Parenting & New Baby Advice Blog

Every parent wants the best for their baby, and for many, that means opting to use cloth diapers.  Why?  What are the benefits?  One of the biggest is expense: a typical family will save over $2,600 by using cloth over disposable. Many times, family members or friends will sneak cloth diapers into diaper cakes or diaper bags because they're firm believers and it's no wonder why!

The benefits for your child are equally important to saving money: cloth diapered babies tend to have less diaper rash and skin irritation and they will probably be potty-trained before their disposable diaper-wearing peers.

If you are hesitant to use cloth because you fear sticking your baby in the hip with a big diaper pin or you wonder if you'll be able to wrap them correctly in order to prevent leakage, don't worry. Today's cloth diapers are much more parent-friendly and easy to use.

There is no doubt about it: diapering technology has advanced.  While it means drier bums, it can also mean intimidation for new parents.  How do you start?  Which fabric is best?  Do you need liners, doublers, or both?  And what in the world is an AIO or an AI2?

The first step is to learn about the different kinds of cloth diapers.  This isn't your grandma's square of linen anymore; you have incredible options, including:

• All in One (or AIO).  This diaper includes all the parts you need, such as an inner soaker and waterproof cover.  They are relatively easy to use and do not require additional supplies.  Many people consider them just like disposable diapers in terms of ease – the only difference is you wash it instead of throw it away!  On the con side, these take longer to dry and they can cost between $16 and $30.  Remember, though, you can use the same diaper for years.  BumGenius is a highly recommended brand, particularly their organic AIOs.
• All in Two (or AI2).  Because AIOs take so long to dry, AI2s can be a great choice.  They come apart to speed up drying times.  You simply fasten the soaker, or the inner absorbent part of the diaper, to the outer cover.

The downside to both AIOs and AI2s is that they are quite expensive because you have to have enough on hand to last until you do washing next.  Having 10 – 20 $30 diapers is a big upfront expense.  But there are some other options.

• Prefolds. These are the least expensive option.  They look like squares of cloth but have prefold seams to help make diapering a bit easier.  You fold them into a rectangle and put them inside a diaper cover (which are inexpensive and can be reused between changings). You then fasten the cover, and you are done.  You can also skip the cover and fasten the cloth diaper with a Snappi. Prefolds can be used throughout your child's diapered life – and beyond.  They can be used as diapers, liners, and soakers, as well as baby bibs (or mainly burp cloths) when thoroughly cleaned.
• Pocket diapers.  These have a waterproof outer layer and then a layer of suede cloth or microfleece inside.  In between the layers, in the pocket, you can put whatever you want for lining and increase absorbency if you need to.
• Fitted diapers. These have elastic and fasteners built in so you do not need snaps or Snappis. You will need a separate cover.  These are like a combination of prefolds and pockets.

Most parents use a combination of these options.  For instance, they may use prefolds at home and then use AIOs, AI2s, or pocket diapers for going out or when a babysitter or less experienced diaperer is watching the baby.  ClothDiapersMadeEasy has a convenient chart to help you determine how many diapers you need, depending on which option(s) you choose.

The “how” is slightly different with each type of diaper.  AIOs, for instance, work just like regular disposables.  Prefolds are probably the most intimidating at first, but you just need to practice – and invest in a few great covers and a diaper pail with liners. You can find some great video tutorials on YouTube, like the one shown below.

The most important tip is do not be intimidated.  You will soon find that it is easy to use cloth diapers, even prefolds.  You may have some new parent mishaps at first, but everyone does – even those who use disposable diapers!

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Baby baptisms are special occasions. It’s the time when you will dedicate your baby to Christ and promise to raise him or her in a Christian tradition. You’ll also have god parents to choose who will promise to raise your children should anything happen to you and your husband, and who also will guide your child along through life.

So, who gets invited to this big day? It will depend on how you want to do it. First off, you’re going to pick two people to be god parents. These are typically the two closest members of your family—one male and one female. But it can also be anyone you choose from a close family friend to a cousin. It is considered an honor to be chosen as a god parent, so no one is likely going to turn your invitation down. Just be sure you choose someone trustworthy and who you know will be in your life forever.

The Catholic tradition baptizes babies. Other faiths have adult baptisms if they have them at all. So, it’s a cultural as well as a traditional custom used by only certain religious groups. When thinking about inviting people to the actual ceremony, consider their religion as well as their relationship to you. You want to include everyone from your immediate family as well as the people closest to you in your family. Aunts, uncles, cousins and other close family are always invited.

When it comes to your friends outside of your family, consider a few things. Will they have to travel a far distance to make it to the baptism? Will they be uncomfortable in your church if they are from another faith? Will it pose an inconvenience to them to have to make arrangements to come (are they ill or unable to travel)?

Most times it’s more a factor of how many people your event hall or home can hold rather than a person’s situation that will dictate who you invite to a baptism. For instance, if you’re having the reception at your house and only have room for 20 people, you’re going to have to start cutting some of your friends out. However, if you have a hall booked and can accommodate any number of people, go ahead and invite everyone you want. If someone is unable to travel, they can politely say no. They will usually send a baptism gift anyway even if they can’t make it.

You need to invite everyone to the actual baptism as well as the reception. The highlight of the day is seeing the baby get baptized. Many people have the event catered afterwards, but you can cook everything the night before and refrigerate it. When everyone gets to your house, just start warming things up. You can also decorate your home, and/or prepare baptism favors for your guests.

Baptisms are sometimes held on Saturday mornings so as not to interfere with the normal Sunday mass schedule. But you can ask at your church if Sunday afternoons are offered. Sometimes it’s easier to have it on a Saturday rather than a Sunday when people have to be up early for work the next day. But it will depend on when your church offers baptisms.

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Baby showers are some of the most joy filled occasions. You can have them just about anywhere you like. If you’re getting ready to start planning a baby shower for a friend, consider lots of options before deciding where to host it.

Many baby showers are held at someone’s home. This could be the home of the mother of the guest of honor or her mother in law. Proud Grammas to be often want to host a shower and will offer their houses. That’s one place to start.

If you don’t have the room at your own home, consider having it out at a local coffee house or tea room. A coffeehouse is a great atmosphere because it’s casual and low key and you can often make yourselves comfortable in a small section of the room. You won’t have catered fare, but if you want to have coffee and pastries without having to pay a rental fee or serve an expensive restaurant meal, this may be the place for you. Just be sure to check it out with the coffee house’s manager. You may even find they’ll make you a special dessert or throw in a little something extra for you.

A tea house is ideal if you can find one. They are rare in some areas and plentiful in others. If you are fortunate enough to live near one, set up your date and you practically have the whole party done for you. The atmosphere at a tea house is cozy and the food is bite sized. Depending on the tea house, you can also order more of a family style lunch or bigger sandwiches. They may even have a full menu you can choose from with heartier fare, but most ladies enjoy sipping tea with small cakes and finger sandwiches. Center your baby shower theme around whatever you are having there to work with.

If none of these options work for you, check out a local community center or historical site. Community centers are there for you, the community, to use. Many charge nothing or just a nominal donation fee. Many historical museums have rooms for the public to use. Aquariums and zoos do as well. You can set everything up and then enjoy the museum or aquatic or animal life too.

Many other venues exist that don’t charge a high fee, if anything at all. Having a baby shower at a restaurant during a non-busy time can almost ensure you the place to yourselves. Have it on a Wednesday afternoon or on a Friday at 11:00. If guests can’t take the time off, choose a weekday time right after work when the restaurant will still be less crowded rather than a Saturday or Sunday.

There’s no limit to the ideas you can come up with when you really start thinking. Don’t forget about beach side clambakes or outdoor parks if your climate allows for it. Set up the feast on picnic tables and play Frisbee and bring all the kids. Don't forget the baby shower favors! It can be a fun day that includes everyone.

For other ideas, ask recent moms at the park or playground where their baby showers were held. You may just hear of a place you never knew existed. It’s worth it to ask for word of mouth recommendations. You never know what may turn up.

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In the Bible it says, “And now why tarriest thou?  Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22.16).  Baptism is mentioned again and again in the Bible and symbolizes a washing away of sins.  Early baptisms were held in rivers, and in fact, they still are in many religions.  The terms baptism and christening are used interchangeably, but there are differences between the two ceremonies.

Baptism and christening are both rites of passage and rituals that take place in a variety of faiths.  John the Baptist baptized his followers in the River Jordan; Jesus is the most famous of those baptized.  The ceremony symbolizes the baptism gift of washing away of sins.  A christening, on the other hand, has traditionally been a naming ceremony which welcomes the baby into the church.  Most parents today do not delay naming their baby, so the actual meaning of a christening is changed.  Today, it is not an official naming as much as a welcome to the church.

The differences between a christening and baptism are related to the specific faith.  For Catholics, Lutherans, and Episcopalians, for instance, baptism and christening are one and the same.  The baby is sprinkled with water to wash away original sin and become an official part of the church.  In this case, baptism and christening really are interchangeable terms.  One does not happen without the other.

In religions that baptize and christen when children are newborns or babies, the two ceremonies are intertwined.  In other faiths, baptism and christening are distinct and separate.  According to the beliefs of religions such as Baptist, Evangelical, or Methodist, babies are not baptized.  Why?  Because, in their view, it has no effect or meaning.  A baby cannot consciously choose whether he wants to follow Christ; it is his parents’ decision at that point. These faiths site the Bible, saying there is no mention of infant baptism. John, as we recall, baptized an adult Jesus.  These churches baptize older children and adults because of the ability to make that commitment.

The ceremony of baptism itself is also different.  Typically, the person being baptized is submerged in a river or pond.  Some churches have baptism tanks instead, which are similar to small pools.  At a christening/baptism for a baby, the priest sprinkles water over the baby’s forehead.  This ceremony uses water much more symbolically – and sparingly.

For many faiths, christening and baptism are part of the same ceremony, welcoming the baby into the faith.  For others, baptism must be a conscious decision, undertaken to affirm a commitment to Christ.   While some churches baptize babies, all will baptize people who want to be welcomed into the faith, regardless of age.  Even in the Catholic Church, which baptizes and christens infants, there are adult converts who are baptized.  In other churches, people are considered reborn when they undergo baptism.

After the ceremony or service, many times family and/or friends get together at the home of the baptized baby and share in a meal, open baptism gifts and even receive baptism favors.

Whatever the age, the symbolism of baptism is similar.  It involves the washing away of sins and a commitment to following God and the teachings of the church into which one is baptized.  Today, many people who aren’t particularly religious are continuing the tradition of baptism and choosing godparents in order to help their child grow up with a strong sense of morals and support.

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Ah, the age-old question. A little one peers up at you with those big, adorable eyes and asks, “Mom, where do babies come from?” You’re caught off guard. You’ve got nothing ready. You hadn’t expected to have this conversation so soon. You can relax. You’re in good company. Many an unsuspecting mom or dumbfounded dad has been hit with this questions and lived to tell about it.

Think about your child’s age and level of understanding. If you’ve got a four year old, now is not the time to take out medical charts and extensive textbooks. A simple answer will do. To a small child, this question bears no more weight than, “Why is the sky blue?” So don’t feel like you have to give a scientific explanation. Here are some things you could say:

• Babies come from God. They are his special gift to moms and dads.
• Babies come to moms and dads when they love each other very much.
• It’s a mystery. Isn’t it amazing that babies grow in a mommy’s tummy and then one day they’re born?
• A baby is a sibling gift - a play mate, and a best friend.

Chances are these responses will be enough to satisfy your small child. If it’s not enough and your child persists in asking, you can say something like:

• A baby is half mommy and half daddy. See how you have brown eyes? They are just like daddy’s. See how your hair is curly? It’s just like mine.
• Sometimes babies are born into a family and sometimes they are adopted. We are going to have our own little baby who will look like us because she grew in my belly, but the Randalls down the road have adopted a baby. Nice people can choose to bring a baby into their homes if they aren’t going to have one of their own.
• God is the only one who can make a baby. He has special powers and he creates a new human being where there wasn’t one before. He’s awesome, isn’t He?

If you have an older child, gauge just how much information will be right. If you have a fourth grader, it’s probably still not appropriate to get out the charts and diagrams. You can be more direct about your conversation, but don’t list body parts and internal organs. You may puzzle your child and leave them more confused than they were before. For an older child, you can simply say:

“Babies come from mommy and daddy when they love each other. Mommy and daddy loved each other and we made you. Now we want to make another baby to share our love with and grow our family. Won’t it be fun to have a brother or sister?”

There may be additional questions. Try to answer them in a way that makes both you and your child comfortable. Remember, she’s just curious. So treat every question with great care and don’t dismiss her questions as a nuisance or unimportant.

For older children, you can seek out books that are appropriate for their ages. Chances are they will have gotten some of the information from school health classes, but they are looking to you for your version to see if it lines up. Many books will show photos of a baby in the womb that they will think are really cool. Start there.

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