The Cloth Diaper Whisperer

Fluff Friday 333

2015-05-29T13:00:00.000-04:00

Who doesn’t love Free Fluffy Mail??

This week The Cloth Diaper Whisperer is giving away One QDSpray Detachable Diaper Sprayer (4 ft)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Fluff Friday 332

2015-05-22T13:00:00.000-04:00

Who doesn’t love Free Fluffy Mail??

This week The Cloth Diaper Whisperer is giving away 2 Rumparooz One Size Diapers - NEW Dandelion and Poppy Color

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Super Saturday Coupon

2015-05-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

Coupon Code: GERBERA

Free One Size Diaper (value $19+) with $109+ order at Kelly's Closet. Limit 1 code per order. Limit 3 uses per customer. Excludes the purchase of gift certificates, Fluff Fairy, Gently Used, Final Sale, bumGenius LE prints, Try Cloth Packages. Not valid on pending or previous orders. KC chooses free diaper. May expire at any time.

BONUS OFFER - O.N.E. order each day - Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - will receive a new GroVia O.N.E. for their free diaper with this coupon code. Order will be selected at random from all orders placed using the coupon code.

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Fluff Friday 331

2015-05-15T13:00:00.000-04:00

Who doesn’t love Free Fluffy Mail??

This week The Cloth Diaper Whisperer is giving away 2 Funky Fluff Stay Dry OS Diapers (winner's choice of colors)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Fluff Friday 330 WINNER!

2015-05-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

This week's fluff friday winner is: Kayli Butler

She will receive the following:
1 GroVia Hybrid VS AIO Pack featuring Little Warrior ($70 value)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! Please, contact us here ASAP so we can get your winnings out to you!!!

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Keepin' It Cloth In The Country

2015-05-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

I live on a remote cattle ranch with my husband Jim and our toddler daughter, Grace. When we got married, I think Jim took it as a personal challenge to move me as far from a town as possible; we are currently over 100 miles from the nearest town with a stoplight. The closest town with the full range of services is 160 miles away. One of the major benefits of using cloth is that I never run out of diapers, which would be a far greater catastrophe than running out of flour or – heaven forbid – dark chocolate.

I started using cloth when Grace was 9 months old and my first-time mom brain finally realized that her ever-present diaper rash was from her disposable diapers. We brought her home from the hospital with a bright red rash, but since she was my first baby, I thought that was normal. After using diaper rash cream daily, sometimes two or three times a day, I decided something was definitely not right the day she screamed for an entire afternoon and her bottom was extra bright red.

I borrowed some cloth diapers from my only neighbor, and within 24 hours her bottom was the same color as her thigh. Apparently, that is the natural way of things. Who knew?! I liked this new, improved skin color, and I liked making my baby girl happy and content. I wanted to keep this good thing going, so I ordered some more diapers and slowly built up my stash. A favorite combination is a bamboo flat wrap with a Rumparooz one-size cover.

We are now a 24/7/365/no-holidays-or-lunch-breaks cloth diaper family, as Grace gets a rash from even one disposable diaper. Most of our rural friends use disposables, but I've realized that cloth diapers are well-suited to country life. It's worth stating again that a huge benefit is never running out of diapers this far from town. When I tell my mom friends that I use cloth diapers and never have to make an emergency trip to town for diapers, they usually say “Oh, that's such a good idea, I wish I would have thought of that!”

Garbage disposal systems on remote ranches are varied, bu one thing is for certain: the garbage man doesn't make weekly rounds picking up full cans parked on the curb. Country people have few options. Typically, we either collect our garbage in a trailer or bin, then haul it to the community dump, or we rent a Dumpster that is emptied periodically. Either one is a hassle, so the less trash we generate, the better. I've found that dumping the contents of a cloth diaper into the toilet and washing a load a couple times a week is by far the easiest way to reduce our household waste.

I've only used a few different brands of cloth diapers, since I don't get many opportunities to see, feel and hold the different kinds in person. Last week, I went to a cloth diaper store in Reno, our regional “big city,” and what a treat that was! So many beautiful diapers made from hemp, bamboo, cotton, microfiber, and every blend imaginable to examine and feel. I asked the store proprietor a ton of questions, and I went back to the boondocks armed with some new ideas and inserts to try with my toddler, who is experiencing a leaking issue.

With a few knowledgeable friends and online ordering, cloth diapering is totally doable no matter how far a person lives from town. I've changed cloth diapers at ranch rodeos, out on the desert while checking cows with my husband, and by the side of the road on our three-hour drive to town. Their reusable nature is a huge plus , and no rash means less stress 160 miles from a doctor and pharmacy. That is why I'm keepin' it cloth in the country.

Bio: Jolyn Young lives on the RO Ranch in central Nevada with her cowboy husband Jim and their toddler daughter Grace. She writes for the Nevada Rancher magazine, takes care of Grace, and rides and ropes whenever she gets a chance.

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Fluff Friday 330

2015-05-08T13:00:00.000-04:00

Who doesn’t love Free Fluffy Mail??

This week The Cloth Diaper Whisperer is giving away 1 GroVia Hybrid VS AIO Pack featuring Little Warrior ($70 value)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Fluff Friday 329 WINNER!

2015-05-08T00:00:00.000-04:00

This week's fluff friday winner is: CJ Huang

She will receive the following:
One Best Bottom Shell with Three Stay Dry Inserts - Winner's Choice of Shell Print/Color and Size of Inserts

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! Please, contact us here ASAP so we can get your winnings out to you!!!

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Our Favorite Cloth Diapering Accessories

2015-05-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

Our family has been cloth diapering for almost 5 years now. We are currently cloth diapering our second boy, and will have 2 in cloth when our baby girl is born in July. There are a few cloth diaper accessories that I cannot live without. I would recommend them to anyone!

My first essential accessory is a wet bag. I have a few different sizes. I have a Rumparooz Wet Bag that holds quite a few diapers. I have put an outfit for both of my boys and 3-4 cloth diapers in it and there is room to spare. I use that bag for our longer day trips. I also have a wet bag that holds a single cloth diaper. I keep that in my purse at all times so when we are out running errands or something I can do a quick change as needed. For our laundry, I used a pail sized laundry bag. I put that in a small trash can. This open pail system has been working for us for many years now. I find I have less stink issues since I use an open pail system.

My second essential cloth diapering accessory is CJ's Butter. We love the CJ's Spritz for daily use. We use it after baths and before bed to keep them fresh and rash free. I have the sample sized and tube of BUTTer on hand for when their bottoms start to get red to prevent a rash from appearing. It is rare that we have a rash and I feel like this is a big reason since we use preventative actions. The only time we see rashes is when he is teething and needs to be changed more frequently than normal. I can't wait to try their Boobie Butter when our baby is born in July also.

My other favorite cloth diapering accessory is our cloth wipes. They are so easy! I stitched them up quickly out of 2 layers of flannel. The squares are about 8 x 8 inches in size. I leave them dry in a bin with our cloth diapers. I wet them under the faucet before we need them. I have left disposable wipes in our cloth diaper laundry before accidentally and I feel it makes our diaper laundry have more static. I just find it easier to go cloth with everything! It has also saved us so much money. A disposable pack of wipes can last us weeks now (since my husband doesn't use them), instead of days. It has eliminated digging wipes out of our diapers when we use them too. It just all goes in the dirty laundry after everything is dumped.

Finally, it is important to find a good detergent that works for you. We have tried many and we are currently using Rockin' Green's Hard Rock formula. It has been working for a few weeks for us. We have had a hard time finding a great detergent since we have hard water. Adding Calgon didn't seem to help our diapers get cleaner with other detergents. We have done an RLR soak a few times in the past 2 years. It really refreshed our diapers and made them like new again. Finding a detergent that works for you seems to be a trial and error process. It can be frustrating, but once you find a detergent that works – it makes your diapering experience so easy!

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Eight Reasons to Make the Switch: Cloth Wipes

2015-05-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

So you use cloth diapers, but you haven’t yet taken the plunge into cloth wipes? The ‘hard’ part is already done and the switch to cloth wipes can be just as rewarding and liberating as when you switched to diapers. Is it really worth switching though? Wipes are pretty cheap after all and they don’t add that much to landfills do they?!? I personally believe cloth wipes are far superior to their disposable counterparts and I probably find them even more efficient than I do my cloth diapers. Don’t get me wrong, I love my diapers, but the wipes, those babies have a million uses! Still on the fence? Here are my top reasons why you should make the switch.

Savings - $$$. One of the biggest reasons I chose to cloth diaper was to save money. I was about to have two babies in cloth and we’re a single income family. Diapers are expensive! Now growing my third baby, I’m so glad to already have a stash of diapers and wipes readily available. It’s one new baby item I don’t have to even think about. So how much can cloth wipes save you? Well, let’s say at the minimum you use one $2 tub of wipes a week, now that’s on the highly conservative side. At that rate, you’re saving $104 per year that you use cloth wipes. If you make your wipes out of old receiving blankets, you don’t even have to take away the investment in cloth wipes.
They help keep our earth clean. If you use disposable wipes, you have to throw them in the garbage. Sure, there are brands that are biodegradable, but many aren’t. And as many wipes as babies and toddlers go through, that’s a whole lot of extra waste in our landfills.
They’re easier. Seriously. If you already cloth diaper, it’s so much easier to throw both dirty diapers and wipes in one place. If it’s just a pee diaper, you just toss the wipes and diaper into the diaper pail and you’re done. No trip to the diaper pail AND the garbage pail.
They’re softer and gentler on baby’s bottom. Depending on the material you choose for your cloth wipes, they can be some of the softest, buttery-est (yes, I made that word up) pieces of cloth to touch your baby’s bum. You choose the solution you put in the cloth wipes so you control exactly what touches your babies bum. No rashes from wipes that irritate sensitive bottoms!
They work better. I was so disappointed in disposable wipes when I had my first child. It could easily take ten wipes to clean up one poop and that many wipes really started to add up cost wise. When we made the switch to cloth wipes, I was amazed! No more ten wipe poops. One cloth wipe can do the work of MANY disposables because they’re sturdier and hold up better.
On that note…no poopy hands! I know you’ve all been there. You go to wipe a poop and bam, goes through that flimsy disposable wipe and onto your hand! That simply doesn’t happen with cloth wipes. They’re thicker and I can honestly say, poop’s never soaked through a cloth wipe and onto my hand.
They multi-task like no disposable wipe ever will. Sure, you’d wipe your kids face and hands with a disposable wipe. But would you use one for a nosebleed, a scrape, a washcloth?!? Nope! But cloth wipes can do all that and more. They will long outlast your diaper days giving you even more of your money’s worth.
They’re highly customizable. With cloth wipes, you can really get a wipe to suit all your needs. You can choose everything from the fabric type down to the print. You can choose the thickness, even the size. You even get to control the solution the wipes get used with.

Have I convinced you yet? Are you thinking about switching to cloth wipes? Give it a try, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Bio: Ashley is a stay at home mom with two crazy, fun loving little boys and one surprise on the way. She blogs about life with young children and her adventures with them including sewing, cloth diapers, green living, and every day parenting at: MabeWithLove.WordPress.com.

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

The Easiest Way to Introduce Cloth Diapers to Your Mommy Friends!

2015-05-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

When I am invited to a baby shower of a friend, I have a huge urge to buy them a stash of cloth diapers. However, I respect the decision of my friends to diaper their child however they wish. I have been thinking how I can introduce my friends to using cloth diapers. I have figured it out!

Buy a cloth diaper cover! I have thought of three reasons:

1) They can still use disposable diapers but they can prevent blowouts! I know this was a big selling point for me when I switched to cloth. This can be an easy solution for the new parent with a newborn who has explosive accidents!

2) They are much easier to wash! The thought of laundry was daunting to me- all the different settings and steps- oh, my! Easy solution: If baby has had a blowout, tell them to toss in regular laundry if baby is exclusively breastfed, or just rinse in water if on formula or baby food. Hang dry over a towel rack in baby’s bathroom or on a hanger!

3) They are just plain adorable! Buy a diaper cover of their favorite color or theme of baby’s nursery. For example: If baby nursery is “Bumble Bee theme” you can buy them the new Rumparooz Unity diaper cover. Cloth Diaper Love at first sight!!

Present your baby shower gift in a way that is attractive- I will give you some ideas! Adorable little basket with a bow and little gifts inside- the cloth diaper cover, a few cloth wipes for new parent to try, and a few other goodies from baby registry. Have fun with it!

Bio: Claudia Thompson is a mother of two little girls, and lives in Groesbeck, Tx. She loves taking her family to the zoo and spending quality time with her girls.

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Fun in the Sun!

2015-05-03T00:00:00.000-04:00

After what seemed like the longest winter imaginable, Mother Nature has seemingly taken pity on us. Spring is here! And with the warmer weather comes lots of fun outdoor activities. Here's everything you'll need to make the most of these sunny, fun-filled days with your little ones!

Sunscreen

Numero uno. Non-negotiable. Sunscreen is a vital part of keeping baby's (and Mom and Dad's!) skin safe from the sun's harmful UV rays. Use Balm! Baby SUN! Waterproof Sunscreen or Episencial Sunny Sunscreen on little arms, legs, and faces while enjoying fun in the sun at the zoo, park, botanical gardens... wherever your adventures take you!

Swim Diapers

If you'll be visiting the local water park, splash pad, beach, or even the pool at Grandma's house (Hi, Mom!) this spring and summer, consider investing in a couple of reusable swim diapers. Cheaper, cuter, and better for the environment than their disposable counterparts, swim diapers come in a wide range of styles and sizes to fit every little swimmer. Swim diapers are even available from popular cloth diapering brands such as AppleCheeks, Blueberry, and Smart Bottoms!

If you find that your baby has soiled his or her swim diaper and you don't have a backup, a pocket diaper without the insert can be used in a pinch! (I once forgot our swim diaper all together and used a GroVia Hybrid Shell. Hey, moms have to be resourceful!)

Swim Shirts and Hats

Another way to provide sun protection is by outfitting your little ones with UV swim shirts and sun hats from Bummis and My Swim Baby. Sun hats can help keep the bright rays out of baby's eyes while swim shirts are lightweight and breathable, even in water. Plus, you can coordinate them to match your baby's swim diaper... and who doesn't love that?

Wet Bags

Once you're finished with your outdoor fun, a wet bag is a great way to transport all those wet swimsuits, towels, and swim diapers back home without making a mess. A wet/dry bag could even be used to keep your sunscreen and other essentials (wallet, keys, phone, etc) separate from your wet or sandy items!

Toys

What's better than a kiddie pool full of water to splash around in? Toys to make the splashes even bigger! Begin Again Nubbles are great for making "cannonballs," as my son says, and their Bathtub Pals feature lots of fun aquatic animals perfect for underwater adventures.

Visit Kelly's Closet for your spring and summer essentials, and be sure to check out their current coupon codes for even more fluffy fun!

Bio: Jes Hughes is a stay-at-home mom to Wyatt and Charlie, Navy wife, and wannabe crafter. In addition to cloth diapers, she also obsesses over books, shoes, and Sailor Moon.

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Fluff Friday 329

2015-05-01T13:00:00.000-04:00

Who doesn’t love Free Fluffy Mail??

This week The Cloth Diaper Whisperer is giving away One Best Bottom Shell with Three Stay Dry Inserts - Winner's Choice of Shell Print/Color and Size of Inserts

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Fluff Friday 328 WINNER!

2015-05-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

This week's fluff friday winner is: Michelle Suttles

She will receive the following:
One GroVia O.N.E. Cloth Diaper in the Dandelion Print

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! Please, contact us here ASAP so we can get your winnings out to you!!!

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Fluff Friday 328

2015-04-24T13:00:00.000-04:00

Who doesn’t love Free Fluffy Mail??

This week The Cloth Diaper Whisperer is giving away One GroVia O.N.E. Cloth Diaper in the Dandelion Print

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Super Saturday Coupon

2015-04-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

Coupon Code: CHANGE2015

Free One Size Diaper with your order of $54+ at Kelly's Closet. Limit 1 coupon per order. Limit 2 uses per customer. Excludes the purchase of gift certificates, Fluff Fairy, Gently Used, Final Sale, bumGenius LE prints, Try Cloth Packages. Not valid on pending or previous orders. KC chooses free diaper. Offer may expire at any time.

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Love Your Mother Earth - Earth Day Giveaway with Kelly's Closet

2015-04-17T11:31:00.002-04:00

Earth Day is April 22nd and we're celebrating with some of our favorite cloth diaper and babywearing friends.

If you're reading this, chances are that you use cloth diapers (or considering it). Cloth diapers are eco-friendly and save thousands of disposable diapers from a lifetime in a landfill. What other ways have you changed your life, because of cloth diapers, to be more eco-friendly? Have you started using cloth wipes? What about ditching disposable paper towels and switching to People Towels? Have you switched from tampons to menstrual cups or cloth pads? Did you know that there are toxic ingredients in many bath and body products; we carry an entire line of eco-friendly, non-toxic skin care products too.

Share with us in the comments one way which you "Love Your Mother Earth!"

Giveaway: Enter to win one of the 27 prizes in our week long Earth Day giveaway! Be sure to visit our sponsors who have donated the prizes for this giveaway and thank them! You can find all of these brands (and more) available for purchase at Kelly's Closet. To enter, fill out the rafflecopter entry form below between now and April 23rd. Winners will be announced on April 24th. Good luck!!

Giveaway open to residents of the US Only, ages 18yrs+.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Winners of our Fluff-iversary Celebration! Congratulations!!

2015-04-15T10:18:00.000-04:00

Wow! Thank you to everyone who entered our 14th Fluff-iversary Celebration Giveaway. We were so happy to read all your comments and thank you for helping us celebrate. With the help of Rafflecopter, we have selected the winners and they have all been emailed. Was it you?

All of the winners have been emailed but if you're curious if YOU were one of them here is a list for you...

Sponsor(s)	Prize	Winner
Rumparooz	2 OS Diapers	Paige Manson
Applecheeks	microterry little bundle	Tiffany Rickelman
Balm Baby	1 SUN! Sunscreen, 1 PITS! (scent of our choice), 1 PITS! Solid (Earl Gray Tea), 1 Spray that Bottom & 1 Juice those Wipes. $51 MSRP	Leslie McOmber
Moraki & Logan/Lenora	1 Moraki diaper valued $27 - Classic Wet Bag in print of winner's choice	Sarah Crawford
Tidy Tots	trial set - one cover, two No Folds, two boosters and 10 liners	Kylie May Hoffman
Tidy Tots	trial set - one cover, two No Folds, two boosters and 10 liners	Ashley Gesell
Tidy Tots	trial set - one cover, two No Folds, two boosters and 10 liners	Andrea Cortese Price
Rockin Green & Imagine	$25 GC to RnG - 2-pack of Imagine Pocket Diapers in winner's choice of color/closures	Rachael Seibert-VanDyke
Geffen & a+a	1 Fladdel - a+a teething toy	Natalie Castellana
WolbyBug	Velcro WolbyBug Cover (10.99 value) - winner's choice, or gender, whichever is easier for you	Danielle OConnor
Sweet Pea	Bamboo AIO in Racoon and a Pail liner in Indigo.	Shianne Mattox
Kissaluvs	accessory pack including a pail liner, lotion potion spray, and a 12 pack of terry wipes	Amaranth
Funky Fluff	stay dry diaper	Tessa Graham
Smart Bottoms - Thirsties	Pail liner, winner's choice of color (Smart Bottoms) & Thirsties Wet Bag	Brittany Vandercook
Pink Lemonade	Set of 2 Minky Pads with Fleece backs http://pinklemonadeshop.3dcartstores.com/Set-of-2-Minky-Pads-with-Fleece-backs_p_804.html	Amanda Bent
Lillebaby	Original Grey Carrier with Pocket	Michelle

Please check your email that you registered with and reply to Calley who emailed you. All the information is in that email. Questions? Didn't get an email? Use the "Contact Us" feature on Kelly's Closet and we'll reply that way.

Thanks again to everyone who entered!! Oh...and you may want to come back here on Friday for our BIG - HUGE - Earth Day Bash!!!

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Four Folds for Flats from Birth to Potty Training

2015-04-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

Modern cloth diapers are pretty easy to understand because they're so much like disposables, and with most of my generation having never seen an "old fashioned" cloth diaper on a baby growing up, disposables are what come to mind when we think of "diaper." When I started learning more about cloth diapers, "flats" were part of the cloth diapering vernacular I was unfamiliar with. Even when I learned what they were, I still had a hard time wrapping my head around how to use them (no pun intended). Flat diapers, being just one large square-ish single-layer piece of absorbent fabric, bear little resemblance to a straightforward grab 'n' go all-in-one style diaper.

As I have gained more experience cloth diapering, I have learned more about how easy and versatile flats can be, and I wish I had known more about them in the beginning. With some simple folding techniques, you can use the same diapers from birth to potty training by folding them to the right size and absorbency for your baby. Pair them with one-size waterproof covers and you have a very economical cloth diapering option that is very easy to clean. All it takes is a little folding when your flats come out of the dryer.

Here are four ways to use flat cloth diapers through your diapering days:

1) Simple square fake "prefold" for newborns. A prefold gets it's name from being a sized square of fabric with multiple layers for absorbency, which is the result of how you fold a flat. For little babies, simply fold the flat into quarters (in half and then in half again) and when you're ready to diaper your baby, fold down the back of the diaper until you have a square that will have the right rise in the front when you bring it through baby's legs. (You could fold it in the front if you have a boy and would like more absorbency there, but folding down in back is less bulky and might prevent blowouts up the back.) To bring it through baby's legs you have options, depending on what's easiest for you and most effective for your baby: you can fold the front of the diaper into thirds, roll each side into the middle to make a channel, or grab each front corner and twist the diaper 180 degrees ("bikini twist"). Kelly's Closet has a great illustration of each of these methods at the bottom of this page. Use a handy closure device like the Snappi to secure the diaper, put on a waterproof cover and you're done!

2) Super absorbent "prefolded" flat. I call this a "prefold" because it's rectangular and has extra layers of absorbency in the middle, just like a prefold, but unlike a true prefold, you're folding this diaper after it comes out of the dryer. First, lay out your flat. Then grab either a flat diaper (or flannel receiving blanket) folded into a long insert-sized strip or an insert or doubler of your choice and lay it in the middle of the diaper. Fold the bottom and top edges over, then fold in the sides until it's the right width for your baby. Fold the front into thirds to bring it between baby's legs and secure. You may need to fiddle with the length and width to get it right for your kiddo, but since you're folding all straight lines, it's a bit easier to make adjustments.

3) Super absorbent airplane fold--great for boys and toddlers! This fold is a little less straightforward, but since it has a ton of absorbency up front it's great for boys, and since you can use the entire width of the flat diaper to wrap around your baby, it's great for bigger babies and toddlers. (You can do this fold without adding an extra flat/doubler/insert in the middle, but I add one to show the option.) Lay out the flat diaper, then put a pad folded flat/receiving blanket or insert/doubler in the middle. Fold up the bottom edge. Bring each bottom corner into the middle to create a point. Fold the sides in again by pulling the left and right corners of the triangles you just created to the top of the diaper. You'll have two flaps that stick up from the back of the diaper, which you can either tuck under for smaller babies or pull out to the side to use the full width of the diaper for larger babies and toddlers. To store this diaper so it stays folded and ready for use, I like to fold the front up and tie the side flaps together in a big knot.

4) Simple pad fold. If you're wondering what people mean when they say "pad fold," this is it. It's simply folding the diaper in straight lines until it's the correct size rectangle to fit into a diaper cover. To get the perfect size for your diaper cover, lay out your diaper cover at the end of your flat diaper, then fold the left and right sides of the diaper toward center until it's about as long as your cover. From there, simply fold end-over-end about the width of the cover. Ta da! You've go a perfectly sized diaper to lay in your cover and put on your baby! This is a great way to fold receiving blankets you're using as flats, since fasteners like Snappis don't stick well to receiving blankets.

There are many, many other ways to fold flat diapers, which is one of the benefits of using this tried-and-true diaper style. With such a low price point, there's no reason not to grab a receiving blanket and cover and give it a shot. Have fun folding!

Bio: Amber Elbon is a stay-at-home mom who lives in the Seattle area with her husband, almost two-year-old boy and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Her son and dog give her daily lessons in psychology and behavior modification.

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Final day of the Fluff-iversary Celebration! Have you entered yet?

2015-04-14T08:53:00.000-04:00

Today is the final day to enter to win over 14 awesome prizes in our Fluff-iversary Celebration giveaway!! We'll be announcing the winners (yes, multiple winners) on the 15th and will post here AND email them. Good luck!!!

You can read more about our giveaway and learn about our sponsors and blog partners on our first post a few days ago: 14th Fluff-iversary Celebration!!

Today we've added a grey Lillebaby Complete Carrier!

Today is the final day to enter! The giveaway will end tonight at midnight ET and we'll work on announcing and contacting the winners tomorrow. If you've already entered one of the previous days, you're entered for today. There are some extra sharing opportunities that will earn you more entries, so be sure to share with your friends! Good luck and have a great day!

To enter:

Enter to win 2 Pink Lemonade Minky Pads - Fluff-iversary Day 13

2015-04-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

Only two more days to enter to win over 14 awesome prizes in our Fluff-iversary Celebration giveaway!! We'll be announcing the winners (yes, multiple winners) on the 15th and will post here AND email them. Good luck!!!

You can read more about our giveaway and learn about our sponsors and blog partners on our first post a few days ago: 14th Fluff-iversary Celebration!!

Today we've added a pair of Pink Lemonade Shop Minky Pads (Mama Cloth)

Keep checking back every day through the 14th because we're adding a new set of prizes each day! If you've already entered one of the previous days, you're entered for today. There are some extra sharing opportunities that will earn you more entries, so be sure to share with your friends! Good luck and have a great day!

To enter:

Only 3 more days to enter the 14th Fluff-iversary Giveaway!!!

2015-04-12T08:21:00.002-04:00

Our giveaway is winding down BUT I saved some of our best prizes for the end. Have you entered each day? Actually, if you're entered on any ONE day, you're automatically entered for the entire giveaway! Cool, right?! There are bonus options for sharing each day, so be sure to tweet, like, or share the giveaway with your friends!

You can read more about our giveaway and learn about our sponsors and blog partners on our first post a few days ago: 14th Fluff-iversary Celebration!!

Today we've added wet bag from Thirsties and a pail liner from Smart Bottoms!

To enter:

Adventures In Cloth, On a Budget

2015-04-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

I might have mentioned before that I'm a fairly frugal person, so it probably won't surprise anyone to hear that I got interested in cloth diapers to save money as well as health reasons. I thought I'd share a few of the ways I've kept my expenditures down. (I've spent around $65 total on diapers and inserts/fst/prefolds)

*Friends and family*
I made sure everyone knew I was planning to use cloth and several of my friends gifted me with diapers or diaper supplies.

*Craigslist and fb b/s/t groups*
Here's where I built the bulk of my stash, I found 25 bumGenius diapers and a partial bag of bG detergent for $50! They're definitely well used but I've only retired two in the four months I've used them!

*Guest writing*
Every time I write a blog post like this (that gets accepted) for The Cloth Diaper Whisperer, I'm earning points toward a gift card for Kelly's Closet! So I'm always wracking my brain for new CD related posts that might not have been covered by someone else, or that maybe I have a unique viewpoint on.

*Blog ads*
Something that I haven't tried, but looks like something that's a great option if you have a blog, is signing up to advertise for your favorite cloth diaper stores and diaper brands! You can earn either points or cash depending on the company!

*Sign Up For An Account At Your Favorite Store*
Kelly's Closet and several other stores have programs where every time you purchase from them you earn points toward free products! You can also set up a gift registry so people know exactly which brand, style and print you want!

*Giveaways*
I LOVE giveaways! I spend an hour or so every Friday morning entering giveaways (I get an email from a blog I follow with a giveaway roundup), plus a few minutes whenever I see a giveaway advertised! I've added six diapers to my stash this way! The biggest thing about giveaways is something my mom taught me in kind of a round about way. Whenever we saw a giveaway mom would say "I never win" and that would be her reason for not entering! Guess what ladies? IF YOU DON'T ENTER YOU WON'T WIN!

*Facebook Parties*
This is a different form of giveaway. In a Facebook party you need to participate at a set time, usually an hour or two. If you keep an eye out on diaper brand pages and in the Cloth Diaper Support Group for diaper reveal parties, and just go get to know your fellow cloth diapering moms you can win some pretty cool stuff!

*Various Social Media Platforms*
Don't just use Facebook. Sign up for Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Even if you only use them as extra entries in giveaways its worth it! (Right now instagram is a gold mine because so few people are entering contests there!) Even signing up for one extra site helps.

*Above all Be Grateful!*
Bloggers and companies put a lot of time and money into these giveaways; express your thanks, follow the rules and be polite!

*Get A Giveaway Buddy*
Have a friend (or several) that uses cloth? Ask them to tag you in giveaways they see and do the same for them!

There you have it! My "secrets" for diapering without breaking the bank!

By Ruth

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

Super Saturday Special

2015-04-11T11:30:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the weekend!

This weekend we have THREE different coupon codes to fit your needs. Pick the one that works best for you.

Code OCEAN: Free OS Diaper (value $23+) with your order of $129+

Code REUSE: Free OS Diaper (value $17+) with your order of $89+

Code ECONUTS: Free box of EcoNuts with your order of $25+

Limit 1 coupon code per order. Offers may expire at any time.

STOCKED THIS WEEK:

NEW - Molly's Suds

Bottombumpers

Sweet Pea

SoftBums

Sloomb

Bamboobies

Blueberry

GroVia

bumGenius

Flip

Econobum

Moraki

Earth Mama Angel Baby

Balm Baby

Wolbybug

Would you like to be a contributor on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer? We're always looking for creative writers who would like to share their cloth diapering tips. To find out more Contact Us

It's a Funky Fluff-iversary Today

2015-04-11T07:50:00.001-04:00

We only have a few more days left in our Fluff-iversary Celebration. Have you entered each day? Actually, if you're entered on any ONE day, you're automatically entered for the entire giveaway! Cool, right?! There are bonus options for sharing each day, so be sure to tweet, like, or share the giveaway with your friends!

You can read more about our giveaway and learn about our sponsors and blog partners on our first post a few days ago: 14th Fluff-iversary Celebration!!

Today we've added a prize from FunkyFluff!

To enter: