Two months ago our Art Director Bess Piergrossi gave birth to her 2nd child. We miss her terribly and thought, why not check in while she’s in the thick of it and see what she has to say about cloth diapering a newborn, the transition from one baby to two, and how she’s enjoying some of the soon-to be released new Esembly products that she’s testing.
What feels most different about welcoming a second baby?
To put it simply: when my first, Beppa, was born, I cried in the OR because my traumatic labor and delivery was over. Everyone was safe. When my second was born, Anto, I cried because I fell in love.
Of course I loved Beppa from the moment she arrived, but I was overwhelmed by anxiety, which made it hard to stay present and fully enjoy that tender, fleeting beginning. With my second, everything felt calmer and more intentional. I felt more confident, more grounded, and able to truly soak in the miracle of what was happening
What’s a small joy you didn’t expect to find in the newborn phase this time around?
There’s no boredom. With my first, slowing down from a busy, ambitious, childless life to sitting on the couch all day felt clumsy and repetitive. The days felt endless. This time, even with a toddler around, the slowness of a baby feels restorative and grounding- like a gift. The days fly by, and I find myself wishing they were longer.
Full disclosure: my first had colic, so I was very literally wishing those days away the first time. But this baby cries alot too. Sometimes I wonder how much of the difference is me versus the baby- but I don’t feel the need to solve that. I’m just happy to be right where we are.
What’s something you stressed over the first time that barely registers now?
The first time, I stressed constantly about whether my baby was safe, or frankly, alive. Was she breathing in her car seat? At night? Was that her crying while I was in the shower? Was something too close to her face?
Safety is still incredibly important, but this time I trust myself more. I trust my instincts, my experience, and my reality. I know my baby is safe, and I know I’m not doing anything to compromise that.
What expectations did you let go of this time?
When my first was born, I had daydreams of us napping together outside under trees, and that could not have been further from my reality. This time, I was prepared for whatever baby showed up: one who cried nonstop or one who kept me up all night. Having a more realistic understanding of what it actually means to have a newborn made the adjustment gentler.
What’s been most helpful in supporting your older child through the transition?
Oof. This transition has been messy. My daughter initially distanced herself from me in a way that was heartbreaking . She was cold, withdrawn, and wanted very little to do with me, let alone the baby. There were a lot of tears (mine included).
I’m now seven weeks postpartum, and just this morning I told my husband, “I think there’s been a shift.” She’s starting to show affection again. Having lots of family support- grandparents, aunts, and her dad- helped keep her busy and feeling loved. But our relationship didn’t really start to mend until my husband went back to work and it was just me and the kids. From there, we rebuilt what we lost, even with a screaming baby strapped to my chest.
This is your second baby to cloth diaper with Esembly — what feels easier or more intuitive this time around?
Speaking just for myself: I’m very pro cloth “as you can, when you can”. But for me, committing fully to cloth has been much easier than doing it part-time.
With my first, we switched back and forth between disposables and cloth when she was this young, and it felt like my brain was juggling two systems, two routines, two diaper bags. Going all-in means you know the process, the rhythm, and what to expect. It clicks instead of feeling fragmented.
How do you keep cloth diapering feeling manageable with 2 littles at home?
Honestly, it doesn’t feel less manageable than disposables. It doesn’t create extra chaos for me. I actually find the laundry process satisfying (which I cannot say about regular laundry), and resetting the diaper basket is one of my favorite postpartum rituals. Cloth has added more joy to my postpartum experience than it’s taken away.
What would you tell a parent who’s worried they won’t be able to “keep up” with cloth?
Personally, like I mentioned above, I’d recommend they try it full time- even just for a week or two. Give yourself a trial run to see what it feels like. I’ve always felt that full time is easier than switching back and forth, but I’m an all in kind of person. And my favorite, underrated perk? No smell. No poop brewing in trash cans. Everything goes into a pail pouch and then straight into the wash, and there’s virtually no odor.
Which prints are you enjoying most on your little guy so far?
I’m a minimalist at heart, so Parchment is my favorite. It reminds me of the essence of cloth diapering, crisp cottons, simpler times-which is a big reason I choose cloth. I usually reach for Sea Glass or Mist next, and if I’m feeling wild… Gingham. ;)
List your top 3 Esembly products. The ones that you feel make cloth diapering simpler.
My top product is actually one I’ve been lucky enough to test that’s still in development—so consider that a teaser. It’s by far my favorite.
I also love Stay Dry Liners—they’re soft and really help keep diapers clean in the wash. And I can’t overstate the importance of the Rash Relief Cream, especially early on when you dont know what you’re gonna get with each change. The RRC has been a miracle worker and a constant protective barrier during the nonstop newborn pooping phase.
List the top 5 baby products you couldn’t live without this time around.
This little boy will not let me put him down for longer than 5 minutes, so at this point, there’s not much.
1: Comfortable Baby Carrier- I switch between a thick cotton wrap, and a strapped one depending on what I’m doing and how much support I need.
2: Sheepskin- It’s great to throw down on the ground as a landing pad, or for diaper changes.
3: Sound machine– this didn’t work for my first, but he is well cued into if there’s a sound machine going, it’s time to get sleepy, so I’m super grateful that it’s a tool for us to use this time around.
4: A wool baby blanket- his go-to car cover up in this weather.
5: Washable Cotton Changing Pads- This boy pees like nobody’s business, and these have saved countless surfaces.
Is there a design decision you’ve made at Esembly that was directly inspired by your own experience being pregnant with your second child (a boy this time!)?
This may be another teaser, but I’m so excited about our upcoming collection. While I’m not usually a big print person, I can’t wait to see all of these new designs on my little boy.
Has being pregnant and having a baby while working at Esembly changed the way you plan to approach design or messaging when you come back?
YES, absolutely. We used disposables for the first 10 days due to circumcision and heavy Vaseline use (not cloth-safe). What surprised me was how intimidated I felt starting cloth again, even as someone who lives and breathes it!
I caught myself second-guessing everything: “Is he crying because the diaper is wet?” “Is this rash from cloth? Is the laundry going to be too much?” When you have a newborn, everything feels uncertain, and cloth can feel like another variable. It’s reinforced how important messaging around simplicity, newborn skincare, and what’s normal—like how a wet cloth diaper should feel—really is. That reassurance can make all the difference.
What design details do you truly appreciate now that you didn’t fully appreciate before you worked as a creative at Esembly?
It’s not a physical design detail, but taking the Cloth 101 class was eye-opening. I never took it with my first, and watching it when I joined the team in 2023 completely changed my understanding.
I thought I knew everything about cloth—I didn’t. It’s informative, empowering, and makes you feel part of something bigger. I’d recommend it at any stage of the cloth journey.
Being a working parent comes with a lot of challenges. What advice would you give companies about how they can better support their team members through pregnancy, postpartum, and the return to work?
To be a part of their community- their village. That means support, not just by assuring a paid leave, or the protection of your position, but grace as well- time off to attend appointments, flexibility offered when it can. A relationship built on trust. I’m endlessly grateful to work remotely through this phase of life, and have the ability to create a work schedule that meets the needs of my family, and my company. You can have both.
Having a baby, taking maternity leave, and then returning to work is a lot to move through in a short time. How are you feeling about coming back this spring—honestly?
If I’m being totally honest, terrified. Ha. Returning to work always comes with that paralyzing “How will I manage?” feeling. But I’ve learned that fear often comes before growth. Just like the day my husband went back to work and I was left solo with both kids, and it ended up bonding me and my daughter even more—I trust that returning to work will bring its own sense of fulfillment.
Having an outlet that’s just for me, reconnecting with people I’ve missed, and being part of something bigger than myself- something I’m passionate about—will feel really good once things are in motion. Motherhood may be my greatest achievement, but my career is also deeply important to me.
Cloth Diapering 101
Our co-founders host a free, virtual, Cloth Diapering 101 class every month to help cloth-curious parents get all the tools and information they need!
You'll leave with the confidence to Live Less Disposably and a 20% discount code to use on your first order. 🥳 We hope to see you there!
