I’ve been using cloth diapers for 2.5 years now, but I still love to find new brands, especially ones sold here in Canada and that are very reasonably priced.  Done With Disposables is based out of Toronto and is run by a mom of 2 who understands that the upfront cost can be a huge . . . → Read More: Done with Disposables cloth diapers (giveaway)]]>

I’ve been using cloth diapers for 2.5 years now, but I still love to find new brands, especially ones sold here in Canada and that are very reasonably priced.  Done With Disposables is based out of Toronto and is run by a mom of 2 who understands that the upfront cost can be a huge deterrant for parents considering using cloth diapers.  All of their one-size diapers are only $8.99 CDN each!

For review, I was sent a one-size diaper in the Fuzzy Pink Hearts pattern.  All of the Done With Disposables cloth diapers feature:

• One Size fits approximately 8-35+ lbs
• Soft Microfleece Lining
• Breathable, Waterproof Outer Layer
• Reinforced Crossover, Hip and Rise Snaps
• Includes One Microfibre Insert
• Minky Soft – Micro Suede Lining

I really love that DWD’s have 2 sets of snaps (at the waist and the leg) so that I can get just the right fit for Rowan.  The microfibre insert has been very absorbant and was good to go after just one wash; I prefer to be able to use cloth diapers without a lot of extra prep first.

As you can see, Rowan is very happy and comfortable in her new diaper.  It’s cute enough that I don’t mind if she goes pants-free for a while but trim enough that I haven’t had any problems getting her into cords.  Rowan is on the middle snap right now which is consistent with other brands that we have, so I’m quite confident that they will last until she gets to potty training in a couple of years.

I was also sent 2 cloth wipes but they haven’t seen any real action yet – Ashlyn immediately loved the pink ribbon pattern and claimed them as her own!  They make wonderful facecloths and doll blankets, and I’m sure they’re great on little tushies too.

One lucky reader will win a cloth diaper and wipe pack from Done With Disposables!

To enter, tell me which diaper you’d pick from Done With Disposables (required).

For additional entries (leave a separate comment here for each):

• Follow me with Google Friend Connect (there’s a link on the left side bar)
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• “Like” Done With Disposables on Facebook (leave your first name and last initial in your comment so I can find you, please)
• Follow @DoneWDisposable and @NotJstBabyBrain on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (RT 1x per day and leave me the link to your tweet in your comment) #Win #clothdiaper and wipe pack from @DoneWDisposable via @NotJstBabyBrain http://notjustbabybrain.com/?p=3207 11/17 #green #giveaway #baby
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There has to be some upside for being crazy enough to use cloth on both girls at the same time, right?

MiniMaestro was created by a mom, Sophie, after her daughter was born.  Unhappy with using disposables but unable to find a cloth diaper made commercially that fit all of her criteria (trim, leak resistant, easy to use and to clean, made in Canada, affordable), she decided to take matters into her own hands and . . . → Read More: Mini Maestro cloth diapers – review & giveaway]]>

MiniMaestro was created by a mom, Sophie, after her daughter was born.  Unhappy with using disposables but unable to find a cloth diaper made commercially that fit all of her criteria (trim, leak resistant, easy to use and to clean, made in Canada, affordable), she decided to take matters into her own hands and MiniMaestro was born!

I was happy to learn about MiniMaestro and even happier to find out that they’re made in Quebec and the company is run out of Ottawa (where I live).  Sophie generously sent me an extra small MiniMaestro in kelly green/mint and a small in butter yellow/orange.  Both diapers came with an insert made of microfibre and bamboo.

We started using cloth diapers when Rowan was about a week old.  Here she is modelling her MiniMaestro XS at 2 weeks old and roughly 8 lbs.

I took the picture before the “Mom, I’m freezing here, lets get some clothes on” crying started, so it’s actually quite loosely done up.  At that weight, I could get the tabs done up with about 1.5 inches of space between them and the rise was low enough that it didn’t rub against her belly button.  Rowan still fits in them now at 5 weeks old (and I’m guessing close to 10 lbs) but the XS is definitely going to be too small in the waist in a week or two if she keeps growing at this rate.

Here she is in her MiniMaestro Small at 4 weeks old and roughly 9.5 lbs.  We’ve got plenty of room left on this one!

I have found the MiniMaestro diapers to be easy to use (no harder than a disposable since they have nice, wide Velcro tabs) and easy to clean.  They dry quite quickly and are very absorbent – no leaks to date!

They are also nice and trim, which is great when baby is still young and wearing one piece outfits or sleepers, since they aren’t cut for big, bulky cloth diaper bums!

One lucky reader will win a Mini Maestro cloth diaper in the size and colour of their choice!

To enter, tell me which size and colour of Mini Maestro you’d pick if you won (the “x” means it’s available) (required).

For additional entries (leave a separate comment here for each):

• Follow me with Google Friend Connect (there’s a link on the left side bar)
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• Follow @NotJstBabyBrainon Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (RT 1x per day and leave me the link to your tweet in your comment) #Win @MiniMaestroCA #clothdiaper via @NotJstBabyBrain http://notjustbabybrain.com/?p=2321 5/2 #giveaway #baby #green
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Thirsties Modern Cloth Diapers are proud to be made in the USA!  They hand-pick the highest quality fabrics for their adorable diapers and it shows.  Thirsties Fab Fitted diapers and Diaper Covers come in variety of sizes, while the Duo Wraps and Duo Diapers are adjustable and come in two sizes.  Because . . . → Read More: Thirsties Cloth Diapers – review & giveaway]]>  

Thirsties Modern Cloth Diapers are proud to be made in the USA!  They hand-pick the highest quality fabrics for their adorable diapers and it shows.  Thirsties Fab Fitted diapers and Diaper Covers come in variety of sizes, while the Duo Wraps and Duo Diapers are adjustable and come in two sizes.  Because I’m thrifty, I love adjustable sizes since you never know when baby will all of a sudden grow out of whatever size of diaper you’re using (it seems to happen overnight, doesn’t it?) and I like to be able to just adjust some snaps and carry on instead of frantically looking for something that fits.

For review, I chose the Duo Wrap in Blackbird with snap closures and the Duo Hemp Prefold.  Because I chose a size one (6-18 lbs), I can’t put it to the test until Sprout arrives, but I’m loving all the features of the Duo Wrap already!  First is the colour selection: the colours are so vibrant, and the patterns are very unique.  If I knew we were having a girl, I think the Alice Brights would have been my pick; how adorable would that be under a little summer dress?

The Duo Wrap also has 3 size settings for the rise, so it should last from birth until around 9 months.  It also has leg gussets which are SO important for containing all the poop of the early days (or weeks, or months).

The prefold is unlike any I have seen before.  Made of a hemp jersey, so it feels like a soft t-shirt, it is actually open through the middle!  The panels are each 2 layers thick so when folded you still get 12 layers of absorbancy, but they dry in a fraction of the time of other prefolds because there isn’t a thick layer of material that needs to dry.  It also keeps the diaper very trim, even on it’s smallest setting.

I’ve never used prefolds before but this seems simple enough so I’m looking forward to giving it a try.  You just need to fold the insert in thirds, place in the Duo Wrap and put it on the baby; no pinning or complicated folds required.

Thirsties has made it easy to request a catalog and find your closest retailer so you can start your own stash!

One lucky reader will win a Duo Wrap and Duo Hemp Prefold in the size and colour of your choice from Thirsties!

To enter, take a look around Thirsties Modern Cloth Diapers and leave me a comment here saying which size and colour of Duo Wrap you’d pick (required).

For additional entries (leave a separate comment here for each):

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• Make a comment on Thirsties‘ Facebook page about this review and giveaway, then leave me a comment here saying you did
• Follow @ThirstiesInc on Twitter
• Follow @NotJstBabyBrain on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (RT 1x per day and leave me the link to your tweet in your comment) #Win @ThirstiesInc #clothdiaper  via @NotJstBabyBrain http://notjustbabybrain.com/?p=2153 3/22 #giveaway #baby #green
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Sprout Change is a cloth diaper brand that is brand-new to me.  They have a very unique design – the diaper shell is reversible!

Found at The Willow Store, Sprout Change cloth diapers have 2 parts: the one-sized shell, and then the insert.  Because the shell is reversible, the insert just . . . → Read More: Sprout Change – Baby Shower Event review & giveaway]]>

Sprout Change is a cloth diaper brand that is brand-new to me.  They have a very unique design – the diaper shell is reversible!

Found at The Willow Store, Sprout Change cloth diapers have 2 parts: the one-sized shell, and then the insert.  Because the shell is reversible, the insert just lays inside of it – no fussy folding or stuffing necessary.  They do up with snaps (which I am a huge fan of) because velcro closures wouldn’t work on a reversible shell.  As long as the mess stays on the insert, you can just throw the dirty one in the diaper pail and put a new insert in, reusing the shell multiple times.

For review, we were sent a Sprout Change diaper in Lemon Ice (a lemon yellow on one side and an icy blue on the other) with a Super Saver Insert.  The inserts are also one-size, so you just fold them down to be whatever length you need to fit into the shell.  The shell can go small enough for a newborn (5lbs) all the way up to a toddler (40lbs) so it’s a workhorse diaper!  I’ll be trying it out on Sprout when he or she arrives, but for now Ashlyn has been putting it to the test.

We’ve used both sides of the shell and surprisingly, I didn’t find it difficult to do up the snaps either way.  I thought it might be akward to use the “wrong” side but it was no problem at all!  Adjusting the size was easy too; I used the suggested sizing that is on the package and it was perfect for her.  The legs fit nicely and we’ve had no leak issues or red marks.  It’s a very trim diaper at this size.  I could see it being a little bulky on a smaller baby if you use the insert that comes with it, but since Sprout Change shells can be used with any insert you like, I think they’d still be very trim with a newborn prefold at the beginning.

Here’s a video that shows just how easy it is to adjust the waist and leg settings on a Sprout Change diaper:

One lucky reader will win a Sprout change diaper in your choice of colour from The Willow Store!

To enter, go to Sprout Change and leave me a comment saying which colour combination you’d pick (required).

For additional entries (leave a separate comment here for each):

• Follow me with Google Friend Connect (there’s a link on the left side bar)
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• Follow @NotJstBabyBrainon Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (RT 1x per day and leave me the link to your tweet in your comment) #Win Sprout Change #clothdiaper from @TheWillowStore via @NotJstBabyBrain http://notjustbabybrain.com/?p=2124 3/16 #giveaway #green
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There has been a lot of cloth diaper talk on my blog lately (and there’s more to come!) but one thing that usually doesn’t get mentioned is how to take care of them.  You shouldn’t use just any old detergent on cloth diapers because it can lead to build-up (ie the diaper won’t . . . → Read More: Rockin’ Green – Baby Shower Event review & giveaway]]>

There has been a lot of cloth diaper talk on my blog lately (and there’s more to come!) but one thing that usually doesn’t get mentioned is how to take care of them.  You shouldn’t use just any old detergent on cloth diapers because it can lead to build-up (ie the diaper won’t absorb the liquid anymore) or stinkies (a very technical term) but you don’t want to spend a fortune trying out detergents to find one that works!  That’s where  Rockin’ Green comes in.

I was sent a bag of Rockin’ Green’s Classic Rock formula in Rage against the Raspberry.  With a description of “this raspberry and honey blend will have you running around the laundry room looking for the mosh pit!”, I had to smell it for myself!  It smells just like they say it will when you add it to the washer, yet when the diapers have dried there isn’t a scent at all.  I think that’s a good thing actually since it means that any “problem” smells aren’t masked by a perfume in the detergent.  You can tell from the first wash that the diapers are actually clean!

The best part is that Rockin’ Green is good for more than just diapers.  While preparing for the new baby, I pulled out some of my daughter’s newborn clothes and found that some had stains that had appeared during their time in storage.  I tried soaking them in an oxygen-based cleaner and washing them and the stains were still there.

I have heard of people “Rockin’ a Soak” (basically, if your cloth diapers have build-up or smell issues, you soak them for a few hours/overnight in a tub full of Rockin’ Green to get rid of the problem) so I decided to give Rockin’ Green a try on the sleepers.  I soaked them for 90 minutes in my laundry tub with hot water and about a tablespoon of Rockin’ Green, then put them through the washing machine and the stains were gone!  I love knowing that I have a special weapon on hand to fight against the many, many ways babies can stain their clothing.

There are 3 different types of Rockin’ Green to choose from, depending on the water type in your area:

• Soft – this formula is designed for those that have sensitive little ones or soft water.
• Classic – this is the original formula, and is great for those with moderate hard water, or just those that are battling with stinkies. Comes in unscented and scented varieties.
• Hard – This formula is designed for the most troubling of water types.

One lucky reader will win a bag of Rockin’ Green Soap in the formula and scent of their choice!

To enter, go to Rockin’ Green and leave me a comment here saying which scent you’d pick if you won(required).

For additional entries (leave a separate comment here for each):

• Follow me with Google Friend Connect (there’s a link on the left side bar)
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• Follow @NotJstBabyBrain on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (RT 1x per day and leave me the link to your tweet in your comment) #Win with @RockinGreenSoap via @NotJstBabyBrain http://notjustbabybrain.com/?p=2088 3/14 #clothdiaper #green #baby #giveaway
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I’m becoming quite the cloth diaper addict lately!  I think each style has it’s own pros and cons but somehow I didn’t have any all-in-one’s in my collection.  That has changed thanks to Blissful Booty cloth diapers!

Blissful Booty cloth diapers were created when Cathy’s youngest daughter had a reaction to . . . → Read More: Blissful Booty cloth diapers – Baby Shower Event review & giveaway]]>

I’m becoming quite the cloth diaper addict lately!  I think each style has it’s own pros and cons but somehow I didn’t have any all-in-one’s in my collection.  That has changed thanks to Blissful Booty cloth diapers!

Blissful Booty cloth diapers were created when Cathy’s youngest daughter had a reaction to disposables.  Not wanting to use the prefolds she’d used on her oldest child, Cathy replicated the styling of her favourite disposable in cloth.  Blissful Booty cloth diapers are all-in-one, which means that there aren’t any inserts to stuff or liners to attach, just fasten the velcro like you would the tabs on a disposable and you’re done.  These are great for babysitters and grandparents who may not be familiar or comfortable with other types of cloth diapers!

For review, I was sent a newborn (5 to 12 lbs) Blissful Booty cloth diaper in celery for Sprout and a large (21 to 35 lbs) in buttercream for Ashlyn.  The newborn diaper is so teeny, I can’t wait to try it out!  It also has a little notch cut out for the umbilical stump so it will be perfect for as soon as we come home from the hospital.

Ashlyn is at the low end of the weight for the large diaper so it should last us for quite a while.  If she was a little smaller, we could use the crossover tabs on the front to get a perfectly snug fit.   The picture makes it look saggy but it’s not at all; we haven’t had any leaking issues and if I could just get Ashlyn to stand still for longer than 0.0001 second I could have gotten a better picture!  I’m really enjoying how easy these diapers are to use – just wash and dry (and they don’t take much longer than my pockets and inserts to dry) and it’s ready to go.  The laundry tabs are holding up nicely so there’s no “diaper chain” effect when I take them out of the washer or dryer.

One lucky reader will win a Blissful Booty cloth diaper in your choice of size and colour!

To enter, go to Blissful Booty Boutique and leave me a comment here telling me which size and colour you’d pick (hint – pick the size first and it will tell you which colours are available) (required).

For additional entries (leave a separate comment here for each):

• Follow me with Google Friend Connect (there’s a link on the left side bar)
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• Follow @BlissfulBooty on Twitter
• Follow @NotJstBabyBrainon Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (RT 1x per day and leave me the link to your tweet in your comment) #Win a @BlissfulBooty #clothdiaper via @NotJstBabyBrain http://notjustbabybrain.com/?p=2028 ends 2/11#giveaway #green #baby #newborn
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Ottawa Cloth Diapers is a primarily online store that focuses on cloth diapers and cloth diaper accessories, but also has lots of other products like baby carriers, natural toys and mama cloth.

For review, I was sent a SoftBums Omni cloth diaper in Sprout (appropriate, since that’s our baby-to-be’s nickname).  SoftBums is a brand that . . . → Read More: Ottawa Cloth Diapers – Baby Shower Event review & giveaway]]>

Ottawa Cloth Diapers is a primarily online store that focuses on cloth diapers and cloth diaper accessories, but also has lots of other products like baby carriers, natural toys and mama cloth.

For review, I was sent a SoftBums Omni cloth diaper in Sprout (appropriate, since that’s our baby-to-be’s nickname).  SoftBums is a brand that is new to me but I’m becoming quite a big fan!  This is the only one-sized diaper that I’ve come across that is adjusted, not through snaps or elastics, but a toggle system!  Here’s what I mean:

This is the easiest diaper I’ve ever had to adjust.  It takes seconds to adjust the toggle to get the perfect fit for your baby and it’s supposed to fit legs from 4″ to 14″.  I’ve only used it on my toddler so far since the new baby isn’t here but I’m looking forward to trying it out on a bitty baby too.

As you can see, the Omni has a velcro fastener.  This is an industrial strength velcro and so far it’s still looking great and the laundry tabs are working like they should – meaning the tabs stay closed when I wash and dry the diaper.  Ashlyn hasn’t managed to undo it yet but I’m not saying that too loudly in case I jinx myself!

The Omni is also unique in that there are 3 ways that you can use it: you can snap the pod (insert) to the back and lay it on top of the cover, you can stuff the insert into the pocket, or you can use a prefold and the Omni as a cover.

I have been snapping the insert and I love it!  I think I’ll be picking up a few more of the SUPER dry touch pods and maybe an organic bamboo pod so that I can reuse the Omni cover by just changing the pod.  I find this is a very absorbant diaper and since the pod snaps to the back of the diaper, I don’t have to worry about it shifting around and causing any leaks.  An added bonus is that if there is a messy poopy diaper – hey, you can’t talk cloth diapers without talking poop! – the snap means that you can scrape the pod without getting the mess on you because it stays in place.

Ottawa Cloth Diapers ships to the United States and Canada, offers free shipping on Canadian orders over $99, and if you live in the Ottawa area you can arrange to pick up your order instead of paying for shipping!

One lucky reader will win a $25 gift code to Ottawa Cloth Diapers!

To enter, go to Ottawa Cloth Diapers and leave me a comment here telling me how you’d spend your gift certificate (required).

For additional entries (leave a separate comment here for each):

• Follow me with Google Friend Connect (there’s a link on the left side bar)
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• “Like” Ottawa Cloth Diapers on Facebook (leave your first name and last initial in your comment so I can find you, please)
• Follow @oclothdiapers on Twitter
• Follow @NotJstBabyBrain on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (RT 1x per day and leave me the link to your tweet in your comment) #Win a $25 gc to @oclothdiapers via @NotJstBabyBrain http://notjustbabybrain.com/?p=2019 ends 2/10 #clothdiapers #giveaway #green #baby
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gDiapers has expanded their line to more than just biodegradable disposable inserts and cloth inserts!   In addition to the innovative diapers that they are known for, gDiapers also have baby wipes that are biodegradable.

From their website”They’re fragrance-free, alcohol-free and all-natural. gWipes clean gently with a touch of aloe vera and Vitamin E. Wipe . . . → Read More: gWipes by gDiapers – Baby Shower Event review & giveaway]]>

gDiapers has expanded their line to more than just biodegradable disposable inserts and cloth inserts!   In addition to the innovative diapers that they are known for, gDiapers also have baby wipes that are biodegradable.

From their website”They’re fragrance-free, alcohol-free and all-natural. gWipes clean gently with a touch of aloe vera and Vitamin E. Wipe up messy mouths and sticky fingers. Clean up dirty feet and wet bottoms. Use them on every part of your baby. Best of all, gWipes are biodegradable.”

Since the wipes include cellulose pulp, I wasn’t sure how soft they would be.  I was so happy to find  that they are every bit as soft as the other brand of wipes that I usually use, but these have no fragrance to them and the package is the perfect size to fit in a diaper bag.  It did the job (and then some) when I used them on my toddler during diaper change time and they’ve been packed into my hospital bag for our new baby’s first diaper changes.

One lucky CANADIAN reader will win a gWipes package from gDiapers!

To enter, go to gDiapers and tell me what else you’d like to try (required)!

For additional entries (leave a separate comment here for each):

• Follow me with Google Friend Connect (there’s a link on the left side bar)
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• “Like” gDiaperson Facebook (leave your first name and last initial in your comment so I can find you, please)
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• Follow @NotJstBabyBrainon Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (RT 1x per day and leave me the link to your tweet in your comment) #Win gWipes from @gDiapers via @NotJstBabyBrain http://notjustbabybrain.com/?p=1974ends 2/7 #clothdiapers #baby #green #giveaway
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gDiapers are a totally different type of diaper!  Unlike your typical disposable diaper which can sit in a landfill for up to 500 years, gDiapers have been designed to decompose in less than 2 months.   Plastic, latex and elemental chlorine free, they can be used with the biodegradable gRefills OR a gCloth insert.