Five Reasons Why Cloth Nappies are Easier Than You Think {Share Your Passion}

Today's guest post comes from Serene from Living Serenely  and she is sharing about cloth nappies. After reading this I think I am regretting the amount of Huggies nappies I have bought in the last 4 1/2 years. Check it out and let us know your thoughts and experiences.

Hi everyone, my name is Serene and I'm jumping on board this series hosted by Lisa to share one of my key passions: Cloth Nappies!

Yes, I am proud to call myself a Cloth Nappy Addict Aficionado. I first started using cloth nappies over two years ago not long after my son was born and I have to say it is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Apart from well known reasons for using cloth nappies such as environmental benefits and cost savings, for me cloth nappies are simply just so much fun!

To be honest, I didn't always feel this way about cloth nappies. The biggest deterrent for me at first was the convenience factor. After all, how can anything else compare to the ultimate convenience of simply rolling up a disposable nappy and tossing it away and not having to worry about it anymore.

What initially got me started with trying out cloth nappies was due to a bad nappy rash on my son's bum. I was advised to give cloth nappies a go as they are said to be more breathable and better for baby's skin. My son's rash cleared up wonderfully and so I seriously considered using cloth nappies on a regularly basis.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover how far cloth nappies have come since the days of traditional muslin and pins. Today's Modern Cloth Nappies (MCNs) are so easy and fun to use, there are really so much less deterring factors to using them these days.

So today, allow me to share with you five reasons why cloth nappies are easier than you think...

#1. Modern velcro and snaps - Gone are the days of fiddling with pins and folds, MCNs nowadays come fully equipped with velcro and snaps so they operate pretty much exactly like a typical disposable nappy. I personally prefer snaps because they are more durable and look neater, but I have a few velcro MCNs which are easier for outside carers and babysitters to use.

#2. Easy-to-use flushable liners - I know a big deterrent many people find with using cloth is getting rid of poo. However these days you can get flushable liners which you simply lay inside the nappy to catch any messes. Then at nappy change time, you simply lift them out and flush them down the toilet.

#3. The wonderful washing machine - This is truly one of man's best inventions. I think we often underestimate the wonder of this basic machine. It's really easy as tossing the nappies in and with a flick of the switch, clean nappies are on the way back in circulation once again.

#4. The amazing cost savings - The average cost of diapering a child can add up to $2,500 to $4,500 over the course of 2-3 years, depending on how soon they are toilet trained. Compared to an initial investment of $300 to $900 for a full set of brand new MCNs which can be reused for subsequent kids, there is no contest. I find it so much easier on my mind knowing how much money we are able to save in this department.

#5. The cuteness and fun factor - This is absolutely one of the best motivating factors for continuing to use cloth nappies. I just love the look of colourful fluff on my baby's bum. This is truly what makes using cloth nappies so much fun, and the fun factor is what makes the whole experience so much easier!

If you're interested to learn more, you can check out my posts on cloth nappies on my blog Living Serenely or on The Bub Hub community as The Crunchy Mum.

Thanks for reading!

Share your thoughts or experiences with cloth nappies

When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Lemonade

Today I would like to introduce you to a brand new blogger. Lisa is an online friend of mine who has shared the highs and lows of pregnancy and baby raising with me. Recently she gave birth to the gorgeous Remy. Along with the joy of meeting her baby, she was also given news that no new mother ever wants to hear. Her life has taken a shift she couldn't have imagined, but she is not letting it slow her down. I have included Lisa's very first post for you to read today so you can meet her and hear her story. I know you will love her blog and  I hope you will follow her blogging journey at A Lemonade Life.

It’s a cliché you often hear bandied about by cardigan-clad optimists, or written in jaunty font on Hallmark cards – ‘when life hands you lemons, make lemonade’. Meh, so trite. Recently I was thrown one of those proverbial lemons however, when my second son Remy was born at 36 weeks with Down Syndrome and an imperforate anus. (Just to clarify, Rem is a peach, and having Down’s is by no means lemon-like, but having no bum-hole is positively citric). He is now 5 weeks old, a beautiful bub with almond eyes, a strong heart, and a squelchy colostomy. His brother Yves is a reckless, parkour-loving 16-month-old with a penchant for dancing on table tops and eating dirt. Yeah, it’s been busy, but life is settling down a little after Remy’s dramatic arrival, so here I sit while my babies sleep, dodging housework and contemplating the rest of my existence. A bit heavy for a Monday afternoon, but apparently there’s lemonade to be brewed, and no time like the present, right?

The gorgeous Remy

Now don’t get all fidgety – this blog isn’t going to be a sob story, a violin-accompanied campaign for disability tolerance, or a tedious blow-by-blow account of my daily life. I might throw the odd family photo out there, or have a bit of a rant about the frustrations of stoma care (more about that later), but generally this is just a virtual space for me, a repository for the unvoiced detritus occupying my mind.

Besides motherhood, my interests are styling interiors, playing squash, adoring dogs, and junk shopping. I love editing and collecting other people’s unwanted stuff, and I can’t pass an op-shop or antique store without breaking a sweat (and a fingernail) rifling through their contents. I won’t be revealing my trusted sources of said bargains, rest assured! But I will post about what I find, and hopefully inspire some of you to look around your own area, and indeed your home, for pieces that could be resurrected, repurposed, and loved anew. Much more rewarding and fun than buying plastic replica crap, and better for the environment too!

Beyond petty scrounging and the odd spot of squash, the real subject I want to wrestle with in here is the question of perspective. The omnipotence of a more considered worldview has been a looming truth in my life for a long time, and through recent events this need has been thrust under my nose again. What does perspective mean for me, what might it mean for my family, and how can we best disperse some of what we learn along the way? That’s the big question in our household right now as we begin to deal with our son’s health issues and his ongoing development. We have been shown incredible care, compassion and professionalism by his medical team in these first few weeks, and as consumed as we are with caring for Remy, my partner Dan and I are also thinking hard about how we can give something back. Crisis is always a time of opportunity, and in the tumult of Remy’s arrival we have been gifted a viewpoint exceeding our previous reach, one that is taking our thoughts beyond our picket fence.

So, that’s where we’re headed…

Find Lisa's original post at leecylou.wordpress.com make sure you pop over there and follow her blog via email (find the button at the bottom right corner) so you can keep up with her wonderful blog. Also, make sure you leave her some comment love.

 

Truzee Baby Milestone Cards {Product Review}

These Baby Milestone Cards are too cute not to share with you. If you are looking for a different, but lovely idea for a baby shower these are the way to go. Instead of the traditional baby book milestones, these cards mark the moments most don't.

They are available in pink or blue.

Printed on recycled paper, this set of 12 illustrated milestone cards let you record special moments in the early years of your child life.

I was sent a set and even though Ali is 16 months old there are still many of these milestones which she is yet to achieve (some I am thankful she hasn't achieved -see the picture below). It is a gift that you could even buy for a first birthday and is also great for a third child whose mother has neglected their baby books a little (that might just be me).

check out some of the great milestones you can record

These  milestone cards are available from Green Envy Living for $24.95. While you are there check out all the other lovely products for sale.

These was not a paid review, however I was gifted a set of Milestone cards for the purpose of the review.

By Royal Appointment: Stealing Kate Middleton’s Look! {PR Collaboration}

I'm no fashion blogger but I do love getting some tips on looking great. I am excited to have this guest post today to give you some tips on looking great during pregnancy. There are so many styles that show off a baby bump and Kate Middleton has really nailed dressing well during pregnancy. Even if you are not planning on having any more bubs, you can still appreciate Kate's style and grace. 

It feels as though the whole world is holding its breath waiting for Kate Middleton to give birth, an event which should be happening any day now! While we’re now all excited to see the future heir to the British Empire’s throne, I’ve been thinking about Kate’s maternity style.

She’s managed to find the balance between grace and style during her pregnancy, something which we’ve only seen before with Princess Diana. Yesterday I was reading a blog about Royal maternity style on show and I was taken back to Diana’s impeccable style.

It seems as though the crown for style has been picked up by Kate, which is just as well as she is to be the mother of the future king or queen! If you’ve admired Kate’s look as much as I have over the past nine months, you’ll be glad to know I’ve found the perfect outfit!

The Necklace

Available to buy from Etsy, this necklace would be a treasured piece of jewellery which you’d be able to hand down to your own children. Think of it as a future heirloom!

The necklace has a gorgeous, timeless shape whilst remaining modern thanks to the additional gold pendant. Very Kate!

The Dress

Lace has been Kate’s calling card since day one, and the detailing on this Amber Lace maternity dress from Tiffany Rose – which I found after seeing the blog post - is all down to the stunning lace design. Managing to find a balance between demure and sexy, this is perfect for regal occasions.

The neckline would hold the necklace beautifully, while the midnight blue colour would set off the jewel in the centre of the accessory. Meanwhile the cinched in waist will show off your body to its very best!

The Shoes

This high heeled court from Darcy Seashell on Style Tread couldn’t be more Kate. Understated but classic, it will lift your calves to a flattering height while ensuring the attention stays on the dress and you!

They’re really comfortable and can be worn with pretty much any outfit.

What do you think?