I know it is popular to be down on social networking, to think of facebook as a waste of time, to wonder why anyone would want to have 140 character conversations on twitter. While the online world isn’t perfect, the cloth diapering community is a place rich with passionate, creative, friendly, supportive people. There’s no need to try to figure cloth diapering out on your own or pay for a tutorial. Whether you’re a cloth diapers enthusiast, curious about cloth, facing resistance to your choice to cloth diaper, or using cloth diapers, but experiencing difficulties, social networking can benefit you. There is a vibrant online cloth diapering community where you can connect with other individuals eager and willing to chat, answer questions, and provide support.

As much as I appreciated all that I learned through research, I wish I had discovered the benefits of social networking and connecting with other cloth diapering parents much sooner. I could have saved myself valuable time – and money – if I’d participated in twitter chats, personally connected with bloggers, and asked cloth diaper retailers more questions sooner.

If you are interested in connecting to the online cloth diapering community, here are some great ways to start:

1. Get a Twitter Account at Twitter.com. Be sure to include your interest in cloth diapering in your profile.

• Use the search terms #clothdiapers to see posts that mention these search terms.
• If you want to ask a question or mention cloth in your tweet, be sure to use #clothdiapers.
• Join the Monday night #clothdiapers chat by using this as a search term. It’s easier to keep up with the conversation if you use a program such as tweet grid.
• Join the twitter parties organized by Callie at Eco Chic Parties at http://ecochicparties.theecochic.com. These are often co-hosted by cloth diaper retailers and offer prizes to participants.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem dumb. Other cloth diapering parents are glad to help!
• Begin to follow others on twitter who talk about cloth diapers, including retailers.

2. Search for Blogs that talk Cloth Diapers, find ones you enjoy, and follow them.

• I recommend following a variety of blogs, from large to small. Most of my favorite blogs talk cloth sometimes and feature the opinions of SAHMs who love cloth. I like to follow links that I find from posts and link lists to discover new blogs.
• Be sure to read disclaimers and realize that most bloggers receive product in exchange for reviews. Some bloggers do take advertising or payment in exchange for reviews as well. Most bloggers will let you know if their reviews are affected by any payment. Simply read their disclosure policy for more information.
• Comment on blogs you enjoy and let bloggers know that you appreciate what they do. This will open the door to building friendships. This is how I’ve made some amazing blogger friends.
• Be sure to enable your email so that bloggers can respond directly to your comments – another way to build personal relationships.
• Don’t be afraid to email a blogger you find informative directly and ask questions – they are sure to find this flattering and would most likely love to help you!

3. Become engaged with bloggers and retailers on facebook.

• Many companies have started offering special coupon codes and announcing giveaways via facebook.
• This is a terrific way to interact with retailers, learn about them, and ask questions about their products.
• Participate in discussions by asking meaningful questions and sharing your ideas and experiences.
• Leave positive comments for retailers and bloggers you love.

4. Start your own Blog.

• You don’t need to be a cloth diaper "expert" or talk exclusively about cloth to blog. Simply be sincere, share your experiences, and connect with other bloggers, and you’ll develop a following.
• Be sure to visit other blogs and leave comments. Bloggers will return the comment love and you’ll soon have blogger friends.
• If you’re new to reviews, don’t worry. There’s no perfect formula. Simply share your ideas, add pictures, and use constructive criticism. I’ve based most of my cloth diaper purchases on reviews from moms such as myself.

Social Networking and Cloth Diapers: by Mindy F.

To participate and learn more about this Doopsy Giveaway, please PRESS HERE to visit For The Monster & Lil Bunz Blog!

This giveaway is for - 2 FREE New Version Doopsy "R" One Size Pocket Diapers

How to enter:

• Post the 3 most important reasons you like your favorite Cloth Diaper RETAILER.
• The Name of the Business and the LINK to their website MUST be included in your comment.
• One Comment per person please.
• Giveaway will end on September 2nd, 2010 at 9:00 PM EST
• Winner will be chosen randomly from the list of comments.

Please note: Some comments might end up in moderation because of our spam filter but don’t worry, we will activate your postings manually if that happens.

I have recently found the new Super Doopsy Insert and have incorporated it into my nighttime diapering routine. Finding the right diapering solution at night can be challenging. I have found several option’s that work for me and wanted to share them with you. All of these options can include the versatile super doopsy insert. These are perfect to fit with ANY diapering system!!

My first option is for those days when life is pretty hectic and maybe your diaper laundry is piled up, but you need something to last all night for your little one. I put together a Nifty Nappy Swim Diaper, doubled with my Super Doopsy insert and a wool cover. This will give you a bulletproof nighttime solution without having to rush and do diaper laundry before bedtime. The Nifty Nappy Swim diaper acts as a fitted, with the exception of the PUL, which allows it to be more like an AI2. When placing your Super Doopsy insert inside and then a wool cover gives you the added leak proof protection. You can use your insert’s in ANY diaper! They are super trim but don’t let that trimness fool you. They work and will last all night long due to their multiple layers of Bamboo and Hemp and the hidden PUL is just a HUGE bonus, that in my opinion, sets apart this whole insert system from all of the rest. This would work without a cover due to the PUL layer included in your insert, making it an AI2, but for nighttime the added wool is a sure fire way to protect from any little mishaps, especially if you have a heavy wetter or older baby.

If you purchase several inserts you will eliminate the need for having to double up on certain inserts to obtain the best leak protection. These inserts fit perfectly with your own system, whether it’s a new diaper, old diaper, swim diaper, or just a diaper cover. They also dry very fast!
…..
Read the full article at The Mommy Times

Introducing the NEW VERSION Doopsy™ Diapers Layaway Program!

NEW VERSION Doopsy™ Layaway at BabyEcoMart.com
The Doopsy™ Diaper Layaway is a convenient program that gives you more time (up to 6 months) to pay for your NEW VERSION Doopsy™ One Size Pocket Cloth Diaper Order. This is a great way to purchase our Super Economical NEW VERSION Doopsy™ One Size Pocket Diapers with a minimum initial deposit of ONLY $5. Payments can be made at your convenience, when you can, and when you can afford it.

Terms and Conditions:

• Minimum Initial Deposit: $0.01 plus $4.99 flat rate shipping cost (Total $5.00)
• How to Make the Initial Deposit: Purchase one of the Doopsy™ Layaway Packages listed below.
• Payments Schedule: Determined by the CUSTOMER
• Layaway Program Length: 6 Months from the date the minimum initial deposit was made. After that, the order will be considered cancelled - see cancellation terms below.
• Payment Reminders from BabyEcoMart.com: None
• When Payments Must be Made: At customer´s convenience
• How to Pay: Payments must be sent to BabyEcoMart.com by Paypal with the full name, order number and the word "Layaway" in the payment subject line. The BabyEcoMart.com / JSA Invest, LLC Paypal email address will be provided for future payments, after making the minimum initial deposit ($5)
• Fees: None
• Receipts: Paypal payment confirmation will be received by email, after each payment is made.

What to do after balance has been paid in full: Customer must send to BabyEcoMart.com an email with the following subject line: "Layaway Order Payment made in Full". The email must include the full name, order number, the dates and the paid amounts.
Please note, we offer easy terms for the layaway program but in return customers must keep track of their own payments. BabyEcoMart.com and JSA Invest, LLC does not provide balance information. The customer´s responsibility is to verify their personal Paypal accounts which have all the account history information and payment records. Only after we receive the "Payment made in Full" notification email from the customer, we will verify the payment history in our records.

Shipping Date: After we receive notification from the customer, that payment has been made in full, and after we verify all transactions (1-2 business days)

Cancellation Policy: No refunds, ONLY store credit to be used for purchasing ONLY Doopsy™ products because this is a Special DOOPSY™ PROMOTION.
- Cancellation Fee: $20.
- Cancellation Notification: Must be in writing and emailed to us. Email must include the full name, order number and the word "Layaway Cancellation" in the subject line.

VERY, VERY IMPORTANT: No price adjustments are allowed and will not be honored. Why? Because our Layaway Terms and Conditions are unique and extremely easy and based on the concept "You pay when you can" with a minimum initial deposit of ONLY $5.

The Doopsy diapers are extremely affordable and have features not found in any other diaper on the market. They are NEW, HOT, TRENDY and COLORFUL. Just go for it! Your Baby Deserves to be TRENDY
To sign-up for the Doopsy™ Diaper Layaway Program, please press here.

So, you are using cloth diapers, and you love them! Congratulations! You are keeping the chemicals of disposable diapers off of your baby’s skin, you are keeping disposable diapers out of the landfills, and you are saving tons of money!

I was an easy "convert". I didn’t know anyone who used cloth diapers "in real life", but I had a few online friends who used them! I had wanted to start using cloth right when my baby was born. I did some research, but not enough. When my mom told me that it would be "gross" I just took her advice and didn’t think about it again until my daughter was 3 months old. I don’t know what finally pushed us to try it out, we just decided that we were going to do it. I emailed one of my friends that I knew used cloth, and she sent me a really long email explaining all of the different types of diapers. She was so excited about cloth diapers, and was able to give me a really good overview of how to get started, and everything you need! We dove in head first, and haven’t looked back! It hasn’t been gross at all!

Everyone asks about our diapers, they think that they are just cute diaper covers. I always tell them that they are cloth diapers, and that we love them! I took pictures of our diaper stash, and wrote up very brief descriptions. I posted the pictures on my Facebook page, and all of my friends and family asked tons of questions! It was a great way to open the door to good conversation about cloth!

I have had one friend completely switch to cloth. I have another 2 friends that are expecting babies and want to use cloth. I am working on putting together some really great cloth diapering gifts for them. I think it helps if you can actually place something in their hands! I know the startup cost on cloth is daunting, and it’s difficult to build your own stash, let alone someone else’s - but even one diaper will help them out!

Spreading the Joy of Cloth: by Katie

How do you store your diapers?

I have my diapers in a hanging shoe organizer in my son’s closet and it works great! This picture was taken several months ago and since then I have added to my stash. I will have to take an up to date picture after my diaper laundry is finished. It looks pretty bare right now.

I noticed while back to school shopping at both Wal-mart and Target they both had similar shoe organizer’s pretty cheap, some were about $2.50 each in assorted colors! This is definitely a favorite find!

I could not live without my changing table and I keep my prefolds stored in a container under my changing table. I go through stages where I use prefolds and covers all day and then sometimes I go days without using them. It just depends. Prefolds are great for overnight.

My inserts are also under my changing table and I have an assortment of boosters, liners, and inserts. I mix and match them all the time.

I also try to rotate my diapers and keep them in a wicker basket under my changing table. I really don’t have a favorite diaper and I use both snaps and aplix and I like them both for different reasons. The only downside to aplix, is that most diapers don’t look too nice after months of wear. Snaps are just neater, in my opinion.

I didn’t get a picture of my cloth wipes because as I mentioned earlier, it’s laundry day and I have 5 wipes in my wipes warmer. I put them in a wipes warmer that I bought for $1 at thrift store and I usually just add water and maybe a tsp of baby wash mixed. It does the trick for us! Next time I’ll try and get a picture of my wipes. I have some really cute ones that a lady on Etsy made for me.

I just wanted to pass this along to you, because at $2.50 for a shoe organizer, it gives you a neat way to stack your diapers that doesn’t take up much space and your diapers are easily accessible. It is the best inexpensive solution that I have found for my diapers, not to mention they are pretty and colorful hanging in a drab closet!

How do you store your diapers? Comments are open!

"Storage Solutions for your Cloth Diapers" - courtesy of The Mommy Times

I recently had the opportunity to review a Doopsy cloth diaper. The Doopsy diapers are a one size pocket diaper. They currently have three different styles; they have the Doopsy “R” Diaper, Doopsy “D” Diaper, and the Doopsy “SD” Diaper. Don’t let all the choices confuse you. They are all basically the same diaper with different inserts. The Doopsy “R” Diaper comes with two 4 Layer Microfiber Inserts. The Doopsy “D” Diaper comes with one totally unique Doopsy medium / large soaker with PUL backing and one small microfiber insert. The Doopsy “SD” Diaper comes with one SUPER Doopsy medium / large soaker with PUL backing and one small microfiber insert.

Doopsy generously sent us the Doopsy “SD” Diaper for review. I am in love with the Doopsy diaper. I really wish I had it when my son was littler because this diaper is the ultimate diaper for overnights and heavy wetters. The inserts backed with PUL is genius! Once you try these inserts you will fall in love.

Read the full article at Fabulous Family Reviews

Here it goes, my first big review! Are you stoked? I bet you are…So let’s jump right in!

I had the opportunity to review a Doopsy diaper! It is was a One Size Pocket Diaper-Style SD. It came with a Super Doopsy PUL insert/soaker and a microfiber insert. This was my first time ever trying a Doopsy diaper, so as I’m sure you can imagine I was really eager to try it out!

I cloth diaper my daughter, but I have just come to realize recently how many different cloth diapering options there are. Who knew? So I’ve been doing quite a bit of research, and found that there was a whole cloth diapering world that I was oblivious to. Up until I received our Doopsy diaper, I was cloth diapering during the day, and using disposables at night and while we were out. My daughter gets diaper rashes and infections very frequently. Seeing as she is a heavy wetter, it has made finding the perfect night/nap time diaper rather difficult, but I was determined to find one. So, I tried the Doopsy diaper out the first day that it arrived! I read that the absorbency will only increase after multiple washes (major plus!) So I tried it out for the first time at bedtime. I checked on my daughter throughout the night and guess what? NO leaks, what-so-ever! I was shocked. I swore that couldn’t be possible, due to all of the trouble I’d had with other cloth diapers. It just couldn’t be that easy. So, I put it to the test… again… and again… and again. We are concluding one week of using the Doopsy diaper at night (and of course washing it during the days!), and I am still amazed! This diaper is wonderful! I honestly can’t wait to purchase a few more! I have already been browsing at www.babyecomart.com to see what is available.

The Doopsy has numerous sizes and combinations of sizes. So far, our best fitting size is the tightest around the waste, and the biggest on the bum. I love that this diaper will grow WITH my daughter, and that it is so incredibly
easy to use! Doopsy has numerous sizes and combinations of sizes. So far, our best fitting size is the tightest around the waste, and the biggest on the bum. I love that this diaper will grow WITH my daughter, and that it is so incredibly easy to use!

I also love the fact that this diaper has heavy duty inserts! This is such a well-thought out diaper. Everything is sewn so well, and I am really impressed with the durability. Also, I noticed that compared to other cloth diapers, these dry so quickly! I wasn’t having to wait around for hours for it to dry. Which is such a relief seeing as I only had one Doopsy diaper to use each night, so I was washing & drying it daily. Now I just can’t wait to get more, I don’t ever want my daughter to go a night in another diaper!

Read the full article at CruncheeMom Blog

1. Not creating a realistic budget or Not budgeting at all. When you use disposables, it´s fairly easy to select a brand, estimate the quantity you´ll need as baby grows, and budget for your diaper use each month. Cloth diapers, on the other hand, require an up-front investment. Stretching your budget to get the best cloth diaper stash for your budget is possible when you are patient, watch for sales, and plan ahead.
If you are currently pregnant and planning for a new baby, you have an advantage over moms like me who started cloth diapering an older baby. Plan a budget now, register for cloth diapers, and recommend stores that carry cloth and gift cards to gift-givers. Remember that it will feel like quite a bit of money for diapers now, but you will definitely save money in the coming months and years, especially if you use cloth diapers for multiple babies or resell your diapers.
If you are planning on switching to cloth diapers, don´t fret about not being able to afford your dream stash of diapers right now. Create a realistic budget for yourself and slowly build your stash. You might need to use your remaining disposables in the meantime and wash more frequently. You might need to go with affordable prefolds for awhile until you can purchase additional styles. If you set aside the money you would have spent on disposables, however, you´ll quickly find yourself cloth diapering full time!

2. Assuming the priciest diapers are the best. A number of factors go into the cost of a cloth diaper, including fabric, workmanship, production costs, and availability. You could cloth diaper your baby in a single brand of cloth diapers by purchasing a package ranging from $300 to $800. Just like disposables, what works for each family in cloth diapers depends on individual preferences and needs. While I love some of the pricier brands, the economy diapers are popular for a reason and are an important part of my stash. If you want to purchase some of the higher-end diapers, simply budget for them and supplement your stash with more affordable brands.

3. Trying and Purchasing only one style of diaper. The cloth diapering world is full of multiple styles of diapers, including fitteds, pockets, all-in-ones, all-in-twos, sized, one-sized, two-sized, prefolds, covers. You need to read a glossary of terms to understand the differences. Add to that fabric choices, the decision to go with snaps or aplix, and color choices and you are faced with a wide array of options. To truly find your cloth diapering niche, you need to touch, feel, and try different styles.

I highly recommend that anyone thinking of cloth diapering do one or all of the following before investing in cloth:
          1. Find a local cloth diaper retailer and take some time to get to know your options. Ask questions and get a feel for what´s out there. Be sure to look at cloth diapers accessories as well.
          2. Locate a cloth diaper trial. Several online retailers offer trials for as little as $10 and a deposit. A cloth diaper trial was a lifesaver for me because I was so overwhelmed by the wealth of information and options I discovered in cloth, I didn´t know how to begin selecting a style or brand of diaper. I created my own cloth diaper trial and felt much more confident in my options after trying the diapers and asking the retailer a multitude of questions.
          3. Find a local friend who cloth diapers and ask to take a look at their stash. Watch them diaper their baby, launder their cloth diapers, and ask them about their experience using cloth diapers.

4. Not properly laundering cloth diapers. Cloth diapers are a big investment and you want to care for them properly. A well cared for cloth diaper can last through multiple babies and/or be resold in the future. There´s a small learning curve with laundering cloth diapers, but most diapers come with easy to follow directions. Be sure to use a cloth diaper safe detergent to avoid repelling and leaking issues.
Charts detailing the best and worst detergents for cloth diapers can be found at:
http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html and http://www.zany-zebra.com/diaper-detergent-chart.shtml

My personal cloth diapering laundering routine goes like this:

• Store in a hanging wet bag kept on laundry room door.
• Wash every other day.
• Cold wash (no detergent)
• Hot/Cold wash with Rockin´ Green Detergent
• Cold Rinse.
• Air Dry covers, including pockets.
• Inserts and fitteds in dryer. I hope to line dry in the future.
• Wash and lanolize wool covers every 2 to 4 weeks, unless soiled.

5. Forgetting to budget for cloth diapering accessories or assuming you need every accessory available. When considering the cost of cloth, it´s easy to forget that you will need cloth wipes, a place to store soiled diapers until laundry day, cloth diaper safe detergent, a traveling wet bag, and cloth diaper safe diaper rash cream. These can all be very affordable, especially if you make your own wipes, but you don´t want to spend your entire budget and then realize that you neglected to purchase these essential items.

It´s also easy to get caught up in the extras, including diaper sprayers, cloth warmers, and diaper bags made to accommodate the bulk of cloth. Don´t get me wrong, these are awesome additions to any cloth diapering mama´s world. But you don´t need them to begin cloth diapering and can always purchase them later.

6. Going at it alone. There is an amazing community of parents who cloth diaper, including local groups, bloggers, facebook sites, and twitter mamas. You can even join a weekly twitter chat where new and experienced moms get together to talk cloth by using the hashtag #clothdiapers. I highly recommend finding a few bloggers you trust - including a mix of retailers and independent bloggers - to answer your questions and keep you up to date about cloth diapering innovations and trends.

Cloth diapering can be frustrating at times for a number of reasons such as doubting or unsupportive friends and family and leaking or repelling issues, When you connect with other parents who are committed to cloth diapering - because they want to save money, protect the environment, or avoid the chemicals in disposables, or for all of these reasons - it´s easy to find the answers and support you need to stay committed to cloth diapering.

7. Believe that you won´t want more. It might sound silly, but cloth diapers are addicting. There are so many adorable patterns and styles to choose from. Plus, retailers are constantly coming out with new, innovative styles and improvements. As you become more experienced with cloth diapers, you´ll also find yourself interested in trying things that were beyond your comfort zone initially, such as wool or snaps. Be sure to set aside money for future cloth purchases because you will want more. There´s a reason cloth diaper giveaways are so popular - there´s something special about fluffy mail!

Top Seven Common Mistakes Cloth Diapering Beginners Make: by Mindy F.