Fashion & Gear - Attachment Parenting-Friendly

Smartipants

Cloth diapers are back — and cuter than ever! Smartipants (a recently launched collection of reusable diapers) has taken over the diaper scene much to the delight of style savvy moms and tots.

But these diapers don’t just look great; they really work. Each one consists of a colored waterproof outer layer and a super absorbent, removable “Smart Sleeve” insert complete with leak guard technology — which keeps all moisture in. They’re also made of breathable fibers that are chemical and irritant free.

One-size-fits-all, each Smartipants comes with adjustable snaps to accommodate babies up to 35 lbs — so they’ll grow with your little one up to the toddler stage. Available in six colors, you can buy them in packs of 3 ($39.99) or individually ($14.95). You can also stock up on the inserts. A pack of 10 retails for $9.99.

Smartipants are also easy to clean (just throw them in the wash) — and environmentally friendly. Using multi-use diapers helps cuts down on the roughly 3.4 million of tons of disposable diaper waste that our country contributes to landfills each year. You’ll even end up saving money, especially if you use them for multiple kids. It’s no wonder celeb fans like Sarah Jessica Parker, Halle Berry, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba and Gwen Stefani have already snapped them up!

– Nancy

AzureWrap

As a Canadian, I’d like to share with you some of the fine babywearing options that come out of the Great White North — comfortable, trendy, and downright beautiful, these great Canadian carriers are sure to wow you.

– Stephanie

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Is it a pouch? Is it a ring sling? No, it’s both! And it comes with all the benefits of each. How cool is that? The UpMama Hybrid sling ($84CAD) has combined the best features of pouches and ring slings and eliminated some of the common problems of both to make a super-easy and super-comfortable carrier. The UpMama Hybrid has the simplicity of a pouch, but it’s adjustable like a ring sling, which means post-partum weight loss won’t get in the way of carrier comfort and, more often than not, two parents can share one sling. I think it’s a perfect introduction to babywearing. It’s made of a cotton sateen with a touch of stretch and also has a zippered pocket in a complementary fabric at the end of the tail. This carrier (I have the Raspberry Red one) gets admired from near and far whenever my daughter and I take it out on the town. UpMama is also an exclusive online retailer (with free shipping!) for an amazing Canadian babywearing 3-in-1 coat: the down-filled M-Coat has a removable panel that will help take you from pregnancy to babywearing and beyond.

– Stephanie

CBBDeal: Save 10% off any of the new spring line of UpMama Hybrid slings — available in the third week of April — using coupon code ‘cbblog’ (expires June 30, 2009).

This mei tai from Mango Baby ($99CAD) is a gorgeous option for parents looking for a two-shouldered carrier. The carriers are made of cotton (some have satin jaquard panels) and can be machine-washed and dried. And I was lucky enough to have the owner of Mango Baby come over to my home for a personal demo. This Chinese-inspired mei tai is designed to be tied in a different way than most (there’s nothing tied around the wearer’s waist, just the shoulders — it’s called the Twist-and-Tuck method, if you’re looking for the fancy lingo!) so it was great to have the hands-on lesson. But since we can’t all have the owner in our living rooms, there are great videos and instructions for how to tie your Mango Baby mei tai on their site. After a bit of practice, I find the Mango Baby mei tai to be extremely easy to use and a great carrier for wearing my baby on my back. I also love the little pockets at the end of the straps. The fact that this carrier looks beautiful and turns heads wherever I go? Just an added bonus!

– Stephanie

CBB Deal: Get $10 off your purchase when you use coupon code ‘babyblog’ (expires June 6, 2009).

Your little Buddha is going to love going for a ride in this comfy carrier. Easy to use and a pleasure to wear, the Baby Buddha (starting at $119CAD) is an excellent choice for a mom (or dad) looking for a perfect do-everything carrier. With a choice of performance fabric (cotton, bamboo, or hemp — all organic!) that stretches with you when you move and wicks away moisture, the Baby Buddha is always comfortable for the baby and the wearer. I have the carrier in the Organic Hemp in Merlot and oh, how beautiful it is. The color is head-turning and the comfort is glorious. And Baby Buddha even recommends that you can use the waist sash (also called the stabilizer wrap) as a funky skirt over jeans! Now that’s a multi-tasking carrier! Check out their cool Buddha Belly Support Bands (in all their divine fabrics) and their Buddha Buddy Play Slings.

– Stephanie

CBB Deal: Save 20% when you use coupon code ‘CBB’ (expires May 5, 2009).

The first thing I noticed about Blue Celery carriers ($100CAD) is their beautiful, gender-neutral colors. Made in Canada from organic cotton, the edges of the carrier are even serged in complementary colors that add to the cool-mama (or cool-papa — the colors really are dad-friendly) fashion statement. Good looks aside, all you have to do is wear a Blue Celery carrier and you’ll be hooked. The pouches are easy to put on and take off, so if you’ve got one of those in-and-out babies, this is definitely the carrier for you. The fabric is also super-soft, nicely stretchy, and quite lightweight, making it a perfect all-season carrier. The fact that it’s easy to put on anywhere you go (without the long dangly fabric that might scare some away from wraps) is what makes this carrier perfect for everyone who is new to babywearing. And the carrier comes in a cool unbleached cotton lunch bag, perfect for toting it around town when you’re not toting someone in the carrier!

CBB Deal: Get free shipping to anywhere in North America using coupon code ‘CBB406’. (Expires May 5, 2009)

– Stephanie

Oh, the colors! The HipMelon pouches ($76USD) come in a variety of gorgeous fabrics. You’re guaranteed to be a head-turner in these. They’re lined pouches, so a little bulkier than some, but I find that just seems to make them even cozier. An added bonus of the HipMelon pouches is the little HipCuff that comes with them. It’s amazing how that little cuff of fabric (matching the gorgeous fabric of your pouch) can snap around and make the pouch even more comfortable! It gets it all snug and comfy — just right for soothing a crabby baby and easing the burden on a tired mama. Also great if you’re not exactly sure of your size (which is tricky with pouches), since the HipCuff makes it snugger, if necessary. Makes a pretty cool bracelet, too!

– Stephanie

CBB Deal: Mention CBB in the payment notes and receive an additional bonus item!

My husband has finally found the pouch love! He has worn our daughter many times in the Z’fina Man Sling ($85CAD) and has always found it quite easy to use. It has a nice amount of stretch, so it’s a little more forgiving for first-timers — I think that’s the key to his success. He even said he likes the way it looks. But don’t worry, moms! Z’fina makes luxuriously gorgeous pouches for you, too! Their silk pouches ($85-$90CAD) are incredible. I have the Iris pouch (pictured) and sometimes I just take it out to stare at it! The coral silk lining is stunning. Of course, comfort is important in a pouch (it’s not just about looks, ladies!) and the Z’fina pouches are excellent. They also have an innovative addition of a zip-able pocket (It’s small, but would hold keys and money and, hey, what more do you need?) and little tuck-away, snap-up strap to hold a toy or pacifier.

– Stephanie

I have a soft spot in my heart for Pippalily, since this is the pouch ($69CAD)I used with my daughter when she was a newborn. Trendy fabrics, soft cotton lining, and amazing comfort combine to make this a glorious pouch. The pouches are easy to use, machine washable, and just plain pretty. A new line of Pippalily accessories — like clutches and a must-have toy strap — match their pouch fabrics and make parenting even easier. You can read more about Pippalily pouches in our past review.

– Stephanie

CBB Deal: Save 15% on your order by e-mailing it to Victoria@pippalily.com. (Expires April 20, 2009.)

The ring slings from Ollie Golightly (starting at $120CAD) are eye-catching, to say the least. Made from linen or organic cotton with a grosgrain binding (which is as useful for helping you adjust your sling as it is stylish), and hand-printed (in water-based, non-toxic ink) with a delicious design of your choosing, you and baby will turn a lot of heads when you go out with one of these ring sling gems. The organic cotton option is even dyed with absolutely, completely, totally natural plant and mineral based dyes. While the Ollie Golightly sling has a slightly different shoulder than I’m used to wearing, it took no time at all to get used to this beautiful, beautiful — oh, did I mention it’s beautiful? — sling. And it’s super-duper comfortable, too. Ollie Golightly also makes equally lovely nursing aprons for mamas on the go.

– Stephanie

CBBDeal: Get free shipping in Canada and the U.S. when you use coupon code ‘Celebrity6846′ (expires July 3, 2009).