BabyKIcks Swim Diapers or Why you dont need to rewash disposable swim diapers

Recently I was Looking at some fun summer blog posts about summer attire for infants and I ran across an article on how you can wash disposable swim diapers. My first thought was, "that is ridiculous" Washing them defeats the purpose of them being disposable in the first place! I couldnt understand why someone would want to do that and so I asked. I was told by a friend that the sposie swimmers are very expensive for a package and the goal is to only buy one package to last a long time, I can understand that but I cant understand reusing something that isnt meant to be reused. In the same vein as disposable food packages and water bottles washing and reusing an item made of disposable material might be a bad idea. You can not be sure that the chemicals and plastics used to make a disposable item will not begin to breakdown when exposed to the violent agitation in a washer or the cleaning agents in detergent.
 I had my second baby last Autumn and only just started needing a swim option this month so I got  a Babykicks Swimmer it cost less than a large package of Swim diapers (Its $13.95 at BabyKicks Website)
There are 4 sizes of Babykicks Swim Diapers

available. The size I got was large (which starts at 21lbs but My baby is nearly 20lbs so I decided that size would work best for us) The diaper is very attractive with a Gender Neutral print that has cute crabs, live preservers, light houses,fish and anchors on it. I love that it can be easily pulled on or unsnapped at the side in case of a big poo mess.
The first time I took baby in the pool we used a regular diaper with ot and insert and it was difficult to put on him at the pool, the babyKicks swimmer was very easy to pull on and take off after we were done.
On the way to the pool we put a babyicks doubler in the swimmer to absorb and peepee that happened before getting in the water. Once baby is in the water swim diapers disposable or otherwise DO NOT CONTAIN URINE, I my experience with disposable swimmers and my first child they didn't even absorb urine before hitting the water. I saw that baby did pee when we were trying on the Babykicks Anchors away Swim diaper upon its arrival and it was contained by the swimmer, while baby modeled the diaper and I took a photo.!My baby did Poop while at the splash park and I didn't realize he did until we went to change. I simple undid the side snaps and changed him. the poop was easily rinsed out of the mesh interior and he could have put it back on to play more. The babykicks Simmer was less bulky than I remember the Disposables being and I really like the sift elastic that didn't leave marks on my baby the way disposable swimmer can tend to do.
Over all I am happy with the way the swim diaper from Baby kicks is preforming for us. I am nopt worried about washing it because unlike its disposable counterparts it is meant to be washed. I intend on using it for this and next summer as long as it fits him we will also try it when we get to potty learning. Its pull up design and water proof cover will make a great addition to our training pants collection!
I would suggest this as an affordable option to people in the summer who want a cute water diapering option!

Side Snapping Fun in Premium Pocket Babykicks.

My Child can now Crawl! I love this mile stone in our lives, my oldest never really crawled he dragged him self along for a week or so then moved right into walking. I though baby Ray would skip it because he has been deploying strategic rolling maneuvers for about a month, but he slowly is starting to crawl and romp around the house wreaking havoc on the appliances and cats! Boy oh boy, I have been having a heck of a time with his hook and loop diapers catching on the carpet and toys and I even have been having some issues with his front snap pockets. I didnt know what the heck to do! Then I got this lovely Premium pocket diaper from BabyKicks  to review! I already knew how awesome BabyKicks premium pockets were (after all I have had a couple since baby was really little) and I love me some Organic hemp! I am just shocked at how much better the side snaps fit Ray and how esily he can move around in them.
I have been using BabyKicks inserts and Hemparoo blankets as flats and using the Side snapping pocket as a cover and an AI2, I love the fact that the diaper is so versatile and comes with a fleece stay dry liner!
Ray is currently on the second setting so the tabs over lap creating extra leak protection for my little mover and great coverage for a tummy sleeper!
I took Ray to the skating rink, dressed in Babykicks Premium pocket side snapping diaper with flats the week of the flats challenge and was not worried about leaking at all!

I am very happy to have a side snapping diaper on my little guy the air gussets
let him move freely and he couldn't be happier in that beautiful True Red!
All of Baby Kicks diapers have side snaps and are available for purchase on their site
http://www.babykicks.com
I was given the diaper shown to review all opinions are my own

Flats Day 7: I have a cold! Plus My experience and last word about the Flats and Handwashing challenge

I will be so happy to use our regular pockets and AIOs again... I feel like singing "Let it Go!"

Here I am looking awesome because I am tired and have a cold. I am nursing the baby in this video and that's whats up! Suffice it to say I am glad to have participated but glad its over too!

Bottom line, if I needed to I would hand wash but using the washer is a better option even if I had to pay a $1 every few days and hang them to dry . I think this has turned me off flats for a while (because i miss my pretty diapers) and I will have to check but I think I used more water handwashing.If I didnt have a washer or if the power was out, I would hand wash at home. It wasnt hard to do. I will do it again. I will continue to say "please try flats they are easy to use and wash."

DAY 7 Link up

Day 6: Open Topic, Why I think this is and isnt an option for low income families

`      Both of my kids are sick today so I have No video on this, Day 6 of the challenge. I do however have a brief list of pros and cons, and reasons I do and do not think that  hand washing are a good choice for low income families.

        First let me start by saying my family is single income, low income. We have made sacrifices for me to stay home with baby because I believe my children need me at home, it is best for our family. We financially qualify for many assistance programs including The Rebecca Foundation Cloth Diaper Closet which operates at 0 cost to its clients. We don't participate in all these programs but we do qualify. We used our tax return to get a top load Amana washer and when we had baby, a friend gave me diapers, I got diapers on free-cycle and I have won about 25 diapers in giveaways. I actually had to buy flat diapers to try them and have not purchased many diapers besides those, and I usually hand wash once a week while I have the pockets and AIO diapers in the washer, I like everything to be clean for the weekend!

Taking my financial and diaper situations, into account I can honestly say that I dont think HANDWASHING flats is a legitimate option for families in my situation. Our washer uses by far less water than I have used this week and I wash twice a week I think taking diapers with your laundry to the Laundromat once or twice a week would be a better option for low income people. You can rinse them at home. I absolutely believe using Flats is a great idea, I have called around and almost all the daycare centers in our area will use cloth diapers, you must bring a wet bag and several changes daily (1 diaper for every 2 hours they are in the facility) and I would say that having flats in Pockets or Gdiapers would be a very low cost way to put your daycare baby in cloth during the day. Also at least in my area a week of daycare for baby costs more than a part time job pays so maybe . I also think that most people homeless or not are washing their clothing at least once a week some place and they can easily take diapers with them to the laundromat.

       I have used a few different detergent options this week, Tide, Ecosprout, Ecosprout with baking soda, Ivory and ivory with baking soda. They all got the diapers clean but hand washing in Tide should be done
 with gloves because it was very abrasive.

          This exercise has taught me that I could diaper in a situation that left us with out the use of a washer, I live in Florida and we have terrible storms that can knock power out for days. It is good to know that I can last a week with flats and hand washing, I could do this while camping or on a vacation where I may not have access to a washer.

          I believe the following, Flat diapers are a legitimate option for people who ant to cloth diaper, they can be used to expand a stash or used while building a stash. Some people use them exclusively because they can be easily washed both in an automatic washer and by hand. I DO NOT think that hand washing is a ligit option to use flats all the time and while it is something that CAN be done if you cant get to a laundromat, it uses a lot more water than a washer does and it is not as efficient. Hand wash any diapers in an emergency situation is a great option and using flats inside of pockets and with covers is a wonderful idea for people who need to put babies in daycare and since they can be washed easily and dried quickly it is a good option for people who dont have a lot of money to buy a ton of diapers.



What are Others talking about Please follow the link here!
http://dirtydiaperlaundry.com/4th-annual-flats-and-handwashing-challenge-day-6-open-topic/

Flats and Hand Washing Day 5: Folds and experience with them so far.

Day five, So far so good! Yesterday I thought we lost a poop some place due to a loose cover but after much searching, I decided that maybe baby just had gas...lol

I love Fleece covers more than I has imagined I would I am busting out the Gerber cover today and a tshirt diaper

Since I usually hand wash on Fridays I took this opportunity to use some different folds and materials, Like Gerber plastic pants and tshirt diapers and receiving blankets. playing with detergent options too, I like some ivory soap flakes with baking soda!

Over nights are a cake walk because of Babykicks hemparoo receiving blanket! no leaks and it still could absorb way more liquid. We put it on at about 8pm and change at 7am so thats quite a stretch.

I have been using the two folds in the video the most I tried origami but it wasnt working on Baby Ray. I also have had one snappi bite on my thumb and that thing is like a land shark

I will be going to a Skate Party tonight with the oldest and using a FST with a hemp duz it all
and hoping baby doesnt unleash the cracken during the two hours we are there.

Today I am going to be hoping that my stuff outside gets mostly dry before it rains ar noon...Orlando
weather!







If you want to see what others are doing (their folds might even have names!) feel free to clock the link and hop the blogs! DIRTY DIAPER LAUNDRY FLATS CHALLENGE DAY 5

Day Four: What is Your Wash Routine?

I am participating in the 4th Annual Flats and Handwashing challenge brought to you by Dirty Diaper Laundry. Diapering all Week in Flats and hand washing them! This challenge is ment to demonstrate that almost anyone can use cloth diapers. Follow with me here on TheRebecca Foundation blog or on my Youtube Channel! 


My Wash is simple. I will show you in the video.
I again say I have Hard water here in Orlando and I dont get many bubbles, My soap is working my diapers are clean and smell like nothing when dry.

Also I have been Washing as I go for the most part and that really helps the covers are washed in the same way and also hung out to dry!


FOLLOW OTHERS AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHALLENGE HERE

Day Three Flats Challenge: Open topic, What is in the Bag

With airlines charging tons for checked luggage and space in your purse at a minimum here is how to pack for a full week with baby in flats and a few outfits. Remember you can Layer baby's look to bring even more stuff with you with out putting it in the bag!

This was taken with my phone, excuse the quality!

Explore others Open Topics for Day Three below 

FLATS DAY THREE~