Simply Mom Bailey

simply my adventure in motherhood

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Everyone Needs a GroVia Zippered Wet Bag

This post contains affiliate links to support this blog. This post is not sponsored. I am a Brand Ambassador for Omaiki in 2017. 

Chances are if you aren’t a cloth diaper family, you probably haven’t heard of a wet bag. If you have, let me know how and where! I’m curious. Just your luck, I’m on a mission to get EVERYONE hooked on wet bags. Cloth diapering or not, you need a GroVia Zippered Wet bag.

And that’s why to celebrate 500 Fans on Facebook, I’m giving away a Heartspring GroVia Zippered Wet Bag! Thanks for following, thanks for engaging, and thanks for being awesome.

I acquired my first GroVia Zippered Wet Bag last year during the GroVia Scratch Off Tickets. Until then, I had used two DIY wet bags I made w
hen I was pregnant with Little Man. These bags had done me no wrong, and got the job done. My GroVia Zippered Wet bag is nicer than the DIY version. They are a better shape, better PUL, and much more functional.

5 ReasonsYou NEED this - GroVia Zippered Wet Bag

5 Simple Reasons you need

a GroVia Zippered Wet Bag.

  1. Keeps the yuck where it belongs!
  2. Organises your stuff – whether that’s little pieces, keeping together outfits, or finding snacks.
  3. Easy-to-wash reusable design – no need to hoard plastic bags, save the planet with a GroVia zippered wet bag instead.
  4. Beautiful Solids & Prints – pretty things make life just a little sweeter.
  5. Nifty Zipper & Snap Handle – perfect for not loosing it!

My Favourite Things

to Store in my GroVia Zippered Wet Bag

  1. 5 + Reasons You NEED A GroVia Wet BagCloth Diapers – the primary use of my wet bags is to store both clean and dirty diapers. I can organize up to 6 diapers in my bag!I spy – Easy Peasies Ready Use, bumGenius Elemental 3, Cubbly Fitted, Omaiki 3.0, GroVia O.N.E, Best Bottom! 
  2. Swim Diapers & Swim Wear – Headed to the pool? Bring a wet bag to keep your wet stuff from getting everything wet (keep in mind its only water resistant not waterproof). We’ll be packing our Omaiki Swim Collection this summer.
  3. My EZPZ Happy Mat – I love bringing my EZPZ Happy Mat to restaurants. Its perfect for sharing our meal with Little Man, and now I can bring home the dirty dish with ease in my GroVia EZPZ Wet Bag. If you don’t have an EZPZ mat Canadians find them at Well.ca or Amazon.ca or LagoonBaby.
  4. Muddy Play Suits – If your toddler gets as muddy as mine does, you need something to keep the rest of your life from getting muddy. We love our Calikids Suit. Find it at Well.ca.
  5. Clothing – I keep a bag with a spare outfit for both kids in the van at all times. Its one less thing in my diaper bag, without being a dozen little items all over my van!Keeping my little one super cool in his Peekaboo Beans <3 Check out my stylist! 

You can find the GroVia zippered wet bag at CozyBums Diapers in Prince George. There’s one last week to make a GroVia purchase for a Scratch Off Ticket (limited supplies)! Don’t forget to enter for a GroVia Once Upon A Time Hybrid (Canadians Only!).

What do you need a wet bag for? 

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9 Lessons from the Flats & Hand Washing Challenge

This post may contain affiliate links.

I’m participating in the 2017 Flats and Handwashing Challenge  hosted by Cloth Diaper Revival. This event focuses on the very real and viable answer to cloth diaper your children. 

9 Lessons from the Flats & Hand washing Challenge 2017 - Cloth Diaper

It’s been a long week, and the Flats & Hand washing Challenge is finally over. Today, we will use Flats all day. I will likely wash a load over breakfast, and do a final load after the kids go to bed (or Monday morning). Check us out on Instagram to stay up to date about what’s on the bum, and what’s just going on.

By the Numbers

1 Over Enthusiastic Mom.
1 Less than Impressed Dad
2 Kids in Diapers
7 Days.
12 Loads of Diapers.
12 Flat Diapers per Load (on Average)
144 Flats Washed.
90 (ish) diaper changes.
1 Boingo Lost.
3 Disposable Diapers.
25 minutes per wash.
5 hours of washing this week.

9 Lessons from the Flats & Hand washing Challenge

1. I actually do have the time. As a busy stay-at-home-mom, I was thoroughly surprised I had the time. It meant watching a little less television, and spending a little less time on social media. Neither of which is a bad thing, but rather enriched my life.

2. I hate flour sack towels and love t-shirt diapers. I might actually use t-shirt diapers again as they were a killer overnight solution for my toddler. However, I’ll shut up about FST as an economical viable alternative to microfibre or fancy inserts.

3. Less is More. This concept applies not only to detergent, but also to everything. This challenge I really learnt less things is easier.

  • 9 Lessons from the Flats & Hand washing Challenge 2017 - Cloth DiaperCloth Diaper Covers: Except for the days when my kids pooped all freaking day, I didn’t really need a dozen covers. We could easily rotate 2-3 covers in one day per kid.
  • Quality flats instead of FST would also save me in fewer flats to wash (because frequent and double layered diaper changes to accommodate the poor absorbency). Perhaps a stash of 10 receiving blankets instead of 15 FST for Little Miss.
  • And then there’s the rest of my laundry… There are other areas of my life where I could scale back and do laundry a little less – wear pants a couple more times, use a towel a third time, reuse a sleeper the next night, etcetera.

4. It’s not all or nothing. I know the Flats & Hand Washing Challenge has rules, but that’s because it’s a challenge. But, there’s real world and its okay if shit hits the fan and you can’t anymore. This moment that I tell you, I used 3 disposable diapers during the week and that’s because I was struggling to mom. Don’t think I don’t know that being able to do that comes with privilege, but I needed to for me. It’s okay if you needed to do something for you because that’s real life.

9 Lessons from the Flats & Hand washing Challenge 2017 - Cloth Diaper5. I have zero strength or endurance in my forearms and wrists. Day 5 was crash and burn day, and I just couldn’t wring diapers anymore. I tried using a colander, but opted to squeeze and let the sun do the rest.
6. I’m not a vlogger. I tried to film my diaper wash routine, but TWICE I failed to record it. The first time I lost the file on upload, the second time I forgot to turn on the camera. I didn’t try a third time because I’m busy. I might not be a great vlogger, but YouTube Sensation Jessica DeGraff nailed it every time.
7. Humbling. I always finish the Flats & Hand Washing Challenge feeling very humbled. Especially after reading about others experiences and some of the very real struggles many families face to diaper their children. THANK YOU to everyone who shares their stories of struggle, of realization and their eye opening moments.
9 Lessons from the Flats & Hand washing Challenge 2017 - Cloth Diaper8. I’m reminded to involve my children more. Diaper laundry sucks, and really I’m the only who can efficiently agitate diapers. But during this week, my little toddler wanted to help and be involved. Its fun to have them ‘help’ and its okay if they make a mess. Involving them, and showing them value in physical tasks is incredibly beneficial and worth the delay, the extra mess, and more.
9. I need to do more things I don’t like. I don’t like hand-washing diapers. I don’t like folding flat diapers. I don’t like painting. I don’t like picking up dog poop. There are a lot of things I don’t like to do. I really just need to things I don’t like to do. It’ll make me appreciate the things I do like to do better.

That’s my list of somewhat serious and non-serious things I learnt this year during the Flats & Hand Washing Challenge. These 9 Lessons from the Flats & Hand washing Challenge have made an impact on my life this week, and I hope you learnt something.

Last Thoughts

9 Lessons from the Flats & Hand washing Challenge 2017 - Cloth DiaperI have zero regrets about participating in the Flats & Hand Washing Challenge. I find it very rewarding and worthwhile. Is it totally ridiculous? Yes, but a little crazy just makes life a little more fun.

For next year, I want to remember the following. 1) No FST. 2) Fewer Covers – Hide your others. 3) Get a proper drying rack for outside!  4) Figure out the lid for your bucket to keep from splashing yourself. 5) You got this.

Will you be joining me next year for the Flats & Hand Washing Challenge? How do you support causes you care about?

Finally – One last shameless plug to go be a fan on Facebook! Because tomorrow I’ve got a wet bag to giveaway for hitting 500 fans! For a chance to win, go check me out (and turn on notifications, so you don’t miss it!)

9 Lessons from the Flats & Hand Washing Challenge

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Just Say No to Flour Sack Towels for Diapers

This post contains affiliate links. Purchases made at those links support this blog. 

I’m participating in the 2017 Flats and Handwashing Challenge  hosted by Cloth Diaper Revival. This event focuses on the very real and viable answer to cloth diaper your children. This post is in response to todays posed question: What’s working for me? What isn’t?

Just Say No to Flour Sack Towels for Diapers - Cloth Diapering Hacks

DISCLAIMER: Writing this post doesn’t hurt small business and is a reflection of my true and honest experience. This post is directly in relation with Flour Sack Towels I purchased at Walmart Canada. You may have purchased other Four Sack Towels elsewhere that represent a better quality product. Feel free to share with me YOUR experience in the comments. I understand cloth diapering is a subjective experience that varies drastically between families and children.

During the past week of using my flat diaper stash and hand washing, I’ve learned the incredible value of a quality absorbent flat diaper. Not all flats are created equal, and not all flat diaper materials are worthwhile. And for us, the Flour Sack Towel was a giant waste of my time.

Little Miss in a Flour Sack Towel for DiapersI don’t consider Little Miss to be a heavy wetter, but rather a moderate wetter based on her liquid diet of breast milk. An average one-size AIO is sufficient (unlike newborn) for a 2-hour period. The flour sack towels I’m using in her diapers were like mere tissues. She quickly soaked them in an hour, and two were drenched before we hit hour two.

I feel like for the past week, I am in a constant never ending state of diaper changes with her. And like any small child, she doesn’t like sitting in a wet diaper. So, when one or two gets quickly drenched, I have a small angry child on my hands. And that is far from a pleasant experience. The more diapers I change, the more diapers I have to wash. The more diapers I have to wash, the more tired my body gets.

Say No to Flour Sack Towel for Diapers

Just Say No to Flour Sack Towels for Diapers

1. Not Enough Absorbency: Unless I used two flour sack towels for diapers, she had to be changed within an hour. The FST was max saturated and at risk of leakage.

It’s just not worth it, and while they may be thin, two together is fiddle some and fluffy. And just a pain in my time.

2. Overall Cost Comparison: $6.94 gets you 5 Flour Sack Towels for diapers at Walmart Canada. This works out to $1.38 per FST; but I needed two to last two hours and thus costing me $2.76 per diaper change. For $2.69, I could buy an Osocozy Unbleached Cotton Flat from LagoonBaby (Canada) . 

Just slightly cheaper, but one flat diaper is less of a nuisance to fold, and slightly less bulky overall. AND IS ONE FEWER DIAPER… actually thats like 7 fewer diapers at the end of the day. Thats almost an ENTIRE load of laundry.
3. Forget about birth-toddlerhood: I really think any diapering product you choose should be an investment that CAN last from birth to potty training. Flour Sack Towels for diapers fit little newborns GREAT, but they just aren’t long lasting to meet the needs of growing baby, and forget about trying them on a full bladdered toddler.

Unless you have a magical fairy light wetting toddler, FST just will not grow with your child and you’ll need to replace them. So why not buy something else first?
4. Better Options: There are better options for diapering a child than using Flour Sack Towels. These options are more absorbent and absorbency is key. Check out my list below.
5. Warped Shape: After a week of washing and drying, my FST are a funny shape. This is minuscule, but it drives me batty. I also hate how my edges all curl after line drying.

Enough of the negative Nancy — 3 Reasons FST are awesome… 1) They dry super quick; 2) They rinse clear really easily; 3) Snappi/Boingo Friendly.

Better Relatively Affordable Flat Cloth Diaper Options

1. Receiving Blankets: Receiving blankets as diapers any day over Flour Sack Towels as diapers. Receiving blankets are easily double the absorbency and can meet a growing child’s needs.

Dislike: They hold onto the soap/detergent better, and take longer to dry.

Like: If bought off parents used, receiving blankets are an affordable price point. Plus, they often come in fun prints and colours that give your stash a little boost of creativity.

Guess who bought a stash of receiving blankets off a local mama? This girl. Those are going straight into my camping stash/emergency bag/next year challenge bag. 

2. T-Shirt Diapers: Do I need to explain how awesome t-shirt diapers are? Go check out my blog post and report back.

Dislike: I find my t-shirt diapers do not wash up in my hand wash routine as nicely as the other flat diapers. This is especially true for uncut t-shirts. They also take forever to dry. Furthermore, the T-shirt diaper requires creative folding to shrink down for Little Miss. (But you can do it, and perhaps you have 100% cotton kids t-shirts ready for recycling, those would be great for a newborn.

Like: T-shirt diapers are dirt cheap, and T-shirt diapers are a great overnight cloth diaper for my toddler.

How to make a T-shirt Diaper
3. Flat Diapers: There are commercially available brands of flat diapers on the market. I love that when you purchase these products you are supporting a small or locally owned business. I love that there is a standard size and expectation that comes from flat diapers. Here’s some brands to check out -Have a favourite flat diaper? Let me know in the comments.

1. Osocozy Flats (LagoonBaby – Canada; KellysCloset – USA)
2. Imagine Flats (CozyBums – Canada ; LagoonBaby – Canada ; KellysCloset – USA )
3. Geffenbaby Flats (CozyBums – Canada; LagoonBaby – Canada; KellysCloset – USA )
4. Flip Daytime Flats (CozyBums – Canada ; Kellys Closet – USA)
5. Blueberry Organic Gauze Flat Diapers (KellysCloset – USA)

Final Thoughts on Flour Sack Towels

When you say no to flour sack towels for diapers, you are saying yes I want a better cloth diaper experience.

Opt to reuse receiving blankets or t-shirts for diapers and you are finding another way to reduce, reuse and recycle. This keeps things from our landfills, and gives products a second life.

Opt to purchase new flats, and you are saying yes to small business. Cloth diaper retailers provide boosts to our local economy. They purchase products from other small brands and manufacturers, and they just make good shopping sense.

Just say no to flour sack towels for diapers, and say yes to something better.

For the latest and greatest follow our Flats & Hand washing Challenge on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For sure follow us on Instagram, then you can catch flats in action with #flatschallenge.

If you used flour sack towels, what was your experience? When and how would you recommend them.

If you haven’t used them, how do you support small business? Or reduce your ecological footprint?

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Just Cute Babies in Flat Diapers

I’m participating in the 2017 Flats and Handwashing Challenge  hosted by Cloth Diaper Revival. This event focuses on the very real and viable answer to cloth diaper your children.

I don’t have a specific topic to talk about today for the Flats Challenge. It’s open topic, and I’ve been really busy promoting some great giveaways here on the blog and Facebook. I’m working hard on getting this blog established, and learning about Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. With 2 babies its hard to keep it all together. My goal for June is master the art of Pinterest – whatever that means.

Back to the important stuff – Flat Diapers and Babies

I have a TON of pictures of my kids in flat diapers. Because I don’t have a topic today, I’m going to just show you how cute my babies are! And, if you have a question you want answered, leave me a comment below. I’ll try to answer it for you!

Came home to the wind having blown all my flats over the deck.

Little Miss rocking a made up fold for her night time diaper. This is a Flour Sack Towel with a Receiving Blanket and a Snappi.

Little Miss ready for bed in a bigger bulkier diaper underneath her Best Bottom cover.

Did I mention, you can tie the Happy Anteater fold! She’s small enough this hack works when I forget to grab a Snappi or Boingo

Just Cute Babies in Flat Diapers for the Flats Challenge

Both babies rocking the messy house in their GroVia Shells and a pad folded flat. Did you hear, there is a GroVia shell giveaway going on for Canadians.

Overview of the Week

On Monday, we chatted about Why do this and What the Flats Challenge is.

On Tuesday, we talked about my flat diaper stash, and I referenced my toddlers $100 flat diaper stash. 

On Wednesday, we talked about our favourite flat diaper fold and mine is the Happy Anteater (after pad folding, of course).

On Thursday, I suggested a few tips for rocking the hand wash routine, and how I do with 2 under 2.

Today, its just cute babies here on Simply Mom Bailey.

Tomorrow, Saturday, I’m going to tell you why Flour Sack Towels aren’t working for us.

And Sunday, we’ll wrap it all up!

And then I’m taking a holiday from cloth diapering. I’m not actually looking forward to it. Last time I took a break, we had poop explosions down our pants and it was not enjoyable. However, as much as I usually travel with cloth diapers, I don’t want to do it with TWO BABIES by myself. I kind of want a break, and one less thing to worry about.

I have couple diapers to review and post about during this time. While cloth diapers won’t be on the bum, they will be on our minds! Maybe, I’ll think about telling you how much I loved using GroVia BioSoakers on my last cloth diaper-free holiday?

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CozyBums Giveaway – GroVia Once Upon A Time Hybrid

 

This post contains affiliate links. Purchases via these links help support the ongoing efforts of this blog to bring you everything you want to know about cloth diapering babies and toddlers. 

It’s GroVia Scratch Off Ticket time! And Cozybums, my  favorite local retailer, is participating in the fun.  Shop at CozyBums from May 15-31 and purchase a minimum of ONE GroVia product and receive a Scratch Off Ticket (limited supplies, so run don’t walk).

Why do you need a Scratch Off Ticket?

You need a Scratch Off Ticket because GroVia is giving away a seriously awesome grand prize – 12 GroVia O.N.E + their upcoming Kickstarter Project. You also need a Scratch Off Ticket because you can also win a variety of different GroVia products including hard to find diapers, wet bags and more.

Why CozyBums?

CozyBums is an amazing retailer located in Prince George, BC. Located a mere 7-8 minutes from my humble home, the shop owner, Kerri, is nothing but the sweetest. This small business offers the best of the best in customer service, always going above and beyond to meet your cloth diaper needs!

I really can’t say enough about CozyBums. I’m super stoked CozyBums is giving away one of my favourite GroVia prints – Once Upon A Time – in a hybrid shell.  Enter the CozyBums Giveaway below for a chance to win! Don’t forget to also place a GroVia order at CozyBums to get your Scratch Off Ticket!

GroVia Once Upon A Time Giveaway with CozyBums

 

Thanks for entering! Don’t forget to check us out on Instagram to see how we rocked our GroVia Shells this morning during the 2017 Flats and Handwashing Challenge.

 

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How to Rock your Hand Wash Routine

I’m participating in the 2017 Flats and Handwashing Challenge  hosted by Cloth Diaper Revival. This event focuses on the very real and viable answer to cloth diaper your children.

For the latest and greatest follow our Flats & Hand washing Challenge on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Specifically, go check me out on Facebook and like my page! If I hit 500 followers by the end of the weekend, I have a Heartstring GroVia wet bag to giveaway! 

I don’t believe washing diapers is a science. I don’t believe there is one right way to do things, nor do I play by hard and fast rules.

Despite participating in the 2016 Flats and Hand washing challenge, I kind of forgot everything I knew about hand washing diapers. Lucky for me, its just laundry with the basic goal of “gets it clean.” I’ve seen enough TV and documentaries to get the general gist of what a hand wash routine might look like – you need agitation, water, and some sort of soap/detergent. Scrub till clean, rinse, ring out, dry and repeat.

Rock Your Hand Wash Routine

How to Rock Your Hand Washing Routine - Flats Challenge - 2 Under 2

I’m not going to go into the specifics on how I wash my diapers. If you really want to know follow me on Facebook, I might get a chance to load my morning wash routine via video.  Every time is a little different, instead here’s my top tips on how to rock your very own hand wash routine! This year, I’m using a bucket and plunger style system, sometimes known as a camp style washer. These tips are applicable no matter how you do it.

  • Open dirty diapers: When placing your diapers in your washing vesicle, unravel the fold to make cleaning and agitating easier.
    Pro Tip_ Work Smarter, Not harder Open up your flats
  • Wear Gloves: Not because diapers are dirty, but because using detergent or soap is hard on your hands. Your hands will love you. Protip: keep some moisturizer nearby.
    Pro Tip_ Detergent sucks, Wear Gloves
  • Drill Holes in Plunger: Seriously, this is amazing. It was so much easier to agitate and plunge my diapers after we did!
    Pro Tip_ Drill Holes in plunger its worth it, trust me.
  • Less is more: the more detergent you use, the more you have to rinse out of the diapers. Rinsing diapers is the most menial and not fun task. Start with less, and add more if you need it. You can always add more detergent to your hand wash routine, but taking away the detergent is more time consuming and daunting.
  • It’s not Science: its just laundry, and you really can’t screw it up. If your flat diapers smell a little funky after drying, tweak things the next time. Maybe more detergent, or agitation. Just keep at it. Honestly, my diapers smell a little funky right now and I’m going to use them and wash them better next time. Don’t stress about it, go with you gut, and just keep it simple. 

Remember - Its just laundry.

How to Rock Your Hand Wash Routine Click To Tweet

Bonus: How to Hand Wash Diapers with 2 kids under 2.

Hand Wash Routine with 2 under 2

1) Get them to Help! My toddler isn’t the best diaper plunger/agitator, but he loves to help. And letting him help me “agitate” diapers is the highlight of his moment. Once he got bored, I got back to real work. 
Pro tip: best time to get them to help is when you’re doing your final rinse cycles; less likely to be covered in poop/pee water and need a bath. (but hey, bath time is also fun!)

Pro Tip_ a happy toddler helper, is a happy mom. flats challenge - diaper hand wash routine
2) Baby wear. Nothing like wearing a baby to make things easier. Last year when I did the challenge I wore Little Man on my back while I hand scrubbed diapers. It’s a little more challenging now that Little Miss has to be on my front due to her age/maturity/size/my skill.

Pro Tip - Wear all the babies to hand wash diapers - flat challenge

No, I haven’t tandem babies while hand washing (YET), but I could if I needed too.

3) TV Distraction. Paw Patrol let me get the diapers clean yesterday. I’ll admit to using TV to get things done, but don’t worry this Hike it Baby family gets its fair share of outside play time.

Pro Tip_ no shame in making a tv zombie for 20 minutes. Flat Diaper Hand Wash Routine
4) Help. My partner has been home this week, and has been able to wrangle a child or two to help me wash, wring and dry diapers.
Nap Time: I don’t really like doing chores during nap time because its my time to work on this blog, and get some downtime. However, for you, it might be best time.

 

Have you ever hand washed diapers or clothing? What did you learn from the experience?

How do you keep your little busy when you have something to do?

 

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5 Reasons to LOVE the Happy Anteater Fold

I’m participating in the 2017 Flats and Handwashing Challenge  hosted by Cloth Diaper Revival. This event focuses on the very real and viable answer to cloth diaper your children.

team pad fold - flats challenge - flat diaper foldsWhen it comes to flats, I’m usually #teampadfold. I love a simple, easy-to-use, pad folded flat (or even prefold diaper). You make it up as you fold, and end up with a nice neat pile of diapers ready to be matched up with your favourite cloth diaper cover.

But, then there are little babies, and for me, little babies are better suited to a folded on flat. Why?

A) Folding on a flat reduces bulk. Larger, thicker, flat diapers (like receiving blankets in my toddler stash) tend to be bulky when pad folded to the right size compared to a folded on flat diaper.

B) Folding on a flat diaper also helps contain the poop. Newborn babies, especially breastfed babies, have nice liquidity golden poops and a folded on diaper gives an extra barrier.

Happy Anteater Fold - Flat Diaper - Folding Diapers - Cloth Diapers

My Favourite Fold: Happy Anteater Fold.

Original credit to the Happy Anteater fold is due to Mothering from the Maelstrom  – You can find her YouTube tutorial here.

It’s easier to watch a video, or check out my photos. If I was to verbally describe the Happy Anteater fold…

  • Start with a large SQUARE flat (If its a rectangle, make it a square).
  • Fold it in half, and then half again.
  • Grab a single corner of the flat (where all the edges meet) and drag it out and across to form a triangle.
  • Flip it over, so the triangle is now on the floor/table/lap.
  • Roll/Fold up the remaining square into the middle of the diaper.
  • Fold the triangle arms up next to the centre of the flat to form ‘ears.’
  • Fold them once more, or roll them when on baby.
  • Lay baby onto the middle of the flat.
    • Fold the middle up.
    • Roll up the edges.
    • Bring the ‘ear’s’ across to secure with a Boingo or Snappi.

Happy Anteater Fold - Preparing the Flat Diaper Fold

 

Happy Anteater Fold - Folding Flat Diaper on Baby5 Reasons to LOVE the Happy Anteater Fold

1) I can do the Happy Anteater fold on my lap without too much difficulty. It doesn’t require  empty floor space or table to fold.

2) I can easily unfold a pad folded diaper to a Happy Anteater Fold. I pad fold my diapers by folding in half, and half again. This is essential the beginning steps of the Happy Anteater Fold.

3) I’m less likely to experience flat diaper shorts (as indicated in the video).
4) Majority of the absorbency is in the center of the Happy Anteater fold giving a trim tush, and absorbency where I want it.

5) It’s easy to boost. Roll or Fold in your favourite booster and its good to go. (NEW STASH ADDITION: I’ve been boosting my FST with a GroVia Wipe)

We’ve been boosting this fold because a FST (Flour Sack Towel) is not enough absorbency for Little Miss. I either add an additional GroVia wipe in the middle of the diaper (I boosted all of my newborn aio cloth diapers with them) or use two FST together and fold as one. I fold the two together, rather than adding it the centre of the diaper to spread out some of the bulk.

Flats and hand washing challenge - flat diapers - laundry fail

Current Laundry situation.

What is your favourite flat fold? Are you team pad fold? Or do you have a love of folding diapers?

Don’t worry; much like the rest of the laundry in my house, my freshly washed flats are currently in a pile on the couch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Flat Diaper Stash for 2

This post contains affiliate links. Purchases from this links incurs no cost to you and lets me keep on blogging and trying out new products.
I’m participating in the 2017 Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Cloth Diaper Revival. This event focuses on the very real and viable answer to cloth diaper your children.

We’re already two loads of laundry in, and ready to show off our flat diaper stash. Did you check out my toddler washing his diapers? It was totally cute, and totally not helpful, but I’m working on relaxing on that and just letting him have fun.

Flats and Hand washing Challenge - Flat Diaper Stash

There’s no right way to build a flat diaper stash. Your flat diaper stash can be anything. If you’ve been hopping around the other Flats and Hand washing blogs and social media accounts this week (don’t forget to check out #flatschallenge on Instagram), you’ll notice our flat diaper stashes all look different. For some families it’s about the ultimate budget stash – how cheap can you go? For other families, its about using what you already have or trying out new products.

While I love to #tryallthediapers, I tried to restrain myself this week because I can try a new flat diaper anytime of the year, but this week I challenge myself to build a reasonably economical cloth flat diaper stash. My challenge to myself is to use low-cost products or re-use other household items for this challenge. This jives best with my personal goals and ambitions for the challenge.

For my toddler, I opted to do a $100 flat diaper stash. His flat diaper stash consists of 5 covers I purchased second hand (and new) for about $75/80 (Sorry, Canadian costs drag) along with receiving blankets and t-shirt diapers. Throw in a couple diaper pins, and we are good to go.

How to Diaper A Toddler

 

Flat Diaper Stash for Little Miss

As for my youngest, I took a different approach to her flat diaper stash. She’s only 3 months new, but she’s already a chunk. We’ve outgrown most of our newborn cloth diaper covers, so we’ll be taking advantage of smaller fitting one-size covers and our Blueberry Newborn Capri. We will  trying out Flour Sack Towels because these are frequently touted as a reasonable economical alternative to microfibre. So far, I’m less than impressed with absorbency, but we will keep working on it.

Flats and Hand washing Challenge - Baby Cloth Diaper Flat StashHere’s what her stash looks like:

  • 3 Packages of Flour Sak Towels (Walmart Canada) = $6.88 x 3 = $21
  • 3 Daytime Flips = $15
    I bought 2 second hand for $5. 
  • 5 Assorted Covers (Various Price Points) = $90
    GroVia Shells, Best Bottom, and Flip (Find them at CozyBums in Canada, or Diaper Junction in the USA)
  • Snappi’s = $1
  • Boingos = $8
  • 
Approximate Cost: $150


Yes, you can totally do it cheaper! The second hand market is amazing place to buy covers for $10-15 or less! The covers I choose for this challenge I purchased mostly new, but I just love them so much. I choose to use what I had rather than scavenge for cheaper cloth diaper covers. My Best Bottom fits her awesome, and the GroVia shells are a favourite.

What about those Flip Daytimes? I really wanted to keep my stash economically reasonable. Retailing at $10.75 CDN at CozyBum Diapers, they aren’t very budget-friendly. But I needed something with better absorbency than a FST and might work for nighttime. I picked a couple off the BST last year for cheap, and then bought one new (that’s why they only cost me $15).

Other Related Materials

Aside from diapers, we have a few other things we are using this year for the 2017 flats and hand washing challenge.

  • Cloth Wipes – Simply Dad is less than impressed, but our flannel cloth wipes save us a ton of money on disposable wipes. I used $5/meter flannel and sewed a double-sided wipe. ($5-10)
  • On the Go Wetbags – A wet bag for out and about is awesome to have. I have a few DIY ones, and recently won a GroVia Zippered wet bag. It’s amazing and I love everything about it. ($20)
  • Flat and Hand washing Challenge Supplies - Hand Washing Diapers5 Gallon Bucket for Washing – We’ve opted to use a bucket for washing this year. I picked this one up at Lowe’s for $5.
  • Plunger – We finally found a reasonable plunger at Superstore for $10. (I have this one on Amazon, it was cheaper at the store!)
  • Gloves – a must for keeping hands nice and dry. I had a pair under the sink.
  • Detergent – I’ll use what I have on hand.

 

Last year, I also used a hanging wet bag, but not this year. I’m opting to keep dirty diapers in my wash bin. I hope this gives me a better visual of when I need to do diapers. Follow our Flats & Hand washing Challenge on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

What is the most creative way you’ve diapered a baby? Do you have a favourite flat diaper brand?


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Day 1 – Flats & Hand washing Challenge

 

I’m participating in the Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Cloth Diaper Revival This event focuses on the very real and viable answer to cloth diaper your children.

I'm taking the 7th Annual Flats and Hand Washing Challenge

Who Am I?

Before I begin, let me introduce myself. My name is Bailey, and I’m a mama blogger in Northern British Columbia. I fancy everything cloth diaper, and pursue a strong #tryallthediapers philosophy.

I have two kids. My oldest, Little Man, is 22 months (July 2015) and my youngest, Little Miss, is 3 months (February 2017). I just finished reviewing a series on newborn cloth diapers with her, and failed to addressed how valuable flats and covers can be to cloth diapering a newborn.

Flats and Handwashing Challenge 2017 - Flats Challenge

I felt this photo best explains how we feel about the Flats Challenge. 🙂

On the personal side – I love chocolate, struggle with postpartum depression, organize my local Hike it Baby branch, and I’m a total social media junky. Follow our Flats and Hand washing Challenge on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Why Flats & Hand washing?

4 Reasons to do the Flats and Hand Washing ChallengeThe biggest reason why I’m taking the Flats and Hand washing Challenge is to bring attention to the cloth diaper movement. I think by doing something a little crazy, like hand washing diapers, we can open a conversation about all the different ways you can cloth diaper.

I say this challenge is a little ridiculous, and that come from a place of privilege. Not everyone is so lucky, but every baby should have access to a clean fresh diaper, and there are ways we can make that happen.

Find out more about why I’m taking the Flats and Hand washing Challenge and think you should too on my earlier post.

Expectations & Challenges

 Before we begin the 2017 Flats & Hand washing Challenge, I wanted to touch upon some of expectations for the week and some of my biggest challenges. This isn’t the first year we have participated. We took part in the 2016 Flats and Hand washing Challenge, but back then I only had ONE BABY, and I was visiting my mom (so we flew with our diapers).

  • Laundry EVERY day: without a doubt, I believe I will be doing laundry every I’m currently doing laundry every second day with my washing machine.
    • Two kids = lots of diapers.
    • I feel this challenge will be most achievable if I set aside 30 minutes here and there to make it happen.realities of cloth diapering
  • PPD/A: I won’t beat around the bush, but I expect my PPD/A to impact my success at this challenge. I’m constantly feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated in my day-to-day. While I LOVE my cloth diaper hobby, I wonder how this menial motherhood task will impact my general mood.
    i hate motherhood
  • Running out of Diapers: Tomorrow you will see my stash, but I’m worried about running out diapers.
  • Day 4 Crash & Burn: By day 4, I’ll be trying to sneak in disposables.
  • Poop: My kids have been known to 5 times a day. I’m worried about having enough covers. I’m allocating 5-6 for each kid, but anxious I will need more.
    • You can totally use less or more, but I’m trying to keep things budget friendly.
  • Night Time Diaper for Miss A: She currently uses a disposable at night because I haven’t found a suitable diaper for her. Starting tonight we will try a few combinations, but because of her small frame, I don’t want to do too much bulk.

Those are my six big thoughts; I’ve been having around the Flats & Hand washing Challenge. Honestly, I’m terrified. I’m terrified of failing, of feeling overwhelmed, and not being successful at this. As I write this, I feel like some snotty-nosed white girl of privilege who knows nothing. It’s kind of what I am, and for that I need to do this and humble myself

Simply Dad – He’s not impressed.

  1. He prefers all-in-one style diapers.
  2. He thinks I already do too much.
  3. He prefers disposable wipes.
  4. He is confused about t-shirt diapers.

Flats & Hand Washing Challenge 2017 - flats challenge - cloth diapers

Are you participating in the 2017 Flats & Hand washing Challenge? If so, introduce yourself below! Can’t wait to follow along with your journey.

If not? Share your thoughts? Whats going thru your head? What do you want to see this week?

Follow our Flats & Hand washing Challenge on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Mother’s Day & Matching OTB Blueberry Exclusives

This post contains affiliate links. 

This is my very last set of matching newborn/one-size cloth diapers! This Blueberry exclusive to LagoonBaby is the only set I have yet to showoff. I figured, before we pack up our one-size diapers for the Flats and Hand washing Challenge beginning tonight/tomorrow, this was our golden opportunity.

Blueberry Simplex - Lagoon Baby Exclusive - Moose be Dreaming - Matching OTB for Mother's Day

Little Man is rocking a Blueberry exclusive Simplex – LagoonBaby (Canada) or Diaper Junction (USA) – and Little Miss a Newborn Simplex – Lagoon Baby (Canada) or Diaper Junction (USA). Moose Be Dreaming print is a Blueberry exclusive to LagoonBaby and is sold out. But you can find other awesome Blueberry prints and solids at the above affiliate links <3

Moose be Dreaming is a favourite Blueberry exclusive of mine. I love how it showcases much of what I represent about my new life in Northern British Columbia (having been raised in the Vancouver area). Who doesn’t love moose?

I love how awkward they look. Just like me.

Mother's Day - Eskers Provincial Park - Family TimeMoose was the topic of conversation this morning on our Mother’s Day Hike at a Eskers Provincial Park. I have wanted to explore for weeks, but terrified todo it on my own. My husband expressed much concern we’d find a moose on the trail. We didn’t. We saw a few birds, but mostly listened to the branches creek.

That’s all I wanted for Mother’s Day. I wanted to get out and go for a hike with my family. I wanted my husband off his cell phone, and I wanted to be somewhere that would make me happy (and Walter!).

I haven’t been overly thrilled about motherhood. The past 22 months have been the hardest journey of my life, and I don’t think the light is anywhere near. I’m working on it, but in the meanwhile, I’m not the biggest fan of motherhood. As such, while my babies are all sleeping, I’m feeling a little down as I wished I loved being a mom.

 

How was your mothers day? Did you take time to enjoy your family?

 

9 Lessons from the Flats & Hand Washing Challenge

This post may contain affiliate links. I’m participating in the 2017 Flats and Handwashing Challenge  hosted by Cloth Diaper Revival. This event focuses on the very real and viable answer to cloth diaper your children.  It’s been a long week, and the Flats & Hand washing Challenge is finally over. Today, we will use Flats all day. I […]