Flats and Handwashing Challenge: Day 1

Day one of the Flats and Hand-washing challenge: Why am I doing it?

The flats and hand-washing challenge was created to raise awareness for cloth diapering and that it can be done by anyone.  Common hesitations to cloth diapering is lack of funds and lack of washing machine.  I personally have heard these two reasons time and time again.   When in all actuality, if money is tight, cloth diapering is the better choice.  Disposable diapers are not cheaper than cloth, it just happens that you buy the disposable a little at a time.  If while you are pregnant you know you want to cloth diaper you can buy one or two per paycheck you can buy enough for a complete stash before the baby is born. 

As for a washing machine, this week everything will be washed by hand.  Flats make it easier to wash and dry.  However, I have washed pockets and microfiber inserts by hand many times.  Before going on a trip I would hand-wash the couple of diapers Charlotte or Owen dirtied before our trip.  I typically hand-wash in the sink as it uses less water.   

I have never tried flats or prefolds before so I was really excited to start this challenge, so I started last week.  :)   I wanted to try out different folds and figure out what would work best and fit without leaking.  

Day 1:  Why Are You Taking the Challenge?
Day 2: Show Us Your “Stash” and tell us what did it cost?
Day 3:  Challenge Update
Day 4:  What is your Washing Routine?
Day 5:  Flats Experience- Folds you love, Are they working, etc.

We have a nine month old!

Charlotte is nine months old!  It really seems like yesterday that I delivered and brought her home.  What is even more amazing, as of 4:29 a.m. she has now been home for 40 weeks and 3 days!  At 40 weeks and 3 days Charlotte was born.  Making her here longer than she was in the womb.  Which just absolutely amazes me how quickly the time has passed.

Charlotte had a check-up on the 6th and she weighs 19 pounds 6 ounces and is 30.25" long!

As far as breastfeeding goes, we are still going strong.  Breast-milk is still her dominant food source.  She usually eats dinner with us but not every day and it is only a few pieces.  We still have not done any purees, despite me making a bunch.  When she does eat, it is all whole food.  She loves everything I have given her.

Strawberry face

Breastfeeding Update: 9 months

We have now been breastfeeding for nine months.

 In the nine months I have had mastitis three times!  The last time was right before Easter.  That is no fun.  In addition, Charlotte has recently popped a tooth through the gums.  With Owen we did not make it to the point he cut a tooth, which happened at 11 months.  Charlotte tends to bite and I am desperately trying to stop that habit.

Charlotte still does not drink out of a bottle, and at this point there is no point in trying.  I have tried pumping and I now only get half an ounce to an ounce of milk from each side.  Charlotte still nurses about every four hours during the day and about 5 at night.  However, she does comfort nurse before naps, bed, and during the night.  One night she slept for 7 hours straight and I had to wake her up and feed her because my shirt was soaked.  It is sort of bitter sweet.  I am glad she is growing and amazed we have made it nine months already.  I am glad that I am past the point where I leak through pad after pad, but it is sad because I do not want our breastfeeding journey to end.  (although I would like to have my body back and not have bite marks and mastitis.)

I am happy we made it this long without any major problems and look forward to continuing this adventure.

Flats and Handwashing Challenge

With my attempt to be more conscious of my water, electricity, and waste I thought this year would be perfect to take the Flats and Handwashing Challenge.  I hope that I like it and use these more often. 

So, what is this challenge?  The purpose of the challenge is to increase awareness of cloth diapering and to show that expensive diapers are not required.  Flats can be bought new from $1.38 and up depending on what it is made of.  They can also be bought used for cheap as well.  Do not have any flat?  Anything can be used, old t-shirts, receiving blankets, flour sack towels, etc.  A cover is advised to hold in the mess, but not required.   Covers can be wool, fleece, or PUL.

Rules for the challenge can be found at Dirty Diaper Laundry

Materials Allowed

The following diapering items can be used:
• Any flat cloth diaper, store bought or handmade. A flat should be only 1 layer of material for easier handwashing and faster drying.
• 1 night time diaper per night of your choice although you are asked to make flats work for you (this diaper must also be handwashed)
• Doublers (not inserts meant to be absorbent enough to stand alone) if you absolutely must.
• A diaper sprayer.
• Wet bags/diaper pails for storage.
• Handmade “washing machine” for diapers such as the camp style washer I made last year.
• Non Electronic Portable washing machines (must be powered by you and cost less than $100.
• Commercially available or handmade covers.
• Commercially available or handmade detergents.
• Snappi, Boingo, and Pins for closure.
• Pocket diapers STUFFED WITH FLATS. (note that the potential for repelling on the stay dry lining could make your challenge harder but you can see what happens)
• Homemade or store bought fleece liners.
• Iron (to use in order to expedite drying time or sterilize)

Materials Not Allowed

• Electronic washer/dryer.
• Pockets with inserts other than flats, AIO’s, Fitteds, Contours, Prefolds, AI2’s, etc.
• Flushable liners.

Rules for Everyone

• You cannot use your washer or dryer.
• If for some reason something arises and an exception is made you need to disclose in the Conclusions Survey or on your blog if you are a blogger.
• There is no limit on the number of flats or covers you can use. Should you purchase 100 flats for $100 and go a whole week without washing? No. Use your common sense on this one. As a tip the more diapers in your camp washer/ sink/ tub the harder the washing will be.

All About Cloth: Update

Back in January I challenged myself to create less waste by using more cloth.  Here is an update to the switch. 

First, cloth nursing pads.  I still use some disposables, but I mostly use these cloth pads.  

Cloth wipes:  They are not just for baby butts.  I use a designated stack of wipes for Charlotte's bottoms.  We also use a stack of wipes as tissues.  In addition we have family cloth and will use mama cloth when the time comes.  

Next on the cloth switch was switching to cloth bags for grocery shopping.  I keep some in the car and the bulk of them stay in the house and I grab them on my way to the store.  I do keep some disposable ones for miscellaneous things.  The rest were dropped off at the recycling box at the grocery store.

The object that started this whole switch, kitchen towels.  I keep a stack of towels and wash clothes in the drawer by the sink.  I also have a stack of microfiber diaper inserts that I use for cleaning blinds, fans, etc.

Which brings up the question of is this wasting water and electricity?  Yes, and no.  The water goes back to the waste water plant and is treated and reused.  I do try to wash as much in one load as my washer can handle and still clean. This reduces the need for multiple loads and excessive water and electricity usage. The laundry is either hung outside to dry or in the bathroom.  

Holy smokies!

The other night I had a little bit of a break down.  What triggered it you ask?  Owen said "Mommy I love you."  

When Owen was a baby I could not wait to hear those words from him.  Now he says it 5-6 times a day, at least.  Watching him interact with his sister, the way he plays with her, helps her, talks to her, he just amazes me.  He is an amazing child.  Charlotte is so fortunate to have such a loving big brother, I just hope she returns the favor.

Owen is learning so much every day.  He is so independent.  He likes to help clean and loves to help wash the dishes. It takes about an hour to wash dishes when it should take ten minutes, but I love that he wants to help.  I know the day will come when I ask him to wash dishes and he will refuse.

Now we have Owen and Charlotte and they are growing so fast.  The time is just flying by.   I have so many plans, hopes, and dreams for the future for my children, for how I want things to go and the memories I want to make with the family.

I am excited to see what this chapter of our lives is going to have in store for us.

Menu 01/12-01/18

Wow, we started last week following the menu but got off track some how. Thursday we ate chicken parmesan, Friday we had steak, and Saturday we had pork sauerkraut and polish kielbasa that Martin picked up at the local polish grocery store.

This week Martin will be out of town and I don't foresee any big meals. I think we will be eating a bunch of sandwiches (deli meat was on sale) and maybe French toast for dinner. Friday we will probably ready chicken ranch casserole and Saturday will be crock pot shredded bbq chicken sandwiches.