Since bringing these diapers in over a year ago, we've gotten nothing but rave reviews about this mini-me diaper.  It blends a few things together to push it high up on the list of faves:

1. It actually fits the tiniest of tinies, from 5-13lbs.
2. Natrual bamboo (ever-so-soft) next to baby's skin in the "wet-zone"
3. Absorbent & waterproof layer sewn together to make it a one step on, one step off diaper
4. Absorbent layers are designed to be only two layers at any point during the washing and drying steps, so this process is thorough and quick
5. This diaper comes with an additional absorbency pad that can be put inside the diaper when your baby needs it, ie getting towards the bigger end of the size range, going through a growth spurt or sleeping through the night (or at least a good few hours in a row!).  The option of not having the extra pad in the diaper allows for a trimmer fit when the diaper's absorbency doesn't need to be maxed out.
6. The diaper fastens with velcro.  For new parents and for the many shapes and sizes that newborns come in, this is a good thing.  It's super easy and super adjustable.
7. It's made in Scotland.

The only downside that we see with this little diaper is that it's rise (how high it comes up on the tummy) may be a tich too high for smaller newborns during their "umbilical stump" stage which can last anywhere from 4 days to two weeks.  For some babies, this is not an issue. Some families choose to use these for their entire diaper collection, keeping things uniform and simple.  Other families will choose to  a very simple, prefold system with these diapers as their "easy diaper".  A typical amount of diapers for a newborn collection is 24, with a two day washing cycle. Go and check these diapers out.  On the New & Green Site you'll find them on the product page with their big sister, the Easy Fit which we recommend for babies from 10-35lbs. Have you used a TiniFit for your little?  Mamas over on our Facebook Page have and they LOVE it!

We asked our customers why they love working with New & Green and this is just one of our very kind reviews:

 "I was first introduced to New and Green when my sister enrolled me in a cloth diaper workshop. The workshop turned out to be the most informative prenatal class I took. The woman who ran the course was so knowledgeable! I was totally convinced cloth diapers would be the way for us to go. I was also convinced that there could be no better service in the lower mainland. I also appreciated the fact that when I would go to pick up the diapers, I was able to ask questions and get great explanations. New and Green has the best customer service!"

Thank you L.  We are happy to help and to provide you with all the information you need to put little D into cloth diapers! 

Baby E. is wearing one of our favourite night time choices - the Aristocrats Wool diaper cover.  These 100% wool covers are naturally absorbent and breatheable, allowing for dry beds and happy mornings!  Pair this cover with a bamboo or hemp fitted diaper for a super trim and ultra thirsty combination.

Photo Credit:  Vairdy Photography.  Vairdy is a Vancouver Photographer who works with newborns, children & families.

This year, we are going to continue to bring you lots of great diapering info to help you along your way but thought we'd also draw on some of the experts that we've met over the years.  We've got some great information lined up for you to help you with your day to day parenting.  We can't wati to share! First up, we'd like to introduce you to Chloe Dierkes of Urban Doula.  We chatted with Chloe and asked her to share with us some common themes from her experiences working with brand new parents. N&G: When working with parents to be, what are the top 3 things that you tell them to expect in the first weeks with a newborn? Chloe:

1. Expect breast-feeding to take some time to establish.  Read a book on breast-feeding during pregnancy so that you are not trying to learn while caring for your newborn (you will not have the time!).  Attend a local Le Leche League meeting (http://www.lllc.ca/get-help) before the birth so you can talk with and observe breast-feeding moms.  Be sure to get lots of support immediately following your birth.
2. Expect your sleeping patterns to change drastically.  Newborns are often awake more at night than during the day.  This will soon reverse, but until it does, you will have to make up for lost sleep with many naps throughout the day (your total sleep time should add up to the same number of hours as before).
3. Expect your emotions to be fragile.  Be gentle with yourself and your partner.

N&G: When visiting a family post-partum, what are the top 3 things that families tell you they were surprised about? Chloe:

1. How quickly newborns change.  This requires constant adaptation since every solution is temporary and often once new parents feel things are figured out, something else becomes difficult.
2. How nervous and unprepared they felt.
3. How difficult it is to get 3 meals and enough sleep in each day.

N&G: What is your favourite piece of wisdom to share with parents to be about the first days and weeks with their new baby? Chloe: Before your baby arrives, arrange for support from friends, family and/or a postpartum doula.   In our society it is custom to shower new parents with lots of toys, clothes and physical gifts, but in retrospect parents often feel that practical support would have been much more beneficial.   Have a close friend arrange a “meal train” for you, where each night for the first few weeks you have someone deliver you a healthy meal.  Set your own parameters based on what you like to eat and make sure you have boundaries outlining the rules (for example, “please come at 5:30pm, stay for no longer that 15 minutes and do some tidying before you leave”).  Set up your support systems before baby arrives. About Urban Doula: Chloe Dierkes is a birth and postpartum doula in Vancouver, BC who offers guidance and care for pregnancy, birth and newborn families.  She has worked in childcare for almost a decade and thoroughly enjoys supporting families and helping them to find creative solutions. Find out more: www.urbandoula.com

We want to test the theory that basic can be beautiful.  And simple.  Prefolds have been the workhorse of cloth diapers for decades and among all the new innovations, they still remain one of the most popular choices for simplicity and economics. We have the fabulous organic cotton prefolds from Bummis on our shelves and we're looking for 6 families with babies between 8-30lbs and at least 4 weeks old to test these products for us. If you're interested, fill out an application by clicking on the link below. You must be an {avid} facebook user and be available over the next few weeks to participate. Thanks so much; we really appreciate working with our Parent Review Panelists. Apply here to be a part of our parent review panel. Keep up with the reviews on Facebook or check back on http://blog.newandgreen.com in a couple weeks for real-time reviews of the products.

Gift-giving can be one of the joys of the Christmas holiday and it's always fun to discover just the right gift for a friend or family member. In that spirit, we have put together a gift guide with a few ideas for the people on your list. If you know soon-to-be new parents, parents of young children, or are a parent yourself, be sure to check out our list. There's something for everyone and for every budget! We here at New & Green wish you and your families all the best during this holiday season.  

Parent Favorites

 

	EasyFit All-in-Ones (+TiniFits for your favorite newborn!) EasyFits are one of the perennial favorites among New & Green parents and the highest rated by parent reviews on our website. They offer a great fit, good absorbancy (bamboo and microfibre together make a thirsty combo!), stunning colours made from Oeko-Tex certified dyes, and high quality hook-and-loop closures. They're also made by Tots Bots, a Scottish company that makes every effort for ethical and sustainable production methods.
	Stretch Bamboozle Fitted Bamboo Diaper The Bamboozle is touted among parents as one of the most absorbent diapers available and is popular especially for naptimes and nighttime. It's also popular among parents who want natural fibres against their baby's skin. Bamboo is a sustainable fibre and scrumptiously soft!
	The FLIP Diaper The Flip is a popular option merely due to the variety of ways in which you can use it, as well as it's a simple, no-fuss, well-fitting cover for babies of every shape and size. You get to choose either an organic cotton or microfibre insert or purchase it alone to use as a standard cover for other fitted diapers and prefolds.
	AMP Duo Pocket Diaper The AMP Duo is manufactured in Winnipeg by a conscientious mom-run business. This pocket in particular is popular because of its high quality and its superb fit on both lean and chubby babies. The diaper is available in a small size for newborns up to 15 lbs and a one-size option for larger babies.
	BumGenius One Size 4.0 BumGenius diapers are one of the most recognized and well-loved diapers on the market today. These one-size pocket diapers come stocked with an adjustable full-size insert as well as a newborn insert that also doubles as a doubler to increase absorbancy for car trips, nap times, and nighttime usage. You can now also choose either a velcro closure or snaps, depending on your preference and what works best for your family. The stretch-to-fit tabs help ensure a great fit every time and the diaper can be used from 8-35 lbs.
	Aristocrats Wool Covers Wool covers are hailed as a wonder-cover for babies who struggle with diaper rash, for parents who want to use natural fibres, and for babies who need help sleeping through the night. (The breathability of wool allows moisture to evaporate off the baby's skin as they sleep, thus not waking them due to the sensation of being wet.) Aristocrats covers are manufactured here in BC and so also satisfy parents wanting to buy local!

Great Options for Getting Started

 

	Bummis Organic Cotton Prefold Kit This diapering-kit-in-a-box provides parents all the basics needed to get started with cloth diapering. The kit includes 24 organic cotton prefolds, 6 covers, 3 rolls of Bio-Soft liners, 5 reusable stay-dry liners, and 1 large wet bag. That's enough diapers for at least two full days of diapering! Prefolds are a very easy and practical way to get started with cloth and are especially popular among parents who are budget-savvy.
	Large Fabulous Storage and Wet Bags These brightly colored pail liners and tote-able wetbags will cheerfully hold several days of dirty diapers. They're an essential part of setting up your diaper pail system and a must-have item for parents who are just getting started.
	Rockin' Green Cloth Diaper Laundry Detergent Rockin' Green has revolutionized cloth diaper laundry and makes the chore... dare we say, an utter delight. It gets diapers truly clean while leaving no residue, it's eco-friendly, and you have your choice of a number of yummy scents that don't linger on the diapers. For parents who are just getting started, this detergent will help make the new routine downright enjoyable.
	Bummis Tankinis These oh-so-cute tankinis are perfect for your pool-side babe. They are designed to be paired with the ever-popular Swimmi swim diaper, and even if you don't cloth diaper, this is a great way to be both sustainable and chic at the swimming pool all year round.

Great Options for Newborns

 

	Bummis Organic Cotton Newborn Pack Nothing fits quite as well as a diaper that is designed specifically with the newborn in mind - both for fit and for comfort. This pack bridges the gap between birth and one-size or small size diapers and parents have raved about difference it makes. The pack includes 1-dozen soft organic cotton prefolds and two perfect-size covers - enough for one day's worth of diapering. This combo is one of the most cost effective ways of managing the early days when you are changing a lot of diapers!
	Kissaluvs+ Newborn Pack Everything you need to get started from Day 1! This package features literally everything you need to cloth diaper your newborn starting from Day 1 and features some of the best products on the market for quality, fit, and chic-cuteness. The pack even includes wipes, storage bags, and detergent! Talk about getting everything you need in one convenient package...
	CJ's BUTTer Spritz Your baby's poo in the first few weeks can get a little.... well, sticky, and this bum spray is a great way to keep your baby's cheeks fresh and well-cleaned!
	BeautifulBASIC Infant Starter Kit This box is a great way for parents to try out prefolds without investing in large quantities of diapers. The kit includes three organic cotton prefolds and one wrap cover - just tri-fold the prefold and lay it in the cover and voila! you have a lovely, absorbent diaper ready to go.
	Kissaluvs Size 0 Cotton Sherpa Fitted Diaper These tiny diapers are possibly the most popular diapers among parents who are cloth diapering newborns, as they keep all those newborn messes exactly where they should be. They feature a snap-down front to go around the umbilical stump and snug-but-comfy elastic around the back and legs to ensure a great fit.

Great Options for Toddlers

 

Bummis Training Pants Cloth trainers catch the dribbles and little messes that are inevitable while potty training, they help provide feedback to the child who is learning about wet and dry sensations, and they save parents money! Bummis pants in particular are easy for the child to pull up and down and offer a secure, comfortable fit.

Flip Potty Trainer Package Flip Potty Trainers are a unique pull-up, pull-down, snap-off, one-size potty training system made with replaceable one-size pads. Each limited edition Flip Potty Training Kit includes a one-size cover, in your choice of color, along with three one-size organic inserts. The replaceable, removable Flip™ inner pad made with ultra-absorbent organic cotton allows wet accidents to be changed without a whole new trainer, this feature is unique to Flip Trainers and translates into significant savings.

Must-Have Diapering Accessories (aka Fabulous Stocking Stuffers)

 

	Dimpleskins Bum Bum Balm Organic Diapering Salve This fabulous diaper salve is hand-made right here in BC! Each batch is lovingly made with the highest quality, organic ingredients. This is a zinc-free diaper salve that uses naturals to gently soothe and heal your little one's skin. It smells great too! We know toddlers who love it so much that they pack it themselves in the diaper bag...
	Kissaluvs Premium Organic Cloth Wipes Irresistible fashion prints in the softest flannel on one side and a sumptuous organic cotton velour on the other make these wipes Hip, Green and Gorgeous. Choose from a dreamy Mermaid, a yummy Two Scoops or a mod Lots of Dots.
	Bummis Super Whisper Wrap Covers These covers in delightful prints have been popular among cloth diapering parents for several years running. They offer a great fit, high quality construction, and cover any fitted or prefold diaper. Very useful and multi-functional.
	Snappi Diaper Fasteners Snappis are an ingenious little invention that make diaper pins obsolete. They come in a variety of colors and are made from a stretchable non-toxic material, which is T-shaped with grips on each end. These grips hook into the diaper fabric to ensure a snug-fitting diaper with enough natural movement for the baby. Pick up several to give to all your cloth diapering friends!
	Planet Wise Wet Bags These zippered, toss-n'-go wet bags make going out with cloth diapers easy in a variety of sizes and prints. (They're great for daycare or the swimming pool too!) The small size holds 2-4 dirty diapers and the medium one holds 4-6 dirties. These make great stocking stuffers because even if you already have a stash of wetbags, these repurpose well for carrying cosmetics, as gym bags, for travel, and so much more!
	New & Green Gift Certificates Still don't know what to get that special someone or just aren't sure what would be most helpful for those soon-to-be new parents? New & Green has gift certificates available in any denomination!

   

Photo Credit - Wikipedia Commons