Monthly Archives: Sep 2010

Baby Wearing Coupon Discount Review

Boba Baby Carrier Review PLUS Coupon/Discount Code!

 boba

NAP, inc. makes both the Sleepy Wrap and the Boba Baby Carrier.  The Sleepy Wrap was a lifesaver for us.  I love it so much that if I could marry it, I totally would.  So logically, when I was looking for a soft structured carrier, I looked at Boba.  The Boba is designed for babies 15-45 pounds; if you have a smaller baby, you will love the Sleepy Wrap!

My post in October on  The Village of Moms is on Babywearing, so look for that to read more about the Sleepy Wrap and why I love it, along with photos and video of it!

boba carriersoft structured carrier
 
babywearing

I received the Organic Carrier in Aspen (retail $118), which is a nice, neutral color.  The box it came in is really nice, I felt like I was opening a present!!  It also came with a helpful instructional booklet, though you can also get information on their website.  Boba recently released the Classic Carrier Collection.  It is the same great carrier in fabulous colors, but comes with a lower price tag of $100 to go along with the non-organic cotton.

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The Boba has a wide, padded waist band, and thick, cushy shoulder straps.

boba baby carrierbabywearingBaby

The sleeping hood attaches to the shoulder straps to support a snoozing baby’s head.  It’s completely removable and tucks away neatly when not in use.

Boba

Unique to the Boba are the fully adjustable (and removable) foot straps, that provide proper leg support for older children (usually age 2 or so) and hold their knees up at hip level.  They also slide along the waist band so you can get them perfectly adjusted for your little one.

babywearingnapbabywearingsoft structured carrier 

Measurements above show: (clockwise, left to right) carrier height, carrier width, waist band height, strap width.

Baby

The Boba is highly adjustable, and will fit a wide range of sizes.  The adjustments are sturdy straps that come with the excess neatly folded up.  Aside from the foot strap and hood adjustments, you can adjust the waist, chest/back clip, move the chest/back clip up and down, and there are two adjustments for the shoulder straps themselves (seen above).

Below is a quick video demonstrating all of the adjustments on the Boba.  I did this video when I first received the carrier.  It becomes easier over time to adjust the straps, and I’d recommend sliding each one back & forth many times when you first receive it, before trying to adjust it while wearing it.

The carrier was a little intimidating at first with all the straps, but it was so easy to put on!

baby carrier

I did most of these photos and videos with my camera on a tripod while my husband was watching my son, so I had to recruit a model to help me out!  Obviously, he is a little smaller than the minimum 15 pound baby the Boba recommends.

babywearing

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Clip the waist belt and adjust the strap.

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bobaboba carrier

In the pictures above, I had one strap on my shoulder before I picked Manny Bear up.  Normally, I could pick up my son and hold him against my belly.  Supporting his bottom with one hand, pull one shoulder strap up.  Switch hands, supporting his bottom with the other hand, and putting the other shoulder strap on.

boba carrierboba baby carrier

Fasten the chest/back clip and tighten.  I had a little trouble tightening the back clip, and with NAP Inc.’s help I discovered it was easier to tighten this all the way before putting the carrier on, and tightening the shoulder straps instead.  I am far more petite than the average petite person (I measured my shoulder width at about 15″) so I need most adjustments all the way tightened to feel secure.

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Below is a quick video showing me putting the carrier on:

I will admit that it took quite a bit of playing around to get the fit just right, but once I did, it was wonderful.  I didn’t know about all these awesome babywearing products when my daughter was small, so my babywearing experience with her was limited to the baby bjorn.  Not only is the front facing carrier not recommended for several reasons, but it put so much strain on my shoulders that I couldn’t carry her for more than a few minutes, even when she was tiny.

boba babywearing carrier

boba soft structured carrier

boba carrier

One of the most important things about the Boba (to me) is that my son is sitting the same way he would be if I were holding him.  His legs are held in a natural position.

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My husband is more average sized, and the carrier fits wonderfully on him as well.

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bobaboba babywearing carrier 

My husband also tried him on his back, but it was about bedtime and my son was not happy that I was taking pictures of him instead of holding him!  We’re happy with the front carry right now with my son’s size and development, but the fact that we can use it in a back carry is great!

babywearingboba babywearing soft structured carrier 

In conclusion, we LOVE the Boba Baby Carrier!  My son is so happy when he is in it, and it’s very comfortable.  I was sad when he seemed to be getting too big for the Sleepy Wrap, but now I can grocery shop, vacuum and do everything else I need to do in complete comfort.  Woo-hoo!

Discount: Use coupon code Boba10 to get 10% off any Boba Baby Carrier.

FTC Compliance: I received the above product at no cost in order to review it.  I was not otherwise compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.  I was not requested or required to write a positive review.


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Giveaways

Giveaway Survey

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Baby Legs Deodorizers Detergents Giveaway Made in the USA Review WAHM made

Kickin’ Creations Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 9/21)

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kickin creations
I originally contacted Mandy of Kickin’ Creations to buy some wool dryer balls.  As it turned out, she was not happy with the new method she was trying (at the time) for making them, and didn’t want to sell any to me until she was pleased with how they ended up.
We got to chatting and I agreed to review her cloth diaper safe laundry detergent, deodorizer powder (pail powder) and baby legs.  (She also sells sugar scrubs, burp cloths and more!)
kickin creations
Kickin’ Creations items are normally shipped in nice, heat-sealed bags.  Since mine were samples, they were shipped in regular baggies. 
kickin creations packaging
I received the detergent and pail powder, both in Wild Cherry Blossom scent.  Other scent options include: Sweet Pea & Jasmine, Lavender Essential Oil, Apple Cinnamon, Fresh Linen and Unscented.
cloth diapers
I’ve had such a hard time with detergent, that I was really surprised and impressed by Kickin’ Creations.  Like the other scented detergents I’ve used, the scent was very strong.  I could smell it as soon as I opened my mailbox!  I’m a little more sensitive to smells than others, so I put the detergent and pail powder in an OXO container for storage.  Like that, it made my laundry room smell great!
cloth diaper safe products
Each bag of detergent contains up to 70 wash loads, and sells for $15.00 plus $4.95 shipping.  A half-batch sample pack sells for $8.00 plus shipping.  The instructions are to use 1-2 tablespoons (3 to soak, less per load for an HE machine.) 
kickin creations
The first time I used it, I used a little more than I needed to.  After that, I used a little bit less, and while the laundry room smelled great while washing, the diapers rinsed clean.  When they were finished, they had a faint scent, but just smelled clean.  I used the whole bag (it lasted at least a week, I should have kept track!) and it worked wonderfully.
I use a Planet Wise large hanging wet bag as a pail, and don’t have a lot of stink issues.  However, since I’ve started washing every other day, things get a little…eh…”gamey” by wash day.  The Stink Be Gone All Purpose Deodorizer Powder is available in the same scents as the detergent, and a 10 ounce package sells for $5.00 plus shipping. 
If you used it in a shaker bottle (relabeled for safety!) like an empty baby powder or spice container, it would be very easy to sprinkle a bit in your diaper pail or trash can. I just shook a little bit out of the bag onto the diapers as I added them to the pail & noticed some stink.  It really did a good job of neutralizing the odor.  My laundry room (where I keep my pail!) smelled fresh, not like flowery dirty diapers, hee hee.
baby legs
Last up are the baby legs.  You really have to cut me some slack on my pictures.  Lately, trying to photograph my son feels like trying to photograph a squirrel on redbull.

baby legs

The pair I received are navy blue, and like other WAHM baby legs, they are made from knee socks.

kickin creations baby legs

Mandy also makes a “Tiny Legs” version of baby legs for 0-3 month olds.  They sell for about $5.00 plus shipping.

kickin creations baby legs

I am looking forward to using these when the weather gets cooler and he gets that chilly gap between socks and pants!

kickin creations

Kickin’ Creations sells both in the Cuties with Cloth Booties Congo (CWCB) on Hyenacart and the Bliss Congo.  Her CWCB store stocks tomorrow, September 15th.

Giveaway: Mandy is offering one reader his/her choice of any one in-stock item!  (Value up to $15.00)


Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below.  Feel free to leave a comment about the post, or simply to remind yourself that you entered however, comments will not be counted as entries.  Mandatory entries include name, email address and the item you like best after visiting the Kickin’ Creations CWCB store.  You may “like” the Kickin’ Creations Facebook page for a bonus entry, and double your chances!  This post will be updated daily (or so) with the # of entries received, for those of you who like to know your odds.


I will accept entries until Tuesday, September 21st, 2010 at 9 P.M. Eastern.  I will select a winner using random.org’s true random number generator and notify him/her by email.  View my giveaway rules page for complete details.  This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

# of entries as of September 21st, 2010 at 8:30 P.M.: 116

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dGU1UERuRFczdnBUUTNqeXVjMWo3aVE6MQ

FTC Compliance: I was provided with review samples for the cost of shipping, and a giveaway winner will receive a free item as well.  I was not otherwise compensated for this post; I was not required or requested to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

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Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Ruby Moon Winner!

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giveaway winner

The winner of the Ruby Moon wipes and wipes bits is #31, which is Jenn, whose favorite Ruby Moon item was the cloth diaper detergent!  Jenn, I’m getting ready to send you an email, congratulations!

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Mailbox Mondays

Mailbox Mondays 9/13/10

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email
Every Monday I will answer user submitted questions. They don’t have to be about cloth diapering! I’ll always answer questions via email, but if you would like your question to be answered in a Mailbox Mondays post, send an email with the subject “Mailbox Mondays” to Maria at change-diapers dot com.

Please note: My intent is to get a queue of questions for the next several months, so it may be some time before your submission is posted. If you would like me to email my response so you don’t have to wait until your question is posted, let me know!

Ash says:
Hey Maria!
I have another question for you! And guess what?! It’s about washing diapers of course! So I’ve been using cloth diapers on my daughter for about 4.5 months now and am always curious as to what other Mama’s routines are for after they change their baby’s diaper. Do you take your sons diapers and just dump them in the diaper pail after changing him or do you rinse them first? What is your routine? And do you ever feel the need to soak the dirty diapers after you get everything off of them to help get the stains out or do you just let them get some sun after washing them?
Oops! I guess it’s a couple questions! 🙂
Thanks again!!
Ash from The Adventures of Ash and Rowe
Hi Ash!  I know everyone seems to do things differently, but here’s what I do: If the diaper is just wet, I pull the insert out with the wipe, fold the laundry tabs in (if it’s velcro) ball it up and toss it in my hanging wet bag/pail. 
If it’s dirty, I flip the poop in the potty and follow the same routine.  If it’s really messy (like we’ve been dealing with after too many blueberries!) I will flip off as much as I can first.  Since I’m not washing every day anymore, I will then either spray the diaper off in my laundry room utility sink, or if I have several, I’ll do a rinse & spin in the washer.  I don’t like to let diapers sit with poop on them.  A diaper sprayer will take care of it too, but I never got around to getting one, and since I’m through the messy stuff for the most part, I haven’t bothered.  When he was still mostly breasfed, I didn’t rinse at all!
I don’t soak them or add anything to them, aside from when I use RLR every few months.  I don’t have any major issues with stains; I find that light stains fade with subsequent washes.
That said, the aftermath of blueberry-gate 2010 left me with some staining!  My first try at sunning my diapers had me sold.  They weren’t in direct sun very long, not long enough to completely dry them, yet the stains nearly disappeared!

How about you, readers?  What do you do?

Pamela says:

My very first cloth diaper purchase was a half dozen Bum Genius 3.0 OS diapers which are still my favorites and have fit my son through thick and thin (literally). But, 18 months later, the time has come to repair the laundry tabs and aplix closures. I bought the repair kits, and they have been sitting next to my sewing kit for almost a month – just daring me to give this a try. I’m terrified that I’m going to ruin one of my beloved BGs. Any experience and tips?

Thanks!

Pamela
 
I haven’t repaired any of mine, though I have a few that need it!  I think this tutorial on P.S. house is great!  I’m going to have to replace some of them soon.  I did get two replaced under warranty, but the others aren’t bad enough yet, and my warranty expires in about 5 or 6 weeks.  I don’t have a sewing machine; my Mom has an old and no-so-great one, but I’m thinking it might actually be easier to do it by hand.  Eek!

How about my readers, anyone replaced the velcro on their Bumgenius?

P.S. I’d love to have a guest post with a step by step tutorial for replacing velcro and/or doing a snap conversion.  Shoot me an email if you’re interested.  I’d like original material only, which wouldn’t be reposted elsewhere.

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