Why I Like It
I’m back to cloth diapering for my littlest one and purchased a few of the BumGenius 4.0 diapers to add to my collection of BumGenius 3.0 diapers. I purchased some of the newer colors (which my favorite is the “Bubble” color) and did notice that there was easier access to the elastic that is around the leg openings. The hook and loop closures have also been improved and seem to last longer than the did on the 3.0 version.

There’s debate on which type of closure is best. I stuck with the hook and loop closure purely for the fit that I can get from pulling them tight. A couple moms I know mentioned that the hook and loop tabs started curling up and was losing it’s holding strength. You can request replacement tabs from BumGenius and use basic sewing skills to replace them, however I don’t want to spend the time sewing. Here’s what I did to solve this little issues. I purchased strips of hook and loop closures with sticky backs from my local craft store. I cut a piece of the hook, and a piece of the loop and stuck them together to make one solid piece (hook on one side, loop on the back). Then I trimmed the corners to make them rounder and used that on top of the curling tabs to keep them down and fastened. This piece of hook and look doesn’t get dirty so I just reuse it any time I need to.

Before you dive into the world of cloth diapering remember to look at my cloth diapering checklist and how to cloth diaper your baby.

Where to Buy
Amazon.com
CottonBabies.com
Diapers.com

Why I Like It
With my oldest one I made her food and stored them in FreshBaby Food Trays, but then to actually take homemade food on the road with me because a chore. I had to defrost each cube in a large bowl, then put the defrosted food into a smaller container which I could then stick in my diaper bag. The Fresh N Freeze baby food containers makes this process a whole lot easier.

All you need to do is grab a container from the freezer, stick it in the microwave, then put it in your diaper bag. Plus the screw-on lid ensures that food won’t leak out. Now, they offer the containers in both 2 oz and 4 oz for those babies who are chow hounds.

When using these containers do not fill them to the top with food, leave a little room at the top to allow for the food to expand when frozen. This will help keep the lids on nice and tight. Remember to buy enough of the containers to store those big batches of food that you make!

Where to Buy
OneStepAhead.com

Why I Like It
By far, this is my favorite summer time item, especially now that I have a toddler who wants to swim in the big pool. I can put my youngest into the float with the shade cover and let her splash around the pool while I supervise my braver, older daughter who thinks she can swim by herself. I never have to worry about the littler one climbing out of the float because the seat is low enough where she’s not able to just push herself out.

One of the best things about this float is that it can be deflated and folded down to approximately a 12 inch diameter, flat circle. When it’s folded, it is easy to pop into my suitcase without adding much weight or taking up room.

Where to Buy
Amazon.com
DicksSportingGoods.com
ToysRUs.com

This earth friendly toy features a handle and many textures and sounds to keep baby busy and happy exploring all the different areas of the block. There is a crinkle flap, teething tags, a knot , chimes and a variety of textures to stimulate your baby’s senses. Dandelion toys uses vegetable color dyes, organic cotton and corn fiber fillings for the busy block. This toy is 6 inches square and is machine washable.

Why I Like It

Toys are a tricky thing with little ones.  Many toys are made of plastic and can contain toxic materials.  Dandelion toys takes all the worry out because of the materials they use in all their toys.  I love that the color dye they use is vegetable based and that nothing in the toy can harm my child if it is ingested.  The busy block has so many different textures and sounds that I spent several minutes just taking it all it.  When I gave it to my little one, she was fascinated with it and it is now our “go-to” toy when she needs a distraction.

Where to Buy

Amazon.com
Diapers.com
DandelionForBaby.com

• Peri bottle – The hospital should provide you with a peri bottle, so be sure to take it home with you. It may also be helpful to purchase a couple extra to store in each bathroom of your home and one for your purse if you plan on going out with in the first couple weeks.
• Tucks medicated pads – Store some pads in each bathroom of your home and in your purse.
• Mother’s Milk Tea – This helps promote healthy breast milk.
• Ultra thin maxi pads – Be sure to take these to the hospital with you or you’ll be stuck with some very bulky and somewhat uncomfortable pads.
• Pain medication prescriptions
• Breast pump – A baby’s suck helps your milk come in, so if your baby refuses to nurse the first few days pumping every few hours will help your milk come in a little quicker.
• Nursing pads
• Nursing bras – It is recommended that nursing mothers also wear a bra at night for additional support, so purchase two night bras. One to wash and one to wear.
• Lanolin Topical Treatment – Purchase the smallest tube of Lanolin, or grab a couple sample packets. You will only need a very small amount to help cracked or chapped nipples.

When nursing you will experience some period like cramping. This is caused by your uterus contracting back to it’s normal size. If the pain is unbearable ask your doctor about taking a non-prescription pain reliever to alleviate your discomfort. Add that pain reliever to the list above.

• Your birth plan.
• Insurance card and any hospital paperwork.
• Government issued ID.
• Eyeglasses if needed. If you wear contacts, you’ll probably want to switch to your glasses sometime. during your stay at the hospital.
• Headband, hair ties or barrettes.
• Lip balm.
• Bathrobe, nightgown, slippers and socks. The hospital will provide you with a nightgown, however most hospitals will allow you to wear your own. Just be sure that the nightgown is sleeveless for the blood pressure cuff and that your doctor can easily check your cervix. Your nightgown should also be easily removed when you have an IV in and if you are planning on receiving an epidural.
• Reading material, portable DVD player or MP3 player. These can be helpful distractions, or if you are being induced can help pass the time.
• Pillow with a colorful pillowcase so that it is not confused with the hospital’s pillows. I brought my body pillow to the hospital which was helpful when I was laboring on my side rather than on my back.
• Tennis balls or back massager in case you experience back pain during labor.
• Snacks for after delivery.
• Nursing bra, breast pads, maternity underwear and sanitary pads. The hospital will provide you with sanitary pads and a net like underwear, but I found it more comfortable to wear my own underwear with ultra thin sanitary pads I brought from home.
• Clean nightgown and robe.
• Toiletries including shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, facial cleanser and any cosmetics
• List of family and friends numbers, cell phone and cell phone charger. Some hospitals do not allow the use of cell phones on the labor floor, so check with your hospital first.
• A going home outfit. After delivery you will be about the size you were when you were 5-6 months pregnant, so bring a maternity outfit that fit you during that time.

• 18-24 cloth diapers
• Cloth diaper pail or medium flip top trash can
• Fragrance disks or odor eliminators for the diaper pail
• 2 cloth diaper pail liners (one to wash, one to use)
• 1 wet bag for on-the-go dirty diapers
• Disposable or cloth wipes
• Toilet spray (if not using a diaper liner)
• Flushable diaper liners (if not using a toilet spray)
• Hand sanitizer (in a pump bottle for your changing table)
• Baby laundry detergent
• White vinegar (1/4 cup in your liquid softener dispenser for each load to balance pH levels and avoid diaper rashes)
• Baking soda (1/2 cup in your washer per load to keep your diapers white and stink free)
• Washer
• Dryer

• Make use of the Baby Care Centers located in each of the Disney parks. These centers are a great place to change your baby, nurse or feed, and get away from the crowds and heat. These centers have private nursing rooms with rockers and dim lighting, highchairs, microwaves, warm water, sinks, air conditioning and TV room for older children. Baby Care Centers are also stocked with extra diapers, formula, baby food, and other baby health care items which are available for purchase.
• If you are going to ride rides with height restrictions, tell the cast member that you would like to do the “Rider Switch Program”. This program allows one person to ride the ride, while another person holds the child or infant. After the first person is done with the ride, the second person is allowed to go through the FastPass Lane and minimize the wait time.
• If at all possible, avoid visiting Disney World during the summer months. These months are the hottest months and tend to be crowded with summer vacationers. Fall and winter months are the best time to visit.
• Bring a stroller. Strollers are available to rent at the parks however, the strollers are uncomfortable and difficult to manage. Use a stroller which is easy to get your child in and out of since you will need to take your child out of the stroller to ride the trams and park rides. If you have a stroller fan, bring it! Your child will appreciate some breeze in the hot Florida weather. If you are at Disney during the cooler months, a wrap can be an easier way to walk through Disney since you would not need to continually move your child in and out of a stroller.
• Hats, sunscreen and hydration is a must! Also bring a blanket to put over your stroller to provide some much needed shade and help your child nap.

Let me break it down for you, step-by-step, and you’ll see just how easy it can be:

1. To change your baby, pull the cloth diaper down from your baby and wipe your baby off, placing dirty wipes and the diaper liner in the diaper.
2. Using your all-in-one cloth diaper, place a flushable diaper liner on the diaper.
3. Making sure none of the diaper liner is sticking out of the diaper, secure the cloth diaper around your baby.
4. After your baby is nice and clean, flush away the dirty diaper liner.
   * If not using a diaper liner, take a poopy diaper and shake it off in the toilet or use a toilet spray to spray off any solids.
5. If needed pull apart or unstuff the cloth diaper and place it in the diaper pail along with any dirty cloth wipes. If using disposable wipes throw them in the trash.
6. When needed, take the diaper pail liner along with the dirty diapers and dump everything into a hot wash cycle.  Add 1/2 cup of baking soda with the diapers to neutralize odor and 1/4 cup of white vinegar to your liquid softener dispenser to keep the pH balanced. Be sure to do an extra rinse at the end of the cycle.
7. Place another diaper pail liner in the diaper pail.
8. Dry diapers on medium heat.
9. When dry, fold or stuff diapers so that they are ready to use.
10. Repeat from step 1

Items you will need:

1. One large tote or messenger bag
2. One diaper wallet
3. A travel wet wipes case
4. 3 disposable diapers or cloth diapers
5. Pacifier pod
6. Pacifier
7. Spare clothes for baby
8. Anti-bacterial gel/wipes
9. Large ziplock bags or wet bag for dirty clothes or diapers
10. Burp cloth
11. Sling

If bottle feeding:

1. Warm bottle of sterilized water
2. Formula
3. Baby bottle

If nursing:

1. Nursing cover
2. Nipple shield

You can throw everything needed into your tote or messenger bag, or if you like to keep items compartmentalized, you can purchase small zippered cosmetic bags to keep smaller items contained.