Sustainable & Creative Living
One of the most common questions I got when I decided to cloth diaper my son was, how do you wash them? The second was, where does the poop go? Yes, cloth diapering can get messy (literally) because you’re not just tossing the diaper in the trash or Diaper Genie. But, if you have all the right tools and a clear plan, then cloth diapering can be [Read more…]
If you’ve read some of my other posts, you know I’m pro-cloth diapers. They’re eco-friendly and healthier for your baby’s delicate skin. I love all the adorable patterns and prints and I feel good about doing something to reduce my footprint. Cloth diapering can be quite a commitment but doable if you’ve got all the right information. Much like using standard disposable diapers, you still need all the accessories like wipes, diaper rash creams, and changing pads. But, besides the obvious, here’s a list of the Best Cloth Diapering Accessories you may not have thought of. [Read more…]
Potty training can be a dreadful time for toddlers and parents. I’ve heard horror stories from friends and family about the awful process. Some parents warned me it could take months or years to get my son out of pull-ups and into underwear full time.
So, before I started the potty training process with my son, I did a lot of research on what to expect and how to prepare myself (and him). After endless reading and stressing, I came to the conclusion that no matter how many blogs I read, my process and my experience would be different because no child or family situation is the same. I just had to dive in, expect the worst, and hope for the best. [Read more…]
Depending on how familiar you are with cloth diapering, you might be thinking, “What exactly is a prefold diaper?” Simply put, it’s a 3 panel, rectangular piece of fabric that contains multiple layers of either cotton, bamboo, hemp, or flannel— traditionally with an extra layer in the middle for extra absorbency. They’re folded and fastened to baby inside of a waterproof diaper cover.
Before I even got pregnant with my son I knew I wanted to use cloth diapers. My mom used them with me and my sisters, and because there are significant age gaps between us, I still remember diaper laundry, safety pins, and plastic pants all around the house. Let me assure you that this sometimes referred to as “old fashion” way of diapering has come along way in recent years. [Read more…]
Babies and diapers go hand in hand, right? Dirty diapers are an inevitable part of raising children, right? Those slim, plastic lined disposable diapers are your only option, right?
WRONG!
I’ve been wanting to do a post for a while on cloth diapering but after working on My Breastfeeding Journey for nearly 6 months I needed a breather. I knew, much like that post, there was much to be told. So, I’ve decided to break it down into a series of posts that I will put out over a period of time—for my sanity and yours!
Since the invention of disposable diapers in the 40’s, parents have adopted a dependency on them. Their convenience and portability have made daycare, traveling, and life with children more obtainable and just plain easier. In some families, disposable diapers have allowed fathers to be more actively involved in the early stages of parenthood—dirty diaper duty isn’t all on moms now! And as early disposable diapers models evolved, usage skyrocketed. [Read more…]
Registering for baby gifts is one of the most exciting and highly anticipated stages of pregnancy for most expectant parents. Most can’t wait to send the barcode scanner into overdrive scanning anything and everything from diapers and bibs to car seats and strollers.
I was sick most of my pregnancy so no supermarket sweeping the baby aisles for me. I registered the boring way…online at Target.com and Amazon.com.
I did, however, end up really enjoying registering this way because it allowed me to [Read more…]
For those of you who have read my previous posts, you know that I got married 7 ½ years ago on beautiful Sanibel Island. Naturally, it’s a moment in time that my husband and I will cherish forever and always remember fondly. Every summer we [Read more…]
Babies and toddlers are notorious for two things…being cute as heck and getting sick. It’s unavoidable. So, no matter how many antibacterial wipes you invest in, how many times you tell them not to eat floor food, or how many times you double boil every pacifier, they’re going to get sick. Inevitably, you’ll make a 1 a.m. trip to the pharmacy or beg your pediatrician for [Read more…]
When my son started teething at around four months old, my first instinct for natural pain relief was to let him chew on chilled teething rings (a go-to for most moms). When these classic favorites didn’t do the trick, I tried what seemed like every teething toy imaginable. I now carry around a gallon size zip lock bag in my diaper bag filled with what I refer to as [Read more…]
Finding the perfect diaper bag can be tricky. Knowing what to put in the diaper bag is even trickier, especially for a new mom. When I started my search I knew that I wanted a bag that looked a little more modern woman and less traditional mom. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that [Read more…]
Breastfeeding your child is a true gift that we, as women, are blessed to have. It can be a tough road to navigate in the beginning for many new mothers.
In a recent post I shared my own nursing struggles, check out My Breastfeeding Journey.
There are so many questions, physical and emotional changes, more questions, and DECISIONS! The decisions are endless! And now your decisions will not only affect you, but also your little bundle of joy. As they grow, so will the decisions that we make as their mother. Like my mom always says, “Little kids, little problems. Big kids, big problems!”
One of the first decisions we make as new moms is [Read more…]
My breastfeeding journey (like many first-time moms) began long before my little J was born.
It began with a question we all ask ourselves (and get asked by many). Breastfeed or bottle-feed? For me, I always knew I wanted to breastfeed. While I know that there are plenty of mothers who want nothing to do with it, I think breastfeeding is a challenge most moms are up for. Either way, it is a choice we are blessed to have.
What I didn’t know was what an emotional roller coaster I was in for. [Read more…]
DIY Valentine’s Day Footprint Cards are a meaningful holiday card for any parent, relative, or friend. They’re also fun to create! Even for young babies, finger painting is a great sensory development tool that allows baby to feel and experiment with colors, which helps develop creativity and thinking skills.
Valentine’s Day is the perfect holiday for you and your child to explore your creative sides with some homemade colorful greeting cards
The Valentine’s Day Footprint Cards that I’ve created below is [Read more…]
