Double Strollers....

....so, never mind me, I'm just using this post to record my double stroller research.

Mama's looking for a new stroller! My requirements are that it needs to be lightweight and must be easy to push. I would also like for it not to take up my entire trunk. I do not like the traditional tandem strollers, like Graco makes - they're like driving an airplane and are a PAIN to steer. I love double jogging strollers... most are narrow enough to fit through a single doorway and they steer like a dream.... but they take up my entire trunk... IF they even fit in my trunk (we have sedans).

Currently, we have a single Maclaren Triumph stroller and LOVE it. It's an umbrella style stroller, but it steers really well, has a decent sized basket under the seat and has a canopy. It is super small, when folded up and even has a shoulder strap so that you can easily carry it, if need be (this option is awesome for Disneyland and the airport, when you have to fold up the stroller to load the tram or plane).

When Penelope was born, we had gotten the Graco Travel system. We bought a floor model at Babies'r'us, so we had gotten a great deal - and, at the time, the car seat it came with was one of the best rated infant seats on the market... so it worked very well for the newborn stage, for us. When Penny got a bit older and didn't need to be in the infant seat, we invested in our Maclaren because we wanted something a little more lightweight. We loved the Maclaren so much... and also the convertible Britax car seat we bumped her up to that we decided to completely do away with our travel system (figured that, when we had another child, we would buy a double stroller and have the newborn use a convertible Britax car seat instead of an infant seat).

....so now comes baby #2 (Due July 2012!) ... and, thus, my search for the perfect double stroller. When I first started this search, I initially gravitated to the idea of getting a double version of the stroller we already have:

The Maclaren Twin Triumph

It's a pretty straight-forward, umbrella style stroller. It folds up nice and small and steers decently. At $275.00, it's a lot more affordable than a lot of other double strollers, but is still a bit steep for an umbrella stroller. Luckily, these can be found at a lot of stores and, most importantly, in a lot of craigslist ads.

Yesterday I went to the Irvine Regional Park with some mommy friends and we decided to visit their zoo. While inside, I ran into a mother who had the most AMAZING looking stroller and I had to ask her all about it. I'm glad I wasn't the only one... right after I was done talking to her, a bunch of the other moms that I was with ended up stopping her to. What did she have? This amazing little thing:

Kinderwagon Hop

This thing is pretty neat. It's a tandem stroller, but has stadium seating, so it's not as long as traditional models... which makes it a LOT easier to steer. It folds much like an umbrella stroller and is very light weight for a double stroller (21.5 lbs!). At $299.99, it's quite the steal too.

From looking at reviews, the only drawbacks, it seems is that it doesn't have a very big storage basket and the canopy doesn't really extend far enough forward to give the front-seated child adequate sun protection.... which really aren't big problems for me.

After I found this seat, I had to dig a bit more though... and, by doing this, I came upon this marvelous looking creature:

Baby Jogger City Select Double Stroller

Can we say, "oooOOOooo"? Costing $669.94, this is probably way out of my price range... but, man.... what an awesome looking stroller! It has all of the same things that I love about the Kindweragon stroller and more! It has 16 different positions, which is awesome for being able to have it adapt to what we will need as our kids grow as well as even being able to be used as a single stroller. It doesn't fold up as small, but is still MUCH smaller than traditional double joggers. Oh yeah... it's a jogger! If I ever jogged, I could totally jog with this thing. I DID just join a stroller fitness group.

...I suppose I'm going to have to scour Craigslist double time to try and find me a used model... otherwise, I think we'll be going for one of the cheaper options listed above :P

Ok... and, though I'm not sure that I want to invest in another Graco stroller, I'm adding this one, because it does look pretty neat:

Graco Ready2Grow LX Stand & Ride Stroller

For only $199.99, it's certainly the most affordable option. I like that it has many different riding options, just like the City Select, but it also does not fold down to be that small. If it's anything like the single Graco stroller that we had, I'm guessing it doesn't steer any easier either. Not the worst, but still a decent option...

Why Cloth Diaper?

Every family has their own reasons for cloth diapering. Typically it's either for the health of their baby, to save money, or to make an effort to be more eco-friendly. All three of these reasons are very good reasons to make the switch.

If you have the time to sit and watch it, I highly recommend this episode of Shari Criso's online show, My Baby Experts. She sits down with the owner of Kangacare and creator of Rumparooz cloth diapers. Start at about 17:02 minutes into the show, they talk a lot about cloth diapers and how it benefits your baby, your family and your environment. Seriously, every mom should watch this, even if they do not cloth diaper. LOVE IT!





...if you don't have a ton of time to sit and watch the above video, the below video says a lot of the same stuff in a shorter amount of time:







When first becoming interested in cloth diapering, I had found this video made by gDiapers about how diapers biodegrade...





...this did it for me. Why contribute to a mass pile of waste that will likely NEVER break down?

Cloth Diapering 101

So! You're thinking about cloth diapering, eh? YAY! ...now what? Google it, that's the smart thing to do... go on try it... what do you see? A LOT! That's what. Below is a step by step guide that will hopefully make your transition into cloth diapering a bit easier and less daunting.


1.) Choose what kind of diapers you want to use: Some people buy all One-Size All-in-one style diapers, all diaper covers with prefolds, or go for a combination of both.

*Keep in mind that babies go through a lot of diapers!
Newborns go through : 10-12 diapers per day
Infants : 8-10 diapers per day
Toddlers: 6-8 diapers per day

• For a One-Size All-in-one Diaper stash you will want at least 25-30 diapers:

This is for your sanity. 25-30 diapers will allow you to go about every other or every 3 days before washing another load.

• For a Diaper Cover with Prefolds or Inserts Stash you will want at least 6-8 diaper covers and 25-30 prefolds or inserts.

Using covers is generally the cheaper route to go, as inserts are inexpensive and you do not need as many diaper covers as you would All-in-one diaper shells.

• For a combination stash of both All-in-one and diaper covers with inserts you will want about 8-10 All-in-one diapers, 4-6 diaper covers and 10-15 prefolds or inserts.

Believe me, this is what most people's cloth diaper stashes look like. Several different brands, several different types - because sometimes it takes a while to decide which kind you prefer and sometimes you like several different kinds and this is more than alright.

*If you are unsure of how much you want to commit to cloth diapering, it is a good idea to try a hybrid diaper brand. This will allow you to switch back and forth from cloth to disposable inserts with ease.

**If you're just interested in trying cloth diapering, it is a good idea to start out with 2 All-in-One diapers and two diaper covers and about 5 inserts. This would give you enough diapers to get you through most of a day with cloth diapers (depending on how old your baby is) and give you a good idea of what it is like.

Changing a Cloth Diaper:

How to Change an All-in-One Cloth Diaper

*watch from about :31 - 2:38

How to Change a Cloth Diaper Cover with Inserts

How to Fold Prefold/Flat diapers:

Other Useful Accessories to Purchase:

• Cloth Wipes: You're going for cloth diapers, why not try reusable wipes too? You can throw them into the wash right with your baby's dirty diapers without the worry of having to fish out dirty disposable ones. They're also super soft and you generally end up using less cloth wipes than you would use disposable ones. I recommend getting at least a dozen, if not two of these babies.

• Diaper Pail and Reusable Diaper Pail Liner: Perfect for dirty diaper laundry, just slip a reusable pail liner into your diaper pail and wash the bag right with your dirty diapers. I recommend getting 2 pail liners so that you always have one while the other is in the wash.

• Reusable Diaper Bags: These are perfect for keeping in your diaper bag while on the go. If you're out and about and baby needs a diaper change, just slip the dirty diaper into one of these reusable bags and throw in the diaper pail once you get home and wash with the rest of your other dirty diaper laundry.
  

• Diaper Sprayer: If you don't have a utility sink to rinse out your diapers in, I recommend getting a diaper sprayer, especially with younger babies who are not eating solid foods. It is inexpensive, hooks up to your toilet and allows you to spray baby's diaper messes into the toilet.

*When baby is older and has firmer poops, the poop can simply be shaken into the toilet.

How to Wash Cloth Diapers:

The washing instructions for cloth diapers can vary from brand to brand, but generally it's all the same. You'll want to chose a detergent that is free of phosphates, dyes, and fragrances. Many cloth diaper companies carry their own brands of diaper detergents, but some big brands also carry suitable detergent, such as All Free and Clear.

• Step 1.) Separate your diaper covers and liners and throw them all into the washer together. Be sure to dump any poop that was not properly disposed of during diaper change. *Some people chose to scrub poopy diapers before wash, but in most cases, this not necessary as your washer should do a well enough job of doing this for you.
  

• Step 2.) Add detergent. Be sure to use only a small amount (refer to you diaper brand's recommended washing instructions to see how much you should use.) Too much detergent can cause build up, which leads to stinky diapers.
  

• Step 3.) Put diapers through a COLD wash cycle. This cycle gets all of the urine and feces out of you child's diapers.
  

• Step 4.) Put diapers through a HOT wash cycle with extra rinse cycle. You may also add some more detergent as well as vinegar or bleach. (A few cups of vinegar will take the ammonia smell out of your diapers and using a small amount bleach once a month will keep your diapers looking and smelling fresh (just be sure to take out pail liners and unbleachable diaper covers before adding bleach!) *Washing your diapers with hot water basically steam cleans your child's diapers and sanitizes them. If you have a high efficiency washer, DO NOT use the sanitary cycle as this cycle is too powerful for your diapers and will cause them to wear out faster.

• Step 5.) Separate your covers from your liners: Hang your covers to dry and place your liners in your dryer on HIGH. (Read the drying directions specific for your diapers. With some diapers, they have to be hung to dry, or the dryer will burn holes through the fabric. With others, it is fine to put them in the dryer, but it also may make them wear out faster.)

• Step 6.) Pre-stuff your All-in-Ones diapers and/or fold your covers and prefolds, put away and enjoy! Stuffing or folding your diapers beforehand saves time during individual diaper changes and keeping them organized helps you keep track of how many clean diapers you have left before another wash load is needed.
  

Cloth Diapering Videos

So these are my very practical and not at all glamorous or cohesively scripted cloth diapering videos. Perhaps someday I'll change this. But.... um.... meh.... they'll do. Consider these my "girlfriend cloth diaper chats" as it's likely what I would sound like if I were trying to explain all of this to you in person.

Here is me explaining our diapers:

How we wash our cloth diapers:

....but if you want a fun, glamorous, cohesively scripted and to the point version of everything mentioned above, this is the video for you. Also, they show how to wash cloth diapers in a high efficiency washer. I'm not fancy enough for that:

Cloth Diaper Websites

If you're not fortunate enough to have a green baby store in your area who carries cloth diapers, there are many websites that do! Here is a list of my favorites:

www.cottonbabies.com
Cotton Babies is the company that makes Bum Genius, Flip and Econobum diapers... but they also sell Fuzzibunz, GroVia, Swaddlebees, Tot Bots, Bummis, Thirsties, Little Beetle, Kissaluvs, itti bitti, and baby kicks diapers... as well as a wide assortment of cloth diapering accessories, breast feeding accessories, prefolds, toys and baby gear.

They also offer package deals and occasionally have slightly imperfect (but new) and used diapers at a heavily discounted rate.




www.nickisdiapers.comNicki's Diapers is located out of Madison, WI. If you're ever in the area, I HIGHLY suggest visiting their local store. It's like cloth diaper heaven. Nicki is also the creator of the Best Bottom and Imagine diapers. They also sell Bum Genius, Flip, Econobum, Weehuggers, Softbum, Thirsties, GroVia, Little Beetle, Rumparooz, Blueberry, Bumkins, Kissaluvs, Happy Heineys, Gen-Y, Tweedle Bugs, Go Green, Fuzzibunz, Charlie Banana, Oh Katy, Baby Kicks, Knickernappies, Bum Wear, and many more cloth diaper brands and accessories, breast feeding accessories, baby gear, toys and clothing.

They also offer a daily and package deals, coupons for free items (usually when you spend a certain amount) and have a "15-Day Try, Wash Love or Return" program. This also means that they have slightly used diapers at a discounted price.



www.kellyscloset.com
Kelly's Closet carries diaper brands such as Bum Genius, Flip, Kissaluvs, Happy Heiny's, Fuzzibunz, Grovia and much much more - as well as many cloth diaper accessories, natural products, baby gear, toys and clothing.

They also have a deal of the day, coupons for free items (usually when you spend a certain amount), offer package deals and discounted used diapers.

www.momsmilkboutique.com
Mom's Milkw Boutique carries many of the same diaper brands: Bum Genius, Flip, Kissaluvs, GroVia, Swaddlebees, Thirsties, Rumparooz, and much more and also diaper accessories, natural care products, baby toys, gear, clothing, and breastfeeding accessories.
The offer a deal of the day, trial packages, coupon codes, free gifts with a minimum purchase, and pre-loved diapers.






www.diaperjunction.com


Diaper Junction is my new favorite... add them on facebook, they have a lot of great deals and giveaways! Every day, they have a "D3 Deal of the Day" - where they randomly select a diaper to discount. They also have "Feed Your Stash Friday", where they raffle off free diapers! Not to mention, that they offer many great package deals and certified pre-used diapers and trial packages as well as customer reward points for your purchase.

Cloth Training Pants

Pull-ups - we all know and love these. It means that your child is ready to potty train and is one step closer to underwear. For many, it is a short lived stage in your child's life and they potty train quickly. For others... it's a very long stage in your child's toddler life... and a very expensive one at that. Even the smallest accident requires a change.

Cloth Training Pants are much like Pull-ups, but are made of cloth and are reusable. Because they are made of cloth, your child is able to feel that they are wet and, in most cases, train faster because the sensation of being wet is not pleasant for them. Many children prefer cloth training pants over disposables because they look and feel more like "big kid" underwear.

***2 1/2 year old and 30 lb. Penelope is pictured above wearing the Flip Potty Trainers on the smallest setting. We haven't begun to use these full-time yet as Penelope is definitely not ready to give up her diapers. However, we do try to put her in her trainers as much as possible when we are home and she does like them because they are very similar to her Bum Genius diapers.

These are the only trainers that I have had the privileged of trying with my daughter for myself... but below are other brands that I have found nothing but rave reviews for and hope to use with Penelope in the future...
I have used the Imse Vimse and the Blueberry trainers with children that I have nannied for in the past and have had excellent results. Both of those, however are more like training underwear - they do not absorb that much, if at all. They basically just keep your child's clothes dry if a small accident occurs. If your child is fussy about wanting to wear underwear and NOT diapers, these are perfect. They're also wonderful for children who are fully potty trained but still need something for the occasional night time accident.

My Favorite Cloth Training Pant Brands:

• Flip Potty Trainer:

(Flip Potty Trainer review: HERE )

• GroVia My Choice Trainer:

(GroVia My Choice Trainer review: HERE )

• ImseVimse Training Pants:

(ImseVimse Training Pants review: HERE ) ok... so ImseVimse products are made in Sweden... LOVE their products, but the only review I could find on this one was in Swedish.

• Blueberry Daytime Trainers:

(Blueberry Daytime Trainer reveiw: HERE ) *compares with GroVia and EcoPosh trainers.

• EcoPosh Training Pants (by Kangacare ):

(EcoPosh Training Pants review: HERE ) *compares with GroVia and Blueberry trainers.

Diaper Types: Cloth Swim Diapers

You know those icky disposable swim diapers that they require your babies to wear in pretty much every pool? How many times did buy a pack and have your child either grow out of that size or have summer end before the pack was up? HUGE waste! Not to mention, they do not even do a good job containing what they are suppose to!

Well... there are reusable ones! And they're super cute! So cute, you really do not need to put a swim suit over them! BONUS: when you're child is ready to potty train, pull-up style cloth swim diapers can also be used as cloth potty training pants.

***9 month old Penelope is pictured above wearing a Bum Genius One-size cloth diaper with a Gymboree swim shirt. (FYI: lots of swim suits get miss-matched in clothing stores, check those clearance bins to find some good deals on tops to go with your swim diapers. We purchased the above swim shirt for less than $1.00! )

My Favorite Cloth Swim Diapers:

• Bum Genius One-Size Cloth Diaper (by cottonbabies ): ok.... this is not actually a swim diaper... but when worn without an insert, it makes the best swim diaper ever! It is one size, you can use it as a regular diaper and it does an awesome job of containing everything it needs to! Most swim diapers are slip on - which makes #2 changes a pain because you have to slip them off and everything that is inside the diaper usually ends up all over the back of your child's legs... these don't need to be slid off. I like that. 

• Imse Vimse: These are awesome swim diapers that you can also buy coordinating swim tops for. They do a wonderful job of keeping messes in. I love that they have side snaps to make changing easy... have you ever changed a poopy swim diaper? It's not fun. Trust me. I wish they had the snaps on both sides, because with them on just one side, you still have to slide one leg out... but at least not as much gets smeared down baby's leg :P

• Charlie Banana Swim Diaper: Very similar to the Imse Vimse swim pants... but without the side snaps. These work really well at keeping messes and I love that they double as training pants - but, if you need to change a soppy #2... these need to be slipped off. I'll let your imagination wander as to what happens with the contents while that's happening...