Cloth Diapering *Spray Shields*

Cloth Diapering *Spray Shields*

by | Feb 11, 2016 | Cloth Diaper Accessories, Cloth Diapers

Update: The Diaper Diamond has been discontinued. The Diaper Dawgs Spray Collar has also been upgraded which I’ll highlight in the review below. 

Are you wanting to cloth diaper but wondering how you would deal with the poo?

I’m going to talk about the two most popular cloth diapering spray shields and demonstrate how to use both.

Dealing with the poo is not as nasty when equipped with the right tools!

Affiliate Disclaimer:

This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on any of my fun-little-links and purchase something, I'll make a small commision at no extra cost to you. It's a win-win for both of us right?

Click the image above to play the video.

Cloth Diapering

Diaper Dawgs Spray Collar

Update: Since creating this video, Diaper Dawgs has updated the spray collars design to a better and clearer version.

The New Diaper Dawgs Spray Collar (aff link) is the smallest spray shield out of all three and after you attach it to your diaper sprayer there is no assembling required. It also includes a diaper sprayer. 

I’ve been using this sprayer/shield combo for almost 5 years and it’s my personal favorite out of them all. 

This spray shield is now clear (with glitter) so that you can see what you’re doing when you spray. That was one of the complaints with the older more colorful model.

The collar takes a little practice compared to the other spray shields but once you get it down there is almost 0 water spillage.

The collar works with most diaper sprayers. Diaper Dawgs also has a Cool Accessory (aff link) that helps it fit if it doesn’t fit your sprayer.

I like to use my Diaper Dawgs sprayer with my cheap clipboard for support. The updated DD sprayer comes with one now, however I still like using my cheap clipboard the best. 

You can check out my full review on the Diaper Dawgs newest Spray Collar Here. 

Cloth Diapering

Cloth Diapering With The Spray Pal

Spray Pal (Amazon aff link) was released on the market in August 2011 and has become one of the more popular spray shields. Some of the profit even goes to charity.

Spray Pal is owned and founded by Jen Aprea. Her spray shield features a clip for securing your diapers along with collapsible sides that snap together.

You can store your pal in a Wet Bag (aff link) that they offer or next to your toilet in a bucket.

The Spray Pal is the biggest spray shield on the market, featuring three buttons for assembling and measuring 16 inches long.

You can check out my full review on the Spray Pal Here. 

About The Diaper Diamond

This Diaper Sprayer Shield has been discontinued and was the original one. However, I’ve kept the info here if anyone wants to read about it.

The Diaper Diamond was created by Bernadette Drew. Her patent was issued in May of 2013 and manufacturing was finished in February of 2015.

Bernadette holds the first patent for the first spray shield design. Her Diamond originally featured four clips which were then changed to slits that help to secure the gussets.

The Diaper Diamond is the only spray shield on the market that pulls the gussets taught so you can get them completely clean without using your hands.

It’s a little smaller compared to the Spray Pal and folds out flat and can hang behind your toilet.

Is Dealing With The Poo Hard?

I’d say about 90% of the time it’s like washing dishes or making your bed, It becomes just another part of your routine.

You get used to doing an extra load of diapers and spraying them off. If you have never cloth diapered before you imagine it’s going to be very, very difficult … but it’s not.

I remember thinking how hard it would be and wondering if I’d be able to stick with it. I kept a huge stack of disposables around “just in case.”

Flash Forward 5+ years later and I’m STILL AT IT! 

I discovered cloth diapering wasn’t that bad after all and I started looking forward to diaper changes. I use a lot of great Accessories to help make things easier.

I honestly think it is the change that scares most people out of using cloth diapers.

Do You Need To Spray Your Cloth Diapers?

If your child is 100% breastfed you don’t have to spray your diapers, you can simply dump them straight into the wash.

Breastfed poop is 100% water soluble.

After the 6 month period when your baby gets on solids you will need to discard most of the poo before you stick it into the wash.

I prefer to spray my cloth diapers the entire time because it keeps your diaper pail from stinking and prevents stains.

Do You Need A Spray Shield?

You do not “have” to have a spray shield to cloth diaper however they can be extremely convenient and takes a lot of the work out of cleaning your diapers.

I don’t think I could cloth diaper without my diaper sprayer and spray shields!

You can also continue to use diaper sprayers with flats, prefolds, cloth pads, and even soiled baby/toddler clothes.

Cloth Diapering Funny Quote
Cloth Diapering
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Diaper Dawgs Spray Collar
Diaper Dawgs has updated the spray collar since this post. If you would like to see my review and learn all about the NEW clear version, click the image above!

Cloth Diapering *Poop Avoidance Accessories*

Cloth Diapering *Poop Avoidance Accessories*

by | Feb 2, 2016 | Cloth Diaper Accessories, Cloth Diapers

In this honest post, I open up about the good, the bad, and the ugly in cloth diapering! I’ve been cloth diapering for 5+ years so I know what works and what doesn’t. 

Are you cloth curious but intimidated by the idea of dealing with poop? As parents whether or not you choose cloth, you’ll automatically be enrolled in the PPP club.

Basically, at some point, you’ll be pooped, peed, and puked on!

Cloth diapering isn’t hard and there are lots of tools and accessories that you can use to make the journey easier.

I created this video series with the inexperienced cloth mom in mind.

In this first video, we focus more on poop avoidance accessories for your cloth diapers and I’ll show you what “crappy” products I use religiously! 

Cloth Diapering

Affiliate Disclaimer:

This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on any of my fun-little-links and purchase something, I'll make a small commision at no extra cost to you. It's a win-win for both of us right?

Click the image above to play the video.

Is dealing with the poo hard?

I’d say about 90% of the time it’s like washing dishes or making your bed, It becomes just another part of your routine.

You get used to doing an extra load of diapers and spraying diapers off.

If you’ve never cloth diapered before you imagine it’s going to be very, very difficult … but it’s not.

I remember thinking how hard it would be and wondering if I’d be able to stick with it. I kept a huge stack of disposables around “just in case.”

After using Cloth Diapers (aff link) and discovering it was wasn’t so hard I started looking forward to diaper changes.

5+ Years later, here I am still using cloth diapers on my third child!

I honestly think it is the change that scares most people out of using cloth.

“My biggest poop disaster”

Honestly, I’ve had quite a few of these over the years. I think we all do as parents from time to time.

One of my son’s most recent incidents was his hook and loop (Velcro) diaper coming undone and him dropping little “nuggets” all over the floor for mommy to clean up.

I grabbed him up and took off running to the changing table, desperate to get him clean. more of it was falling out as I ran!

I ended up using my Diaper Dawgs Finger Guards (aff link) to pick up the little “happy trail.” Then I grabbed my Swiffer and mopped that floor like crazy!

Let’s Be Real
I’ll be honest, cloth diapering isn’t rosy all of the time. Once in a while, your child unleashes the poo apocalypse on your diaper!

And sometimes spraying it all off can be a pain, especially if it’s in that peanut butter stage. In those moments where I want to run for my life, I remember how much money I’m saving and it gives me the strength to go on…

My child doesn’t poo every day and most of the time his poo is easy to clean off. I’ll take 5 minutes to spray a stubborn poo over running to town to get more diapers and spending more money!

Cloth Diapering

Ever Get Sick Of Spraying Diapers?

A nice little break from changing diapers every now and then doesn’t hurt. I must be weird because I actually enjoy changing my son’s diaper most of the time.

I’m not big on morning person so the morning diaper change is my least favorite one.

Why Do You Need To Spray?

If your child is 100% breastfed you don’t have to spray your diapers you can dump them straight into the wash.

Breastfed poop is 100% water-soluble. But after the 6 month period when your baby gets on solids you will need to discard most of the poo before you stick it into the wash.

I prefer to spray my cloth diapers the entire time because it keeps your diaper pail from stinking and prevents Stains. 

Do You Need A Spray Shield?

You don’t “have to have” a spray shield to cloth diaper however they can be extremely convenient.

A good Diaper Sprayer & Shield (aff link) takes a lot of the work out of cleaning your diapers.

You can also use spray shields with flats, prefolds and soiled baby/toddler clothes.

We’re going to talk about the different kinds of spray shields in more detail in the next post!

Cloth Diapering
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Cloth Diapering
To see part 2 and learn everything you need to know about spray shields, click the image above!

Charlie Banana Pads – Review

Charlie Banana Pads – Review

by | Jan 28, 2016 | Reusable Menstrual Products

Are you wanting to dive into the cloth pad world but not sure where to start?

I’ve been using Charlie Banana pads for several years and they are the bomb!

The ones I’m reviewing today are the *super feminine* variety, built for heavy flow.

In this review, I will show you exactly why I think these are a great option, to begin with, or add to your growing stash! 

This post has been updated after several years of using the product. 🙂

Affiliate Disclaimer:

This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on any of my fun-little-links and purchase something, I'll make a small commision at no extra cost to you. It's a win-win for both of us right?

Click the image above to play the video.

*Super Feminine* Charlie Banana Pads

Charlie Banana currently offers four types of cloth pads. They have regular feminine pads for medium days, super feminine for heavy flow / overnight use, and super + for really heavy flow or postpartum. They also carry cloth pad liners.

All of their Cloth Pads (aff link) come in a set of three and include a mini wet bag.

Their pads are made with a waterproof polyester material on the back and the inner lining is topped with fleece. This material is very soft and helps you to feel dry because it naturally wicks away the moisture from your skin.

The super feminine pads (these I reviewed) are about 9.5 inches long and all of the pads are 3 inches wide.

Each pad has the snap to keep them secure and from sliding around and they all have a small Charlie Banana tag sewn onto the back. Here is a nice chart of all of the Charlie Banana pad size ranges.

My Thoughts:
The Super Feminine pads were very absorbent and comfortable. They didn’t slide around during normal to light activities. They also didn’t have a horrible odor after using as disposable pads do.

The width was perfect for me, not too wide and not too thin. They were pretty easy to clean and surprisingly stain-resistant even though the absorbent part is white. They come in several different solid color options and a few floral prints.

UPDATE: After using these for several years they are still holding up. I love them and probably need to order some more.

The ones I reviewed in this video are finally starting to wear-down. I can probably get a couple more years out of them. 🙂

 

Why Choose Cloth Pads?

Reusable menstrual pads are a great option if you have any skin allergies or sensitivities. Disposables are filled with toxins and chemicals that are absorbed through our skin.

Cloth pads are healthier and a lot more comfortable. Even though the cost of cloth pads are initially higher upfront, you will save a lot of money in the long run.

If you’re looking to just start your cloth pad stash, I suggest getting Charlie Banana pads. They are super comfortable, easy to clean, and they come in a set of three. You also get a free mini wet bag all for around 20 bucks, that is a great deal!

Charlie Banana Pads - Chart

Click the image above to play the video.

Cleaning Charlie Banana Pads

Cleaning my Charlie Banana cloth pads wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.

You can even rinse your cloth pads out with your diaper sprayer! I like to use the one from Diaper Dawgs (aff link) because it comes with a germ shield.

Lately, I’ve been rinsing them by hand.  Sometimes I rub a little bit of Oxiclean on them. The Oxi is what prevented the pads from Staining at least in my experience.

I keep them in a hanging Wet-Bag (Aff link) until laundry day, then I throw them in with my cloth diapers and hang-dry.

If you don’t cloth diaper just make sure to use a perfume-free detergent (I love Seventh Generation) and don’t use any fabric softener with them.

Improvements

These pads were pretty amazing and I loved them way more than disposable pads. They are 10 times more comfortable and the wings didn’t crinkle and get stuck on one another.

But…
The only thing I have to say is that they were a little warm for the summertime. If you’re going to be running out and about on a hot day I would prefer to use a menstrual cup or a more breathable cloth pad option.

It might be nice if they started offering organic cotton or bamboo options, although they wouldn’t wick the moisture away like the fleece-lined pads do.

About Charlie Banana

Charlie Banana (aff link) is a well-known cloth diaper company that also makes a line of reusable menstrual pads and other eco-friendly products.

After many years in the Toy and Juvenile industries, Gaëlle Wizenberg, president of Winc Design Limited, decided to create Charlie Banana®; a collection of baby and children’s products that combine eco-friendliness, quality, and design in one brand.

In creating Charlie Banana®, Gaëlle drew inspiration from her own two children: her son, Zachary, and her daughter, Charlie or “Charlie Banana” as Zachary calls her. It’s with great joy that Charlie Banana® comes to life.

Charlie Banana Pads
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Maternity Sleep Bra
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Snappi Diaper Fastener, Size 2 IS BACK! (Review & Giveaway)

Snappi Diaper Fastener, Size 2 IS BACK! (Review & Giveaway)

by | Jan 26, 2016 | Cloth Diaper Accessories

This post was proudly sponsored by Snappi Baby USA. My opinions are completely honest and of my own. I only promote products that I use and believe in on this blog.  

Looking for a diaper fastener that is easier to use than safety pins? In this short post, I will review the new Snappi Diaper Fastener. These are inexpensive, easy to use, and come in new fun colors!

Giveaway details are at the bottom of this post! Don’t miss out, I am giving away three packs of size-two Snappi’s to three lucky winners!

What Is The Snappi Diaper Fastener?

Back in the good ol’ days, they used small flat sheets of material as diapers (FLATS) along with safety pins to secure them. In the 80’s the Snappi diaper fastener was invented by a man in Africa who was tired of getting pricked by the pins. Snappi’s began to revolutionize cloth diapering because they made it much easier and safer to secure cloth diapers.

The Snappi is made from non-toxic materials and has no latex. Snappis can secure your diaper from three sides. They stretch pretty easily and work best with cotton fabrics like terry cloth or cotton prefolds. Snappi’s don’t work as well with tightly woven fabrics like thicker hemp prefolds for example. They also feature protective loops on each end that you can pull over the teeth when not in use.

Currently, they come in a pack of 3 or 5 and are sold on Amazon. I like that they give you more than one Snappi diaper fastener so you can have extra for your diaper bag.

Here are the new colors

Snappi Diaper Fastener
Click the image above to play the video.

My Review

I love the new colors that Snappi came out with but I do miss the neon colors they used to offer. I think it would be fun if they offered more color options and even special edition Snappis like glitter or multi-color. As far as function I think the Snappi does a great job at securing prefolds, flats, or fitted cloth diapers. I like that they are stretchy and have protective loops for when not in use. That keeps them from snagging onto things in your diaper bag or sticking your finger.

The Cons:
Snappi diaper fasteners can be a little tight in the front area compared to Boingo’s or diaper pins. I can use BOINGO’S to extend my prefolds since they can hit both sides of the hips like diaper pins. However, I do believe Snappi’s are slightly easier to use than Boingo’s in my experience.

UPDATE:
As of July 2017, Snappi Baby has decided to launch the size-two Snappi’s again! They will come in the same colors that are listed above and stretch further across the diaper. This will allow you to use your prefolds longer, saving you some $$$.

Click the image above to play the video.

If you are interested in purchasing your own set of Snappis, you can check out my affiliate link. I do make a small commission (very small) if you go through my link and it’s at no extra cost to you! Snappi Cloth Diaper Fasteners – Pack of 3 (Orange, Green, Gray)




Closed Giveaway - 3 Chances To Win!

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{CLOSED} GIVEAWAY! 
I will be giving away three sets of Snappi Baby size-two fasteners to three lucky winners! If you want to enter, simply comment below and tell me if you have ever used Snappi diaper fasteners before. Share this post on Pinterest and let me know your Pinterest username. I have even provided Pinterest friendly graphics for ya!  🙂

PS: I’m also going to be running a private giveaway just for my Nesties (aka email subscribers). If you haven’t hopped onto that bandwagon yet, you can sign up below!  

Snappi Diaper Fastener
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Charlie Banana Pads
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DIY Cloth Diaper Flower Wreath

DIY Cloth Diaper Flower Wreath

by | Jan 20, 2016 | Cloth Diapers

Post may contain affiliate links. If you search the web you will see a ton of disposable diaper cakes populate but no so many cloth friendly versions. That is why I decided to create a cloth diaper cake or “wreath.” I wanted something that was affordable, practical, and adorable! This cloth diaper wreath will only cost a little under 40 bucks and you can assemble it in an hour. I only used four different materials to make the wreath so there isn’t a lot to purchase. This wreath will also double as a beautiful decoration to any baby shower and is the perfect gift for an eco-conscious mom.

Click the image above to play the video.

You can check out my affiliate link image if you are looking for some good quality prefolds for your wreath!

I highly recommend these wipes because you get more for your money and they work great! You can check out my affiliate link image if you are interested.

Cloth Diaper

I used a 12 pack of OsoCozy Infant prefolds, Luvable Friends Washcloths 24 pack, clear rubber bands, and a 12 in wire wreath backing.

Why The Prefold Cloth Diaper?

Prefold cloth diapers are amazing diapers because you can use them as burp rags, cleaning rags, or use them as inserts for your pocket diapers. They are one of the most affordable and easy going diapers you can buy. They tend to last a long time, wash easy, and not hold onto any odors. If you want to learn more about them, you can check out my full post on prefolds.




Why Baby Washcloths?

The baby washcloths I picked out are my favorite cloth wipes by far. They are inexpensive, come in a set of 24, and can be used in so many ways! I even created a video called 10 Alternative Uses for Baby Washcloths that you can watch HERE. To make a long story short, I love these because they are thin and allow me to get in all of the nooks and crannies to clean my baby. They also work wonderful for wiping boogies, cleaning up messes, and as general cleaning wipes for when we travel.

Cloth Diaper

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Snappi Diaper Fastener

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