Mailbox Mondays 11/29/10 Nighttime cloth undies for big kids / Special needs Diapers

 

It's Monday, so today I will answer user submitted questions!  If you have a question, email maria at change-diapers.com and put "Mailbox Mondays" in the subject.  Questions don't have to be about cloth, as long as you're nice.  (e.g. don't ask me why I'm so dumb or why my nose is so big!)

Carrie says:

Hi Maria!

I have a question for you about older kids. I have an almost-4-year-old who is potty-trained, but still has occasional accidents at night. We limit the drinks before bedtime and make sure he goes to the bathroom one more time before getting in bed, but still there are accidents. I know all the disposable diaper companies make nighttime "underwear" for big kids, but I was wondering if you could recommend any cloth versions. I didn't start cloth diapering until my third who is 12-months-old now so I don't really know what to do about big kids.

Thanks!

Carrie

Good question Carrie!  Though I'm not there yet myself, I've been keeping a look out for these.  It doesn't sound like you really need the absorbency (or want the look) of a diaper.  For those who do, Fuzzibunz mediums are huge, so I don't doubt for a second that their larges will fit a 45 pound child, as they estimate!  They also sell an extra-large, to fit children over 45 pounds.  They seem to be harder to find though.  I believe they may actually be made to order.

Mother-Ease has some specialty products that include training pants for kids up to 60 pounds (the largest size holds only 6 ounces, so not diaper absorbency.  Their bedwetter pants fit up to 65 pounds, and hold 21 ounces!

Bumbledoo sells cloth training pants that look more like undies, can be ordered in custom sizes, and are quite absorbent.

Super Undies makes night time undies look like underwear, are quite absorbent, and can be used with step-up inserts for extra absorbency.  These look best to me for a big kid!

Happy Heinys sells Pocket Trainers that come in larger sizes (up to XL/55+ lbs) and of course, are stuffable to customize absorbency.  Snap-EZ has a pocket trainer too, but they are going out of business!

I haven't personally tried any of these, since my son isn't quite there yet, but they are what I've found and been interested in thus far.

Hannah says:

Hi Maria,

I'm using cloth diapers for my special needs little brother. Due to some medical issues, he is really susceptible to diaper rashes and when he does get a rash it means his entire diaper area is fiery red, raw and bleeding. I'm also thinking that some pull-ups we used during a recent hospital stay may have helped to cause the rash.

I'm wondering if you have any suggestions for diaper rash creams that would be strong enough to actually do something to help heal his bottom and keep the rash away.

My second question, in your cloth diaper search, have you come across diapers for Special Needs kiddos other than the two big diaper companies, FuzziBunz and Happy Heinys? I'm always interested in finding more companies that support cloth diapering for Special Needs children.

Thanks!
Hannah

Well, I actually got this submission after I had typed the answer to the first one, and had it ready to publish.  Since I found myself wandering from night time potty training to special needs kids, I thought I may as well combine them! 

Hannah, I am thinking the mother-ease "bedwetter" pants or even the super undies with some additional inserts would be nice.  I will definitely be keeping my eye out for others!

You can use any diaper rash cream as long as you use a fleece liner to protect the cloth diaper.  I had great luck with Boudreaux Butt Paste when my daughter was little, and I have heard many, many Moms say that Triple Paste is excellent for the really bad rashes.  Luckily, my son has a little redness from a dirty diaper at the worst, and a little Grandma El's or EMAB bottom balm clears it right up.  His rashes from disposables never actually bled, but they sure were close.  I'm not sure Grandma El's or EMAB would work for a  bad rash, but once you get it cleared up, a thin, preventative layer at each change would likely work wonders.

Sorry I wasn't more help, I will definitely be on the lookout for any larger, absorbent diapers!

How about you, readers?  Have you found a night-time trainer that you love?  Anyone found great special needs diapers?  Have you ever battled bath rash with cloth?  What worked for you?

Bumbledoo Training Pants Review & $10 Gift Certificate Giveaway (CLOSED 10/20)

While my daughter was interested in the potty at 16 months, my son is definitely not!  Even so, I'm interested in training pants, and I know lots of you are too!  Bumbledoo sent me a pair of teeny tiny adorable Bumble Training Pants. 

From Bumbledoo:

Size Chart for Reference:

Approx Weight Waist Thigh(inches/cm) Rise(inches/cm)
Size 1 18 – 22lbs. 16in / 40 cm 12 in / 30.5 cm 15 in / 38 cm
Size 2 22 – 26lbs. 18 in / 45.5 cm 13 in / 33 cm 16 in / 40 cm
Size 3 26 – 30 lbs. 20 in / 50.5 cm 14 in / 35.5 cm 17 in / 43 cm
Size 4 30 – 34 lbs. 22 in / 56 cm 15 in / 38 cm 18 in / 45.5 cm
Size 5 34 – 38 lbs. 24 in / 61 cm 16 in / 40 cm 19 in / 48 cm
Size 6 and up are custom orders. Please email with measurements.

They have a PUL outer to contain mess and come in side snapping (what I received), adjustable snap, stuffable and pull up styles.  I received the size 1.

The trainers have a suedecloth inner and a soaker made of 4 layers of zorb.



Above  is the trainer measured folded and stretched.  It seems "smaller" than the diapers my son is wearing, but really, it just has more of an underwear style cut.

Trainer vs Medium O/S Diapers

I had intended to just try the trainer on him for now, but with all the absorbency, I ended up using as a diaper (I just checked it a little early, just in case!)  It was nice because it was super easy to put on him.




In these photos he is about 18.5 pounds, 30" at 16 months old.  It fit him well and he definitely has lots of room to grow into it too!

Bumbledoo also makes (deep breath!): bumble all-in-two diapers, prefolds, diaper covers, pocket diapers, swim diapers, burp cloth prefolds (I love these!), inserts, wipes, organizers, booties (oh I wish I had a little girl to put those on!!) toddler aprons, mama cloth, nursing covers, nursing pads and offers diaper repair and embroidery.  Whew.  I'm wondering if there is anything she doesn't do!

Giveaway: Bumbledoo is offering a blog reader $10 towards anything in the Bumbledoo Web Store  OR Bumbledoo's Etsy Shop.  Yes, the trainers are handmade by WAHM Malia!  Very hard to believe based on the quality and craftsmanship, but it's true!


Here's how to enter: All entries go in the form below.  I'd love for you to leave a comment, either about Bumbledoo, or just to remind yourself that you entered.  Keep in mind that entries left in the comments won't count.  Mandatory entries include name, email address and your favorite Bumbledoo Item on Etsy OR the web store.   You may "like" Bumbledoo on Facebook for a bonus entry.  This post will be updated daily (or so) with the # of entries received, for those of you who like to know your odds.


I will accept entries until Wednesday, October 20th 2010 at 9 P.M. Eastern.  I will select a winner using random.org's true random number generator and notify him/her by email.  Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen.  View my giveaway rules page for complete details.  This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

Entries as of October 20th, 2010 at 9:00 P.M.: 146

FTC Compliance: I received a pair of trainers at no cost for review purposes.  I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are my own.

Time to give the Blueberry another look-see

I've been working on my wish list, not because I think I will get any of it, but because it is fun to window shop and to dream!

In looking, I've been delving deeper into different websites and darned if I didn't find excellent info on the Blueberry diaper insert! 

Isn't their logo cute?

Looks pretty easy, though I will have to look more closely at the illustrations with the insert in my hands, when I am a little more awake!

I also learned that I was supposed to wash and dry the insert 3-4 times separately.  Oopsie.  I was just washing it over & over.  Also discovered that the microfiber portion is to face the baby.

They sell the doublers & inserts separately as well.  I'm thinking one of these might be the ticket to make the Cooshie Tooshie pocket I have work for us.

They also make swaddlebees.  Another adorable logo!

Look, the cute wittle bee is wearing a wee little diaper!  I'm a total sucker for cute-ness.

To be honest, I'm not really sure what the difference between the Swaddlebees Econappi and the standard Blueberry Deluxe diapers are, though Blueberry has a LOT more to choose from (ok I see Blueberry referred to as the "fashion forward" line of Swaddlebees.  Darn, my stupid champagne tastes & beer budget even follow me into the diapering world!)  Swadlebees also has fitted diapers and prefolds, wool diaper covers and wraps among other covers and accessories.  So, a little somethin' somethin' for everyone.

They have adorable little training pants too.

(Squee!  Seriously, how cute are those?!) They look & feel like undies, but have a bit of absorbency.  Way better than disposable trainers, which are really just pull up diapers in my opinion.  Ok subject change, need to stop thinking about having to potty train a boy!

They also sell mama cloth including a stay dry type.  I never, ever in a million years thought I would even consider using that sort of product but, well, the more I learn about it the more interested I am.

This is a good read.  It explains a lot about what Blueberry diapers are made with and why they cost a little more.   I am really glad to know this is a Mommy made company!

I have to say, I have been writing to several companies to ask permission to use their images in my blog for my upcoming "wish list" post, and I have been very impressed with the customer service received from all, Blueberry included!

Images used with permission!.