I feel ready. Wednesday I didn’t. I’ve done a lot between then and now.
My banner is made (hand painted by me because it’s so much more organic than a plastic one ;) ), handouts are rolling off the printer as I type, entry cards are cut and cake balls are in the box!
Yes, I said cake balls. What’s an event without dessert??
I’m also bringing dozens of cloth diapers for parents to see first hand. I’m most excited about all the people I will meet! Kim of Rockin Green, Diane of Go, Baby, Go Shop!, Tracy of Sweet Seat, Brooke of Eden’s Baby and many of my awesome readers!
I can’t wait to share pics with you and hear of your experience. Have a blast!
Here is the handout I will have available for parents interested in cloth diapers:
Excerpts from the Ultimate Guide to Cloth Diapers:
Why cloth diapers?
For my family our baby’s health was the reason we chose cloth diapering. My husband is a chiropractor and that opened the door to a way of thinking that revolved around health. We were introduced to natural ways of birthing, organic eating, and the multiple chemicals that we live with daily. Some we can alter or lessen, others we have little control over.
When we looked at the chemicals we could eliminate, disposable diapers were a big one. I did quite a bit of research into the chemicals contained in the diapers I was putting on my child. Having this info and choosing to ignore it became very difficult.
What’s in a disposable diaper anyway??
The two big toxins in disposable diapers are Dioxin and Sodium Polyacrylate.
Dioxin is an extremely nasty chemical. A 1994, EPA report revealed that there is no safe exposure level for dioxin. That means that any exposure to this dangerous chemical is harmful to your child.
Dioxin is a by-product of the bleaching process that occurs in paper mills. This method is banned in most countries and is known by the EPA as one of the highest cancer causing agents known.
Sodium Polyacrylate- super absorbent gel: (complete references are found in the Ultimate Guide to Cloth Diapers)
It can absorb up to 100X its weight in water (1). It can stick to baby’s genitals, causing allergic reactions (2). Reported to cause severe skin irritations, oozing blood from perineum and scrotal tissues, fever, vomiting and staph infections in babies (2). When injected into rats it has caused hemorrhage, cardiovascular failure and death (4). Banned from tampons in 1985 because of its link to Toxic Shock Syndrome (1). Has killed children after ingesting as little as 5 grams of it (5). Causes female organ problems, slows healing wounds, fatigue and weight loss to the employees in factories that manufacture it (6).
How many cloth diapers will you need?
In Summary, the minimum suggested to have on hand for each system:
12 AIO/AI2, Pockets, or Fitteds or
2 Dozen Prefolds + 5-7 PUL or Fleece Covers + 3 Soakers, 1 Heavy wool for nighttime
If you were washing every night (boy would this wear you out! I know, I did it!) you *could* get by with 12. No one wants to do this for long. I suggest about 2 dozen diapers to give you a comfortable wash routine.
Do cloth diapers really save you money??
For the sake of these calculations we are going to use the prices on Diapers.com for Huggies Snug and Dry Diapers. It is recommended that a disposable diaper be changed every 2 hours. Let’s assume that at 4 months your baby would graduate to size 3 diapers.
- Newborn-4 months (size 1/2) = 1440 diapers x 0.18 = $259.20
- 4 months-20 months (size 3) = 5760 diapers x 0.24 = $1382.40
- 20 months- 24 months (size 4) = 960 diapers (every 4 hours) x 0.27 = $25.92
That comes to a total of $1408.32 for the first two years of your baby’s life.
Maggie says
This was such an amazing, inspiring event. It really brought us together as a commune of cloth diaper parents here in Vancouver, Canada.
Jessica says
Hi
I left a comment and never got a response. I just got your book and Im sad that there is nothing in there about how to wash new diapers. I know I need to wash 5-7 x but do I use detergent for all the loads??
hope to hear from you
thanks
Autumn Beck says
no you don’t have to use detergent for every load. most diapers can be used after one wash and just continue to get more absorbent over time. prefolds need to be fully prepped before using.
Mary says
I was able to attend an event in North Texas and it was so much fun! There were 66 mamas & babies getting changed. I think the best part was sharing the experience~
Kim Webb says
I can’t believe we never got to talk! It was so crazy!!
Autumn Beck says
I know!! I also can’t believe how many diapers we changed compared to other places! Woohoo for San Antonio and surrounding towns!
Heather says
I would love to go to a cloth diaper event locally, but I don’t know of any. Do you know of a specific web-site that lists these events around the country? I’m in CT.
Donna says
I am so sad that I could not make it to my area Cloth Diaper Change :( I would have loved to meet area moms that CD.
Leah says
Just got home from the Great Cloth Diaper Change event in Port Coquitlam BC Canada, we had so much fun meting new people all participating in such a great cause!
Britt says
We just participated up here in Chilliwack BC (Canada) at our “All things being Eco” store. There was a great turn-out: the store was packed and the media was present. There were some great door prizes too. My two and a half year daughter (who barely made it under the 39″ height requirement) was a pro! To top it off, there was a visit from the Easter bunny at the end.
Eanista says
Was totally siked about attending at the Cotton Babies store here in St Louis, but Guinness said we had to have at least 25 participants and we didnt, but I am with you guys in spirit!
Autumn Beck says
That’s surprising! I would have thought St. Louis + Cotton Babies would = lots of parents.
Sommer says
Oh I’m so sad I just now heard about this! I would have loved to be a part of this! Bummer :( I hope this event is a big hit though!!
Cyndel J says
I don’t have a diaper baby right now, my 3 1/2 year old is almost completely potty trained and I don’t have anything cloth for him, it was either cloth both part time, or one full time, so I chose to cloth our coming-soon-second full time. But I’m thinking of going to the event anyway to get to know other CDing moms in my area, I don’t know of anyone personally who CD’s.
Adrian Post says
Too bad I’m not in Texas, I’d love to finally meet you. But I will be going to one in my area and I’m giving away a few Cutiepoops too! Have a fun day!
Lauren says
Definitely going here in Memphis!! Can’t wait!
Mindy says
I’m thrilled to be going to this as your personal assistant and fellow encourager of cloth diapering. I’m looking forward to meeting a few cd entrepreneurs myself.
Thanks for the link up, friend. I’m thinking I didn’t make enough. ;-)
Jessica says
I am so sad. I just got the email notification that the event at my “local” (one hour away) cloth diaper store is cancelled. Apparently, they didn’t have enough people register to participate. I am so sad! :-(
Caroline says
Wish I could be there but I will be taking part in spirit (changing diapers as usual today) from down here in Costa Rica where my family are missionaries. Have a blast!!
Stephanie says
cake balls!?! Have been reading for a long time, & can’t wait to meet you!
dana says
Yep! My girlfriend is a Diaper Parties rep and there a cool shop near us that sells all kinds of BFing gear (Mommygear) that’s co-sponsoring the event with her. I also made cookies and muffins for the event. They sure aren’t cake balls (boy, do those look awesome), but they’re still sweet and delicious. Also, I’m in PA. We’re really hoping to get the 25 person turn out to qualify for Guiness. Right now there’s about 20 peeps registered.
Andrea G. says
Yes! I’m so excited to participate in Houston after my location in Austin was canceled. You guys have fun in the morning.
Patricia Urrutia says
I am hosting in LA and am so excited! We will most likely have some media coverage, so what a great way to raise awareness of reusable diapers. I’m crossing my fingers that there will be no major breaking news stories to compete for the reporter’s time.
Jannea Sandker says
Yes! I am going to Nicki’s Diapers in Madison, WI. I am driving 2 hours to get there before 11am! My husband is coming with me, too! :)
Kim Webb says
You had me at cake balls! Can’t wait to meet you tomorrow!
Leigh says
I’m going ! I’m so excited. I’ll be going to the Healthy Baby Boutique in Wichita, KS. They are giving a free diaper and a few goodies to everyone and also having some drawings. Plus they have some cute things for the kids that come along. :)
Sara says
Wish I had known! I would have gone too!