Little Hipster Cloth Diapers

2008-05-14T12:23:00.046-04:00

Hi, welcome to Little Hipster Diapers. I'm a stay-at-home mom and have been making cloth diapers since 2005. If you are interested in purchasing Little Hipster cloth diapers, please email Mary at maryartgirl@gmail.com for prices and style information.

Please feel free to visit the archives for more cloth diapering information including washing and care instructions.

What Size? and How Many?

2007-08-22T15:44:00.002-04:00

For many first-time cloth diaperers, all-in-ones and pocket diapers seem like they are the easiest choice because they don't require a cover; some don’t even consider the other options. Because newborns are harder to fit and require so many diapers, most people are happiest with a combination of pre-folds and newborn fitted diapers with a handful of all in ones and/or pocket diapers to try. As baby grows, you can experiment with different styles and make choices about which diapers you want for the next size up. Newborn size generally fits for the first 6-8 weeks; small for 3-4 months. Infant pre-folds will fit from birth-4 months or so and can be used as doublers or pocket inserts for the duration of diapering. You’ll need 2-3 dozen diapers to start with.
Putting it in perspective: The initial cost of specialty cloth diapers seems like a huge chunk to shell out at first, but consider this: a new parent using disposable Pampers Swaddlers typically spends around $276.00 - $ 316.80 in four months. Cloth diapering doesn’t have to be expensive, consider pre-folds and simple covers and you can start cloth diapering for under $100.00.
Tips:
Use cloth wipes or washcloths for newborn doublers!

LittleHipster Washing Instructions and Tips

2007-08-20T23:40:00.001-04:00

LittleHipster
Cloth Diaper Washing Instructions

IMPORTANT: Wash and dry all new diapers several times before putting on baby. This increases absorbency by removing the natural oils associated with the fibers.
Method One: (my favorite)
1. Once you have enough diapers to wash, soak diapers overnight in a full washer tub of plain COLD water
2. In the morning, set the washer full of water and diapers to the shortest wash cycle *NO detergent and let it run through the entire cycle
3. Next, do a HOT wash (long cycle) with 1/3 of the recommended amount of detergent
4. Double Rinse using a WARM short wash cycle and letting the washer proceed through the cold rinse (this ensures that all of the soap gets out)
5. Machine or Line Dry

Method Two: (place soiled diapers in washer)
1. Set washer to short COLD cycle and run with *NO detergent
2. Next, do a long cycle, HOT Wash with 1/3 of the recommended amount of detergent.
3. Double Rinse using a WARM short wash cycle and letting the washer proceed through the cold rinse (this ensures that all of the soap gets out).
4. Machine or Line Dry

Tips:
* It is not recommended to wash more than 2 dozen diapers at a time (washing too many causes pilling and less clean diapers)
* Always wash diapers using the largest load setting (they need room to move around in lots of water to get clean)
* Lift lid and peek on final rinse cycle: if you see suds, rinse again.
* Soaking diapers overnight helps get stains out.
* Washing frequently keeps diapers from getting ‘smelly’.
* Avoid detergents with enzymes and harsh perfumes

Washing Instructions for Pocket Diapers

1. Dump solids into toilet.

2. Remove Insert.

3. Rinse out diaper in toilet if necessary.

4. Place in DRY pail (do not use wet pail method).

5. Wash per instructions above.

6. Dry inserts in dryer if preferred.

7. Hang pocket to dry (can be machine dried, but degrades the life of the diaper).

Washing Instructions for PUL Covers

Handwash using warm water and detergent
Hang to dry for best results
Can be machine washed warm

Tips:
DO NOT store soiled covers in diaper pail, wash immediately
Use laundry tabs provided to secure Aplix closures
Machine drying reduces waterproof ability

Lanolizing/Washing Wool Covers

Wool covers need to be lanolized before they obtain their maximum water repellency. Sometimes this takes two or three lanolizing sessions. To lanolize covers simply fill sink full of warm water and squeeze out about ¼ 1/4 inch lanolin such as Lansinoh or Purelan 100 into it. (Lanolin can be purchased from any store that carries breastfeeding supplies). Add a little bit of mild liquid soap to break water tension. Submerge wool cover and swish/wash gently. Press out as much of the water as you can (do not wring) and hang to dry.
If your wool cover does not repel wetness, just re-lanolize. J

Due to the absorbent and antibacterial properties of wool, your cover can go for weeks without having to be washed (unless soiled). Just air dry between wearing. Spot wash with olive oil soap. Always hang to dry.
When you do need to wash your wool cover, just hand wash it using warm water and Eucalan wool wash or olive oil soap. Repeat steps for lanolizing. Hang to dry.

Storage for Soiled Diapers
Wet Pail vs. Dry Pail

Wet Pail- Popular when my Mom cloth diapered.
Pros-helped get stains out.
Cons-stagnant water led to really smelly diapers; water in a pail is a potential hazard to an infant or small child.

Dry Pail-Now the preferred method among cloth diaperers.
Pros-no drowning hazard, no stagnant water to drain off, less messy
Cons-stains may be harder to get out/pre-soaking required to reduce stains (but stains don’t mean the diaper’s dirty anyway…smell does)

Tips:
* Shake solids into toilet (dunking is optional) before placing diaper in pail
* If you dunk, wring out the water
* Wash at least every three days
* Use ‘Bio-Kleen Bac Out’ on stains before placing in pail

Little Hipster Cloth Diapers

2007-08-08T12:46:00.007-04:00

Fitted Diapers

All LittleHipster™ fitted diapers are side-snapping using industrial polyacetal resin snaps and come with a quick dry snap-in soaker!

Pocket Diapers

All Little Hipster Pocket Diapers come with Aplix closures and Laundry Tabs for easy washing and drying.

Covers

All LittleHipster™ covers are sewn with 100% polyester thread to minimize wicking and come with Aplix® closures

Navigating the Cloth Diapering World

2007-07-20T22:48:00.001-04:00

Cloth diapering is definitely a personal journey. Many reasons to cloth diaper exist; from environmental reasons to the desire to save money. And many diapering choices exist; from all-in-one diapers to fitteds with wool covers. Finding your preferred cloth diapering style may take some time and some trial and error but will yield a great deal of fun and satisfaction!

Cloth Diapering Lingo:

Here are some terms you may see on a cloth diapering forum:

Prefolds-traditional DSQ (Diaper Service Quality) diapers that have been prefolded. To be used with a closure mechanism and a cover.

Flatfolds-traditional DSQ diapers that need to be folded in someway before placed on baby. To be used with a closure and cover.

AIO or All in One-This is a diaper with PUL (polyerurethane laminate) on the ourside, several layers of absorbent material in the middle and a fleece material next to baby's skin. This diaper does not require a cover.

Fitted Diaper-This is a cloth diaper made of absorbent material that is gathered at the legs and waist to prevent leakage. This diaper requires a cover.

Pocket Diaper-This is like an AIO on outside and next to baby, but the absorbent material in the middle comes in the form of an insert and is placed inside the diaper through a pocket or slit in the front or back of the diaper.

PUL Cover- a waterproof cover made from one or two layers of Poly-Urethane-Laminate.

Wool Cover-cover made from wool. Needs to be lanolized to promote and maintain waterproofness.

Dritz Pins-metal diaperpins with locking heads (now come with plastic locking heads) made to use with prefolds and flats.

Snappi-a Y shaped closure with grips to secure prefolds and flats.

Some things to think about when choosing cloth diapers for your baby: Help Getting Started

Decide why you want to cloth diaper/what styles you'd like to try:

Is it to save money? Then you might like prefolds, pins and covers.
Are you worried about keeping baby's bum dry? Then you might like pocket diapers with a layer of microfleece next to baby's skin.
Environmentally conscious? Choose from an array of sustainable, natural and organic fabrics for diapers and covers. (If you are cloth diapering a newborn stick with natural fibers that will not irritate tender skin.)

Many people who are new to cloth diapering can become overwhelmed with all of the choices. Many people also feel that they need one diapering system in order to be organized. In my opinion an eclectic diaper stash is the best way to go because it is tailor-made for any cloth diapering situation.

For example: During my cloth diapering journey I have tried many different styles. I have created a cloth diaper stash or system that works for me. I started with prefolds, pins and PUL covers. These are a good staple to have in case you run out of another kind of diaper you like to use. Prefolds are great in the summer time too as they let air circulate well. I use pocket diapers with windpro fleece for night-time with an extra insert and pocket diapers for babysitters and longer than usual outings because they keep baby drier. But, my favorite diapers are organic cotton fleece or bamboo velour fitteds with wool covers because they are made of natural, sustainable materials.

On the other hand, some people prefer a one-of-a-kind of diapering system. It's really up to you!

Happy to help you on your journey. Email me: mommyplanet@gmail.com