Starting Out: What Do I Need?

The first question we get in the store from those beginning their research - just what do I need?

While it may seem there are a ton of diaper and accessory options out there, there are ways to get your horse blinders on, and funnel yourself towards just those items that will work best for you.

First, your shopping list. In other words, just what on earth do I need to make cloth diapering work for me?

There are six catagories you will consider when shopping: 

1. which diaper(s) will you use?
2. how will you store the dirty diapers until laundry time? aka storage
3. which detergent will you use? 
4. will you use cloth wipes? 
5. what will you use when baby gets a red bum? aka rash cream
6. how will you deal with poop?

Over the next blog posts we'll consider each of these six categories!

Anxious to begin your research now? Check out our 'help!' section. It takes you through your research, step-by-step. We know there are a lot of options out there, and we want to be sure you find just what will suit your family's needs best!!

Back to Basics: Introduction

The goal of Itsy Bitsy Bums has always been, and always will be - 

make cloth diapering easy and accessible for anyone and everyone who is interested. 

I'll admit, as I've focused on growing the brand offerings and deepening the product selection, I haven't been great about upholding the education side of things. One-on-one education still happens on a daily basis (hello to my email pen pals!). But I apologize, my fine shoppers, that the larger tools have fallen by the wayside. But I am excited to share that I have soooo many projects in mind that will add a large teaching piece back into the online site.

So here you go - a taste of what I have planned: 

• You Tube videos - online tutorials, comparing brands and items side by side, trial package and newborn diaper rental introductions, and more! please forgive the Minnesota/Kansas hybrid accent I've managed to cook up.
• Photos, photos, photos! - cannot stream that video while browsing (I mean, working) at work? These photos will capture the key points of the You Tube videos, giving you tons of visuals. 
• Related items - putting all the tools in one place. Yes, you will probably want pins or Snappis and a cover for that prefold.
• Blog posts - while I may rant and rave over here on Bitsy Buzz, this information will soon be linked within individual product pages, making it easier to find commentary and advice while shopping. 
• Introductory Headers - more didactic material to introduce types and brands. You can get a taste of this upgrade on the 'Doublers and Inserts' page. 

Other upgrades in the works: 

• Revised Trial Packages: so many great brands in the store, why not update the trial packages to match the variety and options available? 
• New Trial and Bulk Packages: Nighttime diapering trial packs to be released shortly. In addition, more sampler packs. 
• Larger Inventory Offerings: The store began with a 2-in-every-color-in-every-size inventory strategy* and will now be moving in to higher inventory numbers. Want five of that one color? Yes, we'll have it.  (*well, a gross simplification of inventory management, but you get the idea)
• So-special Orders: For some of the more specialty brands, it is cost- and space-prohibitive to carry so many of any one color. For these items, enter special orders! Several of my amazing wholesale partners ship über-quickly, and oftentimes directly to customers. This page will feature those brands, and perhaps even offer some special pricing from time to time....
• Glossary: Taking a cue from the 'Type of Diaper' and 'Accessory' pages, the glossary will (hopefully) elucidate those concepts and terms you encounter on your cloth diapering journey.
• Help! Gets More Helpful: More 'help!' featurettes, including 'Is It Too Late to Switch?' and 'Cloth Wipes Are Fabulous!'

Lastly, here are a couple of the upgrades already in place:

• Doubler Samplers: streamlining your research into easy-to-digest pieces. Find it here. 
• On Nighttime Diapering: get that perfect overnight combination for your baby! Find it here. 

Please stay tuned as these updates are made - some while be published with fanfare, while others will quietly appear when you aren't looking. As always, if you have any feedback and/or other ideas that might enhance these upgrades further, don't hesitate to let me know! 

XOXO,

Sign up, You Know You Want To....

If you ask anyone who knows me decently well, they'll affirm I'm not one for technology. I eschewed the smartphone as long as I could (and I'll admit, I do love the one I finally got for the business). I still love my Pink iPod (circa 2005). My undergrad laptop is still in storage, just in case I get the energy to rescue all of the files to a more current storage device (yeah, I know zip drives are so last decade). 

But guess what folks? I've finally added a subscription feature to the blog! That's right! Get the Bitsy Buzz scoop delivered directly to your inbox. At the right >>>> you'll find a sign-up box (labeled 'Get Bitsy Buzz Updates Via Email'). This will keep you in the loop with all that gets published to the blog - including special stockings, sales and the cloth diaper 411. 

Don't confuse this sign-up with the mailing list (labeled 'Get the Itsy Bitsy Bums Newsletter'). The 'Newsletter' signup is a direct-mailing list that I use 1-2x monthly to send out the lowdown on what is new in store, soon-to-be in store, and other goodies. 

But of course feel free to signup for both. 

Now who'd like to join me for a game of Oregon Trail on the IIe? 

Meet the Folks Behind Itsy Bitsy Bums

First of all, I'd like to introduce you to the shipping clerk and unofficial CFO of Itsy Bitsy Bums. A corporate worker by day, and errand boy by night, Mark enjoys Burn Notice, walking the ever-affectionate dog and getting your diapers to you toot-sweet!

sharing a drink with an old friend

Second, please meet Avalee, the light of our lives, and a very good diaper inspector. She takes it upon herself to personally look over every new diaper, inside and out. Because of her diligence, we have decided to award her IBB's first ever employee award.

Congratulations Avalee, the 2010 #1 diaper inspector.

ready to go!

Last, please allow me to introduce myself. I am IBB's CEO, COO, buyer, business analyst, merchandise coordinator, photographer and resident diaper-addict. When not talking diapers, I enjoy taking selfies, art and organizing things into neat piles. 

selfies are so much easier when all the participants speak the same language

Additional Support Staff

Daisy Dog, the most skilled security guard this side of the Mississippi

The Itsy Bitsy Spider, you may have heard of him?

Welcome!

Hello!

I could not be happier to welcome you Bitsy Buzz, a place for conversation, learning and fun! 

If you ever have a suggestion for a possible topic, or would like to be a contributing author, please do not hesitate to contact me!