Sunday, January 8, 2012

Living The Fluffy Dream... My Cloth Diapering Story.

I love fluff.  No, I'm not talking about yummy, delectable marshmallow fluff, but doesn't that sound good right now?  Oh goodness, my mouth is watering, but I digress.  I'm talking about adorable fluffy cloth diapers.  My love affair with cloth diapers began back in August after a fateful meeting with Jennifer Labit, the owner of Cotton Babies in Saint Louis, Missouri, and the creator of bumGenius, Flip and Econobum cloth diapers.  And so our story begins...

Once upon a time, a Facebook friend (we'll call her Jo-Momma) "liked" a few pages and they showed up on the Facebook news-feed wall.  Out of sheer curiosity, I decided to check out these pages.  The first page I visited was the Facebook page of Cotton Babies.  After perusing the page for a few minutes, looking at their info and pictures, I decided to like it, too.  Cotton Babies was an online/brick & mortar baby store with fabulous baby and toddler products.  What wasn't there to like?  I'm always on the look-out for new baby products and stores, so this was a perfect fit.  Jo-Momma also liked the Facebook page of Jennifer Labit, so I decided to check out that page as well.  Again, after looking over Jennifer's page, I decided to like her page, too.  Come to find out, Jennifer Labit was the owner of Cotton Babies, so it made perfect sense for me to like her page.  OK, Jo-Momma liked a third page, bumGenius cloth diapers.  I'm sure you know the rest of the story by now, huh?  So, even though I wasn't a cloth diapering momma, I decided to also like the bumGenius page.  

Over the course of several months, I would get updates from the three pages and stayed up-to-date with all of the latest Cotton Babies and bumGenius news.  I had also grown to really like Jennifer Labit's page.  I enjoyed reading her comments and stories, as well as looking at the photos she would post.  You could tell from her status updates and various posts that Jennifer was a genuine woman with a tender heart.  She was also a smart, savvy business woman who had been instrumental in turning the cloth diaper industry into what it is today.  One evening after putting my little ones down for the night, I decided to unwind and catch up on the latest Facebook news and updates.  When all of a sudden, BAM!  A status update from Jennifer Labit popped up on the computer screen.  Jennifer was going to be in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the following day and wanted to meet with local mommas in the area for coffee.  Oh. My. Gosh.  I H-A-V-E to meet her.  I immediately told my husband what my plans would be in the morning and he agreed to watch our boys, so that I could meet Jennifer as well as some other mommas in the area.  I had secretly been wanting to dip my toes in the deep end of the fluffy pool, so I brimmed with excitement and thought that this meeting could be a wonderful opportunity to not only meet Jennifer, but to pick her brain about cloth diapers.  I would also have the opportunity to meet with other mommas who cloth diapered and hopefully get some support in "selling" cloth diapers to my husband.

You see, I had to "sell" my husband on the idea of cloth diapers because he had witnessed his mother cloth diaper his little brother some 20+ years ago.  I knew what my husband would say... No way, too hard, too gross, not worth it.  I mean, when we were first expecting our little ones, cloth diapering was never an option.  Maybe it was because we didn't know anyone currently cloth diapering.  Maybe it was because I had heard my husband talk about how difficult cloth diapering was back in the day.  Who knows the reason, but after two years, loads of disposable diaper waste and loads of money later, I desired a greener and more economical diapering solution.

On August 13, 2011, I headed to Starbuck's in Tulsa.  Honestly, I was giddy about meeting Jennifer.  Several other mommas arrived and everyone chatted, enjoyed the pleasant weather and of course shared the love of the fluff.  Most of the time I was quiet and just tried to take it all in.  I then revealed that I didn't cloth diaper, but was really wanting to do so.  All of the mommas there were so quick to lend support and advice.  Jennifer even said, "I would love to help you.  What can I do?"  I was amazed.  I had only known these women for a little under an hour, but they were so willing and wanting to help me.  They were genuinely supportive.  Before our time together ended, Jennifer handed everyone a card to send in to Cotton Babies for a free bumGenius cloth diaper.  I was super excited to be able to try one of Jennifer's creations and of course sent mine in right away.  You can read more about my meeting with Jennifer and the other fab cloth diapering mommas from a previous blog posting.

Fast forward to August 30, 2011, when I received a fluffy package in the mail.  This awesome fluffy care package was from Cotton Babies.  Rather then 1 bumGenius cloth diaper, they sent me 5.  I was ecstatic.  I was thrilled to be receiving 1 diaper to try, but receiving 5 super adorable cloth diapers was incredible.  Jennifer said that she wanted to help me get started with cloth diapering and she truly meant it.  Her desire to help and generosity is something that I will always remember. 

In my blog posting about coffee with Jennifer Labit, I mentioned the Cotton Babies Change 3 Things Challenge.  If you visit the Cotton Babies web site, you can purchase a 3-pack of cloth diapers to join the challenge.  The challenge is simple: Commit to using 3 cloth diapers a day instead of disposables for 1 year.  Every cloth diaper saves about $.25 (depending on what brand of disposables you buy). If you save $.75 a day, it may not seem like much, but those three diapers can save you approximately $260 over the upcoming year. In addition to the savings per diaper, you can save yourself time, money and gas for those emergency trips to the store when you run out of diapers.  Change you, your baby & your planet.  When you change your BABY's diaper, YOU create a new habit, save money and prevent unnecessary waste on your PLANET.  

The Change 3 Things Challenge was instrumental in getting me started with cloth diapering.  I thought, I can change 3 cloth diapers a day.  That's easy.  What turned into only changing 3 cloth diapers a day, turned into cloth diapering full time.  My first week of cloth diapering was E.A.S.Y. thanks to my ever-faithful bumGenius diapers.  Five months later, cloth diapering is still easy and I have since added to my stash taking advantage of two bumGenius cloth diaper sales at www.CottonBabies.com in the summer and fall. 

I've been wanting to share my story with you, but was inspired to share it now, thanks to Jennifer Labit.  By writing this blog posting, I have the opportunity receive a gift of 12 bumGenius One-Size Cloth Diapers for my family.   But that's not the best part.  Here's where it gets really good.  If my blog posting wins, I'll be given the opportunity to bless another momma with the gift of 12 bumGenius One-Size Cloth Diapers as well.  One super lucky momma who comments on this blog posting will be selected to receive this generous gift from Cotton Babies.  

I really hope I win because I'd love to pay-it-forward.  Jennifer Labit and Cotton Babies blessed me and gave me my start in cloth diapering, so I'd love the opportunity to do the same for another momma and her family.  Rather then helping 1 momma, I'd actually be helping 2.  You see, I have been blessed and have a pretty good diaper stash now.  So, if I win, I'd like to bless a 2nd momma and give her my winning of 12 bumGenius cloth diapers.  It's better to give then to receive, and I have been blessed beyond measure.

Wishing you a blessed 2012... thanks for reading and stopping by!

Happy Blogging,
Toni The Chic Momma 

P.S. - I haven’t received any form of compensation for the content of this posting, I'm simply entering what I've written in Jennifer Labit's blog contest.  Visit the contest page here.

20 comments:

  1. Love! Great story and I hope you win! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love fluff, too! What a great opening. I almost had to make a sandwich Cloth diapering is such a wonderful thing. i knew that I would be using cloth before I got pregnant. It makes me happy. I hate laundry, but there is something soothing about washing my fluff. The community has been great. I am thinking about a cloth diapering nonprofit inspired by Jennifer Labit's practically free diaper post.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice post! As someone who is thinking about getting my feet wet in cloth diapering with my second, even seeing the cost savings for 3 diapers is a nice way to sell myself & my husband on the concept.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What an inspiring post!! I love hearing and learning about the faces behind the companies- especially my favorite companies, cloth diapering ones of course. I feel so inspired to share the fluffy message! I'm a cloth diapering mama myself and I wish there had been someone to help get me started. It was so confusing learning all the lingo and trying to figure out what system I wanted, all the accessories I would need- I felt so lost! Now that I have it figured out I would love to be able to help someone else. I would love for the world to know just how EASY cloth diapering is these days. It's economical, convenient, and oh my gosh don't get me started on how adorable a fluffy bum is! Thanks for the awesome story, after reading this I simply MUST get out and spread the word!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am so excited to hear of so many in the Tulsa area getting on board the fluffy train...our should I say caboose ;-) I would love to be entered! My girls have both been in cloth part time, and nice, new diapers would certainly help move that to full time! Our stash is all second hand, I can't imagine having lovely new ones...thanks for the opportunity :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm a first time mom via the miracle of IVF. I've enjoyed reading your blog and the info you give ( I don't even recall how I came to like it on Facebook but glad I did). Ibe been wanting to try cloth diapers but have no clue where to start. None of my mom friends do the fluff so not sure exactly where to start. Would love to try -- even joined the change three a day challenge but haven't got the diapers yet. Looking forward to reading and finding out more thru your blog. Thxs for the info-- from a Lousiana mom.

    ReplyDelete
  7. We love cloth diapers. I first saw them on a friend's baby and they were adorable. My husband was actually completely on board, and we've been exclusively using them since our baby was born! It saves money, helps the environment, and is better for her. Now I'm having the problem of her soaking through during the night though. I'm looking for a new brand/awesome soakers for nighttime!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Awesome post Toni! I'll be rooting for you! I have two in diapers, and am an almost exclusive Bumgenius user, so I'm a total advocate of them. Always happy to hear about more moms choosing cloth!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great story! We started cloth diapering because of my cousin's example! If not for her, I never would have considered it! I hope you win (and I do too) because I have some momma friends I would love to share the diapers with! Cloth diapering is my hobby now, and I love helping friends get started! I love that cloth is healthier for baby and the environment.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for sharing! Very well written! Welcome to the world of cloth!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Neat blog post! I just started doing cloth this past summer as well! I was so scared to start at first, but I LOVE it! I have some flips which I LOVE and someday would love to try the bumGenius!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Very inspiring story! I am pregnant with my first and I am due in 5 weeks. We are currently bulking up our stash to cloth diaper our little one. Thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm so jealous that you were able to meet Jennifer Labit in person!! I always see her posts about meeting for coffee but am too far away!

    I looove cloth diapering and really have a passion for it. It sounds silly and only a fellow cloth diapering mama could understand. Other people look at me like I'm crazy for getting so excited over something my kid poops in. I love that I'm doing good for the environment and doing good for my baby at the same time. I was hesitant to start at first too and didn't start until my LO was almost 4 months old. As a new mom, I was overwhelmed already, I didn't even want to think about extra laundry or folding/sorting diapers. Now that I know how easy it is, we will definitely diaper our next one from day 1!

    Good luck, I hope you win!!
    fmgrice2(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. How cool that you got to meet Jennifer! And how awesome that she got you started cloth diapering! She seems like a really great person!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I had to sell my husband on cloth diapers too. So glad I did though, we are now using cloth on 2 little boys, ages 7 months and 24 months. It is so worth it though. Love them.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I had to sell my hubby on cloth, too. And I still do all the work, but I'm okay with that. I would love to have some more diapers in my stash so I wouldn't have to wash every other day or have to use the back-up disposables.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I also had to sell hubby on cloth, but when we did a cost-benefit analysis, he jumped on board right away! This was before our daughter was born, and I read that breastfed baby poo is water soluble. I thought, great! I don't have to mess with the poo for 4-6 months, and then I can decide if I want to keep cloth diapering. Well fast-forward 13 months and we're still going strong! Though we could always use more cloth diapers!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love that you want to pay it forward x2. And your story of how you got started is great. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love it! Welcome to the wonderful world of cloth diapers!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Yay for fluff! I am a 3rd time mom but first time using CD and I wish I would have with my first two. It is so easy and fun!

    ReplyDelete

Drop Me A Line!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...