Cloth Diaper Retailer Cooperative: Soft and Cozy Baby

Showing posts with label Soft and Cozy Baby. Show all posts

Monday, May 16, 2011

We're 4 months old now! Duo Fitted and GIVEAWAY!

Hi! I'm Bayla from Soft and Cozy Baby in Baltimore, MD. I wrote about my Newborn Picks in February and now my baby Netanel is 4 months old already!

Wow! Babies grow so fast! And with them, their diapers! It's so sad that I have to start putting away my adorable newborn diapers. Some still barely fit - like the Kissaluvs 0 and the Thirsties XS. But we've basically moved into smalls otherwise. bumGenius AIO smalls (hand-me-downs from my older son as they dont make them anymore), Thirsties Duos and One-Size diapers. We've also upgraded to Bummis and Thirsties small wraps. And my favorite, once again, is Thirsties duos. We use the Duo Fitteds, Duo wraps, and Duo diapers. I know this topic has been discussed before but this is what I'm excited about now!

I have the original Thirsties fab fitteds from my older son and the Duo fab fitteds are much better! Besides the adjustability which allows them to grow from 6-18 lb, they also have a second liner which increases absorbancy, allows you to add stuffing, and lets them dry quicker. Plus the colors are so adorable that you really don't want to cover them up.

And get this - Size 1 is 6-18 lb and Size 2 is 18-40, right? Well I was running low on dipes so I pulled out a Size 2 Duo Diaper from my 3 year old's stash. It was a little big but still worked perfectly on my 3.5 month, about 15 pounder! No leaks or anything! We do have a few Size 1's but I'm going to start increasing my Size 2 stash instead!

So for our GIVEAWAY (YAY!), you can win a Duo Fab Fitted!
You get one entry for doing each of the following things and then commenting below that you did it. Please make each entry a different comment. Each comment counts as 1 - we wont be going through if you did multiple things but put them all in one comment.
The contest ends Saturday May 28 2011 at midnight. We will pick one comment with random.org as a winner. Let us know what color/closure duo fitted you'd prefer and a second choice.

1. Go to our New page and let us know what your favorite product listed is that you might want to try some day.
2. Follow Soft and Cozy Baby on Facebook and say hi on our page
3. Follow CDRC on Facebook and say hi
4. Tell us which page we have an ad in April's Pregnancy and Newborn magazine (look at your OB or midwife's office!)
5. Follow us on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway with a link. You can tweet once a day and put a comment below each time you tweet.
6. Post this giveaway on Facebook with a link. You can post once a day and comment below each time.
7. Visit the Cloth Diaper Retailer Cooperative 'Locate A Retailer' page and find the cloth diaper retailer closest to you. Visit their website, and leave a comment below with BOTH the name of the store AND whether or not you have ever ordered from them before.
8. Let us know what size/color/closure you want. You can see the options here

Good luck!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Breastfeeding Necessities

Hi! This is Bayla from Soft and Cozy Baby, a boutique in Baltimore, MD specializing in Cloth Diapers, Babywearing, and Breastfeeding supplies.

My son is now 8 weeks old and I am LOVING breastfeeding my second time around! Breastfeeding should be simple, right. Just you and the baby. No bits and pieces to take along or wash. You're ready to go whenever baby needs with no cleanup required (except for the milk mouth)!

That is true and makes breastfeeding so much nicer than bottle feeding with all its included preparation and clean-up. But I want to share some of the gadgets that I've been using which is turning breastfeeding into almost as much of an obsession as cloth diapering! I just love all these things that I've found to make the experience that much more exciting!

The first is the Undercover Mama. This awesome invention keeps your belly covered while you nurse. Instead of buying an expensive nursing tank or forfeiting your favorite bra, you can keep your bra and save money with this product. It attaches to your own bra and drops down when you release the clasp on your bra! I am living in it these days! I wear it to bed too because my belly always gets cold when I'm nursing in bed at night!

Next is the Milkies Milk Saver which was mentioned in a previous post. This thing is ingenious. All you can think about when you take off your soaking breast pads is how much milk was wasted that is now going to be wa

shed out. Especially when you need to pump and every drop counts! It is a little large and I would love one that I could wear all day long, but it's got a great design. You put it in your bra on the other side than you're nursing on. And it catches all the milk with let-down. I once collected 2 oz using this! It even comes with a heavy-duty case that acts as a stand to hold it upright.

My last ingenious invention is Milk Trays. With my first child, I couldn't believe how expensive those bags are to freeze breastmilk in. Were they really necessary? What's wrong with plain old freezer bags? Of course no one had an answer so I used them - protecting my precious breastmilk for my baby. I'd hate for it to get ruined or freezer burned. Then I saw Milk Tr

ays. They are specially designed, made of medical grade plastic, with 1 oz compartments. You pour the milk into the compartments from the bottle that you pump into. Then you freeze it. When they're frozen, you pop out the one-ounce sticks and store them in a regular freezer bag. Date the bag by the week so you use up old milk first. To defrost just put as many sticks as needed into a bottle and defrost in warm water like you normally would. This way you save every drop and don't defrost more than you need and have to throw it away. Then just rinse out the trays and reuse!

Of course, I would be remiss if I failed to mention My Brest Friend as a true nursing necessity. It provides unbelievable support and comfort, even for the new breastfeeding mama with a tiny newborn. At that early stage you truly don't have enough hands and support to keep everythin

g in place. This pillow wraps around your body and is very adjustable both in how high or low you set it and in how snug it fits around your belly. It has a flat surface so the baby doesn't roll in to you and supports your arms and back. The great thing I've found, even with nursing an older (relatively-speaking) baby, is that it comes in very handy when I'm nursing on one side and pumping on the other. I do that to maximize my pumping, which I need to do for work. The pillow completely supports the baby, so I don't need to use 2 hands to hold him, and I can hold the pump and usually still read a book or type on my laptop. For the modern woman!
My Brest Friend comes in super pattern choices, offers a plush deluxe cover option, has slipcovers that can be switched out, and even has a Twin Pillow!

Speaking of the modern breastfeeding mama, check out the Easy Expression by Medela. It comes as a halter or bustier and holds your pump in place so you're hands-free and can get things done! Truly vital if you're pumping at work. I have even heard first-hand of some women who pump in the car on their long commute. Have to be hands-free for that!

Happy Breastfeeding!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Wool Diaper Covers

Hi! I'm Bayla from Soft and Cozy Baby, a physical storefront in Baltimore.

Wool is an amazing fabric to use as a diaper cover. We started using Llamajama longies last winter for my 1.5 year old. It worked great overnight and he never woke up with wet sheets! The sizing is amazing. I got an 18 month size - they were a bit big on him to start and they still fit him, a year later!

There are many benefits to using wool covers over prefolds, fitteds or contours. Especially in the winter, when everyone wants to cozy up in some yummy warm wool.

Wool is a natural fiber with antibacterial properties. Being natural, it is very breathable. This allows air circulation which can help reduce the incidence of diaper rash. It also regulates body temperature - keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Wool treated with lanolin is water resistant. It can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture. IT wicks moisture away, keeping your baby dry.

The natural antibacterial properties reduces odor and bacteria build-up.

Wool diaper covers are available as soakers, longies, and shorties.

You can really make any design cover you want if you know (or know someone who knows) how to knit or crochet.

To care for wool is pretty simple, once you get the hang of it.
Wool only needs to be washed when it gets dirty. You can reuse your wool cover until then. The more you use your wool, the faster the lanolin gets used up, so you do have to relanolize your cover occasionally. Lanolizing wool is what makes it water resistant.

When you first start using wool, wash it in a delicate detergent or wool wash and add some lanolin to the wash. Lanolin can come in a bar, liquid, spray, or included in the wool wash. Then re-lanolize whenever you wash or when the water resistance starts wearing off - usually every 3-4 weeks.

The longies picture here are Llamajamas.
The wool soaker is Little Beetles.
Thanks to the Llamajama website for a lot of these facts and stats!

We are having some super sales coming up for the holidays if you're in the Baltimore/DC/PA area! This Wed night, Nov 17, we're staying open late 6-9pm for our Pre-Holiday SALE with amazing discounts and giveaways. And of course don't forget about Black Friday!

Have a Safe, Warm & Happy Holiday Season!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Tired Thursday & A Knickernappies Giveaway!

Sorry, all it's been one of those weeks! I just don't have much to say! So here are some adorable pics of my 2 year old sporting a Knickernappies diaper in Baby Blue (and sunglasses and a hat!)

I love the Knickernappies diapers. This is a sized (not one-size) as I prefer sized diapers in general as they fit better. Knickernappies makes a super, high quality side snapping diaper. Side snapping works better for a lot of kids - those with chunky bellies and thighs, plus they work for potty training as they pull up and down easier than the front-closures.

Knickernappies is also a great company to work with - supporting their retailers and customers. They are sponsoring this giveaway for a sized diaper in your choice of size and color!

To enter:
1. Follow Soft and Cozy Baby on Facebook
2. Follow Knickernappies on Facebook
3. Visit Knickernappies Blog
4. Visit Knickernappies website and choose your preferred color and size

Winner will be picked randomly after October 1.

Monday, August 16, 2010

How will you get those pants over that diaper?! And a GIVEAWAY!

Hi! I'm Bayla from Soft and Cozy Baby and I wanted to share one of my amusements of my cloth diapering journey.

One of the funniest challenges (if you want to call it that!) of cloth diapering is the adorable bubble butt kids get! As a newborn lying on your chest with their bottom sticking up in the air and as a toddler with layers of hemp, cotton, or microfiber under wool longies - I have to smile when trying to get pajamas over that super-duper, bulletproof nighttime diaper.

So what's a mom or dad to do? Children's clothes were made trim and not with the extra room to fit over cloth diapers. Disposables are super thin as they have chemicals to absorb the liquid and dont need the requisite layers that a nighttime diaper requires to make it until morning.

When my son, Dovy, was an infant, I always wanted him to be snug in a onesie so his belly wouldn't get cold while he slept. But my favorite nighttime diaper was (and still is) a Happy Hempy with SuperDo under wool longies. It looks pretty ridiculous to snap a onesie OVER the longies! And you can't snap it under because then it will obviously get wet. Plus, snapping it over can result it putting pressure in one area which may cause leaking or uneven diaper coverage. We did end up just putting a sweatshirt on with longies without the onesie due to logistics.

I have found though that I often have to size up on pants like jeans and dress pants. Shorts, stretchies, and sweat pants usually fit without a problem, as my son is thin and tall. But tighter pants are a little too snug over that bubble butt.

For those of you with the onesie quandary, I've discovered these great Onesie extenders that give you some extra room around the diaper but still allow the onesie to close comfortably. It also allows you to get some extra wear out of onesies that are getting too small to close but still fit.

These Onesie extenders by iPlay come in a pack of 3, each with a different snap configuration, so that you should have one that will fit any brand of onesie!

We are giving away a pack of FREE Onesie extenders to TWO lucky winners!

To Enter:

1. Follow Soft and Cozy Baby on Facebook

2. Follow Soft and Cozy Baby on Twitter

3. Follow Cloth Diaper Retailer Coop on Facebook

4. Find your closest CD store using the "Locate a Retailer" page on this website.

5. Post your funniest "bubble butt" story here or post a picture on Soft and Cozy Baby's Facebook page!

Each entry should be a different posting. Contest ends August 30, 2010

Bayla

Soft and Cozy Baby

http://www.softandcozybaby.com/

Baltimore, MD

Friday, July 16, 2010

Diaper Sprayers (and a Giveaway!)

Hi! It's Bayla from Soft and Cozy Baby! I want to tell you about one of the best parts of cloth diapering - the diaper sprayer. I LOVE my sprayer! I

also love that I can turn the valve off so my 2 year old can't spray down the whole bathroom!

I have heard people say they would not cloth diaper without a sprayer. So what's the deal? How does it work?

When new parents come in to talk about cloth diapering, one of their first concerns is what to do with the poop. For newborns, their poop is water soluble and you just throw their diapers straight into the wash - no pre-cleaning required. But once they start solids, I always recommend a sprayer! There's nothing like trying to clean peanut-butter-consistency poop out of a diaper!

The diaper sprayer is similar to a sink sprayer except it hooks up to the tubing behind your

toilet. (By the way, this is a great "dad gift" or a way to get dad into the whole cloth diaper thing. There's nothing like telling dad, "I'll pick out the diapers - you hook up the sprayer." They love that!) Plus it's super easy to hook up. It comes with detailed directions. My husband did it in just a few minutes. And hey, if he can do it, anyone can!

You can then use the sprayer to spray all poop remnants into the toilet. Whoever came up with this was a genius!

I now keep my diaper pail in the bathroom. I just carry all wet diapers to the pail. Dirty diapers I spray into the toilet and then drop them into the pail. This way I dont have to carry dripping dirty diapers back into the nursery.

Many cloth diaper brands have put their name on a sprayer that they sell. I found the Sigma Sprayer early on. It works superbly for a much cheaper price! Who can beat that? Name brand is nice - but for a sprayer? Plus I've found the Sigma company great to work with.

Here's what Sigma says about their sprayer:

Here's what we have to offer that you won't see in any of the competitors.

We engineered our product from scratch to build the very best experience for our customers. A combined 14 years in the diaper sprayer business among our staff puts us at the top of the list.
We guarantee a leak free design. How can we do this? By an anti-backflow device that is unique only to Sigma Products diaper sprayers.
Our sprayers contain everything you need to install them. All you need are a pair of pliers and 5 minutes. We include the sprayer, all hoses, bracket, and mounting supplies.
All of our sprayers have a variable flow knob that lets you adjust the spray to your preference, or you can turn it completely off after each time to keep curious toddlers from dousing the bathroom!
You're doing your part to stay green and help the world. We here at Sigma Products back you 100% by maintaining a virtually paperless company and keeping packaging to a minimum.

So buying a sprayer is a great investment. But now you have the chance to win one!
Here's how:
1. Follow the Cloth Diaper Retailer Cooperative blog
2. Follow the Cloth Diaper Retailer Cooperative on Facebook
3. Follow Soft and Cozy Baby on Facebook
4. Follow Soft and Cozy Baby on Twitter
5. Visit Soft and Cozy Baby and find one exciting new product on our website.
6. Add yourself to Soft and Cozy Baby's mailing list
7. Retweet or share on Facebook about Soft and Cozy Baby or this giveaway

Rules:
List each thing you did in the comments.
A winner will be chosen at random from the legitimate entries.
The contest ends July 30 at 11:59 pm

Happy Spraying!

Bayla
Soft and Cozy Baby
www.softandcozybaby.com

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, distribute

d 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
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for sales, updates and surprises!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Soft and Cozy Baby, Baltimore MD

I am Bayla, of Soft and Cozy Baby, in Baltimore Maryland. When I was expecting my first child, 2.5 years ago, I knew I wanted to Cloth Diaper. I started doing research and was so overwhelmed by the myriad choices available online. We decided to start with a diaper service. After 2 weeks, I knew I could do it myself. Plus there were so many cuter options out there than prefolds. And all the diaper service offered was white covers. I didnt realize I had other choices!

There was one natural baby store in my area but their selection of diapers was limited. So my baby was only 3 months old when I started talking to my husband about how I would only put in a little money and get a couple diapers... We started out in my living room, then moved to the dining room, then to the basement. We just kept growing and adding more options. We were overwhelmed by how many parents felt this was a necessary resource. We started offering open hours and workshops. We opened in our home Sept 2008.

In April 2010 we opened our storefront. The response has been incredible. There is such a demand in the Baltimore area for cloth diapers, baby carriers and healthy, natural options for babies and families.

We pride ourselves on family oriented, personalized service. We like that people can come in and touch and feel the diapers before choosing their stash. Just today I received a phone call: "What diapers do you recommend?" I really couldnt answer that question. I told the caller that I recommend personalized options depending on the age of the baby, the preferences of the parents and/or caregivers and their lifestyle. Many people do great with prefolds but there are some who would choose disposables before they had to use a 2 step diaper system. And I wouldnt recommend the same diaper for a newborn as a 2 year old.

I started Soft and Cozy Baby as a hobby and as a resource for the community (and because I love cloth diapers!). I also have a "real job" - I'm a nurse-midwife. But realizing the need for a Cloth Diaper store was so vital, our family has rearranged our schedules in order to make it more accessible to more people. We love the business and the people we meet daily. We also love seeing people come back and watching their babies grow. We have begun to feel part of the lives of some of our customers.

We are able to offer classes and workshops in our new space. We have Cloth Diapering workshops twice monthly, Babywearing workshops monthly, Car Seat safety, Breastfeeding, Music and Movement, and more! We are also beginning one of the only out-of-hospital natural childbirth class options in Baltimore City.

Come stop by our store and say hi! We're happy to show you around and answer your questions!

Soft and Cozy Baby

3610 Falls Road (in Hampden off the Avenue)

Baltimore, MD 21211

http://www.softandcozybaby.com/

http://www.facebook.com/softandcozybaby
http://twitter.com/softandcozybaby

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