Seventh Generation diapers & baby wipes has not been processed with chemicals containing chlorine. [source]

I had previously featured the online eco-portal selling green products for your home and family: Lifestyle Green Solutions. Here is a special review post with some baby care products that you can find at their store – Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Diapers & Baby Wipes.

WHY USE CHLORINE FREE PRODUCTS?

• Standard disposable diapers use chlorine, a very harsh chemical as a bleaching agent (to make products white in colour).
• In both the production and in the disposal of these diapers, the chlorine can enter the environment creating harmful toxins called Dioxins.
• Dioxin is a toxic carcinogen that could cause serious health problems like poisoning, skin lesions, liver damage, damage to the reproductive system, impairment of immune system and cancer.
• Land and rivers can also become polluted by these residues too.
• Chlorine may also be an irritant to your baby’s delicate skin.

REVIEW: SEVENTH GENERATION CHLORINE-FREE DIAPERS

I recieved 1 pack of Seventh Generation Chlorine-Free Diapers (Stage 2: 5.4 to 8.2 Kg). One pack contained 40 diapers.

The product description mentions: It’s wood pulp processed without chemicals containing chlorine; hypoallergenic; fragrance and latex free; premium fit and absorbency; has soft, cloth-like comfort keeps baby safe and dry (source: Lifestyle Green Solutions).

First Impressions:

• One thing I noticed about Seventh Generation is how well they package their products. I really liked that they disclose their ingredients, and also provide some other useful informations.
• Once unpacked, I was greeted with BROWN COLOURED DIAPERS! This was a strange thing for me and I tend to associate it to being a “greener” and “natural” product compared to the usual white disposable diapers. However I discovered that the brown colour is not natural, and that they “use brown pigments to help distinguish Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Diapers from others in the marketplace that are bleached with chlorine-containing substances” (source: Seventh Generation).

The “brown” colour of the diapers compared to the normal, white-coloured chlorine bleached disposable diaper.

Usage: The diapers were entirely used during my recent travels abroad.

What I Like:

• A really unexpected thing was that these diapers DIDN’T smell bad/stink after it was used, apart from the natural baby urine/poop smell. I’ve used another brand of disposable diapers, and it stinks really bad – like something chemical or unnatural (it’s definitely not a “100% baby’s organic produce” smell). Perhaps the chemicals magnify and distort the smell of a dirty diaper, turning it from something slightly unpleasant to something completely unbearable. This is really something to think about, what are in those usual disposable diapers??
• The fact that it is Chlorine-Free, which also means NO DIOXINS (the toxin produced in bleaching process). It’s definitely much safer to be used on baby compared to other chlorine bleached diapers which will have dioxin residues in them.
  
• Fitting wise, it is trim and fits well on my then 5 month old baby. However, I feel the cutting is quite small. It’s very lightweight and can be quite suitable to pack for traveling.
• The elastics are gentle and didn’t really leave any marks on baby’s thighs. The tabs too were soft and stretchy.
• Performance wise, they work like any other disposable diaper. It has good absorbtion, and after wearing them through the night (10 hours), there are no wet spots on baby’s mattress.
• Also, with me trying to be as environment friendly as possible, it is good to know that these diapers have a lower impact on environment compared to other disposable diapers.

To Be Considered…

• They are still disposables. Which means its a one time use product. I would only use them for emergencies, or the times when I feel cloth diapers might be too inconvenient (Eg: long distance traveling).
  
• Unfortunately they are not biodegradable due to the synthetic materials (absorbent pads, adhesives). However, the process of making them has significantly less of an impact on the earth than ordinary disposables (source: Seventh Generation).
• Poop blowouts (especially with runny newborn poop), through the back and sides tend to happen. However, please note that this is really a common thing, even if you are using any other brand of disposable diapers.
• The price is slightly higher compared to other brands of disposable diapers you find in the market.

REVIEW: SEVENTH GENERATION CHLORINE-FREE BABY WIPES

Also, I had received another product from Seventh Generation: 1 pack Chlorine Free Baby Wipes (Tub, 70 pcs) & 1 pack Chlorine Free Baby Wipes (Travel Pack, 36 pieces) for reviewing.

The product description mentions: It’s hypoallergenic,whitened without chemicals containing chlorine, unscented, alcohol free, one-at-a-time dispensing and soft and gentle for baby’s delicate skin.

Usage: The Tub pack Baby Wipes is permanently based at my baby’s changing table, used intermittently with cloth wipes for diaper changes. While the Travel Pack Baby Wipes are, well, used for travels and while we were out and about.

What I Like:

• These wipes somehow tend to be “just right”. It’s neither too wet nor too dry. (I really hate those wet wipes which are too wet. By the way, ever thought about what chemicals are used to “soak” such products?) The wipes are also quite pliable and generously sized.
• The best part is that is unscented and also alcohol-free (less chemicals), which is a must-have criteria if I were to purchase any brand of baby wipes.
• The tub is practical and sturdy, and if the wipes are finished, the eonomically priced Refill pack can be bought and the tub can be reused! I can also reuse the tub to store my cloth wipes.
• I find it very suitable to be used for adults too. For traveling, it’s also good yet gentle to remove my make up or to freshen up. If it’s kind on baby, it must be good for me too!
• Just like the Seventh Generation diapers above, I love for a fact that the product is gentler to your baby and also the environment compared to other disposable brands.

[source]

To Be Considered…

• The texture somehow is not as soft as the other brands of baby wipes I’ve used before, probably because it is less wet. However, due to this it is quite “grabby” and able to pick up messes better. You might still have to use several wipes for a really messy diaper change though.
• I had issues with the Travel Pack whereby it turned musky (the smell) after a week or so. I am guessing this is due to the closure system of the packaging. Probably because the wipes are moistened with natural ingredients which tends to spoil more rapidly? -I think it was because I didn’t properly reseal the package.
• Like the Chlorine Free Diapers, the prices of these are slightly more expensive than other baby wipes brands.

CONCLUSION ABOUT SEVENTH GENERATION CHLORINE FREE PRODUCTS:

Seventh Generation Chlorine-Free products made me more aware about the use of chemicals in disposable products. A really obvious fact was that the Chlorine Free diapers did not smell bad when it’s soiled. It’s a blessing to my husband who always complained that disposable diapers smells horrible! Seriously, it’s scary to think what sort of chemicals is contained in the other disposable products out there.

Personally, I would only use these diapers as back up and for traveling because I’m happier with cloth diapers. However, the baby wipes can be very conveinent, especially for traveling, and I wouldn’t mind having one tub of baby wipes at home to use (This is especially good to encourage husbands to help with diaper changes ).

My recommendation is, if you need to use disposable products, why not choose Seventh Generation brand? It is an environmentally safer brand of products, AND they could also be safer to use for your baby if compared to ther other brands out there. Sure, you might have to pay a little bit more (not too much, just a few Ringgit more than usual), but wouldn’t the small amount of money justify you wanting to limit the exposure of harmful chemicals to your children? I would get this brand (especially the Baby Wipes) in the future particularly for this very reason.

Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Baby Diapers and Baby Wipes are available from the eco-friendly online store Lifestyle Green Solutions.

NEED YOUR FEEDBACK! Would you use such environmental-friendlier or chemically safer disposable products for your baby and family? Why or why not? Please leave a comment, I would really love to know your point of view. Thanks!

Hot Mama Nursing Pads are luxuriously made of 3 layers: Organic bamboo velour, Organic hemp & 100% Merino wool. These are some of the many fun prints you can choose from.

As promised (after the previous review of Cuddly Buddies), here is my next review for Angel Mel Collections’ new product range: the Hot Mama Nursing Pads.

Before that, here’s a little bit about my Breastfeeding Journey so far:

1. I am exclusively breastfeeding my baby for 6 months plus now.
2. I pump early in the morning and right before going to bed to reduce engorgement, and also to have some expressed breast milk stock as back up to use when I’m not with baby.
3. I experience overactive let-down reflex (forceful spraying of milk during breasfeeding), and occasional leaks when I miss a breastfeeding session.
4. I have been a user of reusable/washable breast pads because I think disposable ones are uncomfortable.

WHY USE REUSABLE NURSING PADS?

These are some reasons why I think disposable nursing/breast pads are a waste, and maybe bad for your health too. These are also why I use them 100% now!

• Do you realize how expensive a box of disposable nursing pads are in the market? After calculation, they are around RM1 for just one piece!
  
• It is quite a waste for your money, and also for the environment, since you are only using nursing pads for a few hours before throwing them away.
• The plastic waterproof backing on the disposable nursing pads are NOT breathable! Just like using disposable pads, they give a feeling of sweatiness and stickiness after some time, ideal grounds for infections and irritations. Having natural materials against your skin, especially so your BREASTS, is healthier and more comfortable too.
  
• What are in those disposables? Again, nobody knows for sure. Apart from the synthetic materials like plastics and adhesives, what sort of “absorbent material” do they use inside to suck up the moisture? I’ve cut up a disposable breast pad before and found out that they were SYNTHETIC GELS (maybe Sodium Polyacrylate and Tribulytin (TBT)! Eew…
• If you want to read up more about why I think disposable care products are sucky in general, read about “Are Sanitary Pads/Tampons/Diapers Dangerous?”

These are the absorbent gels commonly used in disposable products. [source]

ABOUT HOT MAMA NURSING PADS:

• Made from: Organic bamboo velour (top layer), Organic hemp (inner core), 100% Merino wool (back layer) & 100% Flannel in designer prints (outer part).
• Natural & organic fabrics used are chemical free, anti-bacterial, breathable, helps minimize skin sores and irritations.
• Comes in a wide variety of fun and stylish prints! (as seen in first picture above)

I received 1 pair Hot Mama Nursing Pads in Yellow Flowers (shown below) for reviewing.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

1. Obviously, the prints were the first thing that caught my eye. When I saw the other patterns available, I was already thinking whichI want next
2. Noticed that the nursing pads were not smooth in shape on the outside. It has a slightly pointed tip (like a mini version of Madonna’s outfit in the 80s, hehe)

USAGE

I used them during the day (around 4-5 hours), and all through the night (~10 hours). I  accidentally placed them in the washing machine for prewash, and after it come out, the fabric at the seams seems to frill a little bit. Oops!

WHAT I LIKE:

1. As I expected from an Angel Mel Collections product, the choice of designer prints are simply irresistable! It really makes you feel pretty and sexy (and only you’ll know it )
2. The previous type of nursing pads I have used were cellulose material (a bit rigid and unsoft), so to have soft bamboo velour against my skin is a very pleasant change. It definitely feels more comfortable.
3. It has pretty good absorbency probably due to Hemp material, and I don’t feel like I have to change the pads after each feeding session (even though I have overactive let-down problem).
4. It can last around 5 hours (or more, depending on milk supply) before it feels “wet”, so it’s quite suitable for outings too – for missed feeding sessions/engorgement/nursing in public.

TO BE CONSIDERED…

1. Personally, I prefer my nursing pads to be contoured so it would be smooth on the outside. Tnurse ihe pointed tip of these pads might make it visible over your bra and any tight clothing.
2. I considered them a little bulky due to the many layers. This makes drying time slightly longer compared to my other brands of reusable nursing pads.
3. I would prefer the nursing pads to be wider/large in size so it would sit nicely in the bra and wouldn’t shift around too much. This would also make it more comfortable, to have more bamboo velour  fabric against the , and for better coverage too
4. They’re a little too delicate to be washed in the washing machine, so you have to spend some time to hand wash them.
5. For those used to disposable nursing pads, these are NOT waterproof, so you might experience leaks if you wear them for extended hours (Mine was wet after I used it through the night – I had engorgement).

[source]

CONCLUSION:

I am a firm believer that reusable products are better than disposables. For those new to reusable nursing pads, yes, they are an investment in the beginning (just like cloth diapers), but you can really save a lot of money in the long run. And consider the health benefits too! Since they’re reusable, they might add up to your laundry, but have a good stash in hand so you can rotate their usage and have some spares too.

Angel Mel Collections’ Hot Mama Nursing Pads are really pretty compared to your usual nursing pads, but I suggest you have one or two of these to wear outside, or even at home to make you feel not only cheerful and pretty, but also for its function – comfort, health benefits and absorbency

Hot Mama Nursing Pads are available from the Baby, Mom & Organic products online store Baby-Mel.com. It can also be obtained with 20% introductory discount from their booth at the 6th Parenthood Expo, from 20-22 August 2010 happening at Midvalley!

Stay tuned for another new Angel Mel Collections product review from me in the next few days!

How time flies, we are already in the month of July 2010! Also, another new month signifies another Featured Shop on Cloth Diaper Malaysia. This month, we are featuring LIFESTYLE GREEN SOLUTIONS: “Get Your Green Lifestyle. Keep Your Home Green.”

ABOUT LIFESTYLE GREEN SOLUTIONS:

Lifestyle Green Solutions believes that everyone in his own little way can make a change for a greener lifestyle. Thus, the online eco-portal (http://www.lifestylegreensolutions.com) was started, selling natural & organic certified products for the convenience of busy consumers(like Moms ).

They offer their conscious customers safe alternatives to chemicals with their large range of eco-friendly products coming from Malaysia, Australia, USA & European Countries:

• Babies Care (Diapers, Wipes, Nappy cleansers & Special Needs, Body cleanser) 
• Laundry (Detergent, Bleach & Softeners)
• Women Care (Body Care, Face Care, Eye Care, Hands Care, Lip Care)
• Body Care (Bath&Shower, Soap)
• Hair Care
• Beauty
• Cleaning
• Gardening

What I would like to highlight to all the Mothers and Parents out there, is that  Lifestyle Green Solutions offers a product selection specifically for: BABIES ! To make sure that no harmful synthetic chemicals are put onto our delicate baby’s skin, they offer NEW Chlorine Free Diapers and Baby Wipes from the USA brand, “Seventh Generation”, and also a wide selection of babies care products.

My Comment: I feel that these Diapers and Baby Wipes will be convenient for use during traveling, when you are out of the house, or simply as a back up for your Cloth Diapers (if you use them alongside disposable diapers, or if they are still drying under the sun ) It’s also a more environmentally conscious and natural product for your baby! They are certainly a great alternative to the other brands of disposable diapers and baby wipes out there. I look forward to try out the products to see how they will work for our family. Let’s read on below to know more about Seventh Generation Babies Products…

*****

SEVENTH GENERATION BABIES PRODUCTS

*Some Facts About Chlorine*

If chlorine is used during processing of disposable products, dangerous chlorinated toxins are released into the environment through the pulp production process. Seventh Generation diapers & baby wipes has not been processed with chemicals containing chlorine. It’s safer on the environment, and also there will be less chemical exposure on your baby’s skin!

CHLORINE FREE BABY DIAPERS

What’s So Special?

1. Wood pulp processed without chemicals containing chlorine
2. Hypoallergenic
3. Fragrance and latex free
4. Premium fit and absorbency
5. Soft, cloth-like comfort keeps baby safe and dry

Features and Benefits:

• In addition to keeping your baby dry, the super absorbent polymer is non-toxic and hypoallergenic.
• Features stretchy leg gathers and resealable closure tabs.
• Chlorine-free materials and absorbent polymers help keep your baby dry in between changes and through the night.
• Effective at keeping baby dry and reducing the risk of diaper rash; studies show that the absorbent polymer is non-irritating to baby’s sensitive skin.
• 3 sizes: Newborn – Up to 4.5 Kg (10 lbs); Stage 1 – 3.6 to 6.4 Kg (8-14 lbs); and Stage 2 – 5.4 to 8.2 Kg (12-18 lbs).
• Get them here: Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Diapers at Lifestyle Green Solutions.

*****

CHLORINE FREE BABY WIPES

What’s So Special?

1. Hypoallergenic
2. Whitened without chemicals containing chlorine
3. Unscented
4. Alcohol free
5. One-at-a-time dispensing
6. Soft and gentle for baby’s delicate skin.

Features and Benefits:

• Free of dyes and fragrances, the baby wipes contain a natural cleansing agent that is gentle on baby’s tender skin.
• The baby wipes are made with soft cloth that has not been processed with chemicals containing chlorine.
• Available in: Wipes Tub (70 Count); Wipes resealable refill pack (70 Count); Wipes Travel Pack (36 Count).

• Get them here: Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Baby Wipes at Lifestyle Green Solutions.

*****

NATURAL POWDERED LAUNDRY DETERGENT – Free & Clear

Features and Benefits:

• Weight: 1.4 Kg (48 oz) – For 18 to 36 loads.
• Truly free and clear of fragrances, dyes & masking agents.
  
• Free of phosphates, optical brighteners & no chlorine bleach.
• Suitable for all type of laundry including baby clothes (it is hypo-allergenic).
• Tough on stains and keeps whites and colors bright.
• Gentle on your fabrics and the earth (biodegradable).
• Not tested on animals.
• Get them here: Seventh Generation Laundry Products at Lifestyle Green Solutions.

*****

Lifestyle Green Solutions is not only a place to shop for Natural and Organic certified products, it is also an online store where all the products are discounted! Don’t believe me? Visit their website and take your time to have a look at their current promotions:

- BABIES  CARE  PROMOTIONS -

- WOMEN CARE PROMOTIONS -

Not only that, http://www.lifestylegreensolutions also offers a Fidelity Points system with real advantages. Each time you buy a product, its price is converted into Fidelity Points. When the logo FPX2, FPX3 or 4 appears, it simply means that the points obtained after purchasing are multiplied by two, three or four. When you reach 700 points, you are able to convert them into 5% discount off the TOTAL OF YOUR NEXT ORDER! The more points you gain, more discounts you will get!

BE SEDUCED WITH LIFESTYLE GREEN SOLUTION’S LARGE RANGE OF QUALITY ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS!

About Momiji Natural Cloth Pads (info taken from My Precious):

• Washable and reusable menstrual pad
• Surface material: 100% cotton flannel; Inner core: 100% cotton fabric
• High absorbent power and has special leak-proof lining
• Can be folded compactly using the button fasteners

I received one Medium sized MOMIJI Natural pad in “Purple Flowers” pattern for reviewing. It is meant to be used for normal flow periods. Here it is:

I prewashed once as instructed in the label, and used it for 2 months (during menses).

What I Like:

• Very straight-forward and easy to use design
• The 2 snap button adjustment allows me to fit them with my, ahem, different types of panties (midi? bikini? low waist? high waist? G-string maybe??! )
• Easy to care for – Durable enough for machine washing (some Cloth Pads are better off hand washed), but just ensure no softener is used!
• The inner cotton fabric gets fluffier and thicker after each wash – The absorbency gets better too this way

What I Don’t Quite Like:

• The fasteners were not the usual plastic resin snaps I’m used to. They are lead free buttons (some sort of metal material) – My first thought was, “Won’t these rust or something?!” But of course they wouldn’t rust..
• The surface material could have been softer, I find it to be a little coarse/rough
• In terms of thickness and texture, I felt like I was wearing a regular disposable pad (Compared to fleece material pads, which tends to be slimmer in design).

This is another brand of Cloth Pads that I have added to my collection It’s great now that I can fully use Cloth Pads and Liners daily, no more disposables! In the long run, using these will definitely save a lot on my expenses, and I absolutely love the health benefits that comes along with using Cloth Pads!

MOMIJI Natural cloth pads are available in sizes Small, Medium, Large and Night. They come in a variety of prints too. Also, the MOMIJI One Zipper Purse is suitable to be used to carry your pads on the go.

If you are interested to get these, they are available at http://syadreamzsew.blogspot.com/

Read up more about Cloth Pads/Liners here too: Cloth Pads/Liners Articles. Cloth Diaper Malaysia loves to review products! If you want me to review your product, please Contact Me

Sangat menjengkelkan apabila kita mahu melakukan sesuatu untuk alam sekitar, tapi orang di sekeliling kitatidak memahami atau sungguh ‘ignorant’ mengenai hal tersebut. Contohnya begini:

Satu hari RABU yang indah, saya pun pergi ke pasaraya untuk membeli-belah, sambil menjinjing beg membeli-belah saya sendiri (cloth bag). Semasa di kaunter pembayaran:

Saya: Cik, takpe. Tak payah beg plastik ye. Masukkan je dalam beg saya ni.

Juruwang: Eh, kenapa pulak? Hari ni bukan hari SABTU, plastik percuma je hari ni, tak payah bayar 20 sen. (Di negeri Selangor, setiap hari Sabtu adalah “No Plastic Bag Day” – beg plastik dicaj 20 sen setiap satu)

Saya: Takpe laaaah… Takkan hari Sabtu je nak bantu alam sekitar kot…. Kan? *sambil memberikan senyuman yang paling manis*

Jurujual: *buat muka blur dan masih tak faham* (Agaknya dia tengah fikir: “Pelik orang ni, benda free pun tak nak.”

Macam itulah kan. Nak buat macam mana. Kalau kita kurang kesedaran sivik, kita mungkin hanya “menyelamatkan alam sekitar” pada setiap hari Sabtu sahaja kerana kedekut/sayang hendak bayar beg plastik 20 sen. (Tapi kalau pergi grocery shopping mingguan yang memerlukan berbeg-beg, banyak juga jumlah yang perlu dibayar, betul tak…?)

Banyak caranya untuk melakukan sesuatu untuk alam sekitar, walaupun nampak remeh dan mudah. Kata orang putih: “A little bit goes a long way”. Jika anda adalah pengguna Cloth Diaper, walaupun hanya di waktu siang atau seminggu sekali, tahniah – anda tetap telah melakukan bahagian anda untuk mengurangkan sampah-sarap berbentuk Disposable Diapers di atas muka bumi kita ini. Jika belum lagi menggunakan CDs, bermakna anda belum cukup menelaah website ini, hehe!

Selain itu, apa lagi yang boleh anda lakukan? Oleh kerana ini adalah website CLOTH Diaper Malaysia, saya akan memberi cadangan dari segi penggunaan Cloth atau kain berbanding “disposables”. Produk-produk ini bukan sahaja mesra alam, tetapi mungkin boleh menjimatkan wang dan juga lebih elok untuk kesihatan:

Bertukarlah kepada Cloth untuk produk-produk ini:

1) Cloth Pads & Liners

• Tuala wanita pakai buang bukan sahaja memakan belanja bulanan yang banyak, tetapi juga berbahaya untuk kesihatan wanita. Baca lebih lanjut di sini: Cloth Pads in Malaysia & Adakah Tuala Wanita Berbahaya?

2) Cloth Bags

• Elakkan penerimaan beg plastik semasa membeli-belah. Sungguh membazir dan menambahkan sampah-sarap sahaja! Jika terpaksa, guna semula beg plastik untuk mengalas tong sampah, jangan dibuang begitu sahaja! Oleh itu, bawalah beg sendiri semasa membeli-belah!

3) Reusable Breast Pads

• Ini juga satu lagi produk yang mungkin kita tidak endahkan. Semasa jangka masa anda memberi susu ibu kepada anak anda, jangan lagi menggunakan disposable breast pads. Ia juga satu pembaziran dan mungkin juga membahayakan kesihatan. Gunakan Cloth Breast Pads yang boleh dibasuh dan diguna berulang kali!

4) Cloth Wipes

• Lupakan sahaja jenama-jenama Baby Wet Wipes yang ada di luar sana! Mengapa perlu menggunakan produk pakai buang jika ada alternatif lain yang mesra alam? Gunakan Cloth Wipes!

5) Cloth Napkins

• Semasa jamuan makan, majlis hari jadi, kenduri-kendara, kita biasanya “menghidangkan” kertas tisu atau paper napkins untuk tetamu kita bukan? Apa kata menggunakan Cloth Napkins pula? Mesra alam pun satu, tetapi ianya juga lebih elegan dan sofistikated berbanding tisu! Nampak mewah gitu.

Produk-produk Cloth yang ingin kita gunakan tidak perlulah comel-comel seperti gambar di atas… Tetapi jika ianya boleh memberikan kita kepuasan dan kita juga seronok apabila menggunakannya, bukankah itu satu lagi alasan yang bagus untuk menjadi mesra alam?

Lebih menarik lagi, jika anda mempunyai minat atau kemahiran menjahit, produk-produk di atas juga boleh dibuat sendiri dengan corak dan design yang unik dan tersendiri! Satu lagi kepuasan untuk diri kita.

Kesimpulannya, cuba anda kurangkan atau jangan guna sama sekali produk-produk “pakai sekali dan buang” atau disposables. Amat mudah untuk menjadi seseorang yang mesra alam dan sayangkan alam sekitar! Amat penting juga agar kita memupuk nilai ini kepada anak-anak kita. Ini juga bumi mereka, dan kesedaran sebegini amat mudah untuk diajar semasa mereka masih kecil lagi. Semoga mereka juga boleh hidup di dalam dunia yang indah sebegini di masa hadapan juga Amin.

SOALAN: Berapa item di atas ini yang sudah pun anda gunakan?

I received an e-mail from Cloth Diaper Malaysia reader all the way from Canada, Isha. She has a particular situation involving diapering while traveling. Below is what she wrote to me:

“I will be traveling to Singapore and KL. I would absolutely LOVE to continue to use my cloth while on holiday but, unfortunately, traveling arrangements, a rigorous visiting schedule and frequent changes in accommodation make this an impossible endeavor. So, I have been researching eco-friendly disposable alternatives and only came across one brand called Moltex Oko available in Singapore.  I thought I would drop you a line to see if you have any other suggestions/recommendations that I might have missed?”

Cloth diapering while traveling can be a challenge. You are not in the comforts of your own home, so you might be concerned with things such as:

• How many cloth diapers should I bring? Which type?
• Should I bring along all my other cloth diaper accessories?
• How and where to launder my cloth diapers?
• Will I have the time to wash and care for my cloth diapers?

So what are the options to diaper my baby while I’m traveling away from home?

ECO-FRIENDLY DISPOSABLE DIAPERS

There are many ways to make Cloth Diapering during your travels possible. Isha mentioned one of them: To use eco-friendly (disposable) alternatives. It is not entirely “wrong” to use disposables, let us remind ourselves that disposable diapers are meant to be used for its convenience. So while travelling, it could be the most logical thing to do.

However even if you use disposables, you can still make a difference to mother earth by choosing the types which are eco-friendlier (I specifically mention eco-friendli-”er” because you are still creating some amount of waste because you throw them away after each use. However, the difference is the type of waste you’re creating, they might be less harmful for the environment).

Isha highlighted the eco-friendly disposable diaper brand, Moltex Oko. It can be purchased in Malaysia through the  blogshop Baby Kiddies. Apparently it’s the only brand available over here though.

So what I would like to offer to Isha is another solution: Hybrid Diapers.

WHAT ARE HYBRID DIAPERS?

• “Best of both worlds”: Diapers which combine the convenience of disposable diapers along with the reusabililty of Cloth Diapers.
• Consists of: Reusable diaper cover and use of disposable insert/inner (thrown away after it is used). Hybrid diapers also comes with washable inserts, so you can fully use cloth when you’re at home.
• Advantages: Less plastic waste is generated because only the insert is thrown away; more convenient to use compared to cloth diapers especially when travelling or going out (no need to store wet/dirty cloth diapers to bring home); Inserts are usually eco-friendly/biodegradable; Also means babies are less exposed to chemicals, and it is less harmful to the environment; Flexible 2 in 1 system -Fully cloth diaper at home, and while travelling use disposable inserts!

WHAT ARE SOME BRANDS OF HYBRID DIAPERS AVAILABLE?

Here are some brands of hybrid cloth diapers that you may find in Malaysia:

1. MyEcoNappy – Proudly a Malaysian designed hybrid diaper!  You may find these in retail outlets such as Babyland, Planete Enfante Mamours, World of Cartoons & Bebe Homes
2. Mothercare Smart Nappy system – available in Mothercare retail outlets in Malaysia
3. Gro Baby – Available at My Baby Pit Stop, My Cheeky Boo, BabyMyLuv, Mia Bambina online stores.
4. Flip – Available at Babyz N Mom online store.
5. gDiapers – I personally feel these has a great design. Unfortunately, no Malaysian retailers carry these yet.

Personally, I feel Hybrid Diapers are such a great innovation! You can get a set and use the reusable, washable inserts for home, and when you are out or travelling, there is an option to go (semi) disposable! Super!!

Question: Any Hybrid Cloth Diaper users out there? How do you like your Hybrids?

What do you need to Cloth Diaper outside home? Read about It’s Easy to Cloth Diaper on the Go

You also use Cloth Pads.

Anything else to complete the “CLOTH” package?

What about trying CLOTH WIPES?

I bet we have used these disposable baby wet wipes at least once during our baby caring days:

They’re indispensable and very useful during diaper changes. It is a must have for any baby changing table. (Unless you’re one of the moms who wash their baby’s bum “au naturel” – which is at the sink itself! ) It’s convenient and spares you the time to go to the bathroom and back if your baby needs cleaning after he “dirties” himself. Also, if your baby needs some quick clean ups after a meal, breastfeeding, spills, messes, etc – they’re handy to use too.

But the thing is, the disadvantages of disposable wet wipes are:

• Disposable – More waste in our landfills!
• Chemical laden – The fragrances, drying agents, alcohol might not be the best for your baby’s delicate skin!
• Costs money! – Like other disposable products, you are unnecessarily paying for the added convenience.

So how about converting to a more natural, economical and greener option?

Yes, ditch those disposable baby wet wipes and convert to Cloth Wipes!!

Why should you use Cloth Wipes?

• As versatile as baby wipes: Use them for anything! Diaper changes, wiping face and body, cleaning spills & messes, etc.
• Much funner and cuter: Compared to the boring, white and rough disposable wet wipes. (Ok, this might be a “mengada” reason, but still) It will make diaper changes more enjoyable!
• More natural and softer on baby’s delicate skin: You don’t expose baby to chemicals.
• Saves money: Save up RM10-20 per each time you don’t buy baby wet wipes in the supermarket.
• Easy to wash: Simply toss your used Cloth Wipes in the washing machine (along with Cloth Diapers, etc).
• Many fabrics to choose from: Many different types of cloth wipes are on sale  – flannel, terry, bamboo or cotton. Or simply purchase baby washcloths/face towels to use as cloth wipes.
• You can make your own! Recycle old baby blankets or towels, cut them up and use them as Cloth Wipes!

Cloth Wipes can simply be used with water, or you can use homemade recipes for Cloth Wipes solutions. (I’ll post up my favourites soon).

What you need to use the Cloth Wipe system:

• Container to store your Cloth Wipes
• Spray bottles for Cloth Wipe solution/water
• Thermos and bowl if you prefer to simply use warm water

I’ll write up about Cloth Wipe solution recipes and how to use Cloth Wipes in my later blog posts. What are you waiting for, cloth wipes is the next thing to do! Or, if you have yet Cloth Diaper or use Cloth Pads, using Cloth Wipes can be a simple first step towards your journey to using CLOTH!

Question: Is anyone presently using Cloth Wipes? Leave a comment here and share with others how great it is!

Jika anda masih baru dalam dunia Cloth Diapers, mungkin anda merasakan Cloth Diaper itu mahal. Banyak Cloth Diapers yang jenamanya “established” dan telah lama di pasaran adalah jenama luar negara (Rujuk posting “Top 15 Cloth Diaper Brands” untuk mengenali jenama-jenama CD yang popular sekarang). Mungkin dilabel “mahal” kerana harga sekeping sahaja sudah mencecah RM60 ke atas (selalunya jenis Pocket Diapers). Saya setuju kita boleh dapatkan Cloth Diapers yang lebih murah harganya jika ianya bukan jenama antarabangsa atau yang kurang “dikenali” (besar kemungkinan ia Made in China, dll), tetapi saya sendiri belum berkesempatan untuk mencuba untuk menilai kualiti dan keberkesanannya. Namun begitu, saya tahu akan ibu-ibu yang cukup serasi menggunakan jenama-jenama ini, dan berpuas hati dengan pilihan mereka.

Tidak dinafikan juga ramai pengguna lebih cenderung untuk memilih Cloth Diapers jenis POCKET DIAPERS kerana ianya cukup popular dan dikenali. Namun begitu para pengunjung sekalian, eloklah saya memperkenalkan Cloth Diaper jenis PREFOLDS – sebagai salah satu jenis Cloth Diaper yang MURAH dan MUDAH untuk digunakan!

Cloth Diaper untuk Bayi Baru Lahir (Newborns)

Menggunakan Cloth Diapers ke atas bayi baru lahir memerlukan Cloth Diaper dalam kuantiti yang banyak dan juga agak melecehkan. Cloth Diapering pada peringkat awal ini juga mungkin agak sukar dan memerlukan kesabaran. Mengapa pula? (Rujuk juga posting “Berapa CDs yang Saya Perlu untuk Bayi Saya?” untuk pemahaman lebih mendalam):

-          Bayi baru lahir (newborns) sangat kerap membuang air kecil dan besar. Lampin perlu ditukar lebih kurang setiap 2 jam sekali, 12 kali sehari!

-          Ini bermakna, kita memerlukan stok 24-36 keping Cloth Diapers untuk newborn! (jika kita membasuh Cloth Diaper 2-3 hari sekali)

-          Air besar newborn amat cair, sukar melekat pada lampin dan senang bocor di sisi dan belakang (masalah biasa jika menggunakan lampin pakai buang)

-          Newborn masih bersaiz kecil (terutama bahagian peha) dan mungkin tidak sesuai untuk dipakaikan “One Size” Cloth Diapers (kebocoran jika saiz CD tidak sesuai).

Mahu tahu cara paling murah dan senang untuk Cloth Diaper bayi baru lahir? Menggunakan PREFOLDS/FLATS (kain lampin)! Ianya adalah jenis CD yang paling versatil, menjimatkan dan sesuai untuk keperluan newborn:

-          Sekeping Prefold diapers harganya RM8-12 setiap satu. Di mana nak beli Prefolds? Klik link ini untuk senarai kedai: Prefolds di Malaysia.

-          Harga Flat diapers (kain lampin biasa) juga amat murah dan senang didapati di mana-mana pasaraya.

-          Prefolds/Flats sesuai untuk pencucian yang kerap kerana ianya kain yang tahan lasak, dan ianya cepat kering.

-          Kombinasi lengkap yang boleh digunakan adalah Prefolds + Snappi + Diaper Cover. Sistem ini sesuai untuk mengelakkan kebocoran dan penggunaan kerap bagi bayi baru lahir.

-          Diaper Cover menjadikan penggunaan Prefolds sebagai kalis air, dan juga tidak perlu dibasuh setiap kali digunakan kerana ianya lapisan luar. Memadai jika kita ada 4-5 keping Diaper Cover untuk digunakan. Di mana nak beli Diaper Covers? Rujuk di sini.

-          Terpulang kepada bajet, sistem Prefolds+Diaper Cover kosnya hanya RM30-40. Ianya lebih murah jika menggunakan Flats (kain lampin).

-          Jika tidak mahu menggunakan Diaper Covers pun tidak mengapa, prefolds/flats boleh dipakaikan dengan Snappi sahaja. Cuma bersedia dengan alas kalis air jika berlaku sebarang kebocoran!

Siapa kata Cloth Diaper tidak berpatutan harganya? Sesiapa pun boleh menggunakan CDs, dan tidak semestinya membiasakan diri dengan CD jenis Pocket Diapers sahaja. Saya setuju, ada juga Cloth Diapers jenis One Size Pocket Diapers yang berharga RM30-40 sekali dengan inserts, tetapi fikirkan semula: Tiada bezakah CD yang berharga RM30 ini dengan CD yang berharga lebih RM60? Kita juga perlu realistik, jangan hanya kerana “murah”, kita terlalu ghairah membeli. Fikirkan tentang kualiti juga!

*Untuk pengetahuan anda, kualiti Prefolds adalah sama dan standard. Harga Diaper Cover jenama Thirsties dan Bummis yang memang dikenali ramai dengan kualitinya pula berharga RM30-40 setiap satu. (Saya juga beli second hand sahaja, boleh dapat dengan harga RM20 )

Ingati semula mengapa kita mahu menggunakan Cloth Diapers untuk anak kita: Untuk menjimatkan wang? Untuk kebaikan alam sekitar? Untuk keselesaan bayi? Saya rasa penggunaan CD jenis Prefolds/Flats memang mencapai kesemua matlamat ini! Cubalah

Cloth Pads from Mama Patch (link below)

Mummies, women and girls can wear cloth pads as an alternative to sanitary napkins and panty liners. The advantages of using cloth pads can be similar to using cloth diapers:

1. It’s comfortable!: The feel of cloth on the skin compared to plastic-ky disposable pads
2. It’s suitable for sensitive skin: If you are prone to infections, itchiness, rashes –it can be a solution because it has no chemicals in it!
3. Less odors: The bad smell/odors from disposable pads actually come from the reaction of chemicals with your bodily fluids.
4. Saves costs: Because it’s reusable and will last you years, you can buy a few and use it many times (no need to spend on pads/panty liners each month - can spend on baby’s Cloth Diapers instead )
5. Less environmental waste: Nothing is thrown away, which means less waste in our landfills!
6. They’re cute too!!: Too many pretty and funky patterns to choose from (can’t have that with disposable pads right ?)

I guess some will be scared of the prospect of using cloth pads because of the washing it requires. We might feel grossed out, but actually it IS stuff from our bodies anyway, what’s the big deal? Looking around at the information, it isn’t really so difficult to manage – just rinse and hand wash/throw in washing machine!

Personally for me, I haven’t tried out cloth pads meant for that time of the month (periods). However, I do use disposable panty liners on a daily basis, so I really wanted to give cloth panty liners a try before I start experimenting with cloth pads. Besides, it’s cheap enough to trial out before fully switching to cloth perhaps.

If you want to give cloth pads or panty liners a try, here are some Malaysian brands or blogshops selling them. (The links will take you directly to the cloth pads/liners category):

1. Mama Patch – This was the first brand I tried out and I’ll review it soon
2. My Luvly Pad *Thanks Eleena for the link!*
3. Mum7Kids – Carries Saffa brand Cloth Pads & Liners (would really like to try these soon)
   
4. Blu[e] Boutique – Carries BluCotton brand Cloth Pads & Liners
5. Baby-Mel.com – Carries Fresh Moon Organic cloth pad.
6. Mia Bambina
7. Baby Sasha n Mom
8. Tiny Tapir
9. Lil Danzell
10. Nice Cloth Diaper
11. SnuggBaby
12. Lunatots

(Gee, I really wish I could try one of each!!!)

Did I miss out on any blogshops/shops? Want to link your items here? Drop a comment below and I’ll add to the Cloth Pad database on this page

Next related posts: I’ll search the blogs for cloth pads and liner reviews from Malaysia. Mama Patch pantyliner review.

*Question: Has anyone tried cloth pads or liners before? Would you try them? Do drop a line here and share your thoughts!