Every once in a while we come across a product that really blows us away. Baby slings, fitted diapers, reusable menstrual products– this ranks up there with items we wish we had known about a long time ago! The new Tummy Tub really is a bathtime revolution. No more traumatic bathtimes, trying to keep baby warm in an awkward tub, trying to keep baby from eating the water faucet in the sink, trying to keep baby from slipping around a plastic bin or bucket or dealing with a screaming child. The Tummy Tub is a molded plastic tub, designed to mimic the shape of the womb. It covers a baby up to its shoulders with warm, comforting water while offering real support to make bathtime a safe, relaxing experience for everyone involved!

I was among the skeptical when they first came in. As with many of our products, our clients & friends were clamoring for this product, but to me, it looked like a bucket. For a bucket, I must admit, it looked a little pricey! Then I tried it & I can honestly say there is NO comparison, not only with a simple bucket, but with any other bath tub or container I have ever used! With 2 month old baby Ava, it was our first non-screaming bath ever. Bathtime went from a chore and an ordeal to a truly delightful time of exploration, play and bonding, and at 7 months, Ava is now a confirmed water baby. We put her in the tub just to calm her down! Check it out & let us know what you think. We think you’ll be impressed.

If there is a resource you would like us to list, please send the name, service description and contact information.

Parent warm-line: 1-800-643-KIDS (5437)

Resource Center for Parents & Children (RCPC)
classes, support groups, workshops, assistance in finding local resources, WIC program, family services
456-2866, www.rcpcfairbanks.org

Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Women’s Center
lactation consultants, new parent clinic for breastfeeding assistance
Diane Burgess, LPN, IBCLC 458-5210 option #3

Fairbanks Regional Public Health Center
Public Health Nurses, Lactation consultants, health information, assistance & referrals, community resources, overnight breast pump lending

Fairbanks La leche League

Breastfeeding support, led by Jessica Harper and others.  lllusa.org/web/FairbanksAK.html

Military Breastfeeding Support Services
Ft. Wainwright, Bassett Army Hospital
lactation consultant and counselors, support & assistance
353-5158

RCPC WIC office
Lactation consultants, Registered Dieticians, video library, public assistance referral & support, short term breast pump loan for WIC clients
456-2990, www.rcpcfairbanks.org

CareNet Pregnancy Center of the Tanana Valley
pregnancy counseling, education & support, clothing closet, free pregnancy testing
907-455-8255, contact@fyndout.com

Family Doula Services
Angela Davis
Offers: birth & labor education, breastfeeding support, free car seat checks, infant massage, signing with your baby
contact: 458-7034, 322-8416, www.familydoulaservicesak.net

If you have a regularly scheduled class you would like us to add, please send it to us at service@blueberrybaby.org.

Wear Your Baby- Choosing & Using Baby Slings, Carriers & Wraps
presented by Blueberry Baby
4th Saturday of the month- January, April, July, October- at Blueberry Baby- starting time varies
contact: 347-2772, service@blueberrybaby.org
$10 per person, $15 per couple, children welcome

Successful Cloth Diapering
presented by Blueberry Baby
4th Saturday of the month- February, May, August, November- 3-5pm at Blueberry Baby
contact: 347-2772, service@blueberrybaby.org
$10 per person, $15 per couple, children welcome

Community Infant/child First Aid & CPR
Arctic Medical Supply
at Blueberry Baby- dates and starting time varies
contact: 347-2772, service@blueberrybaby.org
$10 per person, $15 per couple

Successful Breastfeeding
presented by Joanne Spears, RN, BSN, IBCLC, RLC
4th Tuesday of every month, 6-8pm at the Tanana Valley Clinic 3rd floor conference room
contact: 451-1629 (vm)
Free

Positive Parenting Series
Resource Center for Parents & Children (RCPC)
Thursdays 6-7:30pm at the RCPC offices, 726 26th Ave, ste 2
contact: 456-2866, rcpcfairbanks.org
$10 per person, $15 per couple, childcare is provided

Financial Literacy Parenting Series
RCPC
Tuesdays, 12-2pm at the Interior Alaska Center for Non Violent Living, 726 26th Ave
contact: 456-2866, rcpcfairbanks.org
Free, Registration required, childcare provided.

Cuddle Cure Classes
RCPC
Wednesdays 6-8pm, dates vary, at the RCPC offices, 726 26th Ave, ste 2
contact: 456-2866, rcpcfairbanks.org
$30 per family, scholarships available

Dancing Thru Pregnancy prenatal fitness
presented by Lara Lotze, Alaska Awalim
Every Tuesday & Thursday 5:30-6:30 pm at Dance Theater Fairbanks Old Firehouse Studio on 7th Avenue
contact: 590-3449, alaskadancer@alaska.net
$15 per class, punch card discounts available

AfterDance postpartum fitness
presented by Lara Lotze, Alaska Awalim
Every Wednesday, 4-5 pm at Dance Theater Fairbanks Old Firehouse Studio on 7th Avenue
contact: 590-3449, alaskadancer@alaska.net
$15 per class, punch card discounts available

Diaper rash is the generic term for a skin irritation in the area generally covered by a diaper and can have several causes. A few culprits include heat rash, chemical sensitivity, bacterial infection, food allergies or other irritating substance.

Please be aware that eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions can look like diaper rash, but are treated differently and should be handled by a medical professional. If your child has persistent, chronic outbreaks, please see your health care provider for diagnosis.

*We are experienced mamas, but we don’t know everything- we welcome advice and opinions from others. We will do our best to keep you informed so you can make healthy decisions. We do not give medical advice, and no comments on this blog should be construed as such.

• Good for you
• Good for your pocket
• Good for the environment
• Good for baby

Good for you:

Less mess-

In our experience, good quality, properly sized fitted cloth diapers will prevent leaks much better than disposable diapers, especially when dealing with the runny stool produced by breast-fed babies.  It is so much better to wash diapers than to be continually changing a baby’s outfit due to explosive messes!

Convenient-

Yes, we are talking about cloth diapers! All-in-one diapers are similar in construction to disposable diapers and just as easy to get on and off.  Fitted diapers and covers with snap or velcro take only a little more time. Even prefolds do not need diaper pins anymore!

Inexpensive flushable liners are now available which prevent soiling of cloth diapers.  This eliminates the need for soaking or scraping a soiled diaper.
Toss wet diapers in a washable waterproof bag when out of the house, then put the whole thing in the diaper pail when you return.  If there is a clothes washer easily accessible, cloth diapers may be placed directly into the wash, eliminating the need for a diaper pail- much easier than taking disposables out in the trash or running to the grocery store to buy more disposables at -40 below!

Good for your pocket

Less Expensive-

3 year Disposable vs. Cloth Cost Comparison in Fairbanks, Alaska

• 6000 least expensive disposables & wipes available in Fairbanks
• 6000 Unbleached low impact disposables
• 10,000 most expensive disposables & wipes available in Fairbanks

• Prefold diapers (infant & premium), covers, fasteners, wipes, liners, home laundry + soap 3 years, 1.5 loads/week
• All in One Diapers( 3 sizes), wipes, liners, home laundry + soap, 3 years, 1.5 loads/week
• Kissaluvs colors (our most expensive)
• Bummi covers, wipes, liners, laundromat (wash & dry) for 3 years + soap, 2 loads/week

Hidden costs-

Children in disposables often take up to a year longer to potty train, leading to additional expense.
Cloth diapers can be used for more than one child or resold on consignment, further reducing expenses, sometimes dramatically.

Good for the environment

Most disposable diapers contain about 1 cup of crude oil (each), bleached wood pulp, and the super absorbant polymer sodium polyacrylate,(banned from tampons due to link with Toxic Shock Syndrome) along with an asortment of dyes and perfumes.  Dioxin, a by product of the manufacturing process which has been linked to infertility and some types of cancer, is also present.

Raw materials-

A study financed by the Women’s Environmental Network in the UK which considered statistics provided by disposable manufacturers reported that when manufacturing was considered, disposable diapers still use “20 times more raw material, 3 times more energy, 2 times more water and generate 60 times more solid waste” than cloth diapers, even when laundering is considered.
Production of cotton, hemp and wool fibers is a more efficient use of land than the producton of wood pulp currently used in disposable diaper fill.

Waste disposal-

American disposable diaper use results in roughly 2 billion tons of urine, feces, paper and plastic deposited annually in landfills.  Cloth diapers can be reused, eventually composted and human waste flushed into the local sewer system for proper treatment.

Good for Baby:

Healthy skin-

Cloth diapers allow air to circulate, reducing heat rash.  Some babies may have allergic reactions to the chemicals used in disposable diapers even when fragrances and dyes are not used.

A study by a major disposable diaper manufacturer shows that the incidence of diaper rash rose from 7.1% to 61% between 1970 & 1995, coinciding with the increase in disposable diaper use.

Fewer chemicals-

Sodium polyacrylate, the absorbant plymer found in disposables, was banned from use in tampons after being associated with toxic shock syndrome.  It has been shown to be fatal to be pets when ingested.  Dioxin, a byproduct of the bleaching process for the wood pulp in disposables, has been linked with cancer, infertility and other health problems.The effect of holding these chemicals and others next to baby’s skin for 3 years has not been tested.

Choking hazard-

Cloth diapers are harder to pull apart than plastic disposables, posing less of a choking risk.  We do indeed know babies who have both choked on and ingested pieces of disposable diaper, along with all the chemicals they contain.

This information is presented by Blueberry Baby and is based on local Fairbanks prices gathered in March 2004 in an unofficial survey, and available information which is current, to the best of our knowledge as of February 21, 2004

For more tips on using cloth, contact

Blueberry Baby
378 Old Chena Pump Rd
Fairbanks, AK 99709
907-347-2772
www.blueberrybaby.org
We offer quarterly cloth diapering workshops for new and expecting parents, and caregivers.  For upcoming workshop dates, please call or e-mail us.

Rent a sampler pack of cloth diapers!

Do you want to try everything without the long term commitment? Leave a deposit, try it for 2-3 weeks, then return it (clean & good condition) for a refund of deposit, less cost of flushable liners and a weekly fee.

References:

http://enviro-baby.com/wclothvsdisp.html
Retrieved February 6, 2004

Environmental concerns II: Looking at Both Sides of the Issue, retrieved October 13, 2003 fromhttp://webhome.idirect.com/~born2luv/e-concerns2.html

The New Parents Guide (2004), Diapers…Diapers…Diapers…Cloth vs. Disposable, Retrieved  February 5, 2004, from http://www.thenewparentsguide.com/diapers.htm

Diaper Dilemmas, retrieved February 5, 2004, from   http://www.asac.ab.ca/BI_winter0304/diaperdilemmas.html

Kerstin Ruth Wolf, Don’t Throw It All Away: Paper Products and the Environment, Retrieved February 5, 2004, from Grinell College Technology Concentration web site:http://web.grinnell.edu/techstudies/wolfk/ubp.html

Other resources:
http://www.wen.org.uk/nappies
http://www.diaperpin.com
http://www.borntolove.com/d-list1y.shtml

Lara and Betsy with our kids back in 2004

One of our favorite things here at Blueberry Baby is to teach people how to carry, or “wear” their babies.  We gladly offer a lifetime of lessons to every mama, daddy, or grandma who comes into the shop to try out our baby carriers and slings.   From birth to toddler, there is a comfortable way to carry your child, encouraging bonding, communication, and giving you freedom to go about your day knowing baby is close and content.

We offer the Ergo baby carrier, ring slings, pouches (similar to the New Native carrier), and wrap style carriers (Storchenwiege) both new and used in our shop.  In the photo above, Lara is wearing Jonah in a batik ring sling (hip carry), and Betsy is wearing Liliana in  a Storchenwiege wrap (back cross carry improvised).  Both children are around 2 years old and over 25 pounds in this photo, and we are both pregnant with #3 in this picture, too!   Our two older boys have been known to occasionally ask for a ride on mama’s back, which we can cheerfully oblige using the wrap style carrier and a back carry similar to the one pictured, or the Ergo baby carrier. (see www.ergobabycarrier.com)
We also sell the tummy2tummy DVD, a comprehensive babywearing guide, valuable for everyone from novice babywearer to experienced natural mama. It covers ringslings, wrap style carriers, and pouches and is a worthshile purchase for anyone who wants to wear their baby well. The Ergo carrier comes with its own DVD.

For more info on the art of babywearing, please come by the shop for a demonstration or for help in getting the hang of your sling or carrier, or visit mamatoto.org , a wonderful resource with photos and videos of many different babies being worn in various positions and styles of carriers.  Happy baby wearing!

Setting up your dry pail:

(For newborns, up until beginning solids), a dry pail is ok from beginning- it is much less work.  For NB poopy dipes, read on.

•Place large mesh bag in pail, cinch tight around edge of pail to hold in place. Place top on pail.

•Throw in wet cloth dipes, wipes, everything, as they are used.

• For poopy dipes (newborn/breastfed), fill a small (quart size) tupperware halfway with water, keep in a safe place where curious toddlers won’t get into it- use the lid, and place under the sink in childlocked cupboard or in an inaccessible bathroom closet. This is the only “wet pail” you need.  Formula-fed babies, see section on flushies below.

•When ready to wash, (every three days or when out of dipes) open  tupperware container, (can drain water in the toilet or right into washer) start them on a spin/rinse cycle, then add the mesh bag containing all remaining wet diapers, and Bio-kleen detergent, and start a fresh hot wash

.  Dump pail water down toilet. Rinse bucket/pail out, (in shower is easiest) use Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap to freshen.

•Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you use chlorine bleach, fabric softeners, or dryer sheets. They will drastically reduce the useable life of your diapers by breaking down the natural fibers, and reducing absorbency.  They also increase the  flammability of all garments- not a good choice for your family’s clothing either.  Cloth diaper warranties are void if diapers have been laundered with these substances.  Be kind to your baby and gentle on the earth, please, don’t use them!

Washing Diaper Covers:

•If there are any poopy stains treat with Bac-out, Everyday Stain Remover (available at Fred Meyer’s in the Natural Foods section) or similar product before throwing in washer.

•Wash in machine in warm water with other laundry, (lights not darks) regular Bio-kleen laundry powder.  HANG dry for durability.

•Turn newborn covers inside out and close velcro before washing if you remember. (helps velcro last).  Bummis cotton or Bummis original have this  umbilical stump fold-down feature.

•Wash wool covers every few weeks or when soiled in tepid water with Eucalan.   Both cold and hot water will shock the wool fibers and cause shrinkage.  Pat excess moisture out by placing cover in a towel and patting it.   Air dry away from high heat and sun (will cause shrinkage).  Sunning is wonderful for freshening wool as long as the cover is completely dry (otherwise, shrinkage can occur).  with proper care, wool covers last a long,long time and are well worth their cost.  If necessary, relanolinize wool covers with lanolin (lansinoh is fine) every few months to restore wool fibers and recover waterproof properties.

Diaper Notes:

•Close velcro tabs to themselves(specially designed for this) before putting in pail, since it helps velcro to last longer.

•When washing newborn diapers, you can fill washer and soak overnight, (or even for 20 min. or not at all if in a hurry) then wash in warm/hot water with Bio-kleen and white vinegar in the rinse.

•Hanging dipes in sun helps with yellow shadow (from big poops), saves electricity of course.  You can fluff the diapers first or after for increased softness.
•If diapers become too stiff after hanging, in next wash reduce amount of Bio-kleen detergent by about 1/3 and substitute about a tablespoon of Dr. Bronner’s castile (peppermint is nice)  soap.

Flushable Liners:

•Mostly useful for after breastfed baby starts solids, or for formula fed babies. Solely breastfed babies don’t need liners, as stool is easy for washing machine to clean thoroughly.

•Flushable liners are great- when you go out keep a big sturdy ziploc bag or one of our bummis nylon waterproof bags in the diaper bag for keeping wet dipes. Simply wipe baby’s bottom with clean part of liner, flush liner, diaper goes in the bag!  BUT, when you are breastfeeding exclusively (no solids, formula, etc.) remember everything poopy goes in tiny “wet pail” (quart sized tupperware)— wipes, dipes when you get home.

•With dry pail (before solids) flushies can be washed and reused if simply wet, (throw in pail with wet diaper) OR if poop is at the log stage (can be rolled off neatly into toilet, leaving little/no evidence on the liner).  Just throw liners in (dry)pail along with dipe, wash altogether, pluck out to hang if possible if you put diapers in the dryer.

There is not enough time in the day!  While we do make a few items, we rely largely on other local crafts people, many of whom are also work at home moms, dads and grandmas, and a few dedicated friends!

Though we don’t have control over all chosen work environments of our artisans, we do our best to make sure everyone we work with is receiving a fair wage.  There are some things it is just not cost effective to make in Alaska at this time, and a few items just can’t be improved upon, and that’s why we carry some great non-Alaskan items too!

So which diaper do you use on your baby?

We don’t sell any diapers we haven’t personally tested out on our babies (there are occasionally the  new product exceptions, but they usually don’t last long!)  Having said that, everyone has their preferences:

Lara- For newborns, NOTHING beats a Kissaluvs size 0 with a SWW cover, but as soon as they reasonably fit, I use Ecobaby organic Grow With Me diapers with either a SWW, SS or a wool cover.  I have an equal number of Kushies and ATD for out and about, and hubby and I “just can’t deal with it” days- I like the ATD better, but my toddlers liked the Kushies prints.  My current 2 year old will actually strip and demand the jungle animal diaper if he sees it on the line!  I have about 54 diapers, wash once a week and never run out with that much back up!

Betsy- for newborns, I agree, the Kissaluv size 0 with a SWW cover is unbeatable- a newborn doubler is helpful for longer stretches for some babies. For older babies, I really like the ATD all-in-one (with a flushable liner once they are on solids).  For toddlers or younger heavy wetters at nighttime, one of our unbleached DSQ prefolds with a kissaluvs soaker inside, a snappi fastener and a LANA wool cover is super absorbent, breathable, and makes for a dry bed always!

Which sling do you use the most?

Betsy- Now that I have a two year old who is 25 lbs., my favorite by far for comfort is the Storchenwiege wrap.  I carry my not-so-little girl in a back cross carry wrap, which was very much worth the effort it took to get it down pat.  We recently took a two week trip across the country, and I had people stop in the airport  to watch as I took her on and off my back, in and out of the wrap, smoothly and quickly.  It doubled as a blanket on the airplane, and folded up flat in my carry on.  I have a pregnant baby belly right now, and needless to say, this is the only carrier which is truly comfortable (we have a serious backpacking frame pack carrier, and a Babytrekker- like the Canadian version of the ergo carrier- and neither one compares).  I like the versatility, extreme comfort of having weight distributed so well, and the gorgeous organic fabric with just the right amount of stretch.

When I have a little one (under a year and under 22 lbs. or so) I do love my batik ring sling (by Breast Dressed- made right here in Fairbanks) for popping baby in and out easily and for discreet nursing.  It has a comfy shoulder pad, but an unpadded body and free flowing tail for coverage for a sleeping or nursing baby.  It is cool and breathable even on the sunny beaches of Hawaii, and can be worn under a parka while doing errands in frigid Alaskan winters.

www.mamatoto.org
www.storchenwiege.com
www.ergobabycarrier.com

Our local birth center, including photos of the birthing rooms and tubs

www.akbirthcenter.org

Read about why organic fabrics matter (organic trade association)

www.ota.com

Cloth diaper info and product reviews, advice and troubleshooting

www.diaperpin.com

Interesting articles on natural parenting, breastfeeding, and more

www.mothering.com

Breastfeeding support and information

www.laleche.org