How to De-Funk Those Smelly Diapers

Your (clean) diapers shouldn't stink.  And even wet diapers shouldn't have much of an initial smell. This is a stereotype. If you are having issues with this, then it is time to tackle this immediately.  If you don't, you might:

1. Have issues with diaper rash.
2.  Lose some friends at playgroups.
3.  Have diapers that are unnecessarily leaking.
4.  Have diapers that seem unusually uncomfortable and stiff on your baby.


All these are issues you don't want, right? :)

Well, there are a few steps I recommend for a solution.

1.  It's time to strip your diapers.  Go here to read more about your different options (easy, I promise!).
2.  Make sure you are washing every 1-3 days.  Otherwise, smells will start to set in (and bacteria too!).
3.  Use a dry pail system for storing your dirty diapers, as opposed to a wet pail full of water or a solution.
4.  If you have a private space that your child won't get into, keep your pail open for awhile.  This allows the diaper to dry, which will stop ammonia from building up.
5.  Get in the practice of sprinkling baking soda on the dirty diaper after you throw it in.  This will absorb smells, as well as increasing the effectiveness of your wash cycle.  We use a little arm&hammer shaker but some have used a parmesan cheese container (glass or plastic).
6.  Try to work on purchasing natural fibers. Synthetic materials build up quicker and hold onto smells more so than natural ones (cotton, hemp, bamboo) They tend to be better quality too!

Good luck!

Peace,

Jen Starks, Owner
www.ecologicalbabies.com
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 
574.275.1235

Cloth Diapers- Tax Deductible!

I am thrilled to share that I have recently found out that your cloth diapers (and a diaper service too) can be claimed as a medical expense for reimbursement.  In other words, you can pay for them using your flexible spending account or add it as a medical expense deduction. There is only one minor stipulation to qualify for this.

Your doctor needs to write you a prescription for cloth diapers for the "treatment of a disease".  What exactly this means isn't clear to me at this point but I hope to touch base with the IRS to find out more information.

You can find this information at the IRS' website and here is a direct link to the publication:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf

You can find the topic under "What's Eligible" on page 14 titled "Diaper Service."  What's more, this document explains the steps you need to take to claim this or be reimbursed.

Sweet, eh?  Share this with all your cloth diapering friends!

Cheers,

Jen Starks, Owner
www.ecologicalbabies.com 
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 
574.275.1235

Prepping Your Cloth Diapers

So, you now have your cloth diapers (hopefully from Ecological Babies!) and you are ready to get them ready to be used on your baby. The purpose of prewashing is to quilt up the natural fibers and to remove any loose materials or residue on the diapers. Pre-washing instructions are different from regular care, so here's our recommendations to get you started.





Cotton, Hemp, Bamboo materials- (prefolds, pocket inserts, all-in-ones, doublers)

• These materials need to be washed AND dried a minimum of 3 times.  
• Detergent is only necessary one time.  
• They can be combined with other laundry.  
• Temperature of the water does not matter.  
• You will need to collect all the lint out of your dryer before drying them again. 

Polyester materials (diaper covers, microfiber inserts, pocket shells), cotton wipes, wet bags

• You only need to wash these once with detergent.
• Temperature of the water does not matter.
• Covers and pocket shells are best flat or line dried.  Otherwise, tumble dry low is next recommendation.

After that, you are all set!  Now comes the exciting part of putting that on your cute baby. :)

Peace,

Jen Starks, Owner
www.ecologicalbabies.com
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 
574.275.1235

Umbilical Cord Care & Cloth Diapers

Umbilical Cord Care & Cloth Diapers

When families are getting ready for baby's arrival, they are often concerned about the umbilical cord and using cloth diapers right away.

My son, Tyler- 1 day old

Common Questions:

1.  Should I wait until the cord falls off before I start using my diapers?
2.  Should I only use cloth diapers with low-rise features in order to keep the diapers from touching the cord?
3.  If I start using the diapers right away and the diapers are touching the cord, will this be problematic?

Our Solution:

Good news!  I have a simple solution to ease your mind.  Our midwife (Layla) and family doctor (Dr. Ness) recommended that we swab the cord with a Qtip and rubbing alcohol after each change.  This process prevents infection while drying up the cord (which encourages it to fall off).

What to Expect:

Each baby's cord falls off at a different time.  Your baby's cord will be softer than usual if you choose to use cloth diapers right away.  Therefore, it will probably take a little longer than the average to fall off.  My daughter's was gone by 2 weeks and my son's was 3 weeks.

Warning Signs: 
Make sure you aren't having any weird smells or other signs of infection like oozing green mucus or painfulness when swabbing around it.  If so, you might need to cover it and apply an antibacterial ointment. It's ok to have a little bleeding and covering it up will help heal it quicker.  Of course, if you are seeing signs of infection, I recommend seeing your family doctor/pediatrician.  It's better to be proactive than wait around hoping for the best.

Disclaimer:  I'm sure there are other valid ways to care for the umbilical cord while using cloth diapers.  This is simply a recommendation based on our advice from our primary caregivers and what worked well for our family.  I am not a medical professional, so it is always best to consult with your primary caregiver.


I'm interested in hearing more suggestions.  Have you asked your midwife, OB-Gyn, family doctor about this?  What were their recommendations?


Missing those small moments after birth,

Jen Starks, 
Owner 
www.ecologicalbabies.com 
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 
574.275.1235

New Easy Fit Diapers!

Our popular Easy Fit Diapers by Tots Bots are getting an upgrade and we think you are going to LOVE the new changes (and ridiculously adorable prints too!).  We expect to get these diapers stocked soon, so let us know if you are interested in receiving some of our first round of inventory. The price remains the same at $23.95.


Easy Fit Diapers Description:

These diapers are possibly the best designed diaper out there, especially for those of us who have been using cloth diapers for awhile (4.5 years straight here!).  These are an one-size all-in-one diaper with a pocket opening.  The insert in the middle is double in length and folds inside the pocket making it double the absorbency.  

While being washed, the insert swishes out into full length, which allows for better cleaning and faster drying time.

New Additional Features:

- Wider elastic in the back- This is to help contain leaks even better than before and a more comfortable fit on the waist.

- New lining made from Minky fabric- Instead of bamboo, the diapers are now a lusciously soft lining which absorbs 20% more, absorbs quicker, dries faster, and is mure durable than bamboo.  

-New Prints- unisex, fairy-tale themes AND now available in snaps too!

Giant Turnip

Hansel & Gretel

London

Big Bad Wolf

Jack & the Beanstalk

Which one is your favorite?

Check back in at http://ecologicalbabies.com/aio-easyfit.htm or send us an email if you are interested in having "first dibs"!

Peace,

Jen Starks,
Owner
www.ecologicalbabies.com 
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 
574.275.1235

How to Strip Your Diapers

How to Strip Your Diapers

Stripping diapers, what in the world does that mean?  Well, after you've been using your cloth diapers for awhile (about 3 months or so), you'll probably need to start stripping your diapers occasionally.  This basically means that you need to remove any build up inside your diaper fibers.  Build up is from detergent residue as well as the minerals that are found in your water.

Signs that your diapers need to be stripped:

-Unexplained leaking after a short period of time
-Smelly diapers- even when clean or soon after they have been urinated in
-The color of your inserts go from a white to a dull grey.
-Your diapers feel stiff or crunchy, as opposed to a fluffy soft texture.

Any of the above signs are not normal for diapers that have been stripped regularly.  How often do you need to strip you diapers?  Well, that depends on what type of deterent you are using (conventional vs. those made for cloth diapers) and how hard your water is.  SO, instead of saying "every 6 weeks", evaluate you diapers based on the signs above.

How do I strip my diapers?

Well, there are a few ways.  I personally recommend trying to be as "green" as possible and to avoid using harsh chemicals.  After all, you want to be gentle on your investment.  And you certainly don't want to mess with your washing machine's manufacturing warranty.

1. Rockin' Green Detergent Soak- 


             1. Fill your washer with hot water and 3 Tbsp of Rockin’ Green, along with your diapers or   
                clothing.

            2. Let it soak for approximately 30-60 minutes. Then launder several times skipping the soap. If 

                you have a HE machine, you may have to consult your manual but you can usually do a  

                soak by pressing the start or pause button.

*Tip: Repeat this process anytime you need a good deep-cleaning.

Disclaimer: Items like PUL or TPU need to be washed with care, so please refer to the manufacturers washing instructions for more details. Avoid excessive soaking of PUL/TPU and natural fibers to extend their life span.

2. Rinse, Rinse, Rinse- Run your diapers through washing cycles until you don't see any soap residue at the top of your water inside your washing machine.  This will remove the detergent built up. Start with a hot wash (no detergent) and then a couple cold rinses.

3. Dawn (liquid dish detergent) - Serious, just a little bit!  Maybe a teaspoon.  Add it to your warm wash cycle and rinse it a few times.

Here's to clean diapers!  :)

Peace,

Jen Starks, Owner
www.ecologicalbabies.com 
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 
574.275.1235

GroVia's New Prints Spring 2012

GroVia's New Prints

 These prints should be up on our website this week, as our first load of prints arrive on our doorsteps.  Which one is your favorite?

All-in-Ones

Bicycles

Peacocks

Robots

Woodlands

Shells (H/L & Snaps):

Bicycles

Peacocks

Robots

Woodlands

Jen Starks, Owner
www.ecologicalbabies.com 
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 
574.275.1235

Diapers- How Many?

Photo Courtesy of Traditions Photography

How many cloth diapers will I need to get started?  This common question is a tricky one to answer without know more information from you.  There are a few factors involved when deciding how many diapers you will need.

1.  Age of Baby. If you start using cloth diapers when your baby is a newborn, then you will need 10-12 diapers a day.  (Whether in disposables or in cloth, your baby will need to be changed about every 1.5-2 hours.).  If your baby is closer to 1 year old, then about 8-10 diapers a day is recommended.   If they are closer to 2 years old, then 6-8 diapers a day is recommended.  If they are getting closer to 3 years old, then 4-6 diapers/trainers a day.

2.  Budget. Every day that you add to your supply will double your investment.

Some families can only afford to buy a day's worth of diapers.  In translation, these families are washing their diapers everyday. This is obviously not ideal. If this is all your budget can handle, I recommend trying to buy a couple more than a day's worth so that you can wash the diapers the next morning, instead of at night because it buys you a little more time.  There is nothing worse than running out of diapers.  It also sets you up to want to purchase disposables because it can be strenuous to keep up.  That means that you will end up spending more money on disposables than what you would have spent on a few extra cloth diapers.

Ideally, I recommend a three day supply.  Instead of laundering everyday or every other day (2-day supply), you are washing them about 2 times a week.  This makes the commitment of washing your diapers seem minimal.

You will meet other cloth diaper enthusiasts who have an entire week's supply of cloth diapers.  And I must admit that there are a lot of adorable cloth diapers out there that can make it challenging to resist.  That's a personal choice.  But a three day supply will maximize your savings in your investments.

3.  Sanitation.  If you end up with more than a 3 day supply of cloth diapers, I want you to know that I strongly recommend washing your diapers every 3 days (or less.)  Letting dirty diapers sit in the diaper pail longer than that can set you up for bacteria issues, ammonia build up, and diapers that smell like dead fish.  I know that is gross but it's the reality.  Our pail liners fit in a 30 gallon pail.  This is a 3 day supply of cloth diapers for a newborn.  It helps remind me that it is time for laundry when it fills up.

Most of my families purchase around 30 diapers to get started with their newborn baby.  Some come back wanting some more and some start with a smaller supply.  It's a personal choice, that you can hopefully figure out with the above recommendations.

Peace,


Jen Starks, Owner
www.ecologicalbabies.com 
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 
574.275.1235

Photo Contest for the Great Cloth Diaper Change - Tallahassee

I am SO EXCITED to announce we are doing a really fun photo contest in conjunction with the Tallahassee Great Cloth Diaper Change!

We are partnering with Casey Yu of Casey Yu Photography to gather photos for our new website, which we will be rolling out soon. Casey will be on hand at the Great Cloth Diaper Change on Saturday, April 21, taking tons of photos to document the event and gather evidence to submit to the Guiness Book of World Records.

What better way to gather photos of precious babies in their cloth diapers than with a contest?! And who doesn't love a good prize? And we do indeed have a good one! The winner of the contest will receive a GroVia starter pack! That's right - you get two shells (in snap or hook-n-loop) in the color/print of your choice AND two sets of soaker pads! That's a half-days worth of diapers!

What must you do to enter such a fabulous contest? It's easy! Just be sure the cloth diaper you bring to change your baby into at the Great Cloth Diaper Change is one we currently sell. You can see all of our inventory on our site. Thirsties, Bummis, Tots Bots, Knickernappies, GroVia, BumGenius - take your pick! Then we'll take your pic! :)

Change your baby into one of our diapers, then stick around after the change. From 1-2pm, Casey will have her mobile studio set up in one of the small rooms at ARTS Afterschool. Stop in and let her snap a great shot of your baby (or toddler!) modeling one of our diapers, and sign a waiver that you understand the picture may be used on our website for promotional purposes. Looking for a great shot to frame and hang on the wall? You're in luck! Discounted photo packages will be available. Contact Casey for more details.

After she takes all of the pictures, Casey will post them all in a special album on her Facebook page. Go ahead and LIKE her so you're ahead of the game! Once they are all up, the contest is ON! Tell your friends and family to go find your picture, and to LIKE it. After a week, the picture with the most LIKES, wins the prize! As well as big time bragging rights. :)

A chance to have your sweet baby featured on our website...

A chance to win a fabulous prize package...

A chance to have a beautiful portrait taken by one of Tallahassee's top photographers...

What's not to love?! Round up one of our diapers, and let's take some pictures!

See you on Saturday, April 21!

Claire Williamson, Representative for Ecological Babies
claire@ecologicalbabies.com

Thirsties-Why they are the Best Investment

If you have been using cloth diapers or reading about them, you have probably noticed that one-size diapers are all the rage.  In theory, it makes sense.  Who wants to keep spending money again and again for cloth diapers (although it can become a little addicting sometimes!)?

Only a couple years ago, it was normal to buy 4 sizes from XS to L for your baby.  Some of you who've been with Ecological Babies that long remember our Thirsties Covers.  Well, the market changed to figure out how to make a diaper that grows with the baby (often in the form of a couple rows of snaps in the front).

Then the one-size diaper was born.  Let's be real though.  Not all babies fit the typical 8-35 lbs birth to potty training that most one-size diapers are designed. And those that are on either end of the spectrum aren't going to find a great fit (too small or too large).

Thirsties took this trend to the next level and created a 2-sized diaper. (One size goes from 6-18lbs and the other goes from 18-40lbs.)  In my opinion, 2 sizes is a much better investment.

Top Reasons Why 2 Sizes Are Superior:


- Less Wear & Tear on your Diapers- Size 1 will last about a year and will stay in great condition if you have future children or want to sell them used. A one-size diaper can be rough if used from 8-35lbs. It typically is worn over 300 times if in regular rotation!
- Two Sizes give a better weight range- Starts at 6lbs and ends at 40lbs.  This way, your baby can truly use them right from birth and all the way to potty training.  Who wants to have to buy more diapers when your toddler is 2 but not ready to potty train?
- Two Sizes give a much better fit- Have you seen a newborn in a one-size diaper?  Big diaper & small baby!

Why Thirsties is Superior:


-All of their products are made in the USA.
-Most of the diapers are sewn by women in their homes!
-If there is a defect (rare as it is, it does happen from time to time), they have superior customer service.
-They are one of the greenest companies in the world (e.g. 100% powered by wind).
-Their diapers/covers have my favorite features:
     -leg gussets in their covers and duo diapers- great for preventing leaks, creates a great fit for    
      skinny or chunky babies, and keeps the diaper in place when baby is on the move
    - Their inner fleece is super soft on their duo diapers
    - The inserts swish out in the laundry on their duo diapers, which keeps you from pulling it out
       yourself
    -The duo diaper inserts are the best- They have 2 different types snapped together (microfiber &
      hemp/cotton  
      blend).  This allows extra absorbency, less bulk, quick drying, and stay cleaner after washing.
    -Finally, I love how it gives you the option of either hook/loop (velcro) or snaps.  That's another
      blog post in itself but great for meeting the needs of all families.
-Pocket Style diapers are convenient, great for night or day, dry quicker, AND can last longer than 
  all-in-one styles.  The pocket part can easily line-dry which is less wear and tear on the diaper.

If you'd like to learn more about Thirsties' sustainable choices or about their mission, check it out. It's very impressive!

Peace,


Jen Starks, Owner
www.ecologicalbabies.com 
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 
574.275.1235

Why We Don't Carry Fuzzi Bunz (Anymore)!

If you've been with us since we launched Ecological Babies (in 2008), you might remember that we carried Fuzzi Bunz for awhile.  I was excited about this diaper as it was popular and also made in factories nearby (New Orleans area and in Arkansas).  The quality of their diaper was done well and we used them with our kiddos with success.

Then, the company made a decision to shut down their American factories and start producing in China.  I was very disappointed in this change and immediately emailed their CEO, Tereson Dupuy.

My response is in regular font and hers is in bold:

"After hearing your response, I am going to seriously consider whether

I'm going to choose to keep Fuzzi Bunz as a retailer.  I definitely

want to continue supporting your business, if it still meets my

values."

"I think it is an oxymoron that people want to support US companies, but only if they are supporting other US companies.  What about our US company that just dropped us?  What about the US companies that would not do business with us b/c we could not order 50k yards in material - it is the US companies that do not want to support small growing businesses that have forced me into overseas.  It is the US companies that can't manufacturer a decent product and force you to pay for their screw ups that have forced me into non-US based manufacturing.  But I am STILL a US based company with employees to distribute product and children to feed.  Supporting MY company IS supporting a US based company.  There is a much bigger picture that meets the eye.  


Our factory produces for Walmart and Disney.  It is a very good factory that treats its workers well.  I will be visiting in a few months (not looking forward to the flight - but will get to take my daughter to Hong Kong).  


What people do not realize, and I was quite taken back myself - is that manufacturing is a very good way of life in China.  Can you imagine working for a company that housed you, fed you, paid for your medical bills and 2 trips home each year to see your family and likely bring them back home all of the money you have made?  Not bad.  


Its a different way of life and a culture.  We can't understand it b/c we are so consumed with "things" and "freedom" but I would definitly work for a lesser wage if I did not have a house note, insurance, medical etc to pay for.  China has really cracked down in the last 10 years on manufacturing practices etc.  And I am sure there are still some bad ones.  But ours is not.  


OMG and can I tell you how much better this will be for the environenment?  Not 25 containers per year shipping raw goods to one factory, then shipping them to another warehouse then shipping them out etc.  6 containers a year - one distributor.  Much better.  


I am very happy with my decision.  thank you so much for your support."


*Note:  I underlined for emphasis on the lines that really struck me. 


To my dismay, I planned on discontinuing their diapers.  I had a fill a few orders and so I ordered a few "new" batches from their China factory.  We had delaminating issues, the color consistency was off, elastic being shot after only a few months of use, and the fleece inside wasn't as soft.

More importantly, I chose to discontinue them due to their choices that crossed over my ethical boundaries.  Walmart and Disney have been cited for their human rights violations and this is the factory where these cloth diapers are being made.  She condoned the use of housing these workers, and glamourized this lifestyle.  Are they REALLY lucky that they get to see their family 2 times a year???

One thing I love about operating my own business is that I get to choose who to support.  Granted I have and will lose customers seeking Fuzzi Bunz, but that is just fine with me. There are other companies that I also choose not to support and again, have the same customer loss.  The companies I support are ones in whom I agree with their business choices and the quality of their product.

Honestly yours,


Jen Starks, Owner
www.ecologicalbabies.com
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 
574.275.1235

The Wearin' o' the Green

We are celebrating St. Patrick's Day with a green inspired giveaway. All you have to do to enter is share in the comments below a way that you and your family save some green, and make the earth a little more green at the same time. You can get a bonus entry by posting a picture of your child (in a cloth diaper, of course!) enjoying the outdoors on our Facebook page. Let's all celebrate making the earth a little greener!

The winner will be announced on Saturday by noon, and will receive a Thirsties Duo Diaper in meadow in the size of your choice. Size 1 fits babies 6-18 pounds, size 2 fits babies 18-36 pounds.

Features:

• Two-piece diapering system with an absorbent insert & a waterproof sleeve diaper

• An adjustable rise for extended use to suit your growing baby

• Two sizes will fit from birth-to-potty

• Leg gussets provide superior protection against leaks

• Pliable and breathable in 8 fun colors!

• Sleeve design for easy stuffing & easy cleaning

• Microfiber terry & hemp combo insert for optimal absorption-7 layers in all!

If the winner is local to Tallahassee, you can come pick it up at the REUSE Festival at Railroad Square Saturday from 1-6. There will be recycled art vendors, gardening and composting demonstrations, information booths about sustainable living, arts, crafts, and games for kids, and even a farmers market! Also lots of good food and live music. We hope you'll come see us if you can!

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Jen and Claire at Ecological Babies

Diaper Liner vs. Diaper Inserts-What's the Difference?

The cloth diapering lingo can make the learning process daunting.  What's worse, some companies labels their parts different (inserts, soaker pads, doublers, liners, etc) and it can completely put a beginner into a state of confusion.  Today, I want to clarify the difference between Diaper Inserts and Diaper Liners.  Very simple to learn!

Diaper Liners

These are strips of fabric (usually fleece or some type of rice-paper) that lay on top of the inside of the diaper.  It will be the material that actually touches your baby's skin.  Its purpose is to both wick away moisture (or draw moisture away) from your baby's skin and to make cleaning up poopy diapers easier.  It can also be a safeguard if you want to protect your diapers from certain ointments (prescription creams, etc) Note: They do not add any absorbency.


When it wicks away moisture, it obviously leave the baby's skin feeling dry.  This means more comfort to the baby, less skin irritation, and more protection from diaper rash.

When you are on the go, having the disposable liners (rice-paper like material) make cleaning up poopy diapers a breeze.  Instead of carrying around a poopy diaper in your wet bag, you just remove the liner and flush it down the toilet.  Moreover, you aren't dunking your hands or swishing the diaper in a public restroom.  Yuck!  These disposable liners also wick away moisture and are very inexpensive, so it's a win win.

http://ecologicalbabies.com/diaper-liners.htm#grovia

The fleece liner serves the same purpose as the disposable liners.  The fleece liners are obviously washable, so you can use them again and again.  I would also bet that they are more comfortable against the skin compared to their disposable counterparts.  Fleece liners are a great option to add more comfort to babies exclusively wearing prefolds or other cotton materials leaving their skin damp.

http://ecologicalbabies.com/diaper-liners.htm#bumgenius 

Diaper Inserts


Ok, diapers inserts.  They are multiple layers of material (cotton, hemp, bamboo, microfiber, etc) sewn together that are design to absorb all the liquid in the diaper.  Most often they are inserted into a pocket-style diaper but sometimes can also be laid inside a diaper cover.  I typically don't recommend laying it inside a diaper cover because it can move around causing the diaper to leak or sometimes sag down.  And putting a microfiber insert directly against the baby's skin can cause a rash and is highly not recommended!

Any questions?

Peace,


Jen Starks, Owner
www.ecologicalbabies.com
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 
574.275.1235

Cloth Diapers-What is the Hardest Part?

When I was pregnant with my first child, Rita Clare, I used to have nightmares about cloth diapers.  I spent many hours poured into different websites trying to learn what I needed to know to get started.  Overwhelmed, I almost gave up on the idea entirely.  I ended up registering for a random mix of what I could find online and when they arrived, I had no idea what to do with them. 

That is a big reason I started Ecological Babies.  I wanted to educate and support those of you who sincerely want to give this a try for whatever reason is driving you to use cloth diapers.  It turns out that cloth diapers aren't difficult at all.  The hardest part was the initial learning about the types, how many, how to wash them, etc.  If you let us help you learn, it is even easier (and actually quite fun!).

The next difficult part is making the initial leap after you baby is born.  There are so many new experiences when the baby arrives (breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, baby wearing, and MUCH more), starting cloth diapers doesn't seem to be on the radar for some.  Again, I didn't have the support I needed and when Rita Clare was first born (picture of her above at 4 wks), I used what the hospital gave me until we came home.  When Tyler was born (my second), it was a no brainer to put him in cloth straight away.

But much like all other aspects of parenting, you just jump in and call us if you need extra support.  Once you go through 2-3 cycles of using your diapers, washing them, and then getting them ready for their next use (stuffing them, putting them away), it is a snap.

Honestly, that's it.  Ask any cloth diapering mama or daddy and they will testify.  If you are needing any support in this initial stage, seriously contact us.  We'd love to help!

Peace,

Jen Starks, Owner

www.ecologicalbabies.com 
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 
574.275.1235

GroVia's Stay Dry Soaker Pads

Have you snagged a pair of these new stay dry soaker pads yet?  Word on the street is that the worst part about it is that it's difficult to tell when the soaker pad is wet.  That's pretty amazing!

The soaker pad is GroVia's best attempt yet with a super soft fleece on top (and the leg gussets are fleece too!) and is made from a cotton/hemp blend.  This blend means that it is actually more absorbent than ever (hemp is 3x more absorbent than cotton) AND it is a thinner soaker pad (thinner=less bulk).

If you've been dissatisfied with GroVia's earlier soaker pads then you must give these a shot!  If you like your other soaker pads, then these will make a fantastic addition, especially for night time use and longer trips.  They are the same price as the organic cotton ones at $17.95 for 2.

Have you tried these yet?  What's your opinion?

Jen Starks
owner

www.ecologicalbabies.com ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 574.275.1235

Reality Check: Disposable Diapers are Inconvenient

I hear this all the time: "Cloth diapers are an extra hassle." or "Disposables are too convenient."  Honestly though, it is all about how you look at it.  Let's face it, if you were really wanting a convenient life, then having a baby wouldn't be at the top of it.  They are full of inconveniences no matter how you diaper them.

If you are considering using cloth diapers?  Do you  have a friend or family member who gives you a hard time about using cloth diapers?  Here's some great information to know, when you are comparing cloth diapers to disposable ones.

Top 10 Reasons Why Disposable Diapers are Inconvenient:

-It sneaks up on you that you are using your last couple diapers in the pack late one evening.  Late night runs to the store to purchase disposable diapers when you've run out is inconvenient.

-Experiencing the common "up the back blow out" when you baby has been sitting, especially in a car seat is inconvenient (and messy too!).  Note: This does type of blow out rarely happens in a cloth diaper.

-Just took out the trash the day before but that lingering poopy diaper and wipes you put in the new liner is causing a stench? Having to take a partially full trash bag outside to your garbage bin to get rid of that smell is inconvenient.

-Having to throw away a poopy diaper outside in a separate plastic bag when you are visiting someone's house is inconvenient.

-Allergic reactions and heat related diaper rashes are common with disposable diapers.  Having to make an extra trip(s) to your pediatrician for a disposable diaper related rash is very inconvenient.

-Using disposable diapers will cost you about an extra $1,200 and more with subsequent children.  Having to work harder or hours to afford trashable diapers (and other disposable items like wipes) is inconvenient.

-Your baby just had a growth spurt and no longer fits in his/her size in disposable diapers but you are not even close to using up that huge case you recently purchased at CostCo. Having to give away or sell disposable diapers that your baby couldn't use because they grew out of that size is inconvenient compared to using a cloth diaper that fits a range from 8-35lbs.

-Do you have 2 small children both in diapers? Having to carry 2 different sized disposable diapers in your diaper bag is inconvenient compared to having 1 cloth diaper that fits both of your children (one-size) .

-Having to take a pet to the vet after he/she consumes a disposable diaper is inconvenient (and expensive).  (This came from a recent story where a dog actually died after doing this.)

-Cloth diapered toddlers tend to potty train earlier on average.  Having a child who potty trains later is inconvenient.


Need I say more?  :)   Does anyone else have an example of how a disposable diaper is inconvenient?

Our most convenient cloth diapers will prove to be more convenient to the disposable diapers out there.  Our top recommendations:

1. GroVia All-in-Ones
2. GroVia Hybrid Diapers 
3. Tots Bots Easy Fit Diaper
4. bumGenius All-in-one Newborn Diaper
5. Tots Bots Tini Fit Diaper

Free shipping on all orders over $50 this month!

Jen Starks, Owner www.ecologicalbabies.com ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 574.275.1235

*Photo used from http://www.earthycrunchymama.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Disposible-Diaper-Trash.bmp

Flip Trainers-Our Insight

We've officially been testing out these trainers for about 4 weeks now and have primarily been using them as added fluff to our cloth diaper stash.  Technically, they are designed to assist your toddler in moving out of diapers and using the potty.  I'm confident my son Tyler will get there when he's ready but we're both not ready to take that leap.  SO, I can only give you my input about the technical details and reasons I like them as a diaper and not necessarily as a trainer.

These trainers are by far the best designed trainers I've tested out yet.  They are very trim and adjustable to toddlers 20lbs to 50 lbs.  They can truly be pulled up and down by your toddler.  The kits that are available for purchase right now are offered for a limited time. I think this is a great deal for what it all entails.  I have 5 extra pads (look like a double) that are organic cotton and have used these inside the shell and also inside other pocket diapers for extra absorbency.  These trainers could also be used at night time as a diaper with 2 or 3 pads stacked inside the shell.  So basically you get 5 diaper changes for $25-not bad!!!

The pads attach to the inside of the shell with a hook/loop system and so nothing slides around.  Since the shell is a laminated polyester like most other covers for cloth diapers (e.g. Thirsties covers), it can be reused over and over again in one day.  The pads are also absorbent like a normal cloth diaper but since it is 100%, your toddler will feel wet.

Right now, we just have the "gender neutral" kits in stock which has the vanilla color with a turquoise blue.  It's nothing fancy or super exciting like our other printed diapers.  But it certainly gets the job done and works for boys and girls.

I'll post pictures of Tyler wearing them soon!

Peace,

Jen

Jen Starks, Owner www.ecologicalbabies.com ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 574.275.1235

Myth Buster: ANOTHER Load of Laundry?

It's true that once you have a baby (or two or three children), there's always laundry to do.  The idea that you'd be adding more to that pile, just seems off putting.  I get it!

The good news is that you can launder cloth diapers with less time and effort than all the rest of your laundry.  If you are able to afford a 3 day supply (and I recommend working toward that!), you are only doing a load 2 times a week.  The amount of time you are actually spending doing that laundry is probably 10 minutes a week.  Even better, you don't have to worry about ironing, folding, or even putting the cloth diapers away.  It can be as easy as throwing the clean diapers in a laundry basket from the dryer and pulling from that basket when it's time to do a change. (On those REALLY lazy days, I have been known to leave the diapers in the dryer and pull clean ones from there!)

If you use diapers like GroVia's all-in-ones, Tots Bots Easy Fit Diaper, bumGenius All-in-Ones, or Tots Bots Tini Fit Diaper, you don't even need to stuff or assemble the diaper.  That's it!

For those veteran's currently using cloth diapers, how has the extra loads been for you?

Peace,

Jen




Jen Starks, Owner www.ecologicalbabies.com ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 574.275.1235

Myth Buster: Cloth Diapers Cause More Leaks!

Leaks!

This is a common concern I hear when I meet with families first considering a cloth diaper investment.  And certainly having leaking issues is an extra hassle no one wants to deal with.  I'm pleased to share a few insights in avoiding leaks in cloth diapers. In fact, I often here about less "blow outs" that many disposable diapers cause (especially the up the back leaks!).

1. Proper Size & Fit- You want to make sure your baby is in the correct size.  Don't try and purchase a larger size to save money.  The diaper should fit snug around the legs and waist.  Gaping in the legs is a big culprit of leaking issues, especially with newborns and boys in particular.

2. Wearing Diaper Correctly- It is always a good idea to make sure that you read the directions on your diaper label and/or visually see how to properly put on the cloth diaper.  If you haven't stuffed a pocket diaper correctly, haven't tucked in that prefold inside the cover, you'll have leaks.

3.  Changing Often Enough- Cloth diapers are much more absorbent than they have ever been.  That being said, they still need to be changed about every 1.5 hours to 2 hours.  Technically, that's how often you should be changing your baby in disposables but the companies make it absorbent enough to go much longer (read: health hazard!).  Now, night time is a different story in cloth diapers.  We use a pocket diaper stuffed more than usual to make it all night long.  Since there is a nice fleece liner used to keep your baby dry, we are able to make it all night in one diaper.  Everyone is comfortable and dry!

Peace,

Jen


Jen Starks, Owner www.ecologicalbabies.com ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 574.275.1235