Giveaways — Page 18

Diaper Safari Cover and Bamboo Insert Review

January 6, 2016 by Anne Marie 66 Comments

When Diaper Safari (available exclusively at Nicki’s Diapers) released an updated waterproof cover last year in fun animal prints, some fans were wondering if solid colors would also be available at some point. No need to wait any longer! There are SIX new color combos now available in both pockets and covers. Personally, I love the new choices, and how they are both neutral and fun. The coordinating snaps and leg trim are very vibrant.

Diaper Safari, sold at my affiliate Nicki’s Diapers, sent us two complimentary covers to review in Aardvark (grey with red trim) and Caterpillar (black with lime trim), plus two of their exclusive Trifold Bamboo Inserts.

As previously reviewed, the Diaper Safari cover retails for $9.95 and features:

One size design which fits from 10 pounds to 35 pounds (3 rows of snaps on the rise)
Choice of hook and loop or snap closure
The snap version has crossover snaps on the waistband for small/slim babies
Waterproof, wipeable PUL construction (inside and out)
Front and back flaps to keep diapers and inserts in place
90 day warranty

The Trifold Bamboo Insert is another Diaper Safari exclusive. It’s a flat insert made with several layers of highly absorbent bamboo/cotton, and then 1 layer of stay-dry microsuede. Fold it in thirds like you would a prefold. You can have either the microsuede or the bamboo cotton layer up against your baby’s skin, whichever you prefer. For just $5.99, I think it’s a really great deal compared to other bamboo/cotton trifolds on the market.

Before washing, the insert measures about 16″ x 13.5.” After washing and drying, it will shrink unevenly since some of the layers are natural fibers and one is microsuede. After prepping, mine measured roughly 15.5″ x 13.”

I love these inserts! Ingrid can wear one overnight. She has the benefit of the thirsty bamboo/cotton layers plus the stay-drop top, all built into the insert. There’s no need to use a separate fleece liner.

There are several ways you can fold it. Fold in thirds on the long side or the short side, depending on your baby’s age. For a larger baby or toddler, folding the insert in HALF, and not in thirds, works well for more coverage and leak protection.

The only thing I don’t care for is the way the fabric shrinks unevenly, which causes the edges to curl somewhat. That means when you tri-fold, it’s not going to be perfectly smooth at the top and bottom. (Note: pictures above were taken before insert was prepped). It’s a small issue, but one I’d love to see addressed if Diaper Safari ever updates the insert.

Ingrid is 17 months old and just over 20 pounds. This is a roomy cover and it fits well around her chubby legs. You can see pictures of the Diaper Safari cover on Ingrid at 3 months of age here.

Erik just turned 3 and is a slender toddler of about 27 pounds. You can see pictures of the Diaper Safari cover on Erik at age 22 months here.

Any room for improvement? The Diaper Safari cover does not have double gussets, which is a feature I’d love to see added in the future. Performance has been great overall, but twice Erik had a messy diaper and poo escaped onto the outside edges of the leg gussets. Nothing got onto his clothes, though.

Diaper Safari’s size range seems accurate. I mentioned above that it’s a roomy cover, so it likely won’t get small enough for a newborn. And yet Erik, who is 3 years old, can comfortably wear it. I find the Diaper Safari cover fits best on Ingrid when she’s wearing a fitted or the Diaper Safari Bamboo Trifold. A regular cotton prefold doesn’t “fill” the cover quite as well because it has a generous cut. When that happens, the waist is too loose, but I can’t use the crossover snaps because then it becomes way too tight. But with a bulkier diaper or insert inside, the waist snaps fit perfectly right at the middle.

As for durability, our experience has been very positive. The redesigned Diaper Safari covers we’ve been using over 1 year in a regular rotation with two children still look like new and there hasn’t been any loosening of elastics or signs of delamination. The snaps all still function perfectly. We wash all our diapers on hot with Tide or Purex and dry on low.

Where to Buy

Diaper Safari covers, pockets and inserts
are available only at Nicki’s Diapers
with free shipping over $10

For just $9.95, the Diaper Safari cover is a simple and economical diapering solution. It’s completely waterproof, very sturdy, and generous enough to fit over any diaper. With prints AND colors now available, you’re sure to find something to suit your baby’s style.

Giveaway (closed)

Lush Lovie Luxury Blanket Review & Giveaway

December 9, 2015 by Anne Marie 30 Comments

Does your child have a toy or blanket that provides comfort and security? Over the years, our little ones have become attached to “lovies” of all kinds, including thumbs and stuffed animals. Our “baby,” Ingrid, has even started carrying around my nightgown for comfort because it is the one I nursed her in for so long!

And now Ingrid has another cozy friend, her Lara the Lamb Lush Lovie, from Jodie Podie, a mom-owned Canadian company. Jodie sent us this huggable friend in exchange for an honest review AND offered to give away a Lush Lovie to one of my readers!

The idea for her beautiful Lush Lovies began when Jodie became a mother for the first time. So many products she tried were cheaply made and fell apart quickly. “I wanted to surround my child with only the finest and I was definitely not willing to compromise on quality, so, I decided to start making my own. That was 10 years ago. Jodie Podie is a culmination of a lot of research, hard work, sweat and yes…some tears. It was a personal mission for me to source, produce and provide great fabrics and more importantly, to provide well made baby products that had some integrity in their manufacture. Jodie Podie is proud to offer Canadian made baby products to all parents who want to provide only the best to their little ones. I welcome you to Jodie Podie…my nickname dubbed me by my father when I was just a little girl.”

There are 3 adorable animal friends to choose from. Each Lush Lovie is made with two luxurious minky layers and an inner lining of 100% cotton batting. They are generously sized at 36×36 inches and are proudly made in Canada. Lara’s minky is made to resemble soft lamb’s wool. Dottie is a dotted minky and Connie’s is a cow print.

Spread out flat, our Lush Lovie is a warm and plush play mat for Ingrid. Did you notice that Lara the Lamb’s tail sticks out on the other side? 🙂 Jodie also had Ingrid’s name embroidered on the corner of the blanket.

Lara’s squishy lamb head is so nice to hug and squeeze.

The Lush Lovie weighs about 1 pounds, 9 ounces so it is heavier than a typical comfort blanket. Younger babies may not be able to carry it around as easily.

By the way, Ingrid is not the only one who loves her new blanket. Lara the Lamb gets everyone in a cozy mood. 🙂

Lush Lovies have many uses beyond a comfort blanket:

Lap blanket / car blanket
Stroller blanket
Nap mat
Play mat
Doll blanket

Jodie recommends that you spot clean your Lush Lovie if there’s just a small spot or stain. With a bigger or more stubborn mess, you can machine wash on cold in the delicate cycle and dry on low. Lush Lovies will stay just as soft after laundering. They are extremely well made and will last for years to come, to be treasured by your child or perhaps even passed on to another little one.

How to Purchase

Right now, Jodie Podie is offering FREE shipping across Canada on all products until December 24th. Click here to shop the full Jodie Podie collection, which also includes the basic Lovie and hooded Lovie.

Giveaway

Jodie Podie is giving away a Lush Lovie (retail value $150 CAD) to one Zephyr Hill reader! Winner chooses either Dottie the Duck or Connie the Cow. Open to US and Canadian residents.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Les produits de Maya Cleansing Lotion for Diaper Changes

December 7, 2015 by Anne Marie 32 Comments

Most mothers are accustomed to using two different skin care products when it comes to diaper changes. There are sprays and solutions and wipes cubes for cleaning and then creams or ointments to prevent rash or irritation. Les produits de MaYa’s linament is different because it can do both. In fact, it’s a very old and traditional way to cleanse and soothe a baby’s bottom. I received samples in exchange for sharing my honest review with you.

Marie and Yannick hail from Canada and are parents to two young children. Their names put together (MaYa) are the inspiration behind the product labeling. Les produits de MaYa was a natural extension of their love for organic and natural products. Marie and Yannick wanted to do their part in promoting good stewardship of the earth, and they are big supporters of local and family-owned businesses.

This natural formulation, which Marie calls an oleo-calcareous liniment, is a pale yellow liquid with the consistency of a thin lotion. The ingredients are easy to rattle off – and understand: olive oil, cocoa butter, shea butter and limewater. Using natural oils to cleanse is very traditional; in many other countries, mothers don’t use “baby wipes” at all.

Here’s a bit about the components in this cleansing lotion:

Olive Oil: Les produits de MaYa is made with top quality cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. The hydrating and protective qualities of pure olive oil are well established.

Shea Butter: Shea butter is beneficial to dry skin and naturally contains vitamins A, D, E and F.

Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is well-tolerated by most skin types and helps to nourish and soothe the skin. It even has anti-oxidant properties.

Limewater: As the name denotes, this is a solution of lime and water. Limewater has natural antifungal and antiseptic. It’s added to the liniment to fight acidity in urine and balance the skin’s pH levels. I tend to think of lime (i.e. quicklime) as a harsh substance and asked Marie about its use in a product made for the skin. She explained it this way “When you mix lime and water to make limewater, this mix is caustic for the skin. Limewater is caustic because the pH is very high, around 12. But when you mix limewater and olive oil, the result is beneficial for the skin. The pH decreases. The chemical reaction is called saponification.” It’s very similar to the way caustic lye is used to make homemade soap.

The ingredients in Les produits de MaYa are cloth-friendly and will rinse easily from your diapers in the hot water cycle.

Here’s how I’ve used the Les produits de MaYa liniment on Ingrid. I moisten a wipe with a bit of water, squeeze it out and then pump a small amount of the liniment onto it. After cleaning the skin, I’ll use another cloth wipe to apply a small amount of the liniment as a preventative measure. Unlike thick or sticky creams and ointments, Les produits de MaYa is much easier to apply because you simply wipe it on. You don’t get anything on your hands or have to dip your fingers into a jar. The liniment stays on the skin as a thin, sheer layer. The only fragrance is a very faint (and pleasant) olive oil smell.

As a cleanser, Les produits de MaYa is very effective. In fact, I’ve quit buying and using “diaper sprays” completely. What makes this cleansing lotion so effective is the oil. The slippery quality of the olive oil removes even dry, stuck-on messes super quick. Nothing I’ve ever tried in 12 years of diaper changes (baby wipes, plain water, wipe sprays, etc.) has ever worked so well! Thanks to using this lotion on a regular basis, Ingrid’s skin is softer, and also less prone to redness and rash. The thin layer of olive oil and coconut helps provide a semi-occlusive barrier. It’s important to note that Les Produits des MaYa is not meant to treat a really bad diaper rash, even though the liniment/cleanser does have skin soothing properties.

I like products that multi-task, and this one certainly does. It softens and soothes my skin all day long if applied after shaving. Les produits de MaYa also gently removes my eye make-up (even waterproof mascara) while it nourishes the skin.

Here are some more ideas:

Remove cradle cap (cap) on the head of toddlers
Cleansing
After-sun lotion
Calm the skin after waxing
Cream aftershave for men and women
Relieve superficial burns
Natural polish/moisturizer for wood

The four bottles that Marie sent are slightly different. One is the simple olive oil and limewater base. And then there are 3 more options: shea butter added, coconut oil added, or shea and coconut both added. The reason for this is very simple. Marie and Yannick wanted to be sensitive to the needs of allergic customers and allow them to choose which ingredients they prefer.

For Ingrid, I’ve been using the shea/coconut liniment, since she isn’t sensitive to any ingredients. For myself, I’ve mainly used the shea formula.

Les produits de MaYa products are vegan and not tested on animals.

You can find Les produits de MaYa liniments throughout stores in Canada as well as online. During the month of December, you can get a FREE organic cotton wipe from Öko créations when you buy any Les produits de MaYa liniment.

Giveaway (CLOSED)

Les produits de MaYa would like to send a package of their liniments to one of my readers! This beautiful prize package includes four 180ml (6 oz) bottles of Les produits de MaYa (one of each variety), plus a pump to use with the bottles, product documentation and 2 Oko Creations organic cotton wipes. It’s worth approximately $53 and the giveaway is open to both US and Canadian residents. Good luck!

SoftBums Omni and Echo Review & Giveaway

December 1, 2015 by Anne Marie 113 Comments

SoftBums has been on my “to try” list for a while. In fact, many of you let me know on Facebook that you were very interested in a review on the blog. Well, wait no longer! SoftBums offered to let us try their diapering system in exchange for an honest review. They are also sponsoring a giveaway of the new print that was just released today, so see below for more details!

There is a simplicity about the SoftBums system that I really like. You have 2 styles to choose from. Omni functions as a pocket or AI2. Echo is exclusively an AI2. Both feature a waterproof outer shell and a white fleece-lined interior. SoftBums shells are made in the USA.

In the pictures below, you can see the more generous cut of the Omni diaper. It has a very large pocket opening and is wider across the front. Both styles have a snap inside for holding SoftBums Pods (inserts).

SoftBum inserts are called pods. Here are the choices:

Small and Large DryTouch (microfiber/microfleece) Pod
Small and Large Bamboo Pod
One Size Bamboo DryTouch Pod
One Size Bamboo Super Pod
Small DryTouch Mini Pod (for newborns)
H-Pods (disposable)

You can also use diapers or inserts from your own collection with SoftBums shells.

We received a One Size Bamboo Super Pod, which is a combo insert. The long Pod has snaps on the underside, so you can adjust to small, medium or large. It’s also contoured to fit better inside the Omni pocket and also to give more coverage at the back of the diaper. The second Pod is a size small and can be used alone or with the larger one for naps, nighttime or heavy wetters. The bamboo fabric is very soft and smooth to the touch.

SoftBums also sent a DryTouch Super Pod set, which functions in the same way, but is composed of microfiber with a “stay dry” microfleece top.

We also received some of the disposable H-Pods which come in packs of 20. They look and function a lot like a very large sanitary pad. They are ideal for when we’re away from home or using a rash cream that isn’t cloth compatible. It’s large in size but is trim enough to fold under for a smaller baby.

SoftBums diapers come in both snap and hook and loop closure. The latter is actually very popular, which may surprise you. But it’s what helps give SoftBums their highly customized fit. With hook and loop you never get stuck in between snap settings. And compared to other hook and loop we’ve tried, SoftBums is of excellent quality. That being said, a toddler can pull it loose, so you might want to opt for snaps later on. You can also keep hook and loop diapers looking good and functioning longer by not putting them in the dryer. Hook and loop is also really easy for caregivers or adults with conditions like arthritis or carpel tunnel. It’s super strong and durable and will likely last much longer than other types of hook and loop, but yes, snaps will last quite longer. In our testing both SoftBums laundry tabs stayed fastened both in the washer and in the dryer about 75% of the time. If you want to keep Pods snapped in, they do stay put while washing and drying.

You might be wondering where the rise snaps are on these diapers. How do you adjust SoftBums to fit both a newborn and a toddler? The answer is a clever internal system called Slide²Size.

There’s a small opening in the front of each shell. Reach inside and you’ll find an elastic strip with a plastic toggle that slides back and forth to tighten or loosen the leg bands (and shorten or lengthen the rise). I was actually able to adjust the leg elastics with the diaper on my child, so that was a pleasant discovery. I also didn’t worry about getting each band 100% the same on each leg; eyeballing them was good enough for me. However, SoftBums does have a handy size chart if you want to adjust and measure each leg band before putting on your baby. Once the leg bands are snug but comfortable, you don’t have to fool with the toggle until your child grows again. I haven’t had any issues with the toggle not staying put.

I also found that the toggles can be adjusted from the outside of the diaper by locating them and pinching the fabric. It’s easier than reaching your fingers into the little hole at the front.

Using the Slide²Size elastic, you can adjust the leg openings of Omni or Echo from 4″ to 14.” It’s a very generous sizing system and can truly fit your child from birth (even if he/she is smaller than average) to potty training.

Performance: SoftBums are very versatile. You can choose to stuff inserts, snap them in, or just lay in the shells if you’re really pressed for time. With lots of insert options, plus the 2 different shell designs, you can easily find what works best for your baby. The bamboo Pods are slightly more absorbent but take considerably longer to dry. I like bamboo a lot as a diapering fabric, but I have had proven success with the SoftBums Dry Touch because they wick away wetness faster than bamboo. This is especially important at the leg openings where you don’t have double gussets.

The one time we had a leak with our SoftBums was when Ingrid wore the bamboo Pod during a long nap. The leg gussets were damp and moisture had crept onto her sleeper from her left side. I think this was a combination of her sleeping on her left side and putting pressure on it; also, she tends to wet all at once. So the next day I tried the Dry Touch Pod for her nap. She saturated the Pod, but her sleeper was dry this time. Microfiber is really great at locking away wetness fast if you have a baby that tends to flood a diaper.

Both Ingrid and Erik have worn their SoftBums overnight. Once again, the microfiber Dry Touch Super Pods worked best for us, and we didn’t have any compression leaks.

I noticed that after many weeks of use (and washing), the bamboo Pods are now absorbing better. But I still do like a DryTouch Pod always on top. A tip from Softbums is to use both together (bamboo underneath and microfiber on top).

Are Softbums shells reusable? At first glance, a fleece-lined shell might seem like one use only, and that’s how we’ve used our Softbums. But the answer to this question depends on your baby’s age and output. With a newborn and very loose movements, you’ll be changing out shells often because most messes will not be contained on the Pod alone. And my toddlers tend to wet a lot at once, so I haven’t been able to change only the inserts out. But with a young baby, you might be able to refresh (hang up for a while) and reuse shells if you simply lay or snap the Pod in and don’t use the pocket. And then change right after he/she wets the Pod. While other “All-in-Two” diapers do have the advantage of a wipeable (PUL) inside, they are not quite as soft or cozy. The white fleece inside a SoftBums shell is especially nice for babies like Ingrid that have very chubby thighs, or are sensitive to PUL right up against the skin. The fleece lining is doubly nice overnight when wearing for extended periods of time.

Although not included in our review today, I do have 6 of the SoftBums MiniPods that we used for newborn Erik and Ingrid. They are perfect for adding a little bit of absorbency when your newborn starts to saturate his or her tiny diapers but isn’t ready for the next size up. I’ve used the MiniPods with newborn fitteds, flats, prefolds and pockets.

Fit: Two words that best describe the SoftBums system? Perfect fit – thanks to the hook and loop waist closure and Slide2Size leg elastic). When cloth diapering, fit is crucial for both comfort and mess containment.

Since Omni is a roomier cut, and has a large pocket that easily accommodates extra inserts, it’s a really good choice for larger babies and toddlers. However, thanks to the leg elastics, you can adjust it down to fit an average or larger newborn. Echo is more trim and ideal if you’re just starting out with a small to average newborn baby. Sizing starts at about 5 pounds, which no other “one size” diaper I’ve tried yet can beat. Echo will continue to offer a customized, trim fit as your baby grows to 25+ pounds. Since Echo is trimmer across the front, you’ll need to make sure that when doubling up on inserts it doesn’t cause the leg or waist to gape open, allowing possible leaks to escape.

Another advantage of the toggle system is that when you eliminate a snap-down rise you eliminate bulk at the front of the diaper. The result is a trimmer, smoother fit compared to typical “one size” diapers.

If you have two in cloth and are interested in SoftBums, you will save yourself some time by using separate diapers for each child. That way, you won’t have to adjust the toggles constantly when going from one to the other.

Which do I like best between the two? For our needs, the Echo is my first choice for several reasons. (1) I don’t like stuffing diapers that much so I don’t really need the pocket option offered by the Omni. (2) Ingrid is small and short and I like the trimmer fit of the Echo on her. (3) Erik has shown interest in the potty; he’s less in diapers and more in trainers, so we don’t have much need right now for a diaper (i.e. like Omni) that has a more generous size range.

I’d like to have a small stash of SoftBums for Ingrid. The velcro waist makes for super quick changes, the diaper fits beautifully and we’ve had great success with the Dry Touch Pods. In fact, you might say I got TWO surprises in my testing, because I almost always prefer snap closure and bamboo or hemp inserts. But I’m really happy with the SoftBums hook and loop closure and with the microfiber Pods.

I just picked up a Bubblegum (pink) shell for her on Cyber Monday. At $21.95 each, the shells will undoubtedly be cost-prohibitive for some families. And you’ll need to purchase more of them as compared to a stash of PUL covers that can be re-used more often. I’m glad that the inserts I prefer, the Dry Touch Pods, are more moderately priced. Over the years, loyal SoftBums customers have been happy to support a company that is helpful, produces quality made in the USA diapers, and backs them with a substantial warranty:

2 years on the toggles
6 months on hook and loop and snaps

Now let’s see some pictures of SoftBums on babies!

Ingrid was ready to get on her feet while I was putting on the Echo, and this resulted in one of the wings being crooked!

And now it’s time for a giveaway! One Zephyr Hill reader will receive the new Kaleidoscope print in either Echo or Omni, plus a SoftBums Pod. This giveaway is open to US only – good luck!

If you can’t wait and want to grab Kaleidoscope NOW, you can purchase it in Echo or Omni directly from my affiliate, SoftBums, or from your favorite retailer. New SoftBums prints go FAST so don’t wait too long!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Magformers Construction Set Review & Giveaway

November 28, 2015 by Anne Marie 49 Comments

We discovered Magformers several years ago at a local toy store and fell for them big time. Magformer construction sets are made of colorful and durable BPA-free plastic shapes that stick together with strong magnets. Our children have such fun dreaming up unique 3D creations. Magformers sent us a complimentary 54-piece Transform set to review, and is also sponsoring a giveaway for my readers!

My boys chose the Transform set because of the airplane and rocket theme. They are into outer space and flying machines big time. This particular set has 9 different shapes, plus accessories like propellers, satellites and wheels.

Every Magforners set (there are over 65 to choose from!) includes an easy-to-follow booklet with instructions and ideas. Put two pieces next to each other and they click together at the edges.

Magformers are very “tactile” things; they are bright and colorful and make a pleasant little clicking sound when stuck together. There’s no right or wrong way to play with this toy, which is vastly appealing to any child, especially those who are young or have special needs.

How a child will interact with Magformers definitely depends on age. Our 4-year-old girl likes to build simple boxes or just stack them up in towers. Even though the magnets stick together very strongly, she is able to pull them apart without a problem. Even better, because they stay together, she doesn’t get frustrated with her projects falling apart or collapsing.

Samuel (5) and Benjamin (7) are able to follow the booklets and work on actual projects which may take anywhere from 5 minutes to 15 minutes. Joseph, who is 12 and very mechanically-minded, got the helicopter and airplane put together in under 10 minutes, so the set was a breeze for him. He especially enjoys building and creating things for his younger siblings to play with.

I mentioned before that Magforners are durable, and that’s no joke. The first set we bought over 4 years ago still looks great, and this is after being regularly played with by all the children from age 3 and up. They’ve been thrown around, banged on the floor….you name it. Magformers uses HQABS and sonic welding to ensure the toys are tightly bonded and the magnets stay in place. The magnetic components are fully locked inside the plastic for further safety.

And no matter which sets you have, the pieces are easily interchangeable, so you can mix and match for endless possibilities.

If you are looking for something a little different to put under the tree this Christmas, I highly recommend Magformers! We will definitely keep adding on to our sets over the years because they have definitely stood the test of time in our family.

Giveaway

Magformers is giving away a Transform set, just like I reviewed! This giveaway is open to both US and Canadian residents. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway