Showing posts with label Happy Heinys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Happy Heinys. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

To Spray Or Not To Spray.. That Is The Question!

Are your cloth wipes getting the most bang for their buck? Perhaps you are a bit intimidated by the little cloth wonders or don't know what to use with them. Let me be the first to recommend trying some spray solution with your wipes. There are some great benefits to using cloth wipes and a spray solution as well.

If you are already a cloth diaper user, you already have a system in place to store dirty diapers and launder them. Usually you have a wet bag for travel and a dry pail or hanging pail at home. When you use cloth wipes you can save a large amount of money over time since you do not have to keep buying disposable wipes. Also, since you already have your cloth diapering system in place all you have to do is put the dirty wipes in your pail and launder them with your diapers.

Some people prefer to use just plain water or essential oils with water as their wipe solution. I truly love using a spray solution with my cloth wipes. First, it travels well. Stick it in the diaper bag and you're good to go! Second, it's easy! It's right there on the changing table ready for use. I just spritz it on baby, wipe, and then throw the cloth wipes in with my cloth diapers to be washed. Very easy and extremely affordable! No more trips to the grocery to pick up more wipes!
























Happy Heinys makes a nice organic wipe solution. The solution is derived from plants and is completely safe for baby's skin. Available in 8 oz amounts for your changing table and 4 oz for your diaper bag!



























Thirsties also has a 4 oz and 8 oz wipe solution called Thirsties Booty Luster. This solution is non-irritating and 100% biodegradable. The luster is blended by hand in small batches and cleans, moisturizes, and helps protect against diaper rash.



**Giveaway closed ** Want to win some Booty Luster? Here are a few ways to enter. You may leave a comment for each item that you complete.



*Like Tender Loving Cloth Diapers on Facebook

*Like Cloth Diaper Retailer Cooperative on Facebook

*Follow This Blog






The contest will end 4/24/11 and the item will be shipped free to the winner!



Amanda

Owner

Saturday, February 26, 2011

USA made diapers and a Giveaway

Are you looking to build your cloth diapering stash with only USA made products? Are you worried that there simply won’t be enough choices? Guess again! There is actually a wide variety of styles of cloth diapers that are made solely in the USA. Some companies need to import some of their materials, while others are able to get all of their materials in the USA.

You can furnish your entire cloth diapering stash of cloth diapers made in the USA. Let’s start out with some newborn options:

Kissaluvs – all of their diapers, diaper lotion potions and fabrics are made right here in the USA. Kissaluvs size 0 fitted diapers are absolutely perfect for newborns. They provide plenty of absorbency, a great fit and even have a snap down for umbilical cord care. Pair these with our next company’s products and you have the perfect newborn combination.





Thirsties – An absolutely amazing company whose warehouse is 100% powered by wind energy! Thirsties products are also 100% made in the USA using components made in the US. Thirsties goal of becoming Carbon neutral is well underway with their new solar panel array producing more than enough electricity to power all their business needs!

Pair a Kissaluvs size 0 or a Willowpads Prefold with a Thirsties Duo Size 1 cover and you have a great newborn stash.

Willowpads – their amazingly soft, durable and absorbent prefolds are all made here in the USA. Willowpad prefolds are a combination of organic cotton and hemp and the most absorbent prefolds I have ever used. I used them on my son as an infant and then used them to stuff some of his pocket diapers with for overnights. They come in both infant and premium sizes.


Once your baby is out of the newborn diapers, there are quite a few choices for both one size diapers and a sized diapers option.

If you are interested in going the sized diaper route, try a Drybees! Made in the USA, this AIO hybrid is a nice, trim fitting choice. Drybees AIO's are an AIO but with a pocket in case you would like a little extra absorbency.


Are you more interested in one size diapers? You have quite a few options:
1. Knickernappies One Size Diapers: all of Knickernappies diapers, inserts and mama products are produced right here in the USA. In fact, right in Oregon! Knickernappies are one of my personal favorites as they provide a trim fit, especially for a one size diaper. Knickernappies One Size Diapers are also the longest fitting one size diaper as they fit well up to 40 lbs! Their award winning loopy-do and super-do inserts (also made in the USA) are amazing and number 1 and 2 on diaper pin!


2. Happy Heinys One Size and Sized Diapers: Not only are all of Happy Heinys products made in their own facility 3 miles from their home but all of their materials are from the USA as well, including inserts. If you check out where some of the inserts of other companies are made, you will realize how unusual this is. Only the hemp is imported due to government regulations. Happy Heinys recently revamped their one size diaper so that it now fits smaller babies just as well as larger babies. They are also the only company to sell a glow in the dark diaper! You can also find a nice variety of mama pads and breast pads also made in the USA.
3. Rocky Mountain One Size Diapers: As the name suggests, it is made here in the US. Rocky Mountain diapers are a one size pocket diaper fitting babies 5-30 lbs. They have incredibly cute contrasting inner microsuede and outer PUL colors. Rocky Mountain diapers are one of the few diapers that will fit a newborn. They adjust via snaps on the elastic in the legs.


4. Softbums: Similar to Rocky Mountain diapers, Softbums are one size diapers that adjust via elastic in the legs. However, rather than having snaps in the elastic, they adjust via a toggle switch on the elastic. This gives a perfect fit for all sizes of babies. They now have 2 USA made styles of diapers – the very popular Softbums echo system and the new Softbums OMNI that is a first of a kind. The Softbums OMNI can serve as an AI2 where you snap in a soaker or as a pocket diaper.

5. Wahmies: A unique one size pocket diaper that closes with hooks rather than snaps or hook-and-loop closures. Wahmies are the only diaper I have tried that is truly toddler proof! And of course, made in the USA.



6. Last but not least, my all time favorite nighttime diapering solution: Lollidoo! These miracle diapers are not only made in the USA with USA materials, but made from recycled pop bottles! Talk about eco-friendly! In addition, they are the ONLY diaper that gets my 3 year old heavy night wetting son through the whole night DRY! You can get them with “innies”, Lollidoo’s inserts. Lollidoos paired with innies are adequate overnight for many children. I use the combination of a super-do insert with 1 of the innies in my Lollidoo Overnight diaper and it is so wonderful! If you are waking up to change sheets throughout the night, do yourself a favor and try a Lollidoo Overnight.


GIVEAWAY!
Now for our giveaway! One lucky participant will win a Knickernappies One Size diaper with their choice of microfiber inserts or Loopy-Do inserts! To enter, simply “like” Simple Wonders Diapers on facebook and leave a comment here telling me your favorite USA made diaper! Giveaway ends March 10th, 2011
Sultana
www.SimpleWondersDiapers.com

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

A must have for all new Mom's

Milkies Milk Savers

Milkies Milk-Savers is an item I wish was around when I was still breastfeeding my little ones,  although I am glad I have found them now so I can share about them with the new moms I meet at my local LLL meetings or my neighbor down the street.  I was always trying to figure out how to save up my milk in case I wanted to go out without baby or to use in their cereal.  It would have been wonderful to simply store what had been leaking into my breast pads all that time. 
Some of the great features of the Milk Saver are 1) Each Milk-Saver comes fitted with a handy travel case that also functions as a convenient stand.  2) The Milk-Saver is rigorously tested by an independent lab to ensure zero chemical leaching. It is BPA and phthalate-free as part of our commitment to health.  3) The Milk-Saver is made from comfortable, pliable material that allows it to discreetly collect extra milk wherever you are. It nestles easily into any snug tank top or bra cup. 
We love Milkies so much we wanted to share them with you and hope you enjoy them.  For those of you who would also love to no longer use disposable breast pads for those times in between using your Milkies, we are offering a set of Happy Heinys Hemp nursing pads.
Please do the following to be entered into the drawing:
Like us on Facebook
Comment about us on Facebook (post link here)
Comment here
Follow us on Twitter
Tweet about us on Twitter
Thank you for reading about this new great item that every breastfeeding mom should have.  Winner will be chosen 2/16/2011 by randon.org and post here
**WINNER is Knocked up and Nursing!** Congrats 

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The Happy Heiny New Fit Re-Launch Party!

Welcome to the Party! Here at The Green Baby Store we have fallen in love with the new Happy Heiny fit. There are a few great improvements that have been made to the classic Happy Heiny design that make it a better option for all babies now.

First, the rise of the diaper is now made about 1 inch shorter. This brings the legs a little tighter to avoid gaps and leaks. It also brings the fit down below the belly button when on the correct rise snap to make for a more comfortable fit for baby when sitting.

Second, they have shortend the width between the legs. This makes the diaper fit better and have less bulk around the back. And again, makes it a little more comfortable for baby.

Lastly, they have improved the overal bulk of the diaper, so that at the smallest setting they fit an infant with ease. They also have crossover a tabs which help you get a more customized fit for your littler baby.

Each Happy Heiny one-size diapers comes with two microfiber inserts. I have found the large insert to be more than absorbant enough for normal daily use for my 1-year-old. And I have a client with a 3-month-old who uses the small insert even overnight without a leak. If you do need to use extra stuffing for a heavy wetter or an overnight these diapers have a nice large opening and are easy to stuff. I use them with the large microfiber and an organic doubler for overnights without a problem. They also offer this diaper in both a snap and a hook & loop (velcro) closure.

We encourage everyone to give this new Happy Heiny one-size a try, and to help you make that decision a little easier we are offering 20% one diaper! Use coupon code HAPPYHEINY at checkout and it will take 20% off your most expensive Happy Heiny one-size in your cart. All other diapers are at regular price.
A few more happens at The Green Baby Store: Used diaper trade in and auction event. We hold this even 2-3 times a year and encourage customers to send in their gently used (or even fair condition) diapers for store credit. See our facebook page for more information. We are also running an anniversary sale to commemorate our one year mark as an online retailer and our 3 year anniversary as a local diaper represenative. Use coupon code SALE10 to save an extra 10% off most items. And finally watch this week for special one-two bonus items that are on sale and also eligible for the 10% off coupon.


Thanks for reading! And for getting this far we want to reward you with a free Happy Heiny One-Size diaper. We ask that you befriend our facebook page and post a comment below about which Happy Heiny Color is your favorite. (here is the color listing) We will randomly draw a post number from below, but we will double check that the winner is a fan of our Facebook page too! One entry per person, winner chooses from diaper colors/prints that are currently instock at the end of the giveaway. Giveaway ends 1/17/2011.

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.
Scootababy
For your baby wearing needs we have the following great carriers for you to choose from - Baby K’TanCatbird 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.
  1. Shop Snuggle Hugs and find your favorite item
  2. Shop Snuggle Hugs and let us know what you would like us to add
  3. Follow this blog and in your comment include answers to #1 and #2
  4. Like Snuggle Hugs on FaceBook and include answers to #1 and #2
  5. Follow Snuggle Hugs on Twitter every time you tweet @SnuggleHugs you get another entry
  6. Giveaway ends 10/30 winner will be picked via Random.org

Monday, September 20, 2010

The 411 on fleece covers and a giveaway (closed)

Congratulations Jen & Andy!
You are the winner!

Hi! LeAnn from Giggle Britches here again. With the fall season and cooler weather on the horizon, fleece sleepers and pants are hitting the racks in all your favorite department stores. Cloth diapering moms know fleece is a big time material in the cloth diapering world. Many wonder if these items can be used as covers. As long as they are 100% polyester, they can! So what makes fleece so great? Read on!

What is fleece?
Polar fleece (usually just referred to as fleece) is a synthetic material meant to mimic wool. Made from 100% polyester, fleece is designed to allow moisture to transfer through the fabric, or wick moisture through the fabric. When used as a cover, the moisture is pulled away from the diaper to the outer surface of the cover. It spreads out and evaporates into the air.

Benefits of using fleece as a cover:
  • Highly Breathable
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to care for and clean
  • Fast drying
  • Very soft and comfy
  • Great for heavy wetters and nighttime diapering
  • Less expensive than wool
Cons of using fleece as a cover:
  • Bulky
  • Synthetic material, unlike wool
  • More likely to retain urine smell than wool or PUL covers
  • Compression leaking
Don't forget - any cover is only as good as the diaper underneath it! Fleece diaper covers can be used with any prefold or fitted diaper. A good fleece cover paired with an absorbent fitted diaper make the perfect nighttime combination. I really like using the Tiny Tush Hemp fitted or the Happy Hempy pocket fitted with mine.

With winter soon approaching, I have pulled out our stock of the Stacinator fleece covers in this adorable snowman print. I am giving you the chance to win one in a size newborn (6-10 lbs, 13" waist, 6-8" thighs, runs a little big). Don't have a tiny baby - this make a great gift too! Giveaway ends 10-4-10.
WIN IT!!

Mandatory Entry
(1 entry) Comment on whether you have used fleece as a diaper cover, and if so, what you have used (i.e. Stacinator, Old Navy Fleece Pants, etc.)

For extra entries do any or all of the following. Leave a comment for each you do.

(1 entry)
Follow @cdretailercoop and @GigglBritches on twitter and tweet this giveaway. Please tweet, "@GigglBritches and @cdretailercoop are giving away a Stacinator Fleece Cover! http://bit.ly/b9E8Nm #clothdiapers #giveaway" Leave a comment with a link to your status.

You can tweet once a day for the duration of the contest. Leave a comment with your status for each tweet. 1 entry per day.


(1 entry)
Follow this blog. Leave a comment.

(1 entry)
Grab our button and post it on your blog. Leave a comment.

(2 entries)
Blog about this giveaway and link to it. Post a link in your comment (leave two comments).

(1 entry) Like Giggle Britches on Facebook. Leave a comment.

(1 entry)
Like Cloth Diaper Retailer Cooperative on Facebook. Leave a comment.



LeAnn

Follow us on Twitter - http://twitter.com/GigglBritches
Join us on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/Giggle.Britches

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Good Sunday Morning!

Hello everyone from Melissa at The Green Baby Store. Today is a special day for me, my Birthday! And we are celebrating with a coupon code for all our Facebook Fans that is valid for TODAY ONLY! In addition we have lowered our flat rate shipping to just $2.50 this week. Please check out our Facebook page for more details on that.

Think of all the posibilities for that discount code. Here are just a couple items you could get at a discount today.

One of my current favorites are the new Happy Heiny Prints. We have the Tie Dye and Squares in stock today, and the next shipment of the Ooga Booga Print and Groovy Circles are coming in early next week. And we will have some of the Oogas in snaps too!




Another favorite of mine is on sale until September 25th, and you can use that extra discount code today as well on them: Tiny Tush Elite. These are a nice larger size one-size diaper and they come in 14 bright and vibrant colors. The Tiny Tush Elite diapers are reliable pocket diapers that are made right here in my home state of Wisconsin.



Finally, I am really loving the Tweedlebugs pockets these days. They are a bargin at $12.95 every day, and they work really well. We have not had any leaks or other issues with ours. The Tweedlebugs is a slightly smaller fitting one-size diaper and only available in snaps.
One final birthday suprise from me! Guess how old I am turning today and you could win one of those great Tweedlebugs Pockets Diapers in white! Here are the rules, be a fan of The Green Baby Store and The Cloth Diaper Retails Blog, then comment here on how old you think I am today. I will take all the correct guesses and enter them in a random.org drawing. One person will win a Tweedlebugs diaper. Contest ends at 6AM central time on 9/13/2010.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

A Different Kind of Back to School (and a Giveaway!)




Happy September! I am Kathleen, the owner of Cottontail Baby and her sister site Mamaclothonline. We live in gorgeous, green, lake-filled Minnesota where, as if on cue, the moment Labor Day weekend and the Minnesota State Fair were over the weather turned cold with brisk winds and crisp air. Summer is done and it is time to turn our attention to more serious pursuits like school and the Vikings. I love the Fall. Maybe it is all those years of going to school with new notebooks and paper and freshly sharpened pencils but it seems more a season of new beginnings to me than Spring ever does. A chance to begin again and make good choices and succeed and write new chapters.

One issue we struggle with at Back to School is sleep. Weaning our school age kids off their summer bedtimes and into school bedtimes is a significant challenge in our home.

As if psychically knowing exactly what our family is experiencing, the Science Times this Tuesday was full of articles on kids and sleep and school and studying. I thought this blog post was a good opportunity to share a couple things I read. The first has to do with kids and sleep and weight. We all know there is an obesity epidemic in this country. We also all know that there is a correlation between getting adequate nightly sleep and weight issues later in life. The Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine entered the dialogue with another study linking lack of adequate sleep in young children to becoming overweight or obese later in life. According to the study, children under 5 who did not receive at least 10 hours of sleep each night (naps do NOT count) were almost twice as likely to be overweight or obese later in life than those kids who did get the sleep. The belief is that sleep affects hormones that regulate hunger and appetite. Fortunately for the children of the world, sleep is an easily modifiable risk factor.

There was a second kids and weight article in the Times this week. This one did not have to do with sleep being a risk factor but the mother's weight. Yes, again, it is always Mommy's fault. According to this study, excessive weight gain in pregnancy can lead to larger than average infants who are prenatally programmed to become overweight adults with all the health issues associated with excessive weight (diabetes, heart disease, cancer). According to the National Academy of Sciences, fewer than 40% of women gain ONLY the recommended amount of weight during their pregnancy. The other 60% pack on too many pounds. Piggybacking on this phenomenon is that most women do not lose all their pregnancy weight before entering into another pregnancy causing them to start off heavier and gain more each time.

A similar study of British children found that at age 9, kids of women whose weight gain exceeded their physician's recommendations were fatter than other kids, more likely to become overweight and had multiple risk factors for heart disease as well as poorer immune function. In an editorial associated with the publication of this study in Circulation, Dr. Neal Halfon from the Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities at the University of California, Los Angeles said "You can't turn around in the nine months of pregnancy what's been going on for many years of life. The preconception period is critical to placing pregnancy on a healthier trajectory."

I really liked this quote as it seemed to encapsulate what we are trying to do here on the Cloth Diaper Retailer Blog. Help families lead healthier lives for themselves and their children. We help not only by selling the tools to a greener and cleaner lifestyle but also by giving tips and hints and advice on how to make it easier and not onerous. For example, the posting a week or so ago Simple Steps to Start Canning giving tips on how to can fresh vegetables from your garden. Not only does this help in saving money at the grocer but it also allows your family to eat pesticide free produce that has not been frozen wrapped in chemical laden plastic or canned in sodium rich tin.

So, what do you think? In this season of new beginnings what changes are you going to make to help your family lead a greener and healthier lifestyle?

Giveaway

I spent some time thinking of what would be the best item from our inventory to giveaway to readers. Something that incorporated this posting's theme of new beginnings and learning and healthlier lifestyles and it became clear. A trainer! We are huge fans here of both the Happy Heiny's trainer for kids in the early stages of potty learning and the Imse Vimse trainer for kids who have mastered potty learning but still have occasional accidents.

For this month, I believe we will go with the Happy Heiny trainer. We love the Happy Heiny for being so customizable. With the Happy Heinys Pocket Trainer you can pick the color and snap option (no snaps, snaps on one side, snaps on both sides) that works best for your child as well as stuff it with as much or as little as you need. We will giveaway one Happy Heiny's pocket trainer in any regular size, color and snap option the winner desires.

In order to enter (Please leave a separate comment for each entry. If you already are a fan or already subscribe, leave a comment saying so):
1. MANDATORY entry: Stop by Cottontail Baby and check out the selection of Happy Heinys products. Tell us what you like most about the brand.
2. Follow this blog for an entry.
3. Become a fan of Cottontail Baby on Facebook.
4. Become a fan of CDRC of Facebook.
5. Join the Cottontail Baby mailing list
6. Follow the Cottontail Baby blog, Clothdiaperonline.

Thanks!


Thursday, September 2, 2010

Happy Heinys Sized Diapers & a Giveaway Ends 09-14-2010

I have to say these were one of our favorite pocket diapers when our children were in cloth. One Sized diapers were just coming out in testers when my children were ending their cloth diapering careers.

Our last little darling was allergic to just about everything PUL included. We had been reduced to prefolds with a hemp insert and wool covers. Although they were fantastic and we loved our wool covers there were times that a PUL covered diaper would have been nice. Like nap times or an extended trip shopping would have been great. Happy Heinys were the perfect fit and the answer for us.

What did we love about our Happy Heinys? Just about everything, the wide Aplix closures were great and harder for our little streakier to get off. The no leg casings were the biggest blessing for us because the fleece pokes out around the leg opening the PUL did not touch her skin only the oh so soft fleece.  Our last favorite thing about the Happy Heinys is that they do not come with an insert allowing us to use what we all ready had. As our little one could not use the micro fiber inserts it was nice to not have to figure out what to do with an insert we did not need.

The wonderful colors and now even prints made cloth diapering even more fun for us. I remember taking our daughter to get her picture taken, you know the one the famous diaper shot every parent gets of there kids. I had our daughter in a hot pink diaper and the photographer just stood there for the longest time waiting for me to expose the diaper. When I told her the pink was the diaper she was overjoyed to not have to take those boring white disposable diaper shot. The photographer took extras shots just because the diaper was so cute, well that and my baby was so cute of course.

Having sized diapers was perfect for us and we believe that everyone should have some in there stash. The fit is always perfect for your little one and trimmer in the smaller sizes to get under some clothes.

Because we think everyone should have a sized pocket in their stash this months giveaway is one sized solid Happy Heinys pocket diaper in the size you need. The giveaway date is September 14th.
Here is what you need to do:
1) Like Snuggle Hugs LLC on FaceBook
2) Like Snuggle Hugs on Twitter
3) Like Cloth Diaper Cooperative on FaceBook
4) Follow this Blog
5) Comment here as you fill the requirements
6) Winner will be chosen via random.org

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

One Size Diapers and the size of YOUR baby

BROUGHT TO YOU BY SIMPLE WONDERS DIAPERS




I often get asked, "which one size diaper is the best?"
My answer usually depends on their baby. Most cloth diapers fit each baby just a little differently. One size cloth diapers are no different.
So how do you decide? Here are a list of the one size diapers that Simple Wonders Diapers carry and a description of how they fit skinny babies, average size babies and large babies/toddlers. These are my opinions (as opposed to the manufacturers) based on my experience with my own kids and the many children I have helped to put in cloth diapers over the past 5+ years.


bumGenius One Size Diapers (Pockets, AIO, and FLIP): Tend to fit skinny babies and average size babies well. Tend not to fit larger babies and toddlers well, although that fit is much improved with the new 4.0 version. Start fitting well around 8-9 lbs. One of the most popular one size diapers out there. They fit trimly and are very easy to get on and off.


Happy Heinys One Size Cloth Diapers (both aplix and snaps): These fit the entire range really well. They start fitting well around 9-10 lbs, but certainly fit babies and toddlers at the upper end of the weight range (35 lbs) and I've seen toddlers even a little bigger fit well into the Happy Heinys One Size diapers. If you have a very large baby or toddler, I suggest either going with the Happy Heinys or Knickernappies One Size.


Knickernappies One Size Diapers: These are another style of one size diaper that fits the whole range well. They start fitting around 10 lbs. The major bonus with Knickernappies one size diapers is that they actually do fit up to 40lbs. By far, the longest fitting one size diaper.



Rocky Mountain One Size Diaper: These fit well on the smaller end of the range. Unlike other one size diaper though, these fit 7lbs very well. I find the Rocky Mountain One Size Diapers to fit very well on newborns (after the umbilical cord falls off).






Wahmies One Size Diapers: These tend to fit very true to their statement of starting to fit around 7lbs and up to close to 40lbs. As a bonus, they come in both the hook closures and snaps. Although the hook closures are a little tricky at first, they do get much easier with time. An added bonus of hte hook closures are that they are the ONLY closure a curious toddler cannot get undone.





Fuzzi Bunz One Size Diapers: LOVE these one size diapers! The internal elastic adjustments on them ensure a nice trim fit even on the smaller range of the weight spectrum. They have elastic in both the waist and legs so they can adjust to 8 different size settings rather than the 3 or 4 in most one size diapers that adjust via snaps in the front.

Rumparooz One Size Diapers: The only diapers with the internal gussets that I adore. They will start fitting at 6.5-7 lbs. If you have a baby that stays on the smaller range of the spectrum, they are wonderful. However, if you have a very large baby that gets even larger as a toddler, you may need fit problems as your toddler reaches the 30 lb mark.










Softbums One Size AI2: Another of my absolute favorites. These get so teeny tiny, it is amazing. Similarly to the Fuzzi Bunz One Size diapers, they adjust via elastic in the legs. However, they have a toggle on the elastic allowing for the ultimate in adjustability. Rather than Softbums fitting into a small, medium and large, it is simply a continuum of fits. Great concept and wonderful fit!



Lollidoo One Size overnight diapers: truly the ultimate overnight solution. However, I also like the classic lollidoo and the lollidoo diaper covers. All one size! Lollidoos adjust with elastic in the legs and fleece is rediculously stretchy. Fits smaller babies and toddlers well.









Thirsties AI2: choose from a prefold or stay dry duo insert. These are actually 2 sizes - size 1 fits 6-18 lbs and size 2 fits 18-40 lbs. Another nice AI2 system.







Overall recommendations:
If you have a skinny/small baby: you can choose from most any of the one size options. BumGenius, Rumparooz, Softbums, Fuzzi Bunz, Rocky Mountain, Wahmies and Lollidoo Diapers will all work very well for you.
If you have an average size baby: BumGenius, Happy Heinys, Knickernappies, Wahmies, Softbums, Fuzzi Bunz, Lollidoo, Thirsties diapers will all work very well for you.

If you have a larger/very chubby baby: Happy Heinys, Softbums and Knickernappies are wonderful for the cute little chubby legs.
Please keep in mind, these are my opinions after being in the cloth diapering business 5+ years. Do you have any one size diaper tips that you would like share? Just post your response or email it to me at info (at) simplewondersdiapers.com


Sunday, July 18, 2010

Aubrey's Undies #1- Happy Heiny's Pocket Trainers

...Training Undies That Is!
At Moms and Bums we make a point of trying to test out each product we carry on our three little Guinea Pigs. Aubrey was our original diaper tester, and has now moved on to the position of trainer tester! Aubrey is a very head strong 2 year old, and has taken longer to learn to use a potty than her older sister Kiera did. Why you might be asking was it so difficult for her to learn? Well the real issue was that she really likes her cloth diapers! She would tell you which one she was going to wear, and she had flower ones, and cow ones and and pink prints... her diapers were fun! In her eyes they were much nicer than the plain under wear Kiera had- even if Kiera's did have Dora on them. So we knew it was time to find her some fancy undies!
We had ordered in trainers for customers before, but didn't really keep them in stock because we hadn't had anyone we could test them on until now.
We started off with some Happy Heiny's Pocket Trainers with snaps.
First a bit of info about Happy Heiny's and what makes them different than other trainers on the market:
First they were redesigned with your busy toddler in mind! Snaps can be added for ease in messy clean ups and to make stuffing easier. Snaps can be added to one side, both sides or the side can be sewn shut for older bed wetters.
Happy Heiny's have an elastic waistband making them easy for your little one to pull up and down on their own. This is also good for older children with bed wetting issues. Quick on and off. Like their diapers, the inner lining is custom milled fleece for a more stay dry feeling and the outer layer is PUL to hold in wetness. The pocket opening allows you to add as much stuffing as you need, so even the heaviest wetter still has protection overnight.
Happy Heinys Trainers have been child tested and last 12+ hours overnight with absolutely no wicking for most children. Happy Heinys® Trainers are available in a variety of solid colors. They have a 100% poly laminated outer layer and work wonderfully for potty learners who still need protection overnight.
I will add a word of caution here- do not buy any trainers that are the same pattern as those they have for diapers- Aubrey's favorite diaper was her Happy Heiny's cow print, her "Cow Diper" (she has since learned how to pronounce diaper), so silly me thought she would also love having undies the same print... boy was I wrong! She took one look at what I thought was going to be her favorite new undies and exclaimed "that's a diper!", and wouldn't even try them on.
My second word of caution: don't buy patterns the same as their siblings diapers! I absolutely love monkey prints, so of course picked a silly monkey print OS for Gabriel and a silly monkey print trainer for Aubrey, only for her to exclaim "That's Gabriel's diper", and again wouldn't even try it on.
So, Aubrey and I took a little walk into our store room and I pulled out all the prints in her size and let her pick the one she wanted. She chose the Pink Hibiscus print. There are some theories on potty learning/training that suggest you even let the child pick out their own seat. We have not taken things that far, but allowing her to choose her own "undies" assured that she would want to wear them. In fact she was quite disappointed when she had to wait for her new undies to be washed first.
Once her new undies had been washed and she was able to wear them, we gave her quite simple instructions "don't pee pee in your new undies". Aubrey was just starting the learning process at this point, she knew when she was wet and wanted a "bum change", but hadn't needed to know before she went until now. About half an hour later, Aubrey shouted out "Oh no, my undies, mommy pee peed, bum change". Aubrey quickly learned that her Happy Heiny's were waterproof and were just like her "dipers", thus we have since reserved them for car trips, overnight and nap time.
We found the fit of the Happy Heiny's to be a bit puffy, which was perfect for adding that extra hemp insert for overnight! Aubrey really didn't notice or care about the puffiness, and her clothes fit over them just as well as her regular cloth diapers. We loved the side snaps in the beginning when there were still poop accidents as it made clean up much easier. Aubrey was able to pull up her new "dipers" herself which made her feel like a big girl- just like her big sister.
Our recommendations for Happy Heiny's Trainers: Overnight protection for older bed wetters, nap time protection and all day protection for the toddlers who are just beginning the learning process and will still require a waterproof layer. For a heavy wetter overnight we recommend a layer of microterry followed by a layer of hemp.
All our Happy Heiny's Trainers are sold with a Happy Heiny's Large MicroTerry insert, so there is no need to purchase anything extra, just wash and start that potty learning process!
Stay tuned for our next edition of Aubrey's Undies... Still to come: Bummis, Little Beetle and Imse Vimse.
Want to win a Happy Heiny's Pocket Trainer of your own? Visit us on Facebook to find out how!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Designer Diapers (and a Giveaway - CLOSED)

By now most of us have probably seen the new Huggies Jeans diapers and Cynthia Rowley's new designs for Pampers. As soon as I saw the little baby strutting his stuff in his disposable jeans diapers I immediately wondered if it was the disposable diaper company's answer to the super cute print cloth diapers, such as Happy Heinys cloth diapers which are available in prints or the new Thirsties Duo Wrap prints which are so super cute. Alas one may never know, but it does allow us to analyze them a bit!

First is the cost. On diapers.com the Huggies Jeans diapers are only available in two package sizes - Jumbo and Big. The Big pack is shown only in sizes 3, 4, and 5. The cost per diaper is .33, .40, and .46 respectively. If you read this blog a few days ago, Sara from Diaper Daisy did an awesome price comparison of disposables vs. cloth here. The Jeans diapers are .02, .05, and .06 more than the Huggies Supreme diapers Sara used in her example when comparing the same sizes.

When I plugged the numbers for using the Jeans diapers for sizes 3, 4, and 5 into Sara's example, and just used the regular Huggies Supreme for sizes 1 and 2, I came up with a total number of $2542.30. This is $247.91 more for using the "designer" style of disposable diaper for sizes 3, 4, and 5 in addition to the Huggies Supreme for sizes 1 and 2. What else could you buy for $247.91? I'm sure you can think of a large number of items, including a very nice double stroller which is what I've recently been pricing myself. I can also think of a lot more that I could purchase with the $1800 - $2000 that could be saved by using cloth from the start.

There are other factors to consider when looking at these "designer" diapers. Besides the obvious cost differential, they are still disposable diapers. According to Thirsties (a cloth diaper company), disposable diapers are the third largest contributor to our landfill and will remain in tact 500 years from today. Many disposable diapers also contain harmful chemicals such as Tributyltin, Sodium Polyacrylate, and trace amounts of Dioxin.

When considering which diapers to purchase for your child, or to give as a gift to others, please consider cloth. Using cloth provides a considerable cost savings, and allows you to wear "designer" diapers every day. DryBees Lacies are just one additional example of a super cute cloth option. Pair these with a sundress and your baby girl can enjoy the summer in style!

Never tried cloth before? Want to add to your stash? You may be able to get a diaper free! I will be giving away one free regular Happy Heinys One Size diaper in velcro or snaps to a lucky reader. To enter: CLOSED
1. Like Tender Loving Cloth Diapers on Facebook
2. Like Cloth Diaper Retailer Cooperative on Facebook
3. Follow this blog
4. Post a comment letting us know that you completed the requirements and telling us what your favorite Happy Heinys print is and a winner will be chosen via random.org
5. Only one entry per person will be counted
6. Contest ends 7/20/10

Amanda, Owner
Tender Loving Cloth Diapers
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Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Snaps vs Velcro

Hi! I'm Bayla, owner of Soft and Cozy Baby in Baltimore, MD. We are the only brick and mortar boutique in the greater Baltimore area (and beyond- all the way to Virginia and Pennsylvania!) specializing in cloth diapers, baby carriers and high end natural goodies for babies and families. I'm mama to Dovy, 2 yrs old, who, along with my husband, helps run the store! (We all know who's really in charge, right?!)

When you first get started in the exciting world of cloth diapers, there are some basics that take some getting used to. The single option sticky tabs that come with disposables aren't the only option anymore. Most cloth diapers close with either Velcro (brand name - but also known as aplix or hooks/loops) or Snaps. Some close with hooks or other fancy options as well.

So why choose one over the other? And does it really matter? For most people it's a personal preference. They just like one better. But there really is a few factors to take into consideration.

Ease of Use
Velcro closure is easier to use generally. There's no learning curve. When I used to send snap Fuzzi Bunz to my elderly babysitter, it was often difficult for her to figure out how to get a snug fit. She might snap the top row but forget the bottom row, resulting in wing droop. Snaps can also be harder for weak or arthritic fingers to maneuver, adjust, or open. With velcro you just attach and you're done. No mathematical equations to figure out which setting to put the snaps on. +1 for velcro!

Fit
With snaps, you have to use their pre-settings. The diaper's not as adjustable. Velcro allows you to angle in order to get a tighter or looser fit whether in the legs or the waist. Most people
who use snap diapers remember the settings they use for their baby to get a good fit, which you don't have to do with velcro. If your baby fits well in the settings the snaps are arranged in, that's a bonus for you. But if the snaps can't create a snug enough fit, velcro might be a better option. +1 for velcro!

Longevity
Snaps are going to last longer, hands down. Velcro eventually loses it's "stickiness," gets full of lint, or may separate from the fabric. Even velcro that stays sticky for a
long time, sometimes is TOO sticky, and it's hard to detach from the laundry tabs without pulling them off the diaper. In most cases you can replace the velcro or replace it for snaps. bumGenius even provides replacement kits as they know their velcro is not long-lasting. Some ways to make your velcro last longer includes hang-drying the diaper as much as possible, as the dryer will speed up the wear and tear; using a seam ripper, safety pin, or other small object to remove the lint; use care when opening and closing the velcro; have a few days worth of diapers as the less you use each diaper, the longer it will last. Snaps, on the other hand, don't have any of these issues. They will almost always work just as well as when you bought them. And in the instance a snap becomes dislodged or broken, most of them are under warranty for at least a year. +1 for snaps!

Laundering
Velcro diapers come with laundry tabs that are used to attach the velcro to when washing. This is so all the diapers don't stick together in the wash and you end up with a chain of diapers! Most laundry tabs stick very well to their velcro. Some don't. There will always be some brands whose velcro is just not sticky enough to remain adhered to the laundry tabs and come apart in the wash. This velcro will stick to your other diapers and often causes pilling or slight running depending on the material. Snaps don't have this issue as they don't stick to anything! But in general, most laundry tabs do their job well! +1 for snaps!

Toddlers
Aren't they fun!? So this one has both sides to it. My son went through a stage, and still does sometimes, when he would rather run around without a diaper. Changing time became increasingly difficult as I would attempt to put on a clean diaper while running after him. It's much harder to close snaps on the go than velcro! +1 for velcro!
On the other hand, many toddlers LOVE taking off their diapers! A snap diaper is harder for little fingers to pull off than a velcro one! +1 for snaps!

So, as you can see, there's argument going both ways. It just depends what concerns you the most. Snaps will hold up better in the long run while velcro is easier and creates a better fit. But this is just my opinion! I'm sure you probably have your own benefits and downsides to each one - depending on which is your favorite diaper. Which is why it's so fun that there are so many options of diapers out there - to satisfy everyone's preferences!


Some of my favorites:

Snaps
FuzziBunz- FuzziBunz prides themselves on their long lasting snaps-only diapers. Their one-size even comes with replacement elastic; between that and the snaps, these diapers could last forever!

Happy Heinys- Happy Heinys has lots of snap options. Their one-size comes with a great
placket of snaps that offers lots of adjustability options. The Stacinator Deluxe Fleece cover is my favorite nighttime option over a Happy Hempy with a Superdo. The Heiny Huggers are a cozy sherpa fitted option - great for newborns. Their pocket trainers have the option of side snaps on both sides, one side or without snaps - great for toddlers to pull up and down. Plus the pocket makes them adjustable for absorbancy.

Knickernappies - Knickernappies makes a great One-Sized or Sized
pocket diaper. The side-snap closure is great for chunky legs, big bellies, and easy to transition to a trainer.

Berry Plush - This amazing minkee cover has a snap-in soaker made of hemp with a minkee lining. You just can't stop touching it! Plus if the cover doesnt get dirty, you can just snap a new soaker in!

Velcro

Thirsties Duo Diaper - This is my current favorite diaper. As opposed to one-size diapers, which don't fit newborns well and don't always last until potty training, the Duo Diaper is a 2 size system. Size One is 6-18 lb - really will fit a newborn- and Size Two is 18-40 lb- fits bigger than most one-size diapers. The diaper also has a sleeve which is open on both ends, so the insert agitates itself out in the wash. No need to stick your hand in the dirty diaper to pull out the insert! Plus the insert is 2 parts - microfiber and hemp - a very absorbant insert that is still trim.

Thirsties Duo Wrap - Same benefits as the diaper in terms of sizing. Trimmer with a higher rise than Thirsties original cover for those long babies that the cover's always a bit too short on!

Bummis Super Brite - Has been one of my favorite covers since my son was a newborn. They have gussets which hold in extra material around the legs and super velcro that still works for me!

Easy Fit - This is a pretty new diaper on the market. Made by TotBots in Scotland, distributed by Bummis. It's got a super-soft rayon (made from bamboo) lining and a tongue that you stick in the pocket for extra absorbancy where you need it, which is attached and doesnt get lost in the wash! The Easy Fit is a one-size diaper. The Tini Fit is a super newborn option for 5-12 lb.

So now you have lots of options, regardless of your closure preference. Choose your favorite and enjoy the journey!

Happy Cloth Diapering!

Bayla
Soft and Cozy Baby
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