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MommyCon 2015: Cloth Diapering in DC

2015/08 By Lauren B. Stevens 2 Comments

mommycon-2015

I am finally recovering from the whirlwind weekend in DC, celebrating all things natural parenting at MommyCon 2015. I am struck by how much this amazing convention has grown since its first year! Cloth diapering, breastfeeding, babywearing, oh, MY! The vendors are better, more cloth diaper companies are present, and even more natural products are being showcased. And the babies, the babies! Everywhere I looked there were little ones nestled in their mom and dad’s carriers. Ack, the sweetness!

Save $6 on MommyCon 2015 tickets with promotional code: LOWREN15

As a Smart Bottoms Ambassador, I planned to spend most of my time at MommyCon 2015 working at the booth, talking about Jax & Jill and showing people just how amazing Smart Bottoms products are. I met Van from ‘Lil Tulips, the retailer selling Smart Bottoms at the conference, who was an amazing Smart Bottoms advocate, salesperson, and all around great guy. What I didn’t anticipate was just how popular the Smart Bottoms booth would be — we were slammed all day! Word has gotten out, my friends.

While I was unable to attend any sessions, I’d attended them before and can vouch for the abundance of information to be gleaned from them. MommyCon 2015 was really all about cloth diapers for me.

@smartbottoms is bumping! Come see @firsttimemommn & me! #smartbottomsambassador #mommycondc @mommycon

A photo posted by Lauren Stevens (@lowrenblogs) on Aug 22, 2015 at 7:12am PDT

I finally got to meet Bert, Smart Bottoms’ Marketing Coordinator Extraordinaire and the blogger behind First Time Mom, who I’d “known” for the past three years from being in the same blogging circles and working with businesses she’s worked for. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to be able to spend time with people you interact with virtually all year long! Blogging and freelance writing can be incredibly lonely, so it’s a treat to be able to interact with peers at events like this.

#MommyConDC #ClothDiaper Resource Center. Maria from @chgdiapers talking to an attendee.

A photo posted by Lauren Stevens (@lowrenblogs) on Aug 25, 2015 at 5:11am PDT

While Bert and I were located right across from the MommyCon 2015 Cloth Diaper Resource Center, where Kim Rosas (Dirty Diaper Laundry) and Maria Moser (Change-Diapers.com) were talking about all things cloth diapers, I didn’t really get the opportunity to chat with them until the convention was over! We did make a point of getting a group photo, as I’ve been in a blogging group with all of them for the last three years. While I got to spend time with Kim at a blogging conference last summer (Blog University), I’d not had the chance to meet Maria, who I’ve been working with in many capacities for years. These are the things that made MommyCon 2015 incredibly fun for me.

#MommyConDC is a wrap! @chgdiapers @kim_rosas @firsttimemommn @lo-wren @MommyCon @liltulips #clothdiapers

A photo posted by Lauren Stevens (@lowrenblogs) on Aug 22, 2015 at 1:59pm PDT

I got to meet some of my amazing readers, and even “bumped” into an old colleague who is expecting her first child [in a matter of weeks!]. If you’ve not had the chance attend MommyCon, or are on the fence about it, I encourage you to jump in and grab tickets — you won’t regret it! Not only will you get to meet like-minded parents, and sit in on amazing seminars full of resources (and your favorite “personalities” in the natural parenting world), but you’ll get to talk to the people behind some of your favorite products (cloth diapers).

Save $6 on MommyCon 2015 tickets with promotional code: LOWREN15

MommyCon-Montage

While I’ve had experience with most of the products being showcased during the convention, I did discover a brand that I’m really excited about: Re-Play. I’m planning on sharing a little more about this company when I have more time, but I bought a few products and am loving them! All of their tableware is made from recycled milk jugs, my friends – so cool!

Who's coming to see Rachel & Gina this weekend @mommycon?We've got some awesome show specials lined up! Looking forward to meeting our D.C. mommies! #mommycondc

A photo posted by Re-Play (@replayrecycled) on Aug 18, 2015 at 12:05pm PDT

Have you attended a MommyCon event this year? What were some of your favorite takeaways from the conference?

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Filed Under: all, Cloth Diapering, Editorial, events, General Topics, Natural Living, Parenting Tagged With: cloth diapers, mommycon, mommycon 2015, MommyCon DC, natural parenting, natural parenting events, smart bottoms, smart bottoms cloth diapers, smart bottoms jax & jill

Quick Tips for Washing Cloth Diapers

2015/05 By Lauren B. Stevens Leave a Comment

If you’re new to cloth diapering, you’ll find an abundance of conflicting and varied advice about washing cloth diapers. You can demystify washing cloth diapers by keeping your routine simple.

washing-cloth-diapers

Here’s what you need to know about storing and laundering your dirty diapers:

How Do You Store Dirty Cloth Diapers Before Washing?
Carolyn Russell, owner of the cloth diaper reference site Padded Tush Stats, says, “The two most common methods of storing dirty diapers are either a wet bag or a diaper pail.” Wet bags are waterproof, featuring a loop — so you can hang the bag while in use — and a zippered opening, which allows you to drop dirty diapers in with ease (and zip it closed to keep odors at bay!). The other method of storing cloth diapers before washing is to use a diaper pail or trash can with a pail liner. “When you’re ready to do your laundry,” says Russell, “you empty the wet bag or pail liner into the washing receptacle and then toss in the wet bag or pail liner to be washed along with the diapers.”

Suzi Satterfield, owner of the cloth diapering site Cloth Diaper Addicts, uses a hanging wet bag to store her dirty diapers, saying, “The added airflow around the bag means that my diapers are less likely to develop issues with smells or mold.”

Some parents use sprayers that attach to the toilet to spray any poop off the diapers before storing them. While this is usually less of an issue with newborns’ diapers, as your child moves beyond breastmilk or formula you’ll definitely want to knock off any solids into the toilet before storing and washing your diapers.

How Do You Wash Them?
How you go about washing cloth diapers — and what detergent you use — varies depending upon several factors, including water hardness, hot water temperature, “what kind of machine you use or if you’re washing by hand and how many diapers you are washing at a time,” says Russell.

Read more on Care.com

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Filed Under: all, Cloth Diapering, Editorial, General Topics Tagged With: cloth 101, cloth diapering, cloth diapers, washing cloth diapers

Best Cloth Diapers for Boys

2015/04 By Lauren B. Stevens 113 Comments

My little guy graduated from adorable cloth diapers to underwear last week, which led me to reflect on some of my favorite diapers throughout the years. With almost three years of cloth diapering under my belt, having tried every cloth diaper style, I can say that I definitely have favorites. My disclaimer is that this is my own list of the best cloth diapers for boys, as I’ve not tried every diaper on the market. From flats to all-in-one (AIO) cloth diapers, I’m discussing my picks for the best cloth diapers for boys.

From prefolds to all-in-one (AIO) cloth diapers, these are my picks for the best cloth diapers for boys.

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: AIOs, all, Cloth Diapering, Editorial, General Topics, Natural Living, Prefolds, products Tagged With: AIO, babykicks, Change-Diapers.com, cloth diapers, cloth diapers for boys, flat diapers, geffen baby, hemp, jersey hemp, natural fibers, organic cotton, Padded Tush Stats, Prefolds, smart bottoms, SoftBums, This West Coast Mommy

Rumparooz One Size Cloth Diaper

2015/04 By Lauren B. Stevens Leave a Comment

Hello to all my fellow cloth diapering friends! My name is Sara, and Lauren invited me to take a break from writing about do-it-yourself decorating over at my blog, Embrace My Space, to share my experience using cloth with you. This is not the first time I’ve interrupted Lauren’s motherly musings to talk cloth. Last summer, I wrote 6 Things to Know About Cloth Diapers (When You’re Starting Late in the Game), for lo-wren when I started cloth diapering my eight month old son. I’m happy to report that ten months later we’re still using cloth with great success.

rumparooz-one-size-cloth-diaper

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: blog series, Cloth Diapering, guest posts, Pockets Tagged With: CLOTH, cloth diapers, CLOTH Philly, pocket diapers, rumparooz

2015 MommyCon Promo Code & Special Giveaway

2015/03 By Lauren B. Stevens 40 Comments

Looking for my 2017 MommyCon promo code? Use LOWREN17 to save $5 off of each of your tickets! After you purchase your tickets, head over HERE to enter a sweet cloth giveaway!

 

Having attended MommyCon in Philadelphia the first year, I consider myself a MommCon Pro! What makes the 2015 MommyCon events even more exciting is that I am also a Smart Bottoms Cloth Diapers Ambassador, which means that I get to enjoy the convention two-fold; the excitement with the incredible line-up of speakers AND being able to tout the cool limited edition print Smart Bottoms designed just for 2015 MommyCon events. What’s even more exciting is that I’ve been given a 2015 MommyCon promo code to pass ticket savings on to you, my readers: LOWREN15

Use code LOWREN15 to save $5 on your 2015 MommyCon general admission tickets.

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Cloth Diapering, Editorial, events, General Topics, Giveaways, Natural Living, Parenting Tagged With: #SBDiaperAmbassador, 2015 MommyCon, cloth diapers, discount code, limited edition, MommyCon DC, natural parenting, smart bottoms, smart bottoms cloth diapers

Cloth Diapering: Accessory Must Haves

2015/02 By Lauren B. Stevens 1 Comment

I’ve written a post, filled with accessories you don’t need to cloth diaper, but I want to cover those cloth diapering accessories you can’t have enough of. In other words, if you find a good sale, or come across a great deal, you can buy as much or as many of these items as you can, with absolutely no remorse; trust me, you’ll put them to good use!

These cloth diapering accessories you can't have enough of; if you find a good sale, or come across a great deal, be sure to stock up!

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Accessories, Cloth Diapering, Editorial, General Topics, Parenting Tagged With: accessories, bamboo, boosters, bummis, cloth diaper safe rash cream, cloth diapering, cloth diapering accessories, cloth diapers, coconut oil, coconut stick, diaper balm, diaper covers, diaper rash cream, earth mama angel baby, Eco Sprout, fitteds, flats, fleece diaper liners, Grandma El's, inserts, natural fibers, organic cotton, Prefolds, smart bottoms, snappi, swim diaper, used cloth diapers, Wonderful Bambino

Smart Bottoms + MommyCon = Limited Edition Print

2015/01 By Lauren B. Stevens 2 Comments

MommyCon

With MommyCon 2015 kicking off in Chicago on February 21st, excitement is brewing! Some of your favorite bloggers and baby biz folks will be in attendance (Dirty Diaper Laundry, The Leaky Boob, Badass Breastfeeder, Baby Guy NYC, and more), offering sessions about everything from Cloth Diapering to Potty Training.

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Cloth Diapering, Editorial, events, General Topics, Natural Living, Parenting, products Tagged With: cloth diapers, jax & jill, limited edition print, mommycon, mommycon 2015, mommycon chicago, mommycon promo code, smart bottoms, smart bottoms cloth diapers, smart bottoms jax & jill

Cloth Diapering: Accessories You Don’t Need

2015/01 By Lauren B. Stevens 23 Comments

This post is geared towards those families who wish to take a simplistic and minimalist approach to cloth diapering, as I did. Retailers are going to hate me for this, but here goes….

After cloth diapering for two and a half years, I’ve seen my share of cloth diaper trends and accessories, and have amassed a great deal of simplistic cloth diapering experience. If you view cloth diapers as pee and poop catchers (that will save you money in the long run), and wish to take a minimalist approach to cloth diapering, this piece is for you.

CLOTH DIAPERING (1)

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Accessories, Cloth Diapering, Editorial, General Topics Tagged With: cloth diaper, cloth diaper accessories, cloth diaper detergent, cloth diapering, cloth diapering accessories, cloth diapers, cloth wipe solution, diaper liners, diaper spray, diaper sprayer, DIY cloth wipe solution, fleece liners, homemade cloth wipe solution, newborn diapers, Spray Pal, wet bag, wool wash

Natural Fibers for the Cloth Diapering WIN!

2014/12 By Lauren B. Stevens 20 Comments

I have to admit, I went ‘old school’ when I began cloth diapering two and a half years ago. In a money saving effort, I decided to use prefolds and covers to cloth diaper our son. Shoot, if it worked for my mom, it could work for me, right?

Do yourself a favor and skip microfiber when cloth diapering (you'll thank me later). Here's why:

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: AIOs, all, Cloth Diapering, Editorial, General Topics, Prefolds Tagged With: AI2, AIO, bamboo, cloth diapering, cloth diapers, hemp, microfiber, natural fibers, organic cotton, Prefolds

10,000 Facebook Followers?

2014/12 By Lauren B. Stevens 1 Comment

I am incredibly thankful for all of YOU! I began blogging as The Median Mommy, a new mom wanting to share about natural parenting, life, and…cloth diapering. I never imagined my blog would grow into what it is today, and I couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you!

10000Fans

What began as a way for me to connect to the outside world, from the confines of my home as a stay at home mom, has evolved into a creative outlet, rife with opportunity. As I mark this incredible milestone, I feel incredibly blessed for all of the opportunities that have come my way, and continue to, as a result of my writing. 2014 is winding down, as is my blogging for the year, but for good reason: I hope to announce two exciting writing projects I’m involved in for 2015 (with a little luck and a lot of work, I hope to announce many more!)!

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Filed Under: Editorial, Giveaways, giveaways, sponsored Tagged With: 000 followers, 10, bummis, cloth diapers, facebook, fans, smart bottoms, thank you, thirsties

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Lauren B. Stevens is a former publishing rep-turned-writer, whose work can be found on ChildVantage, The Huffington Post, Scary Mommy and Care.com, among many other websites. When she's not chasing her precocious preschooler, Lauren pens hilarious and heartwarming stories about her life as a mother, ghostwrites blogs for businesses, and sometimes even finds the time to write a bit of creative non-fiction.
Look for Lauren's published essays in the books listed below:

i’m in these books!

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