Cloth diapering: Muttaqins

Evangeline wearing a Muttaqin fitted diaper (size large)

If you asked me which diaper I grab first, I'd say the Muttaqin.  It's been my all time favorite since we switched to fitted diapers.  (Note: fitted diapers require a waterproof cover.)

Not only are they extremely cute, they seem cozy, comfortable, and soft. They are made with top-quality fabrics and any snaps that would be on the inside of the diaper are hidden so they don't press against baby's skin. Not only are they wonderfully absorbent, but they also contain "messes" well.  I've never had a blow out with these babies!

"Mutts", as they are known in cloth diaper circles, come in a variety of designs.  One of their most economical designs is their unique one size diaper, which they call the 3 Step Rise 1 Size (referred to 3SR Mutts in the CD world). Because of their adjustability, they fit from 8-35lbs.

Those anticipating the arrival of a newborn may love their Newborn Sized diapers which come with a snap down umbilical area to avoid covering that fragile little umbilical stump. These diapers typically fit from 5-15lbs because of a special snap down rise which made.  When your baby outgrows these, he or she will fit wonderfully into 3SR Mutts.  Mutt's NB sized diapers are deliciously adorable. These will definitely hold in those newborn would-be-blowouts!  These are newborn diapers you don't have to feel guilty about splurging on since they fit a wider range.  I have a hard time buying diapers that only fit up to 8 or 9lbs, since my last two have been around eight and a half pounds!  Seems like a waste!

Mutt's Front-Snapping diapers are the ones I am most familiar with.  They come in medium and large sizes.  Evie, at the average size for a 16 month old, can easily fit in both medium and large sizes.  She never has red marks on her skin from the gussets or snaps (since the snaps are hidden).  I generally use a Thirsties Duo Wrap (size 2), Bummis Super Brite (Medium) or wool soaker (like EcoPosh) over these diapers.

Muttaqin also carries side-snapping diapers (which I'd love to test out! I'm new to side-snapping!), "Baby-shapped" diapers, and turned and top-stitched sized diapers (their other diapers are serged).

FYI, I am not being paid to post this review. This is just a personal review of some of my favorite cloth diapers!

Our Cloth Diaper Stash

I recently sold most of my pockets and built lil Miss Evangeline a new stash of cloth diapers made mostly of fitted diapers.  And, I've been working on building Molly Jo's cloth diaper stash, this time splurging a bit on a newborn fitted stash.  (With Evangeline, her newborn stash was flats and prefolds with Bummis Super Brite and Thirsties Duo Wrap size 1 covers)

{diapers nicely organized into bins}

Molly Jo:

11 Birds-Eye flats (I must have lost one)
4 Dark Green Edge prefolds
5 Gerber Prefolds

1 Cotton Sherpa Small or Newborn Kissa Contour
2 Small Floral Contours
2 Small Sckoon fitteds
5 Diaper Drive Thru Newborn fitteds
4 Newborn Patooshie Fitteds
1 Gussie Pocket (made by me) fitted
8 Small flannel diapers (7 made by me) [Evie outgrew these around 6 months old]
2 Small Organic Hideaway diapers
3 Medium Stage 2 Drybees (adjustable)
1 Medium Piper's Closet diaper
5 Medium Thirsties Fab Fitteds
8 Tinkle Trap Converted Prefold Fitteds

4 GroBaby/GroVia diapers (I have a 5th.. somewhere...)

1 Black OS Tweedlebug Pocket diaper
2 Small Fuzzibunz pocket diaper (white)
3 Pink OS BumGenius pocket diapers (fit on the small side, IMO)
2 Blueberry OS pocket diapers

1 OS Wool cover
1 small wool cover
2 small pair of fleece longies
4 Thirsties Duo Wraps size 1 [Evie outgrew these around 6 months as well]
1 Weehugger cover size 1

Evangeline:

3 wool soakers (covers)
2 Bummis Super Brite wraps (1 medium, 1 grand. Grand is still a little too big.)
1 Lavender Thirsties Duo Wrap (size 2)
1 Kushies cover
2 Snapless Fleece wraps (made by me)
1 Fleece soaker (made by me)
3 Fleece "capris" (made by me)

3 Nifty Nappies fitteds
6 Large Muttaqin fitteds
4 Large Sandy's ME fitteds
2 MEOS (Mother Ease One-Size) fitteds

To share (but mostly for Evie):

3 OS Muttaqin fitteds
2 Bumpkie Bottoms Snapless OS fitteds
2 OS Cheeky Cloth fitteds
2 Bugga Bugga Boutique fitteds (OS)
1 snapless zebra/floral BSRB
1 Egg & Bacon Soothe Baby OS fitted
1 Tinkle Trap side snap fitted
3 Good Mamas

and a bunch of inserts, mostly bamboo or hemp. I'm sure I have more diapers here and there I forgot to mention, but this is what was among the things I was organizing (or was waiting to arrive in the mail). I purchased the majority of my diapers in excellent used condition from other cloth diapering mamas. Therefore, I have some really great high-quality diapers without paying a high-quality price! :)

A lot of my friends have exclaimed that I have a large stash- if only they knew how big the average cloth diaper stash is! I know many women who have far more than I have... and for only one child!

I'd really like to get a dozen more diaper for Evangeline so I don't have to wash as often.  Since Evie has not been interested in using the potty at all lately (there's your Elimination Communication update!), we've gone through a lot more diapers, so I usually have to wash every other day. It's not a big deal, but it'd be really nice to wash every three days instead.  However, since for years I had a tiny stash and was accustomed to washing every day, I am thankful that I can nearly squeeze in three days out of Evangeline's stash.

Our current stash- this photo is missing a little over 2 dozen diapers from our stash.

I'm going to start reviewing some my favorite diapers, so you'll know what I love about my new stash! Check back for that if you're curious about cloth!

8 Green Gifts that $ave money!

Here are eight great gifts that are actually useful.... and "green"! All of these items come from various Etsy shops, so you are not only being green, but your money is staying in the US! Buy for yourself or someone else!

Produce bags from generationMe. ($2.75)

We all know grocery store produce bags are such a waste. They're flimsy to begin with!
The other day I plopped a bag of sweet potatoes on the check out, and the bag ripped, sending the potatoes rumbling and rolling all over the place. Bleh.

Cloth wipes from Lover of Life Designs

16 2-ply flannel wipes for $15

or 30 1-play flannel wipes for $20

These wipes are great for those who are cloth diapering, but also for wiping dirty faces and runny noses and could be used as bath rags as well! So soft!

"Unpaper Towels" from LittleWondersDesign
$25 for 24 towels made from Birds Eye Cotton

Remember the days when people didn't use paper towels? Maybe you don't! Check out these towels. They are slim and can tuck into a drawer or fold into a pretty little basket on the countertop. You could use them as napkins, kitchen towels, or even use them on your Swiffer Mop!

The Flower Farm crocheted coffee sleeve $9.95

I wish I could crochet, but I can't. Well, I could... if I tried, but... then I'd have to steer my patience from one area to another, so....  hey, look.. aren't these cute? The Flower Farm has a variety of crocheted coffee sleeves that will make you want to pick up the java-habit if you haven't already. Great gift for a friend who can't go without her morning cup of joe. (I know, this doesn't save you money, but... can we pretend it does? It does save you from wasting those little cardboard sleeves!)

Reusable To-Go Tumbler from Poppy & Pearl Co , prices vary upon size & quantity.

I love mason jars, so I definitely love these cute tumblers that have a nifty little lid and come with a reusable, BPA-free straw!  These make perfect kiddo cups as well!

Upcycled Wool diaper covers by Laura Blossom $12.50 - $24.00

Not too long ago, I ditched pocket diapers, PUL, and microfiber for a more natural diapering system. The first wool cover I bought was from this little Etsy store!  You see, wool covers can be extremely expensive, and when you are on a budget, well.... the idea of spending $40 on one wool cover seems a little *eek*, especially when you aren't sure whether you'll really love using wool or not!  I am so grateful that Ms. Laura sells these inexpensive, upcycled covers in her little Baa Baa Baby Etsy shop! I have to give her extra credit because she sends them out already lanolized so you can begin using them right away! These would make the perfect gift for a cloth-diapering mama!  This one wool cover has replaced the 5-8 PUL covers I would normally use in one day! See, money saving and cute!

Wool Knit Play Fruit from clothdiapermommy $15.00

Okay, so this isn't actually going to save you money either, but it's a super cute handmade gift that any child should love! (I know mine would!) They are soft, safe, and perfect for toddlers and "big girls" alike, in my opinion!

Waterproof Labels by stickaroundlabels $19.95-24.95

Now this is a smart idea! These waterproof labels not only work on sippy cups, lunchboxes, books, and shoes, but can also be put on cloth diapers, jackets, and other wearable items! (Read directions on placement.) Choose from a variety of designs.  Child have an allergy? Purchase a special sticker stating your kiddo's allergy for their backpack or lunchbox. Great for children in daycare or school.... or adults whose stuff seems to disappear from the office!

For Your Table: cloth napkins

The Natural Resources Defense Council estimates that if every home in the United States replaced just one 250-count package of paper napkins with recycled napkins, we could save one million trees.

Cloth napkins, or "unpaper napkins" as my friend Maria and I call them, are a staple in our house. We're messy folk.  I wish I could blame it on the kids, but I'm a messy momma myself.  (Just ask my family. They love to spill all my messy little secrets!)

You don't have to spend a bunch to have a nice cloth napkin stash. In fact, most of mine come from fabric scraps! They're simple to make and easy to wash (and much softer on dirty little faces!).

Check out The Organic Family Shop; we'll be posting some to purchase soon!