Birdseye Cloth Diapers - Cloth Diapering Simplicity

Birdseye cloth diapers are the old-fashioned version of a one size cloth diaper. Your grandma or great-grandma probably used these soft cotton diapers for their babies. These deceptively simple pieces of cloth are perfect for everything from keeping a baby dry to cleaning windows without leaving lint behind.

Birdseye cloth diapers are simple to use and they are one of the cheapest cloth diapering options (making your own diapers out of old-t-shirts and flannel sheets is probably the cheapest and there are some great resources online if you want to make diapers from recycled materials). One reason they are such a great deal for diapering your baby is that they can easily be recycled several times after baby is through with diapers. An investment of less than $100 could get you enough cloth diapers and diaper covers to last until your baby potty-trains, then you can use them as cleaning cloths!

Birdseye cloth diapers are made from a single layer of cotton fabric known as birdseye. The name comes from the diamond texture of the fabric weave. Birdseye is very absorbent and becomes softer with use.

The very low start-up cost of using flat birdseye diapers is not the only way these old-fashioned diapers save you money. Birdseye cloth diapers save you money on electricity as well since they are so easy to clean and dry. They wash and dry quickly because they are so thin, yet when folded they are still very absorbent. Flat diapers are a great choice if you have limited laundry facilities, want to line-dry your diapers, are on a very tight budget, or want to use them while traveling.

Because these diapers dry so quickly they are great for line drying. You can easily wash them for camping and travel, making them a great choice for any situation where you do not have access to washing and drying facilities or when you want to save energy on washing and drying.

Birdseye is a low-lint fabric, making it perfect for cleaning windows and dusting. Many people buy birdseye cloth diapers for use as cleaning cloths. They are the gold standard for polishing cars and cleaning the interior. Flat diapers are also great for lap pads, burp cloths, dish towels and other uses.

Folding flat diapers does take a little learning, but it is an art-from you'll master in no time. Soon you'll be diapering your baby with ease. You can find folding instructions on my web site or by doing a simple internet search.

Julie R. Holland is the owner of Little for Now cloth diaper store and mom to one happy-cloth diapered baby. Holland has been helping parents make great diapering choices since 2006. Subscribe to the Little for Now cloth diaper newsletter for more great parenting articles and savings on cloth diapers.


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Caring For Your Cloth Diapers - A Basic Guide

The worry that you are going to ruin your cloth diapers is common among users. You have found the wonderful fluffy diapers and you want to keep them for a long time to come. There are some basic rules to follow when washing and using your cloth diapers to give you the best performance and longest life.



First things first, prewash.

When you get your diapers home the first thing you need to do is make them ready for use. Most cloth diapers need to be washed a full cycle before use. Knickernappies Disposanots Pocket diapers and inserts are ready to use but most other diapers are not. The natural oils of the materials need to be washed out. Hemp diapers and inserts will need to be washed 3 times separately before they are ready to be used.



Pick the right detergent

Having the right detergent will be the foundation of your diapers best performance and long life. Do not use detergents with additives such as brighteners, enzymes, and fabric softener. All these things will cause build up in your diapers.

Use the right creams

You go to change your baby and you see a small amount of redness on your baby's bottom. Your first reaction might be to reach for the Desitin. But don't do it! Most diaper rash creams will coat your diapers and cause repelling (they will no longer soak up the wetness). They can also do some serious staining to your diapers. Use only cloth diaper approved creams such as Northern Essence Diaper Salve.



If you follow these basic steps and rules you should have cloth diapers that last you a long time with no leaks. Remember to never use fabric softeners or other items such as creams that will build up in your diapers. Build up is a cloth diapers mortal enemy. The proper care of cloth diapers will make your diapering experience the best possible.

Rachel Martin is a mother of three boys, and owner of Sweet Infant. For more information about cloth diapering, care of cloth diapers, and washing cloth diapers go to http://www.sweetinfant.com Here you will find wonderful products, helpful information, and excellent customer service.


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Thrift Stores Are A Great Place For Fabric!!

I went to the Goodwill this morning and I found some full size sheets that are flannel. They are great for making diapers out of. Huge and cheap. $1.95 each. Plus it is a different kind of flannel , I guess, because it is thicker than the flannel you can get at a fabric store. All of the diapers that I ever made from sheet flannel have been my favorites. I got some great prints. Cars, Plaid, and stars. Great diapers will be made from these.


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Photo Of My Cloth Diaper Stash Now!

My stash has changed a lot over the past couple of years. I used to have nothing but All-in-ones, than I went to covers and PFs, Now I have a little bit of everything. Most of them are fitteds. I have been selling most of my stash off and making my own, but I do have a lot of cloth diapers.

Let's see if I can list them all:

2 Goodmamas
1 Luke's Drawer
8 Unknown white fitted ( my faves )
3 FuzziBunz ( more on the way!)
1 McDonald Print Wiggle Worm Bottom cover
2 unknown fitteds that Kind of look like Goodmamas
23 Fitteds made by me (1 In the wash)
1 Dreameze in the wash
20 prefolds (assorted - some are chinese and some are gerbers)
20 + inserts and doublers
3 sets of pins
1 purple Snappi

I also have some Bumgenius on the way and some other diapers.

I will take a new updated photo when they all arrive.
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Baby Carriers Are Awesome

The best thing that I ever bought when I first had my son was a baby carrier. It was not to bad. Could have been better , but we loved it. I would wear him while I cleaned the house and went for walks. He would laugh and even nap in it. I wish that I would have had one as nice as the ones at Belle Baby Carriers. They are so comfy looking. I would have used mine longer if it was like those.



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Show Me Your Handmade Cloth Diapers!

send me a photo of your recent handmade cloth diapers and I will post them on this blog with any info that you want shared. Like if you make them to sell or links, etc. Do yo do customs , etc!

send to my email - indywahm @ netzero dot com

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The Complete Cloth Diapering Book

The Complete Cloth Diaper Book - Information, Fabrics, Sewing and Patterns
The most comprehensive and current book available anywhere about the benefits and choices in cloth diapering today. PLUS, patterns and illustrated sewing instructions for making your own diapers, covers, all-in-ones(AIO), soakers and more. Exclusively available at www.didees.com

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Am I addicted to Cloth Diapers??

I have been sewing my sons for a while now. I now have 65 diapers for him!!! And I still am making more even though he is almost potty trained. This is becoming a sickness , maybe!! LOL!!

Anyone else have this problem????






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Sew Your Child Some Underwear!!

This is just awesome ! Make your own underwear and more. For the whole family.
THIS PAGE has tons of free patterns for you to use.


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Handwashing Cloth Diapers

In an emergency this can be a easy and fast thing to do. Like me, this morning, I had to wash some diapers out in the tub because I was almost out of diapers and could not get to the laundry mat. I found some great tips for hand washing cloth diapers on this PAGE. It is not hard to do and in a time of need it can be easily done.

I hand washed mine this morning and then I have them hung up outside on my umbrella clothesline. By time tonight , when I need a cloth diaper , they will be dry and fresh.

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