We have moved

Thank you for visiting our Blog! We have moved to a new blog space, just over here: http://www.ozbabytrends.com.au/blog.aspx

Bumboo - Where Tradition Meets the Modern Cloth Nappy

In the age of the modern cloth nappy, which takes the ingenuity of creative design to new heights, it can be easy to overlook the traditional and practical concepts of the humble, yet supremely useful flat cloth nappy and prefold.

Let us introduce you to the newest brand to join the Oz Baby Trends family...

Bumboo was created by a husband and wife team. Together with their two children, a cat and two chooks, they live in the Blue Mountains of NSW in a little mountain cottage where they enjoy designing beautiful and functional cloth nappies.

Tiffany is a primary school teacher who lived in Thailand for seven years and met her Bou
in the hills of Chiang Mai. Tiffany loves knitting, bushwalking, growing veggies, doing yoga (when she remembers), road trips, teaching kids and spending time with family and friends.

Bou was born in a tiny village in a house made of bamboo, on the banks of the Mekong River in Laos. A Buddhist monk for 15 years, with a Masters degree in environmental management, he has thrown mangos at the Ministry of Food in Thailand in boycott against GMOs in rice and travelled through India with ActionAid, letting small villages know about their right to have access to clean water.

They started Bumboo after discovering the simplicity and effectiveness of bamboo flat nappies but being unable to source them locally.

When Bumboo first began, Tiffany and Bou were living with Tiffany's parents and they took over their living room for production and cut the first nappies on their kitchen floor.

Now, all of the Bumboo products are beautifully and ethically manufactured in South West China.

Meet the range...

Even if you have an entire stash of one-size nappies, a handful of prefolds won't go astray. And you can never have too many flats! When our first baby arrived, I was gifted with three dozen flats, which we used exclusively for the first 6 months. These are still in rotation on our fourth child as burp cloths, emergency nappies and for toilet training clean-up. 

Oz Baby Trends Tip: Flat cloth nappies dry super fast, making winter nappying a whole lot easier. If you are struggling to get your modern cloth nappies dry, consider grabbing a few Bumboo flats which can be used as folded boosting inside all-in-two nappy shells or pockets. 

If pinning really isn't your thing, Bumboo prefolds are a great option. They have a mass of uses, from pocket stuffers and all-in-two fillers to night boosters and complete nappies, when used with a snug fitting cover. At the moment, we use a Bumboo cover with the luxury bamboo prefold for day naps, because I know that it will get our 18 month old through, whether he decides to sleep for one hour or three hours.

Bumboo's luxury bamboo prefolds are made from custom-milled silky, double sided bamboo terry fabric. They have 2 layers on the outside and 3 layers through the centre panel. When folded, the prefold provides 7 layers of thirsty bamboo absorbency.

What is particularly awesome about Bumboo prefolds and flats is that there is no velcro, snaps or elastic to suffer from wear and tear over time.

The range also includes high quality, fabulous-fitting nappy covers in unique prints and their very own one-size-fits-most pocket nappy.

Oz Baby Trends is delighted to be the Australian distributors for this award-winning brand and we look forward to sharing the luxury and practicality that is Bumboo.

© Oz Baby Trends 2013

Snug as a Caterpillar in a Cocoon

The aptly-named Cocoon weather protector is everything we've come to expect from the creators of the Close caboo baby carrier - easy to use, intelligent design, practical, functional and versatile. In fact, it wouldn't be a Close product if it couldn't be mixed and matched for a variety of purposes!

Designed as a weather protector that fits most baby carriers and some strollers*, the Cocoon packs down to the size of a wallet and weighs less than a cloth nappy. So easy to throw in the glove box, nappy bag or under the pram, we wouldn't be caught galavanting without it.

The Cocoon weather protector is of course waterproof, which works really well as a wind block. With a detachable, adjustable hood that works facing in or facing out and expandable kick space, the Cocoon really will keep your little one dry from birth through to the toddler years.

The intelligent design features concealed vents to allow air flow and has a super soft snuggly neck cuff for maximum warmth.

Available from our retailers and consultants, the Cocoon weather protector is something you'll appreciate and use all year round.

(*maximum material/strap thickness for the universal clip approximately 3-4 mm)

Why Swim Nappies Make a Clean Splash

There is something unbelieveably gross about the thought of swimming in a public pool that is contaminated with faecal matter. Aside from the grossness, swimming with human faeces and swallowing pool water that is infected with offending floaties, poses a huge health risk, with the potential to cause some nasty cases of gastro, including Giardiasis and Cryptosporidiosis.

Earlier this year, a public pool in Kununurra, Western Australia, made the news when, after a spate of potential health risks, it urged parents to use appropriate swim nappies and to be more vigilant of their children's bowel movements.

Every state has a policy for dealing with faecal accidents in public swimming pools and spas, but Western Australia's policy is particularly detailed, requiring that "[b]abies or children who ordinarily wear nappies shall wear a tight fitting aqua-nappy or similar costume when using the water."

In fact, this is now a requirement in almost every public swimming pool across Australia.

If you've perused the baby aisle at Woolworths or Coles in the past 10 years, you might have noticed packs of disposable swim nappies on the shelves. All well and good from a hygiene perspective. But what happens if you don't want to spend a dollar per swim on a nappy? And what do you do if you want a reusable, environmentally-friendly alternative? Or what if your aquatic centre actually says NO to disposable swim nappies because escaping fibres clog their pool filters? (1)

Oz Baby Trends distributes the Seedling Baby range of reusable products, which includes the multi-fit reusable swim nappy, Paddle Pants.

Apart from the ease of use, monetary savings and eco-friendly factors, reusable swim nappies are without a doubt the easiest way to begin to make the switch from disposable to reusable nappies.

And the testimonies speak for themselves:

"Very impressed with the Paddle Pants. My daughter has worn it now for over 6 months. It is so fantastic that the nappy can be adjusted to fit her quickly growing body. The quality is fantastic and looks just as good now as it did brand new."

- Hayley, Newcastle

"Mr 23 Months is just off to the pool to show off his Paddle Pants again. Love, love, love them!"

- Lorna, Sydney

"I used Paddle Pants for the first time recently. My boy's allergies have been playing up big time, so nappies have been a shocker, to the point I almost considered disposables! I had no idea he had a major poo until I took the swim nappy off. It wasn't even on the gussets!"

- Shelley, Nowra

To learn how to size your Paddle Pants, visit the Seedling Baby blog HERE.

Swimming checklist:

• Check your baby every half hour. If the swim nappy is doing it's job, you won't know they've pooed unless you check!
• Don't let your child swim if he/she has diarrhoea.
• Swim nappies are not designed to absorb wee (if they did, they would also absorb pool water and your child would quickly sink) so allow your child plenty of toilet breaks.

Remember: Swim nappies are not a substitute for frequent toilet breaks and nappy changes. Happy paddling!

© Oz Baby Trends 2013

(1) Author's note: Our swim centre in Sydney prohibited the use of disposable swim nappies after discovering that the fibres from disposable swim nappies were causing fliter blockages. It is not uncommon for aquatic centres to ban disposable swim nappies and to sell reusable alternatives at the front counter.

Breastfeeding with the caboo baby carrier

Breastfeeding in the early days can be arduous. With our first baby, it took an hour just to feed from one side! I'm not sure if this is considered normal or not, but I would have given anything to have known about babywearing back then. Imagine being able to position baby in the breastfeeding position and get on with life, just like that!

While we certainly believe that nursing mothers need and deserve the rest which usually accompanies feeding time, sometimes you just need to get stuff done, so an awesome carrier in which you can breastfeed and continue on with life was an essential addition to my shopping list for the next baby. Thankfully, the caboo came on the scene just in time!

Yes, you read correctly! You can breastfeed in both the caboo +organic and the caboo dx. Let us show you how.

When feeding in the caboo +organic or caboo dx, you may need to adjust the strap so baby can approach the nipple at the right angle. You can do this by loosening the rings nearest baby’s feet. This will let the head down slightly. You may also wish to fold the strap over and down the shoulder slightly on the head side so you can easily maintain visual contact with your baby while feeding. To alternate to the opposite breast you will need to take baby out and change the inner strap to the outer strap.

Breastfeeding Position for the caboo +organic

 

Breastfeeding Position for the caboo dx

Top Tip: If feeding your baby you can tilt them towards you by placing baby’s arm closest to you down a little, resting around your waist. 
 ...

We can't recommend the caboo enough as ideal for skin-to-skin contact, keeping baby warm and establishing breastfeeding.

As you would expect, caboo adheres to EN 13209-2:2005 and the T.I.C.K.S guidelines for safe baby carrying.

A note on babywearing safety:

• Make sure baby is in view at all times…regularly check your baby is secure and happy
• Keep baby high up on your chest… close enough to kiss (unless of course you're breastfeeding)
• Keep baby's chin off their chest and allow for free flowing air
• Baby should be held comfortably close…and fully supported
• Make sure baby is central…and the cross section is spread out under their bottom if they're in the upright position
• Don’t overdress your baby… remember your body heat will keep them warm so dress them down a layer and never cover baby’s head or face with an item of your own clothing.
• Use common sense… don’t engage in activities which may expose you or your baby to unnecessary danger or risk

© Oz Baby Trends 2013

Top 10 free (and FUN!) winter activities for kids

When the chilly weather sets in, it can be tempting to turn the TV on and snuggle up under blankets watching movies. But we've found this doesn't tend to burn a lot of kid-energy!

Here are our Top Ten FREE winter activities to keep little bodies and minds active and warm.

{Image Credit}

1. Pillow fight. Put adult t-shirts on the kids, stuff a few pillows up them and enjoy a pillow fight.

2. Treasure hunt. This can be done indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather. Just hide a
few goodies and then write on post-it notes to give your kids some clues. This activity not only keeps
little bodies moving, but it keeps little minds busy as well. This website has some great ideas for awesome treasure hunts.

3. Build a cubby house. This is such a simple idea that the kids will just love. With a few chairs, pillows, blankets and sheets, anything is possible! After creating your own cosy little haven in the bedroom, lounge room, or backyard, why not have a picnic in it? There's nothing nicer than snuggling up with a hot chocolate and a few books on a cold winter's day.

4. Sort your photo albums. Admittedly, this might be a cheeky way to get your hundreds of photos sorted while at the same time entertaining the kids. While you're all sitting down together, having a laugh over baby
photos, make some popcorn and a warm milo, relax and enjoy the memories while sorting! Click HERE for some fantastic ideas on how to get your photos in order.

5. Play musical chairs. Musical chairs is an old favourite at children's parties, but it's also a fantastic game any other time. Simply gather a few chairs, turn on your favourite music and start dancing. It'll warm the kids up and get you all laughing.

6. Puzzle it. Who doesn't love a puzzle? If your kids aren't so keen on the traditional jigsaw puzzle, there are
plenty of other options: let them try word puzzles, mechanical puzzles and mathematical ones too. Sudoku can be fun and addictive for older kids.

7. Art and craft. If your little ones are more the arty type, then why not let them try their hand at some great craft a activities? Check out the Activity Village for thousands of ideas, free printables, eduational games and crafts for every holiday or season.

8. Visit the library. Your local library is a veritable treasure chest of information and ideas. You can easily spend a few hours sifting through books, and enjoying story time. Most libraries offer a kids club for children aged 0-13, and most also offer school holiday activiti
es. Visit your local library and see what's on offer:

9. Rug up and visit the park. The winter months produce a lovely and unusual variety of flora and fauna, so make the most of it and rug up and go for a walk through a local park or botanic gardens.

10. Nature watch. Let your kids become bird watchers. The winter months bring out beautiful and unusual bird species, so why not get together with some of your kids' friends and do a bird watch. You can download and print our FREE bird watching chart HERE.

What would you add to our list of free winter activities for kids?

© Oz Baby Trends 2013

Night Nappying 101

It is not uncommon for cloth users to opt for disposable nappies at night. There are a number of reasons given for this. Some people say they are worried that a cloth nappy simply won't last the distance. Others say they don't want wet fabrics against the baby's skin for so long. Many just do it because they don't have a nappy that can be used for nights.

But even if you're only using 1 disposable a night, that's still 365 nappies - or over $180 worth of disposables a year while your child needs nappies at night.

If you're a night time disposable user but want to make the switch to full time cloth use, we're going to arm you with the information you need to eliminate disposables from your evening routine! Are you ready?

A Seedling Baby multi-fit pocket with extra booster
set makes a great night nappy

We've night cloth nappied 4 children and have tried a number of different options, including dedicated night nappies, but the three we love most are:

- pop-in +bamboo with night booster
- Seedling Baby multi-fit pocket with extra booster set
- Mother-ease bedwetters

From birth through to approximately 2.5 years, our fall back options are the pop-in +bamboo nappy and the Seedling Baby multi-fit pocket.

If baby is still waking at night
If your baby is still waking through the night, a pop-in +bamboo without the night booster can be sufficient as long as you are changing at each wake/feed, which - for baby's comfort - is a good idea.

A Seedling Baby multi-fit pocket with just the one booster set also does this job beautifully. In both the pop-in +bamboo and Seedling, the boosters are made from a high bamboo content fabric which offers incredible absorbency.

If your baby is sleeping through
If your baby is sleeping through, but not yet toilet training, both the pop-in +bamboo and the Seedling pocket can be turned into night nappies.

The pop-in simply requires a dedicated night booster (available from your local stockist separately or in the nappy packs) The Seedling just needs another booster set, which you can place on the outside of the pocket (you won't fit two boosters sets inside the pocket opening).

Designed as a dedicated night nappy team, pop-in +bamboo with night booster is a killer combination has seen 3 different children through for up to 14 hours from 6 months - 2.5 years.

The pop-in night booster can be folded however it suits! We fold it the 'wrong' way
so that we can then fold the front over again to add extra absorbency for little boys.

Mother-ease bedwetters can be found HERE

If your baby is over 2.5 years or approx 16 kg
Both the Seedling pocket and the pop-in are designed to fit babies to approximately 16kg, but we all know that no two babies are made the same and what fits one might not fit another at the same age or weight. If your child is on the larger side or you feel that the one-size design of these nappies is not suiting your baby any longer, we really can't recommend the Mother-ease bedwetters highly enough. These come in 3 different sizes to fit children between 13 and 31 kgs, so they are also great for older kids and children with special needs.

What about the wet fabric against their skin?
The pop-in night booster has a strip of polar fleece sewn on, and this acts brilliantly as a moisture barrier, keeping your baby dry throughout the night. With the Seedling, you can simply use a polar fleece liner if you would prefer to not have the bamboo directly against their skin. Polar fleece liners never go astray! They're great poo catchers and polarfleece can be purchased cheaply by the metre from Spotlight. Just cut it into strips and you're set. No need to even hem!

HANDY HINT
Always rinse the night nappy a soon as it comes off baby, to reduce the chance of the ammonia breaking down the fibres of your bamboo boosting.

Tell us - what's your go-to night nappy?

© Oz Baby Trends 2013