Days like today

Simple productivity. Multi-tasking in action. After the morning School/Kindy run, the small errands list it's home and 'into it'... Lots of 'stations' round the kitchen - the cutting, the flour and dough rolling, the 'hot tray', the 'cooling racks' etc but I LOVE it. Of course there's the little patch on the bench that's all for Quinn - with his own flour, rolling pin, dough and toppings. He gets to do what he likes with his dough, and I know that none of what I'm making has had his fingers in it! Here's a roll of pics to kinda sum it up...

Jake's shortbread, for Market Day

Who needs a bike when...

who needs a bike when you have a 12pk of toilet rolls?!
Quinn and his brothers had spun around a few too many times on the computer chair and Quinn threw up... yes, joy. So this is while I was getting him clean clothes, mopping the floor and washing down the computer chair... apparently you can scoot around quite well on a 12pk of toilet rolls, especially when playing 'chase/where are you' with said brothers!

Quinn was fine afterwards... he'll need breakfast soon again though! Poor little man. I guess now they know that I'm not kidding when I say someone will be sick if you spin around too much... first time for everything! And just what you need in the morning before the school run begins :) Enjoy your day all!
Toilet rolls by Safe, nappy by Bumgenius. See Nurture Nappies in Australia. Little blondie Quinn an original creation.

Updating - Reusable Nappies and preferences.

following on from this post 'Comparison - Rumparooz/Bumgenius/Fuzzi Bunz and Others one-size (OSFM)'

I thought I'd add the following:
I'd since add that I am partial to Bumgenius simply because they are the trimmest of the AIO (All-in-one) nappies
but so far for newborn to 6mths, I'd go for a good fitted nappy and cover.
My favourite cover is Thirsties, with gussets. Soft and good for keeping the newborn poo, IN. :)
Favourite fitted nappy is home made bamboo with terry outer for Snappi-closure and best possible fit. With a 'turn down' rise (the front bit near the belly button) you can make a nappy bigger or smaller as needed. Snappi-ing is, in my opinion, the most versatile fastening option in fitted nappies. NB you need a 'terry' style outer (bamboo, cotton or hemp) to get the Snappi to hold.

I recommend Nurture Nappies
http://www.nurturenappies.com.au/
as a great store for customer service, information (if you're not sure just email) and products and services.
If she wants to make her own, check out
http://nappynetwork.org.au/content/ocn-sewing-nappies

Also check out for every thing you ever wanted to know about nappying
including facts, figures and dispelling the eco/every other myth going about reusable nappies
http://nappynetwork.org.au/content/ocn-nappy-faq
&
Nappycino - for fellow parents to read their questions and answers and to ask your own
http://forum.nappycino.com.au/

I hope that helps.
NB Bumgenius are releasing/have released their new 4.0 version. I haven't seen it yet.

Recommend me a nappy system birth to TT...

I get asked often, with the increase in parents using reusables, 'recommend me a nappy system that I can use from birth to toilet training...'

It used to be that I didn't really have a specific nappy answer to the 'what do you recommend'... but I think I've narrowed it down now, and remembering that there are many many options out there, and many variations in baby and parent needs, this is my recommendation depending on what you want from the system.

Option A - Fitted & Cover fulltime until TT

Mostly one-size fitted nappy (a few newborn sized if you like), Snappiable finish (terry loop outer) for maximum adjustment and trim fit, any composition outer with bamboo inner + cover. The one-size fitted nappies work by folding the front (the 'rise' part that goes up to baby's belly button) down to make a smaller nappy... the Snappi finish is great for cord stump airing too as you can Snappi the nappy right down on the rise. Within 'covers' you can have sized covers, or one-size-fits-most (OSFM) covers. My recommendation in covers is Thirsties (nice and soft, with gussets) either sized or multi-fit, or Bummis Superbrite (with gussets). A fitted+cover combination gives you two lines of leg elastic protection against that lovely breastfed/newborn poo. If anything escapes this, then it would have escaped a disposable anyway as they only have one line of leg elastic.

Fitted+cover can also be a very trim system and is absolutely fine from birth to TT in all areas that you want your nappy system to perform. This is what we had for Zeke, supplemented with some pockets and all-in-one nappies later.

Option B - Fitted&Cover, then Bumgenius 6mths+
This gives you the poo containment for the NB stage, and then the simplicity of the Bumgenius from 6mths+. the Bumgenius being a one-size AIO (all in one) means no extra covers, and once they have been 'stuffed' (inserts put in) they stack on the change table and use no different to a single-use nappy. The only down side for the Bumgenius would be their leg elastic doesn't seem quite as durable as other brands. However the upside is they dry quick and are a GREAT fit, very trim and reliable in terms of contaiment.

Option C - For a total one-size nappy sytem from Birth
I didn't think this was something there would ever be a nappy for that I would recommend, until I found the Rumparooz. Rumparooz have internal gussets which contain some super breastfed poo (!), great size range from NB right up and again, once stuffed are a piece of cake - stuff and stack and you're ready to go. If poo was going to escape this nappy then it would have done so in a disposable as well. The internal gussets + leg elastic give you two lines of protection against poo-splosions. The newborn inserts are a good size, although you may find if you have a newborn who does large pees rather than little bits here and there, that you need a bamboo isert for extra absorbency. These are easy to whip up with a sewing machine and even the most basic sewer can do so.

Information - cost, eco and the like:
A great place to begin for any questions you have is here at OzClothNappies... The most recent LCA report on cloth vs disposables you can find a summary of here. There's a great cost comparison graph here on cloth vs single use nappies as well. What's in a disposable is an interesting read and if you scroll down there's a comparison between reusable/singleuse on energy/water etc from production to use. There is a picture somewhere of a massive pile of nappies that represents how many disposable nappies one child goes through in a year... On the topic of 'eco-disposables' remember it's what's in the fine print - some 'eco-disposables' will biodegrade within their claimed time in a compost situation... landfill is nowhere near this so the nappy will take much much longer to biodegrade. Some nappies require you remove plastic tabs and the like before composting. Just remember, since every disposable ever made is still in the ground today, every reusable nappy you can use is one less to sit in landfill... so even part time is better than not at all.

Points to note:
I sewed all my newborn and OSFM fitted nappies. Check OzClothNappies and the Nappycino forum for information on making your own. As if cloth didn't save you heaps of money already (see link to graph above), making your own is even more economical. For this reason, I made some newborn sized nappies (So cute!) and plenty of OSFM. Save your bamboo for the inners and use whatever terry loop fabric you can for the outer. Using the Snappi closure means no tabs, velcro, touchtape or snaps and gives you maximum fit and adjustability.

You can also buy secondhand. Nappies in good secondhand condition are well worth looking into. I have bought plenty and often times you can barely tell they have been used so you've saved yourself a third of the price or more.

You can sell your nappies if you change your mind or Bub needs a different type of nappy. Also note that there are new options coming out in nappies all the time, nappying systems and the like so do look around and see what is out there. Maybe if you really like something different or new, try one or two before investing in a whole stash of them.

You may, instead of a one-size nappy, prefer a sized nappy. Upside is a specific fit for that size and usually slightly trimmer than one-size. Downside is changing to the next size when the baby grows out of the current one. This can be offset by selling the outgrown nappies, and remembering that some babies will spend ages in a certain size, while others outgrow sizes very quick.

On terry flats:
We did flats for Brooke and for Jake. Back then there were only PVC pilchers or the Fluffies covers. If I was to do flats now, I would (if I could) go a well recommended bamboo flat - much trimmer + more absorbent than cotton flats, plus a good cover either Thirsties or Bummis Superbrite.

Bottom line is that no matter what the baby, budget, or general situation there is a nappy out there for everone :)

Comparison - Rumparooz/Bumgenius/Fuzzi Bunz and Others one-size (OSFM)

We've cloth nappied four children now. For the two in modern cloth nappies (MCN) I've been a 'fitted+cover until 6mths' gal all the way simply for the poo containment. I know there's no way a standard AIO (all-in-one) or pocket would hold up for my guys, because the fitted+cover is the last line of defence and often the cover is the saver.

HOWEVER, should there be a #6 LOL I will definately be using our Rumparooz in the NB stash. I really really really like the internal gussets - a winner in my book definately. They held a 4(?)month old runny poo in just awesomely, no complaints whatsoever. Really like the prints (we have print and plain) and I have tried both the snap and the TT/Applix/Velcro and really like them both, although preferring the velcro. With ANY pocket/AIO I always use one microfibre/one bamboo or hemp - it's just how I 'do' microfibre. Given the talk about BG elastic, I'll be interested to see how the Rumparooz elastic holds up in comparison.

The internal gussets in the Rumparooz make them a hands down winner over other OSFM pocket/AIO if you're going to use them from birth. If poo is gonna escape the Rumparooz, then it would definately escape a disposable or any other AIO/pocket nappy. They are also quite trim considering their size/age range although sometimes I get a 'gather' at the top of the back of the waist. Rumparooz have an extra size setting now for smaller newborns and the newer version is trimmer. I'd be happy to use those from day dot. The NB insert is very trim although it says it holds more - however I'd be using bamboo inserts instead of/as well as the mifbre with a NB as I have found all my guys really needed the absorbency of bamboo from birth. Rumparooz is definately a thumbs up from me
---
COMPARISONS:

We have the Bumgenius (BG) onesize and sized (secondhand in great nic). I bought the onesize very thrashed out to try, lol and replaced the elastic and it's STILL going strong so on that I figured if an old timer BG OSFM was still going well then new ones would be even better. Have some 'newer' secondhand ones on the way. Apparently the new version of the BG sized will have a pocket opening as well which will be PERFECT to speed drying time as I find that's the only downside to the sized BG. THe OSFM pocket BG is very quick to dry, as are the other OSFM pockets.

From what I can see the Pop In only has two snaps row on the front, the Haute also has two snaps rows and I find I prefer the three rows of snaps on the BG as sometimes on the Haute the two snaps row isn't quite enough to hold the snap setting in it's place iykwim when you put it on. No big deal or anything, just noted that I prefer the three snaps row on the BG to the two snaps row on the Haute.

The Haute OSFM (US site) however has a full-shaped insert, so it makes the most of the available space and sits 'fuller' ie not a strip down the middle. This can be a little fiddly though, so any microfibre inserts can be used and still work just as well. A nice trim nappy.

The Fuzzi Bunz OSFM has maternity buttonhole elastic in the legs and waist, and is awesome to use however would prob not suit if you have different sized bubs as it's a 'set and forget' kinda setting you don't want to be changing it for each child each wear iykwim. So in that sense the snap OSFM settings work well as they're easy and quick to adjust. THe FB however would be great as a 'bought at birth' to TT in that you can't see the adjustable settings (I initially thought the adjustable snap settings on the other OSFM would put me off but IRL they're fine). BUT in a pinch, it wouldn't be too hard to resize and use them on the other bum. These are not at the top of the pile but they are still a good nappy.

We have sized Pea Pods as well - red with the black inner - brilliant to not show stains and I find them very reliable and great for travelling as well. We have a large Green Kids pocket nappy. While I am very happy with microfleece as an inner and have never had a prob with it, I do like the suedecloth in the Green Kids. I haven't tried the GK insert in any other pockets, but I do know that all the other pocket nappy inserts (apart from maybe the Haute as it's shaped) will def fit each other so that's good for interchanging if you have a few different nappies/boosting for nights. I have only used the GK as a sized nappy.

We have the sized BG as well (s/hand) and I do like them. So I can't say which I prefer of the two BG as I like each for different reasons/occasions.

The Haute OSFM I can (over) stuff for nights with bamboo and it does really well. Don't quite like doing the same with the BG OSFM for some reason AND the overstuffed Hatue for nights still allowed me to attach the Respisense monitor when Quinn was little.

(should add I am not a millionaire LOL - most nappies above I got s/hand, and a few were gifts and I made all my fitteds so quite economical)

the bottom line

• So if you're wanting OSFM from birth in a pocket/PUL outer, then I'd go the Rumparooz.

• If you're happy to do fitted and cover for the first 6mths or so, then move to a OSFM, I'd go with a stash of Bumgenius.

Certainly would be a reasonable option to do fitted&cover and/or Rumparooz for the first 6mths, then add Bumgenius to the stash after 6mths - this would be my overal plan should there be a #6 Baby... Rumparooz have the internal gussets and a tiny bit more bulk, Bumgenius are slightly trimmer but don't have the internal gussets. So it comes down to what you want most out of your nappies - and what you want out of them now, and later.

In working out what you want things to consider are: absorbency, drying time, fit/bulk/trimness, poo containment, length of fit for size (OSFM vs sized), cost of upsizing (remembering you can sell sizes that are too small). Have fun !
------------------------------

A quick note on OSFM PUL outer nappies, generally. NBs generally are not that tiny for so long so unless you have tiny babies, it won't take long before they fit.
We had onesize fitteds on Zeke (fitteds, so yes they're different to OSFM pockets) he was 7lb 14oz born and they fit fine. Remember you're asking a nappy to fit a huge size and age range so a small amount of 'bulk' at the NB stage is to be expected. However, NB grow quick!

Also, apart from birth weight, fit of nappies, especially OSFM, depends on bub, depends on their build and how fast they grow. My two older boys at 7lb 1oz and 7lb 14oz not much difference at birth but Z at 3mths old fit his brother (who was 3 YEARS old) 's jocks LOL - he had rolls on his rolls whereas his brother was slim with no bum for ages... my 9lber fit the same nappies and clothes as my 7lbers... *shrug* it was all his big noggin LOL

Bumgenius sizing The recommended size range is 3.6-15.5 kgs.
Rumparooz sizing The G2 design 2.7 kgs (6 pounds) to 16 kgs. (35 pounds +).

PART TWO OF THIS POST - HERE

Decal

Just a quick one for now - Window decal from Vistaprint. Had Brooke's (aka George's) invites coming and this was 'free' so added it in. Very pleased.

(link to ozclothnappies.org done with permission) I have made a 'knot-taggie' for Quinn and will post the pics on that one soon.

First Aid for Fruit Trees...

I will hopefully add pictures in the next few days... If stone fruit trees lose their leaves in winter, are ours just losing their leaves or has some bug got in there and they're going to kark it? I'm off to see what Google has to say. Might sound like an odd question, esp since you can buy them with no leaves on... but ours the ends of the leaves are dying off then the leaf is dropping off... some more so than others - so wasn't sure if this was a disease or if that's how the leaves go when they get ready to fall off... So I'm off to Google but if you have any experiences to share in that dept, would be keen to hear :) Also need to find out what this time of year means in terms of care for the trees, what they need and what we shouldn't do for them.

ETA:
Some answers and good information here & here.

oh and growth in another area - I have hair regrowth on my head LOL - little short bits everywhere - very funny in one way but very welcome :)

And if anyone has tried Fuzzi Bunz one-size nappies... please let me know what you think/thought. That's the US site, they're available in AUs here. They're not the one-size with snap down front like others, these have 'maternity' elastic in the legs and waist instead... which I think it's a neat idea...
I've also been browsing around Phil and Moni's site... I see the clothes on Moni at our school and have decided that one day, I might just have to own a pair of pants/apron pants/skirt... :)

UK Environment Agency Report - the New and Updated one is out!

Very very pleased to announce the release of the updated UK Environment Agency report. The ANN media release is here. Now that the study information being used is for the most part, accurate, the outcome is clear. Reusable nappies are better for the environment than single-use nappies - as most of us have known for some time - purely on a simple maths basis it makes sense.

Of course, this makes sense when you think about it, even if you just do the simple maths. I'm off to finish reading the report! More info on the eco is available on this page at OzClothNappies, including why the original report was flawed in the first place.

On Prefolds...

Saturday 2nd August 14 weeks.
Well, something new in my nappying time, I've done flats, all sorts of fitteds, pockets, AIOs, woollies and so on but have never done prefolds before... so I bought some second hand (36 of them in fact!) in good condition via Buy For Baby and have been practicing with them since they arrived! I never really got why they were called 'prefolds' coz to me, they're not prefolded ha ha but they're essentially a 'sized' flat nappy with extra central panel sewn in. Have sussed out the smallest possible fold and this is what it looks like with a Tommee Tippee nappy pin. I am thinking with some NB covers, it might not even need pinning. Have also worked out how to 'gusset' a folded prefold, like this pic on the far right, and am curious to try them out and see how they go. The second pic on the far left is without the gusset. Am hoping the gusseted prefold will do as any other gusset does and keep the newborn soup poo IN! lol

I was wandering round the shop today (laybyd the New Baby's baby seat today as they were on sale 20/30% off) and we have until December to complete the layby (layby terms have gotten longer it seems!)... anyway and it occured to me as it does every time I'm out, what a consumerist world many people live in, of commercialised and name brand stuff, and how much plastic and synthetic stuff there is, and especially in the 'baby section' - how little natural fibre stuff there is... just an observation really - and I know we participate in it to some extent but wow... definately not to the extreme that's available. I'll be off to Golden Threads for toys for this Baby, or other online stores that are similar, and ahhhhhh that feels better!

And from a comment left here, from another Mum who lost her Daughter also named Brenna, in March this year (coincidentally our Brenna's original EDD) I came across a site where you can create tickers for lost Little Ones, so created this one for Brenna...

It may seem odd, reading it, to speak of our New Baby in one paragraph and then Brenna in the next, but that's what parents do isn't it - no matter how different their children are.
Always loved and missed... xo

Doll Nappies and Veil-Fruit-Bags...

Well, having finally cleared what is meant to be the sewing table and relocated the machines from where they were holidaying on the dining table, I was very inspired... and well... this is what I made...

a heap of tiny nappies for the dolls at Kindergarten and Playgroup at our school (Steiner school). Fabrics used include sherpa, bamboo, hemp and terry. To the left they're all overlocked waiting to be stitched and turned.


I used the Very Baby pattern, size NB, with no seam allowance and with the top half of the rise removed (to fit the dolls at school). Attached elastic, overlocked leaving opening, turned and topstitched. Then touchtape closure with crossover tab for those littler dolls and of course, only two layers needed because hey...


not too many Waldorf dolls pee! Here's a pic to show what size, that's a business-size card next to the nappy... and how many I made, there's a few waiting for more touchtape. Fun and oh very cute to see them come together... And while I was searching through the fabric box to find some more touchtape I found the remnant fabric from my veil... and well, always planned to make some fruit and vege bags - currently I use string bags but I figured the 'veil' bags would be lighter... so here they are too. Bonus is I already had a little bag that they fit perfectly in so voila!

Nappying Bums and how it's changed...

Well, I seem to tell this often so thought I'd stick it here!
More and more people are changing back to reusable nappies. Since there's no soaking and no pins involved in modern cloth nappies, and no folding if you don't want to, the options are so good that there's something to suit almost every baby, every parent and every lifestyle... I am a cloth advocate, and have used cloth in one form or another since our first baby. So here's a brief run down on our nappying journey!

I was 21, Brooke was my first baby, Michael worked 13 hours days 6 days a week, I had no licence and really no support network close by. However I didn't even 'see' this... because I was stoked, I was a MUM at LAST and cloth was just well, what else would you use? lol it was part of having babies for me! I grew up with cloth - disposables were for 'other' people is kinda how it was when I was a kid. All the children I baby-sat for were in cloth. So cloth I did - flannel flats+pins/terry flats, and Fluffies covers.

then Jake was born when I was about 23 and I had two in nappies, flats and I think we had graduated from the twin tub then ;) It was good really bc both were in the same fold so I didn't have sizes for each. I think we had a mix of Fluffies covers and the old PVC pilchers.
I think it was about 90:10 cloth/disposable for Brooke and about 80:20 cloth:disposable for Jake BUT had I known what I know now I would have corrected the myth tellers, ignored the ... stuff... I'd been told :rolleyes: and been 100% cloth. The biggest myths I got were 'they'll sleep better at night' which wasn't neccesarily true because almost without fail the night time disposable would leak and we'd have wet sheets, wet PJ's and whatever else was close by - and if not that, always a wet tummy... and the next biggest myth after that was that cloth was as bad for the environment as disposables, once you factor in washing and detergent. In my gut I was sure that HAD to be wrong but couldn't find the info to back me up... that was to come! (Especially 'that' study)

While pregnant with Zeke I found modern cloth (MCN) and was rapt once I sussed out the different types - and it was a bit baffling at first but easy once I got there. I made all my own for about $70 tops (3 doz), out of old towels, bunny rugs etc using a modified version of the PooPockets pattern (will add links to mods) and bought some covers. My Mum and Nanna also caught the sewing MCN bug and made nappies for Zeke. The nappies were one-size-fits-most, which they did on him from birth (7lb 13oz), Snappi closure and with gussets. We didn't have one poo-splosion for at least the first 6mths of runny breastfed poo, and after that he began solids so there wasn't any more runny stuff.

Never looked back, and never a disposable in the house - day time, night time, out and about and four weeks camping on the road, studying, any holidays well MCN was just 'normal' and no hassle at all. No soaking, no pins etc, fit under normal clothes - no down side really. Plenty of pics of some of the nappies I made later on and as gifts, here. Of course you don't have to sew a stitch to have good nappies.

We had the same plan for Brenna, although I was making with bamboo and hemp this time (coz I like 'em and they're better for absorbency and eco-wise).

Plan for #5 is the same, another cloth bum, 100%. eta well of course #5, Master Quinn is here and we did the same - fitted+cover, Snappi closure gives the most versatile fit + poo containment. My nappies were majority home made with some second hand scores. Some were sized and many of the ones I made, were OSFM or more correctly, made in say a small or medium with a fold down front, which could be Snappi'd.
BAMBOO for absorbency. People will say you don't need it for a NB, but if they fall asleep you don't want them sleeping in a puddle and if they happen to actually sleep LOL like Quinn did early on (which was a first for me!), for 3-4hours at a time, they need a nappy that will go the distance (and/or if you're doing school and kindy pickups and drop off etc in and out of the car).

Should there be a #6 I would consider also using our OSFM Rumparooz as they have internal gussets and would be good competition for NB poo. Fitted+cover is a staple though, for the first 6mths at least.

Any questions re water/eco, keeping bums dry, what sort and how many, no-leaks hints, babies with skin conditions and sensitivities etc and all the rest including the most popular cloth myths, a GREAT place to start is OzClothNappies - anything you ever wanted to know.

Plus through Nappycino you can read and ask as many qs as you like, plus can meet up with other cloth Mums in your state. Theres Large Family Mums there, working/studing Mums, Mums to Multiples etc from every nook of the parenting world. You can do cloth on tank water, while camping - anywhere really. I've also started to look into EC'ing... which we kinda did part time with Zeke, and which has been done for yonks and still is done in many cultures.

If you're still wanting to go with flats, I'd suggest perhaps some no sew easy peasy fleece liners, and some of the PUL covers - not PVC. I can also show you a no pins fold for the flannel ones when they're little. there's also a GREAT page for different folds info.

For the newborn/early days:
Bottom line I think so long as you have sufficient number of nappies that it's no stress if you don't get to wash for a few days &
enough nappies so it doesn't matter if Bub pees and poos like a trooper &
enough covers, with gussets preferably, then you'll be fine :D
change area set up, easy access, easy to use day and night.

Once it's habit, it just is and just becomes normal just like any other thing you do.

Anyway, thassit for now, I know there's stuff I've missed out but will add that as I come across it in my Gallery page, which for now is AWOL lol.