Funky Fluff fusion 3-in-1 is a versatile cloth diapering system that can be used as a pocket diaper, AIO or AI2, and is available in stay dry and bamboo versions.
Catherine Bolden is the owner of The Willow Store and creator of Willow Pads reusable feminine products, Willow Sprouts accessories, Everyday Willow natural living & natural laundry products and of course, the Sprout Change cloth diapering system!
In March, I posted my Sprout Change Cloth Diaper Review. If you missed that, I strongly suggest you check it out! My review includes detailed photos of the one-size AI2 insert/reusable and reversible shell system, detailing how the size adjusts, how the reversible shell works, and I also have measurements of each size! The winner of this giveaway not only receives their own copy of the DVD set I’m reviewing today, but also a Sprout Change shell & insert!
Catherine’s latest project is the Diapering Today DVD set. The set is a comprehensive “how-to” with everything you want to know about cloth diapering, from the “why” to the “how.” Some people are fortunate enough to have cloth diaper stores near by that offer cloth 101 classes, or have cloth diaper groups near them. Some of us don’t! I know when I wanted to start cloth diapering, I spent a ton of time trying to gather the information from all over the place online, and make sense of it all.
The Willow Store is selling the Diapering Today DVD set for $17.95, and 1% of the profits will be donated to providing cloth and education to low-income families. When you buy the DVD bundled with an Organic Super Saver Starter Kit (1 shell & 3 organic inserts), it costs you just $11.20 more than buying the starter kit alone. I think that would make an awesome gift for an expectant Mama, but I do wish they had an option to purchase the DVD by itself perhaps with a coupon for $10 off your first Willow Store order to offset the cost.
The set consists of two DVDs. I watched this on my laptop, so I don’t have an exact running time, but the DVDs are each about an hour long. The really nice thing is that they are broken up into bite sized chapters. You can watch it all, a little at a time, or only watch what interests you. Pertinent information is repeated (such as in types of cloth diapers, and the terminology section) so you won’t miss anything if you don’t watch the whole thing. That said, it was not monotonous and didn’t seem repetitive!
Throughout the DVD, you will hear genuiune, unscripted responses from actual cloth diapering parents on various subjects. This is broken up by photo and video demonstrations, information from Catherine herself, and awesome cloth diaper facts from the RDIA’s Heather McNamara.
I watched the trailer (below) before receiving the DVD for review, and I saw some familiar faces!! Do you see anyone you know?
I saw Calley of The Eco Chic, and I saw Baby Makin’ Machine’s daughter, Lil’ J! By the time I finished watching both DVDs, I felt like I knew every Mom in the film. I’m not sure if some of them genuinely looked familiar, or if it was just because I’d heard them chat about cloth diapers for 2 hours, LOL!
So here’s what you’ll find on the DVDs and approximately how long each section is:
Disc 1:
I’m not going to go into great detail as far as what you’ll find in each chapter; I think you can gather that from their titles! This isn’t a big budget, Hollywood produced film with fancy effects and actors with scripts. It feels to me like what you’d find out if you went to a few cloth 101 type classes, a few meetings at a cloth diaper group, and chatted with a lot of moms who used cloth diapers.
There are a lot of things that I love about the DVDs. First, it’s not an ad for Sprout Change. I believe the Sprout Change diaper was pictured as one all-in-two option, and was also pictured on a baby. The DVD gave very unbiased information on all types and brands of cloth diapers. I love that all of the types of diapers were demonstrated on a baby doll, so a potential cloth diaper user could see how easy it really is.
Although I felt the DVD series was quite long (about 2 hours total) it is absolutely not necessary to watch the whole thing. If someone already knows they want to cloth diaper, but they don’t know what to buy and are afraid of washing, they can just watch the types, terms and washing sections.
I also love that it gives a lot of information, without getting so detailed that your head would spin. For example, they showed an “all-in-one” style diaper, but didn’t go on to say that they can have a sewn in soaker, a flap soaker, a snap in soaker, a tongue soaker etc. etc. Just tell ’em what they need to know!
I felt like this DVD covered everything I’d want to tell a friend who was interested in cloth, and it was done in a very similar way. All of the parents were genuine, loved cloth diapers, but at no point were “holier than thou” about diapers. Several stated that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing, that you could do part cloth/part disposables, build your stash slowly, or just buy or borrow a couple to see what you think!
The DVD also seemed to advocate the K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, sweetie!) method of washing. They recommended the simple wash routine that I found works for us (and so many others) and did mention that you don’t want a detergent with fabric softeners, whiteners, brighteners etc. However, they didn’t whip out the “detergent police” badges and say that you had to stick to a certain list of pricey detergents. Basically, choose the detergent with the simplest ingredients.
They also didn’t try to make cloth all sunshine & roses. They addressed the fact that sometimes people do have smell issues with cloth, that such a problem isn’t normal, but that the resolution is usually quite simple!
I also loved that they addressed the “what about the poop” issues in the same way I do. I swear I touch less poop (and do less poopy laundry!) now, since what’s supposed to stay in the diaper, stays in the diaper! With disposables, I was changing entire outfits (including socks, and sometimes my own clothing!!) instead of just a diaper.
I am going to lend my DVD to a friend who wants to cloth diaper the twins she’s expecting. Until now I’ve totally overwhelmed her with huge chunks of information. This will be awesome for her to sit down with her hubby and watch a little at a time!
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Giveaway: One winner will receive a Diapering Today DVD Set (ARV $17.95) and a Sprout Change Cloth Diaper Cover & Insert (ARV $21.70.) The combined retail value of this prize is $39.65. Entries go in the Rafflecopter form.
The Willow Store sent me a Sprout Change cloth diapering system to try. I’ve heard quite a bit about them, and was very intrigued by their one-size, reversible all-in-two system, with a unique size adjustment.
I received a “string bean” shell, which is an adorable bright blue on one side, and bright green on the other. Sprout Change has tons of options for the absorbent inserts.
I received two of the organic inserts, but they also have stay dry inserts, organic hemp prefolds, even organic or microfleece “soft sleeves,” so you can use extra microfiber inserts you have!
I love that the packaging includes the sizing instructions and guidelines!
The diaper is side snapping, but all of the size adjustments are made through hidden elastic inside the diaper.
The leg elastic is adjusted through a small opening located on the front of the diaper.
The waist elastic is adjusted through a snapped opening at the wing. This means that not only is the front of the diaper less bulky, but this is a very Daddy or babysitter friendly diaper, even for those who prefer Velcro. One you’ve adjusted the size, you’re set. There’s no figuring out which snap to use!
The 5 sizes are newborn (5-10 lbs), infant (10-18 lbs), crawler (15-22 lbs), walker (22-34 lbs) & potty (34+ lbs). I think you could also call these XS, S, M, L & XL. The packaging has recommended settings for each size. To keep things simple, I’ve taken photos of each size measured folded and stretched, set on the same setting for waist & legs (4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st and 0.)
Here is the Newborn/XS setting, 4th button hole for each leg, 4th on one side of the waist and 3rd on the other (couldn’t quite get it tight enough to do on both sides!)
Infant/Small/Setting 3 on Waist & Legs:
Crawler/Medium/Setting 2 on Waist & Legs:
Walker/Large/Setting 1 on Waist & Legs:
Potty/XL/Setting 0 on Waist & Legs:
When the diaper is “right side out,” the front of the diaper snaps to the wings, like a traditional side snapping diaper. When you reverse it, it still snaps on the side (vs the front) but the back of the diaper comes around to snap on the front panel of the diaper. It sounds complex, but it’s really quite simple. I was wondering how it would work!
I figured my 22 ish pound, 22 month old son would fit well in the walker setting. I knew the organic inserts would shrink when I prepped them. Initially, they were quite large!
Here is the insert measured before prepping (washing & drying 3+ times.)
After prepping:
After prepping, the inserts fit wonderfully in the walker size, without needing to fold them.
I probably could adjust the size even a little bit more; the beauty is that just taking a few minutes to get just the right fit, makes diaper changes super easy until you need to size up!
The diaper looked adorable, but also performed very well. The inserts are super absorbent, fit well with no shifting or leaking, and are very easy to use.
It was very easy to remove the wet insert, and reuse the shell, reversed for a change of pace!
Now I understand why people like Sprout Change so much! Shells retail for $16.95 separately, Stay Dry inserts are $4.75 and organic inserts are $5.75. You can save more by buying insert 6-packs or diaper packages/bundles!
FTC compliance: I received the above item at no charge in order to review it. I was not otherwise compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.
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Bippy Diapers sells cloth diapers, accessories and Moby Wraps, and they sent me a GroVia AI2 in blackberry to review. I’ve been curious about GroVia (love GroVia wipes) but haven’t had a chance to try one until now.
GroVia diapers come in snap or aplix closures. The aplix closure diapers have tuck under laundry tabs. I did find them a little tough because the loop to tuck under is made of the same soft, but grabby material as the front of the diaper, so they wanted to grab on!
The GroVia pack I received (includes a shell and insert) is being discontinued. In the future you will have to buy the shell and insert separately, but Bippy Diapers still has the sets in stock while they last! Bippy Diapers sells the sets for $20.95, or shells alone for $16.95.
The GroVia shell is waterproof and the organic cotton soaker is backed with TPU as well. The soaker also has its own elastic, for an additional defense against blowouts. If the shell is clean, you can re-use it by snapping in a new soaker. If it’s damp, let it air dry between uses. If it’s soiled or very wet, you will of course need to wash it!
The GroVia is one-size via a snap down rise, and is estimated to fit babies from 8-35 pounds.
You don’t have to worry about a Velcro strip rubbing baby’s belly because there isn’t one! The whole upper front of the diaper is soft fabric that the tabs will stick to.
I think the blackberry is a nice purple; not too girly for a boy!
Here’s the diaper on the small setting, folded and stretched:
Medium:
Large:
The medium setting fit well on my 21ish pound little guy. Yes, I realize I have it closed crooked. Diapering this child is like trying to diaper an angry donkey sometimes! I actually really like Velcro closure diapers for this reason, I’m much faster with them than with snaps! Despite the uneven closure, I didn’t have any trouble with the fit or leaks!
Bippy Diapers sells other AI2s, plus AIOs, Pockets, Covers and accessories. Items new to the store include Bumgenius brights, GroVia prints and Moby Wraps. They offer free shipping on regular orders over $50, and flat $5 shipping on discounted orders, or orders under $50.
Giveaway: Bippy Diapers is offering one of my readers a GroVia set in their choice of boy, girl or gender neutral color (Bippy Diapers chooses the color.) ARV $20.95.Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. I love your comments (leaving a comment is a good way to remind yourself you entered), but comments don’t count as entries! Mandatory entries include name, email address and what else you’d like to try from Bippy Diapers . You can receive a bonus entry if you “like” Bippy Diapers on Facebook.
I will accept entries until Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 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.
# of entries received as of January 25th at 8:55 P.M.: 300
https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dFl2WFdYUXBxMFBTeS03blpaa00tM0E6MQ
FTC compliance: Bippy Diapers sent the above product at no cost, for review purposes. I was not otherwise compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.
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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!
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!
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.
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:
Medium setting folded and stretched:
Large setting folded and 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.
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:
Measured along the long side:
In the cover on the small setting:
In the cover on the 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!
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.
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.
Maria wants to live in a world where cloth diapers are the norm and moms can make parenting choices without judgement. When she’s not chasing her 18, 14 and 11-year old kids around, you might find her checking out the latest gadgets, organizing something (again) or exercising in the fresh air. Read More »
