Gro Baby is going to be stocked in Whole Foods! They hit shelves in the North Atlantic by August and the Pacific Northwest in July. This is really exciting news for the company, and even more exciting for cloth lovers. Any exposure in a mass market is an opportunity to educate the public about the alternatives to disposables that they may not even have known existed. Gro Baby announced this on their Facebook page last night. If you have a Whole Foods near you, request that they carry Gro Baby. Hopefully all Whole Foods will pick them up!

Other cloth diapers being stocked in chains stores are Bum Genius and G Diapers. Bum Genius has been spotted in Target. Not every store has them, but you can purchase them from Target.com. G Diapers are carried by some Babies R Us’ and some grocery stores. My local BRU carries them, and my local grocery store, Wegmans, also has them.

Cloth is really making its way into modern parents’ lives. These brands are hopefully just the tip of the iceberg. Wouldn’t you love to see an entire cloth diaper section at your local Target, with lots of brands and colors to choose from? I know I would!

Green Peas Kids’ mission is to make fashionable, fun, and affordable eco-friendly clothing available to all children.  All Green Peas clothes and accessories are designed and produced in the US and Europe. The entire line features breathable and natural bamboo, organic cotton and hemp.  The company ships all continental US orders for free with re-usable wrapping and packaging.

You can win this beautiful blanket for your little one, or to give to a precious new baby as a gift.

1. If you want to win, go visit Green Peas Kids and find another item that piques your interest.  Then, leave your first comment and let mw know what item you liked.  They make adorable baby and kids organic clothing!  (review of one of their baby separates coming soon as well, so check back!)  Want more entries?  Do any or all of the following and leave a separate comment for each one you do.  You have to do the first before doing any of the extra entries.

2. While you are at Green Peas Kids sign up for their newsletter. You will see an entry form at the bottom of their page.  Leave a comment telling me you signed up.

3. Follow my blog via Google Friend connect or subscribe to my blog with a reader.  If you already do, great!  Leave a comment either way.

4. Follow me on Twitter and retweet this giveaway.  Make sure you tweet it @kdhoney1. Leave a comment letting me know.

5. For two extra entries, fav my blog on Technorati.  Leave your username and two separate comments letting me know you did.  (you can do this using “Fav this on Technorati” button on the right)

6. Finally, check out my other posts and leave a comment on one. Let me know which one in the comment here.

Giveaway ends in two weeks on July 14.

The carnage of Fluffy Mail excitement.

Today my mailbox was stuffed!  I got two diapers:  a GAD (Green Acre Designs) in meadow lime with an organic bamboo velour inner and a hemp insert, and a Sweet Pea One Size diaper with 2 microfiber inserts.  These were sent for me to review.  They are currently being prepped and will get the Fletcher treatment soon enough.  I am excited to try the GAD most of all.  This company has a great reputation, not to mention the diaper is way too cute.  It is side snapping, which is something I have wanted to try for a while.  Sweet Pea is a Canadian company, with a few retailers carrying their diapers in the states.  I have also read a great review about their diaper.  It is a snapping one size.  I love my snaps!  Besides these two, I have a Smartipants, ES Baby, and Kissaluvs Marvel review either filmed, or set to be tested.  I am extremely excited about all of the amazing reviews coming up.  I hope everyone is finding them informative.  

If there is a diaper you are dying to see on video, let me know.  I will try and get it to review.  And, if you are a company that would like me to try your diaper and film a review, contact me at dirtydiaperlaundry@gmail.com.

***correction.  There is a line stating that “Happy Heiney’s are better for bigger babies than babies with chunky thighs.”  I meant to say “AND babies with chunky thighs.”***

This video is a review of the Happy Heiney’s One Size Diaper with velcro.  My overall thoughts on this diaper:  It will fit larger babies better than babies with chunky thighs.  The leg holes are quite large.   The velcro tabs are wide, and would be uncomfortable for a baby who is sitting.  The laundry tabs fail almost every time.  And the appearance is odd one the baby is on a bigger waist setting since one of the velcro tabs will be visible.  There are good things about the diaper:  It is trim, they come in very cute colors and patterns.  It washes well.  Once it fit my son around the legs I rarely had a leak, and if I did it was my error.

I want to emphasize that the review is based on using this diaper on my son alone.  Other parents have had great experiences with this diaper.  To read more reviews, good or bad, please visit Diaper Pin.com

For more cloth diaper video reviews click here.

Not too long ago a friend of mine sent me a message about an online store that sold cloth diapers.  There are a million of them!  This one happens to be run by a mom who is local to me.  She lives 20 minutes away.  How did I not know this?  The store, Green Baby Shoppe, sells cloth diapers, cloth diapering accessories, organic toys, teething bling, and stuff for moms as well.  The coolest part is that I can go pick up what I buy!  I can save shipping and support a local mom.  

Before this I bought many of my diapers from another local store which also ran a cloth diaper service.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t pleased with the entire operation.  I bought there to save myself shipping, but if given the option I would rather have spent my money at Jillian’s Drawers in Ithaca or used a free shipping coupon from Kelly’s Closet if I had one.  

The person who runs the store is extremely nice and easy to work with.  The first time I made a purchase she met my friend and I at the local mall.  I bought a Planet Wise wet/dry hanging wet bag.  The next time I needed another wet bag I dropped by her house!  It was steps away from where I was going anyway.  

I am kicking myself that I just found out about Green Baby Shoppe.  When I was pregnant I would have benefited greatly from a cloth diaper consultation, which the owner offers.  She comes to your home with the different types of diapers and gives you a little run down of what is out there and how to cloth diaper.  One of the hardest things about cloth diapering is where to start!  

So, if you live in the Central NY area, you should give Green Baby Shoppe a look see!  And , if you aren’t, she ships too!

Unfortunately my scheduled Fluffy Mama was not able to get her questionnaire filled out so I decided I would give it a shot since it is last minute.

How long have you been cloth diapering?  Since my son was 2 weeks old (and I dabbled in cloth since he came home from the hospital but I didn’t like how my Thirsties covers rubbed his cord stump.)  So, almost 7 months.

One of the first times my son was in cloth. Wearing a Thirsties XS cover with a prefold.

What made you decide to start?  I’m not sure what website I came across while I was pregnant, but I remember reading something about cloth diapering and immediately realizing that I was going to do it.  The idea of not producing tons of waste and saving money instantly appealed to me.  

What was your first purchase and why?  The first cloth diapers I bought were from craigslist.  I was going the prefold and covers route for the initial few months until one size diapers would fit.  I bought lots of used covers.  Most were Bummis, but some were Motherease.  

A winning shot in the Bum Genius Photo Contest.

How much do you think you have spent on your diapers total?   I calculated 2 months ago, with a total coming to 500.00 including wet bags and accessories.  I have added and subtracted since then, but I would say I haven’t spent over 600.00. 

My stash, ever evolving

Have your family/ friends been supportive?  Mostly.  Since I am the one washing, my family and friends are not affected personally by my decision.  Many are encouraging, but most don’t understand why I would “waste” time cloth diapering.  My husband has been very supportive however.  I am lucky to have a husband that supports my ideals and my fluff addiction.

A Gro Baby One Size

What has been the most rewarding aspect of cding?  Every time I throw something away in my son’s trash can I know that there are no diapers going in the can.  I don’t have bags and bags of diapers being thrown away every week, and my son has never, ever had a diaper rash!

What is your favorite diaper to use?  The Bum Genius Organic AIO is my favorite, preferably with snaps.  I love how easy it is to put on, how soft the cotton is, how quickly it dries, and how easy it is to wash.

A Bum Genius Organic AIO

What has been the biggest challenge to your success at cding?  (ie, washing, money, leakage, fit, etc)  By far, finding a good washing routine has been the hardest.  If you aren’t washing your diapers correctly you will have repelling and leaking issues.  Once you have leaking it is very discouraging.  Early on I had problems with leaking Bum Genius 3.0.  It was most likely a combination of a bad fit (too big on my son) and repelling.  In a few weeks I got everything under control.  I never once thought about giving up, but I did consider using different diapers.  It takes a while to get the hang of cloth, but once you do you will be surprised how easy it can be!

Thanks for reading my answers!  If you want to share your cloth story email me at dirtydiaperlaundry@gmail.com.  

Congrats to commenter number 35, Carol!  

Today was yet another trip to Ithaca, NY.  Yes, Ithaca is “gorges”  hah hah.  Now that that is out of your system I will continue. If you aren’t aware, Ithaca is a very “green” city.  I love the fact that when I go there I am almost soggy compared to the general public.  It gives me something to strive for!

My mission today was to pick up my Ergo backpack attachment for my Ergo Carrier.  Since I am flying to Charlotte next week alone I am determined to lighten my load.  Instead of carrying my son in the ergo and having to carry a diaper bag I just solved my problem!

Somehow I timed it perfectly.  There was a nasty thunderstorm this morning, so we waited for it to pass.  I picked up my friend and her daughter and by the time we made it to Ithaca it was drizzly.  We both wore our babies, she used a backpack carrier and I put Fletcher in the Didy wrap I am borrowing from Woowoomama.  I used the front facing carry and it was great.  I am getting the hang of using a wrap and starting to enjoy it.

Our first stop was Mama Goose.  This is a consignment store, but it also sells handmade items from locals.  I was excited to see ES baby diapers there in the store.  They are made by a mom who is local to me.  She is quite talented and I love her diapers.  In fact, my son is wearing a cover she made right now.

ES baby at Mama Goose

Next stop was Jillian’s Drawers!!!!!  I can’t get enough of this store.  I picked up my backpack and talked to a few of the employees.  One of them joins in on the Twitter chats on monday nights about #clothdiapers.  It was nice to put a face to the name.  My friend bought 5 diapers and a pack of soakers.  She found a fantastic deal on BG Organic AIO’s which were used and in great shape.  They were pink so I was not interested!  Then she got on the Gro Baby wagon.  She purchased a shell in Blackberry along with a pack of two soakers.  So in essence she got 7 diapers!!!  I had willpower and only got what I came for.  On our way out I saw the International Breastfeeding symbol on the door.  I was pretty excited about seeing one in person.  Of course, I will breastfeed wherever I please, but I am happy to support any business that is pro-breastfeeding.  

Our last stop was at the usual eatery.  Amazingly the babies both behaved.  No tantrums.  I had to nurse Fletcher at the end when he got a bit fussy but it was cake.  While inside, the bottom of the sky dropped and it started pouring.  Somehow our timing was once again impeccable.  By the time we were finished the rain had become a light drizzle.  

So, I am back home where I am on the extreme end of crunchy.

Over the past hour or so I have been riding a sad, sad rollercoaster.  Is Michael Jackson dead?  Is he in a coma?  Yes, he is in a coma.  Thank you CNN.  Wait… Yes, he is dead.  

Say what you will about Michael Jackson and his personal life.  It was a mess.  But no one can deny the impact he had on the world of music and pop culture.  I have fond memories of my childhood and listening to his music.  He was unique and troubled and the most amazing musician and dancer.  

I am sad and in shock.  I just felt the need to express it since my husband is not home and I have no one to hug.

So, as of late I have been entering lots of cloth diaper giveaways.  I am determined to bring you all lots of video reviews.  I am not able to buy every diaper out there (I wish).  So to review all of the diapers out there I have to rely on companies to send me diapers for review, or win some!  I am going to be nice and let you in on some of the awesome giveaways going on in cloth diaper land.  

AppleCheeks- So Fawned.com

ES Baby AIO- Look What Mom Found.com 

Find more about ES Baby on her website: ES Baby.net

ES Baby Fitted and Cover- Monkey Toes Review

Smartipants- Our Life Upstate

ES Baby AIO- Our Life Upstate

Thirsties- Mama Notes

Kissaluvs Marvel- Cloth Diaper Blog 

So what are you waiting for? Go win yourself some Fluff!