I Love Diaper Laundry

I often hear from those considering switching to cloth that they are worried about the added laundry. Fair question, as I know sorting, washing and folding a family's worth of laundry sometimes seem to consume things. Goodness knows we've had a basket or three sit next to the couch for [I plead the fifth] days waiting for its turn to be folded.

laundry time!

So, just why do I love diaper laundry? And what makes it so different from the usual day-to-day laundry? 

1. It is already sorted! Just grab the pail or wet bag and head to the washing machine. 

2. Nothing special required. Once you establish your diaper laundry routine, that's it. No need to look for stains to pretreat, jean pockets to empty or errant crayons to retrieve. 

3. No ironing! And most days, no folding. Yup, on busy days the diaper laundry comes out of the dryer, lands in a basket, and that basket sits by the changing table. 

4. and this is my most favorite reason There is something very satisfying about doing diaper laundry. This tangible act is keeping diapers out of the landfill, chemicals off our baby's bottom, and money in our wallet. It is something so simple, but it has transformed our lives in such a huge way. 

I believe there is a reason cloth diapering parents bond so easily - the decision to use cloth, for most people, runs deeper than just changing a fabric diaper. Rather, you share similar motivations and goals, and are participating in something bigger than yourself. And I find that positively amazing. 

One-Size Diapers: Rise-ing to the Challenge

One-Size diapers (often referred to as 'OS diapers') are a favorite of many families thanks to their versatility. For, just when it seems your infant is outgrowing every item of clothing, you can rest assured your diapers will still fit next week, and next year.

Most* one-size diapers use rise snaps to allow them to grow with your baby -

As your baby grows, simply unsnap the rise and move it to the next rise setting - by moving up a row of snaps you now have more fabric in the rise. This extra fabric then gives you more diaper to pull up against baby's stomach, and therefore more wing length to wrap around baby's sides.

Quick tip - If you ever find your one-size diapers suddenly are leaking at the thigh or front inner leg, chances are it is time to adjust the rise setting.

Now, don't be surprised if your little one seems to outgrow his/her rise setting overnight. Also, do not worry if your baby is wearing the diaper fully unsnapped at 9mos. While there are a select few babies who will outgrow one-size diapers, most babies will be just fine in their one-size diapers through potty time. In fact, don't be surprise if you end up snapping the diapers down a row at some point.

Just today I had to snap the rise back down one setting on my ~32lb three-year-old (she had a growth spurt last week - suddenly the tallest rise setting came up too high on her belly) -

*Don't love the look of the snap-down rise? Consider these alternatives - all adjust the rise using the elastic around the legs -

• Softbums: adjusts via a toggle attached to the leg elastic - this ingenious design feature is also what allows this diaper to truly get small enough to be functional on a newborn. 
• Fuzzibunz: the elastic is held in its desired position via a button hole in the elastic - what sets Fuzzibunz apart is that the elastic is not sewn in at either end - so no sewing or seam-ripping skills required to replace elastic that has lost its stretch - AND - Fuzzibunz will send you new leg elastics for free if you need them 
• Charlie Banana: the elastic is adjusted via a 'bra strap' slider on the leg elastic 

Whoopies Stash - 'Honey, I forgot the diapers.'

Ever get somewhere and realize you forgot to pack diapers? Did a one hour coffee date turn in to an afternoon out with friends? Little one decided to poop four times during errands, and you are now considering wrapping him in the paper napkins spilling out of your glove box?

Consider a Whoopsies Stash! In sum, a stash of diapers and accessories intended to be stored in the car.

In ours? 

• 1 Sweet Pea Wet Bag 
• 1 Sweet Pea One-Size Cover 
• 6 OsoCozy Infant Prefolds
• 6 Cloth Wipes

Why do I Love This Assortment?  

• The wet bag is the perfect size to hold all of the supplies until needed but not take up much trunk space
• The prefolds and cover both work as one-size diapers - simply trifold the prefold and fold it in to the cover (diapering a newborn? consider also adding a Snappi to your kit, so you can fold and secure the prefold around baby) 
• Disposable wipes dry out in the car over time - cloth wipes can be wet from my water bottle
• Economically-minded prefolds and one-size cover keep the overall price low 

Murphy's Law
If you use your whoopsies stash, be sure to get them back in the car asap, lest you decide to have a Whoopsies Whoopies stash. For, as theory goes, as soon as your emergencies supplies are forgotten, that is sure to be when you'll need them again.


Happy Travels!

Love Letters

Congratulations to the winners! I will email your gift certificate information shortly.

All other entrants will be awarded a freebie prize code for use on a future order. 

Grand Prizes

Leslie P.

Ashley L.-C.

2nd Place

Sarah H. 

Honorable Mention

Sam M.-S.

'Because you always frame art that you love.'

Erika K.

Melanie R. 

Elisha M. 

Amber S. 

'cloth diapering is like a box of chocolates'

Laura M. 

Teri B. 

Time to Hunt! The Great Cloth Diaper Hunt Has Begun

The Great Cloth Diaper Hunt of August 2012 has officially begun!

I have the fondest memories of the Great Cloth Diaper Hunt. The first in which I hunted was November of 2009. My daughter was just a few months old, and perfectly content to snuggle on my chest. It was chilly outside, sometimes snowing, and staying inside snuggled together was blissful. She'd snuggle, I'd hunt - we had a grand time! As she got older my hunting moved to the evenings and naptimes, but nevertheless still incredibly enjoyable (and oh how I miss those newborn snuggles)! 

Not familiar with the GCDH? In short, it is an online scavenger hunt! Sponsors (Itsy Bitsy Bums included!) have hidden a 'found it!' icon somewhere throughout their website. And not usually a needle a haystack - retailers will  have scattered a trail of hints to lead you to the icon. Once you found, click it to register your find.

this is what you are looking for - 

Why hunt? It is so much fun to see all of the various stores out there (many varieties of WAHM businesses participate, not just diapering). In addition, some stores (IBB included!) offer an exclusive discount just for hunters. Finally, you are entered in a variety of prize drawings based on how many icons you are able to find.

Want to play along? Register here.

Looking for more details, rules, etc? Check out the information page here.

Happy Hunting!

Cloth Diapers & Babywearing: The 411

The carriers are coming, the carriers are coming!

Boba baby Wrap in Dark Green

Now that our new website has launched (have you visited yet? we'd love to have you by!) we are expanding our assortment. hello Sophie! welcome Jellystone! have you met Driline diapers? And with these small surprises scattered through the store comes one big change - baby carriers! Babywearing is such a natural option for both parents and baby, and we couldn't be more excited to offer this option for IBB families.

Jellystone Owls

There are several brands coming, most of which I'm keeping under wraps (harhar, wraps) until we have confirmed shipping notices. First additions include Ergo and Boba. And stay tuned to Facebook, where we'll announce the latest and greatest.

Ergo in Mystic Purple

Now that you have the skinny - let's turn our attention to the topic at hand - cloth diapers and babywearing! Yes, believe it or not, there are specific types of diapers that work best when babywearing.

Got Compression Leaks? 
If you're baby has ever unexpectedly leaked out of his or her synthetic fiber diaper (typically a Pocket), you've likely experienced a compression leak. Imagine a saturated washcloth sitting beside the sink. Sitting on the counter it is fine, not much excitement. Pick up that washcloth and give it a good wring. Suddenly you've got a decent amount of water in the sink.

This is the same thing that can happen in a synthetic fiber diaper. Microfiber (the usual stuffers in a pocket style diaper) is the most susceptible to compression leaks. The diaper can be decently saturated while your baby plays on the floor and you don't have any issues. Put baby in a jumper seat, car seat or baby carrier, and the direct pressure against the microfiber will squeeze out urine. As the insert is already fairly saturated, there is no where for that urine to go but onwards, upwards and outwards.

Pockets Aren't the Only Culprit
If you are using a synthetic fiber All-in-One or All-in-Two this might also happen. Essentially any time microfiber is at work as the main absorbency material compression leaks will be more common.

So, what now? 

There are a few ways to go -

• Rather than having to invest in a new stash, consider switching out your diaper's absorbency. If you are using Pockets or All-in-Twos, trade out the microfiber inserts for cotton, bamboo or hemp prefolds/inserts. 
• Using All-in-Ones, and cannot change the inserts? Add a hemp or bamboo doubler in to the diaper. These natural fibers are great at backing up microfiber, picking up the compression leak before it escapes the diaper. 

I haven't purchased my stash yet? Anything specific I should look for when shopping? 

• Natural fibers - bamboo, cotton and hemp are not susceptible to the same compression tendencies as microfiber
• Two-piece diaper systems - Fitteds, Contours, Prefolds and Flats - these systems offer two levels of protection - the absorbent piece up closest to baby then the separate waterproof cover. 

Anything else I should look out for? 
Another term for you - wicking. Wicking is what happens when some of the absorbent fabric of the diaper has escaped the confines of the waterproof cover. While baby is at independent play, this bit of errant fabric might not be an issue (though if you ever notice it, use your finger to tuck it back inside). However, if baby is wrapped up snuggly to your chest and there is a 1/4" of fitted sticking out from the cover, this fabric will transmit moisture right up and out, leaving a wet spot on your carrier or shirt.

What about my Wool? The jury (at least, my jury) is still out on wool. I have several customers who report they use wool covers without issue while babywearing. Then I have other customers who report they will only use PUL covers in their carriers. I think the same principles to layering jammies over wool for nighttime applies - if the diaper underneath the wool is adequately absorbent then you can use it without issue. If the diaper's completely saturated in just an hour or two, I suspect there will be some compression leaks. Upgrading to a more absorbent fitted or changing baby more frequently should solve these problems. A sudden issue with compression leaks also can signal the need to relanolize.


So there you have it folks! Feel free to contact me if you'd like any further clarification or help troubleshooting!

Rockets, Firecrackers, Sparklers, Oh My!

On now through Jul 8th, IBB's version of a 4th of July party! Two ways to party with us - Rocket Pack Savings & Firecracker Freebies! Fine print - scroll all the way down.


Rocket Pack Savings!
If you live somewhere that allows firework stands by the side of the road, you've likely seen these packs….. Twenty bagillion fireworks in a pack for the low price of one million dollars (ok, so maybe the price tag is a bit less).
Bulk up your stash with these rocket-packed savings. Apply code at checkout.
Orders $100 take 10% off code: Rocket10
Orders $150 take 15% off code: Rocket15


Firecracker Freebies!
Nothing like some firecrackers (or sparklers, I've always been a sparklers girl) to liven up your holiday. If your order (totaling $59 or more, before tax) number matches one of the luckies from the following list, you've won! No code necessary, we'll automatically apply the goodies.

order #1212 free Jellystone necklace
order #1216 free chewbeads bangle
order #1219 free CJ's BUTTer – full size
order #1220 free CJ's BUTTer – full size
order #1221 free Kiwi Pie fitted
order #1226 free EcoSprout Bamboo liners
order #1231 free Planet Wise food bags – 3pk
order #1235 free Rockin' Green Detergent (we'll contact you to confirm formula – Soft, Regular or Hard)
order #1239 free Pink Daisy Mama Cloth – 3pk
order #1245 free GroVia Shell + OsoCozy Better Fit Prefolds – 3pk
order #1246 free GroVia Shell + OsoCozy Better Fit Prefolds – 3pk
order #1251 free Sophie the Giraffe
order #1255 free delish body scrub + lotion
order #1256 free One-Size diaper (valued $19.95+)
order #1257 free One-Size diaper (valued $19.95+)
order #1258 free One-Size diaper (valued $24.95+)
order #1264 free $30 Gift Certificate
order #1269 free AppleCheeks diaper shell (we'll contact you to confirm size)
order #1271 free CJ's BUTTer – full size
order #1278 free Swaddlebees Simplex sized diaper (we'll contact you to confirm size)
order #1285 free Planet Wise Medium Wet/Dry Bag
order #1289 free Peachy Green All-in-Two shell
order #1295 free Peachy Green All-in-One (we'll contact you to confirm size)
order #1299 free GroVia Shell + OsoCozy Better Fit Prefolds – 3pk
order #1305 free Planet Wise food bags – 5pk
order #1309 free Party In My Pants Mama Cloth – 2pk
order #1315 free $100 Gift Certificate


Fine Print

• Both Rocket and Firecracker offers expire Sunday, 7/8, at 23:59ct
• Note – we are out of town celebrating the holiday, and the store will reopen on 7/9. Orders will begin shipping on 7/9 and continue through the week.
• Newborn Diaper Rental bookings ineligible for any discounts or freebies.
• Rocket Pack discount cannot be combined with any volume discounts or sale prices. bumGenius, Econobum, EcoPosh, Flip, GroVia, Rumparooz and Thirsties cannot be discounted per manufacturer rules.
• Rocket Pack discount CAN be combined with Firecracker Freebies
• FireCracker Freebies - Order must be over $59 to qualify – orders cannot be amended or canceled once placed!