This is the new Peanut Shell that I bought last week!! I love it and it makes me smile every time I see it. My other one is just a plain chocolate brown, so this bright pattern is a welcome change!

You might be wondering why someone whose youngest child is almost 16 months old would even be buying a new baby carrier, right? (And no, I am not pregnant) Kelvin has always been a super-clingy, high-maintenance baby. Even though he’s getting older, that really hasn’t changed much…so instead of fighting it, I just roll with it and he spends quite a bit of each day happily tucked in a sling, Moby Wrap or mei tai.

He’s almost 25 pounds and holding him in my arms that much makes my muscles cramp up, so I’m glad I have the option of using a baby carrier. All my carriers hold up to 35 pounds, so he’s got some time to develop a little bit of independence before he outgrows them! Fortunately for me, all my carriers are very comfortable so I don’t feel like an old person with psoriatic arthritis treatment after I get him out!

By the way, I was not paid to write about the Peanut Shell, but if you want to buy your own, I would recommend looking on ebay. I got both of mine brand new for only $15 plus shipping (which was around $7). That’s significantly cheaper than buying straight from the Peanut Shell site!

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If you’re wondering why I have dark circles around eyes so often lately, it’s from keeping up with two active toddlers!  That’s right…Kelvin is walking a lot now!  He probably walks about 50% of the time at this point.  He does fall every 5-10 steps, but picks himself up almost every time and keeps walking.  He’s getting so big!!

However, I’m not getting all weepy about him being a toddler quite yet.  This little guy is still a baby in many ways.  He’s a really needy baby, so he insists on being held (or worn in one of my baby carriers) quite a bit.  And he still wakes up 2-5 times a night (on a good night).  Until I’m sleeping through the night on a regular basis, I still have a baby, as far as I’m concerned! 

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Road trips with kids can be pretty stressful.  Most kids don’t like being strapped into a car seat and they’re even less fond of staying there for hours!  Combine that with their parents’ exhaustion and you have a recipe for a pretty unpleasant drive!

But this last week, we had our least-stressful road trip ever!  Ava’s usually pretty easy-going in the car but it can be a nightmare to travel with Kelvin.  Here’s what helped us on this trip:

1. We used a DVD player…with a screen for each child!  Chad and I both agree that our portable DVD player is one of the best investments we ever made for our mental health.  And it’s even better now that Kelvin is a little bit interested in watching TV, even though it’s just for short periods of time right now.  If your kids are old enough to be entertained by TV, get a portable DVD player with a couple of screens, a few mounts, and you’ll be set!
2. We turned Kelvin’s car seat around.  Even though he was a couple days shy of one year old, he was definitely over the weight requirement and it made the trip so much more pleasant for everyone.  He didn’t even need to be entertained every second of the trip like he normally does, because he was so thrilled to be able to see everything that was going on.
3. We made several fairly long stops.  Two of the stops were to eat and one was at an Old Navy outlet.  At each stop, we made sure to let the kids move around and stretch their legs, which made it much easier to get them back into their car seats later!
4. We had a few new toys for each of the kids.  It’s amazing how long something new can keep their attention!  Plus, the new toys keep them entertained at the hotel, too!
5. We brought along blankets, pillows, and teddy bears to make it easier for them to sleep.  Napping in the car isn’t always easy, even for little ones, so this tip always helps!
6. And as always, we packed lots of snacks!

What tricks do you have up your sleeve for having stress-free (or at least low-stress) road trips?

Visit What I Learned This Week for more new insights and inspirations!

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Did you know that this week is International Babywearing Week?  Anyone who knows me very well knows that I’m a huge believer in babywearing.  I’ve used it with both of my kids and loved every minute of it.

Now that Kelvin’s crawling and getting close to walking, I don’t wear him as much at home, but as soon as he starts getting fussy or clingy, I pop him in a carrier or wrap and he’s instantly happy.  And I always wear him when we go out, whether it’s to an event or just running errands.

I even still wear Ava on occasion!  The other day I took just her to Office Depot with me and she insisted on being worn in the Mei Tai while we were there.

What Is Babywearing?

Babywearing is the practice of holding your baby using a baby carrier.  Babies thrive from being touched and their parents love to hold them.  Babywearing makes it possible for parents to have the best of both worlds…they can hold and cuddle their babies while still accomplishing the tasks of everyday life!  It’s also a very effective way to calm a fussy baby and even get them to sleep.

Why Babywear?

Babywearing has so many benefits, both for the baby and the parent.

1. Babywearing results in a happier baby (which results in happier parents, too!).  Babies who are held or worn most of the day tend to cry and fuss far less than babies who are not held as frequently.  There is also evidence that babies who cry less have better brain development because their brains don’t have to deal with stress hormones as often.
2. Babywearing makes everyday life easier. Not only can you use both hands to get things done around the house, it makes errands and outings so much easier!  No more lugging around a carseat or trying to push a stroller through a crowd!
3. Babywearing makes babies feel secure. It also helps keep them from getting over-stimulated since they can burrow into Mom or Dad when the outside world becomes a little too much.
4. Babywearing promotes physical development. Your baby picks up on your body’s rhythms (your heartbeat, breathing and movements) which helps her regulate her own.  And for newborns whose circulation isn’t quite up to par yet, it’s a great way to keep them warm…who needs an electric blanket when they have Mom or Dad to snuggle with?
5. Babywearing is a fantastic way to bond. What better way to bond than cuddling close to each other all day?  In addition, it helps you to learn about your baby and read his cues, which will also result in less crying!  And it’s a great way for dads, grandparents and other caregivers to “catch up” on the bonding process.
6. Babywearing allows you to share your personal space with your baby, which keeps strangers and their germs at a distance.
7. Babywearing is a lot of fun. Even if babywearing didn’t have all these great benefits, I would still do it because I love it.  It’s a great way to interact with my kids and it gets them up at eye-level so they can interact easier with other adults, too.

Watch for more posts about babywearing all week long!  I’m looking forward to sharing about the carriers and wraps I use and love!

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I have had my share of dealing with a fussy baby.  In fact, I’ve had several people’s share of dealing with a fussy baby!!  Ava wasn’t so bad….she barely ever fussed.  And then along came Kelvin and I had no idea a baby could fuss so much!!  He had acid reflux and has been teething non-stop since he was about two months old…so it makes sense that I have a few tricks up my sleeve!  Luckily, he seems to have outgrown his acid reflux in the last month or so and I think (hope!) he’s taking a break from teething for awhile…and so I pass my ideas on to you!

1. Make sure all of your baby’s needs are satisfied.  Is he hungry?  Does he need a diaper change?  Does he need to be burped?  If all that fails, you could try changing his clothes in case there’s a tag or something that’s making him uncomfortable.
2. Find a sound that’s calming to your baby.  For Ava, it was white noise.  She even slept with white noise until she was almost 2!  For Kelvin, it’s usually a soft lullabye CD.
3. Swaddle your baby, if she likes it.  Ava loved being swaddled.  That’s the only way I could get her to sleep until she was over 6 months old.  Kelvin hated being swaddled so I didn’t do it more than a couple of times for him.  It all depends on your baby, but for many babies it’s very calming, so it’s definitely something to try!
4. Wear your baby in a sling or carrier.  Babies love being snuggled up to their parents and it makes them feel secure.  Both of my kids have loved being worn and I still wear Kelvin when we go out on errands or to places like the zoo.  It’s especially helpful when you’re out and about because it can help avoid an overstimulated, screaming baby!
5. Pace with your baby.  I can’t even begin to tell you how many countless hours I spent pacing around the house with a fussy baby!  Something about the movement and having different things to look at seems to quiet babies down!  If your arms get tired, see #4!
6. Get a change of scenery!  Go out in the yard, take a drive in the car, go for a walk (and work off some of that belly fat leftover from pregnancy in the process!!)…anything to get your baby’s mind on something besides what’s bothering them (whether it’s boredom, discomfort that you can’t ease, etc.)!
7. Put your baby in the swing.  Babies love the motion of swings and if they’re overtired, it will usually lull them right to sleep!

For more great tips, visit Works For Me Wednesday!

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The fourth type of cloth diaper is the all-in-one (AIO).  AIO’s have everything you need for diapering…the absorbent insert is sewn into the waterproof cover.  They come with either velcro (hook and loop) or snap closures.

Pros

AIO’s are the easiest diapers to use…there’s no assembly or folding required.  Grandparents and alternate caregivers really appreciate these diapers!!  Many people also say that they’re the least bulky diapers, but I find pocket diapers to be about the same.

Cons

AIO diapers are definitely the most expensive option.  They also take the longest to dry because you can’t disassemble them for faster drying.  Another disadvantage is that there are very few one-size AIO’s (there is one from BumGenius, but that’s the only one I know of).

Cost

AIO’s range from about $18 to about $30, depending on brand.

My Thoughts

I don’t really use AIO’s.  I have used some from Thirsties, but I never bought more after Kelvin outgrew them.  There wasn’t anything wrong with the way they worked…I never had leaks and they fit great.  I’m just perfectly fine using pocket diapers and don’t see the need to pay extra money to avoid spending 5 minutes stuffing diapers on laundry day.

I also don’t like AIO’s because I never feel like I can get them clean enough.  I like being able to take the insert out of pocket diapers and knowing that the whole thing got really clean.  That’s just the way I feel, though…I’ve never seen any evidence to support this.  There is evidence that they take forever to dry, though!!

But if you dislike stuffing pocket diapers or have another person caring for your child for a large amount of time, AIO’s might be the way to go for you.  Basically, you’re paying extra for the convenience of not stuffing diapers and if that’s what you’re after, this is the diaper for you!

I can’t personally recommend many AIO’s.  Like I said, I have only used Thirsties and those worked fine.  I know that at least one of my sister-in-laws has some BumGenius AIO’s and really likes them, though.

Do you like AIO’s?  Why or why not?  What is your favorite brand?

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So now you know what prefold and fitted diapers are…now it’s time to talk pockets!  Pocket diapers are similar to plain diaper covers, but there is an opening in the back where you can stuff in an absorbent insert (you can also use a folded prefold).  After they’re stuffed, you put them on the same way you would put on a disposable diaper.  There is no need for a separate cover.

Pros

Pocket diapers are very convenient to use.  You can stuff them as soon as they come out of the laundry and have them all ready to go when you need them.  They also give a trim fit…they’re not bulky at all, which is something I really appreciate!  And they dry quickly since the insert comes out of the cover during washing and drying.

Cons

Unlike a normal cover, the pocket diaper cover must be washed after every use, since it’s next to baby’s skin.  Also, pocket diapers take a little bit of time to stuff after they’re washed and dried.

Cost

The least expensive pocket diapers I’ve found are about $13 each, but there are pockets that go for $30 or more.

My Thoughts

Pocket diapers are my favorite cloth diapers, by far.  You don’t have to deal with the bulk of prefolds and fitteds and they’re easier to get really clean than AIO’s (in my opinion).  The fact that you have to stuff them really doesn’t bother me.  It takes maybe 10 minutes to stuff all of them and have them all ready to go.

My absolute favorite pocket diapers are Smartipants.  They also happen to be the least expensive one-size pocket diapers out there (they’re a little over $13 each).  Again, one-size means you can adjust the diaper to fit your baby from newborn through toddler.  I love the fit, I love the quality, and I love the price!  They never leak on either one of my kids.  Another great thing about Smartipants is that they have a slit for the insert in the back and front, so that the insert will come out in the wash (with all other pockets, you have to remove the insert before washing).  This doesn’t really affect me, because I always wash my inserts and covers separately, but a lot of people don’t and this would really be helpful!

My second-favorite diapers are the BumGenius One-Size diapers.  Neither of my kids leak in these diapers either and I love that they’re one-size.  I don’t like them as much as Smartipants because I feel the fit isn’t as good (at the waist) and they’re substantially more expensive (around $18 each).  However, these are the only diapers Kelvin can use at night because I have to stuff the diaper with two inserts for him at night (he’s a very heavy wetter) and the Smartipants aren’t big enough to easily hold two inserts.

I also tried Haute Pockets for awhile.  They are also one-size, and the fit is good, but the quality is pretty poor.  Two of mine are already unusable after less than a year of use (and the BumGenius diapers I bought at the same time are still going strong).

Other diapers I’ve tried are: 1) DryBees.  These are all right, but when you order, don’t size up!  They’re really big. 2) Happy Heiny’s.  These are OK for short periods of time, but leak after about an hour, even with two inserts. 3) Mommy’s Touch.  These are one-size, but I don’t like them when they’re adjusted for smaller babies.  It looks messy and doesn’t stay in position well.  They’re fine when used in the largest setting, though. 4) FuzziBunz.  I don’t like these at all.  They don’t stay in position for an active baby.

If you’ve decided to mainly use prefolds, but use pocket diapers for outings and night-time, I would recommend buying 6-8.  If you’re going to go exclusively with pockets, it’s recommended that you have 24, if you’re washing everyday.  You may want to have a dozen or so prefolds and a cover or two for “emergencies’ when all the pockets are dirty, though.

Note that my opinions in this post are just that: opinions.  Different diapers work well for different babies, which is why there are so many brands.  If you’re thinking about using a certain brand, buy just one to see how they work on your baby before you go all out and buy an entire stash!

What is your favorite brand of pocket diapers?

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The second type of cloth diaper I want to tell you about is the fitted diaper.  Fitted diapers are shaped just like disposables and fasten with either velcro or snaps.  There are also contour diapers, which are close cousins to fitteds, but you need to fasten those with a Snappi.  Like with prefolds, fitted diapers are not waterproof so you need to use a cover or wrap over them.

Pros

They are more convenient to use than prefolds, since there is no folding or Snappi involved.  They also tend to be less bulky than prefolds, which is a definitely plus.  Also, most fitteds are also extremely absorbent.

Cons

This is also a two-part system…you need to use diaper covers over fitteds.  Also, because they’re thicker and more absorbent, they take a little longer to dry than prefolds do.

Cost

Fitteds range from $8-$30, depending on the brand.

My Thoughts

Honestly, I’m not a fan of fitteds.  I ordered 6 Green Mountain Diaper Fitteds (they’re about halfway down the page) before Kelvin was born and they were easy to use and worked fine, but I find them a little unnecessary.  My main problems with prefolds is that they’re bulky and require a cover (which makes them more bulky).  Fitteds don’t fix either of those problems.  They are trimmer than prefolds, but not as trim as pocket diapers or AIO’s.  And of course, they require a cover.

But for someone who dislikes folding prefolds or needs something easy for other caregivers to use, this would be a good solution.  They’re substantially less expensive than pockets or AIO’s, too.

If you didn’t read my thoughts on covers yet, you can see them at the end of this post.

Have you tried fitteds?  What did you think of them?  What brands did you like?

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One thing I love about cloth-diapering is that there are so many options!  There are four major types of cloth diapers: prefolds, fitted, pockets and all-in-one’s (AIO’s).  There’s lots of variety within each type, too. Over the next few posts, I’ll be describing each type, some pros and cons, average cost and my personal opinion of it.

The first type is prefolds.  A prefold is a flat diaper that you fold onto the baby and secure with a Snappi.  Because it is just absorbent fabric, you also have to use a waterproof cover over it.

In case you’re having trouble visualizing it, I made a video showing how I put prefolds on.  There are many different ways to do it, so if my way doesn’t work for you, Google it and you can find other videos.

You’re going to have to excuse the fact that my model is a teddy bear.  This was the bear’s first Take, but it was Take 529 for me.  Neither one of the kids wanted to cooperate and be famous on my blog, so the teddy bear had to step in.

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Pros

Many people choose prefolds because they’re the least expensive option.  Not only do they cost less up-front, you can use them longer because you can fold them to fit your baby, so you don’t need as many sizes.  Another advantage is the fast drying time.

Cons

My biggest complaint about prefolds is that they’re bulkier than pocket diapers or AIO’s.  I need to make sure that my kids are wearing stretchy or slightly big pants in order to fit them over their diaper.  Some people dislike them because they require folding, but as I’ve said before: With a little bit of practice, you’ll be a pro!  You should also keep in mind that this is a two-part system…you also need diaper covers to go over them.

Cost

Basic prefolds cost $14-$32 per dozen, depending on which size you’re buying.  Most covers range from $7-$30.

My Thoughts

Prefolds and covers are the foundation of my cloth-diapering system.  I’ve dabbled in a little bit of everything, but prefolds have always been my standby.  We use them quite a bit when we’re at home, but not at night.

In the beginning, I bought these prefolds in the newborn and infant sizes (3 dozen newborns, 1 dozen infants).  If I had it to do over again, I would only buy the infant size.  They shrink and get all quilty when you wash them and both ended up being the same size, but the infant diapers are thicker and more absorbent.  I only used the newborn size for a very short time.

After Kelvin outgrew the infant diapers, I went straight to the premium ones and now use them on him and Ava.  Like I said, you can fold them to fit your baby, so there’s no reason to buy any of the sizes in between, since there isn’t much difference.

I would not recommend buying the toddler size unless you know the premium ones are too small.  I have a dozen toddler diapers and they’re HUGE.  I doubt either of my kids will ever wear them.

So to sum up…my advice if you decide on prefolds is to buy 2-3 dozen infant diapers and 2-3 dozen premium diapers and you’ll be set.

For covers, I bought Bummis, Litewraps, Thirsties, Proraps, Mommy’s Touch, and Wonder Wraps.  I did not like the Bummis at all.  They leaked every single time I used them.  I also did not like the Mommy’s Touch because the placement of the snaps caused red marks on the kids’ legs.  The Litewraps and Proraps were alright, but Kelvin outgrew them very quickly, so I didn’t use them much.  I loved Thirsties until I discovered Wonder Wraps!!

After I tried Wonder Wraps, no other diaper cover would do.  That’s all we have now because they’re awesome.  They never, ever leak and they fit great.  And the best part is that they’re one-size!!  You buy them when your baby is born and adjust them as your baby grows…you never have to buy covers again!

So in case you can’t tell, my recommendation would be to skip the other covers and go for Wonder Wraps!

(The cover shown in the video is a Wonder Wrap and I wish I would have shown you how to adjust them, but I didn’t think of it until later.  And I did not want to start all over again…that would have been Take 530, folks!  But you adjust it to smaller with the snaps on the front)

The nice thing about covers is that you don’t have to put them in the diaper pail after every use (unless they get poop on them).  I use two covers per child per day and switch back and forth between them (to let Cover #1 air out while Cover #2 is on Baby and vice versa).  If you’re washing every other day, you should probably have 5-6 covers per child.  I have 10 (five per child) and it works perfectly for me.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: This is just my experience with cloth diapering.  Different diapers work for different people.  If you have a thought to share about prefolds or covers, please share it in a comment!!

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Whenever I tell people that I cloth diaper, they usually have lots of questions.  I try to answer them the best that I can, but there’s usually something that I remember later that I wish I would have told them.  So I decided to write a series of posts on cloth-diapering so that I have all my thoughts and information in one place and it’s available to everyone.

Here’s a brief introduction…

I began my cloth-diapering journey about a year ago, right before Kelvin was born.  I knew several people who loved cloth diapering so I cautiously decided to give it a try.  I spent hours researching it and decided to buy just the newborn size to get him through his first few months.  That way, if I decided I didn’t like it, I could quit and start buying disposables.

I had no idea how much I would love cloth diapering.  Needless to say, I ended up purchasing quite a few more diapers and began cloth diapering Ava, too.  Now the only time we use disposables is when we’re on a trip.  It’s very apparent that the kids prefer cloth to disposables.

When most people think of cloth diapers, they think of basic flat diapers, diaper pins, plastic diaper covers, and dunking dirty diapers in the toilet.  But none of that needs to be part of the equation anymore.  Most people who think cloth diapering is “icky” or “too much work” are misinformed.  Here’s a basic overview of the myths people believe about cloth diapering:

1. Cloth diapers are hard to use.
   They make cloth diapers that are essentially like disposables.  They’re shaped exactly the same and you put them on the same way.  The only difference is you get to wash and reuse them!  Even if you decide to use flat diapers (prefolds), it just takes a little practice and you’ll be able to put them on just as quickly as a disposable!
2. I’m afraid of poking my baby with diaper pins.
   I don’t even think they make diaper pins anymore.  Most diapers fasten with velcro or snaps.  For prefolds, we have an awesome diaper fastener called a Snappi!  But more on that later…
3. Dunking diapers in toilet is really yucky.
   I don’t dunk my diapers.  I never have and I never will.  Diaper services don’t require their customers to dunk them, so you don’t have to either!  If it’s a very solid stool, I’ll dump it into the toilet, but that’s as far as I go.  And my diapers always come out of the wash perfectly clean and sweet-smelling!
4. I don’t think cloth diapers will keep my baby dry enough.
   According to the AAP, disposable-diapered babies are supposed to be changed as soon as they wet/dirty their diapers, just like cloth-diapered babies are.  Most parents don’t do that, though, because the diaper companies have told them that the baby still feels dry (thanks to their chemicals).  For the short amount of time between when my babies wet their diaper and when I change them, they don’t feel wet anyway because I made diaper liners out of microfleece, so they still feel dry!  I’ll be talking more about that later in the series, too.
5. Won’t I have problems with diaper rash?
   I’ve been cloth diapering for almost a year and haven’t had any problems with diaper rash.  Cloth-diapering is way better for their bottoms and results in far fewer rashes because they aren’t exposed to all those chemicals all the time!
6. I don’t have enough time to cloth diaper.
   It really doesn’t take that much time.  The washing machine and dryer do the hard work for me and it takes just a few minutes to fold the diapers when they’re done.  Plus, you never have to make a diaper run to the store at an inconvenient time!
7. Cloth diapering is too expensive.
   Cloth diapering isn’t even nearly as expensive as disposable diapering!  The initial investment into cloth diapering is bigger, but it’s far cheaper in the long run.  Disposable diapering a child costs around $1700.  The average cloth-diapering parent spends between $150-500 on cloth diapers…and can then reuse them on future children!  And as for the water bill, mine hasn’t changed since I started cloth diapering.

So you see…cloth diapering has come a long way.  People (including me) cloth diaper now because they LOVE it, not just to save money and the environment (although those are definite pluses!).

I’m really looking forward to sharing my knowledge of cloth diapering with you!  Of course, the information I share is just based on my experience in the cloth diapering world, so if you have anything to add, feel free to comment.  Also, at the end of this series, I plan to do a Q&A post, so if you have any questions, leave them in a comment!

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