This is a small selection of cloth training pants available.  Many reflect well known brands and some are handmade.  There are even more options online including night and day time trainers, and overnight pants for bedwetting with extra protection.

Little Beetles Little Learners (Non Waterproof, Velour, wet zone protection, side snaps) 18.95

Kelly’s Closet

Happy Heiney’s Pocket Trainers (Waterproof, stuffable pocket, side snap, pull on) 15.95
Kelly’s Closet

Bummis Pull on Trainers (Waterproof, terry padding, flannel liner, pull on) 11.00-12.00
Kelly’s Closet

Ladder Hill Designer Trainers (Custom or ready to buy, waterproof, side snap, zorb and bamboo soaker) 15.95

Ladder Hill Hyena Cart

Imse Vimse Trainer (Organic cotton, Waterproof, cotton terry liner) 15.35
Amazon.com

BlueBerry Trainers (Non Waterproof, pull on, microterry soaker, bamboo lining) 15.95
NoPinsRequired

Snap EZ AIO Trainer (Waterproof, side snaps, stay dry or non stay dry liner option) 17.95
Jillians’s Drawers

Eca Pants flip down trainers. (waterproof and non waterproof versions) 17.95

EC Wear

Under The Nile (Non Waterproof, organic cotton) 10.00
Jillian’s Drawers

Why Mommy Hipster. (Waterproof or Non Waterproof, side snap) 15.50
EC Wear

Antsy Pants Toddler Pull Ups. (Waterproof, stuffable, side snapping) 25.00-27.00

GetAntsy.com

Starbunz Super Undies (waterproof, pocket for adding additional stuffing, back release) 19.95-21.95

MyBabyPumpkin.com

Batik Bum- Bum Unders (Waterproof, Zorb in Wetzone, bamboo liner) 14.00
Batik Bum HyenaCart

Small Skivies (underwear, but too cute not to share for when training is complete) 12.00

Small Threads.  Etsy

Did I miss your favorite?  Let me know and I might add it to the list!

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!

Now that I am “on the wagon” and I can’t buy any more new, or used fluff, I still like to window shop. There are some diapers I have seen lately that make me regret EC! There are also some kinds I have just never tried before. I hope I still get the chance; I like to understand every aspect of cloth diapering. When people ask me opinions, I would love to have tried all types. Enjoy my list. If you want to send me one of these diapers, feel free! *wink wink*

A side snapping diaper I would love to try! These come in a rainbow of colors. One complaint I have with some diaper companies is that they do not give enough color options. Not so with GadBaby!

I just found out about these diapers called ES Baby, and I am mad about them! The mama who makes them happens to live VERY local to me. So hard to resist, especially since I have been wanting to try a side snapping diaper for a while. She has adorable prints. You can find her instock store on etsy.

I would like to try these to see how they stack up to Bum Genius. They are a more affordable option, they are a snapping pocket, and so far I hear great things. Check out Smartipants for more information.

Zany Zebra makes the most extraordinarily beautiful, drool worthy diapers I have ever seen. These are for someone who really wants to splurge! And of course, if I owned one I would never ever cover it up. Thankfully, I have baby legs. This sushi applique is my favorite!

I want to try wool, just to say I have. I need to know what all the fuss is about. Of course, I would love to own a pair of adorable crankypants. But, any wool will do! This sugar peas soaker looks cute, and is supposed to work great!

I really, really, really want a gauze cotton wrap. This brand, Gypsy Mama, makes gorgeous wraps. This one in particular has a nice print that belongs to me! Since trying my friend’s Moby, I am even more set on getting a wrap.

This isn’t diaper related, but since I am “on the wagon” for regular shopping too, I wanted to include it.

Let me count the ways…

You make my life so simple in so many ways.  You are always in my car when I need you.  You have a handy pocket for my wallet and keys that I use daily.  You let my son chew on your straps while we shop.  You have the most awesome rain/ wind/ sun hood that has saved me more than once from having a wind blown, wet baby.  You are so easy to adjust.  You are even easier to put on in the car, then put my son into.  I can use you to wear my son while shopping and still be hands free.  Today you showed me I can still use you while peeing at Target while no one is the wiser (except anyone in the bathroom who heard my son “talking”)  You never make my back or shoulders hurt.  You were found used on craigslist and saved me money by not buying you new.  You hide my muffin top when I wear you on the front.  You are just so freaking awesome and I love you!

I believe myself to be a thrifty shopper. I know how to find deals, use coupons, find free shipping, etc. Since I have spent years honing my skills I thought I would post a few tips I use. I am posting them in the order I go when trying to find a specific item.

1. craigslist.org. This is my first stop. Search for the item you seek using their search tool. Not finding it? Some people are vague when they post. Stupid for them but it could be good for you. Go through some of the past few days’ posts. See titles like, “Lots of Baby items”, Tons of Boy Stuff”, etc. Click ‘em. You never know, what you are looking for could be hidden in that post. I have found Bum Genius Diapers, an Ergo carrier, a Boon Pedestal high chair, all of my nursery furniture, a bumbo for 10.00, and a johnny jumper to name a few. And when I am done with those I can usually get all or most of my money back by selling them back on CL. It is like renting your items!
2. Froogle.com If you can’t find it used, find it new and for a great price. Instead of trotting to Target and paying retail *gasp* just google the item on google.com/products (froogle)  You can find the stores who carry it and their prices listed all on one page. There is even a free shipping box you can check and if any stores offer it they will come up.
3. Online coupon codes-Still no luck? Did you find it on a store online but the shipping was too high or the price not a good enough deal? Google for coupons! You can type the name of the store and coupon code in the search box.  Most online retailers have a box to enter a coupon code. Chances are you can find a code to use for free shipping, blank % off, or something cooler. I never buy online without trying to find SOME sort of coupon. Most times I find one, even is it is 5% off, that is 5% in my wallet.
4. Coupons- Did you make it this far without what you are looking for? At this point I am assuming it is something you need right away. If you know they carry it at a brick and mortar store like Target or Babies r Us, there are still ways to save money. Very rarely does Target give coupons, but you can try. If they have it at Babies r Us use a coupon. They religiously send out coupons by mail and when you make a purchase. If you don’t already have one, go in to buy something small. They will stick a booklet with a coupon in it. It isn’t valid for a couple of weeks. Can’t wait that long? Try Craigslist again. Sometimes people post their coupons, you just need to pick them up. Or post that you need a coupon. You never know! There are other places to look for coupons too. Check out mommy forums or babycheapskate.com.  There is a coupon trading community there.
5. DOTD- Not in a hurry? Are you not even looking for something but love getting deals? Deal of the Day sites. There are a few really great DOTD sites for babies that I check everyday.

Baby Steals.com have a lot of items that appeal to my taste.  Slings, nursing covers (though I don’t use them anymore!), baby gift sets, boppys, babylegs (which I never catch- boo) etc.  So far I have always gotten a great product at am aewsome price.

Greenbabybargains.com have really cute baby items, all of which are green in some way.

Mamabargains.com have some upscale baby deals.  I bought my rockin’ baby sling there for half price.  They get petunia pickle bottom, Happy heineys, micralite strollers, and more.

Babycheapskate.com is not a DOTD site but a comprehensive resource for all things baby and cheap.  They feature posts on baby and kids stores/ sites that are having great deals, and other ways to save money.

6.  Full Price- If all else fails, buy it full price and try to save money on the next one.  I hate biting the bullet but it happens.  For instance, I am desperately looking for Trumpette Cowboy boot socks.  I tried every method but it looks like I am paying full price for those!  I have to have them to complete my son’s cowboy look for our trip to Texas!