Jump to content



0

Baby Carriers, Slings, and Cloth Diapering


18 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_musaafirah_*

Guest_musaafirah_*
  • Guests

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 01 June 2009 - 09:59 PM

Asalaamu Alaykum,

I am trying to take my mind off things and relax by enjoying some nice online window-shopping, and wishlist making for the baby inshaallah. So I do have some questions though.

In terms of slings/carriers, what do you find to be the best? I was looking at some of the sling-style and also at the moby.

On the subject of cloth diapers, I really want to use cloth diapers however I need to know what are the best, most leakproof, tried and true brands? I am in the US, by the way, Also, how much of everything do you need and is there a way any sister could list the different components I will need. And sizes? How do I manage that, do I need to buy a batch in each size? Very confused on this subject.

Thanks in advance,
A'ishah

#2 KateRoberts

KateRoberts

    Our Sister

  • Members
  • 149 posts
  • Location:USA

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 01 June 2009 - 10:29 PM

I too was thinking of getting the Moby carrier, and would love to hear what others thought about it.

I will def use disposable diapers with twins!

salam,
KR

#3 verse

verse

    Our Sister

  • Members
  • 2,115 posts

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 01 June 2009 - 11:54 PM

Asalaamu'Alaykum,

The Moby Wrap is wonderful! I don't know if you'd wear it in public, but if you do it would look like another piece of clothing (and I know you wear niqab but it is possible to babywear and be modest, believe me biggrin.gif ). It is so easy to walk around and BF at the same time with the Moby, once the child is a bit older (2 months + for handsfree bf'ing).

I have/had a moby-style wrap, a mei tai (Babyhawk), a Baba sling, a conventional baby bjorn style, a Gypsy mama wrap, an Indonesian selendang and a ring sling. Personally, it depends on what age the baby is at. I prefered the moby-style until he hit 8 kgs, then I really liked the Babyhawk, and now I like the ring sling because he's on my hip, happy to look out and it doesn't interfere with my hijab. The ring sling is not so great after a couple of hours though. The biggest bonus of the ring sling is that my husband will use because it's not "strappy" and "feminine" like the other carriers rolleyes.gif  laugh.gif

As for cloth diapers, I have used a lot of different brands and type. But in the end, I soooo prefer BumGenius. Yes, they are a bit pricier than the rest, but: they are one-size so you only have to buy them once rather than buying again and again when your child grows; pocket style so they dry pretty quickly; excellent for containing breastfed poo; suitable for overnights; and come in pretty cute colours. I do not recommend All-in-ones or fitteds, because of the drying time, although they are convenient because they don't need to be stuffed like pockets.

In a nutshell: I recommend one size pockets and more specifically, Bumgenius biggrin.gif

#4 Guest_musaafirah_*

Guest_musaafirah_*
  • Guests

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 02 June 2009 - 01:04 AM

Asalaamu Alaykum,

Sis Verse, I was hoping you'd reply wink.gif. I'm glad to hear that about the Moby, especially as its pretty affordable around these parts. I'm curious as to how you'd wear it outside with niqaab though without drawing attention to your bosom? I did think about it and how one would manage but I noticed the images I've seen of it were not too modest. Regardless, I spend the majority of my time in the house and I want a way for the baby to stay close to me and still be able to use my hands for chores (plus, although back in the old country we generally just use a sheet and tie the baby to us, I don't want to risk the safety of my child on my knot-tying skills rolleyes.gif laugh.gif).

I have had my eye on the Bumgenius so its good to hear a review from someone with experience with it. It is what I was leaning toward but due to not having heard any first-hand experience, I could not yet bring myself to shell out the cash for the big package. But your positive review is very reassuring. So if you buy this style you just need to buy the diapers and the inserts, right? And how many do you think one would need? I saw on the selling websites most of them said about 24?

#5 verse

verse

    Our Sister

  • Members
  • 2,115 posts

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 02 June 2009 - 01:27 AM

Asalaamu'Alaykum,

24 is about standard, and from my experience with Bumgenius you always get the inserts with it, although you should probably buy extra for nighttimes.

What I do when I babywear on the front is strap the baby on underneath my hijab (i wear those big slip on ones that come down past the bottom), then I take up my hijab so the baby is not covered and slip in in between my self and the baby, draping it so it's not tight, but in any case the baby's head covers all that area and the back looks as normal. It really depends on what kind of hijab you wear, I wouldn't be so confident babywearing with the smaller types.

#6 Guest_musaafirah_*

Guest_musaafirah_*
  • Guests

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 02 June 2009 - 04:42 PM

Asalaamu Alaykum,

I've been wearing those long khimar hijabs since I got pregnant since the big shayla's just didn't hide my growing body like they used to, and I figure I will prob continue wearing them for a while since they seem like they are easier to breastfeed in, so the way you described should work. Inshaallah, I will have to evaluate when I try on the wrap over my clothes and see how it fits on my figure.

Ok, so I am decided inshaallah to buy the deluxe package of BumGenius One-Size, which contains 12 I believe as they look and sound excellent. Are there any other types or brands you'd recommend one to have in their stash? I still need to fill up another 12  and I'm not sure if I should have a little variety? Also, do you find these handy for going out or is there another type that I should get a couple of just for the times we are out? Or is it better to just use disposables if I am going out?

At the newborn stage, I understand from some that most cloth nappies won't fit a newborn, so most use disposables for the first week or two. Would you recommend this or is there a way to use cloth diapers that early? Also, do you find that they are able to contain that lovely explosive breastfed newborn poo laugh.gif?

Sorry if I am asking too  many questions wink.gif.

#7 verse

verse

    Our Sister

  • Members
  • 2,115 posts

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 02 June 2009 - 11:29 PM

Asalaamu'Alaykum,

Ah sorry - forgot to mention the disposable issue!  What I found easiest was using disposables when we went out and definitely not for the first month or so, I couldn't handle the extra laundry whilst recovering from birth (and it's not hard to wash or anything, I just didn't want to deal with more than I absolutely had to). I was up changing nappies every 1-2 hours during the first four weeks and my cloth stash would have dwindled very quickly since I was too sore and "out of it" to do extra laundry.

When I was more in a routine I found myself starting to use the cloth more and more until I was using it pretty much all the time except when a) it had been raining and the laundry wasn't moving along, cool.gif we went out, c) nighttime at my husband insistence since he did not believe a cloth nappy would hold (since then he has discovered otherwise tongue.gif), d) now that I'm pregnant masha'Allah and sensitive to the smell of good food let alone used nappies!

I've heard a couple of people complaining that BGs don't fit a newborn that well, because of the runny poo/skinny leg issue. It depends on your babies birth weight, may Allah make him nice and healthy wink.gif But in general I would recommend you use disposables until you feel nice and settled in to your routine with your baby insha'Allah, and he's fattened up a little so the runny breastfed poo doesn't leak - that turns people off cloth diapering quick!

As for other brands, a lot of people like Fuzzi Bunz which I've yet to try, I noticed they now have a one-size pocket but I haven't looked in to it. They are sized though. Another nappy I really liked was the Haute Pocket which I have a couple of, very similar to the BG but the sizing is off, my son is almost too big, when he should have at least a couple of kilos until he grows out of them. Baby BeeHinds are a one size pocket and I've noticed a lot of people raving about them, but they take longer to dry, although they are very absorbent (keep in mind I'm talking about line-drying). Yo would need to purchase a couple of covers if you wanted to get some fitteds though.

#8 Umm_Su

Umm_Su

    Our Sister

  • Members
  • 331 posts

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 03 June 2009 - 04:25 AM

salaam alaykum. i am also interested in cloth diapering also. Even though it seems like a lot of work. I was just wondering what brands are good here in Canada. I am Toronto. Anyone have idea please share.

thank you

#9 Guest_musaafirah_*

Guest_musaafirah_*
  • Guests

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 03 June 2009 - 10:31 PM

Asalaamu Alaykum,

Jazakhiallahu khayr for all the help, ukhti. I've spent the last couple days going to sites, filling up baskets, and trying to get an idea of what I want to buy so I have a pretty good list now, I think. I think I will try and do cloth diapering from birth inshaallah (however, I still have time to change my mind at the moment!) and I tried too make that a factor in the things I picked. Of course, I have no idea what the size of the baby will be when its born, however I do believe the chance is that it will be smaller, even if I make it to full-term (inshaallah) based on my size, weight gain, and his size (alhamdulilah he is normal sized though, he is not measuring behind or anything) so far. I don't know about going out though because my dh has a really weird idea of what cloth diapers are (I'm pretty sure he still has an image of a white cloth fastened with a clothespin, uncovered and soaking through LOL) and thinks I should use disposable when going out (not that I go out much at all anyway LOL, I'm pretty much a homebody), however, I'm not sure if its necessary to do so or if cloth diapers are really too difficult and messy to do when on outings... But then, I figure I don't go out much, the occasional date night with dh and other than that, when I'm not on bedrest I only really would go to my sil and bil's house and stay there for the day, my parent's place (once per month), the masjid, and/or a restaurant or the mall if I am dragged there with people. Anyway, either way, he'll be supportive (because its saving him money, after all wink.gif ) so its really down to my decision and capabilities inshaallah.

So any other basics or accessories you'd recommend or anything on the list you think is unnecessary? My list, as of now, looks like this:

-12 pack BumGenius 3.0 One Size Pocket Diapers w/inserts (in a variety of cute colors of course laugh.gif)
- 6 pack Kissaluvs Size 0 Fitteds (heard these were quite good were containing newborn poo?)
- 10 pack Indian Unbleached Prefolds
- Pack Diaper doublers/newborn inserts (do I need these extra?)
- Cloth baby wipes by both Kissaluvs and BumGenius brands (is this worth it? Or should I just buy store wipes? I figured if I use these and keep a little squirt/spray bottle of a homemade solution (water and a soothing, good-smelling, hypoallergenic oil) I would be able to clean him better with that better than with baby wipes which tend to smear stuff around).
- Pack Boosters (not sure exactly what these are for but seemed important? oh yeah, I'm a real responsible buyer here smile.gif )
- 6 Covers (a Bummis Whisper Wrap, a Super Brite Bummis cover, 2 ex small thirsties covers, 2 Prorap covers)
- A Sposoeasy AIO (to test out)
- 3 snappis fasteners
- A wet bag (to store used diapers in and put in my diaper bag, if I use cloth diapers when going out)
- Some orange deoderent disks for the diaper pail (which I will buy at wal-mart here I suppose as the cloth diapering stores seem to overcharge online)

Edited to add: Oh, just remembered, there was also a wool cover (by Imse Vimse) on my list.

Edited by musaafirah, 03 June 2009 - 11:14 PM.


#10 naimash

naimash

    Our Sister

  • Members
  • 475 posts

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 04 June 2009 - 09:14 PM

Asssalamu Alakum.

The Bgenius looks interesting, but the washing instructions are abit difficult?. How do you wash them verse? and wooh musafirah is that list a must for cloth diapering? if thats the case then bye bye to the idea!.

#11 mariemuad

mariemuad

    Administrator

  • Site Admin
  • 7,699 posts
  • Location:UK

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 05 June 2009 - 03:49 AM

Assalamu alaikum,

With my first three, I was using cloth diapers and I can tell you that it has changed heaps since that time. I used then muslin squares with some plastic shaped in two connected triangle. In a way, I think those were quite good, especially at drying time and even at holding everything.

I used to go out using cloth diapers. It is not a problem in itself, especially with the one you have now. However, you have to consider the following points:

1. It is much bulkier than disposable nappies, i.e. the bag will look just bigger

2. It is smelly if you have to change the nappy, especially once the child starts eating.

As for the size of the baby, how tall is your husband? The size of the baby doesn't depend just on your size but it depends on your husband's size too. It is not uncommon for small women to have big babies.

As for cloth nappies being good for newborns, I suppose it depends on the quality of them and on your child. Even with disposable nappies, you will have leaks and some makes are better than others and this depends from child to child. While a sister might find Huggies good for her newborn, another sister would find it the worst brand for her newborn. Some non-brand nappies are just nearly as good as the brand ones, especially for newborns as you don't look so much at absorbency. While in the UK, I found Superdrug good and cheap (and I preferred their wipes too).

Umm Hanifa

#12 Najjouha

Najjouha

    Our Sister

  • Members
  • 1,552 posts

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 06 June 2009 - 09:32 PM

asslamau alaykum, good advice as ever mariemuad, some mums swear by huggies.. some mums say their babies leak with them, depends on the babies wetting habits and size and shape!! i wouldnt buy such a huge amount of nappies before tyring them coz its the same with cloth nappies (and i did cloth too), what works for some doesn't for others. ayah soaked through fleece wraps when other mums thought they were great! and lots of small women have big babies, i know mine were biggish given my size.
najah

Edited by Najjouha, 06 June 2009 - 09:33 PM.


#13 lowri_mai

lowri_mai

    Our Sister

  • Members
  • 2,344 posts

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 06 June 2009 - 10:06 PM

Asalaamu Alaykum

as far as carriers go; I and many other mums I know; have found the ones based on a traditional chinese carrier called a Mei-tai; are an excellent all rounder with the best weight distribution. The best brands that are suitable from birth according to reviewers on the babywearer.com as well as anecdotal experience and my own personal experience are kozy carrier, joey mei tai (not to be confused with joeyslings in the US who make pouch type carriers) and there is one in the UK called a napsack which is supposed to be really good as well.  Avoid WAHM brands unless you can find verification they are up to scratch; and certain brands are only suitable from 6 months onwards and really designed as a back carrier; so be aware of this also. I was able to carry my youngest until he was 8 months old for up to 5 hours at a time; I have back issues and he was well above average weight and length for his age mashaAllaah. I do have back problems so any conventional carrier would start to feel like a strain very, very quickly.

SOphie

#14 Umm_Su

Umm_Su

    Our Sister

  • Members
  • 331 posts

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 07 June 2009 - 03:54 AM

salaam alaykum. are slings really necessary. I never used one before?

#15 Umm_Z

Umm_Z

    Our Sister

  • Members
  • 1,941 posts
  • Location:UK
  • Interests:<br />

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 07 June 2009 - 11:53 AM

QUOTE(Umm_Su @ Jun 7 2009, 04:54 AM)  

salaam alaykum. are slings really necessary. I never used one before?


Assalamualaikum warahmatullah

I never used one either when Z was born and didn't see it necessary, it was just us three at home so I never had massive amounts of housework etc. Most of the time I just held Z in my arms (for hours and hours subhanallah  biggrin.gif ) and if I was doing something then my hubby would hold him. We dont have a car so a pram was necessary for outside/shopping. However now with no2 on the way inshallah, Z will still be a couple of months under 3yr old inshallah, and I can see a sling coming in handy a great deal. I'd like to give the new baby just as much 'holding' time as I did with Z, and life gets pretty busy with an energetic toddler mashallah!

#16 lowri_mai

lowri_mai

    Our Sister

  • Members
  • 2,344 posts

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 08 June 2009 - 01:14 PM

Asalaamu Alaykum

my sons were all pretty hefty early on (between 50th and 98th percentile in height and weight) so holding them in my arms when they could not yet support their own body weight; was not really possible for long periods mashaAllaah. Also I live in london; where, the buses aside, the public transport is not at all stroller friendly. Most stations have huge flights of stairs; and if you are going out on your own; with no-one to help taking a stroller is totally impossible because of this. A good carrier will completely take the strain and leave your hands free for other things as well; because it holds the baby close to you; and not dangling away from you as you get with baby bjorn, tomy etc. Despite claims that carrying your baby in a sling will make them more clingy; I found personally that my son fell asleep a lot more easily and eventually I had to hold him a lot less than my elder two whom I didn't use a carrier with past the first couple of weeks. At about 6 months I was able to put him in his own cot, in the room with the boys, and he was perfectly fine. I have tried the more conventional type of carriers by big companies and my son felt as heavy at 6 weeks in those, as he did in the less conventional mei-tai carrier at 1 year, so I'd really not advise them. You will find them getting rave reviews in baby magazines but you have to bear in mind there are advertising revenues involved; the smaller individual companies making less conventional types of carrier; don't stand a chance.  Some of the less conventional carriers cost more; but are well worth it (many actually work better when worn in) and can often be sold on after use for close to the original cost.

Sophie

#17 umm_isra

umm_isra

    Our Sister

  • Members
  • 88 posts

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 22 June 2009 - 08:20 PM

asalamu alakum sister i was wondering can you nurse in a mei tai because from the pictures it doesn't look like it. What is the best wrap/sling for nursing and getting things done with toddlers....oh and i seen a video about making your own sling has anyone done this???
oh and also can these sling be only found on line? if not where in canada toronto can you get them from?

#18 umm_isra

umm_isra

    Our Sister

  • Members
  • 88 posts

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 23 June 2009 - 01:38 PM

asalamu alakum i called the peekaboo store and it was long distance for me even tho i have a 905 number too
sister where are they located?

#19 *Peace*Luvin*Hippy*

*Peace*Luvin*Hippy*

    Our Sister

  • Members
  • 494 posts

غير متواجدة

نقاط الإعجاب: 0


Posted 14 August 2009 - 09:37 PM

Asalaamu'alaikum

i liked bumgenius too, but they are a bit too pricey for me. i've just  receieved my delivery of bambino mio nappies today  biggrin.gif and i got em at a good price.
heres the website

bambino mio birth to potty pack

the birth to potty pack looks real good i got it from kiddiecare.com. if you click onto order in the premium pack bow then it willl direct you to that site and you get alot with it.

i've just got that for 199.99pounds (sorry pound simbol not workin on keyboard)
and plus dont know bout anywhere else but if your in the uk you should be able to get incentives with the nappies you buy. so once baby is born insha'Allah we should get some cashback on what we'[ve spent, which is good.

the nappies look good, now just gotta wait to try em out with baby. happy.gif






0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users