Nursing Pillow - Do you need one?

Do I need a nursing pillow? What type should I buy?

This is often a question that people ask when they are getting ready to have a baby. If you have never nursed before, you might wonder if you will even be able to....and spending an extra $50 on a nursing pillow doesn't sound likely. So what is the point of having one anyway?
When I had my first baby, I didn't have a nursing pillow right away - and within a week I had to have one! Many women nurse exclusively, as I have with all of my children. When you are holding a baby in your arms for a few minutes at a time, you might not think about having a 'helper' to hold up your baby....but When your baby has been nursing for 30-50 minutes, you quickly realize how badly your back, shoulders and arms hurt!
The point of a nursing pillow is to help you hold your baby. It eases pressure on your back and shoulders and allows you to sit straighter and more comfortably. Your baby can rest in your arms at a height that is comfortable for you to hold him while he is breastfeeding.
If you decide not to breastfeed, a nursing pillow is still a great way to be comfortable while snuggling your baby. You will be holding your baby day in and day out for the first couple months...do It comfortably with good posture - use a nursing pillow.
There are other great ways to use a nursing pillow as well. One way to use a nursing pillow is to lay it on the floor. Then place your swaddled baby in a semi-upright position. This allows your baby to see around the room (and see you) while you are doing all the things new parents have to do. Another way to use the nursing pillow is when your baby starts to sit. Simply place the pillow on the floor around your sitting baby. This will help them stay upright as well as be a soft place to land when they inevitably topple over.
If you are looking into purchasing a nursing pillow, there are a number of brands available. Through experience however, we have come to see that they are all very similar. The generic pillows are identical in functionality as the big brand names yet offer a lesser cost.
The brand name pillows have some pretty cute covers though - for the solution to this, I recommend either sewing a nursing pillow cover yourself, or going to Etsy.com and buying a handmade, great quality cover that will fit your pillow.
If you are at all crafty, you can easily sew a nursing pillow for free or for just a couple dollars. I bet you have all the necessary tools/supplies needed in your home to sew one of these yourself by re-purposing a couple things that you don't use anymore (old pillows, stuffed animals, sheets...etc).
When shopping for or sewing new baby items, you can do without a lot of things. However, make a nursing pillow a priority. You'll be glad you did.

What type of baby sling to choose

When choosing a baby sling carrier, many people can only afford one...so it makes them have to choose between a wide variety of options.

• On a side note, if you are able to sew, we have a Baby sling sewing pattern package that includes the main 4 types of baby carriers so you won't have to choose...Make them all!

When people start researching baby carriers, they usually come across Ring Slings first.

About the Ring Sling Baby Carrier

A Ring sling is a baby carrier that is very adjustable. The ring sling is the best sling for nursing in and is what midwives globally recommend the most. A ring sling is different then other types of baby carriers and is well known for the double 'rings' at the shoulder area. These rings adjust the carrier to be fitted to the wearer. There is a 'tail' that usually has a pocket in it and is an excellent conceiler for extra nursing privacy as well as a bit of storage space (for a phone or wallet). The Ring sling does take a bit more getting used to then the pouch or mei tai, but it's worth it if you are out and about during feeding time.

Sometimes the ring sling can be called an 'adjustable sling', or 'mayan sling'. 

About the Mei Tai Baby Carrier

A Mei Tai Baby sling is an Asian inspired baby carrier. They can be worn on the front, back or hips. Mei Tai Slings are well known for their ease of use whenever and wherever you need a baby carrier. Use a Mei tai in the house while cooking & cleaning, at church, or the grocery store! The Mei Tai carries newborn babies up to 35 lbs comfortably! Although it's not as supportive as a wrap, it is very easy to tie. This is the type of carrier that most resembles a structured carrier.

Don't waste your time or money shopping for expensive baby slings, sew a mei tai baby sling in about 30 minutes for as little as $5! 

About the Pouch Sling

A Pouch Baby sling is a baby carrier that was inspired by a ring sling. It is sometimes called a 'native' sling. It is a fitted baby sling that is made to fit your size. There are no rings or tails to worry about and the native sling has the easiest learning curve to use. They are easy to nurse in discretely. Most designs have pockets in the front for little things like keys or a phone.

The Native Pouch Sling can be worn in a plethera of ways - on the back, hips, front AND your baby can sit in it a variety of ways! Use comfortably from a newborn up to 35 lbs. The best place to keep a native sling is in your purse so you'll always have it with you! Use it in the store, church, during chores, walks, or whenever you would be holding your baby.

Our Native Baby Sling sewing pattern includes directions how to make a reversible sling, a one layer sling and a matching doll sling for your toddler! 

About a Wrap Baby Sling

A wrap sling is a baby carrier that is incredibly adjustable. The basic wrap consists of a very long strip of stretchy fabric that is wrapped specifically around the body to be completely supportive. The wrap sling is by far the most comfortable baby carrier that is available in most people's opinion. The wrap sling is the most difficult to nurse in and it takes the longest to get used to tying, it is VERY worth it. 

Sometimes the baby wrap sling can be called a Wraparound or Wrap around sling. It can also be called a Strip Sling. Regardless of the name, this is a sling you HAVE to try.

Our sewing pattern to make your own Baby Wrap Sling is going to be your favorite. There are 3 styles. Make one that you don't even have to sew, or have 1 or 2 seams. Add an additional decorative panel as shown very easily and you will have the best looking baby carrier in town. 

Cloth vs Disposable diapers - Cost break down

Looking at the differences of Cloth vs disposable can be a daunting task. Here, you have information regarding cost differences that might blow your mind. Feel free to spend as much time staring at the screen as you need. :) We've all had that "Oh my gosh" moment.

Cloth Diapers -Cost Approx $120 One Time

Depending on the style of diaper you decide on, it could be as little as $120 or as much as $740 if you sew them yourself.
Purchasing cloth diapers premade will cost anywhere from $350-$3256.
Lets go from a money saving standpoint and look at the cheapest option.
Please also understand that this is per child. If you use cloth on a 2nd and 3rd child, you have just dropped the price down to $40-$246 per child if you sew them yourself.

One Size Fits All Pocket Diaper (Best on Budget)

• 108 weeks approx in the same size
• 6-12 changes a day
• 24 diapers & inserts - Cost approx $4-5 per set to sew = $120
• Approx 6197 diaper changes
• $.02 per change
• Total $120 

What about washing costs?

• 108 weeks approx of diaper washing
• 6-12 changes a day
• Approx 20 diapers & inserts per load
• Approx 378 loads (every other day)
• Laundry Detergent, approx $.20 per load
• Washing Machine (inc. water) approx $.30-$.69 per load
• Hang dry or Dryer approx 0-.$50 per load
• Total approx $.50-$1.39 per load
• Total Cost Per Child from birth to toilet $189-$525 

Disposable Diapers Cost Approx $2120 Per Child

The cost of these were the popular brand price at the local supermarket.
This does not include disposable wipes or gas to the store.

Newborn diapers - Your Cost $62.50

• 2 weeks approx in size
• 12-16 changes a day
• 48 diapers in package for $15
• Approximately 200 diapers used
• $.31 per change
• $62.50 total

Size 1 - Your Cost $165.50

• 10 weeks approx in size
• 10-12 changes a day
• 104 diapers in package for $21
• Approximately 820 diapers used
• $.20 per change
• $165.50 total

Size 2 - Your Cost $216

• 12 weeks approx in size
• 10-12 changes a day
• 88 diapers in package for $21
• Approximately 900 diapers used
• $.24 per change
• $216 total

Size 3 - Your Cost $217.50

• 12 weeks approx in size
• 8-10 changes a day
• 96 diapers in package for $28
• Approx 750 diapers used
• $.29 per change
• $217.50 total

 Size 4 - Your Cost $200

• 12 weeks approx in size
• 6-8 changes a day
• 64 diapers in a package for $22
• Approx 588 diapers used
• $.34 per change
• $200 total

Size 5 - Your Cost $446.50

• 24 weeks approx in size
• 6-8 changes a day
• 58 diapers in a package for $22
• Approx 1175 diapers used
• $.38 per change
• $446.50 total

Size 6 - 36 weeks

• 36 weeks approx in size
• 6-8 changes a day
• 48 diapers in a package for $22
• Approx 1764 diapers used
• $.46 per change
• $811.44 

Of course cloth doesn't make sense for everyone...and sewing your own won't either. But if you can manage it, I recommend saving yourself thousands of dollars per child and get sewing using our one size cloth diaper pattern!

How to clean dish covers

Caring for Dish Covers is easy peasy 

If you haven't yet, you are getting ready to sew a stash of adorable dish covers...and you're starting to wonder if it'll be worth it because you have to wash them...and how do you wash PUL anyway?

Routine

• Put a cover on a dish & it gets dirty
• Wipe it off with a wash cloth if you can and put it back in the drawer
   
• If you cannot wash it off, put it in the coordinating colors of your every day wash.
• Dry either on the clothesline or in the dryer...whichever is your everyday routine
• Use again and again and again

Pretty easy huh? Don't worry about the PUL. It's perfectly safe to wash and dry as many times as you possibly could.
I always try to wipe mine out. I use the covers every day and I hate running out.

How to wash cloth diapers

Caring For Cloth Diapers Is Easy

If you've researched cloth diapers at all, you've probably run across dozens if not hundreds of suggested washing "routines."  Some are simple, and some are so complex it seems like you'll be spending an entire day washing!

SOILED DIAPERS

1. Rinse solids off in the toilet. I use a sprayer that my husband made from a kitchen sink sprayer. You could easily use a peri bottle, or just swish.

2. Put into either a 'dry' or 'wet' pail.

• Wet Pail
  This is a bucket (with a locking lid) that you soak dirty diapers in until washing day. Some people add a pinch of baking soda. This requires a spin before washing to get all the extra nasty water out. This can be heavy and nasty to carry to the wash though. If you find that you HAVE to wait 3-4 days before washing (NOT recommended), use the wet pail method.
• Dry Pail
  This is what most people do. They simply have a dry container for putting the soiled diapers in. 

 

WASH DAY

1.  Hopefully you have already removed the solids-  Whether you choose to swish, shake, or spray, remove as much solid matter as possible and dispose of this in the toilet. 

2.  Cold Prewash-  Cold water will remove any remaining solid material without setting in stains. With front loading HE machines, run a standard cold/cold wash, with an extra rinse. If your machine will let you program to do a cold soak, do it.

3.  Hot Wash-  Hot water is required to sterilize the diapers and remove germs.  Use a hot wash with cold rinse. Add detergent.

4.  Dry- Line drying will prolong the life of your cotton, hemp, or bamboo diapers.  Many people use the dryer on high heat. Some people recommend high heat for PUL fabric. This is up for debate though as it still breaks down faster using a dryer. Should you choose to line dry, the sun is an excellent bleaching agent and should help remove any stains.

5.  Put Away- Or leave in a pile, in the laundry basket, or shove in a drawer.  Whatever "method" works best at your house.

 DO'S AND DON'TS

DO'S

Cold prerinse & spin
Use store bought UNSCENTED liquid detergent
Hang in the sun to remove stains
Always include hot water and detergent in your wash routine

DON'TS

 DO NOT Use any fabric softener
DO NOT Use bleach of anything made with PUL fabric
DO NOT Use Sportswash, Charlie's Soap or Bac-Out.  These products can cause allergic reactions when used improperly.
DO NOT Iron you diapers (really, how much time do you have!?)
DO NOT Overfill your washing machine.  Your diapers needs good water circulation to get clean.
DO NOT Soak in a wet pail without a LOCKING lid (this is a drowning risk!)
DO NOT Let your diapers sit unwashed for more than 3-4 days. They will develop mildew stains and will become incredibly hard to get clean.
DO NOT NOT NOT use a homemade laundry soap with felsnaptha. I learned the hard way not to do this. It actually puts quite a barrier on the diaper making it hold in stink, not get stains clean AND unabsorbent.

How to make a "no sew" diaper cover

 In my passion for cloth diapering, I have conjured up another idea. If your baby isn't a heavy wetter, why couldn't you make a fleece cover for daytime use? Try it! It hardly costs a thing and you don't even have to sew it. 

Supplies needed:
20x20" piece of fleece. The thicker the better. If you were going to sew or serge the edges, I might even suggest using two pieces.

Cut the cover like this:

And that's it. You could serge the edges or even serge two pieces together to make a thicker cover. The idea here is that the moisture wicking properties of the fleece keeps the messes INSIDE. Of course you need to use a diaper underneith for soaking and catching abilities. 

This would totally work for premies...but it might be a bit bulky.

Here are some pictures to help you fold it for smaller babies...

Use a Snappi or pins to close it

In the future I might put together a pattern piece for this. Let me know if you are interested! :

Puppets, quite possibly the best toy for children

It is hard to find a good toy for your kids to play with these days. It almost seems like with technology, kids forget how to be creative in their playtime. I had researched the best and most cost effective toys to have on hand for my children. They, like most children tend to tire easily and go from game to game or toy to toy without much thought, so I wanted to improve my ‘toy stash’ to make it more interesting, educational and fun for them. After researching many informational sites, I discovered that the best toys for my family (5 children under 5 years old), was puppets!
With such a wide range of ages and learning curves, they are the perfect match! Once I decided that I wanted to add puppets to my arsenal of things for my kids, I soon discovered that I can’t afford them! Puppets are very expensive to purchase outright. To get a set of 5 puppets you are looking to spend anywhere from $30-$100.
I love to sew, so I thought that I would look for free puppets sewing patterns. That was a joke – there were tons of paper bag puppets, and even ideas on how to make sock puppets….but as far as to sew anything, there was nothing that I could find.
Discouraged, I went shopping and purchased one measly puppet for my kids. Soon after, I thought, “if I am looking for puppet patterns, then there has to be someone else out there who is looking for them too!” So I decided to put my brain on turbo mode and create something amazing. What I ended up with were 5 puppets that are super easy to make and they are the most loved toys in the house.

Why would you want to choose puppets as a significant toy in your house?

1.  They are exceptional toys for all ages! From infants to 8, they are loved and played with FREQUENTLY!
2. They are excellent for teaching social conversational skills.
3.  They are perfect for children with conditions such as autism to really work through various issues.
4. They are a great way to reach out to your children and learn more about who they are and what they are thinking! *Think about it – if you want to know what your child is interested in, start a ‘puppet conversation’ and you will soon find out exactly what peaks their interest!
5. Puppets are excellent for getting children who might have concentrating conditions such as A.D.D. to pay more attention to learning. Example: Book reading – It may be easier for a child to sit through a short story that is animated with puppets then to sit and look at pages in a book.
6. They are fun! A kid can be as creative or as silly as they want while playing with puppets! Get those imaginations moving and make some puppets!

 Get puppet patterns now and get sewing!