Boy, I feel so on top of my posting! First time ever! I guess my life has changed and is now focused on baby, and part of "baby" is keeping my family and friends up to date on what's happening so you can give me any and all advise and encouragement! :)
This is something I never thought I'd do, but I've decided to try out cloth diapers! I always thought it would be quite the headache, but really, after thinking about it, it doesn't seem too difficult to master. I think more than difficult, I thought it completely foreign.
So, the other day I bought a pack of 20 cloth diapers (2,000 yen) just to try it out. I'll probably need more if I decide that this is the way to go. Today has been the first try out day! Nothing terrible happened so far and things seem to be clean and organized. (Of course, this is because I slept pretty well last night & this morning -maybe 4 hours collectively, and I'm in good spirits.)
The reason for cloth diapers: To cut down on expenses. It didn't take me too long (I should have caught on sooner) to realize that Brian goes through diaper bags in a matter of about two weeks. Meaning I'm paying aprox. 1,500 yen every few weeks on diapers. Sheesh! I feel bad for Josh, (who by the way always tells me not to worry about finances), who has to work work work for diaper money! Ha! So, as a mother of just one high-needs child, I thought I could save money by going the cloth diaper route. :) Proud of me??
Haha! We'll see how long this lasts.
I also have been giving him formula from time to time when it seems my milk supply isn't enough (usually when I'm super tired). Things have been getting a bit better, and so I'll stop giving it to him unless he really needs it. This would be so that his poo doesn't stink up the place which it has slowly but surely been doing. :)
YAY you GO Jan! We use cloth diapers for Papoosie too and it's not as hard as people make it out to be. And his poops haven't started stinking yet but when they do it'll be so much easier cause we wash them out right away and soak them until they become enough to fill a load of laundry. They really do save money (I calculated it'll save us 50,000 yen just in the first year). And our diapers are awesome so hopefully we'll be able to use them for our next kid too ...
ReplyDeleteOne thing tho ... I don't know how ur diapers are 'built' but if you have a choice, buy snap-close types instead of velcro cause eventually as you wash, and open and close many times the velcro gets worn ... like velcro shoe-laces ... you know?
We bought only 24 cloth diapers (with 2 fillings ... one big, one small) and only 5 we bought as velcro fastening for when he was really small ... he's outgrown them already and we're on the snap ones now.
And you should buy a diaper pail/random bucket (with a top) so you can wash out the diapers and soak them (in water with baby laundry soap) ... it REALLY lessens the stench and prepares them for washing ...
Anyway, my two cents to hopefully help you out. Ganbatte and I hope it works out!
Oh you do it too? Awesome! Yes, I have the pail with lid as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering about bleach in the soaking water. Do you think that's not a good idea? Some ppl say to do it, while others say it'll ruin the cloth so I should just put the bleach in when I wash in machine.
oh wow that's awesome, good luck! I couldn't do it, I remember amelie doing 10poos a day, and now her poos stink really bad so I just want to throw it out lol, but if you're organized with by the way those are folded..youare!! you should do well. Not sure about bleach for baby bum irritation,..but I think lavendar and tea tree oil I've read takes the smell out and is natural? No formula!! Rarely does a mother have too little milk..it's a myth!! The more your baby drinks, the more your body will make so dont lessen it with extra foreign grossness that is forumla..that's just my 2cents. As long as he's doing (I think 6??) wet nappies in 24 hour period it's all good! Wet as in a good soppying heavy diaper.
ReplyDeleteI love the updates! Keep them coming, and so good things are settling down, you'll find yourself with free time and sleep soon!
Yeah, I couldn`t/wouldn`t be bothered either.. But if you can, better for the saving, although thinking about how much you spend on diapers really motivates you to potty train early. :)
ReplyDeleteI don`t if ppl use bleach, seems harsh on baby skin but poo stains badly so I`m not sure how they get that out unless you wash and soak right away.
I think its a myth too, about the lack of milk, I would run low when I got stressed, but mom`s body can adjust to baby`s needs. If he`s going through a diaper bag every two weeks then he`s doing just fine.
We don't use bleach at all. I heard it's bad for the baby's skin. Just baby soap and a brush to wash the poo off ... and then we soak it in the bucket with soapy water ... and once a day or once every other day we wash it. I've found the poo doesn't stain ... its the diaper rash cream that stains. We stopped using metanium and started using a more mild one and that one doesn't stain anymore.
ReplyDeleteHi---Jan, Believe it or not Beer will help you to produce more milk---hehe, so have a nice cold beer and enjoy some relaxing moment with Josh. BTW, can you get "NAPISEN' in Japan? It is not good to use bleach but Napisen will help prevent stain the nappy.
ReplyDeleteGosh baby, I'm SO proud of you! You've turned from sleeplessgrumpybutts to 4-hour-sleep awesome Mother!! I love you!
ReplyDelete-Josh
Not sure if I can get Napisen, but I can take a look around. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI guess I won't use bleach. It does sound bad.
:) Thanks for all the advise!!
And Josh, I love you too!