GUEST POST: Pedia Mom's Cloth Diaper Experience

A morning show feature and a blog giveaway got a handful of moms asking me about cloth diapers. Wow,a LOT of questions.

I love it when moms make informed choices. An informed choice means knowing the advantages and disadvantages before making the decision. After all, the new cloth diapers are quite an investment and we don't want hard-earned money go into waste. I remember back when I wanted to start with the pocket cloth diapers, it seemed I had no one to ask but the online reviews - a lot of them! But I was looking for someone real who tried the diapers, somebody I know and someone I could trust. 

After sharing my own, I asked another like-minded friend to tell you guys about her cloth diaper experience with her newborn. 

Dr. Faith Buenaventura-Alcazaren is also a brand new mom. She is a senior pediatric resident in a notable institution. Our roots trace way back in high school, and she is one of the nicest persons I know. Faith is well-respected in our circles. She is a breastfeeding advocate and adheres to evidence-based medical practices. She also happens to be one of my favorite cheerleaders :) 

* Dr. Faith happily and generously shared her experience without receiving compensation from anyone. The products reviewed are ones she actually owns or purchased as a result of her independent choice.

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A Comparative Review of Cloth Diaper Systems :)
By Faith Buenaventura-Alcazaren, MD


Nine months of infanticipation was a joyous adventure – not the smoothest ride, but it was all worth it.  I had to take an early leave due to pre-term labor. I needed to rest and stay away from hospital work if I wanted my baby to live.  Aside from the few times thinking I was losing IQ each day I spent doing nothing, I couldn't say it was entirely unfortunate.

The resting time allowed thoughts to brew and brought out the mother in me. I wanted to take care of Yanna the best way I can, and I need information just to do that. The internet (thank God for the internet!) sustained this need. My eyes twinkled as I discovered an industry I have never been properly acquainted with – a deluge of information on anything related to the word “BABY.”  I discovered ideas on attachment parenting, skills I wanted to learn (e.g. putting a fussy baby to sleep, swaddling, babywearing), and even totally useless expensive baby gadgets – a lot they don’t teach in Pediatrics.

One of my precious discoveries was the modern lampin or the cloth diaper.

My mother has been bugging me about using lampin. “Nakalampin ka noon kaya hindi ka nagkaka-rashes!”  I always said, “Ok mom, titignan ko muna” (OMG lola na talaga nanay ko!).”  She had a lot of wisdom in her. After reading on cloth diapers, and the many reasons why it’s the better choice over disposables, I got convinced that I will be using cloth on my baby. So here I am, posting my two cents on the subject matter.


Issues


Like any other first time user, I decided NOT to invest on a complete stash of the same brand at once, since I wouldn’t want to waste my money on something that might not work on my baby.

I had so many questions. Will the diaper have a comfy fit? Don’t they use fleece in the winter?  Will it not leak? How do I wash them? Can I sustain using them in the long run until potty training? Am I willing to invest on it?  Unfortunately, these issues will only be answered objectively with constant usage of the product.  

After reading and watching countless reviews, I decided to try out different cloth diapering systems, so I would know which one will be most practical, sustainable, and friendly to use.

I don’t have a washing machine or a tumble dryer, so I would have to choose a diaper that will dry fast with line drying.

I chose brands which received overall great reviews from users and strictly adhered to washing and prepping instructions from each manufacturer.

Diaper Cover with Prefolds

The only cover I bought was the one with the best review among diaper covers – the Thirsties Duo Cover with Aplix¹. I paired this with the traditional lampin, but had to use Chinese DSQ²  prefolds (P1,100/dozen at online stores)  since these have better absorption compared to birds eye lampin and are easier to use. I added a stay dry layer of fleece by Bummis so the baby will not feel too wet when she pees.

Lei’s notes:

1. Aplix is a closure system similar to the velcro  

2. DSQ = Diaper Service Quality , aha… 

This particular combination is the cheapest – but definitely not the simplest. The downside of this system is clearly the learning curve.  I had to view YouTube videos over and over so I would have a fair amount of know-how once it’s time to put on a real baby. I was going for the Angel Wing fold and was able to execute it loosely (with much grunting from my unhappy customer).  But after several more tries, one will get the perfect fit. It paired well with the Thirsties cover.

The Chinese DSQ prefold is a relatively cheap and versatile cloth diaper. Prepping was fairly difficult as I had to boil them around 6 times to achieve its maximum absorbency prior to actual usage. I find the Angel Wing fold great for newborn poop as it gives extra containment and leak protection around the thighs, it also lessens skin contact with the PUL³ layer of the diaper cover. If folding with a Snappi⁴ is too complicated, then fold it in thirds and it works like an insert. It absorbs a lot, but baby feels wet the soonest with this material, even with the stay dry liner. It washes well and dries fast, which is a plus.

Lei’s note 

3. PUL = Polyurethane Laminate. This type of cloth was originally developed for medical purposes. The durability and water-proof quality makes it applicable for cloth diapers.

4. Snappi is a T-shaped diaper fastener that replaces the diaper pin

The cover stayed leak-free. The first time I used it, though, I found its white piping a little stiff and worried that it might bite on baby’s skin. Compared with disposables, it left less marks, so I was still happy. It was still cloth, but the PUL layer can be felt (and heard). It had a plastic feel to it, but my baby seemed comfortable. The fit was great, the elastic at the back provided a better fit. Aplix vs snaps? For me it would have to be the Aplix, more adjustable and easier to put on. The cover is very economical, I don’t have to change everytime unless it gets soiled, which is not very often. With only 3-4 covers per day is needed and a whole lot of prefolds. Did it fit well? In the first few weeks, the cover may look quite bulky, especially if the baby is really skinny, but when she starts filling out, the cover looks absolutely cute :)

Diaper Cover with Inserts

This system is an upgraded version of the prefold. I tried the Thirsties Stay Dry Duo inserts - it’s actually three kinds of absorbent material packed into 2 neat layers and then joined together by snaps. The top layer is a stay dry material, underneath is a microfiber terry material that wicks wetness away from the top layer, transferring it to the second layer made of hemp, which is 60% more absorbent than regular cotton, hence holding in more pee. I tried this and thought it was so much easier to use than prefolds. Just place the insert on top of the cover then put on baby. The stay dry layer really does its job in keeping wetness at bay. I couldn’t even tell if she’s wet if I only touch the top layer (ask her yaya, she also got amazed). 

The downside is, well, I don’t feel comfortable that some of baby’s skin gets in contact with the PUL layer - it can get warm if the PUL touches the skin. Also, the hemp takes a while to dry, which means there has to be plenty in rotation if you’re line drying everything. When it comes to prepping the inserts, the hemp needs to be washed in hot (not boiling, as it can ruin the snaps) water several times as well as the microfiber terry, which can be washed in cold water, to achieve maximum absorbency prior to use. The prepping of the hemp was a little more tedious since hot water was needed to remove excess oils from the cloth. 

The other cover+insert system I tried was the Smart Nappy System by Mothercare. My mother bought this for me on impulse THEN I read the reviews, which was pretty disappointing. The starter pack contained 4 covers and 8 newborn inserts. To be fair, I never had a leak with this. It’s very trim and did not give baby a huge bum, has an umbilical cut-out as well. Its design includes a waterproof cradle inside which will hold the insert. I had a problem with the garterized piping, though, which bit my baby’s skin. The diaper itself is easily outgrown since its sooo tiny! The insert is folded into two, the top layer being a stay dry layer, bottom layer a microfiber terry material, similar to the Thirsties Stay Dry Duo Insert. Absorbency is great for newborn pee, but I haven’t tried in on poop. All in all, I wouldn’t recommend the Smart Nappy in newborn size– it gets outgrown fast and it doesn’t look very comfortable on baby.

Pocket Diaper System

I tried two kinds of pocket diapers, the one-size⁵ pockets and the mini sized⁶ for my newborn. I researched a lot of brands and decided to try the Charlie Banana, which is a fairly new brand than the more famous US brands and came out cheaper since it had starter packs in boxes of six. It had promising reviews and very nice color options. 

Lei’s note 

5. One-size. as in one-size-fits-most babies. The diaper can be adjusted as your baby grows.
6. Sized, as in Small, Medium and Large. XS or mini for newborns or premies.

What can I say about pocket diapers? They’re the easiest to use and the most comfortable for baby. The diaper shell is made of a waterproof PUL outer and a microfleece inner layer. PUL is completely covered in this type of diaper. Only the softest material is in contact with baby’s skin. The microfiber terry insert is place inside the pocket, beneath the fleece. 

Of course this kind of luxury doesn’t come without a price tag… this type of diaper is also more expensive but STILL cheaper than using disposables. I only got 6 charlie’s and 2 Happy Heiny’s and I’m very happy with them. It works simply like a disposable. Just prep the inserts into the shells ahead of time then grab one and put on baby as the need arises. 

The one-size pocket did not fit well on my newborn, though, as they were to bulky and the snaps could not be adjusted to fit my baby’s waist perfectly. I guess my baby was in between sizes then, but as she grew bigger in a couple of weeks, she eased into the small setting perfectly. 

The Happy Heiny’s small size was the perfect fit in the early weeks. It was very trim and had a wide Velcro, almost like a belt, which adjusted well around the waist. This is perfect for newborns, but will not be used for long since babies grow up so fast! They also wash well, but take a little more time to dry than pockets. Again, the major downside for me here is the price, which means one has to invest a lot at the onset to have plenty in rotation since once it gets soiled, the shell needs to be washed with the insert.

All-in-One (AIO) Diaper System

I got a Grovia Newborn, which is an all-in-one type of diaper, which means everything is sewn into the diaper – no inserts, no fuss. I was looking for diapers to fit a newborn and found out that Grovia released a newborn version. So I gladly ordered two pieces just to try them out. They looked very expensive, well-made and totally cute. Inside the shell is organic cotton which is sewn on one end so that drying time is quicker when washed. I almost loved this diaper but ended up being my least favorite since it leaked terribly. It also dried the longest. The fit around the legs was too loose and did not contain wetness that well. Tried several times and everytime, it leaked! Now she has almost outgrown this diaper and we were only able to use it a few times.

SUMMARY

To answer the question, what worked best for me and my baby? 

I would have to say the pockets. I can see this getting used more frequently as she grows bigger as it has sturdy snaps that the baby cannot undo. 

I still love my covers, though, as it still does its job and is very versatile - it can accommodate any lampin or insert. This system work best for tiny newborns.

I use an organic diaper rash cream (which is also cloth diaper friendly) with every diaper change to protect her skin. I have been cloth diapering for only a few weeks, but so far, I’m not regretting it! No rashes, no leaks!

Welcome to my blog!

I am Lei, and I just started blogging. Let me tell you about myself.

I (am) used to be a geek. A cool one. I took up Molecular Biology and Biotechnology because it sounded nice. And I wanted to wear a biohazard suit to work. They don't wear biohazard suits pala. Wrong motive. After my bloody thesis on the mitochondrial DNA of an obscure fish, I realized it's not for me. I decided to become a physician instead.

Four years into medical school and one year short of graduating,  I took a break and found myself working with a community development NGO in Palawan run by a Christian doctor. That experience made a huge impact in my life, and I knew I would be back to serve. True enough, I got a scholarship during my internship that allowed me to be a barrio doctor. Guess where I was assigned? Smack right in the middle of the sea :) Palawan!

It was every adventurous doctor's dream. The place is breathtaking but the boat rides were notoriously cruel. Because I was the only doctor, I had to treat everyone in my best capacity. Most patients didn't have the money to go to the hospital in the next island, 3-4 hours away. There was even a time when I had to read a surgery textbook before doing a procedure. Good heavens, I would have referred that kid to a hand orthopedic surgeon back in PGH. What I lacked in my skills, the Lord supplied with grace.

Fast forward. I am now a plain housewife to Arvin and a full time mommy to my precious Caleb. Hwhhatt?  A stay-at-home mom? You heard it right. Some say that my decision is anti-climactic. I think otherwise. The thing is, I only pursue things that I am completely passionate about.

And while I am on hiatus with my medical career, don't you want to know what goes inside the mind of a crazy doctor mom? Many doctor moms are too busy to blog anyway.

But hey, full-time moms like me are super busy people too. And I only write when I am inspired, when Caleb is asleep, and when the chores are done. Inspire me more! Let me know what you want to hear :)

Thanks for dropping by!

Lei

When a doctor's kid gets sick...

A doctor friend was on the phone fretting over something behind her baby's ear. My son Caleb had one, too. And I remember begging Arvin to take a work leave so that we could bring him to the pedia together. I might not be able to bear the bad news, I said. Turned out it was nothing to be worried about. (I think) doctor moms are actually more paranoid than other moms. We can think of all the near and far-fetched possibilities there are in a simple fever or lump. I mean this even with our patients, not just with our own kids. But of course, we don't tell you all the scary stuff on the first visit. That is why we ask some tests and schedule a  follow up appointment (no, this is not just a money-making scheme so if you trust your doctor, by all means go back for that appointment!!).

Last weekend I had to contend with Caleb's first ever fever sick mode. He refused to be comforted by anyone but me, and only nursed to be comforted. Some well meaning people asked why I am not taking him to the doctor. (Like, hello? I am one. They keep forgetting that just because I am the all-around housewife.)  I would lie if I say I was not tempted to rush to the ER.  In fact, the hospital bag was ready. I didn't because my objective judgement overruled my maternal instinct. Plus my maternal instinct hates to see my kid being needle poked.

Ooops, I am not sending a delay-consult-all-will-be-well signal here. Believe me, I was more vigilant with Caleb than I have been during my ICU duties in PGH. I only mean to share how difficult it was to be objective with my own son being sick. Back in the island, I would have considered him an 'easy' case -  examine the patient, reassure the mother, give prescriptions and instructions, blah blah blah... This process takes on a whole new meaning now.

I also want to let this out.. did you ever feel guilty when one of your kids got sick? I actually did. It was a different kind of turmoil. Where possibly did he get it? Is there anything I failed to do? Can I take away his pain? But as I nursed my very own sick child,  I have come to terms with the fragility of life from a different perspective. That no matter how I try to protect him, a scratch, a bruise or another infection may still get through.  I had to trust God's sustaining grace over Caleb's life instead of fretting over these inevitables. I love my son, but the Lord loves him waaaay beyond.. and this is just so comforting :)


"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" -Isaiah 49:15

Caleb had a simple viral infection - the one that doesn't need antibiotics, needle pokes, or hospital stays. The one that goes away on its own. Self-limiting, as doctors call it. I was right to trust the facts all along.

Xoxo,

Mommy Lei, MD

"Doc, ello pOh! I hv stmch ache..."

I still get text consults every now and then. Something like this:

"Masakit ang tiyan ko. Ano kaya ito?

Whoah. Of course, any doctor could think of countless medical possibilities there are in a simple stomach ache. 

My husband already knows my facial expression when I get these sorts. I reply to most, something like a medical history -  by installment. You could imagine the exchange, not to mention the tangential answers to utterly simple questions like "since when did it start?" (noon  pa..), "where exactly?" (basta masakit lahat), "how would you describe the pain?" (basta masakit lahat). 

The last one was not a typo error. And many times, they end up.. er, demanding for a pill. 

I used to be easy on text consults, especially when I was a doctor to the barrio. I had no choice but to trust everything that my midwife on the next island relays. Many times it works, of course she has training too and many times the information is adequate. Sometimes it doesn't work, and I will have to ask that the patient be brought to me or somewhere else.

Phone consults, or SMS consults in particular,  leaves a doctor to certain risks in making the correct diagnosis. For example, even the best doctor won't commit to an appendicitis during its earliest stages. Or what seems to be a simple rash can actually turn out to be something else. That's why, in medical school, we were taught to correlate the medical history AND the physical examination. Ok, oftentimes, a good medical history is actually enough to arrive at a good decision. But many times, a  physical examination is necessary. Taking a step further, some situations even necessitate diagnostics like blood tests, x-rays, CT scan,  MRI, etc.

Next time you text your doctor friend, be patient (as he or she is with you). Next time you text your doctor, be patient too. The number of questions asked does not correlate with the quality of doctor that he/she is. The fact that he/she takes pains to ask instead of giving you an instant text prescription, for me, actually means that the doctor cares enough.  All the questions are "pertinent", as doctors love to say. Doctors are trained to sift through all the information and streamline questions towards the goal of arriving at a good clinical decision. My non-medical husband is getting good at this too, because some text-in referrals land on his phone! Haha :)!

Oh, and doctors have personal lives to live too. That is why they have clinic hours :) So again, please be considerate if they don't reply at an instant. What many patients consider as emergency, does not really count as one in medical terms. Blunt. Don't get me wrong, I understand! Before I became a mother, I thought some were overacting over their children's sneezing bouts. Now, it almost counts as an emergency to me. And this is why I have renewed respect for pediatricians. 

The story is different if it IS an emergency, and your doctor's phone says "cannot be reached" . And that is  why we have emergency rooms. 

As for me, I still happily and patiently answer to text consults. That is, after the installment medical history. After all, I am a doctor and not your manghuhula. :)

Tips for Renewing your PRC ID

After 2 weeks, I got my renewed PRC card delivered straight into my front door :) It only took me less than an hour to complete the application process.

3 Basic Requirements:

1. Duly accomplished form. You can also get this at the INFORMATION area.
2. Two ID pictures (passort size, close up, colored, plain white background, with name tag) 
3. Photocopy of recent PRC ID

(source PRC website)

What the PRC website will not tell you:

Bring all the requirements so you could breeze through the whole thing. Photocopying services in the PRC compound are long and winding, remember? And the webcam photobooth kiosks for the instant ID pictures are not really worth your P 80. Also, not a good idea if you want an impressive shot, doctora.

PRC Fees.

P 450   Renewal Fee 

P 450   Additional fee if you want Express service*, but this is optional. 

* ID usually takes 2 weeks to be released but if you pay, it only takes 4 hours.         Makes me wonder, if they can do it fast, why do we need to wait or pay more? I hope they can improve on this soon :) Anyay, if you need this service, just tell the guy at the information when you get your form.     

Other expenses.

P 80    Photo ID at the webcam kiosk. Very good business. Very bad quality.

P 80    Door to door ID delivery. Check the DHL booth. I just did out of curiosity.             

            

After you are done with the application, you will be given a claim stub which you or your authorized representative should present upon claim. If like me, you just want to wait for your ID in the comforts of your home or clinic, head towards the DHL Express booth.  (I almost paid for the Express service, good thing I asked why they were there. ) You will have to fill up some forms and leave your claim stub with them. No more authorization needed.  

There. Hope this helps! :) Happy birthday to you, whoever you are in need of this!

Terminal Leave for DOH DTTBs

Ok, this entry is for Doctor to the Barrios who are ending their contract with the DOH. I know. My entries are diverse. I don't have time to manage more than one blog, so please bear with me :)

I am trying to recall the process I had. If there are any revisions, please feel free to feedback for the benefit of others. Here are the requirements:

1. Application of Leave form (the usual one)
     -- you can get this from the Central office

2. Clearance from DOH

•  Municipal Clearance - best to do this before leaving the area, unless you have plans of coming back or you can ask your staff to do this for you  :)
•  CHD Clearance - in MiMaRoPa, Mam Baj helps us with this. Kudos!
•  Central DOH clearance -- bloodier than hacking wounds..

3. DTR for October

• Kindly check if this is required for everyone. I was on maternity leave already during that time but they still asked me for this. 

Short and sweet list di ba? :)

The real task is the Central DOH Clearance. Twelve signatories, excluding you. Guys, I suggest that you get someone to process this for you as a group. (Hire someone if you have to!!!! It's not worth your precious time to wait for a signatory on travel, especially if you are staying in a 5 star hotel in Manila or would have to rebook a flight!)

TIPS: 

1. Do not agree to be disallowed on the basis of "unliquidated vouchers" that you already liquidated. All received documents can be traced through the HHRDB receiving desk. They have a computer database, and they have a log book for reference. I was told that DTTBs in the past had this similar problem. 

2. Always always keep a duplicate of documents, have a receiving copy. Get the name of the person who received especially if that person zigzagged his initials . And I mean just that. 

3. Some mean people would go as far as asking "Sinong may sabi?". It would probably good to have a notepad to write down important commitments verbatim. Or a tape recorder. Haha.

4. Try to be nice to everyone. There are commendable people particularly : Mam Yolly, Mam Dina and Mariel (from Personnel), Sir Daniel, the best (Accounting), Sir Andy (Budget), Ms Rosanna (Legal).

5. Handy numbers: 

       Personnel 7812722

       Budget  7116091

       Accounting  7116110 

When I filed my clearance, I left it with the HHRDB because someone told me they would process it for me. After a month, I found that my document didn't move. Apparently, they changed policy and did not want to process clearances anymore. My husband and sister continued to do it for me. It took more than 2 weeks for mine to be completed despite their frantic efforts because of the following:

1) An important signatory died and it took some time for a department to decide for a replacement signatory

2) Some signatories were on travel

3) My DEPLOYMENT vouchers, sent twice by me, were lost.  I didn't want to pay for funds that I justly used and carefully accounted for so I went through great lengths to trace my "lost" files.  I succeeded - they were complete, neatly filed, unprocessed after over a year - and never got an apology from whoever was (ir)responsible.

4) Of course, there was the hazard pay overcompensation issue that we all need to contend with.

Finally, I was cleared. I only had to  wait for 2-3 months for my terminal pay.  After 3 months, to my horror, my documents  didn't even move because of one lacking document - my October DTR. Worse, I was not even notified. (What's new). I had to wait another round only to find out that my benefits would not even cover my hazard pay disallowances. In fact, I still owe the government.

After having done my clearance, my husband thinks that for such a basic and repetitive procedure, it shouldn't be as difficult for us. In some private settings, instead of having each employee go through each department one by one, they do it on a per batch basis with a circular coming from the HR. Each department would be given a deadline to revert back to HR for any accountability. If the department doesn't take action, by default, the employees will be considered free from accountability. Takot lang nila ano? However, if the employee has an accountability, then he/she would be notified and has to take responsibility.

After what I have been through, talking with the HHRDB doesn't really top my list. I would rather write to inform you, so that you could take action. Please do feedback for your benefit, and for the benefit of the younger batches. 

Lastly, it is no excuse that the office lack manpower. Didn't we all experience this problem back in our areas? Still we did our best to serve, not withholding anything that was within our power to give. I sincerely hope that your process would be easier :)  After all, you guys deserve better treatment after serving the underserved.

Diaper Talk: Shifting to Cloths

How apt to write on diapers after my previous dramatic blog entry :) After all, my life changed when my baby came. He just turned one last week, and he inspired me to make the choices I did.

As a doctor mom, I shifted to cloth diapers primarily due to health reasons. Caleb has been very prone to rash with disposables. I kept 3 dozens of gauze diapers, and used good old reliable nappy covers. It was like doing bedside (monitoring) with a patient, haha. Boy, was I vigilant for his weewee.

Back then, I didn't know how the new cloth diapers worked, I had no one to ask them about, they were hard to find and I was stalled by the very dear price. Until I decided to try them out.

My purpose for this entry is to inform. I find it pressing after a handful of queries from other moms. (By the way, did I mention that I run an online eco mom and baby store?)

Ok, they are cute. But do they really work? For me, it is a yes :) In fact, Caleb stays dry overnight with just one shell with 2 inserts, without leaks. In the morning, he plays around with them and change every 2-4 hours. It really depends.

Here are some FAQs:

1. How do they work? 
They usually come in 2 parts: the SHELL (or cover) and the INSERT. The SHELL has a water repelling inner cloth layer so that baby's tushy stays dry, and a waterproof outer layer so that everything else outside the baby stays dry (that includes papa, mama, sheets, floor, etc.). The INSERT is a highly absorbent cloth that you sandwich inside the shell. When baby weewees, it goes straight into the insert and everything else stays dry like magic.

Done. That simple :)

2. Is it worth the investment?
Go figure. How much are you guys spending for disposables? We only use them when we go out or when we have run out of cloths. Also, if you are considering cloths, it is best to get them while baby is young. One size diapers actually grow with the baby (ONE-size, as in one-size fits most). I am actually satisfied with the fit of Caleb's diaper. They have cleverly hidden adjustable leg panels and sturdy snap-ons. They should fit a newborn up to a 36month-old toddler.

3. How to care for them? 
They are machine washable! Care should be taken however. Don't let any fabric softener or harsh detergents touch your precious cloths or they may loose some powers. These stuff tend to leave a film, making your diapers less absorbent. This can be fixed through a process called stripping. But that's a different topic.  I prefer handwashing, and I use biodegradable soap.

4. Don't they stink? 
Over time, cloths would be stinky because of ammonia wastes in the weewee. To get rid of that, just add 2-3tablespoons vinegar on a small basin for your first or second rinse. Don't worry it wouldn't smell like datu puti once you had the third rinse  (did you know that vinegar is a natural fabric softener too?). Baking soda actually helps too :)

5. What about the yucky poop? 
Surprisingly, the solid stuff actually comes out by just knocking it off the toilet bowl. Stubborn dirt easily rinses off under a mini shower (say under the faucet or a bidet).

6. Are they comfortable? 
Some moms that say they're a bit hot for our climate, and I noted that too. But it really depends on your baby. Caleb seems happy naman (and he really love to go shirtless, so maybe that compensates, haha).

7.  Is "goodbye rashes" a promise? 
Cloth diapers does not equate to zero diaper rash. It's still a caretakers lookout! Important is to make sure baby is dry and comfortable no matter what. For this system, an insert usually works 2-4 hours, depending on the baby. (A friend even tells me her baby was on it for 5 hours for certain intervals).

8.  How many do you need?
It really depends on factors like the age of your baby, your washing habits, diapering system, etc. Some suggest 12 per day for a newborn. Well, newborns don't have regular poop patterns yet so they are bound to soil more. For older babies, 8 a day could suffice. That is if like me, you wash at the end of the day. Some combine this system with disposables, or gauze diapers. A friend shared that her baby's yaya would actually use prefolds when she runs out of the inserts. Brilliant!


Hope my experience helped you out. Don't get overwhelmed with the reviews because it is actually easy. It's about finding out which system works for you and your baby.

Happy cloth diapering!

Helpful links:

http://www.charliebanana.com/New-to-Cloth-Diapers_ep_45-1.html

http://www.charliebanana.com/Care-Instructions_ep_50-1.html

Happy Birthday to ME!

For some doctors, birthdays mean expiring PRC licenses. I could actually ask someone to renew it for me but there is a certain thrill to doing it on my own. After all, it's my first time.  And it takes on a whole new meaning just thinking of how I spent the last three years of my life as a doctor. I remember my lengthy post on FB two years ago while I was still a doctor to the barrio.  I want to share it here with you too...

One year after getting my license number, here are the perks that have come along with my job…

I got waived professional fees from fellow doctors attending my family.
That was the first perk i have enjoyed, even before I got the license.

I got to address a big crowd in Heroes Hall, Malacanang , and bring my family in the restricted premises

I now live in an area of pristine white sand beaches..
for stretches it is possible to not see anyone else but your own shadow
once I have snorkelled and bumped into a school of fish with bright colors,
forming a wall unmoved by my presence, each fish spanning almost 1 foot.
for someone unlearned about the sea, that was the most glorious sight

I had my beach wedding in one of those beaches.

And since I am surrounded by sea, I eat fresh seafoods –
Fish – lapu-lapu, tanguili, suran, molmol
Lobsters!!!
Cuttlefish, octopus, squids (now I know the difference),
Sea urchins, sea cucumbers (1thousand a piece in manila), sea worms
Seaweeds of different species…

I get treated with utmost respect and importance..
when I visit the island baranggays, I get the feeling that they feed me with
the best that they have. believe it or not, in some islands fish are hard to come by.
so they feed me their precious chickens. in some islands, they serve humongous
inihaw na fish, fresh out of the sea

I became the graduation speaker in the municipality high school.
And the graduation speaker of a school in the next municipality.
I was also invited to give a career talk to high school students, in yet another
municipality. Oh, and there are only 3 municipalities in my area!

When you pass by, schoolchildren would say "moyang damaldamal doktora" (good
morning doctora), complete with the gesture of hand in the chest and bowing of the
head.

All of this is quite very humbling.

I got to stay for 4 nights in an exclusive resort nearby.
Amanpulo is just within the vicinity (so everyday I enjoy the same expensive sunset
for free) 

I get to travel, on official business.  Latest, an all expense
“honeymoon” to Coron and Culion courtesy of Malampaya :)

My life is a constant adventure, everyday meeting different people, everyday a different challenge. Sometimes you get the rush, sometimes things are plain. There’s so much variety.

One year after the boards, I do not regret any of the choices I have made. As Frederick Buechner said, "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." 



Reading this unearthed piece brought some tears because my life is so different now. And still, I do not regret any of the choices I have made :)

--- “By the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace to me is not without effect” 
I Corinthians 15:10

Tayay Island, Agutaya, Palawan

I have a blog, yeah!!

Ok, I said that the last time I discovered facebook notes. 


I am impressed how Blogger evolved to be user-friendly for normal people like me. Last time I checked, I can't even figure out how to stop it from translating everything into Tagalog. 


Simply great. I should tell my friend Mights that I could come to their next bloggers meet.