Red Barn Nifty Nappy Bitty Bums: Review and Giveaway

I wasn't too sure, at first, about fitted diapers. It's a good idea, but I wasn't sure how practical it would be for me. But I took the plunge and bout my first fitted diaper-a Nifty Nappy Bitty Bums Fitted diaper.

Nifty Nappy  was started by work at home mom, Vilate. However, Vilate stopped producing diapers for retail. Jeni of Red Barn Cloth Diapers has signed on to make and sell NN and working on Nifty Nappy products!

I also purchased a fitted diaper from Jeni. It's adorable! Compared to the Nifty Nappy Bitty Bums, it's a higher rise, so while GEM has grown out of his NN BB, his Red Barn NN BB still fits!

My little baby is a super soaker, always has been! When he would overflow the disposable newborn diapers in two hours, my Red Barn NN would be soaked, but un-leaky. Is that even a word?? LOL


The outside is a super soft--velour in the Later Gator print, but the inside is her characteristic red fleece. Sandwiched between the two is layer of hemp fleece. Also, a lay-in insert made of hemp fleece on one side and bamboo velour on the other side. It's made to be folded in half, so you get an extra four layers. The snaps are enough to get a tight fit on the smallest of babies!

We used it before GEM's umbilical cord fell off, and the rise sits just below it. Because it is a fitted diaper, it needs to be paired with a cover. I used some covers I had, but Red Barn also makes and sells Red Barn Nifty Nappy Woolies. I'm sure that would make the perfect combination!

I do like this diaper, it worked very well for us, but I just couldn't find the fitted love. It's nothing against this diaper, at all!

Jen is letting me hold a giveaway for a Bitty Bums fitted diaper. Go check out her Facebook page to stay up to date, and also her website to see what she's been up to! Then, come back and fill out this easy form for a chance to win!

Winner of BabyLegs!

Congratulations to Angela Heffner! You won a grab bag of BabyLegs! I emailed you for details and will pass those to BbyLegs as soon as I can. I apologies for the absence. My newborn decided to not sleep these few nights and my toddler decided to act out. Thanks for the patience!

Boppy Pillow: Review

I feel like I've bitten of more than I can chew, promising all these blog posts-what with two kids and a house all clamoring for my attention. But, I can at least let you know how I feel about these items like I said I would.

So, next up is the Bobby nursing pillow. I can't really compare it to something else, but I know that it is essential to your back and sanity to have some sort of nursing pillow.

The Boppy pillow  has something called the Miracle Middle® stretch panel. Basically it can stretch to fit most waist sizes. There are many different slip covers to choose from, but no matter waht you pick, make sure to buy the protective slip cover too! It's a waterproof cover that would have saved my Boppy from so many spot cleanings last baby. This baby? It has done it's duty well!

Many places sell the Boppy, separate as the bare naked boppy, or with a slipcover. Slip covers are also sold separately so you can pick up a few!

We have used the Boppy for many things. It's even a comfy pillow for ME to sit on... :)

I {heart} these things

Going along with the newborn stuff, here's a list of things that I could not live without!

• Bouncy seat: I think this is the one place that Gavin will fall asleep in by himself. I wrap him snuggly in a super soft blanket, turn the vibration on and he'll be gone in a few minutes. Providing the vibrations don't bring a gas bubble up. :(
• Blankets big enough for swaddling: yes, that's blanketSSS. We have 5 and they all get used at least once a week. Gavin's favorite is a shag fleecie/minky one. It's soft and warm enough if he's not dressed.
• Prefold cloth diapers: not the Gerber ones, but good quality 100% cotton, Chinese or Indian, bleached or unbleached prefolds. I had originally bought them to use as diapers, but I couldn't gather enough covers before GEM was born, and they were too bulky for me to figure out (I didn't take much time because I didn't want to get peed or pooed on!). But, they are great at catching spit-ups. Gavin is a spitter! These diapers are thirsty! The Gerber ones let the stuff roll down-usually onto me!
• Moby wrap: although Brendon is good at holding my hand in parking lots, I would not be able to move fast enough to grab him if he ran away if I was carrying Gavin in his car seat. But secure in the Moby, I can run if need be. It's also great for making room in the shopping cart for groceries. We used it when we went trick-or-treating, when we went to the pumpkin patch and hay maze, on a walk, playing in the yard, at the hospital and at the grocery stores.

Of course, there's the usual clothes, diapers, wipes and such, but these are my favorite items. At least, they're the ones that I can think of right now. I'm going to take a nap--oh, no I'm not. I'm going to feed the baby. I love him, but he is sucking my brains and sanity out!

BabyLegs: Review and Giveaway!

Sorry it's a day late, so I'll extend the giveaway one extra day.

I was sent these adorable newborn BabyLegs legwarmers and socks to review. I bought them with me to the hospital because they always kept Brendon in just a T shirt, so I figured I needed something for Gavin. Something that wouldn't get in the way of his umbilical cord stump, but also keep him warm. 

This first set of Babylegs are the newborn Lil Rainbow Leg Warmers. They're super soft, even after being washed. I was skeptical about them fitting newborn chicken legs. You know how skinny those legs are! But I was pleasantly surprised when they fit perfectly, almost as if they took my kid's measurements!

Gavin's stump is all healed, but I need them! I mean, they are so cute! This other pair is the Lil Peter Rabbit leg warmers. These leg warmers are just long enough that I can pull down over his heels for a little more warmth. Don't worry, my kid doesn't spend his days naked in November weather, he's just a big spitter so his onsies get changed often. BabyLegs makes that so easy, I don't have to worry about taking off and putting back on his pants!

I was also sent two pair of socks, Rocker Baby socks, but they're still too big for him, they wouldn't even stay on! But if he grows like his brother, his feet and ankles will chub up quickly!

BabyLegs can be bought through their website, or even through many retailers, and they very often have sales or deals. You can keep yourself up to date through their Facebook page, and through Twitter

One person will win a grab bag of BabyLegs! I was given the items mentioned in exchange for an honest option.

FuzziBunz XS: Review

So, I have three FuzziBunz XS's. Until recently, I never heard of "China made" vs "Turkey made" FuzziBunz. And until recently, I couldn't have told you the difference. But now I can. Although the FB XS fit Gavin pretty well NOW, the difference in the two is enough that one fit earlier. This butter FB XS is China made and fit before the others. FB XS are rated to fit 4lb to 10lb babies. Though as skinny as newborn legs are, I find that hard to fathom.

 

And, as you can see if you squint hard, it sits right below the belly button, so I was able to use them before his cord stump fell off. Gavin was at least 7lb 8oz when I used them on him. Now, he's 8lbs, 8oz, and still on the smallest snaps.

The only leaking problem I had was if I didn't position "him" pointing down, then he'd pee up and out of the diapers. This kid can pee!

The stuffing is kind hard to do because the diapers are so small, but another difference between China/Turkey FB is that Turkey FB have "sticky" PUL inside. It just kind of grabs everything it touches. 

They've done well with holding in his runny poos. FB XS can be bought at many cloth diaper retailers, and cost just $13.97

Rockin' Green Winner!

Congratulations Sarah Jane!

I'm emailing you!

Bamboobies Nursing Pads: Review!

With my first son, I had a tremendous milk let-down reflex. He'd start to nurse and the other b00b would soak my clothes in seconds! So when this guy was on his way, I knew I needed some sort of good nursing pad, and those disposable ones are uncomfortable, bulky, crinkly, and just one more thing to have to throw away. So I started looking around and found Bamboobies.

Bamboo, organic cotton and hemp make these reusable breast pads the most absorbent and unbelievably soft nursing pads around. "Our bamboo fabrics are made with both bamboo fibers and pulp and are Certified Organic. Our bamboo fabric is certified free of harmful substances by Oeko-tex Standard 100.  In addition, our fabrics meet International Restricted Substance Limits standards.  We have been working closely with our suppliers to produce fabrics in an ecologically responsible manner with minimal environmental impact.  At the factories where the fabric is made, the extraction and renewal treatments for waste-water and exhaust emissions are carefully controlled and worker-safety is held to a high standard.

Organic Cotton and Bamboo are blended to create the soft velour of the regular Bamboobies and the fleece on the outside of the overnights." 

You know that you are getting quality nursing pads from Bamboobies. I have two sets of Bamboobies Regulars (although one might have gotten eaten by my washing machine). Let me tell you, not only are they very thin and discreet but the softness, wow! Pumping and nursing can make for very sore nipples, especially at the beginning, but slipping these in is like laying down on a comfy bed after a hard day's work. You can almost hear the sighs "Ahhh" :)

The outside fabric is a milk-proof barrier. The core is a thirsty hemp fabric that locks in the wetness and gets softer with each wash. The super soft lining is a certified bamboo and cotton velour. 

At first, they don't seem like much, but these do their work! The only things I found I didn't care for is that they seem to not be stay dry. Not a deal breaker, but it'd be nice for chafing nipples. The other thing is that once they absorb milk from a leak, the fabric gets stiff. So it's like you can only use them once then it's time to wash them-which is the reason I'm sad that my second pair has gone missing.

Using disposable pads can cost you about $350 for a 9-month supply, if you use two pairs per day/night. Bamboobies cost $29.99 for a set of three regulars pairs and one overnights pair. And they come in fun colors, black, hot pink, or pale pink. Who doesn't want to go around with a pair of hot pink nursing pads in their bra? It's like wearing an adorable pair of underwear-it makes you feel good and gives you a confidence booster that no one else knows about :)

You can purchase them through the Bamboobies website or through many cloth diaper stores, like Kelly's Closet here. One of my friends gave me my Bamboobies as a gift, though she bought them. I received no compensation for my thoughts and words.

Swaddlebees Simplex AIO: Review!

I have to admit, I was skeptical of this diaper, but it was one of the small/newborn diapers I chose for Gavin. The Swaddlebees Simplex AIO is a diaper of a different vein than the ones I have for Brendon. First, it's all cotton birdseye fabric in the inside-no potential stinky  microfiber! The outside is waterproof and feels nice. You know how some PUL outsides feel icky? Well, this one feels nice. LOL. And the print, I bought the Lemon-Lime print. It's nice and bright, without being obnoxious.

 Second, it's a pocket diaper, but the stuffing is attached at one end and agitates out in the wash. You can either stuff it inside or lay it on top and stuff the pocket (open on both ends for more cleaning) with extra stuff. Since Gavin still gets changed at least every 2 hours I'm not stuffing it with extra stuff.

Third, it's a side snapping diaper. I only had two other side snapping diapers for Brendon, and I didn't really like them. Brendon would always leak out the front-even though everyone raved about how great side snapping diapers are for tummy sleepers. But even though Gavin isn't sleeping on his tummy, I was still nervous. But I'm glad I bought it. I really love it!

Gavin Emerson, 1 week old

Of course, Gavin has already pooed in it several times and I haven't noticed any staining. But, the good thing about the diaper being cotton vs microfiber or something else is that if they make your stash (and I could be very so tempted!) is that you don't really have to worry about using only certain detergents. You could have a simpler wash routine!

I line dried this diaper overnight, and in the morning it was still a little damp, but it was inside rather than outside. If I had hung it outside-and it wasn't in the 50's here, I'm sure it would have dried in no time at all!

When Gavin still had his cord stump attached, it actually fit below it pretty well. Today, his cord fell off and the top of the diaper actually comes to right at belly button level. I bought the small size and it was one of the first cloth diapers he wore. When we came home from the hospital he was 7lbs, 8oz. The small is sized for 8-16lbs. So, it fit a little below 8lbs, and Gavin is still on the smallest snaps, so it'll fit for a while.

Swaddlebees Simplex AIO retails for $17.97 at Kelly's Closet. I purchased this diaper myself, and received no compensation for my thoughts and words.

Rockin' Green: Review and Giveaway!

Gah! This two kids thing is getting to be exhausting! I'm thankful my mother-in-law is here to help out. I even got out of the house today ALONE! But on to the good stuff!

Rockin' Green Laundry Detergent is the first cloth diaper-specific laundry detergent I tried, so I don't have much to compare it too, all I have are what it's done for me! First of all, it's very powdery, almost like damp powdered sugar. And the scents! WOW! I was given Earth, Wind & Orchids to sample and review. The scent is very light, and a little flowery, but something good about this is that the scent washes out, so the diapers are left clean and scentless. Pee and scents don't mix so well!

Other scents they have:

• Mighty Mighty Marshmallow - it's sweet and nutty, and very mighty!
• Smashing Watermelons- this juicy watermelon blend is like a kick to your senses..Best Seller!
• Earth, Wind & Orchids- this scent is flowered with inviting hints of tartness, floral, woods, honeysuckles and sugar.
• Rage against the Raspberry- this raspberry and honey blend will have you running around the laundry room looking for the mosh pit!
• Mötley Cleän - there's clean and then there's Mötley Cleän. This fresh blend has hints of ocean, fresh linen, and sunshine.
• Lavender Mint Revival- this medley of lavender and mint is like nothing you have heard or smelled before!
  
• Bare Naked Babies- because we love the smell of babies, we offer an unscented variety too!

I have a top loading washing machine, so I used 2 tablespoons for a load of diapers, and I felt like my diapers had better stink control than the other detergent I was using. Although, I did rock a soak before I started. To do that, you use hot water and 3 tablespoons of Rockin' Green. Then let it soak for 1/2 hour up to 1 hour. Mine actually sat for about 1 1/2 hours because I forgot and kids happened :) Then, you do your regular laundry routine with NO MORE DETERGENT.  I was amazed. My diapers didn't smell stinky when they were dried.

I've heard alot of poeple complain that the Rockin' Green gave their kid an awful rash, but Rockin' Green recently revamped their formula to take care of that. The new formula is called "Remix." Rockin' Green comes in three different formulas. Soft Rock for softened water, Classic Rock for regular water, and Hard Rock for hard water. Here's a map to help you determine what kind of water you have. Or, when in doubt, you can call your water company, or you can even email Rockin' Green and they'll help you find the right formula for you!

Want to try it for yourself? You can buy it from Rockin' Green directly here or many cloth diaper shops carry it, Kelly's Closet is one of them.
Or, you can fill out this easy Rafflecoptor form for a chance to win a 45/90 (45 loads in a top loader, 90 loads in a front loader--I was confused by this number at first...oh, just me...ok) bag of Rockin' Green in your choice of scent and formula.