June 28, 2010
The Real Diaper Association estimates that a baby will go through about 6,000 diapers in the first two years of life. That’s a lotta trash! In an attempt to save our landfills from that burden, I’ve decided to take the less traveled route of cloth diapers. Here’s what I’ve found:
Surprisingly, there are a lot of cloth diaper choices out there, but after trying a wide range of them, my faves ended up being a brand called g Diapers. Why? First off, they have an internal liner that can be switched out. This makes for less things to wash, and fewer diapers to buy. I also love the fact that they are less bulky than all the others, and can be used with both cloth and biodegradable inserts. (I have been using the cloth inserts during the day, and the biodegradable ones at night.) Like all things, they do have their downsides. Some may find the snap-in liners a bit of a pain, and the tearing and swishing of the biodegradable liners does take some extra time.
My first-runner-up pick on cloth diapers is the Fuzzi Bunz One Size diaper, which is super soft and cute, and theoretically lasts the entire time your little one is in diapers. The downside is the absorbing insert goes under the material that touches the skin, so you’ll need to wash the entire thing every change. That’s a bulk of laundry that will add up quick. Not to mention the large initial investment of buying all the diapers.
For wipes, going reusable is a no-brainer, especially when you are already doing diaper wash. I really love Baby Kicks Washies/Wipes, which are made from hemp and organic cotton. They are just the right size, and have a fleece side and a smooth side to help you do any job right.
I also invested in a diaper sprayer, which turned out to be well worth the $45 price. It connects to the water main on the toilet, and works great to get off as much matter as possible before putting the diapers in the washing machine.
Lastly, if you have to have some disposable diapers for traveling or serious rash breakouts, try Nature Babycare. They are a completely biodegradable diaper, which technically can be composted (although most homes don’t have the capability to do this), but at the very least, these will break down completely in a landfill.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Stopping Leaks
3/26/10
Two days after giving birth, I left the hospital with the traditional gift bag of new-mom supplies in tow. One of the items in my bag turned out to be a box of disposable breast pads. I was already pretty sure I wanted to make the greener choice and use washable breast pads, but since I had the box, I decided to try them.
There’s no doubt disposables do a good job of absorbing and wicking away moisture, but they do have downsides. First are the sticky tabs that you have to take off and dispose of every time you use them. Also, some brands are individually wrapped, which takes up even more of your time and creates more waste. But no one wants annoying and unsightly leaks, so what’s the reliable eco option? Through trial and error I found it.
The first step is buying a nursing bra with padding in the cup. This will act as a second, very crucial layer of protection. Adding quality, reusable breast pads like the ones I found from Bravado Designs—they’re soft, absorbent, and can easily be washed by hand—will do the trick nicely. They come in packs of six, so depending on how often you want to do wash, you may need two packs, but I’d start with one and then go from there. Remember milk happens, but wet marks don’t need to!
Two days after giving birth, I left the hospital with the traditional gift bag of new-mom supplies in tow. One of the items in my bag turned out to be a box of disposable breast pads. I was already pretty sure I wanted to make the greener choice and use washable breast pads, but since I had the box, I decided to try them.
There’s no doubt disposables do a good job of absorbing and wicking away moisture, but they do have downsides. First are the sticky tabs that you have to take off and dispose of every time you use them. Also, some brands are individually wrapped, which takes up even more of your time and creates more waste. But no one wants annoying and unsightly leaks, so what’s the reliable eco option? Through trial and error I found it.
The first step is buying a nursing bra with padding in the cup. This will act as a second, very crucial layer of protection. Adding quality, reusable breast pads like the ones I found from Bravado Designs—they’re soft, absorbent, and can easily be washed by hand—will do the trick nicely. They come in packs of six, so depending on how often you want to do wash, you may need two packs, but I’d start with one and then go from there. Remember milk happens, but wet marks don’t need to!
Introducing Broccoli Mom & Lil' Sprout
3/12/10
Time changes everything, and since I, “the Preg Veg,” am no longer pregnant, the name of my blog must change. From now on I’ll be known as Broccoli Mom, and my daughter and sidekick, Lilie, Lil’ Sprout. Together we’ll be offering up ideas on how to keep veg mom and baby well nourished, along with covering new mom topics and how to keep our lives green, because the saying “Our children will inherit the Earth,” is more than just a saying.
In my first returning blog post, I’m happy to report that breastfeeding has been going great and has been a wonderful way to bond with my babe. Lilie has been gaining weight steadily, and I have been careful to eat just as well as I did during pregnancy to ensure that her “food” is helping her thrive. If it turns out your baby is sensitive to soy, as some babies are, you can still get sufficient protein in your diet with foods like seitan, beans, lentils, and almonds. Here’s an easy sandwich recipe with seitan. It’s quick and satisfying—just what we new mothers need.
Time changes everything, and since I, “the Preg Veg,” am no longer pregnant, the name of my blog must change. From now on I’ll be known as Broccoli Mom, and my daughter and sidekick, Lilie, Lil’ Sprout. Together we’ll be offering up ideas on how to keep veg mom and baby well nourished, along with covering new mom topics and how to keep our lives green, because the saying “Our children will inherit the Earth,” is more than just a saying.
In my first returning blog post, I’m happy to report that breastfeeding has been going great and has been a wonderful way to bond with my babe. Lilie has been gaining weight steadily, and I have been careful to eat just as well as I did during pregnancy to ensure that her “food” is helping her thrive. If it turns out your baby is sensitive to soy, as some babies are, you can still get sufficient protein in your diet with foods like seitan, beans, lentils, and almonds. Here’s an easy sandwich recipe with seitan. It’s quick and satisfying—just what we new mothers need.
The Preg Veg Delivers
December 15, 2009
The day has finally arrived. After 8 hours of labor my peanut entered the world, shedding its shell with a smile on her face (or maybe that’s me projecting), and gaining a new name: Lilie.
Lilie is a healthy, 6 pound 8 ounces girl complete with 10 fingers and 10 toes. Whew!
Now a new adventure begins! Expect us back with a whole series of veg mom and babe blogs in early March, after we get in some quality mommy/baby bonding time. Until then, stay healthy, happy, and green.
The day has finally arrived. After 8 hours of labor my peanut entered the world, shedding its shell with a smile on her face (or maybe that’s me projecting), and gaining a new name: Lilie.
Lilie is a healthy, 6 pound 8 ounces girl complete with 10 fingers and 10 toes. Whew!
Now a new adventure begins! Expect us back with a whole series of veg mom and babe blogs in early March, after we get in some quality mommy/baby bonding time. Until then, stay healthy, happy, and green.
Overdue and Making the Most of it
12/11/09
I found this funny article on About.com entitled “101 Things to Do When You're Overdue.” Here are a few of my favorites:
#6 Learn to time contractions – you may think you have, when you really haven’t
#24 Go dancing – because its fun, and may help the baby move down
#37 Sit in your baby’s room for a while – to take it all in and savor the moment
#84 Feel your baby’s movements – a wonderful way to appreciate the miracle of life
If you too are stuck in a waiting pattern, feel free to read the other 97here.
I found this funny article on About.com entitled “101 Things to Do When You're Overdue.” Here are a few of my favorites:
#6 Learn to time contractions – you may think you have, when you really haven’t
#24 Go dancing – because its fun, and may help the baby move down
#37 Sit in your baby’s room for a while – to take it all in and savor the moment
#84 Feel your baby’s movements – a wonderful way to appreciate the miracle of life
If you too are stuck in a waiting pattern, feel free to read the other 97here.
Learning About False Labor
12/7/09
Last Thursday I began having consistent contractions, so my husband and I started timing them. They continued for an hour and ten minutes at a steady interval of five minutes apart. I called my doctor’s office with the details, and was told to proceed to the hospital. The only thing was, I could still talk and walk during these contractions, but I followed my physician’s advice and went to the hospital with my bag and exercise ball in tow. The result was the nurse sent us home after monitoring me and baby (we were both fine) and checking my cervix, which had not started to dilate.
In the days following, I’ve done some research on this event known as false labor or pre-labor. Baby Center has an article about it, which explains that it’s common for Braxton Hicks contractions to get more intense and more frequent as the due date approaches. Contractions may even become intermittently more rhythmic, relatively close together, and even painful (a lot like real labor), but unlike true labor, the contractions do not grow consistently longer, stronger, and closer together. The key word there being consistently. Of course, talking with your doctor about what’s going on is never a bad idea, but keep in mind that time and degree of pain is a pretty solid indicator of when you’re dealing with false labor versus real.
It was also good to find out there is a positive side to these pre-labor contractions—they generally help the cervix soften, thin out, and even dilate a bit, making real labor when it actually happens shorter.
Last Thursday I began having consistent contractions, so my husband and I started timing them. They continued for an hour and ten minutes at a steady interval of five minutes apart. I called my doctor’s office with the details, and was told to proceed to the hospital. The only thing was, I could still talk and walk during these contractions, but I followed my physician’s advice and went to the hospital with my bag and exercise ball in tow. The result was the nurse sent us home after monitoring me and baby (we were both fine) and checking my cervix, which had not started to dilate.
In the days following, I’ve done some research on this event known as false labor or pre-labor. Baby Center has an article about it, which explains that it’s common for Braxton Hicks contractions to get more intense and more frequent as the due date approaches. Contractions may even become intermittently more rhythmic, relatively close together, and even painful (a lot like real labor), but unlike true labor, the contractions do not grow consistently longer, stronger, and closer together. The key word there being consistently. Of course, talking with your doctor about what’s going on is never a bad idea, but keep in mind that time and degree of pain is a pretty solid indicator of when you’re dealing with false labor versus real.
It was also good to find out there is a positive side to these pre-labor contractions—they generally help the cervix soften, thin out, and even dilate a bit, making real labor when it actually happens shorter.
Oh the Waiting
11/30/09
Now that my due date is less than a week away, and the signs of labor are about, it’s easy to let the anticipation of the birth take a strong hold on my daily life. To help avoid obsessing or having bouts of nervouness, I have stuck close to my daily routines: walking every day and continuing to cook (Thanksgiving dinner was a lot of work even with my husband’s help, but its deliciousness was well worth the effort).
Any extra time is spent hitting the books. Along with revisiting topics covered in my birthing class, I am also learning more about what’s to come from a few books I found at the library: What to Expect the First Year and Teach Yourself Your Baby's Development. Both have a wealth of information for new parents, including descriptions of the abilities that our amazing babes are born with.
Now that my due date is less than a week away, and the signs of labor are about, it’s easy to let the anticipation of the birth take a strong hold on my daily life. To help avoid obsessing or having bouts of nervouness, I have stuck close to my daily routines: walking every day and continuing to cook (Thanksgiving dinner was a lot of work even with my husband’s help, but its deliciousness was well worth the effort).
Any extra time is spent hitting the books. Along with revisiting topics covered in my birthing class, I am also learning more about what’s to come from a few books I found at the library: What to Expect the First Year and Teach Yourself Your Baby's Development. Both have a wealth of information for new parents, including descriptions of the abilities that our amazing babes are born with.
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