Mailbox Mondays 10/11/10

Oct 11,2010 / By Maria / 5 Comments

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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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FuzziBunz Perfect Size Pocket Diaper Winner!

Oct 10,2010 / By Maria / 1 Comment

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The final count went from 279 entries to 270 after I deleted some duplicate entries. In the event of duplicate entries, I’ve been deleting the second and leaving the earlier.

If you entered one without the bonus entry and a second with, I deleted the one without. So far, these have always been one right after the other, likely the entrant immediately realized they forgot to check the box. If in the future I see the bonus entry later down in the list, I will add the bonus entry to the first entry. Hope you’re pickin’ up what I’m layin’ down!

So the lucky winner is entry #249, which is Ceinwyn! Congratulations, I am emailing you now. I hope you will subscribe to my blog so you can get in on all the great giveaways coming up. {{hint, hint!}}

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Bumgenius Elemental (A.K.A. Organic AIO) Review

Oct 9,2010 / By Maria / 10 Comments

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I purchased this Bumgenius Elemental, Organic One-Size All-in-One with the $20 Abby’s Lane gift certificate I won from Show Your Amor the day after my Birthday. Happy Birthday me!

The elementals come with snap closures only, and the price is a little steep at $24.95 each. They are very similar to the Flip or Bumgenius 4.0 in size and shape, but it is certified organic cotton on the inside, and it’s an all-in-one style. Since it’s organic cotton, it does need to be “prepped” by washing 5 or more times, to gain maximum absorbency. I think I may have washed it 3 times before using it the first time, knowing that it would gain absorbency with further washes.

The soaker is sewn in a loop style to dry a bit faster, and wash a bit more thoroughly, but I found it still took quite a while to dry. While the soaker is all organic cotton, there will still be PUL touching the baby’s skin at the front and back (which will serve as a stopper to prevent leaking and wicking.)

The size is very similar to the Bumgenius 4.0, but I prefer the leg elastic style of the 4.0. The elemental is one-size via the same snap down rise the Bumgenius 3.0 & 4.0 Pocket diapers have.

Measurements are of course a wee bit subjective, since you can eke out a little more or less depending on just how you hold it.

Here is the small setting, folded and stretched:

Medium folded and stretched:

Large folded and stretched:

Here it is on my son, who is in the medium setting, at about 18.5 pounds and 30″:

It did fit well, and did not leak (even before it was fully prepped) but I did have to roll the leg elastic in a bit. My personal preference (which you know if you’ve been reading for a while!) is a pocket diaper with a stay dry inner and Velcro closure. However, if you are looking for an easy to use all-in-one with an organic soaker, this may be your ticket!

FTC Compliance: I paid normal retail price for this item, which was purchased using a gift certificate I won. I was not compensated for this review.

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Friday Giveaway Linky Giveaways Linky

Weekly Friday Giveaway Roundup for October 8th, 2010

Oct 8,2010 / By Maria / 2 Comments

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Each Friday, I will post cloth diaper and babywearing giveaways that I’ve found, or that readers have submitted. The post will be accompanied by a linky where you may enter any family friendly (no “adult” products please!) giveaways, they do not need to be diaper related.

If you have a cloth diaper/accessory/babywearing giveaway you would like to be listed in the next giveaway roundup post, please email a link, blog name, giveaway title, end date and photo (if applicable) to maria at change-diapers dot com. I want to keep the featured giveaways to cloth, accessories & babywearing only please.

This week’s giveaway finds:

Giveaways all month long in my Year of Fluff event!

My FuzziBunz Perfect Size Diaper giveaway ends tomorrow, 10/9

My AMP Duo Diaper giveaway ends 10/12

My Rumpsack Pocket Diaper giveaway ends 10/13

My Rocky Mountain Diapers Giveaway ends 10/14

Wee Expressions diaper from Crunchy Beach Mama (ends 10/22)

Two Tot Bots Easy Fit Diapers (ends 10/14)

Bummas Wipes from Mommy’s Firsts (ends 10/14)

BabyLegs package from All Aboard the Review & Giveaway Train (ends 10/10)

Kissaluvs Marvels AIO from Shining to Save (ends 10/30)

$10 Gift Certificate to Snuggle Hugs from Snuggle Hugs & The Cloth Diaper Retailer Cooperative (ends 10/30) – rules are a little confusing, looks like they are allowing entries on Facebook as well?

Planet Wise Wet/Dry Bag from Shining 2 Save (ends 10/30)

Smartipants Smart Fit One Size Cover from Dirty Diaper Laundry (ends 10/18)

Planet Wise Pail Liner from Mommy is Green (ends 10/21)

Apple Cheeks Little Bundle plus 3 second prizes of disposable liners (ends 10/20)

Mother-Ease Sandy’s Fitted Diaper and Air Flow Cover from Shining 2 Save (ends 10/30)

Thirsties Duo Diaper from Chubby Cheeks Thinks (ends 10/20)

Sleepy Wrap from Mom to Bed by 8 (ends 11/2)

Rethink Crafts Diaper Cover from The Cheap and Choosy (ends 11/6)

Thirsties Duo Diaper from It’s Me Melbie (ends 10/27)

Busy Bottomz Pocket Diaper from EtsyClothDiapers (ends 10/13)

Ecobub Diaper from Stuff Parents Need (ends 10/17)

Thirsties Duo Wrap and Stay Dry Insert from Cloth Diaper Addiction (ends 10/20)

Sustainablebabyish Starter Kit from The Girl is a Mom (ends 11/1)

Ergo Baby Carrier from Connected Mom (have to follow the blog and/or join their community) (ends…? 10/31??)

Bummis Easy Fit from Knocked up and Nursing (ends 10/22)

Rocky Mountain Diaper from Chubby Cheeks Thinks (ends 10/22)

Giveaways still running from last week:

Ruby Moon Diaper Detergent from The Small Town Mom (ends today, 10/8)

Happy Heinys Starter Kit from The Shopping Mama (ends today, 10/8)

Sleepy Wrap from The Shopping Mama (ends today, 10/8)

BabeeGreens Cloth Diaper from CakeBlast (ends 10/15)

BabyKicks One Size Fitted from The Cheap and Choosy and Sweet Bottoms Baby Boutique (ends 10/24) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Kissaluvs Marvels AIO from Chubby Cheeks Thinks (ends 10/11)

Knickernappies One Size Diaper from Loves Jurn (ends 10/11)

Planet Wise Mini (Mama Cloth size) Wet Bag from Emmy’s Boos and Rawrs (ends 10/10)

Bum Essentials Diaper from Mama to 3 Blessings and The Baby Plus Store (ends 10/16)

Babee Greens Oranic Fitted from Dirty Diaper Laundry (ends 10/11)

Cloth Diaper Mommy T-Shirt Fitted Diaper from The Cheap and Choosy (ends 10/28)

Knickernappies Diaper from Wee Little Changes (ends 10/28)

Baby Green Pocket AIO from Life of s Slightly Crunch Mom (ends 10/20)

Bummas Wipes from Two Monsters and a Princess (ends 10/14)

Boba Baby Carrier from This Mama Rocks (ends 10/14)

Kissaluvs Marvels One Size Fitted from Trees Will Bend (ends 10/20)

Crystal Rhine Designs Diaper from Coping with Frugality (ends tomorrow, 10/9)

$35 Nifty Nappy Gift Certificate from Cake Blast (ends 10/22)

Bummis Bamboozle Diaper from It’s Me Melbie (ends 10/20)

FuzziBunz One Size Pocket Diaper from Trees Will Bend and Blessing Natural Products (ends today, 10/8)

Fuzzibunz One Size Pocket Diaper from Liz has a Life and The Diaper Wagon (ends today, 10/8)

Bummas Wipes from Natural Baby Giveaways (ends 10/15)

Happy Heinys Diaper from Mommy is Green and DiaperEnvy (ends 10/13)

Mother-Ease Training pants from Arizona Mama (ends tomorrow, 10/9)

Mother-Ease Sandy’s Fitted and Air Flow Cover from The Cheap and Choosy (ends 10/20)

Preston’s Pants Diaper ($25 GC) from Loves Jurn (ends today, 10/8)

Ergo Baby Carrier from 5 Vinez Monkeys (ends today, 10/8)

Ergo Baby Carrier from Mama to 3 Blessings (ends 10/12)

$15 Gift Certificate to The Diaper Wagon from Loves Jurn (ends tomorrow, 10/9)

Bum Essentials Diaper from Luvs Jurn (ends 10/10)

Thirsties Duo Wrap and Duo Hemp Prefold from And Then There Were Four (ends 10/12)

Luvabum Boutique Diaper from Organic Girl (ends 10/25)

Tot Wraps Dream AIO from Life of a Slightly Crunchy SAHM of Drama Queens (ends 10/13)

Kissaluvs Marvels One Size Fitted from The Shopping Mama (ends today, 10/8)

AppleCheeks Little Bundle from Monkey Tales (ends 10/10)

$1000 Super Stash Giveaway (several winners) from The Cloth Diaper Blog/Diaper Junction (ends 10/13)

Babee Greens Diaper from Organic Girl (ends 10/14)

Planet Wise Hanging Wet/Dry bag from Natural Baby Giveaways (ends 10/13)

Babee Greens Diaper from The Cheap and Choosy (ends 10/15)

You may enter any family friendly giveaway in the linky below. The form Blog name – Giveaway Item – Ending date works well. At a minimum, please include the item and end date, and link directly to the giveaway.

Please view my post on where I list my giveaways to find more great places to link up!

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Rocky Mountain Diapers One Size Pocket Diaper Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 10/14)

Oct 7,2010 / By Maria / 25 Comments

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When I was looking for sponsors for my “A Year of Fluff” event, I contacted companies that readers had asked about. I have heard lots of talk about Rocky Mountain Diapers! I was able to get a mango and lime diaper to review, and a lime and lemon diaper for one of you!

The Rocky Mountain Diapers pocket diaper has a simple snap closure pattern, a stay-dry suedecloth inner that is far softer than other suedecloth I’ve felt, and an easy to stuff pocket. It comes with a microfiber insert.

This diaper is one size, by way of leg elastic adjustment.

There are 4 snap adjustments (Extra Small, Small, Medium & Large) and the elastic tucks neatly back into the diaper. I did have to pull a bit to get the snaps out, but I didn’t hurt the diaper.

Rocky Mountain Diapers estimates their diapers will fit babies from 5-30 pounds best, though they may fit up to 35 pounds, depending on your baby’s shape. Above is the diaper on the extra-small setting. It gets so tiny (and cute!) Below are the measurements for the XS folded and stretched.

Small folded and stretched:

Medium folded and stretched:

Large folded & stretched:

Since the end of the elastic is sewn into the diaper, you really could use it unsnapped, though it of course doesn’t really stretch that way!

I actually ended up using the diaper on the small setting, I probably could use medium as well.

Here’s the Rocky Mountain small compared to a Bumgenius 4.0 medium:

The small setting on my son, who is about 18.5 pounds and 30″:

The diaper was quite trim since it didn’t have the bulk of a snap down rise. It could be even trimmer if you used it with a sized insert (I folded over the one that came with the diaper.) Most importantly, it didn’t leak! These diapers retail for $19.50 each.

Giveaway: I have the diaper pictured below (lemon and lime color) to send to one lucky reader!

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. I’d love for you to leave a comment, either about the diaper, 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 Rocky Mountain Diaper color combination. You may “like” Rocky Mountain Diapers 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 Thursday, October 14th 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 14th, 2010 at 9:00 P.M.: 253

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dDk4SF9hMC1GM25sOXNaVFNJcWI5blE6MQ

FTC Compliance: I paid normal retail prices for these diapers, but as part of the blogger program I expect to reimbursed, less my shipping expenses. I was not and will not be compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.

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