An Inexpensive Way to Take the Plunge into Cloth Diapering : Econobums

While cloth diapering is definitely less expensive in the long run (most families save $1,000-$2,500 for just one child), the upfront cost can scare people silly when it comes to deciding to cloth diaper.  In fact, one of the main reasons some decide not to do it is the up-front investment and fear that they will not want to stick with it.

Maybe you are this boat.  Or maybe you have a friend that is interested in cloth diapering, but is still unsure.

Well… there is an option that is even less expensive and gives you a chance to "try out" cloth diapering before you fully commit.  That option is Econobum!

 Econobum has a one size option that fits 8-35 pounds that includes a cover and three cotton prefolds. The price is right in that you get three diaper changes for less than the cost of one cloth diaper!

They also have a newborn starter kit that comes with a wet bag, three covers, six organic cotton flats, six stay dry liners, a detergent sample and some simple instructions.  It is also a super inexpensive option!

The other great thing about Econobum (and all the Cotton Baby products) is if you don't like them, up to 30 days after your purchase you can return them!  So you can try them out without risk :).

Have you been just waiting to take the plunge? Have you needed to supplement your stash without spending a lot? Do you need newborn diapers on a budget? Econobum might just be the way to go!

About the author…

I am Stasia- wife, mom, blogger over at Our Life on a Budget, part-time preschool teacher and local cloth diaper consultant.

A new way to get started with cloth from eLeMeNO-Pee!

You've been asking and we've been listening! We have now created several "starter stashes" for budgets and preferences of every size!

We anticipate that our most popular bundles will consist of the bumGenius 4.0s and also the GroVia All In One stashes.

bumGenius 4.0 stashes are available in diaper quantities of 6 (the "Starter" stash),  12 (the "Every Day" stash), 18 (the "Rotation" stash), and 24 (the "Ultimate" stash).

The perks of each of these are as follows:

6 / Starter stash: 6 solid print 4.0 diapers in the closure of your choice and a free wetbag. Also qualifies for FREE shipping!

12 / Every Day stash : 11 solid print 4.0 diapers + 1 Genius series print diaper and a free wetbag. Also qualifies for FREE shipping!

18 / Rotation stash: 17 solid diapers + 1 Genius series print diaper including a free wetbag,a free diaper sprayer, and free shipping!

24 / Ultimate stash: 22 solid print diapers + 2 Genius series print diapers, also including a free wetbag, free diaper sprayer, and free shipping!


GroVia All In One stashes are similar to the 4.0 and available in diaper quantities of 6 (the "Starter" stash),  12 (the "Every Day" stash), 18 (the "Rotation" stash), and 24 (the "Ultimate" stash).

6 / Starter stash: 5 solid color AIOs, 1 print, a free wetbag, and free shipping!

12 / Every Day stash : 11 solid print diapers +  one print diaper and a free medium wetbag. Also qualifies for FREE shipping!

18 / Rotation stash: 17 solid diapers + 1 at least one print diaper including a free medium wetbag,a free diaper sprayer, and free shipping!

24 / Ultimate stash: 22 solid print diapers + 2 print diapers, also including a free wetbag, free diaper sprayer, and free shipping!



We also have two great stash options that consist of Softbums diapers+accessories (the Softbums Basic kit and the Softbums Bamboo Starter kit)  and also two choices of Thirsties+accessories stashes (the Thirsties Cover Rotation kit and the Thirsties All In One Everyday kit).


If you've been wanting to make the leap, now is the perfect time to start with any of our diaper stashes that include a little extra incentive to help sweeten the deal! Please visit us in the store, via our website (www.elemeno-pee.com), or contact your nearest cloth diaper consultant to get started today!

Two more exciting products to launch!

There are so many new and fun things happening at eLeMeNO-Pee and today I get to announce two more products that are awesome for nursing mothers!

LilyPadz are the first new product I get to showcase today and they are such an impressive product. LilyPadz are a revolutionary alternative to  traditional, standard nursing pads. They are breathable, flexible, invisible (no obvious, sightly traditional nursing pad peeking through clothing!), and the non-absorbent material conforms to breast for the perfect fit.



 LilyPadz are 100% silicone and the gentle, comfortable pressure of the pad works to prevent milk from leaking which is how these are so different from a traditional nursing pad that is designed to solely absorb the moisture. LilyPadz are receiving rave reviews and are sure to be a hit in your home, too!   One pair of LilyPadz can be used continuously for two months. We also carry the LilyPadz wipes for convenient on-the-go wipe downs and the LilyPadz wash for a more thorough cleaning each day at home. We also carry them in a size large for those who may need something a little bigger than the standard sized LilyPadz.




The second awesome product our nursing mothers will love is the  Undercover Mama nursing tank. The unique appeal of the Undercover Mama tank is that it is designed to attach to any nursing bra. It is not the same as a traditional tank - it simply attaches to your existing nursing bra.  Each shirt click here for a video demonstrating use). Your Undercover Mama tank won't bunch up, slide around, or ball up after washing. They fit where you need them to while keeping you covered in style. The generous length allows you to tuck it in or go for a layered look.  They also allow you to have two less bunglesome straps getting in the way while you're trying to nurse the baby - these tanks simply attach to any nursing bra to make every outfit easily compatible with nursing! I LOVE this design and cannot wait to personally try  it this fall!



All of these items are in-stock both online and in-store and ready to be added to your nursing necessities collection!

eLeMeNO-Pee has not one, but TWO, new brands to announce!

You thought we were just going to announce one brand today but instead we're announcing two!

The first is Ju*Ju*Be bags and accessories! This has been one of my favorite "mommy indulgences" for a long time. There are no other bags like it on the market.  I used two Ju*Ju*Be bags while my daughter was still in diapers and they still look new! Ju*Ju*Be is notorious for their awesome print selection along with all the nifty features that come with each and every bag.

Some of their most awesome features:
1. Machine washable. Yes, that’s right…machine washable!

2. Most bags have attachments for Be Connected™ stroller clip system (I still use this 4.5 years later to clip my purses or shopping bags on!)
3. Tons of smart pockets.
4. Crumb Drains™…bye-bye mess!
5. Metal feet on selected bags.
6. 3M™ Thinsulate™ in the insulated bottle pockets…climate controlled.
7. Memory foam in shoulder pads… comfy!
8. Teflon® fabric protector…helps repel stains.
9. Custom, all-metal hardware…no one else has it. And we don’t use any of that cheap plastic stuff.

10. Agion®-protected linings…natural antimicrobial treatment inhibits and reduces the growth of odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew.
11. Light-colored linings…you can actually see what’s inside; it’s not just a big black hole in there.  (You don't realize how helpful this is until you've used it!!)
12. Self-healing coil zippers.
13. Ergonomically curved straps make carrying our bags oh-so-comfy!
14. Tons of details, from jewels in the zipper pulls to stars on the labels.
15. Memory foam changing pads…nice for baby.
16. Mommy pockets with lots of organization.
17. PVC- and lead-free!

Once you go Ju*Ju*Be, you don't go back! :) We love these bags and are sure you will, too!



The next new brand in our lineup is the  AFG line of Baby Furniture!

We are carrying the full range of furniture -- the cribs, mattresses, changing tables, and dressers. You name it, we carry it! We are also running an introductory special on the Jordana Lia crib. You get to choose the offer -- either $150 OFF or get a free 96 coil mattress for FREE *along* with free shipping! They have so many amazing convertible cribs that will last your child from infancy through their entire childhood. I love this feature in cribs!

A cool fact about AFG Baby Furniture  is that they contribute a portion of all sales to various organizations including children in need and sustainable forest efforts. They have been in business since 1986!














We are so excited to be expanding our product lines and bringing more fun things to the table for each and every eLeMeNO-Pee customer. We strive to offer the best of the best and we think both of these brands fit the bill perfectly!

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for a couple more exciting product launches coming just around the corner!

Product Spotlight : hosie naturals headache balm

I fell in love with hosie naturals products when my daughter was just a few months old. A friend gifted me a sample of their butt balm and I was sold. I can honestly say I've never tried a hosie naturals product I haven't loved, but one of my absolute favorites is the  hosie naturals headache balm.

As someone who has struggled with lifelong headache and migraine problems, I was skeptical of a "headache balm", I will be honest. But I decided to give it a try and I'm so glad that I did! Any time I feel the tell-tale signs of a headache coming on, I reach for the headache balm. I find this is a very important step in avoiding a full-blown headache. The second I feel it starting to hit, I apply the headache balm and feel almost instant relief.

The directions say to apply where needed, as  needed. I typically rub it on my temples, across my forehead, behind my ear lobes, and at the nape of my neck. You can also apply it to the bottom of your feet or inhale the vapors with long, slow breaths.

Why does the balm work so well? Because it's comprised of a powerful essential oil blend known to relax and refresh the mind and body, easing tension and soothing headaches. And it really, really works. My husband also has headaches, and while they aren't as frequent as mine seem to be, he gets really sick  if he takes acetaminophen or ibuprofen for a headache, every single time. He was so relieved when I purchased our hosie naturals headache balm -- now he has a way to thwart or treat a headache naturally!

Another wonderful aspect of this product is that the ingredients are all natural -- no mystery ingredients! *Jojoba Oil, *Beeswax, Essential Oils of: *Lavender, *Peppermint, *Eucalyptus, Vanilla, *Chamomile, and Spikenard.  An asterisk next to an ingredient denotes that it is certified organic.

At just $9.99 per container, hosie naturals headache balm is absolutely worth a try if you are someone that is anxious to find an all-natural headache/tension remedy. Click here to check out the product page!

Product line spotlight: hosie naturals

So often it takes a pregnancy for us to wake up to what's in our conventionally manufactured skin and health products. I know that was true for me. And the thought of making over the contents of my medicine cabinet and bathroom drawers was completely overwhelming--especially in light of everything else that a new pregnant mother finds herself impelled to learn. But I also knew I wanted the products in my home to be safe for my baby--that's part of the reason I chose cloth diapers, after all.

If you've ever made an appointment with an eLeMeNO-Pee representative, you know that we carry a highly effective cloth diaper-safe diaper rash remedy called Butt Balm by hosie naturals, and we also carry hosie naturals' concentrated Wipe Solution (think the "wet" part of a wet wipe) to be used with cloth wipes.

But did you know that hosie naturals is so much more than that?

hosie naturals is: Scar care, headache remedy, tingly lip balm, menopause support, and so much more!

Kari Feucht, the mom-trepreneur behind hosie naturals, has a degree in skincare and is also certified to work with herbs. Her creations run the gamut from basic skincare to herbal medicine.

Belly butter ingredients: whipped perfection.

Belly butter to prevent stretch marks and improve the look, feel, and moisture level of your skin during pregnancy? She's got that. (Hint: let your man know it's fabulous on the feet during one of those third-trimester, pregnant-wife-pampering massages. It also smells like a cookie.)

Scar care to aid in healing after a c-section or other surgery? Check.

Peri care for the postpartum mother, teething balm (to be used on the outside of the cheeks) for the fussy baby, baby butter for baby massage, makeup remover/ facial cleanser? Luxurious coconut scrub exfoliant? Tingly lip balm that comes in either a convenient stick or the more traditional dip-your-finger-in-the-pot form? She's got all that, too.

And it's all organic plant-based. No chemicals. Nothing you'll find getting a bad rap on the Skin Deep database.

Perhaps the most unique of all of Kari's creations, the Love Your Labor birthing oil is my Number One choice of baby gift when I have a friend who's expecting. Now, I'm admittedly part of those earth mama, no pain med-taking, prenatal yoga-doing, moo-like-a-cow-and-sway-to-you-and-your-baby's-harmonious-biorhythm natural childbirth circles. It's not unusual, for example, to hear a pregnant mama in my friend group say she's considering a lotus birth. But I've seen this stuff in action in your average induction-in-a-hospital setting, and the results are the same for so many women: many of us who've used it during labor never knew that we were in active labor.

 

 

How is that possible, you ask? Beats me, but Kari from hosie naturals sure seems to know. The ingredients (pictured above) are a (to me) magical combination of uterus-toning and mind-and-body-relaxing herbs and oils, so while it's aiding in your labor's steady progression, it's also keeping your mind clear and focused and helping your body to relax and breathe through contractions. I know three doulas and one birth center who keep this "birth potion" on-hand for their clients. Personally, I think it's eLeMeNO-Pee's best-kept secret. I'm wondering why hospitals don't stock it!

If you've never delved into the world of organic skincare, hosie naturals is the perfect place to start. A work-at-home mother who's built a business that started on her Jeanerette, La. kitchen table into a successful storefront with retailers all over the southern United States, Kari from hosie naturals is committed to creating mother-and-baby skincare and herbal support products that are both affordable and a pleasure to use.

New products are introduced only once their "recipes" are perfected, however, so know that anything you try has been tested repeatedly for safety and efficacy (just not on animals!). And, while you can't find any of it at your local drugstore, hosie naturals organic skincare products are always available through our Web site or through your local eLeMeNO-Pee representative.