Note:

Sorry honey! Mama don’t know that you hate a hat on your head.. he..he.. Anyway, since I’ve bought a few cute & fancy hats for you already.. please learn to like it okay?

There are four types of modern cloth diapers.

1) Prefolds

Prefolds are rectangular in shape and similar to the traditional flat cotton lampin. But, thicker!

You no longer need to fold the cloth before using because it’s already folded (hence the name, prefold).

It is designed with three areas of varying thickness. For example, a 4×8x4 prefolds had 4 layers of cotton twill on the side panels with 8 layers in the middle where the maximum absorbencies is needed.

Prefolds are very durable and the cheapest choice of modern cloth diapers. The cost is only around RM90 per dozen.

These diapers require waterproof outer covers. So, it’s a three piece diapering system (diaper, cover, closure for diaper).

Typically these diapers are closed with either diaper pins or a Snappi fastener. You can also simply lay them in a wrap style cover.

2) Fitted Diaper

Fitted diapers closely resemble disposable diapers. They are contoured and fitted with elastic around the legs and back. And, they’re fasten with Velcro or snaps.

Fitted diapers are not waterproof so you do need a diaper cover. So, it’s a two piece diapering system (diaper + cover).

They are very absorbent and easy to put on a baby.

Fitted diapers come in a variety of materials. Some of the most popular choices are cotton knits, flannel, hemp, terry cloth, sherpa, bamboo, or velour.

Fitted diapers available in various sizes (XS, S, M, L) but some brands do offer one-size fitted.

Depends on type of material used, fitted diaper may cost from RM80 to RM90 each.

Example of fitted diapers: Kissaluvs, Baby BeeHinds

3) Pocket Diaper

Pocket diapers are cloth diapers that have a pocket (hence the name, pocket diaper). It also closely resemble disposable diapers.

Pocket diapers have an outer layer of a waterproof material and an inner layer of a stay dry material, like microfleece or suedecloth. And, they close with Velcro or snaps.

There is a pocket opening that allows for the absorbent material to be stuffed in the pocket and then removed for laundering. The absorbent material for stuffing can be an insert that comes with the diaper or a pre-fold or doubler.

Pocket diapers are a popular choice among cloth diapering moms because you can customize the amount of absorbent material.

Pocket diapers are also available in various sizes (XS, S, M, L) and one-size.

Depends on type and brand of pocket diapers, it may cost you from RM40 to RM90 each.

Example of pocket diapers: BumGenius, Happy Heiny’s, Drybees

4) AIO (All-in-one)

AIOs are fitted diapers that have a waterproof outer layer. This layer usually consists of fabric that has a PUL (polyurethane) backing, polar fleece or wool.

These are the closest in similarity to disposable diapers since they are a one-piece diapering system. The absorbent soaker material is often sewn into the diaper or it may be detachable.

AIOs diapers are also available in various sizes (XS, S, M, L) and one-size.

Depends on type and brand of pocket diapers, it may cost you from RM80 to RM90 each.

Example of AOI’s diapers: BumGenius, Happy Heiny’s

That’s it guys. Hope this information useful.

By the way, I have already tried prefolds and pocket diapers last weekend. And, I love them both!

When I mention cloth diapers, many would think of thin flat cotton lampin that need to be folded. And, fastened with diaper pin and covered with plastic.

Nay! That’s the old way. Cloth diapers has evolved. Yes, really!

Modern cloth diapers are so very cute. There are a lot of pretty colors & prints. And, many luxurious textures and fabric.

So, why use cloth diapers?

Cloth Diapers Are As Convenient As Disposable Diapers

Cloth diapers today have either Velcro fastening’s or use snaps. So, it is easy to put on and take off just like disposables. They also have multiple layers of fabric with high absorbency that can last for hours.

Cloth Diapers Are Cheaper Than Disposable Diapers

The initial cost of using modern cloth diapers seems so expensive.

For example, a pocket diaper with insert may cost about RM80 each. Lets say, your baby need about 8 pocket diapers a day (assuming 3 hours between changes). And, if you wash it daily, you’ll need another 4 while waiting for the diapers to dry. So, total is at least 12 diapers.

12 x RM80 = RM960

Hmm… seems expensive, right?

But, consider this.

You’ll usually go through 6 to 8 thousand disposable diapers per child, from birth to about age three. If we take an average of what those diapers cost, that equates to between RM3,500 and RM4,000 per baby.

Once those children are potty trained those diapers are gone. They can’t be re-used. So a significant chunk of our heard earned money has gone to buying, what is essentially, garbage.

But, enough cloth diapers to last for three years will usually cost between RM1,200 to RM1,800. At minimum that is about a RM2,500 savings!

But wait, consider too, that those cloth diapers may last for one or more successive children and your savings doubles and even triples!

So, using cloth diapers ABSOLUTELY cheaper than disposables in the long run!

Cloth Diapers Are Healthier For Your Baby

Cloth diapers contain toxic chemicals that are dangerous to your baby.

1) Dioxin

Dioxin according to the Environmental Protection Agency is known to cause damage to the central nervous system, kidneys, and liver (http://www.ejnet.org/dioxin/)

It has been shown to cause cancer, birth defects, liver damage, and skin diseases and genetic damage.

2) Sodium polyacrylate (the super absorbent gel)

Sodium polyacrylate is the same substance that was removed from tampons because of its link to toxic shock syndrome.

3) Tributyl-tin (TBT)

A toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals.

4) Chemical emmission

Studies have also been done to show that the chemical emissions from disposable diapers can cause respiratory problems (athma) in children.

According to the Journal of Pediatrics, 54% of one-month old babies using disposable diapers had rashes, 16% having severe rashes.

So, consider the long-term effects of this chemical being in contact with a baby’s reproductive organs 24 hours a day for upwards of two years!

Cloth Diapers Are Better For The Environment

It is estimated that roughly 5 million tons of untreated waste and a total of 2 billion tons of urine, feces, plastic and paper are added to landfills annually.

It takes around 80,000 pounds of plastic and over 200,000 trees a year to manufacture the disposable diapers for American babies alone!

Although some disposables are said to be biodegradable; in order for these diapers to decompose, they must be exposed to air and sun.  Since this is highly unlikely, it can take several hundred years for the decomposition of disposables to take place, with some of the plastic material never decomposing.
  
 

Yes! I’m talking about CLOTH diapering @ lampin KAIN, guys!

Ooh no.. it’s not the traditional type of flat cotton diaper @ lampin that my mother used on me a very long time ago. I’m really talking about the modern version of cloth diapering.

Surprise? Don’t be.

Is there such thing better than disposables? YES!!!

You see, I have so many nieces and nephews. And, most of them used disposable diapers because they’re easy to use, can hold pee for hours and can just throw away after been used. It makes life easy, right?

When all of my siblings (and their little kids) gathered for Hari Raya at my parents’ house, just imagine how many of the used disposables thrown in the thrash bin? A very huge pile!

And, where all those smelly diapers go? The landfills - polluting our poor earth.

So, when I got pregnant, I read a lot about cloth diapering babies in a modern way. And, actually been collecting/buying the cloth diaper items since I was 2 months pregnant. My mission was to use cloth diaper on my baby after she was born (and save the earth in the process… he..he).

But, things didn’t go as planned. Sad to say, but I already polluted the earth with roughly 800 pieces of disposable diapers in two months time!

Finally, little Izzah started using the cloth diaper last weekend! So very cute… he..he..he

Note:

I have bought a few different set of cloth diapering systems because I want to see which one works for my baby and me. So, I’m still experimenting with:

• chinese prefolds with PUL diaper covers (Bummies etc)
• one size pocket diapers (BumGenius, HappyHeiny’s & Drybees)
• one size fitted with wool / PUL diaper covers

And, I might pick up my favorite type (and brand) and stick with it. Most likely, I will let go (sell) some of the diapers for second hand use. I’m giving myself a month to try, so the diapers are still new. Just watch out for my updates (if you’re interested).

During the bumpy ride home, I could feel pain at the incision area each time my hubby drove through uneven patches on the road. It was painful, really. But, I just ignored those feelings.

You see, with no painkiller taken, the wound was getting quite painful.

These are what I felt and went through after the operation,

• Getting up from bed was the toughest thing to do after Cesarean. I needed to turn my body to the right (mengiring) and used my right hand to support me to get up. This did not eliminate the pain, just making it more bearable.
• Passing urine was quite uncomfortable due to the catherer insertion. I felt as if the catherer was still there.
• Passing stool was taking a long time because I can felt my stomach expanding with gases every time I pushed it out. It was a actually a bit painful. I need to do it slowly and use the breathing techniques that I learnt from the HypnoBirthing classes.
• The uterus also contracted to it it’s pre-pregnancy shape and I can felt that too. Everytime it contracted, I would have some old blood (brownish red) discharge. I have the post-natal discharge (darah nifas) for 30 days.
• To make the wound heal faster (especially the internal wound), I ate Ikan Haruan (Black Fish) for lunch and dinner. And, drank pure sea cucumber water (air gamat asli) with each meal.
• I also hired a traditional Malay bidan to massage my body for three consecutive days. The massage helped to tone up my body, eliminated water retention and cured headache and backache.
• During the first two weeks post-operation, I only refresh myself by sponging my whole body, except for the incision area. I tried not to get the incision area wet. If it was wet, I used some facial tissue to dry it up.

The wound has completely dried and healed by the third week post-operation. So, I bathe/shower as usual. And, I also started to bind my stomach using the Firming Herbal Blend and Abdominal Binder (Bengkung) from Amyway Tropical Herbs Post Natal Care Set.