One Giant Leap For Cloth Diapering-kind

Last month CBS's 'Eye on Parenting' featured a segment on the great diaper debate: cloth versus disposables. Their cloth diapering 'expert,' a pediatrician, discussed the pros and cons of the two types of diapers (you can view the original segment here).

Unfortunately, the segment was far from objective. Not only did they perpetuate the ever-pervasive notion that cloth diapering is difficult, wrestling with pins, Gerber prefolds and plastic pants, but glazed over the environmental impact, stating that the EPA posits disposable diapers in the landfill '[aren't] the worst kind of waste there is.' Wow. Given how much toxic stuff is being disposed of (anyone recall the Hungarian toxic sludge spill earlier this fall?), I don't know if the reassurance I'm the worst offender would be all that reassuring.

I will say, I do agree with the 'experts' concluding statement: 'you have to make the right choice for yourself.' You absolutely have to do what you believe is best for your family. Maybe you found an amazing daycare that supports your parenting philosophies, but will not use cloth. Maybe you only have access to laundry facilities on the weekends, and only cloth diaper Thursday-Sunday. Maybe you can only afford to slowly build a stash, and supplement with disposables until you have enough cloth. There are so many situations that cannot be predicted, and people should never feel badly when they make the best decision for their family. BUT (and this is a big but), I believe cloth diapering should never be ruled out until you have tried it. Just like Natali concludes, it is so much easier than you would ever imagine. To make the decision to use disposables, without researching the alternate option, is short-sighted and unfortunate.

Needless to say, the segment as a whole was very poorly received by the cloth diapering community. Thanks to the open mind of the segment's host, Natali Morris, she quickly responded to the requests to try cloth herself (you can follow her cloth diapering journey at her bog here and here). 

Now, a month later, CBS follows its original segment with an update, featuring expert Tereson Dupuy (the CEO of Fuzzibunz). Drat... will not embed correctly. Please do watch the newest segment - you can find it here. 

What do you think of the revised segment? A win for cloth diapers? 

WAHMlight: Jingle Bell style

Welcome to the WAHMlight Cloth! is the New Diaper! I have known Mel, the WAHM behind CND! (the typical abbreviation for the brand) for what feels like years, but in reality it is more like 15 months or so.

case in point, my lovely Baby Girl wearing a CND! fitted last fall

And I'm so excited to introduce you to her and her diapers. Please stay tuned at the end of the interview for a giveaway opportunity.

Without further ado, welcome to the WAHMlight Cloth! is the New Diaper!

IBB: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

CND!: Well, first and foremost I am a mother and wife. I have a wonderful husband who, in reality, belongs to the US Military and not me. I am so thankful for him and the sacrifices he makes so that I can stay at home with our children who are Kaylah (age 10), Rowan (age 3) and a new baby joining us in mid-February. Aside from being a wife and mother, I love to write, read, sew, play the Wii with my kiddos and cook, not that I have time for the majority of those things, LOL.

Cloth! in Action

IBB: When did you start sewing diapers?

CND!: I started sewing diapers when my son was around a year old. We had starting using cloth diapers when he was 6 months old, and quickly realized I wanted to save even more money so I decided to try and sew my own. I literally started out using old sheets, t-shirts and receving blankets!

It's A Wonderful Life

IBB: Tell us about the start of Cloth! is the New Diaper.

CND!: I decided to test the WAHM waters last summer when my husband deployed for the first time during our marriage. I figured I needed a hobby or something to help keep my mind off the news and off his absence. Like most WAHMs, I did a few rounds of product testing and decided to give it a shot.

The name of my business comes from a combination of my favorite celebrity blogger, Trent who owns and runs "Pink! is the New Blog," and a desire to have a business name that wasn't overly cutesy and that reflected the overall rise in the cloth diapering trend. Since the birth of my bussiness, the nicknames "CLOTH!" and "CND" have taken hold, both much easier to type out. :)

Mel's Fabric and Snap Stashes

IBB: Where do you see Cloth! in one year? Five years?

CND!: I see it right where it is now... a small WAHM business that generates just enough funds to feed my own CDing and wool addiction!

Miracle on 34th St

IBB: What is your favorite part of being a WAHM?

CND!: My favorite part of being a WAHM is knowing that something I made is being loved and used by so many people. It really is a pleasure and an honor to have people from all over the world love your product so much that they come back for more.

IBB: What is your favorite Christmas or winter fabric stocked at IBB?

"White Christmas"--the one with the skiing monkies! I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. My second favorite would have to be "Nanook of the North."

Nanook of the North

(that shiny bit at the center is a quarter, meant to give you a sense of scale)

IBB: Anything else we should know about the fabulous Mel?

That I'm not really fabulous! ;) (Editor's Note - Yes she is!)

Now that you've met Mel and CND!, you can shop her amazing All-in-Ones here. So often people ask why buy cute fitteds if you have to cover them with a waterproof layer. Well, now you have the best of both worlds - an über-cute diaper with the waterproof layer hidden in the shell! Not to mention that her soaker is topped with a stay-dry fleece layer, so your baby will always feel dry. 

WAHMlight stocked a bit early (just in time for Black Friday), so early birds snagged some of the diapers. BUT, there are still three adorable prints in stock (one of which is my ultimate favorite - note the action shots of Little Girl above). 

Now for the giveaway.How about $10 to spend at IBB? Here's how to win:

• Post a picture of your little one wearing your favorite Cloth! diaper to IBB's Facebook page
• All entries must be posted by December 31st
• Feel free to post as many photographs as you'd like
• I will select a winner no later than January 2nd
• Winner will be announced both on the IBB Facebook page as well as on this very blog
• Any and all photographs you post must be your original artwork and, by posting, you agree I can use the winning photograph for my blog or website

Fabulous Hats

What: five amazing hats to give away

Why: because they are amazing and fabulous

When: Black Friday & Cyber Monday; 8am - 5pm CST

How: watch Facebook!

I will make periodic announcements throughout the day Friday, then again on Monday. 

The announcement will look something along the lines of: 'The next person to purchase a red diaper* will be the proud owner of a 0-6 month polka dot hat.' The first purchase that comes through Paypal will earn said hat! 

The times will be random, but no earlier than 8am and not later than 5pm (yes, I know you stalkers are sitting at your workstations, BUSTED). Please note the CST.

Easy peasy, right? 

*It will always be a red diaper. So, feel free to pre-shop the red diapers available in several amazing brands: Fishnoodles, Bottombumpers, Fuzzibunz, Tiny Tush, Cow Patties (red must be the predominate color in the print) and Cloth! is the New Diaper.

no snow, so sad.....

ps. you don't want to know what sad stuffed animals are contorted to make those hats semi-stand-up

Black Friday

A tumbleweed rolls by as the dust clouds swirl on the horizon.

The lone filling station clerk leans against the wall, scanning for signs of life. 

Cue desolate music, with some ravenous bird screeches thrown in for good measure.

No, you aren't in the middle of my latest half-hearted attempt at fiction. Rather, the same solitude fills the halls of Bitsy Buzz. 

Yes, I admit it, I've been quite absent with my posts as of late. And poor Marky Baby Mondays, won't even get you started with my backlog of great Mark tidbits just waiting to be relayed. 

Wonder where Bitsy Buzz had flown off to? Me too. Haha. I had no idea how wrapped up I'd find myself in my first Black Friday stocking. And I'll admit, I liked it. A lot. Planning the varied goodies to bring the lovely ladies and gents who shop at IBB was just up my alley. 

So, without further delay, I introduce to you two of my favorites -

BSRBs, with a smattering of AIOs, TIANs and LBs for good measure

some amazing Christmas fabrics which soon will be Cloth! is the New Diaper All-in-Ones

Also rolling out a new trial package and new brands (can you say For Crying Out Loud!) and items (Fishnoodles snap-in hemp doublers!). 

Lastly, don't forget the giveaways and sales. Wahmies wetbags, Fuzzibunz items, BabyLegs.... the list goes on and on. 

For the most up-to-date list of goodies and giveaways, visit the Black Friday Preview Page.  

Even the Itsy Bitsy Spider has decked his halls.

Snip, snip

Do you ever buy six-packs? Of pop, I mean (yes, 'pop,' thank you upper-Midwest). What do you do with that plastic-connector-thingy once you are done enjoying your beverages? 

I'm sure there are an intrepid few amongst us who have brilliant craft projects designed expressly around these rather benign objects of the everyday life. But what about the rest of us? Do you just toss them in the trash? 

May I encourage you to take a quick extra step? Consider cutting the plastic rings apart before throwing away. 

Why? Imagine scavenging animals digging through landfill-bound trash bags. What happens to one of these animals if a ring was to get caught on its snout, clamping its mouth shut?

While I'm positive a host of doctors and my mother would encourage me to stop drinking my body weight in Whole Foods Orange Creme Soda (gah, POP!), I would hate to imagine my sweet tooth ever hurting an animal. 

So, next time you finish off your six pack (of pop), consider grabbing the scissors and quickly snipping all of the rings apart. Not only will you potentially save a raccoon, but you also might discover a good test of hand-eye coordination and reflexes (word of warning, never cut while trying to stop your toddler from putting applesauce in her hair). 

ps. to those creative ladies amongst us, what kind of crafty projects could you do with one or more of these thingys? 

pps. if you know the technical term for the 'thingys' please let me know!

(p^3)s. 'soda,' 'pop' or 'coke?' 

Congratulations Nacho Dipe contest winners!

Yes, that's right, I said 'winners.' Plural. Winners. That darn Russian (Filipino) judge just couldn't make up his mind! But, unlike those finicky Russian judges, this Filipino has one strong sense of humor! 

So I give you the two winners for the month, congratulations Autumn G. and Laura M.! You've each won $10 to spend at IBB!

10 points for that landing!

toe pick!*

Thank you to everyone who submitted your cutie patooties' photographs! I adore looking at all the smiling faces, pudgy legs and bum shots! Truly, thank goodness Mark has to pick the photos as I'm sure all would be declared the winners if it were on me to decide.

Don't forget this month's giveaway. Details can be found here. 

*for all you 80's children, you will appreciate the reference - 

Welcome to the WAHMlight: Double Feature

For this month, the attention shifts to you! (But not to worry, great diapering specials in store for both Black Friday and December's WAHMlight! Stay tuned in the coming days for hints.)

To start off the family focus with a bang, I've got not one, but two great WAHMs to introduce you to! In addition to amazing women, they also make amazing products. If you haven't considered a switch to natural products for yourself and the rest of your family, I highly recommend tipping your toe into this water. I am confident you won't regret it! 

And of course there is a giveaway. More details can be found following the two interviews. 

First up, Mother Moon Pads! 

Itsy Bitsy Bums: Please tell us about yourself and your family. 

Mother Moon: My name is Denelle, and I live in Neenah, WI, with my husband Henry, 3 children, and 1 fur kid. Henry and I have been married 10 years. Gwendolynne is 13, Ezekiel is 3, and Eleanor is 7 months old. Our furry child, Lady Bird, is 8. We are a very close knit family and family means everything to us. 

Mother Moon wingless liners

IBB: Is mama cloth something you grew up using? If not, do you recall when you first learned of it?

MM: I was not fortunate enough to use mama cloth growing up. I didn't learn that such a thing existed until I started cloth diapering my son. There was this sucession of "crunchiness" for me. Everything started with babywearing my first newborn, almost 14 years ago. When I was pregnant with my second child, I knew I wanted to wear him too (although not in the overpadded Nojo I wore my oldest in!). When I found TheBabyWearer, I learned about other natural parenting/living lifestyles, which led me to cloth diapering. Cloth diapering led me to DiaperSwappers, where I learned about mama cloth. 

OBV (Organic Bamboo Velour) topped pads

IBB: How did you decide to start making mama cloth? 

MM: I'm a very do it yourself type of person. I have a hard time purchasing items that I can make. When I convinced myself to try mama cloth, I knew that I could make it myself. Hundreds of tester pads later, I started selling MotherMoonPads under the KeepYourBabyClose name. 

the fabric stash!

IBB: Have you ever considered adding additional products to Mother Moon? What might they be? 

MM: In 2006, I started out in business as KeepYourBabyClose. I made and sold pouch slings, ring slings, linen wraps, nursing covers and mei tais. Over time, I have transitioned to what I truly love making, which is mama cloth. At this time, mama cloth keeps me more than busy, so I will not be offering any additional products. I do occasionally make custom embroidered diapers, or matching newborn diaper and postpartum mama cloth sets. 

I believe that by creating things that make me happy, this in turn makes me a better seller and happier person all around.

Denelle's sewing area is in the dining room

IBB: What tips do you have for WAHMs and WOHMs when it comes to juggling so many things at once (a little birdie told me you are also persuing a degree in accounting)? 

MM: My biggest piece of advice is: Do what you love, love what you do, and accept that you can't do everything. 

I am a WAHM and full time college student. I graduate this December with my BA in Accounting. I very carefully schedule my days and weeks in an attempt to fit everything in. I am fortunate enough to have a husband that is able and willing to assist me when needed. 

Our typical day consists of waking up, making breakfast and getting our oldest off to school and Daddy to work. My younger two love to play together while I start the orders for the day.

We also love to have morning playdates. Every Wednesday is our day off. We love to go to the Children's Museum or have friends over to play & sew. After lunch, my 3 year old lays down to have rest time. I wrap my youngest on my back, and we settle in for nap time (her) and sewing (me).

After nap time, we make supper together, and sit down to eat when Daddy gets home from work. We eat together every night. After supper, I work on homework and have family time. It's a crazy, action filled day, but it seems to work for our family. 

I do, however, have to accept that there are days where my children might need me more than usual and we will accomplish nothing. Those days are okay to have to. After all, my main goal is to keep my family happy and their needs fulfilled. 

Denelle's favorite view of her serger ♥ 

Second, Green Body Basics! 

From the WAHM behind GBB, Kristin - 

'Thank you, Abby, for featuring Green Body Basics as your WAHM business of the month.

'WAHM is one of my many roles. I am a mid twenties, degreeseeking, partner, internet surfing, shopping loving, natural thinking , tea drinking, karma believing, book loving woman.

'But my most important roll is mother, to my daughter as well as to my two black labs. My daughter is 16 months old and the love of my life.  I met her father 3 years ago and it was one of those "love at first sight" kind of stories.  Fast forward to 2 years ago and we discovered we were pregnant. A few weeks later we receive some abnormal results on our APF test and after further investigation discovere that Poppy-Ann has spina bifida.  This was a changing point in my life, as I had never before considered reducing the amount of chemicals I was exposed to, as I lived "healthy enough."  This lead me to finding alternatives to my daily products as well a leading me to live a less waste producing life.

'One product I knew I could not switch was my deodorant, as I had been a clinical/prescription strength user since my teenage years, suffering from what I was lead to believe was hyperhyrosis(over active sweat glands).  Fast forward again, and after many long months of using myself an family as guinea pigs I developed Green Body Basics Naturally effective deodorant, a completely natural an chemical free solution!  GBB has been recognized by Skin Deep's Cosmetic Database with a '0' hazard score for this very reason.  I submitted my product for review and was very happy to receive the feedback as my product has the lowest hazzard rating available, which is an honor.  From this point I continue my filing with PETA as a "cruelty-free" no animal testing company.

'Keeping in line with natural and environmentally friendly, I try my hardest to purchase all my ingredients from companies with honest environment supporting suppliers and practices. This was also reason for a change to remove palm oil from my products a few months after beginning business, as it was not a resource I felt comfortable using due to it's over farming.

'I love trying and creating new products and have been making my own cleaners and soaps for some months as well.  As for the future of what customer may see at GBB only time will tell, I have a few items for next summer lined up as well as some cold/flu season items that I am hoping to perfect here in the next month.'

Thank you Kristin and Denelle, I am so excited to feature both of you this month, in addition to stocking your products at IBB!

Now, for the swag:

• 1 1oz Green Body Basics deodorant in 'Sensual' 
• 4 Green Body Basics scent samples in 'Classic,' 'Immunity,' 'Sporty' and 'Stamina' (one in each scent)
• 1 8" Mother Moon Wingless Pantyliner
• 1 Mother Moon OBV Pantyliner (I pick the length for the OBV pads)
• 1 Mother Moon OBV Normal Flow pad 
• 1 Mother Moon OBV Heavy Flow pad

Typically WAHMlight giveaways are won by sending in action shots. Clearly I won't be asking for action shots this month. LOL.

Instead, you have several easy ways to win: 

• Every order at IBB is automatically entered to win (1 entry per order)
• Grab IBB's button (under 'Share the Love' in the right-hand navigation bar) and display on your blog (5 entries for this! button must remain up for the entire month of November)
• Become a fan of Bitsy Buzz (1 entry)
• Become a fan of IBB on Facebook (1 entry)
• Browse the store, then come back and tell me your favorite item carried by IBB

Please be sure to comment below to enter yourself, including links when applicable. Deadline to enter is November 30th. Winner to be announced by December 3rd on Facebook and this very blog. 

Happy Hunting!