Parentpreneur and The "soul" of my e-store

I just love and couldn't agree more with the word of "Parentpreneur" . I am not entrepreneur or what so ever business woman typo. I am just a parent who happens to run an home based e-store.
And I don't have a entrepreneur background, or did a formal course for business , and I don't have a certificate that said I am passed to be a parent as well. (sound familiar?)

So what is a Parentpreneur? I found a book from Julie Lenzer Kirk , she described:

" Most people think you can't be serious about business and also be a good parents. Or , if you are a good parent, you have to let things slide at work. The truth is , they are more similarities between these two roles than there are differences.
There are no exam to be an entrepreneur and no way to earn a degree in parenting."


I become a mom without skill at all but I am doing it anyway. So does for the e-store.
And I do treat my e-store like my child. I want people to feel "the soul" behind my e-store and I hope this will distinguish it from other e-stores. I want it to give joy, warm, happiness, I want people to connect with it. Even though it is just a virtual site, I want to lift it up by giving a "soul " behind it.

I want people to feel , when they go through my e-store that , the items listed there have personal feeling to me, I choose that to be use on my own kids , so the choices there are truly personal. What is really work for me and my kids. And being tested by a real mom, to see if that items can fit into our lifestyle in Malaysia.

Raising Mia Bambina is like raising my own children , here is how:

I do have lots of passion for it. And the most important I do have bonding with it. I love every single second I spend with it.

If other "babies" can walk at 10 months of age , and my " bambina" is still crawling, I don't mind either, I believe each" baby" got their own pace to reach certain milestones.

Surviving the first year is just an amazing journey, like every babies, the first year is the most important timing. "spit" up will happens a lot too...:) but hey, it is just a part of healthy growing.

I do expect many hiccups , stumbles, falls to happens during the first 2-3 years . ( yeah ..must prepare extra "band aid")

I do expect to have a "terrible two" :) ( Mom.....I can do it ! let me do it!, that is mine! I don't want to share! )

I also allow mistakes to happens. ( and make sure it understand the mistake and promise not to repeat the same mistake *hmm finger cross*) :-D

And I teach my "bambina" to feed it self eventually. ( still on the training for this, the starting will be a very messy job and needs a lots of cleaning up)

I teach it to earn respect and show respect to others. (this is the ground rules for my other kids too!)

I also emphasized on positive "NO" ( "No, you can't have that now, but you can have this instead")

I encourage creativity and positive attitudes. ( "How should we color the tree? Let's see what will we do if we mix these 2 colors" )

and I celebrate the "uniqueness " of each "individual" ( "Yes, the other girl does have a long blond hair, dear! but you are equally pretty and sweet with your short brown hair!" )

And the most important I feel PROUD to see my bambina grow , each day, during its up and down. I like it when it got a praise on from other moms , I like it when people feel connected with it.

I do hope I can enjoy Mia Bambina trough laughter and cries in years to come.

Well, I just hope that you can feel "the soul" of my "baby" too! And most important I do hope it can bring you joy!

It is not perfect, no body is, but by allowing a healthy grow, positive environment, self respect, I am sure it will grow to be a fine young lady.......some day...somewhere......

Till then....

Sandra
mom of 3 : Indy, Maya and Mia Bambina. *wink*
:-D

Maya's billboard debut!

Maya as Drybees' billboard advert model. Isn't she HUGE? LOL

The amazing thing is, it was up exactly on her 1st b'day! wow!

According to Lisa, no body realize that Maya is actually Asian (ok mixed ) , but in that particular photo I do think that Maya looks more like Asian .

Lisa took this video while she was driving...that was not easy...
Thanks a bunch , Lisa! :)

Here is original photo:












Maya still fully breastfeed and cloth diapered.
Cloth diaper size : medium.

About cloth pads ( for women that is!)

Ok ladies....don't be shy , just admit it , you think that is GROSS! Why in this world , in year of 2007, there are still people using CLOTH menstrual pads? Yuck, disgusting, gross, you name it! Well but as I am always the " strange" one...you can call me what ever you want...or think cloth pads are gross, yucky...etc, but I am ONE PROUD LADY to share this info with you! Yes I AM!
Here is why:
1. Of course it is healthier, as you know I am the cloth diapers addict ( need to say more?) and the material in commercial pads are the same, they use gel, dioxin, chemical etc. I think I deserve something HEALTHIER! Don't you think you deserve something healthier?
2.Thinking of how women spend $$ to take care of their appearance and well being ,going to saloon after saloon, buying creams after creams, beauty therapies ,spas and much more, I found using cloth menstrual pads also as one of the health routine we should be aware and do!
3.I found that the blood is much more lesser when I use cloth pad.AMAZING...and not just me! many other cloth pads user have confirmed this. Disposable pads have chemicals in them which 'draw out' the blood from your body. I noticed this difference immediately when I made the switch to cloth! I had very little blood on my cloth pads compared to disposables
4.Less cramping after I changed to cloth!
5. Save money....

Ok if you read until this far ,that means you are still interested to know more!
6. Less yeast infection.
7. No more sticky tape stick to my hair! oouuch!
(sound familiar???)

Ok so now the questions:
1. Will it be messy?
It is not as messy as you think! Trust me! Amazingly the cloth pads make blood lesser !
Since there are no chemicals in the pads drawing the blood out of your body, you will notice a very high percentage of your blood loss actually gets flushed in the toilet.
2. Stain, stain ,stain?
Not really. I just rinse it with cold tap water. It will removes most of the blood. Then I just soaked it with a bit of detergent for about 4 hours or overnight. You can cover the container if you are sharing bathroom withother family member. If you imagine the water will be very dirty, you are wrong again! :) as I mentioned the blood will be rinse out easily, the rest just soak it with a bit of detergent and tea tree oil. And the next morning I just wash it with my normal laundry.

How can the cloth pad stay put without the adhesive tape? They got snaps that goes under your panties, like this













I've been searching around for cloth pad. And as soon as my cycle is back I tried it (due to breast feeding so it was delayed a bit :) ) I want something simple, natural, and fun! I love the natural fabric of WAHMIES bamboo, it is so lush, so soft. Great as panty liners or during light days.
Then I found Imse Vimse Organic cotton, which are great as well. I like the day pad.
But my searching is not till there!
I love to offer menstrual pads in my e-store , and I must try it and love the products my self before I can sell to others. And thanks to Dewi for all the nice tips and info! :)

So I really happy that I found these natural pads. Made from hemp, bamboo velvet, and even silk! The fabric are hand dyed too! The center layers are made from 100% unbleached organic cotton providing maximum absorbency, but a wonderful light and breathable pads! The back fabric are made form windpro fabric, it is waterproof and soft

This is a tiny liner, in bamboo velour
The dye colors will be vary from time to time .










This is the regular pads, made either from hemp or bamboo velour. Comes it regular or heavy flow! And it is trim and soft!











This is the Ultimate II pads. EXCELLENT for night time protection! or for postpartum time










Another great items are the Organic Hemp Silk Comfort Contour Liners!

These luxurious Hemp Silk Comfort Contour Liners are made with an Organic Hemp/Silk on the top, and windpro fleece on the bottom.
Organic Cotton center layer for absorbency. Silk has long been known for it's wonderful ability to aid in healing, and preventing yeast infections.
If you suffer from yeast infections,
you will be blessed by the natural healing properties of these Healing Pads!
Silk also keeps you feeling dry all day long!
They are simply beautiful, and a wonderful solution for those who suffer so often!

And of course I can't left out those who needs to wear thongs, or g-string to avoid VPL!
here are the tiny thongs. These thong tiny liners have a layer of organic cotton in the center and a layer of waterproof windpro fleece for the backing.
Huge comfort in tiny style!










All of these are coming in to Mia Bambina in September 2007!

one word

I got Tagged from montessorimum
Where is your cell phone? in front of me
Relationship? Happily married for 8 years n counting ,blessed wth 2 lil princesses
Your hair? short
Work? “at home
Your sister? 3
Your favorite thing? internet
Your dream last night? my aunt
Your favorite drink? Coffee
Your dream car? don't have. Anything with wheels , engines and aircon will do
The room you’re in? upstairs
Your shoes? downstairs
Your fears? lizard
What do you want to be in 10 years? a wife n mom to 2 beautiful teenagers
Who did you hang out with this weekend? Family
What are you not good at? organizing
Muffin? nice
One of your wish list items? Laptop
Where you grew up? JKT
Last thing you did? nursing my 1 yo dd
What are you wearing? T shirt & shorts
What aren’t you wearing? shoes
Your pet? 2 dogs outside the house some where. And a turtle .
Your computer? dell
Your life? interesting
Your mood? happy and excited!
Missing? My mum
What are you thinking about right now? what should i do today?i completely forget...
Your car? no car. hiks
Your kitchen? spacious enough for me
Your summer? hot
Your favorite color? baby lilac
Last time you laughed?Indy said something funny just now.
Last time you cried? can't remember
School? great memories
Love? My family,hubby, friends.

Tag:
Miranda
Chanel

Maya's stash

Finally I have the time to pull this together! I am a cloth diapers addict , oh YES I AM!
The purpose of this post is strictly for FUN! Specially for other addicts out there! :)
As being in this biz, I need to learn and try a wide variety of fabric, material, cutting, function that can work in Malaysia. I see it as "investment" in a pretty FUN way! LOL
As you can see on the left panel of my blog, there are also Maya pics in other cloth diapers.
But as you all know she is "the face of Drybees !" :)

Here u go , ENJOY!


























Maya 11 months with Imse Vimse organic cotton fitted in medium setting.The left photo is my favorite , she looks so "angelic"there!


























Maya 11 months with So simple cover over Imse Vimse OS fitted






























Maya with Thirsties medium cover in melon over sherpa fitted.




























Maya with minkee pocket





























Maya with pink camo minkee wrap over DRYBEES bamboo onesize fitted





























Maya in Kissaluvs colors!galore Size 1 in Melon. Maya is an average build baby.






Maya here with Drybees bamboo onesize fitted in Medium setting.
The bamboo fleece fabric is SOOO soft, comfy and soooo breathable! I can hold to this diapers forever!













And has a nice fitting too!
















































Maya in GADimals size large in purple & yellow microfleece. This is a FUZZY, soft! and a F.U.N.K.Y DIAPER!


























In GAD pink princess and purple fleece in medium. My maid put this on her, so I dont really like the fitting here. Too loose!



























This is a custom made with coral med wt windpro fleece with medium lavender snaps, and cow hide print suede liner inside. (sound complicated? LOL)No embroidery yet, but Mamma is up to that soooon....LOL. I enjoyed it so much to pick my own fabric and combination.

Being SAHM , FTWM, PTWM

I got tagged from Sharine . If I can choose which one I would be?
After thinking....and reading allthingspurple 's tag, I am not SAHM and FTWM either. Maybe I am a PTWM or WAHM.
However the last one, got a "negative" review somehow.(wonder why)

I've been SAHM, PTWM and WAHM . Just to share:

When I was just married to my dh 8 years ago, I worked in Singapore, and still no children that time. After my dd born I become SAHM for 2 years. After that I become PTWM. I worked part time in shoes company ( some are big name like ninewest, romanni, etc....make me wanted to snatched all the shoes!!! )I worked 2 weeks in a row , to follow the quality controller from Italy, and then I will have 2 weeks off or so. When I went to work in the morning, Indy , that time was 2 years old , will screamed and cried! and begged me not to leave her. Hearted broken me...still needed to go to work early in the morning, and came back at 7-8 at night.

After that job , I still got weekend job as instructor for baby gym. I love it , because I worked 3 times a week, and I can bring Indy with me. Financially it was good also, since I can spent my salary for ME! hahaa...

Then during pregnancy , I be SAHM again for sometimes, until now.
I run a small online store from home. So is this consider PTWM? or WAHM?

So I choose to be either PTWM or WAHM, why:

1. It give me sense of independence but also It make me feel great as I still can be at home with my children. I do admire FTWM moms , where they can have a great carrier and manage to run household and take care of children too. But for me, to be with them , or keep an eye on them while working it is just a great BONUS .
So WAHM i think is good specially in my small biz , online store. But it is common people think since I am a WAHM, I dont have anything to do beside taking care of my online store. And blame me as WAHM for it. Of course her store can manage well.... (read: nothing to do at home, but waiting for orders only) LOL:) I hope I really have nothing to do and wait for order! :)
well whatever it is....I will try my best to correct this point a view. Being WAHM is not that easy. And I must be competent in both family and business issues. Family still my number one priority. And it is not easy to pack orders , make invoices with a 1 year old trying to open all cabinets and banging my calculator and throwing my handphone .:) or try this: when I must answer a customer's call regarding products issue, I must sound calm and assuring, while my dd hanging to my breast and refused to be put down to her crib :) and want me to walk her around the room while i am on the phone.!

2.Being a WAHM make me still connect to other world. And to THE "WORLD"...It make me do more research, make decisions, and it just make my brain going and thinking. I like challanges. And believe nothing good comes easily. All the other nasty things happen around my biz life are just nothing compare to the safety and the well being of my family. After being hit hard in biz life or just had another bad rumors days , or even low sales weeks and disappointed customers, to face all of this nasty things, and to see my lovely girls playing and laughing at the same time, make my problem seems lighter. While working in the office (as FTWM) surround by nervous adults seems to make the problem heavier.

3.I still be able to contribute to family financially. Not very much for now, or maybe none at all . As my e-store is still struggling with budget. But I can make re-stocking from with in, and grow slowly from there. I do hope one day , if I still can survive in this biz for another year or so,I will be able to support my family better.

Being a WAHM is not all good. It is hard to find time to do stuff properly, I never can find time to do re inventory weekly. The only time when I can work properly is when my dd are a sleep. Some times I just miss to b e SAHM, like back then in Shanghai. My activities was just luncheon meeting, do charity event, or shopping gathering, chit chatting.

Being a WAHM and run my own store sometimes can be upseting as well. Either I want it or not, to be on the game we must play the game correctly. So either be in it or out. This is issue for me as WAHM. I dont want to be hit and I don't want to hit either.I just want to protect my self, and concentrate on what I do best.

But being a positive person, I think I can handle to be a WAHM for some more times! :) and I am sure I will come up with more wonderful and great ideas!
whether you like it or not....:)

Now I got other problem! I don't have anyone to tag! I think they are all being tagged already
Chanel , care to share your story?
Angie I know you are busy and happy now...but want to know your point of view.



~~~Instructions~~~
Here’s how it works:
1. So easy peasy, if you were given a choice, would you be a SAHM or FTWM? Just provide 3 darn good reasons.
2. Include your post link to the list below and Finally,
3. Tag another three mommies

How many do you need? and how much do you really save?

This is the first thing that come to my mind the first time I am going to invest to cloth diapers.
How many do I need? I need to plan my budget , and just to get the idea of how much will I really save?
Thanks to MommyQ with her questions, and I wrote it in my forum. So just to share it here.
Hope you will find it useful!

Well first it is depends on your kid and how often to you wash, but I think we all wash it everyday rite?
On USA/overseas site sometimes they wash it every other day or every 3 days.So that's why they need it more.

I use about 6-10 diapers for Maya every day.

This is what I think will be sufficient for the basic :

Newborn until 5 month will need the most , let's say about 12 changes in 24 hours. And you will need about 4-5 diaper extra when the rest are being wash. So using combination of prefolds(1 dozen ) and 3 covers , plus about 3-4 of pocket or fitted (for nap time, or night time or outing)
During NB stage to 3 months , onesize diapers might not fit nicely. Most onesize diaper fits well for baby weight more than 5 kg.
Cost estimation: RM 90(prefolds) + Rm 125.7 (for 3 covers) + RM 225 for 3 pockets+inserts=RM 440.7 (ok let's round it up to RM 500 for additional boaster, insert, liner etc)

For babies 5-12 month a good amount will be 6-8 diapers changes for every 24 hours. This is what I use for my DD Maya , she uses about 6-7 /day. It will be nice to stock about 2 more for rainy day or extra poo poo day.:)It will be good if you take 3 onesize and 3 sizes diapers
Cost estimation: RM 450 for pocket 6 diapers including inserts + extra 2 more diapers (one can be night time diaper)RM 160 =Rm 610
Since the insert ffrom SMALL size still can be use(if you buy onesize insert), you will just need to buy pocket diaper or some additional insert if you need.So RM 610 will be the budget for pocket diapers , 3 inserts and some wipes if you use it.

For toddler you will need about 5 diapers/day. You can stock up 6 diapers. If you use onesize diapers you still can use it on toddler stage.You might need to use night time diaper as most toddler are heavy wetter.
Cost estimation : about RM 200-450

Potty train stage: you still need diaper for nap time or night time for a while. And you might want to use Training pants. 4 -6 training pants will be good enough.
Cost estimation: RM200-RM 300

TOTAL COST ESTIMATED for cloth diapers for one child RM 1860 (add abit more if you use wetbags, pail, or cloth wipes)Let's say RM 2000 , and this still can be use for next babies.

Comparison to disposable :
NB-5 months about 8-10 diapers/day for 5 months:
8pcsx30daysx5months=1200pcs, cost if RM 0.7 = RM 840

5m - potty train stage(3 years) if 6 diapers /day for 31 months
6pcsx30daysx31months= 5580 diapers x RM 0.7 = RM 3906

TOTAL COST for disposable diapers for one child= RM 4746 and that goes to the trash can!

MommyQ also made another details calculation and the Total amount for disposable diapers for 3 years are RM 4650. That is again only for one child! Imagine how much you can save for 2 or 3 children, and even when you splurge abit with choices , prints and colors, you still will save money! sound nice..isn't it? :)

I think I will put here on the details of what I am using on my dd.

Normal day would be 6-7 diapers (including night diaper)
I wash every morning at 7 am. Pocket will be dry at 12noon - 3 pm depends on weather.:)

So my daily routine is:
6.30 AM : first diaper change at 6.30 (I take out the night diaper) and put fitted diaper and cover for Maya.
9.30-10.00 AM: she will have morning bath. So again diaper change but I just change her fitted diaper and reuse same cover.
12.30-13.00: Diaper change again normally to pocket diaper.
16.00: another bath and change to another pocket diaper.
19.00: another change to pocket diaper
21.00-22.00: late nursing time and I also change her to fleece pocket that last until 6.30 am next morning.

I like to use fitted in the morning, since I dont need to change the cover every time I change the fitted diaper.

So from washing time at 7 am until the drying time at about 3 pm , I will need 2 fitted , 1 cover(morning), 1 pocket and 1 insert(afternoon).
If my fitteds are not yet dry, I still can use prefolds. I use prefold when Maya was younger, and now it serve as "back up" insert or I use it with cover.

I got 3 covers , since cover dry very fast it is great to use during rainy season. It dries almost instantly after wash. (bummis and thristies) and a few xtra pocket diapers also great, that one dry fast too!And I think if you got some extra lampin it can be use as well as insert, specially on this rainy season

Hope that helps! :D

Up close on prefold diaper

What is a prefold? Basically it is a traditional flat cotton nappy , already being folded. So you dont need to do those "origami" folds to use it.
Many of you wonder if lampin and prefold are the same. Well the answer is yes and no :D
Both lampin and prefold are made from cotton. And needs diaper cover .
But the prefold cotton material is more durable, and thicker . So it can absorb much more compare to lampin.

Prefold also come in unbleached style. The color are still creamy beige not pure white.As it is unbleached , so the fibers are still thicker thus can keep more urine.
It must be wash up to 5x prior wash to reach it maximum capacity to absorb , and if you also use pocket diaper, it need to be wash separately for the first 5 x of washes.

Prefold can be wear up tp 2.5 hours. And you can use it as insert for your favorite pocket diaper. It is great as "back up" or "extra" inserts. Premie insert can be use as doubler for bigger diapers as well. Do note that prefold takes longer time to dry compare to lampin

And it can be use as burp cloth, or rug cloth when your kid are bigger and are not in diaper anymore!

So here is the prefold. This is the unbleach type. I've using this for more than 6 months, and you can see it is still in great condition and it is more fluffed than a stiff new prefold.
You see the 3 panels, left, center and right? The center part have the most layers, some times it has 6 or 8. And the both sides panels have 2 or 4 layers. So when you see the prefold description 2x4x2 means that it has 2 layer on left side, 4 layers in the middle and 2 layers on the right.
The prefold that I use is 4x8x4

This is the most easy folding technique. You just fold the both sides in to the middle, and open up the upper/back part to form like a fan. You can also fold the front part in to middle if this size is still too long for your baby (specially newborn).This folding is good for catching a liquid BF baby poo. You can always use nappy liner on the top of it.
Then put your baby on top of the folded prefold
Then snap it by connecting the side parts and middle part, you can use pins if you want to, here I use snappy nappy fastener . Just hook it to the left , holding the middle part , then hook the middle part and the the right part. Easy and no scary pins for me!:D

Another simple but usefull folding technique is the TWIST . Just put the prefold and twist it , like the picture below




Put the baby on the top of ready twisted prefold
Then again use snappi to fasten.





I like to use prefold for newborn baby, just use it with Great Diaper cover(Bummis or Thirsties)
You dont need to change the Cover everytime you change the prefold. If it is not soil with poo poo, you can re-use up to 3 -4 times.

In the Clothes line

Here is the view of my backyard on typical sunny day! CLOTH DIAPERS hanging....LOL
I just love to see the colors combo....These are my inserts , and one all day wetbag, you can see the prefold too!(second from the left , just next to wetbag, then it is GAD hemp, then all the rest are microfiber insert and boaster.



OK now this is out of topic, just want to show you , we have uninvited guest sometimes. Monitor lizard! This is the second time it came and say hello to the statue friend.

See the bigger one behind ? that is real monitor lizard about 1 m long, and the front one is the statue .:D

The History of cloth diaper (by diaper jungle)

Track the evolution of the cloth diaper...

For more detailed information about the history of diapers visit www.diaperjungle.com



When: Ancient Times


What Was Happening In the Diapering World :Baby in swaddling bands

Parents of babies who lived during these times had to get creative and use what was available. Babies of ancient times may have used Milkweed leaf wraps, animal skins, and other natural resources. Babies were “wrapped in swaddling bands” in many European societies where strips of linen or wool were wrapped tightly around each limb and then crosswise around the body (see picture).

What was all the rage:

Seal Skin, rabbit skin, milkweed leaves, swaddling bands.



When: 1800s


What Was Happening In the Diapering World:Diaper secured with pins


A square of rectangle of linen, cotton flannel, or stockinet was folded into a rectangular shape and held in place with safety pins.

What was all the rage: Linen and cotton




When :Early 1900s


What Was Happening In the Diapering World:
Cloth diapers were the only option available generally. During World War II diaper services began being widely utilized.

What was all the rage:

Cotton flats from a diaper service, delivered clean and fresh to your door.



When:Mid 1900s


What Was Happening In the Diapering World :

The first disposable absorbent pad used as a diaper was made from unbleached creped cellulose tissue (held in rubber pants) in 1942. But cloth was still used of course and in 1946, a woman named Marion Donovan, invented the "Boater", a waterproof covering for cloth diapers. Her first model of the disposable diaper was made of shower curtain plastic into which a conventional cloth diaper was inserted. Also in 1950 the Safe-T Di-Dee diaper was invented. The diaper was preformed and was the first pinless, snap on diaper. (

What was all the rage:

Trying out the new option in diapering: the disposable.


When :1960s -1980s
What Was Happening In the Diapering World :

The disposable diaper evolves quickly. Instead of tissue, a pulp mill was introduced. Using cellulose fibers instead of paper, improved the performance of the diaper. In the 1980s Nikki brand cloth diaper covers are used by some and Curity brand flat diapers.

What was all the rage:

Disposable diapers.



When :1991-1995

What Was Happening In the Diapering World :


Recent years have brought many "improvements" to disposable diapers. However, in the early 90's cloth diaper users remerged with environmental issues, concerning the use of disposables. Cloth diapers start making a big comeback. The company Motherease opens and starts selling cloth diapers throughout Canada and the United States.
What was all the rage:

Disposable diapers are the norm but cloth diapers start to make a comeback.




When :1997

What Was Happening In the Diapering World:
Catherine McDiarmid starts BornToLove.com, a Canadian site, which is recognized for its extensive articles on cloth diapers and is still a great resource to this day.

What was all the rage:

Simple fitteds and prefolds.

When :1999 & 2000
What Was Happening In the Diapering World :


In 1999 Poochies™ and HoneyBoy™, Cuddlebuns™ were developed and became quite popular. HoneyBoy diapers were so popular in fact that they could sell at auction for over $200.00 per diaper. Kissaluvs started an online business to sell fitted and contour diapers. These years also see a tremendous amount of growth in the amount of moms who begin sewing their own diapers.

What was all the rage:

Honeyboys, Cuddlebuns, SOS, Manyducks, Kissaluvs


When :2000-2003 What Was Happening In the Diapering World:


The year 2000 sees the opening of Fuzzi Bunz, Stacinator, and The Diaper Pin. Somewhere during this time the term hyena is coined to define moms who stalk the more coveted cloth diaper types. in 2002 we see the opening of Happy Heinys, another popular pocket diaper. In 2003 the first WAHM congos, "Wahm Boutique" and "Tuesday Bear" blaze a trail, wool soaker become the latest trend, DryBees pocket diapers opens, and the cloth diapering business community suffers some turmoil as larger diaper companies feel threatened by all the smaller ones opening up.

What was all the rage:

Fuzzi Bunz, Staccinator,Drybees Heavenly Heiny's, Luke's Drawers, Sugar Peas, Fuzbombs, El bees, Cloud 9, Kool Sheep Soakers



When :2004 & 2005


What Was Happening In the Diapering World


In 2004 Karen Fegelman, opens Hyena Cart. There is also an explosion of growth in the cloth diapering community. Many new cloth diaper sewing and retail businesses were started. The presence of WAHM congos also sees a tremendous amount of growth. Wool longies gain great popularity.

Designer diapers are the rage and some more sought after brands can be sold at auction for $200-300.00, online forums explode with cloth diapering communities.

Diaper sewing is a hot pastime and many online resources, and diaper fabric stores open.

What was all the rage:

Fluffymail, Little Caboose, El bees, Kiwi Pie, Very Baby, Fuzzi Bunz, hand knit wool longies


When:2006


In 2006 a revolutionary new cloth diaper was introduced to the public...the bumGenius diaper by Cotton Babies. With their stretchy tabs and adaptability as a one size pocket diaper these were a sure fire hit. Another popular diaper was the Berry Plush diaper from JamTots which met the demand for much sought after minkee fabric. Form fitting Swaddlebees became a favorite among pocket diaper users. 2006 seemed to be the year of the pocket diaper!

Wool longies and soakers have not gone out of style for 2006. They are still in demand.

What was all the rage:

El bees, Luxe, bumGenius, Berry Plush, Superstars, wool longies