Yes or No: Diapers

I have been trying to come up with different post categories as I make each entry, just for the sake of searching purposes. Some are "Tiny Tips", "Must Haves" and now I will be adding to that, "Yes or No". This Yes or No will be some thoughts on diapers. I'm going to steer clear of brand suggestions and I'll talk more about that later, but instead focus on diapering accessories and new mommy temptations that I fell into.

NO
1.) Opening all your diapers to complete your baby preparations:

If you are an expectant mommy and you've already had your baby shower at some point you probably were gifted with some diapers. You also might have gotten yourself a diaper stacker like this or this. Maybe you have a cute basket that you plan on putting your diapers in that will compliment the nursery, like I do. But do yourself a favor and resist the urge to tear into that package of diapers and display them in your future darling's room. At least until they are in your arms. Here's why- just like your clothes, diapers are not created equal. You will quickly find that you prefer one brand over another for any number of reasons like fit, leaks, price, smell, chemicals or absorbency. Even though Huggies and Pampers may be close in price and close in the same pound range, they are cut differently and you might prefer one or the other at different times in your child's development. My angel, for instance, had a better fit from Huggies when she was a newborn, but as she grew and she got longer and more lean we got a better fit from Pampers. I would suggest trying the diapers that the hospital will give you first, and if they are to your liking than buy that big ole box and have at it. But just in case you have a closet full of Pampers and discover that after a few leaks you bought a small package of a competing brand and it worked better for your baby's shape, don't waste the $40 just return them!

2.) Wipe warmers, baby powder, changing tables:

Baby powder may be great for getting sand off your feet after a day at the beach, but we now know it is unsafe for baby. He or she could inhale it and it's pretty unnecessary anyway. As for wipe warmers and changing tables, I personally feel they are two examples of a waste of money. Changing tables work for a lot of people, I realize, but I felt it was a piece of furniture that would be completely useless when my baby was potty trained. And since you can put a changing pad on the floor (safest for baby but slightly less comfortable for mom) or on top of a low dresser, I would rather put my money elsewhere.

YES
1.) Diaper clutch:

When I was preparing to go on vacation for ten days to Las Vegas and San Francisco with my 6 month old, I did A LOT of reading about traveling with babies. Many moms weighed in with suggestions and tips. As helpful as those were, and I will write a post about my travel experiences soon, I really paid special attention to the items they suggested investing in. I did my homework, and decided that I would purchase a diaper clutch. This diaper clutch to be exact. I debated back and forth about this because I already had a changing pad, the one that came with my diaper bag, and everything else I needed would be in my diaper bag. In the end, I bought it (in part because I thought it was so cute). It will now be a staple at any baby shower I attend. Sure you already have a changing pad, and diapers, and wipes ready in your bag. But without a clutch, you do not have them all wrapped around your wrist neatly kept together!! It keeps all those things easily accessible and you just know your changing station is portable and just reach in your bag and pull out all your diapering essentials in one swoop. Not to mention the fact that it hangs like a wristlet, leaving you two available hands to carry baby into the bathroom. The JJ Cole clutch that I purchased also has a padded section for baby's delicate head!

2.) Vaseline:

If you go to the store to buy diaper cream you'll probably be wondering if you accidentally wandered down the perfume aisle for what they charge per ounce. When your little one gets a case of diaper rash, you'll want to fork up the cash to have the good cream on your side (I like Desitin), but for every day changes when you are going through 10 diapers a day and your baby's bum looks as smooth as a baby's... wait... you can use vaseline. It will help prevent diaper rash, much like it helps prevent irritation on your lips. And at a fraction of the price, you'll be happy to save the "good stuff" for a rare occasion.

3.) Diaper Genie:

Just get one.

4.) A list of things that make it sound like you're planning a murder, only messier and harder to stomach:

 Keep some antibacterial gel and some plastic grocery bags nearby, but out of reach of baby. How do I put this gently... sometimes your sweet angelic baby as a dirty diaper that could bring a grown man to tears and it won't always fold up nicely into the diaper pail. Keep a few grocery store bags and perhaps a roll of paper towels close by for those times when snapping the tabs on your baby's diaper seems like it should come with the sound effect of fire alarm.