Author Archives: Maria

Maria is an aspiring "fit mom" of 3 children, writing about cloth diapers, going green, and her life as a single mom. Maria works with many companies within the cloth diaper industry and beyond, providing social media management, product development, and other services.
Cloth Diapering

The future of Cloth, Part II of ? Cloth in Big Box Stores

This post is a continuation of my ramblings on the future of cloth diapering.  Check out The Future of Cloth Part I if you missed it.

My big hope for cloth is that it will become more widespread, more accepted, and more commonplace.  I think there are a lot of things that can help that happen, but the first would be to make cloth more readily available.

I do not have a cloth diaper store nearby, and I’ve never gotten to see a diaper before buying it.  That’s part of the reason why I take so many photos for my reviews, I’ve been surprised by items when I got them sometimes.

I noticed that online, Target sells Grandma El’s products and also a few cloth diapers.  I’ve seen Kushies at Wal-Mart online, Buy Buy Baby has a couple of cloth diapers, and my local Organic Market sells gDiapers.  Other than the gDiapers, the only “cloth” I’ve seen in a store near me is the Gerber prefolds people use as burp cloths.

So, what if Target sold cloth diapers?  What if they could be added to baby registries along with all the other necessities?  It sure would be great to see “Bumgenius 4.0 pocket diaper – Zinnia – Aisle A14” in black & white on a baby registry!  Not only would it get modern cloth in front of more mommy-to-be eyballs, but also the eyes of Grandparents, Aunts and friends.  I’d love for the choice of cloth to be as common as Huggies vs. Pampers.

I just don’t think it would work.  Stores don’t have the space for the huge selection that online cloth diaper retailers have.  Even if they carried just one or two brands, I don’t know if the demand would be high enough to justify keeping them in stock.

The other big problem is support.  If you call or email any one of my favorite online CD stores, you will be connected most likely to someone who has cloth diapered her own babies, knows the inventory inside and out, and can help you understand the differences between diapers.  They can help you choose the right brands and styles to start with, and help you troubleshoot, suggest detergents, diaper creams and help with wash routines.  Sure, I guess “big box” stores could put a few employees through a crash course in cloth diapering, but sometimes you need experience behind the advice.  From my own experience, cloth diapering can be overwhelming and frustrating at first, and you really need information and support to keep you from giving up.

So, in my dream world, there would be a successful brick and mortar cloth diaper store in the busiest shopping center of every town.  They would partner with hospitals to do cloth demos at new parenting classes, maybe host La Leche League meetings or baby wearing classes in their stores also.  Everyone would know about the cloth diaper store, and it would be the place to go for diapers, slings/wraps/carriers and safe toys.  Lots of online cloth diaper stores offer baby registries, but many people I know would be far more likely to shop at a local store than to order a gift online.

So should cloth diapers be in big box stores?  What do you think?  What do you think we can do to make cloth diapering more “oohh” and less “ewww” to others?

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Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste Winner

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toms of maine
78 people entered this giveaway.  The winner is #44, which is Kelly Coleman.  Congrats Kelly, I’m emailing you now!
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Mailbox Mondays

Mailbox Mondays 11/22/10 Search terms that make me scratch my head

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email me

Oh no, another week with no mailbox Mondays submissions!  If you have a questions for me, cloth diaper related or not (just be nice!) send an email to maria at change-diapers.com with “Mailbox Mondays” in the subject.
 
So this week, I thought I’d share some of the most head scratching search terms that led people to my site in the past month.
 
1. “i had to get a spell made diaper”
 
Uh, what?  What kind of spell?  Does this spell make the diaper change/wash itself?  If so, where can I get one?
 
2. “how did a diaper get in my daughter’s room”
 
I have no idea, but now I want to know too!
 
3. “i like diapers”
 
Yeah me too!  I love cloth diapers anyway!

4. “i love boys in fitteds”

I don’t understand this at all.  When I think “fitteds” I think fitted diapers of course.  I guess it could be fitted hats?

5. “my mom change my diapers”

Ermmm…if you’re old enough to be googling, I would hope not.

6. “weird pocket diaper”

I can’t let this one go.  What was it?  What made it weird?  I have to know!  LOL

By the way, I copied this right from my analytics, I captialize “I” even when I’m searching, ha ha.

Have you ever searched for anything that would seem weird out of context?

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Cloth Diapers Diaper Covers Giveaway Hybrid Diapers Inserts Natural Fiber One Size Diapers PUL Review Velcro/Aplix Closure

Flip Hook & Loop Closure Diaper Cover and Organic Insert – Photo Review and Giveaway (CLOSED 11/27)

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Flip Hook and Loop and Organic Insert

In April, I reviewed a Flip cover with stay-dry insert.  I’m less a’skeered of snaps now than I was then, but I was still happy to learn that Flip Diapers was coming out with a hook and loop (a.k.a. Velcro or Aplix) closure diaper cover!  Right now, they are only available for purchase separately for $13.95, but Cottonbabies plans to sell them packaged with inserts, and in day packs in the future.  Lucky for one of you, I also bought an organic insert ($7.95 retail) to send along to the winner too!
 
The other Flip I bought came with a cardboard “wrapper” so I hadn’t planned on taking photos of the hook & loop Flip, since I didn’t want to give away an opened item!  I was a little surprised to find that both the diaper cover and the insert came without tags, wrappings or packaging, so I’ve done a little photo review.  The winner will receive the butternut color cover and organic insert pictured in this review however, we do not have pets (unless you count the kids) and the items were only on my laundry room counter, which is very clean, and my hands were clean as well!
 

Flip Hook and loop closures

Some of us were wondering whether the hook & loop would be the “old” Bumgenius 3.0 style, or the “new” Bumgenius 4.0 style.  Fortunately, it is the new style!
 

flip velcro closures

 
The “new” style laundry tab velcro is actually grippy, instead of just the fuzzy fabric of the 3.0s.  If you haven’t had the pleasure of trying the 4.0s, the laundry tabs will touch baby’s skin, but they are very soft, and haven’t caused my son any irritation.
 
inside flip hook and loopinner of flip diaper

The hook & loop cover has the same, easily wipeable PUL inner as the snap closure Flip.  My snap flip has the same white fabric, but only over the closure snaps, not the rise snaps.  I assume it’s to keep the PUL from leaking where it was punctured to attach them.

Here it is on the small setting, folded and stretched:
 
flip diaper small setting flip diaper small stretched

Medium setting folded and stretched:

flip diaper medium settingflip medium stretched

Large setting folded and stretched:

flip diaper largeflip diaper large setting stretched

The organic inserts are made from 100% Oeko-Tex® certified organic cotton.  Cottonbabies sells them for $7.95 each; $6.65 each if you buy 3 or more.  Buying a cover with an organic insert adds just $6 to the cost of the cover alone.

flip diaper organic insert

I was surprised by how soft this is!  Granted, it is new and hadn’t been washed but wow, it is baby blanket soft!  Since this hasn’t been washed/dried/prepped, you can definitely expect it to shrink a bit.  You simply fold the insert along the long or short side to fit inside the insert.
 
Here it is measured along the short side:
 

flip diaper organic insert width unprepped

 
Measured along the long side:
 

flip diaper organic insert length unprepped

 
In the cover on the small setting:
 

flip organic insert in diaper small setting

In the cover on the large setting:

flip organic insert in diaper large setting

As you can see, the hook & loop and flip covers are very much the same.  Of course, mine was purchased 7 months ago, so small changes wouldn’t surprise me anyway!  One difference is that the Hook & Loop cover stinks!  I noticed a very strong, plastic-y/chemical smell that gave me a headache, as soon as I opened the mailer it came in.  I have never noticed this with any other diapers I’ve purchased.  My guess is that others begin with the same smell, but they’ve sat in warehouses and been shipped back and forth enough to air out before I get them!  Hopefully it will do the same before I ship it to the winner!

flip hook and loop vs flip snap diaper flip snap inner vs flip velcro diaper inner

Here’s a side by side of the small organic insert (remember, it hasn’t been washed/dried so it will shrink!) compared to the small stay dry insert, and the same for the large.

unprepped flip organic small vs flip stay dry insert small unprepped flip organic insert large vs stay dry large

Hooray for hook and loop!  Now when it Cottonbabies going to come out with newborn versions of their pocket diapers and flip covers?  Hmm?

Giveaway: One winner will receive the Butternut (sorry, boring, but I wanted it to be gender neutral!) Hook & Loop Closure Flip Cover (ARV $13.95) and Organic Insert (ARV $7.95) pictured.  Combined value $21.90 if my brain is working.


Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below.  Mandatory entries include Your name and email address.  I always email winners, and I do try to look for them before giving up on them!  However, if you want to be sure it’s you when I announce the winner, please use a middle or last initial, or nickname, so you’ll know it’s you.  I do announce names just as you enter them!  I’m offering a single bonus entry for following this blog.  You may choose GFC, RSS feed or email.  If you prefer, you can elect to “like” me on facebook or follow me on twitter instead.  Whatever will bring you back!  🙂


I will accept entries until Saturday, November 27th, 2010 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern.  I will select a winner using random.org’s true random number generator and notify him/her by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my giveaway rules page for complete details. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S.


I’d love for you to leave a comment (also a great way to just remind yourself that you entered) but comments don’t count as giveaway entries.  I will update the post daily with the # of entries received!

# of entries received as of November 27th at Giveaway close: 241

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dG5JR3RiU3ZHbko2TE96N1Q2ZVgxY1E6MQ

Please note: This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, approved by or affiliated with Cottonbabies, Flip or any cloth diaper retailer.

FTC compliance: I paid normal retail prices for all items pictured.  I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are my own.

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Friday Giveaway Linky Giveaways Linky

Weekly Friday Giveaway Roundup for November 19th, 2010

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giveaway

It’s Friday, which means it’s giveaway roundup time, when I will post cloth diaper and babywearing giveaways that I’ve found, or that readers have submitted. The post will be accompanied by a linky where you may enter any family friendly (no “adult” products please!) giveaways, they do not need to be diaper related.

If you have a cloth diaper/accessory/babywearing giveaway you would like to be featured in the next giveaway roundup post, please email a link, blog name, giveaway title, end date and photo (if applicable) to maria at change-diapers dot com. I want to keep the featured giveaways to cloth, accessories & babywearing only please.

This week’s giveaway finds:
The Cloth Diaper Whisperer

Funhog Felts Wool Dryer Balls from Marlie and Me (ends 12/2)

Bummas Wipes from Marlie and Me (ends 12/3)

Pooters Pocket Diaper from Marlie and Me (ends 12/4)

Kawaii Snazzy minky Diaper from Life of This SAHM (ends 11/26)

Babykicks 3g Pocket Diaper from Baby Dickey’s Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 11/27)

Planet Wise Medium Wet Bag from The Not So Secret Confessions of a First Time Mom Mandatory GFC follow (ends 12/4)

Planet Wise Wet/Dry Bag from Bum Covered Diapers and It’s Me Melbie Mandatory GFC follow (ends 12/2)

Happy Heinys Pockets Diaper from Nature Bumz and The Cheap and Choosy (ends 12/12)

Rumparooz One Size Diaper from Kelly Wels Mandatory GFC follow – I think?  it’s listed as entry method #1, but doesn’t say it’s mandatory! (ends today, 11/19)

Applecheeks diaper from Life With My Littles Mandatory GFC follow (ends 11/28)

Katydid Cloth Diaper from Diary of Momma Mandatory GFC follow (ends 11/23)

Kawaii Pocket Diaper from Sweetbottoms Baby Boutique and The Cheap and Choosy (ends 12/15)

GoGo Green Wet Bag from Mommy’s Blessings (ends 12/3)

Nifty Nappy Wool Longies from Biehl Adventures (ends 11/23)

Baby K’Tan pink baby carrier from Mama to 4 Blessings Mandatory GFC follow (ends 12/11)

Bunzoo cover from Cloth Diaper Addiction Mandatory GFC follow (ends 11/22)
Doopsy SD Diaper from Life with my Littles Mandatory GFC follow (ends 11/30)

Doopsy SD Diaper from Luvs Jurn (ends 11/25)

NykiBaby One Size Pocket Diaper in Mint Chocolate from Monkey Toe Diapers and Etsy Cloth Diapers (ends 11/24)

FuzziBunz Perfect Size Diaper from Thanks Mama and The Cheap and Choosy (ends 12/17)

Babee Greens Organic Cloth Diaper from Children Teaching Mama (ends 12/6)

Giveaways still running from last week:

Babee Greens Wool Diaper Cover from Crunchy Beach Mama Mandatory GFC follow OR Facebook Like (ends 11/22)

$10 Abby’s Lane Gift Certificate from The Review Stew Mandatory GFC follow (ends 11/23)
Boba Carrier from Born 2 Impress Mandatory GFC follow (ends 11/28)

FuzziBunz O/S Pocket Diaper from Thanks Mama and Mama to 4 Blessings Mandatory GFC follow (ends 11/24)

GoGreen Pocket Diaper from The Girl is A Mom (ends 11/24)

Babykicks 3G Pocket Diaper from Chubby Cheeks Thinks (ends 11/26)

$10 GC to SweetBottoms Baby Boutique from Chubby Cheeks Thinks (ends 11/26)

$10 Bumbledoo Gift Certificate from SAPsMaMa Mandatory GFC follow (ends tomorrow, 11/20)

Mother-Ease Diaper & Cover from This Mama Loves Her Bargains (ends today, 11/19)

Katydid Cloth Diaper from The Cheap and Choosy (ends 12/2)

Kissaluvs Marvels AIO from Hip Tips For You Mandatory product review OR Facebook Comment (ends 12/1)

Wool Dryer Balls from The Cheap and Choosy and Tree Huggin’ Mama (ends 11/25)

You may enter any family friendly giveaway in the linky below. The form Blog name – Giveaway Item – Ending date works well. At a minimum, please include the item and end date, and link directly to the giveaway.

Please view my post on where I list my giveaways to find more great places to link up!

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