Weekend Reading

Some helpful posts that I read this week…

:: Will Bleach Ruin My Cloth Diapers? By Cotton Babies
Snippet: With the vibrant colors that you love in our bumGenius and Flip cloth diapers, it's no surprise you would be concerned about using bleach. As long as you stick to our recommended 1/4 cup of bleach once a month, it will not harm the beautiful colors on your cloth diapers. So the short answer is "Yes, in moderation, bleach is safe for your bumGenius, Flip and Econobum cloth diapers. Both covers and inserts."

:: Demystifying Diaper Rash, part 1 and part 2 by Cheeky Bums.  Great posts to help you identify the cause and treatment of your baby’s diaper rash.

:: Unglued Mama Mornings, by {in}courage.  Just a great little devotional thought for those of you who struggle to be a morning person {like me!}.

:: How to make Calendula Salve, by Frugal Granola.  The instructions are the preview page to the book Herbal Nurturing: A Family Healing & Learning Guide.  This makes a great diaper rash cream.  I used coconut oil, calendula flowers, and then added some lavender essential oil and vitamin E oil to nourish and disinfect the skin.

Hope you have a great weekend and a safe holiday!

Baby Comfy Nose

My kids were sick back in May.  I could hear the congestion in Nolan as he tried to nurse, and he had to stop every couple of sucks to get a breath.  My hospital nasal aspirator wasn’t getting anything out.  I remembered that I had read about the Nose Frida a while back.  But the thought of using my own mouth to suck snot out of my kids’ nose was a little revolting.  Yet in desperation I looked up nasal aspirators online.

I found the Nose Frida, along with an aspirator called the Baby Comfy Nose.  After reading a lot of reviews, I settled on the Baby Comfy Nose.  There is one store in my area that had it in stock, so I loaded my sick kids into the stroller, onto the bus, and then the train to go and purchase it.  I am so glad I did!

There are many reasons why I chose the BCN over the Nose Frida.  First, there are no filters to purchase and replace.  The BCN uses an ordinary facial tissue as the filter. This is more porous than the rubber filter of the Nose Frida, therefore it is more absorbent.  It is also cheap and easily replaced.

The Baby Comfy Nose also comes in a pouch that allows it to dry completely after washing, as opposed to the Nose Frida case which does not.  The BCN is also more economically priced.

Once you get past the thought that you are sucking snot out of your kids’ nose, you will greatly appreciate the Baby Comfy Nose.  It is easy to use, and you can see & hear how much mucous is leaving the nasal passages.  Human lungs generate 10x as much suction power as a battery operated aspirator, so the BCN is much more effective.

When you’re done, just discard the tissue and rinse the BCN clean.  Allow it to air dry.  It is so easy!

I used this on my 10 month old and my 2 1/2 year old.  Neither one enjoyed it, but they didn’t like the hospital bulb aspirator either.  My little girl actually came to me several times and asked me to suck out her nose.  I know it’s because she could tell the difference – she could actually breathe again after I used the BCN to clear out the snot!

I would highly recommend this product and I don’t think any parents of infants or toddlers should be without one.  I’ll probably be giving it as baby shower gifts from now on!

Disclosure – I was not paid or compensated in any way to write this post.  I purchased the product and all opinions are completely mine.

Whoops!

We have been struggling to find a diaper that will keep Nolan dry at naptimes.  Basically, he’s been wearing three different outfits each day!  The FuzziBunz just weren’t absorbent enough anymore.  I didn’t want to switch to hemp or bamboo unless I had to (I try to save those for overnights).

I upgraded my FuzziBunz one size diapers to the large inserts.  I tried a Rumparooz, with the doubled portion in the front (Nolan is a tummy sleeper).  The Rumparooz were working fairly well, but not 100% of the time.

Yesterday when Nolan woke up his clothes and sheet were dry.  I was so excited that I had a big “whoops” moment!  Yes – I left him uncovered.  Silly me!  As I was changing the diaper, I gave him a few seconds of air time while I put the dirty diaper in the pail.  Nolan chose that moment to demonstrate why he was dry.

Did you already guess what happened?  Yup – he shot off and started soaking the crib across the way, the floor, and more.  I quickly covered him and stopped the stream.  But then he started again, with more gusto!  He must have had a gallon of pee in that little body!

So when it was all said and done, I discovered that he had rolled in the mess on the changing table, and his shirt was now soaked.  Well, so much for salvaging that outfit!

I had a good laugh and my mishap, and so did my hubby when I shared it with him.  How about you?  Any amazing, funny, or tragic “whoops” moments in your cloth journey?

Potty Training Resources

Here are some resources that you may find helpful as you begin or continue your potty training journey.  Some I used, some I never got around to using.  I found many of the books at my local library. 

There is a myriad of items out there, but these are only a select few that I personally came across in my potty training research.  If you have a favorite that is not listed, please take a moment to leave a comment so that others can benefit from your experience.  I know that other moms would appreciate hearing what items worked for you!

Books On Potty Training

• Stress-Free Potty Training: by Sara Au and Peter L. Stavinoha

• Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day: Proven Secrets of the Potty Pro by Teri Crane and Philip Caravella M.D.

• The Everything Potty Training Book: Professional, Reassuring Advice to Help You and Your Child Through This Challenging Time by Linda Sonna and Linda, Ph.D. Sonna

Books for your Toddler

• Potty by Leslie Patricelli
• The Potty Book - For Girls by Alyssa Satin Capucilli and Dorothy Stott
• The Potty Book - For Boys by Alyssa Satin Capucilli and Dorothy Stott
• The New Potty (Little Critter) by Mercer Mayer and Gina Mayer

DVDs

• Go Potty Go!: Potty Training For Tiny Toddlers

Equipment

• Step Stool – we have this BABYBJÖRN Safe Step.  It comes in several colors
• Built in Potty Seat to adapt your toilet seat – I wish I had known about this sooner, as it would cut down on items that I have to store in my little apartment.  I’m sure there are various brands available.
• Potty Seat – we have this one, but I would choose something with a soft cushion if I had to do it again.  I would recommend a potty seat if you don’t have a lot of room for a potty chair to sit in the bathroom (and for storage).  However, Elaine learned better starting out on the potty chair and then moving to the potty seat.  The potty seat is nice and portable for trips/vacations, etc.
• Potty Chair – we have this one. 

Elaine started potty training on November 16, 2011.  She is now completely day trained, and we haven’t had an accident in several weeks.  She wakes up dry from her naps, and doesn’t wear the wool cover at naptime anymore.  She wakes up dry most mornings, or just barely damp.  We will soon be eliminating the cover and extra absorbency at nighttime, too.

Thanks for coming along with me as I shared my potty training experience.  As I mentioned at the beginning, I am the farthest thing from an expert, but we have been successful in teaching Elaine to use the potty.  I hope that you have gleaned some helpful information or tips from this series!

Guest Posting…

Today I’m guest posting over at So Easy Being Green!  Lindsey just had a new baby girl, and to celebrate she is co-hosting an event called “New Year.  New Babies.  New Mommies of 2!”.

My post is all about cloth diapering two littles at the same time.  Head on over to So Easy Being Green to read my tips and lessons learned the hard way!  While you’re there, be sure to enter some (or all!) of Lindsey’s fabulous giveaways!

Potty Training Tip: Overnight Suggestions

Once your child is ready to give up night time diapers and sleep in underwear/trainers, you may find some of these suggestions helpful.  If you have a super-soaker, you may need to employ some of these suggestions at naps too.

I already shared that I like the Eco-Posh trainer for added absorbency and the hidden TPU layer for waterproof-like protection.  I also suggested using a wool cover to boost your absorbency.

If you need even more absorbency, try using the newborn portion of a Rumparooz 6R soaker.  It is contoured to fit between the legs and will lay inside your Eco-Posh trainer just perfectly, adding 3 thirsty layers to protect your toddler.  Be sure to use bamboo (preferred, for softness) or hemp.  DO NOT use a microfiber insert laid in the trainers, as it will dry out your toddler’s skin.

Maybe you want a little extra wetness protection, but you don’t think you need as much as adding a bamboo insert.  Try using a gauze diaper doubler.  This 4-inch wide strip has several layers of absorbent cotton (just like a prefold diaper), but it is thin and trim.  It is also a very economical choice, costing just $1 each.  It will lay in the crotch of your trainers easily without adding much bulk.  This is what I use for Elaine at bed time right now.  Then we add the wool cover.

Potty Training Tip: Ideas for Boys

Well, I’m not potty training a little boy…yet!  But I was given a couple of tips (maybe they are no-brainers, but I was glad for the advice) that may help. 

I laughed so hard when a friend shared her potty training tip with me for little boys.  She said to put Cheerios in the toilet so that he can have target practice.  I’m definitely filing this idea away for the future!  (And then I’m going to turn Nolan over to Daddy and let him do the training!)

If you are teaching your little boy how to sit on the potty, you will likely want to get a potty chair or seat with a good shield on the front.  My husband picked out our potty chair for Elaine, but we chose the Baby Bjorn because it has a great “splash guard” on the front.  It worked well for Elaine, but it will be even more useful when Nolan’s turn comes around.

Do you have any special tips, tricks, or successes in potty training a little boy?  Leave your advice here for the other readers!

Potty Training Tip: Use a Wool Cover

Elaine does not want to wear diapers anymore.  She only wants to wear her panties.  So what do I do at naptimes, bedtime, and outings?  I don’t want to risk a soaking wet accident, but I want to encourage her to be a big girl.

Our solution has been to use an Eco-Posh wool cover over her undies.  It gives me the wetness protection peace of mind while allowing her to wear her undies.  It’s a win-win situation. 

What do you do to give extra protection during potty training?  Leave us a comment and share your great tips, too!

Potty Training Tip: Double Sheet the Bed

One of the best pieces of advice that I gleaned in my potty training information quest was this little tip.  Whoever came up with is brilliant in my book!  I can’t remember where I read it, or I would give them credit because credit is certainly due!

Supplies:

• Two (2) waterproof mattress covers.  Tip: I purchased one mattress cover that wraps around the corners of my crib mattress.  Then I bought a flat mattress protector at IKEA for $4.  It doesn’t fit over the corners, but it was much cheaper!
• Two crib/bed fitted sheets.

Instructions:

When potty training at night, double sheet the bed.  Make up the crib/bed with a waterproof mattress cover and then a sheet.  On top of it place another waterproof mattress cover and another sheet. 

If there is a nighttime accident, all you have to do is rip off the soiled sheet and mattress cover.  The bed will already be made with the other set of sheet/cover, and it will be much easier to put your little one back to bed.  You won’t have to dig up the clean sheets and try to re-make the bed in your half asleep state!

Now why didn’t I think of that?

Eco-Posh Organic Trainers Coupon Code

It didn’t take long for the Eco-Posh Organic Recycled Trainers to become one of my potty training must-haves.  They have a hidden waterproof layer of TPU just in case your toddler has an accident, but they pull up and down like underwear.

When Elaine was first potty training, these trainers were helpful in containing the mess.  If she did go in her panties, there wasn’t a major mess in the floor because the trainer does absorb quite a bit.   Yet they still allowed her to feel wetness, so she could understand the consequences of not making it to the potty chair.

Now that Elaine is day trained, these are my go-to trainers for outings and naps.  And she is even wearing one to bed tonight!  (With a cover, of course!)  I feel safer knowing that if she does go, or if we can’t make it to a potty in time, there won’t be a huge puddle on the ground.

Come back on Monday for a full review of the Eco Posh Trainers.  Until then, we are offering a discount code on these trainers.  This would be a great time to stock up if you have a toddler who will soon be training, or one who is already started potty training! For a full product description, please click here.

Use Code EPTRAINER at checkout to save 10% off Eco-Posh Organic Trainers.

We have limited stock available, but we will be placing another order this week and can obtain more trainers within 3-4 days.  You can go ahead and order the items, even if they do not say in-stock.

*Details: Code is ONLY valid on Eco Posh Trainers.  Other items should be purchased in a separate transaction.  Eco Posh items may not be shipped outside of the United States.  Code Valid from 12:01 a.m. on Friday, January 6, 2012 through 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, January 13, 2012. 

Potty Training 101: Go!

{This is part 4 in a series.  Part 1 :: Part 2 :: Part 3}

When it is time to actually go! and start the potty training process, here are some things to keep in mind.

Praise
Elaine would get (and still does) so excited when she knew she had “gone” in the potty.  She would clap for herself and want Mommy to clap too.  She was thrilled to stick a sticker on her page (I just created a simple grid in Excel, and then laminated it).  And she never forgot that she was allowed 3 M&M’s for every success.  The praise was key to helping her understand why accidents were bad.

Try, Try Again
Sometimes Elaine would sit and not be able to produce anything.  Or I would ask her to “go” but she wasn’t ready yet.  So I would set my little ladybug kitchen timer and tell her, “When the ladybug dings you have to sit and try again.”  We usually added 15 minutes to the timer.  If she still couldn’t go, we would give her another 15 minutes.  Then she had to sit until she went. 

You are the Parent…You Decide
Sometimes I knew that “it” had to be coming soon.  But Elaine would say she didn’t have to go.  I didn’t want to risk having an accident in the floor.  (We had several accidents when Elaine would start playing, get distracted, and not want to stop and use the potty.) 

So if we had tried a couple of times with no pee-pee, or if I knew she had to be almost ready, then I would make Elaine sit until she could go.  During these times I would sit with her and we would read books to distract from the fact that she had to sit on the potty chair.

Let Them Help
For Elaine, getting to help dump the potty and flush the big toilet was almost as good as the clapping for her success.  She wanted to carry the “pot” into the bathroom and dump it.  So I let her.  Keep your kiddo involved and excited about the whole thing.

Let me insert here that I have found yet another use for my diaper sprayer: cleaning the potty chair.  Just dump, spray out the paper and rinse the pee, and flush.  Good to go.  I used Lysol or Clorox wipes to sanitize the pot, too.

Potty Training 101: Get Set!

{This is part 3 in a series.  Part 1 :: Part 2 :: Part 4}

I grew up in a family where we didn’t say “pee” and we didn’t say “butt” because those are crass.  We called “it” podee.  When it came time to teach Elaine about using the toilet, all of a sudden I realized that my terminology was confusing to her.  How do you tell a two-year-old to go podee in the potty?

Consistent Terminology
One of the best tips I read in one of those many potty training books was to establish the terminology and then be consistent.  Be sure your spouse is on board and using the same words as you are so that your kiddo is not confused.

I tried.  I really did try.  I even “stooped” to calling it pee-pee.  But somewhere along the lines, Elaine got mixed up.  It’s kind of humorous now.  It happened like this…

One time when Elaine was trying to pee in the potty she actually passed gas.  She laughed about it, so I played along and asked, “Did you just toot?” in a sing-song voice.  Ever since then, Elaine has called #1 a toot.  Yes, folks, she gets very excited and tells everyone, “I toot!  I toot!”

So much for not confusing the terminology.  But since she was being consistent in called it by one name, we joined in with her.  The question in our house is not “Elaine, do you need to go potty?”  Rather we ask, “Elaine, do you need to toot?”  You can imagine that we get many strange looks in public. 

Switch to Prefolds
Another tip I gathered came from another potty-training mom.  She switched her daughter to all prefolds with no stay-dry liner prior to the commencement of potty training.  This allowed her daughter to feel wetness.  It also made it easier for her tot to recognize the cause and effect of “going” and then feeling wet.

The beauty of the modern pocket diaper is that the stay dry lining wicks moisture away and keeps your baby dry and happy.  This also aids in preventing diaper rash.  But when it is time to potty train, feeling and recognizing wetness is key.  Maybe you should consider putting those wonderful pockets away for a little while and use only prefolds and covers.

I never got to do this step, though I had intended to.  Elaine decided to be ready before I could switch her to prefolds.  She did have quite a few accidents at the beginning, when she was learning to tell us before she went.  She would pee in her trainers (which absorb a little, but not much), and then come crying to us, “I wet.  I wet.”  Feeling wetness is important!

Product Spotlight: Planet Wise Nursing Covers

If you have been here long, you know that I support breastfeeding.  I have nursed my babies everywhere I go – from the baseball game, to the NY subway, to the airplane, and many restaurants.  But I also believe in being modest while nursing.  Now Doable Diapers has a new product that supports both of these ideas: the Planet Wise Nursing Cover.

The Planet Wise Nursing Cover has several great features:

• This simple and discreet, yet stylish nursing cover helps Mama feel at ease breastfeeding in any environment
• Rigid neckline allows easy baby viewing while the extended fabric sides give additional privacy
• Easily adjusted neck straps taking it on and off is a breeze
• Side pocket to keep items handy
• Small, matching, zippered storage bag included
• 100% cotton

I especially like the rigid neckline.  I use a similar style nursing cape when I breastfeed Nolan in public.  It allows Nolan to have some light and air, and we can maintain eye contact at the same time as we maintain modesty.  It makes me feel more comfortable without sacrificing Nolan’s relaxation and comfort.  I also like the matching storage bag.  This would definitely keep my diaper bag much neater! 

As can be expected from any Planet Wise item, there are many varied and attractive fabric patterns to choose from.  There is something for everyone!

This would make a great gift for any expectant mom also.  I plan to give it as a shower gift to those moms I know who have decided not to use cloth diapers.

My Potty Training Tools

I have been absent here because Elaine decided she was ready to start potty training last week.  I was not going to start working on it until after the holidays.  So needless to say, I have been very preoccupied! 

We have tried this a couple of times before with no success, but this time she is really getting it!  Though I have read some books and asked a lot of other moms for advice, I am learning things for myself as I go through this stage with Elaine. 

When we started last Thursday, I hurried to throw together my supplies.  I know that each kiddo is different, and there are different techniques and rewards that work for some tots, and not for others.  These are the tools that have proved invaluable for me.

{Rewards}
We have a jar of M&M’s and Elaine knows that she gets a couple each time she makes a “deposit” in the potty chair.  If she isn’t ready to go, we set the timer.  She knows that when the ladybug dings, she has to try again.

{Stickers}
Elaine really likes stickers, so in addition to her candy, she gets to add a sticker to her chart each times she “goes.”  I just made a fast spreadsheet on Excel and popped it through the laminator.  We have it on the fridge with a magnet, but it’s portable to wherever the potty happens to be.

{Books}
If I am making Elaine sit for longer than the 2 seconds that she wants to spend on the potty, I have found that I need something to distract her.  She doesn’t want to feel like she’s missing out on the fun because she has to sit on the potty.  She loves to read, so we often have a stack of books next to the potty.

{Potty Chair}
This is a “duh!” item on my list.  I chose the BabyBjorn because it had great reviews on Amazon, and it has a fabulous shield on the front for when Nolan’s turn comes around…

{Trainers}
We have some Gerber training pants, some undies, and some Eco-Posh Trainers in our potty learning stash.  I really like the Eco-Posh panties because they have a hidden layer of TPU.  They can absorb quite a lot, and the TPU adds waterproofing for those unavoidable accidents, yet they look like “panties” to Elaine.  It is so important to her that they are not diapers!  She is a skinny girl, so she still loses pee out the leg holes if she has an accident, but not nearly as much as with the Gerber trainers.

More on potty training to come after the holidays!

She’s Two!!!

On this day in 2009, around midnight, I finally got to hold my child for the first time.  We called her Elaine, and she was adorable.

Now, two years later, she is just as adorable, full of energy, and so much more fun! 
Yes – my sweet Elaine is now 2!

Happy Birthday, Elaine!

Love, Mommy, Daddy, and “Noey”

Elaine’s present to you:
Use code “Elaine” to save $5 off your order of $35 or more, and “Birthday” to save $10 off your order of $60 or more.

Marketplace at A Child Grows

There is a fabulous blog and information space for Brooklyn parents called A Child Grows.  Karen Connell and her team of writers touch on the subjects of pregnancy, baby, toddler, preschool, and kids.  They write about local events and great deals for Brooklyn residents.  They spotlight local businesses and innovative ideas.

Recently a new feature opened at A Child Grows – the Marketplace.  It is your source for information and reviews on Brooklyn businesses that will benefit you as a parent.  Do you need a sitter in a pinch?  Looking for a great toy store?  Want a photographer to take your newborn pictures?  Find them at Marketplace!  Not only is it a local business listing, but there are reviews from other readers and parents to help you make the best choice.

Doable Diapers is in on the ground floor of this business listing Marketplace.  We think that we provide great customer service and super fast free shipping.  We do diaper demonstrations for local parents by appointment.  We share tons of information on this blog. 

Would you be willing to hop on over to our listing in the Marketplace and share your Doable Diapers experience with other parents?  We would greatly appreciate it!  (You will have to sign in to be able to leave a review).

While Marketplace is specialized mostly to Brooklyn and New York City parents, the wealth of information to be found at A Child Grows can benefit any parent.  Stop by today!  You can also find them on Facebook.

Diaper Boo-Boos, and the Bag Tag

While to many modern cloth diapers are just as easy to use as any disposable diaper, some are still confused with how to put it on the baby!  Here are a couple of care-giver faux pas or gaffes that we have encountered lately…they seriously made me laugh out loud!

Nolan came home from the church nursery one night with his Rumparooz on backwards.  It is truly a good diaper that doesn’t leak, no matter how you put it on!

A well-meaning baby sitter tried hard, and did an ok job, but it certainly looked awkward!  I have heard of “wing-drop” when the tabs fall out the bottom of the waistline.  What would this be called?  And somehow the rise setting was let out too!

To help protect against these types of errors, I have starting using a diaper bag tag.  I just took a piece of scrapbooking paper cut to the size of a tag (I think it is 3x5). 

On one side I printed easy, but detailed instructions for using cloth diapers.  I even included where to find wipes (I use a wet bag and not the typical wipes case), and where to place soiled diapers.  I have actually had soiled diapers just placed right back in my diaper bag without being in the wet bag.  Yuck…talk about contamination!

On the other side of my tag I put my baby’s name.  In a church nursery setting with many children, it can be easy to confuse diaper bags, especially when each worker is only in the nursery once a month or so.

I attached my tag with a ribbon and a binder ring, but you could tie it directly onto the bag.

When I drop my kiddos off at the nursery or to the baby sitter, I can just say, “diaper instructions are on the bag tag.”  I also use this sheet for baby sitter notes, and include diaper instructions there.

Kozy Carrier Review and Giveaway

The urban lifestyle of New York City parents meshes easily with baby wearing.  Most of my shopping and errands are done on foot within blocks of my apartment.  Taking a stroller can be difficult if you have to carry it down the steps and maneuver it through small stores and doorways.  Now that I have two kids, the hassle is compounded.  That’s why I love baby wearing.  And baby wearing is how I came to love my Kozy.

About the Company
Kozy Carriers were designed by Kelley Mason.  Kelley and her sister Kristi Jennings run the Kozy company.  I love that they are Christians and they aren’t afraid to say so on their website!  I also love that this product was designed by a mom.  That’s something that I can trust! 

I also appreciate that they encourage baby wearing, even if the Kozy is not the carrier for you.  It’s a mission, not just a product for sale!

Kelley was a mom who needed a comfortable way to wear her baby.  She saw a picture of an Asian Mei Tai carrier on the internet.  The next day she whipped one up at her sewing machine!  From that point there have been several revisions to the design so that the Kozy Carrier is a top notch product.  Read more about the Kozy story HERE.

About the Product
I had never used a Mei Tai carrier before.  I expected it to be difficult to get on properly since there were no buckles or anything to make it easier.  I was SO wrong!  The Kozy is simple to use!  Here is a little more about the features of the Kozy Carrier:

• extremely versatile and comfortable Asian inspired baby carrier (Mei Tai) that can be used from birth to toddlerhood (or beyond) and can easily be worn on your front, side, or back!
• has no buckles or rings . . . it simply ties on
• keeps baby's legs up and supports his spine
• 'made to order' in solid colors or patterns
• comes standard with light shoulder padding (I LOVE this feature – the straps are so comfortable!)
• can be ordered with extra long straps if needed
• can be worn reversible without the pocket option

The overall design of the Kozy, plus its features and extras, sets it apart from most of the others on the market. The Kozy's greatest design feature is probably its versatility, as it can be worn on your front, side, or back.

My Review
Kristi sent me the Liberty Kozy to review.  I couldn’t have been more thrilled – I love the fabric pattern!  As I mentioned before, I expected it to be difficult to learn to use the Kozy.  I received a full color brochure with my carrier that had detailed instructions and pictures.  This took the guess work out of how to use the Kozy.  More techniques can be found on the Kozy website HERE. 

I had help from my husband putting the Kozy on for the first time.  Once I knew how the carrier worked, I was able to put it on by myself.  It really is so simple!

I have used the Kozy with Nolan since he was two weeks old.  I also used it with Elaine who is 21 months old.  The Kozy really is versatile!  It is also comfortable.  I have a back injury from a car accident.  Most carriers and slings are uncomfortable after only a short time.  Not so with the Kozy!  The only reason I took it off was because my kiddos wanted out, not because I was in pain.  The shoulder straps are wide and padded, making them extremely comfortable.

The only difficulty for me was when Nolan was tiny.  At that age, it is best to keep his feet inside the carrier.  However, Nolan is a very active guy and he always has his legs and arms in motion.  He didn’t like having his legs tucked up for very long.  Now that he is bigger, I put his feet out and he enjoys it much better!

Kozy to the Test
I put the Kozy to the test in several situations.  First, I used it to travel to Manhattan by train without my husband.  I cannot maneuver a stroller down the subway steps with two kids.  I took my umbrella stroller for Elaine, and I packed Nolan in the Kozy.  It was a lifesaver – I wouldn’t have been able to make the trip without my Kozy!

Nolan – 1 month old

Elaine – 20 months old

By the end of the trip Nolan was ready to stretch his legs a little.  I put him in the stroller, and wore Elaine in the Kozy.  She loved the extra attention and getting the same thing as baby brother (she is still a tad jealous of the new baby).

I also wore my Kozy to a church picnic.  I knew we would be there for several hours and that Nolan would not want to be in his car seat the entire time.  I also knew that I would need both hands to help my toddler with her food and activities.  Once again, it was the Kozy to the rescue!  Nolan enjoyed a long nap in the Kozy, and I received several compliments about my carrier!

 

Buy It
Shop Kozy anytime at their website, or find a retailer.

The Giveaway
One blessed Doable Diapers fan will win a Liberty Kozy Carrier just like the one I was sent!  Giveaway open to US residents.
(Here’s how the giveaway works)

Links you may need:
Doable Diapers: Facebook :: Twitter :: Newsletter
Kozy: Website :: Facebook :: Blog :: Buy It

Fine Print: View the entries in this giveaway by clicking HERE.  Sensitive information has been removed to protect your privacy.  Entries must be made using the form.  Comment entries will be deleted, however feel free to leave a comment to remind yourself that you have entered.  Winner will be chosen using a random number generator, and will be announced on the blog as well as contacted via email.  Winner has 48 hours to respond and claim prize or a new winner will be chosen. 

Tommee Tippee Review and Giveaway

Have you ever packed a sippy cup in your diaper bag only to open the bag and find your clean cloth diapers soaking wet from the leaking cup?  Or have you handed a sippy to your child in his/her car seat, and when you arrive at your destination you find the seat and your kiddo all wet?  I have…numerous times!  I have been so frustrated trying to find a sippy cup that would work for Elaine.

For that reason, I was very excited when Tommee Tippee agreed to let Elaine and I review their Explora Truly Spill Proof Sippy Cups. They arrived in a package of two 11 ounce cups.  These are a stage two sippy cup, designed for babies 9 months and older.

My Review: The Explora system from Tommee Tippee starts at 4 months, and gradually moves the baby into more advanced cups.  I love that the cups we received have a gentle soft spout for babies who are cutting teeth and have sensitive gums!  Elaine has actually chewed through the latex spouts of other sippy cups.  The Tommee Tippee cup has a firm spout beneath the outer soft spout, making this impossible to do!  There is also a hygiene cap that flips to cover the spout – I love this feature when the cup is being transported in a diaper bag!

As I was reading the instructions that came with the cups, I discovered that the Tommee Tippee valve system is specially designed by a physicist.  No wonder it works so well!  The valve is sensitive enough to allow liquid to flow on demand, yet it is truly spill and leak proof.

We had one leak while using these Tommee Tippee cups…but it was a total user error!  I had not snapped the valve into place properly, so it was no wonder that liquid was allowed to escape!

Elaine’s Review: Elaine totally l.o.v.e.s. these cups!  As soon as they arrived in the mail she insisted that I fill one for her to use.  If I offered a drink in another sippy cup, she would protest and point at the cupboard until I took a Tommee Tippee cup from the shelf.  The soft grips on the sides of the cup make it easy for her to use and carry.

We put the Tommee Tippee cups to the true test when we packed them exclusively for our road trip to North Carolina.  We didn’t have a single leak in the car seat, and nothing was soiled or wet in the diaper bag.  My experience was nothing but pleasant!  It makes me wonder…why didn’t I know about Tommee Tippee before?  Why did I waste so much time and money on sippy cups that failed to perform?  We are completely sold on the Tommee Tippee system, and I look forward to trying their cups for younger babies once the new baby has arrived.

Final Opinion:  We LOVE Tommee Tippee cups, and we will not be buying any other sippy cups again!

The Giveaway

One reader will win a set of two Tommee Tippee Explora Truly Spill Proof Sippy Cups!  Open to US residents.  Giveaway ends on June 27th at 11:59 EST.
(Here’s how the giveaway works)

Links you may need:

• Doable Diapers: Facebook :: Twitter :: Newsletter
• Tommee Tippee: Website :: Facebook :: Twitter

 

Fine Print: View the entries in this giveaway by clicking HERE.  Sensitive information has been removed to protect your privacy.  Entries must be made using the form.  Comment entries will be deleted, however feel free to leave a comment to remind yourself that you have entered.  Winner will be chosen using a random number generator, and will be announced on the blog as well as contacted via email.  Winner has 48 hours to respond and claim prize or a new winner will be chosen. 

Living a Natural Lifestyle

Besides using cloth diapers, what else do you do to make your lifestyle more natural/organic, and to create less waste?  There are several things that we have been doing in our household for some time.  I recently added a few other things, so I thought I would share them with you.

I admit I was not much of a “green” or organic type person before I started using cloth diapers.  Then I realized the money I was saving, the waste I was not creating, and the “plastic” I was not placing next to my baby’s bum, and I started to think along the lines of changing other areas of our lifestyle.  It’s been a little bit of a slow process, but here are the things we do at home to support a “natural” lifestyle.

:: To state the obvious, we use cloth diapers.  We also use cloth wipes, and I make my own foaming wipe solution.  This has saving us tons of money with Elaine, and with #2 due to arrive in about 5 weeks, the savings are about to pile up big time!

:: I made my own baby food.  I did not do this exclusively.  I am a bargain hunter, so if I could steal a great deal on store-bought baby food, I would use it.  I also bought the store bought containers for on-the-go.  I would often just mash up some fruit as we went, and a couple of times I made bigger batches of baby food for the freezer.  Once we started to leave purees, Elaine just got a little bit of our dinner mashed up.

:: I make my own laundry soap and household cleaners.  It did not use to bother me to use chemical-laden products.  But with a toddler running around the house, I feel much safer (despite my baby locks) knowing exactly what is in those cleaners.  Everything is comprised basically of baking soda, soap, vinegar, washing soda, borax, and essential oils.  I use these recipes for my cleaners, and this recipe for my laundry soap.  I still use Rockin’ Green or bumGenius detergent on my diapers, just to be safe!

:: We use cloth napkins and clean-up rags (no paper towels).  I try very hard to remember to bring my canvas shopping bags to the grocery store.  This habit is getting better!

:: I make all of our bread.  This helps ensure there are no unnecessary preservatives.  I do use a bread machine – no wonder woman here!

:: I use less energy by line-drying all of my clothes and diapers.  I don’t really have a choice in this – the apartment came with a washer, but no way to hook up a dryer!  I do love my clothesline, though!