We had quite the morning.  It was one of those days that is set up to be a rough one.  We made the mistake of staying out too late the night before with friends.  The kids were playing so well. Why leave early? Well, we paid for it the next morning.  As the kids screamed on, I downed one cup of coffee after another. "We will persevere," I thought, "How do we get out of this state of crabbiness"?

Then it hit me.  Something about sunshine and water shifts us, centers us, starts the day anew.  It was worth a try. Through tugging and pulling, I managed to get my boys dressed, gather the necessary supplies, and load us up in the car.

We hit up our local splash pad per usual.  I love the open air, lack of potential drowning and the fact that it's free.  Stress free, or nearly. Blowouts, we have experienced one or two, so I always check around the park before we settle in.  Yes, I am that weird lady that you see wandering around checking the drains and under the slides. Poop is a good way to make a bad day worse.  Luckily, now we come prepared. I am so glad for my BB Littles swim diapers. Both of my boys have worn them for the past couple years. With all of the snaps, one diaper can fit an infant through a three year old.  I have saved hundreds by avoiding disposables and embarrassing poop explosions too. Luckily, we haven't had any problems with poop ever since.

As I guessed, shortly after I settled down on my cozy blanket in the grass, I watched as my boys were running through the sprinklers with joy.  No more fighting. No more yelling. I was finally able to have some peace of mind.

By the time I loaded the boys back into our car, they were yawning.  Water, sun and running is the perfect combo for a successful nap time.  The house was finally silent.

Over the past few years, our family has been thrown a myriad of different food sensitivities, allergies, and overall health issues. If you have read my previous blog, you may already know that I have battled IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), lactose intolerance, acid reflux and candida; and my husband has been battling SIBO-M (small intestine bacterial overgrowth – methane), adrenal fatigue and more that we are still learning about as we research and troubleshoot. We have had our fair share of difficult times navigating parenthood with all of the health issues in tow, however, in retrospect, I am grateful for everything we have learned along the way. I would love to share with you some of our favorite go-to meals and treats that have been a hit with our whole family (and taste pretty darn good, if I say so myself).

1.)   Burrito Bowls! Did you know Chipotle is one of the cleanest places to eat for people with tummy issues? They do not use GMOs or antibiotics in their ingredients, and if you check out their website you can learn even more about the steps they have taken to offer a menu of items that are safe for several health conditions. My family could easily eat Chipotle on a daily basis, however, we do not have the wallets to afford that – and it’s important to switch up your meals anyways. This recipe is one I have made time and time again with grass-fed ground beef, ground turkey, ground venison, ground bison and chicken as well. We even made it for close friends of ours (and avid Chipotle lovers), and they were amazed at how similar our recipe compared. I found this original recipe on the The Prairie Homestead, here is our version...

Ingredients:

-2 lbs of your meat of choice (grass-fed ground beef or boneless chicken breasts are our favorite), fresh or frozen

-2 10 oz. cans of diced tomatoes with green chilies (we get this at our local Aldi)

-1 small onion, diced

-1 teaspoon ground cumin

-1.5 teaspoon garlic powder

-1 teaspoon smoked paprika

-1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

Place all ingredients in a crock-pot. Cook for 2-4 hours on high, or 6-8 hours on low. (We have also made this in our instant-pot under the poultry setting and it has turned out pretty good for how fast it cooks). Once meat is cooked, you can place on warm setting until it is ready to eat. If cooking ground meat, make sure to break up the meat – if cooking boneless chicken breasts, make sure to shred chicken with a fork once it is tender. We like to serve this with white basmati rice and a variety of burrito bowl toppings: salsa, black beans, pinto beans, guacamole and occasionally corn (as long as it does not tear up your gut). Our whole family of 4 eats this without complaints, which includes my 4-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter, who have their fair share of picky eating moments.

2.)   Turkey Chili – there’s nothing that just screams fall comfort food quite like chili. I am so grateful for the numerous recipes I have gained thanks to Dr. Junger’s “Clean Gut” book! If you have not read it before, I would highly recommend it, as it was the first thing my husband tried that actually began making a difference in his daily wellness. Our favorite recipe, included in the book is the Turkey Chili, which we make year-round.

Ingredients:

-2 tablespoons coconut oil

-1-pound ground turkey

-1 yellow or red onion, diced

-1 small winter squash, peeled and cubed (we usually get yellow squash instead because it is almost always available at the grocery store)

-2 garlic cloves, minced

-1 organic red bell pepper, diced

-2 zuchinni, diced

-2 tablespoons chili powder (more if you like a little kick)

-1.5 tablespoons ground cumin

-1 tablespoon paprika

-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (we prefer organic Ceylon cinnamon – I would highly recommend you do some research on why this is recommended)

-1 tablespoon raw cacao powder (if you are in a pinch, baking powder will do)

-1 24-ounce glass jar of tomatoes (canned is fine too)

-Sea salt and ground pepper to taste

Instructions:

1.     In a stockpot set over medium-high heat, warm the coconut oil.
2.     Add the turkey and sauté it until browned. Then add the onion and squash, sautéing until the squash is soft, about 5-10 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
3.     Add the garlic, red pepper and zucchini.
4.     Sauté an additional 3 minutes.
5.     Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, and cacao powder, and continue cooking until the spices are fragrant, about 2 minutes. Then add the tomatoes and simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes.
6.     Serve warm.

3.)   Roasted veggies – believe it or not, it does a body good to take a break from meat every once in a while. This is one of those meals that I make on a weekly basis and although my son complains about the veggies, he still eats them all every time (consistency has been key). I will say, eating roasted vegetables is a completely different experience than eating microwaved, stove-top or steamed vegetables. Yes, I will admit that I have cooked my vegetables every way possible, but roasting is by far my favorite and most flavorful way to cook them; and we never have leftovers!

Ingredients:

-Vegetable of choice (I typically do a bunch of broccoli, brussel sprouts or cauliflower)

-Olive oil

-Himalayan pink salt

Instructions:

1.     Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2.     While oven is preheating, spray your baking pan, then wash and cut your vegetables (if you are making broccoli or cauliflower, do not be afraid of slicing the “tree trunk” portions and tossing them on your cooking pan).
3.     Once your tray is covered in vegetables, take your olive oil and drizzle evenly. Be careful not to douse your vegetables in olive oil, or they will have a hard time crisping up. Sprinkle salt over vegetables, then toss with your hands to make sure everything is coated evenly.
4.     Cook in oven for 30 minutes. Usually my vegetables begin to brown at this point, but if yours have not you can always let them go an additional 5-10 minutes as long as you watch them closely.
5.     I typically serve roasted vegetables with a variety of sides. I typically make a side of stove top cooked chickpeas and diced organic Yukon gold potatoes (which I will throw in the oven, about 15 minutes before I put in the vegetables for roasting).
6.     Enjoy!

4.)   Crockpot Chicken Rice Soup – This is one of my tried and true Pinterest recipes that I have been making for years upon years (read: before children)! This recipe was originally designed to be a chicken noodle soup, but noodles have to be gluten-free in our house and once we tried basmati rice, we haven’t turned back. Here is the original recipe found on jocooks.com. Here is our spin on it:

Ingredients:

-2 tablespoons olive oil

-1 large onion, diced (or you could forgo dicing if you want to cut it after its softened)

-2 large carrots, peeled and chopped

-2 stalks of celery, chopped

-1.5 pounds boneless chicken breasts

-7 cups of chicken broth (the original recipe calls for Vegeta, but suggested chicken broth as a substitute – we have only tried it with chicken broth).

-1 cup of water

-1 teaspoon salt

-1/2 teaspoon pepper

-2 bay leaves

-1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

-1 tablespoon of dried parsley (optional)

-1 cup of dry basmati rice cooked separately (we have tried cooking it in the soup, but have not mastered the art of getting it perfect every time)

Instructions:

1.     Add the oil, onion, carrots, chicken, celery, salt, pepper, chicken broth, water, bay leaves, rosemary and parsley to crockpot.
2.     Cook on low for 8 hours or 4 hours on high.
3.     Within last hour of cooking, add in cooked rice.
4.     Optional: we like to add 1.5 cups of frozen green peas to this recipe on occasion to change it up.

5.)   Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowls – our family just recently started enjoying this recipe over the past 6 months or so, but let me tell you… it’s so incredibly easy to put together quickly and the kids always gobble it up like there’s no tomorrow! Here is the original recipe from The Recipe Critic. Here is our spin on it:

Ingredients:

-1 pound grass fed ground beef (or ground bison)

-3 garlic cloves, minced

-1/4 cup packed brown sugar (I have used less than this amount and it still tastes delicious)

-2 teaspoons sesame oil

-1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

-1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (yes, there is some kick to this meal, so you can certainly use less heat if you prefer, however, my kids have handled this well every time)

-1/4 teaspoon pepper

-1 cup of dry white basmati rice, cooked

-optional: 1.5 cups frozen green peas

Instructions:

1.     In a large skillet cook the ground beef and garlic breaking it into crumbles over medium heat until no longer pink.
2.     In a small bowl whisk brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, red pepper flakes and pepper. Pour over the ground beef and let simmer for another minute or two.
3.     Optional: add in frozen green peas and stir until they are cooked completely, usually a few minutes
4.     Serve over hot basmati rice

6.)   Salmon Cakes – don’t get me wrong, but this was one menu item I never tried growing up, and I give all the credit to my husband for finding this recipe years ago and sharing it with me. You can find it here on allrecipes.com. Due to our food sensitivities, I have altered this recipe a bit to make it gluten-free friendly and with no eggs (tip: if you have digestion issues, avoiding eggs may benefit your gut). Although this recipe can be a labor of love, we typically will double it and freeze the extra salmon cakes for future meals.

Ingredients:

-2 (14.75 ounce) cans of wild caught salmon, drained and flaked (it is our preference to take out the bones, but they are technically okay to eat)

-3/4 cups of gluten free bread crumbs OR oat flour (I have made it with oat flour the past few times and it has been a hit)

-3 tablespoons dried parsley

-2 flaxseed eggs (Quick Recipe: Mix 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed with 4 tablespoons of water. Let sit and gel for 5-10 minutes)

-1.5 teaspoons dried minced onion

-2 teaspoons seafood seasoning

-1.5 teaspoons ground black pepper

-1.5 teaspoons garlic powder

-3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

-3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (we omit this on occasion due to dairy)

-2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

-2 tablespoons organic mayonnaise

Instructions:

1.     Preheat oven 400 degrees.
2.     Mix salmon, bread crumbs (or oat flour), parsley, flaxseed eggs, minced onion, seafood seasoning, black pepper, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard and organic mayonnaise together in large bowl. Divide and shape into 24 patties (I like to divide into 8 sections like a pizza, then make 3 patties per section).
3.     Cook 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

7.)   Tuna Noodle Un-Casserole – have you ever read the ingredients to your tuna or hamburger helper boxes? Once I started paying attention to it, I knew there had to be an easier way to combat all the unnecessary ingredients. We found this recipe on godairyfree.org and have been loving it for the past 6 months. It is another meal that is quick to put together and the kids always eat it without complaint. Here is our version of it:

Ingredients:

-2 tablespoons Kerry gold butter

-2 tablespoons einkorn flour (I have also used a combination of coconut flour, almond flour, oat flour and even arrowroot starch powder to create a good consistency)

-2 cups chicken broth

-2 (5 oz.) canned chunk light tuna (in water)

-1.5 cups frozen green peas

-1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

-3 cups dry pasta, cooked (we like Aldi’s gluten-free fusilli)

Instructions:

1.     Boil water for pasta (and toss in when it is ready to cook).
2.     Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
3.     Add the flour, whisking until no lumps remain.
4.     Add ¼ to ½ cup of the chicken broth and whisk until smooth.
5.     Slowly whisk in the remaining chicken broth.
6.     Add flaked tuna, and bring to a boil while continuing to whisk.
7.     Once boiling, add the frozen peas, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the sauce reaches your desired thickness. (If you are using alternative flour, like we do, it may not thicken as quickly as you would expect; but once noodles are added it seems to soak in and thicken).
8.     Whisk in the black pepper and stir in the cooked noodles until they are well-coated in the sauce.

I hope you are able to enjoy some of our favorite meals, that have been so good on our tummies and wallet.

Let us know your favorite recipes in the comments.

We brought you an article a while back about 5 things second-time mom's never talk about. However, having a new baby whether it's for the first time or the fourth time there are things that mom's don't talk about nearly enough. We want to bring those things to light and start the conversation, "moming" is hard and we need to be there for one another.

 

From the moment we see that positive pregnancy test, for some of us even long before that, we start reading and preparing as much as we can for motherhood.

When I got pregnant, I had a vision and plan for how mom life was going to go. These “Instagram moms” make it look so glamorous and easy. What you don’t see, is that there are common struggles every new mom goes through that many don’t talk about.

1. Not bonding with your baby immediately.

Once the news is shared that you are expecting, the bombardment of affirmations start coming from all your friends, family and even the strangers in the checkout line. One of the most common things mothers before you will say, is that when your baby is placed on your chest, you will feel an outpouring of love and emotion. Makes sense right? Well, believe it or not, this doesn't always happen right away.

When my second was born, and he was placed on my chest, I was numb. I didn't have those overwhelming emotions like I did with my first child. Sure, I was happy and I loved him and cared for him, but it took weeks for me to really connect with him. I remember thinking, “what is wrong with me?” I wondered if I was broken. But once those emotions flooded through me weeks later, like a dam had opened, it was beautiful.

The fact is, is that the bond or connection may not happen right off the bat. This can bring on feelings of shame and inadequacy for new moms. Just know, this does not make you any less of a mother. The bond and connection will come in its own time, and IT IS OKAY to not feel it right away.

2. The loneliness and darkness that can set in.

Becoming a new mom is a huge change. One that comes with a whole new excessive amount of responsibilities. Throw in whacky hormones, and you got yourself stuck on one crazy rollercoaster. Baby blues is a very common response to the change of hormones and sleep deprivation in the beginning days of motherhood. You can feel really irritable, anxious, and weepy. You can spend the whole day wondering why you're crying, and never find a real reason. Hormones are funny. Baby blues should only last days to a few weeks. What is important, is to acknowledge all the feelings you're having. When it gets tricky is when it lasts longer or feelings become more intense. This is when the regular baby blues can morph into Postpartum Depression. When people hear depression, they think the worst, but it comes in all different forms. PPD can come on even a year after having a baby. Not treated, it can become very serious. Self care is something that mom’s put on the back burner, but it is extremely important. If you find yourself not wanting to get out of bed, not wanting to shower or even change your underwear (yes, I have been there), ask for help. There is no reason to be ashamed, and it’s something more women should talk about. We all want to show people we are all right, and can handle it all. You can still be super mom while admitting you need help.

3. Not knowing who you are anymore.

When you become a new mom, you immerse yourself in everything baby and it becomes your  focus, your entire life. Your routines change, and you don’t have the freedom or want to do some of the things that you used to. Instead of spending Saturday night taking shots of Fireball and blacking out with a McNugget in your hand, you're curled up on the couch with a colicky infant and a cold dinner that you haven't gotten to touch yet. Your body is different, so you wear clothes that are more for comfort instead of style. Those TV shows or books you started on are now collecting dust because when you have a moment, all you want to do is sleep before you are woken up again in an hour. We all go through a time of mourning our old self or “glory days”. It is really easy to lose sight of who we are aside from being a mom. It is important to remember that we are a mom but we are also our own person. It is valuable to have something for yourself. Something as simple as finding a hobby can help bring joy into your days when you’re feeling lost. Or, you can be like me, and pull a Britney Spears circa 2007, and cut all of your hair off into a pixie and dye it purple! Sometimes all you need is a dramatic change to your appearance to set you on track to finding yourself again.

4. How friendships change.

Every mom is going to experience changes in their previous friendships after having a baby. Maintaining relationships after baby is born is pretty tough. Parenthood is time consuming  and occupies us physically and mentally. Our needs and wants change when it comes to the important people in our lives. The truth is, some of our relationships won’t withstand the change to motherhood. Babies are unpredictable, and being a mom means that sometimes you have to flake. Being a mom means sometimes you just don’t have the energy to get out of the yoga pants you have been wearing for 2 days now, to meet up with somebody at Starbucks. Instead of bragging about your 2 a.m. shenanigans the night before, you want to talk about how you got your first official smile from your sweet babe, and you swear it wasn’t gas. You don’t feel like you fit in with your childless friend group anymore, and your friendships start to gain distance because they don't relate or understand the anxiety you feel when you even think about leaving your baby with somebody else. The loneliness of motherhood is real, and it’s hard for moms to admit how lonely they are.

5. Sex and intimacy after baby.

The first time you have sex after having a baby can honestly feel like you’re about to have sex for the first time ever. You have  6 weeks of healing to do, which also means you have 6 weeks to overthink the entire thing. Do I look different down there? Do I feel different? Is it going to hurt? Does he even find me attractive anymore? Oh the lights will definitely have to be off. When the day finally comes, you may not even feel ready. It is important to have open communication with your partner about all your worries and feelings. Maybe after holding a baby all day long, you are touched out and getting intimate is the last thing on your mind. Maybe it’s hard for you to get turned on because you have so many thoughts running through your head, and want to go check on the baby. Or maybe your hormones have your body out of whack so sex hurts now. Maybe your feeling self conscious of your body and the way it has changed. The best thing to have when it comes down to it all, is patience, both for yourself and your partner. Release the expectations, and learn each other all over again. Every couple goes through this awkward time.  

The changes we have to navigate through when we become a mother are immense. They say it takes a village, and I believe that to be true. We all experience some of the same changes going through motherhood, and it’s important to have somebody to lean on and reassure you that you aren’t alone. Although we have to let go of old parts of ourselves, and discover new ones it’s important to embrace the change. Don’t be afraid to talk about it, or ask for help.

Before I go into this guide for cooking, I want to share a little bit of my background as to why food allergies and sensitivities are a big part of my life. My story begins in 1992, when I was merely 4 years old and contracted the food-borne illness, E. coli. My case was severe enough that they transferred me from our local hospital to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh for a total of 21 days combined, four blood transfusions and a very close call to pancreatic failure. A nurse from Children’s (who knew a family member) had shared that my case was not looking hopeful and that I may not survive. My family and I still thank God today for the miraculous healing I experienced that late October. Our doctor had told my parents, because of the E. coli, I was very likely to experience digestive problems as I grew up – and indeed, I did. In high school I was diagnosed with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), acid reflux, lactose intolerance and Candida. I remember keeping a notebook of which foods were safe to eat and which foods were not. I was never a fan of side effects to medications, so I did my best to eat smart and seek a functional medicine approach, unless I had no other option.

Fast forward a few years into my twenties and my stomach issues became more tolerable. My husband and I met in 2010, married (St. Patty’s Day) in 2012, had our son in 2014 and daughter in 2016. Sometime after our son was born, my husband began having some serious digestive and fatigue issues. We both feel that we may have experienced food poisoning during that time, and that it had a significant effect on his condition. We sought medical advice from our PCP, who sent him to a number of specialists, where we eventually learned he has SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth – methane). This condition has only recently been recognized in the medical field, so after multiple failed treatments through a medical doctor, we began seeking functional medicine doctors and treatments. Through this we then learned he suffers from Adrenal Fatigue, a gluten sensitivity and tested highly positive for a garlic and cod allergy. I have no doubt in my mind that God put us together for a reason – because we’ve both gone through some hardships physically and emotionally due to our health; and because of that we can empathize with one another that much more.

So how do we go about meal planning for our family of 4 on a weekly basis, who has a multitude of food allergies, sensitivities and unpredictable ups and downs? First and foremost, I’ve always found it most helpful to focus on what we can eat and build a menu around those fundamental items. We live off of one income, so we do our best to stick to a weekly grocery budget. Our favorite places to shop (and save money) are Aldi and Vitacost.com, with the occasional purchases from Target, Giant Eagle and Amazon. Most specialty food companies provide store locators on their websites, which is such a nice feature. We have also utilized a multitude of Young Living essential oils to provide additional nutrition in our daily lives.

Here are some of our favorite resources we have found over the past few years, dealing with everything from Low FODMAP diets to gluten sensitivities, cleanses and beyond.

1.)   The Clean Gut Cleanse – www.cleanprogram.com

My husband and I both read the “Clean Gut” book by Alejandro Junger, MD a few years ago and it helped kickstart his elimination of some of his health issues. I admit, the kids and I did not strictly follow the cleanse written out in the book, but my husband did and we still use some of the recipes and suggestions from it to this day. Their turkey chili is always a hit with our guests and their morning shakes are something the kids and I drink every morning without fail. This is a perfect resource to begin with for someone who is ready to combat the root cause of underlying health issues.

2.)   Bethany Ugarte (lilsipper) – www.lilsipper.com

Something I absolutely love about social media is the opportunity to connect with others who have experienced similar health issues as you, and have done their research along the way. Bethany Ugarte (aka – lilsipper) is someone my husband found through his SIBO support group, and who has a wealth of knowledge and personal experience to boot. She is always sharing tips, tricks and recipes for IBS, as well as several other food sensitivities. She isn’t afraid to talk through food labels, hidden ingredients and bring truth to popular health fads. Lastly, she has a knack for sharing some simple, amazing recipes that make sensitive tummies rejoice.

3.)   Autoimmune Wellness – www.facebook.com/autoimmunepaleo

When you suffer any health issue, it is so important to find a community in which you can learn and share. The Autoimmune Wellness page on Facebook has been a wonderful community for my us these past few years. In addition to recipes, this page offers encouragement for people who are dealing with ongoing health issues. I know for a fact, having a community like this (across the world) has benefited our health journey immensely.

 

 

4.)   Food Matters – www.facebook.com/foodmatters

Another fantastic resource via Facebook is the Food Matters page. Food Matters is a documentary available on Netflix, whose tagline is, “You are what you eat” and it provides excellent background on the food industry and how we can improve our health by embracing a healthier lifestyle. Their website www.foodmatters.com as well as this facebook page provide a wonderful number of recipes, tips and guides regarding natural health.

5.)   Ancient Nutrition (Dr. Axe) – www.draxe.com and  www.facebook.com/ancientnutrition

If you’ve never heard of Dr. Axe, here’s a quick description from his site: “Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CNS, is a doctor of chiropractic, certified doctor of natural medicine and clinical nutritionist with a passion to help people eat healthy and live a healthy lifestyle.” He is easily one of the top natural health resources right now and his sites offer recipes, DIY remedies and trending health news. I have utilized his sites on multiple occasions from cooking dinner to finding a “safe” dessert to make for my whole family.

 

 

These are just a handful of resources that our family has utilized over the past few years. Raising a family, while battling health conditions is difficult, but figuring out what’s for dinner should not be—let alone breaking the bank to do-so. If you, or someone you love is dealing with chronic health issues, I hope you check out these resources I’ve provided. I’ll leave you with one last quick tip – 2-ingredient frozen fruit and coconut cream ice cream! Our family made this after dinner tonight and it was absolutely delicious and all 4 of us gobbled it up (even our 2 and 4-year-old). Take 1 cup frozen fruit (we chose mangoes) and ½ cup of coconut cream and blend until smooth. We found this through The Gabriel Method (www.facebook.com/Gabriel.Method), who has an incredible weight loss story and shares recipes from time to time. Enjoy and know that if you struggle with food allergies or sensitivities, there are several resources available to you. Our family is by no means perfect, but we are continually researching and learning new things to improve our health.

I have four kids that are all 18-20 months apart. That means that we’ve been in a swamp of diapers for 5 years straight now. We are lucky to have never had more than two in diapers at the same time.

I hate the waste of diapers. Sometimes I will cloth diaper for a while, but that is hard to keep up with. The amount of laundry we do is already on par with Everest. Adding daily cloth diapers just pushes mama to new heights. But, I’ve always used reusable diapers in water.

Not only do reusable diapers cut waste, but they are thinner, cheaper and cuter than the disposable ones. They are easier to keep clean than regular cloth diapers too, since they are only used in the water. Here are my five tips for using reusable swim diapers.

Get Adjustable Ones

Start by getting reusable swim diapers that will grow with your kid. Not only did mine last until each kid was potty trained, but I could also use my diapers on every kid. The adjustable ones, like these, are able to snap smaller or open up to be bigger. They always fit great and it makes them more cost effective. The diapers I have in the original size (0-3 years) has fit my newborns at the same time it can fit my large toddler. It’s great not to have diapers that are outgrown and serve no purpose. These are made to last.

Don’t Travel in Them

Swim diapers aren’t made for land use. If the diapers were completely waterproof, they would be terrible to swim in. If your kid goes potty in a swim diaper, it is going to leak out. We just wore regular clothes and diapers to the pool and brought our change of clothing. Once we were at the pool, it’s easy to make the switch in the locker room or even behind a towel poolside.

Take a Spare

We’ve had a few nasty diapers while at the pool. If you bring a spare, then your fun doesn’t have to end with a dirty diaper. You aren’t going to have a pool embarrassment with a Code Brown while wearing a reusable diaper, but swim time is over if you only brought the one. Just like if you were using disposable diapers, take a backup diaper and a plastic bag in case you need to do a little damage control. A quick change and your kid is good to go. If you want to be even more prepared, have a small bottle of soap so you can start the soaking process before you get home…

Use Dawn

For some reason, Dawn dish soap (the blue original one) is AMAZING for getting out food-related potential stains. Because bowel movements are food-related, Dawn does a great job. Usually dumping them into the toilet will get rid of most of the mess, but you may need to let them soak a little to remove the residue. Keep your diapers fresh and white by adding Dawn right to the “stains,” letting them soak a bit before washing and drying. All of our BB Littles diapers still look white and new after years of use.

Feel Free to Keep Using Them…

My oldest boy is a bean pole kid. Even after he was done potty training, he kept wearing the reusable diapers as swim underwear under his trunks. I knew he wouldn’t have a pool accident, but I didn’t trust his swim shorts to stay up. Rather than have him embarrassed by losing his pants at the pool, I used the diapers to help keep the shorts up and make sure he wouldn’t be exposed if they did get pulled down. He even asks to wear them because it makes him feel better too. I just call them swim underwear when he is using them.

I love our BB Littles diapers! If you’ve thought about grabbing reusable swim diaper for your little one, do it!