4700 fans!!!

Cow Patties has reached 4700 fans on Facebook and we are having a giveaway!!!!

*Each item will have a winner






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6/1: Trainer Giveaway

3 lucky winners will win a custom trainer for their little one.   Winners will be able to chose the size, fabric and closure options.    Using the Rafflecopter app below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

5/22 Giveaway: Reversible hat

Summer sunshine has arrived and it seems that one can never find a cute, reversible hat to protect our little ones, so this week' giveaway is a bucket hat.    With sizes from newborn- 7 years old, this hat will fit anyone!   Winner will pick size and fabrics

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Trainer: fit and style

Finally roped 2 out of 3 kids into pictures of the trainer for the blog.    The pics didn't turn out half bad.   They are both were the same pull up style trainer.   If it were snaps, you'd get another 1" of so of wiggle room at the waist


Hays- 6 1/2
Height: 45"
Weight: 40lbs
Waist: 20"
Rise: 17"
Rise with trainer: 19"
Thigh: 12 1/2"

Maxl- 4, almost 5
Height: 40"
Weight: 32lbs
Waist: 19"
Rise: 14"
Rise with trainer: 15"
Thigh: 11 1/2"

Thursday Talk: My year in cloth diapering

 My Year in Cloth Diapering

I knew I wanted to cloth diaper but I was so intimidated by it. In my 20 years of babysitting, working at daycares and being a nanny, I had never had a cloth diaper family. But it just made so much sense to do it and I was determined.

For months while pregnant I watched and re watched so many YouTube videos explaining washing, wearing and all other tips of using cloth diapers. I read every blog I could find trying to wrap my head around how it works. It's so simple but I just couldn't get it. What did I really need? What detergent do I use? What brand do I buy?  Finally after a long phone call with an out of town friend and a visit to our local cloth diaper store that was it, I was just going to buy my first stash and go for it.


Well that stash sat clean and ready to go until my baby girl was 2 months. We went with one size pockets. If I did it all over again I would have bought a small stash of newborn size for the beginning, but I was still nervous about how everything would go.  About a month after starting we went on vacation. I bought a cheap pack of disposables so I wouldn't have to worry about washing while we were gone. The hotel ended up having a washer and dryer in the room and my baby ended up with the worst diaper rash I had ever seen. I felt awful both because of the rash and that I hadn't brought the cloth diapers.
Even now we still have our bumps like a few months ago when her diapers were pee-smelly all the time.  No matter what I did to try to clean them or how many times I ran them through the washer.  I read about stripping diapers which sounded intense and not like something I wanted to do.   But on another trip to the fluff store and they suggested a new detergent along with multiple hot washes. It worked great and with this new detergent we haven't had a problem since.

Walking through Target or Babies R Us and passing the diaper aisle I'm blown away by how much disposables are and how much we have saved already in a year. Not to mention how much waste is created. I do have to stop myself though from buying up every cute print I find in cloth. Our stash is plenty big already!

 Follow Caitlin and Elinor over at Fourth Street Payphone

4000 fans giveaway

Cow Patties is really close to 4,000 fans on Facebook and to celebrate, the moment we reach the magical number I will be giving away 2 HUGE and complete surprises (each winner will get $100 in prizes) to the winners.     So get entered and then be sure to send all your friends and fellow cloth users to fan the page and enter!

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3500 Fans giveaway winner

A huge thank you to all who entered and all the wonderful fans and customers whom have allowed Cow Patties to reach 3500 fans!   It seems unreal!

Winners are Caitlin Coyne Porter, Becky, Alex Fisher, Aliesha and Vashti M

Please email me at cowpattiescloth@gmail.com

Why I chose Cloth

This is going to be an ongoing guest blogger series about why families chose cloth and the up and down sides of it.   If interested in blogging, please email cowpattiescloth@gmail.com

I never expected I would use cloth diapers... The idea never even crossed my mind until my husband brought it up during our first pregnancy.  His parents used them with him and he thought it would be a great idea. I thought he was insane.  Seriously, who uses cloth now? Gross... and a lot of work right? I did a little research and set out to prove to him that it wouldn't save us any money anyway.  I found an opinion piece or two and he said that was fine and didn't bring it up again.

Skip forward a few months... Our daughter was about 5 months old and two things

happened pretty much back to back.  First someone on one of the CafeMom groups I'd recently joined said something about a diaper sprayer.  I was really curious, had never heard of something like that... so I looked it up and came across a bunch of cloth diaper stores online.  I was shocked. They weren't what I'd pictured...  Then a day or two later our lovely daughter had one of *those* blowouts.  She was wearing a little skirt that had shorts under it and it was just filled... I couldn't just toss it in the laundry. I ended up going to the bathroom and using the "dunk and swish" method... and thought back to those diapers.  I realized it wasn't really that gross or anything I wasn't already doing. I headed back to the computer soon after and found a cost calculator, still unsure if it'd be worth switching (and remembering those articles I'd read during the pregnancy).  Once I saw the amount (around a thousand less than what we were using at the time) I knew I had to talk to my husband again. 

That was a fun conversation lol. I hate being wrong... 

We switched to cloth soon after and haven't looked back.  At this point (2 more babies later) we've been through several different styles of diapers, different wash routines, but I haven't once regretted switching.  

Part of it is still the savings... a big part of it is still the savings.  That's not even near all of it though. I love keeping chemicals away from my kids and that its more environmentally friendly.  Not having to run to the store when we're out is nice too. They aren't nearly the amount of work I thought they'd be, especially since I have way fewer leak and blowout issues with them than I did disposable. And can't forget the cute factor! I have fallen in love with how cute these things can be.

KM is a mama to 3 great kiddos and resides in south central USA!

Holiday Diaper Giveaway

It's that time of year for holidays and who wouldn't love a diaper to show off your spirit?   

Cow Patties is giving away one diaper in the winner's choice of a Holiday print.   Winner will also choose size and type of diaper.   Giveaway runs from 10/21/12 to 10//12.    Enter below using the Rafflecopter entry form.

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Soaker Giveaway Winners

Thanks to all who entered, next week has a new giveaway for you to enter in!

The 2 winners of the soaker giveaway are..........   Jill Smith and Rhonda Phillips-Tenderholt!      Please email me at cowpattiescloth@gmail.com

Whatzadoula!

Whatzadoula?!

This article will include a rundown of the benefits of a doula at each type of birth so that interested parties may take the information and apply it to their personal situation.

What is a doula?

A doula is a non medical birth professional trained to support mothers (and spouses!) throughout pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum.  Doulas do not generally check cervical dilation, blood pressure, fetal heart rate, or anything clinical.  They do provide information, teach the parents about coping techniques, help prepare a birth plan, and support and advocate for the mother through her labor and delivery.  

Why hire a doula?

Studies have shown that people who hire a doula have:

1. 50% reduction in cesarean birth
2. 30% reduction in requests for pain medication
3. 60% reduction in request for epidural
4. 25% decrease in length of labor
5. 30% decrease in use of pitocin
6. Reduction of medical cost
7. Increased satisfaction with birth
8. Increased breastfeeding success
9. Less risk of postpartum depression

How much does a doula cost?

The cost of a doula varies largely in different regions of the US.  It can be as little as $300 (for doulas who are training and trying to gain experience) or as much as $2,000.

Benefits of a doula for a cesarean birth:

If you are having a repeat or scheduled cesarean birth, you may think that you do not need a doula to be there for you.  The fact is that women undergoing this type of birth DO need doulas!  Doulas can give you information and support regarding natural or family centered cesarean birth, stay with you through the (often referred to as “lonely”) recovery time when spouse and baby aren’t with the mother.  They can talk the mother through the process and be a rock for the couple when they are heading into the delivery room.  If the mother wishes, the doula can support her by advocating for her birth wishes with the hospital staff and even document everything with a timeline and photos.  Mothers who have had cesarean birth report greater overall satisfaction when they hire a doula due to the fact that they do not feel lonely in recovery, and the doula educates and supports them every step of the way.

Benefits of a doula for medicated (IV narcotics or Epidural) birth:

The benefits of having a doula for a medicated birth are astounding.  The fact is that epidurals and pain medications do not always do their job.  A good doula always does.  If your pain medication does not do what it’s supposed to do, a doula will give you the support and information you need to work with your body, shorten your labor, and meet your baby as soon as possible.  Another benefit of having a doula for a medicated birth is that once you have an epidural or pain medication, you are generally in the bed.  This leads to the baby not descending in the pelvis in an ideal way, or the labor being prolonged.  After your epidural, your doula can show you how to comfortably change positions to aid in good fetal positioning and a shorter pushing phase of labor.  She will make you as comfortable as possible during the transition phase when nausea, shakes, and general discomfort set in, and coach you on how to most effectively push.  She will teach your husband/partner perineal massage techniques in order to reduce or eliminate the risk of tearing.  She will advocate for your wishes throughout the birth and assist you postpartum in any way you need.

Benefits of a doula for a natural unmedicated childbirth:

There are countless benefits to having a doula for a natural unmedicated childbirth!  Your doula will be able to walk with you, encourage you when the going gets tough.  She will remind you of your choices and why you wanted the type of birth you chose.  She will support you mentally, emotionally, and physically.  She can suggest things to help speed your labor up and make you more comfortable.  She will advocate for you with staff and family if need be.  She will teach your husband about counterpressure, position changes, physical support and many other things.  She will be present for you at every stage of labor and guide you through transition.  She will help you stay in control of your breathing and body and rejoice with you when you finally meet your baby.  

Benefits of having a doula postpartum:

Many mothers have said that they can’t put a price on the benefits of having a postpartum doula.  She will help with nursing, take care of older children and/or the baby so mom can get a bit of rest, help with things around the house.  She will answer all of the “Is this normal?” questions and help new parents feel confident and educated in their new role.

There are so many more benefits to having a doula than what I have listed above.  Although I have only been doing this for a year, I’m certain it’s my calling.  When you interview a doula, BE SURE that she is doing this job because it’s a privilege to be present for the birth of a child.  She should be passionate and dedicated to you and your partner.  She should know that this is what she is supposed to be doing with her life.  The experience of a doula matters MUCH less than her passion for supporting mothers during their journey.  Please feel free to ask any questions you may have regarding birthing with a doula.

.    

Written by: Amanda Stump-Owner of Work Of Heart Doula Service (Pregnancy/Labor and Delivery/and Postpartum Doula).   Amanda resides in NC, and is the mama to 2 wonderful kids.   For more info on her doula services, please visit http://www.workofheartdoulas.com/

                 

Soaker giveaway

Need another fleece soaker or want to try a new night time diapering solution?    Enter below for a chance to win.   Giveaway is for 2 fleece soakers.  

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October's Happenings

Quite a bit is happening over at Cow Patties this month.    We've been a business for 5 whole years now!!!

First off, the 3500 fans giveaway is still happening so be sure to get all your friends and family to like our Facebook page and get entered on the blog

Second, all custom mama cloth orders on the website or the store  receive 10% off with the code:  mamacloth.    Be sure to get your shopping done!


Third, as a reminder I will be closed all of November to custom orders to work on the HUGE Cyber Monday sale so be sure to get your holiday orders placed.



Thanks for letting us cloth diaper your family for the last 5 years, it's quite the milestone

3500 Fans Givaway!

We are so close over on Facebook to having 3500 fans and I would love to reward all of my loyal fans and customers.    So I think I have come up with a way!  Cow Patties will be giving away 5 custom Ai2s to 5 winners!!!!

As soon as we reach 3500 fans and stay at that for 24 hours, the winner of this giveaway will be announced.  Read below to see how to enter and earn extra entries

To be eligible for this giveaway, you must follow this blog publicly using Google Friend Connect

and say so in a comment.

For extra entries, be sure to do the following and post in separate comments...

-Follow us on Twitter (CowPattiesCloth)

-Tweet about this giveaway, and be sure to tag @CowPattiesCloth in your tweet so we see it in our mentions

-Follow us on Facebook

-"Like" the post on the Facebook page that links to this post 

-Share the blog post via Facebook

-Follow us on Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/megscarman/cow-patties-cloth-diapers/ ) and repin a favorite Cow Patties diaper/product.  Leave the repin link as a comment

-Blog about this giveaway 

-Let us know what your favorite thing about cloth diapering.

My journal in cloth (part 1)

We had quite the journeying cloth, mostly for the good. I'll be breaking it down by each kid and try to keep it short and sweet.

We started when our oldest was about a year, he's now 6. We had wanted to start at birth but we were so broke we didn't have Internet and no local shops. I still remember the first AIO we got. Sea blue and Velcro, it started my love of cloth. We saved for a Happy Heiny's 6 pack ( which btw lasted til our youngest was a year old). Quickly I searched the net and started learning about making them. Lots of trial and error produced a stash of about 20 aios. We also battled the HE front load issues, at that time they were relatively new so most of the tips weren't known yet. I've got to say, those stinkies had me this close to quitting cloth. Nothing like dragging in the old school top loader to make a mama happy!

We quickly moved to pockets with Hays, he was the boy who refused potty training til a trip to Baltimore right before his 4th birthday ( kids have exceptional timing). Around 2-3, he was in some AI2s and trainers.

I have to say our journey into cloth was easy, we made the switch and loved it. The savings hooked us, Seth would rave about it to anyone who listened!

Next time meet Maxl, the kid who created the need for the FPF!

Need your help!

Dear fans and customers,

The blog as you can see got a makeover last night. What do you think of it? I'm lining up people to guest blog, so what would YOU like to see covered? Post your ideas and any idea used will get a little gift!

Thanks

Hat Giveaway winner

The winner of the hat giveaway is Candace!!! Please email me at cowpattiescloth@gmail.com to claim your prize

Hat Giveaway June 13-22

It's summer time and who wouldn't love a super cute sunhat for their child!!!   This hat is completely reversible and has a wide brim for LOTS of sun protection.  Winner will select the size (from newborn to 6 years old) and I will pick the fabric (boy, girl, gender neutral).

To be eligible for this giveaway, you must follow this blog publicly using Google Friend Connect

and say so in a comment.

For extra entries, be sure to do the following and post in separate comments...

-Follow us on Twitter (CowPattiesCloth)

-Tweet about this giveaway, and be sure to tag @CowPattiesCloth in your tweet so we see it in our mentions

-Follow us on Facebook

-Follow us on Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/megscarman/cow-patties-cloth-diapers/ ) and repin a favorite Cow Patties diaper/product.  Leave the repin link as a comment

-Let us know what your favorite thing about summer time.

1. Winners are drawn via Random.org, announced no later then the 24th of June , and will be posted on the Cow Patties Blog.

2. Winners have one week to claim their prize once announced or another winner will be drawn.

3. Winners are ineligible to win a giveaway again for 1 month.

4. No substitutions for the giveaway.

May's Special

Spring is in the air and to kick off the nice weather......

Starting right now until June 15th at midnight, all custom OS diapers )pockets, ai2s and covers) are $10.00   OS fitteds and famous pocket fitteds are $14.00


To order check out the website

Newborn AI2

Are you expecting a new little bundle of joy anytime soon? If you are, you should definitely keep the Cow Patties AI2 (all-in-two) diapers in the front of your head. These diapers are the perfect fit for a newborn! And I'm not just saying that because I work for Cow Patties. 

Baby D is 8 lbs 3 oz in these pictures and as you can see there is still room in the waist to grow.

The bum is a perfect fit and contains the newborn poo without any explosions.

Snug in the waist and room to go.