Reflections about our first year

I started developing this business at the roots, hoping to set a strong foundation reflecting my values and in hopes to bring true balance to my life and my family's. I set goals in the hopes that not only will it help guide me and keep me going in the direction I set in, but to possibly surpass them and create something beautiful in the process. And I did!

Ecological Babies has given me much more than I imagined as I started growing the business a year ago. Sure, I wanted to be involved directly with my community and hopefully empower families to choose a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. Sure, I wanted to give to some worthy organizations whose mission I believed in and supported. However, I never imagined how much fun and fulfilling it has been to meet each individual family (around 250 families), come into their lives, and share part of their journey with me. In most cases, I meet couples at such a pivotal time in their life. There are so many questions and uncertainties to face, it's sometimes overwhelming. And somehow as a leap of faith, couples decide to consider making some important steps toward raising their family consciously, with environmental responsibility and for healthier lives. It's only a bonus how much money they'll also save in the process!

So as a final thought, I really have my supporters, customers, and many new friends to thank for bringing such an amazing life into my business. I cannot imagine being anywhere else in my life and finding this much joy as an individual, an independent business owner, and a mother.

Thank you!

Yours,

Jen Starks, owner

REVIEW: Fitted Diapers we've tested!

It's often difficult for me to explain why I love fitted diapers as much as I do and struggle to highlight their great value in a diaper stash. I usually turn to my fitted diapers first and find them great at every age, especially 6 months and up. I'll be honest though, there are a lot of fitted diapers we've tried and don't like. Thirsties fitteds are my favorite and that's why we carry them. I will only carry products I truly believe are good quality and function well.

Thirsties Fitteds are superior (in my humble opinion) for the following reasons:
-They stay super soft on the inside and out (fleece inside, cotton velour on outside
-They have a very comfortable, trim fit and gentle around the waist
-Baby stays dry to the skin, since they are lined with fleece
-Absorbent yet fast drying
-Great quality aplix (velcro)
-Can be put on easily while baby is standing up (very important to me)
-Holds potential blow outs inside the diaper great

Next, I want to share all the fitted diapers I've tested, didn't like, and why I don't like them. I'd love it for others to share the ones they've tried and either liked or didn't like. Why?

Kissaluv's
- soft when you buy them and then a rough towel after you've washed them once
- baby's bottom stays wet against the diaper
-not very absorbent
- the elastic in the legs are poor quality
-bulky
-long drying time (2 cycles)

Happy Heiny's Happy Hempy's (designed like a pocket fitted)
- so much extra fabric
- the aplix (velcro) around the waist is huge and digs into stomach
- baby feels wet against the skin

Happy Heiny's Sherpa Fitted
-This is just like Kissaluvs in the way they are designed and fit
-rough towel material
-baby stays wet against the skin
-long drying time
-very bulky but absorbs a lot

Bumwear Fitteds
-The fit on these are awkward as though baby's dimensions weren't measured well.
-aplix (velcro) not great

Babykicks Fitteds
-Not very absorbent
-Way too many snaps, even for me
- Our snaps broke very early but could have been a defective one
-Baby feels wet against the skin

Swaddlebee's bamboo Fitteds
-After first washing, the fitted felt rough...although, it has soften after a year
-short elastic life span

Bumgenius Bamboo Fitteds
-I actually like these but their biggest con is that they take a long time to dry.