Down to earth baby's blog

Amber Teething Necklace Review

Amber Teething Necklace/Anklets Review

 

When my son was about 3 months old I noticed his very easy going personality was overtaken by a cranky, non sleeping baby. Not that he ever slept well, but it is easier to take care of a happy baby when you are sleep deprived then taking care of a cranky one. While looking thru forums I started reading about Amber teething necklaces. It seemed too good to be true. All the women using them for their kids said they worked like miracles for teething and overall discomfort. That day I bought one online. I told my husband about it and he was very skeptical. 

It arrived and I put it on my son. That day he napped 2 hours straight! Previously he only cat napped 10-15minutes here and there during the day. But with the magic necklace he was sleeping for a good long stretch. His drooling almost stopped (he used to soak shirts in a matter of minutes) and he became my happy baby again. I was SHOCKED and so was my husband. That is why I had to carry some amber teething necklaces and anklets for my store. 

These ones are custom made by a very sweet mama from Happy Dance Designs. She put time and love into making them and you can tell, from the beautiful colour combinations to the delicate knots between chips to prevent them from scattering if the anklet happens to break. My son is wearing one on his ankle all the time now, he started grabbing at the necklace at a year, and I am also wearing one around my ankle. Amber has also been good for head aches, joint pain, PMS and more.

If you have a teething baby this is a must have for you! 

Check them out on our website!

 

Bumgenius 3.0 Review

Bumgenius 3.0 Review

I remember buying my very first BG 3.0. I was about 20 weeks along, and I went into a store in the town my mom lives in and bought myself a light yellow one. It was my first diaper I purchased brand new. I had read rave's about the BG diaper for a while and I knew I needed a few for my stash. I didn't use it until my son was about 8 weeks old. It just looked so huge. When I snapped it all the way down and just used the newborn insert it was surprisingly trim fitting. I added more and more of these to my stash of diapers. They are my bullet proof nighttime option. I have never had a leak in these. I switched to nighttime cloth diapering at around 8 weeks, and in the first week I had to use a disposable and my son leaked thru it, but has never leaked in one of these.

You will find a ton of reviews of these diapers. They are very popular, and some of the common complaints are the velcro (make sure to fold over the velcro onto the tabs when washing) and the stink that the microfiber sometimes gets. But overall they are a well fitting, durable, bulletproof diaper options. If you are looking for a nighttime option, or just an easy to use pocket diaper you need to try a few of these.

  

GAD Review

Green Acre Design Diapers

 

I have only been in the world of cloth diapers for just over a year. There are many diapers out there I have no tried, and up until a month ago that included GAD diapers. I have found they are a popular diaper, and so I got one for my little guy for his first birthday. First it took me days to decide which colours to get. It came down to my husband putting his foot down and deciding for me. There are too many cute colour  combinations available.

I am a onesize diaper girl. I love them. I like the fact that, well they are one size. GAD's are sized, and I have found the fit is much better and trimmer in a sized diaper as compared to one size diapers. Especially since my little guy, is just that, little. At under 16lbs he does get a bulky look in many diapers, this diaper was nice and trim and fit great around the legs. I am also not used to side snapping diapers. The benefit of the side snapping is no wing droop and can be harder for kids to get off (once they master that skill). 

When I started my business I was told I had to try these. They were the "Cadillac" of cloth diapers. They are superbly made with quality products by a great WAHM mom. I recommend adding a few of these pocket diapers to you stash. The side snapping takes a bit to get used to, but there will be no worn out velcro in the months to come!

  

 

Swim Baby

Review for Monkey Doodlez Swim Diapers

The snow has melted (well almost), the lake is unfreezing and spring is around the corner. It is the perfect time to find a swim diaper for your little one to wear at the pool and to the beach. Buying those regular disposable swim diapers is expensive and to get an hour of use out of it doesn't make much sense? It can get pricey! If you get a swim diaper or two they will last you for months.

I tested the Monkey Doodlez Swim diapers. There is no snaps or velcro, just pull the diaper on like a pull up. It is very easy to use. And who doesn't love the adorable patterns on the backs of these diapers? I had to get a blowfish one for my son to test. For a skinny guy I got him the medium, so he was at the lowest weight for that size and it fits him great. The elastic is snug around the leg and the waist. Unlike the disposable swim diapers, the elastic will hold in any unexpected accidents. 

I have tested this diaper a few times and I love it. No need to put a bathing suit over top, it is cute enough by itself. It is easy to get on and off and it holds in accidents. The price is great on these, buy 1 or 2 and they will last you for months and save you a ton of money. The best part is you can resell them once your baby has outgrown them! My favourite part of reuseable diapers is not having to toss them in the garbage once you have used them.

Your swim baby needs a few of these! He or she will have a stylish bum on the beach and in the water.
 

  

Cloth wipes, who would have thought?

In 3 days it will be my 1 year cloth diapering mark! I switched to cloth diapers at night shortly after, switched to cloth going out and about soon after that (I used gDiapers disposable inserts before that) and then I switched to cloth wipes. I had 1 box (with the 4 packs inside) and said as soon as I was done with them I was switching. Just 1 pack into the wipes it made NO sense to me why I was throwing my diapers in my wet bag and then going to toss the wipes in the garbage. It would be so much easier to throw it all in one place.

So I reached into my sons drawer and took out a receiving blanket and cut it into rectangles. Not very pretty. They frayed in the wash (only for a bit) and ta-da. I made my own wipe solution for a while with oil and baby shampoo, and then I came across wipe cubes. They smell great and you add them with some water and you have instant wipe solution. I use a squirt bottle, I add a cube, some water and depending on how dirty the diaper I spray the wipes before I start changing. It saves money and trash.

Also cloth wipes clean up those poopy messes so much easier! I use 2-3 wipes for a huge mess compared to the 7 or 8 it took before.

Want to give it a try? Check out my favourite work at home mama soap bits! Monkey Butt Soap bits. They sound good enough to eat (okay maybe not the Monkey Fart scent!)

See them here

A year ago

A year ago today, I was just 24 hours away from going into labor. I am having a hard time accepting my baby will be 1 soon. Right now he has climbed into his sisters 4ft barbie house and shoving barbie clothes into his mouth.

I have been neglecting my blog, and twitter and my facebook lately. My poor dude caught his first cold and then gave it to me. I am collecting pictures from my last almost year of cloth diapering to post by next week, so stay tuned.

I have been busy trying out new products, looking forward to getting out Baby Hawks, baby leg warmers and cloth wipe solution in this week! (well hopefully if customs is being speedy) Check out the website www.cloth-diaper.ca for all the new items arriving. Also if you aren't a friend on facebook, become one. I will be doing a giveaway soon :)

 

One type diaper gal?

When I first decided to cloth diaper I got overwhelmed by all the different types out there. Prefolds/Fitteds/Pockets/AIO, AI2's, etc. I had no idea what I wanted to use. I searched out for different type of diapers and my newborn stash was a bit of everything. I had newborn prefolds, thirsties covers, happy heinys, Bumgenius 3.0's, gDiapers, Very Baby All in 1's. After playing around for a bit I realized I liked the prefolds and covers route. It was cheaper, and they didn't a while to dry. And then I used Bumgenius 3.0's for nighttime.

I sold off my newborn stash and grew my mediums to covers and prefolds and enough Bumgenius to go overnight. Then I started hearing about new systems. Like an all in two system. I had to try that. And I love the AI2's. Just remove the insert, snap in a new one and you are good to go. Then summer came along and my DS broke out in a heat rash from the PUL. I then become a fan of fitteds. 

Now looking at my stash it is a mismosh of all sorts. Some days I feel like putting a hemp or bamboo fitted on him. Then other days I feel like using prefolds and covers. On a day when we are out and about a lot I use AI2's, and then a reliable pocket for nighttime.

It is a bit chaotic looking, but it works for us. I love the wide variety of our diaper stash. So what about you? Do you have one type you love or do you have a wide selection to keep changing diapers exciting?

Review for Sweet Pea Pockets and AI3

I love trying out new diapers. I have been trying out the Sweet Pea One size pocket diaper and the Sweet Pea One size AI3 diapers, and here is a review on the two diapers.

 

 
The Sweet Pea One Size Pocket

The One Size pocket diaper comes in 10 beautiful colours. I have been wanting a nice bright yellow diaper and now I have one in my collection. The one size diaper fit my 15lb son very well. I found it trim and not overly bulky, which happens with some one size diapers. This pocket diaper is unique with the open pocket flaps at the front and the back of the diaper. At first I had no idea what the reason was behind this, until I inquired about it, and it is so you don't have to remove the soaking wet insert from the diaper before you wash it. It will come out in the washing machine and get clean. I hate sticking my hand into the diaper to pull out a wet insert, this saves me from having to do this.

Another huge selling feature on these diapers is the price. A good quality diaper, that is a one size as well. To do an entire stash of these diapers would not cost you a ton of money and they will diaper your baby until they are potty trained.

Here are some action shots of Luke wearing his Sweet Pea pocket

 

The Sweet Pea All in 3

 

This is a great system! It is a wonderful onesize diaper cover with inserts that snap into the cover, once they are wet or soiled, simply unsnap and add a new insert in. This cuts down on the laundry by only washing a few covers and mostly inserts. It also makes it more affordable. The "3" part of the All in 3 classification comes from the Bummis disposable liner on top. It can be thrown out of flushed with the mess, making washing up the diapers easier, no need for a diaper sprayer and less chance of getting stains on your diaper inserts.

 It is a little bulkier than the pocket diaper, but still fits my 15lb son great. They come in three great colours right now, with more colours coming out in the future. This system is one of my favourites, it is easy to use, fits great, cuts down on laundry and is easy on my wallet. It also fits easier in the diaper bag. Just add a few extra inserts to snap into the cover and put the used insert into your wet bag.

Here are some action shots of Luke wearing his All in 3 diaper

   

  
  

Doing the Dirty

Doing the dirty diaper laundry that is.

That is one of the biggest complaints I have when I mention I use cloth diapers, or try to sell the idea to someone. "But I have to WASH them?" Yes I guess the idea of touching dirty diapers is rather gross, but it isn't that bad. I am not a huge fan of laundry. It is one of those chores you can't go a week from doing, it just builds up. I do it every Monday and get it all over and done with. Now diapers I don't mind washing, or folding. I enjoy hanging my pretty covers to dry, and then folding and getting them already for use. And now I am not the only crazy person who enjoys washing dirty diapers. There are lots of us. I guess thats what happens when cloth diapering becomes an addiction.

I have read some people's washing techniques and some are so elaborate and complicated it makes my head hurt reading about it. Before I ventured into cloth, those long washing explanations worried me. Would I be able to do it? Here is what you do. Dirty diaper? Stick it in a pail with a pail liner or a wet bag. On washing day (2-3 days) put it all in the washing machine. Do a cold rinse (I do a cold short cycle). Get rid of all the poop and pee. Then I wash on warm with a second rinse with 1/4-1/2 the recommended detergent. At night I hang it all to dry and then throw the inserts in the dryer in the morning to soften and warm them up. Fold, put away, repeat.

It really doesn't take that long, and it doesn't have to be tricky. 

 

 

  

 

 

Goodnight Baby, please wake up without soaked sheets

Nothing nicer than a sleeping baby. Okay maybe a sleeping baby that wakes up with dry sheets.

We co-sleep. I love every minute of it. But when a diaper leaks it not only means the baby sleeping on wet sheets, but the parents as well. A good night time solution is needed. Our nighttime solution is Bumgenius 3.0. A great one size diaper that keeps my sheets dry. It is about 5lbs by morning time but those suckers hold it well. Since it is chilly out I put my little guy in a pair of fleece jammies just in case my superior night time solution fails (which it never has, except maybe when the diaper isn't put on proper *cough* dad *cough*

A month into our cloth diapering we had switched to cloth at night as well. I had 2 BG 3.0's that I switched between and one night he pooped right before bed. His other was in the wash. So I found a left over disposable and put it on him bum. He leaked that night everywhere.

He may have a big tush going to bed but dry PJ's and dry sheets the next morning make it worth it!

Hoping for some sleep tonight for me and for all the moms out there! Have a great weekend with your little ones.