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By beansproutbubba, January 22, 2010 10:27 am

Quick one: Bean Sprout Bubba will take part in the City of Bunbury Australia Day Celebrations in the market stall/sideshow alley area.

When: 26 Jan (Tue) 1-10pm
Where: Grassed area in front of Bunbury Tourist Centre
What to see: Nappies and baby carriers

Brands: Bubba J new colours, and a very limited stock of itti bitti and Baby Beehinds nappies. Ring slings from Bear Hug Baby and Mama Patch.

After the market I anticipate restocking the store with any remaining items, and then taking some preorders for the above nappy brands if there is any interest.

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By beansproutbubba, January 18, 2010 3:58 pm

Here’s a quick look at what i have coming into the store in January 2010:

2010 Bubba J Basics Pocket Nappy Colours

itti bitti d'lish all in ones

Baby Beehinds Nappies

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By beansproutmumma, December 17, 2009 12:22 am

Do people really use wool as a nappy cover?

How does it work?

Wouldn’t it be too hot for the baby?

What on earth is lanolising? Sounds hard…

Some of you know exactly what it entails and are nodding furiously. But I can guarantee most of you may not have even heard of lanolising, let alone use wool as a very effective nappy cover.

If I mention about using wool as a cover over an absorbant cloth nappy, people would look at me quizzically, and wonder what I’m going on about. It works extremely well as a nappy cover, due to the properties of the wool fibre itself, plus the added lanolin (‘wool fat’) in the wool.

Wool absorbs up to 30% its weight in moisture without feeling wet. Great for heavywetters at night, they won’t feel wet unless they outwee the nappy and completely saturate the cover.

Lanolin neutralises odours and protects the wool fibre from the wetness. It makes wool a very low maintenance nappying item: it only needs a wash and lanolising (replenishing lanolin) every 2-3 weeks or if whiffy. In between uses it just needs to be aired like all wool items should be stored.

The fibres are also hydrophobic (‘water-repelling’) due to the lanolin, a bit of an oxymoron hey… therefore whatever moisture it touches and absorbs would be transferred to the area of lesser moisture. In nappy terms, a wool cover would absorb moisture from an absorbant fitted nappy yet not feel wet, then transfer whatever moisture that is touching the inner surface of the cover to the drier outer part of the cover.

This property of wool, plus the inherent breathability of wool due to the structure of the fabric makes wool covers a cool option, even in summer. In fact, from experience, on a hot day the nappy under a wool cover dries out really quickly and keeps baby’s bottom dry.

Alright, so now we’re full bottle on wool nappy covers and how it works with nappies.

How do we care for them? Simple.

Hand wash with a little wool wash and warm water, gently squeezing the solution through the cover.
Let soak for 15-30min, then rinse in clean water until it runs clear.
Next step is to lanolise: melt a little lanolin in hot water, dilute this with cool water to make a warm lanolin soaking solution. Squeeze through and soak your cover in it for at least 30min, then remove excess water by rolling in a towel and dry flat in the shade.

A visual learner? Here’s a video I made a few months ago, washing and lanolising a handknit wool soaker.

On the shop front: Currently I still have some Bubba J wool nappy covers in medium and in small. The large size is sold out, and I intend to make them again after tweaking the pattern a bit following feedback from previous customers (especially around the legs). If you are after any wool covers and can’t find the size you are after in the shop, simply contact me and I will do my best to make you one or two or three.

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By beansproutmumma, December 15, 2009 10:17 am

I made another video the other day, with a bit of help from my three-year-old.

One of our best-selling products is the Bubba J Pocket nappy. They dry quickly as the absorbancy unfolds to a maximum of 2-3 layers, and are easy to use and care for.

Pocket nappies are a really easy concept to understand, but if you’re new to modern cloth nappies it may seem difficult to understand from words on a webpage. Which is why the video was produced to provide this information visually.

Here’s the video. It is a bit rough around the edges, and I am thinking of getting it redone when I get some spare time around Christmas time.

Check out the feedback on the Bean Sprout Bubba Facebook page. Thank you ladies for your valuable feedback, not just on the video but on product issues, requests for nappy prints and of course the positive encouragement that you give.

If you have anything to say about the video, please join in the Facebook discussion on the wall, or shoot me an email on the shop contact page.

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By beansproutmumma, December 1, 2009 10:52 am

So I have been running this little Bear Hug Baby competition on Facebook where people could nominate the colour ring sling they loved and why.
Some people love the colour, others wanted to prepare for a newborn baby (awww… I really miss newborn cuddles in the ring sling!), still others would love to win the sling as a gift to a new mum.

I wrote down all your names in paper scraps and got Abi to draw the winner.

She was so excited that she drew and opened up TWO names: Brenda Y & Mandi M!

Brenda picked Purple Passion because she loved the vibrant purple hue. I have to admit, it is a wonderful colour. Made in super soft 100% cotton peach drill, the Super Soft Original Ring Sling (Ltd Ed) is a bit softer than the original BHB ring slings and comes in lovely shades of limited edition colours.

Purple Passion - BHB Super Soft Original Ring Sling

Mandi preferred the brown (String) BHB original ring sling, simply because it ‘looks fab’
Hope you’d enjoy using this on your little newborn!

String - BHB Original Ring Sling

To celebrate the end of the giveaway I have 5% off BHB ring slings using the code as seen on the Bean Sprout Bubba Facebook page.
Code is good till 7 December 2009 23:59.

Wondering how these slings work? Check out the instructions here: Ring Sling Instructions

To ensure that you don’t miss out on another giveaway, either subscribe to the enewsletter, become a fan on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

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By beansproutmumma, November 28, 2009 9:35 am

One of the biggest barriers to using cloth nappies is the perceived ‘extra work’ cloth nappy laundry seems to be.

Disposable nappies are then generally touted as the most convenient option because ‘you can put it all in the bin and forget about it’.

I’m not anti-disposable, in fact I believe there is a place for disposable use, just as there is a use for disposable plates and cutlery at different situations.

Anyhow, when a baby does a number 2 in any nappy, have you thought about where the waste should end up?
In the bin? or in the toilet?

“But I use disposable nappies, I don’t need to worry about that problem.”

Ok. If you have a packet of disposables, please spare a minute, go and grab the packet or box, have a look at the instructions for use and disposal.
Where do they recommend the waste to go? Into the toilet, of course!

“Are you sure? Everyone I know just rolls them up and chucks them in the bin.”

Yeah I know that. However did you know that in most council and shire regulations it is an offense to dispose of human waste in the bin?

If the packet recommends flushing waste into the toilet, and the law is against throwing waste in the bin, why are we doing the opposite?

For most reusable nappy users, where waste goes is a no brainer as it all needs to be rinsed out with a nappy sprayer, or flushed down the toilet with a flushable liner, before the nappies are drypailed until wash day. Flushable liners are convenient when going out for all nappy users as there is no need to carry a dirty nappy around.

Disposable nappy users can also do the same by rinsing and/or using a flushable liner.
In fact by doing this, it keeps solid waste out of landfills, and it is good practice before deciding to switch to cloth nappies.

A friend of mine mentioned that she washed all pooey disposable nappies after her toddler had a messy incident with the nappy bin.
She remarked, “The bin actually doesn’t smell too bad any more, and definitely no more messes if the toddler goes into the bin again.”

What do you do? Does waste go in the bin or into the toilet?

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By beansproutmumma, November 13, 2009 9:31 am

After a spate of recurring illness in the Bean Sprout Bubba family in the last month, the air is finally clear of germs and we’re ready to move forward.
I’m still not completely out of  the woods yet, but I feel much better.

I have been testing a new modern cloth nappy design in the midst of all this, and it would be ready for pilot release at the end of November.
Initial feedback has been promising, more testing is required before I release it though.
Imagine that, a nappy that is designed in Bunbury!

Some cute little bubbas have now been featured in the new Bubba J nappies customer gallery in the Bean Sprout Bubba shop.
More photos are coming as I upload them over the next few days between sewing sessions.

New ring sling baby carriers have arrived from Bear Hug Baby, and I am hosting a giveaway for one of these wonderfully supportive slings on the Bean Sprout Bubba Facebook page.
These carriers can be used from birth to toddler in a variety of positions, go check them out.

Giveaway happening on Bean Sprout Bubba - one Bear Hug Baby Ring Sling, ends Nov 09

Also new to Bean Sprout Bubba are nappy sprayers from The Diaper Sprayer.
Made in USA, these sprayers attach to the toilet and helps make soiled modern cloth nappies or disposables easier to clean, especially when baby starts eating solids.

Nappy Sprayers are handy toilet attachments that make cleaning soiled nappies much easier

The flow control t-valve adjusts the water pressure in the nappy sprayer

Nappy sprayer attaches in between water source and toilet cistern

The even water flow from the nappy sprayer ensures all soiling is hosed off into the toilet

Other new product lines coming soon include toilet-flushable nappy liners for ease of disposing of soils, especially when out and about or travelling. Limited number of minky pocket nappies. And of course the new nappy coming at the end of the month.

Market News: The next market will happen in February 2010. Much as I miss meeting people face-to-face and promoting my nappies in the community especially in the lead up to Christmas, I feel it is a great time to hang back and take stock of what’s going on in my business, as well as spend precious time with my family.

I will write more indepth next time I blog. Gotta go sew some lovely minky reusable cloth nappies for Bubba J now.

For more frequent updates please visit the Bean Sprout Bubba Facebook page or follow me on twitter.

Bec

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By beansproutbubba, October 11, 2009 11:37 pm

I’m taking a break for three months. Well not really, but in my mind I will not be putting sewing too high on my list of priorities in these three months. I have a few important things to catch up on, namely tax returns and admin things, and also spending time with family. There are 3 birthdays in my immediate family and 3 more in our extended family in October through to December each year.

You can still order at my online shop, or ring me for individual attention.I will still stock my shop as usual.

Reusable Nappy Week is happening in 12-18 October in Australia. Use ‘RNW200910′ as your voucher code when ordering between now and 11:59pm 18 October to claim a 10% discount off your total order (not including delivery charges).

During the break from the markets I will have more time to develop some new ideas I have.

Bubba J Daytime print pocket nappies - small, medium or large

See more photos on the Bubba J Facebook page.

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By beansproutbubba, October 2, 2009 1:34 pm

A quick one:
- I’ll be at the Art and Craft Markets tomorrow 3 October at Stirling Street Art Centre. New pocket nappy prints and inserts, plus cuddlefleece covers will be available.
- I intend to have some Bubba J hemp in stock sometime this month
- reusable Nappy week is on 12-18 October 2009. I will be putting up a cloth nappy display at Eaton Community Library. There will be a few brands besides Bubba J displayed, along with some practical tips, hints and facts about using modern cloth nappies. Tell your friends!

On a personal note, I will have a number of family and personal commitments this month. The biggie would be Bri’s first birthday on the same week as RNW 2009.

Links on this post are coming. Today I will be busily preparing for the market tomorrow.

A stack of Bubba J pocket nappies in prints or solid colours, ready to go to their new owners

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By beansproutbubba, September 22, 2009 12:59 pm

Yes, it’s been busy in the Bean Sprout Bubba house. I need to get some more pics up, but thought you’d like this news.

Size 2: The three-snap configuration allows the wings to be rotated upwards for increased leg room

Size 1 on the smallest setting with front flap folded down: to fit really young babies from 3kg onwards.

A shipment of hemp fleece and bamboo fleece has arrived, meaning I can start cutting and sewing up some of the sought after Bubba J fitteds. I loved how the size 1 fitted fit my daughter when she was a tiny baby, and I’m sure you may have heard some other recommendations from others as well. Now at almost 1 year old and 8kg, the same fitted nappy still fits her! I think this is what value for money is all about.

The fitteds come on two sizes, size 1 for the little bubbas (3-6kg), and size 2 for a bigger, older bubbas (6-12kg).

Both sizes contain at least 7 thirsty layers of either hemp or bamboo fleece, and close with snaps. Size 1 has a fold down flap to fit longer, and size 2 has a unique snapping configuration to allow you to rotate the snaps upwards to give more leg room.

Another package of printed PUL (polyurethrane laminate) fabric also landed on my doorstep. PUL is the high tech material I use in my pocket nappies to keep the wetness in, whilst allowing for breathability/evaporation of moisture to keep baby’s bottom cooler. The prints are cute and modern and are either cotton or polyester prints. I usually prefer polyester PUL fabric due to its resistance to wicking, but the cotton PUL fabrics were too funaky and modern to resist! There are pink circles, bright florals, muted pastel flowers & birds, frogs, flames and giraffes, when I put the pics up you’ll see what I mean.

Mamapatch Designer Pocket RS - Orange Ditte / Rimba Pocket

Mamapatch Pastel Raw Silk RS - Spring Colourway

Mamapatch Pastel Raw Silk RS - Cool Winter Colourway

I’m also happy to bring to you Mamapatch luxury ringslings, first time in Australia! I had the first 5 slings wing their way from Malaysia (2 have already been claimed). Out of the 5, two are plain cotton slings with a print fabric pocket on the tail, and the other 3 are single layer raw silk slings. They look and feel gorgeous!

These baby carriers are made at home by an artisan in Malaysia. The quality of the stitching is professional, with unique stitching embellishments I haven’t seen before in other ring slings.

The cotton slings feature a padded shoulder, while the silk slings feature a pleated shoulder. I haven’t listed them in the shop yet as I am finalising prices.

What else have I got to share?

Ah yes, the event (or non-event) of last week: my domain beansproutbubba .com . au was offline for about 36 hours on weekdays from 16 September to 18 September due to server downtime.It was incredibly frustrating, I hope I did not lose any emails during that time.

Also, my domain does not show up in google searches for Bean Sprout Bubba anymore (why so? I have no idea!). So if anyone can give me some tips on these two issues I will be eternally grateful.

Last saturday, we were invited to two birthday milestone parties (a 1st and a 50th) and a wedding! We only managed to travel to the wedding though. Sunday was another busy day, with serving duties at church in the morning for both my husband and I, plus a leadership lunch meeting in the afternoon, and finishing off with home group in the evening. We had a blast and finished the weekend on a high. Guess I’m getting the hang of having people over instead of hiding behind my introverted self.

Other than having a pretty full on week last week, I’ll be plowing through the cutting and sewing for Bubba J in earnest this week.

Oh and if you haven’t noticed, Bean Sprout Bubba now has a group on facebook. You should be able to see the Facebook widget on the right hand sidebar of this page. If you join up as a fan, you will get up to date news and announcements from Bean Sprout Bubba.

All sling pics are owned by Mamapatch and used on this blog and the Bean Sprout Bubba shop with permission.