Giving Thanks = Happy!

I recently heard that happier people tend to be those who are more grateful.  I know I'd like to be one of those people.  Why does it take a special day for me to step back and acknowledge all that I am thankful for?  Why don't I acknowledge how blessed I am all day, every day?

Oddly enough, we also find these moments during times of tragedy.  Recently, my Uncle Steve died.  Out of his death, I felt more connected to those I love than I had in while.  Why did it take that event to get me to that place?  In some of my most painful moments, I have been more grateful for the support of my friends and family than any other time.

Well, today I am going to seize the opportunity and give thanks.  After all, it IS the focus of the day.  I truly have more blessings than I deserve.  Our life this past year has been turned upside down over and over again.  Despite some hardships, we are stronger as a family unit than ever before.  I have found more balance and peace.  I'd like to think that I've become a bit wiser too! :o)

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours,

Jen

Jen Starks, Owner www.ecologicalbabies.com ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 574.275.1235

Myth Buster: ANOTHER Load of Laundry?

It's true that once you have a baby (or two or three children), there's always laundry to do.  The idea that you'd be adding more to that pile, just seems off putting.  I get it!

The good news is that you can launder cloth diapers with less time and effort than all the rest of your laundry.  If you are able to afford a 3 day supply (and I recommend working toward that!), you are only doing a load 2 times a week.  The amount of time you are actually spending doing that laundry is probably 10 minutes a week.  Even better, you don't have to worry about ironing, folding, or even putting the cloth diapers away.  It can be as easy as throwing the clean diapers in a laundry basket from the dryer and pulling from that basket when it's time to do a change. (On those REALLY lazy days, I have been known to leave the diapers in the dryer and pull clean ones from there!)

If you use diapers like GroVia's all-in-ones, Tots Bots Easy Fit Diaper, bumGenius All-in-Ones, or Tots Bots Tini Fit Diaper, you don't even need to stuff or assemble the diaper.  That's it!

For those veteran's currently using cloth diapers, how has the extra loads been for you?

Peace,

Jen




Jen Starks, Owner www.ecologicalbabies.com ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 574.275.1235

Myth Buster: Cloth Diapers Cause More Leaks!

Leaks!

This is a common concern I hear when I meet with families first considering a cloth diaper investment.  And certainly having leaking issues is an extra hassle no one wants to deal with.  I'm pleased to share a few insights in avoiding leaks in cloth diapers. In fact, I often here about less "blow outs" that many disposable diapers cause (especially the up the back leaks!).

1. Proper Size & Fit- You want to make sure your baby is in the correct size.  Don't try and purchase a larger size to save money.  The diaper should fit snug around the legs and waist.  Gaping in the legs is a big culprit of leaking issues, especially with newborns and boys in particular.

2. Wearing Diaper Correctly- It is always a good idea to make sure that you read the directions on your diaper label and/or visually see how to properly put on the cloth diaper.  If you haven't stuffed a pocket diaper correctly, haven't tucked in that prefold inside the cover, you'll have leaks.

3.  Changing Often Enough- Cloth diapers are much more absorbent than they have ever been.  That being said, they still need to be changed about every 1.5 hours to 2 hours.  Technically, that's how often you should be changing your baby in disposables but the companies make it absorbent enough to go much longer (read: health hazard!).  Now, night time is a different story in cloth diapers.  We use a pocket diaper stuffed more than usual to make it all night long.  Since there is a nice fleece liner used to keep your baby dry, we are able to make it all night in one diaper.  Everyone is comfortable and dry!

Peace,

Jen


Jen Starks, Owner www.ecologicalbabies.com ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 574.275.1235