Homemade Baby Wipes

There's nothing wrong with commercial baby wipes, but sometimes I just like to make my own.  I like to know exactly what ingredients are in them AND they're cheap!  Can't beat that!

All you need are: Roll of Bounty Paper Towels * (we prefer the regular roll- not select a size) Baby Wash Baby Oil Water Container to store them in  (I just happened upon this OXO container at Target a year and a half ago or so)

1. Cut your roll of paper towels in half.  (This takes some sawing and a little bit of muscle)

2. Mix 2 cups of water, 1 1/2 Tbls baby wash and 1 Tbls of baby oil in storage container

3. Add paper towels

4. Cover and turn upside down to allow water mixture to soak paper towels

5. Leave upside down until thoroughly soaked.  (I have no idea how long this takes.  I normally make my in the evening and leave them overnight.  Although I am sure it doesn't really take this long)

6. Turn over and pull out paper towel roll  (It easily comes right out)

7.  Begin pulling your new wipes from the middle of the roll.  

Voila!  Homemade baby wipes!

I've been making these wipes for over a year now- probably close to two years, and we love them!  That's not to say I never use commercial wipes- I do.  Costco brand wipes are always at our disposable, but I prefer these if I have them made.

*We started out using the select-a-size paper towels and my husband just thought that they weren't big enough to get some of the dirty jobs done, so now we use standard size paper towel rolls.

friday fives

It has been a rough week...  I'm glad it is Friday
{one}  Haddie Grace has had the worst diaper rash for over a month now!  Phoebe never had problems with diaper rash so this is new for me.  When I first noticed the redness I took her out of the cloth diapers and put her in disposables with diaper cream, but it just kept getting worse.  I of course was making sure her bottom was completely dry before putting on cream and a new diaper.  I was changing her diaper VERY frequently.  (Which kills me by the way...I use cloth diapers for many reasons but one of them is the financial benefit.)  And trying to let her go diaper free for 20 minutes or so each day.  (This one only actually happened a few times because she doesn't stay still and pees ALL the time so it was more mess than I could handle)  After this had been going on for about 2 1/2 weeks and was now at the point where her poor bottom was blistering and bleeding, I called the doctor and they gave me a prescription for Greer's Goo.
Well lo and behold my insurance doesn't cover it because it is a "compound drug" (i.e it has more than one ingredient mixed together)  I was not about to pay $63 for diaper rash cream, so after some negotiations with the pharmacy and doctor's office I discovered that Greer's Goo is a compound mixture of Desitin (over-the-counter), Hydrocortizone Cream (over-the counter) and Nystatin (prescription).  I convinced the doctor to just give me a prescription for the Nystatin and I could mix my own and save myself $45.  Done.  So this is what I've been up to recently.  Also, if you're dealing with persistent diaper rash and you're interested this is a recipe for homemade Greer's Goo using all over-the -counter ingredients. 

{two} So on Monday when said diaper rash was still not improving with the Greer's Goo I called the doctor back and they had me come in for an appointment.  I was planning on going ahead and getting her a couple more vaccines (remember I like to space them out) while we were there.  I got her up from her nap Monday afternoon and thought she felt a little warm, but was rushing around trying to get the girls in the car to get to the doctor's appointment (for her diaper rash) and didn't take her temperature.  When we got to the doctor she had a 102.4 temp- so much for getting those vaccines.  Instead over the next several days we dealt with high fevers, vomiting, poor appetite, dehydration and of course the normal fussiness, sleeplessness, and lethargy that goes along with being sick.  After 3 trips to the doctor, 4 blood draws, one catheter, and two shots she was diagnosed with a kidney infection.  Glad she had a blistered and bleeding bottom so we caught it early.  Otherwise we probably would have been panicking Monday night with a baby with a high fever and vomiting.

{three} Oh and did I mention that this is the first week back at school at Winthrop.  These next couple weeks are always Chris' busiest times when he is working a lot.  We hosted 30+ students over for lunch last Sunday afternoon.  This weekend we're having an outdoor moving screening for students in our backyard and hosting a freshmen dinner.

{four} After all this with a sick baby and a busy husband here is the White Russian I made myself to relax.

{five} Phoebe started at PMO (Parent's Morning Out) this week at our church.  She (and Haddie Grace when she feels better) will be going on Tuesday and Thursday mornings this fall.  Yay for kid-free time to clean and go grocery shopping.  (Or take Haddie Grace to the doctor to get probed and prodded...)  I have a couple furniture painting projects I would like to do this fall too!
They sent her home with this sweet craft on Tuesday.  It reads:
Here's my little hand to hold when I am not with you I'm off to school to learn a bunch each day is fun and new My hand will grow a bit each day but I will always be Your loving child who is so glad you let my  hand go free

I'm so glad this week is over

Linking up with 5 on Friday and H54F

aden + anais easy swaddle

    <a href="http://goteambowen.blogspot.com" title="Mommy Monday"><img src="http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz178/rachelblate/mommymondayshop_zps63c6f37c.jpg" /></a>
We are a fan of swaddle wraps in this house.  We swaddled Phoebe for an embaressingly long time.  I mean, she was 6 or 7 seven months before we stopped swaddling her.  It was one of my "must-have" newborn items.  She just slept so well in it.  So of course we were planning on swadding Haddie Grace too.  A friend of mine gave us an aden + anais easy swaddle at our baby shower, and I love it!  Everyone loves the aden + anais swaddle blankets, but I had never seen their easy swaddle.  It is the same soft muslin cotton as the swaddle blankets, but with an easy snap close that creates the perfect swaddle.  I love it because I feel like it is more breathable and cooler than the cotton swaddles I had been using.

What do you think?  Did you or do you swaddle your babies?
Be sure to link up your mommy posts below!!

Also linking up with Monday Mingling,  Mom's Monday Mingle, and YOLO Mondays

Space bags

I realize this might be quite boring to some and there are certainly some fashions and make-up that I am loving right now, but right now I am most excited about these vacuum seal space bags!  We don't have a lot of extra storage space, and what to do with out-gown baby clothes has been a growing question.  I had done pretty well keeping up with them in various Rubbermaid storage containers, but we were starting to run out of under-the-the bed space for the containers and even run out of corners and attic space to stack them in!  And Phoebe is only 15 months old...  Not only was space becoming an issue, but those containers aren't cheap!  They aren't expensive either, but when you start using them a lot of them, the prices do add up quickly. I can't remember what we were talking about or how the subject came up, but last weekend at work someone was talking about these space bags.  **Ding-dong**  What a great idea!!  I was able to consolidate 3 and a half containers of clothes into 2 large size space bags that both fit underneath the bed!  

And then we were storing 5 pillows up in the attic in trash bags.  Yes, I realize this is a little gross with all the dust and potential bugs, but I didn't have another place to store them.  In comes vacuum seal space bags!  I fit 2 Euro pillows in 1 jumbo bag and 3 regular full/queen size pillows in a second jumbo bag.  Both easily fit under the bed.  And if I did choose to put them back up in the attic, I would feel much better about it now knowing they are better protected in the vacuum seal bag than they were in the trash bags.

So you might not be able to tell, but those bags are REALLY flat!  I didn't take a before pictures of the pillows, but just in case you forgot how big 2 euro pillows and 2 queen pillows are- let me remind you. (Sorry you will have to excuse the laundry on the bed.  At least it is clean and at least my bed is made.)

One large storage container averages about $10 depending on the exact size and brand.  A box of three large space bags at Target was about $11.  This will definitely be how we store clothes, baby bedding etc. from now on. Thanks for sharing in my excitement over the little things. Today I'm linking up with Carly, Kristen, Nikki, and Rachel  for What I'm Loving Lately

PeaPod

The PeaPod is currently my favorite baby product and has come in very handy this week.  Pack and plays are nice, but really too big and heavy to travel with (on a plane that is).  Thankfully when we've traveled to to Oklahoma, Delaware, and Chattanooga we were able to borrow pack and plays from family and friends.  But flying out to Colorado we had to come up with a different plan.  The PeaPod is actually one of the first things I put on our baby registry because I thought it looked that cool...  It is.

It packs up small enough to fit into a suitcase and only weighs about 5 lbs, so its easy to transport.  There is a small blow-up mattress that we put a crib sheet over and it is good to go.  (They also sell ones with a self-inflating mattress, but it is easy to blow up so probably not worth the extra money.)

It is very easy to set-up- it pops open as soon as you take it out of the carrying case so make sure no valuables (such as your child) are close by.  Its easy to fold back together as well and is pretty spacious.  A two or even three year old could sleep in it.

And if you wanted your child contained...

The PeaPod has ties on the bottom so you could stake it into the ground at the beach or camping and even has UV protection.  We will certainly be taking this to the beach with us next summer.

Grandma El's

Another "no-no" or at least point of contention with cloth diapers is the use of diaper rash cream.   Most traditional diaper rash cream (Desitin, A&D Ointment, Bourdeaux Butt Paste) contain zinc oxide that works by creating a barrier between the skin and diaper to prevent diaper contents from irritating the skin.  Which is what we are wanting, right?  Well again there is the debate as to whether these creams/pastes affect the absorbency of cloth diapers by creating a barrier between the diaper contents and the soft fleece/absorbent pads in the diaper.

So wanting to be pretty cautious and make my diapers last, I found Grandma El's and LOVE it!  It has more of the consistency of Vaseline and actually smells pretty darn yummy!  It is a naturally derived product that creates a protectant barrier that also allows the skin to breathe (unlike the zinc oxide products), which promotes healing.  It also promotes the growth of new skin collagen, which helps the skin to heal.

Happy Heiny's, another cloth diapering company, endorses the product as safe to use with cloth diapers and I read many reviews from cloth diapering moms that whole-heartedly endorse it as well.  I must say I'm a convert.  I love the stuff.  I have found that it does heal Phoebe's diaper rash much quicker than Butt Paste and it doesn't leave a white residue on her bottom.

Of course the best remedy is good old fashioned air time in her birthday suit.  We do have a cloth wet pad (like a hospital chux if you're familiar with such things) that we try to lay her on sans diaper whenever we start to notice a bit of redness.

Has anyone else used Grandma El's and liked it?

Top 10

In no particular order my 10 favorite baby items that we have used over the past 2 months

1. BabyBjorn
Love it!  This has been great for carrying Phoebe.  I use it when I go to the grocery store because its easier to get her in the Bjorn than haul in her heavy carrier/car seat.  I don't feel like our car seat sits very securely on the grocery cart so the Bjorn is perfect.  I also use it to hold her in around the house.  For example she's sitting in it with me now as I'm blogging...

2. BOB Ironman jogging stroller

This has been wonderful for me to use and take her out running with!  It's a smooth ride for Phoebe and very easy for me to push.  I would say it's a little heavy but I can still maneuver it easily and it is lighter than a lot of other jogging strollers.

 

3. Medela Easy Expression Hands-Free Bra for breast pumps

This has been a lifesaver!  With as much pumping as I do, it is fabulous to have my hands free to read a book, play on the computer, feed Phoebe or whatever.  Even if you are only pumping on occasion I would still say this is a must-have!

4. Pampers Swaddlers

Pampers makes the best newborn diapers hands-down.  We tried Huggies as well as off-brands and Pampers Swaddlers fit the best and leak the least.  Really, this is the only newborn diaper to purchase.

5. Bum Genius 3.0 Cloth Diapers

I know not everyone is interested in the cloth diaper route, but for the past couple weeks we've been using them we have absolutely loved them!  No blow-outs, no leaks and makes me smile every time I'm not throwing away a dirty diaper.

6. Baby Einstein Around the World Play Gym

Phoebe LOVES her play gym.  She loves to look up at the star that flashes lights and plays music.  She will just smile, laugh, dance and be entertained.

7. Snap N' Go Stroller

We opted not to purchase the stroller/car seat travel system.  We bought our car seat off Craig's list and use (also second hand) this snap n'go stroller.  I love it because it is SO light and easy to maneuver.  I don't have to fight to get it in and out of the car or set-up.  It takes two seconds and it makes tight turns very easily.  When she out grows the baby carrier and snap n'go we will probably opt for an umbrella stroller.

8. Fisher-Price Zen Collection Cradle Swing

Phoebe also loves her swing!  She will look up at the mobile (we do wish the mobile moved on its own though) and listen to the music; she loves to swing too!  It will calm her and put her to sleep, but we try not to use it for that very often because we don't want her to "have-to" swing in order to go to sleep.  Another thing I love about this swing is that the base comes off and acts alone as a baby seat.  I will often bring her into the kitchen in the seat while I'm cooking or upstairs while I'm folding laundry, taking a shower etc.  I like this because we don't have a lot of space for multiple baby contraptions so I am a big fan of any 2 in 1 designs.

(this is not Phoebe)

9. Summer Infant SwaddleMe Blanket

Phoebe sleeps SO well in this blanket!  We swaddle her every night and she's a great sleeper!  This is another must-have for my sanity and quality sleep.

10. Paci Clip

Phoebe loves her paci, but I'm sure like most babies she spits it out or loses suction fairly often.  I am a bit of a germaphobe (just a bit though) so I love the paci clip because it keeps her paci from falling on the floor or any other undesirable surface.  I don't really like the paci clips at Babies R Us or Target that I have seen.  But we found this one in a speciality store and I love it!  I love the thin ribbon and the button clip.  I'm sure someone craftier than myself could make them and then pin it...  This particular one is super fancy, but it was the only"B" one they had.  

Yoomi, the self-warming bottle

What do you do when you are out with a hungry baby and you have a bottle of cold breast milk but no way to warm it?  Its quite the predicament, and we have been there.  BUT, no more thanks to Yoomi, the self-warming bottle.

Yes, this bottle really does warm the milk by itself.  What a novel concept.  We had been a couple places with Phoebe where we were unable to get hot/warm water to warm up a bottle of breast milk, so this bottle was intriguing to me.  My friend Alyssa mentioned it to me suggesting that some fun bottles might help "ease the transition" to exclusive bottle feeding after I had decided to stop nursing.  Well I must admit I enjoyed a little splurge of retail therapy :)

The company claims that it warms the feed to the temperature of fresh breast milk in 60 seconds, and I was eager to try out this claim.  The warmer device sits in the large nipple (or teat as the British company calls it).  According to the directions, you hit the button on the warmer (through the nipple/teat) and wait 30 seconds, then you turn the bottle upside down for 30 seconds and ta-da!  Your feed is warm.  Well, I must admit that it does take longer than 60 seconds to warm the feed, but it certainly does warm cold milk taken out of an iced cooler.

Turning the bottle upside down allows the feed to run into the nipple (teat) and around the warmer.  Now, I suppose if your baby was a very slow eater that it could warm the milk in the 30 seconds that it sits in the nipple when you turn the bottle over and then it would continue to warm the feed from the bottom of the bottle as it flowed into the nipple and around the warmer.  However, we did not find this to be true.  What I do is turn the bottle upside down for a minute and then turn the bottle right-side up.  I continue this flipping for several minutes.  As the feed runs over the warmer it does warm the whole bottle.  Its pretty sweet.  I would say it has allowed me to be more mobile and not worry about how to warm a bottle.  For awhile we were taken a thermos of hot water with us to warm the bottle, but this has simplified our lives a bit.  (I also would worry about the hot water spilling out of the thermos and burning someone or getting things wet.)

I'm not 100% sure how the warmer works.  You have to "charge" the warmer before each use.  You charge it by placing it in a pot of boiling water for 25 minutes and then letting it sit/cool for 75 minutes.  Once it is charged it will stay charged until you use it.  So I will typically re-charge it after every use and then its ready to go whenever I might need it.

You can read more about it here.

The Yoomi bottle is certainly not a necessity; I would definitely consider it a splurge item.  But I will say that we have enjoyed it and that a little retail therapy can go a long way :)  And because someone gave us A TON of used bottles from their children this is the only new bottle we've bought or had given to use, so I don't feel as bad.

Ok, this is a much later thought that I am adding after I finished this post, but someone was just telling me that they feed their baby cold breast milk straight from the cooler.  I feel a bit stupid, but I didn't know you could do this...  I don't know if Phoebe would take it cold or not. I guess it depends on the baby, but she'll get warm milk now that's for sure.