OCTOBER 2021

Moms We Admire with Grace

A first-time mama in the Bay Area on two miscarriages before her rainbow baby, and everything worth knowing about cloth diapers.

For this installment of Moms We Admire, we sat down with Grace of One Little Yuan — first-time mama to her son Abel, plant lover, and a quietly persuasive advocate for slower, more sustainable living. She believes that sharing our stories is how mothers find each other, so she shared hers with us.

Tell us a little about yourself:

My name is Grace and I'm a first-time mom to my 15-month-old son and rainbow baby, Abel. We live in sunny California, based in the SF Bay Area. I strongly believe there's something so powerful and connecting when we share our personal stories with one another, especially when it comes to navigating motherhood. I hope that sharing a little more about my story encourages other women and mamas to share theirs. I also love sharing my journey towards a more sustainable lifestyle, along with my love for plants.

Do you have a favorite routine with your son?

I'm teaching him how to do a customary greeting in Thai, where my parents are from. It requires putting your palms together in front of you and nodding your head towards your fingertips. This is how we greet others and show respect in Thai. I love being able to pass on bits of my heritage to my son.

We'd love to hear about the cloth diapers you use. What got you into them?

I'm so glad you asked. I've always been intrigued by cloth diapers — my mom briefly used them when I was a newborn, so it was one of those things I knew I wanted to try one day. In the few years before becoming a mom I started taking sustainable living more seriously. I wanted to reduce my plastic consumption and vote with my dollar for items made to last.

When I became pregnant I did some quick research, told my husband I wanted to try it (thankfully he was very open to the idea), put them on my registry, and once I had a few, I had everything I needed. We started when my son was around three weeks old. Both the hardest and easiest part of the transition was just going for it and reaching for a cloth diaper instead of a disposable. He's 15 months now and we've been using cloth ever since.

If you're curious how they work: the modern cloth diaper has two basic parts. An inner insert that's absorbent, usually made from a natural material like cotton, bamboo, or hemp — and an outer shell made from PUL, a soft, waterproof laminate. Both are washable, which is what makes cloth diapering so sustainable.

Any tips for someone thinking about switching?

Most people think cloth diapers are an all-or-nothing decision. They're definitely not. You can still use disposables even if you cloth diaper. If you're interested in trying cloth for the first time, buy two or three to start. Start gradually. Test them out and see what it's like before buying more.

And if you have zero interest in cloth diapers, here's the thing I love to share: swim diapers are basically cloth diapers. If you've ever used a swim diaper, you've already experienced cloth diapering. Any cloth diaper without the insert can be used as one. So if you're nervous about the cost and afraid you might not use it — know that you can. That's been a lifesaver for us when my son spontaneously wanted to go swimming at Grandma's house.

What's one thing you wish you'd known before having a baby?

This is actually something I wish I'd known before I was even trying to conceive. I wish I'd known how common miscarriages are. I wish this was shared more with women. I had no idea that one in four pregnancies result in miscarriage.

My journey to motherhood included two miscarriages before having my rainbow baby. It was shocking to learn and to experience how common miscarriage and infertility is, and my heart goes out to all the women currently experiencing something similar. If you are going through infertility and miscarriage, know that you aren't alone. I've experienced it too, and I see you.

What is something your baby has taught you?

So many things, from different stages of being a mother. From pregnancy through postpartum, I learned that mamas are so tough and our bodies are so resilient — that we're made to give birth and nurture a sweet babe, and that our bodies will heal over time. From life as a new mom caring for a newborn, I've learned to trust my gut and my instinct.

One of my favorite quotes I read as a new mother was, “When you bring home a baby, you bring home a mom too.” I love it so much, because becoming a mother is such an incredible experience and privilege. My postpartum was a wonderful time of rest, healing both physical and spiritual, and reflection. Becoming a mother has motivated me to have courage and try new things — including sharing my experience with mamas online.

Moms We Admire is an ongoing EMME series celebrating the mothers in our community.