Diapers: Part I - Washables

Oh, how I love the environment, let me count the ways: I recycle, I used aluminum canteens instead of bottled water, I buy and sell used clothing, and I throw out diapers. 

What, what, whaaat?

Yes, I had every intention of using washable diapers ... before the baby was born. I bought inserts and special all-in-one diapers so that the transition would be seamless and great. I tried the all-in-ones. Well, they didn't fit her legs. I got the ones with elastic at the waist and legs, but still lots of leaks and stains (with breast milk poop!). Then, I tried some semi-environmentally safe diapers. They were called G-diapers and have cloth outsides with a disposable (flushable) insert. I thought, "fantastic!" These will solve my problems. Except, these could not hold anything. I used them for a day and I was changing her diaper every hour or so because she was fussy over the mess in her drawers! My daughter is not fussy so I said, "screw that!"

In my experience, washable diapers don't fit but a small number of babies and therefore do not work well. Additionally, you have to wash them twice to prevent stains and reduce detergent residue. The flushable/washable ones might work for you but they did not for me. 

Sleepwear: Part II

Nightgowns. Don't do it. Step away.

My problem with the nightgowns - the ones with the elasticized opening at th bottom - is that they are way too cumbersome to deal with. Why? They are so cute, what could possibly be the problem?

When they are big enough to cover his or her feet, while changing their diaper, it creates a big bunch of cotton up their back, which is cumbersome. And/Or, the possibility of poop on the sleepwear is extremely high. Finally, when it is big enough whereas it does not create a big bunch of clothe, then it does not cover their feet, which means socks. And, I am not a fan of socks at night because they are often tight and look uncomfortable.

Sleepwear

So, everyone loves those sleep sacks that are sleeveless and zip from the neck down. I don't. Here's why:

(1) If it's cold enough to put them in a sleep sack, then why make them sleeveless? It means that when I have to change a diaper in the middle of the night, that I'm removing, at least, partially, two articles of clothing. Sigh. My time is precious. Correction. My time sleeping is precious.

(2) Initially, you would think that a zipper from the neck down makes a lot of sense, right? And, it works well, except when the zipper pull comes of the track. Imagine this; it's late at night, you are trying to quickly change your little one's diaper, before feeding them, and keep them as mello as possible. You unzip the sack and try to keep it together, but, alas, it comes apart. This means that you are then going to try to, very quietly, put the zipper pull back on track. Where is it located? RIGHT NEXT TO YOUR SLEEPY BABY'S CHIN. No thanks. Next?

For the cold nights, I recommend a sleep sack but those with sleeves and a zipper that ends at the chin. The zipping process is much easier. I had no problems changing diapers with this choice as I just let my babe sleep on top of the unzipped sack.
For warmer nights, I would just use a onesie and a light flannel blanket.

If you baby likes swaddling, go for it. You will know within two weeks of birth if you child likes it or not. My baby, for instance, did not like it because she was restless and like to move her arms. So, I stopped it for a while but once she was two months old, I would still swaddle her on occasion if she got fussy and could not calm down enough to sleep. I would only still do this if I could tell that she was tired. Otherwise, she just got even more fussy trying to get out of the blanket burrito that I put her into.

Finally, just use a blanket to swaddle your little one. Those inventions with the velcro is pretty neat but they are just an extra burden to deal with; it is much quicker to swaddle them in a blanket and there's no velcro on the blanket. Why does this matter? Velcro is a bitch to wash and/or pack away in a drawer.