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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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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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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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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Bamboo — it’s not just for pandas anymore. Due to its strength, durability, and speedy regeneration, this incredible plant has been used for centuries as a building material by cultures all over the world. Bamboo is an eco-friendly alternative to using conventional wood in everything from floors and fences to cutting boards and chopsticks. And now, it’s morphed into a cloth diaper!
Bamboozles are award-winning fitted diapers (nappies in the UK) made by TotsBots of Scotland and distributed in the US by our neighbors to the north, Bummis. Â Both Bummis and TotsBots adhere to strict ethical and environmental guidelines, and all of TotsBots products pass stringent European standards for non-toxicity. Â The diaper consists of four layers of bamboo with an attached adjustable doubler, and you can choose between an Aplix (velcro) fastening system or snaps. Â They come in two sizes, for babies five to 35 pounds (sizes are a bit different different depending on which fastening system you have; Aplix-closure diapers start at eight pounds), and a variety of colors in addition to the basic natural bamboo.
The pros: Bamboo is a terrific fiber for a diaper.  Apparently there are studies that prove it to be 60% more absorbent than cotton, and while I can’t vouch for the exact numbers, it did seem to hold more liquid.  I like to use the Bamboozles as my daughter’s first diaper of the day because I think she goes more in those two awake hours than at any other time.  These diapers are wonderfully soft and silky to the touch and have remained so even after several washes, providing important comfort to sensitive areas. (I wouldn’t mind some bamboo underwear of my own…) The attached doubler keeps the Bamboozles trim and can be adjusted to provide extra coverage where ever your baby needs it most. These work well under both wrap-style and pull-on covers. Bamboo grows easily without any fertilizers or pesticides so you don’t have to worry about nasty chemicals, and it’s naturally antibacterial. Â
The cons: I’m not in love with the fit of these diapers. Â While we didn’t have any issues with leaks, I tend to prefer something with a little more stretch in the leg and waist and a bit more coverage on the bum. Â I find that it makes the diapers easier to put on and adjust. Â On the plus side, though, the limited elastic means it’s less binding on baby’s skin. Â Bamboo diapers are also pricier than their cotton counterparts; these sell for $18.50 apiece, and you still need to buy covers for them. Â
Though not necessarily a con, you should remember that because they are so absorbent the Bamboozles do need extra time in the dryer. Â My policy was to dry them as usual with the cotton diapers, then hang them to make sure they’re completely dry (which will probably extend their life anyway).Â
All things considered, the Bamboozles are an effective and well-made diaper. Bamboo is great for bums!
]]>I don’t know how it works in your house, but in our family, Pema’s Papa is slightly less patient than her Mama when it comes to baby gear.  In fact, he can often be heard uttering the phrase, “Do you think the people who designed this have ever seen a baby?â€Â So, when he asserts that Kissaluvs are one of his top two favorite baby accessories (the other being our beloved Ergo), you can be sure these diapers are for real.
First the Fitteds:  These are the perfect shape. They provide excellent coverage without adding a lot of extra bulk (although I do credit these diapers with holding up a majority of my skinny baby’s pants). With their ample bottom and full coverage back, they don’t leave parts of her bum unprotected, while the low-rise front keeps her comfortable and doesn’t squeeze her belly. The newborn variety even has a snap-down front to prevent the fabric from rubbing against the sensitive umbilical area. (Also, the newborn size is perhaps the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. These were the diapers that caused our midwife to give us disposables so our luxurious cloth wouldn’t be ruined by yucky meconium.)Â
Kissaluvs Fitteds are crafted from ultra-soft, ultra-absorbent unbleached cotton fleece that’s made in the USA. Their elasticized legs and waist make these the stretchiest I’ve seen, ensuring a snug fit without binding and leaving red marks. They use a multiple snap system for optimal fit, with overlapping wings at the waist allowing them to grow with your child and last a good long time. The snaps are covered by a lifetime guarantee, a testament to how durable they are. They are also very easy for grownups to use (even members of the prefold generation) but not so easy for babies to unsnap (and believe me, Pema has already started trying). For an even more customized fit, you can roll the leg ruffles under, making the diaper less wide through the leg and crotch.Â
All of these wonderful features combine to create a diaper that works fantastically well. We have never had a leak. No wet, no mess, nothing. During her months of exclusive breastfeeding, when she would go days without a bowel movement and then produce the most copious poo you can imagine, no leaks. Now that she’s dabbling in solids and we never know what we’re going to find when we change her, no issues. And overnight, when she seems to generate more than her body weight in urine, we stick in a doubler and no worries. Kissaluvs Fitteds are easy to wash and dry and come out so soft and fluffy.  Their three sizes (0: 5-15 lbs., 1: 10-25 lbs., 2: 20-40 lbs.) should last all or most of your kiddo’s cloth diapering career.  At $11.50 for unbleached and $12.50 for colors, they are reasonably priced, and you can even find discounted package deals. Plus, these diapers fit well under every cover we’ve tried, pull-on or wrap style.Â
Because we’ve had so much success with the Fitteds, I never even thought to try Kissaluvs Contours. But when I did, I was pleasantly surprised. An economical alternative to the Fitteds (you can’t beat $5.99 for unbleached and a dollar more for colors), these are well made from the same materials and nearly as effective. The Contours are flat diapers that are specially shaped for a baby’s body and cover a wide size range (NB/S: 5-20 lbs., M/L: 15-30 lbs.). They also provide a trimmer fit that you can adjust by folding down the front.  Because they lack the elastic in the leg they are a bit more susceptible to leaks, but if you use a quality wrap style cover you shouldn’t have a problem. The absorbent, textured fabrics and the attached doubler kept our messes in check. You can pin the wings if you’d like, but it’s not necessary; you can simply wrap them around your babe in the most comfortable position. These diapers are a fabulous option for those who want to keep their diapering costs as low as possible.
And, if you need another reason to fall in love with Kissaluvs, they’ve just introduced an organic cotton/hemp fitted diaper. Does life in diapers get any better?
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I honestly cannot imagine how we made it through the first eight months of my daughter’s life without Bummis and their variety of colorful, cute, and effective diaper covers.  We had been using the basic pull-on nylon pants and never had any complaints.  They didn’t leave marks on her skin, they rarely leaked; they were fine and the price was right (they came free with my six-packs of fitted cloth diapers).  Now that I’ve tried Bummis Super Snap, Super Whisper Wrap, and Super Brite, though, I feel like we were living in the dark ages.
I was impressed with the quality of these three covers, which are part of the Bummis Super Line. Â Made exclusively in their Montreal factory, they’re sewn well and appear to be quite durable. Â They work with both flat (pre-folds or contours) and fitted (velcro or snap) cloth diapers, and they contain all the wet and/or mess without irritating Pema’s sensitive skin. Â They’re snug enough in the legs to prevent moisture from wicking onto her clothes (a common problem due to her long-and-leanness), even overnight. Â The covers are easy to clean and dry quickly: just rotate them between changes, rinse off and allow to dry, then throw them in the laundry when you do your diaper load. Â (The nice folks at Bummis even sent me a handy list of the best detergents for cloth diapers.) Â I love that the cover can stay underneath her wet diaper or bum while I wipe her off, leaving our changing pad much cleaner than when we were using the pull-on covers.
- Super Snap: I’m a sucker for snaps. Â I love them. Â Maybe they’re not quite as customizable as velcro, but you can get comfortable fit, and you don’t have to worry about snags. Â These are made from a super resistant waterproof laminate sandwiched between two layers of soft polyester knit, with elastic trim.Â
- Super Whisper Wrap: These covers use the same materials as the Super Snap, except they have a velcro-type Aplix closure with an overlapping design to ensure the most adjustable fit.  There are laundry tabs that you can attach to the closures when they’re not in use (N.B. Use these! Sometimes my husband forgets and…well, I guess I can’t complain too much when I’ve got a partner who likes to do laundry.)  These also come in some pretty stylish prints, great for hot days when your little one is most comfortable in just a dipe.
- Super Brite: The newest Bummis cover, this one is lightweight and slim-fitting.  It’s made of a single layer of polyester with a laminated interior that you can simply wipe clean instead of rinsing.  The leg gussets maintain a terrific fit and are made of lycra, not elastic.  The Super Brite uses the same Aplix closure system as the Super Whisper Wrap and comes in a sweet polka dot pattern in four different colors.
Hopscotch Designs makes the cut with their Sophie dress ($35.99). The charming and simplistic apron style of the Sophie dress is versatile with it’s lightweight 100% cotton designer fabrics. Whether it be a play date or special occasion, you know she’ll be the best dressed.
1950′s style aprons were the inspiration for these beauties (think “I Love Lucy”). I know I have seen several actual aprons for little girls and thought, “gosh if they would just sew it up the back- it would be perfect!” But, that the Sophie dress is not the only product offered, there is also their signature Madigan dress (their first creation), girls separates, coats, boys shirts, and amazing quilts in many sizes.
Hopscotch Designs takes pretty and makes it prettier.
This mom owned company is run by two passionate and inspired moms who spent the first 5 years of their business selling at farmer’s markets, but, has since expanded into many boutiques across the US.
