The Cloth Diaper Geek Explains it all! #2

Welcome to this week's edition of The Cloth Diaper Geek Explains it all! Here, every Tuesday, at Diaper Discussions you'll find answers to reader submitted questions. No question is too big or small for The Cloth Diaper Geek! Post your questions as comments or feel free to use our Reader Contribution Form to submit your question.

Below you'll find some frequently asked questions answered by The Cloth Diaper Geek!

Question: I've heard of stripping your diapers but I've never heard of stripping your washing machine? What does that entail and how do I know if I need to do it or not?

The Geek's Answer: Stripping your washing machine is pretty much just a deep cleaning to remove any dirt, debris, or laundry detergent buildup that may have occurred inside the washing machine. Prior to using/washing cloth diapers you may have used a detergent with additives not suitable for cloth. When washing your diapers there is a chance that the buildup inside your washer can affect your wash load and cause your diapers to repel even though you are currently washing with a diaper safe detergent.

Here's how:
Add 2 cups of white vinegar or 1 cup of bleach to an empty washer. Fill with cold water for the bleach method, hot/warm water for the vinegar method, and run a full wash cycle. This can be done monthly.

Question: I've read that hemp diapers shouldn't get washed with other non-hemp diapers? Is this true? Why?

The Geek's Answer: Good Question. Even the Geek hadn't known the answer to this one until recently. New Hemp diapers will need to be washed at least 2-3 times prior to washing with your regular diaper laundry. Hemp oil (a natural plant based oil) is naturally found in the fabric and washes out after a few washes. If washed with your other diapers the oil could coat your diapers, causing them to repel. This only applies to new diapers which haven't been washed/prepped. Wash them separately at least 2-3 times before use.


Have a question for the Geek? Post your comments below.

Fluff in the Spotlight #3- KnickerNappies Lopy Do & Super Do Inserts

Just in case you didn't know, all inserts are not created equally. This week's Spotlight is on the Loopy Do and Super Do inserts. KnickerNappie's has cornered the market with their outstanding inserts. They are made with convenience and dependability in mind.

The Loopy Do is the #1 Rated Insert on DiaperPin and is the Cadillac of all inserts. Two layers of hemp topped with two layers microfiber give it a super trim design while still being super adsorbent. Literally, the best of both worlds. Because the Loopy Do is sewn in a loop it allows it to dry faster, meaning it won't require any extra drying time when dried with your diapers. They are available in Small, Medium and Large and should fit in most brands of pocket diapers.

What could be better than a Loopy Do? Meet the Super Do, Loopy's BIG BROTHER! The Super Do was desinged for overnight diapering and for heavy wetters, babes who's diapers usually need extra stuffing for added absorbtion. The Super Do boasts 6 layers of super thirsty hemp topped with two layers of the best microfiber. The photo below shows the Super Do next to two basic microfiber inserts. The Super Do is way more absorbent and half as thick.
If you're looking for an alternative to having to stuff your babies diapers full of inserts just so they won't leak then look no further. You MUST try the Super Do for overnight and the Loopy Do for every day diapering. You won't regret it.

And don't forget to check out this weeks Pimp Your Stash GiveAway where 3 winners will win 1 Loopy Do & 1 Super Do insert in the sizes of their choice!

Pimp Your Stash #3 - Ends Friday 09-04 (3 Winners will be chosen!) **** CLOSED ****

This week there will be 3 winners! Each random winner will win a KnickerNappies Loopy Do insert in the size of their choice! This weeks question is "What do you like best about Loopy Do inserts and why would you love to win one?"
Guidelines for Entry
-In order to participate in our weekly contest and validate all extra entries you must first answer the weekly question.

-Please, be sure to be logged into your email account when you post your comment for us to be able to contact you if you win (that is with the option called OpenID. If you have a blog, be sure to be logged into the account linked to your blog for an easier way to contact you....

-Each contest runs from Sunday 12am to Friday 9pm.

-Winners are chosen using random.org, notified on Saturdays and winners name also posted on Blog.

-Winners have 7 days from contest end to claim their prize.

-Participation is open to mamas and papas worldwide! Anyone and everyone is welcome to join in the fun, however we are not responsible for lost packages and prizes that do not reach their destination will not be replaced.

-How to earn extra entries:

* Become a FAN of Earth Angels Diaper Co. on FaceBook
*Join our Yahoo/Newsletter Group
* Follow Us on Twitter
* Follow Diaper Discussions Blog
* Place the Diaper Discussions Animated Banner on your site or Blog
* Tweet About the Giveaway (post with your comment your twitter id, url, and twit time)
* Advertise our Giveaway in your blog, forums or site (post with your comment the direct link where you posted about it).
* Contribute an Article, Product Review or relevant story regarding Cloth Diapering. 10 extra entries are given for contributions submitted during the week of the contest.
* Comment to any post on the Diaper Discussions Blog (one entry per each comment)
* Register (or being already registered) in our Affiliate Program (please post your affiliate link with your comment).


--- Please post a separate comment for each extra entry and let us know which you've chosen to do in that comment ---

Good Luck!!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
STAY TUNED FOR THE WINNER AFTER MIDNIGHT.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

Pimp Your Stash Winner #2 - Jackie @ 3 Little Ones

We had a great second week for our Pimp You Stash, and we look forward to many more.... Thanks for participating and this week's winner is #66 - Jackie at 3 Little ones... I took the time to check out her blog and not only her kids are gorgeous, but she has tons of fun things to say!!! We hope she enjoys new new wetbag!

Please, contact us ASAP so we can ship your winnings to you. Write Pimp Your Stash Winner on the subject line. Thanks! :)

Gateway to a Greener Life?

I am curious if cloth diapering has impacted the rest of your lives in any way? Inspired any other green lifestyle changes? Personally, the use of cloth diapers opened up a gateway, in a sense, to a greener more eco-conscious life for my family.

Having used disposables on my twins for at least the first 4 months of life I was no stranger to taking out the garbage and boy did we know how to make some garbage. Usually it was so heavy I'd actually have to wait for my husband to get home to lift it out of the can and bring it outside. This seemed like almost a daily routine.

Suddenly, after starting cloth, I realized that I could take the garbage out! It wasn't loaded with disposables and we also weren't having to take it out as often. Very quickly I realized, what's the sense in using cloth diapers if we aren't also going to recycle? We called our local sanitation department and had our recycling bins delivered a few days later.

After getting the hang of recycling we added two more bins to accommodate all of our recyclables. The end result was that we were only having to take our garbage out once a week and we were putting three bins full of recycling out twice a week! It felt good.

Currently I'd say we're somewhere on the "spectrum of green" between recycling, cloth diapering, purchasing more reusable goods as opposed to disposable ones, attempting to compost (although you might just call it feeding the raccoons), making our way towards eating more healthily, and trying to curb ours and our kids wasteful tendencies.

Could we be doing more? Absolutely! But baby steps are better than no steps at all.

Has cloth diapering led you towards making any additional eco-friendly changes or were you as green as could be before starting to cd?

I'd love to hear your comments!

Confessions of a CD Addict

Things began so simply. I was totally overwhelmed the first time I visited a cloth diaper store! I was 8 months pregnant and figured I would just cloth diaper part-time. My sister had dabbled in it with my niece for a few months several years earlier, so I guess I was expecting something similar. She had used cheap prefolds, pins and rubber pants from a discount store. WRONG! It was nothing like that, but I did settle on something similar.

When my son had several allergic reactions to the 'sposies, we went from part-time in cloth to full-time. Thankfully, it was very early on and I a had few diapers and covers. Now my stash is well over 40 diapers and covers, including some I made from recycled t-shirts. We have everything from prefolds to pockets, one-size, all-in-ones, and made from bamboo, cotton, and microfleece.

Since I discovered Twitter and a bunch of other Mommy bloggers, my son has won 5 diapers for our stash. He is only our first child, so this cloth addicted mommy will hopefully have many more fluffy bottom diaper changes ahead!

Contributed by Sara J.
http://johnsonandcollins.blogspot.com/

Just Julie: Share your cloth diaper related bloopers and/or funny stories!

I was recently reminded of a funny incident that happened back when I was just starting cloth diapering. I had only a handful of diapers to use on my sons and the day they arrived in the mail I knew I needed MORE! LOL

The thought occurred to me that I could "ask" my local freecycling group if anyone had any cloth diapers they weren't using that they'd be willing to part with. I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask and who knows, maybe I'd hit the jackpot.
So I posted to the group and got a response immediately! A woman who was about 45minutes away said she had a whole box of cloth diapers she wasn't using and that I could have them. I was excited, I asked if she knew what kind and she said she didn't know the brands. I was hopeful it was a box of fluffy bumGenius or FuzziBunz so I agreed to take them and make the long drive to get them.

My twins were only about 4-5months old at the time and I had never taken them for more than a 15 minute car ride. The ride went smooth, thankfully, but I soon realized the location was in a very bad part of town, I questioned whether or not I was making the right decision but my addiction to fluff just had to be met and my curiosity was getting the best of me.

I arrived at the mobile home and spotted the box outside in the carport. There were large barking dogs tied up outside which no doubt notified the homes occupants that I had arrived. However, they did not come out to greet me. The dogs chains were just short enough that they couldn't reach the box but were within just a couple feet of it.

I swallowed hard, left the kids in the car, ran up and grabbed the box, threw it in the car next to me and then took off. I got a couple blocks away and pulled over to inspect the boxes contents. There were at least two dozen diapers and an assortment of covers. They looked like they hadn't been used since 1969 and were riddled with holes and covered in dirt, dust and cobwebs. They were completely unusable and the trip proved to be a total waste of time.

I studied the box the entire drive home waiting for a giant roach or tarantula to jump out at me. I felt like a huge idiot for having gotten so excited and was sort of upset the people, who knew I lived almost an hour away, would allow me to drive all the way there for what was obviously garbage.

My husband got a kick out of my little adventure and since then I haven't asked for anything from my freecycling group.

The moral, of course, is that most of the time when things seem to good to be true, they usually are!

Do you have a silly cloth diapering story, a blooper, or something to share? I'd love to hear from you!

The Cloth Diaper Geek Explains it all! 1st Edition

Welcome to the first edition of The Cloth Diaper Geek Explains it all! Here, every Tuesday, at Diaper Discussions you'll find answers to reader submitted questions. No question is too big or small for The Cloth Diaper Geek! Post your questions as comments or feel free to use our Reader Contribution Form to submit your question.

To kick it off, below you'll find some frequently asked questions answered by The Cloth Diaper Geek!

Question: I've heard that you aren't supposed to place microfiber directly against the babies skin, is this true? If so, why?

The Geek's Answer: Great question! Microfiber is a super absorbent synthetic fiber and while it does feel soft to the touch (especially when new), some theories are that it can dehydrate babies sensitive skin when placed directly against it and cause dryness, rashes, allergies, etc. While microfiber is miraculous at soaking up liquids, it is not known for feeling dry to the touch. A quick dry liner of fleece or suedecloth is recommended or use the microfiber inside pocket diaper where there will be a barrier between it and your babe's precious bum.

Question: What is sunning and why is it recommended for cloth diapers?

The Geek's Answer: Sunning is the practice of either putting your diapers out to dry in the sun or sunning them in order to remove stains. Not only is it going reduce the wear and tear on your diapers compared to drying in a machine, it will also save you money off your electric bill! Plus, the sun's natural UV rays kill germs and bacteria naturally, help prevent undesired odor buildup, and it's a sure fire way to remove stains without the use of harsh chemicals.

On top of all those benefits, there's nothing quite as pleasing as seeing all your colorful diapers and accessories hanging out on the line on a nice sunny day.

Have a question for the Geek? Post your comments below.

Fluff in the Spotlight: Wet Happened? Designer WetBag & Diaper Clutch

You might ask, "What's the point in a fancy wetbag for dirty diapers?" Many mom's wonder, "can't I just use a plastic bag?" Well the truth is, you can but should you?! Wetbags are very versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes besides just dirty diapers. Some of their many uses include

• Soiled Clothing or Bibs
• Soiled Reusable Nursing Pads
• Dirty Diapers
• Potty Training
• Wet Swimsuits, Gym Clothes
• Toiletries & Cosmetics
• Camping/Hiking
  & much more!

This product is not just some fancy, unnecessary accessory that you NEED because of the designer prints it's available in.

Imagine this scenario, you send your cloth diapers to daycare with your child and you provide a plastic WalMart bag for them to place your soiled diapers into so that you can bring them home at the end of the day. Another employee, unfamiliar with your cloth diapering routine sees a bag with dirty diapers inside and throws them away thinking they are garbage. I have read horror stories on Message Boards from moms who are devastated that they or someone else accidentally tossed their valuable diapers into the garbage never to be seen again. Don't let it happen to you!

Check out Wet Happened? WetBags and Cloth Diaper Clutches and see what the Buzz is all about! Treat yourself to one and experience all the possibilites for use besides just cloth diapering. This accessorie is sure to last you through the years.

Available in a variety of prints and sizes to suit your needs.

Pimp Your Stash #2 - Ends Friday 08-28 *** CLOSED ***

This week the winner will win a brand new Wet Happened? Designer WetBag! This weeks question is "What is your favorite print and why?"
Guidelines for Entry
-In order to participate in our weekly contest and validate all extra entries you must first answer the weekly question.

-Please include your email in each post or ensure that we have a method of contacting you should you win.. OR, if you have a blog, make sure to post your comment signed in with your blogger account.

-Each contest runs from Sunday 12am to Friday 9pm.

-Winners are chosen using random.org, notified on Saturdays and winners name also posted on Blog.

-Winners have 7 days from contest end to claim their prize.

-Participation is open to mamas and papas worldwide! Anyone and everyone is welcome to join in the fun, however we are not responsible for lost packages and prizes that do not reach their destination will not be replaced.

-How to earn extra entries:

* Become a FAN of Earth Angels Diaper Co. on FaceBook
*Join our Yahoo/Newsletter Group
* Follow Us on Twitter
* Follow Diaper Discussions Blog
* Place the Diaper Discussions Animated Banner on your site or Blog
* Tweet About the Giveaway (post with your comment your twitter id, url, and twit time)
* Advertise our Giveaway in your blog, forums or site (post with your comment the direct link where you posted about it).
* Contribute an Article, Product Review or relevant story regarding Cloth Diapering. 10 extra entries are given for contributions submitted during the week of the contest.
* Comment to any post on the Diaper Discussions Blog (one entry per each comment)
* Register (or being already registered) in our Affiliate Program (please post your affiliate link with your comment).


--- Please post a separate comment for each extra entry and let us know which you've chosen to do in that comment ---

Good Luck!!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED..

WINNER WILL BE POSTED AFTER MIDNIGHT.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

Pay it forward Fluffy style! I dare you...

I'm sure you've all heard of karma, the effect a persons actions has on their future. It's a pretty basic principle, whether or not you call it karma is up to you. I'm sure in one way or another you've all experienced it, whether through tithing at church, giving to a person in need, being unnecessarily kind to another, etc. Not only is the reward the way that you feel about having done something nice, something selfless, often times we find that we're essentially paid back for our actions in some way. My mother for example, is forever giving giving giving, and I think mom you can't afford to give ALL the time. But you know what I notice, not only is she giving all the time, she's receiving all the time too.

All this talk about fancy shmancy diapers got me thinking. Thanks to Lisa of Miracle Diapers, for inspiring this train of thoughts in my head with her story of the fancy Mr B diaper she donated that was used and returned to MD only to be lent out again! :)

So I thought in honor of Miracle Diapers and Lisa's Mr. B... What about it we all try to Pay it Forward FLUFFY Style by sending one or some of our nicer diapers to Miracle Diapers? I know what you're thinking, you're holding on to your babes diapers because you're attached to them, some probably don't even fit anymore, and you're thinking they're worth something so you could maybe sell them.

So I dare you! Dig deep into your stash, purge it of the diapers you no longer use, the ones you don't need to keep, the ones you thought you might save for a friend, and send something special to Miracle Diapers! You'll feel good after you do, I swear, and think of how special that mama will feel when she gets a fancy diaper from MD and gets to show off her little one's cute bum!

This is great timing for me to donate, my sons are potty training (have been trying for a while) and I think getting rid of most of their diapers might give me the extra push I need to really commit to the potty training and get it done.

Click Here, for more info on what you can donate to help out Miracle Diapers!

Pimp Your Stash Winner #1 - Rebecca1217

We had a wonderful first week, and we hope every week to be better and better... Thanks for participating and this week's winner is #125 - REBECCA1217 from Bellydance, Bagpipes and my Boys. Her blog is totally new, but it is already sporting a photo of a gorgeous cloth diapered baby!!! He is a total cutie!!!
Please, contact us ASAP so we can ship your winnings to you. Write Pimp Your Stash Winner on the subject line. Thanks! :)

Meet the Diaper Discussions GEEK Squad!! Round 2

Hey there! Im Anelys, the designer Geek of Cloth Diaper Discussions, and the graphic designer and owner of 3 Little Flowers. Why 3 Little Flowers? Because I have 3 little girls and our last name means Flowers in another language (so I literally have three little flowers). They are Gabriela aKa Gaby (almost 6yo), Camila aKa Mia (3yo) and Amelia aKa Mimi (2yo). Im married to the love of my life for almost 7 years and he is the head of the technology department at the same school my oldest daughter attends, and teacher from K to 12.

I have become passionate about green life since longer that I actually realized it.. I was avoiding paper napkins, saving energy, making homemade food for my girls and several other stuff. Sadly I wasn’t introduced to cloth diapers sooner, but it is better late than never. I started using cloth diapers a few short months after my third daughter was born, so I started cloth diapering her plus my second daughter who was a year old. My hubby is also a cloth diaper passionate, and every time he needs to change a diaper, wash diapers or anything cloth diaper related, he is there without any complain.

Another one of my passions is Photography, and I would love to become a baby and kids photographer at some point. I also love blogging, playing with my girls, watch movies with hubby, reading and going to the beach (I have beach weather all year long). Im in love with my family and nothing beats our time together.

I look forward to have tons of fun and also learn a lot with Julie and all of our readers and more readers to come!

Meet the Diaper Discussions GEEK Squad!

Hi! I am Julie, The Cloth Diaper Geek, and the Owner of Earth Angels Diaper Co. & this Blog. I am located in sunny Central Florida near where the Space Shuttle launches, locally known as the Space Coast. I am an only child and longtime Florida resident. My husband is a local FireFighter/Paramedic and we have three kids, Guinnevere age 6, Mason & Spencer (identical twins) who are almost 3 yrs old.

When I am not working on my website or blog you can find me online, shopping the FSOT boards, surfing the web and chatting with my wahm friends and customers online. I just love being a part of the cloth diapering community and can't seem to get enough of it. I am also very happy that my little wahm business in turn helps support other wahm's businesses.

In "real life" (LOL) I love going to the beach with the family, yard sales, thrift stores, freecycling and am a very thrifty mama who LOVES finding great deals on cool junk. I also enjoy butterfly gardening and have a pretty healthy little butterfly habitat in my side yard. The kids and I enjoy the flowers and watching the caterpillars turn into butterflies.

You might be wondering what's up with being the Cloth Diaper Geek? Well through trial and error and through lots and lots of customer interactions I have acquired quite a bit of knowledge in regards to cloth diapering. Though I would have never imagined it, I can talk talk talk about cloth diapers until I am blue in the face and I quite enjoy it. At first glance you might not know that I am a Cloth Diaper Geek but get me started on the subject and my alter ego comes out giddy and eager to talk about everything cd related.

Thanks to Anelys, another geeky cloth diapering mama, we've decided to introduce The Cloth Diaper Geek Explains it all. A weekly post where you name it and we'll answer it. There's no question to far out, too embarrassing or too hard for us to handle. Give us your best questions and we'll be sure to answer them.

Not Your Grandmother's Diaper!

I would not consider myself a "crunchy" mom by any stretch of the imagination. Sure I breastfeed, make my own baby food, and wore my baby in a wrap for the first two months of his life (the only time he was small enough to not break my back), but I can't really conform to the flowy-skirted, Birkenstock-donning mental picture that this term conjures up in my mind. I do these things first and foremost for my baby, but I also find them very convenient. Instead of slithering out of bed and down the stairs at 5:45 am to prepare a bottle for my hungry 8-month old, I can just pluck him out of his crib and latch him on. Rather than running out of baby food and frantically dashing to the grocery store for some culinary delight like pureed lasagna (gag), I can whip up a mean chicken, rice and veggie dinner for my little man in no time at all. And for the brief time that my son fit in a wrap, I could finally get stuff done around the house (I can't remember what is was, but it must have been something). I like things that are beneficial for my baby, cost-effective, and easy, easy, easy.

So I must admit that when I first heard about cloth diapering my eyes glazed over and my brain shut down. Who wants to deal with scraping poop off diapers, pee leaks all over the house and ever-growing mounds of laundry collecting dust in a corner near you? Who does this anyways? And why in the world would you want to when you can get disposable diapers for $17 a box?

And yet I, even the toughest of cloth scrutinizers, was somehow converted.

I began to notice other moms around me looking into cloth diapering. And these were not the hippy-chic mamas who swear off meat and buy only organic. These were moms just like me, all about convenience, somewhat thrifty but still wanting the very best for their babies. So I took a nosedive into the world of researching cloth diapers. I soon realized that the pool was empty.

If you have ever researched cloth diapers then you know how confusing it can be at first. With abbreviations scattered about the internet like AIO/AI2, OS and UCIBFP, I honestly tossed the idea around that I had stumbled upon some sort of secret society. And in a way I had, only this exclusive club wanted as many new members as possible. As I started learning the different meanings and brands, everything started to come together and I found myself able to make sense of the acronym jumble.

I clumsily stumbled upon many websites that claimed to debunk the myths around cloth diapering. I rolled my eyes at first, but upon reading them found that they actually made sense to me. I was intrigued by the idea of this age-old method of diapering your baby and how it could be convenient, a money saver, and be so great for the environment. (Yep, that's right! Mommies like me care about the environment too!) But on the other hand, my less expensive disposables were working just fine, and finances were just not that much of an issue. Sure I like to save money where I can, but I certainly didn't need to switch to cloth out of necessity. If it ain't broke, don't fix it right? Wrong, at least not for me. After doing the math and realizing that my baby would have gone through about 7,300 diapers by the time he potty trained, only to be discarded into some stinky landfill somewhere, I decided that it was my obligation to at least try cloth. Not to mention the thousands we would save over his diaper-days, multiplied by the number of little brothers and/or sister he ends up with, if cloth ended up working out for us.

So with a deep breath I took the plunge.

Now all I can say is that I can't believe it took me six months to try it! The diapers nowadays are not your grandmother's cloth diaper, for the most part. You can get cloth diapers that have everything all in one, meaning that if you can velcro on a disposable then you can velcro on these. There are diapers with pockets for faster drying, soft fitted diapers that go under cute covers, and yes, there are still the inexpensive, yet-oh-so-soft and squishable prefold-style diapers that our grandmothers used. I have tried every kind and love them all for very different reasons. We have explored around and found what works. We didn't put all our eggs in one basket and stick to one brand or type. We decided to try everything and see what worked for us and are very happy with the selections we made.

And yes some cloth diapers can be expensive, but cloth diapering is very doable even on a budget. There are plenty of sales and less pricey styles if you just take a little extra time to look, and even the priciest diapers will pay for themselves over time. With so many cute patterns and prints, the main problem here is self control. (I will not go online and order than adorable paw print fleece cover, I will not, I will not...oh, you accept Paypal?)

As far as laundry goes, it is admittedly a little extra, but it is a labor of love that does not require the monotonous sorting and folding of regular laundry. And a wonderful little side-bonus about having cloth diaper laundry is that my other laundry gets done in between diaper loads, so the heaping mountains of laundry have shrunken into oblivion. My hands don't get any messier than they did with 'sposies, and my trash can is no longer over-flowing with poopy diapers. Now if only I could find a solution (or an excuse) for that stack of dirty dishes...

I can now proudly say that my baby's bum is wrapped in the adorably-patterned, gentle, chemical-free goodness of cloth. I am happy that amidst all the "green" chatter, I know I am doing my part to help out with our waste problem. And on top of it all, my pocket book feels a little bit fatter these days.

Madison
Follow her @ Life happens during NapTime

Just Julie: What was your first "extra special" fluffy purchase?

We've all been there, drooling over a diaper, one we can't afford or shouldn't afford. A diaper so cute that once you have it in your posession you hate for it to even get soiled for you know that the more you wash it the more wear and tear it will get. You want it to remain cute forever.

Sometimes these extra-special fluffy purchases only get taken out for pictures and special occasions. You love seeing your little one's bum in it but it is not a diaper you'll be using in your everyday rotation.

My first extravagant diapers were Just Ducky Baby Deluxe AIO's. They were so cute and the product photos for these diapers made it hard for even the most self controlled mommy to resist.

If a diaper could be considered yummy, surely these would be delicious! These were the diapers you show your friends when you talk about cloth, they see how fancy they are and they think you're a freak. Who would spend so much on something your baby would poop in?

So what was your first "extra special" fluffy purchase? And tell the truth, do you even let your little one wear it or do you secretly only photograph them in it and then take it off right away?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Boy how time flies!

So I was relaxing with the kids the other day and my 6 yr old, who is now at the age where she wants to be in my room digging through my stuff, comes out into the living room with an old newspaper. It was a copy of the paper from when I had just started my business, in early 2007, and my ambitiousness paid off when I emailed editors from our local paper and ended up making the front page of the People section! I hadn't laid eyes on this paper in quite some time and I thought I'd go back in time a bit and share with you all the article and photos that appeared in the paper. See below...

Green Parenting - These aren't your mom's cloth diapers
Earth-friendly, cute and absorbent: Parents rave about the new cloth diaper.

BY CHRIS KRIDLER
FLORIDA TODAY 7th May 2007

Diapers may not seem much of a topic for conversation, until you're changing 10 or more a day. Then you start thinking about them. You start thinking about chemicals and landfills and how much money they cost. And then, if you're Julia Clark, you discover a new old solution, in colorful prints, microfiber and Velcro.

These are not your mama's cloth diapers.

"I had never used cloth diapers before, and whenever anybody would mention them, like back when I had my daughter, I imagined them to be like they were back in the '70s," says Clark, 29, who lives in Palm Bay and has 7-month-old twin boys. "I imagined them having to wear little plastic itchy pants overtop."

The old-style diapers were supposed to be rinsed in the toilet and laundered. They sounded like too much trouble.

Then the twins came along, and she and her firefighter husband, Matthew, were given about five months' worth of disposables at the baby shower.

"I told my husband, 'You know, we're getting ready to run out, and we haven't had to spend any money on diapers so far,' " Clark says. "Wonder what it's going to cost to put diapers on twins?"

She came up with a number: about $150 a month. Cloth diapers seemed like a reasonable alternative.

"When I realized how cute they were and comfortable and practical and absorbent, and really not that inconvenient, then I just was like, 'Oh my gosh, I want to open my own business, and we're going to use cloth diapers.' "

Politics of poo

Disposable diapers have been absorbing controversy for a long time, as environmental groups point out their nonrecyclable content and their tendency to accumulate in landfills.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there was almost no diaper waste generated in 1960. By 1970, there were 350,000 tons. In 2005, the number had risen to 3.6 million tons annually, with no significant recycling.

While those numbers speak for themselves, a British study suggested all the washing and drying of cloth diapers meant their environmental impact was about equal to that of disposables.

Environmentalists have criticized the study. One green argument is the combination of chemicals in the diapers and their baby waste make for an unhealthy contribution to landfills and potentially ground water. Poo isn't supposed to go into the landfill.

"One thing that I didn't realize is that, if you read the fine print on the disposable packaging, it actually says that you're not supposed to throw away fecal matter, " Clark says, "and nobody knows that."

That's right. Disposable-diaper users are supposed to flush the poo.

Other studies raised more issues. An article in Archives of Disease in Childhood posited that increased warmth from disposable diapers may contribute to male infertility, since "scrotal hypothermia" or cool temperatures are important for reproductive health.

According to the abstract, "This study shows that scrotal temperature, which closely reflects testicular temperature, is increased in boys wearing disposable plastic lined nappies."

Another study, in the Archives of Environmental Health, subjected mice to air blown over three brands of disposable diapers. Their eyes, nose and throats were irritated, and they had decreased airflow, reminiscent of an asthma attack. The disposables, unlike cloth diapers, emitted chemicals "toxic" to the respiratory tract.

Whether these studies can be connected directly to babies' health is unclear, but they make some parents wonder.

Michele Hobbs of Indian Harbour Beach says one reason she uses cloth diapers on her 6-month-old son is for the environment. The other is "the chemicals inside diapers, the gels and the chlorine and all the other nasty chemicals."

Naturally fun

Hobbs likes knowing natural cloth is next to her child's skin. The super-absorbency of some disposable diapers means parents leave them on longer, she says, and she doesn't like the implication for babies.

"They're constantly urinating in the same diaper, so it's like they're wearing a toilet," she says.

Hobbs also subscribes to the idea of "elimination communication" -- if a child sometimes wears no diapers, or cloth diapers that let him feel when he's wet, he learns to let mom know when he has to go. This method has allowed her to get her kids out of diapers sooner, she says.

She argues cloth diapers actually take her less time, because she doesn't have to dash to the store when she's running out.

There are several kinds of cloth diapers available. There are old-fashioned prefolds, basically a square cloth, which require a cover. The nice thing about the soft new covers, for $8 to $20, is that with Velcro, they don't need pins, Clark says.

She likes the lined pocket diapers, which have inserts whose thickness can be customized to boy or girl, overnight or a long car trip. They sell for $12 to $17.

There are all-in-one diapers, too, that go into the wash in one piece.

Clark sells several kinds in her diaper business, online at http://www.earthangelsdiaperco.com.

It's hard to find cloth diapers in stores, she says, but through online vendors, people build their "stash," which they can use for the next little nipper, too.

The basic cloth diapers can save parents money. Or they can go for the luxury models.

"It's kind of becoming more of like a yuppie-type trend," Clark says. "Moms are buying velour, leopard, wool, all kinds of fancy embroidered, custom monograms. You know, I have twins. I can't afford to spend $50 per diaper. But some people are really into it."

Ode to Hook & Loop

A friend of mine sent this to me the other day... it made me laugh:

Please don’t misunderstand me. I do love my bumGenius organics with snaps, but lately with my sweet baby girl at the very mobile age of 11 months my diapers with hook/loop (aka velcro) are a lifesaver. Emmaline loves to move and there are no exceptions to this love of movement, not even during a diaper change. As much as I wish she would just lie there all mellow while I snap her into a bumGenius organics she just won’t cooperate. Her body is one way and her head is in the opposite direction. If it was not for my lifesaving bumGenius with hook/loop I do believe my sweet baby’s tiny bum would be bare most of the time. I am sure in a not so distant future when the novelty of moving has worn off I will be able to diaper her again in a more civilized manner but until than I offer up a big shout out to the makers of my bG hook & loop diapers.

Now, I'm not a parent and I hated to break it to my friend, but am pretty sure the "novelty of moving" won't really wear off...but I appreciate her hook & loop love, so I thought I would pass it along :)

GAD Side Snapping Pocket Diaper Review

Review by Katie
http://katieandscotts.blogspot.com

We have four GADs in varying colors and styles, including my favorite one, a princess pink with black fleece and a girly pirate embroidered on the back.

GADs come in a wide range of sizes from small to large, and also includes husky medium and medium long. Violet fits perfectly into a medium long - she has one size medium and while it fits fine, there isn't as much room in it as there is in a medium long. There is a size chart to determine what would best fit your baby.

The color options are never ending. You can buy a custom made diaper in the colors of your choice, and then spice it up even more by adding a cute embroidered design to it.

What do I love about them? They fit like a glove. They are super trim as well. I love the side snaps - less bulk up front and less chance that little hands can figure it out. I love the bamboo velour inners, and I love the fabulous color choices - AND the fact that you can design your own. I love the embroidery designs to choose from! Love, love, love. Just lots to love. They have great inserts that can be up to 4 layers thick in places.

Any cons to this diaper? Well, if you go all out and buy a custom made embroidered diaper, it's pretty expensive. And, since they are sized diapers they will not last all the way until potty training time.

Overall, would I recommend them? YES! Most definitely!

Fluff in the Spotlight: Side-Snapping Diapers

I thought that an introduction to side-snapping diapers, the benefits, styles, brands, etc. would be a great idea and would complement the KnickerNappies OS Diaper Giveaway nicely.

If you're anything like me, when you're first shopping for cloth diapers you are looking at diapers that look and work the most like disposables, that is with the velcro fastening system in the front. Some of my verys first diapers were DryBee's pockets, they served me well and it was quite some time before I actually bought and tried my first side-snapping diapers.

At first glance side-snapping diapers might look tricky to use or hard to fasten on a squirming baby, I assure you they are not. In fact there are a lot of benefits to side-snapping diapers that you might not know about.

• They are HIGHLY adjustable, top and bottom snaps, usually with a minimum of 4 settings give these diapers as close to a perfect fit as you can imagine.
  
• While most children have aplix and front snapping diapers all figured out sooner than later, side-snaps seem to confuse babies and toddlers, making it harder for them to undo and take off completely at the most inopportune times. (We've all been there, baby takes poopy diaper off hands it to you and it's too late, you have a huge mess to clean up!)
  
• A solid layer of PUL across the tummy is perfect for tummy sleeping babies. Some diapers have a tendency to wick through the stitching around the aplix, with side-snapping diapers there is no such problem.

Did you know that there are even side-snapping one-size diapers now? KnickerNappies just released their New OS KnickerNappies Pocket Diaper! This fabulous diaper gives you all the benefits of side-snapping diapers as well as the face that it is capable of fitting from birth to potty training, 8-40lbs! It is available with two sizes microfiber inserts or with two LoopyDo inserts, the #1 Rated Insert on DiaperPin!

Do you love side-snapping diapers? Green Acre Designs, KnickerNappies, something else? Show your love by posting your comments and questions below.

Pimp Your Stash #1 - Ends Friday 08-21 *** CLOSED ***

Mamas start your engines! This is the first of what will be weekly Pimp Your Stash Giveaways! You'll have plenty of opportunities to enter and one of you will win!

This week the winner will have a fluffy brand new KnickerNappies Onesize Diaper with Inserts delivered to their door! This weeks question is "Which feature do you like best about the New KnickerNappies OS Diaper?"

Guidelines for Entry

-In order to participate in our weekly contest and validate all extra entries you must first answer the weekly question.

-Please include your email in each post or ensure that we have a method of contacting you should you win.. OR, if you have a blog, make sure to post your comment signed in with your blogger account.

-Each contest runs from Sunday 12am to Friday 9pm.

-Winners are chosen using random.org, notified on Saturdays and winners name also posted on Blog.

-Winners have 7 days from contest end to claim their prize.

-Participation is open to mamas and papas worldwide! Anyone and everyone is welcome to join in the fun, however we are not responsible for lost packages and prizes that do not reach their destination will not be replaced.

-How to earn extra entries:

* Become a FAN of Earth Angels Diaper Co. on FaceBook
* Follow Us on Twitter
* Follow Diaper Discussions Blog
* Place the Diaper Discussions Animated Banner on your site or Blog
* Tweet About the Giveaway (post with your comment your twitter id, url, and twit time)
* Advertise our Giveaway in your blog, forums or site (post with your comment the direct link where you posted about it).
* Contribute an Article, Product Review or relevant story regarding Cloth Diapering. 10 extra entries are given for contributions submitted during the week of the contest.
* Comment to any post on the Diaper Discussions Blog (one entry per each comment)
* Register (or being already registered) in our Affiliate Program (please post your affiliate link with your comment).


--- Please post a separate comment for each extra entry and let us know which you've chosen to do in that comment ---

Good Luck!!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED..
WINNER WILL BE POSTED AFTER MIDNIGHT.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

Cloth Diaper Stink

Who thinks you need a degree in cloth diapers just to wash them effectively? You don't. Really, really, really - you don't. I think the most common question that is asked during our weekly Twitter chats is "my diapers stink, what do I do?". The internet is this vast place full of information - and it's crazy how much inaccurate information is available about how to wash cloth diapers. It's now been seven years since we started selling diapers, five years since we created bumGenius and now, finally, here are my thoughts on diaper stink. It's not complicated.

In a nutshell, here's what you need to know:
1) Cloth diapers stink because they are still dirty.
2) Common sense rules apply.
3) Detergent matters.

If your diapers stink, try the following things, in this order. Use the diapers before assuming you need to go onto the next step.

1. Try washing again. With detergent. When your baby is a newborn, it might only take one cycle to get your cloth diapers clean. As your baby gets older, it really can take two. Once you introduce food, a baby's output changes. It just stinks more and it can be harder to get your diapers clean when it stinks more. This is a great reason to exclusively breastfeed until potty training. Kidding. But not. If you've had one go through this stage, you understand.

(remember to use your cloth diapers between each step... if they still stink, move on)

2. Evaluate the amount of detergent you are using. Microscopic amounts of detergent are not sufficient and you shouldn't be double-dipping either. Please use enough detergent. Don't over do it though. For most detergent manufacturers "enough" now is somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 of what they recommend for a FULL load of laundry. The only exception to this rule is if you're using a detergent designed for cloth diapers.

(remember to use your cloth diapers between each step... if they still stink, move on)

3. If steps 1 or 2 don't work, you may have detergent residue. Most mainstream detergents intentionally leave things in your clothes designed to make your colors look brighter, fabric softer, remove wrinkles etc. These ingredients aren't good for you, your baby and especially not for your diapers. Detergent residues cling to your fabrics and can interact with your baby's output causing negative side effects (ie: stink). To remove detergent residue, try stripping. This is simple. Use a small squirt of liquid Dawn in your washer. Wash on hot. Rinse twice. Then be sure that you are using an approved cloth diaper detergent designed not to leave residue.

(remember to use your diapers between each step... if they still stink, move on)

4. Assuming you've tried step 1, 2 & 3... and you still have stinky diapers. The last thing that causes stink is bacteria. This happens when diapers sit too long before washing. (Common sense rule: please don't leave your diapers sitting in a diaper pail for ten days. Wash frequently.) Using oxygen bleach or chlorine bleach, go ahead and sanitize your inserts. If you choose oxygen bleach, be sure you're using something that isn't loaded with additives and follow the instructions on the box. If you use chlorine bleach, 3/4 of a cup of bleach in a large wash load is what you need for a top loader. In a front loader, use 1/4 cup of bleach. Rinse well.

To prevent diaper stink, use bumGenius Odor Remover while your diapers are in the diaper pail. This is an all-natural product that actually removes the bacteria that cause odor in your diapers. wash your diapers every other day using the right detergent and plenty of water. Wash cold. Then wash hot. Open the washer and do the sniff test. If they still smell funky, wash them again.

Someday, when I'm done selling cloth diapers and I write my book, then I'll tell you how badly I treat my diapers and why I know what it takes to ruin them... and why I know exactly what won't ruin them. :) I'll also tell you the absolute craziest customer service stories we've had surrounding this topic. You. Would. Not. Believe. What. People. Call. Us. About. That has to wait for the cheeky little "tell-all" diaper book though.

While you wait on me to find time to write a book, remember that the stuff that goes in the diapers when your baby is wearing them will stink. We can't make that go away, no matter how you wash them. =-)

Have a great Saturday everybody.

Did you know? Cotton Babies carries a selection of "five star" rated cloth diaper detergents. Cotton Babies also offers free shipping on ALL detergents when you use the coupon code GOODWASH at checkout.

The Best BumGenius Sale Ever! ends August 31st

If you've ever tried shopping for BumGenius diapers, or any other diaper for that matter, you notice that diapers get slightly cheaper the more you buy at once. Quantity discounts usually range from .25-$1.00 off per diaper for large quantity orders.

Well the sale of the century has come along! BumGenius 3.0 Diapers, Buy 6 Get 1 FREE! That means you buy 6 and save $17.95!! Not to mention there is also FREE Shipping on ALL orders over $50.00 at Earth Angels Diaper Co!

So, now is the time to stock up! Time flies and before you know it September will be here and this authorized sale will have ended. Take this opportunity to pamper your babe's bottom with some new fluff!

Pimp Your Stash - Coming soon to a Blog near you!

Starting tomorrow, Sunday August 16, Diaper Discussions will launch the first of what will be weekly giveaways! What better name could there be for a GiveAway where you could win a soft, fluffy, brand spanking new diaper for your stash than Pimp Your Stash!

Check back Sunday for the announcement, find out what the first prize will be, and learn about all the guidelines for entry as well as all the different ways to earn additional entries!

Don't forget, Diaper Discussions welcomes participants Worldwide to enter for their chance to win!

See you tomorrow!