Little Bee Co. Ultra Cool Pocket Diaper Review & Giveaway

December 16, 2013 By 35 Comments

Welcome to the “Pink & Blue: Babies Are Due” Giveaway Hop hosted by Mommy’s Favorite Things and Mama’s Baby Cupcakes. Join us in celebrating babies by honoring Michelle’s baby girl born this December, and Heather’s baby boy set to arrive in January. This hop is focused on items you’d want/need for babies ages newborn to 6 months of age. Whether its bottles, blankets, diapers, toys, or clothes, you’ll love all the prizes that bloggers are offering! After entering my Little Bee Co. Ultra Cool pocket diaper giveaway (below), make sure you use the linky below to check out the other blogs. Each prize is a minimum of $25 in value.

And now let’s get to the diaper review! Little Bee Co. sent one of their “Bee Changed” Ultra Cool pocket diapers in exchange for my honest opinion. All of the diaper colors in their lineup have beautiful names, inspired by their unique global mission to send a diaper to an orphan in need for every diaper purchased. Little Bee was inspired by a timeless verse in the book of James: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is to care for orphans…” (James 1:27)

I chose “Mexican Sol,” which is a vibrant orange hue:

Little Bee Co. pockets have three snap settings on the rise which enable them to fit from approximately 8 to 35 pounds. The crossover snaps offer a tiny fit for newborns and also allow you to close up soiled diapers securely until wash day.

Every pocket diaper comes two microfiber inserts: one is adjustable and the other is a contoured, smaller insert. They can be snapped together, or used alone. Because they are synthetic, the inserts did not shrink at all after washing and drying.

Little Bee Co. also surprised me by sending additional inserts to try out – their 55% hemp/45% organic cotton blend. These are the same shape and size as the microfiber set, and the larger one is likewise adjustable by means of snaps. Due to the natural fibers, these inserts will experience some normal shrinking. The larger/adjustable insert measured 15×5.5 before washing and about 13×5 afterwards; the small insert went from 11.5×5.25 to about 10×5.

Here’s what they look like snapped together:

Little Bee Co. pockets feature elastic at both the front and back. This not only helps contain blowouts, but also results in a unique fit at the front of the diaper.

So what exactly makes this diaper “Ultra Cool?” While the outer is standard waterproof PUL, the inner lining is not the white microfleece or microsuede that most of are used to seeing in a pocket diaper. It’s lined instead with a blend of cotton, bamboo and Coolplus (a poly-nylon fabric). Coolplus offers the ability to wick moisture quickly away, but is more breathable than standard microfleece.

Overall, I’ve been pleased with the Little Bee Ultra Cool pocket. The fit is very snug and comfortable for both my infant and toddler.  It’s highly adjustable and the option of using either microfiber inserts or organic inserts is a bonus. Everything washes and dries easily, although the hemp/cotton inserts take a bit longer. I did notice that the inner lining of cotton/bamboo/Coolplus is not as soft as microfleece, and if Erik or Susanna wear the diaper too long, it will start to wick at the leg bands. This is probably due to the fact that the inner lining contains cotton and bamboo as well as poly-nylon. Despite that drawback, I do like that there are natural fibers in the lining; they resist odor and are very beneficial for my little ones’ skin. And I’m betting that the original Microsuede Little Bee Co. pocket does not have this wicking issue.

With prices ranging from $20 to $24 each, Little Bee Co. pocket diapers are on the higher end of the prize scale; however, loyal customers know they aren’t just buying a diaper – they are paying a little bit more to help Little Bee Co. “pay it forward” to a needy child. I love visiting their Facebook page and seeing all the heartwarming pictures of children all over the world wearing their Little Bee diapers!

 And now, here’s how our Ultra Cool diaper fits on Erik and Susanna:

 

Our friends at Little Bee Co. have offered a giveaway in conjunction with the Pink and Blues Babies are Due giveaway hop! One of my readers will win an Ultra Cool pocket diaper, just like I reviewed. And I’ll also send you a sample of CJ’s Butter in the Coconut Lime Dream fragrance!

Entry form:
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Don’t forget to enter the Grand Prize giveaway: Combi USA teamed up with Heather on a Shuttle Infant Car Seat review, and they’ve also offered a giveaway! One US winner will win a Shuttle Infant seat as seen in the button above, with their choice of colors (black, red, royal blue or teal) ENTER THE GRAND PRIZE HERE! Linky List:

Disclaimer: Mama’s Baby Cupcakes, Mommy’s Favorite Things and the “Pink and Blue Babies are Due” participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations.

Filed Under: Cloth Diaper Reviews, Giveaways

Ella Bella Bum Pocket Diaper Review and Giveaway

December 10, 2013 By 130 Comments

Ella Bella Bum is a Canadian brand of cloth diapers which is well-known for eye-popping embellished pockets featuring designer wrap-around prints and embroidery, trendy designs and bold coordinating colors.  A “work at home mom” enterprise created by the artistic and very talented Sam Campbell, Ella Bella Bum has expanded greatly over the years but still holds true to its small business roots by relying on a dedicated little team of diaper makers and assistants.

I was beyond excited about getting to try a sought-after Ella Bella Bum diaper and share my feedback with you! The complimentary creation that Sam sent me has got to be one of the most adorable things in my stash. It’s an alien takeover!

I love the zany alien print, the canary-yellow PUL and shiny black snaps.

And I really love the vivid orange lining made of athletic jersey. In my testing, I discovered this fabric doesn’t hold on to stains, is easy to rinse #2 messes off of and has a wicking effect -which means wetness is carried quickly away from your baby’s skin and down into the inserts.

Ella Bella Bum pockets are designed to fit from approximately 15 to 35 pounds and retail for $21 to $35 each, depending on the embellishments.

With our diaper, Sam included an adjustable insert and extra booster. Using snaps, the insert can be shortened or lengthened before you stuff it inside the pocket.

Inserts are constructed with a top layer of soft bamboo and Zorb (a modern and highly absorbent synthetic diapering fabric) underneath. When the adjustable insert is folded over you get six total layers of bamboo fleece. The extra booster features stitching around the edges and middle to help channel wetness; you can stuff it into the pocket along with the other, or just lay it right against your baby.

Now, the first time I stuffed the insert into the pocket, I was surprised to feel something soft inside. After turning the diaper inside out, I realized that there’s a little fleece buffer between each snap and the outer shell for some extra leakage protection. These photos also show how the cut of the diaper tapers just a bit up front, which gives it that signature Ella Bella Bum super trim fit:

In my weeks of testing, I haven’t found one flaw in this diaper. Admittedly, the bamboo fabric does take time to reach peak absorbency. After five pre-washes, I wasn’t able to use it for Susanna’s nap time. Sam recommends at least ten washes, and this week we finally hit the mark! Two-year-old Susanna can now wear it for many hours and it’s become one of the most absorbent diapers in my stash.

And here’s how it looks on my munchkins!

 

Since it’s the Christmas season, I wanted to quickly share with you some of Ella Bella Bum’s in stock holiday diapers. These are gonna go fast!

Faithful Ella Bella Bum customers earn rewards! Get 1 point for every dollar spent plus 150 points when you refer a friend! There are also Ella Bella Bum buy/sell/trade and customs groups on Facebook.

And now…..let’s talk about prizes! Sam is going to send one lucky Zephyr Hill reader this amazing Sneaky Raccoons embellished pocket diaper (value $28) PLUS an insert/booster combo pack (value $12.75)!! Enter to win below.

 

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Something Sweet for Baby Giveaway: Cloth Diapers and More! (3 Winners)

December 6, 2013 By 160 Comments

Starting today, you all have the chance to win some really sweet stuff for you and baby.  Thanks to my friends at Sweet Pea Diapers, Olives and Applesauce, Lulu’s and Baby Bear Crafts, there are THREE wonderful prize packages up for grabs!

If you have yet “met” any of these wonderful companies, here’s a brief intro:

Sweet Pea Diapers: My love for Sweet Peas started with their super cute, waterproof, budget-friendly covers and branched from there. If you remember from January, the Sweet Pea newborn cover was one of my absolute favorites for Erik. You’ll also find prefolds, wipes, liners, pockets, AI2 diapers, wet bags and more. Sweet Pea is based out of Canada, but luckily you can find their amazing diapers at many of the top online stores!

Olives and Applesauce: This wonderful family-owned business offers unique and incredibly beautiful baby carriers for little ones 8 to 35 pounds. The soft structured carriers feature gorgeous designer prints and comfortable, modern fit, plus the option to use front or back carry. The adjustable baby harness is built right into the carrier and there’s even a “hood” on the front that you can use to protect your little passenger from the sun, wind or rain…or even nosy strangers! When you’re not using the carrier, it can be easily rolled up and buckled shut for stowing or packing. Olives and Applesauce has some helpful videoson their website which show just how the carriers work; while there, be sure to look up the 15 retailers/online shops across the US where you can find Olives and Applesauce carriers. 

LuLu’s Glamour Wash: This is a safe, environmentally friendly cloth diaper and laundry detergent that rinses out completely, leaving no ammonia-causing residue behind. Diaper build-up and odor are far from glamorous! Made of phosphate-free ingredients, just one tablespoon of Lulu’s should do the job. There are formula’s for both soft and hard water, and a 2 lb. bag will handle 45/90 laundry loads!

 

Baby Baby Dryer Balls: Using 4-6 of Baby Bear’s colorful 100% wool dryer balls, you can see a decrease in drying time up to 40%. What a great time saver andenergy saver! They can also help eliminate static cling and give your laundry some “fluffiness” without the use of synthetic, heavily-scented dryer sheets. All Baby Bear dryer balls are made in the USA!

 

 And now…..here are the prizes:

There will be 3 winners!
Prize #1- Baby Carrier from Olives and Applesauce in your choice of color (retail $149)
Prize #2- Sweet Pea Diapers Package (2 wet bags, a set of cloth wipes, flushable liners, 2 Sweet Pea covers and prefolds, retail $60), plus six Baby Bear Crafts wool dryer balls and a bag of Lulu’s Glamour Wash
Prize #3- Six Baby Bear Crafts wool dryer balls and a bag of Lulu’s Glamour Wash
Note: Prize image is meant to be a sample of what the winners will receive.

Enter to win below:

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Bumkins AIO Diaper Review & Giveaway

December 5, 2013 By 98 Comments

It’s not often I get to try an AIO (All-in-One) diaper, but they truly are one of the most convenient styles you can use. Why? The AIO diaper is designed to be as close to a disposable as possible – in terms of convenience. It’s the kind of cloth diaper you simply put on and go. There’s nothing to fold or pin. Inserts are already attached to the diaper for you.

Thanks Mama was kind enough to send me the Bumkins All-In-One diaper. It’s a newer design which features snap closure; previously there was a hook & loop option as well. Moderately priced at $16.95, the Bumkins AIO comes in lots of fun colors and prints – the most notable being the zany Dr. Seuss-inspired fabrics!

I picked out the Turtle print because it’s very cute and gender-neutral:

True to the philosophy behind All-in-One’s, our Bumkins diaper is super easy to use. Half of the bamboo/cotton soaker is sewn into the middle of diaper; the other half can be folded down once to lay on top, or stuffed into the (optional) pocket. There are also two snaps on the soaker which allow you to snap it to the shell after it’s stuffed.

Around the edges of the sewn-in soaker, the lining is white stay-dry microfleece and the outer is waterproof TPU, which I find is a bit softer and smoother than PUL. There are two rows of snaps for fastening at the rise which translate to three size settings (small, medium and large).

Here’s what I really like about this AIO. The sewn-in soaker is made of natural fibers, so that’s right against my baby’s skin. Also, because only half of the soaker is attached, the drying time is a little quicker than a typical All-in-One. Plus, with the insert completely attached to the diaper I never have to hunt for or match up inserts on laundry day. I also like the trim fit, square tabs and hip snaps on the waist band.

The first time Erik wore the Bumkins AIO I stuffed the soaker into the pocket. He completely saturated the diaper and because the pocket opening is at the front of the diaper where all the wetness was I wondered “Am I going to have to reach my hand in there to pull out the drenched soaker?” It wasn’t a pleasant thought, so I left it in there….and washed all my diapers. Fortunately, the soaker agitated out of the pocket opening on its own.

If I could change just one thing, it would be to boost the absorbency of this diaper a bit. At best, Erik can go 2 hours in it. Susanna, my toddler, is really pushing it at 2 hours. Admittedly, the fit is super trim, but this isn’t a diaper I would use for naps or any other time they will wear it more than a couple of hours.

Still, it gets HUGE points for cuteness and a super trim fit!

And now….here’s how it fits! Erik is on the medium setting, at 17 pounds and 11 months old:

 

Susanna is 2 and wearing it at the largest setting. As you can see, at this age/weight, you might get a low-rise kind of fit. My 3 year old (Samuel) is over 30 pounds and it’s too small for him. My children are small to average, so I would estimate the weight range for the Bumkins AIO of newborn to 25 or 30 pounds. So the range doesn’t appear to be quite as generous as other “one size” diapers which accommodate 35 pounds or more.

And now, let me share with you a little about today’s diaper review sponsor!

If you haven’t shopped at Thanks Mama yet, they are a family-owned and operated natural baby and cloth diapering store. Their extensive selection includes diapers, trainers, natural baby care products, baby carriers, bibs and toys, nursery furniture and bedding, strollers and lots more! Thanks Mama is always looking for the latest and greatest products that are beneficial for babies and the Earth. And they know that many families are on a budget so you won’t have to look far to find great sales, discounts and free shipping (over $60).

One of the neatest things I’ve found at Thanks Mama is their package deals; many diaper brands are sold in bundles with excellent bulk discounts built in. Some of these packages even include freebies like extra inserts or cloth diapering accessories! 

At Thanks Mama you also get easy 90-day returns and their Buy Safe and Price Guarantees. Thanks Mama ships worldwide!

You can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, their blog, Pinterest or Google +. There are weekly giveaways, occasional Twitter parties and lots of natural parenting and green living resources.

And now…the great folks at Thanks Mama are giving one of my readers a Bumkins AIO in choice of color or print! This giveaway is open to both US and Canada.

 

 

 

 

 

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A Fun Cloth Diaper Auction (plus a CJ’s Butter and Kawaii Giveaway)!

December 2, 2013 By 3 Comments

From now until December 11th we’re all going to have some fun while helping to raise money for one of the worthiest causes I know of – helping a family to welcome a child through adoption! The Ohm family has suffered many heartbreaking losses, and has now prayerfully decided to proceed with domestic adoption, which is being chronicled on their blog. My friend Kate (from  The Joyful Giraffe cloth diaper store) told me their story and invited me to join her in raising funds for this wonderful family.

How are we going to raise money? With a BIG cloth diaper auction! The auction is HERE. It begins at 10 am CST on Monday, Dec. 9th and will close at 10 pm CST on Wednesday, Dec. 11th.

There are three easy things YOU can do to help out:

1. Enter my giveaway below – the prize is a Kawaii Goodnight Heavy Wetter pocket diaper in the Blue Dotty print, plus a tube of CJ’s Butter in the Blueberry Crumble scent. There is only one required entry – to give me your email address so I can remind you the day the auction starts! And don’t forget to join our Ohm Family Auction Facebook group (where the auction will take place).

2. Can you donate a diaper? Know someone who could? We would love to add even more things for everyone to bid on – that means more funds raised for the family! The more the merrier!! Just fill out this quick form to add your auction item! 100% of auction proceeds will be given to the Ohm’s.

3. Join us for the auction which will run from December 9 to December 11 through the Facebook group. Yes, it’s open to US and CANADIAN bidders! I can almost guarantee there’s going to be something there you will want to bid on (prefolds, covers, pockets, baby carrier, natural skin care, teething jewelry and more). Plus, the most active bidder (i.e. most bids placed) will receive a $10 gift card from The Joyful Giraffe cloth diaper store as a special thank you!

Here’s a little bit about the prizes in today’s “pre-auction” giveaway:

Kawaii Goodnight Heavy Wetter Pocket Diaper:  It might look like just another Kawaii one-size diaper, but there are a few differences. The PUL is three layers of heavy duty material, and is triple-coated, so it gives you extra protection against nighttime leakage. The pocket on this diaper is also roomier so that it can easily accommodate the two large microfiber inserts which are included. There’s a strip of PUL, called a tummy panel, on the inside front flap which helps if your baby or toddler is a tummy sleeper. The fleece lining is soft and thick, with a nice stay-dry effect, and there are hip snaps which keep the diaper from sagging. Now, the manufacturer indicates you can use it from 8 pounds onward, but I would say it doesn’t start fitting well until 12 or even 15 pounds (it leaked on 11 pound Erik because I couldn’t get a snug enough fit). But for my toddlers it has been stellar! You all know how much I like flats and fitteds under Flips, Sweet Peas and wool, but we do have 5 of these Kawaii Heavy Wetters in our stash for convenience. Susanna (2) and Samuel (3 and now potty trained!!) have consistently gone 10-12 hours in the Kawaii Heavy Wetters with no leaks, so I enthusiastically recommend this diaper to any mama who loves pockets but hasn’t found a night time solution.

 

CJ’s Butter: You probably already know this is one of the most popular cloth diaper safe creams on the market. The convenient 4 oz. squeeze tubes are great for your diaper bag. The main ingredients are shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil, lanolin, beeswax, cocoa butter and Vitamin E. Besides diaper rash, I know that CJ’s has been successfully used for many other indications like eczema, chapped skin, minor burns and even as a hair conditioner (used sparingly) for both dry and curly locks!

Thank you for joining the Facebook group and for sharing with your friends! This is going to be a really exciting auction, and what better time to celebrate the amazing gift of a child than during the Christmas season?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Go From Maternity to Nursing with Loving Moments (Review and Giveaway)

December 1, 2013 By 48 Comments

Since most of us don’t bounce back immediately to our old self right after pregnancy, Loving Moments by Leading Lady has created a new line of products with mothers especially in mind. It’s the Maternity to Nursing Essentials collection, and includes items that will help you smoothly transition from pregnancy to nursing:

  • Maternity/Nursing Sports Bra with innovative adjustable side bands
  • Maternity Leggings that adjust after baby comes so you can wear them long after pregnancy
  • Leisure Sleep Bra with crossover styling
  • Belly Support Band for prenatal and postpartum support
  • Active Crossover Maternity/Nursing Top which is styled to take you from pregnancy right into the nursing stage
When Loving Moments learned I was still nursing 11-month-old Erik, they offered to send me their Leisure Sleep Bra in exchange for an honest review:

Image courtesy Loving Moments

I chose black since it’s very chic and hides stains well. Sizes range from medium to 2XL and are based on both dress size and band size. This stretchy, lightweight leisure bra is 96% cotton and 4% spandex, with pull-aside cups for easy nursing. Because of the slight stretch, you can wear this before and after baby comes.

I love the smooth cotton, wide shoulder straps and soft band. Since you slip it over your head, there aren’t any hooks to worry about. My nursing pads stay put overnight. The bra washes and wears very well and is easy to care for. I launder in a small zippered garment bag on the delicates cycle and then hang to dry. The only thing I would change about this bra is for the fabric to be a bit thicker since I prefer more support, even in a sleep bra. However, the cotton is admittedly very soft and silky; if I was a smaller size then the added support would not be an issue at all.

The Leisure Sleep bra comes in four colors (black, white, heather gray and floral) and is available only at Wal-Mart and Walmart.com. The price? Just $11.94.

 

You can also enter to WIN a Loving Moments Maternity to Nursing Wardrobe in their sweepstakes which ends 1/3/2014. A second and third winner will also be chosen to win additional prizes!

My giveaway ends on December 13th and the prize is any item you choose from the new collection! You can enter below (US only).

 

 

 

 

 

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The NEW Bummis Simply Lite Cover (and a Giveaway)!

November 26, 2013 By 107 Comments

The first cloth diaper covers I ever used were sized. Bummis was tops on my list because of all the high reviews. When Erik was born, I found the newborn Bummis covers to be some of my favorites. This year Bummis has released a long-awaited one size cover – the Simply Lite!

I received a Simply Lite cover in the Denim Dot print plus a Bummis unbleached prefold (infant size) and a flushable liner to review.

There are two rows of snaps on the rise of the Simply Lite which means you essentially get three sizes: – small, medium and large. If you’ll notice, there’s not a center snap on the medium row of snaps. This design does not affect function.

This very simple cover has some nice features for the price ($16.95):

  • Soft and smooth PUL fabric can be wiped clean inside for re-use
  • Stretchy wings and elasticized back and waist ensure a comfortable, snug fit
  • Versatile and compatible with all types of diapers – fitteds, prefolds, flats, bamboo and hemp inserts, etc.
  • White mesh….
  • Front flap helps secure inserts
  • Generous size range of approximately 8 to 35 pounds
  • Available in 3 colors and 2 prints

 

The Bummis prefold I received is unbleached, so the fabric is softer than the bleached white ones (unbleached flats are also softer than their white counterparts, too). It’s nice and “quilty” and can be easily folded in thirds and laid in this cover without any pins or fasteners required. The infant size prefold fits perfectly into the cover at its largest setting (all the snaps opened up); if using the cover on size small or medium, you might have to fold down the front of your prefold diaper so it will fit in the wrap.

The snaps on this cover are very strong, and might look a little different than those on other covers in your stash.

There is a just a single row of snaps at the waist, so that’s thankfully less to fasten. However, it does mean the wings curl back when the diaper is on my babies. Our Simply Lite cover is also very roomy in the rear. Because of this it has turned out to perform just as well at night as it does in daylight hours. I can pack in a bulky fitted plus an extra doubler with no problems.

If you don’t already know, all Bummis wraps are made in their Montreal factory to ensure top quality and ethical labor practices. The diaper cover components themselves are also manufactured here in North America. Organic cotton prefolds are made in Pakistan (Bummis is working with their supplier right now to get SA 8000 certification in social accountability).

Here’s a size range chart that shows the prefold measurements before washing (they shrink about 20% in size) as well as the thickness of the fabric layers:

Weight range Measurements* Thickness
Preemie 4 – 9 lbs (2 – 4 kg) 9.5 x 13″ (24 x 33 cm) 2 x 6 x 2 ply
Infant 7 – 20 lbs (3 – 9 kg) 12 x 16″ (30 x 40 cm) 4 x 8 x 4 ply
Baby 15 – 40 lbs (7 – 18 kg) 14 x 21″ (35 x 53 cm) 4 x 8 x 4 ply

Now let’s see what the new Simply Lite looks like on my baby and toddler!

Erik is 17 pounds and almost 11 months old:

Susanna is 2 years old and about 27 pounds:

Here are the colors and prints you can choose from (so far):

If you were hoping there was going to be a giveaway…you’re in luck! Bummis is going to give one of my readers the chance to win a new Simply Lite cover! Enter to win below.

 

 

 

 

 

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A Giveaway for One of My Favorite Brands: Buttons Cloth Diapers!!

November 25, 2013 By 2 Comments

Welcome to the Buttons Diapers Holiday Giveaway sponsored by the Daily Globe and hosted by The Parenting Patch!

With the holidays approaching, how would you like to win a Buttons Diapers prize pack? My friend Heather at The Parenting Patch absolutely loves Buttons Diapers and so do I! You can check out both my review and hers for more information about this cute, simple and very affordable diapering system.

One lucky reader will win five (5) Buttons Diapers covers in choice of color and ten (10) Buttons Diapers inserts in choice of size valued at $90. To enter for your chance to win the Buttons Diapers Holiday Giveaway, simply use the following Rafflecopter form. Good luck and may you have a blessed Thanksgiving and Advent!

 

 

 

 

 

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The Buttons Diapers Holiday Giveaway is open worldwide. An international winner will receive $90 via PayPal in lieu of the specified prize. The Buttons Diapers Holiday Giveaway ends at midnight CST on December 9, 2013. One winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter. The winner will be sent an email and will have forty-eight hours to respond. If no response is received within forty-eight hours, another winner will be chosen. The Parenting Patch and other participating blogs are not responsible for prize fulfillment.

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Gymboree $100 Gift Card Giveaway

November 22, 2013 By 1 Comment


Welcome to the Gymboree Glorious Gift Card Giveaway sponsored by the Daily Globe and hosted by The Parenting Patch!

Gymboree is one of my favorite children’s apparel stores! The clothes are classic, cute and well-made. Stores are quiet and clean, and there’s always a good sale going on. If you’d like to do some shopping at Gymboree to get ready for Thanksgiving or Christmas, then enter below to win a gift card!

One lucky reader of The Parenting Patch will win receive a (1) $100 gift certificate to Gymboree. Simply use the following Rafflecopter form. Good luck!

Entry form:

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The Gymboree Glorious Gift Card Giveaway is open worldwide (an international winner will receive $100 via PayPal in lieu of the specified prize). This giveway ends at midnight CST on December 6, 2013. One winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter. The winner will be sent an email and will have 48 hours to respond. If no response is received within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen. The Parenting Patch and other participating blogs are not responsible for prize fulfillment.

 

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Glow Bug Pocket Diapers Review and Giveaway

November 18, 2013 By 124 Comments

 

Glow Bugs came into being when two mothers designed a diaper that would be affordable, high-quality and easy to use. “Glow Bug” was one of their daughter’s nicknames; it also captures the adorable image of a cloth diapered baby with a round, padded bottom. Cute as a bug!

Glow Bugs sent me two samples, an argyle pocket diaper from their boy collection and the pink and black cassette tapes print from the girl collection. I think the prints are fantastic and the squared off wings give these diapers a nice trim appearance:

These aren’t your typical pocket diapers; Sarah and Neta introduced a noteworthy feature this year – the 360 gusset. Instead of just an inner gusset that follows the inside edges of the diaper, Glow Bug’s 360 gusset is actually a closed oval shape that is designed to work even harder to keep messes and explosions inside the diaper. The inner “SlimDry” fleece lining is very purposely chosen because it is thin and smooth, which keeps the diaper as trim as possible. Here’s a photo comparison of the new gusset vs. the original:

If you compare an older style Glow Bug to the newer versions, you’ll also see there’s an added hip snap and the wings are cut a bit trimmer:

Glow Bug diapers are sold in bulk packages of 12 for $150; a free wet bag plus 18 snap-in inserts are also included. The cost breakdown equates to about $12.50 per diaper. Every season, Glow Fans anticipate the coming of new boy, girl and gender-neutral prints. These are one-size pockets with 3 different rise settings, hip snaps and cross-over snaps for very small babies; the suggested size range is from 7 to 35 pounds. Here’s a look at the largest and smallest settings:

The microfiber inserts can be snapped in after you stuff them into the pocket….or simply stuffed in.

One of the first questions I had for Glow Bugs (and one that you might have, too!) was “Why can’t I buy just one diaper?”

Offering bulk packages and significant price savings is at the heart of the Glow Bug business model. Sarah explained it to me this way: “We believe that it is much easier for the average consumer who is expecting a baby and who would like to start their newborn in cloth diapers to purchase everything they will need together in a bundle. We also took a page from our disposable diaper competitors who only sell in large packages.” And the Glow Bug concept has been nothing but successful; these two talented mothers have seen nothing but growth and this year reached over 14,000 Facebook fans!

Well and good, you might say, but “I can’t afford to buy a bulk package.” Sarah rightly explained to me that most mothers in fact end up trying a lot of different cloth diaper brands, and the cost adds up. Glow Bug’s goal is to give a curious mom a complete (and discounted) diaper package to try out, with the assurance that it will be simple, functional and adorable. They do not sell you diapers and then drop off the face of Earth but stick with their customers every step of the way, offering advice, support and even occasional freebies (through the newsletter and blog giveaways). You also have the chance to pick up individual Glow Bugs in the Facebook Co-Op group.

And there is another exciting development at Glow Bug: Sarah told me they are working on a program that would allow mothers to pay in installments!

I had a chance to experience their wonderful service personally. All Glow Bugs are guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship for 180 days after purchase; the snaps carry a lifetime warranty. One of the hip snaps on my argyle diaper broke shortly after we started testing. I mailed the diaper back and was reimbursed fully for shipping costs. Glow Bugs promptly repaired and sent it back. Everything was done very quickly and very professionally, and all my questions were thoroughly answered. Our repaired diaper has been working great with no additional problems. Sarah and Neta explained that the isolated snap problem was due to an incorrect pressure setting on their press, which has now been resolved.

Glow Bug diapers are very well made. The fabric is of excellent quality, the prints are bright and clear, snap placement is even and the stitching is good and tight:

And now, let’s see how these diapers fit!

Here’s 18 pound/11 month old Erik:

And Susanna who is 2 years old:

 And for those of you that have an older toddler still in diapers, here’s a Glow Bug on 3 year old Samuel. He asked to be photographed with his cowboy pistol. :-)

So how did the 360 gusset perform? Erik proved to be an ideal candidate for testing because he’s trying a lot of new foods right now and so let’s just say his “output” right now ranges from the very interesting to downright disastrous. The back curve of the 360 gusset  has proved to be especially helpful in keeping messes from escaping out of the back of the diaper. Glow Bug has posted a GREAT video tutorial of how to spray or rinse the new gussets before laundering.

I’m completely happy with the fit as well. It looks equally cute and trim on all my children. Our Glow Bugs never sag or shift around. Five stars for ease of use, too! They are easy to wash and dry very quickly. I have very few pocket diapers in my stash because I don’t like stuffing and generally prefer natural fabrics to microfiber, but if you are a fan of this style, I can recommend Glow Bugs without hesitation.

Right now Glow Bugs is celebrating 14,000 likes on Facebook with a special 14% off coupon code. You can shop right here on my site and use code GlowBug14k at checkout to get 14% off any order over $149 (expires this Wednesday 11/20). And there’s also a giveaway (enter below)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Cloth Diaper Reviews, Giveaways Tagged With: , , , ,
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