Nuts About Eco Nuts

…a guest post by Carrissa Stalcup from Gastonia, NC

We sent Carrissa some Eco Nuts to try on her diaper laundry.  She has had problems in the past with “stinkies,” and has been using Rockin’ Green on her cloth diapers.  Here is what she had to say about Eco Nuts:

“They really work!  I was shocked. They worked better than Rockin’ Green.  My hubby loves no scent on the clothes, because he thinks it covers up stink.  He fell in love instantly.  It is not a stain remover, so keep that in mind, but it got our whites really, really white.  We also love the fact that it does not harm the environment.  We would switch over completely, but the price is not lower than our current laundry soap.”

Cloth Diaper Storage

I thought I would take a minute to share my cloth diaper storage system with you.  I have tried several methods, but I just reorganized everything and I’m “pleased as punch” with the outcome!  While I would prefer a changing table with drawers in it, this is what we have, so we have made do.

The bins are Closet Maid fabric storage bins from Target.  I made the labels using a tutorial from IHeart Organizing (but she uses MS Excel, and I prefer Word for this project).

Right now the changing table is in the dining room so that I don’t have to wake Elaine for middle-of-the-night changes and feedings.  Eventually the kids will share a room.  The drawers on the right are Nolan’s “dresser.” 

The basket is also from Target – it was a baby gift for Elaine.  It is designed for disposable diapers and wipes, but I store our diaper cream, Snappi fasteners, hand sanitizer, lotion, cloth wipes and solution there along with the thermometer and nail clippers.

From left to right, top to bottom, the bins are:
Elaine’s Diapers; Nolan’s Diapers; Pre-folds and Covers (we use these as back-ups and in case of rashes right now); Wipes & Wet Bags; Extra Inserts & Night Time Diapers; and Burp Cloths & Receiving Blankets.

How do you store your diapers?  Please share…I love new ideas!

Winners

Nolan stayed up late with me last night so he could help pick the winners of the last two giveaways.  (Please read the last sentence like this, “Elaine went to bed early, but Nolan didn’t so I used the awake time to get in some computer work!”)

The winner of the Contoured Burp Cloth giveaway is:

Nicole Blanchette, entry #29
(view the entries here)

The winner of the Referral Contest is:

Angela Heffner (Mama of the Littles)
with 26 new fan referrals!

Thanks to all who participated!

Winners: please respond to your email, or send an email to iwon@doablediapers.com within 48 hours to claim your prize.

Rumparooz Newborn Diaper Cover

Here is a picture to show the fit of a Rumparooz Newborn Diaper Cover on my 10.5ish pound baby.  Nolan is five weeks old.  The newborn cover is designed to fit babies 4-12 pounds.  Nolan is on the largest rise setting.  He wears the waist snaps on the last (farthest apart) snaps on each side.

Diapering Two: Increasing Your Stash

I knew when I found out that I was expecting, I knew that I would be diapering two kids at the same time…at least for a while.  (Elaine is 21 months old today and we are in the process of potty training, but she still wears diapers when we go out, and for naps and bedtime).  I figured that with two in diapers I would need to increase my stash some, but I didn’t really know what items I would be adding.

Pocket Diapers
Nolan is a super soaker.  He can pee through the prefold in an hour or less.  So prefolds are not the best choice for naptime or nighttime (even though he gets changed once at night when he gets up to eat).  Because of this, I have found myself adding more pocket diapers to my stash in order to have enough diapers for both kiddos. 

Confession: I am addicted to pocket diapers.  The are SO easy to use, wash, dry, and they are so effective at containing the mess.  When Elaine was a newborn we primarily used prefolds and covers, with six pocket diapers.  While I did get out the prefolds with Nolan, they are definitely not my first choice diaper.  Since I have so much more to do and pay attention to with two kids, it is much better to have a fast and easy diaper change.

Wet Bags
I have also added some accessories.  With only one kid in diapers I could get away with just one pail liner.  Now that there are two kids, I don’t always get the diaper laundry put away as quickly.  And I am changing more diapers, more often.  And those dirty diapers need a place to go. 

We now have two pail liners, three hanging wet bags, and two medium wet bags (for the diaper bag), and two wipes wet bags in our stash.  This allows me to always have a clean wet bag ready to go.

Cloth Wipes
The other thing I found myself running short on was cloth wipes.  I didn’t use cloth wipes when Elaine was a newborn, so I didn’t realize how many wipes I would need…especially for two kids.  I added the Planet Wise printed wipes to my stash.  All of my other wipes are two layers thick, so I didn’t expect great things from these “one-ply” polka dot wipes.  However, I found myself pleasantly surprised.  They take up less bulk in my diaper bag when I need to carry twice as many wipes.

Energy
Well…I have a hard time adding more of this!  I don’t have a dryer, so all of my diapers are washed, then hung out to dry, then pulled in off the line, then stuffed and put away.  I do this about every 36 hours right now.  Here is a picture of my clothesline laden with the diapers for two kids for a day and a half:

Yes…I often wish that energy was something I could buy at Doable Diapers!

So if you find yourself preparing to diaper two little ones, take into consideration the things you may need to add to your stash! I wish I had planned ahead so I would have been more prepared.

Comparison: One Size Diapers on a Newborn and Toddler

I had a request for a picture showing my daughter and son wearing the same one size diaper.  For comparison purposes, here are the stats:

• Elaine is 21 months old, tall and skinny, and about 21 pounds.  She is wearing the Rumparooz on the largest rise setting.  (She was kind of in between rise settings, so we recently went ahead and sized her up).
• Nolan is 1 month old, has skinny thighs, and is between 10-11 pounds.  He is wearing the Rumparooz on the smallest rise setting, but he is close to being sized up as well.
• They are both wearing the Gumball print.  Elaine is wearing snap closures and Nolan is wearing the Aplix closure.  With all of the Gumball pictures recently, can anyone guess my favorite print???

I told Elaine to show her belly button so you could see the rise.  She thought that was hilarious!

Contoured Burp Cloths Review and Giveaway

Some of my favorite baby items are handmade!  While I “opted out” of much of the so-called necessary baby gear, there are a few items that I don’t know if I could do without.  A couple of them are Butterfly Blankets for swaddling, and contoured burp cloths.  These unique items are handmade by Sherry, a Work-At-Home-Mom (and Grandma!)  I am just a little bit biased…these items are made by my mom!

Butterfly Blankets
The Butterfly Blankets are shaped like a butterfly and make swaddling incredibly easy.  Made out of two layers of super soft baby flannel and matching serged edges, they are both cute and functional. 

I never could get the hang of swaddling like the nurses in the hospital do it, but with my butterfly blanket I can have Nolan swaddled in a jiff!  With Nolan’s birth came the gift of two more Butterfly Blankets, so I am blessed with quite a “stash!”

Contoured Burp Cloths
Along with the Butterfly Blankets come matching burp cloths.  They are contoured to fit perfectly on your shoulder without falling off.  I have tried several different things for burping my baby…even prefold diapers!  Everything always slipped off my shoulder or didn’t cover it adequately.  That is so frustrating, but it’s not a problem with the contoured burp cloths.

I love these contoured burp cloths for several reasons.  I love that they match my blankets.  They are also soft, made of two layers of baby flannel.  They are absorbent, but not too thick, and easy to care for.  I have weeded out all of the other burp cloths from my stash, and now I have a colorful collection of Contoured Burp Cloths!

Buy It
These Burp Cloths are available for purchase at Doable Diapers.  By purchasing them you are supporting a Work-At-Home-Mom.  They make great gifts, and even more so because they are handmade.  Each one is just a little bit unique! 

If you are interested in purchasing a Butterfly Blanket with matching burp cloths, you can contact Sherry by sending an email to info@doablediapers.com. She will work with you to completely customize your blanket set!

Win It: The Giveaway
One Doable Diapers reader will win a set of two Contoured Burp Cloths in choice of boy or girl prints.  Giveaway open to US and International residents.
(Here’s how the giveaway works)

Links you may need:
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Fine Print: View the entries in this giveaway by clicking HERE.  Sensitive information has been removed to protect your privacy.  Entries must be made using the form.  Comment entries will be deleted, however feel free to leave a comment to remind yourself that you have entered.  Winner will be chosen using a random number generator, and will be announced on the blog as well as contacted via email.  Winner has 48 hours to respond and claim prize or a new winner will be chosen.