Category : Made in the USA

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Thirsties Size 1 Duo Wrap & Duo Hemp Prefold Review and Giveaway (CLOSED 1/20)

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Thirsties Duo Wrap and Hemp Prefold

I had a gift certificate to an online store that sells cloth diapers.  I don’t really need any more diapers, so in true cloth diaper addict form, I figured I’d buy some eeny teeny diapers for the newborn I don’t have (and no, I’m not pregnant either!)  One of them was the Thirsties Duo Wrap in honeydew (MSRP $12.75) and duo hemp prefold (MSRP $7.00)

Thirsties Duo Hemp Prefold

We’re still using the size 2 Thirsties Duo Diaper I reviewed last year, and I was curious about how the size 1 compared.  I’m not really a prefold & cover mama (sometimes I think either you are or you aren’t!) but I think they would really come in handy for diapering a newborn.  I know my kids could go through 15+ diapers per day as a newborn, and it would be way too expensive to buy a newborn stash of pocket diapers (my favorite), especially when you’re not entirely sure how long you’ll be using them.

loop construction for faster drying

The prefold is super soft, and it is sewn such that each portion is only two layers thick, for more thorough washing and faster drying. 
 
I measured the prefold before prepping:
 
size 1 duo hemp prefold width pre-prepping size 1 thirsties prefold length before prepping

and after prepping (washing and drying 3 times to remove natural oils and fluff up the fibers):

size 1 duo hemp prefold width after prepping thirsties size 1 prefold length after prepping

It shrunk quite a bit in length, and ended up nearly square.

thirsties laundry tabs

The wraps are available in snap or aplix closures, but I chose the aplix.  Our duo diaper is also aplix, and after more than 7 months in our regular rotation, the aplix laundry tabs show no signs of wear and we have no issues at all.

wipeable inner and double leg gussets

The wrap has the same Thirsties double leg gussets as the duo diaper, but instead of a lining and pocket, it just has a wipe-able inner.

3 size settings

The wraps are a “duo” 2-stage system, where each size has three rise snap size adjustments.  Typically, people have to buy newborn size diapers when “one size” diapers don’t fit their newborn.  Then they buy one-size diapers, often followed by large/toddler size diapers when the child outgrows the one size.  With the Thirsties Duo system, the size 1 fits 6-18 pounds, and the size 2 fits 18-40 pounds, making only two sizes necessary.

Note: In the pictures below, I have the prefold tucked under the PUL flap.  This was incorrect and my mistake since I’m used to other diaper covers that have this flap to hold the insert on place.  Thirsties actually puts this flap there to protect the snaps and stitching from touching the wet prefold or insert (it doesn’t have the additional layer over that area like the Flip does.)  Tucking it in can lead to compression leaks, so don’t do what I did!

Here’s the size 1 on the small setting, folded and stretched (as always, my measurements are to give you an idea of how diapers compare, it’s not an exact science!)

size 1 duo wrap small folded size 1 thirsties wrap small stretched
folding hemp prefold to fit cover small setting with trifolded prefold

thirsties duo wrap small

Medium:

cloth diaper wrap medium folded staged diaper cover medium stretched

prefold in cover medium setting size 1 duo wrap medium

Large:

thirsties duo wrap sz 1 large large setting stretched

thirsties size 1 duo wrap large

Here’s the duo wrap size 1 compared to the duo diaper size 2 (both on the small setting):

thirsties size 1 vs size 2Thirsties dup wrap size 1 vs duo diaper size 2

Here is the duo diaper size 2 (small setting) and the duo wrap size 1 large setting) on my 21ish lb son, both taken the same day:

thirsties size 2 duo diaper small setting 21 lb baby thirsties size 1 duo wrap large setting 21 lb baby

Since I don’t have a newborn tester, I had to call in my usual newborn diaper model.

my diaper model

To compare, here he is in a newborn disposable:

newborn frontnewborn back

The wrap is recommended for use over trifolded prefolds or trim fitteds.  For bulkier systems, Thirsties suggests their diaper covers.  I tried the wrap over a Kissaluvs Size 0 Fitted and it fit just fine.

thirsties duo wrap over kissaluvs fitted

Don’t laugh at me, I don’t have much experience with prefolds, but I wanted to try to snappi the prefold in addition to trifolding it.

thirsties dup hemp prefold ize 1 snappied

Here’s my model in the size 1 wrap with trifolded prefold, on the small setting:

thirsties size 1 duo wrap small setting trifolded prefoldthirsties size 1 duo wrap rear

I love Thirsties products and I think the stay dry duo insert would make this an even more fantastic system!  My only complaint is that I have a heck of a time typing “duo.”  I type “dup” nearly every time, LOL! See fit on my newborn.

Giveaway: Thirsties is offering one lucky reader a Duo Wrap and Prefold in his/her choice of size, color and closure!

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below.  I love your comments, but comments don’t count as entries!  Mandatory entries include name, email address and your favorite Thirsties product, or one you’d love to try.  You can receive a bonus entry if you “like” Thirsties on Facebook

I will accept entries until Thursday, January 20th, 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 20th at giveaway close: 220

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dDIwdVZUY2FQRENvSGxhdUItOVBHUGc6MQ

FTC compliance: While Thirsties is sending a product to the giveaway winner, I was not given products or other compensation for this post and all opinions are my own.

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All In One Diapers Cloth Diapers Made in the USA Review Sized Diapers Velcro/Aplix Closure

Bumkins Dr. Seuss AIO Cloth Diaper Bundle Review

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Bumkins Dr. Seuss Cloth Diaper Bundle

I was lucky and won a Bumkins Dr. Seuss Cloth Diaper Bundle in size large from Knocked up and Nursing!
 
The bundle came with three AIO Diapers, which retail for $17.95 each (list price $24.95.)
 

3 Bumkins AIO Cloth Diapers

Three absorbency inserts (retail $9.95 for a pack of three)…
 

3 doublers

and a wet bag (retail $9.95, list price $10.95).
 

Bumkins Cloth Diaper Wet Bag

My first impression of the diapers were that they reminded me of Kushies diapers, and that they were huge!  Here is one (bottom) compared to some other diapers I had in the laundry room:
 

Bumkins Large vs One Size Cloth Diapers

They are very wide, and also had a fairly high rise.  Keep in mind that my measurements aren’t an exact science.  I noticed that I didn’t have it folded exactly in half in the second picture here:
 
Width of Bumkins Large AIO DiaperLarge AIO folded

The elastic isn’t very tight, so it didn’t get too much bigger when stretched:
 

Stretched 
The laundry tab is just a single flap against the right closure tab.  I assume you are to overlap the other tab for laundering.
Laundry Tabs Laundry Tabs Closed
As I said, I received the size large, which is estimated to fit 22-32 pounds, according to their size chart.  My son was 20 pounds 6 weeks ago at his 18-month checkup, so he’s definitely close to the low end of the weight range.  They also have small (6-12 lbs), medium (12-22 lbs), x-large (32-42 lbs) and youth (42+ lbs).  They have some really cute prints, but the youth size comes in white only.
Like the Kushies, the diaper is pretty simple.  The outer feels like windbreaker material (lead safe, PVC, phthlate and vinyl free) and it has 6 layers of cotton flannel (sewn in an “airflow panel” for faster drying) and simple leg elastic.  The rear elastic is closer to the sides of the diaper.  There isn’t any along the middle of the back.
Inner Rear rear of aio diapers
bumkins aio soaker and leg elastic

Since the instructions said the diapers would shrink, I decided to wash and dry one three times to give it a fair shake.  While I was doing that, I took a look at the wet bag.

It measures 13″ x 11″, has a drawstring toggle closure, and has simple construction.

Bumkins Cloth Diaper Wet Bag Length wet bag width

Inner and drawstring of bumkins wetbag

It’s not enormous, but it held three of these big diapers just fine!

3 large diapers in wet bagclosed wet bag

So after three washes (drying in the dryer between washes, to make it a little faster)…

after prepping bumkins aio

It looked exactly the same!  The blue diaper had been prepped, the other had not.  I went ahead and tried it on my little guy anyway.

large bumkins diaper on 21ish lb babyvery wide

leg gap

It was way too big!  With that leg gap, I didn’t dare leave it on him, so I took it off.  While I’d certainly use Bumkins (in a smaller size) if that were my only option other than disposables, I’m a little shocked by the price.  They do come in cute prints, but they cost as much as Bumgenius pocket diapers, even as much as the Bumgenius Organic AIO if you go based on list price!  I can think of at least a half-dozen diapers that have more bells and whistles, for the same cost or less.  I was truly surprised when I looked at their site and saw the price, I thought for sure they would be around $10 each.
 
I don’t want to sound ungrateful, I am very thankful to Knocked up and Nursing for the giveaway, especially getting it to me so quickly, even though she had just had a baby!  That said, I think I will be donating these to The Cloth Diaper Foundation, so another family with a bigger baby can pad their stash!
 
FTC compliance: The pictured items were won from a blog giveaway.  I was not compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.

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Cloth Diapering Cloth Diapers Diaper Accessories Made in the USA Review Storage

Planet Wise Changing Pad Review and My New Diaper Storage

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planet wise changing pad

Until now, I had just been changing my son’s diapers directly on the leather couch.  It’s easy to just wipe it off, but it occurred to me that this might be a little gross (ha ha.)  The Planet Wise Changing Pad retails for $11.99 and I snagged one for even less with a Black Friday sale/coupon/free shipping.

cloth diaper changing pad

The changing pad comes in several colors, but I wish they had some of the cute prints the wet bags come in! They do have them in the prints for $16.50, they just don’t have them listed on their site, and of course not everyone who sells the changing pads has the prints.  Thanks Samuel’s Momma!
 

care instructions

The white side is super soft (I mean soft!) fleece, and the colored side is PUL, so it’s waterproof.  Of course, since it’s fleece, it’s not wipe-able like the plastic ones that come with some diaper bags.  So, you’ll probably want to have at least two on hand.  It is simple to wash with diapers and dries quickly.
 
length of planet wise changing padwidth of planet wise changing pad

The specs say it is 13×21, and that’s pretty close.

 

size of changing pad folded

 
Even though it’s not wipe-able, it has a leg up on the old plastic changing pads because you can fold it up really tiny and stuff it in a bag!
 
This revelation about the possible grossness of couch diaper changing came along with a furniture rearrange in our family room.  I used to have my diapers stacked on a ledge by the couch, but we shifted things so that we have a “family room” on one side of the room and a “play room” on the other side.  This means my diaper ledge was no longer handy, and I really didn’t love how they looked out in the open anyway.
 

cloth diaper storage

 
I ended up at Target on Black Friday (OMG I know, horrors!) because my 11-year old hair dryer decided to die on me while I was trying to get ready for a baby shower that morning.  Incidentally, boiling your hair dry with a straightening iron isn’t really all that effective, and leaves you smelling like burned hair.
 

cloth diaper organization

 
In any case, I found this “milk crate” size basket for about $17, and it’s the perfect size to hold all my stuff.  I’m also able to tuck it back behind the end table, so I can reach it, but sticky-fingers McStinkypants can’t.
 

Baskets make me happy.  Oh who am I kidding?  Any organization makes me happy!
How about you all?  Did you get anything fluff related with all the great Black Friday sales?
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Detergents Giveaway Made in the USA Repelling Review Stink Stripping Washing

Rockin Green Funk Rock & Mighty Mighty Marshmallow Classic Rock Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 11/30)

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cloth diaper detergent

In my opinion, wash routine and detergent are the biggest hurdle in cloth diapering.  My personal motto is “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”  If you have a detergent and wash routine that are working for you, stick with it.  After trying many different detergents, I’ve been using Tide powder, with an extra rinse and an occasional bleaching.

So why am I messing with it?  I was sucked in by the new Rockin’ Green Funk Rock Ammonia Bouncer, thinking that maybe by using it, I could eliminate the monthly/semi-monthly bleaching.  I decided to also buy a bag of the mighty mighty marshmallow classic rock detergent to use along with it.  Lucky for you, I bought an extra bag of each to give away to a reader!

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A Year of Fluff Cloth Diapers Diaper Covers Fleece Giveaway Made in the USA Review Sized Diapers WAHM made

Monster Fluff Embroidered Fleece Soaker/Diaper Cover Review and Giveaway Open to the U.S. and Canada (CLOSED 11/6)

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monster fluff soaker

Long ago and far away, I asked (on Facebook) what you guys would like to see me review, and Monster Fluff was mentioned!  I had found Monster Fluff myself on Hyenacart quite a while ago when searching for monster stuff, but I hadn’t pulled the trigger on a purchase yet! So, I was excited to get to do this review!

my son and the cover

I love monsters but honest to goodness, it’s not just me!  My son grabbed it from me when I opened it, just like he did with my (err…his) ooga diaper!

monster fluff fleece soaker embroiderymonster fluff side

fleece diaper cover front

I received the Archie monster, embroidered on a size medium soaker.  The embroidered soakers retail for $22, and while the size chart doesn’t give weight estimates, the medium fit my 18.5 lb guy just fine. 
 

inside diaper cover

The soakers are made with 100% polyester anti-pill fleece and each monster averages 14,000 stitches.  The soakers have an additional layer sewn into the wet zone, which also covers the embroidery backing.

Monster Fluff products are made by mom & daughter team Debbie and Amber.  Don’t let the name fool you, they don’t just have monsters.  They have tons of embroidery options available on soakers, shorties, longies and matching sets.

neat and even seamsadditional layer in wet zone

The craftsmanship of the soaker is really amazing.  I turned it inside out and inspected it, and the fleece is cut neatly and sewn impeccably.

close up of seams

The embroidery is clearly done by an embroidery machine, rather than by hand (Can you imagine?  Yikes.  Hand cramp!)  Even so, it takes skill!

close up of embroidery very close up shot of embroidery

The monster was centered and straight on the soaker, and there were no loose threads!

trim little beetle fitted

First, I tried the soaker on over the trimmest fitted I have, the Little Beetle Little to Big Diaper.

monster fluff over little beetle diaper mf soaker over lb diaper side

My son is about 18.5 lbs here and the diaper is on the largest setting.

fleece cover over little beetle diaper back monster fluff over little beetle standing rear

I didn’t have trouble getting the soaker over the diaper, and it fit very well.  The first time I changed his diaper when I was using the soaker, the fitted was wet on the outside, but the soaker seemed clean.  Gross maybe, but I sniffed it and used it again!  If I were exclusively using fitteds, I would perhaps use 2 soakers per day and air them out between uses, of course washing them if they got smelly or soiled.  Otherwise, I’d just wash them at the end of the day!

fleece cover over trim diaper standing front

Next, I decided to try the soaker over one of my fluffiest, most absorbent fitteds, my Heartland Dreams Fitted.

fluffy heartland dreams fitted

It wasn’t difficult to get the soaker over the diaper, but I did have to work it a little, it didn’t just slide right on.  Fleece isn’t as stretchy as wool, but it fit really well over both a very trim fitted, and a fluffy one!

monster fluff soaker over heartland dreams fittedmonster fluff soaker over heartland dreams fitted rear side

The suggested care for Monster Fluff fleece is:  Turn inside out, machine wash warm, delicate cycle. Tumble dry low.  They suggest washing their fleece items with your regular laundry.  Oops.  I saw this after I washed, used and washed it again!  I didn’t turn it inside out and I washed it on the regular cycle with my diapers, so cold, then hot.  I hung it to dry with my shells/covers.  I’ll be more careful in the future!

fleece cover over fluffy fitted side fleece cover over thick diaper rear

I think the Monster Fluff soaker is awesome.  Not only is it a well made, very functional soaker, but it’s adorable too!  I’d love to have a custom with longies and a matching shirt!

Giveaway:  Monster Fluff is offering one reader a soaker in his/her choice of size, gender and monster! 


Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below.  I’d love for you to leave a comment (great way to remember you entered!) but comments don’t count as entries.  Mandatory entries include name, email address and your favorite Monster Fluff item.  You may receive a bonus entry if you are a new or current “liker” of Monster Fluff Studio on Facebook.  Post will be updated regularly with the # of entries received.


I will accept entries until Saturday, November 6th, 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 residents of the U.S. and Canada. Monster Fluff Studio also offers free shipping to Canadians!

Entries as of November 6th, 2010 at Giveaway close: 205

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dHkxeHFNSGhESDQ0c2hhWVdlWnRZMVE6MQ

FTC Compliance: Monster Fluff sent me the pictured soaker at no charge, for review purposes.  I was not requested or required to write a positive review, I was not otherwise compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.

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