Diapers: Do You Choose Disposable Or Reusable?

Diapers..

Changing a dirty diaper is not the best part of having a baby, but there's no escaping it. And you'd better get used to it - you'll be changing around 5,000 diapers before baby's potty trained!

The first question is whether to use disposable diapers or reusable. In a nutshell, disposables are less trouble, more expensive, and not environmentally friendly.

Your Granny wouldn't recognise a reusable diaper today. Gone are the cotton squares and safety pins, replaced by shaped cotton inside a waterproof outer cover and fastened with velcro. Flushable liners hold solids. Reusables will save you the best part of $1000 and that's after including the cost of washing.

If you want to be kind to the planet but can't face all the washing, another option is to use a laundry service: the cost will be about the same as using disposables.

Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is a term covering various different rashes which will vary in severity from a mild redness to severe raw ulcerated skin.

Most rashes are caused by exposure to soiled diapers. As urine and faeces break down ammonia is released, this is toxic and burns baby's delicate skin. A diaper will also prevent air circulating and retain heat, both of which will aggravate the problem.

If your baby develops a rash, change diapers frequently and keep the area clean and dry. Avoid the use of soap and wipes, wash with warm water and cotton wool balls. Barrier creams are available from your pharmacist.

Perhaps one of the best treatments is fresh air: let baby's skin breathe as often as possible.

Author: Tony Luck runs a site offering advice to new moms. Included is the fascinating Chinese Conception Chart which supposedly tells you whether the baby you're expecting is a boy or girl!

Diaper Bags for Dads - Papa's Got a Brand New Bag

Todays dads are more hands-on than ever before and their involvement is being rewarded with parenting gear designed with men in mind. Many items that have typically been designed for the maternal side of the parental equation are now being introduced in masculine styles, colors, and fabrics, including diaper bags, baby carriers, and strollers.

Todays dads are more hands-on than ever before and their involvement is being rewarded with parenting gear designed with men in mind. Many items that have typically been designed for the maternal side of the parental equation are now being introduced in masculine styles, colors, and fabrics, including diaper bags, baby carriers, and strollers.

For many parents a diaper bag is such an essential part of babys first years that it only makes sense to give daddy his due one simply cannot expect a man to tote around the little ones belongings in a feminine diaper bag with dignity and enthusiasm. In that scenario dad will spend more time trying not to be seen than attending to baby.

The selection of a diaper bag for dad is dependant on many factors, but for those new to the game we offer these simple pointers:

If in doubt, go for function over form, but get as close to your idea of the perfect marriage of both as possible.

Consider where and when youll be using you diaper bag most often trips to the park, for example, will require a more durable exterior, (water resistant is always a plus), than, say, daily trips to day care or indoor events.

A changing pad is almost a requirement if youll be out and about with baby. One diaper change without one in a public place and youll know what we mean.

The number of pockets and compartments youll want are dependant on your personal needs, (do you tend to take everything but the kitchen sink or travel light?), but we recommend at least one or two pockets on both the exterior and interior of the bag, and preferable at least one with a zipper or closure.

Determine the carrying style you are most comfortable with most men opt for a backpack or messenger style diaper bag, and some diaper bags convert from one to the other. Weve found that the backpack style bags and messenger bags worn across the body leave hands most free for dealing with baby. Adjustable straps allow you to get the most comfortable fit for your body.

Consider the extras. Again, depending on your personal style and needs you may wish to look for these items in a diaper bag: wipe case, wipeable and/or washable bag for soiled items, insulated bottle holder(s), external pockets for baby bottles, sippy cups, or your own water bottle, carbiner clip for keys.

Designer diaper bags for men run the gamut from basic black messenger style diaper bags for under $55 to sports-themed diaper bags such as celebrity favorite Timi & Leslies Magic diaper bag made from authentic basketball leather to Diaper Dudes rock and roll guitar diaper bag and everything in between. With the growing array of choices on the market, isnt it time the papa in your life got a brand new bag of his own?

Kim Ciliberto is the owner of Tutti Bella, an online boutique featuring diaper bags for men.

 

Diaper Caddies as Baby Gift Baskets for New Parents

When I was first home with my newborn baby girl I often found as I was trying to feed and care for her, that what I needed always seemed to be in another room. If I needed a burp cloth, I had left the clean one in the kitchen. If I was up to my elbows in a dirty diaper in the nursery and desperately needed the box of baby wipes, I had left that in the livingroom. I did a lot of sprinting from room to room retrieving supplies.

When I was first home with my newborn baby girl I often found as I was trying to feed and care for her, that what I needed always seemed to be in another room. If I needed a burp cloth, I had left the clean one in the kitchen. If I was up to my elbows in a dirty diaper in the nursery and desperately needed the box of baby wipes, I had left that in the livingroom. I did a lot of sprinting from room to room retrieving supplies.

Once my daughter was a few months old, an idea came to me for a diaper caddy. The caddy could be stocked with a days worth of supplies and easily carried from room to room. The caddy would hold a wipes container snuggly in place and, of course, it had to be well-made and stylish. I made a prototype and upon demand from friends and family began selling them as baby shower gifts. Let us look at some suggestions for its use.

This caddy is made of a very high quality shaker-style basket, which, unless jumped on by your child, will last until the little cherub goes to college. Real wood dividers are crafted and set inside the fabric-lined basket - this creates cubbies and a center compartment which will hold any of the major-brand plastic wipes containers.

New moms have told me that they restock the caddy usually in the morning, with 4-6 burp cloths and 10-12 diapers. The most popular finds in the other four compartments are diaper cream, cornstarch powder, pacifiers, the nasal bulb syringe (as all new parents know as "the sucker"), lanolin (for the nursing moms), rattles and I've been told it's a great t.v. remote holder (although I do not promote this use, I will admit the importance of knowing the proximity of the remote during middle-of-the-night feedings).

I know a mom whose baby is 7 months old who stocks the basket in the a.m. with a days worth of clean outfits. She brings the basket downstairs to the livingroom for the day. Because the wooden dividers are removable, the basket can be used to store memorabilia such as photos and baby's firsts' when its use as a diaper caddy is no longer needed.

The SaraBear Diaper Caddy makes a unique and stylish new baby gift for the new parents. They can be purchased online as is or as beautiful baby gift baskets at www.sarabearbaskets.com.

Copyright Melissa Bramlage, All Rights Reserved.

Melissa is a mother of one with a baby on the way, a Registered Nurse and owner of http://www.sarabearbaskets.com where you will find her original diaper caddy and baby gift baskets.

 

Unique Baby Shower Gifts: Diaper Cakes

All of us know that when we are about to attend a large party, especially a baby shower, we want to bring the perfect gift that will stand apart from the rest. You dont want the recipient to go through the gift book register later in order to recall what you gave her. You also want to present a practical gift that will actually be used!

Diaper Cakes are wonderful gifts to bring to baby showers. What is a Diaper Cake? Its a wonderfully handcrafted baby gift. This inedible creation is arranged with premium diapers coiled in bountiful layers and filled with baby accessories and toys. The outer layer is adorned with hooded towels, bibs, t-shirts, booties, and many other baby items. All cakes are sealed in cellophane wrapping and topped off with a big bow.

CAKE INGREDIENTS

Below you will find a list of what may be included in your diaper cake. You will also find a listing of the small baby accessories that come with it as well. Overall, diaper cakes come in many themes, colors and sizes. The larger cakes contain more items than the smaller cakes.

Cakes might contain one or more of the following:
- Disposable diapers
- Hooded towels
- Receiving blankets
- Undershirts
- Snap-shirts
- Burp cloths
- Bibs
- Socks
- Shoes or booties
- Baby bottle

Small Baby Accessories may include:
- Pacifier
- Pacifier holder
- Comb and brush Set
- Scratch mits
- Rattles
- Teethers
- Washcloths
- Feeding sets
- Nasal aspirators
- Small baby lotion
- Small baby shampoo
- Small baby powser
- Small baby bath
- Squeak toys
- Bath books
- Baby hangars
- Wash mitts
- Bath thermometers
- Boo bunnies

Diaper cakes are ideal for baby shower gifts, table centerpieces, gifts for new parents, and welcome-to-the-world gifts for babies.
Make your gift stand OUT -- consider purchasing a baby diaper cake for your next affair!
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When mother and architect Regina Taylor discovered the scarcity and cost of baby shower gifts, she decided to start her own business to provide high quality, affordable baby products to consumers online. The result is The Diaper Cake Depot, the best online source for unique baby shower gifts. Visit The Diaper Cake Depot today to find the perfect gift for the expectant mother in your life!

http://www.DiaperCakeDepot.com

 

How to Choose a Diaper Bag

Even though it's a popular shower gift, you may want to choose a specific type of diaper bag, either because you've learned through experience what works and what doesn't, or your friends and relatives have given you tips on what to look for or avoid.

It's pretty elementary to figure that you're going to need room. Lots and lots of room. For little things, babies at times seem to need an endless supply of items that you may not have space to carry.

When looking for a diaper bag, space is going to be your first consideration, but that doesn't mean you have to totally give up the stylish or designer look. Remember though, that the character-theme or licensed diaper bags often cost more simply for the name. But if you are really taken with a delightful character diaper bag, and just have to have it, put it aside for occasions when its capacity is appropriate. These are often smaller bags, but will still hold some spare diapers, an extra soother, bottle, and baby wipes for short trips like doctor visits, or errands.

For an afternoon at someone else's house, or an extended day of errands, and even an overnight trip, you're looking at a really large bag. And few items designated as diaper bags, seem to measure up to mothers' needs and expectations. There simply aren't enough pockets to keep things totally organized for longer trips where more items are needed.

Some parents solve that dilemma by purchasing duffle bags, or a top of the line backpack. The duffle bags will have some outside pockets, and occasionally, zippered inside pockets as well, along with plenty of interior room for changes of clothes and other supplies.

Backpacks with outside and inside pockets can be very handy for both organization, and convenience. They can be worn over the shoulders, freeing up your hands, or some come with an alternative strap for carrying on one shoulder.

The key is to choose a diaper bag that suits your needs, as you see them. And if necessary, choose two! That way, you have convenience, space, and no worry about whether your one bag is going to do fore very occasion.

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How to Choose a Diaper Pail for Disposable Diapers

When you have already made the decision not to use cloth diapers, your next decision will be how to choose a diaper pail for disposable diapers.

To some degree, cloth diapers will give off less odor than disposables, because they are not as absorbent, and parents often rinse out some of the urine, and dispose of solids by using liners for their cloth diapers.

With disposables, you lose those benefits. The chemical ingredient added to the manufacturing of disposables, makes them retain water within the layers of material, turning it to a gel that can't leak back out. This means all the urine stays in the disposable, as does any solid wastes. And every parent knows how much that can smell, even after a brief time in a diaper pail.

So what you're going to want to look for when learning how to choose a diaper pail for disposable diapers, is the most effective system that suppresses odors. A pail with a tight fitting lid is not enough, as odor escapes every time you deposit a used diaper, or change the liner and remove the liner bag.

Two of the better options offer very different approaches to this problem. The Neat! Diaper Disposal System is a new age pail, with two separate sections. The top handle pulls up easily, you deposit the diaper, then close the lid and push the handle down so the diaper drops into a second, odor-retaining section without the lid being opened at the time.

The Diaper Genie system by Playtex offers an alternative to simply storing away the dirty diapers. Their system, also easy to operate with just one hand, provides a diaper pail with a built in system that seals each dirty diaper in scented wrap, and deposits it in the retaining section until you change the liner bag.

Visit http://www.MalcolmsWeb.comand sign up for free weekly tips that will
take the mystery and fear out of parenting your precious little one.