Booty Buns Cloth Diapers

2 Pack Giveaway

2012-06-23T20:58:00.001-07:00

Here we go again with another giveaway with a purpose.We entered the Chase & Living Social Mission: Small Business competion to try and win a $250,000 grant to expand our business and products. So enter the giveaway today by voting for us!

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Summer Lovin' Event Grand Prize

2012-06-04T17:42:00.003-07:00

Welcome to the Summer Lovin' Baby Basics Giveaway Hop hosted by Booty Buns Cloth Diapers and Amy's Craft Bucket!! Over 30 blogs have teamed up to giveaway all sorts of great baby & new mom items. Once you've entered my giveaway, please head over here to enter the grand prize valued at over $1300 including a 4 pack of Booty Buns Cloth Diapers & a Zooper Stroller & Hook-On High Chair plus a lot more! Then follow all the links below to enter all the other great giveaways! Come back daily for more entries!!!

We're hosting the huge grand prize over here on Booty Buns Cloth Diapers Blog. Here is a run down of everything that one of our lucky winners will receive:

4 Pack of Booty Buns Cloth Diapers

+ 4 extra liners & 4 extra wipes:

$140 RTV

4 Pack of Organic Wool Dryer Balls by Raw Organics

$50 RTV

2 Bags of Rockin' Green Soap

$28.95 RTV

Handmade Wipes & Wipes Wet Bag by Fashion Bums

$15 RTV

Adjustable Cradle Style Sling by Balboa Baby

$60 RTV

Adjustable Sling by Mamma's Milk

$60 RTV

Boba Baby Wrap

$50 RTV

World's Best Nursing Cover by Boob Toob

$35 RTV

lil squirts nursing pads by Boob Toob

$13 RTV

Bobee Inc Diapering System

$50 RTV

Shopping Cart Cover by The Peanut Shell

$60 RTV

Amber Teething Necklace by Jack's Choice

$17 RTV

$10 Gift Card from Katy's Bow-Tique

$10 RTV

Beach Themed Baby Cocoon by Puff N Stuff Crochet

$30 RTV

Any 1 Item from The Lovely Yarns' Shop

up to $40 RTV

Peacock & Aladdin Crochet Newborn Props

by Mom's Crochet Corner

$60 RTV

Ultimate Nursing Shirt by Undercover Mama

$25 RTV

Double Blessing Nursing Pillow by San Deigo Bebe

$60 RTV

Spuds Inc Plastic Free Feeding Set

$30 RTV

Bolero Stroller by Zooper

$400 RTV

Hook-On High Chair by Zooper

$50 RTV

Amanda Style Diaper Bag by BabyMel

$100 RTV

Shea & Oatmeal Scrub by The Peaceful Housewife

$6 RTV

$25 Gift Card to Green Baby Goods

$25 RTV

As you can see, this is one drool worthy package! Use this form below to enter. There are some daily entries; so, be sure to come back each day until June 20, 2012 to get all your entries for this massive baby collection! After you enter the grand prize, use the linky below to enter all the other drool worthy baby prizes!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL WHO ENTER!!!

*** The Summer Lovin' Grand Prize is open to all US & Canadian Residents. ***

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Jack's Choice Amber Necklace Spotlight & Review

2012-06-04T17:18:00.001-07:00

I was sent an Amber Teething Necklace for review from Jack's Choice. Jack's Choice is owned and operated by Staci, Jack's Mom. She is one of our retailers who carries some other great products in her store like therapeutic jewelry, cloth diaper accessories & bath items.

When I first started learning about amber necklaces, I'll admit, I was a little skeptical about if they would really work. I'd been searching for an alternative to oral gel & anti inflammatories; since I know there are side effects to them & they don't last very long anyways.

Well, I have found the best alternative ever! At first, I noticed that she wasn't quite as whiny & crabby has she had been. We kept it on her for a week, only taking it off for bathing and sleeping. It was amazing how her demeanor was changing and becoming less ornery. I wondered if she was going through one of those weeks where her teeth were giving her a break; so, I took a look inside at the end of the first week.

Do you want to know what I noticed at the end of the week? Of course you do, that's why you're reading this right? ;) Well, I found a molar!! With my first daughter, the molars were horrorific; but, nothing compared to her I-teeth. I was shocked that the baby was so calm and nice while that molar was breaking through.

She has since had all 4 molars break through & 3 I-teeth. She is at the point where she is starting to say a ton of stuff; so, if we forget to put it on her she asks for her necklace. In fact, she wasn't wearing it at all before her first nap today; but, when she woke up she was in a ton of pain in her mouth. She kept saying, 'I hurt' while pointing to her teeth. When I got her necklace she got super excited and laughed. Its amazing that it takes only a minute for her to be out of pain while wearing it.We haven't had to use Oral Gel or any other med for her since we started using our Jack's Choice Amber Teething Necklace.

Here is the baby showcasing the amber necklace ;)

You can buy your own amber teething necklace {or BBCD} here.

The Peaceful Housewife is giving away Oatmeal & Shea Butter Scrub to our grand prize winner. You can get your early entries in by liking Jack's Choice on Facebook & leaving a comment below telling me what you love most about Amber Teething Necklaces from Jack's Choice.

***The Summer Lovin' grand prize will be open to US & Canada residents only

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*** Thank you Jack's Choice for providing the Amber Teething Necklace for to us for review! All reviews and discussions presented by me are to be interpreted as my opinion as I was not compensated for this post. You should always follow the directions, instructions, and guidance provided by the maker or producer of any product or service reviewed or discussed by me, and you assume the full risk inherent in the use of any such product or service. BBCD disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding any product other than BBCD, service, website and/or other topics reviewed or discussed by BBCD, and further disclaims any liability related to the use of thereof.

Katy's Bow-Tique Spotlight & Review

2012-06-04T15:43:00.002-07:00

We worked with Katy's Bow-Tique recently for another giveaway hop that we took part in. Katy has graciously decided to take part in this giveaway as well! Click here to see our review.

We love that Katy's Bow-Tique is also a charity based business. All of her proceeds go to her church's nursery! We love people and companies with charity flowing through them :)

You can buy your own Katy's Bow-Tique Bows here.

Katy's Bow-Tique is giving away a $10 gift card to our grand prize winner. You can get your early entries in by liking Katy's Bow-Tique on Facebook & leaving a comment below telling me what you love most about Katy's Bow-Tique.

***The Summer Lovin' grand prize will be open to US & Canada residents only

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*** Thank you Katy's Bow-Tique for providing us with some great bows to review! All reviews and discussions presented by me are to be interpreted as my opinion as I was not compensated for this post. You should always follow the directions, instructions, and guidance provided by the maker or producer of any product or service reviewed or discussed by me, and you assume the full risk inherent in the use of any such product or service. BBCD disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding any product other than BBCD, service, website and/or other topics reviewed or discussed by BBCD, and further disclaims any liability related to the use of thereof.

The Lovely Yarns Spotlight & Review

2012-06-04T13:58:00.000-07:00

Karla from The Lovely Yarns has some of the cutest crochet photo props ever! She likes to crochet because it reminds her of her grandmother. What a special thing it is to be able to have memories with those you love to remind you of them when you are apart! Karla has great craftsmanship & these adorable pieces are sure to last you a long time; so, long as you follow her care instructions.

She makes this adorable mermaid set as well as some other noteworthy sets you need to go check out.

This set come with a fin, star headband & star bra. My daughter loved being dressed up in it for these pictures!

I can't wait to have more babies & get more of these adorable crochet sets!

The Lovely Yarns also offers some super cute crochet hats & hair pieces. You can browse her shop & buy your own handmade crochet items here.
Karla has graciously opened her shop to our grand prize winner. If you win, you get to pick any item from her shop!! Get your early entries in today by liking The Lovely Yarns on Facebook, Favoriting The Lovely Yarns on Etsy, and leaving a comment below telling me which item you love the most from her shop.***The Summer Lovin' grand prize will be open to US & Canada residents only

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*** Thank you The Lovely Yarns for providing this amazing crochet photo props to us for review! All reviews and discussions presented by me are to be interpreted as my opinion as I was not compensated for this post. You should always follow the directions, instructions, and guidance provided by the maker or producer of any product or service reviewed or discussed by me, and you assume the full risk inherent in the use of any such product or service. BBCD disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding any product other than BBCD, service, website and/or other topics reviewed or discussed by BBCD, and further disclaims any liability related to the use of thereof.

Mom's Crochet Corner Spotlight & Review

2012-06-04T12:35:00.000-07:00

Heather from Mom's Crochet Corner has a real talent for making super cute crochet photo props! She is a stay at home mom who started crocheting because her sister in law had a need for cute photo props. I really like that about her! Its so nice to meet & support other women who are in the process of supporting women & people that have a need! I haven't seen any of her sister in law's photos; but, I am sure that any of them that feature Heather's work are adorable!

I was sent 3 pieces from her shop & I am so in love with them! I have been very impressed with her craftsmanship & originality. I've never seen a peacock or Aladdin set before. She has several other unique designs in her shop. Each of the pieces that she sent were very well constructed and oh so adorable. They also come with care and washing instructions which I think is super important when it comes to anything made out of yarn! Anything that you buy from Mom's crochet corner will be amazing & I am sure that you will love it as much as I do :)

Here is the unique and adorable peacock set:

I just love the plumage in this set!

She also made this adorable Aladdin Set:

Its so hard not to imagine your little one in something so cute!

I decided that my favorite is her Hungry Caterpillar set:

I love that Heather's caterpillar body has indents in it just like a real caterpillar does!

You can buy your own photo prop sets or hats from Mom's Crochet Corner here. Our readers have been given this special code to receive 15% off your entire order! The code is good until July 1, 2012. Be sure to tell Heather how much you love her work when you order!

BOOTYBUNS2012

Heather has been so great & is giving away a $60 value to our grand prize winner! The winner will get the super unique peacock newborn set & the adorable Aladdin newborn set. You can get your early entries in by Favorting Mom's Crochet Corner on Etsy and leaving a comment below telling me which of the adorable pieces that she makes that you are most likely to order with your special code.

***The Summer Lovin' grand prize will be open to US & Canada residents only

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*** Thank you Mom's Crochet Corner for providing these amazing newborn crochet photo props to us for review! All reviews and discussions presented by me are to be interpreted as my opinion as I was not compensated for this post. You should always follow the directions, instructions, and guidance provided by the maker or producer of any product or service reviewed or discussed by me, and you assume the full risk inherent in the use of any such product or service. BBCD disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding any product other than BBCD, service, website and/or other topics reviewed or discussed by BBCD, and further disclaims any liability related to the use of thereof.

Balboa Sling Spotlight & Review

2012-06-01T14:31:00.000-07:00

Balboa Baby makes some great baby products; and, I was lucky enough to review their adjustable cradle style sling.

About Balboa Baby:
{From their website}

A Legacy of Design Excellence

Shirley Pepys, founder of Noel Joanna Inc. (NoJo) and her son Noel Pepys have teamed up with Dr. William Sears, best known as “America’s Pediatrician,” to create fashionable and functional products to make life simpler for parents and better for babies. Balboa Baby® designs contemporary, unique products using luxurious fabrics and distinctive prints. We will continue to find innovative ways to make parents’ lives easier, their babies happier and to give them both opportunities to bond and experience life together. Cuddle your baby.

This is my favorite cradle style sling! I love that it comes with padding on the shoulder strap so that you don't feel it when you wear it! I've had other slings that looked cute; but, I had to stop using because they dug in to my shoulder. Before I started using slings, I never thought to look for a feature such as this; I just wanted one that looked cute. So, for anyone who is looking for a great sling, this is the best cradle style I've seen!

Another feature that I love about the Balboa Baby sling is that it comes with 2 pockets - one on the inside & one on the outside of the sling. I put my ID & debit card on the inside when I got shopping and my keys in the outside pocket.

I love that it has elastic on both the inside and the outside to keep your sling secure around your baby. It also has a nifty safety stopper to help you keep your sling adjusted to the setting you have found works best for you.

You can buy your own cradle style adjustable sling by Balboa Baby here.

Balboa Baby is giving away a cradle style adjustable sling in Geo print to our grand prize winner. You can get your early entries in by liking Balboa Baby on Facebook, following Balboa Baby on Twitter & leaving a comment below telling me what you love most about Balboa Baby Slings.

***The Summer Lovin' grand prize will be open to US & Canada residents only

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*** Thank you Balboa Baby for providing an awesome cradle style adjustable sling for to us for review! All reviews and discussions presented by me are to be interpreted as my opinion as I was not compensated for this post. You should always follow the directions, instructions, and guidance provided by the maker or producer of any product or service reviewed or discussed by me, and you assume the full risk inherent in the use of any such product or service. BBCD disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding any product other than BBCD, service, website and/or other topics reviewed or discussed by BBCD, and further disclaims any liability related to the use of thereof.

Mamma's Milk Slings Spotlight & Review

2012-06-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

Mamma's Milk Slings are one of the most sought after slings out there due to their award winning design. They are loved by not only us, but many celebrities. Their slings come in some really cute prints! They also sell diaper clutches and wipe dispensers.

The slings are adjustable via 2 strips of velcro. I love that they also come with a built in padded strip so the sling doesn't cut into your baby's skin. It is a super comfortable wear. The instructions show that the sling can also be used to nurse your baby; but, I am no longer nursing so I can't tell you how well it works. I am looking forward to being able to use this amazing sling when we have another newborn in our house though!

My husband really likes that this sling is comfortable for both him and the baby. He said that his favorite thing is that it adjusts to fit either him or me. Since our daughter has become a Daddy's girl and only wants me at bedtime, he does most of the carrying. He said he also likes that this sling keeps the baby secure and close to him; and, and he likes that he barely notices that he is wearing the sling.

I love the softness of the fabric, all the prints {so hard to chose!} and the innovative designs. Mamma's Milk also offers non adjustable slings and slings with SolarVeil which offers your baby 70 SPF and makes the sling perfect for summer because it breathes or winter because it can help keep your baby warm!

{image from Mamma's Milk}

What Makes Mamma's Milk Better?

{taken from their website}

Mamma's Milk products are designed by and for for the modern parent. Sleek, minimalistic and yet everything you need, our baby gear makes parenting look easy.

Features

Mom-designed
Family-owned
Locally produced here in the USA
As Seen On Grey's Anatomy
As featured on ABC's The View as a "Top Ten Celebrity Mom Must-Haves"
Celebrity fans include Chris Noth (Sex And The City), Angela Kinsey (The Office), and Elisabeth Rohm (Law & Order). See more celebrity fans here

You can buy your own Mamma's Milk Sling here.

Mamma's Milk is giving away a khaki adjustable sling to our grand prize winner! You can get your early entries in by liking Mamma's Milk on Facebook and leaving a comment below telling me what your favorite thing about Mamma's Milk is.
***The Summer Lovin' grand prize will be open to US & Canada residents only

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*** Thank you Mamma's Milk for providing an awesome sling for to us for review! All reviews and discussions presented by me are to be interpreted as my opinion as I was not compensated for this post. You should always follow the directions, instructions, and guidance provided by the maker or producer of any product or service reviewed or discussed by me, and you assume the full risk inherent in the use of any such product or service. BBCD disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding any product other than BBCD, service, website and/or other topics reviewed or discussed by BBCD, and further disclaims any liability related to the use of thereof.

Bobee Inc Diapering System Spotlight & Review

2012-06-01T13:09:00.001-07:00

The Bobee Inc diaper system is pretty dang cool. It was designed by a mom who won Huggies' Mom Inventor's contest. The model that is available right now was designed for disposable diapers; but, they have plans to introduce a cloth diaper friendly model in the future.

Have you ever noticed how many diapers you change in a day? A ton right? Well, this handy little system helps you keep your diapers and wipes together & keep them with in reach while changing a diaper. You just simply need to screw the back piece to your wall & refill as you go.

We don't have an disposable diapers in our house {yay!} so I used our cloth in the Bobee. The diapers themselves fit through the diaper slot if the were unstuffed; but, it was kind of awkward getting them out. I tried putting just the inserts in to see how that would work; and, it worked great! I was able to fit 30 newborn inserts in the Bobee and they came out with ease. I look forward to the cloth diaper version of this great system!

I love that you are given stickers to decorate your Bobee. It make diaper storage more fun and personal.

I ended up giving one to my sister in law since she is planning on using disposable diapers when her son is born. {I haven't converted her just yet ;) } Since Bobee is fairly new, she hadn't heard of them just yet; but, when I showed her how it works she was super excited! I heard several of the women at the shower say that they were going to go get on for the new babies coming to their families in the near future. So, hurry and get yours now so you can say that you were one of the first to own a Bobee!

You can buy your own Bobee here.

Bobee is giving away a system to our grand prize winner. You can get your early entries in by liking Bobee on Facebook and leaving a comment below telling me what your favorite thing about Bobee Inc is.

***The Summer Lovin' grand prize will be open to US & Canada residents only

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*** Thank you Bobee Inc for providing a Bobee Diaper System for to us for review! All reviews and discussions presented by me are to be interpreted as my opinion as I was not compensated for this post. You should always follow the directions, instructions, and guidance provided by the maker or producer of any product or service reviewed or discussed by me, and you assume the full risk inherent in the use of any such product or service. BBCD disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding any product other than BBCD, service, website and/or other topics reviewed or discussed by BBCD, and further disclaims any liability related to the use of thereof.

Peanut Shell Shopping Cart Cover Spotlight & Review

2012-06-01T12:30:00.001-07:00

The Peanut Shell makes some of the cutest shopping cart covers, slings & nursing covers I've seen! I received the shopping cart cover in Pink Couture for review.

I love this cover! First thing, I absolutely love that when you are not using it, the cover folds in itself to create this cute little purse. Super cute!

I took the cover to my favorite grocery store to give it a test run. It fit the cart great & my daughter was drawn to the print immediately. In fact, she rubbed the cover the whole time she was in it the first time.

I love that this cover has a built in seat belt that is as fashionable as the rest of it. There is the great strip of fabric that wraps around your baby, then slide through a slit to wrap about the back of the seat

& back through another slit to velcro in the front and keep your child secure.
*Be sure to keep an eye and possibly a hand on your child while in the cart to ensure your child's safety.

***Shopping cart covers are uber important when you have a little one because you never know what is lurking on those shopping carts. I'll be the first to admit that since my baby has gotten older I've only used my cover about 50% of the time; but, a friend of mine is dealing with hand-foot-and-mouth disease right now that her daughter picked up from a shopping cart so I'm back to full time until she no longer needs to be in the cart! Her doctor told her that kids can catch it until they are over 5!

A little about Peanut Shell:

{taken from their website}

Our peanut doesn't fall far from your tree... or should we say plant? At any rate, we are proud that our company was founded by a mom, not unlike yourself. She had a vision of turning an old, yet functional, idea into something new by infusing baby carriers with fashion. Her idea sparked The Peanut Shell genesis in the baby sling industry. As The Peanut Shell grew, our founder decided to focus on family and other projects and handed the management reigns over to Farallon Brands, a brand management company that specializes in bringing quality products to consumers. Today, Farallon and The Peanut Shell are thrilled to continue to offer parents quality products that are not only functional, but also fashionable. We will never forget our past, and at the same time, we are excited about the future.

You can buy your own shopping cart cover from The Peanut Shell here.

The Peanut shell is giving away a shopping cart cover to our grand prize winner in the print of their choice. You can get early entries for liking The Peanut Shell on Facebook, Following The Peanut Shell on Twitter & leaving a comment below telling me which print you would chose if you are the grand prize winner.

***The Summer Lovin' grand prize will be open to US & Canada residents only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*** Thank you The Peanut Shell for providing an awesome shopping cart cover for to us for review! All reviews and discussions presented by me are to be interpreted as my opinion as I was not compensated for this post. You should always follow the directions, instructions, and guidance provided by the maker or producer of any product or service reviewed or discussed by me, and you assume the full risk inherent in the use of any such product or service. BBCD disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding any product other than BBCD, service, website and/or other topics reviewed or discussed by BBCD, and further disclaims any liability related to the use of thereof.

Raw Organics Sponsor Spotlight & Review

2012-06-01T11:36:00.001-07:00

Raw Organics is a great WAHM company that sells organic handmade items like wool dryer balls in off white or multicolored, lip sticks, soaps & skin care. I bought a tester set of the lanolized wool dyer balls so I could see how they work.

I have strayed away from dryer sheets for years because of the health threats that they pose; so, I was super excited when I found out that there was another way to avoid static cling in the dryer. We haven't had too much of an issue with static cling in the years without dryer sheets, that is until we started using cloth diapers. When we put flannel liners in the dryer with microfiber inserts they tend to stick together and cause static

cling.

The lanolized wool dryers balls by Raw Organics were designed to help prevent static cling and shorten your dry time. I was super excited to start using them! When they first arrived though, the envelope kinda smelled like fresh wool; so, I was a little worried that my clothes would smell like a sheep. Amazingly though, the sheepy smell went away in the dryer and nothing smelled like wool when it came out of the dyer!! Most importantly, all the static cling was gone and the dry time was reduced!

You can buy your own Raw Organics dryer balls here.

Raw Organics is giving away a set of 4 wool dryer balls to our grand prize winner! You can get a head start on your entires by liking Raw Organics on Facebook, Following Raw Organics on Twitter and leaving a comment below. Tell me what you like most about Raw Organics & what you most look forward when using Raw Organics wool dryer balls.

***The Summer Lovin' grand prize will be open to US & Canada residents only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*** Thank you Raw Organics for providing a discount on their tester sets for to us for review! All reviews and discussions presented by me are to be interpreted as my opinion as I was not compensated for this post. You should always follow the directions, instructions, and guidance provided by the maker or producer of any product or service reviewed or discussed by me, and you assume the full risk inherent in the use of any such product or service. BBCD disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding any product other than BBCD, service, website and/or other topics reviewed or discussed by BBCD, and further disclaims any liability related to the use of thereof.

Rockin' Green Sponsor Spotlight & Review

2012-06-01T11:35:00.000-07:00

Around here we love Rockin' Green Soap! We use it for every dirty diaper load we have and we love how well it gets the stink out!

When we first started using cloth we just used out favorite commercial soap; but, it quickly built up in the diapers causing our daughter to smell like a skunk & get a bad rash. So, I did some more research & Rockin' Green seemed to be the type of soap most people recommended.

I ordered a few samples to see how it worked & if the smells were something I would like. Well, I love the scents because they are mild & I don't really smell them after the diapers have been through the full wash cycle. I was quickly converted to using Rockin' Green because it works so well. I also love that it was designed by a mom of children with sensitive skin. It is vegan & safe for use on any of your laundry, not just cloth diapers.

Rockin' Green comes in 3 different formulas - Hard Rock, Soft Rock & Classic Rock. Where you live in the country determines which formula you will need. I love that they spent the time to make their product the best no matter where you live or what kind of water you have.

The most revealing thing for me in switching to Rockin' Green is that I have been using WAY to much of the commercial laundry soap! I only need 2 tablespoons of Rockin' Green to clean diapers that are by far the smelliest laundry ever; but, I was using about 1/2 cup of the other stuff. I've slowed down & started using my Rockin' Green Scoop in the other soap & now it seems like it will never end!

You can buy your own Rockin' Green Soap here.

Rockin' Green has graciously agreed to donate 2 bags of their incredible cloth diaper soap to our grand prize winner in the scents and formula they prefer. Get your head start by liking Rockin' Green on Facebook, Following Rockin' Green on Twitter and commenting below. Tell me which formula you would get if you won & which scents are your favorite.

***The Summer Lovin' grand prize will be open to US & Canada residents only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*** Thank you Rockin' Green Soap for providing a samples for to us for review! All reviews and discussions presented by me are to be interpreted as my opinion as I was not compensated for this post. You should always follow the directions, instructions, and guidance provided by the maker or producer of any product or service reviewed or discussed by me, and you assume the full risk inherent in the use of any such product or service. BBCD disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding any product other than BBCD, service, website and/or other topics reviewed or discussed by BBCD, and further disclaims any liability related to the use of thereof.

Fashion Bums Wipes & Wipes Wet Bag Spotloight & Review

2012-06-01T11:34:00.001-07:00

I was initially contacted by Tori over at Fashion Bums to help promote cloth diaper awareness over on the East Coast. I really like the idea of cloth diaper moms getting together to help promote cloth diaper education in whatever way they can. In the course of conversation I mentioned the Summer Lovin' Event to her & she agreed to donate a set of 8 of her handmade wipes & a wipes wet bag to our grand prize winner!

These wipes are not only super cute; but, they are great for even the messiest of diapers. They are super long giving you plenty of room fold the wipe and continue cleaning as necessary. Each wipe is made of 100% flannel & zig-zag stitched for finishing.

I was also sent a wipes wet bag; and, I love it! The one I got is made from jean print PUL and has a zipper closure. It is great for when we go on trips because I don't have to carry around wipe solution too.

You can buy your own set of wipes from Fashion Bums here:

Fashion Bums is giving away a set of 8 handmade wipes & a wipes wet back to our grand prize winner! You can get a head start on entries by liking Fashion Bums on Facebook; Favoriting Fashion Bums on Etsy & leaving a comment below telling me if you pick boy prints or girl prints if you win.

***The Summer Lovin' grand prize will be open to US & Canada residents only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*** Thank you Fashion Bums for providing a set of handmade wipes & wipes wet bag for to us for review! All reviews and discussions presented by me are to be interpreted as my opinion as I was not compensated for this post. You should always follow the directions, instructions, and guidance provided by the maker or producer of any product or service reviewed or discussed by me, and you assume the full risk inherent in the use of any such product or service. BBCD disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding any product other than BBCD, service, website and/or other topics reviewed or discussed by BBCD, and further disclaims any liability related to the use of thereof.

Undercover Mama Sponsor Spotlight & Review

2012-05-21T16:46:00.000-07:00

Undercover Mama is one of those super genius products that really does make life with a little one a little easier. Developed by a mom, it is the only nursing shirt that doesn't take away from style. I personally never bought any nursing shirts because I felt like the were all so ugly & just weren't me. I only wish I would have found Undercover Mama 18 months ago; because, you can wear this little tank under any shirt that you already own. Since the layered look has been in for quite some time, nobody would be able to tell that you we wearing a nursing shirt.

The Undercover Mama Tank is a strapless tank top that has the ability to attach to any bra. It comes in several colors & there is even a lace trim line. Also, its super affordable. It also has the ability to be worn past nursing as a layered tank look since it is so undercover!

*G-E-N-I-U-S*

We love Undercover Mama because it is an amazing, innovative design & because they are a company that is focused on giving back too. They work with World Vision Micro to help out other Mama's around the world.

World Vision Micro is an AMAZING company that offers micro loans to women around the world who have dreams and goals to be entrepreneurs and support their families. I have heard a lot about them; and, actually thanks to Undercover Mama, I remembered this company. I have been praying for more ways to give back through Booty Buns Cloth Diapers & I have found it! We made our first donation to World Vision Micro today & can't wait to be able to donate more next month! Click here to join our WVM group!!

Allie's Review:

As a doula (http://birthofthefamily.blogspot.com) and mother of two, I've done the nursing thing. It's wonderful and crazy all at once. But no matter your opinion of it, it is the absolute best thing you can do for your baby. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Lucky for me, I've been able to review a few different products to help with this wonderful/nutty time of life, and I have found my personal favorite: THE UNDERCOVER MAMA TANK.

I love this!!

It was right up my alley. I knew going into newborns and nursing that I wasn't about to buy an entire new wardrobe of shirts that would make me more accessible, and had accepted the fact that it would just be a little awkward at times and that was fine. It was worth it to me. But this little tank solved on of my biggest problems: keeping my beautiful stretch-marked midsection out of sight.

This tank top goes under any shirt and clips onto your bra. There are a couple of different clasps, so you might need to take a minute to figure out which one will work best with the bra you've got on. I preferred the hook and just slid it through the fabric right above my bra clasp. It worked like a charm.

I flew back to my parents for a visit with the kiddos, and nursed my baby at the airport and on the plane with this thing. It was easy to do and undo, and kept me discreet and comfortable for optimum nursing-on-the-go. Plus I didn't have to feel that cold metal chair on my back while nursing.

I am definitely going to be purchasing a few of these!!

Look at how simple it is to use Undercover Mama with any bra:

You can buy your own Undercover Mama Tanks here.

Undercover Mama is donating a $25 gift certificate to the Summer Lovin' grand prize! You can get a head start on entries by liking Undercover Mama on Facebook & Following them on Twitter. Also, please leave a comment below stating which color tank you would chose if you are chosen as the winner.

***The Summer Lovin' grand prize will be open to US & Canada residents only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*** Thank you Undercover Mama for providing a Universal Nursing Tank to us for review! All reviews and discussions presented by me are to be interpreted as my opinion as I was not compensated for this post. You should always follow the directions, instructions, and guidance provided by the maker or producer of any product or service reviewed or discussed by me, and you assume the full risk inherent in the use of any such product or service. BBCD disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding any product other than BBCD, service, website and/or other topics reviewed or discussed by BBCD, and further disclaims any liability related to the use of thereof.

Double Blessings Nursing Pillow by San Diego Bebe Spotlight & Review

2012-05-21T13:39:00.002-07:00

We were sent a Double blessings nursing pillow for review from our friends over at San Diego Bebe. When it arrived at my house I was *AMAZED* at all the stuff that was included in the design of this pillow. First, it is covered in a super soft minky fabric! I love the thought of the baby resting on something soft while nursing; since, anyone who has ever nursed knows that in the first few months the baby is nursing practically round-the-clock. It also comes with a nifty little pillow for lumbar support & a strap to buckle the pillow to you - no more dealing with a nursing pillow that doesn't stay attached to you! My favorite part about the pillow is that it has a built in nursing cover; so, if you've got company, you can take your pillow with you & nurse in comfort & privacy.

I gave this pillow to my friend Allie from Birth Of The Family for use & review since I am not nursing & couldn't judge the actual use of it. Allie is a full time mommy of 2. She is nursing her four month old in between moments of chasing after her super hero 2 year old. She also works as a doula who strives to help you in your birth experience in what ever way she can. If you would like to talk to her about her work as a doula; or, if you have questions about pregnancy, labor & delivery, breastfeeding or any other baby/mommy questions, you can get in touch with her through her Facebook page.

Breastfeeding is quite the transition for most women today. It takes some getting used to, and getting a good start is vital. I have been able to use a product that I think will do wonders in helping to keep you and your new baby comfortable as you explore and learn and figure out the process together. It's called the "San Diego Bebe Eco-Friendly Nursing Pillow", and it's basically the Rolls Royce of all nursing pillows.

It is, in essence, a complete nursing station. It has pockets for phones or keys, pockets for snacks, and holders for water bottles. It has a pillow for lumbar support and a cover that goes around your neck to keep things kosher without smothering anybody.

Newborns are especially time consuming to nurse. They generally take at least thirty minutes, but more commonly about an hour for each feeding. They are awkward to hold in your arms; especially for that long. This soft pillow for them to lie on is ideal; they can easily reach your breasts while you have both arms free to snuggle them and tickle their faces ... or catch your two year old as he attempts to dive-bomb you, or answer a phone call.

And if you have multiples? This nursing pillow becomes a necessity. There is plenty of room to get two nursing at the same time, giving all three of you a much needed quiet bonding moment, and making you feel like you might just be getting a handle on things. They even make one that is specifically designed just for twins!

This nursing pillow is a great investment for all beginners and should help you get the positive start you need to nurse your baby throughout that vital first year and beyond, if you'd like.

You can buy your own Double Blessing Nursing Pillow & other twins gear here.

Or you can win one through our Summer Lovin' Event. You can get early entries in by liking San Diego Bebe on Facebook, following San Diego Bebe on Twitter & leaving a comment below telling me which color you would chose if you win. They are giving away 1 single nursing pillow.

***The Summer Lovin' grand prize will be open to US & Canada residents only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*** Thank you San Diego Bebe for providing the Double Blessings Nursing Pillow to us for review! All reviews and discussions presented by me are to be interpreted as my opinion as I was not compensated for this post. You should always follow the directions, instructions, and guidance provided by the maker or producer of any product or service reviewed or discussed by me, and you assume the full risk inherent in the use of any such product or service. BBCD disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding any product other than BBCD, service, website and/or other topics reviewed or discussed by BBCD, and further disclaims any liability related to the use of thereof.

Boob Toob Sponsor Spotlight & Review

2012-05-19T19:02:00.001-07:00

BooB*TooB

I found Boob Toob on Etsy while searching for nursing covers for the grand prize. I was an instant fan!! Nicole is a genius; because, she has found a unique way to fix the toughest part about public nursing - keeping you covered all around while your little gymnast nurses. She created a cover that actually keeps you covered! The Boob Toob is the world's first and only cover that has your back & sides covered - literally! It comes in several great prints (so hard to choose!) & ships super fast.

Since my youngest started using me for her teething toy, I counted down the days until she turned 1 & weaned her to be done on that magical day. I have days where I miss the bonding with her in that way, then she bites me some where else & I remember why I stopped. ;) I gave the Boob Toob to my lovely friend Allie to review for me. In fact, I gave all of the nursing products in the grand prize to Allie to review! She has a blog dedicated to her family & her life as a doula. Be sure to check it out after you read her review!

Being a mother to a two year old and four month old, working as a doula, and having a great new friend with a fantastic cloth diaper business, I was given the opportunity to review a new baby product. I suppose I've got a little experience with these things. My two beautiful babies have rocked my world and changed me forever, and it has been an adventure figuring out the best ways for me to raise them and keep us all happy -- including myself. My doula work takes me to all sorts of births to all sorts of couples; I've been blessed to be a birthing companion to new families from many different cultures. I've been documenting my experiences and collected wisdom here: http://birthofthefamily.blogspot.com. Turns out, we're all quite different; some of my favorite baby tricks may not quite be their cup of tea. However no matter the background, I have yet to find a mother who does not want to keep the ladies covered while sustaining her little one.

Breastfeeding is one of the absolute most important things a mother can do for her baby. So many don't because they find it "inconvenient". I've heard all sorts of reasons why people stop, but I've just been given a product to help with the most common frustration: nursing in public.

You know the drill; you've finally decided you're ready to get out of that house. Some friends offer to take you out to eat ... and not cooking sounds divine. You've fed the baby, she's peacefully sleeping, and your meal goes smoothly. But you're counting the minutes. You know that baby is destined to wake up at any moment and of course, want to eat. You know you'll have to go out to that car, but it's raining and windy ... yuck. If only you could sit in your discreet little corner and feed that baby without giving anyone the oh-my-word-is-that-a-boob-I-just-saw heebie jeebies.

Well, if you've got this great little nursing cover, then you are set.

The boob toob is by far the most discreet cover I have seen, and I've seen quite a few. It covers your front. It covers your back. It covers your sides. You could sit on a stool in the middle of a restaurant and nobody would be the wiser. If you happen to have a shirt on where you can pull yourself out the top, then not one bit of skin will be showing. If you do need to lift your shirt, then don't worry -- the fabric is adorable and you'll just look like you're rockin' a loose halter top.

The elastic all the way around is genius. Your baby can wiggle all she wants without pulling anything off of you. You'll have one arm out to do what you need; and that one arm is a life-saver. You could finish your food, check your phone, wrangle your two-year-old, or pull the top out a little so you can gaze into your little one's eyes. And those adorable eyes will have no choice but to look back at you, the task at hand; something invaluable once your baby gets to that 5-6 month stage and gets distracted by everything.

And last but not least ... I'm sure you're looking at this, worrying about your hair. I had no problems with that. The wrap is plenty big enough to slip off without doing much damage. Much less than your baby will to do as soon as you sit her up to burp her.

So, having used this new product for a couple of weeks now, I have nursed in parks, at stores, and at my husband's graduation from chiropractic school. I did it all without a single side-ways glance from a single bystander. I felt protected, my baby was cozy, and nursing had never been easier. In my opinion, the Boob Toob is a great tool to help moms get comfortable with one of the most awkward, yet most vital transitions that comes with motherhood.

Buy your own Boob Toob here

Get a head start on the grand prize by Liking Boob Toob on Facebook & Etsy.

Also, you can leave a comment below telling me which print you would chose if you were to win the grand prize.

***The Summer Lovin' grand prize will be open to US & Canada residents only

*** Thank you Boob Toob for providing the Boob Toob Nursing Cover & lil' squirts Nursing Pads to us for review! All reviews and discussions presented by me are to be interpreted as my opinion as I was not compensated for this post. You should always follow the directions, instructions, and guidance provided by the maker or producer of any product or service reviewed or discussed by me, and you assume the full risk inherent in the use of any such product or service. BBCD disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding any product other than BBCD, service, website and/or other topics reviewed or discussed by BBCD, and further disclaims any liability related to the use of thereof.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

lil' squirts Sponsor Spotlight & Review

2012-05-19T18:33:00.002-07:00

lil' squirts

If you're anything like me, breastfeeding is messy. I am a mother of two crazy kids and also work as a doula -- which is a birth companion, if you're unaware. (And if you'd like to know more about that, I've got a little doula blog with all sorts of information: http://birthofthefamily.blogspot.com) I've got a little experience with breastfeeding and all that goes with it.

Unfortunately, leakage is something that almost always comes with it. Some have it only at the beginning, and some have it the whole way through. With my first, I started buying throw-away nursing pads purely for lack of knowing any better. But the money began to add up as I realized I was one of those blessed few to experience leakage throughout my entire nursing experience. And so I did a little searching, and much to my relief, I discovered re-useable nursing pads.

And these "lil' squirts" are great. They are significantly cuter than any I've seen, and you'll be surprised how much happier you'll feel slipping something slightly adorable & comfortable into your bra verses the basic blah you'll find anywhere else.

These are also massive. It's really useful in soaking up everything possible, keeping your bras drier, and your shirts less ... spotty.

Then of course, I couldn't do a real review on these without mentioning this great little tidbit: they make your boobs bigger. Who doesn't want that?

Turns out nursing has more perks for yourself than you'd think.

And these lil' squirts will do a lot to improve your experience. Each one is made from 4 layers of flannel and a layer of soft fleece. They are way more comfortable than the throw-away ones I used the first go 'round.

Buy lil' squirts here

$12.99 for a set of 3 pairs

Get a head start on the grand prize by Liking Boob Toob on Facebook & Etsy.

Also, you can get more entries for leaving a comment below telling me what you love most about the lil squirts nursing pads!

***The Summer Lovin' grand prize will be open to US & Canada residents only

*** Thank you Boob Toob for providing the Boob Toob Nursing Cover & lil' squirts Nursing Pads to us for review! All reviews and discussions presented by me are to be interpreted as my opinion as I was not compensated for this post. You should always follow the directions, instructions, and guidance provided by the maker or producer of any product or service reviewed or discussed by me, and you assume the full risk inherent in the use of any such product or service. BBCD disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding any product other than BBCD, service, website and/or other topics reviewed or discussed by BBCD, and further disclaims any liability related to the use of thereof.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Summer Lovin' Sponsor Spotlight & Review Schedule

2012-05-19T17:04:00.000-07:00

Here is the schedule for the Sponsor Spotlights & Reviews for the Summer Lovin' Baby Basics Event:

5/19 Boob Toob & Lil Squirts

5/20 Double Blessings Nursing Pillow
5/20 Undercover Mama

5/22 Fashion Bums

5/23 Rockin' Green

5/24 Raw Organics

5/25 Peanut Shell Shopping Cart Cover

5/26 Bobee Diaper System

5/27 Jack's Choice Amber Necklace

5/28 Spuds Inc

5/29 Boba Carrier

5/30 Mama's Milk Sling

5/31 Balboa Sling

6/1 The Lovely Yarns,
Puff N Stuff Crochet,
Mom's Crochet Corner

6/2 Peaceful Housewife

6/3 Katy's Bow-tique

6/4 Zooper

6/5 BBCD

Each day you will be given the chance to get a head start on your entries for the grand prize for liking the sponsor on Facebook, following on Twitter and / or favoriting their Etsy shop.

Zooper Stroller Review & Giveaway $400 value!!

2012-05-01T14:21:00.001-07:00

I was sent a Bolero stroller by Zooper for the purpose of review for our Summer Lovin' Event & I have fallen head over heals for this stroller!! 'MORE THAN YOU THINK' is their motto; and, I have to tell you, it fits them perfectly! They included so many accessories; more than I thought possible.This stroller is the Mercedes Benz of strollers!! For a complete list and pictures of all the features, please click on the the first link & scroll down the page. I love that Zooper offers bold & bright colors and prints; for too long our choices have been black or gray for stroller choices. Its exciting to see so many fun hues!!

{Image from Zooper.com}

When the box was delivered at my door, the very first thing I noticed was how small the box was in comparison to other stroller boxes I've seen. It was only 12 inches wide on all 4 sides!!!

I expected to have to assemble to whole stroller if the box was this thin; but, I didn't! The only assembly required from me was to attach the wheels. When it is fully collapsed it is barely bigger than an umbrella stroller ~ this has got to be my favorite feature!! Look at how the stroller stands, notice that the wheels tuck in so that it rests on a flat surface & the handle bar collapses:

This stroller comes with some standards like a cup holder, snack/play tray & storage under the seat. But, they didn't stop there with the average add-ons. They went above and beyond and made a stroller that has the ability to be used with any infant car seat & can convert into a bassinet!! Who would have thought of that? ZOOPER!!

{The canopy can also be used with the bassinet!}

The Bolero's ability to convert to a bassinet also means that the seat can fully recline to a flat position. This is great when your child falls asleep in the stroller; because it has a smooth transition from upright to flat and your child wont have to sleep with their neck all twisted.

Have you ever noticed that sometimes when you're walking the sun can hit your baby right in the face; and, you wish that the sunshade was bigger so you didn't have to use a blanket to cover that precious face? Well, this stroller has a sunshade that can go all the way to the snack/play tray!!

The canopy also has 2 pockets so you can put you cell phone, camera, wallet, keys or whatever you need to in there.

You can also remove the back portion of the canopy so you & your child can see each other if the it's fully extended.

The stroller also lets you chose if you want the front wheels to swivel or not. I've kept them on swivel & it has been wonderful! Its super easy to navigate, even while on the phone. I also love the fact that the brakes are controlled by 1 lever instead of 2.

Want a UV sheild for the stroller? Well, Zooper also includes that standard with the Bolero! They really did think of everything!! It fully attaches to the stroller to protect your child. You can't really see her; but, my toddler is under there - protected from the UV rays!!!

I've been trying to find a stroller that I can compare Zooper to, and I can't! Zooper really is in a class all its own. There are several other strollers in the same price range as Zooper; but, none come close to offering as much bang for your buck as Zooper does! It really shows how much time, thought and innovation went in to designing the Bolero. Zooper has really raised the bar for strollers!

I absolutely love this stroller & wouldn't change a single thing about it. However, I would *LOVE* to see them release a jogging stroller! The one I have right now is so bulky that it won't fit in my trunk; so, I'd love to see what the geniuses over at Zooper can do to fix that problem!!

Now that you are drooling over the Bolero Stroller by Zooper, you can buy it here:

Online Retailers

In Store Retailers

You can feel good about your purchase from Zooper, not only because do they offer amazing products; but, they also support a number of charities and organizations!

Or you can win it now! Use this Rafflecopter form to enter.

Zooper is also donating another Bolero to the grand prize for the Summer Lovin' Event; so, you have 2 chances of winning!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*** Thank you Zooper for providing the Bolero stroller to us for review! All reviews and discussions presented by me are to be interpreted as my opinion as I was not compensated for this post. You should always follow the directions, instructions, and guidance provided by the maker or producer of any product or service reviewed or discussed by me, and you assume the full risk inherent in the use of any such product or service. BBCD disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding any product other than BBCD, service, website and/or other topics reviewed or discussed by BBCD, and further disclaims any liability related to the use of thereof.

Mother's Day Cloth Diaper Hop

2012-05-01T13:05:00.003-07:00

Mother's Day is almost here and we are celebrating with our love for cloth diapers!

Welcome to the Mother's Day Cloth Diaper Giveaway Hop hosted by Daily Mothering! Nearly 100 blogs have linked up to bring you dozens and dozens of exciting cloth diaper giveaways. Enter my giveaway below and then hop to the other blogs listed at the bottom of this post to enter their fluffy giveaways too! Each blog has a cloth diaper prize valued at $15 or more, and many blogs have prize packs worth over $100. And, don't forget to enter the GRAND PRIZE giveaway at Daily Mothering for your chance to win this amazing $1300 Cloth Diaper Prize Pack!

The lucky winner from our giveaway will win an Original Booty Cloth Diaper in the color of their choosing.
The giveaway on this blog is open to US residents.

***NOTE: Booty Buns Cloth Diapers & Amy's Craft Bucket EACH are giving away an Original Booty. Please enter both giveaways on each blog & leave comments on both posts. Who knows, you may just win both!!***

COLORS INCLUDE:

*Pink-A-Booty *Love Booty *Pun'kin Booty

*'Nana Booty *Cutie Booty *Lucky Booty

*Moon Booty *Royal Booty *Snow Booty

*Night Night Booty

For those who found our blog through the linky,

I'll give you a little bit of background about our company & diapers.

ABOUT BOOTY BUNS CLOTH DIAPERS:

Booty Buns Cloth Diapers is the official cloth diaper sponsor for Operation Showers of Appreciation. We donate cloth diapers to each of the baby showers they throw throughout the year. Our first donation to them was for their Phoenix, AZ that took place on March 31, 2012. We also donate cloth diapers to babies with debilitating diseases. Many of the families of such children have so many other things to worry about including doctor visits & bills that diapers should be the last thing they should have to worry about. We also have desires to donate cloth diapers to developing countries; because, many babies in these countries are wrapped in old t-shirts because their parents can't afford to diaper them.

At Booty Buns Cloth Diapers, we desire to cover the booties of the world with cloth. For every cloth diaper we sell, we will donate one to a baby in need whether local or around the globe. We are trying to make the world a better place ONE BOOTY AT A TIME™, join us in our efforts!

ABOUT OUR CLOTH DIAPERS:

Our patent pending design the world's only TRUE one-size cloth diaper that fits from 3-45 pounds; so you only need to buy one set of cloth diapers. The cloth diaper itself consists of a waterproof outer polyurethane laminate layer and a super soft suedecloth inner layer. The Original Booty comes with double gussets and back elastic designed to better contain messes. Each cloth diaper comes with 2 inserts {1 newborn & 1 large size} and a 100% cotton flannel liner to place between your baby and the diaper to make BM clean up easier. It also helps those babies who have a sensitivity to suedecloth. We also include a double sided cloth wipe so you don't have to buy anything on the side.

Every part of the diaper is 100% machine washable ~ shell, inserts, liner & wipe.

These cloth diapers were designed by a mom who has not only your baby, but your budget in mind. She was frustrated that if she wanted to cloth diaper her baby, she had to buy 2-3 sets to cover all the sizes her baby would be between birth & potty training. She couldn't understand why a cloth diaper was called a 'ONE SIZE CLOTH DIAPER' if not all babies are 8-10 pounds at birth, or 30-35 pounds when potty training. Her family is on tight budget & couldn't justify buying 2-3 sets of cloth diapers, and knew that there are many other families in the same boat.

This is exactly why she designed The Original Booty with the ability to mimic disposable diaper sizing from preemie to potty training pants.

Night Night Booty Sized To Preemie

Royal Booty Sized To Potty Training Pants

Being a mom of multiple children with limited time & money, she sought a truly one-size-fits-all & gives all diaper; however, since nobody offers what she wanted and needed, she decided to create it & offer it to other moms & dads who seek to cut the fat in cloth diapering & get everything they need all at once - included with the diapers.

{Here is her daughter (left) & niece}

She worked really hard to create a diaper that addresses the top complaints about cloth diapers, while throwing in some things that she feels are necessary while cloth diapering; and, she is pleased to introduce the world to a whole new generation of cloth diapering!

Just to review, with each cloth diaper you will receive:

2 inserts {1 newborn & 1 large size}

1 100% cotton flannel liner

1 matching double sided cloth wipe

AND. . .

with each diaper you buy, you are helping make the world a better place

ONE BOOTY AT A TIME™

You can buy the cloth diapers designed with both your baby and your budget in mind here.

Please use this RaffleCopter form to enter our giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hiking With Your Little Ones

2012-04-25T23:45:00.003-07:00

I am a cloth diapering mother of a very active 7 month old girl. We love spending our time outside hiking, singing and working in the yard. We try to live a green lifestyle as much as possible. I blog about my daily adventures with my daughter on my blog Adventures in Mothering.

Fostering a love of the outdoors in our children can start from the moment they are born. A great way to foster this love is through hiking. It is an activity that you can participate in year round.

Hiking is a great way to burn off that extra pregnancy weight while bonding with your child. Hiking also gets you out of the house and is a great way to meet other new moms. I also find that if my daughter is having a rough day, if we head out for a hike, spirits are lifted and she is happy as can be. Hiking gives little ones the chance to start learning about the world around them and stimulates their brains immensely without over stimulating them. It can have a calming effect on them.

Not much is needed to get started - all you need is a good pair of shoes (make sure they have a decent grip) and a baby carrier. A walking stick can also be handy if you will be hiking on any trails with hills just to give you some support to help prevent falls.

When looking at a carrier you will want to find one that is going to give you the most bang for your buck. To do this you want to look at the weight and height limits for your baby, the age at which the baby can go in the carrier as well as what size bodies the carrier can fit (your size). There are many options out there. I recommend a soft carrier to start that can accommodate a newborn to toddler (it will go from front to back). Some prefer using a wrap for the first couple of months. These are great when your little one is small if they are born during warmer months. I prefer the soft carrier for the colder months since it is easier to fit a little one in a snowsuit and layers in them as well as being able to add a cover.

You may want to wait until your child is born before purchasing to determine sizing of the carrier. I had a tall baby so I had to find a carrier that could accommodate a taller little one, whereas the average baby is not as tall so there are more options for you. I also recommend that you find a store that carries a few different brands so you can try them on before buying. Once you determine the carrier you would like try checking out local Mom to Mom sales,Kijiji , or Craigslist for a used one.

Things to look for in a carrier:

- You want to make sure that your little one, once they are over 3 months is in a sitting position rather than hanging from their crotch. This will ensure that your little one is comfortable and also helps in promoting proper hip development

- If you are hiking in cooler weather, see if it can accommodate a cover to keep your little one warm.

- The waist band sits on your hips comfortably and not up around your middle, this will help ensure that your hips take some of the weight rather than just your shoulders.

- You can adjust it easily when wearing it, and also that you can put it on yourself without help.

- If both you and your spouse will be using the carrier, you will want to make sure that it can accommodate both of your builds

Rainy Day hike using soft carrier with a cover

Handy to have but not necessary:

- A pocket where you can store your keys, cash

- Foot rests for when your child is a toddler (this will help prevent their legs from going numb on longer hikes)

- A hood to keep sun off and to cover your little one with if they fall asleep (or for nursing on the go)

Once your child is 6 months, depending on their size you can then move up to a backpack style carrier if you find they are getting too heavy in the soft carrier. We transitioned our daughter to the pack at just over 6 months when she was nearing 20 lbs. I use the backpack for most hikes now, but if it is a cooler day I will still use the soft carrier since I can put a cover on over her in the soft carrier. Again there are many options for a backpack carrier as well. This is one I definitely recommend trying in the store with your child if possible, since they all fit and adjust differently and come in varying weights as well.

So once you have your carrier then you are ready to go. Check out your local conservation areas, Provincial Parks or National Parks. If you Google hiking with your postal code you may discover some new hiking trails. Another great way is to check out Meetup to see if there is a local hiking group in your area. If there isn't a group, you could start one!!

A hike I organized with a group of moms

Even if your child is too big for a carrier you can still get out hiking, just keep the hike short enough for your child and maybe stop for a picnic at the halfway or turnaround point. Keep it interesting by helping them identify birds, trees or wildflowers with a little guide that is easy to use, or in the fall maybe collect a few different leaves to press after your hike that they can later use in a craft.

The key to success is start small. Try a 2-3km hike your first time out or an even shorter one. Whatever your are comfortable with. A short hike to start is good since it will allow you to find the right settings on your carrier and you will be using new muscles wearing your child than without. Once you are comfortable with the 3km distance, aim for a slightly longer hike the next time.

As for attire, layers are always best since you could be working up a pretty good sweat out on the trails. Always remember to make sure you have some water and a snack with you and look at a map before you head out. If you are unsure of the trail or it is not marked clearly, then find someone who knows the trail, or use some trail marker to mark your way so that you can find your way back out.

Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the outdoors. If you aren't having fun, then your little one is not going to have fun either.

DIY: Easy Peasy Household Products

2012-04-19T22:39:00.000-07:00

Tracey Johnson is a mom blogger at Mamas & Papas, a fiber artist, a wife, and a mother to a beautiful baby girl named Olive. She sells custom knitting and crochet pieces of all varieties on her Etsy shop, rather obviously called Tracey Johnson's Shop.

DIY: Easy Peasy Household Products

I don't know about you guys, but I am sick of buying beauty and cleaning products with crazy ingredients I can't pronounce. Oh, and the super expensive "natural" alternatives? I'm no sucker. For just a little bit of work and a fraction of the cost, you can make your own products that are safe, effective, and very simple. Here are some tried-and-true recipes I've acquired and tweaked according to what works for me. Most of the recipes are based on a mix of Tsh Oxenreider's Organized Simplicity, Home Comforts by Cheryl Mendelson, and plain old trial-and-error. Feel free to pass it on to your friends and family and experiment with them. It's actually pretty fun and rather addicting...

For Your Hair & Body

Shopping List for your whole family:

Baking Soda

Vinegar (Apple Cider or White)

Coconut Oil

Stevia powder

Peppermint Extract

Witch Hazel

Shea Butter

Almond Oil

Beeswax

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Dr. Bronner's Pure Castille Soap
Squirt Bottles
Cornstarch
Ground Oats
Powdered Milk

Hair Cleanser:
1 tbsp Baking Soda to 1 cup of water.

Add Baking Soda to a squirt bottle and fill with warm water. You can keep the squirt bottle in your shower...shake it and squirt it into your roots! Scrub it in, rinse it off, and follow with the vinegar rinse (see below).

Hair Conditioning Rinse:
1 part Apple Cider Vinegar to 3 parts warm water.

Combine the vinegar and water in a squirt bottle and keep in your shower along with the cleanser. Squirt it through your hair (avoid the roots) and comb it through. Rinse it off immediately or your hair might end up greasy pretty quick.

Toothpaste:
2 tbsp. Coconut Oil
2 tbsp. Baking Soda
1/4 tsp. Stevia powder
2-3 drops peppermint extract

Mix it all together and store in a small jar with a lid or an empty squeeze tube. Just use it like any other toothpaste and it works just as well!

Deodorant Mist:
1/2 cup Witch Hazel
1 tbsp. Baking Soda
splash of Dr. Bronner's Pure Castille Soap--any scent (I prefer the Tea Tree Oil kind)
1/2 cup Distilled Water

Combine ingredients into a spray bottle, then just shake and spray! I like to use a recycled body mist bottle, as the mist is much finer and dries quicker. This mist is so much more refreshing than any deodorant you have ever experienced and it is non-irritating!

Oh, and...
Shaving Cream!

For more info on "No-Poo" (going shampoo-free) check out my other post.

For Your Baby

Like most moms, I obsess over what products to use on my child. Baby's skin is so new and sensitive, you really ought to research what every ingredient is and how it can affect them. You'd be amazed by how many "baby products" on the market right now are not good for babies. Steer clear of anything containing parabens, fragrance, Propylene Glycol, SLS, or Dioxane. Even "Unscented" or "Fragrance-Free" products can contain phthalates to mask odors. Use less products. It seems pretty obvious, but babies don't need to be slathered in creams and powders. The skin they are born with is *usually* perfect and won't need much more than a bit of warm water and a washcloth to clean. As they get older, though, they get messier. So then you need to use a little soap. Here is a cheat sheet for soaps that are currently on the market, by SafeMama: Cheat Sheet PDF.

If you'd like to make your own cleanser, so you know exactly what your putting on your baby, try a nice little Bath Milk Recipe. This one comes from a DIYer at Momfuse.com:

Baby Bath Milk:

1 cup powdered milk

1/4 cornstarch

1/4 cup finely ground oats

2-3 drops lavender or chamomile essential oil

Mix them all together into a shaker style bottle. Sprinkle a little bit into warm bath water for baby!

Baby Bottom Cream for cloth diapering:

1 oz Coconut oil

1 oz Olive Oil

1 oz Shea Butter

1/2 oz beeswax

5 drops grapefruit seed extract

3 drops your choice of essential oil

Use a double boiler to melt down the coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax followed by the olive oil. Mix it well, then transfer it to a mixing bowl to let it cool. Just before it reaches room temperature, add the grapefruit seed extract and essential oil and mix it with a hand mixer or a whisk until it is "whipped". If it is too runny, just add more beeswax. This is cloth diaper safe and antiviral, antifungal, anti-yeast, antibacterial, and highly moisturizing!

For Your House

These recipes are very basic and have been around for as long as houses have been cleaned. Mix them up with care, as cleaning chemicals can have toxic reactions if mixed improperly (i.e. bleach and ammonia can create toxic fumes).

I really love how they put the recipe on the labels...neat!

Shopping List:

Bleach

Baking Soda

White Vinegar

Powdered laundry detergent

Ammonia

Washing Soda

Squirt bottles

All-Purpose Disinfectant:

3/4 cup of bleach

1 gallon of warm water

1 tbsp powdered laundry detergent

Wash surface with solution and keep it wet for 5 minutes. Rinse and let dry. You can use this pretty much anywhere in your home, but avoid using it on metal fixtures).

Mild All-Purpose Cleaner:

4 tbsp. Baking Soda

1 quart warm water

(optional) A few drops of essential oil

Wipe surfaces with a sponge soaked in the solution. This is great for the fridge or trash cans as it cleans light soil and deodorizes.

Mild, Gently Abrasive Cleanser:

Add enough drops of water to Baking Soda to form a paste. Can remove crayon from walls and shine your sink!

Strong All-Purpose Cleaner:

Add 1 tbsp of ammonia and liquid laundry detergent to a pint of water.

Add 1.2 cup Washing soda to 1 gallon warm water

Can be used in kitchens or bathrooms, but shouldn't be used on fiberglass or aluminum.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner:

1/4 cup Baking Soda

1 cup White Vinegar

So, there you have it. All pretty simple recipes and all made with stuff you know is safe. Buy some ingredients and try a couple out. Come on...I've done most of the work for you!

Real Diaper Week: Day 5

2012-04-19T22:37:00.000-07:00

Since Booty Buns Cloth Diapers decided to co-host the Great Cloth Diaper Change 2012, so many cool things have happened! I am so grateful to take part in such an amazing experience & help educated people about cloth diapering.

Real Diaper Week is the week right before the big event {April 21, 2012}. Everyday between April 16 & 21 there will be a new topic to blog about to help get our readers pumped for the record breaking event. If you want to blog during the Real Diaper Week, click here & add your blog to the linky, then pick a topic {or all of them} and start writing!

If you are in Orange County & would like to join us, please email Rose at {rose (at) rosieposiebaby (dot) com} with your name, your baby's name & baby's height. Even if you don't live in Orange County, CA you can still participate! Click here & search for a host near you. Just type in your zip code & look for some where to join in.

Today's Topic is:

Real Simple Real Diapers Reuse – Reuse, traveling with cloth, cloth diapering at night

In our family the places we most frequently travel are to church, Trader Joes & the park. Cloth diapering for these outings is relatively simple.

If you can pack disposable diapers for a trip to church, the store, the park or a friend's house; then, you can pack cloth diapers for those outings!

Things You'll Need To Use Cloth Diapers When Traveling:

* Cloth Diapers
* Cloth Wipes
* Wet Bag
* Wipes Wet Bag
* Baby Powder
* Changing pad or blanket

Try to figure how long you'll be gone, then pack your diaper bag accordingly. We like to pack 1 cloth diaper for every 1 1/2-2 hours & 1 wipe per diaper + 1 for every 2 in case there is a BM. So, if we are going to be gone for 3 hours we pack 2 cloth diapers & 3 cloth wipes.

Some parents prefer to keep a wipe solution in a spray bottle or peri-bottle. At our house, we have a container that is set aside just for wipe solution {see here for a really easy solution you can make at home}. When we're getting ready to go, we soak the wipes, then ring them out so they are just damp & zip them up in the wipes wet bag.

When a diaper change is needed, we lay out the changing pad & change the diaper. We use an ample amount of pure cornstarch baby powder to help keep our little one dry. The soiled diaper & the wipe used to clean up are both tossed in the wet bag.

That's it!

To Travel Overnight {or longer} With Cloth:
You will need:
* Cloth Diapers
* Cloth Wipes
* Wet Bag
* Wipes Wet Bag
* Baby Powder
* Changing pad or blanket

* Storage Tote with Snapping Lid {15-20 quarts should be fine}

First you'll need to decide how long you'll be gone. If you're going to be gone 2 days or longer you may need to bring your whole stash {or at least 20 cloth diapers from it}. You will also need to bring cloth diaper soap so you can wash while you're visiting. If you'll be gone for just one night, plan on bringing 10-12 cloth diapers. If your child is older {like 2+} you may only need to bring 6-8 cloth diapers.

If you're visiting family or friends on your long trip, be sure to tell them that you use cloth diapers. Tell them that you will be bringing a plastic tote with a snapping lid to keep any odors contained. All of our family knows that we use cloth; so, we just remind them that all the solids get flushed. If any gets on the lining we also scrub it so it gets flushed as well. We like to remind them that when the diapers get thrown in the wash, its no different than when a child pees the bed and the sheets need to be washed.

Other than that, using cloth diapers on trips is no different that using them at home. If you're trip is long, just make sure to take breaks every couple of hours to change diapers & stretch!

*** If you are traveling somewhere that you will be in a hotel room {like the beach in Bora Bora} & want use cloth while you're there, you probably aren't going to be able to cloth diaper like normal with full access to your family's washing machine. I thought, if I ever had to travel somewhere that I wouldn't be near a washing machine for a few days, this is what I would do:

I would bring enough pre-folds to get me through 2-4 days of diaper changes {or however long I was going to be gone} and use the pocket diapers as an all in two style diaper. That way I'd only have to change the shell every 3-4 changes & I could hand wash the pockets & pre-folds if I had to & hang them over the shower to dry. I would also ask the hotel manger before hand if I could have access to the washing machine for the diapers. I would tell him or her the same thing I tell my family about how by the time the diapers reach the washing machine they are no different than when a set of peed sheets when they reach it.

Using cloth diapers at night is also really simple. If your baby is still little, diapering at night is pretty much the same as diapering during the day. As your baby grows into a toddler, you may find that more absorbancy is needed at night. Our daughter is 17 months old and we just started using 2 inserts in our diapers at night for her. Some parents like to use different types of insert fibers for night time {like like hemp or bamboo instead of micro-fiber} while others swear by using wool longies, and then there are others like us who just add an extra insert and are fine. As your child grows you will find what works best for you.

The most important thing to remember in all of this is that you're doing great! Things will become more organic for you as you go along & this is not a race or competition. You will get it down & before you know it, you may be teaching your friends and family how to use cloth diapers!!

Real Diaper Week: Day 4

2012-04-18T22:46:00.000-07:00

Today's Topic is:
Real Simple Real Diapers for Babies – Health benefits, cloth diapers in hospitals, or cloth diapers in day cares

Crude oil.

Yep, I said it, crude oil.

The same stuff that keeps your car running, keeps wars going & makes you curse at the gas station. Did you know that its also the same stuff that is used to make disposable diapers?

Its true!!!

Click here to see the Power Point presentation that will open your eyes to a whole new world of information.

People often think that using cloth diapers is dirty, or hard, or unsanitary; while they praise the ease & sanitation of disposables. Let me tell you, once I found out that it takes 1 cup of crude oil just to make 1 disposable diaper, I was so happy that I made the switch to cloth.

There are a whole slew of health risks surrounding crude oil including respiratory problems,
liver, kidney, reproductive, blood, immune system and nervous system damage, cancer and birth defects. These are long term side effects of a major ingredient in disposable diapers!!!! Also, dioxin is a by-product of paper bleaching and is listed on the World Heath Organization's {see chapter 6: Dioxins} list of persistent environmental pollutants.

"Dioxin exposure as a child will impede the immune system of the individual forever. It means that they will never be as strong as they should have been. Dioxins are responsible for a range of reproductive and developmental problems, damaging the immune system, along with causing major hormonal imbalances and cancer. Many infants are now exposed to dioxins 24 hours a day, and yet society wonders why girls are beginning puberty younger than ever, and hormonal disorders are becoming increasingly common in children." {excerpt from healthwyze.org}

If you've ever used disposable diapers, then chances are you've seen those little gel balls that form once the diaper is wet. If you're like me, you may have wondered what in the world they are; well, they are sodium polyacrylate. Sodium polyacrylte used to be found in tampons until it was discovered that it causes toxic shock syndrome. For those who don't know what TSS is, its a very deadly bacterial infection. I actually had an uncle pass away from it when I was in elementary school. Its serious stuff. It can come on and take a life in what seems like a blink of an eye.

Tampons come with a TSS warning; its too bad that disposable diapers don't also come with a warning as well.

Maybe one of our savvy readers can create a petition and get a movement started. It may help save a baby from TSS, or a lifelong complication from exposure to dioxin & sodium polyacrylte.

Not satisfied with the dangers of disposable diapers yet? Well, today is your lucky day! There's more!! Disposable diapers create Volatile Organic Compounds {VOC} which can wreak havoc on little nervous systems, immunity & can cause eye irritation. The EPA even lists some VOCs as carcinogens. The VOCs found in disposable diapers include: ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylene.

Wow!! If parents were really educated about all these things, they may make a different choice about diapering their little ones. This isn't some thing that people can claim no control over, this is something that every one can make a choice and a difference by doing. If you don't care about the global reasons to use cloth, think about the little reason you care for day in and day out.

Sooo . . . are cloth diapers any better?

YES!!!

Babies who are lucky enough to use cloth diapers are not exposed to the health risks associated with the chemicals found in disposable diapers. They don't end up with chemical burns or disposable diaper rash. Did you know that one of the leading causes of diaper rash is chemical burn caused from the chemicals & dyes found in disposable diapers?

Since cloth diapers are made from cloth, babies enjoy a more comfortable diapering experience. If you want to test this out on yourself, go to Etsy & search for 'mama cloth' & buy some. Try them for one day the next time you have your cycle, then go back to paper pads. Heck, you can even try it when you're not having a cycle just so you can see what it feels like {Daddy can do this too!} Your baby also can tell the difference.

Here's some food for thought:

Our society has become a very instant-gratification centered group of people. We have become so accustomed to short cuts & easy way outs that we tend to forget that slow and steady wins the race. In all the generations of cloth diapers, no baby had an allergic reaction to chemicals because there are none{maybe in the laundry soap, but not the cloth itself - so use cloth friendly soap}; no baby ever got cancer or organ problems from dioxin in a cloth diaper and no baby ever died from TSS caused by a cloth diaper. Those are all things that have happened from using disposable diapers though.

I wonder if hospitals and daycare centers looked a little more closely at these issues, would they be more fluffy friendly?

If you want to help make a difference you can contact your local hospitals and daycare centers about allowing and offering cloth diapers. You can make a difference! Even the largest of movements were started by 1 person or a small group of people.

You can give them Booty Buns contact info {bootybuns (dot) clothdiapers (at) gmail (dot) com} if they are interested in learning more or bringing cloth back into their facilities. It may also be a good idea to print & share this Power Point with them about how disposable diapers are made.

Real Diaper Week: Day 3

2012-04-18T01:20:00.002-07:00

Today's Topic is:
Real Simple Real Diapers Savings – Cost savings, diapering on a budget, cloth diaper banks or support organizations.

"I could never afford to cloth diaper. It costs so much money & we're on a budget."

This is a statement that I hear people say quite often. It makes me laugh a little inside every time too; because, I do use cloth diapers for that same reason. I wanted to save money for my family & cloth diapering saves us a ton! $70+ per month actually.

There are two wonderful quotes that come to mind every time I hear this:

'Whether you think you can or you can't, you're right.'

'Where there is a will, there is a way.'

People who think they can't do something, will never do it. So when they say they could never use cloths {even though tons of us know that its really EASY to cloth diaper} they are right. Its a tough job being green & saving money while doing it, but:

If anyone out there has ever wanted to thought you could never afford to use cloth diapers, stay put because

I have a way to go with your will!

Using the numbers for one of the most popular disposable diaper brands, I'm going to show you how Booty Buns Cloth Diapers is actually MORE AFFORDABLE than disposables.When we were using disposables, we were buying 2 large boxes or 1 extra large box {if we could find them} per month. Either way were spending about $50 per month on diapers. Using generic wipes can save a few extra dollars each month, so we used them before we switched. Each box of wipes costs around $20 and lasted for about 5 weeks. The combined amount spent on disposable diapers & wipes was about $70 per month.

That's more than my cell phone bill.

Since most children aren't potty trained until 2 1/2 - 3 years, their parents are buying diapers for 30-36 months or more. So if these parents spent $70 per month over this time period they would be spending $2,100 - $2,520+ just to diaper their child.

A lifetime supply of Booty Buns Cloth Diapers

for their baby & a baby in need is only $510.

THAT'S OVER $2,000 SAVINGS FROM USING DISPOSABLES!

Now that I've shown you how much money you can save by using cloth diapers, I'm going to show you how you can afford to buy a lifetime supply of Booty Buns Cloth Diapers on a budget.

Don't be intimidated by a large start up cost. Nobody said you have to buy all 20 at once! We actually have a special offer for parents who want to buy their cloth diapers over time. If you buy 20 Booty Buns Cloth Diapers in an 8 month period; we'll give you a free Original Booty!

If you buy 3 Booty Buns Cloth Diapers in 1 month, the cost would be $76.50 including shipping. That's just over $6 more per month than what we used to pay for disposable diapers. A huge difference though, is that you would only need to by 3 diapers for 6 months & 2 diapers for the 7th month then YOU WOULD BE DONE BUYING DIAPERS!

That's 23-29 months of saving $70 per month!! You would end up saving $1610-2030 by using cloth diapers on your baby; oh and did I mention, you can reuse cloth diapers with other children thus multiplying the savings!

So no more, 'I can't afford to use cloth diapers!' After reading this post you should be saying, 'I can't afford NOT to use cloth diapers!'