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.
Great Cloth Diaper Hunt

We are a Great Cloth Diaper Hunt Sponsor!

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Diaper Decisions Great Cloth Diaper Hunt
If you are a hunter, your first clue is in the review archive, which can be found on the menu bar at the top of the page.  Happy hunting!

It’s that time again! We are proud to announce our sponsorship of the Eleventh semi-annual Great Cloth Diaper Hunt™!

Join us for fun and frivolity as we search for diapers, chat with other hunters and compete for some awesome prizes!

How does the GCDH work? It’s simple! You register at http://www.diaperdecisions.com/pages/greatclothdiaperhunt.php on or after October 15, 2010. Then you visit all the participating sponsor sites and hunt for the Diaper Decisions™ diaper to earn entries to the 90 random prize drawings, including Two Grand Prizes and one Ultimate Grand Prize!

For more details about this great event, please visit the Rules and FAQ pages at http://www.diaperdecisions.com/pages/greatclothdiaperhunt.php.  See you at the hunt!

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Cloth Diapers Giveaway Made in the USA Review Sized Diapers Training Pants WAHM made

Bumbledoo Training Pants Review & $10 Gift Certificate Giveaway (CLOSED 10/20)

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bumbledoo trainer

While my daughter was interested in the potty at 16 months, my son is definitely not!  Even so, I’m interested in training pants, and I know lots of you are too!  Bumbledoo sent me a pair of teeny tiny adorable Bumble Training Pants

bumbledoo training pant package bumbledoo training pant in package

From Bumbledoo:

Size Chart for Reference:

Approx Weight Waist Thigh(inches/cm) Rise(inches/cm)
Size 1 18 – 22lbs. 16in / 40 cm 12 in / 30.5 cm 15 in / 38 cm
Size 2 22 – 26lbs. 18 in / 45.5 cm 13 in / 33 cm 16 in / 40 cm
Size 3 26 – 30 lbs. 20 in / 50.5 cm 14 in / 35.5 cm 17 in / 43 cm
Size 4 30 – 34 lbs. 22 in / 56 cm 15 in / 38 cm 18 in / 45.5 cm
Size 5 34 – 38 lbs. 24 in / 61 cm 16 in / 40 cm 19 in / 48 cm
Size 6 and up are custom orders. Please email with measurements.

bumbledoo training pant front bumbledoo training pant bak

bumbledoo trainer snaps
They have a PUL outer to contain mess and come in side snapping (what I received), adjustable snap, stuffable and pull up styles.  I received the size 1.
bumbledoo trainer absorbency

The trainers have a suedecloth inner and a soaker made of 4 layers of zorb.

bumbledoo trainer foldedbumbledoo trainer stretched

Above  is the trainer measured folded and stretched.  It seems “smaller” than the diapers my son is wearing, but really, it just has more of an underwear style cut.

bumbledoo trainer vs medium one size
Trainer vs Medium O/S Diapers

I had intended to just try the trainer on him for now, but with all the absorbency, I ended up using as a diaper (I just checked it a little early, just in case!)  It was nice because it was super easy to put on him.

bumbledoo trainer on 18.5 lb babybumbledoo trainer size 1
tiny training pants small training pants

In these photos he is about 18.5 pounds, 30″ at 16 months old.  It fit him well and he definitely has lots of room to grow into it too!

Bumbledoo also makes (deep breath!): bumble all-in-two diapers, prefolds, diaper covers, pocket diapers, swim diapers, burp cloth prefolds (I love these!), inserts, wipes, organizers, booties (oh I wish I had a little girl to put those on!!) toddler aprons, mama cloth, nursing covers, nursing pads and offers diaper repair and embroidery.  Whew.  I’m wondering if there is anything she doesn’t do!

Giveaway: Bumbledoo is offering a blog reader $10 towards anything in the Bumbledoo Web Store  OR Bumbledoo’s Etsy Shop.  Yes, the trainers are handmade by WAHM Malia!  Very hard to believe based on the quality and craftsmanship, but it’s true!


Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below.  I’d love for you to leave a comment, either about Bumbledoo, or just to remind yourself that you entered.  Keep in mind that entries left in the comments won’t count.  Mandatory entries include name, email address and your favorite Bumbledoo Item on Etsy OR the web store.   You may “like” Bumbledoo on Facebook for a bonus entry.  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 Wednesday, October 20th 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.  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 U.S. residents only.

Entries as of October 20th, 2010 at 9:00 P.M.: 146

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dGNVSVN2VVZlUi1QdjBEeG8xSTE2emc6MQ

FTC Compliance: I received a pair of trainers at no cost for review purposes.  I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are my own.

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A Year of Fluff Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

AMP Duo Diaper Winner

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amp diapers
149 people entered this giveaway, with a total of 315 entries!  The winning number is 25, which is Sara.  I checked, and she was the only Sara (no H) that entered.  🙂
Sara, I’m sending you an email now, congratulations!
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A Year of Fluff All In Two Diapers Cloth Diapers Giveaway Hybrid Diapers Made in the USA One Size Diapers Review Snap Closure

Nicki’s Best Bottom Diapering System Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 10/19)

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Nicki's Best Bottom Diapering System

Nicki’s Best Bottom Diapering System is a one-size, all-in-two system designed by Nicki’s Diapers.  If you visit the website, for heaven’s sakes, don’t leave the “diapers” off the web address, take that from me!

Best Bottom AI2 DiaperOne Size Diaper System

I received a “mint chocolate chip” (yum) diaper along with medium and large stay-dry inserts.

Leg GussetsOne Size Diaper 4 settings

Two things that stood out to me about the Best Bottom diaper were the leg gussets, and the four size settings.

velcro closure and laundry tabs

The diaper has velcro closures, which I love.  However, I think they would be even better if the laundry tabs were rotated 90 degrees.  They don’t seem to want to stay attached in the wash, so I may try turning the tabs and attaching them at an angle!

Inserts snap in Medium and Large Stay Dry Inserts

The features page has a comparison on features/pros/cons and cost of various diapering systems.  The Best Bottom system actually has a leg up on covers and prefolds as far as cost goes.  I think they have the additional advantage of being super easy (inserts just snap in) and having a stay-dry insert.  I see no reason why you couldn’t use the diaper as a cover over prefolds as well, if you already have some in your stash.

Insert snaps in

Here is the Extra-Small setting:

Extra Small Folded Extra Small Stretched

Small:

Small Diaper Size Folded small cloth diaper size stretched

Medium (the size we used):

Medium diaper setting foldedmedium ai2 diaper setting stretched

Large:

best bottom diaper system large best bottom diapering system large stretched

The photos below show the Best Bottom diaper on the medium setting with a medium insert.  I was able to use the large inserts in the medium setting as well.  I just had to fold/tuck the excess insert in, and of course, it was a little bit bulkier!  My son is about 18.5 lbs and 30″.

best bottom diaper system on 18.5 lb baby medium diaper system on baby
all in two diaper on baby nicki's best bottom diapering system

best bottom leg gusset on baby

You may be thinking to yourself, “Maria, these photos look like you put the diaper on him while he was standing, then chased him around trying to take photos of him!”  If that’s what you’re thinking, you’re exactly right.  I was able to get this sucker on him while he was on the move, and I still had no leaks at all.

Hemp/organic cotton inserts are also offered, as well as overnight inserts and doublers.  This system is so easy to use and affordable (8 covers and 24 inserts are recommended) I think it would be a great way to get started in cloth or pump up your stash.  They’d also be a fantastic choice for road trips and vacations since they take up less space than pocket diapers, fitteds or AIOs.

Each shell retails for $16.95; stay dry inserts are $3.75 each.  The hemp/organic cotton inserts are $5.75 and the overnight inserts are $6.50.

Giveaway: Nicki’s Best Bottom Diapers is offering one winner a one-size shell and 3 stay dry inserts!


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 your favorite Best Bottom color (there are new ones!)  You may “like” Nicki’s Diapers on Facebook and/or follow Nicki’s Diapers on Twitter and/or Follow the Nicki’s Diapers Blog for bonus entries (there are often giveaways on their blog!)  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, October 19th 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.  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 U.S. residents only.


Entries as of October 19th, 2010 at giveaway closure: 443

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dEpPWnVTOWYwWXZCWDNmczg3QWJ5Vnc6MQ

FTC Compliance: I was provided with a review product at no charge; I was not compensated for this post.  All opinions are my own.

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Mailbox Mondays

Mailbox Mondays 10/11/10

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email me

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.

I’m looking for MM submissions for late October and beyond!

Rebecca says:

Hi Maria-

I’d love to hear your thoughts about one size diapers. Are they really worth it? Can you get them to fit well? I am using sized diapers right now.

-Rebecca
 
This is a great question!  When I was expecting my daughter (about 6 years ago, wow!) an acquaintance gave me information on cloth diapers.  I did some research and settled on FuzziBunz sized pocket diapers.  When I started adding it up though, it seemed awfully expensive.  I didn’t know what I know now, and I didn’t know how to get the information.
 
I was assuming I would need 25 or so diapers in every size: extra-small, small, medium, large, extra large etc.  That would put the cost to cloth diaper equal to, or greater than, disposables.  That, combined with feeling overwhelmed at the idea of washing diapers in addition to learning to care for and breastfeed a newborn, made me forget the idea altogether.
 
Now, I know that I could have used Extra-Small and Mediums alone and been just fine!  In fact, my daughter could probably fit in a medium FuzziBunz now at 5 1/2!
 
With my son, I decided on one-size diapers.  He is also tiny like my daughter, and is still in mediums.  I only have a few sized diapers, but I like them since they are so trim.
 
I am able to get a good fit with one-size diapers, and they really aren’t that bulky.  Most don’t fit well until 10-12 pounds though (there are exceptions to that) so if you cloth diaper from birth, you will still need to buy something else for the newborn stage.
 
I’ve also heard several people say that one-size diapers didn’t really fit their larger babies through potty training, so they had to buy some larger diapers later on.
 
I guess it’s really just a toss up based on what you prefer.  There are also a few companies (like Thirsties) that make two size diapers, so you can get the best of both worlds.  The size 1 and size 2 should truly take a child from birth to potty training with 3 size adjustments each.
 
I hope all of this made sense, I tend to talk in circles sometimes!  🙂

A question about “the other cloth”:

Hi, I was wondering if anyone else in your family uses cloth wipes (i.e. Mama cloth)?

LF
 
Initially, the idea freaked me out a little bit.  The more I read, the more interested I was.  I’ve looked at WAHM made mama cloth (like the ones made by Addicted) and it looks great!  Cute designs, luxurious materials; definitely better than the alternative.  I hate the crinkly paper feeling, the trash etc.  Hopefully I will get to try some soon (which sounds weird to say!)
 
Family cloth: I would definitely do family cloth for #1, I’d love  to find some soft, affordable wipes to use, and maybe a smallish wetbag to keep in each bathrooom for them.  I’d be a little afraid they’d get thrown in the potty by accident though, and I’m not brave enough to use them for #2 yet!
 
Reusable Tissues: Better for Grownups has some awesome reusable tissues that I can’t wait to try, once I have the money to spend!

What do you guys think?  Do you use sized, or one-size diapers?  Ever used any “other” cloth?

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