New Giveaway from Kelly Wels and The Joyful Giraffe!

This week’s giveaway is super cool and sponsored by cloth diaper retailer, The Joyful Giraffe!  The Joyful Giraffe is a retailer of cloth diapers, accessories, baby gear and other eco-friendly and reusable products for the whole family.

The Prize:

• Little Comfort Popeazy Cloth Diaper
• Little Comfort Wetbag
• Little Comfort Flushable Liners

Open to the USA & Canada.  Winner has 7 days to claim their prize.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

It’s not surprising at all that the second the tornado finished it’s devastating course through Moore, OK there were already people ready and willing to help.  This is especially true here in our cloth diapering communities.  We know families are experiencing tragedy and hardship, many have lost their homes, all their belongings and have so many important things to worry about than what types of diapers they’re going to use on their babies or where those diapers are going to come from.

Local Oklahoma residents like Toni the Chic Mama, who’s husband’s truck was totaled and feels blessed to have made it through this devastating storm is rallying the cloth diaper community to help those who were less fortunate and who lost much more than any of us can imagine.

Toni’s goal

I’m wanting to help other families quickly replenish some of their cloth diapers.  Knowing first-hand how long insurance can take, many of these families are needing diapers fast.

I’ll be planning a trip there soon to deliver some other donations that I’m collecting and would love to be able to bless some of these families with a few new diapers to help them during this time.  I have a small charitable group called Shower of Hope Oklahoma, and I would love to shower some of these families with cloth diapers.  It’s just a diaper, but to someone who lost everything, this could be the glimmer of hope for them in knowing things will get better and that are many others in our cloth diaper community who are thinking and praying for them.

We’d also like to note, although we all love cloth diapers and advocate their use, it is also important to recognize that with many families homeless, staying in hotels, college dorms, with friends and family, jumping right  back in to cloth diapering may not be a feasible option for them at this time.

Shower of Hope Oklahoma, Cloth Diaper Oklahoma, and Oklahoma City retailer Green Bambino are leading the efforts in collecting donations of cloth diapers, disposable diapers, baby care items, baby carriers and more.  You can donate monetarily via paypal, purchase an Amazon gift card, order diapers and supplies online and have them sent directly to any of the participating locations and more.

No amount of help is too little.  Every thought, every prayer, every share and donation if you’re able is appreciated.

Please make sure to like and/or follow any of the above recommended pages for details on where you can send donations and other ways you can help.

Mamas are you ready to flip over this new sweepstakes?  Kelly Wels has rounded up some of the best brands, blogs and retailers to bring you the “I’m a Hip Mom and Love Cloth Diapers” Sweepstakes!

There are TWO awesome prize packages valued at over $300 each!  You don’t want to miss this chance to win not only new cloth diapers for you…I mean your baby, but also tons of great products for mom too!

Enter to win over $600 in prizes!

This Sweepstakes is hosted on Kelly Wels Facebook Page!  Look for the Sweepstakes tab and enter to win!

When it comes to cloth diaper closures, snaps are definitely king in terms of market choices and maternal preference. In fact, some of the most popular styles and brands are offered exclusively with snap closures. Why are snaps generally preferred? Velcro (or “hook and loop” as it’s called generically) tends to snag on things in the washing machine and dryer. It doesn’t last as long as snaps do, and it attracts lint, dirt and other debris very easily. Some moms have even had issues with babies being scratched or irritated by the rough hook and loop tabs. And then there are those curious little ones who learn that it’s not that hard to take off a diaper when it isn’t snapped….

Still, there is a place for diapers and covers with hook and loop closure. In fact, many mothers vastly prefer them and have shunned snaps altogether. There are some good reasons for doing so:

1. The fit is much more customizable because you’re never stuck in between two snap settings. It’s similar to the way “half sizes” make shoes fit more comfortably; snapping diapers are kind of like having whole sizes only. With hook and loop diapers you can precision-fit the snugness of the waistband.

2. They go on much faster, almost like a disposable. Ever used one of those pocket diapers with two snaps on each side plus a hip snap? Well, that’s six snaps to fasten with every diaper change. Hook and loop closure is lightening fast. Wrap and stick and you’re done. I know some mothers and grandmothers who prefer hook and loop because of soreness or dexterity issues with their hands, and snaps are just too painful to work with.

3. They are kind to husbands, children and caregivers – basically anyone who is not as experienced with cloth diapering. My 9 year-old daughter frequently complained about how tricky the snaps were for her, and I didn’t want her to get discouraged or think cloth was hard. So we picked up a few Thirsties covers with hook and loop just for her; she loves how easy it is now to change her baby brother!

4. Hook and loop diapers are easier to repair. It’s much easier to sew on a strip of Velcro than it is to buy and replace snaps (you need a special tool called a press).

What type of closure do you prefer and why? Do you keep both kinds in your stash?

Shhhhhhh!  Can you hear it?  It’s the whispering about a new blog, Diaper Wrecker. Intrigued?  Well then this post is for you.  It’s all about Diaper Wrecker, their purpose and their goals.

Here’s what the new Diaper Wrecker has to say about itself:

Diaper Wrecker is a new educational website that answers many of the questions that new parents have about using cloth diapers. These same questions appear time and time again in countless discussion forums and Facebook groups where moms chat about issues regarding the use and care of their cloth diapers. Courtney Moser wanted to build a site that would serve as an informational hub for those exploring the possibility of using cloth diapers. Here they can come to get the scoop on the basics, find troubleshooting help, and connect with manufacturers, retailers, diaper services, and WAHMs.

Diaper Wrecker provides information about cloth diapers in a fun, engaging, hands-on way to help people realize that it’s really not rocket science – anyone can be successful with cloth diapers in spite of the mistakes we all make! The purpose of Diaper Wrecker is to explore the features of cloth diapers that can’t be tested just by watching a baby wear one for a couple of hours. Sometimes you have to wreck a few cloth diapers to appreciate how awesome they are….

Connect with Diaper Wrecker on Facebook and Twitter; plus check out our current giveaways with GroVia and Earth Mama Angel Baby to celebrate the site’s launch!

I’m excited to participate in the 3rd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge this year during the week of May 20-26!

Since last year’s challenge, I have been an advocate for flat diapers, not only because they’re a very cheap cloth diapering option, but because they’re so easy to use!

Last year, my family and I were in a lay over for three months at my parents’ house while we were waiting to close on our house.  We did the flats and handwashing challenge while we were there, and we had some hiccups along with way!

Check out what I’ve learned about flats along the way.

A flat is any single layer absorbent fabric & it’s uber cheap!

It may take a little hunting, but you can usually find the really good birdseye flat diapers online for a good price.

• Birdseye Flat Diapers – $1.50 – $1.58 (CD stores or Amazon)
• Flour Sack Towels -  5 for $5 (Walmart)
• Receiving Blankets – Free (around the house/baby showers) – $0.25 (thrift stores)
• Flannel Fabric – $2+ per yard
• Front and back panel of a Tshirt or sweatshirt – Free

Compare the cost of 12 new flats on the higher end to the cost of 12 new fitted diapers on the lower end.

• $18.96 – flats ($1.58 each)
• $108.00 – fitteds ($9.00 each)

You don’t have to do the super duper snazzy folds to use flat diapers.

If you want to know the truth, my toddler is 19 months old, and I’m lazy!  The easiest way for me to put flats on my little one is to simply fold it into a pad fold (basically a rectangle), lay it in the cover (I usually add a DIY stay dry fleece liner), and slap it on the baby!

Flat diapers are so much more trim than fitted diapers.

I usually do a one day trial before the flats and handwashing challenge before the big week.  The reason I do this is to raise local awareness of the challenge, and to try to establish a little wash routine depending on where I’m going to be and what I’ll need.  This year, one of the things that a local mom learned was that by using flats, she was able to cinch up the rise on her one size covers because flats were so much more trim than her fitteds!

You can use more than one flat at a time to get the absorbency you need.

There are times that I feel like Jett needs more than one flat in his cover.  If I know I’m going to be out a little longer than normal, or if he’s going to be taking a nap or using it for night time, I usually use two flats.  Do I do the fancy folds with two flats?  Nope!  In fact, I’ve learned that if I’m expecting him to poop (and don’t laugh.. you know you have your kiddo’s poop schedule down pat, too!), a good way to get more use out of his covers is to use two cheaper, less absorbent flats.  I fold them and lay them in the cover the same way I would normally, but I kind of fan the back of it out a little so that when he does poop, it stays on the flat and doesn’t get on the cover!

What I like about flats:

• Cheap – obviously
• They’re everywhere – you can turn anything into a flat!
• Versatile – diaper, insert, blanket, towel, menstrual pad, changing pad, headband (for sweat), and so on and so forth
• Easy to use
• Easy to wash
• FAST drying – really, really fast drying

I am flat out serious when I say that I love flats, and I love to teach people about the frugality and ease of use of flats.  As a matter of fact, for The Great Cloth Diaper Change, this year, I may it so easy for my husband to change Jett by laying a flour sack towel into a cover and BOOM!  Instant cloth diaper.  You can’t ask for much more.  Fast, easy, and cheap!

Let’s talk about a topic that most of us want to avoid…our periods! We don’t look forward to them, but we have to deal with them, right? Well, what if I told you that you could forget about your period while you were experiencing it? Interested? Good!

The Lunette Cup is a reusable menstrual cup that is inserted internally during your period. It is made of medical grade silicone and comes in two sizes. The cup catches all your menstrual blood and you just empty it out when it’s full or every 12 hours, whichever comes first!

For me, I emptied the cup in the morning and right before bed each night. During the day, I completely forgot that I was on my period! No leaks, no messy pads, no worrying about Toxic Shock Syndrome, or cramps from a full tampon. I couldn’t feel the cup and I could use the bathroom throughout the day without even messing with it!

You can read my full review of the Lunette Cup on my blog, Cloth Diaper Revival. I’m even giving one away! So hop on over and enter to win!

Have you tried any reusable menstrual products? What about a cup? 

Happy Mother’s Day Giveaway!

Today’s giveaway is just for moms!  We know you like goodies for your babies and family but this weekend is Mother’s Day and you deserve a chance to win some things just for you!

Enter this week’s giveaway and you will receive

• Lunapads and Pantiliners Intro Kit
• Lunette Cup in the size and color of your choice

Lot’s of easy ways to enter.  Use the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck and we hope you have a wonderfully happy and relaxing Mother’s Day!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Just when I thought I had figured out all the cloth diaper terms a few years ago, along came FOE and gussets and true gussets and double gussets and…and…

Elastic is manufactured by weaving, braiding or knitting rubber with polyester, cotton or nylon (there is also clear elastic – one brand name you may have heard of is Lastin – available.) Each type/material has different benefits such was not narrowing when stretched, laying flat (not rolling) when stretched, durability, longevity etc. (Poly Braid is often used in diapers.) Elastic also comes in different widths, and widths may vary by diaper brand, or even area (waist vs. leg elastic.)

Unless you are sewing your own diapers, you won’t be as concerned about the type as much as the sewing style of the elastic/leg openings (although I do find that wider elastic is my preference.)

Encased: Elastic is sewn inside a fabric leg casing, such as Bumgenius pocket diapers and many others.

Not Encased: Elastic is sewn end to end, but it not held inside a leg casing. Examples are Bottombumpers and the old style Bumgenius Elementals.

Serged: Applecheeks is a good example of a diaper with “ruffled” leg openings. This style is common on fitted/WAHM diapers. Rarely, I have heard of a baby who was sensitive to the thread on the gathers.

Fold Over Elastic: Fold over elastic (FOE) serves as both elastic and binding. It is folded over the edge of the fabric & sewn. Some babies’ skin can be bothered by the elastic right against their skin, and it is possible to have puckering/uneven shrinkage if fabrics & elastic were not prewashed. A good example of FOE is Super Undies. Contrasting elastic can add to the look of the diaper.

I find that wider, encased elastic provides a good fit for us, and leaves fewer red marks.

Dirty Diaper Laundry’s Cloth Diaper Finder lists the style of each diaper’s elastic if you find a favorite! Do you have an elastic preference?

Courtesy of goop.com

I don’t know if you’ve heard of or have been following the recent  goop controversy over a kids’ bikini. I had heard bits and pieces here and there over the news waves this week about an article written on the Daily Mail, a U.K. online magazine. A charity organization called Kidscape, whose aim is to discourage bullying and childhood sexual abuse, spoke out against the goop bikini photo saying, “We remain very opposed to the sexualisation of children and of childhood. The dangers have been discussed at length, so it is a great pity that such trends continue and that they carry celebrity endorsement.” So here’s the controversial picture…

My initial reaction to the picture  and all of the hullabaloo was agreement with Kidscape’s view. Then when I started really thinking about it my mind flash backed to a picture of myself and my little sister. My sister, who was two years old at the time, was wearing the tiniest bikini. That was taken in the late 80′s. What’s really surprising to me is that my mom wouldn’t even let me play with She-ra because of her lack of clothing but my sister was wearing this tiny bathing suit? I’ve talked with my mom about it and it was a really interesting conversation. The bathing suit my sister wore was clearly a child’s bathing suit. This bikini, on the other hand, is clearly meant to mimic a bikini that mom would wear. This is the description of the suit, “ Now your daughter can have a Melissa Odabash bikini too. Hers is navy with ruffles on the top and bottom, and ties on the back and sides.” The part of the description that bothers me is the underlying connotation that this bikini can match mom’s bikini. It’s not okay, in my opinion, for a 4, 5 or 6 year old girl (those are the sizes that the suit comes in) to wear something that mimics adulthood. I guess Halloween is different; you know the typical police, doctor, nurse costumes since those are professions. This bikini is going to be worn in everyday life; it’s not a costume. That’s what bothers me about it; childhood should be just that – childhood. Why are we so quick to make our children grow up?

What do you think? What’s your reaction to this bikini? Personally, I wouldn’t put my daughter in it nor would I spend $45 on a bathing suit for my child!  I don’t have a problem with two pieces. I think they’re convenient for diaper changes but I wouldn’t allow my daughter to wear a string bikini like the one that’s pictured. Appropriate or inappropriate?