We’ve received more than 50 responses. And what are the experts saying?

• More than half of the respondents recommend adding extra inserts or doublers to increase absorbency for those (hopefully) long nights.
• More than half of our respondents were using fitteds, prefolds, or flats with covers - mostly wool covers, though occasionally fleece covers (or pajama bottoms).  Those who praised wool covers cited the breathability of wool in particular as being useful for keeping a baby’s bottom healthy overnight.
• Many experts are using pocket diapers since they are easily stuffable to add absorbency, and have a built-in stay-dry layer next to the baby’s bottom.
• Hemp diapers and inserts get a lot of recommendations for their extreme absorbency.  (Bamboo got a number votes for this characteristic as well.)
• Some other common tips include paying close attention to a good fit, particularly around the legs, and adding fleece liners on top of fitteds or prefolds so babies feel comfortably dry at night.

I really liked the bits of encouragement that some participants included, so I will include them here for your enjoyment:

“Keep at it.  There is a solution out there for everyone.” - Danielle

“Don’t give up!  I struggled off and on to keep my sheets dry while co-sleeping with my CD’ed [cloth-diapered] son…  The nice thing about cloth diapers is that there are tons of used ones out there, so you can find what works and not spend a fortune.  Then you can turn around and sell your stash to another CD’ing [cloth diapering] family!” - Wendy

And my personal favorite quote (and this was NOT a paid advertisement):

“And it’s always a good idea to get connected in your local Real Diaper Circle - it’s awesome to have support and lots of great advice.” - Jamie

A BIG THANK YOU to all who have participated so far!  We will soon be compiling the advice to provide to parents and caregivers who need support, and the quality of our materials depends on your help!

Do you have ideas?  If you haven’t done so already, post your tips for using cloth diapers at night here.

First, if you haven’t already seen the movie, go see it now - it’s only 20 minutes long, but it’s pretty powerful.  (While you’re watching, think about diapers, then come back.)

In her talk, Annie Leonard said that there are a lot of great organizations out there doing work to improve the quality (health and safety) of what we consume, but very few of them which focus on reducing the overall quantity of what we consume - and that is absolutely critical.  Here’s some good news - the Real Diaper Association (RDA) does both!  By advocating for reusable cloth diapers, we help people choose better quality diapers (for babies and for the planet) AND use a lot fewer total diapers (which can be reused hundreds of times on multiple babies).

Annie Leonard went on to emphasize that the current materials economy doesn’t make people happy, and that studies show that the top things that make people happy are:
- quality of social relations
- coming together with others toward shared goals
- working for something bigger

In light of this, the structures at the core of RDA, our grassroots Circles, are perfect.  It actually makes people happy to participate in a Real Diaper Circle and work together to help parents and caregivers find and use cloth diapers.

Environmental funders were listening to this advice.  Now it’s time for us to show them how well RDA is prepared to succeed with our mission.  We have a clear and important message and a huge audience still to reach.  We have a stable, viable organizational structure and active, dedicated volunteers.  In order to continue and expand our work, we need funding.

• We have over a hundred volunteers in training to create Circles around the U.S. and Canada.  We need help guiding them through the training process and helping them create Circles to advocate locally for cloth diapers.
• We need to update and expand our compilation and analysis of diaper research to keep our often-referenced Diaper Facts current.
• We need to continue our outreach campaigns, such as the I Support 100% Reusable Cloth Diapers for All Babies campaign, which is compiling comprehensive advice on overcoming obstacles to using cloth diapers for distribution to parents and caregivers, and the Cloth Diapers in Daycare project, which we are conducting with the Real Diaper Industry Association to facilitate the use of cloth diapers in daycare.

These are just some of the reasons why we named fundraising one of RDA’s major goals for 2010.  We’re looking for active Board members with experience with fundraising and /or research to help us.  We’re also looking for someone to help with training volunteers to create Real Diaper Circles and to then help accredited Circles succeed with local advocacy - and our hope is to define this role clearly enough to obtain the funding to turn this position into a paid one.  Are we looking for you?  Can you help?  Will you?

Heather McNamara

Executive Director, Real Diaper Association

A couple of months ago in our weekly Monday night cloth diapers Twitter chat, a person called @MrMikeSings appeared, talking enthusiastically about the cloth diapers that he uses on his child. In the six months or so that I’ve been attending these chats, I have seen VERY FEW men participate, so, even though these chats sometimes happen at warp speed, I took note and began chatting with him. (Frankly, he was probably overwhelmed at the welcome since I was not the only person there wooed by his male presence.)

As it turns out, Mr. Mike is originally just Mike, but picked up the title after working as an early childhood educator. His background in guitar and songwriting combined with that experience and led him to record and release a kids’ CD, which led him into the Twitter universe to talk with parents like him who might have children like his who might want to hear his CD. And there our worlds collided.

Someone suggested that Mike write a song about cloth diapers.  After a little research about why people choose cloth diapers, he worked up a lyric and some music, and VOILA - “I Use Cloth” was born!

“I love the idea of this song because I feel like it hits on the reasons why people use cloth, some of the feelings behind the cloth diapering movement, and a few inside jokes while, at the same time, appealing to folks looking for a cute, upbeat, catchy song.” - Mr. Mike

With a new anthem, cloth diapering is set to storm the planet!  Thanks, Mr. Mike!

First, RDA decided 13 months ago that it was time to hire an Executive Director, which they did in February 2009 (me!). We also added one new director, Angela Imes, who is now Treasurer. Angela is a CPA as well as the Plano Area Real Diaper Circle Leader.

Last year at our annual meeting, we set three major goals, all of which we met.

1) Welcome Member Packets were scaled back because of expenses, but we are sending out an RDA calendar magnet to all new and renewing donors. This is ongoing.

2) Leader Support Packets were created and distributed to all existing and new leaders. They include a Circle Leader Handbook, a CD of electronic support documents, and the Consider Cloth demo kit donated by RDIA.  We will continue to send these to Leaders as they’re accredited in 2010.

3) Collaboration with Real Diaper Industry Association on Daycare issues is in process. Our project plan was created and approved by both boards. We have compiled and published a tip sheet for using cloth diapers in daycare, and are currently working on a directory of cloth diaper friendly daycare facilities. More information on the cloth diapers in daycare project can be found here.

We’ve also made progress on a number of ongoing projects.

• We have accredited 6 new Diaper Circle Leaders (Angela Domenichelli of the Waldo County Real Diaper Circle, Elizabeth Wickoren of the Real Diaper Circle of the Twin Cities, Angela in Plano, Katrina Pavlik of the Chicago Area Real Diaper Circle, Michelle Rivenburg of the Central Jersey Real Diaper Circle, and Marissa Evans of the Emerald Coast Real Diaper Circle).  We implemented a new tracking system for the training of Leader volunteers, and hope to see a good number of the 80 more Leader volunteers accredited in 2010.
• We conducted our first photo contest and created a calendar from the photos as a fundraiser.  We hope to use what we learned to make these efforts even more successful in 2010.
• We prepared and started a campaign to support 100% reusable cloth diapers.

We also improved the general well-being of the organization in several important ways.  We conducted an overall organizational health inventory which helped us define plans to improve some of our governance processes.  We got our print and e-newsletters back into production to better communicate with our members and constituents, and we’ve become more active via social media.

I’m proud of us!  Thanks for letting me brag!

Heather McNamara

Executive Director, Real Diaper Association

We are concerned about the waste created by disposable products, no matter whether that waste is sent to a landfill for 1000 years, flushed and disposed of through wastewater treatment, or composted and disposed of as yard waste. Reusable products do not create waste.

We know a lot of our donors and volunteers work hard to find ways to keep babies in 100% reusable cloth diapers all of the time, and we want to recognize you.  We also want to use your expertise to create support materials to help you in continuing your advocacy and support work.

Announcing the 100% Reusable Cloth Diapers Campaign

The Real Diaper Association announces the 100% Reusable Cloth Diapers Campaign to help parents choose reusable cloth diapers every time, all the time. For the next year we will ask the experts for advice on overcoming any difficulties cloth diapering parents may face.  Then we will compile that advice and provide it to parents and caregivers who need support.

Who are the experts? They are experienced cloth diapering parents willing to share what they know with new parents, health care providers, and others.

You are the experts! Parents who find 100% reusable solutions in every cloth diapering situation have valuable tips and techniques to share with those who are struggling to succeed.

Yes, You Can Participate!

Spread your knowledge and experience face-to-face in Real Diaper Circles, with friends and family, or online. Help parents and caregivers overcome obstacles to using 100% reusable cloth diapers.  Every few months we’ll focus on a different major obstacle, so stay up-to-date via this blog to continue your support for our year-long campaign.

Are you using 100% reusable cloth diapers on your baby all night?

The first area we’re focusing on is nighttime cloth diapering.  RDA is looking for your tips to succeeding with 100% reusable cloth diapers all night. Tell us what works for you with nighttime diapering. As a thank you, you can download the RDA All Night Badge! We will compile your answers into a tip sheet for parents new to or struggling with nighttime cloth diapering.

Do you support 100% reusable cloth diapers in other ways?

RDA wants to hear how you support parents and caregivers in using 100% reusable cloth diapers. Are you an advocate? A business owner? A blogger? Tell us what you’re doing to help parents choose 100% reusable cloth diapers every time. We have a badge for you, too! Get your own RDA 100% Support Badge.

Read more about the campaign and get your support badges now.

I’ll allow Marissa to introduce herself:

“Marissa is a stay at home mommy to Hudson and loving wife to an Air Force man! She has a passion for the environment and the art of living simply, naturally and consciously. She is the owner of Growing Green Bums, a natural parenting store. She loves organic/whole food eats, nature, gardening and living “green”!”

After switching to cloth diapers when her son was 4 months old to continue her quest to reduce his exposure to toxic chemicals, Marissa wanted to help others find their way through the online cloth diaper marketplace to benefit their babies as well.  Marissa has been holding classes at a local hospital and a health food store to spread the word in her community about the ease and benefits of cloth diapering.  She loves working with new moms and families and is excited to provide an outlet where parents can come to support one another.

I “met” Marissa this summer on Monday night’s #clothdiapers Twitter chat.  I still see her there every week where she is always quick to try to help parents with their cloth diapering challenges.  She is friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful, and the Emerald Coast community will greatly benefit from her efforts.

The first meeting of the Emerald Coast Real Diaper Circle will be in March at the Pensacola Ever’Man’s Natural Food Coop.  Get immediate online support and find out about upcoming activities by joining the online group.

Heather McNamara

Executive Director, Real Diaper Association

Find a local Real Diaper Circle.

Having said that, I haven’t used daycare for my children, so when it came time to put together recommendations for the many parents who contact us about information to use in daycare selection conversations, the best sources were the moms who had done it. The Real Diaper Association (RDA) conducted a survey on the use of cloth diapers in daycare facilities. We received over 250 detailed responses. The responders were largely parents who had talked with daycare providers about their willingness to use cloth diapers on their children while caring for them. We culled the best advice they had, and came up with this tip sheet for using reusable cloth diapers in daycare.

The tip sheet includes practical advice about finding a daycare provider and talking with them about your diapers, and specific options you could consider to make it work for both of you.  It also has links for parents to inform themselves about state daycare regulations and about proper sanitation practices for changing diapers in a daycare facility.

This tip sheet represents the first step in a joint project by volunteers from RDA and RDIA (Real Diaper Industry Association).   Follow ongoing efforts to facilitate the use of cloth diapers in daycare at the RDA website or on this blog.  Many thanks go to Ann Maclean, Northern Virginia Real Diaper Circle Leader, and RDA volunteers Angie Gregory and Ada Vaughan for all the work they did in putting it together.

It took us two days of travel on either end. Ride to airport, flight from NY to Miami, flight from NY to Panama City, taxi to hotel. The next day (after a brief anticlimactic visit to the Panama Canal), we took another taxi to a different airport, a prop plane to Bocas town, a taxi across the island, and a boat to Popa. And reverse that for the way back (minus a second trip to the Canal, but adding in an unplanned - and unexplained - stop on the prop plane back to Panama City). With a 3-year-old and a 15-month-old. Yikes! I put together a bag of diapers for each day of travel, packing the second one in our checked luggage each time, so I only had a half dozen diapers to carry on. A friend made me a tiny wetbag in which I stored wet washcloths (which were handy for more than diaper changing). Keeping the kids happy and entertained while traveling was FAR harder than cloth diapering!

We had a FANTASTIC vacation, but I definitely could have done a few thing differently with the diapers if I had it to do over again. What were the biggest obstacles?

1. I forgot to bring my laundry detergent. Duhhh… The few times we’ve deviated on detergent caused problems in the past - and this was no exception. The little guy developed a light rash which wasn’t helped by…

2. I only had a couple of samples of diaper rash ointment with me as we rarely have to deal with rashes and I had just thrown them in the bag “in case”. Speaking of ointment, I also didn’t have diaper liners with me, which I normally use with the ointment, which became a problem because…

3. The washing machine was awful - even when it was “working”, which was intermittent. This was a particular problem since I couldn’t do much rinsing prior to washing in the low-flow toilets (boy, did I miss my diaper sprayer!). The diapers still smelled a little after washing, but water is from a catchment system on the island so I didn’t feel right about running the load through multiple times (nor was it easy to hike to the back of the property to reach the laundry to begin with). Normally, this is something a little sunning could do wonders for, but, alas, in a rainforest, sun alternates with rain so frequently that you can’t really do much line drying (though I did try one cloudless day).

Diapers drying in the Panama Rainforest

4. The dryer was also miserable, and the constant high level of humidity didn’t help. I realized shortly that “wet” and “dry” are relative terms. After the diapers came out of the dryer, they were “less wet” than when they came out of the washer, so they counted as “dry”. This constant state of wetness probably contributed to the rash mentioned in #1 and the smelliness in #3 above. (Though I must honestly note that the diapers were MUCH softer than when I air dry them in San Diego…)

Numbers 3 and 4 could probably have been alleviated with the use of flats which would have been easier to wash and dry quickly (why did I never act on that idea!?!). I had the most problems cleaning and drying the nighttime fitted diapers, so phased those out in lieu of two prefolds. (Turns out I liked the trimness and functionality of that system so much that I haven’t gone back to the fitteds and will be selling them off as soon as I get home - proving again that even an experienced cloth diaperer is always changing her routine.)

5. The last problem was definitely due to lack of foresight. I only had two medium-size wetbags with me - and no diaper pail! So the wetbags were it. They would have to hold two full days’ diapers in them so you had to really jam them in there. Of course, that made them wick and smell a little (I also forgot my handy tea tree oil!!). I should definitely have brought at least one all-day size wetbag.

I tried to talked to some local moms about diapering (their word for diapers - even the kind they washed - was “pampers” - sad, eh?). The Panamanians mostly used disposables, though they were really interested when they saw my pockets. However, the Ngobe women (the local indigenous people) mostly washed and reused their diapers (flats). I saw one of their washing stations and it was literally a rock in a creek with some string hung overhead between trees. It made me feel a little ridiculous for missing my diaper sprayer.

Fortunately, the little guy’s butt never got too bad and healed quickly upon our return. The diapers were cured with a single wash in my parents’ awesome washing machine with some good laundry detergent. So, all in all, a success! With a little more foresight and planning, I could have avoided all the problems I ran into. However, it proved that cloth diapering is possible even when it’s not perfect, which is something worth remembering.

Heather McNamara

RDA Calendar Magnet for members

*while supplies last

At the beginning of our class, each person talked about their organization and their volunteers. I told the class about Real Diaper Association’s Real Diaper Circle Leaders. The virtual coordination of volunteers gave an interesting contrast to most of those in the class who are coordinating volunteers in person for delivery of social services. Plus, I’m really proud of the program we’ve created, so I like to tell people about it.

During lunch, Erin and I were meant to work on the website for our organization. As we looked at how different websites manage volunteers, Erin told me, “I need to talk to you about diapers when we’re done.”

Doesn’t this happen to you, too? It always comes up in conversation if the conversation goes on long enough. Someone is bound to ask “What else do you do?” and there they find cloth diapers.

“Let’s talk now.” We dropped websites completely. Wouldn’t you?

Erin hasn’t used cloth diapers before, but she is completely committed to using them for her new baby. She wanted a low-cost, low-impact diaper that she could wash successfully in her top-load washer.

After we talked through some of the possibilities, I suddenly realized I was sitting in my class on nonprofit volunteers demonstrating what RDA volunteers do.

“You wanted to know what my volunteers do? This is exactly what Real Diaper Circle Leaders do. They meet face to face with parents to talk through cloth diapering possibilities.”

As the President of Real Diaper Association I don’t spend much time in face-to-face demonstrations, but I really appreciated the opportunity to walk in the shoes of our volunteers this week. Having this experience as I was considering how best to coordinate volunteers has helped me to be clear about the real needs of RDA volunteers.

Lori Taylor
President
Real Diaper Association