Archive for the ‘The Benefits of CDing’ Category
Monday, April 22nd, 2013
Today is Earth Day!
Did you know that it takes 500 years for one disposable diaper to decompose in our landfills? By using cloth diapers, you can make a significant impact on our environment.
We love that FuzziBunz Modern Cloth Diapers are not only easy-to-use and oh-so-adorable, but they’re also very earth-friendly! You can find out more about the environmental impact of cloth diapers by clicking here.
Many FuzziBunz users are earth-conscious in other ways, too. We asked our fans how else they try to make their home and families more earth-friendly, and here’s what they said:
- Breastfeeding
- Recycling
- Composting
- Low usage of harsh chemicals
- Eat less meat
- Garden
- Shop locally
- Play outside
- Don’t use paper towels
- Re-use grocery store bags
- Use cloth wipes
- Use a menstrual cup
- Use cloth nursing pads
- Keep their own chickens for fresh eggs
- Keep rabbits to breed for meat
- Organic food and herb garden
- Up-cycle old furniture
- Paper-free household
- Plant trees
- Keep lights off during day
- Line dry as much as possible
- “If it’s yellow, let it mellow.”
- Create their own cleaning supplies with natural ingredients
- Use vinegar and lemon juice for cleaning
- LED and low energy light bulbs
- Appliances serviced regularly
- Cloth menstrual pads
- Cluster errands together to save gas
- Use baking soda for cleaning
- Don’t buy as many cheap plastic toys
- Mending items, especially clothes so they last longer
- One car or no car at all
- Cook at home as much as possible
- Cloth grocery bags
- Bring their own glass tupperware for restaurant leftovers
- Unplug everything when not in use
- Create their own baby wipe solution
- Walk or bike to work when possible
Being earth-friendly is easy and whether you do all of these things or only a few, every bit helps! Visit us on Facebook and mention us on Twitter (@FuzziBunz) to let us know how you’re celebrating Earth Day today!
Don’t forget! Shop.FuzziBunz.com is offering a %15 percent discount with the code EARTHDAY15 – it ends tonight at 11:59 PM CST. You can also check with your favorite retailer to find out if they’re having an Earth Day sale, too.
Tags: award-winning diapers, celebrate Earth Day, cloth diaper, cloth diaper benefits, cloth diaper detergent, cloth diapering, cloth diapers, diaper, earth day, earth-friendly, eco-friendly, eco-friendly diapers, environmentally friendly, Facebook, fashionable diapers, fleece diapers, FuzziBunz, fuzzibunz cloth diapers, FuzziBunz diapers, green living, parenting, pocket diapers, prevent diaper rash, reusable diapers, save money with cloth diapers, Twitter
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Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
Tags: award-winning diapers, cloth diapers, eco-friendly diapers, FuzziBunz diapers, Living In Style, Tereson Dupuy
Posted in FuzziBunz On TV, FuzziBunz® Reviews, Tereson Dupuy - Inventor of FuzziBunz®, The Benefits of CDing | No Comments »
Friday, August 8th, 2008
By: Jenn (The Green Parent)
Let me make one thing perfectly clear. I am a LAZY green mama. That’s not to say that I don’t do my part to protect the planet. But when I do make an effort to go green, I need to know that it is not in vain. And I’m the last person on Earth who would want to make extra work for herself. So when I tell you that I have used cloth diapers for both of my daughters, I hope you’ll understand that this was not an undertaking that I accepted lightly. I looked at the facts, I talked to the experts, I tried it myself, and I concluded that cloth diapers were the best thing for both my children and the planet.
Now if there’s one thing that I can’t stand it’s a guilt trip. So you won’t get any of that here. Yes, I think cloth diapers are fantastic (Fuzzi Bunz are my favorite!) but I know they’re not for everyone. Still, I think it’s time to “clear the air” about the common cloth diaper misconceptions…
The Ick Factor. This is probably the #1 reason that most parents turn their noses up at cloth diapers. It’s easy to imagine that with cloth diapers you’ll be up to your armpits in toilet water trying to wring out some nasty, poppy rag. If you’re concerned about the ick factor of cloth diapers, I have a little advice, but be warned, you may not want to hear it. Here it is…
Poop. Is. Icky. And cloth or disposable, as a parent, you are going to come in contact with it. Get over it. Oh, and one more thing, did you know that you are required to remove poop from disposable diapers and toss it in the toilet? It’s true, it says so right on the package. Even the disposable manufacturers know that it’s nasty to put human poop (even if it came from your sweet little baby’s bottom) in a landfill.
The Time Factor. This is the second reason that most parents want to forgo cloth diapers. To this I reply, have you looked at cloth diapers lately? Back in the day, cloth diapering meant pins and plastic pants, and the procedure did add a bit of time (albeit probably just a few seconds) to the average diaper change. But today’s selection of Velcro or button fasteners and all-in-one cloth diapers are an absolute cinch to put on and take off. The only difference in the whole procedure is that you take cloth diapers off and throw them in the washing machine as compared to the trash can for disposables. The time factor no longer exists.
The Water Consumption Factor. From the beginning, disposable diaper companies have contended that the water consumed to wash cloth diapers negates any environmental benefit that could be gained by keeping disposables out of the landfill. Their theories were somewhat backed up by a flawed study in 2005 that concluded that there is no environmental difference between using cloth diapers and using disposables. Now, when I say that this study is flawed, I say it not as a raving “save the Earth” lunatic (although I am) that can’t imagine that cloth diapers could be environmentally equivalent to disposables. Rather, I say that this study is flawed as a scientist (because I am) and it is. Here’s why.
- The study surveyed 2,000 parents who use disposables, but included only 183 parents who use cloth diapers in their research. The results are therefore neither balanced nor conclusive.
- The study did NOT take in to account the possibilities that some (if not most) cloth diapering parents use Energy-Star rated washing machines, wash full loads of laundry, line-dry their diapers or use moderate temperatures to wash their diapers.
- The study did NOT take in to account that most (if not ALL) cloth diapering parents pass their cloth diapers on, either to their subsequent children, or to their friends, thereby dramatically reducing the environmental impact caused by the creation of the diaper.
- The study only analyzed one type of diaper…a terry cloth diaper… that takes significantly longer to dry than other cotton diapers. And again, they made no mention that these diapers could be dried on a clothes line rather than in a dryer.
The Cost Factor. Last but not least, there is the cost factor. Undeniably, cloth diapers require a greater initial investment than disposables. But study after study after study after study has concluded that using cloth diapers can save you thousands of dollars over the course of your child’s diapering career. (If you’re not convinced, you can use this handy-dandy comparison calculator to see for yourself.) Now who couldn’t use a few extra thousand dollars in their pocket?
So there you have it. A straight-up, no-guilt, fresh look at cloth diapers. Take it or leave it. But at least now you know the facts.
Verybaby.com: Cloth vs. Disposable Cost Comparison
DiaperDecisions.com: The cost of cloth diapers
NaturalFamilyOnline: Alternative to the Usual Checklist
RealDiaperAssociation.com: Diaper Facts
Tags: cloth diaper benefits, cloth diapers, eco-friendly diapers, fleece diapers, FuzziBunz diapers, pocket diapers, reusable diapers, save money with cloth diapers
Posted in Save Money with Cloth, The Benefits of CDing | No Comments »
Monday, July 14th, 2008
Broussard woman invents reusable snap-on diaper
By: Judy Bastien
Cloth diapers. It’s a term that makes many new mothers cringe. The idea of dealing with washing and folding dozens of diapers and the risk of stabbing their own fingers while protecting their child’s mid-section from the business end of a safety pin doesn’t appeal to most.
Even those who look for environmentally-friendly ways of doing things hesitate to venture into the routine of their grandmother’s day.
But, a Tereson Dupuy, Broussard woman has brought cloth diapers into the 21st century with the addition of a polar fleece dryness liner, a built-in waterproof exterior and adjustable snaps to make diapering quick, easy and pain-free.
Her FuzziBunz® diapers appeal to many parents, including high-profile moms and dads in Hollywood and Nashville.
And her budding international business came about because of personal necessity.
When Dupuy’s son was a baby, disposable diapers weren’t an option.
“He has a skin condition – atopic dermatitis and eczema,” she said. “Putting disposable diapers on him caused so many problems – rashes and bleeding.”
She was obligated to use cloth diapers, but she didn’t like the hassle of safety pins and separate vinyl pants.
So, she invented something that combines the baby-friendly and environmentally-friendly characteristics of cloth diapers with the convenience of disposables.
Her invention, now about 10 years old, is known worldwide as FuzziBunz®.
“It’s a three-stage system,” Dupuy said.
The polar fleece, which is next to the baby’s skin, draws moisture away from the baby and into an absorbent cloth pad, which is inserted into a pocket inside the diaper. The stay-dry feature is accomplished without using chemicals or gels, Dupuy said.
The inner fleece lining and pad are contained within a waterproof outer lining.
“Everything separates to be washed,” Dupuy said, “so it gets really clean.”
Tanya Domingue, a pediatric nurse and Scott resident, began using FuzziBunz® four months ago, when her son, Jack, was born.
She had previously used disposable diapers on her two older children.
Domingue said there is no comparison between the two.
“These FuzziBunz® win hands down,” she said. “It has a soft feel.”
Domingue said the reusable diapers are actually easier to deal with once they’re soiled than disposables.
“And, I like the idea we’re not putting more into the landfills with these diapers.”
At first, Dupuy made the diapers herself, just for personal use, but word soon got around in some of the parenting forums and chat rooms she belonged to.
A cottage industry developed, and in 2000, Dupuy’s business, which operates under the name, Mother of Eden, took off.
“I got out of the house; I stopped sewing, myself, rented a building, got employees and have been increasing ever since,” she said.
Now, her product is being sold nationwide on the Internet.
“I also have a large distributor in the UK, Finland, Australia – places where they’re a little more green than the United States.”
Celebrity parents have been heard to say they use FuzziBunz® on their babies, including 90210 star Tori Spelling and country music star Brad Paisley and his wife, actress and model Kimberly Williams Paisley.
Although FuzziBunz® are available on the Internet, Dupuy would like local parents to know that they can be purchased directly from her.
For those who don’t have a celebrity income, the cost of each diaper is a bit of a stumbling block. They sell for about $20 each.
But, they’re much cheaper in the long run, Dupuy said.
Domingue estimates that at seven diapers a day, she had already spent about $240 on disposables for her older children by the time they were 4 months old – Jack’s age.
Dupuy said most people get enough FuzziBunz® to last about a day and a half, so they don’t have to wash every day. The snaps allow for an adjustable fit, so the diapers grow with the baby.
“A full (set) of FuzziBunz® is $200- to $300, compared to $2,500 for disposables,” she said, assuming that disposable diapers are used for about three years.
Tags: Brad Paisley, celebrities using FuzziBunz®, cloth diapers, eco-friendly diapers, fleece diapers, FuzziBunz diapers, Kimberly Williams Paisley, Mother of Eden, prevent diaper rash, save money with cloth diapers, Tereson Dupuy, Tori Spelling
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Thursday, July 10th, 2008
To cloth diaper or not to cloth?
Deciding if cloth diapers are for you
By: Sarah W. Caron, SheKnows
How are you going to diaper your baby? For most of us, it’s more a question of which disposable diaper brand we’ll use. After all, disposables are SO common and convenient. And cloth diapers… not so much. Right? But there are actually more options than Pampers, Luvs, Huggies or Seventh Generation. There are a diverse selection of cloth diapers to consider, too — and, folks, these aren’t your grandma’s cloth diapers.
Several years ago, after a bad diaper rash, my son’s pediatrician suggested that I try cloth diapering and using reusable wipes or wash clothes. I bucked at the suggestion and railed on its craziness. Mere months ago, a mom friend and I were talking about ways to go green. I openly denounced any possibility of ever cloth diapering my daughter. Crazy! Ludicrous! Just. Not. Happening.
So why am I changing my mind now? Cloth diapers aren’t all diaper pins, waterproof covers and stinky messes after all… In fact, there are many choices that can be almost as easy as disposables.
Fitting cloth into life
Even with the many of options available, experts say that cloth diapering still isn’t for everyone, due to life constraints. “Cloth diapers can definitely be for everyone, but not everyone has the right situation to cloth diaper. Sometimes family circumstances are such that won’t allow for cloth diapering. For example, daycare settings that prohibit cloth diapers or caregivers who are uncomfortable using cloth. However, families could still use cloth at home, and many daycare providers are now willing to give it a try once they see how simple it can be. It really does amount to a particular mindset that the family and others who might be caring for the baby have. If the motivation and desire is there, then it’s a good fit,” says Stephanie White of Z Bear Diapers.
Solving diapering issues
But for others, cloth diapering makes sense. Children with rashes like my son can benefit greatly from the more natural fibers in cloth diapering (for the record, the rash did go away with the right cream and a change in diet).
Tereson Dupuy, creator of cloth diapers, was also advised by a pediatrician to start cloth diapering her son. She decided to take the plunge. “I researched my options and tried a few of the ‘best’ brands on the market at the time. Overall, I found these diapers to be wet, soggy, cold – they did not keep my son dry or solve his rash problem. I researched other materials besides cotton that might work and invented a diaper that solved all my issues,” says Dupuy.
It’s all about support
For best results when cloth diapering, talk to your spouse, family, daycare and other people in your child’s life about your intentions. Explain why you want to cloth diaper and its benefits. As White says, you can just do it at home if others aren’t willing to use the cloth diapers.
But, others point out that it can be an everyday, everywhere thing.
“Modern covers and/or pocket diapers make it easy to keep your baby’s clothes dry (often better than disposables). Just put a wet-bag (or an extra plastic bag… from the grocery store, or a zip-lock) in your diaper bag to hold any dirty diapers. A weekend trip is even possible, but a washing machine is recommended for more than an overnight stay. I even got my daycare to use cloth… and they loved it!,” says Marni Matyus, the Natural Parenting expert at peppermint.com.
White says to look carefully for the right diapering system for you to help with 24/7 cloth diapering. “Once you have that in place, you won’t worry about what to do if baby poos in public or that your diaper might leak. When you’re out, you use your favorite brand, so you’re confident, and then have
a good time,” White says. “If baby needs a change, you change the diaper and put the soiled one in a wetbag, take it home, and take care of it
there.”
Tags: cloth diapers, fleece diapers, FuzziBunz diapers, prevent diaper rash, Tereson Dupuy
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Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008
Simple Strategies to Help You Sell More Diapers and Convert More Moms to Cloth
As new parents are bombarded with various baby gear options – from strollers to bottles and crib bumpers – the one task that every thought to is diapering. Good or bad, most new parents still opt for the convenience of disposable diapers because they are unaware that there are practical and easy-to-use cloth diapering options. Plus, many mainstream baby stores don’t offer a wide variety of reusable diapering brands for parents to choose from.
What might surprise many of today’s new parents is that there are many reusable diapering options. In fact, most of the clunky cloth diapers of yesteryear have given way to what is now coined the “modern cloth diaper.” Most new-age cloth diapers are made with high tech materials that are easy to clean and are super absorbent, leak-proof and trim fitting. No more pins that poke, Velcro that scratches, and plastic pants that crunch.
As a baby products retailer, you probably know just how far cloth diapering has come. But the real question is: Do your customers know, too? The answer is “probably not,” simply because not enough major baby products retailers have caught on to the cloth diapering trend. While this may soon change, especially as environmental issues peak and as selling cloth diapers becomes more financially lucrative for a retailer, for now, it is mainly up to the specialty baby boutiques – both on- and off-line – to set the tone that today’s cloth diapers are a worthy choice to throw-away diapers. To help you make the case for cloth (and thus help you sell more diapers), we have compiled some simple strategies to help you make your customer’s cloth diapering experience a little more successful.
Create the Right Mood for Cloth Diapering
For physical retailers, be sure to create a colorful and modern-looking cloth diapering section in your store. A nice display of diapers, rather than diapers strewn about, will likely attract the attention of a new mom; this is an important first step to changing any negative preconceived notions she holds about cloth diapering.
Offer Accessory Suggestions
Many new parents are unsure of how many diapers they will need and what accessories they should purchase to make their cloth diapering experience a little easier. To simplify the process, suggest that a new parent purchase anywhere between 12-20 diapers (encourage them to try one on their baby before washing the lot), and then suggest they also purchase a washable diaper pail, a travel tote bag and the proper detergent needed to clean their diapers – all before leaving your store. Having these accessories on hand will ensure a more successful experience with their new purchase and may deter returns.
Create a Hotline
Be sure to offer your customers a phone number where they can reach you to discuss any questions or problems they’re having. While you can’t offer the caliber call center that the Butterball Thanksgiving Turkey Hotline offers, you can provide a simple and personal way to have an ongoing dialogue with your customers.
Provide Educational Materials
Because few moms are aware of their cloth diapering options, it’s important that you offer educational materials, if possible. Materials could include brochures about cloth diapering or simple print-outs that list different diapering options, pros and cons of each brand, etc.
Highlight Positive Customer Experiences
If one of your customers is raving about her cloth diapering experience, ask her if you can feature her story on your website or on a sign in your store. Many moms get most of their “baby” information from their friends and neighbors (many who have been there and done that) and if someone sees a friendly face in their neighborhood having a positive experience with a cloth diaper they bought in your store, it’s likely others will follow in their footsteps.
Host Seminars and Chat Sessions
Physical retailers can host regular cloth diapering seminars and online retailers can host chat-session to discuss all things cloth. Invite customers to your store (or chat session) and then take them step-by-step through the cloth diapering process and address any lingering questions they have about cloth. This strategy not only brings moms to your store, but also enables you to become their authoritative and trusted source on cloth diapering.
Become the Expert
While it’s easy to talk the talk, it’s just as important that you walk the walk. Use cloth diapers on your baby (or a friend’s baby) so that you understand what these moms are feeling and what kind of experiences they’re having. This exercise will help you relate to your customers on a personal level so they view you as a legitimate source.
Offer Words of Encouragement
As with any new venture, cloth diapering gets easier with time. Reinforce this message to your customers; reassure them that they’re “doing the right thing,” and encourage them to check-in with you if they need any assistance. Your customers will appreciate that you want to go the extra mile to ensure a positive experience.
Make Cost a Non-Issue
Reassure customers about any upfront costs they may be concerned about. While many customers balk at what they perceive is a high price to pay for diapers, be prepared to reassure them that the upfront investment may result in savings of thousands of dollars over time. Do the math yourself so you’re prepared to make a strong case for cloth diapering. Also, offer expecting moms the opportunity to register for cloth diapers and accessories at your store. Remind her that if she receives the diapers as a gift, she may never spend a dime on diapers – ever!
While navigating the world of cloth diapering can be difficult for first-time parents, these simple strategies can help you can make their experiences a little easier. And best of all, such strategies can help you create a world filled not only with happy baby bottoms but also happy bottom lines.
Tags: cloth diaper benefits, cloth diapers, eco-friendly diapers, reusable diapers
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Tuesday, July 1st, 2008
Tags: celebrities using FuzziBunz®, cloth diaper benefits, eco-friendly diapers, fleece diapers, FuzziBunz diapers, Mother of Eden, prevent diaper rash, Tereson Dupuy
Posted in FuzziBunz In the News, Save Money with Cloth, Tereson Dupuy - Inventor of FuzziBunz®, The Benefits of CDing | No Comments »
Sunday, June 1st, 2008
Reusable diapers are big business for this Lafayette-based company
By: Eve Kidd Crawford
Ben Franklin famously said that the only things certain in life are death and taxes. He’s mostly right, but he forgot one other thing—dirty diapers. But just because they’re a necessary evil doesn’t mean that they can’t also be fun, cute and even trendy.
Tereson Dupuy, founder and chief executive officer of Lafayette-based Mother of Eden and the inventor of FuzziBunz® reusable pocket diapers, has based an empire around this concept.
“I knew they’d be big,” she says of her diapers. “I knew that eventually the green boom would hit, and it’s only just starting. It’s going up from here.”
Dupuy invented the diapers in January 1999 when her then-4-month-old son, Eden, for whom the company is named, developed a chronic diaper rash. The chemicals in disposable diapers worsened the rash, as did traditional cotton cloth diapers, which got soggy and held wetness next to his skin. After playing around with fabrics and styles, Dupuy came up with the now-popular pocket-style diaper that kept her son dry and comfortable, didn’t leak and was easy to launder at home. She began sewing diapers at home and selling them on the Internet.
As word of mouth grew, Dupuy decided to patent her invention in 2003. Five years later, Dupuy and her invention have won numerous awards –– including a 2007 Outstanding Product award from iParenting Media and the prestigious 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year award given by the Stevie Awards for Women in Business –– and annual sales in 2007 exceeded $3 million. FuzziBunz® has received media attention from Parents, American Baby and Time magazines, among others, and amassed a celebrity following that includes Tori Spelling and Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams.
Even as her business took off, Dupuy never considered moving headquarters out of Louisiana. “I live here,” she says simply. “I grew up in New Orleans, came to school in southwest Louisiana, fell in love with the area and stayed. We have the best people in the world, best food in the world, best culture in the world. It’s a culture-rich area. I don’t plan on moving.”
Keeping her business in Louisiana has had some challenges, however. “It’s not the greenest place in the world,” she acknowledges. “When I was starting out, I went into an ad agency, and they said, ‘You mean you have to wash it at home? We can’t market this!’ So I just moved on. It can be a struggle to find people who understand a green industry, who understand a reusable product.”
But Sydney French of Opelousas, mother of 19-month-old Carson, fully understands the benefits of cloth diapering. “When my baby was 10 months old, I decided to switch from disposables to cloth,” she says. “I felt horrible every time I threw a sack full of disposables away. All I could think of was the chemicals that would be sitting in a landfill for 500 years. I am thrilled with cloth. I really wish I would have started from the beginning.”
Some have argued that cloth diapers aren’t any better for the environment because of the water needed to wash them. Dupuy scoffs at that idea, at least where her diapers are concerned: “These aren’t traditional cloth diapers. They’re pocket diapers and made of materials that wash quickly and dry quickly. You only need to use one-fourth on the normal amount of detergent, and because they wash and dry so quickly, you save water and energy. We didn’t really make them that way on purpose; it was lagniappe.”
And Dupuy is constantly striving to make the diapers themselves greener. “We’re using companies that are more environmentally sound,” she says. “We’re looking into using recycled eco-fleece, and we’re now manufacturing some of our diapers in Boston, Arkansas and Los Angeles because that way it requires less fuel to get to the end user. We’re making a green product in that you reuse it, but on a grander scale, we are a green company, too.”
Dupuy says a large part of her customer base is on the West Coast, but she would love to see more Louisianians using her product and thinks that might happen soon. “It’s all changing,” she says. “We’re realizing that we have to be more responsible.”
She urges anyone curious to give FuzziBunz® a chance. “Just buy one or two,” she says. “Try them out. See how your baby feels. See how they wash. See the rash reduction –– because you’ll see a reduction even with just two. And of the people I know who’ve opened their mind and given them a chance, no one has said, ‘Oh, this just isn’t for me.’ They all say, ‘I was skeptical, but I fell in love. There’s no reason to go back to disposables.’”
French certainly counts herself as a convert. “I encourage everyone to try it out,” she says. “I like it because it’s not wasteful. And I feel it’s healthier for my child to put cloth next to his skin instead of chemicals. We’re bombarded enough with chemicals. This is one thing I can do to protect him a little more.”
Tags: award-winning diapers, Brad Paisley, celebrities using FuzziBunz®, cloth diaper benefits, cloth diapers, eco-friendly diapers, FuzziBunz diapers, Kimberly Williams Paisley, Lafayette Louisiana, prevent diaper rash, reusable diapers, Tereson Dupuy, Tori Spelling
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