Bumgenius Freetime All-in-One One-Size Cloth Diaper Review

Nov 28,2011 / By Maria / 19 Comments

I was on pins & needles when Bumgenius announced their new products/colors. Although AIO diapers aren’t my favorite, I had to pre-order a Bumgenius Freetime one-size AIO cloth diaper. I had to. I’m sure you understand. 😉 I chose the new color, mirror.

Since the Bumgenius Sized AIO diaper was discontinued (except the newborn AIO), the only Bumgenius AIO option was the elemental organic AIO. So, no option for those of us who prefer a stay-dry inner and/or hook & loop closures (I also prefer the encased leg elastic of the 4.0s and the old sized AIOs.)

I like hook & loop diapers, but the 4.0 H&L is the first that has held up well for me. I don’t have anything against snap diapers, but my husband really prefers the Velcro, and will dig through the pile to find one. I know he’ll never complain about me buying another diaper as long as it’s Velcro, tee-hee!! The Freetime has the same hook & loop that the 4.0 diapers have. (It also has the easily replaceable elastic the 4.0 has.)

In fact, while we’re comparing, let’s go ahead and see how they look compared to the 4.0 pocket diapers.

The Freetime and the 4.0 pocket diaper shells are very much the same as far as shape, size, cut, fit and so forth. (Stretchy tabs, available in snap or hook & loop closures, one size via snap down rise, leg elastic etc.) You can see a few subtle differences as far as the PUL at the front & back of the diapers.

Obviously, the big difference is that while the Bumgenius 4.0 is a pocket diaper, the Freetime is an AIO. One of the things I dislike most about an AIO is how difficult it can be to get the soakers clean. I tend to turn my sized AIO inside out to wash it! The Freetime has two microfiber flap soakers topped with microfleece; one sewn at the front & one at the back (they look a lot like the stay-dry flip inserts.)

The soakers have lines to help guide you in folding them. You can fold them all sorts of ways to get the maximum absorbency where you really need it. There’s also an extra layer of microfiber terry sewn into the shell. The shell inner and the soakers are topped with microfleece to keep your baby’s bottom dry.

These are the same size as the Bumgenius 4.0s, so if you like their fit, you will probably like the fit of the Freetime.

Here is the small measured folded & stretched (not an exact science of course!!)

Medium:

Large:

My son is right around 28 pounds, and the medium Freetime fit him the same way the 4.0 medium fits him.

You’ve probably noticed (or you will now!) that my “modeling” photos aren’t perfect. Often the diaper is closed slightly crooked, is a little bunchy etc. etc. It’s not because I’m lazy or don’t want to make the diaper look nice. In actuality, it’s because I am changing a 2 1/2 year old who is usually moving while I do it! This is just how the diapers go on, and I want to test them as I’m likely to use them vs. trying to hold him down for 2 minutes to make the diaper look perfect, because that’s just not realistic for us!

I’ve never been disappointed by a Cottonbabies product, and I’m not disappointed with this one. Still, I wouldn’t buy another one. I, personally, find a pre-stuffed pocket diaper just as easy (if not easier) than an AIO like this, and stuffing the diapers takes about the same amount of time as making sure the soakers are folded properly. At $19.95 each, the Freetime costs $2 more than the 4.0 pocket diaper, and I love that you can easily treat/bleach the pocket inserts separately and/or replace them if needed. You can also toss the inserts in the dryer & hang the shells to dry. With an AIO, you have to either machine dry the whole thing & risk a bit of pre-mature wear & tear on the shells, or wait a bit longer for the whole thing to air dry.

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

Baby Products Eco-Friendly/Green Giveaway Made in the USA Review

Naturepedic 2-in-1 Organic Crib Mattress Review & Changing Pad Giveaway (CLOSED 11/29)

Nov 22,2011 / By Maria / 6 Comments

Post contains affiliate link I mentioned during the virtual baby shower event that I really wanted to get my son a new crib mattress. He was using a hand-me-down mattress from my daughter, which was about 7 years old. It was cheap to begin with, and the side she had been using was cracked. I have no idea what brand it was, but it was white vinyl with pink & blue flowers printed on it, and it was about as far from organic as you can get!

I heard about Naturepedic online and was immediately impressed. They have a long, long list of certifications including: Greenguard, Certified Organic Mattress Manufacturer, Organic Exchange and more. They’ve received numerous awards and recommendations as well.

When my husband as carrying the mattress upstairs for me, he was really surprised to see the “Made in the U.S.A.” sticker. He said something along the lines of “whoa, you don’t often see that!” Yep, Naturepedic products are made in the U.S.A. in Ohio!

From Naturepedic’s website:

Why Choose a Naturepedic Mattress?

Simple. The health and safety of your child should not be negotiable.

Naturepedic products eliminate hazardous chemicals found in conventional mattresses while offering a more natural and non-toxic alternative for parents. In addition, Naturepedic does not sacrifice critical features and benefits such as waterproofing and a hypoallergenic design. With so many “organic/natural/eco” options available (cotton batting, soybean foam, coconut husks, natural latex/rubber, wool, etc.), it can be difficult to differentiate among the various offerings.

Naturepedic was founded by a quarter century environmental engineer familiar with hazardous chemicals. Through in-depth research, Naturepedic has identified and selected the most natural and non-toxic materials that make sense on a practical level. All Naturepedic products follow these principles and priorities:

Priority #1: No harmful chemicals.

Priority #2: No allergenic materials.

Priority #3: Natural, organic and renewable materials wherever possible.

Priority #4: Practical design (e.g. easy-to-clean waterproof cover).

Priority #5: Third party independent testing and verification.

Naturepedic backs up its product development with scientific data. In particular, Naturepedic products are regularly tested for chemical emissions and are certified by GREENGUARD® to meet their strict standards for children.

Naturepedic doesn’t just have crib mattresses, they have twin, full and queen size organic mattresses, organic sheets and pillows, organic mattress pads & toppers and organic mattresses for bassinets, mini cribs, portable cribs, even organic mattresses for oval and round cribs like the Stokke Sleepi!

I was thrilled to receive the 2-in-1 Organic Cotton Ultra Baby Crib & Toddler Mattress.

This mattress is really unique, in that one side is a firm, waterproof organic cotton fabric, and the other is a softer, quilted organic cotton fabric (not waterproof) that looks and feels like a traditional, “grownup” mattress. The filling is organic cotton, and the mattress has 252 coils with heavy duty edge support. The firmness meets pediatrician and CPSC recommendations for crib mattress safety. However, I laid the mattress on the floor and tested it out myself and it was quite comfy!

The hypoallergenic design doesn’t have any wool or latex, and the non-toxic fire protection (based on the unique fire retardant properties of baking soda and hydrated silica permanently bonded to cellulose) meets fire regulations without using questionable chemicals. The organic cotton filling is also significantly less flammable than the polyurethane foam contained in most crib mattresses.

I am using the waterproof side (which isn’t at all gross, crinkly, vinyl-y, hot/sweaty etc.) for now. Any accidents or messes can just be wiped up.

When we switch over to the toddler bed, and my son has the night time potty thing mostly down, we’ll flip the mattress over to the quilted side (using a waterproof pad on top, just in case!)

The crib mattress measures 27.75″ x 52″ x 6″ and also fits toddler beds. The mattress fits snugly, which is recommended for optimum safety. However, I didn’t find it difficult to get the mattress into the crib either. Pardon the wrinkly sheet! It was a clean one I’d just put on and it had been in a drawer, not exactly neatly folded, LOL.

Naturepedic products are premium products that have been designed with the help of pediatricians, orthopedic specialists, chemists, and engineers, so I’m not surprised that the classic crib mattress starts at $259. The 2-in-1 mattress I reviewed retails for $399. However, this is a truly organic crib mattress, with none of the chemicals or hazards associated with traditional mattresses. They are an incredibly high quality product, and I would expect it to last from birth until your child is ready for a twin bed, however long that is. They are even backed with a limited lifetime warranty. Naturepedic is also a family owned business and the products are made in the U.S.A.

You can shop for Naturepedic products on their website, or find a store near you.

Be sure to check out the Naturepedic blog, sign up for the Naturepedic Newsletter, “like” Naturepedic on Facebook, follow Naturepedic on Twitter and subscribe to the Naturepedic YouTube Channel.

~~Naturepedic also sells fabulous Organic Contoured Changing Pads, and one of you is going to win one! This prize has a $99 value!!~~

Organic Changing Pads

Waterproof Organic Cotton Cover

Features a luxurious organic cotton fabric with a clear 100% polyethylene food-grade waterproof coating. Non-allergenic and easy-to-clean.

Organic Cotton Filling

Pure, Natural, and chemical-free

Firm Support

Features Air-Core™, a non-toxic environmentally friendly support layer made from
100% food-grade polyethylene. Air-Core is a network of closed cell air pockets that provide a firm and comfortable base without the toxic properties of polyurethane foam and the allergenic concerns of latex rubber.

Non-Toxic Design

NO Vinyl, PVC, or Phthalates
NO Polyurethane Foam
NO Latex or Wool (for allergy concerns)

2-Sided and 4-Sided Options Available

Features Safety Buckle to Secure Baby while Changing
Easy Snap Screws Secure to Dresser
Measures 16.5″ x 33″ x 4″

Giveaway: One winner will receive a 4-sided organic contoured changing pad (ARV $99.) Entries go in the Rafflecopter form.

All In Two Diapers Cloth Diapering Cloth Diapers Diaper Covers Giveaway How To/Demo Hybrid Diapers Inserts Made in the USA Microfiber Natural Fiber One Size Diapers PUL Review Side Snapping Snap Closure

Diapering Today DVD Review & Giveaway w/ Sprout Change Cloth Diaper (11/24) US/Canada

Nov 17,2011 / By Maria / 5 Comments

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:

Intro (2 min)
Why Cloth (15 min)
How to Use (3 min)
Types (13 min)
Getting Started (10 min)
Washing (10 min)
Cloth on a Budget (4 min)
Community (4 min)

Disc 2

Tips & Tricks (15 min)
Accessories (5 min)
Resources (3 min)
Potty Training (10 min)
Evolution of Diapers (18 min)
Terms (13 min)
Credits (1.5 min)
Trailer (2 min)

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!

Follow The Willow Store on Twitter, “like” The Willow Store on Facebook, and subscribe to the Reusable Future Youtube Channel.

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.

Baby Products Giveaway Review

BreathableBaby Breathable Mesh Crib Liner (Bumper Alternative) Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 11/17)

Nov 10,2011 / By Maria / 5 Comments

You may have heard about cities and states moving to ban traditional, fluffy crib bumpers. We had heard about the suffocation risks associated with traditional bumpers, and tried to do without one when my son was born 2 1/2 years ago. Alas, we got very little sleep since he managed to scoot himself all over the crib & get his arms and legs caught in the slats. I found this really scary because he couldn’t free himself and couldn’t turn himself over until we pried him out. It was astonishing how tightly he could get a chubby little leg jammed in between the slats! Luckily, I heard of BreathableBaby, and we bought one of their mesh crib bumpers (now called mesh crib liners, to distinguish them from traditional, unsafe bumpers.)

The BreathableBaby technology that reduces the risk of suffocation is based on simple physics. The construction of the tiny fibers that make up BreathableBaby’s spacer-mesh fabric will not allow an airtight seal to be created when it’s compressed, making it virtually impossible for a baby to suffocate. BreathableBaby calls this feature Air Channel Technology™ (A.C.T.™). “The ability of air to move through the Breathable Mesh Crib Liner is obvious because you can see and breathe through the fabric,” says Peter Raynor, Ph.D., a public health professor. “More importantly, the Breathable Mesh Crib Liner permits airflow even when it is compressed. Many bumper and bedding fabrics restrict airflow when compressed, thereby increasing the risk of suffocation for an infant,” added Professor Raynor. The best way to understand A.C.T. technology is through personal experience. BreathableBaby makes A.C.T. kits available to the public – submit a request providing full name, street address, city, state and zip code to: customercare@BreathableBaby.com and BreathableBaby will send you an A.C.T. kit at no charge.

The liners come in 6 solid colors (white, pink, blue, yellow, ecru, brown & sage green) for $29.99 each, plus 3 colors with fashion trims and 6 printed designer themes. These fit all styles cribs, plus BreathableBaby has liners to fit portable cribs, and solid end cribs.

The liners truly are breathable. My husband and I both mashed our noses & mouths (we looked super classy I’m sure!) against the mesh and could breathe just fine. The liners attach easily & securely, but they collapse if your child tries to use them to climb. They are hypoallergenic, promote airflow & prevent suffocation or re-breathing carbon dioxide. They tuck below the mattress so you don’t have to worry about your baby getting stuck under the bumper.

The bumper has a long piece and a short piece, and will fit any standard crib (solid back, oval etc.) It came with really easy to follow instructions, and it took me no time at all to put it on. (I thought it was a funny coincidence how similar our crib looks to the one pictured in the instructions!)

I love the new one even more than the one we bought for our son years ago. The front panel is longer, so you can install it with no gaps at all. It also has a single tie for the middle of each panel to keep it more secure and less likely to slide down. The ties are not excessively long, and are on the outside of the crib.

I didn’t keep the instructions for my old one, so it’s possible that I’ve just done something wrong with my install, but the new one is definitely improved!

Don’t wait for your bumper to be recalled, or for your state to ban them. You can find BreathableBaby mesh crib liners at online and brick & mortar retailers throughout the U.S. and Canada!

Follow BreathableBaby on Twitter, “like” BreathableBaby on Facebook, and subscribe to the BreathableBaby Youtube Channel.

Giveaway: One winner will receive a Breathable Baby mesh crib liner in his/her choice of solid color (ARV $29.99.) Entries go in the Rafflecopter form.

Giveaway Made in the USA Natural and Organic Food Natural Personal Care Products Review

Pine Bros. Softish Throat Drops are Back! Review & Giveaway w/$25 CVS Gift Card! (CLOSED 11/15)

Nov 8,2011 / By Maria / 5 Comments

I had just been going through ~~junk~~ treasures that had been in my parents basement for who knows how long. I was thinking I needed to do a nostalgia post about some of the ~~junk~~ um…okay junk, I found to see if I’m the only ~~old person~~ child of the 80’s that remembers this stuff.

Then last month, I got an email that made me gasp out loud (and got me a funny look from my hubby.) After 15 years, Pine Bros. throat drops are being relaunched. I had no idea they had been gone for 15 years! Tell me I’m not the only one that remembers the softish throat drops that would stick your teeth together and came in a little cardboard box?

Pine Brothers Throat Drops were born in 1870 and little has changed since then, even after they were sold to the Life Savers Company in 1930. Their popularity peaked in the 1970’s and after the company changed hands several times, changes were made, sales declined, and the drops eventually disappeared.

Pine Brothers was recently acquired by the creator (and former owner) of Airborne, Victoria Knight-McDowell, for her new company 3 Sisters Home Products. They located the original Pine Brothers recipes, redesigned the packaging, and they are once again being made in America!

The natural throat drops are available in the Natural Honey, Black Licorice and Wild Cherry Flavors that we remember, and will also be available in Lemon Citrus soon.

Natural Honey Ingredients:

Active Ingredient: Glycerin 65 mg

Other Ingredients: Gum Acacia, Sugar, Honey with other natural flavors, Corn Syrup, Water, Sunflower Oil, Carnuba Wax

Wild Cherry Ingredients:

Active Ingredient: Glycerin 65 mg

Other Ingredients: Gum Acacia, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Water, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Sunflower Oil, Colored with Elderberry Concentrate, Carnuba Wax

I love that there’s no dye in them! There are just 5 calories in each drop, and with Glycerin as the active ingredient, you don’t have to worry about giving them to your kids (over age 3, I’d treat them like you would hard candy) even if they just want a yummy drop. 😉

They taste just like I remember, and look the same too! They work best when they aren’t chewed, but it’s hard to resist! Please note: these are manufactured in a facility that processes peanuts and tree nuts.

They are available directly from Pine Brothers, at CVS, Drugstore.com and VermontCountryStore.com

One of you gets the chance to try them (16 pucks!) in an awesome prize package. I’ve mentioned before that I’ve been a big “CVS’er” for the past 4 years, and boy can a $25 gift card go far with the help of Extra Care Bucks. You get a green bag tag and reusable shopping bag too. Every time you use your reusable bag instead of taking a plastic bag, have them scan your green bag tag. After 4 uses, you get a $1 Extra Care Buck!

Giveaway: One winner will receive an awesome Pine Bros. prize package valued at $88.82, which includes: 8 pucks of Natural Honey flavor throat drops, 8 pucks of Wild Cherry flavored throat drops, a $25 CVS gift card, a reusable Pine Bros. shopping bag and a CVS Green Bag Tag!

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Category : Giveaway

Bumgenius Freetime All-in-One One-Size Cloth Diaper Review

Naturepedic 2-in-1 Organic Crib Mattress Review & Changing Pad Giveaway (CLOSED 11/29)

Diapering Today DVD Review & Giveaway w/ Sprout Change Cloth Diaper (11/24) US/Canada

BreathableBaby Breathable Mesh Crib Liner (Bumper Alternative) Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 11/17)

Pine Bros. Softish Throat Drops are Back! Review & Giveaway w/$25 CVS Gift Card! (CLOSED 11/15)

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