11 – Convincing Others That Cloth is Awesome

Oct 10,2011 / By Maria / 8 Comments

The Mailbox Mondays feature is where I answer a reader submitted question, and ask my readers to help too!

Questions don’t have to be cloth diaper related, just email maria at change-diapers.com with “Mailbox Mondays” in the subject, or fill out my contact form for readers, which you will always be able to find on my Contact Page.

This week’s is sort of a multi-parter, but both of my askers (that’s probably not a word, is it?) already know that cloth rocks, they just need help convincing someone they love!

Dodie says:

Hello I am writing this to find a way for one of my daughters to know the savings and the reason that cloth is much better than disposables. Can you explain to me the difference in the diapers and what you need to know for a new mother?

Thank you

0

Bumgenius XS / Newborn AIO Cloth Diaper Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 10/14) US/CAN

Oct 7,2011 / By Maria / 18 Comments

My newborn cloth diaper stash just wouldn’t be complete without a Bumgenius newborn diaper!

Bumgenius 4.0s are designed to fit babies from 7-35 pounds, though I have heard some people say they don’t fit well until 8-10 lbs (depending on baby’s shape.) I will find out soon enough, since we started cloth diapering my son when he was over 14 lbs and needed the medium setting of Bumgenius 3.0s. (He is about 26 lbs, 28 months old and still in mediums!) Anyhoo, the XS/Newborn AIO is designed to bridge the gap there, and fit babies from 6-12 lbs. At just $12.95 each, I think they are very reasonably priced.

They have velcro closures, which I still think are the easiest! I know many people prefer snaps because of their longevity vs. velcro, but I figure most people won’t use newborn diapers long enough to notice. I definitely think velcro will make it easy for middle of the night changes, and trying to change diapers as quickly as possible. That’s assuming your babies scream bloody murder when they are put down, let alone diapered, like mine did. 😉 Since they are so small, they have just one laundry tab in the middle, and the other closure tab goes on the overlap of the first one.

They look just like the one size diapers as far as the leg elastic and the stay dry inner. However, the soaker is sewn in. The now discontinued Bumgenius sized AIOs in small, medium and large had an additional pocket to add absorbency. This also allowed you to turn the diaper inside out to get the insert cleaner. The XS doesn’t have this pocket. I don’t love AIOs as much as I do pockets and I wish Bumgenius would release an XS pocket diaper, or a mini one size pocket diaper. Hint, hint, hint… 😉

Here is the XS measured folded and stretched:

They are definitely a bit smaller than the one size diapers, but not really any narrower/trimmer through the crotch. It seems a bit larger than some of the other newborn diapers I have. I’m guessing I will either have to fold it down under the umbilical cord, or gently place it over. Of course, that also means it will fit longer!

Here’s my “model” in a newborn disposable and a size 1 disposable:

In the Bumgenius XS/Newborn AIO:

See my update after using this on a baby.

Giveaway: One reader will receive a Bumgenius XS/Newborn AIO cloth diaper in their choice of color (subject to availability.) Diaper will be purchased by me from my choice of reputable online cloth diaper retailer.

0

Friday Giveaway Linky Giveaways Linky

Cloth Diaper Giveaway Roundup for 10/7/11 (Plus Linky for all Giveaways)

Oct 7,2011 / By Maria / 2 Comments

Cloth diaper giveaway time! Each Friday, I list cloth diaper, accessory and baby wearing giveaways from all over the blogosphere, so you don’t have to hunt for them.

If you’d like me to list your cloth diaper, accessory, baby wearing (etc.) giveaway next week, send a link and description to maria at change-diapers.com, or Fill out my contact form for readers.

My AMP Sized Duo Cloth Diaper giveaway ends 10/11 and is open to the U.S. and Canada RC

My Thirsties Duo Cloth Diaper Giveaway ends 10/13 and is open to the U.S. and Canada

RC

My Bumgenius Newborn Cloth Diaper Giveaway ends 10/14 and is open to the U.S. and Canada RC

My giveaway for 3 Bumgenius 4.0 Cloth Diapers ends 10/17 and is open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*Prizes from Fuzzibunz (no set end date, ends at 25k fans) Entry is through Facebook app, must “like” them on Facebook to enter

*GroVia Hybrid Trial Pack from Happenings of the Harper Household Mandatory GFC follow (ends 10/7) RC

*Buns Up Baby Diaper from Brookie’s Baby Bargains Mandatory GFC follow (ends 10/7) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Real Nappies Intro Pack from Ecomomical Me (ends 10/7) RC

Thirsties Duo Diaper from Breastfeed Babywear Cloth Diaper Mandatory GFC follow (ends 10/7) RC

*Real Nappies Cover & Prefold from Mama on a Green Mission (ends 10/8) RC Open Worldwide (outside U.S. pays shipping)

*Real Nappies Prefold & Cover from Formula Mom (ends 10/8) RC

*Bee Bop Baby Cover from Cloth Diaper Addiction (ends 10/8) GD

Earthsling from Mommy of 1 and Counting (ends 10/9)

*Knickernappies Diaper from Wee Little Changes (ends 10/9)

*Cloth Diaper Insert from Cotton Bottom Mama (ends 10/9)

*Rumparooz Lil Joey from The Green Nursery & The Tree Huggin’ Mama Mandatory GFC follow (ends 10/9) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*3 Bumgenius Freetime Diapers from Diaper Junction and Cloth Diaper Geek (ends 10/9) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*Fuzzibunz or Rumparooz Diaper from Changing Diapers and The Reynolds Mom (ends 10/9) RC

*Kiwi Pie Diaper from The Green Nursery and Life with my Littles (10/9) RC

*Thirsties Duo Wrap & Inserts from Crunchy Katie Mandatory GFC follow (ends 10/9) RC

*Bummis Prefold & Cover from Take Time to Smell the Rose Mandatory GFC follow (ends 10/9) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Boba Baby Carrier from Everything Mom and Baby Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 10/9) RC

*Fuzzibunz Diaper from Changing Diapers and One Little Mister (ends 10/10) RC

*Itti Bitti Tutto from Beautifully Bella Faith (ends 10/10) RC

*Pognae Baby Carrier from Thrifty Nifty Mommy (ends 10/10) GD

*Babykicks Diaper from Mama Dweeb (ends 10/10) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Sew is Your Baby Diaper from Cloth Diaper Contests & Giveaways (ends 10/10) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*Rockin’ Baby Sling from Everything Mom & Baby (ends 10/11) Open to the U.S. and Canada GD

*Thirsties Duo Diaper from Formula Mom (ends 10/11) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*Babylegs from The Tree Huggin Momma Mandatory GFC follow and Facebook “like” (ends 10/11) RC

5 Cloth Diapers from Anderson’s Angels Mandatory GFC follow (ends 10/11) RC

Fuzzibunz Diaper, $20 Sandbox Lane GC & Rockin’ Green Detergent from According to Jenny Mandatory GFC follow (ends 10/11) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

2 Thirsties Duo Diapers (ends 10/11) RC

*$10 Everything Birth GC from Fluffy Bums (ends 10/12) RC

*$20 Country Drawers GC from The Tree Huggin’ Mama Mandatory GFC follow (ends 10/12) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm from The Little Hedgehog Mandatory GFC follow (ends 10/12) RC

Happy Heinys Diapers from Cloth Diaper Blog (ends 10/12) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*Swaddlebees Simplex Diaper from Sweep Tight (ends 10/13) RC

Best Bottom Diaper from The Tree Huggin Mama Mandatory GFC follow (ends 10/13) RC

$15 Eco Mom GC from Mindfully Frugal Mom Mandatory GFC follow and Facebook “like” (ends 10/13) RC

$25 Diaper Daisy GC from Baby Dickey (ends 10/13) RC

Planet Wise Wet/Dry Bags from Kelly Wels (ends 10/13) RC

GoGreen Champ Pocket Diaper from Measuring Flower Mandatory GFC follow (ends 10/14) RC

Softbums Diaper from Crazy 4 Fluff Mandatory GFC follow (ends 10/14)

Onya Baby Carrier from Everything Mom and Baby (ends 10/14) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Palm Tree Diaper Cover from Cloth Diaper Outlet and Life with My Littles Mandatory GFC follow (ends 10/14) RC

*Fuzzibunz or Rumparooz Diaper from Changing Diapers & Padded Tush Stats (ends 10/15) GD

Bummas Wipes from Girly Girl Giveaways Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 10/16)

Mini Maestro Newborn Cloth Diaper Bundle from The Tree Huggin Mama Mandatory GFC follow (ends 10/17) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Fuzzibunz or Rumparooz Diaper from Changing Diapers and West Coast Mama (ends 10/17)

Glow Bug Diapers from Formula Mom (ends 10/17) Open to the U.S. and Canada

United by Fluff Cloth Wipes from Dibs (ends 10/17) RC

*Action Baby Carrier from Dibs (ends 10/18) GD

Tiny Tush Diaper from Job Description Mommy (ends 10/18)

Fuzzibunz or Rumparooz Diaper from Changing Diapers and Eco Baby Mama Drama (ends 10/18)

*$20 Haute Bottoms GC from Baby Giveaways Galore Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 10/19) RC

$10 Zippy Doo Diapers GC from Emily’s Latest (ends 10/19) RC

Envibum Diaper from The Tree Huggin Mama Mandatory GFC follow (ends 10/19) RC

Itti Bitti Tutto from Bippy Baby (ends 10/21) RC

Wool Liners from Babee Greens and Midwestern Moms (ends 10/21) RC

$25 EcoMom GF from Sapsmama Mandatory GFC follow (ends 10/23) RC

Beco Baby Carrier from Peace Love & Poop Mandatory GFC follow and Facebook “like” (ends 10/31) RC

*giveaways that have been listed in a prior week’s roundup
RC Entries collected via Rafflecopter
GD Entries collected via Google Docs Form

You may enter any “family friendly” giveaway in the linky below. The form Blog name – Giveaway Item – Ending date works well. Please at least include the item and end date, and link directly to the giveaway.

View my where I list my giveaways post, to find more places to link up your giveaways!

0

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Bumgenius Freetime Cloth Diapers from Diaper Junction – Winner!

Oct 6,2011 / By Maria / 1 Comment

Whew!! After I sorted through all these entries, there were 380 unique entrants, and 1513 valid entries!!

The winning entry is #571, which is Krystyn.

Congrats Krystyn, I’m sending you an email now!

0

Thirsties Duo Cloth Diaper Giveaway (CLOSED 10/13) US/Canada

Oct 6,2011 / By Maria / 15 Comments

I bought my Thirsties Duo Diaper and published my Thirsties Duo Diaper review about 16 months ago. Take a look at it for all the detailed photos, info and measurements! (It is one that migrated from blogger to WordPress, so the text is a little squished, sorry! Manually fixing the spacing on all those posts is on my to-do list!)

16 months later and I still love this diaper. I bought the size two, which fit my son at a year old, and still fits him at 28 months old, with lots of room to grow. I haven’t had any of the longevity issues with the Velcro that I’ve had with some other diapers.

The Duo Diapers are “one-size style” with 3 snap down rise settings, but they come in two sizes. Size 1 is estimated to fit 6-18 lbs and size 2 fits 18-40 lbs. This means that two sizes of diapers should get you all the way through potty training.

I love this diaper not only because the open-on-both-ends pocket actually does allow the insert to agitate out in the wash, but for the insert itself. It’s actually two inserts that snap together: a 2-layer microfiber insert and a 5 layer 55% hemp, 45% cotton insert. You don’t need to unsnap them to wash, and not being sewn together means they are easier to get clean. I did notice that over time, they shrunk a little unevenly so they don’t lay exactly flat against each other, but once they’re in the diaper, you can’t tell. The microfiber/hemp combo is a favorite of mine. Put the microfiber side closest to baby so the moisture is wicked away quickly, then the hemp layer underneath locks it away. This is definitely a reliable “car ride” diaper!

The Duo Diaper retails for $18.50 in solid colors, and Thirsties just added “mud” (brown) to the lineup! The prints, including the adorable owl print, retail for $19.50. Thirsties also just announced that the Duo Diapers are now available with snap closures!!

Be sure to request a Thirsties print catalog and “like” Thirsties on Facebook!

Giveaway: Thirsties is offering one winner a duo diaper in his/her choice of size (one: 6-18 lb or two: 18-40 lb), solid color and closure (subject to availability!) ARV $18.50. Entries go in the Rafflecopter form.

0