Tuesday Giveaway: New bumGenius Colors!

To celebrate the new bumGenius colors that are beginning to leave our warehouse in the bumGenius 4.0 cloth diapers, today we are hosting a giveaway where you can win one of these great new colors!

The new colors are Mirror (turquoise), Dazzle (orchid purple) and Sassy (deep tangerine).

To enter today's blog giveaway for your chance to win one of our prize packs, share with your online friends about which of the new bumGenius colors you like best (Mirror, Dazzle or Sassy) and report back here telling us how you shared! Three winners will be selected at random from all eligible comments to receive a bumGenius 4.0 cloth diaper in the color of their choice from Cotton Babies.

Eligible entries must be posted no later than midnight Central time, Wednesday, October 19, 2011. U.S. Residents only. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win. Winners will be drawn at random on Thursday, October 20, 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: Why do I have to wash brights 6 times?

If you purchased a new bumGenius cloth diaper or Flip cover in Clementine, Moonbeam, Ribbit, Zinnia or the new Dazzle and Sassy colors, you may have noticed a small sticker on your diaper that states:

"IMPORTANT: Prewash dark color diapers 6 times separately before washing with any other products."

This means is that for these brighter, bolder colors, we recommend washing them with like colors for the first 6 washes to avoid any transfer of dye to other lighter colors. These do not have to be 6 consecutive washes before your first use.

We like to use the analogy of a brand new, brightly colored bath towel or pair of dark wash jeans. Much like these products, we suggest washing them separately or with like colors to avoid any possible color transfer.

If you have bumGenius 4.0 cloth diapers or Flip diaper covers, your diapers are fully prepped and ready to use after the first wash. We recommend washing them with like colors until they have been washed at least 6 times.

For bumGenius Elemental cloth diapers, you will need to wash your new diapers 5-7 times before they are fully prepped. Items with natural fibers contain natural oils that need to be removed before they will be fully absorbent. More details on how to prep your natural fiber diapers can be found in our Cloth 101: How to Prep Your Cloth Diapers post.

This Just In: New "Hoot" Print from Thirsties!

New at Cotton Babies this week! Whooo do you know that loves owls? Many customers have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of this fun new print from our friends at Thirsties.

Easy to use and easy on the wallet, Thirsties Duo Wraps have an adjustable rise the allows a great fit twice as long. Two sizes will last from birth to potty training!

Completely waterproof yet breathable, pliable and comfortable for even the most delicate skin. Thirsties Duo Wraps' leg gussets provide advanced leak protection and the bindings are soft against baby's skin. Want to have fewer covers in your stash? The inside of Thirsties Duo Wraps can be wiped clean between uses.

Pick up "Hoot" in Thirsties Duo Wraps in both snap and hook & loop closures and also in the Duo Diaper.

Similar in feel and fit as the best selling Duo Wrap, Thirsties Duo Diapers are completely waterproof yet remain breathable, pliable and very comfortable for your baby’s delicate skin. The ultra-soft microfleece liner on the inside protects baby’s skin from wetness and also resists staining. The handy sleeve design features openings on both sides of the diaper between the microfleece and waterproof layer. The duo openings featured in Thirsties® Duo Diaper enable easy insert stuffing from either side of the diaper and also make for easy cleaning. There is no need to remove the soiled inserts when washing -- your hands will remain clean! Simply toss your soiled Thirsties Duo Diaper in the laundry and the inserts will agitate free from the diaper in the washing machine.

For other great new products added to the Cotton Babies catalog, be sure to check out our What's New category.

bumGenius and Change 3 Things Giveaway!

Happy Tuesday! To celebrate our bumGenius Buy 5, Get 1 FREE sale, we're giving away some of our favorite bumGenius items today!

We love hearing about how you spread the news of cloth diapering with other families, especially when you are sharing the vision behind our Change 3 Things campaign! Each prize pack for today's giveaway will include a bumGenius 4.0 cloth diaper, a Change 3 Things t-shirt and a bumGenius 4.0 cloth diaper in Bubble, Sweet or Artist Series to share with a friend interested in cloth diapering!

To enter today's blog giveaway for your chance to win one of our prize packs, share with your friends about Change 3 Things and report back here telling us how you shared! 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, October 12, 2011. U.S. Residents only. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win. Winners will be drawn at random on Thursday, October 13, 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.)

Announcing the NEW bumGenius Freetime!

Maximize your freetime with the NEW, all-in-one, one-size cloth diaper from bumGenius. Two semi-attached stay dry inserts inside allow for adjustable absorbency. Diaper your baby in one easy step!

Features:

• 3×3 snap down design* adjusts the sizing to fit small, medium and large sizes (approximately 8-35+ pounds).
• Trim, snug and comfortable stretchy tabs* provide a custom fit.
• One step cloth diaper - no stuffing!
• Two rows of snaps ensure a trim, bumGenius fit every time!
• Gentle leg elastic contains the mess!
• Semi-attached inserts dry faster and allow for customized absorbency where your child needs it most.

Cloth diapering made even easier!

bumGenius Freetime All-In-One One-Size Cloth Diapers feature our patent pending butterfly closure system to provide a comfortable, trim fit. This simple design makes cloth diapering as easy as using disposables. Our "no-stuff" system with semi-attached inserts is an ideal solution for families with a child in day-care or family members resistant to cloth diapers! Using the snaps on the front of the diaper, adjust the size if needed, put the diaper on your baby, wash, dry and re-use. No extra steps. No stuffing. No cover required. Our one-size diapers are designed to fit most babies weighing between 8 and 35 pounds.

The soft, waterproof outer fabric keeps the diaper trim on your newborn and toddler. Soft, sueded inner fabric gently wicks moisture away from your baby's skin. Super stretchy, gentle leg and back elastic with rolled out casings keeps the yuk in and help to keep red marks away.

Care Instructions are the same as the bumGenius 4.0 cloth diapers you know and love:

• Fasten hook tabs to laundry tabs on slot cover.
• Pre-wash cold. Wash hot (100F/40C) with bumGenius detergent.
• Extra rinse. Line Dry.
• No laundry additives. No fabric softeners.
• Use 1/4 cup or 60 mL bleach in the hot wash once per month.

You can pre-order your bumGenius Freetime cloth diapers for $19.95 each. Quantity discounts are available. bumGenius Freetime cloth diapers will begin shipping in December 2011.

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.

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.)

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

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.

bumGenius Buy 5, Get 1 FREE is BACK!

One of our customers' favorite sales is back for a limited time. From now through August 31, 2011* you can buy 5 bumGenius 4.0 cloth diapers in solid colors or Artist Series and get 1 of equal or lesser value FREE! To redeem this great offer, be sure to use this special sale page.

*Offer good from July 29, 2011 through August 31, 2011 or while supplies last.

Cloth Diapering 101: What do I need to start cloth diapering?

Everyone has to start cloth diapering somewhere. With all the information available online at your fingertips, it can be very overwhelming. The great thing about cloth diapering is that it only takes a little bit to get started. A question we are frequently asked is

"What do I need to begin cloth diapering?"

If you want to start cloth diapering an infant we recommend:

• 24 cloth diapers in the style of your choice. If you are choosing a two-piece system such as Flip or Econobum, we recommend 24 inserts and 6 covers. This number is based on changing an infant 8-10 times a day and washing your diapers every other day. We recommend washing every other day to prevent mold and other issues.
• A diaper pail or wet bag to store dirty diapers until laundry day. For a diaper pail, we recommend a vented pail. The air flow also helps to prevent mold. Wet bags come in a variety of sizes, fabrics and styles to suit the needs of any family. If you are not using a diaper pail, you will want a wet bag large enough to hold 2 days worth of dirty laundry. You may also consider a wet bag that is a smaller size to hold a few dirty diapers for your daycare provider or those times you are out and about with your little one.
• A cloth diaper safe laundry detergent- Safe detergents are those without enzymes, brighteners, dyes, scents or fabric softeners. More information on why to avoid these ingredients can be found in our detergent blog post. Make things even easier on yourself by checking out the natural laundry section on CottonBabies.com where we sell only cloth diaper safe detergents and offer free economy shipping.

If you are beginning to cloth diaper an older child, you may not need a full 24 cloth diapers. Many people even begin their cloth diapering journey with just a few cloth diapers for each day. Our Change 3 Things campaign encourages any parent to change just 3 cloth diapers a day. We chose 3 cloth diapers because we feel it's a manageable goal for any parent, whether all of baby's caregivers will change cloth diapers or not.

For a gradual start like this, we recommend checking out our Change 3 Things packs. Don't forget to add a wet bag and detergent to your Cotton Babies order as well. These 3 things are all you really need to begin your cloth diapering journey.

As you grow confident in cloth diapers, you may find you want to branch out to try new styles of cloth diapers, use cloth baby wipes, or try new accessories. As always, we are glad to answer any questions you may have if you give us a call at 1-888-332-2243 or live chat with us at www.cottonbabies.com

Free Diaper Cover; FuzziBunz and more great June deals!

We are in the final hours of the FuzziBunz Bonus Bunz days. Buy 5 FuzziBunz one size cloth diapers and get one FREE! This deal only lasts through Wednesday, June 15, 2011. Catch this great deal by using this special Bonus Bunz days page on CottonBabies.com

Use the drop down menus to select your favorite FuzziBunz colors, then add them to your cart. No coupon code required!

Do you prefer prefolds or an all-in-two system? No worries, Cotton Babies has you covered. Now through the end of June, with a Cotton Babies purchase of $50 or more, you can receive a free one-size diaper cover. To activate this deal, add the one-size diaper cover shown here to your cart and enter coupon code CVR611 during checkout. Cotton Babies will select a diaper cover for you based on your choice of boy, girl or gender neutral on the drop down menu and include it in your shipment. It's that easy!

But wait, there's more! Be sure to keep an eye on the Used Diapers and Clearance sections at Cotton Babies for some great deals that are available while supplies last. You never know what items may appear, so check back often.

Cloth 101: Cloth diapers double as swim diapers!

You don't need to buy swim diapers this year! With the insert removed, your bumGenius 4.0 One-Size cloth diapers will work as a swim diaper. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly after use, whether in a pool or at the beach.

This is another way that cloth diapers can save you money. Have you used a bumGenius pocket diaper for a swim diaper? Share your story and tips with us.

Travel Tuesday Giveaway

It's June! Which means many families are beginning to think of summer vacations. Whether it's a trip to grandma's house, a cruise or a two week beach vacation, chances are you'll be adapting your cloth diapering routine.

One of our favorite ways to adapt a cloth diaper routine is the Flip Travel Pack. Each pack has two Flip diaper covers and a pack of disposable inserts. Even if you pack your regular cloth inserts, it's always nice to have a few disposables on hand for the car trip or just in case your fun lasts a diaper change longer than you expected.

To enter today's blog giveaway for your chance to win a Flip Travel Pack, leave a comment on this blog post telling us how you alter your diapering routine when away from home. Share your tips with others and maybe learn a new tip from another Cotton Babies customer.

Still packing for your getaway? Be sure to check out our Vacation Essentials section for natural sunscreen, insect repellent, swim wear and more!

Eligible entries must be posted today, Tuesday, June 7, 2011. U.S. Residents only. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win. Winners will be drawn at random on Wednesday, June 8, 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, please.)

Live Chat with Cotton Babies Customer Service

Did you know Cotton Babies now has a live chat feature on our main webpage? You can chat live with one of our customer service team members to ask questions about your order, receive cloth diapering tips or troubleshooting assistance for your cloth diapers.

To start the live chat process, visit www.cottonbabies.com and scroll to the bottom of the left hand column under the "Connect With Us" heading. Click on the "Click to Chat" button.

A new window opens when you connect with our customer service team. Type your question or request in the middle box. Hit return or click the "send" button to send your message to our team. Share your name with us by adding it in the field at the very bottom of the window. We really like to know who we are chatting with.

When you finish your chat, be sure to click on the button with the door image that says "close" near the send button. This takes you to a page that offers you an e-mail transcript of your chat. This feature is especially helpful if you have had a troubleshooting session with our customer service team that includes laundry or other detailed instructions you may need to refer to later.

If you attempt to use our live chat feature and our team is assisting another customer or otherwise unavailable, live chat will offer you a form to fill out with your question and an e-mail address for Cotton Babies to reply to you. We try to respond to these questions promptly, but it may take a few hours.

Live chat is another option we offer our customers. We're moms and we understand that the house frequently gets noisy just when you pick up the telephone.

As always, if you need a prompt response, a phone call is the fastest way to get the most up to date information about your order or any other issue you may have. You can reach us by phone at 1-888-332-2243 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time. You can ask us a question anytime by e-mail at contactus@cottonbabies.com although it may take up to 24 hours for an e-mail response in high volume times.

Cloth Diapering 201: How To Strip Your Diapers

It doesn't take much time in cloth diapering circles before you encounter the term "stripping". What exactly is "stripping" your cloth diapers, how do you do it and how do you know when you need to perform this task? No worries, we're here to help.

Stripping in the cloth diapering community refers to the removal of detergent, diaper cream or other items that may leave residue in the fibers of your cloth diapers. One analogy is to think of kind of like stripping paint from a piece of wood furniture.

There are several reasons you may encounter along your cloth diapering journey where we would suggest stripping your cloth diapers. Here are a few of the most common:

• Using a detergent that has enzymes, scents or brighteners. These ingredients can cause build up in your diapers, which can lead to leaks. New to cloth diapering? You can read more about detergent choices in this article.
• A caregiver accidentally uses diaper cream without a fabric barrier. No, it's not the end of the world, but yes, it can be somewhat stubborn to remove.
• You're beginning to experience leaks and there is no change in your child's diet or input.
• Your child has been diagnosed with a yeast infection or other type of communicable rash.
• You're having trouble with stinky smells in your diapers, even after washing.
• You need to switch laundry detergents. Maybe you've discovered your child's skin is sensitive to a particular brand, in which case you want to remove all residue and start with a clean slate.

So now that you know the situations in which we recommend stripping your cloth diapers, how do you do it? For bumGenius, Flip and Econobum products, we recommend this method:

• Wash once in hot water with one teaspoon (for high efficiency machines) to one tablespoon (for regular washing machines) of original liquid Dawn (blue formula) and up to 1/2 cup regular, liquid chlorine bleach in the wash cycle.
• Do two additional hot water washes with no detergent to completely rinse the diapers clean. If you still see suds, keep rinsing until the diapers are rinsed clean.

If you are using other brands of cloth diapers, we recommend checking with that manufacturer for their recommendations.

The other frequently asked question is "How often do I need to strip?" There really is no rule or guideline for this. We have found that those who live in hard water situations tend to get detergent buildup faster than those with softer water. Also, if you use a detergent that has enzymes or brighteners, you may find you need to strip more frequently than if you use a detergent completely free of these ingredients. If either of these situations apply to you, you may need to strip your diapers once every 3 or 4 months. We do not recommend using bleach more than once a month, so please keep that in mind if you are stripping your diapers on a regular basis.

If you have more questions on this topic or need more personalized recommendations, e-mail us at contactus@cottonbabies.com or call us at 1-888-332-2243. We're always glad to help you.

Cloth Diapers 101: What is a Stay Dry Doubler?

What is a stay dry doubler and why would I need to use it?

A stay dry doubler is an absorbent insert made of a layer of fleece, a fabric that will wick moisture away from your baby's bottom, as well as two layers of absorbent microfiber. These are ideal for those who use natural fiber inserts like prefolds or cotton fitteds, but need additional absorbency at night and a way to keep the moisture away from baby's bottom.

Jenn Labit said,

"I am absolutely thrilled with this product! We use prefolds with Andrew during the day and its always bothered me to know that his little bum was wet when his diaper got wet. With these doublers, he stays dry! Thanks to the Stay Dry Doublers, I may actually be able to use prefolds at night again..."

The Stay Dry Doubler is different from a stay dry liner because it has microfiber to absorb. Stay dry liners are simply a layer of fleece to wick moisture away without added absorbency.

Stay Dry Doublers are also a bit different from the bumGenius Diaper Doublers, also known as Newborn Inserts. The bumGenius Diaper Doublers are only microfiber and have no layer of fleece, so we do not recommend placing a bumGenius Diaper Doubler next to baby's bottom. bumGenius Diaper Doublers are great for inside a bumGenius 4.0 or other pocket style diaper.

For more information or personalized recommendations about inserts for your little one, give our customer service team a call at 1-888-332-2243, send an e-mail to contactus@cottonbabies.com, or chat with us live on www.cottonbabies.com (button on bottom bottom of left hand column). We'd be glad to assist you.

Have a question or suggestion for future Cloth Diapers 101 or Cloth Diapers 201 blog posts? Leave your question in the comments below.

Cloth Diapers 201: Overnight Cloth Diapering

As your little one grows, at some point, you finally reach the elusive goal... your child will actually sleep for more than 3 hours at a time. About the time you begin to revel in this blissful state, you may begin to discover the dark side of more sleep. Your little one's diapers now require more absorbency to last through the night.

One of the most common questions we receive at Cotton Babies is how to adjust absorbency to adapt to your growing child's overnight needs. The simple answer is natural fibers. Two great natural fibers that add absorbency are hemp and cotton.

Hemp is great because of its durability, absorbency, and it's natural anti-microbial properties. This means your baby will be protected naturally from bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus. We offer a variety of Hemp Babies and Baby Kicks to match your child's needs and the style of cloth diapers you use. Most of our hemp products are a blend of 55% hemp and 45% cotton for effective absorbency.

• Hemp Babies Little Weeds - these are great if you are using a pocket style one-size diaper on a small rise setting or All-in-one style in a small size. Little Weeds feature two layers of hemp to ensure that your diapers wash clean easily and dry quickly. Designed specifically for an infant, the small diaper folds in half for less bulk and four layers of absorbency.
• Hemp Babies Bigger Weeds - These high quality diapers were specifically designed to be used as an insert in a medium or large pocket diaper. Hemp Babies Bigger Weeds fold in thirds for six thirsty layers of hemp absorbency.
• Hemp Babies Diaper Doublers - These diaper doublers come in two sizes (small or large). The size and shape of the Hemp Babies Diaper Doublers make them ideal for use with a prefold, all-in-two, or hybrid style of diaper. I liked using the large Hemp Babies Diaper Doubler underneath a Flip Stay-Dry insert for my toddler daughter for overnight. They also work well placed inside a pre-fold diaper overnight.
• BabyKicks Hemparoo Joey-Bunz - These inserts are designed especially for use with Fuzzi Bunz, but work great with all other pocket diapers, like bumGenius. Intended to be trim, absorbent and easy to use since there's no folding. They come in three sizes (small, medium and large) to give you a customized fit for your little one.
• BabyKicks Hemparoo Fleece Pre-folds - These prefolds feature 2-3-2 layers of luxuriously soft 55% hemp/45% cotton fleece. These prefolds are up to any task, from being pinned, folded in thirds in a snug fitting wrap, or as a pocket diaper stuffer.

Cotton is another great, affordable option for adding absorbency overnight. Cotton prefolds can be used inside a cover like Econobum or Flip, or even as an insert inside your favorite bumGenius pocket diaper. At Cotton Babies, we carry Chinese, Indian and Econobum styles of prefolds that range in price from $1 to $2 each depending on size and style.

Two last tips for using natural fibers - natural fibers do not wick moisture away from baby's bottom and are a bit slower to absorb than synthetic diapers. Some customers find they need a stay-dry liner or layer closest to baby's bottom to keep baby dry all night. If you are layering hemp or cotton inserts with a stay-dry insert, we recommend the stay dry layer closest to baby's bottom with the natural fiber underneath to ensure best absorbency and reduce the chance of leaks.

If you need help in finding which insert would best meet your family's needs for overnight, give us a call at 1-888-332-2243. We can ask you a few questions about the cloth diapers you use, your little one, how long they sleep at night and your laundry routine. In just a few minutes, we can give you some suggestions for products that may work best for your family.

Mother's Day Sale: 15% off select Thirsties products

In celebration of mothers, we're having a great sale all week long. Our Mother's Day category has several great items, but today, in place of our Cloth 101 feature, we'll be focusing on Thirsties, which are 15% off this week only!

Thirsties Duo Wraps are a really popular product at Cotton Babies. They are easy to use and easier on your wallet. The adjustable rise of this wrap design means one size will last twice as long. Only two sizes will cover your baby from birth all the way to potty-learning. These are great if you love using prefolds, flats or fitted cloth diapers on your little one.

Cotton Babies customer, Susan, shared this in a review:

I am new to cloth diapering and ordered the Duo because of the sizing for newborns/smaller babies and the positive reviews, plus the adjustable sizing. I can say that I just love them! No leaks, perfect fit, very adjustable on my 4 week old baby. I've used these since she was born. Very trim fit over a trifolded prefold and couldn't be easier. The velcro is soft so it won't hurt her skin. I'd buy these again in a heartbeat. The lavender is my favorite.

Thirsties Duo Wrap covers feature a double leg gusset and are available in a variety of colors and prints. You can get Thirsties Duo Wrap covers in either hook and loop or snap closures for only $10.84 this week only!

We also have several other great Thirsties products on sale this week including the sized diaper covers, Duo Diapers, pail liners and the brightly colored Thirsties Fab cloth wipes.

Cloth Diapers 101: What is a Snappi and how do I use it?

What is a Snappi?
The Snappi is a modern, diaper fastener that has become an important cloth diapering accessory. This easy-to-use fastener replaces the diaper pin. It comes in a variety of colors and is made from a stretchable non-toxic material, which is T-shaped with 'teeth' on each end. These 'teeth' hook into the diaper fabric to ensure a snug-fitting diaper with enough natural movement for the baby.

Why would I want one?
The Snappi is a practical cloth diapering accessory, especially if you are using prefold or flat style cloth diapers, even part-time. The Snappi can be used with or without a cover, and is especially handy as your little one reaches those "in between" sizes with your favorite covers. Snappis help hold the cloth diaper in place, preventing leaks and blowouts with your folded diapers. They can help keep the diaper in place on a squirmy baby as you reach for your favorite diaper cover.

How do I use it?
When you first purchase your Snappi, you will need to stretch it before its first use. The stretching triggers the 'memory' of the Snappi to return to its original size, and in so doing, will pull the diaper together to the middle to allow for a snug fit. This is essential for the Snappi to work properly. To stretch, hold the Snappi in the center with one hand, and close to the end of the leg with the other hand. Then stretch it approximately 10 times. As you do this you should feel how the material 'softens' or gets more elastic. Follow this stretching procedure with each leg. Then your Snappi will be ready to go!

When it's time for a diaper change, make sure that the Snappi is attached securely with the following instructions. When attaching the Snappi, hold onto the solid part of the tab. Do not pull on the loops. It is important that the Snappi 'leg' being attached be stretched across the diaper before hooking it into the diaper. Snappi recommends you hook left, stretch across and hook right, then stretch down and hook center. In other words, the Snappi should go from a ‘T’ shape to a ‘Y’ shape.

Snappi recommendations and tips:

• We recommend at least 2 Snappis, so you always have one ready to go, should one get dirty. Snappis can be washed with hot, soapy water; but should not be laundered.
• Snappis should not be used longer than 6 months.
• Snappis are available in two sizes, baby and toddler. The toddler size is recommended for children 16 months and above.
• For more information and manufacturer's recommendations, please see the Snappi website.