I have a huge pet peeve. I don't like brands or labels on the products I buy. I think companies like Nike and Dolce & Gabbana should pay people to advertise for them. They are getting a total free ride on everyone's shoes, shirts, hats, etc. Scoundrels, all of them!
Given that point of reference, you can imagine how I feel about diapers with Elmo, Nemo, Dora and their ilk. I also simply cannot stand how you can see the characters show through their bloomers, shorts and onesies.
It's just ugly.
What? You were expecting me to rave on about how I don't want my precious little one to be a part of Corporate America's multi-channel co-branded advertising plot to take over the world? Well, I do suppose that bugs me too.
Our solution to curing baby butt ugliness has been to dig deep into our wallet every couple months and spring for the plain brown wrapper of the diaper world: Seventh Generation
What I love about them:
- No freeloading characters.
- No latex. I break out in hives on contact and suspect Jude inherited my sensitive skin. I'd rather not risk it on the ol' privates.
- No fragrance. Come on, let's face it, NO amount of baby powder perfume will mask the aroma of baby poop, so what is the point?
- Chlorine free. My extra-green hubby loves that we are not contributing to dioxin pollution.
What I don't love:
- They are not cheap.
- You cannot pull a "Raising Arizona" caper and steal them from the convenience store like Huggies.
To get around the price issue, 1800DIAPERS is a great source of discount diapers. We buy them online in bulk. The prices are fantastic and you can get them shipped for free.
Shameless self-interest plug: If you decide to buy from their site, please use my referral code, MEMX7065. You'll get a $2.00 discount off your order and I'll get a kickback toward more diapers.
Available at 1800DIAPERS.
I'm with you on that brand-name thing. I've never bought a lick of Tommy Hilfiger clothing because I hate that damn red/white/blue label that appears on every single item. I've never understood the desire to walk around in a T or sweatshirt that has The Gap or Old Navy splashed across it either. Bah!
Great diaper tip. Over the past few years I've been bent on switching over all of our cleaners to organic or environmentally friendly options. I love Seventh Generation products for that reason. Although I'm a little hesitant to switch the tushy wrappers because I hate to mess with a good thing. But it might well be worth the try.
Posted by: lori | June 21, 2006 at 07:21 AM
I agree with you wholeheartedly about cloth. We used Kushie AIOs for the first 16 months. Love those, btw.
When he started at daycare, however, they would only use disposables, which led us to 7th Generation.
Jude is leaving daycare in July, so we will be back to the Kushies for potty-training. We do plan to keep using the disposables when we are out of the house though. My nose can't deal with what happens to a dirty cloth diaper in a hot car.
Posted by: Be Still | June 21, 2006 at 09:59 AM
Oh, I accidentally misrepresented myself. I don't use cloth. We really debated it a lot. And came down to disposables. But we've been trying hard in other areas of our home to be as responsible environmentally as we can. The 7th Generation brand sounds a bit moreso than the, um, Pampers we've been using. :) Sorry for the confusion!
Posted by: lori | June 21, 2006 at 10:31 PM
I just have to say, that it would be REALLY hilarious if you dropped into your local whole foods store wearing "silk" hose (because their organic) over your head and brandishing a pepper mill (as a weapon -think pepper spray only no aerosol) to get the 7th generations for Hi Jr.
It could be the sequel.
Posted by: toyfoto | June 23, 2006 at 08:32 PM
@lori- I was thinking "tushy" was a brand... oops!
@siobhan- That is hilarious! My getaway car would be a Honda Hybrid, for sure.
Posted by: Be Still | June 26, 2006 at 11:27 AM