Personal:
I haven't been blogging lately - mostly because when I've been inspired to be creative, I've been painting. You can see some of my work on my new website: alisonmanes.comhttp://artist.alisonmanes.com/
I am not a web designer so please be patient with me as I muddle through creating website.
Also - today is my grandfather's 94th birthday and next week my grandmother will be 91. I am feeling so blessed and grateful to have them both still in my life. This is a video of them singing to eachother in 2010:
I am still very much grieving my brother and while I can now function like a human being - I am not feeling motivated to do much. Thank you for all the kind thoughts and prayers; I know that I will snap out of it at some point, just not now.
LolliDoo:
I just finished a Spring Catalog for LolliDoo® and LadyDoo® Rags - take a peek if you are so inclined: GGSI Spring
Also - soon we will be offering embroidered Flair for LollliDuos™... stay tuned for that announcement.
That is about all that's new in the Manes house. Thank you for staying with me through this trying time.
Showing posts with label cloth diapers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cloth diapers. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I LOVE LolliDuos™
My Work Wife Melissa has created the greatest diaper ever! The all new LolliDuo™ is fantastic for several reasons; here are my five favorites:
Want to see more? Click here.
I had the pleasure of hanging out with Miss Ellie in a LolliDuo™ - she was around 9lbs in these photos and as you can see, they fit her really well.
Don't believe me? Read what other folks are saying.
I honestly believe that Melissa deserves a HUGE Hooray for her genius in designing all LolliDoo® diapers. Well done Melissa, well done!
- The LolliDuo™ is a truly versatile one-size cloth diaper. You can use is as a diaper cover, a pocket diaper OR you can use it as a diaper cover but stuff it for extra absorbency.
- LolliDuos™ are trim enough for daytime use but thirsty enough for overnight.
- The entire diaper saves at least six water bottles from going to the landfill. This is because the high quality performance fleece, that we are now known for, is made from recycled bottles.
- We have several super cute color combinations.
- You can choose snap or hook and loop closure.
Want to see more? Click here.
I had the pleasure of hanging out with Miss Ellie in a LolliDuo™ - she was around 9lbs in these photos and as you can see, they fit her really well.
Don't believe me? Read what other folks are saying.
I honestly believe that Melissa deserves a HUGE Hooray for her genius in designing all LolliDoo® diapers. Well done Melissa, well done!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Name That Doo!
Our new All Purpose LolliDoo® cloth diaper needs a name!
*Name our new diapers and win 6 FREE.
Some information:
What we are offering is a combination eco-pocket®/Outtie™. Click here to see it on LolliPlace.com.
It has a myriad of uses; as a diaper cover, a pocket diaper or as a diaper cover that is stuff-able for extra absorbency.
Additional information:
~ Suitable for day and overnight use
~ Trimmer then Overnight eco-pockets
~ Lower price point
~ Made from recycled performance fleece
~ Highly breathable
~ Super absorbent
~ Generous waist dimensions
~ Made in the USA
How to enter:
Just post your name suggestions on http://earthymommaodyssey.blogspot.com/ (or if you are reading directly from the blog - post a comment).
*Once you enter the contest you are giving GGSI permission to use the name without restriction.
Contest ends 8-31-11
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Disposable Diapers Are Better Then Cloth Diapers
Or so someone recently said. This was his reasoning:
*Note, I didn't correct spelling or grammer
1) You do not have to wash disposable diapers.
2) You can save on water and time use to wash cloth diapers.
3) Time will be better spend doing anything else than to wash cloth diapers.
4) You do not have to change your baby clothing because they seldom get wet if they wear disposable diapers.
5) You do not have to worry about getting yourself wet when you carry your baby.
6) You do not have to bring wet cloth diapers back home to wash if you baby wet himself outside. Disposable diapers are more convenience to use when traveling.
7) There is something call diaper rash cream to prevent and heal diaper rash.
8) Large safety pins are dangerous.
9) Double or triple layers cloth diapers are hot for the butts.
10) Disposable diapers leak less.
11) Day care or childcare center do not want to deal with cloth diapers.
I respectfully disagree:
1. You don't have to wash disposable diapers however they are consuming much of our natural resources. Over 300 pounds of wood, 50 pounds of petroleum feedstocks and 20 pounds of chlorine are used to produce disposable diapers for one baby EACH YEAR. Not to mention that at least 1/3C of crude oil goes into one disposable diaper.
2. Cloth diapers today rarely leak, ours are known for not leaking even after extended use.
3. An extra 2 loads of laundry a week equals less water used then a potty trained child flushing the toilet 5 times a day.
4. When you make the decision to become a parent you are also making a decision to dedicate time to raise your child. Changing and laundering diapers are a part of that.
5. You don't have to change the baby with cloth either.
6. You do have to bring wet diapers home, I'll give you that one. I do travel with cloth diapers and it's not an issue.
7. Diaper rash cream has it's purpose but why put extra chemicals on babies skin when the issue was most likely caused by chemicals on babies skin.
8. Cloth diapers today do not use safety pins, they are available with an aplix closure, snap closure or a snappy which is a plastic doohickie that fastens diapers.
9. Babies sweat more with disposable diapers because the plastic outer heats up the entire diaper. Depends on the type but generally cloth diapers are far more breathable.
10. That's completely untrue and redundant.
11. That is not true of all day cares, some will only take cloth.
*Note, I didn't correct spelling or grammer
1) You do not have to wash disposable diapers.
2) You can save on water and time use to wash cloth diapers.
3) Time will be better spend doing anything else than to wash cloth diapers.
4) You do not have to change your baby clothing because they seldom get wet if they wear disposable diapers.
5) You do not have to worry about getting yourself wet when you carry your baby.
6) You do not have to bring wet cloth diapers back home to wash if you baby wet himself outside. Disposable diapers are more convenience to use when traveling.
7) There is something call diaper rash cream to prevent and heal diaper rash.
8) Large safety pins are dangerous.
9) Double or triple layers cloth diapers are hot for the butts.
10) Disposable diapers leak less.
11) Day care or childcare center do not want to deal with cloth diapers.
I respectfully disagree:
1. You don't have to wash disposable diapers however they are consuming much of our natural resources. Over 300 pounds of wood, 50 pounds of petroleum feedstocks and 20 pounds of chlorine are used to produce disposable diapers for one baby EACH YEAR. Not to mention that at least 1/3C of crude oil goes into one disposable diaper.
2. Cloth diapers today rarely leak, ours are known for not leaking even after extended use.
3. An extra 2 loads of laundry a week equals less water used then a potty trained child flushing the toilet 5 times a day.
4. When you make the decision to become a parent you are also making a decision to dedicate time to raise your child. Changing and laundering diapers are a part of that.
5. You don't have to change the baby with cloth either.
6. You do have to bring wet diapers home, I'll give you that one. I do travel with cloth diapers and it's not an issue.
7. Diaper rash cream has it's purpose but why put extra chemicals on babies skin when the issue was most likely caused by chemicals on babies skin.
8. Cloth diapers today do not use safety pins, they are available with an aplix closure, snap closure or a snappy which is a plastic doohickie that fastens diapers.
9. Babies sweat more with disposable diapers because the plastic outer heats up the entire diaper. Depends on the type but generally cloth diapers are far more breathable.
10. That's completely untrue and redundant.
11. That is not true of all day cares, some will only take cloth.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Cloth Diapers ARE Swim Diapers
Many folks go out and buy swim diapers. If you are a cloth diapering family - you do not need this extra expense. Most cloth diapers do double duty as swim diapers. I will speak to what I know best, LolliDoo™.
LolliDoo™ has a couple of options for swim diapers. Our Recycled Outties™ aka diaper covers, are perfect for swimming. The intention of a swim diaper is to contain messes NOT liquids. Any fleece or PUL diaper cover should work nicely in the pool.
LolliDoo™ eco-pockets™ are another viable swim diaper option. No need for Organic Absorbency Innies™ aka absorbency inserts. Again - the idea is to catch messes.
You can even use a LolliDoo™ Free Spirit as a swim diaper (hey if you want to spend $79 on a swim diaper I won't stop you).
When covering your little one's bum in the pool - keep in mind that the diaper still needs to be tight enough to contain messes and without the Innies™ sometimes you have to really tighten up the leg elastic. Cloth diapers, when used for swimming, can be comparable to disposables in trimness but unsurpassed when it comes to comfort.
LolliDoo™ has a couple of options for swim diapers. Our Recycled Outties™ aka diaper covers, are perfect for swimming. The intention of a swim diaper is to contain messes NOT liquids. Any fleece or PUL diaper cover should work nicely in the pool.
LolliDoo™ eco-pockets™ are another viable swim diaper option. No need for Organic Absorbency Innies™ aka absorbency inserts. Again - the idea is to catch messes.
You can even use a LolliDoo™ Free Spirit as a swim diaper (hey if you want to spend $79 on a swim diaper I won't stop you).
When covering your little one's bum in the pool - keep in mind that the diaper still needs to be tight enough to contain messes and without the Innies™ sometimes you have to really tighten up the leg elastic. Cloth diapers, when used for swimming, can be comparable to disposables in trimness but unsurpassed when it comes to comfort.
Friday, May 13, 2011
SALE SALE SALE
That's right - we are having a sale.
All LolliDoo™ seconds and discontinued colors are on sale at LolliPlace this weekend only. Get your first quality but discontinued colors for the LOW price of $15.66 AND Holy Seconds Batman; get your LolliDoo™ seconds for only $13.05.
If you want some - hurry because we are selling out rapidly.
All LolliDoo™ seconds and discontinued colors are on sale at LolliPlace this weekend only. Get your first quality but discontinued colors for the LOW price of $15.66 AND Holy Seconds Batman; get your LolliDoo™ seconds for only $13.05.
If you want some - hurry because we are selling out rapidly.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
LolliDoo™ Seamstresses - The Revival of Cottage Industry
Did you know that LolliDoo™ cloth diapers are made by moms who sew while babies nap?
Go Green Sustainable Industries is a small family run company located in Newman Lake, WA. We are a cottage industry - supporting local seamstresses. Our seamstresses work mostly from home and come into the shop on Fridays, often with babies, to drop off finished diapers, pick up fabric and snap.
It is our mission to support families in small business while improving the health and well-being of society and our environment by transforming commonly used toxic and disposable products into healthy innovative new products that are comprised of recycled and organic materials and can once again be recycled.
Why?
It's about time companies acted responsibly.
I'm not insinuating that we are the only company with morals - just that we don't see enough of them. Melissa and I set out to create change and while we are just at the beginning stages; we are already making a difference, one step at a time.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Cloth Diapering JUST Overnight Can Save $329 Or More
How easy is this? Purchase just one LolliDoo™ Overnight eco-pocket™. Use it only at night. In the morning throw it in the wash with your towels or whatever clothing needs washed that day. Repeat every night.
You can save a lot of money and your baby will wrapped in super soft and dry comfort all night. It's a win-win situation.
An average cost of disposable diapers is .30¢
An average LolliDoo™ Overnight eco-pocket™ is $38
While the upfront cost can be daunting. When you multiply .30¢ x 2.5 years -you get $329. This is supposing that you only use one disposable diaper a night. If your child needs nighttime diaper for four years (which is about average) then you save $438!
Go ahead - make your life a little easier :)
Monday, January 24, 2011
Most Creative Loop Repurpose Contest!
It's time for a contest!
Tell us, with a photo, what you are doing with your LolliDoo™ packaging loops.
Loop used in packaging
Rules:
1. Send an email (alison@LolliDoo.com) or post on our FaceBook wall a photo of your creative use of LolliDoo™ Loops.
2. You can enter as many times as you like.
3. A winner will be chosen on February 18th 2011 based on creativity.
The winner will receive a 3-pack of their choice of Overnight or Classic LolliDoo™ eco-pockets™ with Innies™.
Tell us, with a photo, what you are doing with your LolliDoo™ packaging loops.
Loop used in packaging
What is a LolliDoo™ Loop?
LolliDoo™ Loops are handy-dandy recycled fleece loops made from our manufacturing waste. They double as packaging for our LolliDoo™ eco-pockets™ and can be used as laundry loops to hang-dry your LolliDoo™ Diapers. We have discovered that in addition to our intended use - folks are using their loops in a myriad of other ways.
Rules:
1. Send an email (alison@LolliDoo.com) or post on our FaceBook wall a photo of your creative use of LolliDoo™ Loops.
2. You can enter as many times as you like.
3. A winner will be chosen on February 18th 2011 based on creativity.
The winner will receive a 3-pack of their choice of Overnight or Classic LolliDoo™ eco-pockets™ with Innies™.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Organic Fitted Innies™ - Q and A
Question From LolliFans
Q. Why do your Fitted diapers have a pocket?
A. There are three main reasons that we changed our Fitted Innie™ design to a pocket:
Q. Do I need a cover with fitted diapers?
A. Yes. A fitted diaper is a modern take on the older versions that required pins. LolliDoo™ Organic Innies™ are all made from cotton and need a cover, we recommend LolliDoo™ Recycled Outties™.
Q. How do I size my LolliDoo™ Fitted Innies™?
A. See this chart below.
Q. Who dyes the tye dyed Fitted Innies™?
A. As you may know, we are a small family run company. As such, each tye dyed Innie™ has been hand dyed personally by me (Alison) at my home in Tucson, AZ.
We love hearing from our customers! Please submit comments/questions/concerns to alison@LolliDoo.com.
Q. Why do your Fitted diapers have a pocket?
A. There are three main reasons that we changed our Fitted Innie™ design to a pocket:
1. With a pocket - you can customize your absorbency. If you have a heavy wetter you can add LolliDoo™ Organic Absorbency and Flat Innies™ as boosters.
2. A pocket eliminates the cumbersome external elastic loop. We've replaced it with an internal cinch sizing system, the same as our eco-pockets.
3. The pocket opening allows for quicker dry time - and we are all about quick drying diapers.
Q. Do I need a cover with fitted diapers?
A. Yes. A fitted diaper is a modern take on the older versions that required pins. LolliDoo™ Organic Innies™ are all made from cotton and need a cover, we recommend LolliDoo™ Recycled Outties™.
Q. How do I size my LolliDoo™ Fitted Innies™?
A. See this chart below.
1. Give a little tug on the elastic cinch sizing.
2. Gently pull the elastic and unbutton it.
3. Re-button the elastic in the hole that best suits your child. Sometimes this takes a try or two before you get the correct size so please be patient.
4. Once your diaper is sized there is no need to re-adjust until your baby is ready for the next size. The elastic will stay put during laundering.
Q. Who dyes the tye dyed Fitted Innies™?
A. As you may know, we are a small family run company. As such, each tye dyed Innie™ has been hand dyed personally by me (Alison) at my home in Tucson, AZ.
We love hearing from our customers! Please submit comments/questions/concerns to alison@LolliDoo.com.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Q & A From LolliDoo Consumers
Question:
I saw your ad in Mothering and was intrigued by the overnight diaper, but could not find the info I needed on your website. I would like to know what exactly makes it good for a heavy wetter. Our current system is NOT working, so I am eager to try something new!
Thank you!!!
Amanda
Response:
Our Overnight eco-pocket diapers are made with 300 weight polar fleece, which is phenomenal for keeping moisture in. When paired with our Organic Absorbency Innies™ (which you can pile up to meet the absorbency needs of your baby)it makes for a very successful nighttime diaper.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Question:
Would the Overnight eco-pocket™ diaper also work with inserts from other diapers (such as the FuzziBunz inserts I already have)? That could save me a little money.
Sarah
Response:
Our eco-pockets™ are designed to fit with most pocket inserts. We do recommend LolliDoo™ Organic Absorbency Innies™ and cannot guarantee that other brands will work as well with our configuration.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Comments:
Dear Alison and Melissa,
I loved reading your entire website! I have a 'heavy wetting' 6 month old who is basically sleeping through the night but wakes because of a wet diaper. So, your ad in mothering mag caught my eye. I did just stock up on fuzzi bunz...which I love, other than the fact they don\'t seem to breathe well and we are in a warm climate north of san francisco. I thought I\'d look into getting a few pairs of your overnight covers as a solution. Anyhow - I read your site and was so inspired by both of you and your way of life. We (my husband, sone Drake and I) are trying to live as eco-smart as possible and do all we can to minimize our impact on mother earth. We quit our jobs in SF, moved north to Chico where we could afford to stay at home (me working part time from home and husband full time watching Drake) and be with our son 100% of the time. I take \"Drake breaks\" throughout the day to Breastfeed. We enjoy the bounty of all the farmland around us and eat fresh every day, and puree all of Drake\'s food. We feel very fortunate. Anyhow - just wanted to say hello and I wish you much success with LolliDoo! I will be sure to bookmart your site and share it with all my new-mama friends!
warm regards,
Amy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Question:
I'm interested in this diaper for my 4 month old, tummy sleeping, heavy wetting son. He still nurses 2-3 times per night - is this a diaper that would be able to keep him dry without changing throughout the course of a 12 hour night, or is changing necessary when nursing that often in t
Response:
Thank you for your interest in LolliDoo™ Diapers. In most cases our Overnight eco-pockets™ will keep a nursing baby dry all night. You shouldn’t have to change your little guy during the night but you may have to play a bit with different amounts of absorbency.
Follow up:
Alison,
Just wanted to write a quick note to let you know that I got my LolliDoo™ overnight yesterday, washed it 4 times like you suggested and put it on my son for the night - it was great! I know you guys are aware of how great your diaper is, but I also figure it can never hurt to hear one more compliment :)....it's the first time he's ever stayed dry in one diaper, while nursing all night long! hopefully, I can start eliminating some of the things I stuffed it with last night (now that I know the diaper works so well), so that it doesn't look like he's wearing a bowling ball around his backside :) it's sooooo nice to know that, now, I'll be able to just go to him in the night and quickly nurse him (instead of changing and nursing) and we can all go back to bed just a little sooner!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Question/Comment:
Hi Alison,
We washed our Overnight eco-pockets™ twice in hot and dried them in the dryer. So after reading this I decided to change them half-way through the night to check. My son wearing the fleece skin layer seemed fine. My other son wearing the cotton skin layer (who is also a big-time stomach sleeper) was leaking out the front really badly. Do you have any troubleshooting or advice on the cotton skin layer dipes? Would these not be good for a stomach sleeper?. It leaked from the front top up by his belly button. He sleeps with his knees tucked up under him so gravity in general is working against it not leaking from there. I don't really know the nature of the way fleece works but from what I could see it seemed the cotton was saturated and wicking to the fleece possibly. Grateful for you help! I stuffed it with a rumparooz hemp insert (full size insert) and a microfiber doubler. this is what we stuff other pockets we've used for nighttime. Thanks so much for you help
Response:
Unfortunately I am unfamiliar with those inserts. Might I suggest that you loosen the leg and tighten the waist? Fleece is VERY stretchy and it can be pulled really tight without leaving red marks or hurting your baby. Also – they really need a good 4 washings to shrink up properly with the cotton so it might be just fine as is after another wash.
Two Follow Up Emails:
Hi Alison,
Success with baby #1! I let out the elastic at the legs a little and got a really tight fit around the waist, and no leaks last night! Yay! I'm going to try with baby #2 tonight (I figured I'd go the "divide and conquer" route).
Thanks so much for all of your help; I really appreciate it.
Gratefully,
Kristin
This morning there were two dry babies. Yay! I'm attaching a photo so you can see how happy they were (you'll have to imagine my delight, too, since I'm not in the photo).
Thanks again for all of your help.
Kristin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Question:
I like the idea of a diaper made with recycled material, but am worried about BPA, phalates, etc from the recycled bottles next to her skin. Can you tell me how these are removed from the material?
Thank you!
Alexandra
Response:
That is a fabulous question and believe it or not – it’s the first time I’ve heard it.
If you’ve been following the current toxic plastic avoidance advice, you know that recycling category #1 (PET) has been considered a safer choice. We know it’s BPA-free, so we just use it once and recycle it.
Plastic beverage bottles sold in the United States are made from a type of plastic known as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Although polyethylene terephthalate (the plastic) and phthalate (the additive) may have similar names, the substances are chemically dissimilar. PET is not considered an orthophthalate, nor does PET require the use of phthalates or other softening additives. (Enneking 2006)
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/which-plastics-are-safe.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Comment:
So! One more washing for both dipes. Loosened the legs and tightened the waist and 10hrs no leaks! Changed my other son around 8+ hours in the fleece skin lolli and dry! Awesome! :) Thanks for your troubleshooting help.
I saw your ad in Mothering and was intrigued by the overnight diaper, but could not find the info I needed on your website. I would like to know what exactly makes it good for a heavy wetter. Our current system is NOT working, so I am eager to try something new!
Thank you!!!
Amanda
Response:
Our Overnight eco-pocket diapers are made with 300 weight polar fleece, which is phenomenal for keeping moisture in. When paired with our Organic Absorbency Innies™ (which you can pile up to meet the absorbency needs of your baby)it makes for a very successful nighttime diaper.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Question:
Would the Overnight eco-pocket™ diaper also work with inserts from other diapers (such as the FuzziBunz inserts I already have)? That could save me a little money.
Sarah
Response:
Our eco-pockets™ are designed to fit with most pocket inserts. We do recommend LolliDoo™ Organic Absorbency Innies™ and cannot guarantee that other brands will work as well with our configuration.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Comments:
Dear Alison and Melissa,
I loved reading your entire website! I have a 'heavy wetting' 6 month old who is basically sleeping through the night but wakes because of a wet diaper. So, your ad in mothering mag caught my eye. I did just stock up on fuzzi bunz...which I love, other than the fact they don\'t seem to breathe well and we are in a warm climate north of san francisco. I thought I\'d look into getting a few pairs of your overnight covers as a solution. Anyhow - I read your site and was so inspired by both of you and your way of life. We (my husband, sone Drake and I) are trying to live as eco-smart as possible and do all we can to minimize our impact on mother earth. We quit our jobs in SF, moved north to Chico where we could afford to stay at home (me working part time from home and husband full time watching Drake) and be with our son 100% of the time. I take \"Drake breaks\" throughout the day to Breastfeed. We enjoy the bounty of all the farmland around us and eat fresh every day, and puree all of Drake\'s food. We feel very fortunate. Anyhow - just wanted to say hello and I wish you much success with LolliDoo! I will be sure to bookmart your site and share it with all my new-mama friends!
warm regards,
Amy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Question:
I'm interested in this diaper for my 4 month old, tummy sleeping, heavy wetting son. He still nurses 2-3 times per night - is this a diaper that would be able to keep him dry without changing throughout the course of a 12 hour night, or is changing necessary when nursing that often in t
Response:
Thank you for your interest in LolliDoo™ Diapers. In most cases our Overnight eco-pockets™ will keep a nursing baby dry all night. You shouldn’t have to change your little guy during the night but you may have to play a bit with different amounts of absorbency.
Follow up:
Alison,
Just wanted to write a quick note to let you know that I got my LolliDoo™ overnight yesterday, washed it 4 times like you suggested and put it on my son for the night - it was great! I know you guys are aware of how great your diaper is, but I also figure it can never hurt to hear one more compliment :)....it's the first time he's ever stayed dry in one diaper, while nursing all night long! hopefully, I can start eliminating some of the things I stuffed it with last night (now that I know the diaper works so well), so that it doesn't look like he's wearing a bowling ball around his backside :) it's sooooo nice to know that, now, I'll be able to just go to him in the night and quickly nurse him (instead of changing and nursing) and we can all go back to bed just a little sooner!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Question/Comment:
Hi Alison,
We washed our Overnight eco-pockets™ twice in hot and dried them in the dryer. So after reading this I decided to change them half-way through the night to check. My son wearing the fleece skin layer seemed fine. My other son wearing the cotton skin layer (who is also a big-time stomach sleeper) was leaking out the front really badly. Do you have any troubleshooting or advice on the cotton skin layer dipes? Would these not be good for a stomach sleeper?. It leaked from the front top up by his belly button. He sleeps with his knees tucked up under him so gravity in general is working against it not leaking from there. I don't really know the nature of the way fleece works but from what I could see it seemed the cotton was saturated and wicking to the fleece possibly. Grateful for you help! I stuffed it with a rumparooz hemp insert (full size insert) and a microfiber doubler. this is what we stuff other pockets we've used for nighttime. Thanks so much for you help
Response:
Unfortunately I am unfamiliar with those inserts. Might I suggest that you loosen the leg and tighten the waist? Fleece is VERY stretchy and it can be pulled really tight without leaving red marks or hurting your baby. Also – they really need a good 4 washings to shrink up properly with the cotton so it might be just fine as is after another wash.
Two Follow Up Emails:
Hi Alison,
Success with baby #1! I let out the elastic at the legs a little and got a really tight fit around the waist, and no leaks last night! Yay! I'm going to try with baby #2 tonight (I figured I'd go the "divide and conquer" route).
Thanks so much for all of your help; I really appreciate it.
Gratefully,
Kristin
This morning there were two dry babies. Yay! I'm attaching a photo so you can see how happy they were (you'll have to imagine my delight, too, since I'm not in the photo).
Thanks again for all of your help.
Kristin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Question:
I like the idea of a diaper made with recycled material, but am worried about BPA, phalates, etc from the recycled bottles next to her skin. Can you tell me how these are removed from the material?
Thank you!
Alexandra
Response:
That is a fabulous question and believe it or not – it’s the first time I’ve heard it.
If you’ve been following the current toxic plastic avoidance advice, you know that recycling category #1 (PET) has been considered a safer choice. We know it’s BPA-free, so we just use it once and recycle it.
Plastic beverage bottles sold in the United States are made from a type of plastic known as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Although polyethylene terephthalate (the plastic) and phthalate (the additive) may have similar names, the substances are chemically dissimilar. PET is not considered an orthophthalate, nor does PET require the use of phthalates or other softening additives. (Enneking 2006)
GOOD: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones.
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/which-plastics-are-safe.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Comment:
So! One more washing for both dipes. Loosened the legs and tightened the waist and 10hrs no leaks! Changed my other son around 8+ hours in the fleece skin lolli and dry! Awesome! :) Thanks for your troubleshooting help.
Monday, September 13, 2010
LolliDoo one-size diapers - will they fit your baby?
I have been approached by parents concerned that their child is too big for LolliDoo™ one-size diapers. While I am the first to admit that one size fits most - not all - I can assure you that most is true.
This gorgeous girl wears a size 6 disposable diaper and they are snug on her. She is wearing a LolliDoo™ Classic eco-pocket™ with two Organic Absorbency Innies™. She has a row of snaps at either end of the waist - plenty of room to grow.
Sweet Gabe is brand new in this photo. Again - not a little guy - but you can see how well he fits into his LolliDoo™ Overnight eco-pocket™.
Oh Ike - how we love you so! Here he is during the day with a LolliDoo™ Overnight eco-pocket™ - guess dad wanted to be triple sure that his shoulders didn't get wet.
Here is Ike all grown up with his friend Zeah. Ike and Zeah are wearing LolliDoo™ Classic eco-pockets™. You can see that there is a significant size difference between the two little ones - yet they are wearing the same diaper.
We LOVE your photos. If you'd like to see your baby featured on www.LolliDoo.com - just email alison@ggsillc.com with your favorite LolliDoo™ photo.
This gorgeous girl wears a size 6 disposable diaper and they are snug on her. She is wearing a LolliDoo™ Classic eco-pocket™ with two Organic Absorbency Innies™. She has a row of snaps at either end of the waist - plenty of room to grow.
Sweet Gabe is brand new in this photo. Again - not a little guy - but you can see how well he fits into his LolliDoo™ Overnight eco-pocket™.
Oh Ike - how we love you so! Here he is during the day with a LolliDoo™ Overnight eco-pocket™ - guess dad wanted to be triple sure that his shoulders didn't get wet.
Here is Ike all grown up with his friend Zeah. Ike and Zeah are wearing LolliDoo™ Classic eco-pockets™. You can see that there is a significant size difference between the two little ones - yet they are wearing the same diaper.
We LOVE your photos. If you'd like to see your baby featured on www.LolliDoo.com - just email alison@ggsillc.com with your favorite LolliDoo™ photo.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Green Your Baby - My 5 steps to a healthier baby
Several parents have asked me what they can do to keep their babies as healthy and green as possible.
My number one answer is always, "breastfeed".
Not only are giving your baby the healthiest possible start in life but by breastfeeding but you are saving thousands of dollars on formula, bottles and the likes.
The manufacturing of baby formula is energy intensive. The industrial processes release harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Formula is packaged in tin cans - the majority of which are never recycled. Formula requires plastic bottles and nipples - which take anywhere between 200 to 450 years to breakdown.
Read more
Additionally Since many cows in the U.S. are now routinely ingesting synthetic growth hormones to artificially increase their milk production, it stands to reason that these hormones are also getting into the U.S. formulas.
Click here for more information.
Make Organic Baby Food
This is actually quite simple. You don't need all the trays and fancy baby grinders unless you want them. All you need for little babies is a blender and for older babies - a fork.
In my house we feed the babies whatever we are eating - just mashed up. No need to spend money on store bought brands that might have sneaky ingredients in them.
This is a good link for more information.
Use Healthy Sunscreen
Brands of sunscreen that you find in conventional stores typically are full of chemicals. There is no need to lather your baby in a chemical cocktail - here are several brands that are cleaner and safer:
*Badger All Natural Sunscreen
*Soleo Organics Sunscreen
*Kid Kare Biodegradable Sunscreen
And my personal favorite
*Alba Botanica Sunscreen - this is sunscreen made from green tea and my kids can wear it all day long in the pool without burning or needing re-application. Be forewarned - this is a THICK sunscreen.
Click here for a comprehensive guide to sunscreen.
Pay special attention to this "Hall of Shame" list of sunscreens.
I had to sneak a picture of my Doodle Bug in here :)
Cloth Diaper Your Baby
You knew I was going to say that, right? Since I talk about cloth diapers almost exclusively on this blog I'll be short and sweet. Protect your baby's tenderest parts, keep raw sewage out of our landfills and save literally thousands of dollars with cloth diapers. Of course I recommend LolliDoo Diapers :)
Last but not least - stay away from plastic toys, seats and the likes
You really don't need even a fraction of all the baby stuff in stores nowadays. Especially those plastic toys and bouncers. If you do buy them please pay attention to where they are made - things coming over from other countries are sometimes full of chemicals.
This is what I believe you need for a baby:
A sling and/or backpack (check out Sweet Pea Ring Slings)
Diapers
Clothes
Wooden toys
Organic blankets
That's it folks - all the other stuff is just gravy. Even cribs - how many babies do you know that actually sleep in a crib? I can count three - the rest sleep with their parents; where I believe they should be.
I am of the opinion that these five steps are easy, practical and safer for babies.
My number one answer is always, "breastfeed".
Not only are giving your baby the healthiest possible start in life but by breastfeeding but you are saving thousands of dollars on formula, bottles and the likes.
The manufacturing of baby formula is energy intensive. The industrial processes release harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Formula is packaged in tin cans - the majority of which are never recycled. Formula requires plastic bottles and nipples - which take anywhere between 200 to 450 years to breakdown.
Read more
Additionally Since many cows in the U.S. are now routinely ingesting synthetic growth hormones to artificially increase their milk production, it stands to reason that these hormones are also getting into the U.S. formulas.
Click here for more information.
Make Organic Baby Food
This is actually quite simple. You don't need all the trays and fancy baby grinders unless you want them. All you need for little babies is a blender and for older babies - a fork.
To make organic brown rice cereal:
1. Cook your organic brown rice according to instructions.
2. Put it in a blender with a little breast milk.
3. When it's the right consistency - feed it to your baby. Easy Cheesy.
To make fruit and veggies
1. Boil the fruit and veggies
2. Blend or smash with a fork.
*Some fruits like bananas don't need to be boiled - just mash the heck out of them.
In my house we feed the babies whatever we are eating - just mashed up. No need to spend money on store bought brands that might have sneaky ingredients in them.
This is a good link for more information.
Use Healthy Sunscreen
Brands of sunscreen that you find in conventional stores typically are full of chemicals. There is no need to lather your baby in a chemical cocktail - here are several brands that are cleaner and safer:
*Badger All Natural Sunscreen
*Soleo Organics Sunscreen
*Kid Kare Biodegradable Sunscreen
And my personal favorite
*Alba Botanica Sunscreen - this is sunscreen made from green tea and my kids can wear it all day long in the pool without burning or needing re-application. Be forewarned - this is a THICK sunscreen.
Click here for a comprehensive guide to sunscreen.
Pay special attention to this "Hall of Shame" list of sunscreens.
I had to sneak a picture of my Doodle Bug in here :)Cloth Diaper Your Baby
You knew I was going to say that, right? Since I talk about cloth diapers almost exclusively on this blog I'll be short and sweet. Protect your baby's tenderest parts, keep raw sewage out of our landfills and save literally thousands of dollars with cloth diapers. Of course I recommend LolliDoo Diapers :)
Last but not least - stay away from plastic toys, seats and the likes
You really don't need even a fraction of all the baby stuff in stores nowadays. Especially those plastic toys and bouncers. If you do buy them please pay attention to where they are made - things coming over from other countries are sometimes full of chemicals.
This is what I believe you need for a baby:
A sling and/or backpack (check out Sweet Pea Ring Slings)
Diapers
Clothes
Wooden toys
Organic blankets
That's it folks - all the other stuff is just gravy. Even cribs - how many babies do you know that actually sleep in a crib? I can count three - the rest sleep with their parents; where I believe they should be.
I am of the opinion that these five steps are easy, practical and safer for babies.Wednesday, July 7, 2010
I Met My Work Wife Online
Although I wasn't looking for a business partner at the time - in the age of Match.com and eHarmony it's not that far fetched that I met my work wife on the internet.
It began in 2004 when we were both pregnant and due in May of 2005. Bored and looking for camaraderie I joined an online parenting forum. I quickly found a group of mommies who shared similar parenting philosophies. We chatted online, on the phone and sometimes we had group web chats.
I was in the process of developing a cloth diaper - my vision then was to mainstream cloth diapers. Having no sewing experience whatsoever I sketched a diaper and sent it off to a friend to sew. Once I got the testers back I was dismayed that they leaked and didn't fit well.
Chanda - one of our internet friends - suggested that I call Melissa. She said that Melissa was a brilliant seamstress and she might even have an interest in partnering with me. So I did.
Melissa was in - and our two families embarked on an amazing journey. We formed an LLC in 2007; before ever meeting face to face.
Eventually the Morgan family took a trip our to Tucson and soon thereafter we went to their house in Washington for six weeks. Thank goodness we love eachother as much in person as we did online.
It might not be for everyone but I can assure you that meeting my partner online was perfect synchronicity.
Last summer in Washington we had a girls night.
It began in 2004 when we were both pregnant and due in May of 2005. Bored and looking for camaraderie I joined an online parenting forum. I quickly found a group of mommies who shared similar parenting philosophies. We chatted online, on the phone and sometimes we had group web chats.
I was in the process of developing a cloth diaper - my vision then was to mainstream cloth diapers. Having no sewing experience whatsoever I sketched a diaper and sent it off to a friend to sew. Once I got the testers back I was dismayed that they leaked and didn't fit well.
Chanda - one of our internet friends - suggested that I call Melissa. She said that Melissa was a brilliant seamstress and she might even have an interest in partnering with me. So I did.
Melissa was in - and our two families embarked on an amazing journey. We formed an LLC in 2007; before ever meeting face to face.
Eventually the Morgan family took a trip our to Tucson and soon thereafter we went to their house in Washington for six weeks. Thank goodness we love eachother as much in person as we did online.
It might not be for everyone but I can assure you that meeting my partner online was perfect synchronicity.
Last summer in Washington we had a girls night.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Ali's Butt Juice aka wipe solution
I've been asked several times how to make butt wipe solution. I am a simple kind of gal - this easiest, cleanest method works best for me:
That's it.
I put it in a bottle, shake it up a little and it's ready to use.
When travelling with your little one just put some of the solution in a bottle and take it with you. I also keep a bottle of fresh water handy for a final water-only wipe down.
1 TSP Glycerin soap (Trader Joes has a great liquid)
1 C water
That's it.
I put it in a bottle, shake it up a little and it's ready to use.
When travelling with your little one just put some of the solution in a bottle and take it with you. I also keep a bottle of fresh water handy for a final water-only wipe down.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
#Operationfluffy Party TONIGHT! 9 PM EST
@TheEcoChic has posted all of the details on her website. She was kind enough to host this party even though it was supposed to be her week off!
Synopsis:
Thursday night we will all be tweeting to @TheEllenShow using the #operationfluffy hashtag. We will send pictures of our adorable babies in cloth diapers and tell her how much better cloth is than “jean” huggies. PUKE!
I did want to add, to make it easier to tweet pictures, use the twitpic.com service. Upload your photos ahead of time to make the party more about tweeting and less about searching for and uploading pictures. The pictures will show up without having to click them if you use Tweetgrid.com for the party. If you need help learning how to do Twitter parties, I have a little tutorial for you.
From Kim Rosas:
If you belong to a cloth diaper board (Cloth Diaper Nation, Diaperswappers, The Bump, Cafemom, BabyCenter, etc…) I would love your help in spreading the word. If you make a post about #operationfluffy’s Twitter party you get (5) extra entries into a giveaway of your choice! I have 2 ending today (Real Nappies and Bravado) so if you want entries in those you should hurry up!) Or, if you have another idea to spread the word give me a shout and I will let you know if it counts towards extra entries!
To get those entries leave a comment with the link on this post and leave (5) comments on the giveaway of your choice also linking to your post. Say something like “Extra Entries #operationfluffy post” and leave your link!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
LolliDoode Photo Contest
Have you met Ike, our LolliDoode?
Well Ike is a big boy now and he's using the potty. It looks like we need a new LolliDoode or LolliDoodette.
Well Ike is a big boy now and he's using the potty. It looks like we need a new LolliDoode or LolliDoodette.
Lets have a contest.
Do you want your baby to be the next LolliDoo ™ model?
Submit as many photos as you like of your baby wearing a LolliDoo™ to: alison@lollidoo.com.
AND a Free Spirit™ bag!
Honorable mentions receive:
One LolliDoo™ eco-pocket™ diaper
Submit as many photos as you like of your baby wearing a LolliDoo™ to: alison@lollidoo.com.
The winner will receive:
One LolliDoo™ Free Spirit™ eco-pocket™ diaper
One LolliDoo™ Free Spirit™ eco-pocket™ diaper
AND a Free Spirit™ bag!
Honorable mentions receive:
One LolliDoo™ eco-pocket™ diaper
Your photographs must accompany this consent form:
I, ______________ consent to let GGSI publish photographs of my child on the internet and in print media. I surrender the rights to the photograph(s) that I submit.
Signed_______________________ Date________________
I, ______________ consent to let GGSI publish photographs of my child on the internet and in print media. I surrender the rights to the photograph(s) that I submit.
Signed_______________________ Date________________
LolliDoode Photo Contest Rules:
· Photos must be high resolution in JPG or TIFF format, minimum 300 dpi/dots or pixels per inch. Photos can be in color, black and white, sepia tone or duotone and must be taken of your child.
· Your photo entries must have been created
· By entering the contest, you agree to have any of your winning photos and photos that receive honorable mention displayed and used in LolliDoo™, LolliPlace print and electronic communication materials, advertising and promotional materials and on the websites, for any purpose and at any time in the future, without any fee or other form of compensation.
· You waive all moral rights in any of your winning photos and photos that receive honorable mention.
· You may submit more than one photograph.
· The photo subject must be relevant to LolliDoo™ diapers. Photos that contain obscene, provocative, defamatory, sexually explicit or otherwise objectionable or inappropriate content will not be considered. GGSI will determine, in its sole discretion, what constitutes such content.
· Your submission must be accompanied
· Participants who have submitted winning/honorable mention photos will be notified at the beginning of June 2010, approximately. If you are a winner, you will be notified and, upon notification, you must respond within five (5) days of such notification. If you don’t respond within that time, you will be disqualified and will not receive a prize and another contestant may be selected.
· You acknowledge that GGSI reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel or suspend all or any portion of this contest without notice for any reason whatsoever, without any liability to you for any costs you may have incurred in respect to the contest.
· GGSI is entitled to interpret these rules as required and its decisions are final.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Our Core Values
When Melissa and I were in our conceptual phase we envisioned a company that was socially conscious and environmentally responsible. A company that supported our economy by creating green jobs, manufacturing in the USA of components in the USA. Most importantly we wanted to create a diaper that encompassed all these things while being soft, comfy, absorbent and safer for babies.
I am proud to say that we have, at least in part, hit all of these goals.
We are socially conscious. At least 75% of our staff are single mothers from domestic violence shelters. We aren't giving them a hand out, these are well trained workers who needed a break. They create the beautiful diapers that we make today. We employ these women because we believe in them and we support mothers.
Have you met our sales reps? All but two of our reps are mothers who work from home, sometimes taking their babies on sales calls with them. Melissa and I made the decision to hire mothers as a way to empower women to generate income and raise their family without having to choose.
We are environmentally responsible. Most people know that LolliDoo™
Green jobs. By manufacturing in the USA we create jobs. By using only domestic components we support other American businesses, especially the organic cotton farming industry - which you may know is floundering.
As for the final product we manufacture - LolliDoo™
Melissa and I want to make a difference in the world. We not only want to support our families but our babies, our planet and our economy. When you purchase a LolliDoo™
I am proud to say that we have, at least in part, hit all of these goals.
We are socially conscious. At least 75% of our staff are single mothers from domestic violence shelters. We aren't giving them a hand out, these are well trained workers who needed a break. They create the beautiful diapers that we make today. We employ these women because we believe in them and we support mothers.
Have you met our sales reps? All but two of our reps are mothers who work from home, sometimes taking their babies on sales calls with them. Melissa and I made the decision to hire mothers as a way to empower women to generate income and raise their family without having to choose.
We are environmentally responsible. Most people know that LolliDoo™
Green jobs. By manufacturing in the USA we create jobs. By using only domestic components we support other American businesses, especially the organic cotton farming industry - which you may know is floundering.
As for the final product we manufacture - LolliDoo™
Melissa and I want to make a difference in the world. We not only want to support our families but our babies, our planet and our economy. When you purchase a LolliDoo™
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