Tahany is a lovely, crafty mama from Hawaii who has used wool from birth to potty training. Not only does she love wool, she’s an expert at diapering with it! Here’s her story …
I first started to use wool when my first baby suddenly developed a reaction to the disposable diapers he was wearing. I switched brands and that seemed to help at first. I then tried using the chlorine free, biodegradable variety of disposables, but they were too expensive and hard to find. I researched about cloth diapering and started down that path. I purchased and tried one each kind of diaper: prefolds, contours, fitteds, pockets, and all-in-ones. I soon found my baby had his own unique shape and decided to make his diaper stash of fitteds and pockets (my favs) myself out of whatever cotton fabric I had laying around. My baby’s skin thanked me for the sweet cloth relief!
Once both my babies were set-up with a stash, I made more diapers to give to and help other mamas cover cloth. It was very satisfying to see other parents convert to cloth despite the misgivings about convenience and functionality. All it took was for other moms to see my to kids (18 months apart and both simultaneously in diapers) using cloth and woolies to be inspired and see just how it easy and healthy it is!
Then there was the decision about what to cover those cloth diapers with to stop leaks. I did the same song and dance and sampled PUL covers, the old suffocate-baby’s-butt vinyl, yucky covers, and going coverless. I liked the all-in-ones, which have a waterproof outer layer built in, but found that they were not as breathable as I would like, plus there’s that PUL stuff that I don’t think is exactly earth-friendly (not to mention, pricey!). I tried various diaper/cover combinations. Then I discovered wool, and, well, as they say, the rest is history!
I used nothing but wool once I fashioned enough wool covers to have a good rotating stash of them. I had so much fun making diapers and covers that I started selling them on eBay and every pair I ever made have sold. Then in 2008, just after my second baby was born, so was my Etsy shop, MuseForReuse! Oh, and for all the naysayers about wool in hot weather (think Hawai’i!!) not only was my baby’s skin protected from the sun as he wore his ultra-light, merino wool, red longies out on stroller walks, he was staying cool, dry, and rash-free!
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One semi-related thought… I know you end up talking to people who are considering cloth diapering. I didn't consider it because I figured it wouldn't work with day care. Come to find out they are completely onboard with the idea and are doing it with one of his classmates who has been there for a couple months now. I never ASKED. So, I'd say encourage people to ask, because the worst that can happen is they get told no.
Such great advice! I assumed the same about church nursery and come to find out they don't care at all about me bringing her in cloth. ________________________________
i love that you mentioned about wool being breathable, yes even in warm climates! i get so many potential customers who love the upcycled wool but think their particular climate wouldn't work, and i just have to scratch my head- so… disposable plastic works? funny notions.also i too would encourage, even if your daycare isn't on board, to request, and even to try to accommodate them or inform gently, about how easy it can be. i had many reasons why i wanted quinn in cloth when he was in daycare briefly (how else can i monitor how much he pees when i'm away? lol), and i did not get pushy about it but basically without having to say so, by bringing it up enough times and trying to be accomodating (getting special all-in-ones, and a nice wet bag for the dirties) i convinced them it was important enough to me that they took the time to try it (i was open to them saying no if it just wasn't feasible, but asked them to try), and found it was no big deal.
Those longies are the cutest thing ever! Cloth diaper bums are always cuter, but I'm loving that color!