Sunday, January 12, 2014

Newborn Diaper Reviews: Super Green Label NB AIO

Super Green Label is one of my favorite WAHMs. I love that she is a WAHM and an Army Wife supporting her adorable little family with her amazing crafting skills and holding down the home front even when her husband is off fighting for our freedom. I also love that she is so creative and really puts a lot of hard work and effort into her items and it really shows, her things last very long. I have ordered countless items from her from reusable nursing pads to diapers, wipes to large receiving blankets, wetbags to baby slings. Her craftsmanship is amazing, everything I've ever gotten from her has stood the test of time and wear. I am NOT easy on my cloth diapers especially. I want to get them as thoroughly clean as quickly as possible. I use my stuff and I use it hard between having three kids, being a working mom, etc. I have never been disappointed by her products and the ones I got when my second son was born are still going strong now that my third son is using them. Her customer service is exceptional as well. She really cares about her customers and their satisfaction. Everyone I know who has ordered from her loves her and her awesome products. Her prices are great too, to the point I somehow wonder how she even makes a profit.
 
Pros
 
Some of the pros of these diapers are:
 
They are the most absorbent NB AIOs I've tried my son still hasn't outpeed them or outgrown them at 4 months
The inside is super soft minky that is super soft on your little one's bum
The fun print
Sturdy snaps
AIOs are really easy, much like disposables you just pull it off and put a new one on no stuffing, pinning, etc
 
Cons
 
Some of the cons of these diapers are:
 
Really, I can't think of any. I seriously mean it.

These NB AIOs have fit my son since day one. They have hemp inners and hold a lot of pee. At 12lbs and 4 months old he still fits into them and they still hold all his pee without a booster! That's what I call magical! I love it because there is no stuffing or pinning but it still is more absorbent than the other AIOs I've used with him. They are great for those tired nights because you just unsnap them, snap a new one on, and toss it in the pail! Pair it with Super Green Label double sided wipes (one side terry and the other side flannel!) and you have an unstoppable newborn stash! If I have another baby I will for sure be getting a lot more of these diapers. They are one of my top three favorite diapers for newborns for sure!

Bottom Line

AMAZING. I don't think there is any other way to put it. Try them and you'll understand they are just beyond great!!!

Where to buy them

Super Green Label mostly does business through facebook, check out their page and see pictures of items she's completed, pictures of fabric she has on hand, etc! While you're there don't forget to check out the custom maternity gowns, wet bags, reusable nursing pads, crocheted baby hats, and much more! You can also see her items on her website! If you can think of it, I bet she can make it, and she offers a discount when you make a big order rather than many small orders so get a bunch of diapers, wipes, and other things from her, I am positive you won't regret it!

And because I cannot accurately describe how AWESOME this diaper is, check out the pictures! I chose a Doctor Who tardis patch on galaxy print PUL! Ask her about your custom order today!




  

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Newborn Diaper Reviews: Rumparooz Lil Joeys AIOs

Rumparooz Newborn diapers, called Lil Joeys, are AIO diapers and are very popular. They are AIO diapers meaning there are no inserts to stuff like with pockets because the insert is sewn inside. They have awesome gussets to keep messes contained and are very soft on the bum. They have snap downs for the umbilical cord so the diaper doesn't rub up against it.
 
Pros
 
Some of the pros to these diapers are:
 
The umbilical cord snap down
The fun prints and beautiful colors
AIOs in general are easy for those sleep deprived middle of the night changing
Soft inner
Double gussets to keep the mess in!
4 layer soaker is sewn in, no stuffing and no cover required
 
 
Cons
 
Some of the cons to these diapers are:
 
Baby outpees them before they outgrow them
You can generally only buy them in two packs
If you have a larger newborn they may not fit very long
They only come in snaps not hook and loop which would make the middle of the night changes easier
 
Lil Joeys are supposed to fit from birth until roughly 12lbs and 2 months old. My son is 4 months old and just hit 12lbs and is still on the smallest setting. He has outpeed them since about three or four weeks as he is a heavy wetter. I sewed some homemade boosters out of four layers of flannel (I used old receiving blankets stripped with RLR) and they worked great! Now we use one of those in there and he is still in these. The only things I can think that would make them better are if you could buy them in singles, if they came in hook and loop also, and if they were more absorbent or if Rumparoz sold boosters that fit inside of them.
 
The Bottom Line
 
I love these diapers. I would suggest them to anyone. They are perfect for when you are tired and need a quick and easy change to keep your little one's butt warm and cozy. They are beyond adorable and very functional with the built in snap down for the cord and sturdy snaps. The gussets are what make it though, no getting icky newborn poop everywhere! You can buy them at Jack Be Natural or Sweet Bottoms Baby.
 
Pictures of Lil Joey NB AIOs in action
 
 
Declan at 9.5lbs about one month old
 
The day Declan was born. 8lbs 6oz
 

Long time no see!

First off, I want to apologize from my absence. I have been VERY busy with personal matters though. Secondly, I want to apologize for not explaining earlier but it's been very tough to deal with. My little one, Declan, who was born in August, has not been doing well. It's been a very tough four months in more way than one.
 
Without taking all day to tell you about us, I want to explain a little of the health issues my son has been facing. When he was born he had some mouth issues and wasn't able to feed well. I decided to exclusively pump and get him on a bottle so he could eat. He couldn't take the bottles we had gotten him. We kept buying different bottles and he couldn't take any. I tried nipple shields, they didn't work. I finally ended up hand expressing into his mouth or using a dropper to dropper pumped milk into his mouth. I saw multiple doctors and none of them listened to me. They kept telling me he is fine and we'll get the hang of it. I spent a lot of time and money seeing lactation consultants. Finally I changed his pediatrician and his new doctor diagnosed him as failure to thrive. He saw a specialist but unfortunately while waiting for a small surgery he needed on his mouth (he has multiple issues with his mouth but this is the only one they could correct), he lost a drastic amount of weight in a short amount of time. He was hospitalized and a feeding tube was placed. Right now he has an NG tube and is waiting for surgery to get a Gtube placed. He stayed in the hospital for a week and since then we have had issues with his breathing caused by the tube, to the point where sometimes he turns blue. We have been in and out of the hospital, the ER, back and forth to specialists, etc. It has taken a mental, emotional, and financial toll.
 
 
I will be trying to work on the blog more. I really want to get these newborn diaper reviews done. My son is 4 months old and just barely hit 12lbs (he was 8lbs 6oz at birth) so he is still in newborn diapers primarily and just starting to make his way into onesize diapers. So I have a lot of experience with newborn fluff and am really excited to review all the kinds we have tried! But the thing is, I can't promise anything. As much as I would love to blog every day, really  I would, I have a lot to deal with here, three children, the youngest with special medical needs, a dog, a job, and a home to  take care of plus the holidays. So I will say that I will be around. I apologize if it's more sporadic than I would like it to be but know that I have lots coming!
 
The best way to stay up to date when I do post is to subscribe to the blog here on blogger. Otherwise like my facebook page or follow my twitter.
 
 
Last but not least, I'll leave you with an adorable picture of my Declan while he was in the hospital right before his surgery.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Introducing: Declan Joseph, our little ducky.

I apologize that this is a little late! But I finally have home Internet back and I know I I announced his birth on my Facebook page but I would like to formally introduce my amazing readers to him! Our third son Declan Joseph, was born on August 4th. He was 8lbs 6oz and 20.5 inches long! Now enough jabbering, here's my little duck!


Thank you Wendy cooper photography for the amazing newborn photos!



And super green label for some amazing large receiving blankets!



And mama's emporium for all the amazing deals on everything I needed to cloth diaper this little one, plus awesome post parfumerie pampering items and our wubanubs!

We are so in love. I've been back to work for about six weeks and have been taking pictures and keeping track of our newborn diapering. He is still in newborn diapers and clothes. We have sewn homemade boosters for the aios but fitters and covers are working great! We'll see what the final verdict is when all is said and done but I am so very happy that I invested in a newborn stash though. 

Keep your eye on the blog, Facebook, twitter, etc because there will be a lot of reviews coming soon! 

Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, positive vibes, and support. I look forward to bringing you thorough quality reviews and some amazing, exciting things. 

Saturday, June 29, 2013

HUGE SALE at Mama's Emporium!

I just had to share this HUGE sale! I have gotten so many good deals from Mama's Emporium but this is the best sale ever! EVERYTHING that isn't already on sale is 30% off! PLUS a lot of things now have "make an offer" buttons. I don't know how long this sale is going to go, but it's a great deal, so I'm scooping up as much as I can! Her inventory has already been drastically reduced, she's out of most baby carriers and a few other things so if there's something you want, get it now before someone else does! I've saved so much that it was basically getting a diaper and some rash cream for free! I can't wait to get paid and make another order! You do still have to pay shipping but she charges exact charging which I like.

I can't even begin to list all the awesome stuff that is on sale, go check it out for yourself! AppleCheeks Diapers, Boba Carriers, GroVia Diapers and Trainers, one last Maya Wrap, and a good selection of Melissa and Doug toys, all at an amazing deal!
 
The website is HERE. Use the code ANNAROCKS to get the 30% off. Let me know what awesome deals you get! I love hearing about people's good deals almost as much as I love getting my own! 

Monday, June 24, 2013

SUPER Sale at Super Green Label!

This is unrelated to cloth diapering but I just wanted to share this AWESOME deal with you! Super Green Label is doing a SUPER Sale on her reusable cloth nursing pads! These nursing pads are awesome. I haven't used them much yet as I am still pregnant but I have had some leaking issues so I've used them a few times and I can say they are awesome! They hold a lot but still feel soft and dry. They are so comfortable that I never even noticed they were on during the day! Last time I had a baby I was nursing and working and didn't have good nursing pads. Using the disposable pads that kept my skin feeling wet sometimes was not only gross, but lead to a nasty case of thrush that hurt me, my supply, and my nursing relationship for about a month and a half while I got it under control. I ended up buying reusable ones from Gerber and while they work I just wasn't in love with them and they leak through because they aren't backed with anything waterproof. So I've decided to use Super Green Label's reusable nursing pads this time around and I'm SO excited about this sale because, as you probably know, we are on a budget! We use cloth to save money and not only do reusable nursing pads save you money, they are more comfortable! Once my little one gets here I promise I'll do a proper review. So onto the good stuff!
 
Super Green Label
 
Super Green Label is an awesome WAHM company. The owner is an Army Wife and stay at home mom to two adorable children. She makes all sorts of wonderful products and I have been buying from her a long time because of her exceptional workmanship and wonderful customer service. Her turn around times are awesome and if she is having issues she keeps in contact with you. She also ships very fast! She has something for everyone, all sorts of cloth diapers, double sided wipes with one side flannel and one side terry, inserts for cloth diapers, reusable nursing pads, mama cloth,  custom crib sets, slings, wetbags, and much more! Check her facebook page out here
 
SUPER Sale!
 
So the SUPER Sale is on reusable nursing pads. She makes daytime and nighttime nursing pads. The Daytime Nursing pads are only $4 a pair (regularly $7) and the Nighttime Nursing Pads are only $5 a pair (Regularly $9)! These are Co-op prices available to everyone for a limited time only! This sale ends July 1st and there are no minimum orders! To order simply message her with your order. After July 1st the prices return to normal and she will make everyone's nursing pads at the same time and ship them. All nursing pads will be print PUL unless you request plain. You can request a print from what is in stock (she'll be posting in stock PUL pictures later today!) or request she randomly pick for you. If you don't make a request she will just give you random prints. Either way you're sure to love your new nursing pads!

What They Are Made Of

Both the Daytime and Nighttime nursing pads have Minky on the front so they are soft and wick the moister away, hemp fleece in the middle for great absorption, and PUL on the back so that they are waterproof, to avoid embarrassing leaks! The Daytime nursing pads only have 1 layer of hemp, and the Nighttime have 2 layers of hemp for more absorption. They are heart shaped so they don't slip and slide and they don't bunch up and poke out, making them much more discrete. Here is a picture of some of the pairs I have already!



Where/How to Order

Go to Super Green Label's Facebook page HERE and message her your order! Don't forget to like her page and check back for updates, new sales, giveaways, etc. While you're on facebook make sure to like my page: Cloth Diapering, A Hobby.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

AppleCheeks Diapers: A Review

If you've been reading my blog for a while, or have recently read through it, you probably know by now I love to try different things out! I also love sharing my experiences with others so maybe I can help them! So when Mama's Emporium started carrying AppleCheeks I was intrigued. I had never heard of AppleCheeks diapers and I wanted to try them out! So I got a size 2 diaper and a 2 pack of stay dry microterry inserts and tried them out!
 
AppleCheeks
 
AppleCheeks diapers have a lot of cool features that I like. First off, the inner is REALLY soft. I love thinking about how soft that has got to be on my little one's bum! I like putting softer fabrics on him because his comfort is important to me. He sure seems to enjoy it! I also love the vertical snaps. I like them because it makes it easy to get a good fit and the wings don't curl/droop like some diapers that have horizontal snaps. I also like that they are a sized system without having ten different sizes. There are only two sizes to buy. I like that about other diapers too such as OsoCozy workhorse fitteds and Thirsties AIOs. Size 1 AppleCheeks fits from 7 – 20lbs, and size 2 fits from 18-40lbs. That is a pretty impressive range, two different diapers take you from newborn size to toddlerhood! It's the best of in between, not quite one sized but also not 5 or so different sizes to stock up on! AppleCheeks are pocket diapers. Their envelope style shell is supposed to mean you don't have to unstuff it to wash it, but I always do anyway out of habit so I'm not sure if they really slide out the way the company says they do. I did like how large the pocket is so it is easy to stuff! I've tried it with a trifolded prefold and liked that a lot. I have also tried it with the two microterry inserts and just one. The last thing I really liked about the diaper was the gussets. They are perfect for keeping the entire mess inside which in the long run means less laundry and hassle for me! The elastic on the waist and legs seems really tight and wonderful. Not so tight as to hurt baby, but just tight enough to keep the messes contained!
 
Absorbency
 
The most important part of pretty much any diaper is how well it holds what goes inside! I have tried this cover/pocket with a trifolded prefold and liked it. It was absorbent enough for playtime and short outings out and my son didn't feel wet when I changed him, so it did a good job soaking up everything. I also tried it with just one of the staydry inserts. You could lay these inside the diaper without stuffing it, but I didn't. I liked it with one insert and it certainly did hold a lot. One day I'll have to do a test to see how much one holds, because I know I was surprised at how well it soaked everything up. Then I got brave and tried it with both inserts. I did this for bedtime. I expected to have to clean up a mess but I was pleasantly surprised. My son is a heavy wetter and it worked just fine! I liked that the diaper kept him dry because of the soft stay dry material on the inside and because the inserts did their job and held their moister!
 
Looks
 
Let's face it, a lot of us buy diapers because they are ADORABLE. I like  the look of these. Even though I got a solid color the color was SO vibrant! Through many washes so far it has stayed just as bright as when it first came in the mail too! I took a picture or two when my son was in it right before diaper. I'll admit it wasn't that trim because there are two inserts in it, but it lasted through the night so I don't worry about bulk at night.
 
See, he likes it!
 
Bottom Line
 
I like these diapers a lot! I think AppleCheeks diapers and inserts are a great addition to any stash! I will probably buy more. I love that there are vertical snaps and that the elastic seems to be good quality. I also love that the color is so vibrant and that the inside is so soft. The inserts were very absorbent but not that trim, especially at night. You could put pretty much any insert in though to make it nice and trim.
 
Where to Buy
 
I usually buy pretty much everything from Mama's Emporium. That's because she is a WAHM and I love supporting mamas who stay at home! I also love supporting small USA based businesses. Also, I save up rewards points and spend them on FREE diapers, teething necklaces, rash creams, wipes, toys, and more!