How to Replace Bumgenius 4.0 Leg Elastic

How to Replace Bumgenius 4.0 Leg Elastic

When I first started out cloth diapering, I tried to save money and purchase diapers used. The diapers were in pretty good condition but one thing I didn't really know to look at or think about was the elastic in the legs. A lot of the diapers I purchased came with worn or loose elastic causing the diaper to gap.

Onto needing to replace the leg elastic in a lot of these second hand diapers!

Supplies
scissors
needle
thread
thimble (optional)
small safety pin
1/4" elastic cut into 4 1/2" strips (or purchase the Bumgenius refresher kits which comes with elastic and aplix)   
and of course, the diaper 

1. Turn diaper inside out

2. Chose a side to start on and locate the elastic.

3. Pull a little on the elastic to expose it.

4. Cut as close as you can to where the end of the elastic was sewn down.

6.

5. Put the old elastic on the safety pin so it doesn't retract back into the diaper.

6. Hand stitch the new elastic end to the diaper on the seam as not to puncture the outer shell, either in front of the old elastic piece or after. Tie off with a knot.

7. Give the new elastic a little pull to test out the stitch strength.

8. Pin the unsewn end of the new elastic onto the safety pin. you will now have new elastic and old elastic on the pin.

9. Slide the pin through the elastic hole and pull it out the other end. The opening for the elastic will look the same as the one you started with.

10. Cut off the old elastic near the stitches and throw away. Take the new elastic off the pin and sew down, again either before or after the old elastic piece that's already on the seam.

Repeat with the other leg.

Can you notice the side that has the elastic replaced? It's the side on the right! It looks much tighter and ready to go.

Look how much better it looks after I finished both legs!

Check out some of my other cloth diaper posts:
Cloth Diaper Favorites

*Cloth Diapering mini-series*
-The Beginning 
-Resources
-Stash & Supplies
-How to Start

Cotton Babies: Share the Love Program
15 minute DIY Coconut Oil Stick +Tea Tree Oil
What's in my cloth diaper bag?
10+ Combinations to Store your Soiled Cloth Dipaers +some tips!

10+ Combinations for How to Store Soiled Cloth Diapers (+some tips)

Head on over to the Cloth Diaper Whisperer and check out my article: 10+ Combinations for Storing Soiled Cloth Diapers (+some tips)!

I'm so excited that I was able to write a cloth diaper article that got posted on a large cloth diapering blog! This blog is affiliated with KellysCloset, a small cloth diapering web store, that TONS of people flock to for cloth diapering and natural essentials.

Writing this article also completed my first goal on my 30 while 30 list, submit something for publication! But this actually got published! Which counts in my book as being published since I had to submit it to a business, someone reviewed it, and they have put it out into the world for others to read.

I've always loved writing and am thinking about contributing to this blog regularly! Now, to start coming up with some more good ideas....

Happy reading!

What's in my {cloth diaper} bag?

Before I started cloth diapering, I was curious as to what one had to carry around to make cloth diapering really work. I couldn't fathom the gadgets and gizmos that went into helping a mama work with cloth.

So I decided to put together a mini post, if you will, on what's in my cloth diaper bag, plus a few other cloth diapering mama's share what they like to carry with them in their diaper bag.

-3-4 cloth diapers for short trips, and 6-8 for longer trips
-wet bag (for soiled diapers)
-flushable biodegradable liners (to catch solids. not pictured, oops) We like to use Bummis Bio-Soft
-CJ's diaper cream
-wipes (in a reusable pouch)
-change of clothes
-couple toys
-snack in snack cup
-sippy cup
-bib + spoon
-2 extra large ziplocs (for dirty clothes, if I forget the wet bag etc.)
-nursing cover
-burp cloth 
-tissues
-first aid kit
-wristlet purse (thanks Mary!)
-changing pad

This list includes most everything that I'd ever keep in my diaper bag. I don't have ALL of these items in our bag daily since some of these things are seasonal items, like tissues for the winter. Also some of these items change when moving from baby to toddler, such as the nursing cover, burp cloth and snacks.

What do other cloth mom's keep in their diaper bag?

California Baby Calendula Cream is a must for us, waterproof bags, extra changes of clothes, wipes, a blanket to use as a curtain for feeding or changing, a changing pad, travel toys and snacks. I like to carry a light diaper bag. - Sarah

Cloth Diapers, wipes, wet bag, snacks, changing mat, water/milk, bib/spoon. For long days away from home: a change of clothes, socks (since they get pulled off everywhere we go and we loose them), Desitin [not cd safe, so use a fleece liner], small toys, camera, and personal items. -Lauren

Way too many cloth diapers, changing pad, wipes and a case, wet bag, change of clothes, snacks, occasionally Zinc Oxide (for rashes), cloth wipes (to protect diapers from Zinc Oxide), and toys. -Jacki 

Cloth diapers, wipes, wet bag, changing pad, change of clothes, toys, snacks for baby and me, a bib, a plastic bag (in case I forget to pack a wet bag), and a small purse with my stuff in it, (so I can easily grab it and leave the diaper bag if I need to). -Mary

Now all of that wasn't so scary was it? We don't carry all that much more than disposable diaper mom's!

What do you keep in your diaper bag?

(Did you see my review of the Okkatots Travel Diaper Backpack?)

15 minute DIY Coconut Oil Stick + Tea Tree Oil

This is an easy way to apply coconut oil and have a convenient way to carry it around with you (plus it only takes 15 minutes)! People have been using coconut oil for thousands of years for many different reasons. It has antibacterial/antimicrobial properties, and also moisturizes so you can use it for lotion (great for Eczema), diaper rash cream, make up remover, you can cook with it etc. The list goes on! Give it a try! (Not sure which coconut oil to buy? Check out this article.)

I wanted to have some coconut oil for on the go, especially since we'll be traveling in a month or two. I use it with Christian's cloth diapers for diaper cream, and on his skin for his Eczema. It's quick, easy, natural, and you don't have to worry about getting it in anyone's eyes or mouth!

Supplies 
-travel size deodorant stick
-Coconut Oil
-Tea Tree Oil, optional
-spoon
-little bowl
-glove, optional

1. Get started by removing all deodorant from the case and cleaning it out with warm water and soap. Mine came apart in 4 sections: lid, inside cover, case and deodorant lift.

2. Have the rolling deodorant lift all the way up to start with so you can spoon in your solid-like-butter coconut oil. Pack it down into the little holes, preferably with a gloved hand. Put it in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes to set up.

3. During this time, take a spoonful of coconut oil and mix it in a little bowl with a drop or two of Tea Tree oil. (It's a jack-of-all-trades oil that has many benefits: an antiseptic, antifungal, heals skin issues like acne and insect bites, treats lice and much more.)

3. Now that the bottom has set up and has made a solid base for the rest of the oil, start to roll the lift down all the way down, squishing the oil back into place as you go. Try to touch it as little as possible so it doesn't become runny! 

4. Then spoon in the oil mix! I left mine as a heap on top so that I could mold it with the inside cover that came with the stick. I can also get more "in" the stick that way too. (Keep your left overs in the fridge for next time!) Let it set back up in the fridge again for another 5 minutes.

5. I smoothed mine over with my finger and filled in any dents with more oil mix and refridgerated once more. Then I peeled off the labels, and it was ready to go!

The first time I used this stick, it glided on sooooo nice. No oily fingers, no chunks, no mess... I thought "where have you been all my life?" I'm definitely going to make a second one to keep at home (and the other in my diaper bag for diaper changes)!

Also, don't forget that this is OIL, so leaving it in a hot area, like a car, will most likely make it melt and drip. If you're cautious like me, carry this is a little bag during the warm months. :o)

Cloth Diaper Favorites

These are my Cloth Diapering Favorites!

1. Planet Wise Wet/Dry Bag
I really like these wet/dry bags (I have two) because they have a wet compartment for soiled diapers, and a dry pocket on the front (you can see in the picture). I love the dry pocket for quick trips to public changing tables. It's easy to store a new diaper, wipes, cream etc. in there! These bags fit 8-9 cloth diapers which is the perfect amount for a days worth of diapers. PLUS, it also has a snap handle if you want to carry it on your wrist while also carrying the little one.

2. Clorox Bleach
There's a lot of controversy on using bleach with your diapers. However, my personal opinion is that using it is a must for a few reasons: 1) It helps sanitize your diapers, and especially is helpful if you encounter an ammonia problem and 2) Bumgenius even recommends it on their packaging for once a month! Make sure if you do buy bleach, that it states on the container "Kills 99.9% of..." This will ensure you have the disinfecting bleach. (For more information on actual cloth diapers strategies and techniques that work and are yes, indeed safe, for cloth diapers, head over to Stash & Supplies where I talk about an awesome Facebook group with mama's in the field just for this!)

3. Tide Free & Gentle Detergent
This is what I use for all of my clothes plus diapers. The Facebook group talked about in #2 above, also goes into demystifying cloth diaper myths, and cloth diaper detergent is one of them! Tide is good, so check them out.

4. Planet Wise Diaper Pail Liner
I like this pail liner because it has an elastic top, fits most garbage cans, has a PUL liner (instead of nylon which others use which is not as durable), and keeps most smells in. I use this for all of my diapers like a regular soiled diaper hamper.

5. Bumgenius 4.0 OS (one size) Snap Diapers
I love these diapers because the fit it great and the diapers (and inserts) are easy to use. I prefer the snaps better over aplix (Velcro), although they take a few seconds longer to put on baby. The snaps don't wear down the like aplix diaper tabs do, which eventually have to be replaced, as the snaps don't. Also, the replacement refresher kits for the aplix diapers do NOT include the long strip of aplix that the tabs fasten to around the waste...why not!?? These diapers come in cute colors and some patterns. Which leads me to really the only issue I have with these diapers, they don't come in enough pretty designs and patterns!

Runner Up: Kawaii OS Diapers! I love that they have the microfleece insides (because they are soooo soft), wider pockets (which is easier for stuffing) and they have a little flap to keep the inserts in. The only thing that I don't LOVE about them.... they have 3 snaps vs 2 on each diaper wing (eats more time), and they are a tad less trim because of the insert size. CLOSE call though!
*maybe I'll do a comparison post soon on diapers?!*

6. Biz
I'm loving Biz because it's a detergent booster that helps fight stains and soils. I use 1/2 cup of this for every diaper load! It really helps loosen up and clean stuff.

7. Coconut Oil
I really love this oil because it works wonders! It's a natural, cloth diaper safe option for a diaper rash cream! I found it at my grocery store, in the organic aisle. I've heard that you want to make sure to get the refined kind too. This is in a solid state, but once it starts to be spread on the skin, it melts into its awesome magic goodness.

8. Aquaus Diaper Sprayer
I love this diaper sprayer because it's easy to install (I watched the video on the link above), it's easy to use, doesn't leak, and saves me A TON of work! When I started cloth diapering I knew I needed a sprayer. I wasn't the type to dunk and swish in the toilet, so after reading many reviews I settled on this one. Others that I read about (including the Bumgenius sprayer) leaked and had problems. I also didn't want to make my own because I had heard from someone that they tried that, and it flooded their house. No thank you! One person with that story was enough to send me running. So I coughed up the $60 for this one from Kelly's Closet (and was awarded 60 points too!) and it was worth every penny! The one con about this sprayer is that you might need to purchase a part: a flexible water hose that connects the water from the wall to the toilet tank (unless you already have one!). I didn't know this, nor do they say on the package or when you make the purchase, so I was left with it half assembled until I could purchase the part (~$7) the next day. Not expensive, just annoying.

9. Kelly's Closet
Hmmmm, what is there NOT to like at this awesome cloth diapering website?! I talk about them more in my Resources post. I usually purchase from this family run business whenever I need cloth diapers or related products. They are awesome and you can return diapers after 30 days (yes used!) and rack up points for your purchases.

10. Fuzzibunz Hanging Diaper Pail
I like this hanging pail because I can keep it on the door in my bathroom. It comes in real handy when you have to spray a poo diaper. After I've wrung it out, I simply toss it in here. No traveling the house with a soiled diaper! It also has an awesome zipper bottom (and elastic top), so unzippering the bottom and dumping in the washer is easy! It's PUL liner also keeps smells in great.

11. 5 layer Charcoal Bamboo Inserts
I purchased mine second hand from a mother on a cloth diapering Facebook swap group, and couldn't be happier. They are amazing for night time since they hold a ton! You can also find these on ebay for a good price brand new. 

12. Wool Dryer Balls
These are easy to make and they cut down drying time! Since fabric softeners are a no-no, these work great and who doesn't want to be more green if it's easy and cheaper?? Check out my DIY link above.

Cotton Babies: Share the Love Program

Hi everyone! I wanted to share this program that I heard about while I was a participant in a Facebook chat with Jennifer Labit, CEO of Cotton Babies and creator of the cloth diaper line Bumgenius!  It was exciting to say the least! It was a great Q & A session and that's where I learned about Share the Love.

There is a big question amongst cloth diapering mama's.... what do I do with all the cloth diapers I have that I: don't use/don't want/don't need/want to get rid of. 

There are many choices on what to do with your gently used cloth diapers, but the best one is to DONATE them to mother's in need. Share the Love is a cloth diaper bank with locations is cities across the states! 

I love how we can work as a community, pull together, and offer mother's diapers! They don't have to choose between buying food or diapering their child. Please help the cause in any way you can! Donate gently used diapers, volunteer to be a Share the Love Host (see picture below), or even help spread the word. 

Even if only a few mother's are helped, that is for sure better than none!

One last note: I love how John 15:12 is quoted on the main Cotton Babies Love page... "This is my commandment: that you love one another just as I have loved you." So powerful, and so true.