Buttons Cloth Diapers Review

One of the very first cloth diapers I used on Eleanor was from Buttons.  I actually had the opportunity to review them when she was a newborn (see it here.)

These diapers are one of the ones I recommend the most when people ask me about diapers.  They are easy to use (a cover with a snap in insert) and are an affordable way to cloth diaper.   The covers are $11 for solids and $12.50 for prints.  Inserts range from $10.50 (for a 3 pack of microfiber) to $23.25 (3 pack of hemp/cotton).  So if you reuse a cover more than once by changing the insert- which I do as long as it's just wet and not dirty - it's a good affordable option. 

Since that first review I've acquired several more covers and inserts when Eleanor needed a bigger size.  

And with a new baby on the way I want to get even more.  I don't really need any more diapers, BUT.... I could totally justify it by saying that since these worked early on and still are working I can get a good 2 years out of them and make it worth it.   And there is the fact that Rob has said I can get some more if this baby is a boy.  When he said that I was a little surprised, but ready to spend all the money, lol!

So  getting back to the diaper, I was sent a microfiber insert as well as a hemp/cotton one.  I've tried the microfiber before and just like with those, this one was no different.  It absorbed well even after one wash cycle.   The hemp/cotton was actually a new experience.  Again I didn't prep this one as long as was recommended because I'm impatient, so I didn't leave it on as long as I may have but I liked it.  Converting to natural fibers is a goal of mine for this next baby. 

I apologize for the picture quality.  Eleanor didn't want to sit for pictures (can't blame her-she is 2), so I hope they are enough to convey how it fits. 

It fits well with no gaping at the thighs and back.   I have used this cover a few times now (with several insert changes each change), and have yet to experience leaking.  She hasn't had a dirty diaper in it yet (surprisingly since that's usually the first thing she does with a new diaper-lol), but I'm confident it would hold in any mess (and her poops range from peanut butter to ploppable to the loose ones that I'm thankful are held in).

I've tried both the microfiber and hemp/cotton blend inserts and after several washes the absorbency has improved- which is why they say to wash it several times first. 

As far as trimness it actually is pretty trim as you can see in the pictures above and below (and it totally looks like she's posing). 

Overall, I love these diapers.  They come in lots of adorable colors and prints (the one I reviewed was MIDNIGHT), and have several insert options (two sizes, doubles and different materials).  I would (and do) recommend them to anyone cloth diapering- especially those on more of a budget).

To see all their product offerings and to order check out their site here

You can also connect with them on facebook, twitter, pinterest and youtube

The Eleanor update: 33 weeks

Feeding:  We tried a few new foods this week. I found that she did like raspberries.  They made a mess though but she liked them.  

We were out to eat at Logan's and she was fussy so she ate a roll, and then attempted a french fry and a brewski onion.   This morning I gave her a bite of my raisin toast and that was a hit.

Eating a roll at Logan's.

She's been getting wild when nursing so I'm sometimes worried she's not getting enough because I still never feel that letdown.  Or when she get's bored she get's super squirmy and twists all over. While latched on.  That's fun.  

Oh and I did find that she loved these (Happy Munchies Rice Cakes).  I've only tried the carrot but I did get some apple from Target.  I had a coupon otherwise they are kind of pricey for what you get it. 

Sleep:

Rough this week.  She's wanted to stay up late and it's a problem because she's tired.  When she finally falls asleep she's usually okay, one maybe two wakeups.  A couple nights she slept 7+ hours (usually 5-6).  I actually had to kind of wake her to nurse her because I was getting uncomfortable. 

Naps have been in the car pretty much all week. I hate that, because I want her to nap in her crib at least once a day.

Misc:

She got a mild sunburn Saturday despite my reapplying sunscreen several times, and keeping her inside most of the peak sun hours.  I feel awful.

Then on Sunday after we got home and she woke up from a carseat nap I took her outside for just a minute to see Rob and then came back in. I was holding her the whole time.  When we came back in I nursed her and 25 minutes later when she was done, realized she had been bleeding from behind her ear.  It wasn't gushing blood but there was enough to concern me (and it was also on my arm).  So I brought her back out to Rob and he said that something similar had happened to the neighbor kid.  She got bit by something but I don't know what.  Any ideas?

First Ponytail

We had a few rough days where I couldn't leave the room without her having a mini meltdown.  Every single time. 

If you want to see more pictures (although many are repeats) follow me on instagram (@kelle017). 

Bumble Buns Diaper Review and Giveaway!

*I received this product to review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions are my own*

I've talked about how I've been cloth diapering more and I am at the point where I do it almost all the time now.  Rob even changed a few last week (granted I handed them to him; he would have picked a disposable).  So now that we are using them more, I need more of them (or really just think I do)

I was browsing instagram one night while nursing Ellie and came across this adorable diaper and fell in love.  It's so unique and I love that it is hand made.  My favorite cloth diapers are the ones that are handmade by moms (and sometimes dads) because so much more is put into them and being able to help support the little guys is pretty neat too. 

My mom used to sing this song to me, and I sing it to Eleanor almost everyday during diaper changes so I knew it was perfect.

I reached out to Becky, the shop owner of Bumble Buns to see if she would be interested in a review.  She responded yes and she was willing to do a giveaway as well.  I was super excited and was stalking  patiently waiting for it to arrive.

Here is a little bit about Becky and a picture of her and one of her babies. I love how she came up with the shop name.

I am a WAHM of five littles under 7 and married to my best friend.  About four years ago, I was increasingly unimpressed with the selection of children's clothes for girls.  So, my husband bought me a machine and I started learning to sew adorable clothes and diapers for my daughters.  This soon turned into a creative outlet for me and three years later (after much research on safety and compliancy!) Bumble Buns Creations was born. We decided on the name because it was a running joke that their cloth covered bums looked like they'd been stung by a bee. We strive for excellent customer service and outstanding quality with creative flair.  I hope you love your item as much as I loved crafting it! 

This diaper is designed to fit from 12 lbs to 35 lbs.

The inside of the diaper is this soft soft minky fabric plus it has a hidden fleece core for extra absorbency.  I may have put this against my face (obviously once I first got it and it was unused); it was that soft.  Even after washing it was still quite soft, but no more face rubbing  :).

The insert is made from 2 layers of bamboo velour and 1 layer of extra thristy zorb core.  When folded as seen in the above picture it equals 6 layers. 

Once it was ready and all prepped (instructions are included with the diaper) I was so excited to put it on her.  I put it on her, and went to adjust it because it was loose and she had already peed in it.  In like 20 seconds, so I'm guessing she probably liked it as well. 

The tag did come loose in the wash (doesn't effect function) so I just pulled it off.  Otherwise there were no issues with the diaper after being prepped.

The diaper fit well around the waist, but was actually loose around her thighs, which is surprising to me because she has rolls for days. 

Love those chunky thighs!

Also surprising to me is the fact that it's actually trimmer than I expected when first looking at it.  She still has some bulk going on, but you can see it's not super fluffy.

Because the diaper was slightly loose around the legs it leaked a little onto her onesie around her legs.  

I didn't have a cover on because I wanted to see how absorbent it was without and while she peed in it right away, she isn't really a heavy wetter during the day so it was a while before I noticed it had leaked. 

I kind of wondered if I was missing something because a diaper made to fit 12-35 pound babies should fit around the legs snugly.  So I emailed Becky and asked her. She got back to me right away and asked if I was folding down the rise.  I wasn't.  Issue solved.   I was impressed with the speed at which she responded (especially with 5 kids! I'm not even that fast with 1).

Around the house I would feel comfortable leaving her in just this diaper for shorter (1-2 hours) periods of time but if I was leaving and going to be out I would use a cover for absorbency, although covering it up is a shame.

Now that I am following Bumble Buns Creations on Instagram and Facebook I can see all these adorable diapers being worked on and finished and it's hard to not want them all. 

I think Eleanor needs new diapers all the time.  Her daddy's birthday?  She needs a new diaper.  My first mother's day?  SHE needs a new diaper.  Going to church?  She needs a new diaper.  You get the point.  I 'think' I can at least convince his that she needs one for her birthday (which is less than 6 months away) though.

If you are looking for something so unique and want to support a mom doing what she loves check out Bumble Buns.

AND Becky has offered up a $20 shop credit.  Not only does she sell fitted hybrids like I reviewed, she also makes pocket diapers, cloth wipes, and clothes for kids.  Enter using the rafflecopter form below.

Giveaway open to US and ends on 5/2/14

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Hey 6 months!

6 months = 26 weeks =182 days.



Yesterday my sweet precious baby girl was half way to a year.

Eating:
Still breastfeeding!  I still get pain when nursing and sometimes I have to unlatch her and re-latch her, but I was thinking back to the beginning when I would cry and curl my toes when she would latch and we've come a long ways since then.  I'm not at all ready to stop yet.  I love that she's getting the benefits and so am I.

I would like to keep going past a year.  I know it's not the norm at all, and Rob thinks it's weird (but I think a lot of people think that), but my sister will be at a year nursing my nephew next week with no signs of stopping and I think it helps having that example (and I'm super proud of her for getting there- love you Ali!).

I'm pumping once sometimes twice a week (so maybe 6-10 oz) despite the fact that I probably have about a 10 day milk supply.  It's more to keep it fresh, if it makes since.

We started solids last night! We gave her carrots as a puree and she loved it.  We will probably mostly do baby led weaning though.  But that means we need to eat healthier if she is going to eat what we eat.

Sleep:
Seriously all.over.the.place.  One night she would sleep 8 hours in her crib and the next she'd be up every hour.



The night she turned 5 months we put her in her crib for the first time at night.  It was hard for me because I missed her, but it got easier.

Then a week or so later she started waking up all the time and I wound up bed-sharing.  That's something I said I would never do, but she slept better and I actually slept (not better though).

Her naps are actually getting better though.  I put her on her belly for naps and that helps.

Still no schedule.  For us I think rather than set times, such as nap at 9, a better way would be to maybe take a nap 2 hours after waking or something like that.

She usually wakes up at 6:30 am.  This is the one thing that is consistent with her.

Growth:
We are about to move up to size 3 diapers.  She probably could stay in size 2 (at least the Target brand since they seem longer) but we are about out of size 2 so we will give size 3 a shot.  If they don't work, I'll go back to size 2.

Using cloth more (although with the whole starting solids, I'm nervous about that change since breast milk poop washes out easily) and she's fitting into some of the one size diapers better so we have a lot more options and I'm addicted to fluff again.

For clothes she's mostly in 3-6 month onesies with a few Carters 3 month (which really are 0-3 since they run small).  Pants are 6-9 month and pajamas are 9 months (I can still get her into 6-9 but they are snug).

She had her 6 month appointment this morning.  She was 26" (70%), 17 lbs 7 oz (75%) and her head was at 95% (Whoa!).  Other than the head thing (which the doctor thinks might have been an error-but they didn't remeausre) her growth has been pretty steady.



Misc: 
We've been getting out and walking more, now that the weather is getting better out.  She loves to walk in the big girl stroller because she can check everything out. Before, in her other stroller, it would put her to sleep in minutes, and now she could stay awake 15-20 minutes.

She loves to talk and makes this scrunchy face when she thinks something is funny.

She just just (as in this morning) figured out how to roll back to belly. She did it a few times so I think she's learning.  She did it once last week, but not since - until today.  And actually I've yet to see her do it because she always seems to do it when I look away.

She fake coughs when she wants attention.  Hilarious.

Me:
I knew post-partum hair loss was a possibility, but it didn't really happen until this last month.  And I lose a lot.  Every time I shower, brush my hair, take out my pony tail, get in the car, walk down the steps (so basically always) I lose hair.   That plus when Eleanor grabs a fistful and yanks it out of my head.  I'm not sure how I have any left.

This is a completely random and not sure if it's related observation, but before being pregnant if I would lay on my back, and stretch my legs out (like lift and straighten) my hips would kind of pop.  Every time, and on both sides.  I noticed the other day that doesn't happen anymore.

For funsies here is the birth story.

Royal Fluff Cloth Diaper Review & GIVEAWAY!!

*I received this product for review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions are my own*

The bigger Eleanor is getting the more I use cloth diapers because she fits better into some of them.  It's still something we don't use all the time (and while Rob will take one off he won't put one on), but I would say 40-50% of the time.

But sometimes I get a little burned out with them because they aren't always as 'easy' and so when Royal Fluff contacted me about doing a review I was totally on board.  I love getting new fluff for Eleanor and was hoping this would help with my little burn out session.  It totally did. 

I didn't choose the print - just specified girl - so when I got the package in the mail and saw the return address, I tore right into and let out an excited scream ( and totally sounded like a teenage girl at a boy band concert).  After showing Ellie (who smiled and tried to eat it) I took a picture and immediately instagramed it.

It's so unlike anything I have in my stash and I love it.

They do have some other adorable prints that I've been oogling such as these.



I didn't even show Rob because I put it right in the wet bag to be prepped.  Thankfully it was a cloth diaper wearing day (she wears them a few days a week) so I knew I would be doing the laundry soon.

I'm not normally a pocket diaper kind of girl - but that's more because I'm lazy and don't like stuffing them but I don't dislike them ( 1/2 of our diapers are pocket diapers).  The one thing I wish was different about this diaper that I like in the other pockets we have are 2 openings for the insert.  I like that it comes out in the wash. I didn't attempt to see if this would with the one opening so maybe it might.  The opening is pretty generous though.



The other thing that I was slightly concerned about was no cross over snaps, but for Eleanor it wasn't a problem.  With a smaller waisted baby it might be.  On the smallest setting it fit Eleanor great.

The one size diapers (the also make a newborn version) are supposed to fit from about 10 lbs to 30 lbs.  Eleanor was about 16 lbs at the time we first tried it out.



This diaper was great. We didn't have any leaks at all the first (or subsequent times) it's been worn.  It's been worn for nap time on her belly as well as other times during the day when she's been playing on her play mat or in the play center etc...

Royal fluff diapers sell for $23-$24 dollars a diaper and you can purchase here.  They also sell extra inserts and wetbags.

The smallest setting

The largest setting

The interior of the diaper is a very soft fleece, and the insert is made from 3 layers of microfiber terry cloth.

Snug leg fit.

Very trim, no typical cloth diaper big bottom

Royal Fluff has offered 1 reader the opportunity to win their very own diaper. Enter on the rafflecopter form below. No worries if you don't win though because you can use the code BLOGLOVE20 to save on your entire order through April 15

You can also connect with Royal Fluff via facebook or twitter.

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