Pediped® Footwear Review

Aug 26,2010 / By Maria / 13 Comments

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I actually came across Pediped® Footwear a few years ago, when I was browsing Nordstrom online, looking for dressy shoes for my daughter.

My son is lazy not walking yet, but he is cruising, so I wanted to get him a good, supportive pair of shoes to wear while we were out, that wouldn’t interfere with his learning to walk.

When my daughter was his age, we put her in Robeez, since we knew how important it was for her to be able to feel and grip the floor. However, they were more like glorified slippers, and while they were fine for inside, they didn’t do much good outside. You can read about the Pediped Originals system to see why I settled on Pediped.

I finally bit the bullet when I discovered the boys sale section and grabbed the zach for $12.00. The regular prices are really quite expensive in my opinion, but then again I’m cheap frugal.

After actually seeing and feeling them, I would seriously consider paying full price for them. They’re not even in the same neighborhood as Robeez. It’s hard to explain the quality, but I think you can see it quite a bit in the photos. If they had my size, I’d totally wear ’em!

I think they’re awfully cute too!

My son was about 14 months old when I bought these, but I chose a size 6-12 months using their printable sizing chart. This is supposed to be equivalent to a 4-4.5 US. I was actually worried that they might be a bit big, especially after reading that a 12 month size usually fits up to around 14 months (my son is quite small for his age.) Above, left is the Pediped compared to a size 3 “crib” style shoe. Right is a size 4 sneaker, the 6-12 month pediped, the size 3 crib shoe, and a size 4 sandal. Keep in mind of course that there’s no bulky rubber sole on the pediped originals.

I liked them so much that I was immediately plotting my purchase for the next size up. Luckily for me (and my checkbook), I received an email offering a Friends & Family discount at pediped’s sister website, Kinderbliss. Wait, what does that coupon say? Includes sale items? Those are the magic words that unlock my wallet!

I chose the pediped originals baby kyle in 12-18 months, and to make my $5 shipping fee worthwhile, I also chose the pediped flex Charlie in size 5. Both pairs shipped (total) cost me $19 and change. Not bad shopping if I do say so myself!

The pediped Flex come in sizes 5-12 and are designed for confident walkers.

The boxes and packaging are so nice, I think they would make a fantastic gift!

Pediped Flex shoes have the “flexfit system” that has an additional insole to adjust the fit and allow for extended wear.

I’ve eyeballed these shoes since long before a little boy was so much as a thought in my mind. I just love “little man” clothes! Squee!

To compare size: on the left (left to right) is the size 5 pediped flex, 12-18 month pediped originals, size 4 sandals, size 4 sneaker, size 3 crib shoe and size 6-12 month pediped originals. On the right (top to bottom): pediped originals 6-12 month, size 3 crib shoe, size 4 sneaker, size 4 sandal, size 12-18 month pediped originals and size 5 pediped flex.

So do they “flex?” Why, yes. Yes, they do.

I definitely recommend watching the sale categories on both pediped and kinderbliss. I’m still stoked that I got 3 pair for about the cost of one!

I was not compensated in any way for this review, and all opinions are my own. I purchased all items myself, and no links are affiliate links. If you are making a purchase and would like to support this blog, please see the affiliate links at the bottom of my shop page. I do have a pediped affiliate link, but I only found out about their program after I discovered how awesome these shoes are!

Cloth Diaper Detergent – My Journey and my Opinion

Aug 26,2010 / By Maria / 14 Comments

>This may be long, but it’s very relevant and I want to get my entire story out there.

I’ve mentioned before that detergent is a hot button issue for me because it was the only thing that prevented me from cloth diapering earlier. So, I’ll start from the beginning.

When I chose the diapers I wanted to try, I knew I wanted to start with just a few to see how it went. I also knew that I needed a “safe” detergent. Googling led me to a chart with stars, that rated detergents based on their ingredients. The one I was looking at rated detergents from 1 to 4 red stars. None of the “4 star” detergents were available at any of our grocery stores, Target, Wal Mart, or anywhere else I could think to check.

So, I started looking into ordering some. At the time of my research, there were 4 or 5 detergents that I could order online, that had 4 red stars/thumbs up ratings. I eliminated the detergents that were reported to give babies burns, as well as those with so-so reviews.

Now, keep in mind that I’m ~~cheap~~ frugal, so my maximum price for detergent was $2.99 for a 32 load bottle, and I’d only pay that much if we desperately needed it. My “stock up” price was closer to free, or pennies.

A single bottle of the “thumbs up” detergent was about $12, then add shipping. I could potentially buy a case to bring the price per bottle down a bit, but yikes. All this for 3 diapers I didn’t even know if I’d like? So, that’s where it ended. I gave up on cloth diapering. I couldn’t make 3 diapers a $75 experiment.

When my son’s rashes (clearly caused by disposable diapers since they disappeared when we switched to cloth) were so bad that it hurt to look at, I decided I was going to do this darn it! One way or another.

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GroVia Cloth Wipes Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 8/31)

Aug 24,2010 / By Maria / 17 Comments

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GroVia cloth wipes come in white only, and a 12-pack sells for $10.95 (MSRP.) At less than 92 cents per wipe, I figured they were worth a try! P.S. Stay tuned for another cloth wipe review/giveaway on September 6th, as well as a post on The Village of Moms about using cloth wipes!

The wipes are 100% cotton and measure 8×8, which is perfect for folding and putting in a wipes case or warmer.

They are 2 layers thick, soft and squishy. They have held up to use wonderfully, but I was definitely disappointed initially, after the first washing.

There are two rows of stitching around the border of the wipes, and the inner row came loose in most of the wipes. I don’t know if they are purposely designed this way? I suppose it’s possible.

It’s very hard to see since they’re white on white, but the stitching seems very sloppy and overlapped. Really though, at less than a buck a wipe, I didn’t really expect any better. The ugly stitching doesn’t affect the wipes, they are holding up to use, washing and drying great. I don’t even notice the stitching as I’m wiping my son’s tush (ha ha.)

I also ended up with quite a few pulled threads within the wipes, which was entirely my fault. The tag was sewn into the wipes (can’t stand that on clothing too!) and I yanked it instead of cutting. Oops!

The wipes still measure about 8×8 after washing on hot and drying on high.

They’re nice and fluffy stacked up!

They stack nicely with my other wipes too! I’ve been using them for a few weeks now and they’ve worked great and washed up nicely with no stains!

I have another set of 12 wipes, new in their package for one winner!

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. Entries left in the comments won’t be counted. This is new and if the majority of users don’t like it, we’ll go back to the old way. I like the form, because it’s easy and fast, especially with multiple entry methods. Your email addresses are kept more private, since only I will see them, and I do not share them with anyone.

Mandatory entry: Enter your name and email address in the form and submit!

Bonus entry: Submit a question for “Mailbox Mondays” to maria at change-diapers dot com. Once you’ve done that, you may check the box for the optional entry on the form. Stephanie, Kelly, Ash and Pamela have already submitted their question and may check the box! Please note: My intent is to get a queue of questions for the next several months, so it may be some time before your submission is posted. If you would like me to email my response so you don’t have to wait until your question is posted, let me know!

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dHNlbTN5OVlQaFhrTFBCd21mT2F3Z0E6MA

# of entries received as of August 30th at 10:20 P.M.: 114

Feel free to leave any comments you like on the blog post, just remember they won’t be counted as entries! Leaving a comment can also serve as a reminder to yourself that you’ve already entered. If you’re ever not sure if you entered, just shoot me an email and I’ll check for you.

I will also be updating this post regularly with the # of entries received for those of you who like to know your odds!

I’ll accept entries until Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. I’ll select a winner with random.org’s true random number generator and notify him/her by email. The winner has 48 hours to claim his/her prize before it is forfeited and a new winner chosen.

This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only. View my giveaway rules page for all details.

I did not receive any compensation for this post, it is entirely self sponsored, and all opinions are my own.

Please note: This giveaway is not affiliated with nor sponsored, approved or endorsed by GroVia.

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Mailbox Mondays

Mailbox Mondays 8/23/10

Aug 23,2010 / By Maria / 3 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 would like to get several weeks of questions in my “queue,” and because I know bribes aren’t just for toddlers, I’m offering an incentive. If you have a question to submit, you get an extra entry in the giveaway that will be posted tomorrow. That bonus entry will be valid for the duration of the giveaway, so get your questions in!

Stephanie says:

Hey Maria!

I’m contemplating putting together a stash of newborn cloth diapers. I know most people use prefolds, but I am not a huge fan of them. Based on your experience, what would your stash consist of?

Thanks!

Stephanie

I’m still mad at myself for not cloth diapering from birth, and missing out on all that cute, itty bitty fluff! However, I do have a mental wish list for what I would try if I had a newborn to diaper!

Blueberry Mini Deluxe Diapers Pricey, but adorable. I can’t resist.
Happy Heiny’s Mini One Size
Smartipants “Little Smarti” Newborn Diapers
Rumparooz Lil Joey
Thirsties Size 1 Duo Diaper
FuzziBunz X-Small Pocket Diaper
BumGenius XS All-in-One
Bummis Tini Fit (I haven’t tried the easy fit, but hope to soon.)
The Eli Monster Newborn diaper (none in stock right now)
Heartland Dreams Custom Newborn Pocket Diaper or AI2
Doodle Dypes “Dynky Doodle” Newborn diaper
Guerilla Fluff Newborn AI2
At least one more that is slipping my mind I’m sure

Most of these diapers are miniature versions of diapers I already know and love. I’d definitely prefer aplix diapers for the stash I’d keep upstairs…easier for bleary-eyed, middle of the night diaper changes.

I’d plan on filling in the gaps with Thirsties Duo Wraps Size 1 and Thirsties XS Covers paired with BabyKicks Newborn Hemparoo Prefolds and Newborn Diaper Rite Prefolds.

The SoftBums diaper is a one-size that gets quite a bit smaller than others, and the Rumparooz has a tiny setting as well.

Really, it would depend on how much I had to spend. I’d hope to pick up a few here and there throughout pregnancy, and perhaps purchase a few gender specific colors after the birth. The amount of time a baby will be in the smaller sizes varies a bit based on weight and size. However, since I will have a full stash of one-size diapers waiting for a new baby, I think I can spend a little more on newborn diapers and/or a few new one-size! Really, I could spend a thousand bucks on diapers and still be ahead of the sposie game, especially since I could resell them afterward!

I planned on answering another question this week, but since I made this one a mile long, I’ll save Kelly’s for next week!

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Cloth Diapers Delamination Warranties

Update on my Rumparooz Issue!

Aug 21,2010 / By Maria / 24 Comments

If you missed my post about my Rumparooz delamination issue, I’ll get you up to speed.

Saturday, July 31st – I noticed that my two Rumparooz (purchased December 2009) were delaminating. Sent an email to customer service late that night.
Sunday August 1st – Received an email acknowledging the issue and asking for receipts, forms & photos, which I sent the same night. Received an auto reply saying that my replacement diapers would be sent within 48 business hours.
Saturday August 7th – Received an email asking for photos of the diapers right side out.
Sunday August 8th – Sent requested photo (claim form didn’t indicate these were needed but I obliged.) Indicated in my email that the photo didn’t have the claim form in it, but I could see if it was still in my recycle bin, or print another if needed. Received auto reply.
Wednesday August 11th – Received perplexing email requesting very similar information to what I was originally asked for. Except, this didn’t include the form, indicated I’d need to mail the diapers back, and had additional info on diapers that should not be sent, including ones with contrast lycra tabs (which one of mine was.) The reason given was that these diapers were not affected, but clearly, mine was. Responded expressing my confusion and was told this was not intended to be sent to me. So it appears that there is a new process for handling these claims now. Not sure why it said none of the lycra tab diapers were affected when mine was.
Wednesday August 11th a few minutes later – Received a reply that the form didn’t need to be in this photo and that they ask for additional photos from time to time.
Tuesday August 17th – Received an email stating that my replacement diapers would be sent out the next day.
Friday August 20th – Two brand new Rumparooz in my hot little hands!

So, certainly not 48 business hours, unless they only work 4 hours per day. But, less than 3 weeks to receive replacements is pretty good in my book. Especially since I didn’t have to incur any expense. I can’t stand when the consumer has to pay shipping to have a defective item replaced!

This was my first time receiving something directly from Rumparooz, so I thought their Eco Enclose packaging was pretty cool! It is 100% compostable/biodegradable, but looks just like other poly mailers.

I knew that they had changed the tabs around the time I purchased the two I have (my snap closure diaper doesn’t have the contrast tabs, and they were purchased within days of each other.) It also looks like they improved the aplix, which is awesome! I really didn’t like it because I felt it was a little too “sticky.” The tabs are slightly different and the laundry tabs appear to be improved as well. edit: Ah yes, the closures and laundry tabs are so much better!

The new diapers also have a patch of fabric reinforcing where the Rumparooz logo is sewn in (this is where my monster print diaper peeled away.) In addition, the TPU (same as PUL only it is bonded by a heat process instead of a chemical process) actually feels different. I’m unclear on when they actually started using TPU vs. PUL, or if they always have, but the old diapers looked and felt like other PUL diapers I have. The new ones definitely look and feel different. So hopefully this will be the end of this saga and I won’t have any other problems!

So there you have it, phew!

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Pediped® Footwear Review

Cloth Diaper Detergent – My Journey and my Opinion

GroVia Cloth Wipes Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 8/31)

Mailbox Mondays 8/23/10

Update on my Rumparooz Issue!

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