Filling Rice Socks

[NakedHousewife]

I bet a bunch of you already have a trick to filling rice socks, but I just figured I'd share mine with any other newbies. I was filling it with a mixing spoon before this, LOL. I took a plastic cup and cut off the bottom with scissors. I just slip that into the top of the sock, then pour two cups of rice into it. I made 10 socks in about 5 minutes. Yay! LOL.

[DL]

I do something similar to what you do. I use a large plastic funnel. I just slip the smaller end into the sock, stretch the sides of the sock around it (it snuggly stays) and pour the rice in. I shake it just a little every now and then to help the rice go down faster. Your way sounds like it might be a little faster, though!

[douladot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doula Lori I do something similar to what you do. I use a large plastic funnel. I just slip the smaller end into the sock, stretch the sides of the sock around it (it snuggly stays) and pour the rice in. I shake it just a little every now and then to help the rice go down faster. Your way sounds like it might be a little faster, though!

That is exactly what I do!

[CrunchyDoula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NakedHousewife I bet a bunch of you already have a trick to filling rice socks, but I just figured I'd share mine with any other newbies. I was filling it with a mixing spoon before this, LOL. I took a plastic cup and cut off the bottom with scissors. I just slip that into the top of the sock, then pour two cups of rice into it. I made 10 socks in about 5 minutes. Yay! LOL.

Do you just buy the sleeves for the rice sacks or do you make your own?

[DL]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crunchymamma Do you just buy the sleeves for the rice sacks or do you make your own?

I realize that the question wasn't directed towards me, but I thought I'd chime in with what I do. I just use all white, large men's tube socks. I tie two knots in the end after filling with 3-5 cups of rice. I also have homemade covers (think pillow cases) made from flannel (think receiving blankets) that I slip over them.

[UtahDoula]

I am boring, I just use the tube socks with nothing over them and no scent in them. But then I never use the same rice sock with more than 1 client. If I use a rice sock in their labor, it goes home with them. If you plan to reuse them, I'd recommend a washable sleeve over it.
I use a wide mouth canning funnel to fill mine, it works great.
I also like to add a cup of rice, sew across the sock, add another cup, sew across, and add a third cup before sewing across the top 4-5 times with a nice, fat zig-zag stitch. So there are 3 large "pockets" of rice. This way, when you put it around mom's neck, some of the rice actually STAYS on her neck, instead of running over her shoulders into the ends.

[DL]

Quote:

Originally Posted by UtahDoula I am boring, I just use the tube socks with nothing over them and no scent in them. But then I never use the same rice sock with more than 1 client. If I use a rice sock in their labor, it goes home with them. If you plan to reuse them, I'd recommend a washable sleeve over it.

I never reuse rice socks on different clients either. Once I use a rice sock on a client, it belongs to the client. She gets the cover, too, of course! If the mom agrees to it, I like to mix about 10 drops of lavendar EO in the rice before pouring it into the sock (some have preferred peppermint instead). I usually take two to each labor; one is scented, the other is not in case she decides that she doesn't like the scent during labor. IMO, I think that hot, uncooked rice is pasty smelling & stinky, though.

[MsDoula]

One thing you can do is use one tube sock to make the rice sock then cover it with another tube sock. This way the second sock can be removed and washed without ruining the rice-filled one.

[douladot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doula Lori I never reuse rice socks on different clients either. Once I use a rice sock on a client, it belongs to the client. She gets the cover, too, of course! If the mom agrees to it, I like to mix about 10 drops of lavendar EO in the rice before pouring it into the sock (some have preferred peppermint instead). I usually take two to each labor; one is scented, the other is not in case she decides that she doesn't like the scent during labor. IMO, I think that hot, uncooked rice is pasty smelling & stinky, though.

me too, Lori!

[turtlebug]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doula Lori IMO, I think that hot, uncooked rice is pasty smelling & stinky, though.

I think it's stinky too. I've also used beans-- to me it doesn't smell as strong.
I also make my sleeves out of leftover flannel...it's softer than socks.
I love the idea of sewing sections and will have to start doing that- thanks for the tip!

[analisa]

thanks for the cool ideas. I like the sewing in sections idea

[tlcdoula]

I also use the funnel.

[ama2j]

Some of the gals in our local doula group used field corn in their socks....it smelled a bit like popcorn when it was heated. Some liked it and some didn't. There is more weight to it but some moms said it didn't "mold" around their body as nicely as the rice. You might try it though.

Doula hugs,
Sara

[rhythmsofgrace]

This is probably a stupid question, but do you just use white rice for your socks?

[DL]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhythmsofgrace This is probably a stupid question, but do you just use white rice for your socks?

There are no such things as stupid questions if you do not know! If you use rice, you should use uncooked, white rice (never use Minute rice!). I've also heard of some using dried corn (as posted above) or even uncooked, whole oatmeal. I've only used the rice, though.