October Chit Chat « Back to Group Discussions

[Jaimee]

To add your name please include the following with the formatting below (choose a color for your bolded names):

Your screen name- Your first name: due date, baby #, anything else you'd like such as your age, birth plan, how long your were ttc, etc.

Early November

meb2-Morgan: 11/1 with #1

Caracol8- Michele: 11/1, baby #1, planning on a home birth, hopefully in my new fishy pool

rhombus - April. 11/2 with #3. planning another homebirth.

berry987- Lindsey: 11/2, #4, hospital birth

MrsKatie- : 29, 11/4 Planning a midwife-assisted birth in a birth center.

LunaLady- Christina: Had her baby boy at 33 weeks

Mal85- Mallory: 11/6, Tried for 6 months before getting our BFP

Seraf, Sara: 11/8, third child

Paigekitten- Katie, 11/8, expecting our third baby

KayPea- Kirsten: 11/8, #2. We tried for 9 months (while still BFing DD)

Lilstar- Rachel: 11/9, #3, planning my 2nd HBAC with a CPM.

2011mama- MK: Due 11/9 with baby #1, TTC 9 months with PCOS, Planning a homebirth with a CPM.

SoCaliMommy- Kami: 11/9, #3, Planning a UC, TTC-- This baby took a little over 3 years and a miscarriage at 9-10wks in 11/2010, the due date is a special day in that it is the day I passed the baby we lost.

TalkToMeNow- Amanda: 11/9, #4, This baby will be born at the hospital with a midwife. I'm 31. Our fourth child but my third pregnancy.

Ablemec- Mishy: 11/9, #1, a boy, We weren't really TTC- we had just stopped avoiding, We plan to birth at a hospital with a midwife.

Mid November

Krystal323- Krystal: 11/11, # 5, Planning a UC

Autumnshades- Sonja: 11/12, #1, Planning a homebirth with our midwife, TTC for 9 months

Lula's Mom- Kristi: 11/13, baby #4.  I'm 39 and planning our 3rd unassisted birth.

birdhappy85- Joanie: 11/14, baby #1, a girl, I'm 25, planning a water birth at home!

Breed210- Ang: 11/16

Jbk21- Jacquelyn: 11/16-19th, #2,  A little bit of an unexpected pregnancy, though we were discussing having #2.

Saharaswims- Sarah: 11/18, #1, can't wait!

musicmama08 - Crystal: 11/18, baby 2, had the last one at home, but having this one with midwifes at the hospital.  Hoping for the most natural birth / intervention-free as possible.

Late November

mleh1979- Emily: 11/20, baby #4 (girl)

abraisme- Abra:  11/21, #3, Planning my 3rd homebirth, NTNP for 6 months

IwannaBanRN-Becky: 11/21. #3, fifth pregnancy. I'm 21.  This one was unplanned and I was on birth control.

Eternal_Howl - Raewyn: 11/21, #1, Had ovarian cancer at 27, so feel very blessed.

crazykittymomma- Sarah: 11/23 with baby #2 (another girl!), planning a HBAC

meesh933- Michele: 11/24, #3, The plan is to birth at home with a midwife.

justamama- Dennie: late November with #4

dashley111- Ash:  11/26.

EonJourney- Nicole: 11/27, #2 and #3 identical twins

miriam_bat_avraham- Julie: age 28, 11/28 with twins after 27 months of trying & 6 months of fertility treatments.

Jaimee- Jaimee: 11/28, #3 and an oops! baby

KaliShanti-Kali: 11/29, #3, 3rd homebirth :)

Early December

Viriditas- Amy: 12/2, #2, but 3rd pregnancy (I was a surrogate after DS), I've gone 10 days early and 3 weeks early with the last 2, so I think this babe will be here in November, planning a HB with a CPM

Edited by Jaimee - 10/27/11 at 11:23am

[jbk21]

I can't believe it's already October!  Can't wait to hear more birth stories from our DDC :-)  I wonder who will be next!

[Caracol8]

We had our baby shower today  Co-ed, sweet pea themed (we call the baby Sweetpea), tons of good food and we got an amazing haul!  And my mom did so good this morning- she went to a semi-annual kid stuff resale in her town and managed to get us a "breast friend" pillow, a medela pump, a mei tai, a hiking backpack and I think something like 5,000 pre-folds for super cheap. Now if only we had a place to put... any of it...

I am so pooped now.

[KayPea]

That sounds great! I wish it was socially acceptable to have a baby shower for a second baby - we actually need a bunch of stuff for this baby. 
 

Originally Posted by Caracol8 

We had our baby shower today  Co-ed, sweet pea themed (we call the baby Sweetpea), tons of good food and we got an amazing haul!  And my mom did so good this morning- she went to a semi-annual kid stuff resale in her town and managed to get us a "breast friend" pillow, a medela pump, a mei tai, a hiking backpack and I think something like 5,000 pre-folds for super cheap. Now if only we had a place to put... any of it...

I am so pooped now.

DH went on what we were thinking will probably be out last date-night before the baby arrives. We went to see a play, and it was just so great. I used to work for a theatre company, and I miss seeing live theatre on a regular basis. Such a nice treat. I'm hoping to have one more night out for me (probably with the girls) before baby, but I haven't decided what I'd really like to do yet. 

[IwannaBanRN]

Found a recipe for those of you who may need help in the lactation department or if you just want a yummy treat!

http://www.drmomma.org/2010/08/lactation-cookies-recipe-increasing.html

[Mal85]

KayPea: I agree about the baby showers for second babies! My close family members usually do a lunch or dinner out with the mom-to-be with small gifts, like cute outfits or small necessities... that's what we do for subsequent babies. Nothing big and usually not really planned until the last minute. We have a womens' shopping trip planned for next week to get a head start on Christmas shopping, so I'm kind of hoping they do it for me then. The main thing we need is winter clothes. Owyn was born at the very beginning of spring and this one will be a cold weather baby, so we're lacking there. I haven't been buying anything because I'm waiting to see how much we'll need. People like to buy clothes, so I'm hoping they pull through!

[Abraisme]

I think that it should be acceptable to have a baby shower for every baby!  I'm on #3, but this will be my FIRST baby shower.  I think my friends understand, since I've never had one before.  The thing is that I hardly need anything, but it will still be fun. 

Today we're going to make apple cider (with a press).  I'm glad that I've been feeling pretty well because this is a busy time of year! 

[seraf]

This is a busy time of year.

We finally closed the last of our open windows and turned on some heat this morning to get the house up to 60.

Baby showers, I didn't want one the first time, let alone the third time.  But it's a first grand child on my DPs side, so we registered for the things we will actually use and DP says it's customary to save gifts for after the baby arrives in the Jewish tradition.  I guess that works out.  For the most part when people ask what we need we just say board books and wood toys.  We have so many hand me downs from a baby born last November and a few special clothes that I passed to a friend when #2 grew out of them have been passed back, so all we really need is a carseat.  I still have slings, wraps and mei tais, some from my last baby and some are DPs from her recent stint as a nanny.

Hope everyone is enjoying our last month before baby.  Those of us who haven't popped yet, anyway.  

[jbk21]

Second baby here, second baby shower.  Well, 4th baby shower (there were 3 the first time around, each for different friend/family groups since they all lived in different places in Ohio.)  

We moved across the country, so these friends and neighbors haven't ever given us a shower.  They are excited and wanted to do something special, so while I didn't expect it I'm certainly not complaining.  We got rid of so much newborn stuff when we moved, so besides clothes we kind of had to register for quite a few necessities.  Plus we needed another car seat, more cloth diapers, etc.  My MIL actually went and bought all that stuff but there are a few things that are still on the registry, otherwise we're encouraging people to sign up to bring us a meal at TakeThemAMeal.com Meals from friends were SUCH a lifesaver last time.  I'd highly recommend someone starting an email list (or use the site) on your behalf so you can have some hot food brought to you after baby comes!

We're also doing a mother's blessing at the shower, so I'm really excited about that.  It won't be so focused on the gifts that way.  

I think it should be totally socially acceptable.  Every baby deserves to be celebrated.  Plus, if people are uncomfortable giving gifts again, they can offer other services like a meal, babysitting, house cleaning, or whatever is helpful for the parents.  Plus, in our situation with our move, or like in Abra's situation, there is no reason to not have a shower for a subsequent baby :-)  

[meesh933]

Originally Posted by seraf 

We finally closed the last of our open windows and turned on some heat this morning to get the house up to 60.

I'm so jealous! It's not even cool enough here yet to open the windows for more than a couple of hours in the morning! We're still baking in 90-100 degree heat most days. I can't wait to leave Houston and move somewhere that actually gets 4 seasons again.

[MrsKatie]

We had a big co-ed baby shower that was SUCH a blast!  A dear friend of mine organized all these goofy shower games that turned out to be absolutely hilarious.  I was apprehensive about games, etc (I just wanted a laid-back get-together), but it was perfect!  I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard.

I am 35 weeks 2 days, and we still need a few major essentials.  The two that top the list: car seat (DH and I have to just bite the bullet and make a decision) and cloth diapers.  My heart is set on cloth diapers but I have NO IDEA where to even start!  My parents offered to pay for a diaper service, and there's an eco-friendly one in town that only uses 100% organic cloth, so I think we'll do that for a couple months at least.  I'm super happy with their laundering methods and prices.  But I do need to stockpile some cloth diapers for lots of reasons; mainly, baby and I will be spending almost a month with my parents around the holidays, and the diaper service ain't gonna follow us!

How did you ladies start out with cloth diapers?  How many do I need?  What kind is best, and how do I do this in the most affordable way?  I know those are questions that require long answers, but I'm getting a little anxious to get on this one!

We also need still a breastfeeding pillow, diaper pail (what kind do you guys have, the diaper genie? Or do I need something different for a dirty cloth diaper hamper?), glider, pad for the changing table, bath tub, baby socks... I think that's it.  And we need to find a pediatrician!

[Jaimee]

Dd is sick AGAIN. Her third time since moving to Illinois. Awesome. I'm dying my hair with henna right now. Excited to be doing something for myself.

[IwannaBanRN]

Jaimee, could there be anything she's allergic to there that is making her sick all the time? You guys have only been there for 2 months, right?

[seraf]

Haha, I think these questions are big enough for a thread of their own!  Oh wait, they have a whole forum!

Kidding.  I am an ECer, so feel free to ignore all my ramblings.  

I was a nanny for a long time, I had a set of twins in cloth.  They used prefolds and wraps or prefolds and pull up covers.  All my friends used prefolds, so that's basically what I cut my teeth on.  I was given many prefolds before the birth of my first.  A number of fitteds and all in ones.  I made a few flats out of flannel sheets.  Once my first was born I learned that I didn't like the bulk of a prefold on a tiny newborn (or an 8 6 newborn) and the fitteds and AIOs didn't fit around his legs.  PUL made him rashy, so we went with mostly coverless flats in the beginning, which is what really got me into EC.  But that's my story of how I got started.

How many do you need?  It will depend on how often you change and how often you do laundry.  With my first we were changing with every wet (because of the rash he got on day 1 from a PUL cover) and every wet fart (expect poop every time baby nurses) so we were washing about 36 diapers every day the first week.  I eventually learned to put a wipe in the poop zone or re-fold the diaper so I only had to change the whole dipe when it was really wet or soiled.  For this baby I have maybe 30 diapers?  But I'm not afraid to use a washcloth or just cut up a towel or another sheet if I decided I need to make it a little farther between washes.  I also will catch a number of pees and poos in a toilet or pot, which will cut down my laundry.   

For covers, I have several wool and fleece pull up covers and a few wraps.  Everyone has such different prefrences on this one, too.

I always just used a small plastic wastebasket for diapers, or threw them directly into the washing machine.  Breastfed poo doesn't smell too bad and my babies were using the toilet anyway.  Pee smells like amonia after a couple of days in a pail with a lid, so I use an open bucket/can/pail/whatever and I'm a frequent washer.

I like the long socks from gap and old navy, but I don't have the rest of that stuff.  Oh, I have an Ikea baby bath, but I got it when my youngest was 2, just to save water.  The baby will probably be bathed in the sink or just shower with one of us.

Originally Posted by MrsKatie 

How did you ladies start out with cloth diapers?  How many do I need?  What kind is best, and how do I do this in the most affordable way?  I know those are questions that require long answers, but I'm getting a little anxious to get on this one!

We also need still a breastfeeding pillow, diaper pail (what kind do you guys have, the diaper genie? Or do I need something different for a dirty cloth diaper hamper?), glider, pad for the changing table, bath tub, baby socks... I think that's it.  And we need to find a pediatrician!

[jbk21]

Originally Posted by MrsKatie 

How did you ladies start out with cloth diapers?  How many do I need?  What kind is best, and how do I do this in the most affordable way?  I know those are questions that require long answers, but I'm getting a little anxious to get on this one!

We also need still a breastfeeding pillow, diaper pail (what kind do you guys have, the diaper genie? Or do I need something different for a dirty cloth diaper hamper?), glider, pad for the changing table, bath tub, baby socks... I think that's it.  And we need to find a pediatrician!

We use BumGenius.  WIth DS1 they just had 3.0s but the 4.0s are better- you can get velcro closures or snaps.  Both have pros and cons, but for the overall integrity of the diaper I'd recommend snaps.  They take a little more finesse to get on a squirmy babe, but they last longer.  We use the one-size diapers (they snap down for smaller sizing) and we love it because it's cheaper than buying sized diapers throughout infancy and toddlerhood.  I highly, highly recommend BumGenius.  We also have Flip diapers which are good for travel because they have disposable inserts and the covers can be used multiple times whereas pocket diapers (like BGs) have to be washed each time.  To be more clear- with pockets each piece (cover and liner) is soiled after one use.  With Flips you can re-use until the cover is dirty.  

We also use cloth wipes.  We have the bumgenius brand ones and they are great- they've held up amazingly well after 2.5 years and we just got some brand new satsuma wipes that I can already tell are not going to last....

As far as quantity, I will just tell you what you'll need after the first few months (during that time baby needs A LOT more diaper changes, and you'll likely use the service anyway).  If you decide against the service I'd also highly, highly recommend a diaper rental program- might be a cheaper option- where you rent a diaper package for 3 months (see nellsnaturalbaby.com for details).  You pay a deposit but it should be no problem to return them in good condition.  You'd have to order that ASAP, just FYI.  The benefit of the rental vs. the diaper service is then you get used to cleaning them, but on the flip-side you would not have to wash the diapers (another chore when you're already busy with newborn) for the first 3 months so, it's up to you :-)

Anyway, we've gotten away with just 12 diapers and 2 flip covers (6 inserts).  People tell you that you'll need a lot more, but if you don't mind washing every other day or so you should be fine.  I don't like to let my diapers sit more than 2 days because they get stinky.  Ick.

We did just supplement with more diapers for when baby comes, so now we have 20 BG's and one kissaluvs/thirsties combo (a gift) and also our flips.  So we have a lot and I feel like we go a long time between washes.  Ugh.  But once baby is here and DS1 is only using them during sleep, we'll be fine.

As far as washing, I do NOT recommend soaking the diapers.  We just remove the insert, get rid of poo (only do this for solid poo, not BF poop), and throw all the pieces (insert, cover, wipe) in a dry trash can with a tight fitting lid.  I would NOT waste your money on a diaper genie.  Just get a good trashcan (think "simple human" brand- something with a good lid, and best if it has a foot pedal so you don't have to reach down to remove lid.)  You'll be washing so often, and I hear that diaper genies don't help with odor anyway.  

Also, you won't need a diaper sprayer.  It's really unnecessary.  You just plop the poo out once it's solid, no spraying necessary.  Diaper liners are a great idea too, I prefer imse vimse but Jaimee has some good advice on other brands.  

We used BumGenius brand odor remover for the first year, but now we don't. It's kind of pricey.  Now when our diapers get a little stinky we just strip them with Bac-out.  There are many ways to strip diapers though, so do some poking around online when the time comes.  Everyone has different methods that work for them.  

There are a few different soap brands you can use to wash them- we've used charlie's soap and loved it.  We also use Trader joe's laundry powder and it's great.  Seventh gen. did not work well at all.  Soapnuts are great too, but you have to buy online and pay shipping.  Oof.  I'm curious about the Rockin Green soap line, i've heard good things.  Allens Naturally is highly recommended by many CD mamas.

When we purchased our 12 diapers we also bought the wipes, odor remover, huge container of charlie's soap, diaper liners.  We spent less than 500 bucks.  The Flips were a later purchase, on sale, and really cheap.

I bought everything at Kellyscloset.com and cottonbabies.com.  Kelly'scloset offered free shipping but there were things  I could only buy at cottonbabies- i think the odor remover spray was one thing? I forget the rest.... Plus KC offered a free pair of bumgenius BabyLegs with the purchase of 12 diapers!  You could also peruse craigslist and secondhand shops- often mamas sell CD's that have never been used for really cheap (some babies have a reaction to the cloth).  

Also, you shouldn't use diaper rash creams with CD's.  We will, from time to time, use an all natural rash ointment (earth mama angel baby baby bottom balm is AWESOME and clears up redness in a few hours, or burts bees is great too for a more advanced rash.)  we will just put a light coating on if we plan to use a CD.  We haven't had any issues, but we use the ointment so rarely b/c CD's cause less rash than disposables.  They also leak less, which is always a good thing. :-)  We never have blowouts or leaking with CDs but always had that issue with disposables.

 

For travel, we use CD's most of the time IF there is a washer/dryer available.  It's just easier than packing a huge pack of disposables. But you would have to have a system for carrying the dirty diapers- they make wet bags. Now that DS is old enough to state an opinion, he HATES disposables.  He loves the softness of CDs.  Just food for thought :)  

[Eternal_Howl]

Also, you shouldn't use diaper rash creams with CD's.  We will, from time to time, use an all natural rash ointment (earth mama angel baby baby bottom balm is AWESOME and clears up redness in a few hours, or burts bees is great too for a more advanced rash.)  we will just put a light coating on if we plan to use a CD.  We haven't had any issues, but we use the ointment so rarely b/c CD's cause less rash than disposables.  They also leak less, which is always a good thing. :-)  We never have blowouts or leaking with CDs but always had that issue with disposables.

 

 

I didn't know that about Cloth Diapers and I will be CDing when baby comes along. I have 19 OSFA pre-folds ready to go. I went and got some of the same diaper rash cream that was used on me as a baby, just in case my little one had it. I'd actually heard that disposables caused less rashes than cloth (but they're obviously trying to sell you more!).

[IwannaBanRN]

Cloth diapers sound so complicated. lol It could be that so many brand names were mentioned, I don't know. I'd like to cloth diaper, just to cut down on cost.

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by MrsKatie 

My heart is set on cloth diapers but I have NO IDEA where to even start!  My parents offered to pay for a diaper service, and there's an eco-friendly one in town that only uses 100% organic cloth, so I think we'll do that for a couple months at least.  I'm super happy with their laundering methods and prices.  But I do need to stockpile some cloth diapers for lots of reasons; mainly, baby and I will be spending almost a month with my parents around the holidays, and the diaper service ain't gonna follow us!

How did you ladies start out with cloth diapers?  How many do I need?  What kind is best, and how do I do this in the most affordable way?  I know those are questions that require long answers, but I'm getting a little anxious to get on this one!

We also need still a breastfeeding pillow, diaper pail (what kind do you guys have, the diaper genie? Or do I need something different for a dirty cloth diaper hamper?), glider, pad for the changing table, bath tub, baby socks... I think that's it.  And we need to find a pediatrician!

Katie, did you watch my videos? I know I posted the link a while back, but you might not have been one of the people to see it at the time. I've taught cloth diapering 101 at 2 different natural parenting stores and I finally put the seminar on youtube by request of friends and family. It's a 7 part seminar on cloth diapering and will answer most if not all of your questions (including the one about the diaper pail- no to the diaper genie, btw). If you still have questions after watching please let me know; I'm happy to answer!

http://www.youtube.com/user/JaimeeGleisner?feature=mhee

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by Eternal_Howl 

I didn't know that about Cloth Diapers and I will be CDing when baby comes along. I have 19 OSFA pre-folds ready to go. I went and got some of the same diaper rash cream that was used on me as a baby, just in case my little one had it. I'd actually heard that disposables caused less rashes than cloth (but they're obviously trying to sell you more!).

The jury is out on the scientific study of diaper rash cloth vs. disposable. But if you talk with people, cloth causes less rash than disposables when used properly. Most cloth diaper rash is due to improper use of detergents and rash creams. Disposable rash is usually caused by chemical allergy or baby sitting in a wet diaper too long b/c it's really hard to tell when disposables are wet and therefore parents change them way less often than if you were using cloth.

Cloth safe creams do not contain petroleum, petrolatum, fish oil, and IMO lanolin. If you need to use a prescription cream that does contain one of these ingredients you need to fully line your diapers (with more than one liner) while using it or switch to disposables at that time. Even with safe creams, I recommend lining your premium diapers once. Prefolds can take more abuse than premium diapers.

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by IwannaBanRN 

Cloth diapers sound so complicated.

They are not complicated at all. It can be overwhelming to start, but once you do you'll find the cloth love. Watch the videos.