Everyone associates cloth diapers with
pins. Yes, they definitely still do exist! In order for a pin to be
really safe, make sure you only purchase ones with the molded one-piece
plastic head, not with any kind of old-style metal or sliding head. Any
small parts could potentially break off, but the head of the molded
kind really can't. In lieu of pins one can use the newfangled diaper
clips -- these are little squarish things that lock down on the diaper
material. If you are an old-fashioned diaperer, these might be better
than pins if the idea of sticking your baby concerns you.
But with the clips you only get the
top edge of the fabric together, and for a really tight fit (to keep
the diaper from sagging and leaking) you've really got to fasten it in
the inner hip area, which you can't do with clips with any great
success. (You could try clipping the top and then using a second set to
gather some of the groin area fabric together on each side.) Plus,
clips are pretty small, so be very careful where you lay them—they
would be very easy to choke on.
An old-timers secret is to sharpen your pins
every so often with a
sharpening stone and keep them stored in a bar of soap, or a more
earthy alternative, beeswax. This keeps them slick and easy to slide
into the cotton. Check with an apiary (beekeeper) or candle-maker in
your area. Or try a candle!
A third alternative is a
state-of-the-art clip device called the Snappi. This is a
three-pronged plastic gizmo which actually grabs flip diaper material
in three places (left hip, right hip, and, center) and locks onto it,
securing the diaper around the baby. New to America, the Snappi sells
by the tens of thousands per month in South Africa (where it
originated), Australia, and Brazil, and is also expanding into
Canada, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, and other European
countries. It's too big for baby, to choke on (though the prongs are
sharp), and less easy to
loose than a pin or a clip. It can provide
a good fit without having to use Velcro diapers (if you are a Velcro
hater). The Snappi works
best with birdseye weight, flannel, it lightweight gauze diapers (it
needs something it can sink its "teeth" into), though I have managed
well enough with diaper service diapers). It also tends to work
better on smaller babies, rather than larger, active toddlers.
Since the Snappi is
so new to us Americans (Canadians have it a while already), I
encourage all you diehard pinners and clippers to try one (It may
take a little while to get used to, but once you figure it out, it's
easy. )
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