As mentioned in this month’s Parenting Magazine, want a great way to introduce yourself and your friends to cloth diapering. Host a party, have a potluck, and take the opportunity to see and feel what will ulitmately save you money and save the landfills from more plastic! – Not interested in scooping poop- no problem! We have flushable liners. Don’t think you have the time or patience for cloth?- Try just ONE cloth diaper a day- saves you $250 and saves the landfills 200 pounds of unecessary waste.
Diaperparties.com is a great resource for cloth diapers and explains how to host a party.
Here are all the goodies in the kit:
In the Kit
Diaper Party Kit
Here is the scoop:
Diaper Party Details
Why have a cloth diaper party?
Cloth diapering has changed so much in the past 10 years. The diapers and covers I used on my first child were some of the only options out there. Now there is a cloth diapering solution for almost any type of family out there! Whether you are looking for the least expensive, easiest, the hippest, the most practical, or the quick on the go solution, you have options. But, most moms(like myself) don’t figure out a system that works best for you until you spend your cloth diaper budget on 5 different systems. So what’s the best way to start deciding what cloth diaper is right for you? Take a look at them, feel them, get to actually see what they are before you purchase them.
A cloth diaper party is an opportunity for a group of moms(and moms to be) to come together to try out these diapers. Grab some dolls and try these diapers out! Practice putting them on. We give you some of our customers’ recommendations on what covers work well with what diapers below. Each diaper and accessory comes with its own “cheat sheet” so you can read about the product and how to use it, while seeing, touching, and trying it! Pass the diapers around! Talk about them and share your ideas in a group.
How do I host a cloth diaper party?
First, pick a date- give yourself at least 6 weeks(to get the kit to you in time, and to get the word out). Give us a call at 1-800-370-1683 to reserve your date. Great ways of spreading the word include posting flyers locally, calling your local breastfeeding support person, massage therapists, and yoga instructors. If you want help designing a flyer, just let us know and we can make one for you. Have a potluck- a great way to meet new people and try new foods! This way too, you aren’t trying to cook and serve, and you can be part of it. Then open up the box of goodies and start going through the cloth diapers.
What are the perks of a diaper party?
Aside from the getting to actually see/feel the different cloth diapers, we have added a few incentives to get cloth diapers out there.
First, as the hostess, you will receive a 10% credit on the total purchase from your party! So if the ladies order $500 worth of diapers from the party- then you receive $50 in store credit, $1000 sold, you receive $100 credit!
Plus, everyone who orders at the party gets free shipping. – That includes ANY items you purchase(organic toys, breast pads, slings, birth supplies and much more in the catalog!) Birth tubs/pools are not included with free shipping.
The orders are sent back to us in the box with the cloth diapers. There will be a UPS call tag inside the box, simply place in on the outside(over the old label) and drop it off at any UPS location. I will process the order on this end and then ship all of the orders in one box back to you. The orders will be sorted with receipts for everyone to come and pick them up. If anyone would like to have their order shipped directly to them, regular shipping rates apply.
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- Great on baby – Soft on their skin with no harsh chemicals and plastics.
- Great on the environment – No more contributing to the huge waste in landfills. The average baby in disposable diapers contributes about 2 TONS of waste to landfills. Plus, the stool should be rinsed down the toilet not thrown into the landfills where it leaches into the ground.
- Great on your budget – Disposable diapers can cost $2000 to $4000, while a complete cloth diapering system(from birth to potty training) can cost as little as $500.00! Plus you can use the diapers again on baby # 2, 3, ………….- You can’t reuse your disposables!
So what are all of these diapers?
Cloth Diaper Basics:
First you need to know the basics of what type of diaper you are dealing with. There are 4 major systems you can work with:
This system involves using a diaper that is just cloth(generally cotton or hemp) and a cover that is waterproof. Traditionally this meant flat diapers, pins, and pull up rubber pants, but there are many options now.
The Cloth DIAPER choices:
A) Flat or prefold unbleached diapers. These are the most economical choice in diapers if you are looking for the least expensive. You can still use pins, but you can also use the new Snappi fasteners, or nothing at all. Most covers now provide a snug enough fit to keep the folded flat diaper in place. See the pictures enclosed in the box on different fold techniques. Prefolds should be washed and dried 2-3 times before use for better absorbency. Bumkins, Bummis, and POSO(with snappis) covers have been reported as good fits. Also, many customers like prefolds as the stuffers for their pocket diapers!
B) Contour diapers. Just as the name says, they are contoured to fit into the cover and require no pins or snappis, and provide a trimmer fit than the flat diaper. These are made in the USA by Kissaluvs and come in unbleached and a variety of assorted colors. Use a double or another contour for heavy wetters and nighttime. Contours have been reported to fit well with Bumkins, Elan, and Bummis covers.
C) Fitted Diapers. These are designed to stay on even without a cover! So they are great when you are home and just hanging out. Also makes it super easy for Dads and sitters! Decide from bamboo or cotton, . You can choose between Velcro(bamboo from Bamboo Baby, cotton from Driline Baby) or snaps(cotton-Kissaluvs and Bamboo). Fitted cloth diapers have been reported to fit well with the wool covers, Bummis covers, and the new one size covers.
The Cloth DIAPER COVER Choices:
A) Bumkins Diaper Covers. Have super durable Velcro closure, gussete legs, front pocket for diaper, and come in white or any of Bumkins fabulous prints!
B) Bummis Diaper Covers. Bummis provides a few different types of covers- with Velcro or snaps. Bummis are also gusseted with the front pocket, but are good to go through the dryer for super easy care! Bummis even has the traditional pull up pant. Bummis has the MOST popular covers with their super whisper wraps and super brites.
C) Snap to fit ONE SIZE covers. These are a great, economical choice for covers. New-on the website, they fit sized 7-30 pounds. For $16.95/ea you get 3 sizes worth of cover- a value of $36.00!
D) Marvels ONE SIZE covers. Another one size version- .this one with snaps.
E) FLIP one size covers from BumGenius. These are new and pricing is $13.95/each.
F) Kissaluvs Wool Covers. For wool lovers these are the best.
Just as they sound it is an all in one system. These diapers are essentially a fitted diaper covered with a sewn in waterproof fabric.
A) Bumkins all in one cloth diapers. These come in the same white or fun Bumkins prints like the covers. There a re 6 layers of cotton sewn in for excellent absorbency and a trim fit. Strong Velcro for an excellent hold, and an airflow panel that makes drying easier.
B) Blue Penguin SposoEasy All in Ones. Our most popular sized all in one diaper. They come with a quick dry flap, trim fit, no red marks on babies. Available in all colors with aplix, and white only with snaps.
C) Bamboo Baby ONE SIZE all in ones. These are our newest aio diaper and we love them! These adjust to fit sizes 7-30 pounds. There is a toddler version for the older/bigger babes too! The bamboo stays soft after washing and gets more absorbent as you go! For an initial investment of just $500.00 you can be set! Compare that to $2000/ per baby with disposables.
D) BumGenius One Size Organic All In One Diaper. Available in snaps only- has a waterproof outer and organic cotton inner.
These are somewhere between the cover/diaper and AIO diapers. The pocket diaper(Happy Heinys) has a waterproof outer available in a variety of colors and prints(see Happy Heiny’s site for available prints-please give 2-3 choices for prints and colors). The inner part is soft custom milled fleece that is super nice on baby. There is an opening at the top of the diaper(a pocket) that you stuff your absorbent product into. Happy Heinys makes a fabulous hemp stuffin that comes with its own pocket for extra “ovals” as needed. These diapers provide a great trim fit. There are also super absorbent microfiber inserts too. Inserts should be washed a few times before use for maximum absorbency. Remember, prefolds also make great stuffing material for pocket diapers.
New From Happy Heinys now – One Size Pocket Diapers!!!!
These pocket diapers are just $18.95 and come with 2 terry inserts. Designed to fit from small through large sizes. New ones with an extra row of snaps are coming soon that allow a newborn fit too. For under $500 you can set your entire diaper kit up.
We have a few options for this time. If you are using pocket diapers, Happy Heinys makes a fabulous pocket pullup. You can choose to have snaps on one or both side to make removal easy when those accidents happen. Bumkins has a comfortable pullup with an absorbent inner and waterproof outer. Under the Nile makes and organic undie that has extra absorbency when starting to train- use a POSO cover during early training.
You know what you want and not sure how many?
Diapers and covers sets: We recommend 24-36 diapers and 6-8 covers. 4-8 Boosters, 24-36 wipes.
All in ones: We recommend getting 24-36 of these, and 8-12 boosters/doublers, 24-36 wipes.
Pocket Diapers: We recommend getting 24-36 of these and 30-50 inserts(less if you are doing the one size which comes with 2). 24-36 wipes.
We’ve gone over what’s in the box and how to use them, now you need to go through them and decide what works for you. Be sure to check page 15 of the catalog to see the handy mini shower, and page 16 for the flushable liners. Cloth diapers have never been so easy!!!!!!!
5) WASHING YOUR CLOTH DIAPERS
First get a system going that works for you. You will need some sort of pail for the soiled diapers. Any plastic bucket or small trash can will work. A flip lid is fine for a “dry” pail, but if you plan to soak your diapers it should have a tight seal for your child’s protection. Try the large or X-large wet bag from Bummis for easy transport from pail to wash.
Do not soak your covers or all in ones. If you are using a soaking bucket, then try a Bumkins tote to keep your rinsed covers and all in ones in.
Newborn diapers from breastfed only babies can go straight into the bucket. Otherwise, shake poop off into the toilet and rinse any that doesn’t come off in the bowl. If you want to keep your hands out of the mess we recommend the minishower. It is so easy to use, just spray the poop into the potty and no more dunking!
When your bucket is full, just dump into wash and rinse in cold water. Then wash in warm/hot water with a natural soap. Detergents with dyes and other additives can irritate baby’s bottom. Do not use bleach or fabric softeners- this will greatly decrease the life of your diapers and will ruin the waterproofness of covers and all in ones. Line dry in the sun to help sun bleach the stains. If you use a dryer, be sure to pull out your covers and all in ones to hang dry- the dryer can decrease their water proof ability too.
Covers only need to be changed when they are soiled on or just get too wet and smelly. You can change the diaper and reuse the cover throughout your day. When rinsing covers, be sure to close any Velcro tabs so they don’t catch on things in the wash. Covers can be washed by hand or in with your diapers. Do not use bleach, fabric softeners or dryers on your covers.
All in ones should be washed like your diapers. For Bumkins all in ones, be sure to flip the added layer inside out to ensure a thorough clean and help the dry time be faster. Do not use bleach or fabric softener. Hang to dry.
TIPS:
Use 1/3 cup vinegar in your rinse cycle to help restore normal pH and soften your diapers.
Use a few drops of essential oil of Rosemary in the rinse cycle to freshen your diapers.
Diaper Pail Odors:
- Dry pail: Use a Citrus disc in your pail to help eliminate smells
- Wet pail: Use 1/3 cup of baking soda to neutralize smells.
- Keep your pail closed.
Still have some questions? Give us a call and we are happy to help you figure out what is right for you. 1-800-370-1683
Wow, this is an awesome idea. I am new to cloth diapering and am somewhat confused by all the options out there, so I will definitely be doing this!