Mama Cloth, Part 1 – Guest Post

Dear Sarah’s friends and family,

If you’re anything like me, you are a Mom first and foremost and being a Mom means worrying about just about everything.  From the dyes in my kids “simple” foods to what he is wearing on his bum.  I try to aim for real foods and cloth diapers, but I don’t always hit the mark on both of those.

Then I go to thinking: If my son is enjoying cloth diapers and it is better for my body then why I am using feminine products that are probably not the best for me.

I know, I know!  Menstruation is not our favorite topic, but really ladies let us listen to our bodies and not to our culture.  Our flow is natural healthy and normal – we should be proud of our reproductive capabilities.

Honestly, I am tired of spending money on chemical infused cotton only to throw it away because it is “dirty.”  Not to mention my nether lady parts feel either invaded or suffocated by the products that are provided to us on the shelf.

I say it’s time that we think about ourselves and what we are doing.  Tampons can cause Toxic Shock Syndrome and contain rayon fibers that can remain in our bodies.  I think I’ll skip that and so I have.

I have started making and using my own cloth pads.

Now, before you start gagging hear me out.  I was at home one day researching all of the information I just gave you and thinking – why am I continuing to buy products that are making more waste, not the best for my body, and not reusable.  I started scrounging around my house for something – anything that would serve as a barrier between my flow and my clothes.  I happened to stumble up some handkerchiefs that we hadn’t used since we got married.  Red ones to boot.  I sat on the edge of the bed and started playing around with folding them and before I knew it I had folded that red handkerchief into a cute little pad!

Me being the stubborn pioneer woman I am and going through my cycle at that time, I decided to give it a try.  I did.  And it was nice!  My parts could breathe without me worrying about leaking on something.  It just felt like I had on some thick undies.  So I got brave and wore my newly founded cloth pads to my parent’s house.  I didn’t bleed everywhere and I was comfortable.  Then I really pushed the envelope and wore them to work.  Half the time I didn’t even think about the new pad being there – I did as I always have and just changed them when I went to use the restroom.

I feel much more secure.  I don’t have to run to the store every time I run out.  I don’t have that wired sticky stuff sticking to everything.  My pads don’t make any embarrassing rustling noses.  And they are pretty.

I used basic handkerchiefs I found at Wal-Mart for $1.  I haven’t gotten very sophisticated with these feminine products yet so you will have to forgive their somewhat simplistic design.  My flow can be heavy so I am experimenting with layers of all fabrics and wool inserts.  This time around (I am woman enough to admit) I used mis-matched socks.  I found one regular cotton sock, folded, absorbent enough without being bulky.  I am still working that dilemma out.

I found the best method for me was to use one regular folded pad and simply changed them whenever I went to the bathroom.  The only issue that I had when using cloth was that my hair would sometimes stick to the used and dried cloth pad.  So, shave before use!

I’ve worked out that I am going to need 38 to 45 cloth pads.  So, that is about $45 to get started at $1 a handkerchief.  However, if you think about how much you are spending on pads… Let’s say you go through the 38 pads at $10 a package.  If you do that 12 times that is $120!  You can cut what you are spending by more than half if you use cloth pads!  I don’t know about you, but I’ll take that extra monies and go buy something kinda fancy!

If you’re looking for an alternative to pads, cloth pads are a good way to go!  But if you want something quicker or pre-made there are lots of different types on Etsy some shop owners offer starter packages.  However, if you are wanting something a bit more sophisticated check out the Diva cup.  And if you are really up for a challenge, look into crochet tampons.  That’s my next big adventure.

Whatever you choose, choose what you are most comfortable with – yes, this does take some getting use to!  Oh, I almost forgot!  Don’t forget to carry along a “wet bag,” I just use a simple gallon zip lock when I’m on the go, but I don’t like all the noise it makes.  There are many shops on Etsy that specialize in wet bags and most cloth diaper retailers have them too!

Until ALL have heard,

Jen