wash) 

2 drops tea tree oil 

1 x mixing bowl 

1 x whisk 

Measure out 3 cups of warm water into your chosen mixing bowl, add the oil, soap free wash, lotion, tea tree oil & then whisk briskly to blend together. 

Add it to your wipe tub (pour over wipes until damp, turning to make sure all the wipes are wet) or simply add it to a spray bottle & spray your cloth wipes or baby's bottom as needed.. 

I found that the lavender etc of the aroma therapy complimented the tea tree really well, it smelt so pretty & not overpowering at all.. i'm not a huge fan of overwhelming scents and the fact it had tea tree in it really appealed to me as its a natural antibacterial. 

Anyway, thats about all for now, Kees' nappies have just gone through the wash & need hanging out and my house needs a quick tidy before I head off to bed! 

I'll update tomorrow about my weight-loss & recipes i'm finding quick, easy, neutritious & scrumptious! 

I may even list my meal plan for this week! 

Watch this space! 

Modern cloth nappies!

This year is the year of change in our house hold! 
From weightloss to going eco friendly and using modern cloth nappies! 


So... we have been spending a ridiculous amount of nappies/wipes each week - $46.50 to be exact & i decided it was time for a change.. not only because of the huge impact on the environment but also the huge impact it was having on our bank account!.. Don't get me wrong, we can afford it, but to me its just not worth it for the sake of an extra few minutes each day to wash/dry my own nappies. 


Just some quick FAQ from a link i had on hand...
http://forum.baby-gaga.com/about1572688.html
http://www.funkibums.com/FAQ-s.html
http://www.diaperdecisions.com/pages/cost_of_cloth_diapers.php

I've just ordered my cloth nappy stash for Kees & am SO freaking excited.. 
Heres what i have on the way in the mail   
i've included ordering details/links for those of you who would also like to join me on the modern cloth journey


I've ordered 24 of these pocket diapers in all colours except pink & white: 
(Microfleece inner to wick moisture away from the skin, drawing it into the inner - each nappy came with 2 microfibre inners)

This is the sellers link for those of you who would like it

http://www.gabrielswardrobe.com/#!

20 of these stay dry liners
(As the name states they are stay dry, so baby doesn't feel wet when they pee on them, they go inside the nappy against baby's skin so when they poo you can shake it off into the toilet, rinse & pop it in your nappy bucket to wash along with your nappies at the end of the day - saves you scrubbing nappies out & also helps prevent stains on your nappies, you can get disposable ones, but i wanted to fully switch to cloth so will give these a try!) 

These are the two links for the sellers who i purchased these off
 http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/ding250/m.html?hash=item7b683a7618&item=230644578167&pt=UK_Baby_Baby_Changing_Nappies_LE&var=&_trksid=p4340.l2562
And... 
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/beautbots01/m.html?item=310368779463&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649&_trksid=p4340.l2562

Some reusable wipes! 
You could also just use baby wash cloths - I only got these because they were pretty! 
A quick rinse, and pop in your nappy bucket & wash along with your nappies/inners etc... EASY! 

The link for those who want it
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/beautbots01/m.html?item=310368779463&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649&_trksid=p4340.l2562


23 of these heavy duty Doopsy bamboo inners 
Each has 3 layers of bamboo which is VERY absorbent, the most absorbent inner you will find, Kees is a REAL heavy wetter so he needs that extra absorbency. 



This is the link for those who want it
http://www.babyecomart.com/shop/category.aspx?catid=10


And some smashing watermelon scented Rockin Green! 
- Also available in raspberry scent etc! YUM!! 


(Laundry powder available to suit your water type - soft water, hard water and water in between.. make sure you call and check with your water cooperation on 13 13 75 to see what kind of water you have!) 


Its got no enzymes etc and is completely natural so won't leave a film on your nappies like regular washing detergent which will affect the absorbency & performance over time. 
The link for those who would like it 
http://www.rascalrumps.com.au/Rockin_Green_Products



I have extensively googled etc and found the cheapest price/shipping/postage options, so if you would like to compare prices go ahead & please let me know if you manage to find anything cheaper! 


I can't wait to see how modern cloth impacts our family! 



If you have any questions or would like to give me some feedback on my blog entries or things you think i should include/write about feel free to Facebook me or private message me, it'd be much appreciated!