The One-Size Cloth Diaper Debate

I think that all of us parents can agree that saving time and money is an ideal goal for anything.  We're already running around like crazy and wasting our precious resources on something that doesn't make our lives easier?  Insanity!  

When it come to cloth diapering, one might assume that buying "one-size" options is the money saving way to go - these diapers can "grow with your baby," right?  Well... maybe.

 

The basic idea behind a one-size cloth diaper is that, through a series of snap closures, you can adjust the way the fabric is secured around your baby - this allows for a hypothetical 8lb baby to fit into the same diaper as a hypothetical 30lb toddler.  But does it really work as easy as that?

In my experience, I've only dealt with BIG babies.  My son was born weighing in at a burly 9lb 4oz, and my daughter at a slightly more modest 8lb 0oz.  Even under those circumstances - where the newborn was actually larger than the typical minimum weight for a one-size diaper (8lbs) - the diapers were far too bulky and just not practical at first.  My kids used newborn specific cloth diapers for at least the first month, if not a little longer.

I currently have a two month-old (the daughter I mentioned earlier) and she's only just now wearing the one-size diapers from our stash.  She's about 12lbs now - and in my experience, the 12lb mark is generally the smallest that I feel confident with.  A poor fit (i.e. a too big diaper on a too small baby) can lead to leaking, and, in the words of my idol Sweet Brown:

What brands work best on small babies?

There is some variation on the sizes of one-size diapers... as odd as that sounds.  I've found that buying the "cheapy" brands off of eBay (try this link) generally results in slightly tighter fits - of course, they will also fit tighter as your child grows, so they won't last as long.  Snaps on these are also lower quality, so buy at your own risk.

If you want to be sure your diapers are either locally made or if you're a "name brand" kind of parent, the Rum-A-Rooz OS diaper fits a lot more snug on my kids than others and has a really adjustable fit around the legs if your baby has "thunder thighs" like mine did/do.  Kawaii Baby OS diapers are a great option for parents on a budget - these work okay as well, though still a bit bulky on a 12-13lb baby.

What does a OS cloth diaper look like on an infant?

This is my daughter in a Kawaii Baby OS - as I mentioned above, she weighs 12lbs now.  This diaper, hypothetically speaking, should fit an 8lb newborn... and to be honest with you, I can't buy into that.  Yes, there are smaller adjustments to the fit at the waist and thigh than what she's wearing here, but you'd force that poor newborn into doing the splits with all that bulk - Do you see what I mean? 

What's In Your Baby Shampoo?

As you've probably figured out, two of my passions are safe cosmetics and being an "Eco-Mom" - today I want to combine those ideas!  Over the past few weeks I've talked about nail polish, hair care... even makeup remover - But what about the hygiene products that we use on our children?  There is, unfortunately, just as much of an opportunity for nasty chemicals to sneak their way into our toddler and infant products as they do our own hair and skin care.  One product in particular has always bothered me - Baby Shampoo.

Looking at the ingredient labels on shampoos - baby or otherwise - is generally a test on your language skills.  Chemical compounds that are virtually unpronounceable are in almost every single shampoo product out there.  So how can you figure out which shampoo is best for your baby?

Generally speaking, the baby shampoo market is "safer" than adult shampoos - a lot of the SUPER nasty stuff doesn't get included in products designed for infants... typically.  But even some of the most popular baby brands still include ingredients that are really unhealthy for a growing baby.

First, we'll look at Aveeno Baby Wash and Shampoo.  This formula is advertised as tear-free, gentle, and moisturizing.  In the US, 12fl oz. go for around $9.00, depending on the retailer.  Aveeno is also a really popular brand for baby lotions, creams, oils - you name it.


This is NOT, however, a product I would use with my baby.  Why?

Gastrointestinal and liver toxicity?  Immune and allergenic effects?  Respiratory toxicant?  Environmental toxins?  Yikes!  To be fair, these ingredients are in very limited quantities - but they're still there.  Given that this is such a popular brand and SO easy to find, are there any better alternatives?

Next we'll look at Babyganics Night Time Shampoo + Body Wash.  Just by looking at it, this one seems more hopeful - "ganics" as in  "ORganics!"  Perfect!  This formula has no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, petrolatum, gluten, artificial fragrances or dyes - wonderful!  This one costs around $12.00 for 18fl oz. here in the US, so it's even a bit more cost effective than the Aveeno option.

But... it's not all perfection.  Here's why:

Nervous system toxicity is NOT something I want in my baby's shampoo. On top of that, this product also contains fragrances (though non-artificial), just like Aveeno.  So while this brand is certainly an improvement, it's not quite where I'd like it to be.

By now, you're probably thinking that it's time to open up Pinterest and look into DIY baby shampoo, huh?  While that's a wonderful idea - and one I'll cover in another blog post - there is one store bought baby shampoo that combines convenience in availability with a lack of harmful ingredients.

Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash, Fragrance Free - this is as close to "safe" as you're going to get at any major retailers.  For $9.00, you can get a 12fl oz. bottle and this brand has become so popular that even Target and WalMart stock almost their entire catalog in their stores.

This is a tear-free and plant-based formula made with aloe, soy proteins, and oat flour.  It does contain sodium benzoate, which has has been deemed safe for use but is a restricted ingredient in large quantities when used with cosmetics... So it's not perfect as a product, but it's pretty close.

The bottom line as a parent is simply to educate yourself - know what chemicals are in your baby's shampoos, detergents, wipes, etc.  This will help you in making the best purchasing decisions for your family.

Want more on safe products for baby?  Check this out!

Ready for Baby - Hospital Bag Edition

Time for something a bit fun, but also important for those of us moms getting ready to welcome a new baby into the family - What to include in your hospital bag!  Whether you're giving birth in a hospital or a birth center, you'll want to pack a bag in advance so that you have everything you need during labor and delivery.  Here's what I'm bringing for my hospital birth:

With my first delivery, I had no clue what to pack and ended up bringing a lot of what I didn't need, plus none of what I actually needed.  This time, I've taken a rather logical approach - everything has a purpose.  If it doesn't serve a purpose, it's not coming.

Beauty Bag

My plan for my "beauty bag" is basic and simple.  I want to be able to wash my makeup off, brush my hair and tie it back, throw on some lotion, some lip gloss, and be able to brush my teeth.  My boss was joking with me the other day that she went with a full makeup bag for her second delivery because she was mortified at how awful she looked in the photos when her first child was born... I honestly could care less and don't plan on having makeup with me.  However, I can definitely see where having some foundation and mascara could help with those photos!

Technology

My choices for my technology serve a few purposes.  My husband will be staying with me during and after delivery, and a lot of this is for him more than me - We'll be bringing our iPad, laptop, and cellphones - don't forget to bring chargers for any devices you have with you - especially your cellphone!  It's hard to announce to family that your baby has arrived without one (and who doesn't want to post a birth announcement on Facebook?).  We aren't big on fancy cameras, so we'll be using our iPhone's for photos - If you are into photography, then remember to bring your battery charger and extra memory cards for photo storage.  My husband and I also do NOT agree on music or television, so headphones are going to go a long way in keeping our sanity intact.

Comfort

This is a BIG one - Us moms need to focus on our comfort during labor - If we just pack for our baby, we run the risk of being miserable ourselves... and that's not fair.  So to prepare for ME, I have a birthing ball ready, nice fluffy pillows to cover up those limp excuses for pillows at the hospital, baggy button-up pajamas, fluffy socks and comfortable house slippers, and a nursing sports bra.

For Baby

Last time around, I had EVERYTHING my son could possibly need... and used none of it.  My hospital will be providing us with bottles if needed, diapers, wipes, etc.  They even will provide a diaper bag, a blanket, and an outfit for our little one.  There's no need to bring any of that and it's impossible to cloth diaper while in the recovery room anyway, so I never considered actually bringing my cloth diapers with me - That will start once we're at home.  All I'm bringing is a cute "coming home" outfit (both a newborn & 0-3 month outfit just in case she's big baby), a nice fluffy blanket to drape over the car seat while we're transporting her to the car and home, and her car seat with base.  That's it.  Nothing else.

What About Everyone Else?

My husband is bringing his own bag as well with a change of clothes, toiletries, snacks, and a pillow.  We have another child who will be staying with family while I'm in labor, so we've also prepared a similar bag for him to take to their house.  If you have older children who are in school, be sure that whoever is taking care of them while you are in labor have been added to their "Approved" list for pick up and drop off.  I've also given my son and my son's teacher a head's up, so it's not a shock to either of them when my family picks him up from school.

Conflicting Feelings, My Pregnancy With Baby #2

As a mother who'd secretly been hoping for a second child since about... three seconds following the birth of my first, I was a bit shocked at my reactions throughout my pregnancy with Baby #2.

I have been constantly conflicted.

You see, my son is six - he's in kindergarten and finally starting to spread his wings and become a more independent little creature.  It's a joy to watch him make new friends, learn new things, and start to truly appreciate the world around him.

For the past several months, though, my pregnancy has forced me to take a step back from my son's adventures due to various complications that kept me a home in bed, while my husband went to school functions, birthday parties, etc.

I've found myself frustrated - even angry - that I was MISSING OUT on my son in order to bring this new baby into the world.  Those feelings, not at all aimed at my unborn daughter - more of a reaction to my own limitations - shocked me.  I never would have thought that I'd be one of those "miserable pregnant ladies" ... But I think I am sometimes.  So what can I do to stop this cycle of frustration and anger in order to enjoy both my son and my pregnancy?

Accept Your Limitations

I think that we moms do occasionally hold ourselves to the "Super Mom" standard - we think that we should be able to anything and everything... and then we get upset when we can't.  It's important that we accept the fact that, while we're pretty amazing, we are NOT Super Woman.  During pregnancy, our bodies are going through so much - It's okay to be tired.  It's okay to stay in bed an extra hour and let your husband cook breakfast.  It's okay to miss the daily school drop-off because you've got severe morning sickness.

IT'S OKAY.  We can't be everywhere, we can't do everything.  Accepting that you can't do it all is the first step in limiting your frustrations when you're aren't there for EVERYTHING.  My son loves running into the room to show off a project and to let me know his spelling test scores.  He knows that his little sister is in my belly that it makes me tired sometimes... and you know what?  He understands.  He's only six and he manages to cut me more slack than I do.

Enjoy the Little Things

Recently my son participated in a Spell-A-Thon at school and parents were invited to sit in to watch as the kids all took a spelling-bee style test.  I'd worked with Baby #1 on his words at home and while he wasn't 100% perfect with everything, I knew he'd do extremely well.  That practice at home was so much fun - he started quizzing me too and it ended in fits of giggles as I tried to spell "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" (I couldn't, by the way).

The day of the Spell-A-Thon arrived and I couldn't make it - between feeling incredibly rundown (did I mention I'm 9 months pregnant?), having extremely swollen feet that made walking a problem, AND work, I had to miss it.  My husband attended in my place... and I was miserable.  I wanted to be there SO badly.  So, instead of enjoying the memory of those giggles from preparing for the Spell-A-Thon, I could only focus on the fact that I wasn't there for the main event.

...and that's not fair to me or to my son.  We had an absolute BLAST studying his spelling words and he shared the entire story about the Spell-A-Thon with me that night at home.  These moments doing homework - while they may not stick out as "monumental" in the grand scheme of things - are still important and I should still be able to enjoy them, not focus on all of the other things that I couldn't participate in.

Super Mom Image (c) Rogue Attire

Back into the game - Returning to work after baby

Yesterday I attended a local networking event for small businesses and met an interesting woman who had labeled herself a "Working Mom Support Coach."  Essentially, she provides guidance for women who can't handle the readjustment back into the workforce following the birth of their children.   She had zeroed in on me as the "token pregnant lady" at the event and spoke to me about how women needed extra support in learning how to achieve a new life balance.

As a working mom, I thought this was an interesting concept - How hard is the readjustment when we go back to work?  I don't think that I really focused on the "difficulty" last time - going back to work was just my reality.  However, when you consider the hormonal changes in our postpartum bodies, the guilt of leaving our child with a daycare provider or family member, trying to find a place to pump at the office, etc... It can be a really tough time for us.

So how can we "get back into the game?"

I'm extremely proud of my career - while I'd love to be a Stay-At-Home-Mom, it's not in the cards for my family, and my reality is that I'm going back to work following the birth of my daughter... and yes, it'll be hard on me physically and emotionally - So how can I prepare and make this transition easier?

Stay Focused: It's easy to get overwhelmed by the idea of leaving a small baby at home and heading to the office for eight hours while someone else takes care of your child - parental guilt is common, especially when you're first making the transition following your maternity leave.  What I've found works to help you find your "new balance" is to stay focused on what you're doing - don't focus on what you're NOT doing.

I don't know any working moms that wouldn't rather spend more time with their children - but if you focus solely on what you're missing out on at home, you'll never be able to readjust to work-life.  When you're at work, be AT WORK.  When you're at home, be AT HOME.  Be as amazing at your job as you were before, stay in touch with your child's care provider during breaks and lunch, and leave the deadlines and budgets and benchmarks at the office when you leave for the day.  Don't try to carry the load of mom and employee 24/7.

Take Care of You: Often times, whether you're a working mom or a stay-at-home-mom, we mothers tend to focus on everyone else but ourselves.  The last person to get the care and attention they deserve is US.  Maybe it's just our maternal nature... Or, for working moms, that desire to "make up" for what we miss while we're at work.  Frankly, that's not fair.

Postpartum, our bodies are a roller coaster.   Hormones are going nuts, many of us have extra weight that makes us feel unattractive, and we're healing from a pretty major physical stress - giving birth to a child is no joke!  For weeks, sometimes months, our bodies just don't feel "like us" and it's not right to forget that we have our own needs.  So what do you do?

Take a bubble bath.  Eat healthy.  Get your partner's help with the baby night so that you can get some sleep.  Get your hair done.  Paint your nails.  DON'T FORGET THAT YOU'RE IMPORTANT TOO.

Don't Compare: One of my biggest pet-peeves is when mothers, or just women in general, compare themselves to each other.  As the mother of a kindergartener, I'm constantly feeling the pull of comparing myself to the moms that can drop their kids off and pick their kids up from school everyday - I only get to do that once a week because of my schedule, and I've created this false idea that those moms must think I'm a horrible parent because they see my husband more than they see me.

The reality is that putting the stress of comparison on ourselves only makes us unhappy.  Yes, there are times when I wish I'd pushed harder to be the stay-at-home parent in my marriage, but the honest truth is that I'm the working-parent for a reason.  I value my time at the office and I want to be out there growing as a professional - and there's nothing wrong with that.  I LOVE my job.  My husband is such an amazing man for letting me chase my dreams and I'm incredibly luckily that he was willing to leave his career to raise our kids.

Bottom Line?

Working parents are common, so don't hate yourself for leaving your baby to get back to work.  It's important that we set a good example of our kids, whether we stay at home with them or if we go back to the office.  If you spend your life focused on guilt and everything that you aren't doing, it'll be hard to set that great example because you'll be miserable.  No, you might not get a "home cooked" dinner on the table every night and yes, you'll miss the occasional milestone - and it will suck.  But if we lived our lives based on what we didn't do, we'd never accomplish anything.  Just love yourself and love your kids.  It's the best any of us can do.

Creating a Birth Plan - Part Two: Delivery

Now that we've covered considerations for labor, it's time to think about the main event - Delivery!  Again, I don't want to exclude any birth options here - just give you a few things to think about.  If you have additional items on your birth plan regarding labor or delivery, please let me know in the comments - it's always great to hear from other moms.

• Positioning: During labor you may have used specific techniques to work your way through contractions - now that it's time to push, do you have a plan?  Would you like to squat, have assistance with leg support, stand up, be in a birthing tub, lay on your side, etc?  Be sure to share your preferences with the staff at your hospital/birthing center, or have the area ready well in advance if you've chosen a home birth.
  
  
  Image (c) Health & Parenting
• Coaching: Are you going to "wing it" as you push, or are you going to have coaching support?  Following your body's natural instincts may seem a little scary, but I found that my body just took over once I began the final stages of labor - But what if you're not comfortable with that?  Perhaps you have a doula or you have developed a plan with your partner - regardless of your approach, let those around you be aware if you'd like to depend on them for guidance.
• How's it looking down there?  Would you like to watch as your child enters the world by aid of a mirror?  Do you want to keep your eyes as far from that experience as possible?  Some women enjoy the ability to watch as the baby crowns and then eventually makes it's way into the world - I wasn't one of those moms.  A good way to judge this is to either witness a birth in-person or watch a birthing video so that you know what to expect.
• Episiotomies and Tearing: I covered this last time as well, but it bears repeating - Have you thought about whether you would like to try alternatives like perineal massage before resorting to an episiotomy?  Would you rather tear naturally than have the incision?  Talk to your healthcare provider about their approach to tearing as well so that you're prepared for their advice during labor.
• The Big Moment:  Would you like yourself or your partner to pull the baby "up and out?"  Are you going to have the baby placed on your chest immediately after birth?  For C-Section moms, would you like to try for as much facial contact as possible once the baby is delivered - and will your partner follow the baby out of the operating room or stay with you?
• Cutting the Cord: This is both a question of "Who?" and "When?"  Would you like to cut the cord yourself or would you like your partner too?  Are you okay with immediately cutting the cord or would you like to delay this until the cord stops pulsating?  What about banking of cord blood - are you familiar with what that process is like and have you already paid to set up cord-blood banking?
• Placenta: When it comes to the delivery of your placenta, would you like to have spontaneous delivery?  Are you interested in viewing the placenta or retaining it?  Should your healthcare provider discard it?  It's become much more mainstream to consume your placenta after birth - are you aware of the options and the benefits? 
• Baby's First Exam: Often in hospital births the nursing staff will remove the baby to the other side of the delivery room to complete baby's first exam - Would you prefer that this process be completed while your baby is still on your chest?  If not, would like yourself or your partner present during the exam?  Also consider heel sticks - my son got one without my knowledge when he was born - be sure you're fully aware of everything that is happening to your baby!  If you are having a home birth, what is the plan if your care provider feels that your child needs medical attention?
• Post-Delivery Medications for Mom: Pitocin following delivery is common for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage - would like this administered or would you prefer to skip it?  What about acetaminophen, percoset, stool softeners, or laxatives for pain relief following delivery?
  
• Post-Delivery Medications for Baby: Eye ointment is very common for babies, used to prevent blindness.  Vitamin K injections are also fairly common for bleeding prevention.  Do you have a preference for when these medications are administered?  Would you prefer that your child not receive one or the other?
• Bathing your newborn: Do you want your baby bathed after birth, or would you like to wait?  Do you know the benefits of vernix on your baby's skin and what a 24 hour absorption period can do for your child?

Next Up!

Postpartum, Emergencies, and Composing your Birth Plan are still to come in this series.  Keep updated on future posts by following or subscribing to The Cozy Life!

The Scoop on Baby Wipes

I've been so focused on building a cloth diaper stash that wipes have taken a bit of a backseat to getting in the more "fun" diapering purchases.  But, with only five weeks left before Cozy Baby #2 gets here, it's time to consider baby wipes and our options.  To make things easier on myself, I'm separating baby wipes into four basic categories:

In considering the pro's and con's, a few of these really stick out to me... and I'm sure that you're likely assuming that I'm leaning toward the cloth ones, right?  Well, let's see:

Traditional Disposable Wipes

There are SO many different brands of disposable wipes that it would be extremely difficult to go over every option out there, so let's keep this basic: Brands like Pampers and Huggies have entire lines of wipes - normal, scented, unscented, sensitive skin, and even "natural."  Typically these types of wipes sell at a rate of $0.02-$0.05 per wipe.

The problem with more traditional (and readily available) baby wipes are the chemicals in them - which may include alcohol, perfume, chlorine, pthlalates, parabens, and dioxin.  These can be really harmful to your baby's skin - and result in the absorption of toxins into their bodies that could potentially cause hormonal issues and some forms of cancer.

Eco-Friendly Disposable Wipes

There are now a number of eco-friendly disposable wipes on the market that are safe for the environment, biodegradable and/or flushable.  These brands are typically harder to find and more expensive than more traditional disposable brands, averaging $0.05-$0.10 per wipe.  Popular brands include Seventh Generation and Earth's Best.

However great the word "biodegradable" might sound, and how nice "safe for the environment" seems, these wipes aren't necessarily good for your baby.  Many of these still contain alcohol, which can irritate baby's skin.  The majority are paraben, chlorine, and pthlalate-free though, which does make them the "lesser of two evils" in the great world of disposable wipes.

Name Brand Cloth Wipes

Many of the popular cloth diaper companies also have their own line of cloth wipes made out of various fabrics - flannel, cotton, hemp, and microfleece to name a few.  Popular brands for this option are Thirsties, bumGenius, and BabyKicks.  Much pricier per-wipe than their disposable counterparts, these wipes can cost anywhere from $1.00-$2.00 per wipe.

So why invest that much money into a wipe?  Simple - these are reusable.  They require the same washing routine as cloth diapers and contain zero chemicals that might harm your baby.  A single wipe could last you the entire 2.5 years that your baby is in diapers.

DIY Cloth Wipes

Cloth wipes don't need to be fancy name brand purchases.  In fact, soft baby washcloths or recycled washcloths/towels you already have in your home would do just fine as cloth wipes.  The thing to keep in mind is that your baby's skin will be sensitive, so don't select anything that has overly-rough fabric that might irritate your baby - and don't forget that microfiber isn't a fabric that can go directly onto baby's skin!  We have several MF cloths laying around the house and these are definitely not meant to be used on skin (for us or a baby).  Stick with natural fabrics - cotton and flannel are probably the easiest to find.

If utilizing washcloths you already own, this type of baby wipe could be completely free.

There is one "catch" with cloth wipes, though - they aren't a standalone product.  You do need to purchase additional items in order to make your name brand or DIY wipes work for you and your baby.

The most basic accessories are water and a spray bottle - your wipes need to be dampened prior to use, and water works just fine for this.  At home, the spray bottle might not be necessary - when you're out and about, a small travel-sized spray bottle with water in it will do the trick.

Also required for "on the go" cloth wipes, as with cloth diapers, is a wet bag to hold any used wipes.  This doesn't need to be fancy, but many different options are on the market for "cute" wet bags... though a ziploc bag will do in a pinch, products specifically labeled as "wet bags" are washable, and thus reusable.

Optional accessories include a wipe solution if you aren't comfortable with just using water (there's a great one available by bumGenius) and a wipe warmer if you'd like prepped wipes available for immediate use.  Wipe solution and a wipe warmer are options that I'm passing on for now, but many moms find them to make the whole process more convenient. 

DIY or Buy? Cloth Diaper Detergent

I had a lot of questions when I first committed to cloth diapering. Among those were the issue of washing your diapers - Can I use normal detergent?  If not, what do I need to make my own?  Will it be expensive?

Can I use normal detergent?

The answer to this is both yes and no.  Some readily available detergent brands offer options that are okay for cloth diaper use.  Others don't.  So what do you look for?

Avoid: Brighteners, Fabric Softeners, Dyes, Fragrances, and Enzymes
Brighteners purposefully leave behind a chemical residue in order to absorb light to make fabrics brighter, but this can cause skin irritation.  Fabric softeners are another component of detergents that, on purpose, leave behind residue - this time for making fabric feel softer.  However, fabric softeners also have the side-effect of causing fabrics to become water resistant - this can ruin the absorbancy of your diapers, effectively making them useless.  Dyes and fragrances in detergent are another potential source of skin irritation from harsh chemicals - and they are bad for the environment!  Finally enzymes, used as stain removers, can inadvertently attack your baby's skin if residue is left on your diapers due to their ability to breakdown organic materials.

Common detergents safe for use with cloth diapers
Some "free and clear" options from major detergent brands can be okay for use, though not ideal.  Many of them contain brighteners and/or fragrances, despite the "free and clear" label.  However, there are a few detergents that can work really well - like Arm & Hammer Essentials Free, which is free of dyes, phosphates, bleaches and fragrances.

What do I need to make my own cloth diaper detergent?

There are a lot of DIY recipes out there for cloth diaper use - many of which utilize very few ingredients and can be made easily at home.  The basic items in most of these detergents may include washing soda, borax, and baking soda.  Occasionally you'll see options that include the use of essential oils or other natural products as well.  Here are a few resources from The Eco-Friendly Family to check out and see if you'd be interested in trying your hand at DIY detergent:

Images (c) The Eco-Friendly Family

Will cloth diaper detergent be expensive?

It doesn't have to be.  You can certainly buy a boutique-brand detergent from a specialty store and end up paying a fortune for your cloth diaper detergent - However, most cloth diaper detergents aren't expensive at all.  DIY detergent can cost as little as $30 for 5 gallons of powder detergent that can last up to a year.  Brands like bumGenius offer cloth diaper detergent that costs under $15.00 for a supply estimated to last for 60-70 wash cycles.  Arm & Hammer Essentials Free is below the $10.00 mark for 50fl oz. 

So... DIY or Buy?

That's up to your personal preference - I've always been attracted to the idea of DIY detergent, but Cozy Hubby isn't comfortable with it, worrying that it won't sufficiently clean what we need it to clean.  Bottom line - Do what's best for you, your baby, and your diapers!

Getting your dog ready for baby

One of my first concerns when I found out I was pregnant with Cozy Baby #2 was our family dog, Bacon (amazing name, right?!).  Our dog is a bundle of cuddles and energy - he's also a rescue dog who came with his fair share of behavioral issues when we adopted him three years ago.  It took a while to get him used to Cozy Baby #1, and it's important to start focusing now on getting him ready for Cozy Baby #2.

So how can we make the transition easier for our dog?  That's a loaded question.

Let's start with whether you buy into the idea that your dog "knows" you're pregnant - Not everyone believes this concept, and I'll admit that I'm not overly confident that my dog has any clue what's going on.  However, the hormonal changes going on inside a pregnant woman does alter our natural "scent" - and smells are something that canines specialize in.  Maybe my dog can tell "something's up," but he's not exactly sure what - Maybe he's known since the minute I got pregnant that a little one was on the way - Who knows.

Going on the assumption that my dog is going to be a bit shocked by a new baby in the house, I want to prep him as best I can.  So let's consider how a baby is going to change our routine.  Right now, you and I both have a pattern for our day - If you have a dog, there are usually certain times the dog is fed, walked, played with, etc.  Will a new baby change these patterns?  Probably.

 

So how do you prepare your dog for these changes?  Start switching up your routine NOW - get your pet used to change and variety.  Break up your long daily walks into more frequent shorter ones.  Feed your dog at slightly varying times each day.  If you think you'll be taking naps during the day (after those lovely "all nighters" with baby), why not start now so that your pet gets used to the idea that your sleep schedule is changing?  This way you can pamper yourself with extra rest AND help your pet

Moving on from there, start to incorporate your "baby gear" into the house - get your dog used to the stroller, crib, swing, etc.  Do you have a small dog like mine?  Does your pet have a knack for getting into things they shouldn't?  Make sure that your pet knows not to sleep or rest in the seat of the stroller & swing.  Teach them that the crib is a "no no" if they are able to climb into it.  We set up our crib months ago to check to see if we'd ever find our dog sleeping in it, under it, or near it - luckily, he's basically ignored it.  What if you plan to take car trips with your animal?  Is the new car seat going to change how you travel with your pet?

It's also time to consider whether you want your dog in your new baby's nursery - I didn't have issues with this when my son was an infant, but I know a number of mothers who kept their animals out of their nurseries.  If you want this separation, look into dog/baby gates that you can install at the entry to your nursery to keep your animal out of the room.  Set up the gate/barrier early so that your animal gets used to the idea that they no longer have access to that room.

What if you have an animal with anxiety or major social issues?

My family makes a point to train our pets from the start - We also are very selective when adopting animals in order to make sure that our pet is safe around children.  But what if your beloved pet was adopted long before you thought about kids and now you're panicking because your animal is not comfortable around small children?

This is an issue better addressed by a professional - Early on in pregnancy you need to work with a trainer to assist you with obedience and socialization concerns.  Professional guidance will help you in making the best decisions for your dog and your new baby.  Check out this link with the ASPCA to assist you in finding professional help.