Giveaways — Page 14

Nicki’s Training Pants Review & Giveaway

December 20, 2016 by Anne Marie 56 Comments

This post contains affiliate links.

Ingrid’s still in diapers at age 2, but also very interested in sitting on the potty, so we got a couple of Nicki’s Diapers training pants for her to try out. Ingrid’s cousin, Gareth (3 years old), also gave them a whirl. Read through today’s review and see what you think of our experiences, then enter to win a pair for your little one!

Here are the basic features of Nicki’s training pants:

Absorbent 100% cotton flannel core and a waterproof PUL outer
Stretchy sides and leg elastics
Available in small (16-21 lbs), medium (22-30 lbs) and large (30-38 lbs)
Available in 10 colors/prints
Retail price $9.95
Available exclusively at Nicki’s Diapers

Only the middle part of the trainer is absorbent; the stretchy sides are made of soft, waterproof PUL. The cotton needs to be prepped several times before first use; we washed four times with our other household laundry.

Ingrid is 2 years old, so I tried both medium (Grape Soda) and large (Little Dipper) on her. The latter fit her better and are easier to get on and off. The medium trainers were on the small side, especially in the rise and waistband (you can see this in the picture at left below). The rise of size medium, unstretched, is about 13 inches; large is roughly 14 inches.

Ingrid is 2 years old and about 27 pounds right now. Since she is in the early stages of potty training, I prefer a trainer with side snaps for dealing with #2 messes (like the Imagine we previously reviewed), but it’s not a deal-breaker, especially since these are so economical. I just try to be more “on my toes” when she’s wearing her Nicki’s trainers, so I can hopefully catch her before a messy accident happens.

Absorbency is fair, which is to be expected with your typical daytime pull-up in this price range. It will catch a small accident, but not a full pee if your toddler is a heavy wetter.

Gareth is 3 years and 31 pounds. My sister-in-law, Katie, really likes this trim, pull-up style. Gareth had no complaints at all and thought they were very soft and comfortable (he’s very particular about things). He is bigger and taller than Ingrid and Katie was able to make the larges work for him, but would much prefer that Nicki’s add a size extra-large. For Gareth, size large ran small in the waist and rise (but the leg openings were fine).

UPDATE on 1/5/17: A little bird told me that size extra large will be in fact arriving soon!!

Nicki’s trainers are super easy to wash and dry. I recommend turning inside out for more thorough cleaning, especially when they are soiled or stained. At just $9.95 each, they are a great value!

Click here to purchase directly from Nicki’s Diapers.

Giveaway: I am giving away a pair of Nicki’s training pants to 2 lucky readers. Each winner chooses from in stock colors/sizes. This promotion is open to both US and Canadian residents. Good luck!

Updated Buttons Diapers Review and Giveaway

November 26, 2016 by Anne Marie 70 Comments

This post contains affiliate links

We have been using Buttons Diapers in our rotation since about 2013. Ingrid went easily from the newborn phase to her current 2 years while wearing the Buttons system. The picture above is from this spring.

Over the years, Buttons has added some insert options, and we received a package of complimentary items to review so that you could have an up-to-date look at what this system now offers. Amy sent a Kaleidoscope cover with gold snaps for Ingrid and a Sante Fe cover with blue snaps for my nephew, Roderick. Buttons also included their two insert options (day and night, stay dry and hemp) and a small wetbag.

Buttons Diapers are an easy to use All-in-Two system that saves you money because the covers can be rotated a few times before washing. Buttons covers adjust to fit (approximately) 9 to 35 pounds and are made with two layers of thermally-bonded waterproof PUL. Snap-in inserts are available in two sizes, and with different fabric components, depending on your needs. Adjust the size from small to medium to large using the rise snaps on the front and the waistband snaps:

Here is the Buttons cover opened up. There are double (inner) gussets at the leg openings for extra protection, a wipeable interior and snaps to hold the insert in.

Buttons Diapers microfiber day time inserts are 4 layers of absorbent microfiber with a plush mirofleece topper. This creates a stay-dry effect and is more comfortable for your baby’s skin. They are $3.50 each. Hemp day time inserts are 4 layers of 55% hemp/45% cotton with the same plush microfleece topper. They are $7.75 each.

Nighttime microfiber doublers are 5 layers and are designed to be snapped underneath the day time insert for additional absorbency. They are $5 each. Nighttime hemp doublers are 5 layers and cost $9.75 each. You can mix and match the inserts as desired. A really effective nighttime combo for infants is to put a hemp insert under a microfiber insert.

Small inserts fit approximately 9 to 20 pounds – they are about 11 inches long
Large inserts fit approximately 20 to 35 pounds – they are about 13 inches long

Inserts snap into the covers at front and back. Nighttime doublers are made with two sets of snaps so that you can fasten them under the day inserts before securing both into the cover.

The updated Buttons wet bag features sturdier, interior rolled seams to better contain wetness. They close with a zipper and have a handy hanging strap on one side. Small wet bags are $7 and mediums are $10. Buttons also sells large pail liners and hanging wet bags.

And all Buttons diapers have a cute little color-coordinated button sewn on the back:

Since we’ve been using Buttons for so long, you can see how they fit as our babies have grown!

Here’s Ingrid at 8 pounds, about 1 week after birth.

Ingrid at 4 months old

Erik at 5 months old

Ingrid at 1 year and Erik at 2.5. He’s always been very slim.

Here’s Roderick, my nephew, wearing his Buttons diaper during the day time. He’s 11 months old and about 25 pounds.

This was Roderick’s first time to try Buttons. Katie, my sister-in-law, loves the Buttons prints and was eager to see how this system worked for them. What she found was that it worked best as a daytime diaper with just a single insert. Because Roderick is a very chunky guy, trying to using the diapers overnight with 2 inserts resulted in leaks at the front and back because of fit issues. Here’s Roderick wearing the diaper with two inserts snapped in:

Here’s Ingrid right now at 2 years old. She is small for her age and can still wear Buttons. Like Roderick, they fit best on her with just one insert inside and serve as a trim day time diaper. She was able to wear Buttons at night with 2 inserts up until about 16 months (much longer than Roderick because she is smaller overall).

Here’s how the fit looks with one insert inside vs. two. With just one inside, there’s more room in the waistband and legs, and the crotch is a bit narrower.

Performance: Buttons Diapers are a versatile system because you can use 1 insert or 2, and choose the fabric and insert size which works best for your needs. They also work well as diaper covers with prefolds or flats. Because Buttons are smaller overall compared to other one-size options, I don’t recommend them as covers over fitted diapers. With a well-fitting Buttons diaper, we have never experienced leaks, and the double gussets at the legs were especially handy when Erik and Ingrid were young and they made bigger/looser #2 messes.

One thing I especially like about the hemp inserts is that they hold their shape really well, thanks to the strong serging around the edges. Many natural fiber inserts shrink up and buckle in really weird ways resulting in uncomfortable lumps and uneven edges, but not these.

Good news – Buttons inserts may be compatible with other AI2 diaper systems you may already be using (like Best Bottom, for instance).

Fit: With Buttons being smaller overall, they have worked from birth onward in our family (my babies tend to be small to average). My nephew, Roderick, is a bigger boy. At 11 months, he can comfortably fit into Buttons, but only with 1 insert, and there’s not much room to grow. Slim children may get more mileage out of the Buttons system, but Roderick is a good example of how even a large or chunky baby can utilize Buttons during the day time.

Buttons Diapers are easy to get on and off, since there’s only one row of snaps. The PUL is soft and pliable; both Katie (my sister-in-law) and I love the quality and feel of the fabric.

Another factor that gives Buttons so much appeal is the variety and uniqueness of their prints. Diapers are released seasonally and also on a limited-edition basis, and there’s a wide variety of solid colors to choose from as well. Over 40 have been released so far!

Value: Covers are $11 for solid colors and $12.50 for prints, so they very accessible to most families in terms of price. A 3-pack of daytime inserts costs just $10.50. Buttons also offers a 100% money-back guarantee within 90 days if you are not satisfied, and will even refund what you paid in shipping.

Where to Buy Buttons

You can buy Buttons Diapers directly from their website and from select retailers.

Giveaway: Amy is giving one lucky reader a Buttons cover in the newly released seasonal print, Lumberjack, plus 3 day time inserts in your choice of size! This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada.

Good luck!

5 Ways to Handle Food Throwing and Messy Eating

November 8, 2016 by Anne Marie 46 Comments

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Some of the funniest and most memorable moments in our family have taken place at the dinner table. And having a baby who’s eating solid foods just adds to the merriment. We’ve had some good laughs after watching our baby lick a lemon or pickle, or get caught quietly sneaking unwanted food over the side of the highchair and into the dog’s mouth.

But you pay a price for fun with food: a big huge mess! In fact, a recent survey showed that 80 percent of mothers end up throwing away clothes because they feel it’s just not worth tackling the mess.

This where Dreft comes in, because it’s a detergent that is able to handle the damage your little one can do to all those cute bibs, burp cloths and outfits. This hypoallergenic detergent, with its signature baby fresh scent, has been trusted by pediatricians and parents for over 80 years. And in case you’re curious, it IS safe and effective for laundering cloth diapers as well. I can attest to that from personal experience. My thanks to Dreft for sponsoring today’s post and two giveaways (details below)!

messybaby1

I have a few tips I wanted to share with you after feeding (and cleaning up) 8 babies so far:

Don’t expect perfection. You are less likely to get frustrated if you realize that it takes time and maturity to learn table manners. Babies will go through different phases as they learn. And if you are more aware of what’s coming, you are more likely to put measures in place that will minimize clean-up (a large enough tray, bibs, small portions, etc.)
Choose foods carefully. Dry cereal is a popular first finger food not just because babies like them. The fact is, it’s fairly easy to clean up as compared to warm, wet baby cereal, which is very starchy and sticky. If your baby is eager to self-feed, opt for things like mashed potatoes and avocado (that hold together) instead of applesauce (which is runny). Put foods in front of your baby in small amounts. The typical response to a big plate of food is to eat very little of it and then play with the rest!
Set realistic boundaries. Expecting your toddler to have a squeaky clean face throughout the meal is not reasonable. Expecting him to not throw food at the wall is. Expecting him to not to ever spit things out, or smash them or rub them between his hands is not reasonable. Expecting him to refrain from kicking and screaming is. Discipline and teach just as you would in any other circumstances when your baby or toddler exhibits a behavior that’s rude or obnoxious.
Offer alternatives. Much of what we do as parents is to teach our children “a better way” of doing things – as opposed to what comes naturally. For example, some of our babies would yell or beat the high chair loudly when they wanted seconds. While it’s fine to want more food, even a young child can be taught a better way to “ask.” One strategy that worked for us was to demonstrate an appropriate behavior and wait for the child to mimic that before offering more food. It would obviously be age-appropriate, so for a baby, instead of asking him to say “please” we could make a pleasant sound that he could imitate or show him how to hold out his hand.
Know when to call the game. There’s no point in keeping your child at the table if he isn’t hungry, or is tired or bored. If you do, mischief will invariably follow like night follows day. Letting your baby get down as soon as he’s done will not just make him happier, it will keep messes at a minimum.

Dreft sent a few complimentary items for our cleaning toolkit:

Dreft detergent and Dreft Blissfuls scent booster
Black & Decker Cordless Hand Vaccuum
Dreft bib
Set of Babie B suction cup bowls with lids

messybaby2

Giveaway #1 – My blog is hosting a giveaway for Dreft detergent and a $50 American Express gift card. Enter using the form below! (CLOSED)

Giveaway #2 – I bet you have a photo or video that captures some of your child’s messiest moments. And Dreft wants to see them! That’s why they are hosting the Messiest Baby Contest (you can follow on social media using the hashtag #MessiestBabyContest). Click here to enter. One of the prizes is having your baby featured on the May cover of Parenting Magazine. (CLOSED)

Giveaway #3 – The Dreft #MessiestBabyContest Twitter Party will take place on Monday, November 14^th from 9PM-10Pm EST. You can RSVP for the party using this link: http://bit.ly/2f1Djbj. There are some really great prizes including an iRobot Roomba!

For more information, visit www.dreft.com or check in on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

annesignature

This post and giveaway were made possible by iConnect and Dreft.
I was compensated for my participation in this campaign.

Diaper Rite 3.1 Review & Giveaway: AIO, Cover and Wet Bags

November 7, 2016 by Anne Marie 44 Comments

Diaper Rite, the budget-friendly brand found exclusively at Diaper Junction, recently got a face lift.

We received some complimentary items from Diaper Junction to review and share with you from the new Diaper Rite 3.1 line – the bamboo AIO, the one-size diaper cover, a pail liner, hanging wet bag and small wet bag.

The new AIO has changed the most dramatically, going from microfiber to bamboo, and a different insert configuration. You can read my review of the previous version here.

The Diaper Rite 3.1 bamboo AIO features:

10 layers of bamboo terry (80% bamboo viscose/20% polyester) and a waterproof thermally-bonded PUL outer shell (aka “TPU”)
One large (14.5″) and one small (11″) snap-in soaker
Double snaps on the wings, plus crossover snaps
Front and back flaps to hold soakers in place and prevent wicking of moisture
A fit that adjusts from approximately 8 to 35 pounds
Retail price of $15.95

There is a bamboo layer sewn inside, plus snaps to hold the inserts in place.

With the adjustable rise and dual inserts, you have a lot of different options. Here are just a few examples:

Roderick, my nephew, is 11 months old and about 25 pounds. He wears it on the largest rise setting because he is a pretty chunky boy. There’s plenty of room to grow in the waistband.

A two-year-old toddler, Ingrid also wears it opened up to the largest setting. Katie and I are using both inserts for Roderick and Ingrid in these pictures.

I really like the smooth, trim fit of this diaper, the silky bamboo fabric inside and the long stretchy wings. Dry time is about 1 cycle on medium/low since the inserts are only partially attached. One or two preparatory washes out of the package and it’s ready to go to work.

Ingrid can wear it through a nap or even nighttime because there are so many layers of absorbency. She is an average wetter. There aren’t any drawbacks yet that I’ve found; it’s a thirsty, soft and great-fitting diaper at a fantastic price. You can purchase it directly from my affiliate, Diaper Junction.

Diaper Rite 3.1 One-Size Cover: Diaper Rite has updated their one-size cover as well. It’s two layers now and the cut is slightly different from the older version, which you can see from the photos below. Some elastic has been added at the front of the waistband, which is actually a feature I could do without since it tends to make the waistband curl inward as soon as Ingrid starts moving around. The cover is slightly larger overall compared to the previous version, with longer wings and trim sewn around all the edges. This is a very reliable and sturdy cover with a great price of just $10.95, and lots of color options. It’s roomy enough to fit over most any style of diaper, with flaps at the front and back to hold inserts, prefolds or flats in place. It has double (inner) leg gussets which are less tight (and therefore much more comfortable) than our older Diaper Rite covers.

The new 3.1 cover has also been updated with the addition of crossover snaps on the wings. Gone are the angled wing snaps from the previous version.

Ingrid is wearing the cover with her large Diaper Rite bamboo flat diaper in this photo:

The Diaper Rite 3.1 cover on our 7-week-old, 10 pound daughter, Camille. This is when she just started fitting into it.

Diaper Rite Hanging Wet Bag: Measures 15″ x 27″ when laid flat and holds 20 or more diapers. I can pack 3 days worth of laundry into it. It features the improved rolled seams on the inside for better wetness protection, as well as stronger serging. The waterproof, thermally-bonded PUL fabric is thick, soft and smooth; the handle is tightly attached and is more than up to the task of handling a heavy, saggy load of diapers. The hanging wet bag retails for $14.95 and comes in 7 different colors. I like it so much I’ve been using it instead of my pail for the past 2 weeks.

Diaper Rite Pail Liner: If you like storing your diapers in an upright pail or can, the Diaper Rite pail liner is made to fit perfectly and has a heavy-duty elastic top which stretches to fit the rim of your container. It easily holds 3 days worth of dirty diapers and features the new and improved seams and serging. The Diaper Rite pail liner costs just $14.95 and comes in 7 different colors.

Diaper Rite Wet Bag: At just $7.95, the Diaper Rite Wet Bag is a great bargain and perfect for holding a few soiled items when you’re away from home. It measures 11″ x 16″ when laid flat and features zipper closure and a snap strap for easy carrying or hanging. Inside seams have been strengthened and improved, as with the other Diaper Rite 3.1 products. In the picture below, you can see what the new and improved rolled seams look like.

Giveaway: Diaper Junction is giving away a bamboo AIO diaper, in your choice of color! This promotion is open to US and Canadian residents, and you can enter below, doing any or all of the optional entries to increase your chances. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Imagine 2.0 Diapers: Fitted, AI2 and Bamboo AIO Review

October 29, 2016 by Anne Marie 57 Comments

This post contains affiliate links.

We have quite a few Imagine cloth diapers in our rotation, including Imagine covers, AIO’s, AI2’s and even a few newborn diapers.

Nicki’s Diapers recently announced some updates and improvements to the line, which is now called Imagine 2.0. I received a complimentary bamboo fitted, a bamboo AIO and an AI2 diaper shell from to review and share with you. In my review, I’m also including the “old” version of the Imagine AIO, AI2 and fitted that we purchased a year or so ago; then you can see how they compare.

As you know, I have reviewed hundreds of diapers over the years; Imagine has stood the test of time in terms of durability, performance and affordability. Which is why I continue to add them to our stash from time to time as the need arises (and yes, as new and adorable prints are added!). I have a bamboo newborn diaper and a newborn cover tucked away for our baby due in January. Oh, and as a bonus, you always get free shipping at Nicki’s on purchase over $10.

Here’s what I received to review: an Imagine Bamboo One-Size Fitted in Lilac, an Imagine Bamboo One-Size AIO in Emerald and an Imagine One-Size AI2 shell in the Raccoon Ruckus print.

What’s new with the AI2 system? The AI2 system consists of two parts – a waterproof, wipeable diaper shell and microfiber inserts that snap in. The 2.0 version has eliminated the inner flaps at back and front. It still has those great double or inner leg gussets for better mess containment. The Imagine AI2 is a “true” AI2 because the shell has no inner fabric lining which more easily gets damp or soiled. Being able to switch out inserts allows you to use the shell longer, and thus buy less of them. The shells are $13.95 each and snap-in pads are available in packs of 3 for $13.95 and come in two different sizes. They are super absorbent and resist staining. The fleece topper also gives your baby a comfortable “stay dry” feeling. One of the things I like best about the Imagine AI2 is that the snaps at front and back keep the inserts from moving around or twisting as your baby soaks them.

The Imagine AI2 system is very flexible, so if you don’t like mirofiber, you’re not boxed in to that option. Best Bottom inserts will snap into the Imagine AI2 shell, and that gives you the additional choices of bamboo and hemp.

Some of you will miss the front and back flaps being gone, especially if you like to use your Imagine AI2 shell as a cover with flats or prefolds. That front flap was also nice for giving a little extra wetness protection up front for tummy sleepers. And if you were using the AI2 as a nighttime diaper, that might be another reason you’ll be sad to see the front waterproof flap gone. I generally use snap-in inserts with our AI2 shell, and Ingrid wears it during the day, so the new version without flaps still suits our needs well. It also means you don’t have to lift up the flaps anymore to get access to the snaps.

Ingrid has been wearing the size large inserts since she was a year old. She’s two now.

What’s new with the Bamboo AIO? The Imagine 2.0 Bamboo AIO is now larger overall, and is made with a softer weave of bamboo fabric. The differences are very noticeable. Both the previous version and the 2.0 are lined with 100% bamboo viscose, include a snap-in bamboo soaker, and have a waterproof shell. The leg elastics are completely encased. A nice little extra touch is that the bamboo inserts are dyed to match the diaper; in this case, the inside is celery green to compliment the emerald outer. Very pretty!

The Imagine Bamboo AIO retails for $16.95.

Because the inserts are not sewn in, dry time is a little bit faster than your typical multi-layered bamboo or cotton AIO. The insert measures 14.5 inches long.

Here are the original Bamboo AIO and the 2.0 Bamboo AIO side by side, so you can really see how the sizing is much more generous now. Because of the improvement, I would definitely recommend starting your baby on this diaper after the newborn phase (opting instead for Imagine’s actual newborn size).

And look at the different in fit, especially on a toddler! The rise is significantly higher now. I am so happy about the updates that allow this diaper to be worn for a much longer time.

What’s new with the Bamboo Fitted? The Imagine Bamboo Fitted is also made with the newer and softer bamboo fabric. Likewise, the sizing has been expanded. As with the AIO, the bamboo insert snaps into the back. And in the same way, if you’re shortening the rise for a smaller baby, you can fold the insert under to shorten it.

The bamboo fitted takes longer to try than the AIO since the whole body of the diaper itself is made of bamboo. I wash mine in an HE top-loader, which is really good about wringing a lot of water out, and the fitted takes 1 full dryer cycle on low/medium to dry.

Here are the old and new, side by side. As noted before, sizing is more generous now, with the exception of the width of the crotch. I found the new 2.0 to be slightly trimmer in that area.

Here is Ingrid in the original (left) and the new 2.o (right). I definitely prefer the larger sizing, yet trimmer profile. This is a highly absorbent diaper that Ingrid can wear around the house with no cover for an hour or so. It performs great as is through naps, and will hold her all night with 1 extra insert and a Nicki’s diaper cover.

Overall, I’m really happy with the new 2.0 line, especially because the generous sizing allows them to fit my toddler so much better. And although it means the 2.0 diapers may not get small enough to fit a newborn, Imagine has a whole line of diapers tailored to that early stage.

Shop for Imagine diapers at Nicki’s
with FREE shipping over $10

Giveaway: ++CLOSED++ There will be THREE winners, thanks to our generous friends at Nicki’s Diapers! The three prizes are a Bamboo AIO, a Bamboo Fitted and an AI2 diaper shell. It’s open to both US and Canadian residents and winner choose from in stock prints/colors. Good luck!