GroVia: One Awesome Multi-Use Shell

I have recently developed an obsession for GroVia shells. So much so that I have lost interest in my pocket diapers- my FuzziBunz, bumGenius, Knickernappies, and Rumparooz are sitting gathering dust.  The obsession with GroVia stemmed from my realization that I could use them in so many ways!

It started when I realized I could put Flip stay-dry inserts in my GroVia shells, and that they actually wouldn't slide around in there.  I kind of have to stretch the shell to fit over the insert, but then nothing is budging that insert- it doesn't slide around like it does in the Flip covers- it stays put.

Well, that was great.  So I thought, "What about for my girl... she's smaller and the Flip insert looks bulky."  So I tried the bumGenius Stay-Dry Doublers in hers- they are fleece-topped.  They're kind of wide, but they fit, and they're shorter.  Two of those, and she's good even through her naps!

Okay, then what about tri-folded prefolds?  Oh yes!  I have preemie-sized prefolds, and I wrap one of them inside of a second one, and lay them in the shell.  They work and fit GREAT!  Flat diapers also work when folded to fit the shell- and they're a very trim option!

At this point, I thought there was nothing these shells couldn't do, so I was trying to figure out a situation where someone would rather use disposables- say at night for a heavy-wetter who can't use cloth, or when they were using heavy-duty rash cream and wanted to protect their diapers, or on a trip where they wouldn't be able to wash diapers.  So I bought GroVia BioSoakers- disposable, but without the guilt because they are biodegradable.  My daughter at this time had a yeast infection and was being treated with over-the-counter cream.  I used the BioSoakers inside the GroVia shells, and NOTHING got through to the cover!  I was able to re-use the covers between inserts, because even wetness didn't get through- not poo, either, and most importantly- none of the cream.  So I gave them the ultimate test- I tried a BioSoaker at night with my heavy-wetting, pee-through-anything boy.  It leaked a bit onto his pajamas.  No worries!  The next night, I put a Hemp Babies Diaper Doubler under the BioSoaker- no leaks!  After that, I decided to use 2 Hemp Babies doublers, just to be on the safe side, and even on his heaviest-wetting nights, the GroVia shell with a BioSoaker and 2 hemp doublers hasn't leaked even a little.  And it's AMAZINGLY trim- like a disposable!  A guilt-free, environmentally-healthier, non-chemical alternative to disposable diapers!

With the awesome new prints coming out in December in both hook & loop AND snaps, I'm geeking out a bit.  Very much looking forward to feeding my new obsession!

By Stacy F.

GroVia: One Awesome Multi-Use Shell

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Traveling with Cloth

We travel. A lot. Not very far usually, but long enough that it takes some planning. This Labor day weekend we traveled home to visit family. I almost brought a package of 7th generation disposables, but DD has been on antibiotics for a double ear infection and subsequently had some gastro issues we were dealing with which meant 2 things.

1. She was pooping a LOT more than usual and
2. It was of the even runnier than normal variety. This led me to choose cloth diapers instead. They hold SO much better and I REALLY didn't want to be 5 hours from home and have to wash the car seat cover.

Cloth on vacation isn't any harder than disposables, but it takes a little bit more thought. Not much though.First, assemble your supplies. Make sure to have enough diapers to get you through until you can wash again. For this trip, I wasn't planning to wash until we got home, but because we didn't have enough room for 70 diapers (she's going though about 15 a day right now with the gastro problems), I took enough that I'd wash half way through (Saturday night)I took BumGenius FLIPs with Grovia Biosoakers as backup. Both functioned beautifully, although with the runny poos we did end up handwashing the covers several times.
Small wetbags hold the diapers during the day and then when we returned to "home base" (either my mom's or the in-laws) I'd empty them out into the pail liner. I washed Saturday night in my mom's machine (not like my machine at home). Any time I needed to hand wash the covers, I did so at night and they were dry by morning. It literally took me 5 minutes a night.

As far as the diaper bag goes, I used my regular one stuffed full. All the extras are in a large reusable shopping tote, but any duffel oe small suitcase would work too.

A few tips:

• Always pack a few more than you think you'll need.
• Keep diapers accessible in the car on the ride over. You don't want to be digging through luggage trying to find a diaper and wipes.
• If possible, set up a small changing area in the car. Changing on a sloped vehicle seat is a challenge with any baby. I prefer to change DD in the back of my small SUV. This is possible because I set up a small Fuzzibunz changing pad in the back with 3 diapers and a package of wipes and a small wetbag. If anything is packed in that spot (thanks to well-meaning children or helpful husband) I move that particular bag somewhere else (even under a child's feet) so that I have my changing area. It's a lot easier. For wet diapers though, I change her in my lap if needed. (Never change your baby in a moving vehicle).
  

As soon as we returned home, I washed the diapers and we were set. Easy Peasy and no blowouts!!

By Shanee W.

Traveling with Cloth

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Cloth Diapers in an Emergency

The renewal of hurricane season and active storms has made me reevaluate my emergency plans and preparations. I have given thought to water supply, food, batteries, important documents, and more...but with my decision to use cloth diapers exclusively, and the disappearance of the very last disposable diaper, I have new plans to make. Part of my preparation will no longer include picking up an extra pack of disposable diapers. It is important to me to find an environmentally safe emergency plan.

How will I wash my stash if we were to lose power and water? What happens when I run out of clean cloth diapers? Do I really plan on washing everything by hand with a limited water supply? Many questions began spinning through my head, and I realized I hadn't planned for conditions without a washing machine.

In formulating my plan, I slowed down and asked myself the following questions:

• How many diapers does my child use in a day?
• How often will I wash diapers? (As a load, or individually?)
• Do I have enough diapers to rotate clean/dirty diapers in time for them to be dry and ready?
• Where will I wash the diapers? (In a bucket? The sink?)
• Do I have extra needed accessories (diaper rash cream, laundry detergent, wipes, liners)?
• Where will the waste water be disposed?
• How will the process maintain sanitary conditions? (Hand-washing/disinfecting?)
• How long will I be prepared to be without power/water?
  

My stash of cloth diapers includes mostly One Size Fuzzi Bunz and BumGenius, with a few Rumparooz, and Thirsties. I also have 3 Bummis Whisper Wrap Covers which I use with a Kissaluvs Hybrid One Size Contour (I really need to get more inserts!). I have enough diapers to last 3 or 4 days, but from experience realize that it is necessary to plan for a week or more in an emergency situation. My planning decision revolved mainly around the question of hand-washing diapers that I already have (counting on enough extra water to the supply to enable this), and/or finding an alternative solution. Standard disposables for me will be an absolute last resort, and I won't stock them.

Kelly's Closet offered me a very appealing solution: GroVia Bio-Soakers! With this option, I can reuse a cover multiple times and replace the insert as needed...without a significant water resource impact (I'll only need to clean covers). I will always have my other cloth diapers and inserts, as additional options available in my emergency kit. Even if I ran out of Bio-Soakers (my first choice for avoiding a heavier wash load), I will still have a wonderful supply of fluff to wash and reuse. GroVia also makes Bio-Diapers, an alternative to disposable diapers that may be another option.

Cloth diapers are actually a perfect solution for emergency situations. Long before washing machines, cloth was THE only option, and mothers (and fathers) made it work. Granted, emergencies can be slightly different without a known unlimited source of water, but the same principles apply. Reliance on modern convenience is not necessary to making cloth diapers effective. The biggest added bonus is not having the worry of a panicked sell-out of all disposables at the grocery store...my cloth will always be right there.

I'll be ordering some GroVia shells and Bio-Soakers to test drive this solution. In the meantime, I may come up with other ideas, but at least I'm on the right track for being prepared in an emergency with cloth diapers. Are you?

By Julie G.

Cloth Diapers in an Emergency

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Gro Baby: Parent Tested, Parent Approved!

One of our popular selling brands of diapers, Gro Baby™ (made by The Natural Baby Co.) recently announced that it was awarded the Parent Tested, Parent Approved (PTPA) Media Award!

This award was not only given to the Gro Baby One Size Diapering System, but also to the company’s shells, soaker pads and boosters. The PTPA Media Awards honor products only after they are vigorously tested by parents. Only products that pass muster are given the PTPA award.

Gro Baby has also announced their Gro Baby BioSoakers are officially U.S. Patent Pending. BioSoakers are disposable pads that line your baby’s cloth diapers (the backside of the BioSoaker is sticky, so it stays in place inside your diaper’s shell). Gro Baby BioSoakers are biodegradable, compostable, plastic and chlorine free... and now, patent-pending!

Let your little grow with Grow Baby!

Gro Baby: Parent Tested, Parent Approved!

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