Wordless Wednesday

More Cloth in the News!

ABC15 - Arizona did a report on cloth diapering- a full six minute interview with the owner of DiaperStyle dot com.  This is a great overview of cloth diapering- an easy way to get acquainted if you're just checking this stuff out.

**Hopefully the link is working now.  The video embed code doesn't work and I'm sorry for that!

Poll for upcoming GIVEAWAY!

Hello readers!  I'd like to do a few entries on detergents in the coming months and I'd REALLY like to do some detergent sample giveaways!  I need to know what types of detergent you are most interested in testing out.  Please please PLEASE vote in the poll on the right side of the page.  If you choose "Other" leave a comment on this post and let me know which detergent you have in mind.

After the poll closes and I have some idea of what people want to test or have reviewed, I'll do a giveaway with detergent samples!  I'll just ask that you write back to me after you've used your sample(s) to let me know what you thought!

So slide over to the right, VOTE, and comment if necessary.  I'll announce the giveaway on Facebook when the time comes, so follow WFB if you haven't already!

My big helper

Look ma, I found a dryer ball!

Super Stash Saturday! Mama Kelly

Welcome to Super Stash Saturday, Mama Kelly edition! Kelly's stash is a beautiful rainbow of colorful pocket diapers, and has changed a lot since she first started using cloth for her little ones. Here's what she had to say about her stash.

Kelly's stash, all in a row!

How many babies are you diapering?

I'm diapering two babies at the moment, a 27-month-old and a 6-month-old. I'm hoping to potty train my 2-year-old soon.

How many diapers are in your stash?

I have around 100 diapers.

Pretty diapers, pretty storage!

When you first got started, what diapers made up your stash?

When I first got started I had a few Sunbaby 3.0s, Sweetdollbaby pockets, and some fitteds.

What kind of variety do you have now?

Now I only have pockets.

What led you to make any changes?

I didn't like the fitteds because I don't like having to use a cover over the cute prints.

What are your most favorite diapers, and who made them?

My favorite diapers are Sunbaby right now. I like them because they are pretty cheap and very cute. I just got some Blueberrys off the swap and I love them as we


ll.

I love this shot of pretty pockets soaking up the sunshine!

Cutie pie showing off her pocket diaper.

One of Kelly's favorite prints!

Gee Thanks! The Versatile Blogger Award

Many thanks to What Mommy Wants!

I'm kind of geeked about this!  In a very sweet gesture, I've been recognized by a fellow mama-blogger and awarded the Versatile Blogger award.  There's something really nice about being supported by your peers, isn't there?  Thanks so much for the shout-out, Melissa!

Getting this award means that I'm agreeing to share some things about myself, and pass on the love to fellow bloggers.  I'm happy to do both!

A few things about me that you wouldn't know from my usual blogging:

• I was raised in rural Pennsylvania and even though I'm not a country girl at heart, I miss lots of things about living among farms and rolling hills.  Mostly I miss people, though.
• I have a degree in psychology and was a few credits away from a degree in vocal performance.  I decided singing wouldn't likely bring in enough income to justify an additional $40k in loans.
• I often write while holding my son.  At this moment he is asleep on my shoulder.  
• My husband and I met through okcupid dot com, which is embarrassing today because it has earned such a bad reputation- its not up-and-up like eharmony or something.  But it brought us together, so I can't knock it too much!
• I was an Army wife for almost five years, and it was not my favorite life experience.  I did meet many amazing friends.  I'm really thankful that my husband is a civilian again, though there are lots of adjustments we have to make!
• I've written (or co-authored) at least four other blogs in the past, but this is the first one I've been consistently updating.  I have fun writing WFB!  
• I tend to become obsessed with certain television shows, and can watch them over and over.  Examples include The Tudors, Gilmore Girls, Scrubs, and Modern Family.

Now to pass on the love!  Here are blogs I've been following for a while, or have recently stumbled upon.  I think they deserve a gold star and acknowledgement for their efforts!

• Haute Clothed Buns - a great photo-review blog!
• Whirls Away - cakes so beautiful you'll want to eat your screen, and they're that good in person too!
• Snugs Boutique - WAHM blogging about (and sometimes giving away) her diapers
• Naturally Thrifty Moms - especially check out their $20/week for 8 weeks stash-building project!
• Video Product Reviews - the blog title says it all :o)
• Prayer and Coupons - fun mix of recipes, crafts, frugal tips and cute musings
• E-Meal Planning - helping you decide "what's for dinner"
• Glorious Generalist - I'm always learning something new
• Modern Mama Reviews - lots of green living product reviews and giveaways!
• Fluffy Therapy - more on cloth diapers
• Wee Little Changes - also a great CD and natural parenting store
• Hobo Mama - this is what attachment parenting looks like
• Domestic Reformation - increase your natural-living know-how
• Mello Melly - A Link A Day with important pregnancy and childbirth information
• Kim's Krafty Koncoctions - beautiful art pieces and crafting ideas, especially great for card making!

Those I've listed, if you will accept this award, please complete the following:

1. Post your award on your blog, and include the link for Wee Fluffy Bums in your caption.
2. Share 7 bits of your life with your readers!
3. Pass the award on to 15 blogs you think deserve some recognition for their hard work and great writing!

For Those Who Babywear

Or even for those who'd like to try it out, the Boba carrier is on Zulily today.

I have one Boba and completely love it because it fits me well and my son seems very comfortable in it.  I can wear him on my front or my back.  If you are a plus-sized mama you will especially love the Boba, as it fits those of us with wider hips without discomfort AND without having to buy any kind of extender for the waist strap!

You can wear your baby in this carrier for hours without having any back pain- it is ergonomically designed to decrease pressure on your shoulders and back, and the padded straps are easy on your body.  It's also quite simple to get your baby into the Boba.  The front carry is simplest, though with a bit of practice you can manage a back carry without someone to assist!

Zulily has several different styles ranging from $59.99 to $79.99- a fabulous deal!  This carrier starts at $100 at normal retail price.

Go get a Boba and you'll be glad you tried it out!

C'mon, show off!

There will be a new SUPER STASH SATURDAY next week.  Sorry to make you wait!

In the meantime, go line up your diapers and take a few pictures.  Email me and claim your slot for a future Saturday.  You know you want to!

Cotton Babies Seconds Sale!

Don't miss this awesome deal on BumGenius Elementals, a fabulous organic cotton all-in-one diaper!  They are going for only $17 each right now!

BG Elemental, courtesy of Cotton Babies dot com.

BG Flip hybrid cover, courtesy of Cotton Babies dot com.

Also try out Flips, including covers and organic inserts- super absorbent and a great value!

Cotton Babies Seconds Sale!

The Vinegar Pre-Soak

I've previously written about using Bac-Out as a pre-soak additive to combat ammonia or general diaper stink and discoloration.  I still love Bac-Out, since it is a pretty earth-friendly laundry option.  Today I want to tell you about how trying vinegar in my pre-soak has helped improve the condition of my diapers.

A big jug will increase your savings!

Vinegar is rather acidic, with a pH of about 3.  Ammonia is a base with a pH level of around 11.  When allowed to sit and work its magic in a pre-wash soak, vinegar is capable of breaking down the ammonia salts trapped in your diapers.  The regular wash cycle that follows, along with detergent, can whisk away your ammonia woes.  As an added bonus, vinegar is cheap and works wonders as a cleaner all over your home.

The following details how I've been using vinegar, but as always you may need to adjust things to work with your diapers and your washing machine situation.  It is important to note that adding the vinegar later in the washing cycle won't do much good, as there won't be sufficient opportunity for the ammonia salts to be neutralized and whisked away.  Use vinegar in your pre-soak for the best results!

• I have an old top-loader machine.  I fill it with hot water to the highest setting to make sure I've got plenty of water to wash away any schmutz left on the dirty diapers.  
• I separate my inserts from the covers for this pre-soak.  I don't want to find any negative effects on my PUL covers.
• I add 1 Cup of white vinegar to the water and allow the machine to agitate for about a minute.  
• With the top up, my machine will sit as long as I want it to- I let the inserts soak for 1 hour if they are smelly.  Thirty minutes will do if the load isn't too large.  (Rockin' Green can also be used for this type of soak, but I'll talk about that more in an upcoming post!)
• I force the machine to skip to the spin-out at the end of the cycle.  Once the dirty water, full of yucky ammonia salts has left the machine, I add my covers and continue with my normal detergent cycle routine.  

The differences I've noticed between using Bac-Out and vinegar are scent and appearance.  The vinegar doesn't leave the diapers with the pleasant, faint lingering scent of Bac-Out.  It also doesn't do as much to combat staining.  I have found that a few hours on the laundry line in the sun will leave my diapers smelling fresh and looking better than Bac-Out and the dryer can do.

If you want an affordable, simple way to keep your diapers from problems with ammonia or buildup, try the vinegar pre-soak!

Thanks to Your Mother Was a Chemist for some cool facts on acids and bases.

Super Stash Saturday! Debut Edition: Mama Sam

Sam's little star!

For the very FIRST Super Stash Saturday, we have mama Sam's stash! This cute collection boasts adorable prints and a few great diapers from WAHMs. Check out Sam's stash shots and see what she had to say about putting it all together.

How many babies are you diapering?:

Just one for now.

How many diapers are in your stash?:

Including prefolds: 32

When you first got started, what diapers made up your stash?:

My first Diaper package was the Flips (hybrid) day pack. That's the one that got me hooked. My stash slowly expanded to the point where I had about 6 diapers to get me through the day. One of the amazing moms on Babycenter saw my small stash and actually sent me 6 diapers for just 6 bucks. I can't get over how kind people are sometimes!

What kind of variety do you have now?:

I have the Flips which are the hybrids, covers, a wrap, a ton and a half of pockets, two AI2's and 5 prefolds.

What led you to make any changes?:

When I first started cloth diapering, I was really fed up with having enough money for disposables and always having to run out and get them. I switched to Flips first and thought that maybe pockets weren't so bad and now the only one I have left to try is an AIO. I have no problem with any of the systems and my cloth addiction is spreading to the point that I want to try them all.

What are your most favorite diapers, and who made them?:

Gorgeous Winnie the Pooh WAHM diaper.

I have a Winnie the Pooh Diaper AI2 that I got from Corrina's Cutie Creations. I looooove Winnie the Pooh. There was a minor error in the diaper so I sent it back for repairs and she sent me a free Very Hungry Caterpillar diaper. These are the cutest diapers I've ever seen and I can't believe how kind Corrina is to include a diaper completely by surprise.

Do you have a favorite brand or WAHM?:

Very Hungry Caterpillar diaper- I'm jealous!

Definitely Corrina's Cutie Creations and Bunzuke Diapers (TheOperation). Those two WAHM's have amazing customer service and I really enjoy talking to them.

Trusty prefolds.

Stash Shot!  Look at all those cute prints!

Now on Facebook!

Breaking news: find Wee Fluffy Bums on Facebook for easier access to important updates.  Don't miss the next giveaway- join the Facebook page now!

Holy Cheap Prefolds Batman!

These contoured prefolds are sold on Amazon- 60 prefolds for only $19.95! The buzz is that if you prep them really well (5-6 washes) they will work as well as the prefolds sold on cloth diaper sites. Additionally, the contour helps to keep them trim compared to some prefold options.

100% Cotton Flannel Prefolds

I have *not* tried these so I cannot recommend them from personal experience. They're just a great deal. Even if they don't end up working as prefolds you could easily use them for cleaning or burp cloths.

If you have tried these, or decide to give them a go, let me know!

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Coming Soon: Super Stash Saturdays!

Dear readers, consider this your casting call!

I'm going to try out a series on Wee Fluffy Bums, and I'm calling it Super Stash Saturdays. I need volunteers who are proud of their diaper stash and want to give it some time in the limelight!

Your stash can be big or small, "mainstream" brands or WAHM wares, things you've made, and any combination of diaper styles! If you think your stash has lessons to share with other cloth diapering moms (especially newbies) or even if you just think others will enjoy seeing the super cute diapers you've scored, send me an email at weefluffybums (at) gmail (dot) com! I'll hook you up with a few questions, you submit your photos, and then just wait for your Saturday stardom!

I'm so psyched about this and hope you will be as well. Let's get those submissions rolling!

We Have TWO Winners!

I'm thrilled to announce that there were enough individuals entered for the WAHMies Deluxe one-size pocket diaper, that I will fulfill my promise and give away a second diaper!  The two lucky winners are...

Whirls Away Confections, comment #2!

AND

Erin, comment #18!  Congratulations!

Please contact me at:   weefluffybums (at) gmail (dot) com to claim your diaper!

A HUGE thanks again to Cloth Diaper Market in Colorado Springs for sponsoring this amazing giveaway.  Don't forget to check out their website for a wide variety of made-in-America diapers and accessories for cloth diapering, baby wearing, and natural parenting!

What's on the bum?

Playing in a Fishnoodles AI2- landing strip print. 

What is your baby wearing today?