Cloth Diapers - My thoughts, ideas, reviews, AND a giveaway for YOU!

So I found myself (at age 36) with a baby on the way. Things had been a bit different with the older children (5,6) and I had some ideas on how I wanted to raise our new addition. This time I work from home and we own our own business so I decided cloth diapering would be a great way to save money and the environment. I knew NOTHING about cloth diapers (except they make excellent burp rags). I still don't claim to know it all...but this is what I do know:

You would spend at least $2500 on disposable diapers for one child and use over 4000 diapers (2,788 of those in the first year).

You only need about 25 cloth diapers to fully cloth diaper one child full time.

I received some hand me down diapers, and I found some wonderful diaper shops. I traveled out of town and found diaper shops. I talked to moms. I found blogs. I read articles. I learned about the different styles of diapers. I tried some diapers and swapped them for others because I just didn’t like them. I wrote to companies and asked what I was doing wrong. I tried new diapers. I asked for ideas. And now…I have some favorites and some not so favorites. I cannot show you my entire stash, but I want to tell you about some of my favorites. Included with my review of my favs, there is also an interview with the owner of  Chubby Elephant Diapers and a giveaway for one diaper from each company. The giveaway ends this Thursday January 16^th at noon (CST)

It took a while to find the perfect nighttime solution for our little one. He loves to sleep in as much as his mommy does and we were leaking through many popular diapers. I even tried wool covers and just couldn't wrap my head around the entire lanolizing process and it seemed complicated. I tried pre-folds and snappies and though not as difficult as the pins of days gone by, it just wasn't for me. That's when I learned about 'fitted' diapers and AI2 which stands for All In 2. I chatted with some mothers who recommended trying the AI2 from Chubby Elephant Diapers. These diapers are amazingly absorbent, breathable, and oh so cute! The owner of the company is just as wonderful as the product too! These diapers are well worth the money and as much as we love them at night, they are just as great for daytime. If I know we will be gone a while and I am worried about leaks, this is what I'll use - because they have lots of absorbent layers!! 

INTERVIEW

Crystal: Where did you get your name from? 

Chubby Elephant: I have always loved elephants. Had a bit of an obsession with them in high school; they are fascinating animals. I was trying to come up with a name for my business and just liked the way Chubby Elephant sounds

Crystal: I love the way it sounds too and I smile each time I see your logo on my chubby little man!

What prompted you to start your own company?

Chubby Elephant: I have been cloth diapering since 2010 when my son was born. I started out with mainstream brands, found disappointment, then discovered WAHM diapers and became addicted to all the fun prints. My husband lost his job so I sold almost my entire stash to fund a serger to make my own diapers. I came up with my own pattern and started sewing diapers for my son.

Crystal:  I am seriously jealous! I wish I could sew - just sewing a button frustrated me!

Who has been your biggest supporter?

Chubby Elephant: My husband has definitely been my biggest supporter. I think he was very happy to see me sewing my own diapers to begin with and when I started selling them he was proud of me.  

Crystal: What a great hubby!!!! I can just tell you're smiling recall that memory!

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

Chubby Elephant: Just do it. If you have a talent for something and you want to share it with others, just go for it. There is a certain amount of bravery required. You also need to give it time, success doesn't happen overnight. For me personally, I make diapers to stock and they sit in my shop for weeks. I have to keep going. I'm not interested in becoming the next best thing out there, but I hope to get to a point where diapers aren't sitting in my shop for weeks.  

Crystal: Just do it is very sound advice - taking that plunge can be the scariest (albeit most rewarding) part of any new adventure!

How do you advertise?

Chubby Elephant: I mostly do reviews/giveaways with bloggers. A little advertising on hyena cart right before my store stocks.  

Crystal: I'm so glad we found one another - I would say you do just the right amount of advertising and I'm so glad I can be part of that for you! 

What would you change if you could start over? Why?

Chubby Elephant: I would have set up my books from the beginning. I am so not looking forward to taxes this year, it's going to be a mess...

Crystal: Well, I can completely understand that! Taxes can be such a nightmare and I'll admit I'm not super with book-keeping either.

What's in store for Chubby Elephant Diapers in 2014?

Chubby Elephant: I have another work from home business so my free time is divided between the two.

Crystal:  I hope you'll come back and tell us more about your other business and keep us up to date with any new developments with Chubby Elephant - thank you so much!!!!!

Hugs!

 

I love the Oh Fancy Baby diapers because of the fun designs, trim fit, and their great customer service. My orders are filled very quickly and everything is high quality. The first purchase I made was a little cap, leg warmers, and a fuzzy diaper. The set was adorable and made for great pictures of my little one. Laura who owns Oh Fancy baby is wonderful and answered all of my questions. The diapers are the pocket style and come with a bamboo and microfiber insert. They aren't something I would use for overnight...not because they leak, but because I use a different style for nighttime diapering. I guarantee you'll be pleased with your Oh Fancy Baby purchase and the customer service is just as fancy as the diapers and accessories! 

Within the next week, I will feature an interview with Laura from Oh Fancy Baby - stay tuned! In the meantime, please feel free to register to win your very own Oh Fancy Baby Diaper! (below)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I did not receive any products in exchange for my reviews. I purchased these products myself - and when I offered to do the reviews the company offered MY READERS the freebies....so my opinions were not swayed in any way!

Hugs,

~Crystal