Changes

So, as I stated before having the baby, I am on a search to try out new diapers to add to my diaper line.  I am currently looking for diapers that do not have microfiber in them, sized diapers and potty training pants.  I am focusing on these types of diapers for several reasons, 1--currently most all of my diapers carried have microfiber for the absorbant material.  Now though that is a great material it does have some draw backs for some people and I have had customers ask for products with bamboo or hemp material.  2--I also have a lot of one size diapers to choose from and not a lot of sized diapers.  Thouse sized diapers cost more in the long run some people perfer the trim look of a sized to a one size.  3--There are no potty training pants and that is something that people have been asking of me since I opened my business!  I am hoping by the end of summer I will have some if not all of these areas covered! 

I am also looking at some other business avenues that are far reaching goals but I think once they come to fruition will be awesome adventures! It is something that I will be keeping under wraps for sometime still but I hope to announce something by the beginning of next year and definetly by the middle at the latest!  I am so excited about this but I don't want to give anything away to soon! 

New Baby

Well, it is offical: baby Z was born on May 27th!  He was a big and healthy boy and is doing GREAT!  It has been super hectic around here but things are starting to come together!  Being the summer time there is a lot of family vacations to visit family coming up so once again I wont be on here blogging much but I plan to start picking it up again soon!!  Please enjoy your family and friends during these beautiful summer months and through the up coming holidays!!

It's getting close!

I have been pregnant for what seems like forever!  I know a lot of moms will say the second time goes by faster but I am still waiting for this to happen!  Either way I am only a few weeks away now which is good considering that I can no longer walk long distances let alone pick up my 35lb toddler with the ease that I use to be able to!  I am looking forward to meeting our newest little buddle of joy as well! 

With the newest little buddle of joy comes some major changes in our home!  One of the few that you would see in this house that you don't see in a lot of other houses is that I will be trying out NEW cloth diapers with NEW little one!  I have found several diapers that I don't carry that I would love to try out and hopefully add to my collection of cloth diapers!  I am trying to find diapers that are set apart from the others that I currently carry and I think I may have found some!  If there are diapers that you would like me to try out on a new born and review please let me know!  Also, I am still on the look out for larger diapers that don't have microfiber in them for my toddler so if you know of any you would like to share with me or ones that you know of but haven't actually tried feel free to contact me about that as well! 

I am looking forward to all the new diapers and getting back to my passion!

Big Baby Delema and Wahmies Review

So I have had Wahmies available for awhile now because I love their products overall and I like their prices and their customer service, from what I have dealt with is great as well.  However, I had never tried out their hook one size diaper.  I had enough diapers at the time when I came across them.  However, recently I have been having issues with our diapers fitting my son.  He is currently 35lbs and a tall boy as well (not sure on meaurements).  He has also been having an issue around his penis as well which is new and we had no idea what it could be.  We started by doing extra rinses and stripping the diapers, that didn't seem to help the problem.  We switched to sposies, which I HATE with a passion, and that helped some but not really.  We then decided maybe it was a PUL issue but that didn't seem to make a difference and then we eliminated different fabrics combinations and finally found that the issue is most likely a combination with his FuzziBunz diapers (which I LOVE btw) and possilbe 2 year molars. 

So, we decided that we were going to buy some diapers that were microfiber free.  Well, after days of research on what would fit, that didn't have microfiber, was still trim between his legs and would last until he does potty train, which is still awhile off, we decided to try out Wahmies Hook One Size Diapers. 

 I got them a week ago and have only used them a couple times but I am in love!  They do take a little to get off but once you get the hang of it they are so nice.  They are super soft inside and you can tell my son has plenty of room to grow in them!  They have a bamboo insert that you fold to fit which is nice because I was able to choose between 3 layers of bamboo or four more narrow layers and it is still trim between his legs!  Granted it isn't as trim as a disposable but it is trimmer then some of the diapers on the market and he still fits in the same size pants!  I am a little disapointed in the color choices they have but I usually am with all diapers and their "boy" selections!  What has been awesome is that my son hasn't had a leak in these at all!  We even double stuffed one and used it over night and he didn't even leak onto just his clothing which he has had an issue with for several months now weather we use disposable or cloth.  I will definetly be buying more of these!!

New Adventures

So, I know that it seems that I have been absent recently but I have been super busy!  I have had a couple of meetings with customers to talk about cloth diapers, I did a local event vendor booth and I have been super busy pursuing my other passion, childbirth! 

Since my son was born I have been lover of the miracle of birth!  I have wanted to follow that passion and work in some capacity in the birthing scene.  I played with several avenues and finally decided on a path recently.  I am now working on becoming certified as a childbirth educator as well as a doula!  I found an organization that I really clicked with and loved the fact that I could work on both certifications at the same time, CAPPA!  this weekend is the training program and I only had a month to prepare for it!  I still have a lot to do for the certification before I complete it but I have so loved this training!  The trainer has been awesome the other women in my class were great!  I have learned so much and so look forward to learning more. 

So, If you don't see as many blogs or as much happening online it's probably because I am swamped with my doula or childbirth educator certifications.  Or the usually family life, cloth diapering and Avon business ventures!  Please feel free to contact me, I always make time for questions, comments and those in need of assistance of cloth diaper advice or purchases!

Ideas to help you get rid of the STINK!

One of the major issues with cloth diapering can be a sudden onset of stink.  It is normal for your baby to go through output changes as they grow and change their eating habits so sometimes the routine you had before may not work anymore.  Some other issues may be your laundry detergent and rinsing.

First, the detergent may be your biggest culprit.  Many detergents, even "free" detergents will have chemicals in them that will build up on your diapers, in turn you will get a stink to them.  This is why I carry Crunchy Clean products.  It is a product that is made by a WAHM and is specially designed for cloth diapers.  She has not only her detergent but a oxygen cleaner that has absolutely no chemicals that will ruin your cloth diapers or lead to a stink buildup.  At an affordable price that is less expensive then most "free" detergents on the market today and several great scents to choose from.  

At $11 for 80 loads (160 on an HE washer) it is not only safe for cloth diapers, its great on your wallet! 

The Pure Oxygen is $7.50 for a 32oz container, which will get you 32 loads! I also have a couple recipes for laundry detergent that I give to my customers that are wanting to do something at home.  I don't think that it works as well as getting diapers clean as the Crunchy Clean but it will do the job!  Contact me if you would like the recipe for that.

Another issue is the rinsing.  This is usually an issue more with HE machines than it is for normal washers, however I think sometimes people have this issue even with a normal machine!  I recommend this routine for your cloth diapers:

1 cycle cold wash/cold rinse with detergent

1 cycle hot wash cold rinse with an extra rinse cycles with detergent

1 extra rinse cycle (if you think it is needed)

A good way to trick an HE washer is to put 1-2 wet towels in the wash, this will think its heavier than the load is.  Some people have also found that if you start the wash, allow it to fill a little and then stop and reset it this will help trick it as well.  I don't know that that will work on every brand but if you would like, fill free to try it! 

Lastly, Changes in your child's output.  This may mean you will need to try new routines.  You may need to do an extra rinse, change your detergent, or you may need to try some extras.  If you can separate the covers or shells from the absorbent material I would start by doing this!  This will allow you to try things like vinegar, peroxide and bleach.  I don't recommend using bleach more then once a week AT THE MOST!  And know that most manufacturers will void your warranty if you have used vinegar, bleach or peroxide.  If you use vinegar or peroxide I would place it in your rinse water on the first cycle through.  Bleach goes in the bleach dispenser on the first cycle as well.  This will allow it to rinse all of the products out.  Also, never try multiples of this at the same time (ie: peroxide and bleach) You don't know how a combination of these with the cloth diapers will react.  Lastly, I HIGHLY recommend the oxygen cleaner I mentioned above before using bleach, this is safer on the environment as well as on your diapers!  It can also be used with your covers so you don't have to separate your cloth diapers!

If you have any issues or if these suggestions aren't working contact me for further options!

Swim Diapers are here!!

I have been wanting to add swim diapers forever and they are finally here!!  Gabby's Infant swim diapers come in 6 different options of solid/print and several sizes from 6-45 lbs!  The interior is made of 100% cotton flannelette which will make for a soft feel against baby's skin and the outside is oxford nylon to keep the mess in while still resisting the damage of chlorine.  It comes in four colors: Blue, Purple, Rasberry ( deep pink) and Red; as well as 2 prints: Sea Life Fishies and Dinosaurs!!  There is a top available in the Sea Life Fishies and Rasberry as well.  The price for the bottoms are $11 and the tops are $6  

Contact me if you have any questions or if you would like to order your baby one!