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POSTED: Thursday, May 13, 2010

Most parents try to spend the least time thinking about diapers, dispatching junior with the latest in disposables.

Not so Malia Flores, who grew up recycling and re-purposing, and knew that when she gave birth to her son, cloth diapering would be the way to go.

She's gone one step further, covering the diaper with soakers she makes from recycled sweaters and now markets as Pono Pants that save families money while helping to reduce trash.

Flores will be showing and demonstrating her creations during the weekend's Baby Expo at the Blaisdell Center. For parents brave enough to whiff, that would include sniffing her son's urine-soiled soaker that Flores has kept hanging in her bathroom since last Monday, to prove her point that the wool she uses is antimicrobial and can go without washing for two weeks — unless in contact with No. 2.

               

     

 

 

NEW BABY EXPO         » Place: Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall         » When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday         » Admission: $4.50 general, free for 5 and younger; Blaisdell parking is $5         » Call: 591-2211 or visit www.newbabyexpo.com

Flores said she got the idea while shopping online for inexpensive cloth diapers. She came across old-fashioned wool soakers, popular in the 1940s. They were a necessity when dealing with leaks because cloth diapers don't conform to the body the way that contemporary elasticized diapers do, nor do they contain the absorbent materials that soak up excess moisture.

After studying up on the benefits of wool, Flores decided to make her own.

“;There's a lot of benefits from wool. It's antimicrobial, so if it gets a little wet, it doesn't smell bad.

“;I have to explain a lot because people see it and the first question they tend to ask is, 'Isn't it hot?'”;

The covers actually help to keep babies warm in winter and cool in summer.

“;Wool is porous, so it breathes,”; Flores said. “;I think they're very comfortable for babies.”;

She seeks out wool sweaters at thrift shops and through donations, so some infants might find themselves wearing soakers converted from Versace or Prada sweaters.

The Pono Pants sell for $30 or $40 depending on style; matching cotton tops run $15 to $25.

Flores can't say whether little ones appreciate the often rainbow-colored fashion statement the outfits make.

“;I don't think they're body-conscious at 2 1/2 , or I hope not,”; she said, although she once had a little boy run up to one of her displays, demanding, “;Try on! Try on!”;

“;I think it's because they have animal appliques on them. Kids like them.

“;I think it's fun. You have to have a sense of humor when you're up to your neck in diapers,”; Flores said. “;Diapering is not the most glamorous thing to do, but it's bonding time you share with your child, so it's worthwhile to pay more attention to it.”;

More recently, Pono Pants have led Flores to volunteer her time at the PATH Clinic, which offers perinatal clinical and social services to women with past or present substance abuse issues. Flores teaches women who are interested to make cloth diapers and sew other practical items.

“;Once they start, they get inspired. It's not only green, but it's important to have this can-do project to work on, especially in early motherhood, when you feel overwhelmed. It's nice to do something slow, by hand, to get something done, be practical and make something for their kids and households,”; said Flores, who welcomes donations of sewing materials and fabric for the sessions.

“;Everybody should be recycling anyway,”; she said. “;I grew up with used clothing, and when I see news about trash stacking up, I always wonder how much is textile waste and what we can do to avoid sending it to a landfill somewhere.”;

She recently donated 32 pairs of jeans to a woman who was planning a blue-and-white graduation party.

“;With the economy the way it is, people are trying to be more creative,”; Flores said. “;I was going to use (the denim), but I'm not at that point in production, so I thought I'd pass them along.”;

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For more information, visit www.ponopants.com.

               

     

 

 

DIAPER DIVA ACADEMY         » Place: PATH Clinic, Salvation Army Family Treatment Center, 845 22nd Ave.         » Classes: 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays to Thursdays         » Cost: $15 to $25 per class, including materials that vary by project         » Reservations: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)         » Note: Donations of fabric and sewing materials are always welcome.