So glad I chose cloth; breastfeeding

Cloth diaper by BumbleBees

Cloth diapering is going so well! I'm super thankful too, because a recent article/headline said there may be a shortage of disposable diapers due to some explosion in Japan or somewhere and therefore the cost of disposables is likely to skyrocket.

Also, Kathryn's butt got sooooo red during the short time we used Pampers (I may have already mentioned this....sorry, sleep deprived and baby distracted mama here).

With the cloth, she's doing great. I also bought California Baby Calming Diaper Cream. It's fabulous and smells wonderful. WAY better than the Desitin I used with my boys over a decade ago.

I had a couple of stains on prefolds, but I used a little peroxide and the stains are gone. The only thing is, I noticed that the diapers feel different. I washed them in the long, extra rinse cycle on the washer (fabulous for diapers, by the way!), but they still feel different. I'm going to keep a close eye on Kathryn's bottom to be sure she has no reaction to them.

We bought 6 more KaWaii HeavyWetters last night (Holstein cow, lime and blue dotty prints). They are, by far, our favorites and we both agree (so cool that my husband is offering opinions and participating happily with cloth diapering!!) that the snaps are best. The velcro ones get pills in the wash and it bugs me. We also bought 3 more covers (tiger and jaguar print! lol), because I do like the prefolds and covers quite a lot. I'll have to buy more prefolds in a few months, but we are good for now.

It's crazy to think that, not including what we bought last night, if we were using disposables, we'd already have spent the money we used to buy cloth...and cloth lasts from birth to potty-training. Insane. Even with the extra we'll be spending on water, we'll still be saving a hell of a lot of money.

I started out using cloth wipes, but have since started using disposable wipes. I may go back to cloth once she starts eliminating less often. At this point, I was going through the cloth wipes way too quickly. I guess I underestimated how many I'd need. I have no problem making adjustments as things progress. It's all about what's best for my baby.

For me, cloth diapering and breastfeeding go hand-in-hand. I mean, it's because I'm breastfeeding that cloth diapering is easier. Breast milk poo doesn't stain like formula poo does. Nor does breast milk spit-up. Thank goodness, because she does a lot of spitting up...she's a very aggressive eater.

Anyway...about that. My breasts have FINALLY adjusted to feeding her. I had to overcome several challenges.

1. Sore, cracked and (one) bleeding nipple/s.
2. Engorgement (as most mamas go through)
3. Mastitis
4. Poor latch (she finally figured it out at about 3 weeks...just before I got mastitis!)

Now, we are doing well and I feel confident enough with her latch to let her nurse while I'm in the side lying position.

Listening intently to Mommy

I think we're in the smooth sailing stage...yay. It was difficult. I cried several nights and days with sore nipples. I even, in a moment of serious pain, considered for a second, giving up. However, the thought of giving my baby formula helped me immediately toss that thought to the side. I just can't imagine giving my child a chemical-laden "food." Plus, have you seen the articles about the recalls? At least I know my milk is good for her.

Most recent picture...I love that her personality is coming out. She smiles a lot now and coos! 

At her last appointment, she gained a pound and grew another inch! 

Love my Katydid.