American made products

Since opening Green Pixie Baby last year I have decided to focus on American made products. There are hundreds of cloth diaper companies out there. I don't need or want to sell a hundred differant brands. I want to find and sell the best American made diapers and babycare products on the market. I do have one line that is not made in the USA but will be phasing them out. We will be a 100% American products company. I want to know that the products we sell are held to American standards and regulations. I don't want to have to worry about recalls due to chemical contaminations.

This has led me to revisit my own shopping habits. In looking at my wardrobe and that of my family I came to a sad realization that 98% of our home is foreign made. My outfit today is 100% foreign, socks, shoes, bra, and blouse were made in China, jeans were made in Egypt, panties were made in Bangladesh. Yikes! My new Years resolution will be to make every attempt to buy American made products. I found a great website that promotes USA made products and companies. I'd like to share it with you and challenge you to also buy American. http://www.americansworking.com/index.html

We really need to stop our dependence on these other countries. We need to support American workers, and the American economy. Imagine the fuel we would save from not shipping in from overseas. The jobs we would create if we purchase only American products. Imagine.

I know, I know, this is a cloth diaper blog. Sometimes little things, like diapers can lead us to great things. From changing diapers to changing our shopping habits.

If you know of other great American made cloth diapers that I don't currently carry, please let me know. I will make an attempt to add them to our inventory.

Wishing you all much peace, love, and joy this coming new year.

Marie Moore Sawyer
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Crunchy Clean detergent

I was fortunate enough to meet Ashley the owner of Crunchy clean this past weekend. A lovely lady with a wonderful product. I ordered a large bag of the Tea Tree diaper detergent and so far so good. It left our diapers, clean and fresh smelling. I co-hosted a cloth diaper party yesterday and gave away some free samples of this product to the other cloth diapering mommies and I will anxiously await their reviews.

If you have ever tried the Crunchy Clean detergent I'd love to hear your honest opinion as well. I am considering adding this product to our inventory and want to know what other Moms think of it.

At Green Pixie Baby we are always looking for great natural USA made products to add to our inventory. We want our customers to have access to the best on the market. We know that you deserve the best and those precious babies do to.

This is what Crunchy Clean states about their diapers:

This cloth diaper detergent special blend of naturally occurring minerals, detergents, oxygen releasing agents that have proven to clean diapers in a safe way that does not harm your precious baby or your diapers. It does work to kill bacteria, and works great in any temperature wash and any type of machine. You can use it to soak your diapers to kill germs or get rid of stains as well as wash your diapers regularly.


No optical brighteners, fillers, dyes, or enzymes.
Great for military use!
Clean rinsing - an extra rinse isn't necessary!
No soap to build up in your diapers.
HE compatible.
Great for all of your family's clothing and diapers


Tell us what you think of this product. Should we carry Crunchy Clean??

Thanks,

Marie Moore Sawyer
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Free Cloth Diaper Advocacy t-shirts!

Green Pixie Baby is offering free cloth diaper advocacy t-shirts with every $40 Green Pixie Baby purchase this Saturday at The Loft at Henpeck Market in Franklin, TN. I will be there working and answering your cloth diaper questions from 9:00am - 4:30pm.

We now also carry the Thirsties brand diapers and covers, we have also added the Obaby, and Omama organic skincare products by Trillium Organics. The Belly scrub and oil is wonderful for those itchy pregnancy bellies. The Breath Free baby rub and wash is perfect for those winter sniffles too. Lilli had a bit of a cold and I took her a warm bath with the breath free gentle soap, and then rubbed her down with the breath free rub and I could tell she loved it and it really helped her congestion. It is very much like Vicks vapor rub, just not as harsh smelling and it's organic. A truely wonderful product.

Green Pixie Baby is now selling gift certificates. They are the perfect gift for the cruchy mommas in your life. If she's expecting she can purchase some belly scrub, belly oil, or organic cotton nursing pads. If she already has her little blessing she can pick from our beautiful selection of cloth diapers or our line of organic babycare products.

I want to thank all of my customers for their support and wish you all a wonderful Christmas.

Marie Moore Sawyer
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Kids Trading Co. - Murfreesboro, TN

The Kids Trading Co. In Murfreesboro is a great children's consignment store. They have a great variety of children's items including clothing, toys, shoes, and of course our cloth diaper and organic baby care products. More than that this store is run by some amazing women. I truely enjoy working with them and consider both Christine and Tanya friends and a blessing in my life. Thank you ladies for being so supportive of me and my business. In retail you run into so not so friendly people and group's and the crew at The Kids Trading Co. have been a refreshing change.

If you have the opportunity to stop by the store and check them out you won't be disappointed. The prices are fair, the products are in great shape, and they are super friendly.

They are at 490 St. Andrews Drive #103 Murfreesboro, TN 37128 I promise you won't be disappointed!

This is the place to shop for the children on you holiday list!

Happy shopping!

Marie www.greenpixiebaby.com

Cloth Diaper sale this weekend 10% off

I will be at our Murfreesboro location within the Kids Trading Co. 490 St. Andrews Drive #103 Murfreesboro, TN 37128 this Saturday 11/28/09 from 9am-12pm. I will be offering 10% off your cloth diaper purchase during this time, each purchase will also be entered for a prize drawing.

Stop by and say hello, ask your cloth diapering questions, see our new products, shop, save and possibly win!

Cloth diapers in Middle Tennessee has never been easier or more fun!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Marie
www.greenpixiebaby.com

New Products in!

Hello everyone!

I am happy to say that the Grandma El's products are in as well as our organic prefolds, and washcloths / wipes from Precious Dignity.

These are both USA products I am proud to say. The Precious Dignity products are made of USA grown cotton and sewn in OH. We will now carry their organic velour prefolds, organic wash cloths/wipes, and organic hooded towel sets.

I will try to control my rant, but I do have to rant a bit... WHY is almost everything we buy made in another county? Why are we feeding other economies instead of our own? While running my babies wash I started looking at the labels. Most infant brands are made in China. Why? I am becoming more and more aware of the products I buy and make a true effort to buy American made when possible.

When I was researching prefold diapers and deciding which to carry through Green Pixie Baby. I knew that I would not buy prefolds made in another country, but didn't realize that most prefolds even if "sewn" in the USA are made of cotton grown in another country. Most are grown and sewn in Pakistan or China. Who regulates what chemicals they use on the crops? Who regulates what chemicals they use in bleaching and processing of the cotton? I couldn't sell products that I did not feel 100% safe to use on my own child. When I found Precious Dignity I knew that I had found the perfect prefold! All of their products are made of USA grown organic cotton, sewn in their shop in OH by local woman earning a fair living. Supporting their and OUR economy. Yes I am very proud to carry Precious Dignity products. Now you will notice that they are higher in cost than the products made in other countries, but they are also higher in quality. When it comes to our babies do we really want to buy cheap without concern of health? Health is the main reason to cloth diaper.

If you use prefolds I highly recommend that you try the organic velour prefolds by Precious Dignity. They make great burp cloths, and can be used as doublers for nightime and naptime with your favorite all in one diaper as well.

I'd like to hear your feedback once you've tried them. OHHH and they offer a lifetime warranty for repairs! Amazing!

Have a wonderful weekend, and buy American when available.

Marie
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Cloth Diapering in Tennessee

I am so very excited about the progress cloth diapers are making in TN! When I started cloth diapering there was limited availability in retail locations in TN. Green Pixie Baby (our family business) now has two locations, one in Franklin at The Loft at Henpeck Market, and one in Murfreesboro at The Kids Trading Co. I currently have two local competitors and each either just recently or soon will be opening retail locations as well. That pleases me to no end. The more the merrier. My goal in this business is cloth diaper advocasy. I want more babies in real diapers. No more toxin filled paper diapers for babies, our babies deserve better! Our planet needs better!

So please if you have a baby or are expecting a baby do your research, and feel free to call me with any questions. My consultations are always free. I strive to carry USA made products at a reasonable price with bulk discounts available.

If you are already cloth diapering thank you! You are making a differance. We are being the change that is so needed.

With much thanks to my customers and family.

Through God, with God, all things are possible,

Marie
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Grandma El's

We just placed an order for Grandma El's products. This is a wonderful line for all families. We will be setting up holiday gift sets this weekend. If you haven't tried Grandma El's you need. You and baby will LOVE it!

Saturday 10/24/09

I will be working at The Loft at Henpeck Market in Franklin from 8:30 - 4:30 today. Stop by to ask any cloth diapering questions, place an order, and see our products. We have lovely hibiscus print Happy Heinys in, beautiful red Knicker Nappies(perfect for Christmas), and we have great bubble bath, and body wash for the whole family.

I'd be happy to meet you and discuss the benefits of cloth diapers.

Have a great day,

Marie

Share Holiday gift ideas for a chance to win

From now through November 30th I'd like you to share your holiday gift ideas for a chance to win a free diaper.

With the economy these days many families are on a tight budget and the holidays can cause added stress to already stretched budgets. I'd like you to share your creative gift ideas with us. Tell us about gifts we can make, bake, buy, & give for $20 or less. I will pick the best gift idea on 11/30/09 and the winner will get a free diaper of their choice.

You can't win if you don't enter. So let the suggestions begin! What will you be giving this holiday season?

Lunch at Henpeck Market This Friday 10/23

A few friends from my Mommy & me group and I are meeting for lunch at Henpeck Market in Franklin for lunch and yummy desert on Friday. Would you like to join us and meet other "Green" minded Mommies? We will enjoy lunch and then go upstairs to The Loft for a tour of the shops and to see the Green Pixie Baby retail space. We will meet at Henpeck Market at 11:30 and will have a table near the back of the restaurant.

Come by to say hello, and see our new cloth diaper stash at The Loft at Henpeck Market in Franklin.

Have a great day,

Marie
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Olive Oil Soap

Do you get dry itchy skin during the cold winter months? I used to, until I started using Olive Oil Soap. We sell the best Olive Oil Soap. It is very moisturizing for your skin. Are you pregnant? This is also great for the itchy tummy!

This is the traditional french soap, Savon Marseille. It contains 72% olive oil and is the best soap for your skin and your wool products, as well. Comes in a 300 gram block. Use the block for washing your wool products in the sink, or carefully microwave the block and slice into convenient bars for bathing baby or yourself. I heat the block for 15 seconds each side than slice into bars. I use it for a face wash at night, and as a bath soap for baby and I.

This is the season to try this soap. Put this soap to the winter months test. At only $7.65 what do you have to lose other than dry skin! Depending on the size of the bars you slice you can get six hotel sized bars out of one block. What a great deal!

We carry this soap at both of our locations: Kids Trading Co. - Murfreesboro, TN and at The Loft at Henpeck Market - Franklin, TN. While supplies last.

I hope you enjoy this Olive Oil Soap as much as my family and I do.

Marie Sawyer
www.greenpixiebaby.com

First bi-monthly cloth diaper workshop

The Kids Trading CO. in Murfreesboro is hosting a Grand Opening celebration this Saturday 10/17/09 from 1 pm -4 pm. They will have activities for the children and door prizes!

We (Green Pixie Baby) will be doing an introduction to cloth diapering mini workshop. I will go over the differant cloth diaper options, and the use and care of each diaper type.

We will also be bringing in more products and taking orders for specific colors that day as well. So if there is something specific you are wanting this Saturday is the perfect time to come by and place your order.

Mark your calendars Saturday October 17th at 1:00. Kids Trading Co. 490 St. Andrews Drive #103 Murfreesboro, TN 37128. Just off of hwy 96 in Murfreesboro, past the Kohls shopping center on the right in the St. Adrews shopping Centers.

I look forward to meeting you and answering any of your cloth diaper questions.

Marie
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Facts about disposable diapers

While pregnant with our Pixie Baby I did lots of research before deciding to cloth diaper and as our journey continues I become more and more concerned about all those babies out there in disposable diapers. My first three children sadly were disposable diaper babies and I feel sad and guilty for it. It's one of those "I wish I knew then what I know now" situations. All I can do now is help other parents make informed decisions.

Here are some basic facts about disposable diapers:

* Sodium polyacrylate is the chemical that makes disposables super-absorbent - it can absorb up to 100 times its weight in water. It can stick to baby’s genitals, cause allergic reactions, and when injected into rats caused hemorrhage, cardiovascular failure and death! In the US, this chemical was removed from tampons in 1985 when it was linked to toxic shock syndrome.

* Dioxin is a by-product of the paper-bleaching process used in manufacturing disposable diapers and is the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals. It causes effects like birth defects and liver disease in laboratory animals.

Read the ingredients on the packaging! Here are a few to look for:


Chlorine is a carcinogenic chemical,2 a skin irritant, and toxic to humans, wildlife and the environment.3

Sodium Polyacrylate (also known as SAP or absorbent gel) is under scrutiny. The Real Diaper Association suggests that it can cause skin irritation and severe allergic reactions. 2 It was also removed from tampons in 1985 when it was linked to toxic shock syndrome.

TBT “A toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals.” 2 It “can be absorbed through the skin and lead to immune system damage and disrupted hormone function.” Thilon Maack, Greenpeace toxics expert has said that “TBT is one of the most toxic substances ever made and it is being spread throughout the environment. It can be absorbed through the skin and contaminates the environment as well as people... it is absolutely irresponsible to expose babies to these extremely toxic substances”.

Plastic does not breath against the baby’s skin.

Latex can cause allergies when inhaled or contact dermatitis when in contact with skin.

Fragrance is typically another term for phthalates.

Wipes

Baby wipes should leave our babies clean, not leave them with traces of harmful chemicals that can be absorbed through their skin. As author Sloan Barnett says in her book Green Goes with Everything, diaper wipes might as well be called chemical wipes. Chose wipes with fewer potential health concerns and avoid wipes with added “fragrance” or preservatives. Wipes commonly contain formaldehyde, propylene glycol, bronopol, DMDM hydantoin and phthalate-fixed fragrances.

What is wrong with these chemicals?

DMDM hydantioin - An allergen and irritant that forms cancer-causing chemicals
Bronopol - Preservative and allergen that can form cancer-causing chemicals such as nitrosamine
Formaldehyde - Preservative that in high concentrations may trigger an attack in people with asthma and has shown to cause cancer in animals
Proplene glycol - If ingested can cause damage to vital organs and nervous system

We are proud to use cloth diapers and wipes. It is easy, affordable, better for our environment, and most importantly better for babies.

Please make informed decisions about your children, and if you decide to use cloth products we would be happy to answer any of your questions whether you purchase from us or elsewhere.

Have a happy healthy day,

Marie
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Resources
Barnett, Sloan, Green Goes with Everything, pg. 132
http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/diaperfacts.php
http://www.ewg.org
Lynda, Fassa, Green Babies, Sage Moms, pg.119
http://www.thegreenguide.com
http://archive.greenpeace.org/pressreleases/toxics/2000may152.html
Fields, K. et al (2006), “Contact Dermatitis Caused by Baby Wipes,” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 54(5):230-232
Barnett, Sloan, Green Goes with Everything, pg. 35
http://cir-safety.org/staff_files/safewithqualifications.pdf

New products coming soon...

We are happy to announce that we will be adding Thirsties and Clover diapers to our product line. Thirsties carries excellent covers and pocket diapers while the Clover line carries organic USA grown and sewn prefold and fitted diapers. We hope that both products will be well received by our customers. Our hope is to continue to search for the best USA produced products on the market.

Don't forget to stop by our two new locations and let us know what you think. Your opinions are always appreciated!

See our products at Kids Trading Co. in Murfreesboro, or at The Loft at Henpeck Market in Franklin. Feel free to contact me for directions or to request specific products or colors.

My little Pixie and I wish you a happy Fall!

Marie Sawyer
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Host a diaper party and earn money toward your purchase!

Host a cloth diaper / organic baby care party and earn money toward your purchase.

Here is how it works: Book a diaper party, invite your crunchy Mommy friends, Green Pixie Baby brings our products, and light appetizers. I will go over the care and use of each product. The products I have on hand can be purchased or orders can be taken for specific colors and delivered in 14 days. The host / hostess will receive 10% of the sales to use towards his/her purchase through Green Pixie Baby. Book now and also receive a FREE Cloth Diaper Advocacy Shirt (while supplies last).

Parties can be held in Williamson and surrounding counties.

Call me to schedule your event. This is perfect for the upcoming holidays!

I look forward to seeing you soon,

Marie Sawyer (615) 542-4338
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Cloth Diapers in Murfreesboro, TN

Green Pixie Baby is happy to announce that we will be setting up retail space within the Kids Trading Post in Murfreesboro, TN. They are located at 490 St. Andrews Dr. #103, next to Keller Williams in Murfreesboro. Store hours are from 10am to 6:30pm Tuesday - Thurs. and 10am to 6pm Friday and Saturday. Call them with any questions....615-895-4757.

You can find our full line of cloth diapers and cloth diapering accessories at The Kids Trading Post starting this coming Saturday 10/3/09.

We will also be working with them and hosting cloth diapering teas.

Green Pixie Baby is making cloth diapers accessible all around Tennessee. Coming to a city near you. If you know of a children's store that would be interested in carrying our products send me an email. We are always looking to expand. We already have locations in Franklin, and Murfreesboro whos next?

Have a wonderfully GREEN day!!

Marie M. Sawyer
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Cloth diaper advocacy shirt are in!!!

Yay our shirts are in and look amazing!! The Friendly Arctic in Nashville did a great job and I HIGHLY recommend using them. Andy and his lovely wife Hadassah were a pleasure to work with and supplied us with wonderful customer service and a quality product.

Get them while their hot off the press. Only 19.95 for organic comfy cotton!!

Promote cloth diapering and stand proudly behind your choice to put cloth on your baby's behind!!

Marie Moore Sawyer

www.greenpixiebaby.com

The Red Kettle Craft Fair

In spite of the rainy weather we enjoyed our time at the Red Kettle Craft Fair in Murfreesboro this past Saturday. It gave us an opportunity to meet some very nice people and get interviewed by the Murfreesboro Post.

Looking forward to the next show. We are taking cloth on the road and spreading the word about cloth diapers in Tennessee!

Marie M. Sawyer
www.greenpixiebaby.com

The Loft at Henpeck Market

On October 1st, 2009 Green Pixie Baby will have a retail space within The Loft at Henpeck Market in Franklin, TN. If you haven't gone there yet GO! In addition to the awesome shops in The Loft, Henpeck Market has fabulous to die for food. The best biscuits around, fried chicken, and amazing fresh homemade deserts. So stop by for lunch, and pop upstair to shop. Green Pixie Baby's full line of cloth diapers and accessories will be available there.

We are happy to now have a storefront for your shopping convenience! Cloth diapers in Franklin, TN now available at The Loft at Henpeck Market Franklin, TN.

The Loft at Henpeck Market

Location
1268 Lewisburg Pike
Franklin, Tennessee 37064
615-794-7518

Store Hours
Monday - Saturday
5:30 am - 8:00 pm
Sunday
7:00 am - 6:00 pm
(Restaurant is closed
on Sundays)


We look forward to seeing you there.

Marie Moore Sawyer
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Cloth diaper advocacy t-shirts

We are currently working with Friendly Arctic in designing our t-shirts. We are so happy with the service we have received from them. They are truely great to work with. Our shirts should be available in a couple of weeks. This is a sneak peek at them. Be sure to preorder yours now to ensure you get the size / color you want.

These are made of organic cotton and will help promote cloth diapering. What a cool way to brag about doing the right thing for your baby and Mother earth! At 19.95 each it's a great deal for quality organic cotton. Size Small, Medium, Large, and extra large come in white or green as shown in the picture.

Reduce, Reuse, Cloth Diaper!

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Marie
www.greenpixiebaby.com

The Red Kettle Craft Fair 9/26/09

Green Pixie Baby will be participating in the 2nd annual Red Kettle Craft Fair benefiting the Murfreesboro Salvation Army. 2ND ANNUAL RED KETTLE CRAFT FAIR
Saturday, September 26th starting @ 9am - 4 pm.

Located at 1137 West Main St. Murfreesboro, TN.

Green Pixie Baby will be set up inside the building with Baby 2B Nashville. Stop by to see our wonderful diaper selection and Baby 2B's gorgeous Tutus.

We hope to see you there!

Marie
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Diaper rashes?

I have heard SO many Moms tell me horror stories of their babies getting horrible rashes with cloth diapers. Some poor babies were left with scarred bottoms. Many Mommies gave up cloth and returned to disposables because of the rashes. I have heard many stories, many differant diapers brands, but the one common factor is their detergent. They used Bi-O-Kleen detergent or Bi-O-Kleen Bac-out.

If your baby developes rashes with cloth diapers run your diapers through several hot washes without any detergent, then run them again with white vinegar in the rinse cycle, then run them again with just hot water. Then switch detergents!

I'm sure that many people have great success with the above detergent, but many have had problems so keep this in mind when choosing which detergent to use. At the first sign of problems change detergents.

Babies heinys need tender loving care.

Wishing your babies soft fluffy happy bottoms,

Marie
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Organic Baby Food Workshop

We are hosting an organic baby food workshop on Friday September 18th at 1:00 pm.

Everyone is asked to bring an organic fruit or vegetable to share. I will be providing organic brown rice, and organic oatmeal. If you have any babyfood recipes to share please bring those as well.

This is a great opportunity to meet other local Moms and babies while we spend time in the kitchen cooking yummy meals for our babies.

Be sure to also bring your own containers to take some home to feed baby or freeze for later.

Call or email for all the details.

Have a happy healthy day,

Marie (615) 542-4338
www.greenpixiebaby.com

The Living Green Expo

The Living Green Expo at the Factory in Franklin was a very fun event. We are glad to have participated in it and look forward to attending again next year. We were happy to meet lots of nice families, and received lots and lots of encouragement. This event really got me excited for Green Pixie Baby. So many people with and without children came up to us and said how excited they were to see a cloth diaper company here in Williamson County.

I want to thank everyone who stoped by with encouraging words. It really means a lot to us.

We are actively researching retail locations and hope to be in a storefront very soon.

Until then feel free to call us for a free consultation and to stop by and see our growing inventory.

Wishing you all a beautifully green day.

Marie Sawyer
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Our top ten pick of laundry detergents

These are in alphabetical order not preferance. There are many great options in detergents these are just a few that we have tried and liked and are easy enough to find.

1) Allens Naturally Laundry detergent
2) Country Save Powder (the liquid version does contain scents)
3) Eco-Max
4) Ecos
5) Mountain Green Free & Clear
6) Mountain Green Free & Clear Baby (the Ultra Baby version contains essential oils)
7) Nature Clean Liquid or Powder
8) Planet (we have used this as our primary detergent and have had great success with it)
9) Seventh Generation Delicate Care
10) Sun Free


Pocket diapers because of their synthetic fibers are more sensitive to detergent buildup than standard fitted diapers or prefold diapers. Your choice of detergent will determine how easy it is to care for your diapers. The best detergent for pocket diapers would rinse completely out of your diapers.

Detergents that contain fragrance/scent and brightening agents/optical brighteners are designed to leave chemicals on your diapers to make the diapers "appear" cleaner through your sense of smell and sight. These components of the detergent will in time buildup on your pocket diapers and lead to repellency issues. Natural detergents that are derived from soaps or have oils in them are not recommended for pocket diapers, and detergents with built- in softeners can lead to immediate diaper problems.

We made the switch in laundry detergents and use the same for the whole family. This also keeps the chemicals out of the washing machine.

Have a great day,

Marie
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Breastfeeding if you have the Swine Flu?

Should moms continue to breastfeed if they have the swine flu?
August 2, 10:33 PM Manchester Parenting Examiner Karen Plumley

New mothers who are currently nursing their infants should continue to do so even if they have contracted the H1N1 virus, otherwise known as the swine flu. This is the current recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The benefits of breastmilk for a developing infant far outweigh the risks of swine flu, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, experts interviewed in a report by the Press Association recommend continuing breastfeeding even if mom is taking antiviral medication to treat the H1N1 virus, claiming that the amount of the drug passed through to mother's milk is extremely low.
What are the Benefits of Breast Milk for Infants?
Breast milk provides infection fighting antibodies that an infant cannot get with formula. Here are a few other positive reasons to continue nursing:

Breast milk was manufactured specifically for the infant by mom.
Breast milk is perfectly balanced and easily digestible.
Breast milk is economical.
Nursing is a calming bonding experience for mother and baby.
Breast feeding protects babies from ear infections, allergies, meningitis, and a host of other serious illnesses.

Nursing helps a mother to lose the baby weight (expending at least 500 calories a day).

What Ways Can Mom Help Protect Infant from Swine Flu?
Chances are that if a mother has contracted the H1N1 virus, the baby has already been exposed to the illness. But to help protect an infant or small child from the flu, the CDC suggests following these precautions:
1. Frequently wash the infant's hands with soap and water.
2. Encourage closeness between baby and mother, skin-to-skin contact, and breastfeeding to offer the infant antibodies: the best chance of fighting off infection.
3. Wash toys that have been shared with soapy warm water, and discourage sharing if a sibling is ill.
4. Keep pacifiers clean.
5. Cover nose and mouth with arm when sneezing or coughing.


To check the flu status in your area go to:

http://www.tamiflu.com/about/flutracker.aspx

I have a proactive preventative tip that may help reduce the spread of swine flu germs, especially if you have other older children at home, and no vaccination is necessary. My daughter learned this great program at school called Germy Wormy Germ Smart. It teaches kids to understand how germs spread and how to NOT spread them. It was so much fun for her, and amazing how quickly the kids learned healthier hygiene habits! The website speaks for itself: www.germywormy.com


Be healthy, and keep those babies healthy!

Monkey Business Sale - Franklin, TN

We will be participating in the Monkey Business Children's Consignment sale this Thursday thru Saturday. Public Sale Thursday, July 30th 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 31st 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. -noon.

Come by, say hello and make the change. Change to cloth diapers while visiting our booth and save 10%. Trade in your disposable diapers for 10% off your cloth diaper purchase. This weekend only. MAKE THE CHANGE, MAKE A DIFFERANCE!

Visit www.monkeybusinesssale.com for additional information.

Have a happy smiley day,

Marie
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Franklin Tennesee's first cloth diaper retailer

Cloth Diapering Tea

Thanks to everyone who attended. It was great to meet you all and to see some of you again. What a wonderful group of ladies.

It is our hope to arrange these get togethers on a bi-monthly basis. They will range from cloth diapering, organic baby food workshops, babywearing, and attachment parenting. I'd like our get togethers to be casual and fun. We are raising tomorrows leaders. Let's help them be compassionate, eco friendly, tree huggers!

Wishing you a beautifully healthy day,

Marie
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Diaper Creams with cloth diapers

What diaper creams can I use with my cloth diapers?


Unfortunately we have yet to encounter one single diaper cream we can safely say "across the board" will not cause any problems. Diaper creams work because they cause a barrier against wetness and your baby's skin. This causes problems with cloth diapers because they can adhere to the fabrics and cause a barrier against the diapers absorbing urine. This is referred to as "buildup".

But, there are some ways around this:

What we recommend, is the fleece liner system, or flannel liner if your baby is allergic to fleece, to use any cream you wish with your diapers. We do sell fleece liners, but you can make them for pennies (flannel, too). At your nearest fabric store, get a yard or so of fleece or flannel, and cut into rectangles to fit your diapers. Fleece doesn't need to be sewn on the edges, flannel does because it frays. Make a bunch, about two dozen. Put the cream directly on these liners, or on your baby's skin. don't mix them with the rest of your diaper laundry. Wash seperately from the diapers, so the creams don't rinse off in the wash cycle and adhere to your diapers. I hand wash them in the sink using dawn dish soap and rinsing until the water runs clear and is free of bubbles. You can also rinse with vinegar to sterilize.

After about a week, check the liners. If they are slimy, stained and smelly, continue using this system, or try another cream to test. If they are washing clean, it is safe for your diapers

Cloth Wipes

Cloth wipes are easy and save you money, plus once you have a diaper laundry system going, you won't even notice the switch! When you use cloth wipes, you just toss everything in the pail together, no sorting or touching the soiled items. Just sort them when you fold your laundry, and use them again. I use Baby Bum Drops http://www.greenpixiebaby.com/product.sc?categoryId=6&productId=11 I place 8-10 cloth wipes in a wipe warmer, use one Bum drop cube disolved in one cup of water and pour this solution over the wipes. This keeps the wipes wet and warm for baby's bottom. You can also put this solution in a spray bottle and keep the wipes dry until needed. You can purchase cloth baby wipes, or baby wash cloths also work well.

Cloth diapers and cloth wipes go hand in hand. Both spare the environment, both are better for baby, and both save money $$$.

Happy diapering!

Marie

Cloth Diapering with Prefolds

Cloth Diapering with Prefolds

Here’s how to diaper your baby using cloth diapers, specifically prefolds and Snappi’s.

What You Need:

About 18-20 Prefolds These do come in sizes and I recommend buying the newborn size for newborns as the larger size will be ill fitting and cause leakage.

A few Snappis
About 4-6 Diaper Cover

Directions:

Bikini Twist

1. Lay prefold down legthwise (vertically) and lay baby on his or her back onto the prefold. The prefold should be high enough so that his or her booty is covered…and then some.

2. Twist the prefold so that the opposite side is now right side up.

3. Bring twisted prefold up to baby’s belly.

4. Bring the back corners up to the front, over the top of the prefold in step 3. This should be a snug fit and the prefold should not flop loosely around baby’s waist.

5. Using a Snappi, secure both right and left side. Then using the bottom part of the Snappi, secure the center twisted part of the prefold.

6. Cover your diaper with cover of your choice.

Jellyroll

1. Lay prefold down legthwise (vertically) and lay baby on his or her back onto the prefold. The prefold should be high enough so that his or her booty is covered…and then some.

2. Roll sides in toward center.

3. Bring up through legs onto the baby’s belly.

4. Fold excess prefold underneath and wing out corners so that they are lying on the baby’s sides.

5. Bring the back corners up to the front, over the top of the prefold in step 4. This should be a snug fit and the prefold should not flop loosely around baby’s waist. Secure with Snappi and cover.

Newspaper Fold a.k.a. Angel Wing Fold

1. Lay prefold down legthwise (vertically) and lay baby on his or her back onto the prefold. The prefold should be high enough so that his or her booty is covered…and then some.

2. Fold prefold sides in so that the prefold resembles a “Y” shape.

3. Bring up through legs onto the baby’s belly. You will probably have to tuck excess prefold underneath itself.

4. Bring the back corners up to the front, over the top of the prefold in step 3. This should be a snug fit and the prefold should not flop loosely around baby’s waist.

5. Secure with Snappi and cover.

Upcoming Events

Hello we at Green Pixie Baby have some very exciting things coming up.

This Friday July 17th at 1:00 we will be hosting our first cloth diapering tea. A fun afternoon with other Mommies in the area enjoying tea and lunch. We will be discussing different styles of diapers, wipes, and how to care for our cloth diaper collection. Yes it does become a collection with all the fun patterns and styles. Ladies feel free to bring your stash that you would be willing to swap too. If anyone is interested in attending send me an email and I will get all the details to you.

This week we will be getting in our Imse Vimse products. I am very excited about this all organic line. It is reasonably priced, cute, and all natural! I hope to have these in time for our Friday tea. See our site for photos of Imse Vimse products. www.greenpixiebaby.com

Mark your calendars on August 29th we will be participating in The Living Green Expo. The Living Green Expo is free to the public from 9:30 AM- 3:30 PM at The Factory, 230 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37064. The event is designed to educate the people of Williamson County as how businesses and organizations can help us live cleaner and greener. We will have a booth in the Commons area and would be happy to meet you and answer any of your questions.

Please feel free to contact me with any of your cloth diapering, or green parenting questions. I'm here to help. You don't have to be a customer, but I'd like for you to be a friend. Let's sip some tea and see what we can do together to help our children and our planet.

Wishing you a beautifully GREEN day,

Marie Sawyer
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Stripping Cloth Diapers - Strip Cloth Diapers

Over time you may notice that your cloth diapers no longer smell April fresh, even right after laundering. This usually means that they have build-up and need a good stripping. Build-up occurs when residue left by detergents, oils or other substances remain in the fibers. Diapers with either super-absorbent hemp or man-made materials like micro fleece tend to gather stink more easily than diapers with all-natural fibers like cotton or bamboo. If the funky smell wasn't bad enough, build up can also decrease the absorbency of your diapers and cause leaking. But don't worry, removing build-up by stripping your cloth diapers is really easy - we'll show you how!

Stripping Cloth Diapers - Hot Water
If your diapers are dirty as well as stinky you should wash them before stripping, otherwise stains may be set in. Freshly washed diapers don't need to be dried before stripping; you can strip right after washing. Before stripping be sure to check the washing instructions for your diapers so you don't accidentally damage them.

Wash
Place your stinky diapers in the washing machine and run them through a hot wash with NO detergent. Top loading machines are slightly easier to use when stripping because you can lift the lid to check for bubbles. They may also be more efficient at stripping due to the large amount of water they use. However, front loading washers can also be used successfully; it may take more cycles plus a bit of creativity and a flashlight to see bubbles.

The water should be as hot as possible so you may want to turn your water heater up beforehand, or boil water on the stove to add to the washer. If you change your water heater temperature be sure to turn it back down afterwards!

Rinse
Rinse your cloth diapers in the hottest water your machine will allow. Peek into the washer during the rinse to see if there are soap bubbles on top of the water. Continue running rinse cycles until there are no more soap bubbles. It could take four or more rinses to get rid of all the bubbles. Don't confuse soap bubbles with agitation bubbles - agitation bubbles will dissipate quickly if you stop the washer while soap bubbles will hang around a bit.

If your machine allows for hot washes with hot or warm rinses you could substitute hot/hot or hot/warm wash cycles for the numerous rinse cycles. My machine only has hot/cold, warm/warm, warm/cold and cold/cold choices so I generally run a hot/cold cycle then a warm/warm cycle in place of two separate rinse cycles.

Stripping Cloth Diapers - Alternative Methods
Although stripping cloth diapers is generally done at home in the washing machine, there are other ways to strip.

Laundromat Stripping
If you don't think you can get hot enough water at home, try stripping at a local Laundromat. Most Laundromats have hotter water and larger machines with greater water capacity than home washers. You may want to run an empty hot cycle before stripping in case there's detergent build-up inside the machine.

Stripping by Hand
You may want to try stripping by hand if you only have a few stinky diapers, but we don't recommend this method for a lot of diapers. Use the hottest water you can stand, and wear rubber gloves to insulate your hands and keep them from becoming sandpaper rough.

If Stripping Doesn't Work
If you've tried everything above and your diapers still scare the skunks away, maybe build-up isn't the problem. Consider these reasons:

Not Enough Detergent
So you've cut down on the amount of detergent you're using, you've stripped and stripped, but your diapers still stink? It could be that you're not using enough detergent. Try running a hot wash with a full cup of detergent then rinse, rinse, rinse.

Vinegar in Hard Water
If you have hard water and use vinegar the acid in the vinegar could be reacting with the minerals in the water and causing odor. Adding a water softener like Calgon to the wash cycle and cutting down or eliminating the vinegar may help in this case. Try 1/4 capful to begin with and use more or less as needed.

Stripping Cloth Diapers - Additives
Sometimes cloth diapers need a little more than plain hot water to get completely stripped. If your diapers are still leaking or a faint odor remains after hot water stripping, you may want to try some of these ideas. Because the effectiveness of these methods depends on what kind of water you have and what kind of diapers you use, these methods won't work for everyone. Keep trying until you find one that works for you.

Bac-Out
by Bi-O-Kleen is a natural alternative containing a unique blend of natural living enzyme cultures and botanical extracts. Bac-Out has been successfully used for stripping by some cloth diapering mamas, however other mamas have reported that their little ones developed a rash from diapers washed with Bac-Out. If you choose to use Bac-Out be sure to rinse a lot and keep an eye out for rashes.

Baking Soda
has been trusted for over 100 years as an effective yet natural and gentle cleaner with no harsh chemicals. Baking soda natural effect is to balance pH, keeping things neither too acidic nor too alkaline, and it resists further changes in the pH balance. Add 1/2 to 1 cup to the wash cycle to neutralize and eliminate odors. Then rinse until there are no more bubbles.

Calgon
and other water softeners can help with stripping by removing hard water minerals that trap dirt into fabric fibers. Calgon also helps to prevent detergent build-up, neutralizes the hard water minerals in your water, and contains no phosphates. Expect lots of bubbles when using water softeners, so be sure to rinse until they're gone.

Dawn Dish Soap
Add a squirt or two of original Dawn dish soap to your washer and run a hot wash, then rinse until there are no more bubbles. Dawn is a degreasing agent and helps stripping by removing oily residue. If your microfleece is repelling (not allowing wetness to penetrate) try scrubbing a little Dawn right into the micro fleece with a medium bristle brush. Be sure to rinse until the water runs clear.

OxiClean
Use OxiClean to help remove residue and improve stripping efficiency. OxiClean is an alkaline laundry booster containing chlorine and phosphorus, and is safe for laundry. Try one to two scoops in your hot wash and as usual, rinse until there are no more bubbles.

RLR
by Cadie is not a bleach, blueing agent, or detergent. It removes dried-in mineral deposits and detergent residue from fabrics, pulling the deposits out of the fibers and suspending them in the water until they gets rinsed out. It is gentle and safe for all fabrics and PUL, and it is free of perfumes. Add one envelope to the hot wash and - you guessed it - rinse!

White Vinegar
Naturally breaks down uric acid and soapy residue. The acid in white vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, yet strong enough to dissolve the alkalies in soaps and detergents. It also prevents yellowing, acts as a fabric softener and static cling reducer, and attacks mold and mildew. Vinegar can be added to your final stripping rinse to remove the last of the detergent residue and to soften your cloth diapers - try 1/2 - 1 cup. Don't worry, your diapers won't smell like vinegar after they're dry.

Laundering Mistakes!

The following products and processes are not recommended for use in laundering cloth diapers:

Chlorine Bleach - Yes it is great for killing germs, but it is bad for cloth diapers and covers. It will actually eat away at the fibers in your diapers, leaving holes and frayed edges. It also decreases their durability and absorbency. It may adversely affect the waterproofing in certain cloth diapers. Baking soda and oxygen bleach are great whiteners to use in its place.

Fabric Softener - This product is equated with super soft and fresh smelling clothing, so it is only natural that you would want to use it on your cloth diapers. This would be a mistake. Fabric softener, either in liquid or sheet form, leaves a water-repelling residue on your diapers, making them less absorbent and useless in the very purpose that they serve. It also coats your diaper covers and can deteriorate their water-proof laminate. We recommend these re-usable dryer sheets by Static Eliminator. The Static Eliminator reuseable-sheets contain no chemicals and are hypoallergenic. In addition, they don't affect the flame resistance of clothing. Want to know the best part? They are safe for cloth diapers!

Pure Soaps – Pure soaps are the more natural choice in the world of cleaners, but will leave a residue on your diapers and covers similar to the soap scum you find in your tub. Soap scum on diapers makes them repel moisture rather than absorb it. It is also harsh on the laminates used in your diaper covers, making them absorb rather than repel water. The best choice for washing your diapers is to use detergent on them.

The diaper debate

Diapers are a necessary evil in parenting. There is just no getting around it. The debate will likely never end as to which diapering choice is more "green". We should all do what we can whether we use disposable or reusable diapers. I obviously am pro reusable. Besides the fact that disposables take up to 500 years to decompose and are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions it's those tiny little gelatinous beads in the disposables that really offend me. Those absorbent, gooey beads that absorb urine. There is a whole other debate as to whether those pose a health risk. I'm not willing to take that gamble with my little pixie.

Hubby and I are going to put up a clothes line, as one more step in becoming "greener" we can line dry our cloth diapers during the summer months (when it's not storming).

The choice is ultimately yours just make an informed decision and do your part in reducing your child's carbon footprint. For more information http://www.carbon-balanced-baby.org/diapers-environmental-pollution.html

If you decide that disposable diapers are right for your family please, please, please do not use those diaper machines that tightly wrap up the diapers for disposal. Those add an additional 200 years to the decomposing process! If you must wrap your diapers (which I've never understood) use biodegradable bags which can be purchased at Whole Foods. OR simply walk your dirty diaper outside to your dumpster, just think of the calories you can burn with those extra steps per day!

Wishing you and your little pixie a wonderfully GREEN day.

Marie

Cloth diapers rise again

We made the Sunday paper! Front page no less. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090614/COUNTY090101/906140333/Entrepreneur+turns+load+of+manure+into+cash+cow

We are still working on the site so please be patient with us. Please feel free to contact us with any cloth diapering questions or product suggestions.

Wishing you a beautifully green day,

Marie

How do I Deal with Cloth Diaper Stains?

How do I deal with cloth diaper stains?

Part of washing cloth diapers is learning how to deal with the stains that occur.

Stains, like other things in diapers, happen. Be prepared for a certain amount of natural staining that comes with baby’s byproducts on white or light colored material. There are, however, certain steps you can take to at least reduce, if not eliminate, stains from cloth diapers.
Stain Soap http://www.greenpixiebaby.com/product.sc?categoryId=6&productId=23. One of the best ways to deal with stains is to treat it with special Stain Soap. The soap is gentler than traditional fabric cleaners and is all natural. To use the soap, you simply wet the affected area, rub in the soap and rinse the soap and stain away. For difficult stains, you can leave the soap on the diaper for a minute or two before rinsing, but be aware that too much use of any product, like Stain Soap, can leave a residue in the diaper affecting absorbency and odor.

Sunning-Out Cloth Diaper Stains
The sun is a wonderful bleaching agent. Line drying or sunning diapers regularly can help reduce odor and stains as well as naturally sanitize the cloth diapers. After washing the diapers, lay or hang them in the sunshine to help stains fade. The sunlight, not the heat, is responsible for the bleaching, so temperature is not an issue.

Cloth diaper stains are inevitable.

Sometimes it might be better to just deal with the stains by ignoring them. Cloth diapers are going to get stains, and those stains will fade and even disappear with repeated washings. So long as the diapers have been washed and smell clean, they are. They can be stained and still be perfectly clean and sterilized. Also remember to avoid chlorine bleach and heavy detergents in your efforts to minimize stains.

How Many Diapers Are Needed to Cloth Diaper My Baby?

When parents first take to the idea of cloth diapering their baby, they easily overwhelm themselves with both the choices and variety of cloth diapers and cloth diapering accessories available. "How many diapers should I buy?" is the most common question, but the answer is not the same for everyone.

Building a cloth diaper system isn't some type of deep mystery; simply put, no family is the same, and therefore, no cloth diapering system will be exactly the same, but there are some pretty striking patterns we've seen in the last decade. Our cloth diaper stash recommendations are based on the purchases and feedback from parents and caregivers just like you.

The most agreed upon number of cloth diapers preferred in a full-time cloth diaper stash is 18 (one and 1/2 dozen cloth diapers). With 18 cloth diapers, you can develop a washing system of every other day. If you desire to wash your diapers less frequently than every 2nd day, you will obviously need a larger stash. Some parents initially purchase MORE cloth diapers for this reason, but please know that cloth diapers are not intended to sit in a pail for more than 3 days without being washed; the longer a soiled diaper remains in a cloth diaper pail unwashed, the longer you will work to treat any stains, not to mention the stink.

Full-Time Cloth Diapering
For the first year and 1/2, full-time cloth diapering requires 18-20 cloth diapers. As your baby grows to toddlerhood, he or she will wet less frequently, and won't need to be changed as often; at this point you will need fewer cloth diapers overall.

NEWBORNS - Newborns need the largest cloth diaper stash. With newborns, especially those breastfeeding, every meal is liquid - as a result, they have more explosive bowel movements and urinate more frequently. As newborns develop and solid meals are added into their diet, these patterns change to allow for less diaper usage overall.

6 - 18 MONTHS - Once baby begins to roll, crawl, pull-up on furniture, and sit up on their own, their wetting patterns typically decrease and their cloth diaper needs change. Whereas before, baby was just lying around, now baby is dynamic and needs a cloth diaper that can move along with them. This is often a time when parents will modify their cloth diaper stash to accommodate more flexibility in the thigh and waist for baby's added comfort. If your newborn stash was made up primarily of prefolds, you can re-purpose them as burp rags, changing pads, or diaper doublers. At this point, 18 cloth diapers are still recommended for a washing cycle of every other day.

18 MONTHS - POTTY LEARNING - When your Toddler begins to gain interest in using the 'big potty', your cloth diaper base can be reduced significantly. Even 12 (a dozen) cloth diapers may be more than enough, because your Toddler will no longer be considered a full-time cloth diapered baby. To assist with 'Diaper Independence' many parents will switch over to the pull-on style of cloth diaper Training Pants during the day and use their regular stash for night-time diapering.

Still have questions? http://www.greenpixiebaby.com/contactus.sc. for more information.

Cloth Diapering Definitions

The following list is arranged alphabetically.

ALL-IN-ONE DIAPERS (AIOs) - also seen written as AIOs, are the style of cloth diapers most similar to a disposable diaper. Often purchased by those caregivers seeking absolute convenience, or parents of babies and toddlers in day care, All-In-One diapers are constructed of all the necessary components needed in a diaper - they are an all in one cloth diaper unit.
All-In-One Diapers are easy to put on baby. Most styles of All-In-One Diapers secure around baby with some form of Velcro or hook & loop closure tabs; snaps can also be used. The inner lining that rests against baby's skin is made from any number of fabrics - 100% organic cotton, flannellete, hemp, and even stay-dry microfleece. The outer layer is made from fabrics treated for waterproofing.

CONTOUR DIAPERS - Contour Diapers are hourglassed shape and made to contour to baby; hence the name. They aren't exactly a prefold diaper, although they are sewn in layers. They also aren't exactly a fitted diaper - though they do contour to baby's body. Without the need for any cloth diaper folds, or the use of elastic at the waist or legs, contour diapers boast a trim fit and are secured around baby with diaper pins, snappi fasteners, or a cloth diaper wrap.
There are some Contour Diapers with elastic at the leg, but this is atypical; that style of Contour Diaper is often called a 'semi-fitted' cloth diaper.

DIAPER COVERS - also called cloth diaper covers or cloth diaper wraps, are an absolute necessity if you cloth diaper your baby with any style of cloth diaper that doesn't have an outer waterproof fabric layer. Available in an assortment of colors, fabrics and sizes, cloth diaper covers will protect your baby's clothing, crib bedding, car seats, and anything else their bum touches, from being soiled.
Most Diaper Covers can be classified as one of two styles; pull-ons that simply pull-up or down, and cloth diaper wraps which come off and on using snap or velcro wings that wrap around baby (much like a disposable). Diaper Covers are made from water-resistant and waterproof fabrics such as nylon, PUL, or heavier fabrics such as wool or fleece. Though the heavier fabrics are not recommended as an everyday cloth diaper cover to use beneath baby's clothes, they do tend to be a favorite for night-time diapering.

DIAPER DOUBLERS - are absorbent, multiple-layered pads designed to increase absorbency for heavy-wetting babies or during extended periods of times such as naps, night-time diapering, or even for long car trips. Diaper Doublers are placed atop the inner layer of a cloth diaper, along the length of the crotch.

DIAPER FASTENERS - are varied, but include both the traditional plastic-topped and heavy duty brass locking head diaper pins, as well as the stretchy plastic t-shaped grippers known as Snappi Diaper Fasteners. Diaper Fasteners are simply a means to secure baby's cloth diaper on them in a safe and comfortable way. These are not required for AIO’s.

FITTED DIAPERS - are made from more varieties of fabric than you can imagine; 100% cotton (bleached and unbleached), certified organic cotton, cotton fleece, cotton velour, and even hemps and sherpas. Absorbency, as well as price, will vary with the type of fabric used to sew Fitted Diapers. More often than not, Fitted Diapers are gathered with elastic (encased or not) at the thighs and waist and secure with velcro and snaps on the wrap-around wings; there are a few versions without snaps or velcro closures that require a diaper pin, snappi fastener or a wrap-style diaper cover to secure them to baby. They look and cut resembles a disposable diaper, but without a waterproof outer layer, so Fitted Diapers do require a cloth diaper cover to contain seepage when baby wets. Fitted Diapers do not require any kind of cloth diaper folding to use.

FLAT DIAPERS - are most often constructed of a single layer of stretchy, loosely knit birds-eye, they can also be found in muslin, flannel, organic cotton, terry, and various other fabrics. Though the typical cut is a standard 27 or 30 inch square, flat diapers can now be found in a large variety of sizes. Flat Diapers are not prefolded, so they will require cloth diaper folding to get the single-ply diaper layered where baby needs it most. Once folded properly, Flat Diapers can be secured with diaper pins, snappi fasteners, or within any wrap-style cloth diaper cover.

INSERTS - much like Diaper Doublers, are absorbent, multi-layered pads, however, Inserts are typically purchased and used to stuff inside a Pocket Diaper. Made from absorbent materials such as cotton, hemp, and microfiber, Inserts do not require any type of folding and can even be used in combination with a Diaper Doubler for babies or toddlers with heavier wetting patterns.

LINERS - were created to ease the clean-up of a poopy cloth diaper and as a means to keep baby's skin dry INSIDE the diaper. A liner is placed atop the length of the stride INSIDE a baby's diaper; this forms a layer of protection for baby's sensitive skin. There are both reusable and single-use liners available. Single-use liners are made of cellulose and are both flushable and biodegradable; they are often referred to as rice paper liners. reusable cloth diaper liners are made of fabrics such as suedecloth, microfleece, knitted silk, wool, or even cotton velour, and wash up for use over and over again.

PREFOLD DIAPERS - are constructed of multiple layers sewn in three panels separated by seams that run the length of the cloth diaper. As would be expected, the middle section of a prefold diaper is designed with more layers, making it thicker than the two side panels; this puts the absorbency right where it is needed. Diaper Service Quality prefolds, like Chinese Prefolds can be found in layers such as 2-4-2, with the middle layer being 4 panels; as well as 4-6-4 and 4-8-4. Considered the most economical and versatile cloth diaper option, prefold diapers are just a step away from the large flat diapers, the only difference being prefolds are typically rectangular and not single-layered.
Prefold Diapers are sewn from as many different fabrics as any other absorbent cloth diaper, including 100% cotton, organic cotton, flannel, and hemp, to name a few. The Diaper Service Quality (DSQ) Chinese Prefolds come in two colors - bleached and unbleached; unbleached prefold diapers are light tan in color and require additional washing for each diaper to reach full absorbency.
Cloth diaper covers are a necessity with any Prefold Diaper because they do not have a waterproof outer barrier. There are a number of cloth diaper folding techniques when using Prefold Diapers, some require cloth diaper pins or snappi fasteners to secure, and yet others need only a cloth diaper wrap.

POCKET DIAPERS - are an anomaly in the cloth diapering world because they really aren't a cloth diaper at all - at least, not until they are assembled or 'stuffed'. A Pocket Diaper is basically a shell made by sewing two separate materials together, while leaving a 'hole' or 'pocket' of sorts to stuff-in an absorbent insert. Pocket Diapers must be assembled with this internal absorbent core BEFORE using.

The outer layer of a Pocket Diaper is typically made from a water-resistant or waterproof fabric, eliminating the need for a cloth diaper cover. The inner layer of Pocket Diapers can be made of many materials, including microfiber, terry cloth, hemp, or even a prefold diaper (great for maximum overnight absorbency). The idea of a Pocket Diaper is to tailor absorbency without losing the convenience of an All-In-One Diaper. Plus, if you select a Pocket Diaper with a microfleece inner lining, the baby's urine will pass through the microfleece, into the absorbent core within the pocket, keeping baby dry to the touch EVEN THOUGH the cloth diaper in the pocket is soaked. Last, but not least, it is as easy to put a pocket diaper on baby as it is a disposable diaper.

Cloth diapering workshop

This workshop will discuss the choices surrounding cloth diapers. Answer questions relating to the use of the cloth diapers, storage of clean and dirty diapers, different styles, etc. Schedule a date now. This workshop is free but RSVP's are required. http://www.greenpixiebaby.com/contactus.sc

Living Green Expo

We will be attending the Living Green Expo at The Factory at Franklin on August 28th 9am-4pm. I look forward to meeting you. http://www.GREENPIXIEBABY.COM/main.sc?sourceCode=

Diaper Showers by Green Pixie Baby

Are you an expectant parent who wants to go the cloth diapering route? Do you have a friend or family member who does? Are you looking for a GREEN option to a Baby Shower? Then we offer a wonderful party just for you!

Party details:

1. The guest(s) of honor first comes over to make a wish list three weeks in advance of the party. We then stock all the items on the wish list.
2. I will provide all the decorations, food trays (purchased from a local deli), and a lovely baby shower cake.
3. Similar to a Tupperware party, the guest will arrive and view all the products on your wish list and I will describe how to use and care for them.
4. The guest will then decide which item(s) off the wish list they want to purchase for the mommy / Daddy to be.
5. The parents to be get to take all their items home and are spared the initial burden of the cloth diapering investment.

** All of this done being very GREEN and user friendly. Just ask a friend to host or host it for a friend.

Contact us with any questions or to schedule yours today. http://www.greenpixiebaby.com/

Thanks and happy parenting,

Marie