Update: Cloth Diapers and Apartment Living

I have lived in an apartment without washer & dryer hook ups or a laundry room since September 2010. I decided that when I moved in I would hook my washing machine up to my kitchen sink and air dry my diapers. I have been doing this for the past 9 months and I am happy to report that I haven't had any problems! At first I was worried about water pressure and the amount of time air drying takes, but both of these things are non issues.

I have been using different kinds of soaps. First I was using Rockin' Green, which I absolutely love, but once that ran out I didn't have the money to get anymore. Being a single mom means I am on a serious budget. Luckily I had a large box of Country Save, so I used that for quite a while. I recently joined this awesome site called Heartsy, I had some credits from referring friends so I was able to purchase a deal from Life Soap Simple and I got some natural citrus laundry soap for free (and a stain stick too)! I have been using this on my diapers and it's working wonderfully.

For my wash cycle I turn my cold water on and do a cold rinse. Once that's finished I turn my sink to hot and put it on the longest wash with an extra rinse, then for good measure I do one more quick cold rinse and then hang the diapers up to dry.

One good thing about living in Texas is the fact that it's been warm/hot for months now, so my diapers dry super fast when I hang them outside. During the winter months it took a little longer since I usually just hung them indoors, but I have never been without clean cloth diapers to use. 

Even if you can't hook a washing machine up to your sink, there are ways to wash diapers if you live in an apartment. Don't let apartment living sway you away from using cloth. Depending on your situation there are diapering options that would be more apartment friendly than others. Do you live in an apartment and cloth? Share your routines!

Handmade Monday: Wool Longies From The Littlest Forest Giveaway

Every Monday is going to be Handmade Monday here at The Hip (Single) Mama. Handmade Monday will feature our favorite small businesses and handmade goods. There's so much great stuff out there that's made by moms like us that they deserve their very own special day.

To kick of our first ever Handmade Monday we're going to be giving away one medium pair of sage green merino wool longies from The Littlest Forest on Etsy!

 

Medium longies on a 19 month old 30lb baby

These longies are made with two layers of 100% merino wool interlock that is knit and dyed in Peru. They are a pull-up style without elastic in the waistband, so you don't have to worry about red marks on your little ones sensitive skin. These longies are The Little Forest's new "sweatpant style" longies, which feature a cuff on the bottom.

The medium longies have the following measurements (unstretched):

Waist: 16"

Rise: 14"

Inseam: 10"

So, what do you have to do to win? It's easy! First and foremost you MUST be a public follower of The Hip (Single) Mama on Google Friend Connect (to the right).

Once you are a public follower please post in a comment why you would love to win these longies and what other products from The Littlest Forest you love. (Be sure you leave your email address so I have a way to contact you if you win!)

Additional Entries 

(please post a separate comment for each entry)

1. "Like" The Littlest Forest on Facebook

2. "Like" The Hip (Single) Mama on Facebook

3. Link to The Hip (Single) Mama on your blog! (2 entries)

4. Tweet about this contest: Win wool longies for your #clothdiapers from @lepetitowlet http://bit.ly/icbjGb (up to 3 tweets per day. Please leave the permalink for each tweet, and make sure your entries are in separate comments!)

5. Blog about this giveaway! (5 entries. Please leave a link to your blog)

This contest is open to U.S residents only and will end on March 6th at 11:59pm CST. Good Luck!

If you have a small business that sells handmade items and are interested in being featured on Handmade Monday then please email ohdearjessica@gmail.com

BabyKicks Organic Fitted Review

I'm always on the search for cloth diapers to try with features that I love. I have a strong love for fitted diapers with wool, especially during the day, because I want Elijah to wear something that is breathable and natural. Some other features that I love are of course one size diapers, because they will fit my son until potty training, and side snaps because my 19 month old babe is always on the go and keeping him down is hard enough as it is, side snaps are a bit easier to fasten when he's rolling over. I was thrilled to receive a BabyKicks Organic Fitted diaper to test out because it has all these features and then some.

Fit: This diaper is very trim, which I love, especially since I pair fitted diapers with wool which can add some bulk. The side snaps create a snug fit around Eli's waist, and since this is a one size diaper there are snaps to change the rise setting.

Ease of use: I love the different colored snaps on this diaper, they make it super easy to use! I don't have t count or guess, I just snap the snaps with their coordinating colors. This diaper has a pocket, so you need to stuff the insert in before use, but I always do that after washing and drying anyway. I love when fitteds have pockets because you can add more absorbency if needed.

Performance: This diaper is made of organic cotton and hemp. Hemp is the most absorbent material, so this diaper can hold a lot. I Eli doesn't usually do very well with fitteds overnight anymore (he is a heavy wetter and gets really fussy when he can feel the moisture), but this diaper help up pretty great at night. It's the perfect diaper for when e are out running errands and there's an extended amount of time when I can't change him right away. Overall this fitted diaper has gone above and beyond my expectations.

Value: The BabyKicks Organic Fitted retails for $19.95. This is pretty standard for an organic fitted diaper. Some organic fitteds that are not one-size diapers cost this much, so that fact that this diaper will last from birth to potty training helps with the value. If you wanted to diaper your baby using BabyKicks exclusively, you could have a 12-diaper stash for around $240. 

We love our BabyKicks Organic Fitted diaper. You can use this fitted diaper as a training pant too, which is an added bonus in my eyes.

You can purchase your own BabyKicks Organic Fitted diaper on their website!

"Like" BabyKicks on Facebook!

Disclaimer: I did not receive payment in any form for this review.

I did receive a sample of the product or service for testing and review purposes. This will in no way sway my opinion of the product or service.The review is in my own words and is my own opinion. Your results and opinion may differ

Cloth Diapering & Apartment Living

Cloth diapering isn't just for people in houses with washers and dryers. It seems like it would be a pain in the but the wash cloth diapers if you live in an apartment, but you actually have a lot of options of how you can do things. 

The apartment that I am moving into has NO W/D hookups and NO on-site laundry facility. It's a 4-plex (one building, 4 apartments) and it's a fairly old building (I do however have a sort of yard, and I saw a hammock hanging between two trees). The laundry situation isn't ideal, but it made me do some research. Upon searching I discovered that yes, there is such a thing as a portable washing machine, and no, you don't need hook ups for it. If you have a kitchen sink then you're good to go. They even make some small enough to fit on your counter top! I'm planning on hopefully getting one before I move (if I can save up/sell enough stuff), I am choosing one that has a 12 lb. capacity (since dirty diapers are pretty heavy) and it's approximately $229. If you think about it, if you are an apartment dweller in a similar situation you could get one of these washers and an entire stash of cloth diapers and still save thousands of dollars. Once you spend that initial money then you're done spending money on diapers entirely.

I figure that since I live in Texas and it's going to be hot/warm until Halloween, that I can air dry while I save up for a portable dryer.

I am going to try to update more often, and I especially want to update my cloth diapering journey going from a house with a washer and dryer out back, to an apartment with none of the above.

Bummis Easy Fit Review

I was given the opportunity by Bummis to try the Easy Fit diaper when it was first released. We've been using this diaper for quite a few weeks now and I have to say, we love it! Cloth diapering, as you know, is important to me. I love being able to try all different cloth diapers so I can spread the word and get more babies into cloth (check out The Cloth Diaper Revolution on Facebook, and the blog).

Now, velcro like closures are hard for us sometimes because it just so happens that Eli likes being naked and if his diaper is velcro then he will take it off. The velcro on the Easy Fit is pretty sturdy and it's one of the diapers that little E has a harder time taking off, so that's a plus!

Fit: This diaper comes in two sizes, the one size which fits 8-35lbs, and the Tini Fit which fits 5-12lbs (perfect for a preemie). We of course got the one size and the fit is great. We are on the middle rise setting and the velcro closures make the waist super adjustable for a perfect fit.

Ease of use: The Easy Fit has an attached liner made of rayon from bamboo. There is a pocket so you can fold the liner in to create 6 layers of absorbency and add extra inserts if needed for heavy wetters or night time use. Because the liner is sewn in there are really no extra steps other than folding it down before putting it on your baby. I generally do this after washing and drying so the diaper is ready to go when I need it.

Performance: The liner is made from bamboo and gives you 6 layers of absorbency. I find bamboo to be one of the most absorbent fabrics, and this diaper certainly proves that. I have been able to test the Easy Fit over night and during the day and I have not once ever had a leak, even when I forgot to put in an extra insert for night. 

Value: I checked pricing at several different online shops. I saw it listed from $18.95 to $27. Now, I think $27 is a bit much, $18.95 is more like the right price, and the diaper is well worth that amount. $18.95 is the average amount for an all in one or pocket diaper. Any amount is still better than paying $20/week in disposables, but I would certainly shop around online for the proper pricing.

Check the Bummis website for retailers near you!

"Like" Bummis on Facebook!

Disclaimer: I did not receive payment in any form for this review.

I did receive a sample of the product or service for testing and review purposes. This will in no way sway my opinion of the product or service.The review is in my own words and is my own opinion. Your results and opinion may differ.

The Truth About Sustainable Diapers

This post is part of the Real Diaper Facts carnival hosted by Real Diaper Events, the official blog of the Real Diaper Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to cloth diaper education. Participants were asked to write about diaper lies and real diaper facts. See the list at the bottom of this post to read the rest of the carnival entries.

I've been cloth diapering my baby since he was a newborn. After much research there was no question that cloth diapers were in fact better for my baby, the environment, and my wallet. Cloth diapering is so important to me that I've even started an organization called The Cloth Diaper Revolution. Our main goal is to get more babies into cloth diapers, show mamas, mamas-to-be, and papas how insanely easy (and awesome) cloth diapering is.

Of course there always has to be someone against cloth diapering, and who better than Proctor & Gamble, the makers of Pampers. They have decided to come up with this myth vs. facts page that's full of lies to try to make people think their chemical burn giving diapers are a better alternative than cloth diapers. Well, P&G, The Cloth Diaper Revolution is here to challenge you.



Truth: Cloth diapers are better for my baby.

Disposable diapers contain traces of dioxin. What is dioxin? It's a carcinogen listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals. Now having had cancer I can say I am extra cautious about stuff like this because I have been there done that, it's not fun, and why ould I put my baby at risk of having to go through a similar experience?
Not only do they contain dioxin, but the SAP (super absorbent polymer) in disposables (the gel that makes them super absorbent) is what as causing toxic shock syndrome from tampons.
Cloth diapers are fabric. No chemicals! You can even get cloth diapers in many organic fabrics such as organic cotton fleece, wool diaper covers, etc. I dare you to tell me your polyacetel gel beads and dioxin is better than an organic cotton fitted with a wool cover.




Truth: Cloth diapers are better for the environment than disposables.

 Truth, truth, truth, truth x 1000! I hate the whole "well water is a precious resource argument". Yeah, water is important, but how much water do you think goes into making your plastic diaper? How many non-renewable resources are being used? You think they wave a magic plastic wand and your diapers appear!? NO! There are a lot of processes to making your diapers and they are far from eco-friendly. I make cloth diapers. Me, one woman. I make a lot of cloth diapers, and I guarantee my impact is far less than those of disposable diaper companies. Not only that but you throw plastic diapers in the TRASH. Trash = waste. I use my cloth diapers over and over again, and if I ever have another baby then I will use them then too, and finally when I am done using them I will give them to someone else who will use them. So, cloth diapers are 100% better for the environment.



Truth: Disposable diapers are harmful to the environment.

Disposable diapers take between 250 - 500 years to break down. No one ones for sure because no one has ever lived to tell the tale. Not only do disposable diapers last forever but even though all disposable diaper packages state that solid waste should be flushed and not thrown out, people just throw it out anyway. What's the point of using disposables if you can't just throw the poop out with them? Feces is hazardous waste, and bacteria from these diapers is making it's way into our water supply and air and spreading disease. But that's ok right? Cause a landfill is not part of out environment, and neither is our water and air.

Little-to-Big Wool Cover Review

It's time for my favorite fiber (wool!) to make another appearance on here in the form of a Little-to-Big Organic Wool Cover by Better For Babies review.

As a quick refresher course in the wonders of wool you can check out this post that I wrote about it.

❝ While its beginnings were nurtured overseas while living abroad in Wales, Better for Babies, Inc. now has its roots firmly planted, and growing, outside Atlanta, Georgia.

 

In 2007, Leah opened her own manufacturing facility near her town’s square allowing her to see to fruition a dedication to local and sustainable production, fair wages, green business practices, and an uncompromising commitment to quality products, innovation and customer service. From there, Little Beetle organic diapers and wool covers are born. The Tres Tria Co-sleeping Solution came next, followed by a growth spurt resulting in Better For Grownups.❞

Fit: This cover has an adjustable rise, hook and loop closures, and a crossover tab for the hook and loop closure for skinny babes. This cover will definitely fit any babe, little to big. The leg elastics are not too tight like some other covers, no red marks on Eli's chunky thighs. It's a little on the "fluffier" side, but I love fluffy bums so I am ok with that, Eli will be wearing just a diaper as the weather gets warmer anyway.

Performance: It's wool, it's amazing! Really though, this cover is great. Elijah has worn it during the day and at night and we haven't ever had a leak of any sort.

Ease of Use:  In my opinion, wool is easier to use than PUL covers. They don't need to be washed as often unless they get soiled with #2, and I always wash mine in my washing machine on the delicate cycle cold then lay out to dry. No harder than caring for my cloth diapers or regular clothing laundry! The cover itself is very easy to use. I put the rise settings on the snaps that fit Eli the first time I used it so I haven't had to do it again, and this cover has a hook and loop closure so it goes on as quick as can be!

Value: This wool cover retails at $38.95. This is pretty much the average price of an organic wool cover, except most wool covers that cost this much are not one size, so by buying the Little-to-Big wool cover you are getting a better deal, this will last you from birth to potty training!

Buy it: Visit Better For Babies to buy your own Little-to-Big Cover (and some other great cloth diapers and covers!)

Connect: Fan Better For Babies on Facebook & follow them on Twitter!

Disclaimer: I did not receive payment in any form for this review.

I did receive a sample of the product or service for testing and review purposes. This will in no way sway my opinion of the product or service.The review is in my own words and is my own opinion. Your results and opinion may differ.

Kissa's Wool Lover Diaper Cover Review

I was recently given the opportunity to test out Kissaluvs new wool diaper cover, which of course I was excited about because I love wool, it's my favorite fibers. One of the great things about wool covers (besides the fact that they are breathable and oh so darn cute on little baby bums) is that they will last forever. Wool is a fiber that doesn't break down like other materials, it's strong and stays strong, so you can use your wool covers for multiple children. They will also hold up really well so you can keep them as heirlooms. I know I want to give Elijah his wool covers one day when he's older, that would be such a great thing to have!

Kissaluvs began in a dining room with a fitted diaper for baby "Kissa". Today Kissaluvs continues to be a family owned and operated business. Kissaluvs makes and distributes cloth diaper supplies in the most responsible way possible which includes using local and US suppliers when possible (all of their fabric, diapers, lotions, and potions are made in the USA), recycling, compensating their employees with a fair wage, paid time off, and excellent equipment to use. Kissaluvs also donates fabric scraps! 

 Fit: I received this cover in a size medium, which is a perfect fit for Elijah. I was just looking at the measurements again and I realize I could have totally gotten a large so we can use it longer.

A good thing about wool is that it stretches, so while a large would have worked for us, the medium will probably be in use for a while longer. I would definitely suggest sizing up though, as you can see from the chart above the differences in sizes is so small that you can be pretty flexible.

Other than that the cover fit great, the leg openings were a good size, and the waist was high so you could roll it down or keep it up if you wanted to.

Performance: This wool cover has been wonderful. The wool is super soft and thicker than some of our other wool covers, so you don't need to lanolize it as often. I've only used my spray lanolin once and this cover has been great, no leaks at all.

Ease of use: This is a pull on wool cover which is the easiest kind of cover to use. No need to snap or affix velcro like closures. Just pull on and off. Wool, in my opinion, is easier to wash than PUL covers because you don't have to wash it often. I wash my wool covers once every 3-4 weeks. I have several covers, someone who has less could still easily go 2-3 weeks. After your baby wears it you just take it off and let it dry inside out.

Value: This cover retails for $36 which is standard pricing for wool, it's actually less expensive than some other wool covers of this style. I wouldn't think twice about purchasing this wool cover if I saw it in a store because it's so soft and I love the pull on style.

Buy it: You can purchase Kissa's Wool Lover Cover online at Kissaluvs. You can also find a local retailer near you bye searching here. 

Disclaimer: I did not receive payment in any form for this review.

I did receive a sample of the product or service for testing and review purposes. This will in no way sway my opinion of the product or service.The review is in my own words and is my own opinion. Your results and opinion may differ.

Thirstie's Duo Diaper Review & Giveaway

It's unofficially cloth diaper week at Le Petit Owlet!

All of the best cloth diapers started out as a mom's vision and solution to ill or non-fitting cloth diapers and covers. The president and founder, Erin, started Thirstie's when she couldn't find a diaper cover that suited her baby's needs. The first covers were patterned, cut, and sewn at her dining room table with her secondhand sewing machine. After 18 months of testing and tweaking the covers were finally released to the public and this great company was born.

All of Thirstie's diapers and covers are made in the USA by a small group of moms who get to work in the convenience of their own homes. 90% of the components are USA-sourced which helps support domestic textile mills and reduce their carbon footprint. 

I was given the chance to review the Thirstie's Duo Diaper. I chose ocean blue in size 2 which fits 18 to 40lbs, approximately 9-36 months. My son is 8 months old and approximately 21lbs.

Fit: I can tell this diaper is going to last us until Eli is out of diapers. He fits into this diaper on both the smallest and 2nd rise setting. In this photo he is shown wearing the Duo Diaper on the 2nd rise setting (and no, he can't stand up unassisted yet, this picture is an illusion)! This diaper has a fairly trim fit, it's a little bulky when stuffed with both inserts, but Elijah doesn't mind, and I certainly don't mind. What's fluff when you don't have a fluffy bum!? The hook & loop closure is a cinch to use, and it has crossover tabs so these diapers will fit even the skinniest of babes (I own some Thirstie's Fab Fitteds as well and their hook & loop closures have held up the best out of all diapers I have owned for 8+ months). One thing I really love about Thirstie's are the leg gussets! I have never had a leak in this diaper or with my Thirstie's covers.

Performance: I have had the luxury of testing this diaper out with both poop and pee and it's been great for both! No leaks or blowouts, and the absorbency is wonderful. I've put this diaper on Elijah overnight several times and I won't hesitate to use it overnight again. This diaper comes with two inserts that snap together, a 100% microfiber terry insert and a hemp jersey insert which is 55% hemp/45% cotton. I always use this diaper with both inserts just because they are super absorbent together. The inner diaper layer is microfleece which wicks moisture away from your baby so they stay dry!

Ease of use: The Thirstie's Duo Diaper is designed with two pocket openings, one in the front and one in the back. You don't have to take the insert out before throwing the diaper in the wash, it agitates itself out (yes, even in a front loading machine!) which means one less step for you. Cloth diaper laundry is my favorite chore, but I am always happy when I have one less diaper that I need to worry about taking the insert out of. The pocket openings are wide, so stuffing the diaper before use is easy. This diaper is definitely babysitter and husband friendly, which means it's very easy to use :)

Value: The suggested retail for the Thirstie's Duo Diaper is $18.50. You can completely diaper your baby from birth to potty learning with 12 of each size (24 diapers total) for $444. Considering that you would be spending thousands more with disposable diapers makes $444 look really good. These diapers are such great quality with superb performance that they are worth every penny!

We love this diaper. It works great, looks cute, and is easy to use. I'll definitely be buying some more of these!

Buy it: Visit the Thirstie's website to find the retailer closest to you! 

Win it: Thirstie's is kindly offering one of our readers their very own Duo Diaper (an $18.50 value)!

Rules: You must complete the mandatory entry for your additional entries to be valid. Please leave one separate comment for each entry (ie: if you get 2 entries then leave 2 separate comments, it's easier on me when counting). Please make sure you leave your email address so I have a way to contact you if you win!

Mandatory Entry

 (must be completed for your additional entries to be valid)

Visit the Thirstie's website and tell me which Duo Diaper color and size you would choose if you won!

Additional Entries

❤ Visit the Thirstie's website and tell me something you learned about the company or products (1 entry)

❤ Become a fan of Thirstie's on Facebook! (1 entry)

❤ Become a fan of Le Petit Owlet on Facebook! (1 entry)

❤ Follow @lepetitowlet on Twitter (1 entry)

❤ Follow @thirstiesinc on Twitter (1 entry)

❤ Follow Le Petit Owlet publicly via Google Friend Connect (1 entry, right sidebar)

❤ Subscribe to Le Petit Owlet via Feedburner (2 entries, right sidebar)

❤ Put one of my buttons on your blog! (2 entries, leave a link)

❤ Blog about this giveaway (2 entries, leave a link)

❤ Purchase something from the Thirstie's Outlet and leave a comment telling me what you got! (3 entries, please save your purchase confirmation email)

❤ Tweet about this giveaway ❝ Win a @thirstiesinc Duo Diaper from @lepetitowlet http://ow.ly/1fjki #clothdiapers ❞ (Limited to one tweet per day, please leave the permalink)

❤ Comment on another post and tell me which one you commented on! (1 entry)

Contest will end on March 17th, 2010 at 11:59pm CST. Winner will be chosen via random.org and announced on March 18th, 2010.

Good luck!

Disclaimer: I did not receive payment in any form for this review.

I did receive a sample of the product or service for testing and review purposes. This will in no way sway my opinion of the product or service.The review is in my own words and is my own opinion. Your results and opinion may differ.

Happy Heinys Review & Giveaway - closed

Cloth diapering is something I am very passionate about. Because of that, I love trying out all different kinds of cloth diapers and conveying my results to other mamas out there in hopes of making their decisions easier when it comes time to purchase diapers. 

Happy Heinys did not start as a business venture, but rather a necessity for Linda and Mike Byerline. In 2002 their third child, Sarah Grace, was born prematurely and consequently developed chronic lung disease from the ventilator that saved her life. Knowing that disposable diapers contain many chemicals, doctors suggested that Linda and Mike switch to cloth in hopes of decreasing a need for medications and potential hospitalizations. They took the doctors advice and made the switch to cloth which resulted in a 50% decrease in the need for medications and hospitalizations, but because Sarah Grace was premature, she was small and there were no cloth diapers that fit her well. Linda then began sewing her own cloth diapers for her daughter. While she was sewing diapers for her daughter she found that she would end up with extra diapers which she would sell on eBay. The popularity of the diapers made Linda realize that there were other moms out there who wanted safe and easy to use diapers for their children. Within a year Linda was selling her diapers to wholesalers. This is how Happy Heinys was born.

I was sent a Happy Heinys one size pocket diaper in a mocha brown with the aplix closure for review.

Fit: I was so happy when I put this diaper on Elijah because it fits him well on the small setting, and that normally doesn't happen since my 8 month old is 21 pounds! That tells me that this diaper is probably going to truly fit him until he's out of diapers. With that being said, it will probably be a little large for a newborn, but Happy Heinys makes some really cute mini one size diapers that will fit your baby from 4 to 15lbs. So whether you have large or small babies, Happy Heinys has you covered. 

The aplix has a cross-over closure which is great. Sometimes diapers that don't have that cross-over option don't fit skinny babes too well.

Performance: The performance has been great aside from one leak. I don't think the leak happened because of a performance flaw with the diaper. I honestly don't think any diaper would have held this poop in, it was of the watery sorts. Aside from that one time, there has not been any other leaks or problems! I love the insert for this diaper because it's wide and fits the entire width of the diaper. Some inserts are too skinny for their diaper counterparts which can result in leaks. 

Ease of use: Happy Heinys are very easy to use. The only extra step that is required is stuffing the insert into the pocket, but if you're weird like me then that's kind of fun (diaper laundry is my favorite chore and when you have your diapers all stuffed and folded all nice and neat you feel so accomplished)! The aplix makes putting the diaper on your babe a breeze. I have even failed to take the insert out when I put this diaper in the wash a couple times, but the pocket opening is large enough that it's worked it's way out!

Value: The Happy Heinys one size pocket diaper costs $18.95 which is a pretty standard price for this kind of diaper. Considering that it does run a bit larger than some other diapers means you will be able to get more use out of it. They also carry a snap version of this diaper for the same price. You can purchase 12 of these diapers for around $227, which is hardly a fraction of the cost of disposables!

Not only does Happy Heinys carry the one size and mini one size pocket diapers, but they also have fitted diapers, wool and fleece diaper covers, inserts and doublers, training pants, wet bags, mama pads an also nursing pads.

Buy It: Visit Happy Heinys where to buy page to find a retailer near you or online!

 

Win It: Happy Heinys has generously offered one of Le Petit Owlet's readers a one size pocket diaper of their very own!

Rules: You must complete the mandatory entry for your additional entries to be valid. Please leave one separate comment for each entry (ie: if you get 2 entries then leave 2 separate comments, it's easier on me when counting). Please make sure you leave your email address so I have a way to contact you if you win!

Mandatory Entry

 (must be completed for your additional entries to be valid)

Visit Happy Heinys and tell me which one of the pocket diaper colors you would choose if you won!

Additional Entries

❤ Visit the Happy Heinys website and tell me something you learned about the company or products (1 entry)

❤ Become a fan of Happy Heinys on Facebook! (1 entry)

❤ Become a fan of Le Petit Owlet on Facebook! (1 entry)

❤ Follow @lepetitowlet on Twitter (1 entry)

❤ Follow @happyheinys on Twitter (1 entry)

❤ Follow Le Petit Owlet publicly via Google Friend Connect (1 entry, right sidebar)

❤ Subscribe to Le Petit Owlet via Feedburner (2 entries, right sidebar)

❤ Put one of my buttons on your blog! (2 entries, leave a link)

❤ Blog about this giveaway (2 entries, leave a link)

❤ Tweet about this giveaway ❝ Win a @happyheinys one size pocket diaper from @lepetitowlet http://bit.ly/djEYg8 #clothdiapers❞ (Limited to one tweet per day, please leave the permalink)

❤ Comment on another post and tell me which one you commented on! (1 entry)

Contest will end on March 15th, 2010 at 11:59pm CST. Winner will be chosen via random.org and announced on March 16th, 2010.

Good luck! 

Disclaimer: I did not receive payment in any form for this review.

I did receive a sample of the product or service for testing and review purposes. This will in no way sway my opinion of the product or service.The review is in my own words and is my own opinion. Your results and opinion may differ.

The Partial Cloth Diaper Stash!

Pockets + All In Ones

Row 1 top to bottom: Jellybean Baby AIO, gDiapers, gDiapers, Rumparooz G2, Rumparooz G2, Lollidoo Overnight

Row 2 is all bumGenius OS Pockets

Row 3 top to bottom: Kushies Ultra Lite, Imse Vimse Organic AIO, Preston's Pants PUL OS, Preston's Pants Breathable Fleece, Happy Heiny's OS, Thirstie's Duo Diaper

 

Fitteds 

 Row 1 top to bottom: Little Owls Fitted, Little Owls Fitted, DiapeyDoo Diaper, Swaddlebees Hemp, Swaddlebees Organic Bamboo Velour, Swaddlebees Organic Bamboo Velour

Row 2 top to bottom: Swaddlebees Organic Bamboo Velour, Swaddlebees Organic Bamboo Velour, Oh, Naturel, Thirstie's Fab Fitted, Thirstie's Fab Fitted, bumGenius Bamboo, bumGenius Bamboo

Row 3 top to bottom: Little Beetle's Original, Little Beetle's Original, Bella Bottoms, Little Owls Fitted, Little Owls Fitted, Little Owls Fitted, Prefold turned into fitted

  

PUL, Wool & Extra Inserts

2 pairs fleece longies, Little Owls Wool Interlock Longies, Little Owls Wool Interlock Soaker, Imse Vimse Bumpy Wool Cover, Swaddlebees Wool Cover, 3 Thirstie's Pul Covers, 2 Bummi's Whisper Wraps, 2 Prorap Covers

Total diapers shown: 38
Missing: 3 bumGenius OS pockets, 1 Rumparooz G2, and 15 Preston's Pants (custom order being shipped soon!).
Total stash: 57 (that's obsession territory!)

Converting bumGenius Diapers To Snaps!

I have had my bumGenius diapers since Elijah was born 7 months ago. Hook & Loop, especially on diapers (in my opinion) should last longer than that, but unfortunately it hasn't on my bumGenius diapers. I always have a diaper chain (all diapers stuck together via the hook & loop) and it's making them pilly. Finally last night I decided to try converting one of the diapers to snaps to see if I should just convert them all. It worked out great!

 

 

No more diaper chain for us! Keep in mind if you decide to do this it will void any warranty you have on your bumGenius diapers. If anybody wants to convert their diapers to snaps but doesn't have a snap press don't hesitate to contact me, I'll gladly do it for you for the price of snaps, shipping and $1 per diaper!

LolliDoo Diapers Review!

 

I was so excited to review this diaper, then we had a drawback. My son woke up soaking wet in the middle of the night one night while wearing it. It was not the diapers fault. I was so relieved about this because I love the diaper and I wanted to review it but I don't write bad reviews because I want to be a resource for products that I love and send people business, not take it away. Alison, one of the two creators of LolliDoo diapers was so helpful while I was trying to troubleshoot the leak the problem. She made some helpful suggestions and got back to me super quick! The wonderful customer service makes me love these diapers even more. Turns out that I was accidentally sent a flat instead of one of the 'innies' and the elastic on the legs needed to be adjusted. The night the diaper leaked was also the night that my husband put it on Elijah, so it might have been a little loose. Every time we have used it since that one night it has performed perfectly.

LolliDoo Diapers were created by Alison Manes and Melissa Morgan, business partners, best friends, babywearing, breastfeeding, naturally birthing, work at home moms. Alison has 6 kids and Melissa has 3, so this pair knows a thing or two about diapering little bums!

LolliDoo diapers are made with EcoSpun® recycled performance fleece made out of recycled PET bottles. Each diaper uses 6 plastic water bottles to make, so not only are you keeping disposables out of the landfills, but you are keeping those plastic bottles out too! I can't think of a better thing to do with plastic bottles than make a cloth diaper, genius. As a company they are conducting business with minimal environmental impact. They source all manufacturing components domestically and have even started a diaper recycling program where you can send them your no longer usable diapers to feed into existing fiber recycling. 

Fit: I love the uniqueness in the fit of these diapers. They have adjustable elastic cinch sizing in the legs. They go from an extra small to an extra large. The elastic is very easy to adjust and seems super durable. Once we figured out that our elastic was off, these were a perfect fit for Elijah. There are 2 rows of snaps on the front to adjust the waist and legs. I do wish there were a few more snaps so you could make the diaper a bit wider, but it fit Elijah well.

Performance: Elijah wore this diaper from 9:30pm to 9:00am, he sleeps through the night and no longer poops at night so we wait until the morning to change him. This diaper kept him dry! I have some other pockets that we normally use for night time diapering and they don't compare to the LolliDoo diapers. Since I was only sent the flat I stuffed it with one of my own inserts and it was great, the flat was very absorbent too (just not enough for night time diapering), I put the diaper on Elijah several times during the day with just the flat as an insert and it did not leak.

Value: I've looked at all of the retailers websites and found that these diapers cost anywhere from $28 to $36. Definitely on the pricier side, but if you think about the fact that you are 1) supporting two work at home moms who have created and are running this wonderfully eco-friendly company, 2) buying a product that is made from recycled materials and keeping plastic bottles (and disposable diapers) out of the landfills, and 3) buying a diaper that will be your new perfect night time diapering solution, well, it seems worth it to me!

To see a list of the current LolliDoo retailers you can go look at this list on the LolliDoo Facebook page. While you are there you should become a fan!

You can also visit the LolliDoo website to learn about them and their products!

Disclaimer: I did not receive payment in any form for this review.

I did receive a sample of the product or service for testing and review purposes. This will in no way sway my opinion of the product or service. The review is in my own words and is my own opinion. Your results and opinion may differ.

All You Ever Wanted To Know About Cloth Diapers!

If you are new to cloth diapering, a mom-to-be that wants to cloth diaper, or just curious about them then you are probably overwhelmed, and rightfully so! Cloth diapers have become so advanced over the past several years, and the options are plentiful. It's hard to know where to start. I decided to compile an easy reference list for anyone that is overwhelmed and wants to learn what's what in the cloth diaper world!

Different Styles of Cloth Diapers

Prefold: Prefolds are rectangular shaped diapers that must be folded. They have multiple layers with some extra layers in the middle of the diaper (the wet zone). You will usually see these with 2-4 layers on the outer sections and 6-8 layers in the middle section. You can get either Chinese prefolds or Indian prefolds. Chinese prefolds are more heavy duty than Indian prefolds. They are generally made from twill with a thicker thread. They last longer than Indian prefolds but are not as absorbent or soft. You have to wash Chinese prefolds about 7-10 times to get the oils out of the fabric to prep them for use. Indian Prefolds are very soft and usually made from gauze cotton. They are more absorbent than their Chinese counter part. Indian prefolds will wear out faster than Chinese prefolds. You only need to wash unbleached Indian prefolds 3-5 times to prep them for use. Pinning or snappi-ing is required and they need a waterproof cover.

Flat: Flat diapers are the classic "old-fashioned" style diaper. They are made with one layer of birds-eye. They can also be found in muslin or flannel. Because they are just one layer they wash and dry quickly. These are a more complicated cloth diapering choice because you must fold them more than prefolds. Pinning or snappi-ing is required and they need a waterproof cover.

Contour: Contour diapers are marde in an hourglass shape for a trimmer fit than prefolds. They do not have elastic in the legs or back, but they fit the shape of the baby. I have been told that contour diapers do not hold in EBF (exclusively breastfed) poop very well. Pinning or snappi-ing is required and they need a waterproof cover.

Fitted: Fitted diapers ale a "step up" from prefolds. They are contoured with elastic around the legs and back. They fasten with hook & loop or snaps. They come in either sized (NB, small, med, lg) or one size (with snaps to adjust the rise, usually 3 sizes in one). Fitted diapers are not waterproof and require a cover.

All In One: All in one diapers are the closes resemblance to disposable diapers. They have a waterproof outer and absorbent inner. They fasten with hook & loop or snaps. No waterproof cover needed. The downside to all in one diapers is they usually take a longer time to dry.

All In 2: All in 2's are similar to all in ones except for the fact that the "soaker" is not sewn into the diaper and can be removed for faster drying time. These soakers either snap or lay in. These diapers fasten with hook & loop or snaps. No waterproof cover is needed.

Pocket: Pocket diapers have an outer layer of waterproof material and an inner layer of stay dry material. These diapers have "pockets" or sleeves where you can stuff the inserts into them. You can stuff them with one or more insert depending on your absorbency needs. These diapers fasten with hook & loop or snaps.

Diaper Covers 

Pull on cover: This is the least preferrable diaper cover. These are usually referred to as plastic pants. They have elastic around the legs and waist and you pull them on. These are not adustable so they might be poufy on some babies. An example is the Bummis Whisper Pull On Pant.

Wrap: Adjustable waterproof cover. These are usually sized or one size and fast with hook & loop or snaps. They can be made out of PUL, wool, fleece, or nylon. Some populare wrap style brands are Bummi's Whisper Wrap, Thirstie's and Thirstie's Duo Wrap, Prorap, and Little Beetle Organic Merino Wool Wrap.

Wool soaker: Wool diaper cover that is either hand knit, wool interlock, or made from recycled wool sweaters. See the diaper fabric guide below to read about wool. Some examples are Aristocrat and Disana wool soakers.

Wool longies: The same as a wool soaker but these are wool pants. Perfect for the winter! Also called woolies. Some examples are Sustainablebabiysh wool karate pants and Aristocrats wool longies.

Fleece soaker: Same as wool soakers except made with water resistant fleece instead.

Fleece longies: Same as wool longies except made with water resistant fleece instead. 

Diaper Fabric Guide

Cotton: Cotton is one of the most common diaper fabrics in flats, prefolds, and fitteds. It is usually in the form of flannel, terry, velour, jersey, sherpa, gauze, birdseye, and fleece (sweatshirt fleece).

Hemp: Hemp is more absorbent, stronger, and more durable than cotton. Many people love using hemp in diapers. It's also anti-microbial. Hemp fabrics used in diapers are usually a hemp/cotton blend.

Bamboo: Bamboo is similar to hemp in the fact that it's anti-microbial and more absorbent than cotton. Bamboo is very soft and will not hold odors. *There is some information going around about how the production of bamboo is not eco-friendly, which totally sucks :(

Microfiber: Microfiber is an extremely absorbent synthetic fabric usually used as inserts or the inner layer of diapers. It is generally compromised of 75% polyester and 25% polyamide  You should not let microfiber lay against a baby's skin because it will dry it out.

Microfleece: Microfleece is 100% polyester. It is a moisture wicking fabric. Used next to baby's skin to baby feeling dry and comfortable even when the diaper is very wet. Resistant to staining.


Suedecloth: Has many of the same qualities as microfleece except it's a bit thinner. Suedecloth doesn't pill and stays new looking longer than microfleece.

PUL: Polyurethane laminate. Fabric that has been coated with waterproof laminate and used in diaper covers or for diaper outers.

Velour: Velour is similar to velvet. It has a dense weave and short pile making it extremely soft. Most velour used in cloth diapers has a polyester backing for durability. Some popular cloth diaper velours are cotton velour (CV), organic cotton velour (OCV), and organic bamboo velour (OBV).

Windpro fleece: Windpro is a popular fleece from Malden Mills. It was designed to keep out wind and water while still allowing air circulation. Windpro is available in light, mid, and heavyweights. Heavyweight is great for night time diapering or heavy wetters, while light and mid is perfect for daytime. Usually used as a diaper outer or for fleece diaper covers.

Minky: Minky is a plush, fur like microfiber fabric. It is used in both inner and outers but is not waterproof. Usually, if used as an outer, there will be a hidden layer of PUL to make the diaper waterproof.

Wool: Wool is like no other fabric because it is breathable, water repellent, and water absorbent all at the same time. The natural lanolin that occurs in wool makes it water repellent. The lanolin is also antibacterial, thus neutralizing the urine smell in a diaper cover. You can use a wool cover, let it air out, and then use it again and again. Wool covers do need special care, but they only need to be washed once or twice a month. Wool is great because it's a natural fiber so it's breathable for baby!

 

Common Diaper Terminology & Acronyms

AIO: All in one diaper
 

AI2: All in 2 diaper
 

OS: One size diaper

DSQ: Diaper service quality (high quality, usually pertains to prefolds)

PF: Prefolds

FOE: Fold over elastic (stretchy binding used to bind some diapers and diaper covers)

Hook & Loop: Velcro like fasteners. Many diaper companies use either Touchtape or Aplix brand hook & loop.


Snaps: Most diapers that use snaps use polyactel resin snaps. Snaps outlive hook & loop and are more durable. 

Inserts: Inserts are the absorbent soaker pad for the diaper. 
 

Doublers: Doublers are smaller than inserts and used with inserts to increase absorbency.
 

Liners: Liners are thin layers of cloth or paper that are placed inside the diaper to aid in the cleaning of solid waste. They are usually flushable and biodegradable.

Diapering Accessories

Diaper sprayer: Sprayer hose that hooks up to your toilet for spraying off soiled diapers. You don't need to clean them off until your baby is not EBF (exclusively breastfed), and a diaper sprayer is by no means a necessity. If I ever need to rinse a diaper off I just do it in the tub!

Pail liner: A pail liner is a waterproof diaper pail sized bag, usually made out of PUL or nylon. Used to put your soiled cloth diapers in until laundry time. You wash the liner with your diapers.

Snappi: Diaper fastener that's easier than pins for some. Grips the fabric with teeth and the arms stretch to hold the diaper tight and in place.
 

Diaper pins: Traditional diaper fasteners. Many have a plastic locking top. 
 

Cloth wipes: Exactly what you think they are! Baby washcloths used to wipe your baby's bottom!