Disposable Diapers and Landfills
Written on February 24, 2010 at 1:52 pm, by Kathleen
Kissaluvs Marvel in Mocha
Just read an interesting statistic from the Clean Air Council. In America, 570 disposable diapers are thrown away every second. That is 49 million a day. As a country, we pay $350 million annually just to pay for them to be disposed and they will still be essentially intact, in the landfill, polluting ground water 300 years from now. I am not writing this to be depressing, although it undoubtedly is. I am writing this to be encouraging. So, on these cold, snowy days during a winter which has already seemed unnecessarily harsh and long, I know the last thing I want to do is another load of laundry and drying of my diapers. It would be so easy to bundle up and head to Target and get a box of sposies and just be done with it. However, as small as my contribution might be, in the end, it does matter. So, stay strong and keep cloth diapering. It really IS important.
BPA Toxins and their effects on Newborns
Written on February 12, 2010 at 11:20 am, by Kathleen
No BPA or toxins in me!
Interesting article article from the Environmental Working Group about BPA toxins and newborns. A recent study detected an astounding 287 toxic chemicals in newborn cord blood including mercury, fire retardants, pesticides and Teflon chemicals. Of these chemicals, 180 are known to cause cancer, 217 are toxic to brain and nervous systems and 208 cause birth defects or abnormal developments in animal tests. Experts believe rising rates of birth defects, asthma, neuro-developmental disorders and other serious diseases in U.S. children are resulting from these early chemical exposures.
BPA is one of the world’s highest production-volume chemicals and is widely used in the production of:
- Plastic water bottles
- Plastic gallon milk bottles
- Plastic microwavable plates, overware and utensils
- Tooth sealants
- Canned foods and soda cans
- Baby toys, bottles, pacifiers and sippy cups
So, what can you do? Mercola suggests the following:
- Buy and eat organic
- Eat wild-caught and not farm-raised fish
- Eat whole foods and not processed foods
- Use glass rather than plastic food storage containers
- Have your tap water tested and install a water filter if necessary
- Use natural cleaning products
- Use natural toiletry products. Northern Essence is one of our favorites for our kids.
- Avoid using artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric softeners
- Replace Teflon with ceramic or glass cookware
- Search out and use toxin-free alternatives in all aspects of your home and life (cloth diapers, reusable menstrual products, non-toxic paints and floor coverings.)
- Replace your vinyl shower curtain
Good luck making as many of these changes as possible. Every little bit helps in keeping you and your family healthy.
Bummis Super Whisper Wrap
Written on February 11, 2010 at 1:41 pm, by Kathleen
Bummi Whisper Wrap Froggy Print
We used Bummis Super Whisper Wrap for our daughter with prefolds. We really loved this cover. We had no leaks at all with the whisper wrap and always felt as if they provided superior coverage. The Whisper Wrap was always the cover I would reach for first in my stash. They were very durable and didn’t seem to suffer despite multiple launderings.
In addition to the high quality of the Whisper wrap, I really loved the colors. The frog print was my favorite but I also really loved the Flower print and Star Baby. One of the best parts of cloth diapering over disposables is all the great prints and colors available.
One little known fact of the Whisper Wrap is that it can be used, in a pinch, as a swim diaper. When our normal swim diaper was not clean, we were able to use the Whisper wrap (without a diaper underneath) as a substitute. We just used a size smaller than normal and had no problems.
I really feel as if the Whisper Wrap is the unsung hero of the cloth diapering world.
What Detergent for my Cloth Diapers?
Written on January 28, 2010 at 12:05 pm, by Kathleen
Wash me!
What detergent for my cloth diapers? I get asked that question ALL the time. And I don’t answer. I feel bad for wiffing on this one but the only answer I have is “It depends…..” There are so many variables (type of washer, hard water? soft water?, wash routine? skin sensitivity?) that there is no one size fits all algorithm. I wish there was. Then I would stock only that detergent and sell it far and wide and make lots of money. Sadly, just doesn’t work that way.
Having said that, I wanted to share this article I read in the Wall Street Journal. Who knew the Journal would prove helpful to us CDing parents? The title of the article is “The Great American Soap Overdose” and the gist is that we use too much of the stuff. That we are ruining our clothes and our machines through detergent overkill. We are operating under the typical American assumption of ”If a little of something is good, then a lot of it is better.” The problem is, with detergent, Super Sizing just causes problems.
Compounding an already bad situation, the detergents are becoming concentrated meaning we need even less than before. Additionally, the preponderance of HE washers using less water means we need even less than that. All of this combines to create a situation in which clothes look tired, machines start to smell and, important for us CDing parents, diapers lose absorbency and need to be stripped even more frequently than before.
Too much detergent causes too many suds which lifts all the dirt that has been washed out of the diapers up to the top of the machine (like high tide), above the water level, so it isn’t washed away. This leaves residue on the diapers which cause them to lose absorbency and softness and fades them. How many rinses do you do now to make sure there are no suds left in the machine and than your diapers are truly rinsed? Use less detergent and should be able to cut that down considerably. Not only making your wash routine easier but saving water for the planet and money for your pocketbook.
So, what can be done? First and foremost, use less. Much less. Pay attention to those little lines on the cap of your liquid detergent or the scoop on the dry. The manufacturers don’t make them easy to see as the more you use, the more they can sell. They are not in the business to make this easy for you. So, do it yourself.
The most interesting point of the article was that, really, unless the diapers or clothes are super soiled, you really don’t need to use detergent at all. That the agitation provided by the machine is sufficient to loosen dirt in almost every situation. Not sure if I am ready to go that far in my wash routine, but I am going to try. Detergent is expensive and with three little boys into mud and phenomenally messy eaters, I am ALWAYS doing laundry. ALWAYS.
Great Pocket Diapers
Written on January 26, 2010 at 11:56 am, by Kathleen
A pretty pocket diaper
Pocket diapers seem to be all the rage these days. Pocket Cloth Diapers are cloth diapers that have a waterproof outer with a soft inner that wicks moisture away from babies skin. There is a “pocket” opening where you place a pocket insert or something absorbent. Pocket diapers will not function without an insert or some kind of pocket stuffer. Some people have found that prefold diapers make wonderful pocket inserts. They are economical and superbly absorbent. They may increase bulk, though, so this depends on your personal tastes.
There are many choices in pocket cloth diapers. Among our favorites are the following:
bumGenius in Grasshopper
The bumGenius 3.0 is the work horse of the pocket diaper category. The best selling bum Genius 3.0s have a waterproof exterior, a soft, non-piling inner, natural gussets which contain even the gnarliest messes and stretch to fit tabs just like the disposables have. They come in wonderful colors and are great all-around diapers.
Fire Engine Red Fuzzi Bunz
Fuzzi Bunz makes a terrific pocket diaper. It has a super absobent insert, a soft fleece layer, adjustable snaps, stretchy leg elastic and a soft waterproof exterior. The Fuzzi Bunz comes in multiple sizes as well as one size allowing you to find the perfect option for your child. In addition Fuzzi Bunz are offered in a vast array of colors from gorgeous pastels to vibrant bold hues.
Rocky Mountain Diaper in Berry and Lime
Rocky Mountain Diapers are wonderful pocket diapers proudly made in the USA. Rocky Mountain Diapers innovation is an internal adjustment system that allows for a trim fit tailored to each child’s body type. This system is similar to that of children’s waist bands in their jeans. There is soft suede on the inside next to baby’s skin and fade resistant PUL on the outside to keep them waterproof. The sizing adjustments allow parents to use the same diaper from newborn to potty learning.
Happy Heiny's in Cow Print
Happy Heinys Pocket Diapers use only custom milled fleece. There are no leg casings which allow for better fitting diapers and contain messes better without leaving red marks. The Diapers are available in a variety or solid colors and fun prints. These diapers have been tested for 12 hours or more at night with absolutely no wicking for most babies.
Duo Diaper in Mango
A recent entry into the Pocket Diaper category is the Duo Diaper from Thirsties. This diaper copies the technology of Thirsties best selling Duo Wrap diaper cover. This diaper’s fit technology is such that two sizes should take the average family from newborn to potty learning. Like its competitors, the Duo Diaper combines a waterproof outer with a soft and absorbent inner. These diapers have a microfiber terry and hemp combo insert amounting to 7 layers in all. Like other Thirsties products, these diapers come in simply spectacular colors and are made in the USA.
These are all wonderful diapers that are welcome additions to any cloth diapering parent’s stash. All can be purchased at Cottontail Baby an online natural parenting store run by a committed to organics and all things natural WAHM.
I am so over snacks….
Written on January 21, 2010 at 3:25 pm, by Kathleen
Snacks!
Another non-diaper post. I know, what am I doing? However, I read this in yesterday’s New York Times and it so perfectly encapsulated all my thoughts on the subject, I just had to share. Snacks. I am so over snacks. If you have kids in any type of organized activity, you know what I am saying. Snacks have become more important than the activity itself. Who has not brought their eager child to the first Little League practice of the year. When the coach greets you, does he say, “We are working on catching and throwing the ball today?” Does he (or she) say “What a beautiful day for some exercise?” NO!!! The first thing you are greeted with is the snack sign up sheet. Gotta have snacks.
I have two five year olds who play soccer in the evening. Their games do not end until 7:45 (their bed time is 7:30 by the way). However, even in this situation, it is assumed that the kids need a snack and a sugary drink. Just what any parent of a tired, sleepy child wants….sugar and sugar.
I once suggested to the other parents of childrenon one of my son’s soccer team’s that, if we had to do snacks, we focus only on fresh fruit or cut up vegetables. I got absolutely not one taker. No, rather than cut up oranges or ice cold grapes or carrot sticks, they would prefer to serve their kids (and mine) ho-hos, popcicles and mini-Oreos.
Of course, I could say no and not let my kids eat the junk. I actually did when the snack, at 7:45 at night was a KING SIZED Hershey bar. However, generally I don’t say no. When it is my turn, I do make sure I bring healthy, organic food but I still let my kids drink the Yoohoo and eat the Fruit by the Foot brought by the other parents. I guess, as much as this drives me insane, it isn’t a hill I want to die on.
What do you think? Have snacks just gotten completely out of control?
Favorite books for baby
Written on January 19, 2010 at 2:32 pm, by Kathleen
Hug
While it might seem that our expertise is focused exclusively on the tail end of a baby, we care about the brain too! We do talk about subjects other than diapers, wipes and Snappis. We often get asked by new moms about our favorite children’s books for toddlers. While we are absolutely NOT experts in kiddie lit, we have kids and we know what they (and we) loved. So, in no particular order, here our our Top 10 Toddler Books
1. Hug
2. Goodnight Gorilla
3. You are My I Love You
4. Dear Zoo
5. Chuga Chuga Choo Choo
6. Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What do you See?
7. Wild about Books
8. The Going to Bed Book
9. Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb
10. Is Your Mama a Llama?
So, that is our list. What is yours?
Thirsties Duo Diapers. I LOVE them!
Written on January 15, 2010 at 12:54 pm, by Kathleen
Thirsties Duo Diaper in Meadow and Rose
Wonderful Thirsties recently introduced the Duo Diaper. It is a natural evolution of their terrific Duo Wrap Diaper Covers which have been best sellers since their introduction earlier this year. These Diapers are great as they have a wonderful snap system that allows you to adjust the diaper to fit your growing baby. So, instead of having to buy multiple sizes, just TWO sizes should get you through from newborn to potty learning. I love that. Like everyone else, we are working on being more frugal and making every dollar we spend count a little more. This helps a tremendous amount.
Honeydew
Orchid
Like all Thirsties products, these diapers come in wonderful colors. Currently, honeydew and orchid are my favorites. They have all the high quality features we have come to expect from Thirsties. Great leg gussets that stop leaks from happening, microfiber terry and hemp insert that is super absorbent and a great sleeve design that allows for easy stuffing. Everyone should have these as part of their stash. They really are that good.
So, have you tried a Duo Diaper? If so, what do you think? Do you love them as much as I do?
Welcome our New Year’s Baby — Mamaclothonline.com
Written on January 2, 2010 at 2:36 pm, by Kathleen
Mamaclothonline
We want to welcome the newest member of our Cottontail Baby family….Mamaclothonline. Mamaclothonline is a site exclusively focused on resusable menstrual products. While we will continue to sell these products at Cottontail, the Mamaclothonline site will have a much broader and deeper selection. For instance, Mamaclothonline will stock cups and sponges not currently available at Cottontail. In addition to the products, it is our goal to offer information and resources to women on menstruation and their options for menstrual products. We hope you stop on by and check us out.
BIG SALE at Cottontail Baby
Written on December 31, 2009 at 7:51 pm, by Kathleen
Cottontail Baby’s BIG SALE. 10% off everything in the store on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Use code NEWYEAR2010. Hurry! Sale ends at midnight on 1/1/10. 10% for ‘10!!!!