natural parenting Archives

I Didn’t Realize How Much I Still Want Another Baby

June 13, 2017 by Larisha Campbell 1 Comment

We’re never having another baby.

I’ll never celebrate a 1st birthday again.

My baby will never be a big sister.

Motherhood has this weird effect on you. It’s literally a roller coaster of highs and lows. And the scary part is, you never really realize how the hormonal changes are going to hit you, or even when, until you’re knee deep in uncontrollable sobbing.

Today, we celebrated our baby’s 2nd birthday. Even though she’s 2 now, she will forever and always be my baby. We happily gave her whatever she wanted to do the whole day. She got to pick her meal options the whole day (oatmeal, cream cheese toast, and Chick-fil-a for those enquiring minds). We let her go to Target and pick out candy (she choose gummy bears) after she said that’s what she wanted to do. She got to make all the choices. It was such a simple and carefree day.

But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t low moments either.

Seeing her newborn picture pop up in my newsfeed instantly brought me back to those first moments of having her in our life. Seeing the first picture of her and her older sister bonding immediately hit me that she will never get to play the big sister role. I know that our nursing relationship may be coming to an end sooner than later. She’s running out of “firsts” to celebrate.

I didn’t realize how much I still want another baby.

I want to feel life growing inside of me again. Little hiccups and legs stretching.

I want to see Andrew’s giddy face as he feels the baby move for the first time.

Part of me wishes we could argue again about what we are going to name our baby.

I want to feel the rush of naturally giving birth and holding a squishy human for the very first time.

I want to feel the instant bond of euphoria as I nourish my baby into their first milk drink coma.

Desperately, I yearn to watch as my girls bond with a new baby. Loving and kissing and snuggling with their sibling.

I want to watch as this person that I helped to create grow into their own unique personality.

And as much as I love my girls with all of my heart, part of me will always want to have given Andrew a son.

I didn’t realize how much I still want another baby, but I’m trying to accept this is our reality.

3 Tips to Save Money on Car Seats

May 16, 2017 by Larisha Campbell 1 Comment

You’ve found out that you’re pregnant. YAY!!!

Fast forward to going into the store to register and you’re all “Oh, crap!”. One, there’s a bajillion items in the store. How do you know what the heck to get. I remember registering with our first daughter and we were just happily walking through the aisles, scanning everything. It took me a few weeks after registering to realize that half the stuff we put on there, we didn’t even need. Then, I realized that some of the things, I really needed to think about. Fast forward to now having two children and I’m a little more versed on things.

Car seats were one of the hardest selections. So. Many. Options. Seriously, why are there so many car seat options? Do we want an infant seat with a stroller? An infant seat without a stroller? Do we need an extra base? How about a convertible car seat? Do it matter which one we get? Is the $100 option as good as the $500 car seat? So. Many. Questions.

Luckily, I’m here to save the day.

First, it’s important to realize that every single seat on the market has been tested and approved for the current safety standards. This means that they all meet crash safety protocols. Typically, when looking at higher priced car seats, you are paying for more cushion in the seats, higher quality fabrics, or longer ability to rearface and/or use multi-mode (rearfacing, forward facing, belt positioning booster all in one).

Here’s our 3 Tips to Save Money on Car Seats

Get a coupon if not purchased from your registry
- Many registries, like Target and Amazon, will give you coupons for completing your registry about a month before you put your due date.
- For us, we got a 15% off Target coupon to use for anything that was on our registry that someone didn’t buy.
Trade in Events
- Target and Babies-R-Us both have trade-in events. They will give you a % off coupon to bring in an old seat and upgrade to a new one. The coupon usually ranges in the 20-25% off range.
- If this is your first child, try to locate a used car seat somewhere like your local FreeCycle
  - PLEASE NOTE: You NEVER want to personally use a used car seat. If you don’t 100% know the history of the car seat, then you shouldn’t be using it.
Buy a convertible car seat
- For us, this was the greatest savings ever. We didn’t realize this was an option with our first, but it’s what we did with our second. (We have a Diono Radian for one and Rainier for the other)
- Convertible car seats cost more up front typically; however, depending on your child, it could be the only seat that they ever needed.
- For our first, we switched to a convertible around 6 months. With our first, she was in a convertible car seat from the day we left the hospital. We used a Boba baby carrier to get her back and forth.

What are your Tips to Save Money on Car Seats? Leave a comment and let us know!

BONUS! Check out our 4 car seats for under $100 post!

7 Things Moms Can Learn From April the Giraffe

April 15, 2017 by Larisha Campbell Leave a Comment

Congrats to April the Giraffe!

I hear it all the time,

“she was in labor for 4 days”,
“the baby got stuck”,
“my sister was confined to the bed”,
“I wasn’t allowed to eat”

Since when did giving birth become so medicalized. Reading the comments as April the Giraffe was giving birth over the last few weeks, has made it clear that many think this is all normal. It’s sad really at the mundaneness that birth has become, especially in the United States. Home births and midwives are seen as cooky, but drugging moms and strapping them to the bed is seen as perfectly normal.

Now, before there’s a witch hunt, I do know that there are plenty of medical reasons that a birth does need to be medicalized, but let’s not forget that out of developed nations, the United States is the only one increasing in maternal mortality rate, up 136% in the last 20 years, according to the World Health Organization.

Here’s 7 Things Moms Can Learn From April the Giraffe:

Don’t rush a baby
- Babies know when their due date should be. Even if you know your exact conception date, you don’t know if your baby needs a few extra days or weeks to finish fully developing inside the womb. Just because you hit 40 weeks, doesn’t mean that is the end all be all. (Coming from a mom who carried her babies to 40+4 and 41 weeks)
Walking helps get the baby out faster
- Laying down on a bed is typically the worst thing a mom can do to deliver her baby faster and easier on the body. Squatting, moving, walking, dancing, all help to get that baby in a proper position allowing your body to expel the baby easier.
Your body knows what to do
- One of the most amazing things to see happen while watching April the Giraffe give birth is that her body knew exactly what to do. Hooves out, wait a few hours. Head out, wait. Push a bit. Wait. Push some more. Wait. Birthing a baby takes time.
Breach births can happen
- Very few doctors are even trained to deliver breach births in this medical climate, but the fact of the matter is that mammals can and do give breach births.
Interventions aren’t necessary
- No one was in that room and that mama knew exactly what to do. Our bodies, for thousands of years, did not have all these interventions. While they are great in the extremest of situations, most births don’t warrant any interventions.
It’s completely normal for mammals to eat parts of their birth
- I’m sure I’m going to get flake for this one, but let’s not judge a mom who decides that placenta encapsulation is what’s best for her family. April the Giraffe was eating the sac around her baby, which just goes to show that what you may think is gross, isn’t naturally all that gross after all.
Shit Happens
- Literally. My 4 year old was so grossed out that poop was falling onto the baby, but can we stop making this such a taboo thing. Everyone poops. Now carry on.

I’m sure there’s more lessons we can learn, but there’s are just the ones that popped into my head immediately! Congrats to April the Giraffe on the birth of her adorable little one! Now the hard part begins…naming that baby!

How to Respond When Someone Asks “Are You Still Breastfeeding?”

November 26, 2015 by Larisha Campbell 2 Comments

It’s truly inevitable. Whether it’s your first or 20th time seeing Aunt Susie or Uncle Joe, your Great-Grandmother, or your sister’s ex’s cousin’s best friend’s father-in-law’s 2nd cousin twice removed…SOMEONE…is bound to ask those dreaded two questions……

ARE YOU STILL BREASTFEEDING THAT KID?

and

WHEN DO YOU PLAN TO STOP?

As a breastfeeding mother, these questions are our archenemy. Before someone gets their panties in a bunch, we do know that there are truly people out there that are genuinely curious and would like more information about breastfeeding; however, in our experience, most of the time, people don’t get or aren’t comfortable with a child that has teeth or can speak nursing. You can usually quickly tell the difference with the side-eyed stare and mouth gapping open waiting for you to answer their question. Trust me, as a mom breastfeeding a 3 year old, I am met with this reaction often.

via GIPHY

So I asked around and received these hilarious responses to how you should answer if someone asks, “Are you still breastfeeding that kid?”

“Yes I am. Do you need milk for your coffee?”
“You’re still a moron?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Yes. Please pass the gravy.”
“Only when he/she is hungry”

And answers for “When do you plan to stop?”

“We usually stop after about 10 minutes”
“I haven’t even thought about that”
“She’ll be walking down the aisle asking for milkies!”
“still? Of course we are, why wouldn’t we be?”
“because I love it so much”
“Ask him/her!” (and point to your child)
“Hoping she’s done before she goes to college. Otherwise I’m going to have to rent an apartment wherever she decides to go”
“When my boobs are saggy and dried up from old age…..kinda like yours”
“Stop!? You mean we’re supposed to stop?”
“Jealous?”
“Never”

Or just look at them with RBF.

via GIPHY

But the true answer — “When she’s/he’s ready” should suffice too.

Do you have a hilarious response that you always give? Leave your response in the comment section!

5 Bonus Benefits of Breastfeeding

February 17, 2015 by Melanie Leave a Comment

Are there really benefits to breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is a beautiful experience. One of the best decisions I made in my life was to breast feed my boys. Not only is it extremely beneficial for their health; helping to protect them against many illnesses, while also lowering the risk of SIDS. I love the bond and special moments I share with my children while nursing. The amazing snuggles they give me and the comfort I can provide them fills my heart with warmth. But along with those precious moments that will never be replaced or forgotten there are also fun benefits of breastfeeding given to you, the mama, while nursing your children.

Here’s 5 BONUS benefits of breastfeeding

I get to sit on my tush for a few minutes– several times a day. As moms we live a busy life of go, go, go. Many hours spent chasing after and playing with our children, and running them doctors appointments and soccer practices. So those moments when my 6 month old wants to have his Mama milk, I get at least 15 minutes to sit down and relax where I don’t feel like I should be doing something else.
Playing off the above. While nursing I browse facebook, chat with friends, look up things on Pinterest I will probably never recreate, and catch up on TV shows I usually fall asleep to at night. I may be feeding my child, but I consider this “me” time too.
You get to be a little lazy. This is one of my favorite bonus benefits of breastfeeding. Remember the newborn stage and the constant feedings? Of coarse you do! I loved not having to get out of bed to make bottles in the middle of the night. All I had to do was life up my shirt and it’s party time. My baby is fed and I didn’t open an eye. The feedings may not be as constant now in the wee hours of the morning, but I still have the luxury of laying in bed instead of trudging my tired butt downstairs to the kitchen to make a bottle.
Get to make hubby help. When hubby hollers, “Honey the big one pooped” I get to respond with, “Oh sorry babe… You will have to change it, I have a baby on the boob.” (Yes- I’m extremely sorry I won’t be able to smell that wretched odor that evacuates from my toddlers rear)
The ability to disappear. Though I am not shy about nursing. I have nursed at theme parks, family picnics, birthday parties, the mall, and while grocery shopping to name a few. It can provide a great escape if you want some quite time or to avoid certain people. Oh sorry I have to go feed the baby- I’ll be back in 20. (Maybe, if we don’t fall asleep in bed or if I don’t play catch up on my TV shows) #sorryimnotsorry

These bonus benefits of breastfeeding above along with the health benefits and bonding moments make breastfeeding a fantastic choice for you and your child. I am almost 7 months in with my youngest son with no plans to stop in the near future, and why would I? Those perks make extended breast feeding sound even better. So excuse me while I go lay down… I mean feed my son.

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Natural Ways to Protect Against Measles

February 6, 2015 by Larisha Campbell Leave a Comment

*Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. Information contained in this post are for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis. Please seek advice from your general practitioner or pediatrician for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Reliance on the information in this post is taken at your own risk. Affiliate links contained in this post.

No matter which side of the vaccine debate you are on, the recent surge in media coverage on the latest measles outbreak can be alarming for any parent. There’s risks on both sides, whether you and your children have received vaccinations for measles or not, you may still be at risk of contracting measles. Despite current media hysteria, in the last three out of four years, there have been more cases of measles than there have been with this current outbreak. The risk has been there.

What we want to do here is simply be proactive and let you know what you can do to protect both you and your family during this time. So, what are naturals ways to protect against measles?

First, let’s talk about what you should be looking for? According to the CDC, common symptoms of measles are:

fever
pink eye (conjunctivitis)
runny nose
dry cough
A skin rash

Measles, according to the CDC, starts with a mild to moderate fever, and then one notices the other symptoms. The rash is made up of small red spots, some of which could be raised, in clusters. Typically, one notices the rash behind the ears and along the hairline, then the face, down the arms and trunk, before moving to legs and feet.

What can I do to lessen our risk of measles and/or aid in the treatment of measles?

Most sources say there’s no treatment for measles, however, there are many correlations for lessening the complications of measles by:

getting plenty of rest
increasing fluids
high doses of Vitamin A
increasing Vitamin D and Vitamin C

We can start being proactive now by increasing our consumption of these vitamins and taking supplements to ensure that our and our children’s bodies are in their healthiest state. Instead of your normal go to foods, try getting 2-3 of these foods in everyday. Here’s 50 foods you can help boost your immunity to help protect against measles:

-Foods highest in Vitamin A

Sweet Potato
Carrots
Kale
Spinach
Collard Greens
Turnip Greens
Other Dark Leafy Greens
Butternut Squash
Pumpkin
Romaine Lettuce
Dried Apricots
Cantaloupe
Red Peppers
Bluefin Tuna
Mango
Papaya
Broccoli
Peas
Asparagus
Tomatoes
Turkey Liver
Beef Liver
Fortified Oatmeal (check your labels)
Paprika
Fermented Cod Liver Oil

-Foods highest in Vitamin D

Fermented Cod Liver Oil
Trout, Salmon, and other oily fish
Shiitake or Portabella Mushrooms
Pork
Beef Liver
Orange Juice or Milk Fortified with Vit D
Fortified Cereals (check your labels for more than 10% daily value)
SUNLIGHT – Okay, this isn’t a food, but just 10 minutes of sunlight provides the daily recommended amount of Vitamin D. Stay outside for 30 mins everyday!

-Foods highest in Vitamin C

Peppers (Yellow Bell highest, then red, then green)
Guavas
Kale
Kiwi
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Strawberries
Oranges
Tomatoes
Papaya
Pineapple
Mango
Cantaloupe
Peas
Cauliflower
Red Cabbage
Lemon

Additionally, you should be making sure that:

You are drinking plenty of fluids everyday
- Adults should be drinking 9-13 cups everyday (men more than women); Children over one should be drinking 4-5 cups everyday.
Getting the recommended amount of sleep

Lastly, there are many supplements that you can take in addition to the above, especially if you do not feel like you are getting enough nutrients from food. For us, personally, we choose to give Skibbles

We take similar supplements for ourselves. These are some of the ways that we are working to naturally protect against measles ourselves, in addition to protecting about everyday illnesses that one may experience this time of the year. We truly hope that everyone stays safe and works hard to protect their immune systems the natural way.

This post is not meant to be looked at as saying that if you do these things you or your loved ones can’t catch measles, but rather that these things will boost your immune system to naturally protect against measles in the event that you do, they can lessen your overall symptoms.

*Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. Information contained in this post are for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis. Please seek advice from your general practitioner or pediatrician for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Reliance on the information in this post is taken at your own risk. Affiliate links contained in this post.

What Semi-Crunchy Natural Parenting Means To Us

January 30, 2015 by Larisha Campbell Leave a Comment

I get asked all the time …what is natural parenting? what do you mean semi-crunchy? These are both terms that we use to describe our parenting, but just because they mean one thing for us, doesn’t mean that they mean the same thing for others who describe themselves within the realm of semi-crunchy natural parenting too.

First, let’s talk about what I mean by natural parenting. Natural parenting is described by Natural Parents Network as the “desire to live and parent responsively and consciously”. According to Natural Parents Network they have four subcategories that essentially make up natural parenting: attachment parenting, ecological responsibility, holistic health, and natural learning.

The reason that I use natural parenting over just attachment parenting is because I think parenting needs to encompass more than just the attachment speak. So what is natural parenting to us? Well, it’s a lot of things. Our main key focuses that we believe in are:

Preparing for Birth, Pregnancy, and Life – we do this by researching, questioning, and educating ourselves on risks and benefits of recommendations during our pregnancy, as well interventions for newborn care and childhood, as well as the recommendations for us as adults
- For us during pregnancy and birth specifically this means limited inventions during pregnancy, natural, unmedicated birth, delayed cord clamping, immediate skin to skin contact
We believe in exclusive breastfeeding and extended breastfeeding
We do not believe in Cry-It-Out or other forms of sleep training children
We co-sleep by bedsharing since birth
We babywear
We practice baby-led weaning instead of cereals and purees
We do gentle discipline
We use cloth diapers
We garden and recycle and teach our children about the importance of natural preservation
We find natural, holistic alternatives to health conditions like using essential oils
We make most of our meals from scratch, watch ingredients lists, and eat organic
We allow learning to happen naturally and plan to homeschool
We extended rear-face and are very adamant about car seat safety

And many more things encompass what we believe when referring to natural parenting.

Now, what in the world does Semi-Crunchy mean?

Well, crunchy is just a fun term coined to describe everything that I just mentioned above. So here we are really focusing on the “Semi” part. As much as I wish to be the best 100% Crunchy, Natural, Attachment parent- I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not. So why? Well, the answer is simple, I’m not perfect. And to be 100% honest, we didn’t start on the natural journey at all until we into halfway through our pregnancy with Skibbles. Here’s what I mean-

We use disposables too. In fact, since about 16 months, we’ve been exclusively using them over cloth diapers after I was running into issues.
Eating organic isn’t possible 100% of the time. We aren’t made of money and I believe that limiting processed foods is better than not having an organic apple. Everyday we try to get better.
I enjoy eating out when we can. We know this isn’t the best, but I can’t turn down an Amish doughnut, a spoonful of Nutella, a cookies and cream milkshake from Chick-fil-A, or that delicious greasy pizza from our favorite place.
We watch way more TV that I care to admit.
I loose my patience some days and my voice gets raised.
I don’t ALWAYS enjoy breastfeeding. Since day one, I’ve had moments, days, weeks, where I wanted to throw in the towel…I remind myself that each day is a new day and we’re still going at 26 months.
Sometimes there’s more snacks throughout the day than there is real food because I just need a break from the whining.
We give plastic toys AND wooden ones
Andrew would never allow me to get rid of our microwave
We don’t always get outside and explore and have fewer playdates than I really want
And to be 100% honest – there are just some parts of “crunchy” parenting that freak me out or that I just don’t think would work for our family – like kombucha or elimination communication.

The main idea here is that there is not a “one-size” fits all when it comes to natural parenting. We are all parents and we are all trying to do our best. This is what works for our family and we change and adapt everyday as we feel that we need to do so. At the end of the day, I think we all just pray that our children grow into upstanding adults that respect themselves and others, work hard, love unconditionally, and appreciate the little things we did for them.

Do you find yourself a part of semi-crunchy natural parenting? Something else? Weigh in below in the comments.

Glucose Tolerance Test Alternatives

September 5, 2012 by Larisha Campbell 4 Comments

I will preface this post that I didn’t do enough research up front and found out too late my Glucose Tolerance test Alternatives. Like many first time moms, I am somewhat overwhelmed with all the choices there are to make that I never knew before getting pregnant. I already know that *if* I am lucky enough to have another child, there will be many more questions asked up front of my doctors and many other changes that I will consider doing differently.

One of the things I know I will do differently, is my reaction to the Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT). For those of you who don’t know this is the common way to test for gestational diabetes during pregnancy and usually occurs between 24-28 weeks. You are required to drink a highly sugared beverage, wait an hour, get bloodwork done and pray you pass. If you fail, you must then repeat the procedure during a 3 hour testing phase.

This picture came from here.

So why do I say I’ll do things differently? Let me start by saying that gestational diabetes is something to be taken very seriously and can have harmful side effects to mom and baby if not properly treated. With that being said, let me also share what my researching has found and possible help more women know their options.

There are several risks factors that put you at a higher probably of having gestational diabetes. They include:

-Family history of diabetes
-Being overweight prior to pregnancy
-Being a member of a high risk ethnic group (Black, Native American, Hispanic, or Asian)
-Being over 25 years old (especially over 35)
-Given birth to a 9+ lb baby previously
-Have high blood pressure

While there are other factors, these are the majority. For me, I didn’t fall into any of them except that I’m 26. Slightly over the age category. However, I didn’t know that there were alternatives until a few weeks before my test had already been scheduled and the office that I’m currently at will not accept alternative to the sugared beverage.

Why wouldn’t I want to just drink it? The drink is loaded with chemicals, a ridiculous amount of sugar, and is simply unrealistic to the normal sugars that the human body consumes which unnecessarily causes many women to have false positives during the one hour test, have to go back for the 3 hour test, only to pass that one after having to consume even more of the chemical-laden drink (Luckily, I did pass my 1hour test).

What are the side effects? For some women, extreme nausea occurs, including vomiting. You are not allowed to eat or drink anything during this hour (including water) and if you vomit, you will have to re-drink. Additionally, some babies do not respond well to the fast increase in sugars and premature contractions can occur forcing the mother (and baby) to undergo more testing.

What are the alternatives? Midwives and/or smaller practices are much more reasonable in allowing alternatives from what I’ve read. Alternatives include:
-eating a high carb breakfast (usually pancakes or waffles with syrup and orange juice).
-tracking blood sugar at home over the period of usually one week
-eating candy that consists of the same number of grams as the Glucola (typically 50g and usually jelly beans are recommended)

The main point is that we, as women, have choices about everything in our pregnancy and it’s up to us to ask all the questions. I also really don’t like that all women are tested, when there is little to no research that says all women need to be tested.

Disclaimer: These are simply my opinions. I am not a medical professional and all choices made during your pregnancy should be discussed with your medical professional.

Breastfeeding…How Long Should You Do It?

July 31, 2012 by Larisha Campbell 6 Comments

There has been a lot of debate lately about breastfeeding.

First, TIME magazine put a very controversial cover featuring a woman breastfeeding an approximately 4 year old child.

Then, two military moms were featured in the news for breastfeeding while wearing their uniforms.

I was about 3 months pregnant when all of this controversy started and I have to admit it confused me even more. The military mom debate upset me because I don’t believe there is anything wrong with this; however, with the TIME magazine article, I have to admit, the thought of still breastfeeding while preparing my child for school in the fall, scares me. The thing about the TIME cover that angered me was the title “Are You Mom Enough?” To me, it suggests that if you don’t breastfeed that long, or even at all, you aren’t as “MOM” as women that do. And in a country where breastfeeding is already frowned upon in public, this should not be the message being portrayed.

Enough about my opinions on the articles….I knew way before I became pregnant that I was going to breastfeed. My mom breastfeed me and my sister has breastfeed both of my nieces and plans on it once her new baby arrives. I know the health benefits of breastfeeding over formula feeding, as well as the cost benefits (obviously my breasts are free vs paying for formula).

After speaking and hearing some local moms in a variety of FB mom groups I’m in, I know this is one more thing I need to spend a lot of research on. Obviously, anything can happen and there’s always the possibility that maybe I won’t be able to breastfeed at all….(I pray constantly this doesn’t happen)….but my first goal is going to be 6 months exclusively breastfeeding (EBF). This means nothing for my baby except breastmilk.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have both reaffirmed their recommendations to EBF until 6 months. A baby simply doesn’t need anything beside the nutrients a mother can give during this time. The WHO also has a great article on when to start introducing other foods after 6 months as well.

What are your thoughts/opinions on breastfeeding? What age is too old and why do you feel that way?

Updated 2/13/15 — Interestingly enough as confused as I was at the time of posting this, I am currently nursing my 26 month old while pregnancy with Baby #2. How time changes things!

Cloth Diaper Stash…We love FLUFF :)

July 27, 2012 by Larisha Campbell 2 Comments

I just wanted to give a quick update on how cloth diapering is going so far.

We let everyone know a few weeks ago that we decided to cloth diaper. I’m pretty sure everyone thought we were joking. That seems to be the reaction we have gotten so far. Even at our baby shower over the weekend, the only comments we heard were “I can’t believe you’re doing this” or “That is so gross”. However, I was very happy that people actually bought what was on our registry and we only received one pack of disposable diapers. I have heard stories where people try to force disposables on parents and I’m glad that our family didn’t do this.

Obviously our little girl is not here yet so we have yet to be able to try any of our diapers out yet, but how can you know look at this pic and not smile. Cloth diapering is far from the plastic pants that my mom used to put on me.

My fluff stash!! 🙂

So this is our cloth diaper stash so far. We have decided on a mix of pocket diapers and prefolds with covers. I would like to add a few All-in-Ones (AIOs) to our stash at some point, but we will probably only be ordering some more prefolds and see how this goes in the beginning.

So far we have 6 Sunbaby diapers. 5 BumGenius. 5 Just Simply Baby. and 3 Flip Covers with 10 prefolds. I will spend about another $15 on some more prefolds and still be at just over $200 total for all of these diapers. Essentially, if everything works out, I would never have to buy another diaper, just about $20 on bigger sized prefolds. However…..

The number one thing I have learned so far is that the most difficult part is NOT ordering more. No, I don’t need anymore, but they make the most adorable prints that it’s so hard not to buy more!! Still, the average family spends over $2000 to diaper in disposables from birth to 2 and even if I spent another $500 on cloth, I wouldn’t come close to this amount!

Moms that already cloth—what are you favorite brands of diapers??

Moms that don’t cloth—would you be willing to try if you have another baby?? Why or Why not?