Since the invention of the Internet, millions of resources are at our fingertips with the click of a mouse. This concept also applies in the cloth diapering world. For example, I am in NW Ohio and I originally purchased all of my diapers from a retailer in Arizona. We knew each other through an online message board of fellow moms and I had never even heard of modern cloth diapering until we chatted online.
I purchased one diaper - a Thirsties All in One - to see how I liked the whole cloth diapering concept. I figured just one diaper would help me save at least one disposable diaper per day in cost and in landfill space. It was shipped to me from Arizona, and I waited on pins and needles to see how I would like it. I loved it! My next purchase was a FuzziBunz Perfect Size diaper, and so on. Each time I would purchase a diaper I would wait for it to arrive, try it, see if I liked it, and then purchase more.
One thing I had not considered in my cloth diaper search was visiting a manufacturers' website to see if there were any cloth diaper retailers located close to my hometown. Now that I am a retailer myself, I think it is a great option that many may not be aware of. Many manufacturers list their retailers on their websites, and you can search by zip code or state and find a retailer close to you. Just as an example, you may view Happy Heinys' retailer location tool here.
Why might this be of benefit? Besides keeping dollars local which can be a great stimulus to local economies, many cloth diapering retailers offer cloth diapering classes. I personally offer monthly cloth diapering classes where customers can come see, touch, and feel the diapers before purchasing. I try to bring at least one of every item on my website to each class. Families can ask questions and learn exactly what they will need to use cloth on their babies. Many customers have come to the classes not sure if they would use cloth but have left 100% committed to making cloth work for their family.
There may be additional resources that your local cloth diapering retailer may offer as well. For example, I offer free shipping through my website. But if someone in NW Ohio puts in an order, I am very likely to try to incorporate a trip to that person's home the next day to get it there quickly and save myself the shipping cost as well.
Again, the Internet is a wonderful resource and an excellent tool. There are many amazing websites that can answer any question you may have about cloth diapering. If you'd like to check with your local cloth diapering retailer and see what types of additional resources they may offer beyond their website, click here for an excellent map that will allow you to zero in on that retailer nearest you. Happy cloth diapering to you!
Amanda
Owner
www.tlcdiapers.com
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Blueberry One Size Minky Diaper
My name is Sharni, and I own and run the Nappy Shoppe. The kids in these pictures are Natalie (the blond), my son Braden (the red head), and Kinsley (the brunette).Can a super pretty diaper be as good functionally as well? I was rather skeptical about the Blueberry Minky diaper. I mean this thing was made for looks, right? I have bought some diapers in the past that were made for looks, and I could not put them on my son at nap time, because they would leak, or I could expect to change them within the hour. Often when a luxury material is used on the outside, wicking can occur. So this is what I expected of the Blueberry Minky One Size diaper.
I decided to use them in a photo shoot we had, after all they are stinking cute diapers. They looked phenomenal on my son, and his little girlfriend Natalie. We got them with the bamboo inserts.
Well after the shoot, I decided to try this diaper out at nap time. And wow it did fine. That bamboo insert that it came with was trim and extremely absorbent. So then I decided to try it at night time. Not so well. We had leaks. I found I could not stuff it as well for night time use as other pocket diapers I have. But I figured, this diaper is wasted at night. It is too cute to use at night, so for daytime and nap time use, it is fine.When I first tried this diaper out on my son, it retailed for around $34, making it the most expensive diaper I sell. But I could see the value in the materials, construction and the insert.
Then Blueberry decided to offer the diaper with microfiber inserts, with the option to upgrade to the bamboo insert, and that brought the price down dramatically to around $25 per diaper. Back in line with some of the better quality diapers that I stock in my store. A lot of the high cost of this diaper was the wonderful bamboo insert. So now we just offer the bamboo insert as an upgrade option. Is it worth doing the upgrade? In my opinion yes. Microfiber inserts can only absorb so much, and bamboo does a far better job. So if you can afford the upgrade, do it, you will end up with a diaper that functions better.
It is very hard to cover up this diaper. When I put them on Braden, I put it on with just a t-shirt. I can see the big advantage in baby legs with this diaper. Not really a baby legs person myself, but I can see the advantage in the cooler months to show off the cute diapers :)The other thing this diaper does, is it leads to a rash of "butt patting". Braden's older brothers and myself cannot resist patting his cute super soft butt in this diaper :) It is also a great way to promote cloth diapering in general :) Even those who are very resistant to cloth diapering have a hard time resisting this diaper.
At the store we call this our "Cadillac" diaper. At least one is a must have in any stash. For dressing up baby in :) And those photo shoots :)
Saturday, October 2, 2010
You get to pick! + Giveaway
As Snuggle Hugs gets ready to go to the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas, the premier juvenile products trade show, I started thinking about all the wonderful items we already offer at Snuggle Hugs and what might be missing from our site.
Our current list of cloth diapers include - Happy Heinys, BumGenius (bumGenius 3.0 on clearance), Rocky Mountain diapers, FuzziBunz, Rumparooz, Gro-Via, Bummis, Knickernappies and Thirsties. We also carry the accessory items of the companies above plus Planet Wise and Whamies for cloth diapering while out and about.
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| Scootababy |
For your baby wearing needs we have the following great carriers for you to choose from - Baby K’Tan, Catbird Baby, Didymos, Dolcino, Hava, Kozy Carriers, Moby Wraps, Scootababy Hip carrier, Sleepy Wrap and Zolowear.
What other goodies would you like to see at Snuggle Hugs to make your shopping experience with Snuggle Hugs even better?
Ok so here is this months giveaway and what you need to do to get it. Visit SnuggleHugs, shop around and look at what we offer. Make some notes and comment below and on FaceBook. A qualifying comment will include your favorite item we currently offer and one item you would like to see us add to the site for you and why you love that item.
For every comment here and on Snuggle Hugs FaceBook page you get an entry. Your reward for helping us make Snuggle Hugs even better for you is a $10.00 gift certificate you can use on any order at Snuggle Hugs (gift certificate cannot include shipping). Winner will be emailed a one time use gift code created just for them and must be used within 30 days of winning.
- Shop Snuggle Hugs and find your favorite item
- Shop Snuggle Hugs and let us know what you would like us to add
- Follow this blog and in your comment include answers to #1 and #2
- Like Snuggle Hugs on FaceBook and include answers to #1 and #2
- Follow Snuggle Hugs on Twitter every time you tweet @SnuggleHugs you get another entry
- Giveaway ends 10/30 winner will be picked via Random.org
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