My New Venture: Piclefroggies Etsy store

So I have neglected my blog for the past few months as I experimented in something new...my own brand.  I have created my own pattern with all the things that I love about the diapers I have tried and now I am happy to say that my very own Etsy store is live and filled with beautiful affordable diapers all created by me!

So why is my diaper special.

Sized: I have discovered that One size doesn't really fit all sizes.  My daughter is petite and one size diapers really swallowed her.  They didn't leak, but they were HUGE.   A trim rear and jeans are back at my house in our size Mediums that fit from 14 to 25 lbs.

Natural Fibers:  I use only natural fibers in my diapers and I offer 100% cotton interiors with an insert made of either all cotton or cotton/hemp so you can customize the absorbency to your baby!

Snap in Tongue Style soaker:  This makes this diaper completely adaptable.  You can use soakers between sizes to save money and it tucks neatly inside the interior pocket so the inside of the diaper is neat and easy to change for all.

Side Snaps:  Gone are the bulky rise snaps with this sized diaper.  Hip snaps give you easy access and minimal work when changing these diapers.

Price Point:  One of my huge goals in this diaper was to make it affordable for everyone.  All in ones are so expensive and I think you will be pleased with my price point.
Check them out!

10 Months in Cloth

Organic Blueberry Simplex in
"Hippo and Friends"

So life has been crazy with two littles so I haven't been blogging in oh just eight months, but I am coming back to update on where we are and what we have loved over the past few months.

Diapers
My stash has evolved and what is now my favorite is not what I would have expected.  My stash is exclusively Blueberry and SmartBottoms. I didn't have any of those brands in my stash when I started but the ease and convenience of the AIOs just hooked me.  Right after my last blog post is when I started to go Blueberry crazy.  I ended up with a newborn Simplex stash that we wore until she was almost six months old and then we just started with one size and haven't looked back.  We don't have any issues with leaks or explosions.  I think I have had maybe two while we have used these brands over the past eight months.  I had more than that in a single day of using disposables on my recent vacation.

Blueberry Simplex in bucket 4,5,and 7
and SmartBottoms in bucket 8

Brand Preference
I love each of the brands for their own
merits, but I do have a preference.  I will probably only be buying Blueberry in the future because they seem to wear MUCH better than SmartBottoms.  My oldest SmartBottom is 4.5 months old and I can already see a tiny bit of edgewear in the organic cotton inner.  None of my Blueberries have any wear except for the slight relaxing of the elastics.  I know that some people have SmartBottoms that have been through many children without any holes forming on the inners, but that isn't the case for us and it seems like it is becoming a frequent complaint about SmartBottoms based on the number of complaints about it on their FanChat Facebook page.

If I didn't have such an issue with the edgewear I would probably buy more SmartBottoms because they have the BEST prints.  I seriously have to restrain myself because I probably wouldn't be saving money using cloth is I bought all of my favorites :-)

Wipes
I have switched entirely to cloth wipes after a chemical burn with a disposable back in September and strangely enough I really enjoy using cloth wipes.  It really hasn't been any more work and is very convenient to just toss the wipes in the pail with the diaper after each change.

Storage
My Target storage system is still going strong.  Keeps me organized and always on top of my diaper laundry.  It also makes it very easy for non parents to find all the items needed for a diaper change.  I really hope it has made some cloth converts as well since all my pretties are out for display!

 Love it and it will definitely be gracing our wall until our last child is out of diapers!

AppleCheeks Pocket Review

Ruffly diapers elastics in cute solids and prints.  An option to work as a pocket for all your prefolds and flats.   Who makes these diapers?  Applecheecks that's who!!

Company Overview
Applecheeks is a Canadian company owned by the dynamic designer owner duo Llana Grostern and Amy Appleton.  Just check out the company Facebook page and you can "meet"  these hilarious women.

The Diaper
Applecheecks is an envelope style pocket diaper.  Coming in three different sizes, it offers one of the widest weight ranges currently on the market.  The brand new size three diaper fits children up to 65 pounds.

The lining of the diaper is made of soft microfleece which is sewn to the outer PUL.  There is elastic in the front and back to help contain even the messiest of blowouts.

There is no need to unstuff this diaper as the inserts will agitate right out in the wash.  I tried this with multiple style inserts and this is actually true!

Our Experience
The Applecheecks pocket is super soft and has a bit of stretch to the cover.  I love how snug you can get the legs without leaving red marks.  The pocket allows you to choose your insert.  I personally used my bamboo Diaper Rite prefolds as my insert.  It did make it one of my bulkier diapers, but the envelope pocket kept the insert in place which makes this an easy change and I can assemble this diaper straight out of the dryer.

I have used the diaper for about two months now without even a hint of a damp spot with Homegirl.  I was pretty impressed since my only other pocket diaper was horrible and we battled leaks for months.  I do like the flexibility to use my prefolds from the newborn stage all over again.

Care
Prepping this diaper for use is incredibly easy.  Just wash once to get all the manufacturing ickies out and you can use!  If you purchase the inserts you will need to prep several times since they are made of a natural fiber and washing will remove the natural oils making it more absorbent.

Affordability
Applecheecks Pockets are run about $19 each at most cloth diaper stores.  The branded 2 ply inserts are $17.75 for a pack of two inserts. If you need extra absorbency you can buy a 3 ply insert for $23.75 for a 2 pack. You can apply coupon codes for applecheeks at most online shops which helps with the cost.

At $19 for just a pocket and the added work of assembly, I think that this is a bit pricey.  Each complete diaper if using the Applecheecks inserts would be about $29 so be sure to wait for a big sale before you invest in a giant stash.

What do I reach for first - 2 months

So for month two the diapers I reach for first are as follows:

Daytime
Winner: Simplex Newborn AIO

LOVED these diapers once I got used to the leg rolling and got my new wash routine going.  It has pretty much solved my stiff diaper problem and I pack these diapers wherever I go.  About halfway through the month I found that the absorbency of the Thirsties was getting a bit lacking if she was nursing a lot.  

I may have an addiction to Blueberry brewing.  I am using all my available Ibotta money to buy more newborn diapers.  The recent seconds grab bag sale got me some fun new prints!

Next....Mommycon....oh dear!

Runner Up: Thirsties Newborn AIO

Still loving these diapers, but when she is nursing a ton she is starting to outwet the diaper.  Still love how soft and easy to use this diaper is.  I do think she will outgrow this diaper in the next month.  

Other diapers in my stash:
Lalabye Bamboo: this diaper almost made it as the runner up diaper.  Love how trim this one size diaper is!
Best Bottoms Cover with Medium insert:  Works, but is a bit on the bulky side.

Diaper Rite Bamboo Prefolds with Blueberry mini Coverall
Diaper a rite Bamboo Prefols with Thirsties Cover

Nighttime: Honest Diapers

We ran out of Bambo diapers and we decided to switch to Honest which we can get at our local Target.  I do like these diapers, but she keeps leaking out the back at night so I will be looking for other nighttime options.

Naptime
Simplex Aio/Lalabye

What do I reach for first-1 month

One of the questions had most when I first started cloth diapering was if certain diapers that worked in the beginning would continue to be favorites at a different age.  So many things can influence whether they work for an older child versus a younger child.  So once a month I will be publishing a new list of what diaper I reach for first.  I will include all the diapers I have in my stash at that time and divide it out by daytime and nightime/naptime

So for month one:

Daytime
Winner: Thirsties Newborn AIO

The Thirsties newborn diaper is just so soft and tiny.  I found the absorbency to be perfect for a newborn and it fit perfectly underneath her umbilical cord.  I had three of these in my stash and they were always the first to be used.

Runner Up: Simplex Newborn AIO

I didn't get any of these until she was just under a month old.  I did like this diaper a lot.  It fits perfectly well, but it is a much bigger diaper.  I love the fact that it uses natural fibers, but the downside is that it is a bit stiffer.  You also have to make sure that the leg elastics are rolled in since it does not have cased elastic.  Not a big deal but I did feel more comfortable using the Thirsties in the beginning because of this.

Other diapers in my stash:
Diaper Rite Bamboo Prefolds with Blueberry mini Coverall
Diaper a rite Bamboo Prefols with Thirsties Cover
Lalabye Bamboo 
Best Bottoms Cover with Medium insert

Nighttime: Bambo Nature Disposable

We chose to exclusively disposable diaper at night since we had a horrible time with our oldest not sleeping well.  Bambo diapers were very absorbent and cuddly soft and I felt good about the contents of the diapers.  Downside of the diaper is that they are abnormally wide so we did have to overlap the wings to get a good fit.  Also, they did not have an umbilical notch.  So weird for a newborn diaper, but oh well.

Naptime
Simplex Aio

Leaking? Let troubleshoot!

Diapers that are put on incorrectly can leave mom with telltale spots!

Damp pants, damp shirts, crying baby, sad mama, and frustrated daddy.

These are the downsides of cloth diapering with a bad fit.  Leaking can plague even the most experienced of cloth diapering families.  I personally struggled with leaking issues for months before I figured out what the problem.

What was my problem you ask?  I had a heavy wetter and my absorbency wasn't up to the challenge. I was using the microfiber inserts and they were not up to the task.  Once I put hemp and bamboo inserts into my pockets my leaks stopped.  Then Homeboy outgrew the diapers.  I was thrilled.  I got to buy more!!  Shhhhh....it was my first....don't judge.

So if you are struggling with dampness try these tips before you give up!

Is your diaper or insert completely saturated when you change the diaper?

• This means you probably need more absorbency.  Try a natural fiber such as hemp or bamboo or try adding a doubler to your diaper.
• If you waited longer than three hours to change the diaper, try changing every two hours.  Babies need to be kept dry so most diaper experts advice changing every two hours.

Leg gap on a Diaper Rite Bamboo Pocket

Are there gaps around the leg when you hold the leg up?

• Try tightening the leg by snapping the leg snap tighter or decreasing the elastic size in diapers like Fuzzibunz.

Is the dampness happening on the front of a stomach sleeper?

• Try using a diaper with a PUL front flap with your insert tucked underneath the flap.

Is the outside of the PUL completely wet and the inner not saturated?

• Did you prep the diper completely?  If not, keep washing.  The diaper might not be ready to use yet.
• Are there cracks in your PUL?  Does it look like a peeling sunburnn? If so, this diaper is your new swim diaper unless you can figure out how to rewaterproof your diper.  This can be caused by bleaching or harsh wash routines or just age.  If the diaper is relatively new this may be covered under your manufacturer warranty.  Be sure to call and ask.    

  

  Incorrectly fastened Thirsties Cover.  Tuck it back in!

• Did you make sure that the lining of the diaper is not showing when you put it on?  If you can see any of the diaper liner it can allow moisture to get around the PUL.

Do your diapers smell like ammonia?

• Try stripping your diapers.  Build up can cause your diapers to repel water.  This also means that you need to alter your wash routine.  Try adding more soap and an extra rinse.

Have you used diaper rash cream?

• Most diaper rash creams are not cloth diaper safe and since they are designed to prevent urine from sitting on skin, they can actually waterproof your diaper causing it to repel liquid instead of absorb.  Look for cream or yellow streaks on the diaper.  Use Dawn dishwashing detergent and scrub stains with soap and a toothbrush.

Are the diapers repelling liquid?

• You may have detergent build up from using too much soap.  Try washing several times with no detergent.  You will see soap suds during these washes due to the excess washing out.  Use less detergent in your wash routine to fix this issue.

Diaper Prepping

I got some new fluff mail today! 

Kittens, the Blueberry and Me exclusive for July got here this past week.  I justified the purchase for a few days and finally pulled the trigger.  I woke up Thursday to find out it was out for delivery.  Hurray!  Perfect timing since it was diaper laundry day!  Prepping Kittens will started asap.

Prepping diapers correctly is as important as fit.  A diaper that is not well prepped can leak and repel water.  I used a partially prepped diaper a few weeks ago and ended up with pee all over myself. 

Prepping involves washing and drying a diaper to increase its absorbancy and to wash out the ickies that it has picked up during the manufacturing process.  Natural fibers need to be washed up to 10 times to reach maximum absorbancy whereas synthetic fibers just need to be washed once, however, decent absorbency is achieved after about 5 washes so I begin to use them partially prepped.  Let's be real.  Who can really wait ten washes to use the cute little diapers?

On to prepping.  Here are some general things to remember.

1. First. DO NOT prep natural fibers with synthetic.   Natural fibers have an oil that washes away with the first few washes and that oil can coat your synthetic diapers causing them to repel liquids.  Once the diapers are prepped it is fine to wash them together, but the first few washes need to be separate.  This includes a diaper such as a pocket that has a natural insert.  The pocket will need to be prepped separate from the insert.
2. Second.  You don't need to dry most diapers between washes with one exception.  Cotton.  Cotton needs to be dried between each wash since drying helps fluff the fabric which increases it's absorbency.
3. Third.  Prepping does not require much detergent.  Use a minimal amount.  Save it for when the diapers actually have some poop on them.

So here is what you need to do.

1. Determine your fiber type using the following chart.

Synthetic Fiber	Natural Fiber
Microterry	Cotton
Microfiber	Bamboo
Microfleece	Hemp
Minky	Wool
Suedecloth	Birdseye
Zorb

     2.  Separate your diapers into two piles.  Natural and synthetic.

     3.  Wash

• Synthetic: Wash synthetic fibers with minimal detergent between one and three times before using. Drying is not required between washes. 
• Natural: Wash natural fibers at least five times before using with a normal amount of detergent.  If you choose to use before at least eight washes, don't use the diaper for nap or overnight.  You will most likely get leaks.  If the diaper leaks, don't write it off, wash a few more times and that may just do the trick!