The Swim Diaper Myth...

Warm weather is finally here!!! (in New England that is) We have a long haul through late fall, winter and most of spring before we get a break in the cold and snow :) I thought I would talk about swim diapers, a thing of mystery and often a pain in the....well you know!

The typical disposable swim diapers that most parents turn to and even are sold at most public pools are similar to a regular disposable diaper minus the absorbent gel and the outer waterproofing layer. The myth is that these diapers keep pee out of the water - WRONG! I have had moms ask me about my daughters Kushie's cloth swim diaper dozens of times. We have talked about how expensive the disposable swim diapers are and how often they change them. They want to see how the cloth swim diaper works and its so simple! The problem comes up when they see that its just the outer layer and the inner mesh. They are astounded that there is nothing absorbent because they don't realize just how little their disposables hold. Basically they all are designed to hold just poo.

The other question I keep hearing from cloth moms is, what to stuff the swim diaper with? The simple answer....NOTHING! As I said before, they are designed to contain messes, everything else, water AND pee should pass right through. If not, it could pose a potential drowning hazard. If the diaper were to fill with liquid it could weigh the child down or if it were to fill with air it could force the child's head under the water while floating their behind to the surface.

The lesson here is this....even if you don't cloth diaper, cloth swim diapers are SO easy to use and can save lots of money and waste! They are sold online at our store as well as in many retail establishments, give them a try :) And as alway, happy diapering!

Not Your Mother's Cloth Diapers!

Often we get mother/daughter customers coming into the store asking for info and exploring possibilities. The opinions vary - some are all for it, telling stories of their own experiences, others are more negative, giving examples of why the new mother will need that extra time (all what, 20 mins a week?) that it takes to do the extra washes. Back about 25-30 yrs ago, when disposable diapers were really beginning to enter the mainstream, they were thought of as a new “freedom” for women, somewhat comparable the bra burning era!

Most mothers’ impressions of cloth are that of diaper pins, pull on pants and wet pails and while some of us still employ these things, we know there are more modern, easy ways to CD as well as safer alternatives to the wet pail. Most cloth diaper manufacturers these days actually specify that a DRY pail be used, explaining that keeping diapers in a wet pail is not only dangerous for children (as a drowning hazard) but also not good for the diapers, they break down faster and the elastics and snaps wear out sooner as well. It often takes quite some discussions to explain to grandmothers-to-be that cloth diapering is a great option and there are so many new ways that things have been made easier and quicker for the modern - often more so than the parents themselves. They are amazed at the different types available – AIOs, pockets, fitteds, one-size diaper, the modern side fastening cover…..too many to remember! We just try and keep it as simple as possible to reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed. Its easy we tell them, and for those of you that love to cloth diaper, you know its true.

So at this time of year where we have just honored our mothers, old and new – try and laugh about those small disagreements! I am reminded of some of the struggles of differing opinions that I have had with my own mother on the subject of child rearing – so funny to think about and great memories I will carry with me.