Today marked the beginning of the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge!

I decided to take part in the flat challenge because I wanted to pay homage to our fore-mothers.  We spend so much time searching for the diapers that’s going to be the easiest to put on, the fastest to wash and dry, the easiest for our husbands and care givers.  But really, having to handwash flat diapers and covers really isn’t that much more of a challenge (when you have a exclusively breastfed baby) than using modern cloth diapers and machines.

If you really stop and think about it, cloth diapering isn’t a “new” concept.  It’s been around for hundreds of years – we’ve just modernized it!  What I want to take away from the challenge this week is learning what life was potentially like when there was no velcro, snaps, elastic leg casings, and machines.  I am happy to take a stroll down throw-back lane!

 

It’s been a bit of a challenge for us, today,though  We’ve moved in with my parents for the next couple of weeks until the closing date for our new house.  It’s always a bit different when you’re out of your element and cloth diapering at someone else’s house!

After dinner, we noticed that the water pressure dropped to almost nothing!  My parents live in a rural area with a private water

system, and they said that about once a month, they lose pressure, usually overnight, and they are often restricted, the following couple of days by having to boil their water before drinking!  (So now, we’re looking at having to boil water before washing the diapers as well!

Because we are in such a transition time, right now, Jett is having a hard time adjusting (he was in the car for 4-5 hours yesterday), so he’s nursing constantly, and he doesn’t want to be put down!  (This photo has nothing to do with the diaper itself! Poor baby is just worn out!!)

Today’s Diaper Line-up (Origami fold with fleece stay dry liner):

Birdseye Flat dyed in Turmeric | Green Bees Orange Cover

Sports Receiving Blanket | Green Bees Orange Cover

Yellow Receiving Blanket | Green Bees Orange Cover

Birdseye Flat dyed in Turmeric | Wool Shorties

Purple Tie-Dye Cotton Waffle Weave Receiving Blanket | Wool  Shorties

Light Blue Cotton Waffle Weave Receiving Blanket | Wool Soaker

Night – Larger Receiving Blanket with Bird’s Eye Flat Pad Fold | Wool Soaker

Miraculously, no poop today! Easier on the handwashing part!

I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!