Zephyr Hill

A Family Blog

BabyKicks Basic Pocket Diaper Review & Giveaway

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My thanks to Bringing Home Baby for sending a diaper to us in exchange for a review!

Today’s review and giveaway is brought to you by a sweet friend named Miryam who owns the Bringing Home Baby store. Let me introduce you to Miryam by way of a brief little interview!

Q= How did the Bringing Home Baby Store get its start?

Our family is passionate about natural and eco-friendly baby care. We started cloth diapering our son at birth, breastfeed, baby wear, and choose natural care products. When we decided it would be best for our family if Miryam should change from being a corporate warrior to a work at home mom, we decided to open a home based business. Opening a business catering to similar minded parents seemed to be a natural choice.

Q= As a business owner, what are you most passionate about?

Helping families make informed choices about child care. There are so many small things that families can integrate into their baby care routines that are easy and even money saving, and that are also healthier and better for the environment. That’s why we offer not only our website, blog, and (occasional) live customer chat, but are sponsoring community events concerning public breastfeeding rights and baby wearing education this summer.

Q= What are some of your favorite products from the Bringing Home Baby store?

Our diaper stash is mostly made up of the products we carry. I love my cloth diaper stash perhaps a little too much, especially the itti bitti diapers. They’re covered in minky fabric. I also can’t stop touching our Wrapsody Bali Baby Stretch baby wrap. It’s so soft and nice!

Q= What do you feel sets Bringing Home Baby apart from other online stores?

We do cloth diapers, but also carry products that cater to parents who need other specialty products and try to work as much as possible with other small family owned businesses. For example, we carry lots of products like Bamboobies nursing pads, Ruby Moon detergents, Wrapsody baby carriers, and Kozy Carriers that come from companies that are mom owned. We also carry lots of vegan skin care products and organic layette.

Q= Do you have any advice to share with cloth diapering mothers?

Smile and love it. Be confident in your choices. You know that you’re doing the right thing for your family.

 

—–And now for the review—–

First of all, let me mention some very unique things you’ll find at Bringing Home Baby:

  • Baby registry
  • Gift baskets for babies and mothers and gift certificates
  • Local delivery
  • Cloth diapering education
  • The Bringing Home Baby Blog
  • Earth-friendly baby product parties!

Let me introduce you to the diaper that Miryam so kindly sent us to review. It’s the *brand new* BabyKicks Basic Pocket Diaper!

It’s lined with soft, stay-dry microfleece and includes an absorbent insert which is 2 layers of microfiber and 2 layers of hemp.

We received the velcro-closure diaper which I have really enjoyed because it’s so quick to get on Samuel (30 pounds) and provides an excellent fit even on his chubby little legs and tummy. The aplix is also not rough and scratchy, but actually rather smooth and it doesn’t seem to snag very easily.

It’s very trim from any angle!

Here’s the BabyKicks Basic snapped up to the first setting to fit Susanna (18 pounds):

And here’s the diaper snapped down and fastened to its very smallest (newborn) setting:

Features that I really like in the BabyKicks Basic:

  • It’s a one-size diaper that should fit from 7 to 40 pounds (it worked great for both Samuel and Susanna and I plan to try it on my newborn in January!)
  • The one-size insert is made from a very absorbent combination of microfiber and hemp terry (I love hemp!)
  • Because the insert is 2 sided, you can either stuff it in the pocket, or lay the hemp side right up against baby’s skin.
  • The snapping version makes an ideal pull-up trainer for toddlers. Samuel is just starting to express interest in this!
  • The pocket opening is wider than it was on previous versions.
  • The pocket opening is in the FRONT (hooray!) because we all know that most messes usually end up at the back and who wants to pull an insert out that way?
In addition to all of these cute color choices, you can also also get the BabyKicks Basic in black!

Overall, we really like the BabyKicks Basic Pocket Diaper! The combination of hemp and microfiber is very absorbent, and the insert doesn’t take that long to dry like it would if all four layers were hemp. The stretchy velcro tabs give a comfortable and completely customized fit.

Is there anything I would change about this diaper? I think it would be great if BabyKicks included 1 newborn/small insert made of the same hemp/microfiber combo (without making the diaper more expensive). When putting this diaper on a really little one, you have to fold down the insert which makes the fit more bulky. I’m pretty sure that when I try it on my newborn, I’m going to have to use a different insert than what came with the diaper.

I’d also love to see more color choices like purple and pink and gray!

 

 

 

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Disana Wool Diaper Cover Review & Giveaway

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I’ve cloth diapered for 4 years and love natural fabrics and yet I’ve never tried wool until now. Why is that? Probably for the same reasons that lots of other mothers have resisted, namely:

  • Wool is more expensive
  • Wool requires special care
  • Wool requires special detergent
  • Wool takes a really long time to dry

So if you are one who is hesitating, I completely understand! However, thanks to Little Spruce Organics, I am now the proud owner of a beautiful Disana wool cover in size large. I will share my experience as a newcomer to wool below, but first let me introduce our sponsor.

Little Spruce Organics is strongly committed to selling natural products so that what touches baby’s skin is pure and safe. They are very particular about what is sold in the store, so you can be sure that what you buy is superior quality and always organic. Little Spruce is a family-owned business that hails from the beautiful state of Colorado. Bethany Grosser, founder and owner, created her store after doing lots of research to find out what would be safest and best for her own baby.

Bethany has a great page at the Little Spruce website that explains why choosing organic for your family is so important. And you can interact with Little Spruce Organics any time at their Facebook page.

Now, here’s what my Disana cover looks like: It’s very different from the PUL covers I’m used to. There were a lot of colors to choose from (blue, red, orange, plum, green, etc.) but I ended up just picking “natural,” because it looked so pure and simple.

When I first pulled it out of the package, the softness and pliability of the wool really surprised me. I assumed it would be somewhat scratchy, but that wasn’t true at all. It felt like a finely knitted sweater.

But why the odd shape? Well, the Disana cover is made of very soft, merino wool and it’s designed to hug baby comfortably yet snugly. That way, it helps to keep leaks and blowouts at bay. The waistband, which might look huge at first glance, can be folded over for a better fit.

I was impressed by the product description for the Disana. Things that stood out to me:

  • Once it is prepped and ready for use, you will have no leaks at all – even overnight!
  • Wool soakers are naturally antibacterial.
  • Wool does not soil easily and does not retain odors, so it does not need to be washed very frequently.

Sounds like something worth trying, right? Even my absolute favorite PUL cover (the Flip) has leaked on random occasions. And PUL, being a man-made textile, is not naturally antibacterial. Plus, PUL and other synthetic fabrics have a greater tendency to hold on to stink and require stripping from time to time.

So how did my first try with wool turn out? Well, first of all, let’s see the cover on Samuel. He’s 2 years old and weighs 27 pounds. Under the Disana cover is a fitted diaper. You can also use pinned or Snappied prefolds under the Disana cover.

I think the Disana soaker has a really cute fit! And because the soaker doubles as a pair of “shorties,” your little one can wear it around the house on a warm day with no top.

And now to the results!

My first order of business was to wash and lanolize my new wool cover. This was super easy, so my assumption that wool is complicated to take care of was completely wrong.

I used CJ’s Wool Wash in the warm vanilla sugar scent because it lanolizes wool while you’re washing it. Little Spruce Organics also sells Eucalan Wool Wash which is enriched with lanolin and comes in four varieties: eucalyptus, grapefruit, lavender and unscented.

I filled my kitchen sink full of warm water, squeezed a nickel-sized amount of CJ’s onto the soaker and gently worked it into the fabric. I swished it in the water and left it to soak for 30 minutes. After very gently squeezing out the excess water, I laid it out on a bath towel and rolled it up to soak up more water. And then I left it flat to dry. That was all!

Wool takes about 2 days to fully dry, on average. That was true for our Disana soaker. I turned it once during the drying process. I don’t have a drying rack, but I’m sure that would have sped up the drying time.

Because wool does take longer to dry, it makes sense to have more than one cover on hand. The payoff is that wool is so incredibly absorbent. Many mothers have found it’s only fabric that will keep their heavy wetters dry all night.

My Disana wool cover made it through night time with flying colors. Absolutely no leaks at all. Even better, it was not saturated and stinky like my PUL covers are after a long night. It is incredible to me that we can use this soaker over and over again without having to wash it, even after night time.

We used the Disana cover for about 3 weeks on Samuel before it needed laundering. Talk about a time-saver and a money-saver!

Although my Disana was a little large for Susanna who is just 10 months old and 17 pounds, it still kept her dry because of the way the knit fabric hugs the body.

Let’s just say that after using the Disana soaker for a month, I now know why it consistently gets 5 star ratings from online reviewers!

Things we love most about our Disana cover:

  • It’s absolutely bulletproof overnight, and that’s even when we really pushed the limits, going 12 hours or more without a change.
  • Being able to go weeks without laundering saves this busy mother of 5 (with one on the way) a lot of time and hassle.
  • Having a cover that becomes more absorbent over time, rather than breaking down and “delaminating” with time, will also save us money in the long run.
  • The soft knitted leg bindings mean no red marks are ever left on baby’s skin, even if he/she is very chunky!

I don’t have any complaints about the Disana soaker. It performed perfectly and actually exceeded all my expectations.

I have a newfound respect for wool and I hope my review will be helpful to those mothers who’ve been curious about this amazing natural fabric, but afraid to take the plunge.

Fortunately, the Disana wool soaker is very reasonably priced! You can purchase the Disana wool soaker at Little Spruce Organics today starting at just $27.35 and get an additional 20% off with my exclusive coupon code ZH20. No minimum purchase is required.

While you are at Little Spruce Organics, be sure to check out their fabulous selection of organic and natural products, including diapers, toys, bath & body, clothing, bedding and breastfeeding accessories.

And you can enter to win a Disana soaker in your choice of size and color! Enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

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New Creation Apparel Skirt Review & Giveaway

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I love to wear skirts! They are warm in the winter, cool in the summer and are very flattering and feminine. Who doesn’t enjoy wearing something with a touch of grace, and a bit of twirl? Although I’m seeing more and more skirts in stores these days, which is great, a lot are on the shorter side. Really short. The graceful silhouette of a longer skirt is a classic look that will never go out of style.

I don’t go for the “extreme” styles that pop up in stores each season. Not only are they likely to become dated very quickly and pushed to the back of my closet, but they are usually designed for size 2 pre-teen bodies and not for the average woman on the streets.

Luckily, I discovered New Creation Apparel a few years back. Their website is full of beautiful skirts in classic styles for both normal wear and for expectant mothers. And prices are great, ranging from $22 to $35. There’s also a huge sale and clearance section with skirts as low as $11!

Here’s a skirt which was designed in response to requests from New Creation customers. The Neah skirt comes in khaki, navy, gray and brown and features a cute flounce at the bottom. It’s practical, but very cute!

What I really appreciate while ordering skirts at New Creation is the option of selecting the length I want. They offer a wide selection of styles, sizes and lengths to accommodate different body shapes and sizes.  Most New Creation skirts are available in women’s sizes 2-24, and you can choose from lengths of 33″, 36″ and 39″. So whether you are average, tall or petite you can find just the right length.

And for mothers who are shopping for their daughters, New Creation will be re-stocking “size o” very soon, which was added by popular demand! And many more women’s styles will be coming in June, so make sure you bookmark the site.

Sigrid Peterson, who co-owns New Creation, very generously let me pick out a skirt to review for my readers and I chose the Diagonal Stretch Denim, which is one their most popular:

It retails for $33 and is available in a wide range of sizes and varying lengths. After receiving my skirt and trying it out for a few days, I quickly learned why it’s so popular with New Creation customers. The denim is sturdy, but fits very smoothly, and the diagonal cut is very flattering. I also love the plain flat waistband and nearly invisible side zipper.

Honestly, this is already one of my favorite skirts! It’s much more interesting than your average denim skirt, and the dark fabric is very forgiving (think: grimy toddler hands and splatters in the kitchen). It can be dressed up or down and will easily carry over into fall and winter with a cute pair of boots.

And there are so many other great choices at New Creation! I can’t post them all here, but this is a beautiful maternity skirt that my sister recently bought and she has worn it frequently this spring. It looks really sharp paired with a black top and is perfect for church or special occasions:

And this beautiful floral skirt with a flounced hem is on sale for just $25. There are only a few sizes left of this one, so you’ll have to hurry!

One of my readers will get to pick an in stock skirt of choice at New Creation! Just enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

 

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Sew Silly Designs AI2 Diaper Review & Giveaway

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Today I’m going to introduce you to Sew Silly Designs which is owned by a talented lady named Kammie who impressed me right off because I discovered that not all of the beautiful diapers she makes are for infants and young children. Kammie can also sew for special needs. In fact, the first diapers and covers that she made when her business first started were for an autistic 16-year-old boy.  Kammie says “I started this business to help my husband meet our financial needs to build our vision for our family. My goal in this business is to be able to raise awareness for the benefits of cloth and natural products.”

You’ll find lots of cute fitteds and one-size AI2 diapers in the Sew Silly shop, but Kammie also accepts custom orders if you don’t see what you need.

Here’s the one-size AI2 diaper that Kammie sent us:

It comes with an insert made of 4 thirsty layers of hemp fleece topped with 1 layer of soft cotton velour. Folded in half it fits perfectly inside the diaper. I told Kammie this print made me think of the old nursery rhyme “snakes and snails and puppy dog tails.” That describes my Samuel perfectly!

Here’s a close-up of the back:

And this picture shows the diaper opened up so you can see the cotton velour inner lining. This fabric feels just like velvet to the touch. There is a hidden layer of PUL in the AI2 which makes it waterproof.

And here’s the diaper on Samuel.

It’s not bulky at all:

With a few snap adjustments, it fits great on Susanna (9 months):

Here are some of the things we really liked about our Sew Silly Designs AI2 diaper:

  • The waistband and leg gussets are snug yet gentle and great at keeping messes contained.
  • The outer fabric print is one-of-a-kind and a real conversation-starter!
  • The 3-layer diaper shell dries very quickly
  • With an extra insert added, the Sew Silly AI2 makes a very absorbent nighttime diaper.

There was only one thing I found that I would change about this diaper:

  • The wings curl back and don’t stay flat when fastened so maybe two snaps (one of top of the other) would help them stay put?

I would highly recommend Sew Silly Designs to any mother who is searching for high-quality, super soft and cozy diapers for their little ones, especially if you like something unique and made with love by a mother who is helping to support her family. The AI2 is $19.50 and includes one hemp velour insert.

And now, there’s a chance for you to win a Sew Silly Designs diaper of your own! Just enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

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Sweet Pea AI3 One-Size Diaper Review & Giveaway

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After 4 years of cloth diapering, I’ve never tried an “All in Three” diaper until now, thanks to Nancy at Sweet Pea Diapers! Our package included the cute one-size owl-print shell and the following inserts:

  • A super absorbent 3-layer 70% bamboo/30% cotton soaker that snaps into the cover (it has gathered gussets at the center)
  • A 2-layer microfiber doubler topped with soft stay-dry micro fleece that snaps into the soaker pad
  • 2 disposable/biodegradable liners

This great AI3 bundle retails for $22.95, which is an excellent value for what you receive. This picture shows the shell, microfiber insert and bamboo soaker. The two inserts are different sizes, but when stacked together and snapped into the shell, they fit perfectly in the cover:

I love the bamboo soaker is contoured to make it more trim-fitting up front.

And just like the covers I love so much, my Sweet Pea AI3 shell is completely waterproof and able to be used multiple times before laundering (as long as baby doesn’t make a big mess). It also has a handy little fabric loop for hang-drying. But one of my favorite things about Sweet Pea diapers is the stretchy, comfortable waistband. I’ve tried a lot of diapers and covers, and never found any that adjust so well and fit so snugly like the Sweet Peas do.

Here’s the Sweet Pea AI3 on Susanna (8 months and almost 17 pounds):

And on Samuel who is 2 years old and 27 pounds:

A close-up of the Sweet Pea on Samuel – see how cute and trim it is?

A view from the side on Susanna, so you can see that even with 2 thick inserts it’s not very bulky:

I think it’s a really nice touch that Sweet Pea throws in the 2 disposable/biodegradable inserts with the AI3. A lot of cloth diapering mothers have never tried liners before and they can really come in handy. I only just discovered them this year and they help to catch toddler Sam’s messy diapers that are very predictable and happen around the same time each day. It’s nice to flush 90% of the mess down my toilet; most of the time, no dunking/swishing is needed!

The Sweet Pea AI3 diaper comes in this cute owl print, plus a lot of beautiful solid colors: indigo blue, black, white, yellow and apple green.

The only drawback to this diaper that I’ve found is the really long drying time for the bamboo/cotton soaker. But then again, it’s super absorbent and fabrics which hold a lot of fluid (like wool and hemp, for instance) just take longer to dry. Even though I sometimes have to leave the soaker on the line much longer or do an extra cycle in the dryer, I think the extra absorbency is worth it. Plus, I really do love the soft natural fabric.

I would highly recommend the Sweet Pea AI3 to any mama, and of course, any of the other great diapering products in the Sweet Pea line-up. Now that this diaper company is in both Canada and the United States, customers can expect their packages in just a few short days.

My top pick for buying Sweet Pea diapers is Buttercup Baby because when I shop there I earn Buttercup Bucks to use for future diaper purchases, and Audrey always throws a little “freebie” in every package! She sells the Sweet Pea AI3 as well as the Sweet Pea covers which are only $10.95!

Enter using the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win a Sweet Pea AI3 of your own. Good luck!

 

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