Don't forget to head on over to our new blog on our website:
http://www.maineclothdiaper.com/blog
See you all soon :)
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
New Acquisition - Hugga Buns!
You heard it here, Maine Cloth Diaper Co. recently purchased a great company, Hugga Buns. The main product is a great pocket diaper, that comes in a rainbow of colors and either a tri-folded cotton/bamboo or hemp insert - super absorbent! This diaper is a really high quality product that one cannot see from the current product photos, you have to hold it in your own hands. The inside is super soft and the leg elastic is not going to let any messes escape! Additionally, with the super absorbent tri-fold insert the diaper is really trim and fits great.
We bought this company from the designer/creator of the diaper who put a lot of time and love into the product and we are very proud to now have it as part of the MCDC family. We want everyone to try one/some so we are offering them at a great price: $12.95 - they can be purchased either right here or at http://www.huggabuns.com.
Safe Sunscreens
Now that they sun is shining bright, even here in Maine, its important to know exactly what is in the suntan lotions you are putting on your youngsters. Most of those super-sized, inexpensive bottles of “kids” lotions that you find at most large chain pharmacies are not suitable for use on anyone’s skin! They contain harmful chemicals that are used to generate free radicals as well as estrogenic enhancing chemicals which are listed in the ingredients as benzophenones, paba, paba esters and cinnamates (just to name a few).
Our California Baby lotions pride themselves in the following:
*Contains organic and sustainably grown ingredients
*No Octyl Methoxycinnamate or other chemical sunscreens
*No fragrance or scent masking agents
*UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection
*PABA free
*Water resistant
*Non-chemical sunscreen
*Sheer finish
*Non-invasive formula, hypoallergenic
*Non-staining
Sunscreen chemicals aren’t only harmful to children, but teens and adults as well. You can google “estrogenic enhancers” if you want to read about the dangers yourself!
We also carry Mama Rose’s Natural SunBlocker which is SPF 30 and is all natural, chemical free and water resistant. We love it!
Both are great, healthy options for sun protection for the WHOLE FAMILY! Have a great day, and happy diapering!We have a New Blog!
Come on over and join us on our website for our new blog. In an attempt to streamline our site and try to have everything in one place where everyone can find us, we are moving to a new Wordpress Blog at: http://maineclothdiaper.com/blog/ - there is also a link on the left hand side of the homepage in case you forget!
I am going to post my next couple entries in both places to give everyone time to change their bookmarks. Come on over and comment :)
I am going to post my next couple entries in both places to give everyone time to change their bookmarks. Come on over and comment :)
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Clothing your Cloth Diapered Child
No matter how trim your cloth diapers are, there is little chance they will ever be as trim as a disposable - close, but a bit bulkier. The trimest options that come to mind would probably be a pocket diaper stuffed with hemp - of our selection I would say the Hugga Buns Ultra pocket diaper and the Thirsties hemp insert, either that or maybe the BumGenius AIO without a doubler. Those of us that use extra doublers, or large prefolds and covers are used to that cute padded bum! I have gotten questions about the development of a baby's hips with that added bulk between the legs pushing them apart more, this is a myth and there is simply no truth to it. Your baby's hips will develop just fine! What do you think babies wore before the invention of the disposable diaper anyway?
People often ask us if the added bulk under clothing makes shopping more challenging. With my daughter, I don't really think its been that much of an issue, except maybe with onesies which we really only used for the first few months given that she was born in January and I was trying to keep her warm! I don't think she ever wore the 0-3 month and only wore the 3-6 month for a very short time - I learned quickly to size up. They also make a snap extender for onesies since its really the crotch and bum area that needs the extra room when your babe wears cloth. I don't have personal experience using them, but have heard rave reviews. With sleepers and other stretchy cotton items usually worn by newborns, there is usually plenty of extra room for the cloth.
Now that my daughter is older (2 1/2) and in the 80-90th percentile for both height and weight, I generally only buy pants with some element of stretch - there are actually few things I have founds that don't stretch to some degree. If your child is very slender it probably won't even be an issue as I have plenty of friends with slender children that wear jeans and cords over their cloth with no problem. There is such a large variety of options available for children's clothes these days - I find Target carries the best fitting stretch bottoms with great variety of colors and prints. Our family has been using cloth from day one, so for us its a no-brainer. We do have to remind people around birthdays and holidays that gifts of bottoms do need to be stretchy as we do have a little extra padding in that area! If you are changing over from disposable to cloth, there is a chance you may find a few of your child's tighter items with no give to be too snug - a small price to pay - you will definitely save more money in the long run!
I love to see a cute little padded cloth bum - there is nothing wrong with a little added "booty"!
Have a great week everyone and happy diapering!
People often ask us if the added bulk under clothing makes shopping more challenging. With my daughter, I don't really think its been that much of an issue, except maybe with onesies which we really only used for the first few months given that she was born in January and I was trying to keep her warm! I don't think she ever wore the 0-3 month and only wore the 3-6 month for a very short time - I learned quickly to size up. They also make a snap extender for onesies since its really the crotch and bum area that needs the extra room when your babe wears cloth. I don't have personal experience using them, but have heard rave reviews. With sleepers and other stretchy cotton items usually worn by newborns, there is usually plenty of extra room for the cloth.
Now that my daughter is older (2 1/2) and in the 80-90th percentile for both height and weight, I generally only buy pants with some element of stretch - there are actually few things I have founds that don't stretch to some degree. If your child is very slender it probably won't even be an issue as I have plenty of friends with slender children that wear jeans and cords over their cloth with no problem. There is such a large variety of options available for children's clothes these days - I find Target carries the best fitting stretch bottoms with great variety of colors and prints. Our family has been using cloth from day one, so for us its a no-brainer. We do have to remind people around birthdays and holidays that gifts of bottoms do need to be stretchy as we do have a little extra padding in that area! If you are changing over from disposable to cloth, there is a chance you may find a few of your child's tighter items with no give to be too snug - a small price to pay - you will definitely save more money in the long run!
I love to see a cute little padded cloth bum - there is nothing wrong with a little added "booty"!
Have a great week everyone and happy diapering!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Swim Diaper Myth...
Warm weather is finally here!!! (in New England that is) We have a long haul through late fall, winter and most of spring before we get a break in the cold and snow :) I thought I would talk about swim diapers, a thing of mystery and often a pain in the....well you know!
The typical disposable swim diapers that most parents turn to and even are sold at most public pools are similar to a regular disposable diaper minus the absorbent gel and the outer waterproofing layer. The myth is that these diapers keep pee out of the water - WRONG! I have had moms ask me about my daughters Kushie's cloth swim diaper dozens of times. We have talked about how expensive the disposable swim diapers are and how often they change them. They want to see how the cloth swim diaper works and its so simple! The problem comes up when they see that its just the outer layer and the inner mesh. They are astounded that there is nothing absorbent because they don't realize just how little their disposables hold. Basically they all are designed to hold just poo.
The other question I keep hearing from cloth moms is, what to stuff the swim diaper with? The simple answer....NOTHING! As I said before, they are designed to contain messes, everything else, water AND pee should pass right through. If not, it could pose a potential drowning hazard. If the diaper were to fill with liquid it could weigh the child down or if it were to fill with air it could force the child's head under the water while floating their behind to the surface.
The lesson here is this....even if you don't cloth diaper, cloth swim diapers are SO easy to use and can save lots of money and waste! They are sold online at our store as well as in many retail establishments, give them a try :) And as alway, happy diapering!
The typical disposable swim diapers that most parents turn to and even are sold at most public pools are similar to a regular disposable diaper minus the absorbent gel and the outer waterproofing layer. The myth is that these diapers keep pee out of the water - WRONG! I have had moms ask me about my daughters Kushie's cloth swim diaper dozens of times. We have talked about how expensive the disposable swim diapers are and how often they change them. They want to see how the cloth swim diaper works and its so simple! The problem comes up when they see that its just the outer layer and the inner mesh. They are astounded that there is nothing absorbent because they don't realize just how little their disposables hold. Basically they all are designed to hold just poo.
The other question I keep hearing from cloth moms is, what to stuff the swim diaper with? The simple answer....NOTHING! As I said before, they are designed to contain messes, everything else, water AND pee should pass right through. If not, it could pose a potential drowning hazard. If the diaper were to fill with liquid it could weigh the child down or if it were to fill with air it could force the child's head under the water while floating their behind to the surface.
The lesson here is this....even if you don't cloth diaper, cloth swim diapers are SO easy to use and can save lots of money and waste! They are sold online at our store as well as in many retail establishments, give them a try :) And as alway, happy diapering!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Not Your Mother's Cloth Diapers!
Often we get mother/daughter customers coming into the store asking for info and exploring possibilities. The opinions vary - some are all for it, telling stories of their own experiences, others are more negative, giving examples of why the new mother will need that extra time (all what, 20 mins a week?) that it takes to do the extra washes. Back about 25-30 yrs ago, when disposable diapers were really beginning to enter the mainstream, they were thought of as a new “freedom” for women, somewhat comparable the bra burning era!
Most mothers’ impressions of cloth are that of diaper pins, pull on pants and wet pails and while some of us still employ these things, we know there are more modern, easy ways to CD as well as safer alternatives to the wet pail. Most cloth diaper manufacturers these days actually specify that a DRY pail be used, explaining that keeping diapers in a wet pail is not only dangerous for children (as a drowning hazard) but also not good for the diapers, they break down faster and the elastics and snaps wear out sooner as well. It often takes quite some discussions to explain to grandmothers-to-be that cloth diapering is a great option and there are so many new ways that things have been made easier and quicker for the modern - often more so than the parents themselves. They are amazed at the different types available – AIOs, pockets, fitteds, one-size diaper, the modern side fastening cover…..too many to remember! We just try and keep it as simple as possible to reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed. Its easy we tell them, and for those of you that love to cloth diaper, you know its true.
So at this time of year where we have just honored our mothers, old and new – try and laugh about those small disagreements! I am reminded of some of the struggles of differing opinions that I have had with my own mother on the subject of child rearing – so funny to think about and great memories I will carry with me.
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