GroVia Diapers Are Here!

Also known as an all-in-two diaper as well as a hybrid style, GroVia cloth diapers are convenient, efficient, and not to forget, oh-so-cute! Paired with organic cotton soaker pads (inserts), the covers feature very sturdy hook and loop velcro in a variety of bright colors and prints. Snap covers are available in vanilla only.

GroVia all-in-two diapers are like AIOs except that the cloth insert is removable by snap closures. Diaper changes are quick and easy since the same cover can be reused for multiple changes until it is soiled. For naps or overnight diapering, thin but absorbent organic boosters can be used without adding bulk.

GroVia is also formerly known as GroBaby, and all covers and soaker pads from the previous brand name are interchangeable with the updated, newly christened GroVia products.

Infant Massage Class by Baby Guru

Gwen Trowbridge, wonder mom behind her company Baby Guru as well as one of the twelve finalists of this year's Hot Mama Contest, will be presenting two awesome classes for parents and their babies at the store this summer.

Infant Massage
June 10th, 17th and 24th from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
$85 per couple or $75 with a Baby Awearness receipt

Infant Massage is an ancient tradition in many cultures that has been recognized for its physical, emotional, social and intellectual benefits to babies and their families. Learn the techniques of nurturing massage during three 1-hour sessions.


The Infant/Child CPR Review 
July 1st from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
$35 per couple or $25 if you also take the Infant Massage class

This workshop refreshes parents on how to provide immediate emergency attention to an unconscious or choking child. This is not a certification course, but it will give parents confidence that they can help their child in case of unforeseen emergencies.


About Gwen Trobridge, in her own words:
After having my first son Tanner, I wanted a resource that could help me along the journey of parenthood. In my desire to make it easier for all parents to love and protect their children, I left the corporate world to start Baby Guru. I began my training in the services I wanted to provide to new parents, partnered up with other “baby gurus” and turned my passion into a business. Along the way we had baby boy #2, Chase.

Baby Guru, LLC is now a mommy-owned and parent-operated business that provides services, education, and resources to all parents so they can keep their babies safe, healthy, and happy. We offer babyproofing services and workshops for infant CPR, baby sign language, car seat installation, baby chef and more!

Cloth Diapering 101 in a Nutshell

The following information is a great handout for caregivers. Parents who want to cloth diaper can use this to encourage family members, sitters, or others who will help watch baby to cloth diaper as well. If you cannot print this out, always feel free to stop by the store and we can give you copies of this handout. 

It’s Easy!
Modern cloth diapers are as easy to use as disposables. Elaborate folds, pinning, dunking and swishing are no longer necessary. Instead of tossing used diapers in the trash, you’re putting them into a closed diaper pail or zippered wet bag to be washed and re-used.

Why Are More and More Parents Choosing Cloth?

•  Saving Money 
• a full-time supply of cloth diapers cost less than half of what disposable cost and they can last through multiple kids!
•  Environmental Benefits
• Over 300 lbs of wood, 50 lbs of petroleum feedstocks and 20 lbs of chlorine are used to produce disposable diapers for ONE baby EACH YEAR*
•  Each disposable diaper takes 250-500 years to break down*
•  Health Benefits
•  Cloth diapered babies experience less diaper rash and they are not exposed to harsh chemical gels and toxic byproducts from the bleaching process.
•  Dioxin (a carcinogen), Tributyl-tin (hormone-disruptor) and sodium polyacrylate (similar to the substance linked to toxic shock syndrome) are some of the chemicals that can be found in disposable diapers.*
•  Human feces is tossed into landfills inside disposable diapers adding to contamination of ground water and spreading of diseases. With cloth diapers, poop is immediately discarded into the toilet so you won’t have poop-filled diapers sitting in your home all day long. Not only is human waste getting disposed of properly (so raw sewage isn’t going into the landfill) you’re cutting way down on potential odors.

* Real Diaper Association

Types of Cloth Diapers

All-In-Ones
These diapers have a waterproof cover on the outside and absorbent layers on the inside.  They easily fasten on with Velcro or snaps.  This is a one-step diaper.

Pocket Diapers
Pocket diapers have a waterproof cover on the outside and a microfleece layer on the inside which goes next to baby’s skin and wicks away moisture.  There is a pocket where you stuff a microfiber insert for absorbency.  You can customize the absorbency of the diaper by adding more or less inserts in the pocket or changing the material of the insert (microfiber, cotton or hemp).

Prefolds + Covers
Prefolds are usually made of cotton and have extra layers sewn into the center.  They can be fastened around baby’s legs with a Snappi or diaper pins or folded in thirds and placed inside a waterproof cover. 

Fitted Diapers
Fitted diapers are usually made of cotton, hemp or bamboo.  They are contoured and fasten around baby’s legs with Velcro or snaps.  To be waterproof, they require a cover.

What To Do With Wet and Dirty Diapers
Many parents get a kitchen-size trash can with a lid and line it with a waterproof bag called a pail liner, designed to hold cloth diapers.   Wet and dirty diapers can be stored in the pail until wash time (usually every other day).  Flushable liners are available to contain solid waste.  Place the liner inside the diaper.  It will catch solid waste and let liquid pass through the liner and poop can be picked up and flushed down the toilet.  Another option is getting a diaper sprayer to attach to your toilet.  Hold the dirty diaper over the toilet and use the sprayer to rinse waste into the toilet.

Share the joy of yoga with your baby every Saturday!

Get crafty!

Inspired by an eponymous children's art studio in Colorado, Clementine Art supplies were created by one teacher who not only loved art and children but cared enough to ensure that the very materials her students used to create were truly non-toxic.

From her very own kitchen, she endeavored to concoct the natural -- and nearly delectable, we might add -- art supplies any budding artist can get their hands on. Made from simple, everyday ingredients such as flour, natural colorings, and water, came modeling clay, crayons, paint, even glue!

Baby A is now carrying a full line of Clementine Art supplies. These high-quality supplies are certified non-toxic, earth-friendly, and packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled and reusable materials.

National Woman's Health Week

Did you know that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in celebrating National Woman's Health Week? The week of May 9th to 15th was dedicated to empowering women to make their health a top priority. In honor of this, I would like to remind women that breastfeeding is a health preventative behavior that reaps benefits for a lifetime. Avoiding or abandoning breastfeeding increases a woman's risk of developing premenopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type II diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease.

The decision to breastfeed greatly promotes good public health behavior that benefits not only infants but also their mothers. During National Women's Health Week, communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups work together to educate women about steps they can take to improve their physical and mental health as well as lower their risks of certain diseases. Women are often the caregivers for their spouses, children, and even their own elderly parents that they forget to focus on their own health. But research shows that when women take care of themselves, the health of their family improves.

Healthcare providers are urged to remind the childbearing population of women that they work with of the importance of breastfeeding as a method of reducing diseases and conditions that can rob them and their family of a healthy mother. Heart disease, for instance, is the number one killer of women in the U.S. Epidemiological data suggests that women who do not breastfeed or wean too early face a higher risk of disease and early death.

We should celebrate National Woman's Health week by wishing all moms a Happy and Healthy Mother's Day, every day.

May is Water Safety Month!

Baby A is offering 15% discount on all swim diapers through May 31st to celebrate Water Safety Month.

On May 27 at 6:30pm we'll be hosting a FREE Water Safety Lecture with Jenni Matheson of Infant Swimming Resource.

In this informative presentation regarding water safety for infants, children, and families, you will learn what to be aware of when swimming with a child in the water, and how to make kids safer in and around the water.  You will also be provided with useful tips that if used, can help reduce the risk of aquatic accidents. Finally, you will learn how to empower children with a solid foundation of aquatic skills through self-rescue swimming lessons, which will provide them with joy and safety in and around the water.

Stop in to get your swim diapers then hit the beach!

In Honor of Being a Mother

we share some thoughts about being a mom ... all of us here at Baby A and Hot Mama wish you a very happy Mother's Day!

Ashley
My favorite thing about being a mother is watching my little baby intellectually and physically develop. Everyday she learns something new and it is amazing.

Holli
I love the joy on my son's face when he makes new discoveries and tells me stories and when he attacks me with kisses.

Julliet
I love hearing the sound of my children's laughter; I love watching them learn and discover their inner strengths through experiences they encounter. I'm their biggest fan and am honored to be their mom. My own appreciation for my mom has deepened through my experiences. Happy Mothers' Day ~ here's to us!

Lani
Laughing and playing with my little one is a lot of fun. My baby has a great sense of humor.

Mel, owner, Hot Mama Maternity
I adore being a mom. It's when my son looks up at me and for no reason at all says "Mommy, I love you." It just melts my heart every time. I also adore when my daughter is nursing and she strokes my hair and smiles at me with her eyes; she absolutely warms my soul with one look.

Anna, store manager, Hot Mama Maternity
I guess i never realized the saying my own mom said to me when i was little, "You'll never know real unconditional love until you become a mom." And she's right on that one. I love being a mom because it gives me joy to see my own child grow each day. I love that I am the one resposible in his deveploment. He is beautiful and perfect to me. I love him for all his little smiles, touches, stares, sounds. I can't wait for more of what's to come. I especially love him because he is one created together by me and my loving husband.

Care to share about your favorite part or moment about being a mom? We would love to know!

Let's Talk Toys with Julliet Lowe

Looking for a simple, open-ended toy for the growing minds of your keiki? Come check out our PLAYSILKS!

What is a play silk? A play silk is a piece of silk fabric that's used in a variety of ways. Just the other day, I saw a mom take off a scarf that she was wearing around her neck and give it to her baby to play with so she could get some work done. Then, with the same cloth, she used it as a sling to carry her baby out of the store with. I was like, "Yes! this is what I'm talking about! Creative forces at work.

Play silks may be used as capes, skirts, pants, hats, veils, animal tails, and the very next day, the same silk may be used to make green grass for the animals, blue water to sail their boats on, rainbows in the sky, as a sling to wrap their dolls up in, to build forts, create puppet show curtains, perform magic tricks... are you getting the picture? Super cool right!

This ancient product out of China is a natural fiber and renewable resource. It shimmers and shines with lead-free color, feels good to touch, and is the exact opposite of itchy. Infinite possibilities of play.

Children may hand wash their silks with warm water, mild soap, and hang it out to dry. To restore it's beauty and shine, iron with steam on medium heat setting and you're good to go! This product is great for children 3+.

Play silks make awesome, unique gifts..gotta see it to believe it! Warmest Blessings to you and your Blossoming Babies!

Julliet Lowe