covers with snaps, inserts, liners – the list goes on and on. My first experience with cloth diapering was more than a dozen years ago and the options were limited to plastic pants with elastic leg openings and pins. Back then I thought it was great when I could coordinate the colored pins with my daughter’s outfit, how things have changed!
When I was expecting my second child I knew I was going to use cloth, but which â€systemâ€? After much trial and error (and lots of laundry!) I finally settled on prefolds with waterproof, Velcro covers, which has served us well for the last 10 months but is not without a few annoyances such as the bulkiness of the prefolds – especially when you have to double up like we often do.
Despite having combed every corner of the internet to research and compare the endless array of options, I seem to have missed contour diapers or assumed they had to be used with specific covers or would only fit for a short amount of time. Turns out, I should have tested them long ago. The Bumkins Contour Diaper is much more versatile than I expected – these diapers work with most covers (I tried it with two types and it worked perfectly), are incredibly slim but absorbent and very soft. I tested the diaper overnight without doubling up and to my surprise, no leaks or wetness. Another plus for me is the Bumkins diaper line-dried in the same amount of time as the prefolds. The only downside I noticed is the Contour Diaper is only available in one size so they might not work for smaller babies.
While the Bumkins Contour Diapers are not cheap – $10.95/cotton, $12.95/bamboo – I think having a few on hand is definitely a worthwhile investment, especially for those of us that stubbornly insist on using cloth diapers outside of the home but don’t want the extra weight in the diaper bag.
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Something I had forgotten from long-ago diaper changes with my daughter was the inevitable and often nose-pinching experience of disposing of solid waste, or dare I say poop. It’s a subject most of us try to avoid – poopy diaper changes after the introduction of solid food is downright unpleasant. Given my dislike for this aspect of babyhood I was excited to try Bumkins new Flushable Diaper Liners with my son. These handy liners come in packs of 100 and are biodegradable, which makes me feel better about using them. When it’s time for clean up just dispose of the mess, including the liner, in the toilet and flush away. An added bonus is the liner offers a bit of stain protection to keep your diapers in top shape.
Unfortunately these are not recommended for homes with septic systems but you can throw them in the trash after flushing the poop if necessary.
Bumkins Flushable Liners are priced competitively at $9.95 for a pack of 100.
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If you have a little girl then you need to know about this new accessory- Francie Pants! Francie Pants are really not new, but, are now being relaunched and we are so glad. Francie Pants are for girls to put over their underwear to either wear alone, or under skirts and dresses. Now your little girlie girl can be active and do all the cartwheels and climbing she wants with out worrying about showing their underwear (hence the name Francie Pants, after the song,”I see London, I see France, I see your underpants!”). These lightweight and silky feeling shorts provide coverage and come in a variety of funky prints for every personality.
But, how to choose? Never has shopping online with your daughter been so fun because of the adorable, interactive website. You choose your look before you buy.  Go and meet the Francies and pick the gal who most matches your style, then go to the Virtual Dressing Room and try all the prints on!
Would you like to WIN A PAIR of Francies for your active little girl? Just click over to Meet the Francies and tell us who your favorite Francie is and comment back here. Winner will be drawn at random on 1/07/09 at noon, EST. Good luck!
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Special Beginnings Birth and Women’s Center will host its fall Natural Baby and Child Fair, Sunday, November 16 from 10 am to 4 pm. Local vendors will be on hand to offer their goods, just in time for the holiday season. Â It’s also a great opportunity to check out Special Beginnings and its array of services.Â
The current list of vendors includes:
- Alyhas Alternatives
- Birth Diva
- Kaylala
- Usborne Books at Home
- P&D Woodcrafts Etc.Â
- Bediboo
- Daniel Creations
- La Leche League
- Music Together Chesapeake
- Peechee Neric Â
You’ll be able to find the following products and services:
- Wooden Toys
- BabyLegs
- Great Books for Kids
- Natural, Handmade Body Care Products
- Cloth Diapers
- Baby Carriers
- Breastfeeding Supplies
- Bellycasting Kits
- Doula Services
- Bradley Childbirth Classes
- Pregnancy and Birth Photography
- Soft Organic Toys
- Music for Young Children
- Seated Massage
Don’t forget to visit the Special Beginnings Breastfeeding Boutique, which will be open during the Fair!  There will be boxes at the door for donations to Arden House, a domestic violence shelter for women and their children. Items needed include new clothes, toiletries, pantry items, new toys, gift cards, etc.
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Special Beginnings is located at 1454 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Arnold, MD Â 21012.
For more information, contact naturalbabyfair@yahoo.com. ]]>
The site offers articles and resources for natural pregnancy, family, and home including information about Ayurveda, yoga, meditation, massage, and avoiding environmental toxins. Â There are recipes for your baby or toddler, tips for healthy grocery shopping, and a list of the “dirty dozen” (the twelve fruits and veggies that contain the most pesticide residue).
And then there are the clothes: onesies, t-shirts, lounge pants, hats, and blankets, all made from 100% organic cotton. Â You can choose Wild Baby (animal graphics) or Yoga Baby (like the Lotus Baby t-shirt pictured here, which retails for $22). Â These clothes are high quality and manufactured in ways that are safe for our Earth. Â And, of course, they are super cute and super soft for your little pakora.
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When mommy is sick, well…too bad! There are no breaks with this job and it can be brutal if you are not on top of your game. But, there are few little things that can help if you come down with something. I encourage you to stock up now on these essentials so you are able to help yourself when that cold hits.
1. Rainbow Light’s Get Well Soon – where have you been all my life?! It usually best to take this one as soon as you feel any symptoms and it can stop a full on cold from forming. But, it will also help during the cold to alleviate symptoms. I am not kidding – you will notice that a lot of your symptoms just disappear – all hail Chinese medicine!
“Get Well Soon formula combines elements of two very effective, centuries-old Chinese herbal formulas-yin chiao and gan mao ling – with immune-activating nutrients. Designed for the Prevention and Treatment of Colds and Flu’s, It Delivers: Defense-Strengthening Support – from a potent blend of herbs including garlic, echinacea and coptis, plus high-potency Vitamins A, C and E and other nutrients important in supporting immune function; Symptomatic Relief – for easing sore throats (forsythia), clearing the sinuses and lungs (platycodon and licorice), cooling feverish heat (chrysanthemum), easing body aches (Chinese lovage) and expel/.//.,,ling toxins through perspiration (elder, yarrow and ginger).”
$16.95 for a 2-pack on Amazon, but, this is usually available at OK Natural and Whole Foods. (If you can’t get this brand, I also recommend the Oriental Herb Company Cold Snap.)
2. Neti Pot Flush your sinuses! It is recommended to do this through out the entire winter when your nasal passages are dry and more likely to become irritated. Try it with salt, too.
3. Kiss My Face Cold & Flu Moisture Bath & Shower Gel That nice eucalyptus scent really opens things up, plus a hot shower or bath will help stop the chills.
4. Angel Dear Robe And speaking of chills, this robe was the best investment. It is like a super blanket. I wore mine all week and it was especially useful surviving through the furnace needing to be fixed. Stay warm and cozy in this amazing robe!
5. And of course, plenty of these: Kleenex! And, just make sure you have the basics on hand: Tylenol, Orange Juice, and plenty of DVD’s for the kids, so you can get a little bit of rest for while they are being entertained.
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The Doodle Store, founded by a parent team of graphic designers in 2007, came into being after its owners “struggled to find just the right decorations” for their son. Holding the “Your Inner Frog” design in my hand, shown here, I can vouch for the quality of manufacturing: commercial grade printing; UV protected ink; and thick cotton canvas hand-stretched around a 1 1/2″ deep frame. Cute? Sure. At $30 a pop for a 6×6 inch wall hanging ($250 for 36×36″)? In this economy? I don’t think so. Not even my gifts are fanciful these days. I brought diapers and wipes the last time I attended a baby shower. As for decorating my own son’s room, it was no struggle at all: I spent $5 on an 8×10 poster book of animal photos at an independent discount book store, which more than covered my son’s walls, and I can assure you his inner frog is happier than a pig in mud looking at all the cheesy photos of large dogs snuggling up to kittens. However, if you’ve got money to burn, and if computer generated artwork appeals to you (such as the mass-produced sort you’d find in a Pottery Barn Kids catalog), I think you will enjoy what The Doodle Store has to offer.Quality Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Appeal Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Value Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Functionality Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Style Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 65% C
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You may have read my recent post about Bumkins‘ super easy All-in-One diaper, and maybe you’re wondering what else Bumkins has to offer. Well, how about a bamboo diaper by Bambinex paired with a Bumkins’ signature cover?
I could go on and on about the merits of bamboo, but I did that already (Bamboozle that Bottom). Â Suffice it to say that this fiber is close to miraculous: it grows quickly and easily without the use of pesticides, it’s naturally antibacterial, and it makes for a really absorbent diaper. Â Bambinex bamboo diapers are a leading brand of cloth nappies in Europe and are now available in the US through Bumkins. Â These are high quality bamboo diapers that include a removable doubler insert and an overlapping Velcro closure system. Â Bamboo is the perfect material to have close to baby’s skin because it is so soft, and the adjustable Velcro provides a quick and easy change. Â The diapers are easy to wash, and they don’t seem to need extra drying time. Â They’ve maintained their shape and silky softness after many washes and have become more absorbent over time. Â The only thing I can find to complain about is the same thing I always complain about: I would like it if the diapers provided more coverage on my daughter’s bottom. Â The rise is quite high, making it tough to get the legs snug enough without pinching her tummy. Â Even so, we’ve had a lot of success with these diapers. Â They retail for $19.95 or $99.95 for a six-pack bundle and come in two sizes (size 1 fits babies 7-22 pounds and size 2 fits 22-35 pounds).
Quality Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Appeal Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Value Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Functionality Rating: 4 out of 5 starsÂ
Style Rating: 4 out of 5 starsÂ
Overall Rating: 86% B
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The Bumkins cover was my favorite part of this system. Â Like their AIOs, these contain no phthalates, PVC, BPA, or vinyl, and they come in a tremendous variety of cute prints like paisley, polka dots, and even Dr. Seuss characters. Â The cover has convenient overlapping, rounded Velcro tabs with a self-closing laundry flap. Â The vented back helps it to dry faster than any cover I’ve tried. Â The waist and gusseted legs contain internal elastic for leak protection, and the entire cover (including trim) is totally waterproof. Â We used these covers with a variety of diapers and found them to be extremely effective with each. Â You can buy these online for $14.95 (white) or $16.95 (prints).
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Quality Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Appeal Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Value Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Functionality Rating: 5 out of 5 starsÂ
Style Rating: 5 out of 5 starsÂ
Overall Rating: 96% A
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Attention Baltimore Mamas! If you order from Bumkins soon, you can get free shipping (UPS ground) on orders of $75.00 or more. Use coupon code bmama08 at the checkout. This deal expires on 12/31/08.
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Have you seen these new eco-friendly kicks from Pedoodle? Made from discarded, eco-friendly leather and the soles of the shoes are constructed from recycled materials, as well.
Their “Running Shoes” are quite flexible. The velcro straps make it easy for a 2.5 year old to take on and off his or her self. You will also find these to work very well on a child who has a high arch. Darling styles, very comfortable, and environmentally friendly…who could ask for more?
If you’re looking for one stop shopping for baby needs, Bumkins Finer Baby Products is a good place to start. They’ve got a plethora of products including bibs, bags, gift sets, and organic options. Â And that’s all in addition to the convenience and variety they offer in their cloth diapers.
Bumkins pioneered the All-in-One cloth diaper nearly twenty years ago, and they’ve recently revamped the design to bring the ecological and personal benefits of cloth diapering to a wider audience. Â The new All-in-One consists of six layers of soft cotton flannel covered by a waterproof fabric shell that is free of PVC, phthalates, BPA, and lead. Â Legs are protected by internally sewn elastic that creates leak shield gussets. Â The closures are rounded Velcro that can overlap for a customized fit, and they include a self-closing Velcro laundry flap to keep them from snagging or sticking (this can also be used as a handle to grip while spraying dirty diaper mess into the toilet).
This was my first experience with an an All-in-One, and I have to admit I was a bit skeptical. Â I’m not someone who typically sacrifices quality for convenience, so I’m happy to note that the Bumkins AIO is well-made, does its job, and has held up well in the laundry. Â My daughter is on the low end of the weight range in her size, and I was nervous that the diaper would be too loose to contain her messes. Â While the diaper is currently a bit bulky, the Velcro closure system ensures a snug and leak proof fit, and she’ll be able to wear it for quite awhile. Â I really like the shape of the diaper, which provides ample coverage on her bottom and fits well around her skinny legs. Â And the patterns! Â I’ve never seen so many super cute bums. There are over twenty prints to choose from.
Back to the convenience issue, because I know it can make or break your cloth diapering experience: this is definitely the easiest cloth diaper I’ve used. Â I think they’re even easier than disposables (maybe it’s just my lack of practice but I can never get those things to fit properly). Â And though it’s not my number one priority, I value convenience more now that changing time is Pema’s least favorite part of the day. Â (There’s nothing like a nine-month-old trying to throw herself onto the floor to make you appreciate a quick change.) Â These are also easy to clean, and they haven’t required any extra time in the dryer. Â I imagine that, due to their ease of use, grandparents and babysitters will become huge fans of the Bumkins AIOs, and that they can convert some hardcore disposable diaper lovers to a greener existence as well.
These retail for $22.95 (white) or $24.95 (prints). Â You can save some money by buying three- or six-pack bundles, which also include cotton inserts.
Attention Baltimore Mamas! If you order from Bumkins soon, you can get free shipping (UPS ground) on orders of $75.00 or more. Use coupon code bmama08 at the checkout. This deal expires on 12/31/08.
Quality Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Appeal Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Value Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Functionality Rating: 4.5 out of 5 starsÂ
Style Rating: 5 out of 5 starsÂ
Overall Rating: 90% A-
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