Tuesday Giveaway: Flip Travel Pack for Labor Day!

Labor Day is next Monday which marks the end of summer for many. For one last summer hurrah, today's giveaway will be our favorite Flip Travel Pack. Each Flip Travel Pack includes 2 Flip diaper covers and a pack of 18 Flip disposable inserts.



One of the reasons we love the Flip Travel pack is because it gives mom and dad a vacation from laundry, if only for a day or two! Each prize pack for today's giveaway will include a Flip Travel pack and a pair of bumGenius Baby Legs to complete the ensemble.

To enter today's blog giveaway for your chance to win one of our prize packs, leave a comment on this blog post and tell us your must have product for traveling with a baby or toddler. No baby yet? Tell us your must have product for a traveling expectant mama. Three winners will be selected at random from all eligible comments to receive a prize pack from Cotton Babies.

Eligible entries must be posted no later than midnight Central time, Wednesday, August 31, 2011. U.S. Residents only. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win. Winners will be drawn at random on Thursday, September 1, 2011 and notified via e-mail. (Please make sure Cotton Babies staff can see your e-mail in your comment or through your Blogger profile page.)

Cloth 101: Rise setting for One-Size diapers and covers

At Cotton Babies, we believe that there are no dumb questions. Sometimes it is difficult for those who are new to cloth diapers to understand exactly how our bumGenius, Flip and Econobum cloth diapers and covers can fit a growing baby from birth through potty training.

Each of our one size cloth diapers have three rows of snaps, three snaps in each row. This 3×3 snap down design gives each diaper a small, medium and large size setting. We have some weight guidelines to help you know which size should fit your little one.

• To use the small rise setting, snap the rise snaps to the top of the three rows of snaps. This small size setting is used from approximately 8 to 16 pounds.
• To use the medium rise setting, snap the rise snaps to the middle of the three rows of snaps. This medium size setting is used from approximately 17 to 22 pounds.
• To use the large rise setting, unsnap the rise snaps to expose all three rows of snaps. This large size setting is used from approximately 23 to 40 pounds.

Sometimes there are signs that indicate that you need to adjust the rise. These can happen outside of the suggested weight guidelines.

If you are experiencing leaks, you may need to go down a rise setting. This sometimes happens once babies become mobile (i.e. learning to crawl or walk) and slim down a bit.

If you are adding several extra doublers to your pocket style diapers for nap time or overnight and are experiencing leaks only during these times, try going up a rise setting. Adding extra inserts to your pocket style diapers changes the fit of the diaper and sometimes the rise setting needs to be adjusted to allow for the extra bulk.

As your baby grows and changes, it is common to have to decrease your waist setting (especially for snaps) when you increase your rise setting to get a great fit.

The Cotton Babies customer service team is always glad to assist you in getting the right fit for your one-size cloth diapers on your little one. For a personalized fit troubleshooting session, please give us a call at 1-888-332-2243 or live chat with us at www.cottonbabies.com We'll ask a few questions about your baby to give you personalized suggestions for your cloth diapers.

Lollidoo Overnight Ecopocket to the rescue!

All moms suffer from lack of sleep and look forward to a time when their little one will sleep through the night without waking.  We dream about it, well actually moms who don't get good sleep don't actually get to dream, but we daydream about dreaming...lol

The heartbreak happens when the time comes, baby sleeps through the whole night, the problem?  Well the problem is that you cloth diapers can't make it through the whole night without wicking or leaking and there's nothing like a soaked cloth diaper, sheets and onesie to wake a sleeping babe!  I know, it's a sad thing, all you want to do is sleep and finally baby wants to sleep, but you need to find an overnight cloth diapering system that works!

That's where the Lollidoo Overnight Ecopocket comes in!  Fleece is a really awesome cloth diapering solution for heavy wetter and overnight and that's why Lollidoo has created a pocket diaper for overnight using it!  Fleece repels moisture which keeps the wetness inside the diaper, in the inserts where it belongs.

About Lollidoo:
Made in the USA with recycled and organic fibers, LolliDoo cloth diapers are available in a whole host of styles, beginning with our versatile eco-pocket pocket-style cloth diaper with recycled fleece outer and your choice of certified organic cotton skin liner or recycled StayDry skin liner. eco-pocket diapers are available in Classic or Overnight styles in an array of vibrant colors.

The Overnight Ecopocket comes with THREE absorbent innies/inserts.

Visit Earth Angels Diaper Company today and check out the Ecopocket by Lollidoo!  We promise, you won't regret it!

Have your reasons for cloth diapering changed?

Do you continue to use cloth diapers for the same reason you started?

Families cloth diaper their babies for all sorts of reasons.  In the past cloth diapers were the only option, then disposables became the preferred method, and now cloth diapers are making a comeback due to improved design, modern conveniences and the importance now placed on being green.

Depending on your influences, friends, family and online connections cloth diapering may not have even been on your radar.  Some look into it because they saw a cute cloth diapered baby on a website or magazine page, perhaps a celebrity used cloth or you've decided you want to save money.  Other's consider cloth because they care about the environmental impact and health risks involved in using disposable diapers.

So, we're curious...Do you continue to cloth diaper now for the same reasons as when you first started?  Did you start cloth diapering to save money but now you continue because you've become more eco-conscious?  Are you addicted to cloth diapers because of the cute factor and the online communities you may have become a part of?

What are your thoughts?

Tuesday Giveaway: I'm a bumGenius Baby!

Do you have a bumGenius baby? To celebrate bumGenius and the fantastic Buy 5, Get 1 FREE sale (hurry, offer ends August 31, 2011), we're giving away some of our favorite bumGenius items today!



We love hearing stories about how you share your love of bumGenius when out in public and people notice your baby sporting something other than a standard disposable diaper. Each prize pack for today's giveaway will include a bumGenius Threads short sleeve t-shirt, a coordinating bumGenius 4.0 cloth diaper and a pair of bumGenius Baby Legs to complete the ensemble!

To enter today's blog giveaway for your chance to win one of our prize packs, leave a comment on this blog post and tell us about a time you shared your love of cloth diapers with a friend, family member or even a stranger! Three winners will be selected at random from all eligible comments to receive a prize pack from Cotton Babies.

This contest is now closed. Randomly selected winners are Brooke G. of IN, Jenna G. of IL and Catherine of VA.

Eligible entries must be posted no later than midnight Central time, Wednesday, August 24, 2011. U.S. Residents only. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win. Winners will be drawn at random on Thursday, August 25, 2011 and notified via e-mail. (Please make sure Cotton Babies staff can see your e-mail in your comment or through your Blogger profile page.)

Cotton Babies Britax Online Stroller Parade Winners!

Announcing the winners of our Britax / Cotton Babies Virtual Stroller Parade!

First place: Waiting for the stork

by Kelly E. in Ohio

(We are pleased to announce Baby O arrived

a few days after this photo was taken!)

Congrats, Kelly!

Second place: Batman

by Meghan S. in Iowa

Third place: Go Wild!

by Jodie N. in Illinois

Be sure to check out the entire Flickr group to see all the amazing entries in our stroller parade. Thanks to all who took time to decorate their photos, snap photos and share them online with us!

BumGenius, one of the world's most popular cloth diapers, is on SALE!

If you haven't tried BumGenius One Size pocket diapers then you haven't experienced just how easy cloth diapering can be!

Regularly $17.95each, throughout August you can take advantage of great savings and buy 5 get 1 FREE! 

Features:

• NEW! Durable snap closures if you prefer snaps over aplix, help keep diapers on older babies.
• NEW! Generous sizing accommodates larger babies.
• NEW! Easily replaceable elastic keeps your diapers fresh.
• 3x3 snap down design* adjusts the sizing to fit small, medium and large sizes (approximately 7-35+ pounds).
• Trim, snug and comfortable stretchy tabs* provide a custom fit.
• Waterproof insert stopper* prevents leaking at the tummy.
• Diapers are bundled with two inserts: a newborn insert for newborns and a one-size insert for your older baby.
• Wide slot opening makes it easy to stuff and remove insert.
• Slot cover* protects your baby from wetness.

All bumGenius One-Size Cloth Diapers include a small, lightweight insert for newborns and a larger one-size insert for your growing baby. When your baby outgrows the newborn insert, it works as an overnight booster or as extra absorbency for heavy wetters.

Benefits of Babywearing for moms and dads!

Babywearing has been practiced for centuries worldwide.  There huge emotional and physical bonds created through babywearing, and the practice of babywearing allows a parent or nurturer to provide for their own needs, the needs of their family, and more while caring for their baby at the same time.

Babywearing is great for daddies too!  Often dads are left wondering how they can help and bond with baby, especially when baby is breastfed.  Once baby is accustomed to being "worn" you'll find that since daddies who  may not have had an active role in feeding baby, if their breastfed, he can now create a close bond with the baby through babywearing.

Here are some other great benefits of babywearing:

• The closeness and secure feeling provided by babywearing and keeping your baby close is great for those fussy, hard to console babies who seem like they never want to be put down.
• Also perfect for babies or toddlers with special needs.
• Great for when your little one is sick and needs constant affection and attention. 
• Keeps them cozy and allows them to sleep while being worn.
• Perfect for breastfeeding.  You can often nurse while wearing your baby, depending on the wrap or carrier used.
• Ideal for when you have more than one baby, like twins, or when you have other children in the household that require your attention.
• Eliminates the need for those bulky baby carseats that you'd otherwise need to place in your shopping cart, stroller, etc.
• Many can be used through toddlerhood.
• Each provide a variety of styles and methods for use.  Different wrap styles, techniques, front carry, back carry, hip carry and more!

The list of benefits to babywearing is endless.  It creates and builds a bond with your child while allowing you the freedom and mobility you need to take care of any other day to day activities and family needs.

Earth Angels Diaper Company has a great selection of babywraps, carriers, slings and more!  Shop online or visit our store, Soft and Cozy Baby in Baltimore, MD.  Not sure which one is right for you?  At Soft and Cozy Baby can teach you the different techniques and help you choose the perfect baby carrier to suit your needs! 

Gifts for Twin Babies!

As a mom of twins, friends frequently ask me what are great baby shower gifts for moms expecting two bundles of joy. I took a recent stroll through the Cotton Babies warehouse to share a few of my favorite items and a few fun things I would have enjoyed as gifts for my twins.

One of my favorite baby gifts to give and to receive are aden + anais swaddling blankets. When shopping for twins, grab a 4 pack of coordinating blankets. With two for each baby, you'll always have one available to use, even when one is in the laundry.

I'm a big fan of coordinating twins rather than matching, probably due to the fact that my twins are identical. Coordinating outfits helped family members know which little one they were snuggling. Zutano has some really great separates in bright color solids and coordinating prints. Choose a solid color t-shirt and print pants for one child and reverse the style for the other. Zutano is also a great choice for boy/girl twins with adorable print dresses that coordinate with the pants. Reversible items are also great clothing gifts for twins, like this sweet reversible hoodie from BabySoy.

Anything packaged in pairs is fair game for twin gifting, especially when it arrives in clever packaging! MooMee has two great bib pairs you'll want to eat up. Choose from the veggie bib set that features peas and carrots or the fruit bib set with one lemon and one strawberry bib. Each set arrives in plastic baby food style jars, ready to give.

Don't forget mom when picking out twin gifts. Any new mom needs a little something special for those early newborn days. I love the Lifefactory bottles. As all expectant moms know, it's important to stay hydrated during pregnancy and the 22 ounce size makes it easy and stylish. The glass bottle doesn't alter the taste of your beverage either.

My final 'must have' item for a mom of twins is the Belly Bandit Bamboo. This belly wrap helps tighten and shrink your tummy after pregnancy. The bamboo version of this mom-favorite is great due to bamboo's inherently antimicrobial, moisture wicking properties. If you add this to your baby shower gift you'll quickly rise to be mom's new best friend.

For more great baby shower gift ideas for twins or a single baby, check out the Gift Ideas category of CottonBabies.com. What was your favorite baby shower gift that you received?

You use what kind of diapers??!!

One of the things I love most about cloth diapering (and working at a cloth diaper store) is getting to share my knowledge and passion with others. I love when a fellow mom expresses interest in learning more and gives cloth diapering a try. I get a thrill when a fellow mom notices my son's adorable diaper in the Nordstrom ladies lounge. What better way to spread the word?



That being said, I often run into those that are super skeptical of the whole cloth diaper concept. I hear questions like "You wash that in your washing machine?", "You have to rinse them out?", "You know disposables are so much easier, right??". I wish I knew the perfect way to respond but I am usually at a loss. I generally revert to smiling and conceding that cloth diapering might not be the best choice for everyone... I wish I could express to them how cloth diapering changed the way I look at consumerism, the environment, my budget, my baby's health and so much more!



Have you encountered many nay-sayers?? How do you respond?

Cloth Diapers 101: What detergent to choose?

What detergent to use with cloth diapers can be a hot topic with some and is a very personal decision based on many factors.

What works best for you may not work well for your friend who lives across town for a variety of reasons: how old your child is, what types of food they eat, whether you have hard or soft water, what type of washing machine you use and many more variables.

We often are asked what is the best detergent to use. Unfortunately, there is no one answer that suits everyone. To help you on your search to find the perfect laundry detergent for your cloth diapers, we'd like to introduce you to a great tool developed by the Real Diaper Industry Association. The Real Diaper Industry Association is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit advancing, networking and promoting the cloth diaper industry. Many cloth diaper manufacturers and retailers work together to try to provide the best information possible to help everyone be successful in their cloth diapering. That is why they provide the Detergent Determinator, a searchable database that lists a wide variety of laundry detergents with details about the type of ingredients they contain.

When you check the brand you are using, be sure to keep in mind that as manufacturer of bumGenius, Flip and Econobum cloth diapers, we suggest that you avoid the following ingredients:

• Optical brighteners - if the box mentions anything about making your colors brighter or your whites whiter, don't buy it. Optical brighteners remain in your clothing and are designed to "bend the light" so you see the colors brighter or whiter. They do nothing to extend the life of your clothing. Optical brighteners caused buildup.
• Enzymes - if the box talks about removing certain kinds of stains easily, don't buy it. Enzymes attack protein-based stains. Those same enzymes can react with your baby's skin and cause a mild rash.
• Perfumes/Fragrances - that mountain breeze is best left on the mountain where it came from. Really, perfumes and fragrances are oil based. Oils are left in fabrics when rinsed. Again, this can cause a diaper rash and buildup.
• Dyes - dyes can remain in your fabrics when rinsed, potentially causing diaper rash and buildup.

For best results, we recommend only using detergents that are free of all these ingredients. These will be noted by 5 green symbols on the RDIA Detergent Determinator chart. If you have further questions about your laundry routine, detergents or additives, give us a call at 1-888-332-2243, e-mail us at contactus@cottonbabies.com or live chat with us through the link on the bottom of the left hand column of www.cottonbabies.com

Cloth Diapers 201: What is a bumGenius Refresher Kit?

Did you know we offer bumGenius Refresher kits to help you get a little extra life out of your cloth diaper investment?

If you or someone you know has some basic sewing skills, for just $1 you can replace the elastic and hook & loop tabs for your beloved bumGenius cloth diapers.

Each bumGenius refresher kit includes three new pieces of elastic (back elastic and two legs), new tab closures and new laundry tabs. Each kit also includes instructions for sewing your diaper refresh kits into your bumGenius cloth diapers.

The tools you will need to provide to refresh your cloth diapers are needle, thread, scissors, seam ripper, a safety pin and an optional sewing machine. These can be replaced by hand sewing, although it is a bit more time consuming.

If you have further questions about our bumGenius refresher kits, give us a call at 1-888-332-2243 or live chat with us through the button at the bottom of the left hand column on www.cottonbabies.com

Recently Restocked: bumGenius Laundry Detergent

It's back! The detergent you love has arrived in our warehouse this week and orders will begin shipping in the order they are received. Over the last few weeks we've heard from so many who love the bumGenius laundry detergent and we thank you for your patience while this shipment made it's way to our warehouse.

Also recently restocked are 3 packs of Aden + Anais Bamboo Muslin Swaddles, a customer favorite and a great gift for a baby shower. Order one today, these items don't like to sit on our shelves very long!

Cloth trainers make sense and save cents over disposables!

Seems like common sense to me, if you want to potty train your little one and get them used to wearing underwear wouldn't you want them to be wearing training pants that look and feel as much like real underwear as possible?

Disposable trainers make no sense at all.  Just because of the faux underwear print do they think the child will understand that they're supposed to be "big kid" underwear?  No!  If your little one is used to disposable diapers then they're going to think disposable trainers are one and the same, after all they look about the same, feel about the same and they can see you getting them in the same plastic packaging from the store, just like baby diapers.

Luckily cloth diaper companies have come to your rescue and provide you with some cloth alternatives to disposable trainers.  Trainers that are made to look and feel like real underwear.

One of our favorite brands of cloth trainers is Little Beetle Learners!


Little Beetle Learners provide a wonderful way to welcome your little one into the world of potty learning! 

Pull on, snap off. What could be easier? 

Two layers of our favorite fair trade organic velour cotton, with a third layer tucked into the wet zone and hidden by some very sporty stitching! Our Learners are 100% natural fibers, that means no PUL or other waterproofing layer. (couple with a wool soaker short for heavy duty needs). Designed to catch an small accident or miss while headed to the potty, the fit is trim yet contemporary. Surprisingly enough, we find these to be almost as absorbent as our diapers and thus can serve double duty if you like (for use as a diaper, add a doubler and wool soaker short)  

Not only are cloth trainers much more comfortable for your little one, they save you a ton of money, they're better for the planet and they can be saved and used when your next child is of potty training age!

Britax B-Agile Stroller Parade Contest!

Only two days remain to get your entry in for our Cotton Babies Britax Virtual Stroller Parade. You may have seen the photos we've posted from our in-store stroller parade last weekend, so now is your chance to play along!

To participate in the Cotton Babies Virtual Stroller Parade, create your own stroller float, take some photos and submit up to 3 photos to our special Cotton Babies Stroller Parade Flickr album. You can use a Yahoo or Google account to log into Flickr or create a Flickr account for yourself, but no worries, it's free and just takes a few minutes to set up. You'll need to join our group to submit your photos. Only photos submitted to THIS Flickr group will be eligible for the prizes in each of the three categories. Please tag "Cotton Babies" in your photos as well. Make sure your photos are public so our judges can view your entry.

Once you've uploaded your photos to your account, visit our Cotton Babies Britax Virtual Stroller Parade group. Click "Add Photos" just below the group name. Select the photos you want to enter. Keep in mind, you can only upload 3 photos, so choose your favorites! Click "Add to Group" and you are entered!

First place for our online stroller parade will receive a bumGenius 4.0 3 pack and a new Britax B-Agile stroller. Second place will receive a Flip Stay Dry cloth diaper Day Pack. Third place will receive a $50 Cotton Babies gift card. There are no categories for our online stroller parade, but feel free to use the in-store categories as inspiration for your float.

Entries must be posted into the Flickr group no later than 11:59 p.m. PST Wednesday, August 3, 2011. Winners will be notified via Flickr messaging system or by e-mail no later than Wednesday, August 10, 2011. U.S. Residents only. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win.

Cloth 201: What is a Stay Dry Liner?

We are often asked to clarify the differences between these three cloth diaper accessories: diaper doublers, stay dry liners and stay dry doublers.

Diaper Doublers (AKA Newborn Insert):

These are the smaller insert that comes with your bumGenius 4.0 cloth diapers. This smaller insert is less absorbent than a standard bumGenius insert, but is ideal for newborns because it creates a trimmer fit for those early days. Once your little one needs the standard insert, these are great to add to your pockets for nap-time or overnight when extra absorbency is needed.

Keep in mind: these DO NOT have a stay dry side, so they are only recommended for use inside a pocket diaper, not directly touching baby's bottom.

Stay Dry Liners:

These are a thin fleece liner with no absorbency. These are great for wicking moisture away from your little one's bottom if you are using a natural fiber, like cotton prefolds or bumGenius Elementals. They are especially helpful to keep moisture away from tender skin during nap-times and overnights for those who love cotton or hemp inserts. These are also useful if you have to use a diaper cream to protect your cloth diapers, as mentioned in our previous post.

Keep in mind: these have NO absorbency. They are intended to go on top of an absorbent insert to wick moisture away from delicate baby skin.

Stay Dry Doublers:

These doublers are the best of the two previous products rolled into one. They are the same size as the diaper doubler/newborn insert. They have a stay dry layer on one side and have some microfiber for absorbency. These are another great option if you use cotton prefolds or Flip organic inserts for overnight.

Keep in mind: These doublers have fleece, they DO NOT work well inside a pocket style diaper. They are best used directly against baby's skin with another absorbent insert underneath in a cover.