Ironically, I am NOT Made in the USA

We have been getting lots of questions lately regarding which of our brands are Made in the USA. Almost all of them are with a few big exceptions.  The very popular Mother-ease, Aristocrat and Bummis diapers and covers are all made way up north in Canada.  Imse Vimse (fun fact: Imse Vimse means “Itty Bitty” in Swedish) is a Swedish brand and Snappis, like the amazing World Cup we all just witnessed, come from South Africa.

Here is a list of some of our absolute favorite diapers, covers and accessories proudly Made in the USA.

But I am!

All Together

Baby Kicks

Drybees

FussyButt

Happy Heinys

Happy Tushies

Kissaluvs

Leslie’s Boutique

Mommy’s Touch

Rocky Mountain

Sheepish Grins

Stacinator

Swaddlebees

Thirsties

Wahmarama

Wahmies

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.

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 3.0

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.

Fuzzi Bunz

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 Diapers

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 Heinys Pocket Diaper

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.

Thirsties Duo Diaper

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.

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?

Would your rollerblading toddler wear this? Mine would

Once again, I am ALL about Year End lists.  LOVE THEM.  So, this article from the New York Times which listed the top YouTube videos of the year immediately found a warm, fuzzy place in my heart.  Of course, Susan Boyle was the top of the year.  We are a nation that always roots for the underdog.  Who could have been more of an underdog than frumpy Susan who the crowd immediately dismissed in their cynical, cruel fashion?  But she showed them.  Awesome.  I admit that I was one of the many who watched the Susan Boyle video, repeatedly, on YouTube. Yes, it made me cry. Every time. I thought the David After Dentist was a bit exploitative of a little kid a bit bewildered but watched most of it anyway. I thought the wedding dance thing went on way too long and was only redeemed, as a cultural moment, by the brilliant parody of it as done a la The Office and Jim and Pam’s wedding. Classic.

I thought the Evian rollerblading babies were just this side of creepy but it was cleverly done nonetheless.  I wonder what kind of diapers they wore under their little onesies?  Gotta be cotton as they are far too cool for disposables.  These are not Pampers kids. I am thinking either a Happy Heiny’s one size in leopard or cow print or a super cool, progressive, hybrid like the Gro Baby.  Maybe a couple were a tad ironic and went a bit old school with a prefold and cover but the cover would have had to be a whimsical design like a Kozy.  What do you think?  What would your rollerblading baby wear?

In terms of the rest of the videos, I just can’t get myself to the place where I care about Twilight or Miley. So, those little video snippets of the 2009 cultural zeitgeist passed me by. I do admit, however, to watching some Michael Jackson videos after his death.  Mostly to show my sons.  Thriller.  Both the classic original as well as the awesome Philippines prison version.  Amazing.

Were these your top youtube videos of the year?

Thirsties Cover

Thirsties Duo Wrap in Mango

The Thirsties cover is a modern day classic.  Simple, economical, sturdy and reliable.  It comes it dozens of wonderful colors and just doesn’t fail.  They are very easy to care for and just go on forever.  They work with all the different types of diapers in my stash…flats, prefolds, fitteds. Now, with the new Duo-Wrap by Thirsties they are an even better deal.  The adjustable rise allows the diapers to stay in rotation twice as long.  Your baby will not grow out of these for a ages.

Aristocrats

Aristocrat Wool Cover

What can you say about the Aristocrat Wool Cover other than it is the gold standard of wool covers.  I is the perfect natural fiber for diaper covers.  It is anti-microbial, breathable and absorbs up to 1/3 of its weight in liquid before it begins to feel wet.  Properly lanolized, this cover just does not leak.  Wonderful for overnights, an Aristocrat is also terrific for daytime.  Want to a add a bit of whimsy to your cover?  Dye it.  Kool-Aid is my preferred type of dye but any will do.  The Aristo must be part of every cloth diapering parent’s stash.  A tad more expensive, certainly, but well worth every penny.

The Imse Vimse Wool Cover

Imse Vimse Wool Cover

I love the entire Imse Vimse line.  Premium diapers materials coupled with excellent craftsmanship make this Swedish line one of my all time favorites.  The Imse Vimse wool cover gives all the protection of wool but in a wrap format.  A hybrid of the Aristo and Thirsties in many ways.  Wonderful leak proof protection, breathable, simple to get on and off.  A perfect cover.

The Mother-ease Cover

Mother-ease Air Flow Cover

The Air-Flow Snap Cover is a wonderful product by Mother-ease, a name we already associate with high-quality cloth diapers.  The Air-Flow has a marvelous system of snaps that allows for air ventilation keeping the temperature down and reducing the risk of bacteria build up in the cover.  When coupled with a Mother-ease one size or Sandy diaper, this provides a leak-proof diapering system.  I especially love the new Eco-themed prints.

The Kozy Wool Soaker

Kozy Designs Wool Soaker

I love my Kozy Wool Soakers.  They are fun, vibrantly colored wool covers that do not sacrifice absorbency despite their cute styles.  They come in a range of sizes from soakers, to shorties to longies.  Hand knit out of 100% Merino wool, these are wonderful day time wool covers for your baby.

Is this a Lexus?

I was reading posts on a natural parenting message board and there was one that stuck out a bit.  A soon to be new mom was explaining that she and her husband had decided to use disposables for a variety of reasons one of which being that all the cloth options were too confusing.  I thought that was rather amusing but so true.  While we all rejoice in the fact that “these aren’t your grandma’s cloth diapers” the breadth of options out there these days is stunning.  Flats, prefolds, AIOs, pockets, bamboo, hemp, fleece, PUL, wool.  Too many choices.  It can become so overwhelming and confusing that a box of Pampers might seem like a safe refuge.  I totally get it.  A very helpful poster suggested that the new mom think of cloth diapers like cars.  There are lots of models and lots of choices and just like buying a car, you need to figure out what mix makes the most sense for your family.

Just need a basic car to get you from point A to point B economically?  A Smart car, if you will.  Well then, flats or prefolds, pins and a simple PUL cover.

Want a bit more zip but still not ready to shell out the big bucks?  Do the flats and prefolds but through in a couple wool covers and some Snappis as an option.

Ready to splurge a bit?  Add the iPod hook-up and tow package?  Then a fitted diaper with a cover.  Fitteds are great as you don’t need to have to learn all the folding of a flat.  Kind of like using the electronic key bob instead of the key.

The next step up the car chain is the Pocket.  Think of it as an upscale mini-van.  Just like you can arrange the seat configuration anyway you like (Captains’s chairs or a bench?), so you can stuff a pocket with as little or as much as you need.

Hybrids are all the rage in the car world and so too with diapers.  The Gro-baby system is a perfect example of a hybrid diaper.  The biodegradable inner liner can be tossed when dirty but the fabric outer can be used again and again.   Think of it as the Prius of cloth diapers.

Finally, there is the AIO.  The AIO is the Lexus of the diaper world.  Solid, dependable, a bit expensive, but it does everything you need in an understated manner.  I always refer to these as Babysitter diapers.  These are what you use when you still want cloth on your child but don’t have time to explain to the teenage babysitter or grandma how to do the jelly roll fold.  They are simple, easy and elegant.

So, cars and diapers.  Does that make it any easier?