Birth Well Doula

I have used cloth for all 4 of my children. It’s easy to do and just becomes “what you do” as the effort blends into your lifestyle. It adds a few extra loads of laundry per week, but that’s never been something that I consider a burden given the benefits of using cloth. There is only soft cloth next to my baby’s skin. The baby is changed often, getting urine or fecal matter off the baby as soon as possible. There is no chemical treated paper or plastic, no solid waste that sits in a landfill for 500 years, and it’s extremely economical. I am of the mind that a new technology is not necessarily a better technology. Supposed convenience can cause unintended social and relational consequences. Get a sample and try it!

Atlanta parents can check out Atlanta Cloth for workshops, playgroups, forums, and activities about cloth diapering. Tell Rachel you found Atlanta Cloth through Birth Well Doula!

I prefer cotton pre-folds with Nikki covers, dry bucket with a liner, cloth wipes with water or a natural baby wipe solution (or homemade, recipes below), wash hot/cold with white vinegar and powder laundry soap, not baby detergents (see Soapworks or Trader Joe’s).

My favorite company to purchase cloth diapers from is Babyworks in Oregon. They are friendly folks to call if you have questions and their service is excellent. I like their other products as well. There is also a good list of a few more companies at Natural Mothering.

Infant Potty Training

Since my second child I have used a method called infant potty training. Infants under 6 months are aware of the use of their elimination muscles, but will lose that awareness if it’s not exercised. There are books about this that I highly recommend, but suffice it to say, briefly, that my 5 month old will pee within moments of being held over the sink or a bowl. She’s not extra smart, though that’s hard for her mother to say! Please visit Infant Potty Training and get the book by the same name by Laurie Boucke. Web search that term and you’ll find more. Also there’s a great book called Diaper Free at Natural Wisdom…excellent. Read more at Natural Family Online.

Using this method has certainly reduced the number of dirty diapers, but one of my children was fully toilet trained before age 2, one remains to be seen. The process of learning is not so jarring to the child, with less struggles over using the toilet for sure. They know from infancy what it’s for and that one does not need to always go in their pants. Ask me questions if you’d like. I’m in process with my third using this method.

Diaper Wipe Solutions

To prepare any of these recipes, mix all ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake to blend the oils. You may pre-soak your wipes in a covered container, like a disposable diaper wipe box, or warmer. Or, as I prefer, wet the cloth wipes as needed with a squirt or spray bottle. You may also just use plain water (distilled is preferable) as a wipe solution. Store any extra solution in the refrigerator.

After making your own solution a few times, you probably won’t have to measure any more and can add the ingredients by sight. It will be easier than it may appear upon reading recipes for the first time. It only takes a few minutes to mix up a new batch of solution.

Cloth wipes can be had from a variety of sources - thin wash cloths, pieces of flannel, cut up old t-shirts (clean ones!), or specially made cloth wipes sold by cloth diaper companies. If you sew (or just wish you did, like me), you can serg the edges of flannel squares so they don’t fray or sew together wipes of flannel on one side with terry cloth on the other.

For home-made disposable wipes, simply cut a roll of select-a-size paper towels in half with a bread knife or other large knife; pull out the center tube; place in a plastic container that fits the roll (easy to find in any grocery store); pour wipe solution over the roll; pull wipes from the center of the roll. For these pre-wet paper wipes, it’s best to use some witch hazel or tea tree oil in the wipe solution to prevent mold. These are a gentler, more economical wipe option than commercial wipes, particularly for those who are using disposable diapers.

If your baby has a bad rash you might want to avoid using a strong wipe solution, or any solution containing alcohol or vinegar, as it may cause irritation. Many recipes call for baby oil, which is petroleum-based mineral oil; you may substitute apricot oil, sweet almond, or sunflower oil, or even light olive oil, for a solution that does not contain petroleum-based oils.

Basic ingredient list for your own wipe solutions:
~ bottled water (distilled preferable), or filtered tap water
~ essential oils (tea tree, lavender, calendula)
~ liquid baby soap/shampoo or baby oil (preferably non-petroleum based, see above)

Diaper Wipe Solution #1
Abt 1 c bottled or filtered water
A squirt of baby oil or baby shampoo
2-4 drops Tea Tree oil
1 cap full Witch Hazel

Anti-Yeast Diaper Wipe Solution
½ c distilled water
1 Tbsp vinegar
4-5 drops Calendula Oil
1 drop Lavender Oil
1 drop Tea Tree Oil
~ This wipe solution gently discourages yeast diaper rash; the vinegar and essential oils discourage yeast growth and mold .Diaper Wipe Solution#2
2 Tbsp (or less) mineral oil or baby oil (a couple quick squirts)
2 Tbsp (or less) baby shampoo or liquid baby soap (a couple quick squirts)
1-1/2 to 2 c water
4-6 drops Lavender oil (antibacterial agent and for scent)
3-5 drops tea tree oil (optional, helps reduce mold)
~ Note: for more wipes; 2-4 Tbsp baby soap, 2-4 Tbsp baby oil, and 2-3 c water.

Recipes can be found at: Stony Mountain Botanicals