Giveaways — Page 20

Grandma El’s Cloth-Safe Diaper Ointment Review & Giveaway

October 22, 2015 by Anne Marie 35 Comments

Last year I won a tube and a jar of Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Remedy & Prevention from Cloth Diaper Geek. Grandma El’s is a patented, pediatrician-recommended formula that you can use to protect, prevent and heal diaper rash. It’s an opaque, yellowish salve that goes on clear and won’t stain.

Grandma El’s has no particular fragrance added to it. However, it does have a naturally-occurring scent that I like (this is subjective, of course). If I could describe the scent I would say “A hint of Strawberry Shortcake.” If you grew up in the 80’s you’ll probably remember the pleasant, fruity smell of those little dolls. That being said, the way a rash cream smells is not a priority for me. I just want something affordable that works and is cloth-safe.

After using Grandma El’s for more than a year now, on our baby and our toddler, I can report that Grandma El’s works great for common diaper rash and minor skin irritations. As a bonus, it’s one of the most affordable cloth-safe balms available on the market today. It can also work as a light barrier ointment to prevent rash because it’s not as thick and hard to rinse out as other, heavier ointments. At the first hint of redness or a rash, I put on a light coat of Grandma El’s; the irritation is generally gone after a diaper change or two.

What are the ingredients? First of all, Grandma El’s is preservative-free, paraben-free, and phlalate-free. Ingredients include Amber Petrolatum (derived from natural mineral oil), Anhydrous Lanolin, Natural Vitamin E, Balsam of Peru Extracts and Salicylic Acid.

Petrolatum and lanolin form a protective barrier against wetness; Vitamin E and Salicylic Acid help to promote healing. Grandma El’s is also a semi-occlusive ointment, which means it is vapor-permeable or “breathable.”

Is it truly cloth diaper safe? Although marketed as cloth safe, and widely used by cloth diapering families with no issues, Grandma El’s does state on its site: “Grandma El’s is not responsible for possible damages to cloth diapers or clothes.” Why the qualification? Quite simply because there’s no way to control all the variables in any given situation.

The main ingredient in Grandma El’s is yellow petrolatum. It is derived from natural mineral oil, which is sometimes categorized as a “use with caution” ingredient with cloth diapers. Situations that might lead to repelling could be: (1) Not having a good wash routine with sufficiently hot water and adequate detergent/agitation/rinsing) and (2) When using synthetic diapers lined with microfleece.

Of course, lots of families (including ours) use Grandma El’s successfully with synthetic cloth diapers. Companies like Happy Heinys, Cotton Babies and SoftBums (who sell synthetic pockets) also recommend the ointment.

In my experience over the past year, we haven’t had any repelling. I apply Grandma El’s very lightly and have a solid wash routine that gets everything out. We use mostly bamboo flats and prefolds, plus some fleece-lined pockets, and it has rinsed out fine from both our natural and synthetic fabrics.

Courtney over at Diaper Wrecker put Grandma El’s to the test in a very basic experiment. Even after smearing huge globs of the ointment on a prefold and a bumGenius 4.0 (a synthetic diaper), there was no repelling. The rate of absorption barely changed after laundering as usual.

But if you still have concerns about yellow petrolatum, I would simply suggest that if using pockets or stay-dry AIO diapers, stick a liner in there.

Does Grandma El’s have other uses? Grandma El’s has been successfully used for other skin conditions including: mild burns, scars, eczema, chapped skin and lips, cracked skin and cradle cap. It also helps to soften the skin. I like using it on my heels in the winter.

When it comes to rash cream, most parents don’t find one cream that does it all. Occasionally, you have a rash or a skin problem that your “everyday cream” can’t fix. But most of us mamas have a go-to ointment we reach for regularly. For me, that ointment is Grandma El’s.

You can find Grandma El’s at Eyla’s Imports (update: closed), who is sponsoring today’s giveaway.

Where to Shop for Grandma El’s

Amazon
My Sweet Pickles
Lagoon Baby (Canada)

SUMMARY

What I Love About Grandma El’s:

At $9.99 for 2 ounces, it’s one of the most affordable cloth-safe balms I’ve tested.
It has other uses
I love the cute, boutique packaging
It’s non-staining and goes on clear
Great alternative for those who are sensitive to coconut oil
It lasts a long time. My 3.75 ounce jar is still half full after 5 months.
Made in the USA

What I Would Improve:

For a stubborn or severe rash, I usually have to switch to something stronger than Grandma El’s
A different (naturally-derived) fragrance for parents who don’t care for the light strawberry scent?

ENTER TO WIN

Eyla’s Imports is sponsoring a giveaway to my readers in the US and Canada! One winner gets a 2 oz. tube and 3.75 jar of ointment. GIVEAWAY CLOSED

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Rumparooz One-Size Pocket Diaper Review & Giveaway

October 1, 2015 by Anne Marie 104 Comments

The Rumparooz diaper cover was just featured on my blog two weeks ago. Now it’s time for another review. One of the most popular products that Rumparooz makes is a one-size pocket diaper. I won the “Perky Perennials” diaper in a Padded Tush Stats giveaway, and this gave me the opportunity to share our experiences on the blog. At the end of this post, find out how you can win a RaR pocket diaper in today’s Fall Fun giveaway hop!

Here are the basic features of the Rumparooz one-size pocket diaper:

Outer shell is made of waterproof thermally-bonded PUL.
Inside lining is white microchamois
The back of the waistband is elasticized.
The rise features 3 rows of snaps, which translates to 4 size settings (three snapped up and one completely open).
The wings close with double snaps.
Includes the exclusive Rumparooz 6r Soaker
Inner gusset/channel sewn into the fleece lining
Currently available in about 40 different colors and prints, in snap or hook & loop closure
Retail price starts at $23.95
Warranty: 6 months

Kanga Care/Rumparooz is located in Littleton, Colorado; products are made in different locations including the USA, Denmark and China.

This picture illustrates the 4 different size settings, which I would call newborn, small, medium and large. In the first picture below, I’ve placed it next to an actual newborn diaper for perspective.

The white microchamois lining is not only MUCH softer than your average microfleece or microsuede, it’s also hypoallergenic. The pocket opening is wide enough for easy stuffing. The patented inner gusset creates an elasticized channel for better containment of messes.

Each Rumparooz pocket comes with a unique microfiber 6r soaker. It’s a set that can be used together or separately.

In fact, there are 6 different settings, based on your baby’s size and absorbency needs. This chart from Rumparooz illustrates all the options. There are even recommended settings for boys and girls, since their “wet zones” vary.

Here’s another little thing that makes Rumparooz unique: the little kangaroo snaps.

Sizing: The Rumparooz pocket runs a bit smaller than the Rumparooz one-size cover. Compared to the Rumparooz cover, the Rumparooz pocket has a shorter rise, so keep that in mind if you’ve tried one product but not the other. Erik (my 2 year old toddler) can wear the cover just fine, but the pocket sits much lower on him (below).

Fit: I like the overall trim fit of this pocket diaper, the double snap closure and the soft microchamois inside and around the leg openings. And I like that it does not have the front elastic (so it stays more flat). Double snaps at the waist mean you can adjust around the legs and tummy separately. The thermally-bonded PUL is very soft and pliable and the wings have lots of stretch. The crotch area is a little wide compared to some of our other pockets, but the upside is it’s easier to stuff.

Here’s the Rumparooz pocket on 13-month-old Ingrid. She is short with chubby little legs.

Absorbency: The included soakers are made of 80% polyester/20% polymide. There are 3 layers in the newborn soaker and 3 layers in the adjustable soaker, giving you 6 altogether. So it’s about double what you typically get in a pocket diaper. This is a pocket diaper I was pleasantly surprised to find that Ingrid can wear all night long, and it has that comfortale stay-dry effect.

Ingrid is well past the days of runny poos and blow outs (she is almost 90 percent weaned from breastfeeding), but we do get a big mess every so often. Toddlers are adventurous eaters! The inner gussets in this diaper do help contain things better, especially when you have an active baby. However, if you don’t have a diaper sprayer, it will take some very vigorous dunking and swishing to rinse the gussets out. Flushable liners would be a good option in that instance.

If microfiber is not your thing, inserts are also available in hemp or bamboo. All Rumparooz inserts can be purchased separately.

Quality: This is a sturdy, well made and beautiful diaper with strong, evenly placed snaps. Rumparooz colors and prints are vibrant and appealing. I’m happy with the consistent quality of all the Rumparooz products we’ve tested so far.

You can shop for Rumparooz diapers at many diaper stores; here a few of my affiliates:

Kelly’s Closet
Diaper Junction
Nicki’s Diapers
Sweetbottoms Baby Boutique
Dearest Diapers
Moms Milk Boutique
Diaper Safari

Enter to win a Rumparooz pocket diaper in your choice of colors/prints (subject to availability) from Kangacare. Open to US and Canada. Also be sure to enter the grand prize giveaway (a Little Tikes Cook ‘n Store kitchen), hosted by The Anti-June Cleaver and Our Piece of Earth. And there are many other Fall Fun blog giveaways on the linky below!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Disclosure: The Anti-June Cleaver, Our Piece of Earth, and the rest of the bloggers participating in the Fall Fun giveaway hop are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations.

Rumparooz One-Size Diaper Cover Review & Giveaway

September 14, 2015 by Anne Marie 99 Comments

Rumparooz (RaR, as fans often say) is a well-known, designed in the USA, cloth diapering brand. My experience so far had been limited to the newborn cover, which we used on Erik. This year, I’ve been trying out the one-size Rumparooz cover on Erik (who is almost 3) and Ingrid (13 months).

Here are the basic features of the Rumparooz one-size diaper cover:

It’s made of waterproof thermally-bonded PUL.
Both the back and the front of the waistband are elasticized.
The inside is wipeable, which means you can reuse it a few times if it isn’t soiled with #2.
The rise features 3 rows of snaps, which translates to 4 size settings (three snapped up and one completely open).
The wings close with double snaps.
Currently available in about 40 (yes you read that right!) different colors and prints, in snap or hook & loop closure
Retail price is $14.00
There are double gussets around the legs (a second, inner elasticized band)
Warranty: 6 months

The print I chose is called Invader and has a retro-gamer design. Rumparooz diapers have a cute, molded plastic tag with the signature jumping kangaroo. Very cute!

Looking at the cover opened up, you can see there’s extra PUL fabric on the inside where the snaps are placed. There’s also a little waterproof patch that is placed right where the tag is sewn on, presumably to protect against wicking through the seams.

Here are pictures of the cover opened up at four different sizes, with different sizes of flats and prefolds for comparison:

Sizing: I would estimate the four rise settings to be small, medium, large and extra large. As mentioned above, Rumparooz does have a separate newborn cover.

Overall, the Rumparooz runs true to size in terms of a one-size diaper. Just like the newborn cover we used on Erik, however, there is a lot of extra fabric in the rear. As with other one-size diapers, you may have to wait a while for this one-size cover to fit and perform well on a petite or very thin baby. However, it also means Rumparooz is a brand I would highly recommend for chunky babies, for toddlers, and for wearing over thick diapers.

Fit: I like how the Rumparooz cover fits overall, but could do without the front elastic. On my smaller children, even after I get this cover fitting correctly, there’s still extra fabric in the rear and around the legs that sacrifices some visual appeal. Double snaps at the waist mean you can adjust around the legs and tummy separately. The PUL is very soft and pliable and the wings have a lot of stretch.

Here’s the Rumparooz cover on my two little ones. Ingrid is 13 months and short, but has very chubby legs and a round little tummy. The Rumparooz comfortably hugs all her little rolls just fine. 🙂

Erik’s my slim little toddler, who will be 3 this December. He’s wearing the rise at what I call “extra large,” with the cover completely unsnapped.

You can shop for Rumparooz diapers at many diaper stores; here a few of my affiliates:

Kelly’s Closet
Diaper Junction
Nicki’s Diapers
Sweetbottoms Baby Boutique
Dearest Diapers
Moms Milk Boutique
Diaper Safari

And here’s a quick summary of my thoughts on the Rumparooz one-size cover.

WHAT I LIKE BEST:

The elastic is very strong while at the same time the leg openings are snug and comfortable.
The thermally-bonded PUL is soft and pliable; the inside of the cover doesn’t feel sticky.
The double snaps at the waist help to keep the wings from curling back, and the wings stretch generously for a good fit.
The double gussets are great at holding in number two messes.
The quality is outstanding, prints and colors are bright and appealing
They are made in the USA.
It’s a roomy cover that fits well over fitteds, prefolds, flats or whatever else I feel like putting inside.
It’s performed great overnight with no leaking.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE AS MUCH: The front elastic is my least favorite feature on this cover because the fabric puckers and doesn’t stay flat. For us, it hasn’t improved fit or function because neither Erik nor Ingrid have the messy blow outs that come up the front of the diaper like in their early nursing days. But I do know that many mothers like the front elastic feature on a diaper. Since there aren’t any flaps in this cover to hold padfolded diapers or inserts in place, so I’ve found it performs much better when we’re using fitteds, or when we fasten the diapers on them a Boingo or Snappi.

As if there wasn’t already a huge selection of prints and colors, Rumparooz just recently announced yet another one! It’s an exclusive print to be revealed this Thursday, September 17th. UPDATE: Here it is!! A navy nautical print called “Admiral.”

Enter my giveaway for a Rumparooz one-size cover in your choice of in-stock prints and colors at Nickis’ Diapers! Open to my readers in both US and Canada. Good luck!

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Geffen Baby Flat Diapers and Wipes Review & Giveaway

September 2, 2015 by Anne Marie 98 Comments

Lots of flat diapers have been featured on the blog this year! Today’s review features a unique, made-in-the-USA diaper: hemp jersey flats from my affiliate, Geffen Baby. Geffen flats are available in one size, with light green stitching around the edges. Each flat diaper retails for $8.50. I’ll also share my experiences with Geffen Baby cloth wipes, which come in packages of 10 and are made of the same jersey fabric but with darker green stitching.

Stock images courtesy Geffen Baby

Hemp Jersey Flat

Made of 60% hemp and 40% organic cotton, this flat measures about 24.5″ by 26.5″ before washing. It’s not an exact square, but that is typical with many natural fiber diapers. After washing, my Geffen flat shrank to about 23″ by 25.5.” The serged edges do curl up after washing and drying and don’t stay flat; this may bother some but it’s not a concern to me.

Pad folded, the Geffen Baby flat diaper measures about 11″ by 4.75″ inches.

It’s very close in size when folded to the Geffen Baby hemp jersey prefold – size small. So the size range for the Geffen flat diaper is roughly 0 to 6 months.

A Boingo or Snappi works “ok” with the smooth hemp jersey, but doesn’t grip as tightly as I would like. A diaper pin is ideal. However you decide to fasten, the Geffen flat will only work for a small baby. And since I don’t have a newborn or small baby right now (Ingrid is over a year old), I’ll demo on a baby doll. 🙂

We didn’t use fasteners at all. I mainly used our Geffen flat diapers pad folded in Ingrid’s newborn covers and small covers. When she reached “medium” size, the flat was too small to give adequate coverage and absorbency. Since it’s only offered in one size right now, I will definitely say that a larger size is on my “hope” list. However, I know that increasing the size while keeping the price affordable is a delicate balance.

We really love the softness, smoothness and absorbency of these Geffen flats; as a bonus, they wash and dry more quickly and easily than the multi-layered Geffen prefolds. And of course, we love supporting a USA-made product!

Since Geffen flats do run small, you can repurpose them as a doubler, burp cloth, lovey, etc.

If you want a much bigger flat, the new Geffen Baby Fladdle (hemp fleece diaper/blanket) is about 30″ square. I personally prefer the smooth jersey over the fleece, however. The Fladdle is also priced a bit more at $12.48 each.

Hemp Jersey Wipes

I also purchased a pack of single-layer Geffen Baby hemp jersey wipes to try out. They are made of the same fabric as the flat diaper (a smooth hemp/cotton blend). After washing and drying they are about 8″ by 7.5″ inches, so again, not a perfect square. They are $12.34 for a package of ten, which is a really great deal.

Since they are one thin layer, these hemp jersey wipes are easy to store and don’t take up much room like bulkier/thicker wipes do. The hemp-blend fabric is super durable. They get most jobs done just fine, but for big messes I prefer a wipe with a nubbier texture. If you also like to have some cloths on hand with a little bit of scrubbing power, Geffen Baby does have a hemp/French terry wipe. It’s on my “to try” list.

Please share your thoughts and questions about Geffen Baby below, and enter to win a flat diaper and package of wipes for yourself! This giveaway is open to USA residents only. Good luck!

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Funky Fluff “Lux” Diaper Review and Giveaway

August 26, 2015 by Anne Marie 97 Comments

Note: Funky Fluff diapers are no longer sold.

It’s time for another review, this one courtesy of Funky Fluff diapers. I received a complimentary Bamboo Lux diaper in the Maritime print. This new design (3.0) design replaces the current 2.0.

Here are the basic features of the new LUX line:

One-size shell/cover adjusts to fit from 7 to 35+ pounds
Double row of wing snaps allow for both waist and leg adjustments
Crossover snaps for a snug fit on newborns, plus hip snaps to keep the diaper from sagging
Waterproof PUL strip on the inside front of the waistband for extra protection against leaks
Available in two styles: Stay Dry (lined with suedecloth) for $14.95 and Bamboo for $15.95
Use with Funky Fluff bamboo terry LUX soakers, available in a set with small and large

The major changes in the new LUX line are:

The complete retirement of microfiber as an absorbent material in Funky Fluff inserts.
A new shape for inserts: they are now contoured
New insert options: choose LUX bamboo or deLUX hemp.
Wide across the front to better accommodate the contoured inserts, and to make stuffing easier
The back of the snaps are now lined on the inside with PUL for extra protection
The elastics are softer and more durable

The diaper is lined with bamboo terry. There are openings at both the front and the back, if you want to use it as a pocket diaper. If you want to opt for the AIO or AI2 style, use the snap at the back to secure the soaker. Or, just lay the soakers in the diaper and don’t bother with snapping or stuffing at all. It’s a very versatile system.

These photos show the different ways you can use it. Inserts inside, snapped in, or just laid on top:

The bamboo terry pads are are made of a silky soft fabric blend of 80% bamboo and 20% polyester. You can use solo or snap one onto the other, to double up for more absorbency. Small is 5 layers of fabric and measures about 12 inches long; large is 6 layers of fabric at about 14 inches long. The edges are double-stitched for durability.

The previous (2.0) soaker is shown below, to illustrate how the shape has changed from rectangle to hourglass.

Performance: As with the previous bamboo Funky Fluff diaper we reviewed, absorbency is stellar. When a diaper is lined with bamboo that gives you one bonus layer of material within the diaper itself. Add to that a 5 and 6 layer soaker snapped together, and you have 12 layers to absorb. It can definitely work as an overnight diaper. For a trimmer fit and the same excellent performance, use just one insert in the day time. I also think the new contour shape is great, since there’s a bigger area for absorbency.

The softer elastics are perfect for Ingrid’s chubby legs. I have noticed they are more gentle than the previous version. The PUL strip at the inside front of the diaper is a bit bigger now, and that’s great news for tummy sleepers.

Care: Bamboo is one of my favorite diapering fabrics. It’s easy to prep (usually just takes 1 or 2 washes) but is very thirsty AND soft. Bamboo does stain more easily than microfiber or microfleece, however.

If you choose to snap in the boosters, good news! They will stay fastened in the wash (at least mine did). So this is a diaper that will function like an AIO, if you want. I like keeping the boosters attached at all times; it’s one less thing for me to search for and match up when diapers come out of the dryer.

Sizing: With 4 sets of snaps on the rise, Funky Fluff LUX has a more generous size range than many other “one size” diapers. We’ve always been able to use our Funky Fluff diapers from birth until potty training, with no problems in terms of fit OR absorbency. It’s one of the few diapers that I find myself recommending for both chunky AND skinny babies, because it’s highly adjustable. Not only do you have the 4 sets of rise snaps, but with double snaps on the wings, you can adjust both legs and waist separately to get a better fit.

When I said it fit great on all ages and stages, I wasn’t kidding! Erik will be 3 in December and it still fits just fine.

Ingrid is now 13 months old and just taking her first steps.

My only issue with Funky Fluff’s design, as mentioned in a previous review, is that a 3rd row of rise snaps would be nice. This would help the front to lie flat and not pucker out, which tends to happen more as my baby starts moving around.