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.
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.
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?
The 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.
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.
- 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.
- Running out of Diapers: Tomorrow you will see my stash, but I’m worried about running out diapers.
- Take a sneak peak – How we cloth diapered our toddler for $100.
- Take a sneak peak – How we cloth diapered our toddler for $100.
- Day 4 Crash & Burn: By day 4, I’ll be trying to sneak in disposables.
- We have them because I ordered them off Amazon Prime in preparation for our holidays. They’ve turned into my dirty little secret.
- 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.
- Little Man, we got that down pat – the T-shirt diaper does him wonders! But his big 32 pound frame is perfectly suited to the job!.
- Little Man, we got that down pat – the T-shirt diaper does him wonders! But his big 32 pound frame is perfectly suited to the job!.
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.
- He prefers all-in-one style diapers.
- He thinks I already do too much.
- He prefers disposable wipes.
- He is confused about t-shirt 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.
I think that cloth diapers are such an amazing thing for our environment. I currently have two in diapers as well. But haven’t got the want to try cloth yet.. So you go mom! keep up the good work.
I always wanted to do cloth diapers for my daughter but never did. Kuddos to you!
SO being confused by the tshirt diaper made me giggle. Love how supportive he is of you. I have choose not to take up this challenge but am totally here cheering you on from the balcony of support! I am sure if you look you will find more than a few of us up here!
I have not tried cloth diapers yet. I do love that they are good for the environment but I’m afraid I will fail and I don’t know of I have it in me to take on another task! You are doing a great job Mama!
I am in awe of everyone who cloth diapers. I would love to, but I can barely keep up with things as it is. I also have an incredible gag reflex. Y’all are for sure awesome and this takes it up a notch from there. Good luck.
Simply Dad’s #4 is funny 🙂 My hubby wasn’t particularly supportive, but he came around! He offered advice on hanging to dry (because they took nearly 24 hours!), he took pictures for me to show my wash routine, and he even did NOT put a disposable on my Poni (even though he had threatened to) when he had to change her 🙂