Mummy's Reviews™ » reviews

Luxurious Cloth Wipes for Baby (Angel Mel Organic Bamboo Baby Wipes)

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:22:33 +0000

After 18 months, most of Vee’s original stash of low-cost cotton washcloths have been stained (by food) or torn at the hems. They are small and slightly rough, which aren’t gentle enough for Vee’s eczema-prone face. He has 18 cloth wipes for his bums and 3 for baths, yet none for his delicate face. Just in time, I received a set of two organic bamboo cloth wipes from baby-mel.com to review.

What are Modern Cloth Wipes?

Modern cloth wipes are quite different from the washcloths commonly seen in baby stores. They are usually made from premium quality fabrics that last through many washes. Fabrics such as cotton sherpa terry and bamboo velour are able to grab messes well, so are great for wiping food-smeared faces after meals or cleaning up the messiest poopy bums. When baby has a runny nose (*touch wood*), using soft cloth wipes are much kinder to the skin than bleached tissue paper or chemical-laden disposable wipes.

About Angel Mel Organic Bamboo Baby Wipes

These are the main features of the wipes:

Upper layer: 100% cotton flannel
Lower layer: 100% certified organic bamboo velour
Country of origin: Made in U.S.A.

The wipes are available in Plain, Gender Neutral, Boy and Girl prints.

First Impressions

As a fan of origami, I like that the wipes are creatively folded into shirts. This would be a practical and pretty door gift for events or parties. The wipes are sooooo… soft and smooth; I simply love bamboo velour!

How We Tested It

Laundry: The laundry instructions state “machine wash 30°C”, “do not tumble dry” and “hand wash with warm soap water”. I actually took the risk and broke ALL three laundry “rules”. Occasionally, I handwash the wipes with cold water. Usually, I put them into a laundry net and machine-wash them at 40°C with tumble drying at high speed, together with the daily load of clothes and cloth diapers. After a month, they still remain soft and smooth. Phew!

Effectiveness: Vee has eczema-prone skin, especially on his chin and cheeks. Therefore, we need to wipe his mouth very regularly and thoroughly. I’m sure you know how babies eat — cereal, rice, milk, yoghurt, bananas, etc. smeared all over the face, especially when they insist on feeding themselves. The bamboo velour side of the wipe grabs the mess well while being ultra-gentle on the skin.

The price of a set of two wipes is RM19.90 (~USD6 or SGD9). Since it is on the high side (expected of organic fabrics), I’d suggest using them exclusively for the face or as gifts, instead of the bums.

—

What we like about it:

Fabric remains soft and smooth even after 1 month of regular washing
Grabs food messes well
Machine washable
Available in cute prints
Attractive packaging makes it a presentable gift

What can be improved:

Allow choice of specific prints since I prefer using different prints according to purpose or family member

—

Get Your Own

To get your own Angel Mel Organic Bamboo Baby Wipes and a wide range of organic products for Mummy and baby, visit baby-mel.com.

—

Disclosure: I received a set of two Angel Mel organic bamboo wipes for review.

Giveaway #12: Bummis SWIMMI Swim Diapers

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Mums and Dads with water babies, this article is for you!

What is a Swim Diaper?

A swim diaper is a diaper for babies and non-toilet-trained children to wear for swimming. It is less absorbent than normal diapers, so does not sag down heavily when the child is in the pool. It has a waterproof layer and elastics to prevent poo from contaminating the water.

About Bummis SWIMMI Swim Diaper

These are the main features of the diaper:

Outer layer: Made of cotton printed fabric coated with nylon layer
Inner lining: Polyester mesh
Closures: Velcro tabs
Country of origin: Made in Canada

There are 5 prints in 3 sizes.

How We Use It

Vee is a water baby who LOVES swimming and having long baths. When he was 6 months old, we bought a shallow pool for him to swim at home. Erm… actually, it was more like sunbathing while immersed in 20cm of water.

He is a big baby with chunky elephant thighs and several brands of cloth swim diapers could not fit him. Finally, I found Bummis SWIMMI with adjustable Velcro tabs.

Laundry: After wearing the diaper in chlorinated water, the recommendation is to wash the diaper separately from other clothes. I would handwash it with other swimwear. We hardly swim in public pools, so on other days, Vee uses the SWIMMI as a breathable diaper cover over fitted diapers. The sturdy Velcro tabs have withstood washes over the past 12 months.

Ease of use / Fit: For swimming, no insert or soaker needs to be put inside the SWIMMI. Velcro-style means it is very easy for anyone to put it onto a baby. It is adjustable and fits Vee well — he has been wearing the same SWIMMI in size Large for a year!

Poo: The real test for a swim diaper is if it holds poo in when swimming. Thankfully, Vee has never poo-ed under water, so we can’t conclude for this test. In case of any poo-accident, wear the diaper snugly on the baby, especially at the thighs.

Convenience: For resort holidays, bringing 1 swim diaper is certainly more convenient and compact than buying disposable swim diapers (which are not widely available). Since babies swim for about 20 to 30 minutes, throwing away a diaper after such a short time is not economical too.

The price of a Bummis SWIMMI is SGD25 (~USD18 or RM58). Considering we have been using it for a year and it should still fit Vee (and other babies) for months or years ahead, it is a very worthwhile purchase.

—

What we like about it:

Breathable cotton fabric
Adjustable size to fit growing babies, especially those with chubby thighs
Thick and sturdy Velcro tabs
Lovely print to be shown off at the swimming pool

What can be improved:

Add laundry tabs

—

Win Your Own

TWO (2) lucky subscribers with water babies will win a Bummis SWIMMI in your favourite print worth SGD25 (~USD18 or RM58) each!

This is how to participate:

Subscribe to Mummy’s Reviews™ in a reader or via email (existing subscribers counted)

Send an email to me (MieVee [at] MummysReviews.com) with the following information:
- Method of subscription: in a reader or via email
- Your name
- Your name in Facebook (to get extra entry mentioned below)
- Visit Tiny Pants (go to Products –> Get Wet) and tell me (in your email) why you would like to win a Bummis SWIMMI
- If you are a new reader, mention how you got to know of this Giveaway
- Blog / Website URL, if any (to get extra entries mentioned below, indicate URL of your exact post)

To get EXTRA entries:
- 1 extra entry: “Like” Mummy’s Reviews™ Facebook page (existing fans counted)
- 1 extra entry: “Like” Tiny Pants Facebook page (existing fans counted)
- 1 extra entry (unlimited total): For each participant referred by you (e.g. through sharing the Giveaway on Facebook / Twitter / email)
- 3 extra entries: Share this Giveaway on your blog / website and link it back to Mummy’s Reviews™

Other Information

This Giveaway is open to subscribers with a mailing address in ASEAN (Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam).
It will run until 29 August 2010.
The usual Giveaway Terms apply.

Send in your entries now and good luck!

—

Get Your Own (with Discount!)

To get your own Bummis SWIMMI and a wide range of cloth diapering products for baby, visit Tiny Pants.

Special Treat: 10% discount storewide
Discount Code: MV10A (Note that “0″ is for the number “zero”, not the alphabet.)
Validity Period: Until 29 August 2010, 2359hr

—

Need help to get started on cloth diapering? Read Cloth Diapering Essentials – A Quick Guide.

—

If you find Mummy’s Reviews™ helpful, please share this link with your friends: Join Me in Reading Mummy’s Reviews™

MEGA Sale: Rumparooz G2 One Size Cloth Diapers

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:05:11 +0000

Tiny Tapir is having a MEGA clearance sale on Rumparooz G2 One Size Cloth Diapers. Vee, our professional diaper tester, has tested the pocket diaper with fountains of pee. We are impressed by its excellent design and performance, and can’t wait to share the discounted prices with you!

About Rumparooz G2 One Size Cloth Diaper (Snaps)

These are the main features of the pocket diaper:

Outer layer: Made of waterproof PUL fabric (1000 thread count polyester interlock knit with a urethane laminate)
Inner lining: Made of hypoallergenic no-pill micro chamois
Insert (Large, Microfibre): Contains 3 layers of microfibre. When folded: 6 layers of absorbency
Insert (Small, Microfibre): Contains 2 layers of microfibre. Snapped onto large insert.
Closures: Vertical front snaps. 2 rows of 10 waist and thigh snaps. 5 possible settings.
Country of origin: Made in China by a small European-owned company (details of manufacturing standards)

It is available in a wide range of solid colours and prints, which are aimed at winning the hearts of Mama fashionistas.

First Impressions

The “Ladder 6″ print looks as beautiful as its picture online and is among my favourite diaper prints now. Vee’s fair skin looks fabulous against the red and blue combination.

The workmanship is excellent and every component of the diaper speaks of quality — bright colours, luxurious micro chamois fabric, signature label, and even the snap buttons are customised with Rumparooz’ kangaroo logo! The eye to details lifts the diaper-making benchmark way up.

How We Tested It

Prewash: I prewashed the diaper and inserts with warm water once by hand. No colour run, good.

Regular Laundry: To rush this review article out for you, the diaper has only been used and machine-washed at 40 degree Celsius 3 times, so it has yet to withstand the test of time. (Note that I have lowered the washing temperature from 60 to 40 degree Celsius. This saves energy and preserves the life span of PUL fabric.)

Ease of Use / Fit: The 6R soakers (set of 2 microfibre inserts) allow 6 size and absorbency settings. The packaging illustrates the combinations clearly, which is helpful to new cloth diaper users. Personally, I prefer inserts without snaps for more flexibility and to save time.

As for the diaper, there is only one column of 2 snaps to fasten per side, so putting it on the baby is relatively fast. Vee is on the third rise setting and the front of the diaper rests comfortably below his tummy.

I like the thick and gentle elastics that leave no red marks on his chubby thighs.

Trimness: When using the 2 microfibre inserts, the diaper becomes thick, so I would suggest using this for bedtime. For daytime, I prefer to use only the large insert.

Absorbency: After one prewash, the inserts already lasted 3.5 hours. The second time round, I adventurously let Vee wear the Rumparooz for an outing. They were completely soaked at 4.5 hours before leaking a little at the back. Microfibre tends to absorb more with further washes. In the meantime, I am satisfied with its initial performance. (For regular use, please change baby’s diaper every 2 to 3 hours.)

Stay-dry: Micro chamois stays dry and feels very luxurious even after 4 washes. I like it!

Poo: Since Vee is potty-trained for poo, we need the next baby to test this area. I am especially excited over the double inner leg gussets and “poop scoop” which are claimed to be “100% leak proof against the messiest explosions”. Only breastfeeding mums would understand how explosive poop can be.

Parade of Vee’s sexy bums again…

At the clearance sale, the price of a Rumparooz One Size Cloth Diaper with a set of 6R microfibre inserts is RM62.30 for solid colours (~USD20 or SGD27) and RM78.40 for prints (~USD25 or SGD34). The quality and functionality is certainly worth the price.

—

What we like about it:

Unique double inner leg gussets and “poop scoop” to keep messes in
Micro chamois is a wonderful stay-dry fabric — soft and comfortable for baby
Thick elastics that are gentle on baby’s skin
Wide range of attractive colours and prints
Packaging clearly illustrates diaper and inserts combinations

What can be improved:

I can do without the snaps on the inserts

—

Get Your Own (with HUGE Discounts!)

To get your own Rumparooz G2 One Size Cloth Diapers at slashed prices, visit Tiny Tapir.
(There is an Aplix version too.)

Solid colours: 30% off
Prints: 20% off
Validity Period: While stocks last

—

Disclosure: I received a Rumparooz G2 One Size Cloth Diaper for review.

—

Need help to get started on cloth diapering? Read Cloth Diapering Essentials – A Quick Guide.

How to Protect Your Baby From Radiation (Belly Armor Belly Blanket)

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:09:06 +0000

For a decade, I have been cautious about radiation exposure. As a heavy laptop (computer) user, I was exhilarated to review The Belly Blanket – Chic by Belly Armor – the EXACT solution I have been looking for to protect my baby during the next pregnancy.

Health Risks Associated With Radiation Exposure

Belly Armor provides a list of resources for information related to health risks linked to radiation exposure: Visit Further Reading.

Since handphones are among the most common devices used, these are excerpts from Cell Phone Radiation Science Review:

“significantly increased risk of developing glioma, a usually malignant brain tumour (International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) 2008; Lahkola 2007)”
“significantly increased risk of acoustic neuroma, a type of benign brain tumor (IARC 2008; Schoemaker 2005)”
“increased risk of benign parotid gland tumors (IARC 2008; Lonn 2006)”
“highest risk of brain tumors among people who started using cell phones during adolescence (Hardell 2009)”
“young children who use cell phones and whose mothers also used cell phones during pregnancy are 80 percent more likely to suffer emotional and hyperactivity problems (Divan 2008)”

Ways to Limit Radiation Exposure

Belly Armor also provides suggestions to limit radiation exposure when using electronic devices: Read Sources.

These are the ways that I have already adopted for several years:

Limit the duration and proximity of exposure to cell phone
Find alternatives to cell phone use, such as text messaging or using a landline
Do not sleep next to your cell phone while it is on
Limit use of cell phone by young children
Stay away from young children when using the cell phone
Do not place laptops directly on your lap while working
If you have the option, use an LCD monitor instead of a CRT
Do not sleep with your portable music players on
Avoid standing or sitting near the microwave oven when it is on as EMF from microwave ovens can cover quite a large area (In fact, I do not use a microwave oven.)

To limit radiation exposure to a foetus, a solution such as The Belly Blanket would be ideal.

About The Belly Blanket – Chic

These are the main features:

Efficacy: Shields 99.999% of incoming radiation (60dB)
Dimensions: 30″ x 35″ (75cm x 90cm)
Material: 100% pre-shrunk cotton and RadiaShield® lining
Country of origin: Made in Indonesia (Factories adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices standard)

The available colours are cosmo (blue), juno (cream) and metro (black). There is a Luxe version made of cotton micro-fleece and satin.

First Impressions

I like the well-designed packaging, which makes it a wonderful gift for new Mums. The material is soft and smooth, which is significantly more superior than another shield apparel I have seen before at a motherhood fair. I couldn’t wait to wash and use it!

How We Tested It

Prewash: I prewashed the Belly Blanket with cold water by hand once. There is no colour-run. After line-drying in the sun, the blanket remains soft and smooth, and retains it shape. Thanks to the pre-shrunk cotton!

Normal laundry: (As my laundry nets are torn, the blanket has not been washed in the washing machine yet. This section shall be updated in future.)

Cell Phone Test: The Belly Blanket passed the test several times:

Before laundry: handphone 3G reception decreased from 7 to 4 bars after 3o seconds
Before laundry: handphone 3G reception decreased from 7 to 4 bars after 3o seconds
After laundry: handphone 3G reception decreased from 7 to 4 bars after 3o seconds
After laundry: iPod Touch WIFI reception decreased from 3 to 2 bars after 3o seconds, to 1 bar after 1 minute

Ease of use and comfort: I fold the large blanket into halves and use it to cover my tummy while Vee nurses at night. It is also big enough to cover Vee while he naps, to protect him from radiation as I use the laptop.

The cotton side is more suited to touch the skin than the stiffer RadiaShield® lining. The blanket is thin and breathable, well-suited for our tropical climate. Since there is a hood, I try swaddling Vee for fun and he enjoyed it. The result… a 17-month old MEGA-dumpling!

The price of The Belly Blanket – Chic is USD69 while the Luxe version is USD109. I certainly look forward to using it to during my next pregnancy. In the meantime, it would be Vee’s and my blanket.

—

What we like about it:

Consistently passed the “Cell Phone Test”
Pre-shunk cotton allows blanket to retain its shape
Cotton material is very soft and smooth
Generous size provides large coverage for covering pregnant belly and swaddling baby
Machine-washable — convenient during laundry
Packaging made with recycled paper

What can be improved:

Add one more layer of cotton to conceal RadiaShield® lining

—

Get Your Own (with Discount!)

To get your own Belly Armor Belly Tee, Belly Blanket or Belly Band (coming soon), visit Belly Armor or Belly Armor (Asia).

Special Treat: 15% discount
Discount Code: MUMREV
Validity Period: Until 15 Sep 2010

—

Disclosure: I received The Belly Blanket – Chic for review.

Which Milk is Better? (Part 2)

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:00:21 +0000

In Which Milk is Better? (Part 1), I decided on the ideal alternative milk for Vee:

Regular pasteurised whole organic milk from grass-fed cows and/or

homemade yoghurt made from organic milk from grass-fed cows

500 to 600ml (or mg) per day

plus a multi-vitamin

(Vee’s diet is primarily vegetarian, with one serving of fish about 4 times a week. He also eats eggs about 4 times a week.)

Over the past two months, we have tried six types of dairy products, namely:

This article compares the nutritional value, cost and other factors of the above products. Except for Enfapro A+ Formula Milk Powder, the other items can be consumed by adults too.

1. Organic Valley Organic Full Cream Milk

This is the only organic fresh full cream milk that we found in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Source: Australia
Packed in: Australia
Cow’s main diet: Organic vegetarian (which could mean grains, instead of grass)
Organic certification: Yes (Australian Certified Organic)
Processing: Pasteurised and homogenised
Price: RM23.49 per litre (~USD7.35 or SGD10.03)
Available at: The Village Grocer, Bangsar Village (Stocks infrequently replenished)

We like the taste and drank it for a few weeks. It is the MOST expensive milk among the six.

Special Note: This brand from Australia is different from another well-known “Organic Valley” brand from the U.S — the logos are different.

Strengths:

Certified organic
High in fats (4.0g per 100ml)
Pasteurised and homogenised
No additives

Weaknesses:

Low in calcium (82mg per 100ml) and carbohydrates (4.5g per 100ml)
Unknown whether cows are grass- or grain-fed
No company website for further clarification
Infrequently stocked
High price

2. True Organic Organic Full Cream Milk

This is the only organic UHT full cream milk that we found in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Source: Australia
Packed in: Australia
Cow’s main diet: Grass
Organic certification: Yes (NASAA)
Processing: Pasteurised and homogenised
Price: RM11.50 per litre (~USD3.60 or SGD4.91)
Available at: The Village Grocer, Bangsar Village (Stocks are usually plentiful)

The taste is less rich and we drank it for a week. Being UHT milk, it is convenient to bring during travels.

Strengths:

Certified organic
Cows are grass-fed
No additives

Weaknesses:

Low in energy (259kJ per 100ml)
Processed by UHT

3. Farmhouse Full Cream Milk

After we could not get Organic Valley Full Cream Milk several times, we turned to Farmhouse.

Source: Australia
Packed in: Australia
Cow’s main diet: “Grazing in the pastures (grass), hay, various types of grains, and cotton seed” (Email from F&N Dairies (M) Sdn Bhd)
Organic certification: No
Processing: Pasteurised and homogenised
Price: RM6.50 to RM7 per litre (~USD2.11 or SGD2.88)
Available at: Most supermarkets (Stocks are usually plentiful)

The taste is rich and we have been drinking it for several weeks.

Special Note: This is different from the Farmhouse Full Cream Milk we bought in Singapore. The Singaporean-version is packed in Singapore and slightly cheaper.

Strengths:

Pasteurised and homogenised
No additives
Widely available
Low price

Weaknesses:

Cows are not mainly grass-fed
Not certified organic

4. PURA Milk

Another fresh milk from cows in Australia, which I decided to give it a try.

Source: Australia
Packed in: Malaysia
Cow’s main diet: “All our milk is from ‘free range’ cows, i.e. not placed in barns and feed on hay and grains, but kept in paddocks to eat grass, supplemented with hay and other feed if the grass levels are too low.” (email reply from National Foods, owner of PURA)
Organic certification: No
Processing: Pasteurised and homogenised
Price: About RM7 per litre (based on RM14 per 2-litre bottle) (~USD2.19 or SGD2.99)
Available at: Cold Storage and other supermarkets (Stocks are usually plentiful)

The taste is less appealing than Farmhouse and we drank it over a few days.

Strengths:

Pasteurised and homogenised
Cows are mainly grass-fed
No additives
High in energy, protein, fat and calcium (refer to Nutrition Information below)
Widely available
Low price

Weaknesses:

Not certified organic

5. Enfapro A+ Formula Milk Powder

We had a 2 days 1 night trip to Ipoh. Bringing formula milk powder would be more convenient than liquid milk, so I let Vee try it a few days before the trip. (The most convenient is still direct breastfeeding!) Various brands of formula milk powder are not compared because Vee would rarely drink it. The choice is based on a relative’s recommendation as both her children are drinking it.

Source: Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the U.S.
Packed in: Thailand
Cow’s main diet: Unknown
Organic certification: No
Processing: Pasteurised, homogenised, UHT and spray-drying (Inferred from Wikipedia)
Price: About RM15.70 per litre of milk (Based on RM39.30 per 400ml tin, more cost-efficient for larger tins) (~USD4.91 or SGD6.70)
Available at: Most major supermarkets

I do not like the artificial taste. Fortunately, Vee accepted it. At home, this is the least convenient as it needs to be prepared. I prefer to pour fresh milk into a cup and feed Vee immediately.

Strengths:

High in energy, carbohydrate and DHA (refer to Nutrition Information below)
No need to supplement with multi-vitamin
Widely available

Weaknesses:

Unknown whether cows are grass- or grain-fed
Not certified organic
Low in protein, fat and calcium (refer to Nutrition Information below)
Processing steps (other than pasterisation and homogenisation) unknown
Contains additives

6. EasiYo: Bio-Life Organic (Full Cream) Yoghurt

Since pregnancy, I have been making EasiYo organic yoghurt at home with its yoghurt maker. Homemade organic yoghurt is fresher and more cost-efficient than off-the-shelf ones (which cost about RM50 per litre, 2.5 times as much).

It is easy to make fresh yoghurt with EasiYo:

Add cold water and yoghurt powder into the inner jar, cover the lid, and shake to mix well.
Fill outer jar with hot water to the recommended level.
Place inner jar into the outer jar.
Cover and let it stand for 8 to 12 hours.
Place into the refrigerator and consume within 2 weeks.

Source: New Zealand
Packed in: New Zealand
Cow’s main diet: Grass
Organic certification: Yes (NZ Agriquality)
Processing: Pasteurised and homogenised (Other steps: unknown)
Price: RM19 to RM20 per litre of yoghurt (RM109 for yoghurt maker or RM99.90 for starter pack promotion) (~USD6.10 or SGD8.33)
Available at: Selected organic shops, pharmacies and Ambery.com.my

This yoghurt is relatively sour, yet Vee LOVES it, whether plain or with thick cereal. I prefer to eat it with fruits, nuts and/or seeds.

Strengths:

Certified organic
Cows are mainly grass-fed
High in fat and calcium (refer to Nutrition Information below)
5 strains of live lactic cultures

Weaknesses:

Processing steps (other than pasterisation and homogenisation) unknown
Contains additives (natural emulsifier and soy lecithin)

Conclusions

We did not find any “regular pasteurised whole organic milk from grass-fed cows”.
PURA Milk is a good alternative being a “regular pasteurised whole milk from mainly grass-fed cows”.
EasiYo: Bio-Life Organic (Full Cream) Yoghurt matches the criteria for “homemade yoghurt made from organic milk from grass-fed cows”.

That’s it: Vee and I would be eating EasiYo organic yoghurt and drinking PURA Milk, until we find even better options.

—

Get Your Special Download:

This summary table compares the nutrition value, price and other factors of the 6 dairy products discussed.

Summary Table: Compare Dairy Products for Toddler (webpage in new window)
Summary Table: Compare Dairy Products for Toddler (pdf document)

–

Other Useful References:

—

Thank you very much for reading this extensive article! If you are new to Mummy’s Reviews™, please subscribe to updates here.

If you have any recommendation for fresh and nutritious dairy product, please share in the comment box.

—

Note: The above opinions are from our own experiences, which may differ from yours. For advice on nutritional needs, please check with a qualified medical professional.

I Can’t Survive a Day without This Play Yard!

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:13:35 +0000

Baby-safe play zone in the room

Ok, the title is exaggerated. I can survive a weekend without this play yard, since hubby helps out. We have been using the Vee Bee Play Yard for 8 months and thought it is a good time to share this review with you.

Why Do We Need a Play Yard?

When Vee was younger, he loved playing at his Tiny Love Gymini. At 7 months old, Vee started crawling forward rapidly. One month later, he was pulling himself up to stand.

He refused to be confined in the small baby cot or play pen. When I needed to do something without babywearing him, he screamed in the cot / play pen. Letting him roam dangerously around wasn’t an option either.
He repeatedly did these: pulled himself to stand in the cot, let go of his hands and fell against the wooden rails. I was paranoid that he would get concussion soon!
I like to give him some independent play time daily and needed a baby-safe zone for his free play sessions.

How Did We End Up with this Vee Bee Play Yard?

As usual, I shopped around and narrowed my options to the Haenim Play Yard and Vee Bee Play Yard. Key differences:

Haenim 6-Panel Play Yard: about S$174 (USD126), made of PVC
Vee Bee 6 Sided Play Yard: about RM999 (USD312), made of steel and fabric

I nearly bought the Haenim until I read that it is made of PVC (see note at the bottom). After viewing the Vee Bee Play Yard twice, we decided to invest in one.

About the Vee Bee 6 Sided Play Yard

These are the main features of the play yard:

Dimensions: 180com hexagon
Country of origin: Made in Taiwan (by Valiant Enterprises Pty Lyd, an Australian company)

So far, we have only seen it sold at First Few Years (Paragon, Singapore or The Curve, KL, Malaysia).

First Impressions

My husband was responsible for setting up the play yard and it was up in a short while. I was sooooo excited to see it in the room as it spelt F-R-E-E-D-O-M for me… finally! It is huge and can comfortably fit all three of us in.

Although the play mat is thick, it cannot cushion a fall on the head well enough. Therefore, we place foam play mats below it.

Our Experience Using It

Best Time: The best time to place Vee in it is when he is freshly awake in the morning or from his nap. The boy would be happy to play with his toys inside while I rush to clean up, sort out the laundry and do stuff at lightning speed. He could be so engrossed with his toys until I need to coax him for his bath!

Safety: When Vee was learning to stand / walk and falling a lot, I threw 3 pillows into the play yard to cushion his falls. Sometimes, he would fall and hit the steel rods at the base but nothing serious.

Cleaning: Every 2 weeks, our domestic helper washes the play mat. It usually dries over the weekend. Vee loves to suck the horizontal rails (gross!) and I figured the only way to sanitise it is by using an electric steamer. Erm… I am guilty of not doing this. Good for building Vee’s immunity?

Irritating Velcro tabs: Inside the play yard, the fabrics are attached with strips of Velcro tabs, which Vee would curiously undo all the time, which irritates me to the core! Outside the play yard, the play mat is attached to the steel rods via 6 strips of fabric with Velcro tabs (AGAIN!!!). Vee would happily go round the play yard, pull off the 6 strips of connectors and leave them all over the place, like a treasure hunt trail for me. If cloth diaper makers can use snap buttons, why can’t Vee Bee?!?

Alternative Uses:

Child Outside, Toys Inside: When Vee is roaming freely outside the play yard, I keep some toys away from him in the play yard to prevent a mega mess in the room.
Everyone Inside: When I am exhausted, such as during the recent fever episode, I rested in the play yard while he played around me. Full confidence that he would be safe even if I fell asleep.

Some Mums have a tough time getting baby to play independently in a play yard, here are some tips I have learnt over time:

Tip #1: From the time baby is a newborn, allow her to have some independent play time daily (about 15-30 min). This gets her used to playing by herself occasionally.

Tip #2: Fill a new play yard with baby’s favourite toys to give her a sense of belonging.

Tip #3: Accompany baby into the play yard, get her interested in a toy. Excuse yourself by telling baby you need to do a small task such as switch on the fan or close the door. If baby is fine playing on her own, then let her do so for a short while.

Tip #4: Use the play yard for mainly for independent play. If you are in it with baby too often, baby may associate it with Mummy-time and may need you to be in it with her.

Tip #5: Do not leave baby crying badly in the play yard or use it as a “Naughty Corner”. If baby associates the place with negative experiences or emotions, she may dislike being in it.

Overall, we find the Vee Bee Play Yard a worthwhile purchase, which allows me to do chores with ease for short periods every day.

—

What we like about it:

Extra large size gives baby ample room to play without feeling too confined
Easy to set up
Only fabric is in contact with baby
Play mat is easily washable
Bright and cheerful colours (play mat) keep baby interested
Light-weight frame — easy to shift play yard when cleaning the room

What can be improved:

Use snaps instead of Velcro tabs (hook & loop closures)

—

Read why PVC is known as “The Poison Plastic” here

—

Question: Where do you leave baby when you need to do chores?

Bouncy Baby Wet Bag

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 16:00:57 +0000

Wet bags are a must-have for EVERY diaper bag. If “wet bag” is totally an alien term to you or sounds something like a bag accidentally dropped onto a puddle of water, then please read on:

What is a Wet Bag?

A wet bag is a cloth bag with a zip closure and waterproof inner lining. It was originally designed to hold wet or soiled cloth diapers when Mummy and baby are on the go. There are various sizes to suit different needs. Since its invention by the cloth-diapering industry, Mums have found a trillion uses for wet bags, limited by only your own imagination:

for the poopy / pukey newborn: hold wet/soiled cloth diapers, bibs, handkerchiefs, clothes, etc.
for the messy eater: hold cutlery, utensils, boxes of snacks, spare bibs, etc. After a messy meal, dump everything back into the wet bag.
for the water baby: hold wet swimwear and towels after a dip in the pool
for the toddler in daycare: hold a spare change of clothes. After bathing and changing, keep used clothes in wet bag.
for the young Picasso: hold used painting accessories after enrichment activity
for the grandchild camping over at Granny’s place: a large wet bag that can be hung at the door knob serves as a travel-size laundry basket
for Mummy: hold soiled cloth pads, cloth wipes, make-up accessories, etc.

Now you’d probably understand why I never have enough wet bags.

About Bouncy Baby Wet Bag

These are the main features of the wet bag:

Single layer: Made of soft and thick breathable polyurethane laminated (PUL) fabric
Loop handle: Yes
Dimensions: Approximately 32cm (length) x 29 (height) x 12cm (base width)
Capacity: Up to 5 of most brands of cloth diapers
Country of origin: Made in Malaysia, in a small dedicated sewing studio

There are 4 solid colours to choose from.

How We Tested It

Laundry: Before initial use, I washed it by hand and there was no colour run. Normal laundry has been easy: To reuse it in a rush, simply give the inner surface a good wipe. Otherwise, flip it inside out and toss into your normal laundry.

Performance: I use the wet bag to hold Vee’s meal-time accessories when dining out. It is very roomy and contains everything needed. The waterproof lining works well in keeping the dampness of his wet handkerchiefs in.

I like the loop handle that makes holding easy. Often at home, I need to carry Vee up/down the stairs while grabbing a few dirty handkerchiefs and a cup for washing. Instead of using a baby carrier, I could also dump the messy stuff into the wet bag and still carry Vee.

The capacity is large because of its wide bottom design. The stretchy fabric means you can stuff it like a dumpling.

: Stretchy wet bag that holds loads of stuff

The price of a Bouncy Baby Wet Bag is RM27 (~USD8 or SGD12). A similar-sized wet bag imported from the U.S. could cost twice as much.

—

What we like about it:

Wide bottom provides large capacity
Stretchy fabric allows stuffing to the max
Simple one layer design
Loop handle eases holding it

What can be improved:

Introduce more colours and prints

—

Win Your Own

Participate in Giveaway #11 here.

—

Get Your Own

To get your own Bouncy Baby Wet Bags, visit Tiny Tapir.

—

Disclosure: I received a Bouncy Baby Wet Bag for review.

Giveaway #11: Bouncy Baby One Size Cloth Diapers & Wet Bags

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 16:00:49 +0000

After bouncing back from a MEGA flu with fever hitting 38.5 degree Celsius, I am finally able to publish this Review & Giveaway article on Bouncy Baby One Size Cloth Diaper and Wet Bag– designed by the team at Tiny Tapir. Vee and I have tested the diaper over almost 2 months and we like that it is made of high quality materials, good workmanship and the introductory prices are jaw-droppingly LOW!

What is a One-Size Diaper?

(This short section is for mums new to cloth-diapering.) A one-size diaper means it comes in only one size (i.e. no XS, S, M, L or XL). It usually fits babies well from 3 to 5kg onwards (depending on the brand) to an average-sized toddler. It is a suitable choice if:

your newborn/toddler is nether too petite nor too huge, or
you plan to have one or two children, or
you are on a tight budget.

About Bouncy Baby One Size HEMP Pocket Diaper

These are the main features of the diaper:

Outer layer: Made of soft and thick breathable polyurethane laminated (PUL) fabric (Up to 300 washes at 40 degree Celsius or below.)
Inner lining: Made of Alova suedecloth
Insert (Large, Hemp): Contains 2 layers of 55% hemp & 45% cotton. When folded: 6 layers of absorbency
Insert (Small, Microfibre): Contains 2 layers of microfibre. Snapped onto hemp insert.
Closures: Diagonal front snaps. 2 rows of 10 waist and thigh snaps. 5 to 6 possible settings.
Country of origin: Made in Malaysia, in a small dedicated sewing studio

The introductory colours are blue and pink, with more to be launched.

First Impressions

I received the review sample during the Mom & Baby Expo at MidValley in May, on the first day of Bouncy Baby’s soft launch. Li from Tiny Tapir described her new diaper with conviction, while coming across as socially responsible and passionate about cloth diapering. I appreciate that she chooses to manufacture the diapers in Malaysia to ensure close supervision and humane treatment of workers.

Both the workmanship of the diaper and the quality of materials used are indeed excellent. It is the first time that I felt Alova suedecloth (the stay-dry layer)– extremely soft and comfortable! This is the most unique point that drew me to test Bouncy Baby out. (Most cloth diapers use suedecloth, microfleece and bamboo. Alova suedecloth is really outstanding!)

The pocket opening has a flap that keeps inserts in place without using elastics.

Pocket opening with flap (keeps inserts in without elastics)

My review sample comes with an extra set of snaps at the thigh, intended to prevent wing droop for newborns. This feature would probably be removed for newer batches.

Thigh snaps originally intended to prevent wing droop for newborns

Bouncy Baby HEMP Pocket comes with a large prefold size hemp insert and a small microfibre insert. Hemp is known for its superb absorbency, while microfibre soaks up liquid very fast. By combining the two (with microfibre layer closer to baby’s bums), the diaper technically becomes a super-soaker.

How We Tested It

Prewash: I prewashed the diaper and inserts with warm water once by hand . The hemp insert is uniquely designed with a large base opening that allows quick drying. Otherwise, hemp inserts could take a few days to dry since they are very absorbent.

Tip #1: Prewash new hemp inserts SEPARATELY from other diaper items to remove its natural oils.

Tip #2: To help hemp achieve its full absorbency faster (i.e. prep it), wash it in WARM/HOT water or boil it once. However, do not boil if it has snaps on it.

Regular Laundry: The diaper has been machine-washed at 60 degree Celsius and still stays as good as new after almost two months. The Alova suedecloth and hemp insert are still soft after many washes.

A significant amount of lint was found inside the hemp insert though. I could not tell if the lint was originally present or caught up from the laundry. Anyway, I removed them and wash the hemp insert in a laundry net subsequently. No more lint has been found in the insert since.

Update on 13 Jul 2010: Part of the PUL has separated after about 30 washes at 60 degree Celsius. The PUL manufacturer just confirmed with Bouncy Baby that the PUL fabric needs to be washed on cold. Bouncy Baby is sourcing for new PUL fabric. Therefore, if you get Bouncy Baby, please note that it is for cold wash (maximum 40 degree Celsius).

Ease of Use / Fit: It took a while to figure out how to use the inserts since the hemp insert is really one-of-a-kind. There are 6 snaps on it, and no instructions provided on the packaging. It is possible to snap it in various combinations to meet the child’s needs (boy / girl / small / medium / large). Hence, I created the step-by-step pictures below to help you understand better how the inserts work.

This is the first time I try putting on a diaper with diagonal front snaps on Vee. There are only 2 snaps per side, which take up little time. He is using the third rise setting and the front of the diaper rests nicely below his tummy. The back elastic is relatively thin, so if the snap settings are tight, there could be red marks on baby. Thicker and gentler elastics would be more ideal.

Trimness: The inserts combination above, with the extra layers of hemp placed in front (for a boy), resulted in a thick bulk below his tummy. Therefore, I would suggest reserving this configuration for naps or night-time only. During the day, I prefer to skip Step 1 for a trimmer diaper.

The diaper with its hemp plus microfibre inserts are designed for night-time cloth-diapering, therefore it is not trim. We use it only at home, so this is acceptable. (Bouncy Baby is also sold with microfibre inserts only, which would be trimmer for day-time use.)

Absorbency: The hemp insert was absorbent for at least 2 hours even after one prewash. We have tried it for up to 4 hours without any leak. When Vee is changed, the inserts are at most 3/4 full, which means they can last even longer. The absorbency is very high, considering Vee is about the heaviest-wetter in town.

Stay-dry: Alova suedecloth stays dry and comfy against baby’s bums, so if your baby is fussy over wet diapers, this is very suitable.

Poo: No ‘luck’ with poo accidents in the diaper as Vee is potty-trained for poo.

I know you’ve been waiting for this… View photos of Vee’s sexy bums below:

The price of a Bouncy Baby One Size Pocket Diaper with hemp and microfibre inserts is RM69.90 (~USD22 or SGD30); introductory prices are at only RM52 (~USD16 or SGD22)! For such quality and functionality, it is absolutely value-for-money.

—

What we like about it:

Alova suedecloth has won my hearts over! Stay-dry, soft and comfortable for baby
Hemp insert is soft and very absorbent, perfect for night-time use
Hemp insert dries fast, thanks to its unique design
Large cutting fits chubby babies well

What can be improved:

Use PUL fabric that can be washed on hot
Provide instructions on how to combine inserts
Thicker and gentler back elastics to prevent red marks
Introduce printed fabrics for fashionista Mums

—

Win Your Own

TWO (2) lucky subscribers will win a Bouncy Baby Value Set & 1 hemp insert worth at least RM159.90 (~USD50 or SGD69) each! This means each winner gets:

Three x One Size Pocket Diapers (Pink or Blue)
Six x Microfiber inserts (3 large + 3 small)
One x Hemp insert
One x matching colour zippered wet bag with handle, fits up to 5 cloth diapers (Read the review here or click on the thumbnail below for a larger image.)
Stretchy wet bag that holds loads of stuff!

This is how to participate:

Subscribe to Mummy’s Reviews™ in a reader or via email (existing subscribers counted)

Send an email to me with the following information:
- Your name
- Facebook nickname, if any
- Visit here and tell me one reason why you would like to win a Bouncy Baby Value Set
- If you are a new reader, mention how you got to know of this Giveaway
- Blog / Website URL, if any

To get EXTRA entries:
- 1 extra entry: “Like” Mummy’s Reviews™ Facebook page (existing fans counted)
- 1 extra entry (unlimited total): For each participant referred by you (e.g. through sharing the Giveaway on Facebook)
- 3 extra entries: Share this Giveaway on your blog / website and link it back to Mummy’s Reviews™

Other Information

This Giveaway is open to subscribers with a mailing address worldwide.
It will run until 30 July 2010.
The usual Giveaway Terms apply.

Send in your entries now and good luck!

—

Get Your Own

To get your own Bouncy Baby One Size Pocket Diapers, visit Tiny Tapir.

Limited Period Offer: Introductory discounts of 25% to 30% (until the full range of colours are out)

There is also a large range of other items for Mummy and baby. (Warning: It is hard to stop shopping once you are in the store!!!)

—

Disclosure: I received a Bouncy Baby One Size Cloth Diaper for review.

Giveaway #10: Pupsik Studio Baby Pouch Carrier

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 07:29:00 +0000

Pupsik Studio Stylish Baby Pouch Carrier in Aqua Marine

This Review & Giveaway article is sponsored by Pupsik Studio based in Singapore.

Most babies love to be carried and Vee is no exception. At 16 months old, he probably still misses living in Mummy’s womb sometimes. I love babywearing Vee as it keeps him calm on clingy days while freeing up my hands. We have two ring slings and a soft structured carrier, and were eager to try out Pupsik Studio’s baby pouch carrier.

What is a fitted pouch carrier?

A fitted pouch carrier is a simple one-piece design, with no adjustment needed through rings and buckles. The size is meant to fit the caregiver (usually Mummy!), and there are 3 to 5 carrying positions to meet baby’s needs as she grows from a newborn to a toddler.

About Pupsik Baby Pouch Carrier

These are the main features of the carrier:

Material: Made of high quality cotton fabrics with a slight stretch for comfort
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Limit: Up to 20kg child
Extras: (1) Leg padding (2) Pocket to hold loose items
Choices: Currently 6 solid colours and 10 lovely prints
Country of origin: Made in Malaysia

First Impressions

Compact and highly portable baby pouch

The baby carrier is packaged in a durable plastic pouch with snaps, which keeps it clean when not in use. I am very impressed by how compact it is — only slightly bigger than my palm! The pouch carrier comes with a small booklet explaining safety precautions and wearing instructions. There are step-by-step photos showing how to put on the pouch and wear it for 3 carrying positions — cradle carry, kangaroo carry and front carry. The sewing is also very well done.

How We Tested It

Fit / Ease of Use: Pupsik Studio has a user-friendly online sizing calculator that helps customers choose the correct size based on weight, height and bra cup. It recommended the Small for me and the fit is perfect. It took very little learning to wear the pouch and put toddler Vee in it. No rings and buckles means absolute convenience indeed!

Home: It comes in useful when I need to carry him up/down the stairs and hold other things (usually cups and handkerchiefs) at the same time. Otherwise, it is difficult to juggle so many things while ensuring he does not tumble down the stairs.

Outdoors: Nowadays, he is more willing to sit in the stroller, so I pack the Pupsik pouch carrier (instead of the soft structured carrier) in the diaper bag. This saves lots of space and we can travel with a light diaper bag. If he becomes clingy, it is easy to pop him into the pouch while we continue running errands. (Note: A sized carrier means only I or another caregiver of similar size may use it.)

Period of Use: Since the weight of the child is bore by one shoulder and Vee is already 28% of my weight, I use the carrier only for short periods of time (less than 30 minutes). I love the thick leg padding which protects Vee’s chubby thighs.

Laundry: I washed the pouch carrier once by hand and there was colour run. The water became clear after 5 to 6 rinses (erm… I lost count as I was preventing Vee from barging into the washroom). The simple one-piece design means quick drying time for reusing again. (Tip: Always wash new garment by hand or separately before first use.)

Overall, we like the Pupsik Baby Pouch Carrier and it would be in our diaper bag for a long time.

—

What we like about it:

Light and compact — saves space in diaper bag
Packaged in a reusable plastic pouch to keep the pouch clean
Easy to use
Machine-washable
Leg padding protects baby’s thighs
Variety of colours and lovely prints to match Mummy’s skin tone and wardrobe

What can be improved:

Prevent colour run by choosing fabric/dye which is less prone to colour run, prewashing the carrier, or reminding customers to wash separately before first use.

—

Win Your Own

ONE (1) lucky subscriber will win a Pupsik Baby Pouch Carrier worth S$45.90 each. This is how to participate:

Subscribe to Mummy’s Reviews™ in a reader or via email (existing subscribers counted)

Send an email to me with the following information:
- Your name
- Facebook nickname, if any
- Visit here and tell me the colour / print of the carrier you would like to win
- If you are a new reader, mention how you got to know of this Giveaway
- Blog / Website URL, if any

To get EXTRA entries:
- 1 extra entry: “Like” Mummy’s Reviews™ Facebook page (existing fans counted)
- 1 extra entry (unlimited total): For each participant referred by you (e.g. through sharing the Giveaway on Facebook)
- 3 extra entries: Share this Giveaway on your blog / website and link it back to Mummy’s Reviews™

Other Information

This Giveaway is open to subscribers with a mailing address in Singapore and Malaysia.
It will run until 5 July 2010.
The usual Giveaway Terms apply.

Send in your entries now and good luck!

—

Get Your Own (with Discount!)

To get your own Pupsik Baby Pouch Carrier and a wide range of unique products for Mummy and baby, visit Pupsik Studio.

Special Treat: 10% discount on baby pouches
Discount Code: MUMMYSREVIEWS
Validity Period: Until 31 July 2010

The Pupsik pouches are also available at these retailers based in Malaysia:

Mothercare (MidValley, KLCC, The Curve, 1Utama, Subang Parade, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Pavilion, Alamanda, Gurney Plaza)
Little Me Store (Kota Kinabalu — 4 stores throughout, Sandakan)
Kid’s Avenue, Kota Kinabalu
Poppies (Kuching, Sibu)
Toys World (Miri)
Baby’s Gallery (Miri)
Peekaboo Baby (Penang)

—

Disclosure: I received a Pupsik Baby Pouch Carrier for review.

—

Giveaway #9: Bottombumpers Side Snapping AIO Cloth Diapers

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:00:43 +0000

This Review & Giveaway article is sponsored by Bottombumpers and baby-mel.com (Malaysia’s sole distributor).

As I type this article, Vee is sleeping soundly wearing his Bottombumpers Side Snapping All-in-One Cloth Diaper, with my full confidence that it would hold all his pee through the nap. After all, we have tested it over nearly two months. This is the first All-in-One (AIO) cloth diaper that toddler Vee has tried and we are absolutely pleased with it — trim, absorbent, well-made, fits well and contains certified organic materials.

What is an All-in-One (AIO) Cloth Diaper?

In simple terms, an AIO cloth diaper means the absorbent fabric (or soaker) and waterproof cover are connected in one piece. This means neither stuffing of inserts nor covers are needed. During each change, the entire diaper is replaced. An AIO diaper with hook and loop closures (e.g. Velcro or Aplix tabs) would be very suitable for daycare centres, babysitters, Dads, Grannies or super-busy Mums.

About Bottombumpers Side Snapping All-in-One Diaper

The ultimate convenience - just snap and go!

These are the main features of the diaper:

Outer layer: Made of waterproof 2mil polyurethane laminated (PUL) knitted fabric
Inner lining: Made of absorbent certified organic cotton
Absorber / Soaker: Contains 4 layers of organic cotton and topped with bamboo velour (total: 6 layers of absorbency); attached to the diaper by 2 snaps at the top
Closures: Hidden side snaps, 5 waist and thigh snap settings that can be independently adjusted
Country of origin: Made in the U.S.A. by a small family and select few contracted seamstresses in smoke- and pet-free sewing studios.

It comes in 15 solid colours and custom orders (with embroidery designs) are available at selected retailers.

Bifold and unsnappable soaker for quick drying

First Impressions

The workmanship of the diaper is excellent and the bamboo velour top feels luxurious. As Vee is wearing Large for his usual diapers, I wondered initially if the Medium Bottombumpers would fit him. The diaper is relatively narrow at the crotch; elastics are thick and gentle. The label stating the size is sewn outside the diaper, enabling quick identification.

How We Tested It

Prewash: Since the diaper is in a dark solid colour, I prewashed it once by hand with warm water. No colour run, great! The smartly designed snap-on AND bifold soaker means quick drying time, which makes it unique among AIO cloth diapers.

Regular Laundry: The diaper has been machine-washed in 60 degrees Celsius and still stays as good as new after two months. Tip #1: Put the diaper in a laundry net before washing, to prevent the cotton lining from picking up lint.

Ease of Use / Fit: Being used to side-snapping diapers, I find it easy to get the correct fit. I can even put it onto Vee while he is standing and busy playing. The soaker is slightly long in the front, so I had to make sure it is tucked in. Medium fits Vee beautifully and he is currently on the third waist setting and largest thigh setting. No red marks appeared on him. Tip #2: Side-snapping diapers allow independent adjustments for waist and thigh settings, which is suitable for babies / toddlers with chunky thighs.

The diaper is very trim and fits well under pants. The elastics at the thighs are not sewn in with a second row of stitches. Tip #3: To prevent wicking, always ensure that the cotton lining at the crotch area is rolled in.

Absorbency: Excellent day-time diaper for active play, outings and naps. We have not faced a single leak. Even after only one prewash, the Bottombumpers lasted through 2 hours of active play, with the soaker being 2/3 full. Most of the time, I change Vee (a super-heavywetter) after 3 hours and the soaker would be 2/3 to completely full. The cotton lining helps to absorb pee too, which ups the absorbency a notch. Tip #4: To further boost the absorbency, add a cotton / hemp / bamboo doubler below the soaker.

Both the cotton lining and bamboo soaker feel damp when wet. In the early months when Vee was a fussy newborn, I would have preferred cloth diapers with a stay-dry layer. Now, I actually like feel-wet fabrics, which would help him potty-train faster. To protect his sensitive skin, I simply change him every 2 to 3 hours.

Poo: Vee poo-ed on the diaper once. The solid is easily dunked into the toilet and a little spraying cleaned the rest off the bamboo velour.

I love the pretty ruffled hem at the back!

Fits Vee's chubby thighs and feels comfortable in various positions

Overall, we love the Bottombumpers Side Snapping AIO Diaper!

—

What we like about it:

Easy to use
Absorbent
Trim
Dries fast
Fits chubby thighs well
Gentle elastics leave no red marks
New snap-on soaker can be purchased if the original is worn out or stained
Contains certified organic cotton and bamboo materials

What can be improved:

Shorten soaker a little so that it does not tend to stick out in front, or shift the back snaps higher

—

Win Your Own

THREE (3) lucky subscribers will win a Bottombumpers Side Snapping All-in-One Cloth Diaper worth RM89 each, sponsored by Bottombumpers and baby-mel.com. This is how to participate:

Subscribe to Mummy’s Reviews™ in a reader or via email (existing subscribers counted)

Send an email to me with the following information:
- Your name
- Facebook nickname, if any
- Visit here and tell me one reason why you would like to win a Bottombumpers Side Snapping All-in-One Cloth Diaper
- If you are a new reader, mention how you got to know of this Giveaway
- Blog / Website URL, if any

To get EXTRA entries:
- 1 extra entry: “Like” Mummy’s Reviews™ Facebook page (existing fans counted)
- 1 extra entry: “Like” Bottombumpers AND baby-mel.com Facebook pages here & here (existing fans counted)
- 1 extra entry: Register here to become a member of baby-mel.com
- 1 extra entry (unlimited total): For each participant referred by you (e.g. through sharing the Giveaway on Facebook)
- 3 extra entries: Share this Giveaway on your blog / website and link it back to Mummy’s Reviews™

Other Information

If you are one of the winners of this Giveaway:
- The colour of your Bottombumpers diaper will depend on the stock available.
- You would need to send in three (3) photos of your baby in the Bottombumpers diaper won. The photos may be used in marketing materials.
This Giveaway is open to subscribers with a mailing address in Malaysia.
It will run until 14 July 2010.
The usual Giveaway Terms apply.

Send in your entries now and good luck!

—

Get Your Own

To get your own Bottombumpers cloth diapers, visit these retailers based in Malaysia:

The entire list of retailers is available here.

—

Disclosure: I received a Bottombompers cloth diaper for review.