SEVENTH GENERATION DIAPER REVIEW

This Review is from my friend Belle...I wanted a disposable diaper person's opinion on diapers and so she provided us with a great review! Thanks Belle (and her boy who was the tester!) These diapers are a little bit greener than your typical disposable diaper as they are free of chemicals.
Here's the Review:
I’ve been using the Seventh Generation diapers you got me and I have to say that I am quite impressed!

So, as you know, my little guy is a Pampers baby. I’ve always bought Pampers and prefer the Cruisers over the BabyDry simply because they seem to have abit more stretch. My little guy is currently in a size 4 Pampers and the Seventh Generation diapers you brought in a size 4 were comparable to the Pampers. At first I was worried about leaks but I have yet to have one. And we’ve had a few messy poops but the diaper is containing it all quite well. The velcro closure is good although somewhat a little stiffer than the Pampers. I have to make a conscious effort to fasten the velcro lower on the front so that the tabs don’t rub against his belly as I’m worried that it may scratch him. My little guy complained about this the first couple of times I put the green diaper on him (sticking his hands in the waistband and whining because it was scratchy) but once I adjusted it, it was fine. The diaper seems to wick the moisture away and there have been no rashes. I used these during the day and at night. He’s pooped in them and it was really squished but didn’t leak. As far as pee, I haven’t noticed any leaks but I can’t really say that it’s been super, super full either. But he has woken up with a pretty full diaper and it’s been good.

Would I buy them again? Yes, as long as the price is right of course!

Here are the details on the diapers from the Seventh Generation Website:
Our Chlorine Free Diapers offer soft, cloth-like comfort and premium absorbency. In addition to keeping your baby dry, our super absorbent polymer is non-toxic and hypoallergenic. Featuring stretchy leg gathers and resealable closure tabs.
Features:
Wood pulp processed without chemicals containing chlorine
Hypoallergenic
Fragrance and latex free
Premium fit and absorbency

Website:
http://www.seventhgeneration.com/diapers

Where to buy:
You can buy the diapers at health food stores, Metro, Loblaws, Superstore among other locations. (Sometimes you have to look in the organic/health/enviro sections of the major grocery stores)

Size:
Newborn to Stage 6

Typical Price:

22-44 diapers (depending on the size) I have seen them anywhere from $11-$17. Most of the time around $13 mark. And with coupons or sales, you can sometimes get them for as little as $11. Enviro conscious and limiting the chemicals unfortunately often means a little more $$. So get them on sale or with coupons! If you have seen them cheaper, let me know. LOTS OF WEBSITES OFFER THEM AT BETTER DEALS BUT THEY ARE AMERICAN... when you go to the STATES--stock up!

For moms who use cloth for enviro/healthy skin reasons, these are a good disposable option and for moms who want a chemical free disposable diaper, due to sensitive skin or enviro reasons, seems like Belle is giving her seal of approval!

My Little Opinion:
I put one on my son and it didn't leak and the fit was really good. I found it softer than Huggies. The material that they are made of is different but it's not bad at all. Feels fine to the touch. No redness, and seemed fine. Contained everything. No complaints! Definitely an option for us since we mostly use cloth diapers. I also liked the "natural" colour instead of a stark white diaper. Kind of looked "enviro-friendly". :)

Gro baby

You all know I love Babysteals.com and today they have cloth diapers on sale!!! And not just any cloth diapers--but Gro-baby which are a really great brand and super cute. Two of my favourite Moms--Meghan and Jill use them and love them. I have tried them out and they are really great.

The pros:
Easy to use
very cute
very absorbent
You can re-use the shell for multiple changes

The cons:
They take a long time to dry if you hang-dry (air dry) them
They can stick to each other or other clothes in the wash because the velcro is very strong. Fasten the diaper and Flip your diaper inside out to prevent this from happening.

With Babysteals it's only a one-day thing and you have to be quick so here is the link:
http://babysteals.com/

Check babysteals daily for great deals and they are an American company but are very Canadian-friendly.

Earth Day=Diaper thoughts

I thought I would share this info with everyone in order to acknowledge earth day. I believe that the entire debate over cloth/disposable is a difficult one as each diapering option has pros and cons. Here are some links that I found to be helpful when making my decision although both options do have an environmental impact. If anyone has other links to share, please do!

Keep in mind as you read this that some of the data concerning economics is a little off since the introduction of diapers such as the flip, econobum and gro-baby where the cost is significantly decreased (don't need as many covers) and where the convenience and ease of use is still there. Also, keep in mind that the cost/impact on the environment is significantly different if you use the cloth diapers on more than one child (used or using yours on a second/third child).


http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Diaper-Not-Clear.htm

http://www.cloth-diaper-mom.com/cost-comparison.html

http://www.cloth-diaper-mom.com/cloth-vs-disposable-diapers.html

http://www.thenewparentsguide.com/diapers.htm

http://www.diaperdecisions.com/cost_of_cloth_diapers.htm

Snaps or Velcro

Today one of my friends was standing beside me as I changed my son's diaper. Today he was wearing a FLIP diaper. She asked me what was better: snaps or velcro. Ahh.. the age old debate. As if choosing a cloth diaper isn't hard enough without having to choose between snaps and velcro.

It's a personal choice--some people swear by snaps and others won't put it on their little one unless it is velcro.

I have both as I have strange cloth diapering issues and I basically needed to have both. (more on me and my cloth diaper issues another day)

Here is my list of pros and cons on the velcro and snaps debate.

SNAPS:
-don't wear out
-can be hard to fasten tightly (especially between sizes or when they are little or when they are squirming)
-harder for the little ones to pull off--but most will eventually will be able to figure it out.
-if one does break off--a little sewing project will fix it (this is daunting to many of us and now with less expensive snap diapers available on the market many people would probably just buy a new cover...)

VELCRO:
-easy to use
-easy to get a good fit
-when washing--beware--you want to make sure you have them fastened so that the velcro doesn't attach to everything in your wash
-will wear out eventually--although hanging to dry does keep them in good shape longer
-if you ever do need to replace it with another strip of velcro or you want to switch to snaps--a little sewing project will fix it. (replacing velcro with velcro is super easy)
-when your baby is older they may enjoy pulling on it and taking the diaper off (G-Diaper has the velcro in the back for that reason...

OVERALL
My advice is to go for the diaper you like best--and that fits your child well--don't worry about snaps or velcro, you will get used to either and some brands over both snaps and velcro and so you could mix up your collection and have both.

With the introduction of many new hybrid diapers the covers are often less expensive and simply replacing the covers is now a viable option.

However, if you have a velcro diaper collection that needs a makeover and are looking to replace some of them with snaps, you can follow this tutorial:

D.I.Y: Bumgenius/G-DIAPER
KAMSNAPS
(Kamsnaps has all the tools that you need to convert or fix your diapers, however shipping/duty to Canada is an extra charge)

YOU-TUBE CONVERSION VIDEO

G-DIAPER YOU TUBE CONVERSION VIDEO

Gro-Baby offers a snap conversion program:
Gro Baby Snap Conversion

Of course, you can convert your cloth diapers to velcro or to snaps simply by removing the existing fastener and putting in the new one--just make sure to start with one before you do them all! If you search online you will find companies who are willing to convert your diapers for you as well so if the idea scares you--it may be worth it.

If however you are a velcro-lover and your velcro wears out--you can easily replace the velcro simply by sewing on some new velcro that you can find at your local fabric/craft store. This too is an easy project. (The one exception is the sticky strip on the gro-baby but I have yet to hear of anyone having an adhesive problem with the gro-baby)

Try out different cloth diaper types and go with the one(s) that you love: snaps or velcro--both can be great!

Store Review--Caterpillar Baby

I really feel for selection and price--this is the best store in the Toronto area for cloth diapers and cloth diaper accessories currently.


Pros:
It's an on-line store so everyone can use them.

Their website is user-friendly

The people who run it are courteous

The service is quick and efficient

Great selection of products including swimmers

They price-match

Pick-up or delivery

Cons:
Because they are are an on-line store they don't have a diaper trial program so test the types of diapers before you buy (they do however sell smaller packs which is nice so you can get the experience without paying the big bucks)

They don't sell Bummis liners separately--which are my faves. :(

BEST ITEMS OTHER THAN CLOTH DIAPERS:

Great selection of WET BAGS (LOVE WET BAGS)

Imse Vimse Swim Diaper with matching tankini tops--too cute!

Here's the link:
http://www.caterpillarbaby.com/

And for later on it is always available on the side of my blog.

I think that all moms should have a wet bag.

There I said it. I really believe that all moms should have a wet bag. Many people believe that wet bags are only for cloth diaper users. But I am here to tell you that that isn't so!

Yes, Wet Bags are amazing for people who use cloth diapers on the go or in daycare situations. I would even call them a necessity for people who use cloth diapers because if you are using a plastic bag for your cloth diapers--how enviro friendly are you really?

With Toronto's new law on plastic bags, and with plastic bags being at a premium (which I think is great) all moms can benefit from having a wet bag. When you go to the pool or you have soiled clothes just slip the wet or dirty garments in the bag and put it in your diaper bag without worrying that it will touch anything else.

Other uses?
Place used dishes/containers/bottles in it so that they don't spill onto your stuff.
Place dirty disposable diapers/wipes in it if there isn't a garbage around.
Put wet/dirty bibs in it.
Basically it keeps dirty/wet things separate from other stuff.

There are a lot of types of wet bags out there and the prices vary from $6-$20.

You can get them with a zipper or a drawstring.

Patterned or not.

The possibilities are endless!

But I am telling you that once you have one, you will use it. Just carry it in your diaper bag or car and you will be ready for anything.

Here are some wetbags:

Kushies--very affordable and comes with a little wet bag for a soother.
http://www.agbc.ca/OnTheGoWetBag1L1S.htm

Kangasac--it has a zipper
http://www.caterpillarbaby.com/accessories/kangasac-zippered-wet-bags.html

Natural Baby wet bag and tote (Meghan's fave because she can coordinate it with her gro-baby diapers)
http://www.caterpillarbaby.com/accessories/natural-baby-company-wetbag-tote.html

But really--doesn't matter which bag you choose--all I can say is that a wet bag is very useful to have and stronger and more eco-friendly than a plastic bag.

Diaper DEAL

I am sooo sleep deprived right now so my friend Belle sent this to me as she knows that I am a HUGE fan of g-diapers.

http://www.babysteals.com/

$49.98 for a 6 pack--comes with the covers and the liners--not the inserts. They are regularly over $100 (although you can get the 6 pack for $70 at times). Buying from the g-diaper site has really high shipping costs to Canada--so this steal is even better than it seems.

Compare: You can get a 2 pack in Canada for $30 at peace of mind baby and it comes with some flushable inserts.

Here is the scoop on G-diapers: they are made of breathable fabric and sit snug and high on the baby`s bottom. In the past you only had one option: the flushable&disposable insert and they cost a lot. So although convenient and enviro friendly they were not the best bang for your buck. (and you know me: I need things to be a good deal) However, G-Diaper recently introduced a cloth option as well (you can use most cloth inserts on them anyway) which makes them one of the most affordable of the cloth diapers now and also one of the easiest (one with the least amt of washing and work...) If you are going to go with g-diapers, the only way they make sense is if you also get cloth inserts (unless you have the $$ to use the flushables all the time) And when you wash the covers--make sure to attach the velcro before laundering so that you don`t get them sticking together and damaging the fabric on the waistband. And yes, your baby looks very cute in the diaper.

For some reason, the cloth inserts are hard to find in Canada so if you are ordering them, order them from countrymoosekids.com as they have free shipping to Canada vrs. the G-diaper site where they charge mega $$ for shipping to Canada. However, like I said before many types of inserts do fit in the liners for the g-diapers so you don`t HAVE to go with the g-diaper inserts.

http://www.countrymoosekids.com/

All the talk on G-diapers aside:
Babysteals and kidsteals are sites that you want to check regularly. Every day the deals are different. The shipping to Canada is reasonable and with our dollar right now doing well, it can be pretty great. Warning: depending on the size and cost of the steal, YOU SOMETIMES HAVE TO PAY DUTY. So don`t be surprised if that happens. However, anyone who has shopped online has experienced this in the past--so no surprises there. Babysteals is actually a very Canadian-friendly website.

www.babysteals.com
www.kidsteals.com

Happy shopping and for those who want to talk cloth diapering--I am always free to discuss!