Cloth Diapers and Co-Sleeping

We get asked a lot about how the cloth diapers are going, so I figured it was about time to write about it.

I'll start by saying, I LOVE THEM! They are even easier to use than expected, and washing them has been completely manageable. When Hazel needs a change, putting a cloth diaper on her is no more work than putting on a disposable. I also really love how they keep the smell down. Since Hazel is a breastfed baby the smell is very minimal anyway, but I can't stand how disposable diapers and wipes smell. I do not care for that baby powder weird smell at all. In fact I hate it. I'm apparently in the minority on this one because all disposable diapers smell this way. This terrible smell is avoided in her cloth diapers because they are not scented :). As far as wipes go, we've been using cloth, and this is the only kink in the system so far. I decided to use baby washcloths. These are not as soft as I would like and make Little Miss' rump a bit red, so I'm going to switch to flannel or bamboo which are softer fabrics. For now we're using Pampers sensitive wipes because they are fragrance free and I don't have to deal with that terrible baby powder smell. 

As far as washing goes, we've been washing every 3-4 days. Not bad at all! I don't rinse the diapers before I wash them. I just throw them straight in the machine poop and all. I think I mentioned in my earlier post about the diapers that poop is sterile. Unless she has some kind of stomach bug, the small amount of healthy normal bacteria found in poop isn't going to hurt our washer or us. I will say that I am using disposable at night, but we are transitioning to all cloth all the time. It was easier in the really early days not fumbling around in the dark while we were getting the hang of the cloth. I really like the Velcro ones for night because they are even easier to use, and that's an added bonus at 3am when I am barely awake :).  

I also really love how Hazel looks in them. They make her rump look really cute. 

Having Hazel has truly brought out my inner hippie. I found that when I was pregnant I wanted nothing but the best for her and that included a greener tomorrow. Hence the cloth diaper route. Not only are we saving cash, but helping out the environment too. You know the whole, "Act local think global" thing. Well when she arrived my inner hippie really came out, and all I could think about was not only do I want a greener tomorrow for Hazel, but I also want to make sure she felt her needs we're being met. In my learning about breastfeeding there was a lot of talk about co-sleeping and its benefits to mom, baby, and the breastfeeding relationship. I wasn't sure if Joe and Hazel and I would co-sleep, but I was intrigued. I think, like the rest of the American society, it has been burned in my brain how dangerous co-sleeping is and how it can cause bad sleeping habits for baby. These reasons are shown to be bogus by supporters of co-sleeping, and for good reason. There are so many benefits to co-sleeping and when done correctly baby is in no more danger than when they are sleeping alone in their crib. Many pediatricians these days agree that the first 3 months of a baby's life outside the womb are considered the fourth trimester. Co-sleeping with Hazel allows her to be close to me and feel comfortable while she adjusts to the world. Co-sleeping also helps with encouraging and establishing a good breastfeeding relationship. Instead of having to get out of bed to get Hazel as she cries from her crib, I can just roll over and nurse her as we both fall back to sleep. I get more sleep and so does she. It's win-win. I have to say, when Hazel first came home, I was a nervous wreck about having her in the bed. I thought for sure she would suffocate or we would squish her, but that didn't happen. In fact, I think, like all co-sleeping supporters believe, I have a sixth sense of where she is in the bed and if something is not kosher. I also love that I am not waking up to a screaming kid. She lets me know she's hungry by grunting or trying to nurse on my arm or shirt. We have nice calm breastfeeding sessions in the wee hours of the night instead of me trying to calm her then get her to nurse. We have a happy restful mommy, and a happy calm baby. I am totally on board the co-sleeping train and recommend it to anyone with a new baby.

I am proud to say I am a breastfeeding, co-sleeping, cloth diapering mama :)

Cheers!

Here some pics of my co-sleeping beauties :)

Snuggles :)

Who wouldn't want to wake up to this face??

Hazel and daddy...swoon

So comfy

This face! 

Hold tight and pretend it’s a plan!

Newborn babies can't do much on their own- They can't eat or walk or talk on the phone- But every parent is sure their creation is without a doubt a tremendous sensation.

 Jennifer Davis

Isn't that the truth! I fell hard for Little Miss as soon as she popped out, and I'm falling harder and harder for her everyday! I've got about 4,000 photos of her on my phone and 3,000 of them are basically the same image in a different outfit. I've started a photo stream with my family that I send daily pics to, and I have to restrain myself from sending a new picture every 30 seconds. She is the smartest, happiest, prettiest baby I know, and I know every new parent feels this way. 

It's been a fast month for us. Which is a big change from the pregnancy that seemed like it would never end. I can't seem to comprehend what happens to my days. They are flying by, and I am trying my hardest to find a way to slow them down. When I do find a way I'll share my secret ;). I figured since it's been a whole month and 4 days with Hazel in our lives I'd share some of the things Joe and I have learned as new parents and how she's doing. 

To be honest the things we've learned is a small list. Not that we are pros, but we are just taking everything in stride and do what this post's title says to do :). She has been a pretty easy baby up to this point, so we have been quite lucky. At her one month check-up the doc asked if I had any questions, and the only one I could think of is when is it OK to get her ear's pierced.

She has been nursing well since day one, and I am so thankful for that. I know a lot of women have trouble. I will say one thing I think that helped is that I did a lot of reading about proper breastfeeding techniques, and made contacts with my local La Leche League consultants before she arrived. In doing so, I feel that it gave me confidence that I could do it, and do it well. I also think it helped me to feel comfortable and relaxed in my choice.  That made all the difference in those first two weeks when Hazel was pretty much attached to my boob. I can totally understand why some women give up so early, or feel like they are not successful breast-feeders because it is very time consuming and a little disheartening feeling like you have no freedom or a moment to yourself. There was a moment in the middle of week two I broke down in tears and just begged her to let me eat just one meal and I would let her nurse all night if she wanted to. I just kept reading my handy book, Breastfeeding Made Simple by Nancy Mohrbacher & Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, that reassured me everything Hazel was doing was normal for that time and that it would pass. Once we got passed week 2 she started a nursing rhythm that is still changing. I am still nursing her on demand, but we are slowing figuring out her rhythm and the demand is much more manageable and even more enjoyable. I look forward to that time together, especially when we are out. It gives us time to shut ourselves off from everyone and have our time together.

We've also been lucky with her sleep schedule. She is up about every 4-5 hours during the night, and about every 2.5 to 3 hours during the day. That has almost been true since she entered the world. I tell everyone who asks that I am getting more sleep now than I was the last two months of my pregnancy. I didn't realize how miserable I was during that time until she was out. She is also very easy when we are out and about, and even at her fussiest she is pretty easy to calm.

Joe and I have really been enjoying ourselves with Hazel. Just this morning I asked him what he has learned in this past month and he said how attached he is to Hazel and how fast that happened. I have to say he has been amazing. I have also been lucky in that sense. He was on board with the cloth diapers, he is a huge supporter of breastfeeding, and he has just jumped right in head first to daddy hood. I don't know how people do this on their own and I am thankful everyday that he is so comfortable and helpful with Hazel. Joe has quickly mastered the art of working from home and taking care of baby.

I'm baffled at how fast she is growing. Everyone tells us how little she is, but I can't get over how big she is getting. She's already over 2lbs more than she was when she was born, and 2 inches longer! Every day she does something new that is totally awesome, and I love watching her grow!

Here are a few pics of Hazel's first month!

Cheers!

16 Days

I never thought 16 days could go by so fast! Little Miss is growing like a weed, and the days are flying by! She's already put on a whole pound since she was born. She's weighing in at a whopping 8lbs 5oz! I find this fascinating since they want baby to be back to birth weight by two weeks. She's well above that. 

Joe and I have really been spoiled with this little girl. She came out a breastfeeding champion, and is an awesome sleeper. In fact she actually sleeps too well at night, and I have to wake her to feed her. She's not a huge fan of that, but she gets it honest. Daddy is a big advocate of sleep. I'm just hoping it keeps up as she grows. She is also one of the calmest newborns I know. She rarely fusses, and when she does she is easily calmed. Even the pets have taken to Hazel well. It's all been a little too easy, and as someone who is constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, I've definitely got my guard up ;). 

Joe and I are both very much in love with this little girl. The learning curve hasn't been as steep as we thought, and every day seems to be easier and easier. It's hard to remember what life was like before Hazel, and I find this facinating as well. How one little person can make such an impact in such a short time. So far the three of us are having tons of fun :). 

Feel free to stop by for a visit, if you would like!

Cheers! 

                       16 days old!

     Mommy is a little obsessed with hair 

                          bows.....

                  Making funny faces :)

                 Happy happy, baby