Diva Diapers Fun Facts Giveaway!
Sponsored by Diva Diapers!
When May 21st thru May 31st
Rules
- Prizes will only be sent to the US or Canada.
- Entrants can win a maximum of one regular prize and one grand prize.
- Entrants can answer one or more questions.
- Entrants earn more chances to win with each correct answer.
- Find answers at Diva Diapers.
Prizes
- $25 gift certificate to Diva Diapers
- 2- set of Planet Wise snack bags: 1 sandwich wrapper, 1 snack bag, 1
window bag and 1 sandwich bag. - 2 Knickernappies Microfiber complete Mama Pad sets and a Small Wetbag
- 1 FuzziBunz diaper tote and a bag of Rockin’ Green Classic detergent
Grand Prize
- 1 Flip Organic Day Pack and packge of bumGenius wipes
Enter below via Rafflecopter!
Tags: cloth diapers, free cloth diaper, giveaway
Attention Article Writers! Do you have an article to share with us? Send it to Diaper Pin! For more information, read our article submission notes.
Have you rated your favorite diaper product lately? Visit our cloth diaper reviews and submit your review.
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CJ’s BUTTer  (139)Ointments |
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bumGenius One-Size Pocket Diaper (141) Pocket Cloth Diapers |
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Planet Wise Wet Bag (80) Bags |
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Cloth-eez Prefold Diaper (54) Prefolds |
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GEN-Y Diaper Cover (44) Covers |
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Ragababe ‘Easy’ All-In-One (52) All in Ones |
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Bottombumpers Side Snapping AIO Diaper (47) All in Ones |
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Best Bottom one size diaper system (67) All in Twos |
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Smartipants (61) One Size Pockets |
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SoftBums All-in-One (55) All in Twos |
Visit our cloth diaper reviews and submit your review.
Pocket Cloth Diapers
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(141) | bumGenius™ One-Size Pocket Diaper | |
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(59) | FuzziBunz® Perfect Size Diapers | |
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(17) | Preston’s Pants Pocket | |
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(39) | Bummis Easyfit by TotsBots | |
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(27) | Thirsties® Duo Diaper |
All in Ones
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(52) | Ragababe ‘Easy’ All-In-One | |
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(47) | Bottombumpers Side Snapping AIO Diaper | |
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(21) | Bum-Ware All-In-One | |
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(22) | Kissaluvs Marvels One-Size AIO Diaper | |
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(21) | bumGenius Elemental One-Size Cloth Diaper |
Covers
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(44) | GEN-Y Diaper Cover | |
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(65) | Thirsties® Duo Wrap | |
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(35) | GEN-Y Universal Cover | |
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(18) | Blueberry Coveralls | |
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(16) | Sweet Pea Diaper Cover |
Bags
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(80) | Planet Wise Wet Bag™ | |
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(27) | Monkey Foot Designs Wetbag | |
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(39) | Leslie’s Boutique Wet Bag | |
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(12) | Kissaluvs Antibacterial Pail Liner | |
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(6) | Wet Happened™ Wet Bag |
Prefolds
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(54) | Cloth-eez Prefold Diaper | |
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(15) | Bummis Organic Pre-fold Diapers | |
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(4) | Organic Prefold | |
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(3) | Panda Tushies Bamboo Prefold | |
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(2) | Tushie Ties |
Visit our cloth diaper reviews and submit your review.
Join our Twitter Party!
Sponsored by Thanks Mama!
When Tuesday night – June 5, 9 to 10pm EDT
Hashtag #ThanksMama
Follow @DiaperPin and @ThanksMama now!
To enter
- Follow @DiaperPin and @ThanksMama
- RSVP via the Rafflecopter form below
- Join the chat using #ThanksMama on Tuesday night (6/5) and Tweet at least once during the party!
- Tweet now: Join @DiaperPin and @ThanksMama for a #ThanksMama Twitter Party! 6/5 @ 9pm. RVSP Now!
Check out these fantastic prizes!
- A $25 Gift Card to Thanks Mama
- 3 Pack of Rumparooz One Size Diapers
- bumGenius 4.0 One Size Pocket Cloth Diapers Pack of 3
- FuzziBunz One Size Elite Pocket Diaper
- KaWaii Baby Goodnight Heavy Wetter One Size Pocket Diaper Snap Closure
- i play Ultimate Swim Diaper
- Kushies Pool Shoes – winner choose size and color
Join the Party
How to chat on Twitter
Tags: giveaway, twitter party
Wow – what a terrific time I had tonight! Thanks all who joined our first Twitter Party. I was a bit nervous to host my first one but it turned out to be a blast! Below is the list of winners – Congratulations!
Sponsored by AppleCheeks!
When Tuesday night – May 15, 9 to 10pm EDT
Follow @DiaperPin and @AppleCheeksDipe !
Winners!
Little Bundle – Daniel D. – AbrilDanielle
Little Bundle – Rachael K – rajoehnk
Swim Diaper plus Storage Sac – Jill S – twinsincloth
Swim Diaper plus Storage Sac – Dal L – looloo01
Starter Kit – Maria M – chgdiapers
Exactly six years ago (in May!) we had the pleasure of interviewing Jenn of Cotton Babies. When we decided to bring Behind the Diapers back we thought it would be great to meet with Jenn again to see where she is after all this time! What a great way to celebrate our 12th birthday too! For this article, I’ve included her answers from six years ago and from a six days ago. It’s great to see the growth in her family and in her business…
Tell us about your children.
Jenn and Family - 2006
2006
I have two children. Andrew is almost four and was our inspiration for Cotton Babies. We cloth diapered him from birth in prefolds and diaper covers that a friend had very generously given us. Andrew is a ball of energy and would spend all day pretending with his trains if he could!
Oscar, our second child, was born last summer. He is a generally happy little dude. At eight months old, he just likes to do anything his brother is doing.
Jenn and Family - 2012
2012
I have three children.
Andrew is nine and in fourth grade. He recently launched his own entrepreneurial endeavor selling rocks, seashells and lemonade on the sidewalk. Without coaching, he’s increased the visibility of his signage and created a brochure to hand out to the neighbors. It’s been fun watching him explore business.
Oscar is six and in first grade. Jimmy and I often comment to each other that he will grow up to be a rock star. He loves to be the center of attention, knows how to perform innately, and keeps the entire audience laughing at his antics during choir performances.
Elsie is three and in preschool. Elsie loves to play with everything other three year girls love: tutus, fairies, princesses, babies, and kitchens. She likes to pretend “store”. Her favorite color is pink and she has an opinion about everything. We have to be careful what we talk about when she is around because she is always listening too!
What is a funny or rewarding experience you’ve had as a mama?
2006
The funniest thing I think we’ve had happen with Andrew happened when we were selling our house last year… One day, an agent called and said that she would be there in twenty minutes. We rushed around to get things picked up. In the middle of all that, the phone rang with a customer wanting to place an order.
During that call, someone walked in my kitchen and asked, “Where’s Andrew?”. He’d just been playing in the living room so I walked through the house calling his name. I found him in the master bathroom with a permanent marker that we’d been using to mark boxes. The toilet lid was covered with practice A’s. The actual toilet seat had been turned into a fantastic O. The floor had been decorated with squiggles, Os and Ts. He outlined the pink 50s tile too… in the grout… I was big pregnant with Oscar and emotional and, well, all I could do was stand in the door and laugh/cry while I frantically tried to remember what removes permanent marker…
Rubbing alcohol did the job on the hard surface and scouring powder got most of the marker out of the grout. Ten minutes later, the evidence of the Andrew’s artwork was tough to find. I wish now that I’d stopped to take a picture before cleaning up the mess.
2012
Over spring break, we took all three of our kids to the beach in Florida for the first time. Watching them run and play in the sand was particularly special knowing that this was a day they’d remember the rest of their life. I treasure every minute that I get with my kids.
What is your husband’s name? How did you meet him?
2006
I am married to Jimmy, my best friend and the love of my life. We met at work where we both worked on building and maintaining internet applications. We have continued to work together in some capacity ever since. Jimmy and I are both very entrepreneurially minded. Cotton Babies grew out of a mutual desire to not work in a cubicle.
You met your husband at work years ago. Is he involved in your business today? How has he supported you?
2012
Jimmy still works beside me. He is essential to many facets of the business.
What inspired you to create your business?
2006
Cotton Babies was opened after a trip to Chicago. I was wearing a Maya Wrap and had lots of moms stopping me on Michigan Avenue asking about where I bought my sling. Back then, the initial order for new Maya Wrap distributors was fairly small, so it wasn’t too difficult to get set up. A few weeks later, I started taking new Maya Wraps with me when I left home. This meant that I always had sling with me if someone was interested. We quickly realized that many of the moms who were looking for slings were also into cloth diapering. So, we began adding cloth diapering products to our inventory. We have always treated the business as a “closed system”… any profits were reinvested into more product. So, we grew very slowly, literally one item at a time.
Please tell us how your business has expanded since our last interview in 2006.
2012
We have over 100 employees, four cloth diaper brands, three retail stores, a dot com presence, and a large distribution center in St. Louis. Our brands impact the cloth diaper industry on a global basis.
Did you run into any obstacles in starting Cotton Babies?
2006
Our biggest obstacle has been the commitment to avoid business debt. We have millions of ideas and want to do them all ‘right now’, but we have to be patient. While this has slowed our growth somewhat, it also means our foundation is very firm.
What have been your challenges and successes in the past 6 years.
2012
There have been many of both… too many to count. At the core of it all, I love my job and I refuse to quit. I love learning and I work to apply what I learn through both challenges and successes to whatever we do next.
What is your advice for others getting started in the cloth diaper business… or any business..
Proceed cautiously and use wisdom as you set out to start any business. The cloth diaper industry isn’t like it was when we got started. Research your local opportunities and learn how to capitalize on what you learn. I believe the industry’s biggest opportunities are through locally driven peer-to-peer networks and brick & mortar retail stores.
While your business has grown, so has your family. How do you balance being a business owner and being a mom?
Work / life balance is a big issue for any family and particularly for a family with a mom who works full-time and travels and speaks extensively. We have a different family life that we’ve learned to make work for us. I treasure bedtime and breakfast. We talk with our kids about what it means to go to work and why we work. At nine-years-old, my son has a basic understanding of cash flow and my six-year-old can tell you about cost of goods sold. My daughter understands that lots of families get to eat and have jobs because of Cotton Babies. While they do understand, it isn’t easy to be gone. I have become an avid fan of Facetime and use it to be involved in bedtime when I’m away. I might be in a hotel, but I can still pray for my kids before they go to sleep. All that said, they are only little once and, as much as I love Cotton Babies, I’ve been known to walk out of a meeting, regardless of content, to be sure that I’m with my kids for something special. They come first.
If you have time for hobbies, or outside interests, what are they?
My iPad has enabled my love of reading. I also play piano and particularly enjoy composing my own music.
What is one of your guilty pleasures?
I’m not guilty about it… but I really do love coffee. And chocolate. And shopping alone. And shoes. 
| Business Name:Cotton Babies Mama:Jenn Labit Products:Cotton Babies is an environmentally-friendly company that has everything a family needs to care for their baby. With a ton of great natural and organic products for mom and baby, we make parenting easy. Our three lines of reusable cloth diapers, bumGenius, Flip and Econobum, are industry top-sellers, and are sold through thousands of independent and major retailers worldwide. Check us out in person at one of our three U.S. retail stores — two in St. Louis, Mo., one in Vancouver, Wash. — or online URL:www.cottonbabies.com< Diaper Pin Directory Page:for Cotton Babies |
Tags: behind the diapers, cloth diapers, interview, WAHM
Twitter Party Fun
A Twitter party is a fun, fast moving chat that takes place on Twitter, for one to two hours at a specified time. Typically it has a fun topic theme which could be as general as “cloth diapers” or something more specific like an event (Great Cloth Diaper Change) ; it could be about a business’s new product line. At these parties there is at least one hostess who greets attendees and keep the conversation going. Also there is at least sponsor who is providing the fun free products giveaways.
Twitter parties are a great way to engage with other people who share a common interest. It’s also a fun way to learn about the topic of the party.
How do I Join the Party?
RSVP
If the party has free prizes and you want to enter for a chance to win, be sure to RSVP (register) for the party. You can find the RSVP form on the hostess’ site. Here is an example of an entry form:
There may be other requirements for entry such as announcing the party through your twitter, facebook account or through your blog.
Set up for the party
You need the right tools for the party. I spent much of my first parties juggling three different twitter 3rd party sites trying to figure out how to keep up with the hashtag, sponsor posts and tweets to me! I admit that parties can be a bit intimidating but if you have the right tool it easy! I recommend using TweetGrid.
Using TweetGrid
Get started by visting TweetGrid, click on the “Party” button
Click on the Party button
You will then be prompted to enter details about the party. Parties should have a hashtag (word preceeded by the pound sign). This is the key to the party. All conversations that are part of the chat use the same hashtag. TweetGrid makes it easy for you by filtering tweets by hashtag so you can view the chat. Enter the hashtag on the twitter grid form:
Party Hashtag
Type the user name of the host(s):
Party host(s)
Next enter your user name:
Your username
The form is complete:
TweetGrid Form
Join the Party! You’ll be able to see all party tweets on the left, all tweets from the host in the middle and all posts to you on the right.
Join the Party
Twitter Chat
Why should I join the party?
As mentioned before – join because it is a fun way to interact online with others with a common interest. It’s also a great way to learn about a topic, business, event or product. Don’t forget there are usually some great prizes that you can win while you are there.
Twitter is daunting for some … there definitely is a small learning curve but it is worth the trouble. Find a party and join it!
Tags: cloth diapers, giveaway, hashtag, twitter party
We’re having a party! A Twitter Party!
Sponsored by AppleCheeks!
When Tuesday night – May 15, 9 to 10pm EDT
Follow @DiaperPin and @AppleCheeksDipe now!
Join the Party
To enter
- Follow @DiaperPin and @AppleCheeksDipe
- RSVP below
- Join the chat using #AppleCheeks on Tuesday night (5/15) and Tweet at least once during the party!
Check out these fantastic prizes!
- 1 Little Bundle
- 1 Little Bundle
- 1 Swim Diaper plus 1 Storage Sac
- 1 Swim Diaper plus 1 Storage Sac
- 1 Starter Kit
How to chat on Twitter
Tags: cloth diapers, free cloth diapers, giveaway, twitter party
Once again I am privileged to interview another hardworking mama for our Behind the Diapers series. Michelle is helping other moms be “green” through education and sales of cloth diapers. Thanks to Michelle more and more parents learn how fun and easy cloth diapering can be!
What is the inspiration for your business name “Green Diaper Demos”?
When I was first learning about the different “modern” cloth diapers out there, I was so overwhelmed and there was no place locally that I could look at the differences and so I had to study online pictures of diapers to see if it was the right fit for me. I had wished I had someone that could come and show me the diapers, like a demonstration and so that was initially the business model idea I had, to bring the diapers to peoples home and “demo” them. Since cloth diapers are better for the environment they are “green.”
You’ve stated that when you first started cloth diapering that you were overwhelmed and frustrated. What helped you in your cloth diaper journey to bring you where you are now?
Unfortunately, it was all just trial and error for me learning about cloth diapers, so I tried a little of many different styles. I spent countless hours on cloth diapering forums trying to piece together what I liked and didn’t like from various styles of diapers to find my “perfect” diaper. It wasn’t until I had tried several styles that I figured out what would be my “perfect” diaper.
Tells us about the cloth diapering 101 class – Where do you hold them? How many parents have you converted in these classes?
Once a quarter I have a class at Island Hospital in Anacortes, Washington. I also have classes on an as needed basis in Bellingham at Bellingham Baby Company. Attendants usually range from 4 to 10 people and are usually already interested in making the switch to cloth, they just need that little bit of encouragement and an atmosphere where they can touch and feel the different styles of diapers without having to commit to anything.
What types of questions to you hear most often at these classes?
The most common question is “What do I do with the poop”? Many are happy to learn that if they breast feed, the poop is water soluble and no extra work is required on their part. They are also surprised that when the baby goes on solids, it is much easier to deal with the poop than dunking and swishing with things like diaper sprayers and flush-able liners.
Tell us about your husband and children.
I have been married 7.5 years to my wonderful husband Mark who is a Manufacturing Engineer. I have two sons, Michael who is 2.5 years old and VERY active and Mavick who is 2 months old and a very happy baby.
How do you balance your business and home?
Ha! I’m not sure. There are a lot of long nights (or short depending on how you look at it) of working after the kids are asleep. This is actually my main hobby in my life as there is not much time for anything else.
What is your favorite WAHM product?
My favorite WAHM product is for sure SoftBums which are made by Minnesota moms that sew out of their homes.
What do you love about your business?
I love getting to meet new squishy babies as with my local customers, I often deliver the diapers to them.
Where would you most like to travel to?
I would love to take a Mediterranean cruise. My husband and I took a cruise for our honeymoon to the Mexican Riviera and we had so much fun, I think it would be need to visit the countries along the Mediterranean but not have to pack and unpack during the visit.
| Business Name:Green Diaper Demos Mama:Michelle Products:Assortment of cloth diapers and accessories including: SoftBums, Thirsties, itti bitti, bumGenius, Wahmies, Drybees, Rocky Mountain Diapers, OsoCozy, Mother-ease, Oh Katy, Snap-EZ, Rockin’ Green Soap, CJ’s BUTTer, Nursing Covers by a local Mom URL:www.greendiaperdemos.com |
Tags: cloth diapers, interview, WAHM
Bringing Home Baby - Family Picture
In this Behind the Diapers interview we meet newcomer to the cloth diaper business, Miryam. Not only is she a retailer baby products she also does cloth diaper parties and is a delivery service. Learn more about Miryam and Bringing Home Baby.
How did you meet your husband?
That’s an interesting story. He knew my sister in college at Tulane, but that’s not how we met. I used to go to a knitting group in Tinley Park, IL where I became friends with a woman named Becca. For a year and a half she told me that I should meet her friend, Eli. I really, really should me Eli. If I met Eli, we’d fall in love and get married. Well, I didn’t want to meet Eli because he lived in Washington, DC and I lived in the Chicago area. Finally, he came into town on a business trip. Becca and her husband kidnapped us both and put us in a restaurant together one afternoon in May, 2007. We were married 7 months later.
Bringing Home Baby - Baby
How has he supported you in your business?
First of all, E has been a really enthusiastic about cloth diapers. He appreciates how easy modern cloth diapering is, and was really won over when he realized how much money we’re saving and how cloth kept in the poo better than disposables.
I’m a WAHM and E is an active duty service member. He has a pretty regular schedule and doesn’t deploy that much. He has arranged his schedule so he can be home by 3:30pm to take over childcare so I can work. He also helps with some technical things for the website and is actually a great creative consultant.
How many children do you have? How old are they? Tell us something special about them…
This is a question I get a lot, like any parent, but have a hard time answering. E and I have two children, both boys. Our first son, Baruch, passed away unexpectedly at birth in February, 2010. Our second little guy, Saul, is now 10 months old. He’s a real character, and already has about 10 words. I can’t believe how much joy he brings to our home.
Showing how different products work
How old is Bringing Home Baby?
Bringing Home Baby opened in February of this year! We started planning it some time ago, but decided to open for business after Saul was more than six months old.
Please tell us about the products and services you provide?
At first we imagined being a cloth diaper store, but after all the research into how we wanted to raise our children, we decided to become more of a resource for eco-friendly baby care and attachment parenting. On our online shop, www.BringingHomeBaby.biz carries several popular brands of cloth diapers, but also:
- Natural skin care for mom and baby
- Products that support breastfeeding
- Organic layette and non-toxic toys
- Earth friendly baby gifts
By the time this goes to press, we may also be carrying a selection of baby carriers. They’re due soon.
As for services, we currently do eco-friendly baby parties and local delivery of gifts to Washington, DC and some Maryland suburbs. We have an online baby registry.
Products - Massage
One cool thing that we can do with that is to, upon request, hold all the purchased registry items until the baby is born and then wrap them and send or deliver them all to the family in a big package. Some communities have a custom to not have baby gifts at the home until the baby is born, and we want to accommodate that. As we grow, we’re looking into partnerships with other like-minded businesses for educational seminars aimed at helping parents make greener choices for baby care. I can also do customized in-home shopping on request. For the future, I am working toward becoming a certified cloth diaper educator. The next several months are going to be very exciting.
I’d love to hear more about your Parties and Delivery Service. What do you do at a cloth diaper party?
Before starting with Bringing Home Baby, I’d been going trade and consumer shows for years where I had to bring and set up my own small, portable store. This has allowed me to be able to bring Bringing Home Baby to people’s baby showers and other parents’ group meetings. Based on a conversation beforehand, I select products that might fit into my customer’s lifestyle and philosophy. Then I bring the products to their location and help them understand how even small choices can lessen their baby’s impact on the environment or improve health. Then they can choose to purchase any of the products I have on hand or order others for future delivery. I especially love doing the baby showers. I bring games to those.
Products - Post Partum
You’re so busy being a wife, mom and businesswoman- What do you do for “me” time?
I knit compulsively. I also spend insane amounts of money on fancy bath potions.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
Most people seem terribly shocked and even horrified to learn that I detest cheese.
What inspired you to start up Bringing Home Baby?
Even before our first child was born, we knew that we were passionate about cloth diapering and natural baby care. We also wanted me to be home with our small children, which is why there is no permanent storefront right now. Figuring out a business I could run from home was really important to us. Combining the two seemed a natural conclusion.
What are your plans for the future? (business or personal)
Right now I’m concentrating on my current situation. I’m really enjoying being a WAHM, and it keeps me really busy. When I think about the future, I see myself in this role for something like a decade. After that, well, I might go back to my field of non-profit management.
Thanks Miryam!
|
Business: Bringing Home Baby Mama: Miryam Products: - Natural skin care for mom and baby - Products that support breastfeeding - Organic layette and non-toxic toys - Earth friendly baby gifts - Baby Carriers URL: http://www.bringinghomebaby.biz |
Tags: behind the diapers, cloth diapers, interview
Heather McNamara
San Diego Real Diaper Circle
heatherm@realdiaperassociation.org
619.796.1732
San Diego Real Diaper Circle to Host Local Sites of the Second Annual World-Record Setting “Great Cloth Diaper Change” International Event
[San Diego, CA] March 15, 2012 – San Diego Real Diaper Circle host two San Diego sites of an international cloth diaper changing event taking place on Saturday, April 21, 2012, the day before Earth Day and during International Cloth Diaper Awareness Week. In its second year with over 225 sites in 13 countries, The Great Cloth Diaper Change event will attempt to break last year’s Guinness World Recordtm of 5,026 cloth diapers changed simultaneously.[1]
“Each year billions of disposable diapers enter landfills where it takes hundreds of years for them to decompose, if ever,” says Heather McNamara, Executive Director of the Real Diaper Association (and San Diego Real Diaper Circle Leader). “Building off the success of last year’s event with 127 locations in five countries, we hope to show the entire world that cloth diapers are a real option for today’s modern families, particularly catching the eye of expecting and new parents who may be seeking more planet-friendly and affordable alternatives to disposable diapers.”
The event will take place at 9am PDT at Maher Hall at the University of San Diego (hosted by Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity) and at Babies in Bloom in Vista. At the University of San Diego, in addition to the Great Cloth Diaper Change world-recording setting activity, there will also be baby wearing and baby yoga demos, as well as a variety of natural and green living businesses on hand to give out prizes and information.
For more information or to participate in The Great Cloth Diaper Change in San Diego, please visit http://sandiegogcdc.eventbrite.com/. The San Diego Great Cloth Diaper Change can also be followed at https://www.facebook.com/SanDiegoGCDC, and on Twitter at @SanDiegoGCDC.
About the San Diego Real Diaper Circle: The San Diego Real Diaper Circle is a group of hundreds of local families who support one another in using cloth diapers via an online forum and at free weekly meetings throughout the county. http://sdrealdiapercircle.weebly.com
About The Great Cloth Diaper Change: In its second year, The Great Cloth Diaper Change is an international initiative organized with the help of the nonprofit Real Diaper Association designed to show the world that cloth diapers are a real option for today’s families. For more information, visit http://GreatClothDiaperChange.com.
This event is part of a larger (and growing) movement to change the way parents think about diapering their babies. Participants may contribute $1 (or more) at any of the North American local events. The money will assist the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Real Diaper Association in their efforts to help families across the U.S. and Canada find and use reusable cloth diapers. http://realdiapers.org
[1] Note: The total number of participants in the 2011 event was 6,363 from 203 sites in 10 countries, but not all qualified for the record due to Guinness’s policy requiring a minimum of 25 babies changed per site in order to qualify.
Tags: cloth diaper news, cloth diapers, great cloth diaper change
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2012
GREAT CLOTH DIAPER HUNT RETURNS MAY 1, 2012
The Great Cloth Diaper Hunt (GCDH) is a month long online scavenger hunt that will begin May 1, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. EDT and is designed to promote small businesses. Participants, also called hunters, can register for free by visiting http://greatclothdiaperhunt.
Hunters browse through sponsoring businesses’ websites searching for a hidden image. When they find the image, hunters click on it to record their find and be registered for prizes. All prizes are provided by our sponsors and include many wonderful hand crafted and eco-friendly products.
The hunt includes family friendly small businesses with many types of wares. This is a exciting way to discover great new businesses and products while having a chance to win some fantastic prizes. Hunters have a chance to win daily prizes each day they record finding a hidden image at any participating business. Additionally, hunters are entered to win prizes by random drawing at the end of the hunt.
The Great Cloth Diaper Hunt is returning for May 2012 under new management. Many sponsors are returning from past hunts and new businesses are also welcome to join in the fun. The Great Cloth Diaper Hunt runs twice a year and more information is available at http://www.
# # #
For more information, contact Kelly Cutler of Silver Saucer LLC at hunt@greatclothdiaperhunt.com
Vanessa
Meet our Baby of the Week grand prize winner, Stella!
Our grand prize winner received a ittu butti tutto diaper from Kissed by the Moon.
Baby of the Week is sponsored by Kissed by the Moon.
Tags: baby of the week, cloth diapers, diaper pin, news
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Pin the Spotlight
Beyond the Forums
Meet Xandi
Many of our forum members have been cloth diapering for years and and their knowledge is invaluable to the cloth diapering community. This week, join me as I interview long time Diaper Pin forum member Xandi.
Xandi is a SAHM/WAHM. She has three sweet, obnoxious, fantastic children and one smart, handsome (if balding), grad student husband. She has been living the Diaper Pin lifestyle for four years.
How many diapers do you have in your current stash?
My in-use stash has about 30 diapers.
What does your stash consist of?
Knickernappies, Fuzzi Bunz, Sunseedlings, and a few BG AIOs and fitteds (both of which are no longer made, unfortunately).
How do you clean the poopy diapers – spray, swish, or spatula?
None of the above! The poopy dipes go straight from the butt to the pail/wetbag, then to the washing machine. I hate poop, so I do as little with it as I can get away with. To be fair, I did use a sprayer for a few months when we first started CDing and it was bearable. The sprayer didn’t live long, though, before our hard water destroyed it.
How can you tell if your water is very hard?
If you’re ambitious, you can head over to Home Depot and pick up some tester strips. If you’re lazy like me, you can just contact your local water department. Mine happens to have the information right on their website, but you can also call and ask. My water comes from a deep, mountain aquifer and is just loaded with minerals.
Do you have any good hard water tips?
Well, my hard water experience differs from most. I usually hear that prefolds and flats are the way to go if you have hard water, since they rinse so easily. That won’t work for us, though. Our water is so hard that it makes my prefolds feel like burlap. There’s no way I can feel good about putting them on a tender baby bum. I have to use softer– but harder to rinse– fabrics like fleece. It works out okay if I use a phosphate softener like Charlie’s Laundry Booster as part of my wash routine.
I hear you don’t use sposies even on trips. What is your worst experience travelling with cloth?
We travel often for my husband’s schooling and are gone for six to eight weeks at a time. Last summer we stayed in college student housing for two months and the washers in the shared laundry facility had so much detergent/fabric softener buildup, it was ridiculous. I tried stripping the washers before use, but to no avail. My poor prefolds didn’t stand a chance. I *still* haven’t managed to strip all the buildup out of them.
Otherwise, my experiences traveling with cloth have been pretty good. I’ve taken my diapers on camping trips, river trips, and oodles of family visits. As long as I have enough diapers to get me through the whole trip, it turns out fine. Yeah, it’s not ideal to go 5 days without washing, but I’ve never had a problem with stinkies as long as I double-wash the dipes as soon as I get home.
What’s in your diaper bag?
I rarely carry a diaper bag. Normally, I just throw a diaper or two and some wipes in my purse and head out the door. If I do take a diaper bag, it’s just so I’ll have room to pack some small toys and snacks and maybe an extra blanket for a longer outing (like a day at the zoo, etc.). In that case, I also throw in my wallet, sunglasses, and non-toxic sanitizer, and leave my purse at home.
Do you have any funny cloth diapering memories?
When we first started CDing, we went to visit my family and bragged about how “we never, ever have blowouts anymore!” We felt the need to talk up our new diapers since my grandma was such a cloth naysayer. That night at the rodeo, DS pooped right out of his diaper onto my grandma. It was user error that caused the leak, but it was still really embarrassing.
What advice do you have for cloth diapering on a budget?
1) Flats, the obvious choice for low-cost diapering.
2) Shop the FSOT section at the Pin for used diapers, especially when you’re first starting out. It’s good to get an idea of what you like before you splurge on a huge stash of something you might end up hating (as I know from experience).
3) When you buy new, choose diapers with an awesome warranty. Some of mine have two-year warranties. I already knew I liked the diapers, but the warranty was what pushed me over the edge to buy a whole stash of them—especially with my water woes.
What one thing have you always wanted to try/do/learn, but have not had the time or resources to do?
I really want to make my own diapers. Not to sell, just to use. Every time I get online determined to finally purchase the supplies, I calculate the costs and chicken out. It would save me a dollar or two per diaper to make my own… but that’s only if I don’t destroy them with my amateurish sewing. I don’t have enough confidence in my abilities for that yet, especially on such a tight budget. Maybe someday I’ll be able to afford the risk, but not today. Fortunately, I’m pretty happy with my current stash. Aside from wishing for Velcro instead of snaps (for my alligator-rolling babe), I’m very comfortable with what I have.
Tags: cloth diapers, hard water, interview, troubleshooting
For this issue of Behind the Diapers I had the pleasure of interviewing not one but two amazing business women – Priscilla and Sheresa of All About Baby – Boutique and Education Center. Most cloth diapering businesses we see are online only. Priscilla and Sheresa not only have an online business, they also have a shop where they provide classes as well has place for other like women to come to. For this article I interviewed each lady separately and together so we can get their individual and combined perspectives on their business and each other.
With Priscilla
How did you meet your husband?
My roommate in college was dating a guy at the time that was friends with my husband, Kevin, and they introduced us. We got married 5 years later – on the campus of the college where we met.
Tell us about your children.
 Priscilla – All About Baby |
I, hands-down, have the most amazing children (I know, every mom says that but it is definitely true in my case!)! My daughter, Ansley, is an Earth Day baby – she’ll be three in a few months. Ansley is a cuddly, fun, wonderful child and is so funny! I am always amazed at what she will say or do (wants to be just like her mommy – sometimes to my detriment!) She keeps me on my toes but I wouldn’t have it any other way!! Connor is a fun-loving, rough and tumble little boy who turned 1 in December. His big blue eyes make all the old ladies at the grocery store swoon. He has just learned how to walk, can say his sister’s name (his first word) and mama and daddy. He is very smart and if he wants something, he’ll figure out how to get it!
You stated in your site’s about us page that after you decided to use cloth diapers you changed your way of parenting. Can you expand on that? What else has changed?
My attitude towards the way I approach things changed a lot. In the beginning, I was convinced by well-intending people that I should be very rigid because ‘schedules are important’. Although I do believe that schedules are important, I also believe that kids aren’t one-size-fits-all. So, I changed from doing what I was ‘supposed’ to do to what felt natural and made Ansley (and subsequently Connor) a happier, less fussy baby. I am not the pushover parent that hands her child anything to keep them quiet but if my child wants me to pick up him or her, I generally do. I don’t believe you can spoil a child by holding them, hugging them, kissing them or telling them you love him/her.
What were the challenges with starting a business during late pregnancy?
How did you overcome those challenges? It was definitely hard to start the business that late in my pregnancy and with a VERY young toddler at home (Ansley and Connor are 19 months apart). I felt really guilty because my children needed me so much and I also had this pull to grow the business and make it awesome. Fortunately, I have a VERY supportive husband that used to help me pull orders and input inventory at nights after the kids went to bed. He’s even been known to play a few Facebook games with ‘likers’ when I had to feed Connor.
What do you love about your business?
Everything! Seriously, there is not an aspect that I don’t like. I love finding new brands and exposing new mommies to cloth diapers. I love having a place where moms can come and nurse and just hang out if they want. It was my goal (and Sheresa’s too, of course) to create an environment where people could meet up and feel comfortable.
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How did you meet Sheresa ? What was your first impression of her?
This question makes me laugh before I even start typing. I was doing everything on my own at the time. I happened to tell my friend Taryn that I had decided to make the leap and open a physical location. I remember her saying, well, that’s great but there’s something you should know and then she told me that this other person had the same idea as I did. I was pretty bummed out to hear about this other person named Sheresa who I had never met. But almost immediately, I got an email from her asking about meeting to see if we could partner (apparently Taryn told her about me as well). I agreed to meet her thinking I would blow her off but when I got there, I realized that she was a pretty smart lady and that our visions were very, VERY similar. With one successful meeting under our belts, we had several others and then decided to partner so she came on in September of last year. A lot of people are shocked that we get along as well as we do considering we had never met before all this but we are very well-suited for each other.
With Sheresa
How did you meet your husband?
We met in college through mutual friends. We were married 2 1/2 years later on campus in the chapel. The rest is history!
Tell us about your son.
 Sheresa- All About Baby |
Cole is full of life at 19 months, I can only imagine how much he will grow and change from the toddler that he is, to the little boy he’s becoming…all in the blink of an eye! We are so blessed to have such a sweet boy. His laugh can light up a room and it melts my heart. Though he doesn’t say “I love you” yet (we’re working on that one), he gives lots of hugs and kisses, often unprompted. He has a big heart already.
You state in your “About us” page that the biggest obstacle in trying cloth for most is the inability to touch and feel them in person. How do you help your customers, family and friends overcome this obstacle?
We offer education, both online and in store, on the diapering process (Cloth Diaper 101) and the diapers we carry. We have newborn rentals for some of our brands and are working on a Try It Out rental program where families can try out different brands and styles of diapering before committing to their stash. We love working one-on-one with mamas and dads, in person or by phone or email, and we are committed to helping families find solutions that fit their baby and lifestyle.
How do you balance life as a working mom?
Very carefully. I loved being a SAHM to Cole, but I wanted to be able to help other moms, and I find value in what I’m doing. At the end of the day, as long as I’m helping others, I can make it work. I’m still in the learning curve right now, too, so I might have a better answer for you in a few months. I’m sure I’ll never have it mastered, but I think the key is putting God and family first; the rest falls into place when you do that.
 Room for nursing moms or for sitting and chatting |
What is your advice for another mom starting a business?
Do something you love. I absolutely love what I’m doing and that makes the sacrifices worth it. Find others who are passionate about what you are doing and connect with them. Be it a business partner, friends, or family members, you will need the support. Enjoy small bites of success; you probably won’t make millions overnight (though I think you should always strive for that). One of my personal mottos is “Reach for the moon and if all else fails, you’ll land among the stars.” Plan well and dream bigger!
How did you meet Priscilla? What was your first impression of her?
Priscilla and I met through a mutual friend. We had a few email conversations and then several in person meetings before we committed to this endeavor. My first impression was that she was very committed to helping moms – and reserved about the idea of partnering with a stranger. I think my impression was spot on, but after meeting together a few more times, we realized that our visions aligned and we could make a pretty good team. I can’t imagine being in business without her as a partner.
With Priscilla and Sheresa
I’d love to hear about your partnership.How did you decide to open All About Baby Boutique together?
Priscilla: It took a little while for us to decide it was the right move. It was definitely not instant. We had several meetings discussing ideas and thoughts and they were so similar, it seemed natural in a way. I can’t say from Sheresa’s perspective but I could not have planned it any better!
Sheresa: I couldn’t have said it better myself!
 Welcome to the store! |
How do you divide the responsibilities?
Priscilla: Very carefully. Seriously, though, we manage to really do well to compliment each other, I think. We both handle orders and customer service and the day to day stuff. I seem to do more of the finance stuff and Sheresa is a wiz on the website.
In addition to selling diapers , you provide education. Please tell us about that.
Sheresa: We have lots of great classes at the shop! We have a lot of pregnancy classes going on – things like Lamaze, early pregnancy education, couples massage during pregnancy and even support groups like the birth circle. We also offer ‘how to’ classes like CPR, cloth diapering 101, baby wearing 101 and things like that. Lastly, we offer mommy and me classes like Salsa Babies (wearing your baby while dancing), and Spanish Splash. We have had a lot of fun with our classes and are always adding more so stay tuned!
Is there a lot of overlap between your customers and your students? Do you find that a student becomes a customer and/or vice versa?
Priscilla: I would say yes. Many people that come for classes wind up doing a little shopping. We have the classes on a calendar in the retail space.
Final Questions
Tell us about your most embarrassing moment or an unusual story from your life.
 cloth diapers and carriers |
Priscilla: Sheresa and I talk about everything (pretty much) business-wise before we do it. And email is a wonderful thing for just that. Unfortunately, email is not so great when you hit reply instead of forward. :/ This has happened on more than one email but fortunately, I have never said anything bad – just thoughts I would rather have not had the recipient know.
What is one of your guilty pleasures?
Sheresa: Sometimes I eat ice cream straight from the carton It’s really yummy that way and there’s no clean-up.
What one thing have you always wanted to try/do/learn, but have not had the time or resources to do?
Priscilla: I would love to do yoga. When I do it, I feel amazing and invigorated. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? I just can never find the time and when I do find time, I find a zillion other things that I *should* be doing instead. One of these days….
What are your dreams for the future?
Sheresa: I want to see All About Baby succeed and thrive and I hope that we can always find ways to help moms and be involved in our community. I dream of more children to fill our house with love and laughter. And someday, I want to vacation in Tahiti! Someday…
Thank you Priscilla and Sheresa!
| Business: All About Baby – Boutique and Education Center Mamas: Priscilla and Sheresa Products: Our boutique carries not only a great diaper selection, but also a lot of handmade, natural, & organic products for mom & baby. Our Education Center has classes for mom, baby, & toddler. And our brand-new diaper service is sure to meet the needs of the family that wants to be green without the laundry! Check us out in person in Greensboro or online. URL: www.allaboutbabyboutique.com Special coupon: diaperpin10 for 10% off – expires 6/1/2012 |
Tags: behind the diapers, cloth diapers, interview, interviews, WAHM
Stella
Meet our Baby of the Week grand prize winner, Stella!
Our grand prize winner received a ittu butti tutto diaper from Kissed by the Moon.
Baby of the Week is sponsored by Kissed by the Moon.
Tags: baby of the week, cloth diapers, diaper pin, giveaway
